Apple Revises App Store Policies to Make Apps Kid-Safe

Apple had updated its developer policy for apps submitted to the App Store that targets children in a bid to comply with new regulations and to make the digital storefront a friendlier place for kids. The new policies are detailed on Apple’s developer portal and limits the collection of personal data when it comes to apps that are targeted at kids and young children.

Apple’s latest changes to its App Store policy comes from new changes enacted by the Children’s Oline Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) which came into effect earlier this year.

As part of the new legislation, new policies will limit the collection of personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental agreement. This now extends to the collection of photos, videos, and audio in addition the previous limitation on name, address, and telephone number, expanding the scope of “personal information.”

According to Apple, the company will ask for the date of birth for the sole purpose of COPPA compliance and apps must comply with new COPPA regulations.

17.3 Apps may ask for date of birth (or use other age-gating mechanisms) only for the purpose of complying with applicable children’s privacy statutes, but must include some useful functionality or entertainment value regardless of the user’s age

17.4 Apps that collect, transmit, or have the capability to share personal information (e.g. name, address, email, location, photos, videos, drawings, persistent identifiers, the ability to chat, or other personal data) from a minor must comply with applicable children’s privacy statutes.

As Apple is trying to expand into the educational market by getting its products into schools and educational institutions, it is also readying a Kids Apps section for its App Store. The company is now, for the first time, allowing children under the age of 13 to have and maintain an iTunes account. This will come with the launch of iOS 7 this fall, according to MacRumors.

The new section detailing apps for children under aged 13 specifies that such apps must include a privacy policy, may not include behavioral advertising (ads based on in-app activity, for example), and must ask for parental permission before allowing children to “link out of the app or engage in commerce.” Apps in the Kids Category of the App Store must be made specifically for children “ages 5 and under, ages 6–8, or ages 9–11.”

The new push into the youth market comes as competition into the educational space is beginning to heat up. Rival Google, which creates the Android operating system for use on mobile phones and tablets, has recently introduced textbook rentals in its Play Store and Google Play Books app.

Given Apple already tight control over the approval process of apps to ensure that apps are safe for use on iOS devices, the latest changes to make apps even more safe for children could help win over parents when it comes time to select a tablet or phone for educational use.

iOS 7 Beta 6 Release Sneaks Out Early With Minor Fixes

The iOS 7 beta 6 release arrived late today, a week a head of the rumored release date with a small fix for an iCloud issue but not much else to note.

The 13.5MB iOS 7 beta 6 download comes with a specific fix in mind, designed to address purchases downloading and playing unexpectedly on devices running iOS 7 beta 5 and earlier.

This is the second iOS 7 beta download to arrive outside of the previous Monday schedule, and the first to do so late in the day, so it’s possible Apple saw fixing this issue as a priority it didn’t want to hold over for a bigger update.

Earlier today a rumor suggested the iOS 7 beta 6 release would come next week, ahead of a Gold Master or final iOS 7 beta on September 5th to Apple partners and September 10th to developers, the same day of the rumored iPhone 5S launch date.

The iOS 7 beta 6 release arrives late Thursday night with small fixes.

In addition to the iOS 7 beta 6 download files Apple offers in the Developer Center, there is an additional file users will need to download and install to reset their music library.

This ResetMusicAndVideosLibraries configuration profile resets the media library and will force users to all music and videos stored within the Music and Video apps. This will not remove videos from the camera roll, only content purchased in iTunes.

Registered iOS 7 developers can download the iOS 7 beta 6 ResetMusicAndVideosLibraries configuration profile by clicking opening the Developer Center in Safari on a device running iOS 7 beta 6. This will prompt users to install a verified profile, as shown in the image below. After installing it, Go to Settings -> Music -> Reset Media Library and then restart the device to complete the process.

The iOS 7 beta 6 download requires users to also download a configuration profile to complete the fix.

Users running the iOS 7 beta already can download the iOS 7 beta 6 update through an over the air update, simplifying the update process. Apple also offers a collection of iOS 7 beta 6 download links in the Developer Center.

There are other iOS 7 beta 6 release changes in this update, including the removal of cellular fallback, which was in an earlier iOS 7 beta. This technology would automatically switch to a cellular connection if a WiFi Network was bad due to a cable modem or router issue.

A variety of other changes present in the iOS 7 beta 6 release notes share the details developers need to know to make iOS 7 compatible apps, but are likely of little interest to the general users that are simply beta testing IOS 7 ahead of the release.

Apple could issue an iOS 7 beta 7 release before an iOS 7 GM and ahead of the fall IOS 7 release to the public. Previous versions of iOS betas have gone up to beta 8, where 8 was the final beta. It is possible the iOS 7 release is set for September 18th for the general public.

