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Time Warner Cable today announced a new smartphone app that will let its customers use their home phone service on mobile devices for no additional fees. That means that users with a Time Warner Cable home phone service, which starts at $10/month, can now text and call through the new Phone 2 Go app on smartphones and tablets. The service requires a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection and will also work for international calling and texting:

“With the launch of Phone 2 Go, home phone service is no longer limited by physical location. Our customers can now use their Home Phone service and calling plan no matter where they are, including overseas,” said Jeff Lindsay, GM of Time Warner Cable Home Phone service. “Phone 2 Go brings tremendous value to our customers, not only in terms of convenience, but with real savings by accessing their Home Phone service and plan on-the-go using free WiFi to eliminate the worry of cellular voice overages and high international calling charges.”

In addition to making calls and texts, the app will let users opt-in to receiving voice, video, and text messages sent to their home phone number and register up to five mobile devices using a single home phone line. Users can also view and manage voicemail from their home phone as well as “customize privacy, call settings and even get access to visual voicemail.”

The service is similar to apps offered by other cable companies such as the Xfinity Connect iOS app.

Time Warner Cable is releasing the new Phone 2 Go app on the App Store today for iPhone and iPad users (and also on Google Play).

 

Filed under: Apps Tagged: app, App Store, home phone, iOS, Phone 2 Go, Time Warner Cable, TWC

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Is there anything cooler than images of our solar system? Especially ones of the actual Sol, or, our sun. No, there is not. This fantastically seasonal Halloween image was captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, which does nothing…

An internal memo sent to McDonald’s franchises this week indicates that the fast food chain is preparing to roll out a mobile payment platform on September 15th. According to the notice, employees are required to be trained on the systems by Monday the 15th and the hardware, which has already started arriving at some locations, must be installed and tested before that date.

It doesn’t seem likely that this is Apple’s upcoming iPhone-exclusive payment system, which the the Cupertino tech firm is already partnering with retailers to roll out, but will instead be a cross-platform NFC option using standard VeriFone hardware that already exists in many locations. That’s not to say the iPhone 6 won’t be able to take advantage of this, as the unannounced device is said to support NFC using chips made by XNP.

Earlier this year, Business Insider reported that McDonald’s was testing an upcoming mobile application that would allow customers to place orders from anywhere, then drop in at the restaurant to pick up the food, likely with a component that would allow them to pay using their phone. It’s likely that this rollout indicates this program will be launching nationally soon.

Filed under: Tech Industry Tagged: McDonald's, mobile payments

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Apple is set to release a slew of new products during the third quarter of 2014 according to KGI securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo, who often provides reliable information on Apple’s product lineup.

In a 2014 product roadmap, Kuo suggests Apple will introduce its first new product of the year, a lower-cost iMac, during the second quarter. Soon after, during the third quarter, Kuo predicts Apple will introduce an upgraded iPad Air and iPad mini, followed by an iWatch in two separate sizes, and a 4.7-inch iPhone.


An upgraded Apple TV set-top box will come somewhat later, as will the rumored 12-inch ultra slim MacBook and upgraded Retina MacBook Pros. Later, in the fourth quarter, Apple will introduce the 5.5-inch iPhone, which is said to be delayed due to issues with in-cell display technology. Along with his roadmap, Kuo also gives specific information on each of Apple’s upcoming products.

- iWatch: Kuo believes the iWatch will ship during the end of the third quarter, offering biometric functionality, integration with the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and a "fashionable appearance." As has been previously suggested, he predicts the device will come in two sizes, with a 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch flexible AMOLED display. It will also include a sapphire cover lens, biometric recognition, an NFC chip, wireless charging, a 200 to 250 mAh battery, and a slim and light design. Kuo also believes that Apple will offer the iWatch at multiple price points, with the most expensive version costing upwards of $1,000.

- iPhone 6: Supporting previous iPhone 6 rumors, Kuo believes the device will come in two sizes: 4.7 and 5.5-inches, with resolutions of 1334x750 (326ppi) and 1920 x 1080 (401 ppi), respectively. Both models will come with an A8 processor, 1GB of RAM, LTPS display panels, optical image stabilization, and Touch ID. Kuo points to a 10 to 20 percent narrower bezel, a 6.5–7.0mm thickness, metal casings, and NFC integration. Mass shipments of the 4.7-inch version are expected in September, with the 5.5-inch version shipping later. Kuo suggests that only the 64GB 5.5-inch version will use sapphire displays.

