After revealing in an in-depth feature how Apple’s iTunes security protocols work after a user enables two-factor authentication, The Next Web’s Owen Williams has published a quick guide on replacing a lost recovery key that you should check out right away, especially if you don’t remember what you did with yours.
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The Pirate Bay is still down for the count
After being taken offline on Tuesday following a raid from Swedish police, popular torrent The Pirate Bay site has not been quickly restored at a different address, Torrent Freak reports, in spite of what certain news outlets and Reddit threads claim.
Posted in 2014 at 10:30PM, December 10
Google’s Hangouts app just received some awesome new smart features
Google on Wednesday announced a special update for its Hangouts app that will offer users various interesting new features, including an awesome new smart tool to help users better focus on communicating with friends and family, rather than dealing with other smartphone chores when having to answer to certain questions.
Posted in 2014 at 09:00PM, December 10
United Airlines to Equip Flight Attendants With iPhone 6 Plus
The phones will be able to handle "most onboard retail transactions" such as food and drink purchases, and will allow flight attendants to access their email, the United.com website, the United Airlines Intranet, plus policies and procedures manuals.
"We are thrilled to make this investment in our flight attendants," said Sam Risoli, United's senior vice president of inflight services. "iPhone 6 Plus will enable them to deliver an even higher level of flyer-friendly service and will offer our flight attendants simple, one-touch access to valuable work information, enabling them to better serve our customers."
In the future, the iPhone 6 Plus devices used by flight attendants will replace printed safety manuals with electronic versions, allowing for real-time reporting and access to aircraft cabin issues and repairs. United will also develop customer-focused tools to be used on the iPhones.
United Airlines has been an eager adopter of Apple technology in the past, becoming one of the first airlines to distribute iPads to pilots to replace heavy flight bags of navigational charts and other flight materials in 2011. United is planning to renew that program, replacing the original iPads with Apple's newest iPad Air 2 devices.
In addition to rolling out iPhone 6 Plus devices to flight attendants, United is also in the midst of terminal renovations at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport, which will see upgrades that include iPads for customer use.
Currently, supply of Apple's iPhone 6 Plus remains somewhat constrained, with new devices shipping in three to five business days. By mid-2015, however, Apple should have reached supply/demand balance, making it possible for companies like United to deploy the devices on a large-scale basis.
Posted in 2014 at 08:33PM, December 10
Apple Online Store Gains New Toys Ahead of the Holidays, Now Offering Barbie and Skylanders
The most curious new toy offered in the online Apple Store is a Barbie Fashion Design Maker Doll from Mattel. Sold for $49.95, the Barbie is the first doll that Apple has ever sold and at first glance, appears out of place in the online store. The Barbie is a standard Barbie doll, but it is designed to be used alongside a free app [Direct Link] on the iPad that allows children to create customized clothes on printable fabric sheets.
To start, download the free design software app to your iPad, or visit the website to download to your Mac or PC. Use it to create completely customized designs. Select patterns, colors, and accessories available within the program, and add photos to make a really personal statement. Print your finished and fabulous creations onto the eight enclosed printable fabric sheets -- and watch them go from 2D to 3D.
Along with the Barbie doll, Apple is also now selling the Activision Skylanders Trap Team Starter Pack for the iPad. Available for several months via other outlets like Amazon, the Trap Team Starter Pack brings the popular Skylanders console game experience to the iPad. Much like Barbie, Skylanders is very popular with children.
Apple's third kid-oriented offering added this week is the WowWee MiP Robot, a $99 gesture-controlled toy robot that plays games, dances, battles with other robots, and delivers small items.
Full of personality, WowWee's MiP gesture-controlled robot gives you seven different modes and a free app for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that offers a bunch of games. Swipe your hands in front MiP's eyes to the direction of your choosing and watch him follow suit. Or load up MiP's tray with a can of soda and use the MiP app to deliver it. MiP is a loveable toy your whole family can enjoy.
