The popularity of iOS continues to grow in Europe’s five largest countries reaching 20.3%, reports Kantar. Sales data from the Kantar Worldpanel ComTech for 1Q15 shows that iOS market share grew 1.8% over last year. Europe’s big five markets are Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.“In the first quarter of 2015, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus continued to attract consumers across Europe, including users who previously owned an Android smartphone,” reported Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. “On average, across Europe’s big five countries during the first quarter, 32.4% of Apple’s new customers switched to iOS from Android.”“In urban China, Apple consolidated its leadership in smartphones, growing its share to 26.1%, up from 17.9% for the same period in 2014,” said Tamsin Timpson, strategic insight director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech Asia. “Thirty-eight percent of iPhone buyers were recommended an Apple device by someone they know, while 23% recall seeing an ad.” China is now driving more volume for Apple than the U.S., as the Cupertino company reaches beyond the more affluent buyers. In 1Q15, Apple represented 25% of smartphone sales in urban China’s 2,000 to 4,000 RMBs income bracket — a 10.1 percentage point increase from the same period in 2014.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: Android Switchers Drive iOS Growth in Europe [Chart]

Pixelmator has announced that Pixelmator for iPhone is coming soon.It adds some amazing new features, too, such as the new Distort Tools, powered by Apple’s Metal technology (translation: incredibly fast graphics processing tech, mainly used for creating graphics-intense games).Pixelmator will become a universal app featuring support for both the iPad and iPhone. There’s also a Mac version available.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: Pixelmator for iPhone is Coming Soon [Video]

The PicsArt Photo Studio app has been updated with a new crop feature that lets you straighten and crop images at the same time, an improved Membox viewer, a new profile view option to browse galleries with photo activity, double-tap likes, video export, and more.With over 200 million installs, PicsArt’s image editing and sharing platform is more than an app. It has become a social movement of creatives, passionate to beautify the world. Featuring a unique combination of photo editing tools and gallery, PicsArt inspires anyone to create and collaborate anytime and anywhere.Features:? An easy-to-use photo editor, providing a wide array of photo manipulation instruments such as a clone tool, crop tool, photo blending and enhancement tool, photo filters, live camera, and hundreds of customizable brush filters, masks, shape masks, text tool, and more.? One of the largest galleries to discover novel artwork and be discovered as an artistInstant sharing on PicsArt, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Dropbox, or via email.? A collage maker to create photo collages in grids, collage frames, free-form, or with photos in the background. It is easy to make collages and share in FB and Instagram.? A drawing suite, including artistic brushes and layersContests on photography, photo editing, drawing, and graphic design? A photo camera, with multiple live filters. ? A large gallery of public images for co-editing? Over 2,000 free thematic clipart images, frames, filters and collage frames 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: PicsArt Photo Studio Gets New Crop Feature, Video Export, More

Apple is preparing its ‘Pick up in Store’ option for customers looking to purchase the Apple Watch.Some users going through checkout have spotted an ‘Available soon’ notification under the pick up in store option, as can be seen in the screenshot below.Currently, the only way to purchase an Apple Watch is to pre-order via the online store and have it delivered to your home by courier. The pick up in store option is still grayed out; however, it appears Apple is readying the service for customers who prefer to go to a store for pickup.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 'Pick Up in Store' Option Will Be Available Soon

The Hotels.com app has been updated with secret prices and support for the Apple Watch.The Hotels.com app is the simple, fast and secure way to book your perfect hotel.PLAN- Easily discover your perfect hotels with our in-depth sort and filter options.- Get exclusive deals for hotels in your area tonight by using our “Tonight’s Local Deals” feature.- Save all your favorite hotels to easily compare between features and prices.- Easy-to-use map view to discover all the hotels around you. 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: Hotels.com App Gets Updated With Secret Prices, Apple Watch Support

Olloclip has unveiled a newly designed olloCase for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The case allows seamless integration with their olloclip photo lenses.”We want olloCase to embody the pure functionality of our olloclip photo lenses — and to eliminate the need for moving parts, while still providing the style and protection consumers are looking for,” said Patrick O’Neill, CEO and founder of olloclip. “This new case is a significant improvement over our previous version. It improves speed and removes any unnecessary obstacles between a user and the photos or videos they want to shoot.”Features:? “olloclip-ready” – A seamless integration for use with olloclip lens systems.? Grip lines recessed into rubberized shock-resistant bumpers allow for complete control when taking photos or simply browsing the web.? Sturdy scratch-resistant back for added protection.? A raised bezel keeps the screen from contacting flat surfaces.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: Olloclip Unveils New olloCase for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Apple has revealed that it is using ‘Applebot’ to crawl the web for Siri and Spotlight Suggestions in a newly modified support document.Applebot respects customary robots.txt rules and robots meta tags and originates in the 17.0.0.0 net block.It’s user-agent strings will contain “Applebot” together with additional agent information. 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 is Using 'Applebot' to Crawl the Web for Siri and Spotlight

Consumer Reports has named the Apple Watch its top-rated smartwatch. The company has been testing 11 of the most popular smartwatches over the last few weeks for durability, health functionality, readability in bright and low light, ease of use, and ease of interaction.The company put the smartwatches through a scratch-resistance test using picks calibrated to the Mohs scale, which uses 10 minerals of increasing hardness as reference points. The stainless-steel Apple Watch survived a number 9 Mohs pick (just below diamond hardness), thanks to its sapphire crystal display glass.To test water resistance, Consumer Reports used a depth-test chamber that can be pressurized to simulate any depth up to 230 feet. The Apple Watch conforms to IPX7 under IEC standard 60529, which means it should be able to withstand submersion in 3.3 feet of water for 30 minutes. Setting the depth chamber to match the specifications claimed by each manufacturer, they tested the smartwatches immediately after submersion then 24 hours later. The Apple Watch passed on the first try but the Apple Watch Sport failed on 24 hours later test. However, consumer reports tried two additional samples which both passed. 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 Tops Consumer Reports' Smartwatch Rankings [Video]

Apple has shipped out the first Link Bracelet orders for the Apple Watch.The bracelets are shipping from Shenzhen, China and ours currently has a delivery date estimate of May 12th.Orders for the just the link bracelet by itself appear to be shipping ahead of orders for the Apple Watch with link bracelet. Pre-orders for the watch and band together are estimated to ship in late May.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 Ships First Link Bracelet Orders for the Apple Watch

Conan O’Brien has posted a new video introducing the ‘Apple Watch Hand’ for customers with wrist tattoos.People with wrist tattoos have trouble using the new Apple Watch. Fortunately the geniuses in Cupertino have a solution.For those who weren’t aware, Apple recently confirmed that tattoos may affect Apple Watch heart rate sensor performance via updated support document. 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: Conan: Introducing the Apple Watch Hand [Video]