Business

Martin Hajek’s oft-shown iWatch model has been dusted off yet again, this time to show how the iWatch could act as a second-screen compass for Apple Maps running on an iPhone. Got to say, first obviously compelling use for an iWatch that I’ve seen yet. Source: Flickr The post How You’ll Use The iWatch With iOS Or Google Maps [Image] appeared first on Cult of Mac.Related StoriesJudge In Apple E-Book Antitrust Case Thinks Apple Is Guilty, Even Before Trial StartsApple TV Vs. Xbox One And Tim Cook Goes To Washington On Our All-New CultCastHow Laurene Powell Jobs Keeps The Jobs Family Philanthropy Under WrapsApple Will Double Its Lobbying Efforts This Year To Simplify U.S. Tax CodeApple Stops 24-Hour Dispatch For Some International Online Stores

There have been numerous reports that iOS 7 will see a rather thorough overhaul of the interface, led by Jony Ive who late last year took over for the departed Scott Forstall. While Forstall had been instrumental in pushing skuemorphism, Ive is reportedly in favor of a flatter UI, with less textures. According to 9to5mac, their sources have said that iOS 7 is “black, white and flat all over.” Gone will be the heavy textures, replaced with a more simple, flatter design. The interface has supposedly been through a succession of changes, so it’s entirely possible that elements that were being tested will not be on display at WWDC next month. Beyond this information regarding the UI, Mark Gurman cites sources within internal high-level meetings where Ive shared his reasoning for his dislike of skeumorphic UI elements. Ive believes these designs do not stand the test of time. With different Apple iOS applications having a vast difference in design, it could cause confusion among users. It sounds as if iOS 7 will not be a simple tweaking of the interface, but rather a wholesale rethinking of the design elements that drives the operating system. Sources have shared the following changes: Lock screen The transparent bar at the top of the lockscreen will be changed to a flat black bar. No shine. If you password protect your iPhone, the new pin entry will display rounded black buttons with white text and borders. It’s a possibility that improved interaction with notifications using gestures through the lock screen. War On Linen The notification drop down will see the removal of the linen background, with Apple opting for gray/black with white text. Apps Being Redesigned Expectations are that most of Apple’s apps have been redesigned to fit this new commitment to a flatter design that uses black and white elements. Don’t however expect a complete loss of color. Apps could have a foundation of black/white, but use a highlight color. iOS 7 appears to be heavy on design changes, but little is known with regards to new features, outside of the rumored integration of Flickr and Vimeo. Of course, that could change, as Apple has been known to add features upon the release of new hardware. Sources say that Apple’s employees are focused heavily on the iPhone version of iOS. Apple is expected to introduce iOS 7 during the keynote at WWDC talking place on June 10th. While it’s not expected that we’ll hear anything on the hardware front, it’s widely anticipated that a new iPhone will be available in the September timeframe. Source: 9to5mac Image: Simply Zesty iOS 7: “Black, White and Flat” is an article from everythingiCafe.

By Silicon Valley standards, Apple doesn’t lobby much in Washington. Last year, they spent a little under $2 million on lobbying, a drop in the bucket to Google’s $18 million spent. But scrutiny of Apple in Washington is starting to heat up, especially the company’s accounting methods. That’s why Apple is looking to double its lobbying spending this year to close to $4 million. According to Reuters, as part of Apple’s plan to get the U.S. tax code overhauled — vastly simplifying it by eliminating corporate tax expenditures, lowering overall tax rates, and making it simpler and cheaper to repatriate money held overseas — Apple is looking to spnd almost $4 million in Washington this year, over $2 million more than a year ago. That’s a big jump, not just in a year, but compared to what it spent a decade ago, which was little more than half a million dollars. Apple is apparently highly selective about what campaigns it lobbies for, its most recent effort being — surprise! — unsuccessful legislation that would have allowed multinationals to bring overseas profits back home without paying a 35 percent corporate income tax. Guess what that $4 million this year is likely to be spent on? Source: Reuters The post Apple Will Double Its Lobbying Efforts This Year To Simplify U.S. Tax Code appeared first on Cult of Mac.Related StoriesJudge In Apple E-Book Antitrust Case Thinks Apple Is Guilty, Even Before Trial StartsApple TV Vs. Xbox One And Tim Cook Goes To Washington On Our All-New CultCastHow Laurene Powell Jobs Keeps The Jobs Family Philanthropy Under WrapsHow You’ll Use The iWatch With iOS Or Google Maps [Image]Apple Stops 24-Hour Dispatch For Some International Online Stores

