Tag: apple

Modern Family Highlights Our Digital Connection With Apple-Centric Episode

Posted on by Richard Yao

Emmy-winning comedy Modern Family aired a rather unusual episode last night: an entire episode framed within a MacBook laptop screen and filmed exclusively with Apple’s mobile devices. While it might seem like a giant infomercial or product demo for Apple (though the Cupertino company did not directly sponsor the episode), the show pulled it off with hilarious jokes and a good grasp on the way modern communication works in an episode that, as a whole, highlighted our connection to our family and friends in this digital age.

The entire episode played out on the MacBook screen of the show’s mother as she frantically tried to get in touch her “missing daughter” using FaceTime, iMessages, Find My iPhone, and other iOS apps at her disposal. And it’s not just Apple—Facebook, Pinterest, Yahoo News, Google StreetView, and Microsoft’s Halo all made cameos as well. One particular funny gag involved the character hastily buying a last-minute birthday present from RalphLauren.com and selecting next-day shipment so as to cover up her forgetfulness.

While those technological asides are fun and pretty innovative for a hit network sitcom, it’s the human moments—the ones that illustrate how instant connectivity affects our relationships—that really stood out. Spoiler alert, though: the daughter was asleep in her room the whole time.

Top image taken from ABC promo video on YouTube

Why Car Manufacturers Need To Work With Tech Companies

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: New York Times

Toyota caused a stir in the connected car market when the company was quoted by the NY Times as saying that it currently has “no plans” to offer either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay in its new models, despite being listed by Apple as an official CarPlay partner.

As more and more traditional OEM in-car equipment, such as GPS systems and CD players, are rapidly being replaced by newer, mobile-based substitutes, car buyers will understandably expect some compatibility with their mobile devices. Going against consumer behavior is not the best move for car manufacturers, especially when most seem to lack the technological expertise to develop an integrated and user-friendly in-car OS.

How Samsung Plans To Compete Against Apple In Mobile Payment

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: TechCrunch

Look out, Apple Pay! Samsung is entering mobile payment with its acquisition of payment startup of LoopPay. Samsung has stated it will work toward building LoopPay’s technology into future devices, and stressed that a “holistic mobile wallet” based LoopPay’s unique magnetic secure transmission (MST) technology would enjoy wider converge than most mobile payment systems that employ NFC tech, including Apple Pay.

Regardless of Samsung’s self-proclaimed superiority, Apple Pay has already got a great head start, recently entering new territories like vending machines, in-flight purchases, and government agencies. Samsung has a lot catching-up to do if it is serious about competing with the Cupertino rival in mobile payment.

Apple Promising “Huge” Stability Update In iOS 9

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original article on: 9to5Mac

While the upcoming iOS 8.3 will soon bring wireless CarPlay, improved Google login, and new emojis to millions of iPhone users, Apple is already looking forward to iOS 9. The next iOS is reported to come with “huge improvements” on the stability and optimization of its operation system. After years of adding flashy new features and designs, this signals a maturity of Apple’s mobile system, as well as underscoring the heightened need for better security measures.

Apple’s HealthKit Sees Early Adoptions Among Top Hospitals

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: Reuters

According to Reuters, 14 out of 23 top US hospitals have rolled out a pilot program of Apple’s HealthKit service. The trails generally aim to help doctors monitor patients with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension. As Apple takes an early lead in penetrating the healthcare industry with its well-developed ehealth ecosystem, its competitors are reportedly only just starting to reach out to hospitals and other medical partners.

Here’s How Apple Is Planning To Compete Against Spotify

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: 9to5Mac

Apple acquired streaming services Beats Music back in May 2014, and now we are finally getting some updates on its fate. Reports suggest that Apple is planning to launch a redesigned Beats Music later this year that will be deeply integrated into iOS, iTunes, and the Apple TV.

