Apple To Produce Original TV Shows

According to Variety, Apple may get into creating their own TV shows. It's not confirmed if this is certain or what genres will be made. This is all very hazy at the moment, so nothing should be assumed.

"Sources indicate the Cupertino, Calif. colossus has held preliminary conversations in recent weeks with executives in Hollywood to suss out their interest in spearheading efforts to produce entertainment content. The unit putting out the feelers reports into Eddy Cue, who is Apple’s point man on all content-related matters, from its negotiations with programmers for Apple TV to its recent faceoff with Taylor Swift."

- Variety

New Apple TV Release Rumors

According to 9to5Mac, the next Apple TV will release in October. When it does, the current-generation Apple TV will remain at $69, so there's no reason to not buy it now if you want the current-generation model. Also, the new Apple TV will be either $149 or $199. Finally, an Apple-brand streaming service could come as soon as next year. Stay tuned (or loaded?) for more coverage on the iPhone 6s and Apple TV.

Google Medical Drones

Google wants to save your life. This should come as no surprise as Google is doing a lot of things, from trying to solve death by natural causes to self-driving cars. With Alphabet, this stream doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. Google is now developing drones that can be summoned via smartphone to your location and can provide medical assistance. For example, it can provide medical instructions to anyone person if human assistance is required. As for what the drone can do, it's up to Google. From my perspective, it can bring medical equipment of different assortments that can help in certain situations. It's interesting where something like this can go, considering that air travel can be significantly more efficient than road travel. However, whether a drone can go faster than an ambulance is a challenge. Especially with heavy medical equipment. We'll hopefully hear more of this in the future.

iPhone 6s Event: Invite Analysis

Yesterday, Apple released their invite to the press and public to attend and watch (respectively) their keynote. Below, I have annotated the promotional graphic. The first thing I should point out is the multicolored waves reflects the waves used in the new Siri animation of iOS 9 (as shown by the left annotation). Also, asking Siri to "give you a hint" will trigger a random response.

"Look deep within yourself and you will find the answer. Especially on September 9."

"Why don't you check a rumors blog? That's what I do."

 "You're cute when you're desperate for information." 

... among many others. 

Apple Announces 2015 iPhone Event

Today, Apple announced their annual iPhone event. It will be on September 9th. The announcement uses the tagline, "Hey Siri, give us a hint." Using this command in Siri has Siri tease you with the day of the event in hopes of sparking anticipation. At this event, the next-generation of iPhones will be announced and a new Apple TV, along with iOS, watchOS, and OS X updates. Apple also has a page for the event with a calendar event.

Image Credit: The Loop

Apple Watch Camera Remote

I apparently forgot to write about this feature on the Apple Watch. As some may have seen on my Instagram, I took a picture using my Apple Watch as a camera remote. How do you do that? On the Apple Watch, there is an included app called Camera Remote. It automatically enables the camera on your paired iPhone, and provides a view on your Apple Watch. You can instantly take a picture, or set a 3-second timer. Take that selfie stick!

The Camera Remote App on Apple Watch

iPhone 6s Shown Booting

MacRumors has received a video showing an iPhone 6s boot to a gear icon. It also shows the logic board with an unmarked processor, supposedly the A9 chip. In addition, we see cellular data improvements and multiple chips being combined into one to reduce size and increase capabilities. Check out the video below!

Image Credit: MacRumors

One to One Program Ending

One to One is Apple's tutoring service that cost $99 dollars per year. As the name suggests, it's one to one. Apple is going to discontinue One to One to allow for workshops that allow for more people to learn at once, kinda like a carpool. Apple will however honor the remainder of the year of One to One service the customer has. I don't think many people will miss it because of, well, the internet. If you do want a membership, now is the time since it hasn't been discontinued as of when I am posting this.

Apple Creates Apple Watch Flower Ad Campaign

Apple has made a new ad campaign for their retail stores. In front of Apple Stores, there are new wallpapers in the display areas. They feature a large picture of a flower behind an Apple Watch. It's kinda funny to see how small the Apple Watch is in the huge display. Especially when the watch is the only thing in the display. Here are some pictures.

Image Credit: Wallpaper

Image Credit: Wallpaper

Apple Pay Commercial

Apple recently released an Apple Pay commercial that looks really cool. It shows how Apple Pay can be used at many stores. Just a personal thought, Apple Pay is great and simple, however employee training and availability is a problem for Apple Pay, Android Pay (Google Wallet), and other NFC-based payment options. When I went to a Panera Bread the other day, I always seem to get the one register that doesn't support NFC transactions, which is a shame considering they associate themselves with Apple Pay so much. I hope that we eventually get to the point where Apple Pay was this simple. You can watch the ad below.

iSight Camera Replacement Program

A small number of iPhone 6 Pluses have a faulty iSight camera that causes fuzzy images, even while the camera is perfectly still. Apple has started an iSight Camera Replacement Program for iPhone 6 Plus. If you have unusually fuzzy images from your iPhone 6 Plus, check your eligibility on Apple's site for the program. You will need your serial number.

