iOS 7 has arrived. As announced last week, Apple on Wednesday released a major update of the operating system that runs on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Among its marquee new features: A new, “flatter” look-and-feel, with revamped icons, fonts, and other visual elements (less skeuomorphism); upgrades to such stock apps as Safari, Calendar, Camera, Mail, and Messages; a new easy-to-access Control Center, from which you can adjust commonly used settings without digging into the Settings app itself; improved multitasking; iTunes Radio; and, of course, much, much more.

(For details on all that, see our ongoing coverage of the new OS, including, of...

Fire up your downloads because iOS 7 is available. As promised, Apple released iOS 7 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch on Wednesday ahead of the end of the week launch of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

Apple has just released iOS 7 to the public, making the download available to users of recent iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch models. Users can obtain the update either by connecting their devices to iTunes and clicking the "Check for Update" button or checking for over-the-air updates on their devices via Settings -> General -> Software Update. It may, however, take a few minutes for the update to propagate to all users.

Our iOS 7 roundup has a good primer for users wanting to know what's new in iOS 7, and Apple also has several marketing pages showcasing the new design and new features in the operating system.

iOS 7 adds more than 200 new features, the biggest being a top-to-bottom redesign of the user interface. Other new...

Can I skip Songs?
Yes. You can skip six songs per station per hour. If the Skip Forward control appears dimmed and doesn't respond, you have reached the maximum number of skips for that channel per hour.
Can I repeat or replay a song?
Similar to a radio station, a song on iTunes Radio is played in real time. You can purchase songs you like directly from the station's history.
How do I fast-forward a song?
Similar to a radio station, a song on iTunes Radio is played in real time; however, with iTunes Radio, you can skip up to six songs per hour on a station.
Why does the music stop playing after two hours?
iTunes Radio will time out if you don't interact with your system or device for approximately two hours. If this happens, simply access iTunes Radio again and choose a station to continue playing.
How do I remove ads from iTunes Radio?
A subscription to iTunes Match will provide the added benefit of ad-free iTunes Radio.
...

Sure, it's not the most exciting news to drop on this iOS 7 official "birth" day, but Apple has updated several apps to bring them into the brave new world of the new iOS. Both AirPort Utility and iBooks have received updates in the last few hours.

The notes for iBooks -- which seems to be sporting the same non-flat icon that it has since it first became an iOS app -- show that "This version of iBooks improves compatibility with iOS and iCloud." The app is still as Scott Forstall skeuomorphic as it always has been, complete with the faux wood library shelves.

For the AirPort Utility, the release notes simply say "Adds support for iOS 7." I'd let you know what that means if I had half a clue, but there's just not a whole hell of a lot of detail there.

If you're an iOS 7 user already and set up your devices for...

Just in case the imminent arrival of iOS 7 isn’t enough to get you pumped, Apple’s also gone ahead and released iTunes 11.1. Less exciting, you might think, but a necessary part of the equation: If you want to sync your device running iOS 7 with your computer, you’re going to need the latest version of Apple’s music-playing-video-watching-podcast-downloading-device-syncing-app-with-large-fries.

But that’s not the only new feature in iTunes 11.1. Launching alongside iOS 7, iTunes Radio makes its Mac debut here, accessible via a toolbar option in the Music section. You can browse through Apple’s featured stations or ones that you create yourself (and if you create a station on an iOS 7 device, it’ll automatically show up in iTunes Radio on your Mac, too). As on iTunes 7 you can tweak stations to your tastes, choosing from hits, more obscure songs, or a variety. Buying songs from the iTunes Store is as easy as clicking the price when listed next to the name of the currently...

Native Instruments has released Lazer Dice, a new Maschine Expansion for producers of future bass and related genres. Blending synth-heavy electronic and deep south hip-hop, the Expansion features "custom drum sounds and patterns created to reflect the rugged beats and skittering rhythms of the genre."