Leaked Image of iPhone 5S Cable Hints at Fingerprint Sensor

Yet another clue of a fingerprint sensor being included on the flagship iPhone 5S that is widely believed to be introduced by Tim Cook and company next month has emerged. This time, a leaked image of what is believed to be the flex cable for the home button gives us clue that the fingerprint sensor will be included. Moving from the flex cable of the current generation iPhone 5, the longer flex cable purportedly coming from the iPhone 5S is said to be used for carrying data.

The leaked image comes from iPhone repair specialists meandmyi.com and were reported on uSwitch. News of the flex cable design change comes just days after we’ve seen another component change that gives more credibility to a fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5S. iOS 7 beta 4 code also gave hints to a fingerprint sensor.

Despite our postulation that the fingerprint sensor may be added to guard iTunes accounts and make it easier, yet more secure, for users to authorize iTunes transactions for purchases of music, movies, TV shows, e-books, apps, and magazines, most recently an analyst predicted that the sensor’s initial use may be just for unlocking the iPhone quickly.

Most recently, we’ve heard that the home button design itself has changed from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 5S. Rather than a button that dimples inwards, the home button on the iPhone 5S will curve outwards with the extra internal space gained due to the outward curvature used to accommodate the fingerprint sensor.

Additionally, rather than a plastic button that’s been a feature since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, the iPhone 5S will have a home button that will be made of sapphire glass. Sapphire glass is more resistant to scratches, and the use of the material will be made to protect the fingerprint sensor underneath.

It’s unclear why Apple isn’t using the same strengthened glass as the rest of the iPhone’s front display. Though Apple had never explicitly stated that it uses Corning’s Gorilla-branded Glass, it’s widely believed that Gorilla Glass is a feature of the iPhone since the iPhone 4′s debut. Corning had recently promoted its Gorilla Glass to be tougher than sapphire glass and more economical to use.

Still, this isn’t the first time that sapphire glass has appeared on the iPhone. On the iPhone 5, sapphire glass was used to protect the camera on the lens cover.

The iPhone 5S is believed to be introduced on September 10, though retail availability may not happen until the end of October by some estimates.

NFC on an iPhone May Be Good for Hand-Me-Down Apps

Though Apple had largely avoided the near field communications, or NFC, technology used for easy Bluetooth pairing, sharing files, and fordigital wallets that rivals have been doing, the company may still be considering NFC for other purposes on iPhone and iPad tablets. Apple may be tying in NFC technology to its digital iTunes and App Store to allow users to gift digital content that’s already been purchased.

That means that if you had just bought Angry Birds for your iPhone and are bored of the game, and I happened to like that game, Apple would allow you to tap your phone to mine and just gift me your used game provided we both have iPhones with built-in NFC chips.

In addition to games, other apps could also be shared as hand-me-downs. Music, movies, books, magazines, TV shows, music videos, and other iTunes content may also be eligible as well.

This is different from the current gifting mechanisms that exist on iTunes today. Today, the only way you can gift an app, movie, song, book, or magazine is to gift a fresh copy of the app directly from iTunes or the App Store to the recipient. With NFC gifting, you’d at least have a chance to play the game, use the app, listen to the song, or watch the movie  before sending it off to someone else. It’s like giving your old college roommate your used CD collection.

News of Apple exploring the use of NFC for gifting pre-owned digital comes from a recently unearthed Apple patent that explores the technology for sharing digital content. While Apple isn’t go quite as far as creating a will to bequeath your entire iTunes purchase to a living survivor in the event of death, the move may help increase the popularity of digital content. Opponents of going fully digital, especially where purchases of movies and TV shows are concerned, have argued that these libraries cannot be freely shared with friends nor can a surviving relative or friend have access to a user’s digital library after they pass on.

Previously, we had reported that Apple and Amazon are looking at ways for users to be able to sell individual digital titles that they own on the second hand market similar to selling your dusty old book to a used book store.

Analyst Predicts Gold, 128GB, Better Camera, More Power

The iPhone 5S will need to bring a collection of new features and options to convince user it’s worth the upgrade and a new analyst note points to a new color, a 128GB storage option, several camera enhancements and a details about a new Apple A7 processor and RAM for the new iPhone.

While specs may not matter in the overall scheme of usability, the iPhone 5S specs remain an area of great interest to many iPhone owners who want a means of looking at the iPhone 5S vs. the iPhone 5 in an easy to compare manner. Some of the rumored iPhone 5S specs matter more than others in the minds of the general consumer who may want to take better photos and store more videos on the iPhone, but could care less if there is a dual-core or quad-core processor inside the iPhone 5S.

A new note from Ming-Chi Kuo, a well known Apple analyst with a good, but not perfect track record when it comes to unreleased Apple products just issued a new note to investors that shares what he thinks the iPhone 5S specs will entail.

