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http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Apple-sept2014/screengrabs/applepay-24-470-75.jpgOver the years, Apple has been accused of many things. Right from the inception of the company – known then as "Apple Computer" – critics have lambasted the executive team, products and vision. Even today, "haters" take to the comment sections of blogs in their droves to take aim at earnings, new products, changes to management and so on. The death of Steve Jobs, co-founder and the visionary behind what Apple is today, rocked the company to its core leading to speculation that the firm could never return to creating blockbuster, market-leading products. Check out these other Apple Pay opinion pieces Apple Pay: A tipping point in retail?Will Apple Pay pave the way for more secure mobile payments?Apple Pay, a catalyst for the contactless industryHas Apple just opened up the world to mobile wallets?Will Apple Pay work when it comes to the crunch?Mobile payments: Why a mobile phone needs to be more than a fat credit cardCould Apple disrupt the merchant banking space with the Watch?Apple NFC service offers a big bite for businessesCooking up profitsTim Cook, Jobs' replacement, has taken a mild mannered approach, by all accounts, preferring a cool, calm and collected attitude over Jobs' often rash and angry behaviour. So far, Cook has taken Apple to places of even more profitability – in fiscal 2013 Apple made $171 billion (around £105 billion, AU$193 billion) in revenue, of which $37 billion (around £23 billion, AU$42 billion) was profit – but he has brought no new products to market, beyond refinements to the existing stable. At least, that was the case until September. The dust has just settled from the keynote event earlier this month, held in the same location Jobs used to unveil the original Macintosh in 1984, during which Cook revealed two new iPhones in two sizes, the Apple Watch and Apple Pay. The mainstream press has paid the majority of attention to the new iPhones – now in larger sizes to compete with Samsung – and the Apple Watch, which will be available in "Spring 2015" and costs $349 (around £215, AU$395) upwards. What has been omitted from this coverage is Apple Pay, one of the most exciting projects Apple has ever launched. Many expected Cook to simply unveil a watch and some new iPhones – both of which are set to sell at record levels, and indeed the iPhones did so, shifting in excess of 10 million units over the first weekend – and not much else. They were wrong. Analyst concernsFor analysts, only introducing new iPhones and the Apple Watch was worrying: Apple, as a company, needs to diversify its portfolio, they say, before the market for smartphones – especially high-end models – stagnates. The iPhone makes up nearly 60% of Apple's revenues so the concerns are somewhat legitimate. Expanding into the larger screen space does open Apple up to a large amount of new customers and, most importantly, cannibalises the sales of Samsung's Galaxy Note and other Galaxy devices, which have long since taken sales away from the iPhone. As for the watch, whether Apple can lead the "smartwatch" space and entice people away from their own watches is still up for debate – and that won't be decided until 2015. Enter Apple Pay. In an interview with Charlie Rose, Tim Cook spoke about how the features and devices released now are going to be used by Apple in different ways over the coming years. While they may look standalone at launch, in the future they will be utilised in different ways and will be integrated with new products. Apple Pay is one such thing. The premise behind Apple Pay is simple: instead of having cash or a card, you use the NFC chip inside your iPhone (and Apple Watch) to pay for things over the counter. Apple has partnered with all of the major American banks and has signed up hundreds of thousands of retailers. Apple Pay works because customers will likely buy the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus - and, later, the Apple Watch - unaware of Apple Pay. They will buy the new iPhones because they like Apple products, are due an upgrade or thought the iPhone was the best phone on the market and so on. Over the coming months, Apple will heavily promote Apple Pay and more and more retailers will sign up. People with the new iPhones - over 10 million, according to Apple - will then sign up to Apple Pay and start actively using it. Apple could be the oneWhile many companies have tried to get virtual wallets off the ground before – Google Wallet being the most famous example – Apple could gain the critical mass needed to bring cash- and card-less transactions to the mainstream. As we already mentioned, in the first weekend, Apple has sold over 10 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handsets, which means that the company effectively has over 10 million people equipped to use Apple Pay right out of the gate. Apple also created a large incentive for retailers to make their checkouts Apple Pay compatible. Instead of taking a cut of the retailers' profits – as Square does – Apple instead negotiated with the banks to take a 0.15% commission from their side, an unprecedented move. "We want to invest in programs that respect our role in the ecosystem," James Anderson, senior vice president for mobile product development at MasterCard, told the New York Times. The incentive for the banks to cooperate with Apple Pay is, according to the Times, because banks will now be opened up to transactions that usually would've occurred using cash. Many shops have a "minimum spend" limit on credit and debit cards whereas Apple Pay would enable a customer to spend as much or as little as they wanted using just their phone. Security firstIn the name of security, Apple is using TouchID to authenticate transactions with Apple Pay. As long as a finger or thumb is in contact with the TouchID pad, the transaction will commence – when the contact is broken, the transaction fails and must be restarted. This system is attractive to the banks as it cuts down on credit card fraud. A pin number or signature can be faked or stolen, a card can be found and used online, and cash can be spent, but a fingerprint is invulnerable to all of these failings. Of course, whether Apple Pay will be a success remains to be seen. All previous attempts have failed and getting people to ditch cash will be a tough task for Apple. But as more and more retailers sign up, and more and more iPhone users invest, Apple Pay can only get better and better – and the money Apple will make can only grow and grow. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3ebc3c03/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/208965175209/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ebc3c03/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/208965175209/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ebc3c03/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/208965175209/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ebc3c03/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/208965175209/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ebc3c03/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/208965175209/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3ebc3c03/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/KCsOf4pTYVQ

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/logos/Beats%20Music-470-75.jpgApple is ready to forget about Beats Music, the streaming service it picked up as part of a blockbuster Beats acquisition four months ago. According to multiple sources of TechCrunch, Apple plans to shut down Beats Music, though exactly when isn't clear. With Beats Music engineers apparently already turning their attention to other projects (including iTunes), no built-in app on the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, nor any mention of integration during the Apple Watch announcement, it seems Apple is ready to press pause permanently on the brand. It's widely thought Apple's multi-billion dollar buy of Beats was never about Beats Music, not least because its user numbers are paltry. Bringing co-founders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine into the Apple fold was much more of a coup, not to mention Beats' high-profile headphone business. Throw in the fact Apple is all about brand continuity, and keeping Beats Music running alongside iTunes doesn't mesh with the Cupertino modus operandi. Soooo, now what?We've heard for months that Apple's download model has struggled to keep up as streaming music competitors like Spotify, Pandora and Google Music rack in users. Beats Music tried to attract listeners with its curated playlists and free trials, but it failed to catch more than 250,000 subscribers. While Apple may be done with Beats Music, it's very unlikely it's done with music all together. It still has a huge iTunes following as well as iTunes Radio. One TechCrunch source said Apple may tie streaming into iTunes; imagine pressing a "Play" button, for example, situated next to a "Buy" button. While iTunes isn't going anywhere, Apple may have a major music announcement lined up for 2015. Until then, we'll wait for official word on the fate of Beats Music. We've asked Apple for comment, but a straight answer isn't likely forthcoming. What can you expect with the iPad Air 2?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3eb9108f/sc/21/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206158066663/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3eb9108f/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206158066663/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3eb9108f/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206158066663/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3eb9108f/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206158066663/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3eb9108f/sc/21/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/206158066663/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3eb9108f/sc/21/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/wrzQAGYkjZc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Software/mobile-office-suites-shootout-470-75.jpgThe services provided by Apple, Google and Microsoft are becoming more alike, both in terms of use and spread. Apple has revamped its cloud offerings, moving the iWork suite into iCloud and allowing use on Windows machines. Microsoft is in the process of dramatically increasing the functionality of Office 365, adding additional security and storage space. Google Docs has become one of the go-to web-based services for writing, creating a slideshow and so on, with no subscription or specific operating system needed. For many years Apple has been seen as a company for those who are "creative", offering top of the range creative software such as Final Cut and Sound Track. As businesses became more interested in Apple's technology – mainly because of the iPad – the company has had to up its game in terms of office software, improving the iWork suite through a serious of both visual and functional updates. Office giantUnlike Apple, Microsoft has never had the problem of being the underdog in terms of businesses using its software and hardware. An increasing amount of Microsoft's revenue comes from enterprise, with over one billion people using Office. That hasn't stopped the company from innovating, adding new visual and functional changes over the years. In 2014, Microsoft brought