Apple has long offered a variety of iOS-related toys suitable for both children and adults like the Anki DRIVE and the Sphero, but over the course of the last few months, the company has added several accessories oriented solely at its youngest consumers. Products added in 2014 include the Philips/Disney Friends of Hue StoryLight kit, the Tiggly Shapes toddler game, and the Osmo educational gaming system are all aimed at children.
It is not entirely clear why Apple has boosted its focus on accessories for younger children in recent months, but drawing kids into the Apple Store with iPad and iPhone-oriented toys pushes them into the Apple ecosystem at an early age, potentially allowing the company to create lifelong customers.
The expanded range of toys offered by Apple also lets the company reach a whole new demographic and it may be part of new retail chief Angela Ahrendts' efforts to redesign the Apple retail experience. As noted earlier this year, Apple's new head of retail is aiming to overhaul the end-to-end Apple Store sales experience, reimagining product discovery and improving customer interactions with employees.
Posted in 2014 at 07:45PM, December 10
Sony’s hacking nightmare just got even more disastrous
Surprise! It turns out Hollywood really is filled with back-stabbing, self-serving egomaniacs! Gawker has a magnificent rundown of some leaked emails that were sent back and forth between Sony Pictures executives and they paint a picture of the film industry that's just as toxic as we've always imagined.
Posted in 2014 at 07:50PM, December 10
Apple releases iOS 8.2 beta 2 to developers
Posted in 2014 at 05:59PM, December 10
Apple Seeds Second iOS 8.2 Beta to Developers
The beta is available immediately to registered developers as an over-the-air update and it can also be downloaded from the iOS Developer Center.
iOS 8.2 includes the WatchKit SDK, allowing developers to create apps, Glances, and notifications for Apple's upcoming wearable device ahead of its 2015 launch.
Posted in 2014 at 05:52PM, December 10
Video: Watch this man completely lose his mind while stuck in an elevator
There's no doubt that being trapped in an elevator isn't a fun experience but it's still a good idea to maintain some kind of composure while you're waiting. YouTube user Nick Nerv recently had the unpleasant experience of being trapped in an elevator with a man who proceeded to completely lose his mind and started trying to profanely tear the elevator apart to get free.
Posted in 2014 at 05:25PM, December 10
Chinese Mobile Payment Service Alipay Adds Touch ID Support Amid Reports of Apple Pay Discussions [iOS Blog]
The addition of Touch ID authentication for Alipay's iOS app comes after Alibaba CEO Jack Ma and Apple CEO Tim Cook began talks of a China-focused payments partnership last month, although Touch ID app integration is a straightforward process that would not necessarily have required discussions between the two companies to implement.
Though by no means a confirmation, the move does highlight Alibaba's interest in Touch ID for payment security, bolstering hopes for an Apple Pay/Alipay partnership between the two companies down the road. As China's largest e-payment service and with the rampant growing interest of Apple Pay in the United States, the inclusion of Touch ID support could be a hint at Alibaba and Apple's e-payment future together.
As of today, Apple Pay has yet to be made available at all in China or anywhere else outside the United States, as Apple is focusing first on its home market before expanding to other countries. Neil Flynn, a Shanghai-based equity analyst, pointed out the benefits Alibaba could get out of the partnership, namely bolstering Alipay's overseas presence. Apple also stands to benefit from the arrangement as it seeks to increase its presence in the booming Chinese market.
"By teaming up with Alipay, the iPhone is now a more convenient tool for Chinese consumers. In addition, I would imagine that Apple would profit from payments made through Alipay on the iPhone, so it gives Apple access to Chinese consumers," said Flynn, who has been following Alibaba's development for several years.
Apple also has a partnership with Alipay's rival of sorts, UnionPay. Apple announced last month that it would begin allowing UnionPay customers in China the opportunity to use their cards as a payment method in the App Store. Though Apple appears to be hedging its bets, it is clear the company has great interest in growing its e-payments presence in China and elsewhere.
Posted in 2014 at 05:15PM, December 10
How to replace your lost Apple recovery key in 8 easy steps