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Apple TV 6.1 simplifies process of hiding unwanted channel apps

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Home Entertainment, Software,
Alongside the iOS 7.1 update, Apple also released Apple TV update version 6.1, which offers a much easier way to hide unwanted app channels from the Apple TV home screen. After updating, all you need to do is highlight an icon, and press and hold the Select button until all the icons start wiggling. Then, head over to the one you'd like to remove, and hit the Play/Pause button, and then select Hide. It's gone! You can re-add any hidden channels by going into the Settings > Main Menu area.
The new method is much easier than the previous, where you'd have to navigate into your Settings menu to hide items. Now, you can do it right from the home screen.
If you haven't yet got the latest Apple TV update, navigate over to Settings > Software Update, and choose Update Software.
You can pick up an Apple TV from the Apple Store Online.
Gallery: Apple TV 6.1 simplifies process of hiding unwanted channel apps
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Apple releases major iOS 7.1 update, here’s what’s new!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Software, Transportation,
Earlier today Apple released iOS 7.1, an update for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch that brings with it several major features and improvements. Some of the more notable additions include CarPlay, Siri enhancements, iTunes Radio improvements, and overall stability improvements for iOS 7 on the iPhone 4. If you're unfamiliar, CarPlay was unveiled last week at the Geneva Motor Show, and will be available in some 2014 model vehicles, bringing iOS 7-style functionality to the center console dashboard, allowing users to control things like Maps, Music, Messages, and other apps.
You can download iOS 7.1 now, and we've got the full list of all the changes, according to Apple, after the jump.
Click to continue reading Apple releases major iOS 7.1 update, here’s what’s new!
Gallery: Apple releases major iOS 7.1 update, here’s what’s new!
Apple offering free $25 gift card with Apple TV purchase

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Home Entertainment, Hot Deals,
Apple has a great deal on the Apple TV for the next five days (a great option to watch the WWE Network on your television.) Between now and March 5th, Apple TV buyers will receive a $25 iTunes gift card, which can be used to buy anything in the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store and can be used to buy iOS apps, Mac apps, music, movies, TV shows, and eBooks. This essentially brings the cost of the $99 Apple TV down to $75 in a way.
Head on over to the Apple Store online to check out the deal.
Read More | Apple TV Product Page
Gallery: Apple offering free $25 gift card with Apple TV purchase
Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S5

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Editorial, Handhelds,
I wanted to publish some of my thoughts on the new Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone in response to a few comments I've seen others making. Some random clarifitations:
1) While the Galaxy S5 does have a fingerprint sensor, it is bad enough that it will just be a frustration for those who try it out, and they'll likely disable it. Unlike Apple's Touch ID, Samsung's requires a vertical swipe at a very specific angle (or, non-angle.) With Touch ID on the iPhone 5s, you simply press your finger to the Home button, and it instantaneously unlocks your phone. The S5 scanner only works when you scan your finger straight down, towards the bottom of the phone, making it difficult to unlock the phone with one hand. The implementation on the Galaxy S5 is nowhere near as simple.
Click to continue reading Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S5
Gallery: Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S5
Apple OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 now available, here’s what’s new

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
Apple has released OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 to the public following a lengthy developer beta, and with it comes quite a few new features and enhancements to the Mac desktop operating system:
- FaceTime Audio in the FaceTime and Messages apps
- Contact blocking for FaceTime and iMessage
- Mail app improvements
- Autofill fixes for Safari
- Audio fixes
- VPN fixes
- VoiceOver fixes
Also included is the SSL security vulnerability fix that Apple fixed in iOS last week, and earlier today on Apple TV. Many Mac apps were still at risk, including Safari and Mail. The company stated a few days ago that it planned to have a fix released "very soon," and four days later, this patch is included in OS X 10.9.2.
You can grab the OS X 10.9.2 update from the Mac App Store now.
Gallery: Apple OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 now available, here’s what’s new
Skip WWE Network signup issues with Apple TV

