Apple has expanded its Apple Beta Software Program to include the fourth-gen Apple TV for the first time. Apple’s public beta program has previously been limited to iOS and macOS while tvOS betas were only available to developers with paid accounts. Apple’s Beta Software Program website says “iOS 11, macOS High Sierra, and tvOS 11 public betas are coming soon” and Apple promised public betas of iOS and macOS later this month....

In addition to introducing a more affordable, entry-level iMac early this morning, Apple has dropped the price of the Apple TV in a few non-United States markets. Specifically, the Apple TV sold in Europe and the UK has received a price drop of €10/£20 from their respective €109/£99 price points before. Customers in Europe and the UK can now purchase the Apple TV set-top box at €99 in Europe and £79 in the United Kingdom....

Apple has released a small but notable update to Final Cut Pro for the Mac. The update brings two new sharing options to the video editing app: YouTube and Facebook. Apple has rolled out similar updates to iMovie and Clips on iOS, as well as Motion and Compressor on Mac. Apple says that when you choose one of these new sharing options, a specific file will be created for uploading to the service....

As expected, Apple is releasing updates to many of its iOS apps today including Garageband, Keynote, Numbers, Cards, iPhoto, iMovie, and Find My Friends with support for iOS 6 and other new features. We also expect to see a few more updates headed towards the rest of Apple’s own iOS apps today following the public release of iOS 6 earlier today. Some of the new features now available in the updated apps, in addition to iOS 6 support: Location-based alerts in the Find My Friends app, the ability to create custom ringtons and alerts in GarageBand, iPad support for Cards with a new universal app (and new themes, layouts, and iPhoto integration) , and huge updates to iPhoto and iMovie that bring a long list of new features....

A quiet update to Apple’s website earlier revealed that the Apple Watch Nike+ edition would go on sale this Friday, October 28 – and Apple has now further confirmed the date with some additional details. You’ll naturally be able to buy the special edition Watch at Apple Stores and ‘select’ Nike retail stores, but it will also be available at a number of specialty and department stores. Macy’s is no surprise as the Apple Watch has seen availability there already, but Apple says you’ll also be able to pick up the new Watch at DICK’S Sporting Goods stores …...

While the new Apple Watch Series 5 offers a number of notable features, there’s still plenty to like about Series 3 at this price point. Our Zac Hall detailed all the reasons to consider this previous-generation model in his re-review last month. Make sure to put your savings to work and grab an extra band. First-party options from Apple come in various finishes or you can swing by our roundup of the best third-party straps for even more styles on sale....

Apple Watch Series 3 is having a hard time updating to new versions of watchOS 7, but there’s good news for customers using the hardware first introduced in 2017. watchOS 8 will run on all Apple Watch models that support watchOS 7. That means Apple Watch Series 3 will run watchOS 8. Hopefully Apple considers the storage constraints Apple Watch Series 3 owners are experiencing with recent watchOS 7 updates and addresses this with watchOS 8....

Apple has just released a flood of information about how apps on Apple Watch work, through the WatchKit framework. There are three types of integrations currently possible: WatchKit apps, Glances and actionable notifications. Although they sound similar, the development process for WatchKit apps are actually very different to that of normal iOS apps for iPhone and iPad, as much of the computation is done on the connected iPhone rather than rendered by the watch’s hardware itself....

Apple’s annual MFi summit, an event for accessory manufacturers in its Made-for-iPhone/iPad/iPod licensing program, will focus on getting accessory makers ready for new technologies including HomeKit hardware, iBeacon, Apple’s new Lightning headphones spec, and game controllers, according to Apple’s official event schedule. The summit, which is used by Apple to brief accessory makers on new technologies rolling out soon, is often a precursor to wide adoption of Apple’s latest iPhone and iPad-connected accessory specifications....

iOS 7’s flashy launch earlier this year overshadowed a breakthrough new feature: iBeacons, a location-based technology with profound implications for industries such as retail. An iBeacon system could allow a store to install transmitters that would wirelessly connect to an iPhone and tell the phone its location with respect to items on shelves. This iPhone could then perform additional functionality if it is equipped with a specialized application. According to multiple sources, Apple is planning to soon enable just that in its retail stores… Apple is said to have begun stocking up on iBeacon transmitters, and the company, in the next few days, will begin installing these sensors in many Apple Stores across the United States....

