Watch OS 2

The Apple Watch! Soon to be updated to SUPER APPLE WATCH! Or, in laymen’s terms, Apple Watch OS 2.

*The most exciting thing about this update in our minds is that with it, the Apple Watch will support native apps (meaning apps that don’t have to go through the iPhone first). Booyah.

*There will also be third-party ‘complications’, which means that you can change and add to the data you see on the clock face, as well as new apps that will have access to the Taptic engine, microphone, accelerometer and heart rate sensor as well as the crown.

*The Watch will naturally be benefited by the device-wide Siri improvements, Apple pay updates as well as the transit directions in Maps.

*The Watch will be able to play videos as well as – very exciting- the ability to make FaceTime Audio calls.

* The Watch will also have a bunch of different Watch faces to choose from, including iconic locations around the world shot over 24 hours and the user’s own photo albums. When you select an album, every time you raise your wrist a different photo form the album will show.

* Users will be able to add more than 12 friends and have the ability to send sketches in multiple colors.

* The Apple Watch will, with OS 2, come with Activation Lock which, as in iPhones, will prevent another user from wiping or activating the Apple Watch if it is lost or stolen.

WatchOS 2  will be available to the public in the fall alongside iOS 9 and will be FREE.

Apple Music & Beats 1 Live Radio Station.

Apple Music is here! Well, not yet, but all the information about it is!

Come June 30 users will be able to use it to  stream songs, access curated playlists, and tune in to a 24-hour, live worldwide radio station called Beats 1.

Apple Music can be split up into 3 different facets that Apple hopes everyone will use and enjoy (D’uh), as well as making the music world a fairer and more creative place to be.

First, there’s the streaming service. Your own collection of music, as well as tens of millions of tracks in the Apple Music library. Handpicked by a ‘dedicated team of experts’ just for you, (not too sure yet on the logistics of this) and a bona fide way to discover new music.

Unlike some of their biggest competitors like Pandora and Spotify who use Algorithms to select songs in their product, Apple Music will have human curation, which, in Jimmy Iovine’s words,

“Algorithms alone can’t do that emotional task,” argued Iovine. “You need a human touch.”

Next, there’s the radio station – Beats 1.  24/7 radio broadcast to over 10 countries, and headlined by former BBC radio DJ Zane Lowe alongside other famous DJs from Los Angeles, New York and London such as Ebro Darden and Julie Adenuga. Beats 1 will offer exclusive interviews, guest hosts and other music world gossip and goings-on.

Third, we have Apple Music Connect, a social platform for Artists ( both known and as-yet-unknown) to interact with listeners and fans, with extra multimedia offerings such as lyrics, videos, photos etc.

So what do we think? Looks like a pretty solid service with a likely very big boost from grandfathered in Apple customers and the offer of a 3 month free trial. It will work, and it will be a strong and exciting competitor. It will add to the way that we listen to music. Even so, Pandora already has 80 million users, Spotify 60 million – so even with the boost, Apple might have a fight to the top.

Apple Music will be available for iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC on June 30, with support for Apple TV and Android coming in the fall. For full membership, you’re looking at a monthly fee of $9.99 or $14.99 for a family plan for up to 6 family members, although there will be a 3 month free trial available for all.

If you’re not down for commitment, you can still listen to Beats 1 radio, see what artists are posting on Connect, and hear ad‑supported stations on Apple Music (with limited skips) without a membership.

Check out the Ad for Apple Music here for the ‘feel good about the world with Apple’ feeling!

WWDC!

You wanna see some cool numbers? Yeah? Why not on this beautiful Warriors winning Sunday?

In just under 2 weeks you’ll be able to waltz on in with your cool self to any Apple retail store in the US of A and take home some Apple Watch candy!

As of June 26th, if you find yourself lusting after an Apple Watch whilst on holiday in Italy, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, Singapore, Switzerland or South Korea, you’ll be able to satisfy that lust in an Apple retail store there too!

The most imminent number to get excited about? Apple’s WWDC Keynote speech starts TOMORROW at 10am PDT! That’s…16 hours and 42 minutes away! Check out what to expect and how to watch it here!

We’ll also be publishing a detailed outline of all the goings on down there at San Francisco’s Moscone Center shortly after the keynote so make sure to get your good self back here if you’re unable to catch the main event!

…Go Warriors.

WWDC new releases and predictions

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off next week with the whole shebang starting on the morning of Monday the 8th with Tim Cook’s keynote speech at the Moscone West center in San Francisco.

So, what to expect? The keynote is known for being the time when Apple announces new products and services to the industry, with the week afterwards being used to introduce the new Apple products to developers in the aim of getting them ready for public release in the months afterwards.

This year we can expect an update to both mobile and computing operating systems – this time iOS 9 and OS X 10.11. Both systems will reportedly become more stable with less bugs (Yay bye bye bugs), have increased synchronicity between computer, device, and iCloud, and be showing off the Apple Watch’s San Francisco font.

iOS 9 will apparently have lots of applications for Force Touch, transit directions in Maps, and a new Spotlight Search app, currently called “Proactive” which will sit to the left of your first App page. It will purportedly have live data which it learns to be pertinent to you as a user – i.e, showing dinner reservations at the right time with directions on how to get there, or by showing the Mail app if it learns that you like to check your email the minute your alarm goes off in the morning.

Also expect iOS 9 to include a ‘Home’ app that will work as the controller of your Homekit friendly gadgets for the so called, way overhyped buzzphrase – ‘Internet of Things’

As well as the new look OS, we’re looking at getting a reboot to iTunes radio, possibly in combination with a new streaming music service under the helm of the Beats guys. It was rumored that Apple TV would get a rebirth in the form of a new set top box and possible streaming content service, however those rumors have lost steam in the past few weeks with the additional rumors that these new products are not ready for the public yet.