- iPad Air 2: The second-generation iPad Air is expected to adopt Touch ID, an A8 processor, and an improved camera with a resolution of eight megapixels. Kuo believes the second iPad Air could come earlier in the year than the previous iPad Air, which was released in October.

- iPad mini with Retina Display: Like the iPad Air, a new Retina mini could gain an A8 processor and Touch ID, but Kuo believes it will retain the same form factor. He also suggests that the older iPad mini with Retina display could be sold at a lower cost.

- 12.9-inch iPad Pro: Kuo believes that Apple is indeed working on a 12.9-inch iPad, but he does not expect it to be launched in 2014.

- 12-inch MacBook Air: As rumored, Apple is believed to be preparing an ultrathin MacBook Air that incorporates a touchpad without buttons and functions without a fan. It is also expected to include a higher-resolution display.

- iMac: A lower-priced iMac is believed to be on the horizon, which Kuo says could help boost iMac shipments by up to 23 percent. It could be Apple’s first product launch of the year.

- Apple TV: Apple is not expected to launch a full television set this year, but an upgraded set top box with an App Store and motion control technology is expected.

While Kuo’s predictions do include many rumors that have previously surfaced over the past several months from a variety of sources, his roadmap gives a solid overview of what we might expect from Apple in 2014. We've also broken out several of his predictions into individual posts that can be found here: iWatch, iPad, iPhone 6, MacBook Air.

Research firm DisplaySearch has once again tapped its sources in the display supply chain to assess what panel sizes and resolutions are currently under development, using that information to speculate on the display technology that may land in Apple's iPhone 6, new iPad and rumored iWatch. According to the firm's latest report, the iPhone 6 and iPad may receive size and resolution boosts in line with circulating rumors, while the iWatch could sport a flexible AMOLED display.


On the high end of the spectrum, DisplaySearch analyst David Hsieh predicts the iPhone 6 could ship with a 5.5-inch display that has a 1920 x 1080 resolution, yielding a density of 401 pixels per inch (ppi). The display would be a LTPS (low-temperature polysilicon) TFT LCD, which is the same technology used in a number of previous iPhone models. Another possibility is a smaller 4.7-inch LTPS screen with 1600 x 900 resolution and 386 ppi. Either configuration would bump the iPhone 6 up from the 4-inch, 1136 x 640 display found in the iPhone 5s, and a previous report has suggested that Apple could release both sizes.

On the iPad side of the equation, Apple may increase the size of the tablet and introduce a 12.0-inch "iPad Pro" model. This echoes several previous reports in recent months claiming that an oversized iPad with a 12.9-inch Retina display is entering production and may launch as soon as early 2014. There have, however, been no part leaks supporting the existence of such a device so far.

According to DisplaySearch, the 12.9-inch "iPad Pro" model could include a display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 and 265 ppi, edging out the 12.2-inch panel Samsung introduced in its new Galaxy Tab Pro and Note Pro tablets. The Samsung models ship with a 12.2-inch display that has a 2560 x 1600 resolution and 247 ppi.

DisplaySearch also reiterates an earlier claim that the iWatch may ship in two different sizes. The firm's forecast predicts the Cupertino company may adopt a 1.3-inch display for women and a larger 1.6-inch display for men. Both sizes would sport a 320 x 320 resolution and would use flexible AMOLED technology. Rumors suggest Apple may debut its iWatch product sometime in 2014.

Bloomberg is reporting that “sources familiar with the plans” say Apple is planning to release two new iPhone models next year with curved displays. The two phones would have 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch displays respectively, both substantially bigger than the 4 inch Retina Display currently offered in the iPhone 5s and more in line with Samsung’s S4 and Note 3.

Assumedly, the two new phones will be the successors to the iPhone 5s and 5c, released in September. Bloomberg says the new devices will launch in a similar timeframe.

Two models planned for release in the second half of next year will feature larger displays with glass that curves downward at the edges, said the person, declining to be identified as the details aren’t public. Sensors that can distinguish heavy or light touches on the screen may be incorporated into subsequent models, the person said.

