As we previously unveiled, prior to the iPhone 5 media event taking place right now, Apple took the wraps off its new smaller dock connector and cables today with a new “Lightning” brand to go hand-in-hand with its Thunderbolt moniker. While we already had many of the details and images of the dock connector, Apple confirmed today that the new reversible connector includes an “all-digital, 8-signal design”, adaptive interface, and improved durability....

Update: Now available for American Express cardholders as well. Seven years since the original launch of Apple Pay in the US, the service continues its worldwide expansion with Mexico. Starting today, Citibanamex (part of Citibank group) and Banorte clients can add their cards to the iPhone’s Wallet. Mexico has been waiting a long time for Apple Pay. The country is the first addition to Apple Pay in 2021. The last one to get the service was Serbia, in June of 2020....

The latest Apple Pay promo offers a free drink at Jimmy John’s when you spend $10 or more… Apple says that it’s available for all purchase methods as long as you use Apple Pay. There’s nothing notable in the small print. Use Apple Pay with Freaky Fast Rewards® and earn a free drink on your account. Spend $10 or more when you order ahead in the Jimmy John’s app, on jimmyjohns....

The Apple vs. Samsung trial taking place in a San Jose, Calif., courtroom over the past few weeks is finally ending with both companies making their closing statements to jurors this afternoon. Apple was first-up as it described Samsung’s alleged act of “slavishly copying” the iPhone when it was introduced in 2007 to do damage control, as well as its effort to continue copying even more products over the years. Apple’s Harold McElhinny presented the company’s final arguments....

You might have noticed that the main text in Apple’s press release today for its Q1 2014 results didn’t mention device sales for the iPod alongside iPhones, iPads, and Macs. That might because it’s the only product line that has experienced a huge decrease in sales over the last year, which isn’t helped by the fact Apple hasn’t updated the products in over a year apart from a minor refresh. It does, however, still have to disclose units sold in its unaudited summary data that accompanies the press release....

Apple has released iOS 6.1.3 to end users today. It is currently available over-the-air via Software Update in the Settings app. The update includes a security flaw fix involving the iOS device Lock screen. Additionally, the new update includes fixes for the Apple Maps application for Japan. Apple previously released these Japanese Maps fixes over-the-air to non-iOS 6.1.3-beta devices, but it appears that the actual update might include even more improvements....

Apple released a minor bug fix for iTunes 11.2.1 tonight following yesterday’s release of iTunes 11.2 alongside OS X 10.9.3. The release notes echo yesterday’s updated features, but installing the update does indeed fix the hidden “/Users” folder many users were experiencing. Apple has since shared the following explanation: “Available for: Mac OS X v10.6.8 or later Impact: A local user can compromise other local user accounts Description: Upon each reboot, the permissions for the /Users and /Users/Shared directories would be set to world-writable, allowing modification of these directories....

Apple has released the second iOS 10.3.3 beta for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The first beta version only included new wallpapers for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and no other visible changes. We’ll update with any changes discovered below. iOS 10.3.3 beta 2 is currently available to registered developers; a public beta version for iOS 10.3.3 is also available although today’s update may not be immediately available. Major new features for iOS are likely being saved for iOS 11 which we expect to see introduced at WWDC on June 5....

Apple financial engineering is nothing to sniff at: with nearly $200 billion in cash, they have a lot of flexibility to initiate capital trades. Following a major seven-part domestic bond sale in the US, Nikkei reports it is now looking to do something similar in Japan. Apple is interested in Japan due to comparatively lower interest rates than the US so it can sell debt more cheaply there than it could elsewhere....

Apple’s talks with networks for its upcoming streaming TV cable service are well underway, according to the New York Post. The four main broadcast networks are involved: ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Apple’s 30% revenue share of the subscription fee remains a point of contention, but the report claims that negotiations are rapidly gaining momentum with Apple targeting a late fall launch of its new TV product. Disney or CBS will apparently be the first companies to sign up with Apple and get the skinny TV package deal rolling....

