Apple Inc

Apple releases Chrome and Firefox extensions for Windows for iCloud bookmark syncing

19 September 2013 7:07 PM
iCloud Bookmarks - Firefox

iCloud Bookmarks – Firefox

Apple has quietly released extensions for the Chrome and Firefox desktop browsers for Windows. The extensions allow Windows users to sync their Safari iOS bookmarks across the two browsers. Prior to the Firefox and Chrome extension release, iOS Safari bookmark syncing was limited to Windows Explorer via the iCloud Control Panel (v2.1.2) for Windows app.

Users can download the Chrome extension from Google’s Chrome web store. According to its release notes:

Keep your Chrome bookmarks up to date with the Safari bookmarks on your iPhone, iPad and Mac.

iCloud stores your website bookmarks, so they are everywhere you go — on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and PC. So when it comes to your devices, you can switch things up without mixing things up.

Note: iCloud Bookmarks extension for Chrome is for Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Similarly, users can download the Firefox extension from Mozilla’s Add-Ons site. Its release notes read:

Keep your Firefox bookmarks on Windows up to date with your Safari bookmarks on iPhone, iPad and Mac with the iCloud Bookmarks extension for Firefox.

Unfortunately, it looks like these extensions are Windows-only for the moment and will not work on Chrome or Firefox for the Mac.

Story: tuaw / aol

Apple’s iOS6: 5 New Features You Should Know

19 September 2012 8:36 PM

Apple is starting to roll out iOS 6 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

The new version of the OS brings lots of new features — including Apple’s brand new Maps app, deep integration with Facebook and enhancements to Siri. As of iOS 5, Apple is making the the update available as an over-the-air (Settings > General > Software Update) download. If you don’t have access to the download now, check again in a few minutes. You will also have the option of upgrading from within iTunes, if you prefer.

1. Apple’s Very Own Maps App (RIP, Google Maps)
Getting around with your iPhone will be an experience by itself now, with spoken directions and turn-by-turn navigation, real-time crowdsourced traffic updates, Quick routes and re-routing options, Yelp-powered details on nearby businesses and more. One of the highlights of this feature would be Flyover, a 3D rendition of buildings and major landmarks for a close-up interactive 3D view of cities around the world.

2. Facebook Integration
It’s easier than ever to share on Facebook with the new iOS6. Share photos and locations straight from your device and get your updates about what’s happening on Facebook in your contact and Calendar. Profile information will be integrated into Calendar so you won’t get to miss a thing, especially since you now get notifications for both Facebook and Twitter updates from the notification centre. The App Store is now Like-friendly.

3. Siri’s Smarter
Siri is now savvy in sports stats, restaurant reviews and rotten tomatoes (imdb movie ratings). You can make reservations with Siri through the OpenTable app, and check out movie schedules and ratings. Have a lot of apps to sift through, look up and launch? Launch it the new way by asking Siri to launch the app for you. With the iOS6, you can even dictate your posts for release on Facebook and Twitter.


4. Photo Stream Over ICloud
Share photos with the people you want to share with via the iCloud on an iOS 6 device or Mountain Lion OS. Photos will sync in real-time via iPhoto or the Photos app and are also available on the Web. Commenting is enabled on the albums and you can share as much as you want with no effect on your iCloud storage.


5. Passbook App
Tickets, boarding passes, movie tickets and store cards are things of the pass. Scan in your details to get on that plane, into that cinema or that concert and keep constant tabs on your store card balance all from your iOS devices.

Updates are in real-time so that when flight details have been changed, you get informed of the latest updates straight on your device. This app can turn your iPhone into a GPS-enabled virtual wallet, keeping your cards, coupons and tickets safe, convenient, handy and fuss-free.

What do you think of iOS 6? Let us know in the comments down below!

Pssst! Don’t forget YouTube is no longer part of iOS remember to download the new YouTube app from the Apple App Store.

YouTube for iOS is Compatible with; iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.

It’s officially here – the iPhone 5.

12 September 2012 6:37 PM

Apple finally took the wraps of its latest iPhone, and it’s called the iPhone 5.