Office to the iPad, again increasing the reach and usage of the software. http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/TRBC/officeforipad1-420-100.jpg Google's offering, Google Docs, came about after the firm's success with email. The software is, like all things Google, free to use and relies on a network connection (unless you run the Chrome browser, in which case you can set it up for offline access, albeit with some important features missing such as spell checking, for example). Google recently introduced the Chromebook, opening up manufacturing to various OEMs just as it did with Android. While some may see the need for an internet connection to be a flaw, it's not so much of an issue with the prevalence of Wi-Fi these days, and faster mobile connections (4G LTE) becoming more and more commonplace, especially in and around cities. But which of these services is the best? All three of the big companies have stepped up their game, meaning that the differences are becoming more and more difficult to see – but don't be fooled, they are still present. In this article, we're presenting our opinion on who wins and who loses this particular battle. Check our review of Google AppsQuick and effectiveFirst off, on the basis of the usability of each service, the three are too close to call. Apple and Microsoft's solutions work fully offline, whereas the same can't be said for Google's, and that is perhaps the one major difference between them all for the everyday user – with the stress on everyday. If you need to write five hundred words quickly or create a slideshow, all three options will work quickly and effectively. The biggest advantage of Apple's solution, iWork, is that it ties in so well with its other apps and services. iCloud provides constant syncing between the OS X and iOS versions of iWork, which includes Pages, Keynote and Numbers. The integration also extends to Apple TV, a device that is becoming more and more popular in both homes and the workplace. "Beaming" slides and the whole screen via AirPlay could set Apple's hardware and software apart, especially when the competition has no comparable service. iCloud's ability to sync between devices means that projects can be started on the go and finished in the office, all without losing a single bullet point. Apple offers a tiered data storage system which boasts up to 200GB of storage for customers at significantly cheaper prices than Dropbox and Google Drive. Apple has also made iWork for iCloud available, and this suite moves Pages, Keynote and Numbers into the cloud, to be worked on and accessed totally via the web browser. (This works on either Windows or OS X devices, of course). Adding this brings Apple in line with Google and Microsoft, but the depth of services offered by Apple is currently not as impressive. http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/TRBC/office_365-420-100.jpg Strength of RedmondAs the behemoth of office applications, Microsoft's software is likely the strongest and will, ultimately, serve you best if you are a normal customer or a business. With the addition of Office 365 last year – and the frequent upgrades to both features and infrastructure – Microsoft has pulled ahead of both Apple and Google's offerings. For a monthly, or yearly fee, Office 365 will enable downloads of Office and a fully-formed cloud suite which syncs between all devices that are logged into your Microsoft account. Google Docs works in a similar way to Office 365 and iWork for iCloud, minus the ability to work offline (unless, as previously mentioned, you use Chrome and can put up with some missing features). That said, this may not be an issue in a city or home anyway, as Wi-Fi or fast mobile connections are generally always available. Check our review of Microsoft Office 365Closely fought battleUltimately, all three companies offer solutions that work well and enable you to produce the content you need, either for personal or business reasons. Unlike in the past, the three companies are becoming increasingly open about who can use their services. Apple's iWork for iCloud works on Windows machines and Office for iPad was recently announced, bringing the option of using a Microsoft product onto an iOS device. The only hitch is that Microsoft doesn't allowing saving in Pages, Keynote or Numbers file formats which can preclude sharing, although the iWork suite is happy to work with Word, PowerPoint and Excel files. If a winner must be decided, then Microsoft comes out on top. The company's almost eternal focus on office applications works in its favour, as Redmond's suite is the most rounded and offers the best features overall, both online and offline. If you're already tied up in the Apple universe, iWork is best, and the same is true if you're heavily invested in Google's ecosystem, if you can handle the offline restrictions in the latter case. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e98f8ce/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367756310/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e98f8ce/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367756310/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e98f8ce/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367756310/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e98f8ce/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367756310/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e98f8ce/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367756310/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e98f8ce/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/1h83DmC1JPw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iPhone%206/Hands%20on/iPhone%206%20review%20(3)-470-75.JPGIn the wake of the iCloud hack and revelations about government surveillance people have understandably never been more worried about their privacy, and presumably in part because of this Apple has created a new privacy page on its website, where it explains all its policies. The page begins with an open letter from Tim Cook, where he outlines several key points including the fact that Apple won't build a profile on you to sell to advertisers. The only part of Apple's business which relies on advertisers at all is iAd and that follows the same privacy principles as everything else, so it can't get information on you from Siri, iMessage, iCloud, Health and HomeKit, Maps or your call history. He also claims that Apple has never worked with any government agency to create a backdoor into its products and services and never allowed any such agency access to its servers. He boldly goes on to say that the company also never will. Passcode protectedIf that guarantee doesn't put you at ease there is some more detailed information on this if you dig deeper into the privacy page, including the fact that Apple can't bypass your passcode, so it can't feasibly respond to warrants that ask it to extract data from your device. Apple can access your iCloud account but even then apparently less than 0.00385% of customers have had information disclosed due to government requests. If you're more worried about hacking or information theft there's also a whole page dedicated to ways in which you can minimise the chance of that happening, though it's mostly obvious stuff like advising users to enable two-step verification and to choose a strong password and change it regularly. It's worth a read in any case and while none of this is likely to totally alleviate privacy concerns it's certainly a step in the right direction. Storing data in the cloud? Here's how to keep it safe.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e96297e/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157921841/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e96297e/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157921841/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e96297e/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157921841/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e96297e/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157921841/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e96297e/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/206157921841/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e96297e/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/HpM6dhdNYo8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iPhone%206%20Plus/HandsOn2/6Plus-HandsOn-22-470-75.JPGJust as folks are starting to download iOS 8 today and get on line for the iPhone 6 launch on Friday, Facebook is also tidying up its smartphone apps. The social network detailed in a blog post that it's making its Facebook app bigger and clearer to match the larger screen resolutions of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Facebook also wrote a short walkthrough on how sharing photos from users' libraries or webpage clippings though Safari will lead users to a sharing page with a new layout. After tapping on Facebook, the usual sharing overlay will display on the screen allowing users to pick who they want to share with, add a location, tag friends, and add a status update. In reality nothing has changed here on Facebook's end as it seems its smartphone app does not support iOS 8's extensibility feature, which lets apps to communicate directly with each other. The new feature allows users to share an item they see in Safari on Pintrest without ever having to leave their browser or edit their images in the photo library with Waterlogue effects. Facebook says its update will roll out to users over the coming weeks. It's Apple, not usAside from the small UI refresh, Facebook is took the time to make it very clear that it has not changed its privacy rules regarding users' Location Services. Users on Apple's latest mobile OS may note that their Location Services settings have been updated with an option to be turned always on, never or just when using an app. Worried that it would be accused of tracking users (again), Facebook wrote it "does not get location information from your device in the background (that is, while you're not using the app)." The social network went on to explain Location Services only activates when users geotag their status updates or turn on a feature that requires the service such as Nearby Friends. Should you brace your wrists for the Apple Watch?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e918d0b/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367727085/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e918d0b/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367727085/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e918d0b/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367727085/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e918d0b/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367727085/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e918d0b/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367727085/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e918d0b/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/BktSAYVk2J8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/Apple%20Pay/Hands%20on/Apple%20Pay%20Review%20(9)-470-75.JPGApple has finally jumped on the NFC train with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch, but sadly you'll only be able to use it with Apple Pay, at least for the time being. NFC is used for all sorts of things, from contactless payments to easy pairing of devices - it can even be used to unlock doors - but it's only the contactless payments bit that you'll get from Apple. That means you won't be able to use it for contactless PayPal payments, for example. Or at least that's according to Cult of Mac, which claims to have got confirmation from an Apple spokesperson. Things could changeIt's not all bad news though, as we're likely to see Apple Pay supported in a lot of places, especially as the company has already partnered with Visa, MasterCard and American Express, and Apple is also going to allow developers to integrate Apple Pay into their apps. It's also possible that it might expand the functions of its NFC chip in future, much like it's now doing with Touch ID, but that's likely to be at least a year away. For now we're stuck with just Apple Pay, rather than the full features of NFC. Want to see what we think of Apple Pay?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e8336cb/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157844658/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336cb/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157844658/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336cb/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157844658/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336cb/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157844658/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336cb/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/206157844658/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336cb/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/J6pIsX81ljo