To compete with existing services like Spotify or Rdio, Apple is reportedly looking to set the monthly subscription fee at just $7.99. Would the Cupertino company be able to upend the OTT music market with system integration and competitive pricing? Stay tuned to find out.

What’s Next For Apple

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: The Verge

Coming off its record-breaking fiscal quarter thanks to massive holiday sales and huge growth in China, Apple is gearing up for its upcoming Apple Watch release. According to CEO Tim Cook, Apple’s much-anticipated smartwatch will start shipping in April. He also commented that Apple is encouraged by the positive response from developers so far.

Besides prepping for the launch of Apple Watch, the Cupertino company is also continuing to push Apple Pay into new territories. Over 200,000 vending machines, kiosks, paid parking, and other self-serve locations nationwide will soon start supporting Apple’s mobile payment system, which marks yet another step in its steady expansion in market coverage.

 

By The Numbers: A Stats Breakdown Of Apple’s Monster Quarter

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: TechCrunch

Charts courtesy of ben-evans.com

Apple just had the most profitable quarter of any company, ever. The Cupertino company announced on Tuesday the financial report for its fiscal 2015 first quarter ending December 2014, and the results are staggering.

The tech giant posted record quarterly revenue of $74.6 billion and record quarterly net profit of $18.04 billion. To put it in perspective, that means Apple makes around $8.3 million per hour in profit.

AppleUnitSales

Thanks partly to the holiday shopping season, a record number of 74.5 million iPhones was sold in Q1, which saw a 46% year-to-year increase.

One side effect of the rising popularity of “phablet”-sized iPhone 6 Plus is a 21% drop in iPad sales compared to year ago, but at 21.4 million, tablet sales are still holding strong.

AppleRevChina

Another source for Apple’s record quarterly revenue comes from its aggressive retail expansion in China, its third biggest global market following the US and Europe. The company reports $16.1 billion in revenue from the greater China region, up 70% from the same period a year ago.

 

CES 2015: Apple’s HomeKit Holds The Key To Smart Home

Posted on by Lab Team

Apple may have grown too big to grace an industry trade show like CES, but its presence is still felt this year as many smart home devices supporting their HomeKit smart home platform. Here are the top three highlights:

Switch by iDevices

Switch from iOS accessory maker iDevices debuts at CES 2015 as the world’s first HomeKit-certified products. It is a smart power switch makes it easy to control the connected home appliance using your voice, no hub required. It does, however, need the companion iDevices Connected app to personalize the device with Siri voice commands.

iHome SmartPlug

Simiarly, iHome’s first Apple HomeKit product, SmartPlug, will enable iOS users to control any connected device using Siri. A companion app called iHome Control tied into HomeKit will let you turn devices on and off just by speaking into your iPhone or iPad.

Elgato Eve

Eve is a complete line of products and sensors from IoT maker Elgato that will enable users to monitor your home and provide control with a Siri voice command. Two products, a HomeKit-enabled switch named Eve Energy and the Eve Door & Window Sensors are slated for release in following months.

Update 2015/01/08: two more devices added.

GridConnect ConnectSense Smart Outlet

This GridConnect ConnectSense links to iOS devices via HomeKit, features its own rule-based software, and speaks the ZigBee Wi-Fi wireless protocol.

Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage

Another piece of hardware on the Apple HomeKit nice list is the MyQ Smart Garage. It lets you open and close your garage door from anywhere with an Internet connection, set custom alerts and remotely monitor whether your garage door is open.

Apple And IBM Invade The Enterprise Market With Mobile Apps

Posted on by Lab Team

Read original story on: TechCrunch

Nearly six months after striking a partnership deal, Apple and IBM are finally releasing the first batch of ten IBM MobileFirst iOS apps for enterprises, including Citi Bank, Air Canada, Sprint, and Banorte this week. While the apps are clearly focused on specific industries, they’re just the beginning of Apple’s battle for enterprise market. More apps are schedule to debut in 2015, as both Apple and IBM look to push iOS into the business world that’s currently dominated by Windows.