Native Instruments’ synthesis expertise provides the future bass synth leads with new Massive presets. Special Kits deliver new possibilities for live improvisation. Lazer Dice is available for Maschine and Maschine Mikro; a compact version is also available for iMaschine.

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It's time to save some of that hard-earned cash with our Daily Deals, featuring exclusive TUAW Deals, a handy list from Dealnews and our own hand-picked iOS and OS X selections.

TUAW's Daily Deals

Spigen iPhone 5/5S Tough Armor Bundle [On sale for $36.99, down from $74]

Your new iPhone 5S is slim, clean and beautiful, and we're sure you want to keep it that way. If you're looking for extreme protection without the bulk, Spigen's Tough Armor has changed the game in protective cases. Thanks to their proprietary Air Cushion Technology, this case provides better impact absorption than any other case on the market at a fraction of the size.

This bundle of iPhone 5S goodness comes with the Tough Armor case, the GLAS.t Slim tempered glass screen protector, and an...

Google today announced the launch of a new company called Calico. The company focuses on health and well-being matters, and Google CEO Larry Page describes it as a “moonshot” initiative that could help millions of people:

Announcing this new investment, Larry Page, Google CEO said: “Illness and aging affect all our families. With some longer term, moonshot thinking around healthcare and biotechnology, I believe we can improve millions of lives. It’s impossible to imagine anyone better than Art—one of the leading scientists, entrepreneurs and CEOs of our generation—to take this new venture forward.” Art said: “I’ve devoted much of my life to science and technology, with the goal of improving human health. Larry’s focus on outsized improvements has inspired me, and I’m tremendously excited...

This “space gray” color’s hip with Apple and the kids today…

Per AppleInsider and French web blog NowhereElse.fr, a series of newly-leaked images shows an available “space gray” color for Apple’s upcoming second-generation iPad mini tablet.

Apple’s upcoming refresh of the best-selling iPad mini will see the device’s slate coloring dropped in favor of the company’s new gray, according to newly-leaked photos purported to show the device’s rear shell. The images, which also depict slight structural updates match up to another recent leak of purported iPad Mini 2 and iPad 5 sim trays.

...

A stealth feature in iOS 7 is iBeacons, which can make your iOS device smarter about where it is. There’s nothing to look at today, but Michael Cohen shares an overview of iBeacons and what it will eventually be able to do for you.

Read the full article at TidBITS, the oldest continuously published technology publication on the Internet. To get a full-text RSS feed, help support our work and become a TidBITS member! Members also enjoy an ad-free version of our Web site, email delivery of individual articles, the ability to make long comments with live links, and discounts on Take Control orders and other Apple-related products.

Ahead of the launch of its new iOS 7 operating system, Apple on Wednesday rolled out iTunes 11.1, the latest version of its media software. Available for download from Apple’s website as of a few moments ago, iTunes 11.1 features support for iOS 7 and a number of new features. Among them: Podcast Stations and iTunes Radio, a streaming music service that offers features similar to those of Pandora.

Apple has been busy rolling out app updates ahead of the release of iOS 7 on Wednesday, and the latest to get some love is iTunes for the Mac and Windows. Version 11.1 is now available, and it includes support for iOS 7 and Apple's new music streaming service iTunes Radio.

Ahead of today's release of iOS 7, Apple has just released iTunes 11.1 with support for iTunes Radio (U.S. only at launch), Genius Shuffle, and more.This version of iTunes comes with several major new features, including:

- iTunes Radio. iTunes Radio is a great new way to discover music. Choose from over 250 stations or start a new one from your favorite artist or song. Enjoy iTunes Radio ad-free once you subscribe to iTunes Match.

- Genius Shuffle. Introducing a magical new way to experience your music library. Choose Genius Shuffle and iTunes instantly plays songs that go great together. Click it again to hear something new—enjoying your music has never been this easy.

- Podcast Stations. You can now create custom stations of your favorite podcasts that update automatically with new episodes. Your stations, subscriptions, and current play position sync over iCloud to the Podcasts app.