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/people/Apple/Tim%20Cook/Tim%20Cook%20on%20Charlie%20Rose-470-75.jpgPrivacy has been a hot topic over at Cupertino over the last couple of weeks, with a well-publicised iCloud hack threatening to overshadow Apple's launch of the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch. Now Apple CEO Tim Cook has given his thoughts on the issue of online privacy, as well as government intervention, during an interview with the Charlie Rose Show. He reaffirmed Apple's money was made from selling products and not collecting data. "Companies should be very transparent about it [privacy]. From our point of view, you can see what we're doing on the credit card thing," Cook told Charlie Rose during the interview. "We're not in that business. I'm offended by lots of it and I think people should have a right to privacy," he said. "More and more incidents"Without being drawn on the subject of the Apple hack that saw thousands of celebrity images stolen from personal iCloud accounts, Cook did allow that privacy will become an even more crucial issue. He explained that privacy, as he sees it, is going to be a very key topic over the next year or so. "[it will] reach higher and higher levels of urgency as more and more incidents happen," he said. Following the theft of celebrity pictures, that included shots of Jennifer Lawrence and US model Kate Upton, Apple conducted an internal investigation following which it determined there were no breaches in its system. The images were stolen following a phishing scheme based on guessing account passwords. Cook also took a second to quash rumours that government agencies, specifically the NSA in the wake of Snowden, had any kind of back-door access to Apple's servers. You can see the full clip below. YouTube : www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmm5faI_mLoApple pledges to boost encryption following iCloud hackhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e8336bf/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157844659/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336bf/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157844659/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336bf/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157844659/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336bf/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157844659/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336bf/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/206157844659/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e8336bf/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/u5EjLqtXzo8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Apple/Apple_iTunes_U2_hand-470-75.jpgSay what you will about the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch - perhaps the thing we're still talking almost a week later is the U2 album "gifted" to the iTunes masses following the new hardware reveal. Bad music aside what really irked people was the fact the album, Songs of Innocence, appeared on their iTunes accounts without any user consent whatsoever. After a weekend of complaints and claims Apple is killing music, the Cupertino company finally got the picture that not everyone wants to listen to Bono warble in their ear. So, to stem the tide of pissed-off users, Apple has come up with a way for them to banish Songs of Innocence from their music library and iTunes purchases. They even created a dedicated SOI Removal page to get you started. Click Remove Album and after entering your log-in details, the songs will flutter away for good. You won't be able to re-download it as a previous purchase, so make sure you really want it gone before going through with it. Thankfully, if you realize you've made a horrible mistake in deleting it you can still get SOI for free through October 13. Though this time you'll actually have a choice in the matter. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e7e400c/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367691201/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e7e400c/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367691201/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e7e400c/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367691201/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e7e400c/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367691201/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e7e400c/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367691201/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e7e400c/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/3n-_3ocMwvM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/Watches/Apple%20Watch/First%20option/Apple%20Watch%20review%20(5)-470-75.JPGEven after getting our hands on with the Apple Watch we still have a lot of questions about Apple's first wearable. One of the biggest questions users might have is what happens when a thief get their hands on it? They won't just be absconding with your $349 (about £215, AU$383) smartwatch, it's also linked to your iTunes account and credit cards though Apple Pay. Cult of Mac claims users can rest easier because the Apple Watch will automatically lock whenever the user - or in this case, someone else takes off their watch. Supposedly the Apple Watch has sensors on its backside that will detect when it's not being worn and as a security measure locks down the payment options behind a passcode. Of course, it's possible the wearable thief could also crack your passcode, but there will likely be some sort of "Find my Apple Watch" security measure that allows users to remotely wipe their smartwatch. Secrets revealedApple may have given its first smartwatch a big introduction by even calling it the "one more thing" of the iPhone 6 keynote, but we're still learning much more about the Apple Watch every day. An Apple spokesperson revealed on September 10 users should expect to recharge their wearable every night. Here's our first impression on Apple's first phablet, the 5.5 inch iPhone 6 Plushttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e613985/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367526823/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e613985/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367526823/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e613985/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367526823/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e613985/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367526823/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e613985/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367526823/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e613985/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/QfT8bCeIz2k

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/Apple-sept2014/screengrabs/applepay-addcard-26-470-75.jpgFor many businesses, Apple's announcement about its plans to bring near-field communication (NFC) to its iPhone 6 and 6+ is a game changer. Although other device manufacturers have adopted NFC, Apple has an uncanny ability to fuel widespread adoption of a particular technology and ensure it enters the mainstream. But the capabilities of NFC technology are so much more than just payment. At present NFC based phone payments are made by just 8% of smartphone users in the US according to eMarketer, so Apple's endorsement of the technology should fuel further adoption. The service, known as Apple Pay, will launch in the US next month, with developers able to build compatible apps using an API. For retailers, this development presents especially exciting potential - not only can the 80-plus percent of consumers who use their smartphones while shopping now pay for their purchases with a simple tap through Apple Wallet, saving time at the end of the shopping experience, but there is also future potential to interact more fully with the stores while doing the shopping via the Apple API. A paradigm shiftIf Apple opens NFC beyond payments, retailers will be able to provide an enhanced experience with much greater customer digital participation with store products. Shoppers will be able to access product photos, reviews, and video by tapping their devices on NFC enabled tags without having to download an app. In turn, retailers will be the recipients of valuable customer intent data from the physical store. Previously the only way to curate such an experience has been through the use of barcodes and QR codes that customers had to scan, which resulted in little adoption. The reason? Consumers don't want to download and update apps for every store they enter, or to provide personal details to use free Wi-Fi or sign up to an app, all of which create barriers to uptake. With NFC now a part of the new iPhones, customers will be more open to using the technology through their own personal device without the need for additional downloads. For the shopper the experience is much more immersive and enjoyable, as well as instant. Furthermore, touching and tapping via NFC is 12 times more engaging than scanning a barcode, according to Harvard Business Review. It's all about the dataThe other key benefit is actionable data for business. By curating an NFC enabled experience where consumers can tap to indicate which products they might be interested in, retailers finally have access to intent data in an offline setting and can target the consumer with offers to encourage them to purchase, similar to the benefits an offline wishlist provides. Over the next 12 months we'll see personalised location-based experiences taken to market. NFC and beacons, lead by Apple popularisation, will blur the lines of online and offline retail. A customer will be able to walk into stores, without the commitment of downloading or signing up to experience a more immersive experience, providing data on their own terms. This will undoubtedly lead to offers and pricing far more personal than today. Where Apple leads, others follow and it is likely that NFC adoption will grow and as a result see payment, big data, location and personalisation converge. Ollie Bath, Co-Founder and UK Managing Director, CloudTags, a leader in omnichannel experiences launched in 2012. Based in London, the services and technology company increases sales by providing clients with the ability to know more about their customers in-store. It offers omnichannel analytics that tell clients who their customers are prior to checkout, what they browsed and what they are most likely to buy in the future.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e5b9c15/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367544308/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c15/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367544308/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c15/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367544308/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c15/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367544308/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c15/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367544308/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c15/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/r46xPzhiwFU

