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OS X 10.10.3 emoji diversity

Apple has released the second developer preview of OS X Yosemite 10.10.3, and with it comes a more diverse group of emoji, featuring multiple skin tones. Rather than offering one hue, as has been standard practice for years, Apple will now offer a total of six different skin tones to choose from. You'll also find same sex couples, and families with and without children, all with skin tone modifier options. Other new emoji characters include new country flags being added to the mix.

Also found in the latest OS X developer preview is an update to the Mac version of the beta Photos app.

If you're a dev, you can download OS X 10.10.3 build 14D87h now from the Mac Dev Center, or by using the Software Update feature in the Mac App Store if you're already running beta software.

Gallery: OS X 10.10.3 beta 2 build 14D87h released with Photos improvements, diverse emoji


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Windows 10 Parallels Mac

If you're looking to start running that fresh Microsoft Windows 10 Technical Preview on your Mac, Parallels has you covered. The company has announced experimental support in Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac that will now allow you to install and run the early look at the Windows 10 operating system, alongside the Office Preview for Windows 10. Microsoft is doing some impressive things with Windows 10, and with Parallels you can get a look at things like Cortana, Windows Store beta, the reimagined Start menu, and more. You just need to be running Parallels 10.1.4 build 28883 or later and you're good to go!

Gallery: Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac now supports Windows 10 Technical Preview


OS X Photos

As we mentioned, Apple has released its new Photos app for Mac as part of the OS X 10.10.3 beta release earlier today. For those wondering about features and functionality, here's the rundown straight from Apple:

All new for OS X, Photos automatically organizes your photo library and helps you perfect your photos with comprehensive editing tools. You can also store your photos and videos in the cloud using iCloud Photo Library, and access them on all your devices.

Photos lets you:

  • Browse your photos by time and location in Moments, Collections, and Years views
  • Navigate your library using convenient Photos, Shared, Albums, and Projects tabs
  • Store all of your photos and videos in iCloud Photo Library in their original format and in full resolution
  • Access your photos and videos stored in iCloud Photo Library from your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iCloud.com with any web browser
  • Perfect your photos with powerful and easy-to-use editing tools that optimize with a single click or slider, or allow precise adjustments with detailed controls
  • Create professional-quality photo books with simplified bookmarking tools, new Apple-designed themes, and new square book formats
  • Purchase prints in new square and panoramtic sizes

Gallery: Apple’s new Photos app for Mac now in beta, here’s what’s new!


Yosemite Developer Preview 8

Apple has released the first OS X 10.10.3 (build 14D72i) of Yosemite to developers for testing today, and as part of this release Apple has included a beta version of the new Photos app that was originally revealed back at WWDC 2014. The Photos app will replace both iPhoto and Aperture and become Apple’s single photo library management app. Photos will also support the iCloud Photo Library feature, which allows users to store their entire library of photos and videos on iCloud, having them accessible from any Mac, as well as supported versions of the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and web browsers. You can download the new software through the Mac App Store if you're already running a dev version of OS X, or if not, you can find it in the Mac Dev Center.

Gallery: Apple releases OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 build 14D72i with Photos app


Apple iOS 8.1.3 release

Apple has released iOS 8.1.3, a maintenance and bug fix release for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The company says that one major feature is that 8.1.3 reduces the amount of free storage required in order to perform the iOS 8 upgrade, which should help some who were "stuck" on iOS 7 and wanted to update, but didn't have enough storage to continue. For me, the update has finally fixed an issue on my 128 GB iPhone 6 Plus that would cause it to crash and reboot when using the multitasking app switcher that's plagued me since release day. Hit the jump for the full changelog that Apple has provided.

Click to continue reading Apple releases iOS 8.1.3, here’s what’s new!

Gallery: Apple releases iOS 8.1.3, here’s what’s new!


The sun will set on 2014 in just a few hours, and we are just in time with our annual top 10 list of the most-watched Gear Live video episodes. Over the past year, as expected, there was a bunch of gear that made the list, with the release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The launch of the WWE Network was also groundbreaking, and our walkthrough proved to be the second most popular video of the year. Other items, like a tutorial on upgrading Xbox One controllers, a look at the Fitbit Force, and a how-to on installing the Nest Protect also proved popular as well.