The report also details that Apple is actively working on pressure-sensitive display sensors. However, this functionality (which can tell the difference between light and hard presses on the screen) will not be part of the 2014 iPhone lineup and is currently “planned for a later model”, according to the article.

Rumours of a larger-screened iPhone in the pipeline have picked up in recent months, such as this  recent report in the Wall Street Journal and this report from DisplaySearch that lines up with the screen size dimensions discussed by Bloomberg closely. That being said, Bloomberg is the first major publication to mention a curved screen specifically.

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According to a report from AllThingsD, Apple will debut the next generation of iPad hardware at a media event on October 22.

People familiar with Apple’s plans tell AllThingsD that the company will hold its next invitation-only event on Tuesday October 22. The focal point of the gathering will the latest updates to the company’s iPad line, but new Mac Pro and OS X Mavericks will likely get some stage time as well, I’m told.

We’ve been seeing more and more leaks allegedly showing the slimmer, iPad mini-like design of the next-generation iPad 5 that we first posted images of back in January, and it’s likely Apple will debut the product alongside the much rumored second gen iPad mini later this month. The new iPad 5 is rumored to get the refreshed design and improved internals, while the second generation iPad mini is rumored to include a Retina display. The latest reliable reports claimed the two new iPads will also be receiving an upgraded 8 megapixel camera system.

AllThingsD reports that the event will  include announcements regarding OS X Mavericks and the recently announced all-new Mac Pro in addition to new iPads. We first reported that Mavericks would launch in late October. CE: The Magazine previously pegged the fall Apple event for October 22nd.

There have been unconfirmed leaks showing the new iPads in similar colors to the new iPhone 5s, and even whispers of a TouchID fingerprint sensor for the larger of the two new products, but it’s unclear if those features will make it into the next generation iPads.

Announced yesterday, Apple is also set to hold it’s fiscal Q4 earnings call the following week on October 28th. Interestingly, this earnings report covers July and August, but also September which includes at least the initial weekend sale of the iPhones 5s and 5c. We should expect to hear Apple’s executives offer their thoughts on the newly announced hardware as well as high praise for its new iPhone lineup.

If Apple does announce new iPads on October 22nd as expected, it’s possible we could see a launch on November 1st (if history is any indication).

Of course, it’s always a great time to research your upgrade or trade-in options with services like Gazelle.com before the value of your hardware drops in two weeks, and much of our trade-in services roundup apply to iPads as it did to iPhones.

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Following today's release of OS X Mavericks Build 13A598 for members of the company's AppleSeed testing program, Apple has now posted the build for all registered Mac developers, referring to it as the "GM" (Golden Master) version that will be released to the public.


Apple has also seeded the GM build of Xcode 5.0.1 for building applications for Mavericks.

Apple is reportedly targeting a late October launch for Mavericks, with the company starting to train AppleCare staff on the upcoming operating system this week. Sources have indicated that training must be completed by October 11.

Update: Apple has also seeded developers with an iPhoto 9.4.7 update that "addresses an issue that could cause iPhoto to quit unexpectedly on launch when running OS X Mavericks GM Seed."

With the iPhone 4S launch nearly two years ago, Apple introduced the Siri voice control system to its customers. At launch, Siri was a gimmicky feature at best, being released with bugs, a highly-computerized voice, sluggish content loading, and unreliable servers. In addition, Siri of 2011 was short on user compatibility, only launching with knowledge of English, French, and German. Apple certainly did not deny the early issues with Siri: the company launched the product in “beta,” a tag that has remained on the software ever since.

Since 2011, Apple has been slowly improving the service. In early 2012, Siri gained support for Japanese, and with iOS 6 in late 2012, the service added support for several new languages and capabilities. With iOS 7, Siri has been given a redesigned user-interface, new functionality, and all-new voices. Many of the server errors and lengthy processing time issues that riddled the product in its early days have now disappeared; and it seems that Apple agrees. With the upcoming launch of iOS 7, it appears that Apple will finally be taking Siri out of “beta.”

Late this past week, Apple updated its Siri webpages to drop all references to the product being in beta. Prior to this past week, the bottom of the Siri informational page read:

Siri is available in Beta only on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad with Retina display, iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation) and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.