Earlier this week we noted that Apple has refreshed the Beats by Dre wireless Beats Powerbeats 2 earbuds with new colors aimed at Apple Watch Sport users. Today, Apple has updated its Beats headphones website to promote the new line of headphones along with a new price: $179, which is $20 less than the previous price at $199. With its onboard storage for music and Bluetooth connection, Apple is promoting these headphones as a way to tap into listening to music with the Apple Watch without the need of a connected iPhone....

According to a report from CRN, Apple is apparently working with VMware on a cloud-hosted office suite iPad app that is said to combine Apple’s iWork apps and VMware View virtual-desktop software. The app is supposedly being built to be a direct competitor with Microsoft Office and its cloud services. The report said the app will include cloud-hosted versions of Numbers, Keynote, and Pages apps, and it will bring functionality of VMware’s “Horizon Application Manager....

Apple TV+ has given a straight-to-series order for a docuseries hosted by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, as first reported by Deadline. The series will be inspired by their new book entitled The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience. The report explains: The untitled docuseries will be produced for Apple TV+ by HiddenLight Productions, the production company founded by Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and Sam Branson....

Notice something weird about your Apple Watch since updating to watchOS 5.2? There’s a software bug affecting the Explorer watch face on the latest Apple Watch update. The Explorer face, recognized for its bold red watch hands, is only available on the cellular models of Apple Watch Series 3 and later; GPS-only models and older watches don’t feature the special analog watch face. If you do have the Explorer face, you may notice that the minute and hour numbers are missing since updating to this week’s watchOS 5....

Apple made a big deal of the ECG functionality of the Apple Watch Series 4, and emphasized that the feature had received FDA clearance. It’s now being reported that the company was almost unable to do so – having received that clearance just one day before the launch event … Fast Company reports the close call. But at least one academic wonders whether that clearance should have been granted in the first place....

Is your Apple Watch Ultra not pairing with your iPhone? Or is it disconnecting frequently, and you cannot use it properly? If you are facing such an issue, you aren’t the only one. This issue isn’t uncommon with Apple Watch Ultra users. Yes, we understand that Apple Watch Ultra is a companion device, and especially if you are using a Wi-Fi-only Apple Watch, you must be able to pair it with a nearby iPhone device to use it properly....

IFO Apple Store reports that Apple is revamping its back-lit in-store photo panels, replacing its signature white-background product shots with visuals inspired by its recent advertising. Out are clean, sterile close-ups of the products, and in are colorful visuals showing what people are doing with the products. The new graphics were photographed like magazine ads, showing the iPad/iPhone being used in actual situations, complete with their surrounding people and places. Their colors, tone and brightness is much richer and darker than the previous graphics …...

We today saw a not-unexpected sign that we’re getting closer to some new Apple Watch models: new model numbers have been registered in a Eurasian database. In all likelihood, the new Watches will be announced in September, alongside this year’s iPhones. Although I went from being a smart watch skeptic to not wanting to be without my Apple Watch, I would still say it’s not a product I get excited about....

Just over four years ago, Apple began rolling out a new generation of retail stores across the world. The idea was straightforward but challenging: Apple Stores should be spaces conducive to creative experiences — spaces for communities to gather. Over 200 redesigned stores later, Apple has learned how to express its values through architecture. Each new space builds on the last with refined ideas, designs, materials, and fixtures. This is part two of a three-part series documenting Apple retail in 2019....

New Apple TV will look similar, but thicker (image via Michael Steeber) Although iOS devices and the App Store have transformed the handheld gaming market, the first three Apple TV generations did not attempt to challenge Microsoft’s Xbox, Nintendo’s Wii, or Sony’s PlayStation game consoles for complete control of living room TVs. According to sources with knowledge of the product, the fourth-generation Apple TV will actively compete for TV gamers with updated hardware, software, and peripherals that will debut at Apple’s September 9 event in San Francisco....