Tag: apple tv

Apple TV Will Gain Picture In Picture Functionality With Upcoming Update

Earlier this month, Apple held the WWDC event where it showcased the latest software versions for its consumer devices (1,2). Subsequently, the company has rolled out a developer’s beta update for the Apple TV which is reported to have a brand new feature. A Twitter user who goes by the username Nikolaj Hansen-Turton discovered that the with the latest beta update, the Apple TV has gained the functionality of Picture-in-Picture or PiP.

tvOS has PnP!!
— Nikolaj Hansen-Turton (@nikolajht) June 17, 2019

pic.twitter.com/uD4j1RKgEX
— Nikolaj Hansen-Turton (@nikolajht) June 17, 2019

Several publications took notice of the Tweet and ran news covering the update. However, at the time, it was unclear whether it is a full fledged PiP function or just a smaller window of the video player which can be displayed while navigating through Apple TVs UI. Reports since then have claimed that the feature will allow users to stream two shows simultaneously. Though, there are some limitations of the feature.

Picture in Picture support will be limited for the content that is provided by Apple. This includes content which is purchased through iTunes, inbuilt Apple TV channels and the Apple TV+ service which will roll out later this year. The list of premium add on channels offered by Apple TV include HBO, Starz, Showtime, EPIX, Tastemade, and Smithsonian Channel.

To further clarify, if a user subscribes to HBO through Apple TV, they will be able to watch HBO in Picture-in-Picture mode when the new version of tvOS ships to the public later this year. However, if they subscribe to HBO through the HBONOW.com website and then watch the service via the third-party HBO NOW app, they won’t be able to use Picture-in-Picture mode. Although not mentioned by Apple, this exclusivity is maintained as Apple charges a commission from HBO when users subscribe to the latter’s service via Apple’s channel. Therefore, this is Apple’s strategy to push users to subscribe to paid resources via its platform

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Conclusively, this seems to be a worthwhile feature for the Apple TV that users will surely appreciate. For users to access the feature, they will have to wait till the general public software update is rolled out.

June 18, 2019
Apple Showcases The Updated watchOS 6 and tvOS 13 At WWDC 2019

Apple at WWDC 2019 has delivered on the many requests made by its consumers and fans. Many of the initial rumours were also confirmed within the event. With the company’s focus shifting away from its star player, iOS, and towards the improvement of its other products. In WWDC, the company officially unveiled the new and improved watchOS and tvOS to its audiences present in the event and those watching it live online.

Apple tvOS 13

Apple announced changes for its already revamped Apple TV app with its latest tvOS 13. The new redesigned home screen brought some welcomed aesthetical changes with live previews and cleaner organization. The biggest addition to the tvOS is the ability to add multiple users. Each added member receives personalized recommendations for both Apple TV app and Apple music.

The music app will also be fully synced with complete lyrics displayed alongside the music that is being played. tvOS is scheduled to launch this fall and will feature native support for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 game controllers for its Apple Arcade lineup of games. Apple is set to launch its streaming service later on in the year 2019. Showcasing the service with the reveal trailer of ‘For All Mankind’ as one of the first shows that will be in the streaming service.

Apple watchOS 6

WWDC saw the split of Apple’s core focus from iPhones and shift it towards other devices such as Apple Watch. However, it does make changes for a better standalone experience rather than being just an iPhone peripheral.

The company adds more layers of options and functionality to the new watchOS rather than radically redesigning everything. The biggest design changes are the new ‘Faces’, meant for showcasing the graphic designs with details added for more information on the screen. ‘Faces’ deliver customisation on supported apps with custom notifications.

One of the key announcements for watchOS was definitely the addition of certain apps such as Calculator, Audiobooks and Voice memos. With the latest update apps run natively on the wearable device. This means applications will no longer require a companion app on iPhones to pair with. The introduction of new streaming API will allow apps to stream audio directly to the watch.