From Mashable.com:
“The iPhone 5 has a larger screen than previous versions, at 4 inches, with a resolution of 1,136 x 640 or 326 pixels per inch — which is still a “retina” display, as Apple defines it. The larger screen has a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio and has lengthened the phone overall, but it also allows for a total of six rows of apps on the screen — five rows on the “pages” along with the permanent single row along the bottom.

Apps designed for previous iPhones won’t scale to the new screen — they’ll appear with black bars on the two ends of the screen.

The phone, which is said to be made entirely of glass and aluminum, is also thinner overall. It’s just 7.6 mm thin, 18% thinner than the iPhone 4S. It also weighs 112 grams, 20% lighter than the 4S.”

Camera & Sound;
Front facing camera is now full HD, FaceTime over cellular, a panoramic shot with the iPhone 5 will be 28-megapixels, one mic on the front, one on the bottom, one on the back, earpiece has more noise cancellation.


Apple has also shrunk the dock connector of the iPhone, replacing the aging 30-pin connector with a much smaller jack, which it dubs the “Lightning” connector. – you will also be able to buy an adapter to convert it to a 30-pin to charge older devices. (not included when you buy the iPhone 5)

iOS 6 will be released on 19th September however expect slow speeds and high levels of downloads as many will be using the iTunes service to be first to update to iOS6 which will work on all phones and tablets back to the 3GS iPhone.

Cost – 16GB @ $199, 32GB @ $299 or 64GB at $399
When – Pre order on Friday (14th). Ship one week later, Sept 21.
Where? US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, all on the 21st.

“Today we’re announcing some exciting changes with iPod and iTunes.” Eddie Cue is up to demonstrate a brand new version of iTunes – dramatically simpler, with the cloud build in for PC & Mac The new iTunes looks nearly identical to the music player on the iPad and will be available in late October.

iPod Touch;

the Retina display is now in the iPod Touch and the headphone jack on the bottom same height as the new iPhone 5 iPod Touch gets the cool Panorama feature too. And the shared photo streams with 40 hours of music playback, 8 hours of video on the new iPod Touch battery iSight camera is going to be built into the Touch for the first time. It’s 5 megapixel, with autofocus, flash and Sapphire lens 1080p and even able to do videoing editing.

iPod Nano;

the new Nano is $149, the old Touch is $199 for 16GB, 32GB for 32GB ships with the new EarPods colors? black, white, blue, yellow, red.


EarPods; “we’ve spent 3 years designing an entirely new headphone … EarPods.”
EarPods headphones with little speakers on the side, basically. “We scanned hundreds of ears, looking for a commonality …” – says Jony Ive they are designed to intentionally direct sound, right into the ear “and of course, we want to make them available as soon as possible … today.” get your EarPods at the Apple Store now and of course, they’ll ship with the new Touch and the iPhone 5.

That’s it from us on the iPhone 5 Live, for a full recap of the iPhone 5 announcement including the full new line-up check out Mashable or watch the re-cap by TysiPhoneHelp / TysiHelp (Ty Moss) or SoldierKnowsBest (SKB) Apple will likely post the event on Apple Events page shortly.

Links:
Apple Shows Off More of iOS 6 at iPhone 5 Event – Mashable
Apple Adds Facebook Integration Into iTunes, Effectively Kills Ping – Mashable
Apple Announces Thinner iPod Nano – Mashable
Lightning: Apple’s New iPhone Dock Connector is 80% Smaller – Mashable
Apple Unveils New iTunes, Coming in October – Mashable
Meet EarPods, Your New Apple Earphones – Mashable
Apple Kills iPhone 3GS, Makes iPhone 4 Free – Mashable
iPhone 5 Compared With Competitors – Mashable
Apple iPhone 5 Event Coverage (Recorded) – YouTube, SoldierKnowsBest
iPhone 5, iPod touch 5G & New 2012 iPod nano 7G! – YouTube, duncan33303
Recap: Apple iPhone 5 Event – YouTube, SoldierKnowsBest
New iPhone 5, iPod touch 5G and iPod Nano 7G! – YouTube, tysiphonehelp
iPhone 5: Should you upgrade? – YouTube, tysiphonehelp
iOS 6 Panorama Mode – YouTube, SoldierKnowsBest

Apple iOS 6 (Beta 4) Kills Built-In YouTube App

6 August 2012 9:23 PM

Apple on Monday released iOS 6 beta 4 to developers, and one of the most notable changes is the removal of the built-in YouTube app.

