Apple mops up iOS mess with new update
One day after a bungled iOS update disrupted key features on thousands of iPhones, Apple on Thursday issued a follow-on version of the software to set things right.The newest update, iOS 8.0.2, is available immediately. The bruise to Apple's public image -- also dinged in the last few days by the discovery that its iPhone 6 Plus can be bent -- may take longer to heal. "iOS 8.0.2 ... fixes an issue that affected iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who downloaded iOS 8.0.1, andincludes improvements and bug fixes originally in iOS 8.0.1," the company said in a statement Thursday. "We apologize for inconveniencing the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who were impacted by the bug in iOS 8.0.1."The impact of the bug was startling. Immediately after downloading iOS 8.0.1 on Wednesday, users began reporting that their iPhones could no longer connect to a cellular network to make calls. In addition, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on some devices ceased working, meaning people could not unlock their phones.Apple reacted quickly, putting a stop to the 8.0.1 update after just a little over an hour, saying that it was investigating the reports of problems and promising that 8.0.2 would come "as soon as it's ready in the next few days."It also issued a workaround for those who'd lost cell service or the use of the Touch ID feature.The company said that the problems affected fewer than 40,000 iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices. Those latest-model phones had only just started arriving in consumers' hands last Friday, and Apple had said that in the first weekend of sales, consumers had scarfed up 10 million of the devices.And iOS 8 itself was hot off the presses. It had become available two days earlier, bringing with it a number of fixes and new features.What iPhone users learn about iOS 8.0.2 when they start to download the update.Apple/Screenshot by ZDNet's Zack WhittakerSo now perhaps Apple can start to catch its breath, or at least move on to other issues. As it often is, September had already been a busy month for the company, starting with a splashy event at which the company unveiled the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, notable for their larger screen sizes, and its long-anticipated wearable, the Apple Watch.The third big introduction at the event was the Apple Pay mobile payments service, will go into effect for the two new iPhones -- through another iOS 8 update -- in October.The debuts had helped to reignite the sizzle that critics complained Apple had lost in several years of more modest new-product introductions.But September also brought a good deal of embarrassment for the company, even before this week's issues flared up. Apple began the month wrestling with a scandal over nude pictures of celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence that had been swiped from iCloud accounts. Then there was a stumble with the live stream of the iPhone/iWatch launch event, backlash over the forced appearance of a new album from rock band U2 in people's iTunes accounts, and an outage of several hours at Apple's online store at the start of preorders for the new iPhones.Earlier on Thursday, Apple sought to downplay the reports of excessive, and unexpected, flexibility in the iPhone 6 Plus. Any bend in that device is "extremely rare," Apple said, offering as evidence that through the first six days of sale, only nine customers had contacted it regarding a bent 6 Plus. The catcalls on social media, meanwhile, were much more widespread.iOS 8 is compatible with any iPhone version 4S or later, the fifth-generation iPod Touch and any iPad released from the second generation on. Some features, such as Apple Pay,are specific to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.Related storiesFour of Apple's biggest missteps, from Maps to MobileMeMisfire! Apple yanks botched iOS 8.0.1 updateHow to restore an iPhone after the botched iOS 8.0.1 updateCNET's take on iOS 8Among the other significant changes, the new software tackled long-standing issues with iOS' notification system, its tie-ins with Apple's desktop OS X software, and the iCloud service. It also extends Apple's reach into the health and home automation space, too, with a suite of new "Kit" apps and developer tools.One goal for iOS 8.0.1 was to fix a bug that prevented developers from launching HealthKit apps in the app store and another bug that barred users from uploading photos and videos from Safari. The update also was set to improve the reliability of the "reachability" feature on the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Reachability makes it easier for users to operate the large phones with one hand.In addition, the update was intended to correct issues related to third-party keyboards, third-party app access to the Photo Library, and ringtones not being restored from iCloud. And -- perhaps ironically now, given the problems it caused with cellular service -- iOS 8.0.1 also set out to resolve an issue that could cause unexpected cellular data usage when Apple's devices received text messages, as well as to provide better support of "Ask to Buy" for Family Sharing for in-app purchases.Last year, Apple rolled out iOS 7.0.1 just a few days after it launched iOS 7 in order to fix a fingerprint glitch with the iPhone 5S. Less than a week after that, iOS 7.0.2 came out to patch a bug with the lock screen.The new smartphones went on sale last Friday in 10 countries, starting at $199 for the iPhone 6 with 16GB of storage space and going up to $499 for the 6 Plus with 128GB of memory. They will become available in 20 more countries starting Friday, September 26.CNET News' Shara Tibken contributed to this story.