New Apple Wireless Keyboard

In addition to the Magic Mouse 2, Apple has also outlined in a patent a new Apple Wireless Keyboard. Much like the Magic Mouse 2, it will have an upgrade from Bluetooth 2.1 to Bluetooth 4.2. However, there is another change, and it's a rather big one. There are no replaceable batteries. It's rechargeable. This also applies to the Magic Mouse 2. This is a big step forward for these accessories, as people don't like to replace batteries. As for how to charge them, I have no idea. Maybe it's a cable or a dock. We'll see...

XL Sport Band

With a lot of Apple Watch bands in the news lately, it turns out that Apple has made an extra-large Sport Band. As I mentioned they made their Link Bracelet modular so it can be made large enough for extra large wrists, but it was the most expensive band. The sport band is the most affordable band at $50. The Sport Band comes in the size M/L & L/XL to accommodate this change. Each Sport Band has two sizes included for the two different sides of the watch. It should be noted that this is only for the 42mm Apple Watch (Sport, Regular, and Edition).

iPad Rumors 2015

Here's a quick roundup of the rumors that have been accumulating about the next iPad. There may not be an iPad Air 3. This would be replaced by an iPad Pro, iPad Maxi, or iPad Air Plus, whatever you want to call it. It would run iOS, not OS X, however it may have built-in USB 3.0 ports. Despite no iPad Air 3 expected this year, an iPad Mini 4 is expected. It would have minor upgrades, such as a better camera and split screen multitasking support. These iPads are expected to be announced this October.

FlyKly Smart Light

While searching the interwebs, I stumbled upon this. It's called the FlyKly Smart Light. It's a light for your bike brought into the 21st century. It holds your phone and it charges it. Finally! I needed something like this forever. Except that I don't bike anymore that I have my driver's license. But, if you do ride your bike often, I recommend you try this out. It costs $99 from FlyKly's website [Direct Link].

Link Bracelet Kit

Apple has released a Link Bracelet Kit for the Apple Watch. What does it do? It is an add-on for the 42mm Link Bracelet that allows it to be wearable by wrists that exceed 205mm. It costs $50 for 6 links. This is the only modular band that Apple offers, and also the most expensive that isn't made with gold. Apple is likely to release new sizes of other bands for larger wrists as people have complained about the sizes. It should be noted that this is only compatible with the 42mm Apple Watch (not Sport nor Edition).

Magic Mouse 2

Apple has filed a patent for a new version of the Magic Mouse. This mouse would have Bluetooth 4.2. This lets the mouse to have better battery life and more responsive controls (but responsiveness wasn't really a problem before). It should be noted that the original Magic Mouse has Bluetooth 2.1. It will also have a rechargeable battery and won't have any batteries to replace. There don't appear to be any other new features. However, since Apple titled the mouse in the patent "Magic Mouse 2," it would stand to reason that there are other features. Apple typically would try to keep a small hardware update as quiet as possible, so hopefully there are more features in the works.

38mm Modern Buckle Band Available For Purchase

After the Apple Watch was released in April, the 38mm exclusive Modern Buckle band (standalone) was unavailable. As of today, it is now available without having to buy an Apple Watch with it. The leather made for the band comes from a single tannery in France. This is probably why there was such a delay in getting this band to be standalone.

Image Credit: MacRumors

The Verizon Plan

Verizon is getting rid of two-year contracts. Now, you can buy an expensive phone, but you can get a really cheap plan. It's called The Verizon Plan. It should be noted that this is a better deal in most cases. In addition, there's new data plans. It consists of small, medium, large, and extra-large plans. They are 1 GB for $30, 3 GB for $45, 6 GB for $60, and 12 GB for $80 respectively. These are about half as much as regular plans go. These plans can be very cost-effective, given one can purchase a $600 phone instead of a $200 one.

Verizon's Listings for The Verizon Plan.

Twitter Removes 140-Character Limit from Direct Messages

If you read the title, don't get too excited. Remember, it's only for direct messages. What are direct messages? Simply put, they're messages sent to a specific person and only visible to that person. It's not shared with the world. Like an email, or an IM, or a text message. Come to think of it, why do we need direct messages? It's just texting rebranded with Twitter. Anyways, Twitter no longer requires your messages to be under 140 characters. Now you can actually have a conversation or whatever people do these days on the Tweeter and MySpace. Shortly put, you can have unrestricted direct messages on Twitter.