According to users in the MacRumors forum, the YouTube app is not included in the list of apps on the iOS home screen, where it has resided since the iPhone launch in 2007. Apple said the license with Google to include the YouTube app on the home screen has expired and Google is now working on a standalone app for the Apple App Store.

The updated iOS app will not be available until the fall, when Apple rolls out iOS 6 (presumably with its next-gen iPhone). But when it arrives, the Maps app will replace the Google Maps app that currently comes pre-installed on all iOS devices.

The good news is i think Google (YouTube) will be able to pull this one off, if they add a YouTube app to the App Store rather than built in as it will be updated more often. I myself hardly use the YouTube app due to lack of features and design is a little out-dated.

According to iLounge, meanwhile, iOS 6 beta 4 also includes Bluetooth sharing. Last month, there were reports that users will not be required to enter a password when downloading free apps in iOS 6.

check out 92 New Features in Apple’s iOS 6 by pcmag.com.

Tim Cook to Apple Employees: “Apple is Not Going to Change”

25 August 2011 4:00 PM

Ars Technica reports that new Apple CEO Tim Cook has sent out an email to Apple employees expressing his enthusiasm for officially taking the reins of the company and reassuring employees that “Apple is not going to change.” The full text of the email:

“Team:
I am looking forward to the amazing opportunity of serving as CEO of the most innovative company in the world. Joining Apple was the best decision I’ve ever made and it’s been the privilege of a lifetime to work for Apple and Steve for over 13 years. I share Steve’s optimism for Apple’s bright future.

Steve has been an incredible leader and mentor to me, as well as to the entire executive team and our amazing employees. We are really looking forward to Steve’s ongoing guidance and inspiration as our Chairman.

I want you to be confident that Apple is not going to change. I cherish and celebrate Apple’s unique principles and values. Steve built a company and culture that is unlike any other in the world and we are going to stay true to that—it is in our DNA. We are going to continue to make the best products in the world that delight our customers and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do.

I love Apple and I am looking forward to diving into my new role. All of the incredible support from the Board, the executive team and many of you has been inspiring. I am confident our best years lie ahead of us and that together we will continue to make Apple the magical place that it is.

Tim”

Cook has gained a solid reputation for his leadership abilities and work to streamline Apple’s operations. He has also clearly embraced the Apple concept as revealed by the “Cook Doctrine” he laid out over two years ago as he took on the role of overseeing Apple’s day-to-day operations during one of Steve Jobs’ medical leaves of absence.

TUAW’s Michael Grothaus, a former Apple employee, also offers a personal impression of Tim Cook, noting the thoughtfulness and careful consideration he gives when speaking as an example of his leadership abilities “sans ego“.

“Tim Cook is one of those rare people who stop and think before speaking. Standing in the same room with him I realized that he’s comfortable with silence as long as that silence is productive and appropriate. He’s not like other tech execs who ramble almost immediately and incoherently at any question lobbed at them, as if doing so will convince others they know everything about everything.”

“Tim Cook is a person who has confidence in his position as a leader, sans ego. Ego doesn’t take pauses. It’s rapid-fire. And it’s that confidence and lack of ego that allows him the time to examine the issues and questions at hand, no matter how lowly or silly others may think them, and address them appropriately.”

Cook has been at Apple since 1998, and while he has played a primary role in hosting Apple’s earnings conference calls, he has until relatively recently remained quietly in the background when it comes to Apple’s mainstream public appearances. But the company in recent months has been making a more active role for him, most notably as the on-stage representative for Apple at the introduction of the Verizon iPhone earlier this year.