Less is more with the new-generation Chevrolet MyLink system
Less is more with the new-generation Chevrolet MyLink system
You may already be familiar with the maxim, "Less is more." Clearly the infotainment engineers over at General Motors are, because it seems that they've taken this approach to designing the dashboard of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark LT.The Chevrolet Spark LT is available is a variety of questionable colors.Antuan Goodwin/CNETThere are only four buttons for volume up and down, power, and home below the 7-inch touch screen. There are only three knobs for the basic climate control system. There isn't even a CD player -- GM's betting that you probably won't even notice that last bit, because its target market carries music around on phones and in the cloud. When powered down, the Spark's dashboard is overwhelmingly simple. Turn the key and you'll find, as I did, that this is a case of less being more.The aforementioned 7-inch LCD is home to the newest generation of Chevrolet's MyLink software. Aside from looking like a love letter to the old Zune interface with its large text white text on a black background and fluorescent highlights, this software also gives the driver access to AM/FM radio, USB MP3 playback, iPod/iPhone connectivity, and Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming. There's also an auxiliary analog input for those who want to simply plug in a device that's not compatible with the Bluetooth/USB/iPod digital audio triumvirate.Hands-on: Chevrolet MyLink in the 2013 Spark...See full gallery1 - 4 / 11NextPrevOn its own, this would be a fairly simple entry-level infotainment system--on par with the Hyundai Accents and Scion iQs that it competes with. However, Chevy MyLink gains a few tricks when paired with an Android smartphone or Apple iPhone. Under the Smartphone Link option, you'll find connectivity hooks into a few apps, such as Pandora Internet Radio, Stitcher Radio, and BringGo. Pandora and Stitcher should be familiar, but BringGo is a new navigation app developed for the Spark (and other future GM vehicles to boast smartphone link). Related stories:Pause-and-play radio trickles down to Buick Regal, Chevy CruzeGM to build electric motors for next-gen hybridAll you ever wanted to know about the Chevy VoltBringGo allows users to search for destinations, save and retrieve favorite locations, get traffic updates, and navigate from point A to B with turn-by-turn directions on a live-updating map. Users interact with BringGo on their Spark's touch screen just like they would with any other OEM navigation option, but the software and processing happens on the connected smartphone like an app. BringGo will be available to MyLink users in the Google Play store and iTunes for about $50 -- a pretty penny among the variety of free and cheap navigation apps in both markets, but almost nothing when compared with the alternative of a thousand-dollar OEM navigation option.Additionally, GM has announced that it is adding TuneIn Radio app support in a future software update and is courting more app developers to help flesh out its offerings. A partnership with app developer and car-to-app connectivity hardware pioneer Livio should help get that ball rolling.
You may already be familiar with the maxim, "Less is more." Clearly the infotainment engineers over at General Motors are, because it seems that they've taken this approach to designing the dashboard of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark LT.The Chevrolet Spark LT is available is a variety of questionable colors.Antuan Goodwin/CNETThere are only four buttons for volume up and down, power, and home below the 7-inch touch screen. There are only three knobs for the basic climate control system. There isn't even a CD player -- GM's betting that you probably won't even notice that last bit, because its target market carries music around on phones and in the cloud. When powered down, the Spark's dashboard is overwhelmingly simple. Turn the key and you'll find, as I did, that this is a case of less being more.The aforementioned 7-inch LCD is home to the newest generation of Chevrolet's MyLink software. Aside from looking like a love letter to the old Zune interface with its large text white text on a black background and fluorescent highlights, this software also gives the driver access to AM/FM radio, USB MP3 playback, iPod/iPhone connectivity, and Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming. There's also an auxiliary analog input for those who want to simply plug in a device that's not compatible with the Bluetooth/USB/iPod digital audio triumvirate.Hands-on: Chevrolet MyLink in the 2013 Spark...See full gallery1 - 4 / 11NextPrevOn its own, this would be a fairly simple entry-level infotainment system--on par with the Hyundai Accents and Scion iQs that it competes with. However, Chevy MyLink gains a few tricks when paired with an Android smartphone or Apple iPhone. Under the Smartphone Link option, you'll find connectivity hooks into a few apps, such as Pandora Internet Radio, Stitcher Radio, and BringGo. Pandora and Stitcher should be familiar, but BringGo is a new navigation app developed for the Spark (and other future GM vehicles to boast smartphone link). Related stories:Pause-and-play radio trickles down to Buick Regal, Chevy CruzeGM to build electric motors for next-gen hybridAll you ever wanted to know about the Chevy VoltBringGo allows users to search for destinations, save and retrieve favorite locations, get traffic updates, and navigate from point A to B with turn-by-turn directions on a live-updating map. Users interact with BringGo on their Spark's touch screen just like they would with any other OEM navigation option, but the software and processing happens on the connected smartphone like an app. BringGo will be available to MyLink users in the Google Play store and iTunes for about $50 -- a pretty penny among the variety of free and cheap navigation apps in both markets, but almost nothing when compared with the alternative of a thousand-dollar OEM navigation option.Additionally, GM has announced that it is adding TuneIn Radio app support in a future software update and is courting more app developers to help flesh out its offerings. A partnership with app developer and car-to-app connectivity hardware pioneer Livio should help get that ball rolling.
