Apple officially responded to the mounting privacy concerns related to how third-party iOS apps access address book data on users’ devices. Tom Neumayr, a spokesperson for the Cupertino, Calif.-headquartered gadget giant told AllThingsD’s John Paczkowski: So, there you have it. A forthcoming iOS software update will make sure no app can get access to iPhone contacts without your explicit approval. We are inclined to think Apple should not limit user approvals to just location data and contacts....

It was in September of last year that we first heard that Apple was in talks to open an Apple Store in Washington D.C.’s famous Carnegie Library, with more details emerging later in the year. The company has now revealed more of its plans as it prepares for a presentation this evening … While some are concerned about handing over control of a historic building for use as a retail store, Apple says that its plans are respectful of both the appearance and current role of the building....

Apple is rolling out a new firmware version for its latest third-generation AirPods. The new firmware update rolling out today brings AirPods 3 to version 4C170, and it represents the third update that Apple has released since AirPods 3 debuted last fall. As of right now, AirPods 3 are the only truly wireless earbuds that Apple has an update for today. The update comes with version number 4C170, which is up from the previous release of 4C165....

All of today’s best deals are headlined by Apple’s official MagSafe Leather Wallet at a new low of $50 alongside Anker iPhone accessory Gold Box sale from $11 and Belkin’s 15W MagSafe 3-in-1 Charger for $122. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break. Snap Apple’s official MagSafe Leather Wallet onto your iPhone 12 at $50 As one of Apple’s latest accessories meant to go with the new iPhone 12 lineup, its Leather Wallet will snap right onto the back of your handset, thanks to MagSafe integration....

Update: Facebook tells The Verge it has no plans to enter the streaming music market. Apple may not be the only new entrant into the streaming music business: Musically suggests that Facebook is in the early stages of planning its own music service. Facebook has been talking to music labels for some time, but this was believed to relate only to YouTube-style ad-supported videos. But Musically says its sources say that Facebook sees this as a stepping stone toward a streaming audio service....

While there was no mention of AppleCare+ extended warranties at today’s unveiling, Apple’s preorder page for the new iPad does list the extended warranty as an option during the checkout process. The AppleCare+ for iPad extended protection plan provides coverage for accidental damage with each incident subject to a $49 fee. Apple initially began offering a $99 AppleCare+ protection plan for the iPhone 4S. According to Apple, the new iPad plan covers your iPad, your battery, any Time Capsule or AirPort device purchased two years before or during your plan, as well as the iPad’s power adapter and USB cable....

However unlikely—the United States Patent and Trademark office today published an Apple patent application that details a system of inductively charging an iPad through the Smart Cover. The idea is that rather than plugging in the iPad, the Smart Cover would include an inductive power transmitter that would allow it to pair with an inductive power transceiver embedded into the iPad. The result is the Smart Cover would become a wireless charging station, connecting to an external power source, and allowing you to power your iPad in various positions....

Update: Apple has confirmed its store opening and closure plans in a statement to TechCrunch: An unusual Apple retail plan is taking shape in Texas. According to public permits filed with the City of Dallas, Apple has secured a tenant location in the Galleria Dallas, a large shopping center less than 10 miles from Dallas Love Field airport. The mall is located midway between four existing Apple Store locations currently serving central Dallas and surrounding communities to the north....

Apple has released the fourth tvOS 11.4 developer beta for testing on Apple TV 4 and Apple TV 4K. tvOS 11.4 turns Apple TV into an AirPlay 2 speaker which supports multi-room AirPlay from iOS. The latest developer beta of tvOS follows the official release of tvOS 11.3 to all customers last month. The new version added support for frame rate matching to older Apple TVs and Apple Music highlighted new music video playlists....

Apple today released the third developer beta of macOS Catalina 10.15.3. This comes as Apple earlier this week released the third developer betas of iOS 13.3.1, iPadOS 13.3.1, watchOS 6.1.2, and tvOS 13.3.1. The company does not specify what’s new in the update, but it likely focuses on performance improvements, security updates, and bug fixes. Developers can update to the latest beta through System Preferences if they’re already enrolled in the Beta Program....

