In a move which hit Apple harder than other smartphone brands, India increased the import tax on smartphones from 10% to 15% in December. Less than two months later, it has just decided to increase the rate again, this time to 20% … Bloomberg reports that the decision was detailed as part of a budget announced today. Import tax hikes hit Apple particularly hard as it currently imports all models other than the iPhone SE....

Here’s an interesting observation from Walt Mossberg: Apple News is promoting an ‘Apple News Exclusive’ today, complete with a special badge and top spot on the front page of the app. The ‘News Editors’ Picks’ exclusive isn’t original reporting, however, but instead a book excerpt from Senator John McCain’s new book due out next month. The feature includes a prominent link to The Restless Waves, Senator McCain’s upcoming political memoir, for pre-order on iBooks, followed by a lengthy except including several photos from the book....

Yep, that’s right, the company that once praised the crazy ones is now looking to deploy its technologies in new ways in order to keep an eye on people, so they don’t get too crazy… So, what’s the deal? OK – “videoNEXT and Apple will be co-hosting a panel of industry experts who will be discussing the future of video surveillance and where video meets information technology,” we’ve been told....

Update: The Apple Maps COVID-19 database is now live across the United States and Puerto Rico. Users can search for COVID-19 testing locations or view them on the map directly. Expect it to spread to more countries soon. Screenshot and original story below. Continuing Apple’s efforts in helping fight the coronavirus, Apple Maps will soon display testing sites directly on the map. Apple has launched a portal for hospitals, healthcare providers and businesses to register as a COVID-19 testing location....

Apple Launched Apple News+ during its March event, and to say that it has been underwhelming is beyond an understatement. Despite Apple’s promise of 100s of magazines for a low monthly price, rumors suggest that publishers aren’t happy and I’ve read reports that sign up growth has flatlined. I tried the service for a month, and I came away from it less than impressed. As Apple has continued to deploy its new services across 2019 (Apple Arcade and Apple TV+), I’ve been thinking a lot about News+, the path Apple should take going forward, and what impact it could make in journalism....

Apple today has rolled out a major redesign for the App Store web interface. The new redesign replaces the dated and clunky interface that previously housed the App Store on the web… The new redesign takes cues from the all-new App Store in iOS 11, which offers larger images, a focus on curation and reviews, and more. On the new webpage, you’ll see a larger app heading, preceded by “This app is only available on the App Store for iOS devices....

A new patent application published this week by the US Patent and Trademark Office highlights Apple’s efforts to expand MacBook keyboard technology. The company is apparently advancing existing keyboard backlighting technology such that future keyboards could show different symbols depending on context. Currently, Apple’s MacBook keyboards feature backlighting technology that exists simply to make the keys visible in dark environments. The keys themselves use labels that are pre-printed, meaning they are static and can’t be changed and are potentially prone to wear with long-term use....

Apple has been accused of violating the patents of a Boston-based company through its launch of Apple Pay. Universal Secure Registry CEO Kenneth Weiss says he ‘was the first in the space, and the secure payment technology that he developed goes right to the core of Apple Pay.’ In an interview, Weiss says that the patents cover all three key elements of Apple Pay. While it’s not unusual for more than one company to be simultaneously working on the same technology, Weiss says that in this case both Visa and Apple were aware of his technology four years prior to the launch of Apple Pay …...

While Apple hasn’t spilled the beans on its upcoming video streaming service, we’re learning more about its catalog and other tidbits regarding the project. The Hollywood Reporter has today reported that Apple is recruiting ex-Sony executive Tamara Hunter. At Apple, Hunter will be head of casting. She will be reporting to Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht. Hunter’s role at Apple will be similar to her previous role at Sony Motion Pictures....

Even though nobody has gotten their hands on the new 12-inch MacBook released today, Apple has already gone ahead and released a new software update. The update focuses on bluetooth compatibility with third-party devices. Weighing in at 157.8 MB, it will be a relatively small update to download once configuring your new machine. If you’d like to download the update beforehand, in preparation for your new MacBook purchase, it can be obtained here from Apple Support’s website....