Apple, U2 secretly work on new way to buy music
Apple, U2 secretly work on new way to buy music
Apple's recent partnership with band U2 might not have won everyone over, but the parties are reportedly hoping that their next move will.In a wide-ranging interview with U2, the band confirmed to Time Magazine that it's working on a secret project with Apple to develop a new digital music format that would get people to buy more music -- including entire albums -- and in the process, boost revenue for struggling artists."Bono tells Time he hopes that a new digital music format in the works will prove so irresistibly exciting to music fans that it will tempt them again into buying music--whole albums as well as individual tracks," the magazine wrote in a post on its site on Thursday.The impact of digital music on the industry has been lamented by artists for years. Piracy continues to be a major concern, and there's pressure from digital stores, like iTunes, where the main form of purchase is to buy a single track for no more than $1.29. After digital stores and the record labels take their cut, artists are left with pennies, making it difficult for them to make a living. Where significant cash is still generated in the music industry is at concerts, with people paying to see artists live and buying merchandise.Related storiesApple's free U2 album perplexes, annoys someApple's iTunes scores U2's new album. You score it freeSpotify can never replace my iPod, but it can ease the painSound bite: Despite Pono's promise, experts pan HD audioSpeaking to Time, Bono, U2's lead singer, said the new digital music format will help artists who don't have a large enough audience to fill stadiums for live tours. "Songwriters aren't touring people," Bono said.Bono revealing that he's working with Apple on a new digital music format might not sit well with the Cupertino, Calif.-based company. Apple is notoriously secretive about future plans and expects all third-parties involved in projects to uphold the same level of secrecy.Whatever complaints Apple might have, they will likely pale in comparison to complaints over the "gift" Apple and U2 offered to iTunes users last week at the unveiling of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch. At the end of the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook brought out the band announced that all iTunes users would receive a free copy of U2's latest album, "Songs of Innocence." While U2 fans celebrated the free album, many people took to the Web complaining that Apple was forcing music on them -- and complaints quickly turned to tirades on social networks. Responding to the kerfuffle, Apple released a support guide earlier this week that helps users delete the album from their iTunes collection.It's not clear from the Time article when the new music format might be announced or how it would excite people enough to change their music buying habits. CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the report and we will update this story when we have more information.
Apple's recent partnership with band U2 might not have won everyone over, but the parties are reportedly hoping that their next move will.In a wide-ranging interview with U2, the band confirmed to Time Magazine that it's working on a secret project with Apple to develop a new digital music format that would get people to buy more music -- including entire albums -- and in the process, boost revenue for struggling artists."Bono tells Time he hopes that a new digital music format in the works will prove so irresistibly exciting to music fans that it will tempt them again into buying music--whole albums as well as individual tracks," the magazine wrote in a post on its site on Thursday.The impact of digital music on the industry has been lamented by artists for years. Piracy continues to be a major concern, and there's pressure from digital stores, like iTunes, where the main form of purchase is to buy a single track for no more than $1.29. After digital stores and the record labels take their cut, artists are left with pennies, making it difficult for them to make a living. Where significant cash is still generated in the music industry is at concerts, with people paying to see artists live and buying merchandise.Related storiesApple's free U2 album perplexes, annoys someApple's iTunes scores U2's new album. You score it freeSpotify can never replace my iPod, but it can ease the painSound bite: Despite Pono's promise, experts pan HD audioSpeaking to Time, Bono, U2's lead singer, said the new digital music format will help artists who don't have a large enough audience to fill stadiums for live tours. "Songwriters aren't touring people," Bono said.Bono revealing that he's working with Apple on a new digital music format might not sit well with the Cupertino, Calif.-based company. Apple is notoriously secretive about future plans and expects all third-parties involved in projects to uphold the same level of secrecy.Whatever complaints Apple might have, they will likely pale in comparison to complaints over the "gift" Apple and U2 offered to iTunes users last week at the unveiling of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch. At the end of the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook brought out the band announced that all iTunes users would receive a free copy of U2's latest album, "Songs of Innocence." While U2 fans celebrated the free album, many people took to the Web complaining that Apple was forcing music on them -- and complaints quickly turned to tirades on social networks. Responding to the kerfuffle, Apple released a support guide earlier this week that helps users delete the album from their iTunes collection.It's not clear from the Time article when the new music format might be announced or how it would excite people enough to change their music buying habits. CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the report and we will update this story when we have more information.
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