Smule may be only five years old, but the California development firm started in part by Jeff Smith and Stanford assistant professor Dr. Ge Wang has had an amazing impact on the world. The company shared some stats with Evolver.fm that are incredible -- Smule's apps have been downloaded over 100 million times, are used by 15 million people a month, and that audience has recorded over one billion songs. Sure, those songs may be amateur auto-tuned, auto-rapped or karaoke trash, but the statistics -- and Smule's bottom line -- prove that the company is on to something. While such venerable music gaming titles as Rock Band and Guitar Hero have seen better days, Smule's apps are all about actually making music, and that seems to make a difference to app consumers. Smule pulled in US$12.6 million in revenues last year, and is expected to reach the $20 million mark in 2013. The latest addition to the Smule stable is Guitar! (free), a music game released yesterday in which users play along with recordings of popular songs to gain points and where practicing opens the door to new levels and songs. [via GigaOM]Smule users record 1 billion songs originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple is continuing to roll out increased Maps 3D Flyover coverage. The latest update was first spotted by AppleInsider and appears to include large parts of California. Specifically, the latest update includes the cities of San Bernardino, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Moreno Valley, and more. This update covers Anaheim as well, so users can now view a 3D Flyover of Disneyland in Apple Maps. It seems like Apple is continuing to roll out aggressive server-side updates to Apple Maps. Only a little more than two weeks ago Apple added 3D Flyover coverage in Paris.Apple expands iOS Maps' 3D Flyover coverage in California, including Disneyland originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

When Senior User "chasg" was unable to connect Bluetooth devices to their iPad mini after they updated to iOS 6.1.3, they turned to the forums for some help. Earlier this week Grizzled Vetran "jeff k" started a thread after noticing that sometimes posts don't "snap into place" when using calendar, and couldn't quite figure out what that was all about....

From 9to5Toys.com: Apple this morning dropped prices across the board on iPads in its refurbished Apple Store as noted by MacRumors. We’ve recently seen quite a bit of iPad price reductions at 9to5Toys, some even steeper than this. For instance, Walmart has a new iPad mini for $80 off and refurb iPad Mini 16GB for $250. The new Apple Store prices: iPad mini - 16 GB Wi-Fi: $279, down from $299 previously and $329 brand-new - 32 GB Wi-Fi: $359, down from $389 previously and $429 brand-new - 64 GB Wi-Fi: $439, down from $489 previously and $529 brand-new - 16 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $389, down from $429 previously and $459 brand-new - 32 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $469, down from $519 previously and $559 brand-new - 64 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $549, down from $619 previously and $659 brand-new Fourth-generation iPad - 16 GB Wi-Fi: $419, down from $449 previously and $499 brand-new - 32 GB Wi-Fi: $499, down from $549 previously and $599 brand-new - 64 GB Wi-Fi: $579, down from $649 previously and $699 brand-new - 16 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $529, down from $579 previously and $629 brand-new - 32 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $609, down from $679 previously and $729 brand-new - 64 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $689, down from $779 previously and $829 brand-new

Right now at Apple's online store save on refurbished iMac models starting as low as $1,099 for the refurbished 21.5-inch iMac with a 2.7GHz Intel quad-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive. The 21.5-inch iMac with a 2.9GHz Intel quad-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive has been reduced by $230 to $1,269....

Currently WalMart.com has the refurbished 7th generation 16GB iPod nano for only $89.99 with $3.97 for shipping. That's $50 less than the MSRP, and $35 less than the lowest price we've seen on this iPod anywhere else. Sales tax applies for residents of most states. The iPod nano features 16GB of storage space, 2.5-inch Multi-Touch display, Bluetooth, built-in Nike+ support, and built-in battery that provides up to 30 hours of music playback....

Apple has stopped advertising 24-hour dispatch for products sold through some international online stores. Many of the Cupertino company’s popular products offered 24-hour dispatch providing they were in stock, but in some markets that’s now been increased to 1-2 business days. That’s not a massive difference if you place your order on a weekday. But if you order on a Friday or Saturday, or before a public holiday, then 1-2 business days could mean a fairly lengthy wait. Friday orders, for instance, could be dispatched as late as Tuesday. It appears the change applies to most of Apple’s product lines, including Macs, iPhones, iPads, iPods, and accessories. Not all international stores are affected, but those that are include Canada, the U.K., and Ireland. It’s unclear why Apple has made this change, but AppleBitch, which first spotted it, suspects it may have something to do with a new policy implemented in some international stores — or simply Apple’s inability to guarantee 24-hour dispatch times. Source: Apple Store Via: AppleBitch The post Apple Stops 24-Hour Dispatch For Some International Online Stores appeared first on Cult of Mac.Related StoriesVerizon Cloud Backup App Comes To iOSMake Your Mac Send Sound Output To Your Giant HDTV [OS X Tips]Judge In Apple E-Book Antitrust Case Thinks Apple Is Guilty, Even Before Trial StartsApple TV Vs. Xbox One And Tim Cook Goes To Washington On Our All-New CultCastHow Laurene Powell Jobs Keeps The Jobs Family Philanthropy Under Wraps