Evernote for iOS updated with Skitch support, Shortcuts, Related Notes - In a substantial upgrade to both free and premium level iPhone and iPad apps, note syncing service Evernote adds synced shortcuts, integration with Skitch for marking up images and PDFs, and a new related notes tool.
(Via AppleInsider.)
Update to Apple Store app will offer free iTunes, App Store content -- report - New version of Apple Store app for iPhone and iPod Touch, to be released July 23, will promote Apple's content apps, with some content offered free for a limited time, according to a report.
(Via CNET News.com.)
10 tips to better secure your privacy on an Apple device -
Taking control of the security of your data and retaining privacy in today’s connected age is not an easy task. Thinking about this in its simplest form, there are two scenarios you need to consider when it comes to your personal devices: how things like apps and data get on and off your devices. For every app you allow can potentially access and send data off of your device.
With Apple’s iCloud breaking down the data barriers between OS X and iOS, you need to think about security on every device in your Apple ecosystem. The following 10 tips will help you manage not only how your information flows to and from your phone, tablet or computer, but also who has access to it.
(Via TheAppleBlog.)
The Best Space Images Ever Were Taken by Apollo Astronauts With Hasselblad Cameras - The most iconic photos from the manned exploration of space come from the monumental Apollo project. But something you may not know is that nearly every single famous photo from that program was taken using cameras from one company: Hasselblad. In honor of the 44th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic landing, here we present a gallery of some of the most breathtaking Hasselblad-assisted shots that astronauts took from the moon and space.
(Via Wired Top Stories.)
Writer's Studio is an amazingly complete authoring tool for iOS -
Got a desire to produce your own personal e-book? Need to create an eye-catching presentation on your iOS device? Writer's Studio may be just the ticket. This US$1.99 app, currently on sale for $0.99, has many more features than I expected.
You start with a blank page and then pick a color or a background photo. Next add some text in your choice of size, font, color and style. Add graphics with a variety of paintbrush tools, or add shapes in colors that can also be filled.
If you're not an artist, try the built-in clip art, or you can find even more in the cloud from the server provided by the developers. Some of the features are very advanced. Drop in or import a graphic, and text flows around it.
Report: half of streaming boxes sold are Apple TVs -
Apple executives seem to have a thing for referring to the Apple TV as nothing more than an interesting hobby. That little hobby, however, seems to be attracting more and more users with each passing quarter.
During Apple's 2012 holiday quarter, for example, the company sold more than 2 million Apple TV units, representing a nearly 43% sales increase compared to the 2011 holiday quarter. Cumulatively, Tim Cook revealed during this year's All Things D conference that Apple has, to-date, sold over 13 million Apple TV units. Even more impressive is that Cook noted that "about half of those" sales took place in 2013.
Suffice it to say, Apple TV may still only be a hobby in Apple's eyes, but sales of the device seem to accelerating with each passing year.
Here's What It Looks Like When You Replace Photographers With iPhone-Wielding Reporters - Earlier this year the Chicago Sun-Times made national headlines when it purged its photo staff and replaced them with iPhone-wielding reporters. To try and track what many suspected would be a decline in the paper's visual coverage, Chicago freelance photographer Taylor Glascock started a Tumblr.
(Via Wired Top Stories.)
Best Buy offering $200 gift cards for older generation iPads -
All Things D is reporting that Best Buy this weekend will be offering an iPad trade-in program whereby consumers can get a $200 gift card in exchange for bringing in either an iPad 2 or third-generation iPad.
While the trade-in must take place at an actual brick-and-mortar location, the resulting gift card can be used either in-store or redeemed via Best Buy's website. Note that the trade-in program excludes the original iPad and the iPad mini.
In some cases, the amount may be more than $200, depending on the model and condition of the iPad.
...
Best Buy said it decided to launch this promotion based on the success of its iPhone trade-in event last month. Though Best Buy wouldn't disclose how many people participated in the program, the company said there was an "overwhelming response" and that its initial June 1 event was the single biggest day for its trade-in business.
The trade-in program starts on Friday and runs through Saturday, so if you have an old iPad lying around, Best Buy is the place to be.