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/Apple%20Pay/Hands%20on/Apple%20Pay%20Review%20(1)-470-75.JPGIn true form, Apple didn't announce anything wholly original during its keynote. What Apple does best is design it better and deploy it to the market in a way that brings it forward into the public consciousness. NFC technology isn't new and Apple is late to the table with payments. Google Wallet has been securely storing credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards and offers for a while and Facebook is also close to acquiring a banking license in Europe . But so far, NFC technology has failed to take off in the US, and though its popularity scores better in some parts of Asia and Europe, it's about the application, not the tech itself. Apple Pay will force innovation from the financial establishment, encourage fintech innovators, motivate retailers and drive consumer awareness . The old guard are now paying attentionIf we are moving to a society of cashless payments, as we go around our daily lives with a phone or device on us at all times, was this a revolutionary moment? Perhaps not, but it was an important gear-change. This is a sector in dire need of innovation. Tim Cook's "entirely new payment process" laid bare the vulnerability of magnetic strips printed numbers on credit and debit cards, and there was a sense of mockery at the incumbents reliance on the physical, especially in the US, which is yet to adopt chip and PIN unlike Europe. If the financial sector may once have sniffed at the idea that Apple could be threat to their businesses, they're certainly paying attention now. The big banks and payments companies' senior executives were all over yesterday's event, and the biggest US banks are part of the Apple Pay service, representing 83% of total US payment volume. The service may be US-only for now, but Apple will be focused on the global roll-out. A tipping point in retailAn app store with no apps makes no sense, and it took the iPhone to move the smartphone market towards a de-facto standard that others followed. I expect payments, and Apple Watch, to do the same for NFC. Apple announced some retail partners – including Macy's and McDonald's – but other major retailers were notable for their absence. Some have already invested in their own mobile payments platforms, such as Walmart and Target in the US, in answer to Google's Wallet. From a practical perspective, there will have to be infrastructure changes with retailers to facilitate changes at purchase point, which just aren't there in the market right now. But now that Apple is here, consumer awareness will build, retailers will look at integration, and software developers will looking to capitalise in between. The introduction of Apple Pay shows how emerging technologies, such as developments in mobile payments and the introduction of wearables, will disrupt the financial services market. Don't underestimate the importance of consumer trustTrust in financial services companies, banks in particular, is low. People are tired of low value products and poor customer service. They are looking for a better offer from a brand that they trust - and innovative tech brands and have a captive audience. Millennials are more open to the idea of banking with a company that isn't a bank - they want instant, secure purchasing, with as few interactions as possible. A company like Apple carries with it a level of trust with this generation that expects. While this presents a challenge, banks should see Apple's foray into the payments space as an opportunity. They need to seize the moment and use Apple Pay as a way of perhaps understanding consumer spending habits, and using this knowledge to better help their customers. The financial sector can remain relevant, and re-cover lost ground by integrating new technologies to offer services that helps consumer everyday lives. It will be interesting to see the impact of the iCloud celebrity photo leak scandal, and its impact on trust in Apple's brand. This is new territory for them, and thus far they've escaped the data furore that has hit Facebook and Google in recent years. Its trust will go so far as its tech remains trustworthy, hence the re-assurances that credit card numbers wouldn't be stored and data wouldn't be passed on to other parties. Whether the existing banks, fintech innovators, or data companies will win out remains to be seen. Peter founded The BIO Agency in 2006, a pure-play digital strategic and creative agency focusing on innovation and delivering it. With 100 people it has grown to become one of the UK's most successful independent digital companies.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e5b9c19/sc/21/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367544307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c19/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367544307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c19/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367544307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c19/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367544307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c19/sc/21/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367544307/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e5b9c19/sc/21/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/PG2hz33xwUM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iPhone%206%20Plus/New%20Folder/P1080856-470-75.JPGApple's finally done it and made bigger smartphone with NFC no less. The iPhone 6 is Apple's first ever 4.7-inch device playing catch up with Android devices. Apple's has even stepped into the phablets space by introducing the iPhone 6 Plus with its 5.5-inch screen. Of course screen size isn't the only thing Apple improved upon. The iPhone and iPhone 6 are some of thinnest devices yet measuring 6.9mm and 7.1mm thick, respectively. The Cupertino company also added significant improvements to the iSight camera (both front and back) with features such as burst selfies, phase detection autofocus and optical image stabilization. Apple promised pre-orders for its latest handset would begin on September 12 and multiple carriers followed suit, announcing the same release date. Here's where, when and for how much you can get the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Sprint Sprint is so excited about the "best iPhone ever" it has announced a new "iPhone for Life" program. The deal lets users get their mitts on an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus for a monthly $20 rate. Customers enrolled in the iPhone for Life program will effectively pay out $480 over the course of two-years and hand the device back over when their contract terminates. As an extra perk enrollees can also get an exclusive $50 monthly plan for unlimited talk, text and data service – a discounted package saving users about $10 a month. The only draw back to it is if the phone breaks, you buy it – and well you'll also never own the device. Alternatively, for users who would rather keep their device can also agree to a Finance or two-year agreement Contract deal. Financing a 16GB iPhone 6 will let users pay for the device in $30 installments spread across 24 months. Meanwhile, signing up for a two-year agreement lets has customers pay $199.99 upfront for the whole device saving them from nagging monthly device fees. VerizonBig Red will also open up pre-orders on the latest iPhones this Friday at the stroke of Midnight. The telecom giant will have the 16GB iPhone 6 in all three colors for $199 with a two-year contract. Of course customers could also get the device though Verizon's Edge program and pay $32.49 per month for two years. The plus-sized 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus with 16GB of storage on board will ring up for $299.99 with a two-year contract. The Verizon Edge deal for Apple's phablet is $37.49 split across 24 months. Verizon is also offering users a way to get an iPhone 6 by trading in their older iOS 8 handset according to Bloomberg. By bringing in an older iPhone model users will get a $200 gift card in return that they can then use with the purchase of a $199.99 16GB iPhone 6. It's not clear whether the offer applies to the other more expensive iPhone 6 models but TechRadar has sent Verizon an inquiry on the subject. AT&TNot to be left out AT&T also announced it would have the iPhone 6 pre-orders starting September 12 as well. But unlike Sprint and Verizon, the blue carrier has yet to divulge pricing details. AT&T is sure to release more information as we approach Friday. In the meantime TechRadar has contacted AT&T and will update this post when we hear back. T-MobileA little late to the ball, T-Mobile has yet to announce any details of how it will handle iPhone and iPhone 6 sales or even when pre-orders begin. Given the Uncarrier's track record of crazy shenanigans, T-Mo will probably have some enticing deals for the device along with the usual unsubsidized and installment pricing. AppleOf course users could always skip dealing with carriers all together and buy their device direct from Apple itself. On top of pre-orders starting this Friday, users can pick up the company's latest handsets in person at their local Apple Store starting on September 19 beginning at 8:00am (PST). At the Apple keynote yesterday, the Cupertino company noted the iPhone 6 would be available for $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for 64GB and $399 for 128GB. The larger iPhone 6 Plus starts at $299 for 16GB, $399 for 16GB and $499 for the largest 128GB edition. The Apple Watch is pretty nifty, but does it do too much? http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e55e28f/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367414336/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e55e28f/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367414336/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e55e28f/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367414336/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e55e28f/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367414336/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e55e28f/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367414336/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e55e28f/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/x8KfNmIQvJ4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%20history/iOS6_Passbook-470-75.jpg