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Following the Thunderbolt firmware update for Macs, Apple has published three new support documents pertaining to the new $49 Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt cable released Monday, using Thunderbolt with Boot Camp and Windows 7 and some tricks to get the best performance from Thunderbolt. Here’s what you need to know… Getting the best performance from Thunderbolt – Apple only says this update will “get the best Thunderbolt reliability and performance” on Thunderbolt-capable Macs (at the time of writing 2011 iMacs and 2011 MacBook Pros)....

Apple has refused to allow its iPhone to be included within a new UK ranking of environmental friendliness to be launched by original iPhone carrier, O2. The UK’s first-ever green ranking scheme for mobile phones gives handsets a rating between zero and five based on their environmental footprint. Handsets from competitors, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung are included in the scheme, which already covers 93 percent of the devices offered via O2....

Apple today released an updated version of Logic Pro X with optimizations for the upcoming new Mac Pro. The updated version of Logic Pro includes support for up to 56 processing threads with up to 5x the number of real-time plug-ins when using the new Mac Pro compared to the previous generation machine. Apple first announced that it would have a new version of Logic Pro during WWDC last week when it used the app to demo the performance power of its new Mac Pro coming out later this year....

Following the release of macOS 10.13, iOS 11, watchOS 4, and tvOS 11 betas, Apple has released a newly updated version of its macOS Human Interface Guidelines. These design guidelines help designers and developers alike to build out applications that follow models based on Apple’s recommendations. While not everything in the guidelines needs to be strictly adhered to, it helps designers understand Apple’s ideals and to create cohesion across the platform....

Our colleagues over at 9to5Google have regularly reported on a new standard referred to as Rich Communications Services – or RCS. Touted as an upgraded version of SMS, RCS is being spearheaded by the carriers, Microsoft, and Google. Now, it appears that Apple also might be involved in RCS, at least in some capacity. On Reddit, a slide from an October GSMA event has surfaced. The GSMA is a trade body representing mobile network operators....

Apple has seemingly decided to crack down on antivirus and antimalware apps, removing them from the App Store. Although there has been no official statement from Apple on a policy change, Apple’s loose guidelines allow them to pull pretty much anything at any time, particularly something like antivirus which has questionable utility within the sandboxed iOS environment of iPhones and iPads. One casualty of the removal is Intego’s VirusBarrier, which claims that this takedown was not specific to its product with Apple deciding the entire category of antivirus products is now off-limits....

A report today from The Guardian details claims from one of Apple’s contractors about the conversations that are heard as interactions with Siri are reviewed and analyzed. The report brings up privacy and transparency concerns and Apple has released a statement addressing the matter. The Guardian’s source for this latest report is said to be a contractor that “grades” Siri. The whistleblower said that “Apple contractors regularly hear confidential medical information, drug deals, and recordings of couples having sex, as part of their job providing quality control” for Apple’s voice assistant....

As highlighted in a report from Bloomberg today, the opportunities for Apple revenue growth in one of its biggest markets, China, are unclear as the company has been unable to launch its new paid services in the region due to strict local laws concerning content availability and censorship policy. This year, Apple put a big focus on Apple News+, Apple Arcade, and Apple TV+ launches. None of them are available in China....

Images via Chipworks Back in July, Mark reported that some code in iOS 7 showed that the 64-bit A7 would be made by Samsung. If that weren’t enough, Anandtech reported that they also believe that Samsung made the A7 last week after their iPhone review. The evidence was pretty strong but we now have what appears to be definitive evidence from iFixit/Chipworks. Chipworks goes further and identifies what Apple calls the M7....

Last week, Apple revised its app store policies in an effort to adhere to an Authority for Consumers and Markets’ (ACM) order for the iPhone maker to update its app store policies so dating app providers could use payment systems other than the one offered by Apple. The changes entailed Apple providing an option for dating app providers to use either a third-party payment system within the app or include an in-app link directing users to the developer’s website to complete a purchase....