Following the release to developers earlier this week, Apple has now released the first public beta of iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 to testers. The company is also rolling out the first public betas of watchOS 9.2, macOS 13.1, and tvOS 16.2 as well. Here’s what’s new… Apple will release these software updates to everyone sometime in the next several months. In the meantime, anyone can try them out by joining Apple’s public beta software program....

Almost one month after rolling out iOS 15.2 to the public, Apple has a new bug fix update for iPhone users today. The company is now rolling out iOS 15.2.1 to the general public. Apple says today’s update to iOS 15.2.1 includes fixes for CarPlay as well as sharing photos via Messages. You can update your iPhone to iOS 15.2.1 by heading to the Settings app, choosing General, then choosing Software Update....

Apple has just released iTunes 10.1.2 and it is available via Apple’s iTunes download page and the Mac and PC software update application. The update is required for iTunes to function with the Verizon iPhone 4. Apple specifically says the “CDMA iPhone 4,” so this may be a hint at a CDMA iPhone 4 hitting carriers other than Verizon Wireless in the United States. The update also brings many important stability and performance enhancements....

After launching iCloud.com beta for developers, Apple has released a beta upgrade of their suite of iWork iOS apps to developers. This updated iWork package – with Pages, Keynote, and Numbers – allows developers to begin a document on their iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch and view on their other devices – in addition to the iCloud.com portal. This might even be iWork.com’s successor, but we will have to wait and see what Apple does with the new feature....

Following this morning’s launch of 10.8 Mountain Lion on the Mac App Store, Apple just launched a separate app as an OS X Server for Mountain Lion. It allows users to add sever functionality to the OS for $20. It is definitely a significant price drop from the $49 Lion server and the $500 or so it cost to add the functionality before that. OS X Server is the next generation of Apple’s award winning server software....

In addition to releasing iOS 8.1.1 for iPhone and iPad users, Apple has released OS X Yosemite 10.10.1 with bug fixes and performance improvements for Macs running the latest version of the desktop operating system. Mac users that have experienced WiFi performance issues running Yosemite should expect improvements with this bug fix release. The update is available for Macs running OS X Yosemite through the Updates tab of the Mac App Store....

Apple today is releasing the fourth developer and public betas of iOS 13.1 to testers. This comes after the release of the third developer beta last week. iOS 13.1 will be officially released later this month on September 30th. The focus of iOS 13.1 is adding back features that were removed from iOS 13 beta testing, such as Shortcuts Automations and Share ETA in Maps. Both of those features are present in iOS 13....

In March, Apple agreed to pay $500 million to settle a United States lawsuit over iPhone performance throttling. Now, the judge in that case has given the deal preliminary approval, with final approval slated to come later. As reported by Law360, U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila told both parties via Zoom on Friday that he wants to extend the final approval deadline because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Davila instructed both sides to confer about a new date “for a final settlement approval hearing that would take place sometime in December....

Update: Apple has now pulled the GameStore app from iTunes and the App Store. Spotted by Flo’s Weblog at Schimake.com, an application called GameStore, published by Apple, made its way onto iTunes Dec. 31. What exactly GameStore is used for -at this point- is still unknown. At first glance, it appears to be some type of internal test app for in-app purchases and payments. The official description for the app through its iTunes page is as follows: “This application allows you to buy different things from within the app....

Apple’s new Mac Pro is now available to order from Apple’s online store. While prices start at $5,999, the Mac Pro gets expensive rather quickly as you add more SSD storage, a more powerful processor, additional RAM, and more. With all of the available hardware upgrade options, you can currently configure a build-to-order Mac Pro that costs $52,599. Here is what that price gets you: Processor: 2.5 GHz 28‑core Intel Xeon W processor, Turbo Boost up to 4....