iPhone OS to iOS 7: the early yearsiOS is the smartphone platform that, some argue, started it all, and with iOS 8 arriving very soon, it's easy to forget where it all began. Although it was only 2007, the launch of the Apple iPhone and its nascent iPhone OS seems millennia ago. With that in mind, we decided to dig deeper and take a trip down a grid-based memory lane, so here's our look at the software side of Apple's mobile revolution. iPhone OShttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%20evolution/iPhone%20OS%201/original-iphone-obsolete%20(gizmodo)-420-100.jpg You remember the iPhone right? Not the one with the Retina screen that's all the rage on public transport, but the one that started it all nearly six years ago. The mobile market has never looked the same since WWDC 2007. The leader at that time, BlackBerry, is now struggling, and nigh on every smartphone adorned with a massive touchscreen. Powering the first iPhone was Apple's iPhone OS, a touch-optimised version of OS X. With its black background and App grid, the iOS platform was pretty bland. However, it had multi-touch capabilities, and it carried a mobile-ised version of Safari, the precursor to the mobile versions of Chrome, IE and FireFox, albeit without Flash (something that has remained omitted to this day). These elements might have seemed small, but a great touch-based interface and strong web browser were killer features. iPhone OS 2http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%20evolution/iPhone%20OS%202/iphone%202.0%20(mydigitallife.info)-420-100.jpg The next major iteration of iOS came along with the iPhone 3G, the second version of the iPhone. Whilst there were some notable hardware upgrades, such as 3G support, people began to realise that the big difference was the software. The iPhone 2.0 software gave birth to the App Store, housing what has become the staple of the smartphone diet: apps. True third party apps could be created and distributed easily, with a whopping 500 applications at launch. Apps could even be downloaded directly to the iPhone, skipping iTunes if you wanted. For many users, the other major update to iPhone OS 2 was nothing to get excited about, but don't underestimate its importance. It pushed Apple's devices towards the business market as Microsoft Exchange came built in, alongside Cisco IPSec VPN and WPA2 Enterprise support, opening up a whole new revenue stream for the brand. iPhone OS 3http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%20evolution/iPhone%20OS%203/ios%203%20copy%20and%20paste-210-100.jpg Again, the next iteration of Apple's mobile OS was launched with a phone, the iPhone 3GS. Once more there were big features that now seem commonplace in both the mobile and iOS markets, such as landscape typing now available in third party apps. The first really big update came in the form of Spotlight, that search page to the far left of your home screens, allowing you to search through contacts, Mail and Calendar apps. The other major update was copy and paste, something that has been on desktops for as long as we can remember. (Apple, incidentally, was the company to bring it to the fore on the Lisa and Macintosh systems of the early 80s.) Text and even imagery could be copied across, and placed in the upgraded Messages app, meaning the iPhone finally packed MMS support. iOS 4http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%20evolution/iOS%204/ipad%203g-420-100.jpg Cue 2010 and a refresh of name. Unhappy with dominating just the mobile market, Apple spied the next big thing in the form of the tablet. With many writing it off as a large iPod, the iPad took the world by storm. Yes, the original shipped with iPhone OS 3.2, but it meant that iOS was no longer locked to small displays, making it across to the 9.7-inch screen. So what did iOS4 bring to the iPad, and the newly launched iPhone 4? Wallpapers would be the first thing to change: the dull bland black background was replaced, and customisable lock screen wallpapers arrived as well. iBooks made its first appearance, optimised to turn the iPad into an eReader. Video calling also popped over in the form of FaceTime, although limited only to Wi-Fi connections. The new decade did herald two other new features to iOS, and they were big features: multi-tasking and folders. A double tap of the home button allowed access to the strictly controlled multi-tasking bar along the bottom for easy switching between your apps, meaning navigating iOS became easier, and battery life got longer. Win win. A folder system was also implemented, and to this day many can't see its integration ever being beaten (although it's often copied). Dragging and dropping icons onto each other meant you could hide away system apps, and group your games together. We're sticklers for neatness, so we don't know where we'd be without folders. iPhone OS to iOS 7: iOS 5 onwardsiOS 5http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%20evolution/iOS%205/iPhone%204s%20Siri%20Button-420-100.jpg iOS 5 made its debut on the iPhone 4S, as well as appearing on the iPad 2. Amongst updates came the ability to use the volume keys as a Camera shutter button, quick access to the camera from the lock screen by double tapping the home button, and a completely PC-free experience, so no longer would you be tied to iTunes with wires to update the OS. Safari also had an update to bring in Reader and tabbed browsing. The Notifications Centre made its first appearance, with Messages, App Updates, Calendar events and so on all now grouped together and accessible by dragging down from the top and the lock screen. iMessage was also introduced, in a bid to challenge BBM, which was still the dominant messaging platform at the time. Apple's offering, alongside third-party options such as WhatsApp, now rule the messaging ecosystem. Above all, iOS 5 will be remembered for one thing: Siri. Siri is synonymous with mobile voice assistants, and with every update becomes more and more useful. It allowed users to send messages, play songs or playlists, create reminders, and could even give a weather forecast. iOS 6 http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%20evolution/iOS%206/ios6-210-100.jpg Launched on the iPhone 5, and appearing on the iPad 3, iPad 4 and the iPad Mini, iOS 6 can be remembered for two words: Apple Maps. Yes, Apple Maps brought turn-by-turn navigation, and wiped Google Maps off iOS, but it was a disaster, mocked even by Motorola. Even Apple's attempt at a clock app landed it in hot water, after the Swiss Rail Network proved the design was too similar to its own. Other than Apple Maps, the big news from iOS 6 was Do Not Disturb, a mode that enabled you to silence calls and notifications, ideal for sleeping meetings, although even that hit problems when it refused to auto-disengage in early 2013. FaceTime finally became 3G enabled, Panoramas were added to the camera, and Apple's Passbook app popped up too, combining vouchers and tickets in a handy place. Safari's Reader update from iOS 5 also gained offline support, while Siri was announced for the iPad 3. iOS 7http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS7/Press/iOS7-Press-08-420-100.jpg iOS 7 is now almost one year old - hasn't time just flown by? It arrived with a cacaphony of new features and colourful updates, and included a radically overhauled interface, new Control Center, transparent animations and more. When iOS 7 landed on devices many people lost their minds, complaining about the lurid colour scheme and the new interface design - demanding Apple revert back to iOS 6 stylings. A year on though and those initial cries of angst have all but disappeared and iOS 7 has been accepted as a clean, fluid and refreshing update to the iPhone line. iOS 7 vs Android Jelly Bean vs Windows Phone 8 vs BlackBerry 10Lots of people were rightly angry about Apple ditching Google data, but beyond that mis-step there's a lot to like: a more useful Siri (App launching plus the recognition that a world exists outside of the USA), shared Photo Streams, handy Phone app controls such as 'send to voicemail', and major improvements to Mail, Safari, accessibility and the Camera app. However, with the new iOS 7 update we've been given the all-new interface, as well as new ways to control the phone and make sure that you don't have to worry about fumbling around in the dark for the torch. iOS 8http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%208/ios-8-release-date-420-90.jpg The latest update from Apple is iOS 8 and it's waiting in the wings to jump onto the new iPhone 6 (and possibly iPhone 6L) as well some of Apple's older devices You'll need an iPhone 4S or newer or an iPad 2 or newer to update to the latest software, plus the 5th generation iPod will also get a taste of iOS 8. So what are the big features you get with iOS 8? Apple is opening up its TouchID fingerprint scanner to developers, allowing them to include the security recognition in their apps - which will be great for banking and payment apps especially. The Health app is another major addition in iOS 8, as Apple looks to collate data from your various health and fitness devices and apps to display in one unified location. This gives you an overview of your health, and saves you jumping between a number of apps to find out different things. You'll also be able to send and receive SMS messages from your iPad or Mac, as well as make and receive phone calls when they are linked to an iPhone. There's more too, including the addition of video and voice options to group messaging, interactive notifications, a new Quicktype (read: Swype rival) keyboard, location based lockscreen apps, plus updates to Siri and Spotlight. iOS 8 release date, news and featureshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e4dcc8a/sc/28/mf.gifhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/pUiGVy8NEw8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/logos/Apple_iCloud_logo-470-75.jpgIt's looks like Apple is making good on its promises to ratchet up its iCloud security following a rash of leaked celebrity photos. Letem Světem Applem, a Czechoslovakian site, caught an Apple email alert asking to confirm if the user accessed iCloud from a new browser. The message seems to be a one-time confirmation that's sent whenever the user or someone else accesses the iCloud account from a new browser. As with Facebook login activity notifications users will either toss away these messages to their virtual recycling bin or report malicious behavior. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/other/Onetimers/iCloud-420-90.jpg The support message follows Cook's recent remarks noting that Apple would improve user awareness by sending out email alerts as well as smartphone notification. This latest message coincides with Apple's plans to roll out a new alert system within the next two weeks. What is it good for?Ultimately the new alerts won't prevent future hacking attempts but users will be notified much sooner. As the recent leak of celebrity photos revealed there is a major vulnerability in Apple's cloud service even if the hackers allegedly targeted celebrity accounts. The real problem is no one noticed or said anything until the mass of revealing photos was posted onto 4chan, Reddit and other internet communities. Now with this new early warning system users will be notified much sooner rather than never. The alerts also allows users to regain control of their accounts, hopefully stopping or tracing the individuals who are breaking in virtually. It'll be interesting to see if Apple has any new comments to share about the recent attack on iCloud at its iPhone 6 and, very likely, iWatch event tomorrow. Stay tuned to this space for more. Here's hoping iOS 8 will be a bit more securehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e436818/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157575276/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e436818/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157575276/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e436818/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157575276/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e436818/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157575276/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e436818/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/206157575276/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e436818/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/jHlQRGC3WQM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/features/Best%20cloud%20storage%20July%202013/icloud%201-470-75.jpgThe recent iCloud hack might have allegedly only targeted celebrities, but Apple is trying to reassure users that it is beefing up security for everyone. Apple CEO Tim Cook promised new push notifications and email alerts will be sent to users when someone tries to change their account password. At the same time every time users will also be notified whenever a new device access their iCloud account. The system should go live within the next two weeks. In top of informing users of any suspicious activity they will also be able to change their password or inform Apple of the problem. Apple hopes these new measures will prevent users from being blindsided by another phishing attack attempting to break into accounts to steal photos and data. Half measuresCook also did a bit of damage control noting that no Apple IDs or passwords were compromised in last weekend's embarrassing leak of private celebrity photos. Moving forward Cook said he believes informing users of security breaches will more effective against hacking attacks rather than a technological solution. "When I step back from this terrible scenario that happened and say what more could we have done, I think about the awareness piece," Cook said in his interview with The Wall Street Journal. "I think we have a responsibility to ratchet that up. That's not really an engineering thing." The Cupertino company also plans encourage more users to enable "two-factor authentication" when logging into their accounts. When turned on the security system asks for an extra bit of information - such as a four-digit texted to the user's cellphone number – to ensure the person trying to access iCloud is actually the account owner. Supposedly if the affected celebrities activated system it would have prevented the hackers from being able to force their way though by guessing iCloud passwords over and over again. Too little, too late it seems Hopefully the iPhone 6 and iOS 8 will come with new and better security featureshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e3063af/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157496586/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e3063af/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157496586/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e3063af/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157496586/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e3063af/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157496586/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e3063af/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/206157496586/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e3063af/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/LkUYTQgqmrg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/iCloud%20Hack-470-75.jpgApple says it's now actively investigating an embarrassing security breach of its iCloud service that allowed hackers to post dozens of celebrity nude photos to the web this weekend, "We take user privacy very seriously and are actively investigating this report," said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said in a statement to Recode. The response was prompted after an alleged exploit using iCloud's "Find My iPhone" feature allowed users to break in to steal passwords, view images and other data stored in a users' iCloud accounts. As a result of the security breach some of the hackers posted nude photos, both real and some said to be fakes, of Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, Kirsten Dunst, as well as other actresses, athletes, models and other celebrities. Of course, since this exploit affect all iCloud accounts, the security hole could have effected every user on Apple's cloud service. How could this happen!?The Next Web reports the issue may have stemmed from Apple leaving allowing for an unlimited number of password attempts to access the Find My iPhone service. Supposedly hackers took advantage of this vulnerability by using iBrute to repeatedly try different password combinations until it broke the code. Apple claims it has since fixed the issue by limiting the password attempts to five. The Cupertino company also advises users to add an extra layer of security for themselves by adding the two-step verification process to their iCloud accounts. Still we'd advise users to change their password in light of the recent exploit. TechRadar has reached out to Apple for a comment on the security breach and will update this article once we hear back. Keep your fingers crossed for more security features in iOS 8http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204367094749/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3e0d5d93/sc/21/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/WCdNlqcSg40

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/TRBC/Apps/Downloads/iTunes%20alternatives/spotify-470-75.JPGIntroductionIf you've ever used one of Apple's smartphones, tablets or Macs, you'll likely have come across iTunes, its software for playing music, videos and transferring media onto devices. Many people have a love/hate relationship with iTunes as it used to be the only program that could sync music to iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices. It's also been criticised for its slow loading times (especially in Windows), lack of features and non-existent support for a number of popular file formats, leading many to seek out an alternative. Apple's rivals caught on, and it's now possible to perform many of the actions previously tied to the program - such as synching media to iOS devices - using other media players. We've picked out five of the best to tickle your music fancy. It should be noted that while the following Windows programs are free, they will attempt to install third-party add-ons that aren't necessary for the programs to run. As such, you might want to manually opt out during the installation process. 1. Spotifyhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/Software%20download%20buttons/download_button_1-180-100.jpg Spotify has quickly risen to become one of, if not the most popular music player around. It has a huge library of songs stored in the cloud that you can stream over the internet from your computer, smartphone or other mobile device. With new music being added all the time, Spotify has put an end to the days of ripping your CD collection to store in programs like Windows Media Player. The company has struck numerous deals with many large and "indie" record labels alike, meaning it has one of the most eclectic online song libraries around. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/TRBC/Apps/Downloads/iTunes%20alternatives/spotify-420-100.JPG You can also add your own computer's music to a Local Library to sit alongside music in the cloud. In addition to creating and sharing playlists, Spotify allows you to "follow" artists and other users, queue up songs (handy for parties) and listen to tons of internet radio stations. Better yet, you can sync music from your library Apple devices, making it a potential iTunes replacement even for die-hard Apple enthusiasts. 2. MediaMonkeyhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/Software%20download%20buttons/download_button_1-180-100.jpg MediaMonkey is the music player of choice for the discerning music organiser. If you've previously filed hundreds of vinyls and CDs in cardboard boxes by genre, alphabetically or some other way, it will allow you to tame your collation obsession. The first time you load it up it will speedily scan your computer to find audio and video files, allowing you to then tag and sort them into columns - including by artist name, album, genre, composer, year, publisher, rating and so on. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/TRBC/Apps/Downloads/iTunes%20alternatives/mediamonkey-420-100.JPG Where other media managers top out after a certain limit, MediaMonkey lets you add a massive 100,000 tracks. It's compatible with a wide range of formats - including MP3, WMA, W4A and M4P - and like iTunes, you can sync your library with iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices. Visually, the program isn't a million miles away from iTunes, and if you don't like it you can change its appearance by downloading "skins". 3. Google Chrome (MP3 Player add-on)http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/Software%20download%20buttons/download_button_1-180-100.jpg Through extensions, Google's Chrome browser can perform many tasks usually undertaken on the desktop - and that includes sorting and playing media files. Through one particularly nifty extension imaginatively called MP3 Player, you can listen to music stored on your computer within Chrome, saving you from having to duck out to your music player. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/TRBC/Apps/Downloads/iTunes%20alternatives/chrome-mp3-420-100.JPG It comes with a few other features, including the retrieval of song lyrics, YouTube clips, relevant information about the artist playing and links to their Wikipedia page. On the negative side, it only supports MP3 and OGG formats, and it's not much of a looker. If you value convenience over aesthetics, MP3 Player could be for you. 4. Winamphttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/Software%20download%20buttons/download_button_1-180-100.jpg Venerable media player Winamp has been through some tough times since launching 18 years ago (including being killed off before being resurrected in 2014), but it's held its own against newer, fresher rivals surprisingly well. In a similar vein to MediaMonkey, it allows masses of music to be loaded into a central library, tagged and sorted to your heart's content. Additional functionality is provided through a rich database of plug-ins that let you do anything from installing jazzy visualisations to burning DVDs. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/TRBC/Apps/Downloads/iTunes%20alternatives/winamp-420-100.JPG Winamp is unashamedly retro and may be a better fit in its original form for anyone still on Windows XP or Vista. That said, a chance to blend the old with the new came when the makers of Spotify released Spotiamp, a lightweight media player that streams Spotify's extensive database of music in Winamp's original skin. If you're feeling nostalgic for Winamp's original look but don't want to leave your vast cloud-based music collection behind, Spotiamp is the answer to your prayers. 5. RealPlayerhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/techradar/Software%20download%20buttons/download_button_1-180-100.jpg Launched back in 1995, RealPlayer is a golden oldie. The program has matured into a slick multimedia tool that supports of a wide range of video formats - including proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo (RA, RM, RV and RMVB), in addition to MP3, MPEG, Windows Media Player and Flash Video (FLV). http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/TRBC/Apps/Downloads/iTunes%20alternatives/realplayer-420-100.JPG By acting as a central repository for all of your media files, RealPlayer lets you make playlists, bookmark videos on webpages, burn CDs, DVDs, stream videos and more. Recent versions have improved mobile support, and you can now transfer music from your smartphone to your PC, and visa versa. There's also support for Google's Chromecast streaming dongle, which means you can now plug one into your HDMI-equipped TV and download the RealPlayer app (on iOS or Android) to take advantage of a myriad of services - from Netflix and YouTube to BBC iPlayer. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3dd625a1/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366884792/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dd625a1/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366884792/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dd625a1/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366884792/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dd625a1/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366884792/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dd625a1/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366884792/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dd625a1/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/heImkIqbLV8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Facebook/chatheads_iPhone-470-75.jpgIdeally tapping on a phone number on your iPhone will prompt a pop-up asking whether you want to place a call, but one developer says he found a dangerous vulnerability in apps that don't ask first. This security hole could let attackers force your phone to make a call when you click on a website link, potentially connecting your phone to expensive numbers without warning. Developer Andrei Neculaesei of Copenhagen company Airtame described the issue on his blog, demonstrating how he created a web page with a link that opens a phone call automatically when accessed from certain native iOS apps. It reportedly works because these apps, including Facebook Messenger, Apple's Facetime, Google+, Gmail, and others, don't issue a pop-up when users tap a phone number within them. Hello Pretty!Neculaesei says he used "some sneaky-beaky-like JavaScript" to make links embedded in websites click themselves. When those sites are accessed through apps other than Safari, the links automatically activate and the calls are placed. He imagines even more severe dangers than being charged for expensive calls, like users accessing a link through Facetime and automatically transmitting a live video feed to attackers - a tactic he's named "Hello Pretty!" "Facetime calls are instant," he writes. "Imagine you clicking a link, your phone calls my (attacker) account, I instantly pick it up and (yes) save all the frames. Now I know how your face looks like and maybe where you are. Hello pretty!" He also warns that although this applies to far more apps than the four he mentions, it's not only Apple's fault, since third-party app developers can configure their software to prompt users when a phone number is tapped. Many, including big names like Google and Facebook, simply choose not to, but that could very well change in light of this discovery. We've asked Google, Facebook and Apple for comment, and we'll update here if we hear back. Facebook forcing us to download Messenger is a brilliant move http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3dc5ced7/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157017040/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dc5ced7/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157017040/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dc5ced7/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157017040/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dc5ced7/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/206157017040/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dc5ced7/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/206157017040/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3dc5ced7/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/lYythA8qrdY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%208/Apple_Maps_Phone_App_iOS8-470-75.jpg The fifth version of the iOS 8 beta, currently in the hands of Apple's army of developers, has revealed a minor, but neat new feature which improves the synchronicity of the Maps and Phone apps. An AppleInsider reader discovered when users call a business like a restaurant from within the Maps app, that information will be transferred to the Recents tab within the iPhone's phone app. Not only is the number listed, but the name of the establishment too. Tapping on the listing will also bring up the location on a smaller map, the address of the business, it's web page and even the Yelp scores. The idea appears to be to make it easier for iPhone users to easily save their favourite places to the contacts or have the ability to easily redial without searching all over again. RefinediOS 8 was announced by Apple at WWDC in June and is currently being tested by developers and refined by Apple ahead of a launch this autumn. The operating system will arrive alongside the iPhone 6, but will be installable across a wide range of iPhones, iPads and iPod touch media players. You can find out which here. Android L vs iOS 8: What's different?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3d5d7638/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366391936/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d5d7638/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366391936/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d5d7638/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366391936/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d5d7638/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366391936/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d5d7638/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366391936/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d5d7638/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/IkV5q0CWlyY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/nfl_now_9to5mac-470-75.jpgThe National Football League's NFL Now app is still scheduled to launch this summer, but it seems the app's full list of platforms may have not been revealed yet. That's according to 9to5Mac, an Apple-focused blog that claims NFL Now will be released on Apple TV alongside its other debut platforms in August. NFL Now will deliver users original content, game highlights, extensive archive video, and live events. It's being touted as the football fan's ultimate tool. The app is currently announced officially for Xbox One, Roku, iOS, Android, Windows, and Amazon platforms like Kindle Fire and Fire TV. Too many coaches in the kitchenWhen the football league revealed its NFL Now plans in January Microsoft helped out with an announcement published on the Xbox Wire blog. It's interesting that Microsoft essentially claimed partial ownership over the NFL Now experience in that blog post, considering how many other platforms have been announced in the interim - or may yet emerge from the woodwork, in the case of Apple TV. The post was titled "Microsoft Partners with the NFL to Create NFL Now," for crying out loud, and only Microsoft platforms including the Xbox One and Surface tablets were mentioned in this initial announcement. The app currently has no concrete release date, but the source of this current rumor said that NFL Now might debut as soon as this week. NFL teams receiving a tech upgrade courtesy of Microsoft's Surface Pro 2http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3d2dfb71/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366237974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d2dfb71/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366237974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d2dfb71/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366237974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d2dfb71/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366237974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d2dfb71/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366237974/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d2dfb71/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/l3C_Ul_UEBg

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/logos/Beats%20Music-470-75.jpgBoth Beats Music and iTunes Radio have reportedly struggled to attract the anticipated listenership since arriving on the stream scene and now it appears their fortunes will rest on the shoulders of one man. According to the Wall Street Journal, Ian Rogers, the head of Beats Music will also take the reins at iTunes Radio following the completion of the $3 billion Apple-Beats takeover on Friday. Rogers, who will join Apple alongside co-founders Dr Dre. and Jimmy Iovine, will "run both teams to create cohesion in Apple's streaming-music options," according to WSJ sources. It remains unclear whether the services will be united under one banner in order create a free, ad-funced random radio and a paid for pick-your-own streaming service combo to rival the likes of Spotify. Job lossesThe acquisition isn't all good news for Beats, with some 200 jobs going as a result of the take over. Apple has said it'll try to find new roles for those affected. Beats Music vs Spotify in a streaming showdownhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3d1a6472/sc/28/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366112123/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d1a6472/sc/28/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366112123/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d1a6472/sc/28/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366112123/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d1a6472/sc/28/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/204366112123/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d1a6472/sc/28/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/204366112123/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3d1a6472/sc/28/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/eCVCKwkUkzY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/wwdc/2014/screengrabs/os-x-yosemite-470-75.jpgApple isn't in the habit of releasing public betas of new OS versions. In fact, it's been over a decade since it has. But that changes with OS X 10.10 Yosemite, which will enter public beta this month, reports 9to5Mac. The public will gain access to a beta build of Apple's latest OS X overhaul by the end of July, with the fourth version of the developer preview arriving today, sources told the site. (Update: OS X Yosemite Preview 4 