Now the page reads (dropping beta):

Siri is available on iPhone 4s or later, iPad with Retina display, iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation) and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.

Additionally, Apple has removed its Siri FAQs website (Google Cache) that explained some of the finite details of the service and the supported languages. Because Siri seems to no longer be in beta, perhaps Apple feels that the service now performs well enough to not need an additional page of explanations.

The iOS 7 Siri Page:

The iOS 6 Siri Page:

iOS 7 officially launches on September 18th, and the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will follow on September 20th. Thanks to Joel for the lead!

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As if we really needed any additional confirmation that Apple is holding an iPhone event on September 10th, and planning to release new iPhone hardware later that month, The Wall Street Journal has chimed in with source of their own collaborating the reports, noting that the new iPhones will be build by Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision), as expected.

 WSJ:

Apple Inc. has asked assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. to begin shipping both a new high-end and low-end iPhone in early September, people familiar with the matter said.

The shipping plans suggest consumers could soon have access to two new iPhone models, pointing to a strategy shift as Apple attempts to regain its momentum in the smartphone market. The company hasn’t previously announced different iPhone models around the same time.

Apple’s suppliers in Asia started mass-producing components in June for both a standard iPhone, featuring a metal casing, and a lower-cost version, people who work at those companies said.

Apple has, of course, declined to comment – but given the huge number of reputable journalists and institutions all backing this claim, I’d be surprised if it was anything short of a controlled leak. Are you ready for a new iPhone (or multiple iPhones) next month? Previous reports have also all-but confirmed that the new high-end iPhone will launch in an additional gold-like color, and will feature up to 128GB of storage. We’ll keep you updated as we hear more!

KGI’s often reliable Mingchi Kuo is out with his latest Apple Watch forecast with some interesting new info. His latest findings:

1. Components and EMS of the new iPhones will be ready for ramp-up in August and September, respectively
2. Hon Hai begins manufacturing the TDD-LTE-supported iPhone 5C earlier than expected in August
3. TDD-LTE supporting models may see respective penetration of 25% and 35% in iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C shipments
4. iPhone 5 will reach end-of-life at the end of 3Q13, while shipments of iPhone 4S will continue until the end of 2013. From this situation we can infer that iPhone 5C is actually intended to replace iPhone 5, rather than iPhone 4S
5. iPhone 5S will exceed iPhone 5C in shipments.

Tim Cook’s talks with China Mobile’s CEO must have gone well because …

Kuo thinks Apple is ramping up TDD-LTE compatible versions of the iPhone 5C earlier than expected, with Foxconn starting production in August.  The expectation is that Apple will move 1.5-2.5M units in Q3 alone, with sales commencing around China’s October Golden Holiday and Q4 expected to be a blockbuster.

We believe the joint effort by Apple and China Mobile this year will boost penetration of TDD-LTE to 25% in iPhone 5S and 35% in iPhone 5C shipments, which will generate new shipments momentum for the supply chain.

Kuo also believes the iPhone 5C will completely replace the iPhone 5, because of the feature set overlap, and be priced in the $399-$499 range. That’s something we discussed in our rountable conversation last week. Strangely, Kuo believes the iPhone 4S will soldier on, perhaps as something for emerging markets at low price-points

iPhone 5C to replace iPhone 5, while iPhone 4S goes on. We’ve learned that the iPhone 5 line will be terminated from 4Q13, while the iPhone 4S line will carry on. From this, we infer that iPhone 5C is launched to replace iPhone 5. In other words, the 5C model will be positioned as midrange. We forecast its retail price to be US$400-500.  We expect iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 will fall into the price ranges of  US$600-700, US$400-500, US$300-400 and US$200-300, respectively, in the new product  cycle. Since iPhone 4’s specs may not be adequate to run on iOS7, we think this line may be terminated.

Apple’s upcoming high-end device, the iPhone 5S, is expected to outsell the iPhone 5C, with key features being a fingerprint reader, a larger 128GB storage option and a Gold/Champagne color thought to be aimed primarily at the high-end market in India and China, where the color is popular. The iPhone 5C is expected in 16GB and 32GB varieties, with an expected price-tag around $200 below the 5S.