Also Read: Apple Launches The All New Revamped Mac Pro Alongside The Pro Display XDR 6K Monitor

A notable announcement on-stage was the inclusion of the App Store integration in the watchOS 6. This will let users pay, browse and download apps directly from their wrists. Apple also made software downloads a direct process on the Apple Watch. Building on its pre-existing health-related features, the company has added a myriad of monitoring and informative functions that will also be available on iPhones. These include apps for monitoring sound levels and menstrual cycle tracking for women.

June 4, 2019
Round Up Of The Apple Event Held On 25 March

Cupertino based tech titan, Apple held an event on the 25th of March where it announced four brand new subscription services. The list of newly announced services includes Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade, Apple Card and Apple News Plus.

Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade is the company’s take on a gaming service which spans across the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Mac computers. The paid subscription will initially provide access to over 100 gaming titles which will sprout further over time. Noteworthy, it even allows the user to play games in offline mode. This is a significant aspect as its direct competitor, the newly launched Google Stadia lacks support for this notable feature. The service will roll out in autumn this year and its pricing details are yet to be revealed. Exceptionally, family members can also share the subscription across different devices without an additional cost.

Apple Card

Apple card is a virtual credit card service which is developed for iPhone users and is an extension of the Apple Pay and Wallet services. The service is intended towards lowering interest rates, removing unnecessary fees and simplifying the process of applications in obtaining a credit card. According to the company, the service will simplify the use of existing digital payment mediums to a great extent.

Notably, it is just a credit card service and not a banking service. Apple has partnered with Goldman Sachs and MasterCard that handle its financial end. As previously mentioned, the user can directly sign up for a card right from the iPhone which is generated in minutes, unlike conventional service which can take days. Reportedly, the service makes use of machine learning which can precisely reflect the spending patterns of the user and also offer rewards in cash. Distinctly, the service will not charge late fees from the however, its functioning is unclear as of now.

Apple News Plus

As the name suggests, it is a news service from Apple that again requires a paid subscription. It showcases the content in a user-friendly and elegant manner which is enriched with photographs, animations and typography optimised for Apple devices including iPhone, iPad and Mac. The news service incorporates content from over 300 established newspapers, magazines and digital publishers some of which include Vogue, WSJ, GQ, Traveller, Wired and The New Yorker. The service is currently limited to the US and Canada where the users can subscribe it at a monthly fee of $ 9.99 and $ 12.99 respectively. Admirably, six members of a family can share one Apple News Plus subscription.

Apple TV Plus

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Apple TV Plus is the company’s attempt at a video streaming service which will take on the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime. The service is set to launch in over 100 countries which will roll out in Q4 of 2019. According to the company, around 30 original projects are currently in the works which will be exclusive to the platform. Additionally, content from renowned channels including HBO, Showtime, CBS All Access will also be available on the streaming service. Like the Apple Arcade, its price is also currently unavailable.

In addition to the Apple Plus subscription service, the company has also released an all-new Apple TV application which has a completely redesigned interface. The new version of the application is designed to serve on-demand digital content, without advertisement with the option of offline downloads. The new Apple TV app is now available for the Apple TV and iOS devices. While its support for third-party smart TVs from LG, Sony, Samsung and Vizio will be available some.

March 26, 2019
Apple Launches Apple TV+ And Apple Arcade

Apple announced its newest subscription based services called Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade at an event on Monday at the Steve Jobs theatre in Cupertino, USA. The former is a video subscription service aimed at competing with rivals like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video and the latter is a game subscription service. The company also announced a new Apple TV app for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, smart TVs and various streaming devices. At the same event, the company also launched the Apple News+, a news and magazine subscription service and the Apple Card, an all-new payment service.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is the company’s venture into the streaming service market. It is a subscription-based video service that has a host of features to differentiate it from the competitors. Unlike Netflix and Prime Video, it has a host of channels available on TV which the users can subscribe on an individual basis. These channels include HBO, Starz, SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade, Noggin and MTV Hits. Apple has alleged that more channels from around the world will be added in the due course of time.