- Sync with iOS 7. You can now use iTunes to sync your...

Our own Tonya Engst joined Andy Ihnatko, Mike Elgan, and Rene Ritchie on TWiT’s MacBreak Weekly to discuss iOS 7, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, and whether it’s wise to bring a non-Apple phone to an Apple press event.

Read the full article at TidBITS, the oldest continuously published technology publication on the Internet. To get a full-text RSS feed, help support our work and become a TidBITS member! Members also enjoy an ad-free version of our Web site, email delivery of individual articles, the ability to make long comments with live links, and discounts on Take Control orders and other Apple-related products.

ASUSTOR, a provider of network storage solutions, has launched its brand new AS 2 series network attached storage (NAS) targeted at personal and home users. Pricing starts at US$248; the NAS devices work with Mac OS X 10.6 and higher.

read more

Infinity Blade III has hit the App Store. First previewed at the iPhone event in early September, the third and final installment of the popular series features two playable characters and eight unique worlds, each one as big as the world in Infinity Blade II. From the game's description:

Siris and Isa have joined with the God-King Raidriar in a desperate attempt to destroy the Worker of Secrets and his army of Deathless titans. Uncover new mysteries to wield the power of the Infinity Blade in this timeless adventure of champions and villains.

Infinity Blade III will work on the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad Mini, and fourth and fifth generation iPod touch 4, or iPod touch 5 running iOS 6 or later. However, Chair recommends people run the game on iOS 7 to take full advantage of its features....

Popular to-do list app Clear has been updated for Apple's release of iOS 7 with a universal build that adds refined typography, new gestures and iCloud list syncing to the title's uniquely spartan interface.
  ...

OS X Server is the next generation of Apple's award winning server software. Designed for OS X and iOS devices, OS X Server makes it easy to share files, schedule meetings, synchronize contacts, host your own website, publish wikis, configure Macs, iPhones and iPads, remotely access your network, and more.

Server is now an application you can add to Mountain Lion right from the Mac App Store. Anyone can quickly and easily turn a Mac running Mountain Lion into a server that's perfect for home offices, businesses, schools, and hobbyists alike.

File Sharing

• File sharing for Mac, PC, and iPad
• Standards-based AFP, SMB, and WebDAV file services
• Flexible file permissions
• Spotlight searching

Wiki Server

• Point-and-click page editor to change formatting and insert images, movies, and attachments
• Access controls
• Tags and comments
• Revision...

Photoful, an app for taking, editing, and sharing photos and albums, has been updated with full support for the new features in iOS 7. The app has undergone a complete redesign and features a new icon, but the changes go well beyond the appearance.

...

The Amazon Instant Video iOS app has been updated to include support for AirPlay, greatly expanding viewing options for Apple TV owners.

Read the full article at TidBITS, the oldest continuously published technology publication on the Internet. To get a full-text RSS feed, help support our work and become a TidBITS member! Members also enjoy an ad-free version of our Web site, email delivery of individual articles, the ability to make long comments with live links, and discounts on Take Control orders and other Apple-related products.

If you know your Van Halen songs, you’ll like this.

CC BY-SA 3.0 Morbidthoughts (Wikipedia)

Major League Gaming just got a little sportier: Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey is joining MLG’s board, the company announced today.

For the past 11 years, MLG has built a business around e-sports — live and online videogame competitions. As the New York Times put it, the company wants to be “Both N.F.L. and ESPN,” meaning it acts as a hub for competitive gamers and as packager of their competitions, through live events and online TV-esque video programs.

Morey is an interesting addition to the executive team. He has one foot in the world of traditional sports, but grew up playing videogames; he rose to the Rockets GM...

Since Tuesday night, a number of iOS apps have been receiving major updates in time for today's launch of iOS 7. One important entry is Pandora, which has gained a new, flatter look in keeping with iOS 7's aesthetics. The bulk of changes otherwise focus on iPad support, namely carrying over features of the iPhone app such as the ability to quickly add variety to a station or see song lyrics. A new swiped-in third pane on the iPad makes it easier to find new music or keep track of friend feeds....
  ...

