Apple’s own app currently dominates podcast listening, but the company’s lead over rival platforms could be threatened by two factors, it’s been suggested … Writing for MacWorld, Jason Snell says that there has been growing frustration among podcast advertisers that they get almost no data on audiences thanks to Apple’s privacy focus. A brand buying a web ad can see how many people viewed it, how many people clicked on it and – cookie settings permitting – how many saw the ad and subsequently visited the website without clicking through....

Apple has announced a handful of technical changes coming to the Apple Podcasts back end, starting in 2023. These changes impact the approval process, will help cut down on podcaster spam, and much more. Here are the details. First and foremost, Apple said that Apple Podcasts will no longer support the “owner tag” and its contact information in podcast RSS feeds. This means that podcasters will no longer have to put their email addresses in the feed details, a change that should significantly cut down on spam issues....

Approximately two weeks following the previous seed, Apple has released iOS 7.1 beta 5 to developers. The new beta is currently available for those running earlier versions of 7.1 via Software Update in Settings. Previous betas revealed some minor user-interface changes in the Phone application. Release notes for this new beta indicate some Siri improvements for international users. “This seed adds new natural-sounding Siri voices for English (Australia), English (United Kingdom), Japanese, and Chinese (Mandarin – China),” according to the release notes provided by a developer....

[UPDATE 6/7: iOS 9.3.3 beta 2 is also now available to public beta testers.] Apple started testing iOS 9.3.3 with developers and public beta testers near the end of May, and today the second beta version of the pre-release software has been released for developer iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. The update marks the first iOS 9.3.3 beta available for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, which missed out on the first beta version during the iOS 9....

In addition to macOS 10.12.5, Apple has released a minor version update to iTunes for macOS. iTunes 12.6.1 includes ‘minor app and performance improvements’ according to release notes. The update is available through the Mac App Store now. Apple has also released iOS 10.3.2 for iPhone and iPad, watchOS 3.2.2 for Apple Watch, and tvOS 10.2.1 for Apple TV for all users following several developer and public beta versions. Apple last updated iTunes to version 12....

Apple has just released OS X 10.7.2, which brings iCloud to the desktop. The new update weighs in at 435.5 MB, which can be obtained in Software Update, and brings several bug fixes and stability fixes to Lion. Along with iCloud and bug fixes, Safari 5.1.1 is included. Apple has also released iOS 5. Find anything; tips@9to5mac.com Check out this support document detailing the 10.7.2 update. Full release after the break:...

One week after releasing tvOS 15.5 to the public, Apple has a new bug fix update available to Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini users. The company is now rolling out tvOS 15.5.1, which is a small update and addresses some issues Apple TV and HomePod users have been experiencing since the release of tvOS 15.5. Apple says tvOS 15.5.1 for Apple TV and HomePod addresses an issue where music could stop playing after a short time....

The latest drone flyover of Apple’s under construction Campus 2 headquarters in Cupertino arrives today showing recent progress at the site expected to officially open its doors early this year. The footage comes courtesy of drone pilot and YouTuber Matthew Roberts. In the video, we can see that Apple has done a lot of cleaning up in recent weeks as it continues with landscaping and earthwork on the surrounding site. Apple expects to wrap up the landscaping work sometime in Q2 this year, according to its latest general project schedule, but it could begin moving in as early as later this month....

After 25 hours to make its case in the Apple vs. Samsung trial in San Jose, Calif., Apple wrapped up 14 hours this afternoon by calling CPA Terry Musika to the stand. The Verge reported that, while on the stand, Musika broke down just how much money Apple lost due to Samsung’s patent infringement, which is the highlight of the entire case. According to Musika and Apple’s calculations, the company lost 2 million iPhone and iPad sales or $488....

Watch out, Poppy Parnell! Apple TV+ just debuted its first true-crime podcast called Run, Bambi, Run. The show follows the real-life story of Laurie “Bambi” Bembenek, a Milwaukee police officer who was dubiously convicted of murder before braving a daring escape as part of a years-long quest to clear her name. True-crime podcasts are a must for many listeners, and Apple is now joining the genre. The Apple TV+ Original is an eight-part series, with the first two being just released....

[Update: Mashable says the exclusive Apple Watch models (pictured above) will feature yellow gold and silver aluminum color options with dark red straps.] Apple is making two exclusive Apple Watch Sport designs available for certain markets to celebrate the Chinese New Year, set to take place February 8 this year. A translation of Apple’s announcement indicates that the models will be available for sale until February 22 or while supplies last....

While the tech goliath had a chance to present such a help during its iPhone 14 occasion, it might in any case show up before long, the report said. tvguidetime.com Apple is probably remembered to be “effectively trying” the help, as indicated by Mark Gurman’s “Power On” pamphlet for Bloomberg. While being tried, Gurman said he actually anticipates it “to send off either in the not so distant future or one year from now....

A few years ago, I told a few friends that I wasn’t planning to add security cameras to my house. After Apple announced HomeKit Secure Video (HKSV), my mind began to change. I have never been comfortable with security cameras that use third-party cameras, and my initial belief was repeatedly reinforced. Recently, BuzzFeed reported on an ADT employee accessing cameras inside customers’ homes. I want a video system where that’s not technically possible....

Apple Pay has been steadily growing as Apple continues to add support for new banks and rolls out the service to users in more countries, but we have less data on how much its been adopted in retail and among users. Giving some insight to usage, Apple analyst Gene Munster at Loup Ventures today released his “Apple Pay State of the Union” giving a look at adoption among retailers and much more....

Following reports that Apple Pay will launch in Japan next year, the service today has expanded to a handful of new banks in the United States. Apple today updated its Apple Pay support document to add over 20 new banks and credit unions in the United States. The new Apple Pay banks and credit unions come following an expansion to dozens of new institutions last month. The new banks and credit unions for September are listed below:...

Apple is continuing its expansion of its NFC mobile payments service, Apple Pay, today. This time around, Apple Pay has made its way to Switzerland, the second European launch after the United Kingdom. iPhone users in Switzerland can now setup their Visa and MasterCard bank cards in Apple Wallet and start using contactless payments at merchants from today. Apple Pay requires an iPhone with integrated NFC chip: iPhone 6, iPhone 6s or iPhone SE....

Apple has also released, as promised, its brand new iOS app for mailing gorgeous cards, right from the palm of your hand. The Cards app, according to Apple: The killer feature? If you mail your card within the United States, Apple will slap their own custom-designed stamp and use the United States Postal Service Intelligent Mail barcode to send you a notification the day the card is due to arrive – so you know when you’re about to make someone’s day....

With WWDC 2016 just an hour away, developers in the area have begun noticing that Apple has created custom Snapchat geofilters for the event. Embellished with this year’s WWDC 16 banner designs, the filters we’ve seen continue to play on the pseudo-code Apple has been showing off on the official developer site. At the end of February this year, Snapchat had introduced the ability for anyone to create custom geofilters at a cost....

Apple has just released a new Mac application called iAd Producer and if the name isn’t an indication, it lets you create awesome graphic and motion-rich iAds for iOS devices. As you can see in the image above and on the screenshots after the break, iAd Producer is very powerful and has a very streamlined interface. It allows you to create iAd interfaces that include cover flows, image carousels, grids, and many other iOS elements....

Apple today has released a few new color options for its ever-growing accessory lineup. The company quietly made the Apple Watch Sport band available in new color choices, while the color lineup for the iPhone X’s Silicone Case was also slightly expanded. For the Apple Watch, Apple has released three new color options. Headlining the new color options is the Flash Sport Band, seen above. This is a bright yellow color shade, perfect for dark environments as we head into the winter....