At the launch of Apple TV+ celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, Jason Momoa made an appearance to announce their shows on the platform. The new Apple TV app, on the other hand, will be a host to all the new shows and channels by the company and will also offer suggestions for shows and movies from over 150 streaming applications, including Amazon Prime, Hulu, Canal+ and more. Apart from the aforementioned media, the app will also house the movies and TV shows available to purchase and/or rent from the Apple iTunes store.

The Apple TV+ video streaming service will be announced later in fall this year, which suggests a release in the fourth quarter of 2019. The company will also announce the pricing of the service at the same time. The new Apple TV app will be available to download on iOS devices, Apple TV and Mac starting this May. In a surprising move, Apple has also partnered with brands like Samsung, VIZIO, LG and Roku to bring the Apple TV app on their respective smart TV and streaming devices.

Apple Arcade

The Apple Arcade is the world’s first mobile, desktop and TV game subscription service. It will make use of over 3,00,000 games available on the App store to bring a streamlined gaming experience. The service aims at introducing a new way to give users access to exclusive games, handpicked by Apple on the platform. A new tab named ‘Arcade’ will exist inside the App store and will allow a subscription option which in turn enable the users to try out a game in the service. Notably, all the games available in the subscription will be free to play, with no additional purchases required.

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Another innovative feature Apple is introducing with the Arcade service is an option for offline playability and the game controller support for compatible games. As the subscription is extended to various Apple devices, users can leave a game on an iPhone and start where they left it off on another device like an iPad, Mac or an Apple TV. Over time, more new games will be available on the service. The service will launch in fall, like the Apple TV+ and the pricing of the service, will also be announced then. In the meanwhile, interested developers can apply to be a part of Apple Arcade by visiting the link here.

March 26, 2019
Apple May Have Plans to Acquire Netflix

Apple has long been rumoured to be be working on a TV subscription streaming service to be integrated into their “TV” app on iOS devices and on the Apple TV. With Netflix already at the top of the list of subscription-based streaming services. Apple may likely be setting its eyes on the acquisition of Netflix. An analyst claims that there is a 40% likelihood that Apple will acquire Netflix now that US President Trump’s corporate tax cut has been passed.

The cut in corporate taxes, along with a one-time allowance for companies to repatriate cash stored overseas without a major tax hit, will give Apple a much larger cash surplus to buy new companies. Apple has over $ 250 Billion in available cash, which is stored in tax havens outside of the US, which the company will now be able to bring back to the US thanks to the new tax cuts.

Apple’s list of potential acquisitions contains a few companies, but Netflix tops this list according to the Analysts. This list includes companies like Activision, Electronic-Arts, Take-two, Hulu, Disney and even Tesla. However this was written before Disney’s acquisition of Fox’s studio and TV assets.

Apple will need to pay only 10% to bring this cash back to America, and Netflix acquisition could cost the company as much at US $ 75 Billion . Still leaving the company strong with 2/3rds of their existing cash and with this number increasing at the rat of US $ 50 Billion each year, Apple could be eyeing other potential investments.

This move will also allow Apple to establish a stronghold in the streaming space the company has been eyeing for several years. With Apple Music service already a huge success, a movie/tv series streaming service will only add to Apple’s revenue.

January 2, 2018
Apple Launches Apple TV 4K Starting At US$179

Apple has announced a much-awaited upgrade to its Apple TV lineup which is now capable of playing movies and TV shows at 4K Ultra HD resolution.

Under the hood, the Apple TV 4K now features an A10X Fusion processor, the same as what’s currently in the iPad Pro and 3GB of RAM. This upgraded internals should allow for smooth playback of 4K content at up to 60 frames per second. Apple is also concentrating on HDR with the latest Apple TV, as it supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10. These high dynamic range technologies allow for brighter highlights and an expanded range of colors on television sets that support HDR.