The revised Find My iPhone service in iOS 7 locks a device to an Apple ID and password, even after it has been erased, rendering a stolen device useless. It may cause iPhone and iPad thefts to plummet.

Read the full article at TidBITS, the oldest continuously published technology publication on the Internet. To get a full-text RSS feed, help support our work and become a TidBITS member! Members also enjoy an ad-free version of our Web site, email delivery of individual articles, the ability to make long comments with live links, and discounts on Take Control orders and other Apple-related products.

Barnes & Noble has sent an email to users of the Nook iOS app warning them that they could experience incompatibility issues between the current app and iOS 7, reports AppAdvice. The company cites two issues to watch out for:

• If you rotate the screen while reading, it may cause the page to render incorrectly or may cause the app to crash. To prevent this, we suggest locking the rotation while reading.
• If you sign out of your app and then sign in again, the app may crash or you may have trouble accessing your Library.

The company says that not all users will experience these issues, and that it's working to release a fix as soon as possible. If you're a Nook fan, this is pretty depressing news as the company has had months to work out any...

Demand for Apple's upcoming iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c is healthy, a new survey has found, suggesting that investor concerns over device preorders may be unfounded.
  ...

We here at the TMO Towers have been furiously digging through iOS 7 to find all the new stuff in there for you. With this article, we highlight our 12 favorites but... there's likely more, so please read, and then let us know what you've found!

In what is undoubtedly the first of many Apple iOS apps to receive updates for iOS 7 today, the company Apple Store app [Direct Link] has been updated with iOS 7 compatibility, a new icon, and a "refined user interface" more in line with the iOS 7 design aesthetic.

The updated app appears to carry identical functionality to the previous version, although the company has been reported to be planning to push out a new tool within the app next week that will allow customers to check stock levels of the new iPhone models at their local Apple retail stores.

Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• Apple Tops...

Ahead of iOS 7′s release later today, Apple has published iOS 7 user guides on the iBookstore. At the moment, guides are only available for the iPad and iPod touch but a book targeted at the iPhone will likely follow. As is to be expected, both books are offered as a free download.

In essence, they are ebook versions of Apple’s downloadable PDF manuals, featuring setup, troubleshooting and other instructions for the device and the OS. Apple has offered user guides on the iBookstore ever since its inception in 2010, starting with the original iPad.

...

With just a few taps, you’ve installed iOS 7. Or, maybe you have a new iPhone with iOS 7 pre-installed on it. But everything looks different! Now what? Run through our iOS 7 pre-flight checklist to finalize your setup, familiarize yourself with important changes, and experience the iOS 7 wow factor.

Read the full article at TidBITS, the oldest continuously published technology publication on the Internet. To get a full-text RSS feed, help support our work and become a TidBITS member! Members also enjoy an ad-free version of our Web site, email delivery of individual articles, the ability to make long comments with live links, and discounts on Take Control orders and other Apple-related products.

Ten years ago Skype started as a small company looking for a way to cut down on the founders' international phone bills while they developed Kazaa. Today it's a multi-billion dollar Microsoft asset. Every company has a story to tell, and Skype has chosen today to tell theirs.

JBL has introduced Synchros, a new line of headphones. The flagship headphones in the line are the Synchros S700 ($350) premium powered over-ear stereo headphones. Made out of aluminum, fabric, and steel, with leather ear cushions, the onyx- or glacier-colored S700 headphones use 50mm drivers, JBL LiveStage signal processing…

It's always a guess on how much inventory Apple will have for an iPhone (or iPad) launch, but carriers are saying they will have little inventory for Apple's launch. One carrier source characterized inventory levels for launch day as "grotesquely low." Another carrier said it was extremely disappointed in Apple's inventory deliveries.