Apple shared a pair of new videos on its YouTube channel today focusing on how creatives incorporate the Mac into their workflow. One video focuses on musician James Blake, while the other highlights photographer Tyler Mitchell. These new videos are part of Apple’s “Behind the Mac” series, which highlights some of the artists who use the Mac as an integral part of their setups. The first new video today focuses on Tyler Mitchell, a photographer from New York....

In the latest episode of the Mac Admins Podcast, Jeremy Butcher, Apple’s product marketing manager for enterprise and education software goes in-depth on the new and important changes coming with iOS 13 and macOS Catalina from an enterprise perspective. As the name of the podcast suggests, the focus of the episode is on some of the most important changes that IT admins can expect and look forward to with iOS 13, iPadOS 13, and macOS Catalina....

The Apple Store for Education is currently down for updates worldwide. As it is mid-July, this probably signal that Apple’s Back to School promotion is about to go live. Years ago, Apple would give students App Store gift cards in addition to the usual education price discounts on the hardware itself. More recently, Apple has bundled free pairs of Beats headphones with the purchase of its devices. This usually means giving away BeatsX, Powerbeats3, or Beats Solo3 depending on the price of the Apple device....

The Apple Store is down ceremony continues with Apple’s October event, which kicks off (virtually) at 10 AM Pacific Time today. We are expecting to see the iPhone 12 lineup — comprising four different models in new smaller and larger sizes than the iPhone 11 — as well as a new smaller ‘HomePod mini’ Apple takes the store down to build hype and update marketing pages without leaking new product info before they are revealed on stage....

As part of the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, Apple today announced that its original drama series Home Before Dark will premiere on April 3rd, on its Apple TV+ streaming service. The show is inspired by the true story of reporter Hilde Lysiak, who broke the story of a murder in her town aged 11. Apple says the story will follow a young girl who moves from Brooklyn to a small lakeside town, uncovering a cold case that everyone — including her own father — had tried to hide....

As expected, Apple Pay is now available in Canada. You can use use eligible American Express bank cards to make mobile payments at a whole host of retailers that support the NFC technology across Canada. Apple Pay retailer mobile payments works with iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. Some had suggested that Apple may need to push out an iOS software update but iOS 9.2 remains in beta — this all works from within the Wallet setup on iOS 9....

In addition to updating the iTunes Festival lineup with new acts including Ed Sheeran and deadmau5 and reviving the Apple TV channel for viewing the concert on-demand and live, Apple’s recently acquired Beats Music is now promoting the iTunes Festival with a contest to attend the music festival in London. While tickets to Apple’s annual music event are free for attendees (and very limited), the contest by Beats Music to attend the iTunes Festival covers airfare both to and from London....

Fortune has put together its “Change the World” list, which recognizes company’s that are making a positive impact, and Apple has come in at number three. Tim Cook also spoke with Fortune to explain more about how he thinks Apple is changing the world for the better and also shared that he believes Apple products aren’t just for the rich (a day before the ~$1000 iPhone X debut). Fortune notes that under Tim Cook, the “company transformed in terms of how it projects onto the world its social awareness and its place in the corporate community....

Apple has released the first iOS 11.4.1 beta to registered developers for testing on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. iOS 11.4.1 likely focuses on bug fixes to any issues created by yesterday’s iOS 11.4 release. iOS 11.4 delivers major new features including Messages in iCloud, AirPlay 2, and stereo support for HomePod. Check out our hands-on coverage below: iOS 11.4 with AirPlay 2, Messages in iCloud, HomePod stereo now available Hands-on: HomePod’s AirPlay 2 multi-room audio, stereo pairing, and Calendar support [Video] Messages in iCloud arrives with iOS 11....

While Apple has mostly moved on to iOS 10 beta testing at this point, the minor iOS 9.3.3 update is still in beta and received its third developer release today. iOS 9.3.3 beta 3 for developers brings the build to 13Y823. Changes so far haven’t been noticeable as the update is likely focused on security enhancements and bug fix improvements. Apple last released an iOS 9.3.3 beta in early June including the first version for iPad Pro 9....