The Apple TV 4K will also start streaming live sports later in 2017. Apple has announced that Netflix and Amazon Prime Video will bring its titles to Apple TV 4K. With the A10X Fusion chip, Apple TV 4K will be able to handle high-end gaming as well which can be streamed to your 4K TV.

The Apple TV 4K starts at Rs 15900 for 32GB or Rs 17900 for 64GB and will go on sale in India later this month or early October.

September 12, 2017
Apple iPhone Launch Event – Where To Watch And What To Expect

The annual iPhone launch event hosted by Apple is set to take place at the Steve Jobs Theatre in San Cupertino, California in less than 3 hours and. The event starts at 10 a.m. PDT/10:30 p.m. IST and will stream live on Apple Inc.’s website. The stream can be watched live here. It is worth noting that the live stream uses Apple’s HLS technology. HLS requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with Safari on iOS 9.0 or later, a Mac with Safari on macOS v10.11 or later, or a PC with Microsoft Edge on Windows 10. Streaming via Apple TV requires an Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) with software 6.2 or later or an Apple TV (4th generation). The American tech giant is expected to unveil a host of products at the event, most notably the iPhone 8.

iPhone 8

The iPhone or the iPhone X Edition, whatever Apple decides to call it, is one of the most anticipated smartphones of 2017. Apple is expected to shed the bezels from its previous generation iPhones and present smartphone which will have a 6 inch OLED display with minimal bezels around it. The smartphone will run iOS 11 and will be powered by a 3000 mAh battery. Apple will also drop the Rose Gold colour variant and introduce the iPhone 8 in Black, White and Blush Gold colours. The cameras at the back will be vertically placed this time around also shoot 4K videos at 60 FPS. Due to the exclusion of bezels, Apple will reportedly also drop the TouchID home button and replace it with a 3D facial recognition system.

You may also like – Everything We Know About The iPhone 8 So Far

iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus

The two variants will be an upgrade over the last year’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Not a lot has been said about the two ‘S’ models because of all the hype surrounding the iPhone 8. The iPhone 7S and 7S Plus will retain the design language of the previous generation iPhones and have thick bezels around the display. A major upgrade this time around will be the wireless charging capabilities, much like the iPhone 8, meaning the phones will have a glass back instead of metal. The frame around the phone will still be metal to give it a more sturdy look. The iPhone 7S Plus will feature horizontally placed dual-cameras, much like the iPhone 7 Plus. Reports also suggest that Apple will name the two models the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus and the flagship iPhone as the iPhone X Edition.

LTE Enabled Apple Watch

The Apple Watch has dominated the wearable gadgets industry and it looks like Apple is gearing up to launch an LTE enabled Apple Watch which can replace your iPhone for a day if you manage to forget it at home or somewhere else.Intel will be the LTE chip supplier for the new smartwatch. Qualcomm has long been the chip supplier for Apple mobile devices, but since the companies are embroiled in a legal dispute, Apple has chosen Intel for the task at hand. Intel also supplied chips for some of the iPhones last year. Apple is already in talks with network carriers in the US and Europe, such AT&T, T-Mobile etc for the next gen Apple Watch.

You may also like – Apple May Launch An LTE – Enabled Apple Watch

4K Apple TV, 7th Generation iPod Touch

A recent glitch on Discover’s “Deals” website revealed a 7th generation iPod Touch which was also vaguely indicated in the recent iOS 11 GM leak. A 4K video capable Apple TV will also be unveiled on September 12.

September 12, 2017
Apple 21st March Event Round-Up, iPhone SE, iPad Pro 9.7 and More

Apple at their Town Hall event at Cupertino had what is possibly their last event at the old campus. As Tim Cook left the stage, he announced that Apple crew will be shifting into the new campus by end 2016-early 2017. While Apple made many announcements, here are a few that should matter.