Overall, Kuo expects 3Q13 iPhone 5S & 5C shipments of respectively 5.2M & 8.4M units, with Q4 shipments to surge respectively by 438% and 122% QoQ to 28M units and 18.7M units. If he’s right, the new models will push Apple’s overall iPhone shares for the year close to a staggering 160M units.

Apple is expected to launch both devices at an event on September 10th in San Francisco.

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Following several recent reports claiming that Apple was preparing to introduce a new gold color option for the next iPhone in addition to multiple color options rumored for a new low-cost iPhone, today MacBoutic (via Engadget) posted images allegedly showing the gold-colored back casing for the device.

Yesterday KGI’s Mingchi Kuo was the first reliable source to report that a next-generation iPhone would include “golden casing” alongside a new 128GB option. Previously, less reliable sources claimed also claimed that Apple had a gold iPhone in the works. Kuo also added that the next-generation iPhone will include “a sapphire home button with fingerprint  sensor,” something we’ve heard several times in recent months.

Curiously, the source of today’s photos says it “deliberately blurred the “Apple” logo and the words “iPhone” on the back” of the device.” It’s worth pointing out that we have no way to confirm if these are the real deal (we’ve certainly seen a lot of fakes floating around), and it’s easy to get your hands on color conversions that typically don’t include the Apple logo and other iPhone markings.

The site also claims to have some shots of the iPhone 5S’s proximity sensor, speaker, vibrating motor, and more.

A gold color option doesn’t seem to be something that fits in with what we’ve seen from Apple’s design team in recent years, but we’ll have to wait until early next month to find out for sure.

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To go along with this morning’s third iOS 7 beta, Apple has released OS X Mavericks Developer Preview 3. This new preview arrives two weeks following Preview 2. Like Preview 2, it seems likely that Preview 3 focuses on bug and performance fixes.

OS X Mavericks launches for the general public this fall with new Maps and iBooks apps, significant battery life, scrolling, and overall performance adjustments, and power-user features like revamped multiple-monitor support, Finder Tags, Finder Tabs, and a faster Safari browser.

As readers discover changes in the new Mavericks preview, we will note them below. If you find anything new, you can reach us at tips@9to5mac.com.

The update comes in at 1.08 GB.

Release Notes / Known Issues:

Installation

- Network migration from earlier versions of OS X requires the Migration Update for Snow Leopard, Lion, or Mountain Lion available form the Mac Dev Center.
- Migration from Windows is not supported in Developer Preview 3.
- Reinstalling Developer Preview 3 from the Recovery Partition is not supported. Developer Preview 3 can be reinstalled using a Time Machine backup or Target Disk Mode.

iCloud and iCloud Keychain

- The Reset Keychain button in Account Details of the iCloud preferences pane is for testing purposes and will not be available in the final release.
- First time iCloud setup may fail. Disabled services may be manually enabled in the iCloud preferences pane.
- After upgrading to Developer Preview 3, iCloud Keychain will need to be re-enabled in the iCloud preferences pane.
- iCloud Keychain in OS X Mavericks Developer Seed 3 is not backward compatible with iOS 7 Seed 2 and OS X Mavericks Developer Seed 2.
- When enabling iCloud Keychain, a blank sheet may appear. Force Quit System Preferences and retry.

Third-Party Applications

- Installation within a virtual machine is not supported for VMWare Fusion.
- Adobe After Effects CS6 will not function correctly.

Other

- Screen recordings taken with Developer Preview 3 are not compatible with earlier releases of OS X.
- The QuickTime Player progress bar may be nonfunctional when opening media that requires conversion prior to playback.
- Aperture may exit unexpectedly when exporting an image while in full screen.
- Moving a full-screen Aperture window to a secondary display may prevent the app window from being visible in subsequent attempts to use full screen.
- When saving from Photoshop, ‘Save As’ may not respect selected filetype.
- Maps may display some graphical corruption when resizing windows or switching from standard to satellite view.
- Fusion Drive volumes created with Developer Preview 3 are not compatible with OS X version 10.8.4 or earlier.
- The headphone port on the new 2013 MacBook Air will not operate unless headphones are present at boot.
- On some machines, frequently sleeping and waking may result in the machine restarting.
- Developer Preview 3 includes OpenSSH 6.2p2.

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