did arrive to developers after we first posted this story.) Apple previously said a public preview of Yosemite would take place by the end of summer. Plans changeThe same sources told the site that a new developer preview of iOS 8 will arrive today as well, though the report is tempered with a warning that "these plans are fluid" and might change. (Update: It did indeed arrive to developers). Because plans could change, the OS X Yosemite public beta might be pushed back to early August because Apple reportedly wants to make sure the OS is ready for the mass consumption. Yosemite brings a number of changes to OS X, including interface tweaks, better Spotlight search, increased iOS synchronization, and improvements to various apps. The completed version of OS X Yosemite is scheduled to arrive this fall. 10 things you need to know about OS X 10.10 Yosemitehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3cb9022e/sc/15/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199108254996/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3cb9022e/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199108254996/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3cb9022e/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199108254996/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3cb9022e/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199108254996/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3cb9022e/sc/15/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/199108254996/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3cb9022e/sc/15/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/LVEYMWkHlqY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iPhone%205S/Press/iPhone5S-Camera-470-75.jpgApple and IBM have announced that they will team up in what they call an "exclusive partnership" that marries the best of Apple's hardware with IBM's software and services expertise. The move was welcomed by the stock markets with IBM's shares up by nearly 2% and Apple's gaining 1.72%. It also bears some similarities with a deal struck 33 years ago that saw Microsoft piggyback on IBM's PC platform to become the giant it is today. Clearly, though, the two companies complement rather than compete with each other with very little, if any overlap. Broadly simplifying, Apple will use IBM as a medium to crack the elusive enterprise market while Big Blue will get privileged (but not exclusive) access to the iOS ecosystem. Apple, for all its consumer clout, is still a minor player in the enterprise market where BlackBerry's domination is already ebbing away. With slowing growth, growing pressures on margins and increasing competition, it was only a matter of time before it looked elsewhere. Add the slew of announcements by Google and Samsung for the enterprise stack and it is clear that something had to be done to prevent Android from owning that lucrative segment. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/people/IBM%20and%20Apple%20CEO-460-100.jpglike its entry-level server range sold to Lenovo), it has embarked on a number of bold moves, with a clear focus on big data, business analytics, cloud computing and mobility. Its current CEO, Virginia Rometty, is tied to the financial roadmap set out by her predecessor, Sam Palmisano. He said that by 2015, IBM would deliver at least $20 a share with $70 billion returned to shareholders - and not reaching these expectations could have dire consequences. Human touchThe company will commit human and financial resources to deliver iOS-specific cloud services as well as create more than 100 industry-specific enterprise solutions exclusively for Apple's iOS devices (Big Blue usually supports Nokia Symbian, BlackBerry, Android and Windows Phone as well). This will be done via its MobileFirst platform, one of what IBM calls one of a quarter of building bricks of enterprise mobile solutions, the other three being the apps themselves. They're made up of mobile service and support and are handled jointly by IBM and Apple as part of a packaged service offerings offered by IBM. That said, Apple is unlikely to prevent IBM rivals, such as Oracle, Microsoft or SAP from developing similar solutions on iOS for the enterprise market. In fact, it is likely to encourage them to come up with their own versions of MobileFirst as soon as possible to profit from the rise in interest in mobile enterprise solution generated by the announcement. The winner? Apple.Apple, it seems, will be the one benefitting the most from the partnership as it doesn't have to do much with IBM having most of the weight-lifting to do. The deal gives it access to an enterprise expertise that's second to none, and 100,000 IBM-backed industry and domain consultants and software developers will act as salespersons for its iPhones and iPads. Setting something similar would have cost Apple billions in terms of investment and taken years, not to mention the risks involved and a potential shareholder revolt. A partnership with IBM is therefore safer, cheaper, faster and will allow Apple to learn more about businesses. Who knows, both may even merge to create the world's first trillion dollar company. We wouldn't be surprised if, despite recently published comments, BlackBerry decided to side with the lesser of two evils and embrace Android, something it has already been doing by supporting native Android apps (or Oracle could buy it). Apple and IBM will be holding their respective earnings calls over the next few days and it is likely that they will elaborate more on yesteday's announcement. Rometty also said that the alliance wants to bring the same level of transformation to the way people work as Apple did in the consumer market. For all the excitement that the partnership has generated, one would dread to fathom the disappointment it would cause if both do not deliver on their promises. http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3c8d6fdf/sc/5/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199108085460/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3c8d6fdf/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199108085460/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3c8d6fdf/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199108085460/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3c8d6fdf/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199108085460/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3c8d6fdf/sc/5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/199108085460/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3c8d6fdf/sc/5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/9YEi3VzXIMs

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/School-01-470-75.jpgApple has updated the iTunes U education app to further enhance the ability for teachers to create lesson plans and instructional materials on the iPad. iTunes U is now integrated with iWork, iBooks Author and all other Apple educational applications. In addition to more than 750,000 educational materials readily available in iTunes U, teachers will be able to pull content directly into their lessons from other applications. The update also includes integration with the iPad's camera, thereby allowing teachers to take photos and record video, which can then be inserted into lesson plans. Discussion groupsAnother new feature is Discussions, which lets students and teachers communicate in self-created social feeds. Users can set up push notifications for new topics and replies. Teachers will be able to moderate discussions by removing any content they deem unsuitable. Previous versions of iTunes U also included a glitch that made the playback button function at the wrong speed. This glitch has been corrected, according to Apple's iTunes U update page. In January, Apple launched iBooks Textbooks and iTunes U Course Manager products in more than 50 markets. iTunes U is currently available in 69 countries. The update will be available on July 8. What are the best apps available on the iPad?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3c07aa21/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/j2cvU3rpXSc

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Fighting%20Talk/ios8-470-75.jpgWhen I watched the iOS 8 announcement, it was with a sense of bemusement, sadness and only the occasional 'that's nice' moments popping up in my head. It's digested now, having had enough time to ferment in that vacant space I refer to as my brain. The jury's in - and it's not overwhelmed. While the general consensus is the new platform is a good enough change, the iOS 8 announcement left me cold. I'd waited for signs of a revolution, one that would delete the mistakes of iOS 7 - but they never came. Quite simply, the feeling for me was that Apple has run out of ideas. Before we go any further, NO. I am not a secret Google spy. Yes, I am running an iPhone but I had to jailbreak it to be able to enjoy it. I'm not a biased fanboy. But I just couldn't see anything there to make me jump out of my seat. And I really wanted to. Active notifications! Purleease! Shortcuts to call most used contacts? Widgets (sort of)! This is so last year to the jailbreakers. And it just highlights Apple's problems - it's just doing what the competition has been up to for years. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/iPhone/iOS%208/interactive-notifications-420-90.jpg Steve Jobs famously referred to Android as a stolen product (whilst forgetting the drag down notification centre wasn't entirely his invention) but everywhere I look in iOS 8, I see things that the jailbreakers have been offering for years. There's no acknowledgement that it needs the jailbreakers - not just to be the bogeymen to Geniuses everywhere, but to keep its creative juices flowing. They'll be designing the damn iPhone next! And let's not get started on poor WhatsApp - which has seen a few of its selling points pinched. Not that we feel sorry for Facebook after it opened its wallet and dropped a few billion on the service. But that's hardly the point. Don't get me wrong - there were some things in that unveiling that really are great. Continuity, for example. That will be brilliant in day to day use. Homekit and Healthkit have potential, but nothing that will excite me for a while yet. It's hardly up there with Steve Jobs' Keynote back in 2007. Apple's share price didn't rocket as iOS 8 was announced - and there's a good reason for that. Sure, I'll probably download iOS 8 come the autumn like everyone else. But I won't stay up all night to do it and smile sweetly when my 90% download falls down and forces me to start again. I'll give it as much priority as watering the plants. And that says it all. Read all the iOS 8 news and rumours and see if you agree with Phil.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3bb465ef/sc/4/mf.gif http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199119521802/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3bb465ef/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199119521802/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3bb465ef/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199119521802/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3bb465ef/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/199119521802/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3bb465ef/sc/4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/199119521802/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3bb465ef/sc/4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Ny0KkN3HMb8