LIAM

Apple started the event by talking about their responsibility towards the environment. Then came LIAM an intelligent machine/robot that has been two years in development in Apple labs. LIAM is designed to sense and disassemble iPhones and other proprietary Apple Devices, and break them out into components that can then be recycled easily. This Robot/ machine will help Apple reduce their carbon footprint and help get back precious materials like gold, silver and platinum into the recycle chain so they can get back on newer devices and not get discarded in landfills.

Apple Watch

While no major upgrades of the Apple Watch itself, Apple is offering new colors for their Sports band and new leather band colors. Apple has also dropped the price of the Apple Watch to US $ 299 as the starting price.

Apple TV

Apple is updating the TVOS today and offering new features for their connected box on the largest screen in your house. The new update brings to you folder support and support for dictation, which will allow you to perform searches or even enter usernames and passwords using Siri.

Siri can also be used to look up for apps in the App store and movies on Netflix. (#win)

iPhone SE

The biggest announcement of the day was the launch of the iPhone SE. Apple’s update to the iPhone 5s. Apple claims they sold 30 Million 4 inch devices in 2015 alone and hence they are not yet ready to let go of their small screen size loving audience. Packed with specs almost identical to the iPhone 6s the iPhone SE is offered up at US $ 399 for the 16 GB version in the US and will launch in India for Rs 30,000 for the 16 GB variant.

Apple’s A9 chip powers the iPhone SE, which is the same chip that powers the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. That means the new 4-inch iPhone will be two times faster than the iPhone 5s with three times better graphics performance. You will also get a 12 MP camera and Live photos, but the iPhone SE does not support 3D touch.

iPad Pro 9.7

The next big announcement was the iPad Pro 9.7. The new iPad weighs less than 1 pound and has the same specs as the iPad Pro 12.9 inch. You will also get Apple Pencil support and four speaker output. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro starts at US $599 for the Wi-Fi model with 32GB of storage and is available up to size variant of 256GB of storage.

The iPad Pro 9.7 has the same A9x chipset and 12 MP camera with 4K video capture.

iOS 9.3

Apple also announced that they will push out the new update for iOS aka iOS 9.3 which offers up night shift, improved 3D touch along with security for Notes and major bug fixes and battery improvements.

Apple CareKit

Apple’s update to ResearchKit, now called CareKit has a whole slew of new features to allow users to monitor their health and share it with loved ones and care professionals like doctors. This opens up new opportunities in the health care system and allows people to manage everything related to their health or treatment online on iCloud and on the go.

Care Card helps people track their individual care plans and action items, such as taking medication or completing physical therapy exercises. Activities can automatically be tracked and entered using sensors in Apple Watch or iPhone

Symptom and Measurement Tracker lets users quickly record their symptoms and how they’re feeling, like monitoring temperature for possible infections or measuring pain or fatigue. Progress updates could include simple surveys, photos that capture the progression of a wound or activities calculated by using the iPhone’s accelerometer and gyroscope, like quantifying range of motion

Insight Dashboard maps symptoms against the action items in the Care Card to quickly show how treatments are working; and

Connect makes it easy for people to share information and communicate with doctors, care teams or family members about their health and any change in condition.

March 22, 2016
After Apple Music Apple Working on Video Streaming Service Like Netflix

Apple had busy year with Apple music, launching it on iOS and then on Android. The Apple music service made available globally received raving reviews especially in countries like India where cost of subscription was very little.

“Apple Video” is the company’s next big project with many partners involved, such as ABC, CBS, and Fox. Apple already has a large library of movies and video on its iTunes Store, which can currently be only bought or rented.

Apple has already worked out details with Sony Pictures, Universal and disney and may be negotiation with some other studios. NBCUniversal is reportedly not on board due to a feud between Apple and NBC parent company Comcast.

Apple has been working on a video streaming service, according to the rumour mill, for the past six years. It seems 2016 will be the year of release. With the recent news of Netflix going global and launching in 190 countries worldwide, Apple may have to move fast if it wants to get on with the competition.