Good news for Apple Watch owners – it is expected that Tim Cook will announce that the devices will be opening up to developers to build native apps.

Finally, as an extra service push, Apple Pay may be getting some kind of reward program for users.

Then….hopefully… the ‘one more thing’ moment! When they announce their new iTeleport device. Yes, please Mr Cook!

If you’re planning on catching the WWDC Keynote, it’s being streamed live here at 10 am PDT, or on it’s own devoted channel on Apple TV*. Go to Apple’s own WWDC website to learn more about the schedule and sessions post keynote.

*Viewers must watch the stream online with Safari 6.0.5 or later on OS X 10.8.5 or later; Safari on iOS 6 or later. If you’re watching through Apple TV, it requires the second- or third-generation set-top box with software 6.2 or later.

Buy Beats? Read this.

Did you or someone you know buy a Beats Pill XL? It looks like this:

Due to overheating and possible fire ‘situations’ i.e bad ow it burns, Apple has recalled all of the Beats Pill XL. If you have one of these, no matter what you originally paid, you can get a$325 refund electronically or if you prefer, an Apple credit.

Simply go here to Apple’s support page, submit your return request and they’ll send you a postage paid box so that you can return the possibly burny – dangerous speaker to them. After Apple receives the speaker, your payment or credit will be made available to you within about 3 weeks.

Deals of the week Thursday!

Andd…. we’re back with some super awesome deals for you guys!!

Check THIS out: (to the tune of can’t touch this….obviously.)

*Discover are running a promo where they will double your earned cash-back for twelve billing periods (twelve months). It’s only available for Discover IT cardmembers, and all you have to do is call and ask for the promotion to be added to your account.

Also be aware of the  5% bonus that they currently offering on Restaurants next quarter with Amazon, Department Stores and Home improvement stores.
Call ’em! : 800-347-3085

*Amazon Prime now includes free same day delivery in 14 Metros!! SAME DAY DELIVERY BI*CHES!

Check your zipcode here!

*Chase has a new promotion, offering $200 Cash-back with New Chase Freedom Credit Card Approval after you Spend $500 in First 3-Months. Offer ends 6/24/15.

*Green Man Gaming has Fallout 4 Pre-Purchase (PC Digital Download) for $46.20 with voucher code SLICKD-EALS23-OFFGMW (apply at checkout). Game will require a free Steam account to activate.

*Get your hands on 2 free Fandango movie tickets (up to $20 value) by purchasing 2 participating Schick’s or Edge Men products. Combine this deal with $2.00 off any one Schick Xtreme 3 Razor Pack. The Schick Xtreme 3 Sensitive Razor is 5.97 at Walmart

*Are you an Amazon paid prime member? Get $10 off with First Subscribe & Save Order! Shipping is free. Here’s how: Add item to cart by clicking “Review Subscription” or “Subscribe Now”, Proceed to checkout. Enter promotion code TRYSNS10 and a $10 Credit will appear at checkout if your order qualifies.

In order for this to work, you must be logged into your account. Coupons are typically one use per account. You may cancel your Subscribe & Save subscription any time after your order ships.

* Been a rough week? Get some lovin’ from the Magic Wand HV-260 Original Personal Full Body Hand with Held Massager from Newegg for just  $29.99 with free Shipping

*Love your teeth too! Amazon.com has select Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes on Sale for the prices below after ‘clipped’ $10 or $20 off coupon (clipped automatically through link when logged in to Amazon). Shipping is free.

* Use coupon code “X1020001” to cut $10 off orders of $10 or more at Kmart, or use coupon code “X1020003″to cut $25 off orders of $25 or more.  Opt for in-store pickup to dodge shipping fees which start at around $5.

*Amazon now offers free shipping for all customers on select small goods, with no minimum order required, as part of its new Fulfillment by Amazon Small and Light program. It will apply to select items weighing 8 oz. or less, with eligible purchases including phone accessories, earplugs, and makeup; however eligibility won’t be revealed until the final stage of checkout. Delivery will take four to eight business days.

* Now, get your funk on for the weekend y’all!  Grab yourself some EL Wire Neon LED Light Up Glasses in one of seven colors for $6.97 with free shipping.  They feature three lighting modes and use two AA batteries (not included).

Deal away, amigos!

Check this out to cure your hump-day blues!

Friends!! Need something to cure your hump-day blues?

Check this out and get ready to radify your day:

Yes!

Careful what you recycle there lady!

I think we can all agree that recycling is a good thing, and that we should all do it. Sometimes, however, you should probably take a minute to consider what you’re recycling.

A lady in Silicon Valley did a great thing recently by dropping off a bunch of old electronics, including an old computer, to a local recycling center after she cleaned out her garage.

That would have been the end of a short feel good story, however, she didn’t take a minute to look at what she was recycling! Understandable – old electronics tend to look like the stinky junk they mostly end up being.

Not this time though! What she dropped off, in fact, wasn’t a stinky old computer that needed recycling, but a collectible item worth $200,000.

Eep.

The old computer- one of only about 200 1st generation Apple 1 computers assembled by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne in 1976 in fact – wasn’t taken out of the box until weeks later by the employees at Clean Bay Area, and the lady didn’t leave her contact information when she dropped the computer off.

The recycling firm is now searching for the lady to give her 50% of the $200,000 price tag they sold the computer for.

The message here – be careful what you recycle! Rest assured that if you send us the very first beta iPhone to recycle we’ll give it right back to you with a nod in the direction of where you should be selling it! Or, we’ll pay you a princely sum ourselves! Or, princessely. Whatever you like, you’re the one with the 1st iPhone.

If you want to recycle a regular ol’ iPhone, go ahead and get a quote!  We’ll still pay you very nicely!