Best tablets under $200 right now - New versions of popular tablets will soon be released and now's your chance to take advantage of price drops for last year's models.
(Via CNET News.com.)
Super-Smart Weather App Shows Forecasts as Infographics - Weathertron's data-first UI isn't just handsome--it's also packed with just the right amount of forecast info.
(Via Wired Top Stories.)
Square Stand credit card terminal to be sold at Apple Stores -
Square is now in a partnership with Apple to bring its new Square Stands to Apple retail stores.
The Square Stand will convert an iPad into a full point-of-sale system that pairs with cash drawers, receipt printers, barcode scanners and credit card readers.
The US$299 device begins shipping this week and will be available at the same time at Apple retail stores, Best Buy and other select retailers.
The Square Stand only works with 2nd and 3rd generation iPads because of the 30-pin dock connector. A Lightning-connector model will be available later this year.
[via Electronista]
How to make your Bluetooth speaker sound better - Try the Audiophiliac's simple experiments, and you might get better sound. It's easy to do and it's free. [Read more]
(Via CNET News.com.)
Apple patents flexible batteries that would fit nicely in an iWatch -
For sure, Apple patents a lot of innovative technology that never sees the light of day. However, sometimes certain patents stand out due to current technology trends and stronger signs that Apple may indeed be working on a new iDevice. One such example that fits that description is a patent for an Apple invention that allows for flexible battery packs. The patent was published by the US Patent & Trademark Office yesterday and discovered by Patently Apple. As PA notes ...
Top tablets with expandable storage - Who wins the storage wars for best tablet with expandable memory options?
(Via CNET News.com.)
Minnesota Twins Give Mariano Rivera a Chair Made of Broken Bats -
Best gift yet on the Rivera farewell tour.
(Via Daring Fireball.)
Samsung buys Apple TV competitor Boxee for $30 million - Samsung may be looking to take its rivalry with Apple to another level, as a new report has the South Korean tech giant buying streaming media startup Boxee in a move that will bring it into even more direct competition with the Apple TV.
(Via AppleInsider.)
First look: Keynote for iCloud - 
Yesterday we took a look at the Pages for iCloud beta and were highly impressed by what Apple has achieved with its word processing and publishing application. It looks and works very much like a desktop application and pushes the envelope for what has previously been achieved with an entirely web-based app. Keynote is the next of the three iWork for iCloud beta apps in our short series looking at Apple's new iWork for iCloud suite of web apps. Is it possible to recreate a presentation app in the cloud with the full power of a desktop presentation app? It doesn't seem likely, but then it didn't ...
Hide apps on the Apple TV - As the Apple TV gains new apps, some users may find that the device's home screen is getting a bit cluttered. For example, I don't care to watch sports on my Apple TV, and it'd be nice if I didn't have to see those apps.
David Chartier, writing on Finer Things in Tech, has pointed out an easy way to clean up excess apps. Go to Settings > General > Parental Controls, turn on Parental Controls if it's not already activated (you'll be asked to enter a 4-digit PIN), then scroll down and click on the apps you want to hide to toggle their visibility.
David also points out, in his article, how to move apps around on the Apple TV's home screen.
(Via MacOSXHints.com.)
From Kickstarter to retail: Pebble smartwatch comes to Best Buy -
Although the Pebble smartwatch was the most successful Kickstarter project ever, raising $10.2 million, many mainstream consumers haven’t heard of it. That’s about to change thanks to an exclusive deal to put the Pebble on Best Buy retail shelves. The wireless wearable in a Jet Black color can be had now for $149.99 at Best Buy’s online store and in Best Buy locations starting July 7.
If you’re not familiar with Pebble, it’s a smartwatch that works with iPhones and select Android devices, wirelessly connecting to them via Bluetooth. Once paired with your phone, Pebble receives text messages, emails, Facebook status updates and incoming calls so you can decide to respond or take action on your phone.
The watch has a built-in backlight and also functions as a remote control for music and other media playing on the phone. You can customize the watch face with dozens of choices. Third-party apps are also available for the watch, allowing you to track your exercise or use the watch as a GPS caddy on the golf course.
(Via TheAppleBlog.)
