The Latest iOS News Thread

Why iPhone owners only sometimes see accept/decline buttons when receiving calls http://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-iphone-owners-only-sometimes-141341168.html
iPhone owners: Have you ever noticed sometimes when you receive a call you have an option to swipe to answer, while other times you're given "accept" and "decline" buttons? We realized we'd seen both variations before, but didn't know why sometimes we saw one and not the other. We set out to find the answer ourselves. First, I had my colleague Jillian, who has an iPhone, call me.
 
Starting today, iPhone users will slowly start seeing more free storage on their devices

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Star...ng-more-free-storage-on-their-devices_id74445

Remember “App Splicing”? It was one of the new under-the-hood improvements for iOS, aiming to optimize the way apps use up the precious, unexpandable storage on your iDevice. Here's a quick reminder – App Splicing allows developers to flag various app assets as needed only on specific devices. For example – if you are downloading a game on the iPhone 5s, you will not be getting the assets that are flagged for the iPhone 6s Plus, and vice-versa. As a result, you save a heap of storage space. Additionally, developers can design apps modularly – have the app only download assets when it needs it. For example, when you install a game, it may initially only download the first couple of levels. As you play through, your device will continue pulling the rest of the levels from the App Store, and deleting the ones you've passed.
Read more at http://www.phonearena.com/news/Star...-on-their-devices_id74445#zIwAlaUfqmFGHLmf.99
 
Users report iPhones 6 and 6s turning off by themselves, cause not yet identified

http://www.phonearena.com/news/User...y-themselves-cause-not-yet-identified_id74496

Fans and users of the AppleiPhone 6 and iPhone 6s devices have reported that after updating to the new iOS 9.0.2, their handsets have started acting cranky on random occasions. Apparently, the phones will decide to turn themselves off — no matter if the user is currently operating the device, or it's just on standby — and the only way to fix them is to perform a hard-restart (hold down the home and power buttons for as many seconds as it takes for the Apple logo to reappear on the screen).
 
Thanks for the warning. After my wife dove in and updated her iPad3, hoping to regain the cell connection, and experienced flakey problems, I have held off. This reinforces that decision.
 
Apple pulls hundreds of apps that collected personal data

http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/19/apple-pulls-data-gathering-apps/

Apple recently suffered a rare breakdown of its App Store review policies. Because of that lapse, a couple hundred apps that used private APIs to collect personal information from users made its way into the App Store -- but Apple has confirmed that it pulled the offending apps. Analytics service SourceDNA first noticed these problematic apps and discovered that a third-party SDK for Chinese advertising platform Youmi was grabbing device serial numbers, lists of installed apps and the phone's Apple ID email address.
 
It's a nice upgrade. The new unit is the same size width wise but taller. And it's missing the optical output.
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Adware found in MacUpdate's Skype Installer package

http://www.engadget.com/2015/11/03/adware-macupdates/

Long-trusted software site MacUpdate has apparently gone the way of its competitors: It has been tainted by adware. A Twitter user tried to download a Skype Installer package from the site and discovered that all was not as it appeared. The file looks normal at first and when opened you're prompted with a user agreement that people generally just click past, but it's here that gives the installer the right to change browser settings and add a "search-assist" browser extension. This type of software-trickery is identical to those used by InstallCore adware and as soon as the Skype agreement is confirmed, an InstallCore browser is added to Safari. It's usually wise to download software from the developer's site but the appeal of MacUpdate was that it acted like a one-stop-shop of sorts, carrying with it a strong reputation for reliable downloads. Now, with this news coming to light, maybe it will have to be added to the boycott list right underDownload.com and Softonic.
 
Apple cuts a deal with failed sapphire screen supplier

http://www.engadget.com/2015/11/04/apple-gt-sapphire-screen-deal/

Apple and GT Advanced Technologies Inc. agreed to part ways back in 2014, after the latter filed for bankruptcy. Now the two have reached a deal that will eradicate GT's $439 million loan from Cupertino, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple originally tapped GT to make sapphire screens for its devices, but it became obvious that trouble was brewing when the iPhone 6 launched without one. It's unclear what really happened behind the scenes, but GT accused Apple of shifting specs and requiring the company to manufacture millions of units the iPhone-maker wasn't obligated to buy. Apple, on the other hand, said GT couldn't meet its goals. Either way, GT ended up not having any clients that can sustain its business. Under the terms of the deal, the manufacturer will have to auction pieces of equipment, including some of its 600 sapphire-making furnaces, by November 23rd. It will then hand everything it couldn't sell to Apple, which promised to nuke its debt completely
 
7 rumored features of the Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

http://www.phonearena.com/news/7-rumored-features-of-the-Apple-iPhone-7-and-iPhone-7-Plus_id75521

In 2016, Apple will treat us to the iPhone 7, the next chapter in its smartphone history. With the device being due out in September 2016, we are already beginning to hear the first round of rumors and speculation about the handset.
That's rather normal considering that iPhones are usually the among the most popular devices on the market and are usually highly anticipated by... By just everyone, actually.
 
Apple to shut down Beats Music on November 30th

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Apple-to-shut-down-Beats-Music-on-November-30th_id75752

With Apple Music thriving, Apple has posted on the Beats support website that Beats Music will be shut down at the end of this month. According to the post, the service ends November 30th with the cancellation of subscriptions. Apple says that those who were using the soon-to-be defunct music streamer can move their "picks and prefrences" to Apple Music. The support site includes a link to instructions on how to do this.
 
Ford is bringing Siri to 5 million SYNC-enabled cars

http://www.engadget.com/2015/12/03/ford-sync-siri-eyes-free/

The software update will be available to Ford vehicles sold since 2011.


Most modern Ford cars come installed with its bespoke infotainment system called SYNC, allowing drivers to make calls and listen to various music streaming apps while keeping their eyes on the road. The system already lets some owners remotely start their car, but it will soon also offer services from an important partner: Apple. Starting today, owners of a Ford vehicle purchased in 2011 or later can download a new software update that will add Siri functionality to their SYNC interface.

One long-press of the voice recognition button on the steering wheel willactivate Siri Eyes Free on a connected iPhone. Owners can then choose to make a call, look up phone numbers and local points of interest, set a reminder, learn more about the weather, play music, send text messages (and have them read out) and get directions through Apple Maps. Many of these features are available via Ford's own system, but if you're an Apple user, you might find Siri the more useful assistant.

Ford says the update is available for more than 5 million SYNC-equipped vehicles made in the last four years and can be downloaded via its Owner portal.

 
I've had this on my SYNC MyFordTouch in my Escape since October. Evidently Ford is expanding the release for all SYNC 2 systems now.