With most new Apple devices supporting 4k content, Apple may launch the service with UHD streaming keeping in mind the new line of Apple TV units which have hardware capable of streaming 4k video. It may be a simple matter or turning on the feature via a software update.

Jimmy Lovine, who joined Apple with as part of the Beats acquisition, said:

We all know one thing, we all have different television delivery systems, don’t we all wish that the delivery systems were better, as far as curation and service? They’re all technically good. And Netflix is starting to cross the code because they’re starting to make some original content. It is really good, but still I mean none of us make movies here right, so we’re all punters, or what do you call them in the music business, fans right? We want to watch movies. Sit down with your girlfriend or a bunch of friends and try to find a movie online. That box helps you none — it doesn’t help. You’re on your own. And eventually that will catch them unless somebody digs in and really helps the customer. And entertainment needs that, it needs to live and breathe.

Apple will start the pricing for the video streaming service for US $20 as the base package and It’s claimed that the service will offer around 25 different channels, with the likes of ABC, CBS and Fox being lined up as partners.

Only time will tell if Apple does launch this service which they have, reportedly, been working on since 2009. And if they do will it impact the already wrong hold that Netflix is set to gather in the next few years.

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January 8, 2016
What Makes ‘Crossy Road’ So Addictive?

Now that the popular mobile game Crossy Road will be available on the new Apple TV, we decided to dig a little deeper into the game and other such games and the reasons behind their addictiveness. Andy Sum, developer of Crossy Road, had a big moment when he took to stage to talk about his game. He described Crossy Road as an endless arcade hopper game. The game is simple enough to understand: players control a mascot such as a chicken, koala, bunny etc. and hop across the road and obstacles to get as far as possible and achieve a high score.

Here’s a look at the game in action presented by Sum at the Apple event

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfPMaqC-WSw

Clearly, Crossy Road draws inspiration from the classic 1981 arcade game Frogger, and other more recent ones like Temple Run and Flappy Bird. So what is it about these games that make them so addictive and popular, so much so that they get to take the stage at an Apple Event?

Simple gameplay

One of the reasons for the growing popularity of these games is the simplicity of it all. Games like Crossy Road, Flappy Bird, and Frogger have a simple manner of progression. There are obstacles to cross using mostly your thumbs to tap on the screen. With no tricky controls, these games can actually be played with one hand tied behind your back.

Old style graphics

The simplicity of graphics also makes the game fun to play. Almost everyone would like to play games that have almost real-life graphics, but sometimes we just like to get back to the good old minecraft-like days. It doesn’t ask for much, and is a good way to pass time while going to work. Or at work (Yes, we all do it.)

Tests patience

In a busy world like ours, patience is a rarity. Yet these games require incredible patience. And those who manage to reach a higher level or rake up high points have it in them to deal with the rest of the day. The game also has the ability to frustrate you into pulling out your hair. But it all adds to the fun of it.

Here’s a video of someone who scored a 580 in Crossy Road, which, if one has played the game would know is not an easy feat to achieve.

And finally a look at how people from the ’80s passed their time. You can see where Crossy Road comes from.

If you haven’t played the game yet, you can download it here for Android and here for iOS. Let us know what you think about the game in the comments below.

September 12, 2015
Watch All the Apple Event Videos Right Here

As the much awaited event of the tech-world finally came to a close, it gave tech-geeks enough to gush about for a while. The launch of 6s and 6s Plus was accompanied by the Apple Watch, iPad Pro and the Apple TV. The Watch also came equipped with accessories like the Apple Pencil and the keyboard. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video’s worth, well, a little bit more. So here goes:

Apple Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZJHbvDWzFQ

Tim Cook talks about the Apple Watch and says, “It’s amazing how much power you have on your wrist” . Apple has collaborated with Hermes for this watch which boasts of over 10,000 apps and more. It will be available for sale in 24 countries post the 16th of September.

iPad Pro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlYC8gDvutc

The iPad Pro has finally been unveiled at the official Apple event in San Francisco. The new iPad Pro is accompanied by accessories like a “unique tip pen” as well as a keyboard. The gadgets are priced as follows: the iPad Pro at 1079$ (128GB), the Apple Pencil at $99 and the keyboard for 169$. The device and its accessories will be available, this November.