I'm a sucker for this sort of thing: Rocketcases announced some new cases for iPhone 5s on Tuesday, including two Game Boy Retro cases and a Nintendo Controller case. The company also has its Retro Cassette Tape, and a VHS Tape case. They're $14.95, and they're pretty cool. Most of these cases are also available for iPhone 4, 4s, and 5, and the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s cases are the same. 

A new report suggests that iPhone 5s supplies will be constrained at launch, as the iPhone 5c will make up the majority of stock at Apple Stores on Friday. Apple is reportedly expecting the space gray iPhone 5s to be the most popular, with fewer silver and gold options in…

This document describes the security content of OS X Server v2.2.2.

The first unboxing photos of Apple’s iPhone 5s and 5c were recently posted on Weibo. Apple’s cardboard iPhone 5s box almost exactly matches a previously leaked box, with one exception — there is no iTunes Store icon on the box, likely a regional difference. Contents of the box were…

If you want to be among the first to buy an iPhone 5s, you have two choices: Stay up late Thursday night to order online, or get in line early at your local Apple Store this Friday. Online orders for the new iPhone model will start at 12:01 AM pacific time on Friday, September 20, and in store sales will start later in the morning at 8:00 AM local time.

The Mac Observer Spin:
Since Apple isn't offering a preorder option for the iPhone 5s, you'll have to line up early if you want one on Friday. Get ready for long lines.

Apple has extended the life of legacy iPhone and iPod touch models by adding the ability to download older versions of apps from the App Store. The new feature gives users the option of downloading apps that are compatible with the version of iOS that's running on their device, instead of facing alerts that say the apps they want aren't compatible.

The Mac Observer Spin:
This is a very welcome App Store feature, and it means even more legacy iOS devices can continue to do their job instead of ending up in desk drawers collecting dust.

Apple's technology is everywhere, but a photograph of an iPad being used on the front lines in the civil war in Syria is garnering media attention. The photograph shows a member of the Free Syria Army using an iPad to eyeball-aim a mortar.

There was lots of grumbling when Apple obsoleted legacy speaker docks by moving iPhone and iPad to the Lightning connector, but a company called Auris saw some opportunity in that grumbling. It has a Kickstarter project called Skye that is essentially an AirPlay receiver for your legacy 30-pin Dock speakers. Slip it on your Dock the way you used to slip on your iPhone, and you then send music from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC (through iTunes) wirelessly. Android and Windows Phone are also supported through DLNA. It's Wi-Fi (rather than Bluetooth), so range won't be an issue in most settings. Auris is trying to raise US$56,000, and has already raised $21,800 in just the first day. Early backers can get a Skye with $64, $69, $74, or $79 (it will retail for $89). It's a pretty cool idea, so check it out.

...

Sega’s Go Dance ($2) is an iOS dancing game, actively tracking your body movements using a FaceTime camera. Your hand, arm, and torso motions automatically are registered by the camera, which moves the on-screen character to follow your motions, hitting or missing beat-based triggers. Songs such as LMFAO’s “Party…

Sprint is getting ready to launch its own early upgrade program for smartphones and tablets, reportedly called One Up. The program is set to launch on Sept. 20, the same date as Apple’s iPhone 5s and 5c launch. Sprint becomes the last major U.S. carrier to offer such a…

Apple has updated its case design guidelines, releasing detailed schematics for the iPhone 5s and 5c. Notably, Apple’s guidelines for both devices include “keep away” spaces so that cases don’t interfere with ports or other iPhone features. However, based on the current schematics, no speakers and very few docks…

Little Danny Torrance survived his terror-filled winter locked away with his parents in a mountain hotel and has since grown up. Now Stephen King has returned to the boy from The Shining, now a middle aged man, in Doctor Sleep to explore just how Danny's life has progressed in the wake of his father's alcoholism, violence, and depression -- and to toss him in the middle of a race to save a child that also has the shining. Doctor Sleep isn't available yet, but you can read a sample of the book now and preorder your full copy through Apple's iBookstore. The sample includes 83 pages, and the full book costs US$10.99. The Shining is considered one of Mr. King's greatest works, so we're excited to see what he gives us with Doctor Sleep.

