Apple Stores gain new Philips Hue Bloom & LightStrips lighting options - Apple's online and retail stores will become the exclusive home of Philips' latest iPhone-connected Hue lights this week: the Bloom portable LED bulb and stick-able LightStrips, both of which do not require a standard light socket.
(Via AppleInsider.)
Apple Introduces 'Takeback Program' to Replace Knockoff USB Power Adapters -
Apple probably could have gotten away with shrugging its shoulders at the recent news that a Chinese woman died from an electrocution allegedly caused by a faulty knockoff iPhone charger, but today 9to5Mac reported that the Cupertino company is taking a far more nobler stance. Later this month, it'll allow customers to bring in their old USB power adapters and receive new, Apple-designed ones for a lower price via a "takeback program."
To take advantage of the offer, simply bring in your old power adapter for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod after August 16 (either third-party or designed by Apple) to your local Apple Store or authorized retailer, and the staff will dispose of it for you "in an environmentally friendly way." If you did so, you can then purchase a new one for just $10, although Apple's announcement also states that this offer will only be available until October 18.
(Via Mac|Life all.)
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.
