Apple Confirms HealthKit Bug, Promises Fix by End of September

Just before the public launch of iOS 8 earlier today, we noted that Apple had begun pulling HealthKit-related apps from the App Store, apparently due to a last-minute issue that cropped up in the new operating system. The issue has put a significant dent in the usefulness of the Health app that was to be a key feature of iOS 8, while also subjecting a number of third-party developers to uncertainty about the fate of their apps.



While details on the issue are still unknown, Apple has confirmed to Tim Bradshaw of Financial Times that it has discovered a "bug" in HealthKit that will require a software update to fix. Unfortunately, Apple is not necessarily promising an immediate turnaround on the fix, saying only that the company is aiming to "have HealthKit apps available by the end of the month".



iOS 8 is available now to owners of recent-generation iOS devices, and will be included on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus when they officially launch on Friday. Aside from Health, iOS 8 includes a number of other features such as a new QuickType keyboard with word suggestions, support for systemwide third-party keyboards and Touch ID integration, Photos and Messages improvements, and Continuity features to make iOS device and Macs work more smoothly with each other.

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Posted in 2014 at 08:17PM, September 17

Apple Expanding Boston-Based Research Team Working on Siri Speech Recognition

Last year, we highlighted a profile of Apple's Boston-area speech technology team speculated to be working on enhancements to Siri. The group's efforts appear to have been ramping up since that time, with a June report claiming Apple is seeking to eventually move away from the Nuance-powered system currently used for Siri.



Apple's team in Cambridge appears to still be growing, with BetaBoston reporting Apple has leased 13,000 square feet of new space to house the team.

Several commercial realtors tell me that the Cupertino company has leased more than half a floor at One Broadway, an MIT-owned building that also houses Facebook’s small local team, several venture capital firms, and the Cambridge Innovation Center. The new office, about 13,000 square feet on one of the building’s upper floors, is a major expansion for Apple, which currently has a small team on the building’s fifth floor.

Earlier reports had noted Apple's recruitment of several former Nuance employees for the team, and BetaBoston reports Apple has recently added members from Amazon, research and development firm BBN Technologies, and data management firm Actifio.



Apple has reportedly not yet begin building out its new space in Cambridge, but it could house up to 65 employees once completed.

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Posted in 2014 at 08:17PM, September 08

Amazon will finally unveil its 3D smartphone on June 18th

We've played our part in spoiling the surprise, but it looks like Amazon is finally ready to unveil its 3D smartphone at a launch event on June 18th in Seattle. The news comes from a video Amazon published this afternoon on its YouTube account, and although the phone doesn't get any screen time, it's hard to imagine what else it could be. Check out the reveal below.

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Posted in 2014 at 08:17PM, June 04

Google wants to do away with Android fragmentation once and for all

As Android began its domination of the smartphone market, Google was forced to make a very difficult sacrifice. By offering hundreds of unique phones to consumers from dozens of manufacturers across the globe, Google's operating system quickly became fragmented. Many new devices are still launching with outdated software, but if the leaked memo picked up by Mobile Bloom is legitimate, Google might be ready to quash fragmentation for all future devices.



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Posted in 2014 at 08:17PM, February 17