Some observers underestimate what's to be gained by Apple's 64-bit A7 in the iPhone 5s.  Is it really just a marketing stunt? Or an inadvisable plan to put 64-bit ARM CPUs into MacBooks? John Martellaro explains why the move to marry iOS with 64-bits is so darn clever, now and for the long term.

The technology Apple uses comes from Authentec, a company it bought over a year ago for US$365 million. The company was known for its fingerprint scanning technology and Near Field Communication (NFC) tech, too. At the time, there was speculation that Apple was bringing NFC to the iPhone for a digital payment system, but in the end it turned out Apple was far more interested in fingerprint scanning than NFC.

iLounge has posted a comparison gallery featuring the newest color of the iPod nano and iPod shuffle. While Apple.com’s web site calls it “Space Gray,” the newly released iPod color is only listed as “gray” on the nano’s packaging, and has no name on the shuffle’s smaller box. Our…

Apple began preorders for the iPhone 5c just after 3AM eastern time Friday morning, and by 11AM it was starting to sell out. The unlocked yellow 16GB model has been the first to go, and if demand stays high, other models will likely follow suit.

Apple's brand new iPhone 5c will be in stores on September 20, but the company and its partner carriers began accepting preorders early Friday morning. As of 9AM eastern time, all models were still available for order with delivery on launch day.

The Mac Observer Spin:
Just because iPhone 5c preorders aren't already sold out doesn't mean Apple has a flop on its hands. The company could have been able to ramp up production enough to meet demand, and that may have played a part in why the iPhone 5s isn't available for preorder.

Learn about Network Utility, an app included with OS X that helps you troubleshoot networking-related issues.

In addition to a Mountain Lion update and security updates for Snow Leopard and Lion, Apple also released two Camera RAW updates (4.0.8 and 4.0.9) and new Epson printer drivers. The RAW updates add support for several new cameras (see below), while the printer driver update doesn't specify its purpose.

Apple released OS X 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion) on Thursday, an update that addresses four issues. The two issues that probably effect the most people will an file transfer issue in 802.11ac Wi-Fi and an issue with Mail not displaying messages.

Digital camera RAW formats retain more image information than JPEGs and can produce better results when used with imaging applications such as Aperture and iPhoto.

This document describes the security content of Safari 5.1.10.

Learn about the OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.5 Update.

Apple's new iPhone 5s uses a 64-bit A7 CPU. The next generation 64-bit apps will be a little bit larger and hybrid 32/64-bit apps will be almost double in size. If you're you're thinking about a 16 GB iPhone 5s, should you consider a 32 GB model instead? John Martellaro asks the experts.

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5s and 5c have larger batteries than the iPhone 5, according to FCC disclosures. Anandtech reports the iPhone 5s has a 5.96 Wh battery, and the iPhone 5c has a 5.73 Wh battery, as compared to the 5.45 Wh battery on the iPhone 5. The iPhone…

There's a new update for Angry Birds Star Wars adds 30 levels on the Moon of Endor. The update includes AT-ST Walkers, jumping Ewoks, Speeder Bikes, and more as your birds take on Stormtrooper pigs and Darth Vader before you destroy the Death Star's deflector shield. Angry Birds Star Wars is priced at US$0.99 for the iPhone and iPod touch, and $2.99 for the iPad. Free versions for the iPhone and iPad are available, too.

Both Sprint and Verizon will start taking iPhone 5c preorders starting at 12:01AM pacific time (3:01AM eastern) on Friday, September 13. Apple introduced the new midrange iPhone model during a special media event earlier this week.

The Mac Observer Spin:
It's great that Apple is doing iPhone 5c preorders, but kind of sucks that there won't be iPhone 5s preorders. Looks like Apple will have some lines come launch day on September 20.