It’s been almost two weeks since Apple started a new beta cycle with the release of iOS 12.3 beta 1. The update brought with it the initial code-level support for some of the features announced during the “It’s show time” event, including assets for the Apple Card, which we revealed would be paired in a similar way to AirPods. Update 4/8: The second developer betas are now available for iOS 12....

Apple’s TestFlight-based App Analytics service is now available to all registered iOS developers through the iTunes Connect interface. Apple recently made App Analytics available to select developers upon request (which were fulfilled in a short amount of time), but starting today all developers can access the service without the need for requesting access. While the service is still labeled with the ‘beta’ disclaimer, Apple has started notifying developers via email of the new feature availability for everyone....

Apple supplier Foxconn has committed to invest $300 million more in northern Vietnam to diversify and boost production. The company will expand its facility in the country, according to a state media report. As spotted by Reuters (via Tuoi Tre newspaper), Foxconn’s new factory will generate 30,000 local jobs. This comes after a report indicated that the company started testing the production of the Apple Watch in the region. This report shows the importance for Foxconn – and Apple – to diversify production outside China....

After announcing earlier today at it is releasing new versions of iWork and iLife for both Mac OS X and iOS, the updated versions of iMovie, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, GarageBand, and iPhoto are now all available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. While Apple was only able to go through a few new features of each app during its iPad event this morning, the iTunes release notes have a long list of new features listed for each app....

All of the buzz is surrounding the launch of the iPhone X, but Apple has quietly launched a new leather sleeve accessory for the 12-inch MacBook. The Leather Sleeve for 12‑inch MacBook, which looks very similar to the Leather Sleeve for iPad Pro, is available in either Saddle Brown or Midnight Blue. Unlike the iPad Pro Leather Sleeve, the MacBook version features a slit along the horizontal edge of the leather....

A frustration for many users in the past is the fact that Apple IDs are currently not able to be merged. As Apple’s iOS 5 and iCloud near launch, Apple might be taking an important step to allow the merging of Apple IDs. iOS 5 includes several services such as iMessage, iCloud integration, Game Center, FaceTime, iTunes, the App Store, and iBooks. Some users are frustrated because all of those services are spread across multiple Apple IDs....

Assuming you’re getting tired of those patent suits as much as we are, we’re keeping this one brief. According to Boy Genius Report, quoting a Bloomberg story, Apple has filed a new complaint seeking to block sales of HTC smartphones: As noted by FOSS Patents, this is Apple’s second try with ITC complaint against HTC with potentially stronger patents, indicating that Apple probably asserted different patents in the new complaint versus the five patents listed in their first ITC complaint filed back in March of last year....

Apple Music Replay is one of the most highly anticipated launches for Apple Music users every year. It gives subscribers the ability to view a full year in review of their listening habits, with top songs, albums, listening statistics, and more. This year, Apple has some updates in store to help improve the Apple Music Replay experience in comparison to Spotify Wrapped (which isn’t yet available). As we approach the end of 2022, head below for the full details on how to find your Apple Music 2022 Replay year in review....

Apple’s third event in as many months has officially arrived. After previous events focused on iPad, Apple Watch, and iPhone, Apple’s November 10 event will likely focus on the Apple Silicon transition in the Mac lineup. Read on as we round up everything you need to know ahead of the “One more thing” later today. When is the Apple Silicon November event? The Apple Silicon Mac event will take place on November 10 at 10 a....

Bloomberg reports today that Apple’s mobile payments solution Apple Pay is now supported at 2 million locations around the world. In addition to revealing that 2 million locations now support the service, the report also says that Chick-Fil-A, Crate & Barrel, and Au Bon Pain will also start rolling out support for the service soon. In the past, Chick-Fil-A has experimented with a QR-based solution for mobile payments, but that effort has ultimately flopped according to employees....