An analysis of Apple’s Q4 guidance by BTIG’s Walter Piecyk suggests that the company will launch new products in Q4, which ends on 28 September. Piecyk says that the guidance on margins suggests that the product will be an iPhone … Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, quoted in a Business Insider piece, backed up this view. The big question, of course, is whether the new product is the 5S, plastic iPhone or both....

Apple released a small update for its Podcasts app this evening to bring it to version 1.0.2. The update does not provide anything in the way of new features, but it does provide performance and stability improvements. The troublesome issue of Podcasts quitting on launch is also fixed in the update, according to Apple in the release notes below. Apple has had a rough start with its Podcasts app due to a slew of issues from the beginning....

Shortly after releasing 10.8.3 build 12D43 to developers, Apple is today seeding build 12D50 with no known issues. Apple isn’t listing any significant changes, but it asked developers to once again focus on AirPlay, AirPort, Game Center, Graphics Drivers, and Safari. The full release notes are available below. Sprint expands 4G LTE coverage, promises rollout to more markets soon (9to5google.com) AT&T sneaks in 9 new LTE markets before iPhone 5 launch, 40 more before holidays (9to5mac....

Apple has released a cool new ad today called Flight that highlights the cellular capabilities of the Apple Watch. In the ad created by film director Jonathan Glazer, renowned skydiver Inka Tiitto runs through the forest with her watch and then is catapulted into the sky where she dances amongst the clouds, to then plummet back into the ocean. The ad shows off the Watch’s Maps turn-by-turn navigation features, and the ability to answer the phone from anywhere thanks to the cellular radios …...

On paper, it makes sense. Apple likes All-in-ones (see iMac). Apple is spending a great deal of cash on LCDs for just its Cinema Displays, iMacs and laptop screens? Maybe there is some additional motivation in there, right? Everyone is going digital now – analog TV is dying. Munster further speculates that a “future product transition” — mentioned by Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer in July — could have been a veiled reference to TVs, given that the transition was cited as a reason why gross margins would fall in sequential quarters....

In celebration of Earth Day 2021, Apple announced that is launching a new documentary special ‘The Year Earth Changed’ which examines how changes in human behavior, as a result of the pandemic, affected wildlife and nature. ‘The Year Earth Changed’ will be released on April 16. Apple TV+ will also be releasing new episodes of its documentary series ‘Earth At Night in Color’ and ‘Tiny World’ on the same date....

After a number of talk show hosts and TV series have taken production into their homes and many via iPhone, the Apple TV+ comedy Mythic Quest is set to join as the latest series to launch a special pandemic quarantine episode. From Conan O’Brien to a special reunion episode of Parks and Recreation we’ve seen some neat creativity from entertainers and producers during the pandemic to keep content flowing. Now Apple’s own Mythic Quest will be debuting a special shot on iPhone pandemic episode next week on May 22nd (via Variety)....

In the latest pickup for its in-house studios, Apple has picked up the film project Snow Blind starring Jake Gyllenhall, according to Deadline. The film will be an adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name. Deadline said the film was fiercely fought for by the major players, with Apple coming out on top of a six-way bidding war. However, exact financials have not been reported. This is the third film under the Apple Studios wing....

Following the addition of eight additional card issuers and banks earlier this month, Apple has updated its list of supported institutions and card types to include 15 more credit unions and banks. These new banks are listed as supporting Apple Pay as of today: -A+ Federal Credit Union -Amegy Bank of Texas -America First Credit Union -Bethpage Federal Credit Union -California Bank & Trust -Connex Credit Union -Goldenwest FCU -Huntington Bank -KeyPoint Credit Union -Meijer Credit Union -National Bank of Arizona -Nevada State Bank -TCF National Bank -The Bank of Greene County -Vectra Bank -Zions First National Bank...

Apple has added dozens of new banks and credit unions to its list of institutions that support its Apple Pay mobile payment service. The new banks include several credit unions from around the United States as well as Charles Schwab Bank, RBC Bank, and other notable additions. The more than 30 banks added today are rolling out ahead of next month’s Apple Watch launch which will support making Apple Pay payments in stores....