Following the introduction of the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s yesterday, Apple is selling off its stock of iPhone 5 units at $99/$199/$299 for 16GB/32GB/64GB models with a standard contract, iLounge has confirmed. The recently discontinued device will also be sold for $549/$649/$749 off contract. The prices are notably for…

The Super High Capacity charger from RAVPower has 10,400 mAh capacity with 1 amp and 2 amp dual USB output. Users can charge an iPhone or iPod at the same time they are charging an iPad.

Miniot has announced new cases for the iPhone 5s and 5c. The Dutch casemaker has “redesigned” its iWood case as the iWood 5s ($106). iWood5s comes in walnut, padouk, cherry, oak, mahogany, and maple. Miniot has also included its book ($194), contour ($194), and cobra ($194) cases in its…

I am thrilled today to welcome Many Tricks on board as this week's sponsor here at TMO, especially so because I get to tell you about Moom, their window-managment-enhancement software for OS X. Are you ever frustrated by how much effort it takes to get, say, your Safari window to just the right spot, only to close it and have a new one reappear somewhere else on your Mac's screen? How dare your Mac have the audacity to just pretend like it never happened, right? Moom can help... read on!

Our own Dave Hamilton was interviewed on Bloomberg TV Tuesday as part of a three person panel discussing Apple's iPhone 5s and 5c media event. Host Pimm Fox had his guests explain the importance (or lack thereof) of Apple's product announcements. You may particularly enjoy Dave taking issue with Ashley Swartz of Furious Minds (she formerly managed Samsung's digital marketing strategy for Digitas) when she said that Apple was a one-trick pony and a typical consumer electronics company. It's a fun  discussion.

Apple used its Tuesday media event to focus on new iPhone models and the launch of iOS 7. The big software update will hit on September 18, and insider sources say a software update for Apple TV will hit at the same time.

The Mac Observer Spin:
Even though Apple hasn't said an Apple TV update is happening next Wednesday, it makes sense. iOS 7 includes improved AirPlay streaming features plus iTunes Radio, and Apple TV needs an update to take advantage of those features. We'll be watching for the update.

Apple has added its AppleCare+ extended warranty coverage to iPod touch and iPod classic, at a cost of $59 for either device, then $29 per service incident. AppleCare+ launched in Europe yesterday, with iPod coverage in the UK, France, and Italy. That iPod coverage is also now available…

Apple quietly announced that as of yesterday, its Cards service for iOS is no longer available, putting an end to an unusual standalone app that debuted in October 2011. A support page notes that “Cards ordered before 1 PM Pacific time on September 10, 2013, will be delivered,…

While Apple was busy showing off new iPhones on Tuesday, the company also quietly discontinued its Cards service for iOS. The service let users order custom made greeting cards that would be mailed to the recipient. While Cards may be gone, you can still order custom cards through iPhoto.

Learn about Auto Save and Versions in OS X Lion.

Apple has quietly added space gray as a color option for the iPod touch 32GB and 64GB models, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle, replacing the previously slate black versions of each device. The new color option is sold as a color option for the devices at the…

Incipio has announced a new line of cases for the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. For the iPhone 5c, Incipio has introduced 12 new cases, many of which are new versions of previous designs from the company. Rowan ($30) is a textured case that comes in five…

Although many observers expected Apple to target the new iPhone 5c at the lower-end of the market, specifically to win over particularly budget-conscious Chinese consumers, the company instead has kept the 2010-vintage iPhone 4 alive in China at a new low price: 2,588 Yuan (approx. $423) off-contract, down from a…

Among new iPhones and corresponding accessories, Apple today added a 2m version of its Lightning to USB Cable to its online store. It appears that the only differences between this cord and the 0.5m and 1m cables are the length, and the $10-higher price.