Oh, and if you wanna be sure to get our new video episodes as they come out in 2015, be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube, in iTunes, or in your RSS reader!

Also, you can check out the top ten videos from 20132012201120102009, 2008, and 2007 - and when you're done, be sure to check out the top 10 most popular Gear Live stories of 2013 as well!

Click to continue reading Top 10 Gear Live Videos of 2014

Gallery: Top 10 Gear Live Videos of 2014


This is an entry from our 2014 Holiday Gift Guide. Check it out for suggestions on what to buy your loved, liked, and hated ones this holiday season!

Apple TV

iOS devices like the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch will be big holiday gifts this year, make no mistake about it. The Apple TV is actually a fantastic complement to Apple's handhelds, worthy of being featured in our 2014 Holiday Gift Guide. A nice little device in its own right, the Apple TV gives you access to Apple's iTunes Store entertainment content right on your television. In addition, you get Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, sports networks, and plenty of other entertainment options. Connect it to your iTunes Home Share, and you can use your iOS devices as remote controls for the Apple TV. The best part, though, is AirPlay. You can beam audio and video content right to the Apple TV with ease from your iOS device, or your Mac. You can also mirror the display of these devices as well, all wireless over your home network.

You can pick up the Apple TV for $99, or $94.95 on Amazon.

Honorable Mention: Roku 3 Streaming Player

Read More | Apple TV

Gallery: 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: Apple TV


Apple CarPlay zombies

The following article is a sponsored post by AutoAnything.

When the undead rise up and take to the streets, it will already be too late for you to upgrade your vehicle’s power and efficiency. So, while the zombies are still safely nestled in their graves, it’s time to think about how to prepare your vehicle for escape.

Ask yourself: can your car tell you where you need to go and get you there in the fastest and most efficient way possible? Can you control your in-cabin features without taking your hands off the wheel? Chances are you answered no. Fear not, fellow future zombie heroes! We have technology on our side, and with the brains of Apple CarPlay and the brawn of a power programmer, our vehicles can be completely zombie-proof in no time.

Click to continue reading Apple CarPlay, Power Programmers and Making Your Ride Zombie Proof

Gallery: Apple CarPlay, Power Programmers and Making Your Ride Zombie Proof


iOS 8.1 update

Apple has released iOS 8.1, and with it comes a slew of new features for users of iOS devices. The biggest addition is Apple Pay, which works with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 3. Apple Pay allows you to securly store your credit cards in Passbook, and pay for items wirelessly and quickly in stores with your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, and online in apps with any of the supported devices. Apple Pay isn't all that's included in iOS 8.1, though. The return of the Camera Roll and My Photo Stream libraries in the Photos app when not using iCloud Photo Library is featured, as is the new iCloud Photo Library Beta, which allows you to store your entire photo library in iCloud. iOS 8.1 also unlocks the ability to have your SMS and MMS text messages appear on your iPad and Mac, using your iPhone as a conduit. We've got a full list of all the changes that come with iOS 8.1 for you, after the break.

Click to continue reading Apple releases iOS 8.1 with Apple Pay, here’s what’s new!

Gallery: Apple releases iOS 8.1 with Apple Pay, here’s what’s new!


iMac with Retina display

Apple has announced the new iMac with Retina display at its iPad event yesterday morning. It sports 14.7 million pixels, giving it a resolution of 5120 x 2880—that’s 5K for those keeping count. It has 7x more pixels than your 1080p HDTV, and even 67% more pixels than the new 4K displays out there.

The new Retina iMac starts with a 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with two Thunderbolt 2 ports, 4 USB 3.0, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and a standard 1TB Fusion Drive. It also includes 8GB RAM, which is disappointingly low but easily upgraded, and AMD a Radeon R9 graphics chip.

The new iMac with Retina display ships today and starts at $2499 as configured above.

Read More | iMac with Retina display

Gallery: Apple iMac with Retina display now shipping


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