Apple Pencil:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iicnVez5U7M

The Apple Pencil will not be part of the same box as the iPad Pro and will have to be bought separately at a price of 99$. It will be made available for sale this November onwards.

Apple TV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGe66lSeSXg

The TV is built on a powerful hardware that runs a modern operating system. It is further equipped with a completely revamped user experience, even better developer tools, and an App Store, of course.The original TV is priced at 69$ followed by 149$ and 199$ for the 32 GB and 64 GB
versions respectively.

iPhone 6s and 6s Plus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSTEB8cdQwo

The moment has arrived, when Apple finally revealed its iPhone 6s and 6s Plus smartphones. We have been covering all sorts of rumours and reports about these phones so far and it’s time to put all those speculations, hopes and expectations to a much-needed rest.

Watch this space for more updates on Apple and its latest gadgets.

September 10, 2015
6 Things You May Have Missed During the Apple Launch

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus have finally been revealed. After whispered talks for weeks, Apple has delivered its latest offering and is out to be judged. While the world was watching in anticipation as to whether the rumored features and upgrades to the phone – such as camera and Force Touch – were delivered or not, we’ve decided to highlight some details and features about the other products from the launch that you may have missed out on.

1. Apple Watch to come with Facebook Messenger, iTranslate and AirStrip:

Apple has introduced the Messenger app on the watch along with an app that translates one language to another, and an app called Airstrip for healthcare providers that receives information and can differentiate between a baby and mother’s heart rate during pregnancy.

Apple has also tied up with Hermes to design new gold leather bands for the watch, which will cost the same as the Sports. WatchOS2 will release on the 16th of September.

2. iPad Pro will include the 3D4Medical app:

This will allows users to see 3D models of the body in real-time. This app will be particularly useful for patients and medical professionals as it allows users to view 3D images of injuries and can plan out surgeries as well. Are you willing to trust a doctor with an iPad?

3. The iPad Pro will come with an Apple Pencil and keyboard:

The new iPad Pro will feature a stylus called the Apple Pencil and so far this addition has received lukewarm reception. It also comes with a keyboard sold separately for $169, which magnetically attaches to the iPad.

4.The iPad Mini 2 becomes cheaper while iPad Mini 4 will come with an upgraded A8x processor:

This means that it will be able to run all of the iOS 9’s multitasking features. With an upgraded 8 megapixel rear camera, the iPad mini 4 is now very much at par with the iPad Air 2.

5. Apple TV will have a voice and touch enabled remote:

It also introduces iOS features such as weather and sports scores to the TV. It’s called TV OS “Based on iOS and built for the living room”. The TV also allows you to quick rewind 15 seconds by asking “what did she say?”. A great feature if one tends to miss out on a scene. The remote will also feature an accelerometer and a gyroscope that will detect body motions, similar to the Wii.

6. Harmonix introduced a game called Beat Sports for the Apple TV:

You hit pitches by swinging the remote, which means the remote indeed has motion control. “Beat Sports combines the joy of hitting balls with the joy of hitting notes” and can be played using the iPhone and iPod Touch as well.

Now that we’ve got the big and small covered, you can decide for yourselves whether Apple has indeed paid attention to the finer details or not. Expected to roll out their devices next month i.e, October, one will have to wait and find out if the new products are a hit. And if the past is any indication, they will be.

September 10, 2015
With the New Apple TV, Your TV Screen Becomes Your iPad

Tim Cook took over the stage and said,”I’d like to talk about an even bigger screen.” And you held your breath because you know what’s coming next. Yes, tech-freaks all over the world, it’s time for the Apple TV.

“Our vision for TV is simple and perhaps a little provocative. We believe the future of television is apps.” – Cook

And we know for a fact that we couldn’t have agreed with him more.