Following the release of the iOS 7 GM seed to developers earlier today, Apple has officially announced that developers can now begin submitting apps built with the new iOS 7 SDK to the App Store. Apple has also posted a set of developer documents covering…

After abandoning its white plastic docks with the introduction of the iPhone 5, Apple has brought them back with new editions for the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. Both docks cost $29, and sport Lightning connectors inside recessed ridges. On the back, each has a Lightning output, next…

Apple has released its Gold Master seed of iOS 7 to registered developers. Listed as build 11A465, the GM build is normally the last to be seeded prior to the software’s official launch, expected on September 18, and as such can be used to submit iOS 7 applications to the…

Apple has officially announced the iPhone 5S. It comes in three colors — space gray, silver, and gold. The iPhone 5S is made of aluminum, with chamfered edges. It uses a Touch ID fingerprint scanner within a sapphire Home Button, for security purposes. Touch ID can be used to…

Apple today announced that its iWork productivity apps for iOS—Pages, Numbers, and Keynote—along with iPhoto and iMovie, will now be available for free. Previously, each app cost $10. No mention was made of GarageBand, the third iLife app.

Apple confirmed iPhone 5S rumors on Tuesday at its special media event. The new top of the line model includes an Apple-designed A7 processor, and the company said this is the first 64-bit smartphone.

Apple announced the much-leaked iPhone 5C on Tuesday, and as expected it will be a 4-inch device with colorful plastic backs in Green, White, Blue, Red, or Yellow. The iPhone 5C will be priced at US$99 for a 16GB device with a two-year contract (in subsidized markets), and $199 for a 32GB device.

During today’s iPhone event, Apple announced the official release date for iOS 7, the next generation of the company’s mobile operating system. Originally unveiled at WWDC in June, iOS 7 includes a “stunning new user interface” that marks a dramatic visual departure from every prior version of iOS, sporting…

A number of photos on Weibo appear to show packaging for an Apple-made leather case called the iPhone 5s Case designed for the “iPhone 5s” and iPhone 5. The packaging reads “This case is made from natural aniline leather. Its appearance will change as you use it.” The leather version…

Apple has officially announced the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C comes in five different colors — white, blue, pink, yellow, and green.

Developing…

One more leak before today’s Apple event appears to show the iPhone 5S’s Home Button now listed as a “Home Button/Touch ID sensor” in the device’s user guide. The device’s fingerprint scanner will apparently be referred to by Apple as a Touch ID sensor.

Adobe Flash Player updates are available that address a recently-identified Adobe Flash Player web plug-in vulnerability.

The folks at Boinx Software had a clever idea, an app that allows you to show others only the photos and videos you want to show on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. PhotoPresenter for iOS allows you to browse all of your photos and videos while hooked up to a display (HDMI or VGA, or via AirPlay), and select only those you want to show. Select the right images, and that's all your audience sees. That's handy for keeping your personal photos and videos out of a business presentation and anything you don't want your family seeing at a get together. It's US$0.99, a hybrid app for iPhone and iPad, and it's available on the App Store now.

Apple has reportedly begun hiring more advertising executives, going against a long-term directive from the late Steve Jobs to limit the size of the internal marketing department. Online reports say the company is increasing the size of its marketing department from 300 to 500 or 600 people, but Bryan Chaffin explains why this doesn't mean Tim Cook is letting the marketing folks take over.

Let's say you have an older iPhone, and it's eligible for an upgrade. You can order the newest iPhone from Apple directly and only pay the subsidized upgrade fee. You may never have to step into your carrier's store.  Here's how to do it.

Apple Senior Vice President of Industrial Design Jony Ive has teamed up with U2’s Bono and designer Marc Newson to create special items for The Global Fund in an upcoming auction, including a pair of 18-karat solid rose gold Apple EarPods. Ive and Newson customized the EarPods for the (RED)…

Just when we thought Microsoft was beginning to get it, to understand its plight in the world of mobility, the company schedules an event in New York to launch the Surface 2 tablet.  It's almost like doubling up on failure.