A new report summarizes the possible iPhone 5S specs based on supply chain sources.

Kuo, of KGI Securities discovers this information from the vast Apple supply chain, which spans several continents including over 600 partners in Asia, nearly 100 in the U.S. and close to 50 in the UK. These suppliers may not know the whole story of the iPhone 5S, but by garnering details from multiple sources within the supply chain Kuo is able to discern trends that point towards Apple’s plans ahead of the official iPhone 5S announcement.

The new investor report shared on Apple Insider late Thursday evening highlights possible iPhone 5S specs that Kuo believes will add up to make the iPhone 5S a contender in 2013. These include some previously heard rumors which are very likely and others that are plausible and worth noticing, but still worthy of some skepticism.

According to the note, we can expect the same 4-inch Retina Display as the iPhone 5, and a very similar design, which is not a surprise given Apple’s previous “S” iPhone upgrades.

Here’a a look at what could be new when the iPhone 5S event arrives, likely on September 10th.

Gold iPhone 5S Color Option

Tim Cook could announce a gold iPhone 5S color option on September 10th.

Talk of a gold iPhone 5S color option is nothing new, but Kuo believes Apple will use this new color option to help differentiate from the iPhone 5S. We’ve seen numerous leaks of parts supposedly for a gold iPhone 5S or a champagne iPhone 5S, but most are simply SIM trays and volume buttons which are far from conclusive.

Hearing Kuo discuss a gold iPhone 5S isn’t as good as seeing Tim Cook show one off on stage, but it is leaps and bounds better than a leaked SIM card tray.

The image above from Martin Hajek shows what a gold iPhone 5S could look like. It is a mock up or render, not a leaked photo of a gold iPhone 5S.

128GB iPhone 5S

Apple could discontinue the 16GB model and announce a 128GB iPhone 5S.

Upping the storage on the iPhone 5S is another way Apple could differentiate the new iPhone from the iPhone 5. The not points to a 128GB iPhone 5S storage option, which would double the highest current iPhone 5 storage selection.

Apple released a 128GB iPad 4 earlier this year, so there is some precedent for a larger capacity iPhone 5S, but this would definitely be a first and it remains unseen if many consumers would pay even more for a new iPhone.

As HD video files and app sizes grow, one possibility is that Apple will drop the 16GB iPhone 5S option to offer a 32GB iPhone 5S at $199, keeping the top end 128GB iPhone 5S at a reasonable $399 on contract.

Better iPhone 5S Camera

While previous rumors suggested the iPhone 5S camera sensor would jump to 12-13MP, Kuo believes it will stay at 8MP with a larger aperture and a new dual-LED flash.

Kuo expects a dual-led flash on a gold iPhone 5S. Image via Martin Hajek.

If Apple sticks with an 8MP sensor it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it would be a surprising option as the competition bumps up MP ratings. Megapixels aren’t everything, but to many consumers comparing phones it’s an important spec.

The iPhone 5 features a f2.4 aperture, and Kuo believes the iPhone 5S will go bigger at f2.0. In short this means the iPhone 5S camera would let more light in. This would mean better low light photos and could help the iPhone 5S take faster photos in the same amount of light. The image below illustrates the difference between an f2.4 and f2.0 aperture, using the iPhone 5 and HTC One as examples.

The iPhone 5S camera could feature a larger aperture. Image from HTC

For a comparison, look at the photo sample below which shows an f2.4 on the left as shot with the iPhone 5 and an f2.0 on the right as shot with the HTC One. Neither photo is perfect, but it is a good example of how a larger aperture can let in more light in the same setting.

Sample showing the difference of f2.4 vs. f2.0.

The note also discusses a dual LED flash, which could deliver a better overall photo experience. A previous note claims this will include two flash LED colors for a more natural look for iPhone 5S photos taken with a flash.

Faster, Powerful iPhone 5S Specs

When it comes to the iPhone 5S specs, Kuo’s speculation is for an Apple A7 processor, which is very probable given the A6 processor in the iPhone 5. He also suggests the iPhone 5S will come with 1GB of RAM, compared to the 2GB on the Galaxy S4 and the 3GB expected on the Galaxy Note 3, but that Apple has a trick up it’s sleeve.

The iPhone 5S Specs are predicted to include a new apple A7 processor and 1GB of RAM.

iOS 7, the Apple A7 processor and the new LPDDR3 RAM in the iPhone 5S could combine for up to 20% more efficiency and more overall memory available.

The note also addresses the rumored Sapphire home button with a fingerprint reader inside that could deliver a more secure iPhone 5S. by letting users login with the swipe of a finger.

Sony Lens Camera Details Surface in New leak

Only days after users got their first look at how Sony plans to do battle with the enhanced camera of the Samsung Galaxy Camera and the Nokia Lumia 1020, a new document detailing more about the company’s line of lens-camera has surfaced online.

