Apple has revealed that it’s ramping up research and development spending by $1.5 billion this year and cutting capital expenditures by $1 billion. The spending changes were revealed in an SEC filing.A company spokesperson told the WSJ that Apple lowered the forecast because it was able to spend more efficiently for tooling equipment and facilities. “There are no changes in our product plans,” she said.Obviously, Apple didn’t reveal what its increased R&D budget was for; however, there have been several rumors of late that Apple is working on a self-driving electric car. Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Apple Increases R&D Spending by .5 Billion, Cuts Capital Expenditures by Billion

Apple is reportedly planning to update its MFi program to allow official third-party Apple Watch stands and docks with integrated chargers, according to 9to5Mac sources.Apple will soon let manufacturers in its Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod (MFi) licensing program include charging pads for the Apple Watch directly in their accessories, according to sources. Currently, dock makers can only offer charging by making unsightly openings in their docks for Apple’s official charger to sit, forcing users to bring their own cable and install it, and compromising an ideal design and user experience in the process. By making charging modules available to manufacturers to use, however, customers will be able to buy docks and stands with integrated chargers without needing to use their own.Currently, Apple Watch stand designs are restricted by the need to create an area where users can insert their charging cable. The ability to seamlessly integrate a charger will bring more appealing and convenient products to market.Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Apple to Allow Official Third-Party Apple Watch Stands With Integrated Chargers

Google has released ‘Spotlight Stories’, a new app for iPhone that lets users experience immersive stories brought to life by the latest in technology.Immerse yourself in a world of storytelling made just for mobile. Engineers and critically-acclaimed filmmakers are bringing stories to life using the latest advances in mobile technology. Using 3D and 2D animation, 360° spherical cinema-quality video, sound sphere audio, and sensor fusion techniques, the screen is now a window into a story that unfolds all around you. Look anywhere, follow individual characters, watch it over again and again. It’s a little different each time. Google Spotlight Stories is your mobile movie theater.You can download Google Spotlight Stories from the App Store for free.Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Google Releases New Immersive 'Spotlight Stories' App for iPhone

Strategy Analytics is reporting that smartwatch shipments have grown 457% annually to reach 5 million units in the second quarter of 2015. Apple is said to account for 75% of those shipments.Cliff Raskind, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “Global smartwatch shipments grew an impressive 457 percent annually from 1.0 million units in Q2 2014 to hit a record 5.3 million in Q2 2015. It was the smartwatch industry’s fastest ever growth rate. Volumes in the second quarter of 2015 were higher than for the whole of last year, when 4.6 million smartwatches shipped globally in 2014.”Executive Director Neil Mawston, added, “We estimate Apple Watch shipped 4.0 million units and captured a dominant 75 percent smartwatch marketshare worldwide in Q2 2015. Apple Watch launched in sixteen major countries and saw decent take-up from iPhone loyalists in the United States and elsewhere. Apple Watch has clearly raised the bar for the global smartwatch industry. The ball is now in the court of rivals, like Samsung, to respond.”Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Apple Watch Captures 75% of Smartwatch Market Share [Chart]

Apple has seeded a second beta of OS X 10.11 El Capitan to public beta testers. The beta follows a developer release of El Capitan Beta 4.OS X El Capitan refines the Mac experience and improves system performance. Building on last year’s landmark release of OS X Yosemite, El Capitan introduces enhancements to window management, built-in apps and Spotlight search, and makes everyday activities—from launching apps to accessing email—faster and more responsive. Metal, Apple’s breakthrough graphics technology, is integrated into El Capitan delivering system-wide performance gains and enabling games and pro apps to tap into the full power of Mac graphics processors.You can hit the link below to sign up for Apple’s public beta program.Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Apple Seeds Second Beta of OS X 10.11 El Capitan to Public Testers

Apple has seeded iOS 9 public beta 2 to testers for download.The build number is 13A4305g matching the fourth beta seeded to developers yesterday.Click here to see what’s new!Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Apple Seeds iOS 9 Public Beta 2 to Testers

Google has updated Chrome for iOS with the ability to swipe right or left to navigate backward or forward.Browse fast on your iPhone and iPad with the Google Chrome browser you love on desktop. Pick up where you left off on your other devices, search by voice, and save up to 50% of data usage while browsing.Features:• SYNC ACROSS DEVICES – seamlessly access and open tabs and bookmarks from your laptop, phone or tablet• DATA SAVINGS – reduce mobile data usage by up to 50% while browsing• FASTER BROWSING – choose from search results that instantly appear as you type and quickly access previously visited pages• VOICE SEARCH – use the magic of Google voice search to find answers on-the-go without typing• TRANSLATE – easily read webpages in any language• UNLIMITED TABS – open as many tabs as your heart desires and quickly flip through them like a deck of cards• PRIVACY – use Incognito* mode to browse without saving your history (learn more at http://goo.gl/WUx02)Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Google Updates Chrome for iOS With Swipe to Navigate

Microsoft has released ‘Send’ a new app for in-and-out email. There are no subject lines, salutations, or signatures. Just quick, short messages.You see only the messages started in Send—not your entire email inbox. But since Send is based on email, you can message anyone with an email address. No additional sign up steps and the people you message can respond from anywhere, even if they don’t have the app. “Imagine you’re walking into a big presentation and someone asks you to find out if your colleague will be attending. Chances are, you don’t have your colleague’s phone number, but you will probably have their email address—especially if you’ve been emailing with them recently. You don’t have time to search your inbox, start a new thread, or even type out a subject line. You just want to ask that person, ‘Will you be at the presentation?'”Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Microsoft Releases New 'Send' App for Short Emails

Apple’s iAd Producer application can double as an iOS app prototyping tool, according to designer and coder Linda Dong. The application was created by Apple to help advertisers design and assemble high-impact, interactive content for iAd.Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Apple's iAd Producer Can Double as an iOS App Prototyping Tool [Video]

Apple has finally blocked iOS 9 beta users from being able to write app reviews with the release of iOS 9 beta 3 and iOS 9 beta 4.App developers have long complained that they are being unfairly reviewed by users who perhaps don’t understand the purpose of beta OS releases.Unfortunately, it appears as though Apple’s fix may not be that helpful as beta users can still leave star ratings which have a significant effect on app placement.Share Article:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Email,   Reddit,   Digg,   Delicious,   StumbleUponFollow iClarified:Facebook,   Twitter,   LinkedIn,   Google Plus,   Newsletter,   App Store,   YouTubeAdvertise Here

Source: iClarified Read More: Apple Prevents iOS 9 Beta Users From Writing App Reviews