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Home Entertainment,
This morning, the long-awaited WWE Network launched, bringing with it 24/7 live programming alongside an extensive content library from WWE. As is to be expected with any new, big content offering, there are some hiccups due to the rush of demand that the servers are having to deal with. Users are having a hard time getting signed up since the MLBAM (the company hosting the WWE Network content) service has been slammed.
However, there's a simple workaround that'll let you bypass the whole mess for users who own an Apple TV. As with Netflix and Hulu Plus, Apple offers direct subscription access to the WWE Network through iTunes. This means that you are dealing with Apple servers rather than the ones the WWE is using, and therefore, you can sign right up with no problem and start watching immediately.
Click to continue reading Skip WWE Network signup issues with Apple TV
Gallery: Skip WWE Network signup issues with Apple TV
Head up, iTunes and App Store addicts! eBay is selling $100 iTunes gift cards for just $75 today, while supplies last. That's basically like getting $25 in free iTunes credit, which you can use towards buying music, movies, TV shows, iOS apps, Mac apps, and books. Hurry if you want to get in on the action, and know that there's a limit of two per customer.
Read More | eBay
Gallery: Get this: $100 iTunes Gift Cards for $75
Ask Andru: How to improve Touch ID and secure your iPhone

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Features, Software,
We're back for another installment of Ask Andru, where I take your burning tech questions and give you practical answers! This time, we have a two-parter as it pertains to securing your iPhone 5s (see our iPhone 5s review) and iPad, as well as making Touch ID work as well as expected. Here we go, these questions were sent in by Mike:
I have two questions,
- I have a two part question, what is the best security app for the iPad mini with Retina display & the iPhone 5s?
- Since I picked up my new iPhone 5s from the AT&T Store-Lynwood this past October and two exchanges for two new replacement phones from the Apple Store @ Alderwood Mall, the Touch ID still has not worked for me. Have other users had problems with the Touch ID? In regards to exchanging my 5s for a 5c or a Droid phone, I have been informed that it is past their respective fourteen day warranty period to facilitate an exchange because their operating systems will not allow this transaction to take place. So thus, AT&T and Apple have left me with a defective product.
Regards,
Mike
Let's start with that first one. When most people talk about security apps, I think they're asking about something that will protect them from viruses and malware getting installed on their mobile devices. For Android, for example, you might want to have something installed due to the rampant malware that can be found in the Google Play store. However, Apple sandboxes each app, and as such, none get full access to take over your device, no matter how hard they try. Apple also has a vetting process for each app as well, so there are no antivirus or anti-malware apps that you'll need. Yet, one app that I do love for security and protection is called 1Password. Let me explain.
Click to continue reading Ask Andru: How to improve Touch ID and secure your iPhone
Gallery: Ask Andru: How to improve Touch ID and secure your iPhone
Valentine’s Day Giveaway: Jawbone Mini Jambox & Pair of iPhone cases!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Announcements, Apple, Smartphones, Features, Videos,
Yes - we're giving away a Jawbone Mini Jambox, Otterbox Defender for iPhone 5 and 5s, and a Sonix Heart to Heart Inlay for iPhone 5c for Valentine's Day! Seriously, February is the month of red, and we've got the perfect smartphone accessories for you to match, thanks to our friends at AT&T.
So, how do you enter to win the Mini Jambox giveaway package? Simply use the widget below to keep track of your entries! We've got a lot of ways for you to enter, but don't check off any that you don't actually perform. If you do, you'll be eliminated:
By the way, if you wanna pick up any of these items on your own, you can find them all at AT&T:
Gallery: Valentine’s Day Giveaway: Jawbone Mini Jambox & Pair of iPhone cases!
Is this our first look at the iPhone 6?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
Is this the iPhone 6? It's February, and that means that like clockwork, it's time for the next iPhone leaks to start dropping. The only thing we know is that Apple is working on its next flagship device, and that the iPhone 6 should launch this fall. We've ben hearing reports that Apple will release two larger-sized variants this time around: a 4.7-inch model, alongside a 5.5-inch version.
As you can see in the pictures (which, to be clear, have not been verified to be real), the displays here are larger than those found on the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s, and also takes on the design language of the iPad Air and iPad mini. Neither are too far-fetched, and for our tastes, we think it looks great. Also, check out that bezel-less display, another rumored feature of the iPhone 6. Of course, even if these are real, Apple tests multiple designs, and this could be one of a few different ideas that the company is playing with.
We've got two more pictures of the device after the jump. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
EDIT: Forum posters at MacRumors have taken a closer look at the images and have determined that they're rendered fakes. Reasons include textures that repeat and the usage of an out-of-date font.
Click to continue reading Is this our first look at the iPhone 6?