"While Twitter is largely a public experience, Direct Messages let you have private conversations about the memes, news, movements, and events that unfold on Twitter. Each of the hundreds of millions of Tweets sent across Twitter every day is an opportunity for you to spark a conversation about what's happening in your world. That's why we've made a number of changes to Direct Messages over the last few months. Today's change is another big step towards making the private side of Twitter even more powerful and fun."

Buy From Apple Store App With Gift Cards

It may seem minor, but you can now use an Apple Store gift card to purchase products in the Apple Store app. This has been a inconvenience for many people who needed to use gift cards they received, including myself. There is now a new section to add a gift card under the "Buy with other payment options" section during checkout. The Apple Store app is available from the Apple App Store for free [Direct Link].

"What's New in Version 3.4

You can now make purchases with an Apple Store Gift Card. Use the built-in Camera to scan new Gift Cards or import existing Gift Cards from Passbook."

- Official Update Description 

Alphabet

Google managed to confuse everyone today with the news that Google is rebranding. I can take an April Fools' joke but nothing really prepared me for this. Alphabet. What is it? Simply put, let's just say Google bought itself. Google is now part of a holding company, Alphabet. Alphabet will eventually have other companies, but the largest is Google. The official website is abc.xyz. Clever, Google. I see what you did there. This is kinda crazy, but I'm pleased. Google stock went way up as a result of this and I'm pretty pleased by that.

Wi-Fi Calling for AT&T in iOS 9

The latest beta of iOS 9 allows AT&T customers to enable Wi-Fi calling. To activate Wi-Fi Calling, just go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling and turn on the switch. Wi-Fi calling is currently impossible in the beta, as attempting to do so will cause a message telling the user that the feature is not yet available will popup. This will probably be possible in the final version of iOS 9. Wi-Fi calling is currently only available for Sprint and T-Mobile.

Image Credit: MacRumors

Listen to Beats 1 Offline

If you don't have T-Mobile and don't want to use precious cellular data on Beats 1, you can download a DJ session to your device. First, search for your DJ in the Music app in the Radio tab. Find their Connect page, and tap the three dots next to a playlist. Tap "Add to My Music" and "Make Available Offline." These downloads are stored in the Playlists tab of the Music app.

Image Credit: MacRumors

iPhone 6s Event To Take Place on September 9

Apple's annual iPhone event will most likely be held on Wednesday, September 9 according to BuzzFeed. What can we expect? The iPhone 6s and the new Apple TV. Two things I'm looking forward to and I will hopefully not be too lazy to make reviews on both of those. BuzzFeed also notes that the next iPad may be announced there, but a separate event is not out of the question for iPad.

Apple Merges Online Store and Product Website

For as long as I remember, Apple has had its website featuring its products and its online store in separate parts of the website. Now, you can buy Apple products from anywhere in the website. The online store is now integrated within the entire website. At any page on Apple's website, you can access your cart (or bag) at the top right corner of the page. Check it out!

Beats 2 Radio?

Apple has licensing terms that it shares with record labels showing Apple's terms for the future, including new features around their music service, Apple Music, according to The Verge. These terms allow Apple to create five more radio stations on Apple Music, like Beats 1. This could be Beats 2, Beats 3, and so on. Apple has already registered domains like beats2.com.cn, and beats4.com.ru. It should be noted that these are international domains and that these stations are for specific regions.

Beats 1: Replay

When Beats 1 was released, I noted that you cannot listen to Beats 1 commentaries and guests as replays, but you could replay songs. This has changed with Beats 1: Replay. This lets you do exactly that, listen to full replays of shows, including commentaries and guests. To do this, tap on the Beats 1 logo in the Music app, tap on a DJ, and tap on the Connect tab. Their previous shows will be listed there.

Image Credit: MacRumors

Telstra Gives 12-Month Trial of Apple Music

Australian cellular company, Telstra, is giving away 12-months of an Apple Music trial for free. No US carriers are doing this yet, but we can only hope we get one of these. T-Mobile did something similar to this by making Apple Music not count against your data quota. Hopefully, this will influence one of the US carriers do something similar soon. It probably won't be AT&T or Verizon if I were to guess. If anyone, I'd guess Sprint. Let's hope!

Estimated Apple Watch Statistics

According to ASE, the company who manufactures the S1 chip has provided insight as to how many Apple Watches have been sold in the second quarter of 2015. Apparently, Apple Watch has not met expectations. This is contradicting to Apple stating that Apple Watch "exceeded expectations." Of course, it should be mentioned that the statistics are from ASE, not Apple. ASE probably takes a smaller slice of the Apple Watch's profits than Apple.

"The shortfall of Apple Watch is a disappointment. We came in with a low expectation but below break-even still surprised us." 

- Mark Li

Apple Campus 2 Construction

Apple Campus 2 construction has been getting a lot of news attention. The embedded video shows some of the progress of construction in 4K resolution. It's very cool. The shots form the air are amazing. Hopefully, this will give you an idea of how the campus will look like.