Apple TV 2

The TV is built on a powerful hardware that runs a modern operating system. It is further equipped with a completely revamped user experience, even better developer tools, and an App Store, of course. The TV introduces TV OS -a new OS especially for the TV. If this wasn’t enough, the remote has a touchpad! On the flip side, since the surface is absolutely smooth, it would be interesting to use it in the dark or without looking at it. A similar feature has been tried by Fan TV in the past.

The remote is equipped with Siri allowing the user to use their voice to look for movies and TV shows. A little Back to the Future reminiscing, anyone? Hulu, HBO and Netflix are all re-done. Plus, the TV is capable of following specific instructions like, “Show that Modern Family episode with Edward” and voila! There’s Edward Norton in Modern Family for you.

Apple TV gaming

Apple TV also boasts of new games with the remote serving as the game controller. Disney Infinity, the new Guitar Hero and Shadowmatic are some of the games that are included, along with Kids games. As for the UI, it seems more focused on content rather than channels and networks. While the user can fast-forward by sliding the thumb, they can also rewind 15 seconds by asking “what did she say?”. The user can also ask for sports scores and weather updates while watching TV shows.

Apple TV features the Apple-designed A8 chip so developers can build new games and custom content apps for the TV. tvOS supports key iOS technologies including Metal, for detailed graphics, complex visual effects and Game Center, to play and share games with friends.The original TV is priced at 69$ followed by 149$ and 199$ for the 32 GB and 64 GB versions respectively.

September 10, 2015
The Upcoming Fourth-Gen Apple TV To Be Priced Below $200

New reports have emerged about the upcoming Apple TV fourth-gen, that have revealed its pricing, availability, and product lineup plans. The new Apple TV will be priced below $200 and will be available in October. The price of this new device could range between $149 to $199, both having been noted as being higher than the third-gen Apple TV.

This new box will be more expensive than its competitors, however, Apple has decided to keep its $69 third-gen device on sale as an entry level model within the Apple TV product line. The Apple TV 4 is expected to be ‘thicker and slightly wider’ than its predecessor.

Some features that might be included in the new Apple TV would be – Siri support, a new remote control, an App Store with a Software Development Kit for developers, and a refreshed user interface. Other reports also imply, that Apple might plan to release a cable-replacing streaming TV service that bundles multiple television channels for a price as low as $40 per month, however the Apple TV would still require logins to cable networks to unlock the content.

The updated Apple TV will feature SIRI and an App Store.

This software that is supposed to enable Apple’s cable-replacement service is currently planned to also become available for the third-generation Apple TV. However, it has also been reported that the current model will not receive support for the upcoming App Store, nor will it be directly controllable by Siri.

Apple plans to reveal the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus on the 9th of September 2015. These two new devices are expected to come with the Force Touch technology, a new Rose Gold colour option, 12MP camera with 4K video, wireless chips from Qualcomm, A9 processors and improved front facing cameras. While, there were rumours about the unveiling of a third device, that was speculated as being the iPhone 6C – new reports deny it.

Watch this space for more.

August 31, 2015
Rumour: Apple is Set to Launch New Apple TV in September

As reports from Buzz feed suggest, Apple Inc will launch a new generation of Apple TV set-top boxes, in September. This new version is said to come with a new remote with touch-pad input, an increased on-board storage, and an operating system that will support Siri.

The Apple TV was last refreshed in 2013, and was expected to unveil a new version in June at its Annual Worldwide Developers Conference, but instead launched Apple Music. The company is rumoured to be announcing the unveiling of this new Apple TV along with the new iPhones.

The updated Apple TV will feature SIRI and an App Store.

The new version is said to launch with its own App Store and software development kit for app developers. However, Apple has declined to comment on any rumours or speculation.

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.buzzfeed.com/johnpaczkowski/apple-will-debut-new-apple-tv-in-september#.htMnGxKB7″]Buzzfeed[/tw-button]

July 31, 2015