Contrary to earlier reports, which alluded to the Sony DSC-Q10 and DSC-QZ100 acting more as camera accessories than independent devices, according to the documents leaked toSonyAlphaRumors, the devices will actually act pretty independently from the user’s attached smartphones.

Instead of the streamlined experience that had been rumored, possible Sony lens camera owners can expect the two devices to come with physical controls for capturing photos, zooming and even something Sony is calling a “multifunctional jack.”

Users can also look forward to a tripod mount, a lens belt hook-up, a built-in Microphone and external button for setting the mode of each camera lens device. Both devices will also come with a built-In power pack that’s independent of the smartphone that the device is connected to. In theory this should allow for longer shooting sessions and battery life. Users can add storage to the devices using a Memory Stick Micro port.

While all of this is great for professionals, the experience could prove to be a bit too convoluted for everyday users.

All of that functionality does come a price. The DSC QX100, the device that borrows its 20 megapixel CMOS sensor from the RX100MII professional grade camera, will weigh 179 grams. The DSC Q10, which will have that same 18 megapixel sensor from the WX150 professional-grade camera, will weigh in at 105 grams. For comparison the Nokia Lumia 1020 in its entirety weighs 158 grams.

As users will need to attach these camera-lens to their smartphone, perspective buyers should take the added weight into account since, lighter cameras make for better pictures when using longer exposure times and macro zooming.

iPhone 5S Photos Allegedly Show Gold Option, 128GB Appears at Retailer

A Gold iPhone 5S with up to 128GB of storage is at the heart of the latest iPhone 5S rumors and a new pair of leaks add to the evidence that Apple is planning to deliver a new iPhone 5S color and possibly planning a larger storage option for the iPhone 5S.

We will need to wait for an iPhone event on September 10th to see if Apple’s plans do include a new gold-colored iPhone and a 128GB storage option, but leaks continue to match up with analyst chatter.

Late yesterday KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared a note to investors revealing that he believes we will see a gold iPhone 5S with up to 128GB of storage and various other iPhone 5S Spec predictions.

Today what appears to be the back plate for a gold iPhone 5S leaks out in multiple photos and a retailer listing from MediaMarkt shows a 128GB iPhone option.

Alleged Gold iPhone 5S back plate, showing a new iPhone 5S color.

The image above is reportedly the back panel for the iPhone 5S in gold. WE’ve seen this rumor many times before, but this is one of the first times we’ve seen a back plate for the iPhone 5S in gold. The back plate comes from Macboutic, a French Apple site which claims it blurred the Apple logo and iPhone branding from the back of this case.

The side of an alleged Gold iPhone 5S body.

The back plate shows the new screw design we’ve seen on previous alleged iPhone 5S back plates, which adds to the legitimacy of this case, but there is always a chance that it could be a third-party iPhone 5 back panel with minor adjustments. There are openings for the volume buttons and Sim card tray.

The alleged Gold iPhone 5S part leaves an opening for glass panels like the iPhone 5 uses at the top and bottom of the device. This could be filled in with black or white glass, or possible a hue of gold. The mock up below from Martin Hajek shows what this could look like in a finished manner.

What a finished iPhone 5S in gold could look like. Martin Hajek

These photos are much better than the leaked SIM trays and volume buttons, but still doesn’t seal the deal for a new iPhone 5S color options.

The second leak which claims to show an iPhone with 128GB of storage in a major retailer system is from Macerkopf, spotted by 9to5Mac, lends to the credibility of a larger storage option, but this is oddly for an iPhone 5 128GB, which is not likely to arrive. The screenshot allegedly arrived ahead of the rumors from Ming-Chi Kuo yesterday.

A retailer listing which allegedly shows a 128GB iPhone option.

Media Markt is a large retailer in Germany and other countries which is well known for leaking release dates and other information, most recently it printed signs claiming a PS4 release date is set for the middle of November. It’s not clear if any of this information comes from the company behind the product, or is just the workings of a company making educated guesses.

Read: iPhone 5S Launch Date: What Not to Expect

GTA 5 on PS4 and Xbox One: Rockstar Playing it By Ear

GTA 5 on PS4 and Xbox One remains a question many gamers want answered, and in a recent interview Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies talks briefly about the future of GTA 5.

In a long and revealing interview about Grand Theft Auto Online, the GTA 5 multiplayer component that launches on October 1st, Benzies addresses two questions about the larger role of GTA Online, though he doesn’t go as far to announce GTA 5 on PS4 or GTA 5 for Xbox One, he doesn’t rule them out and leaves room for some hope.

The details come from an interview with Computer And Videogames, which delivers a lot of good new information about the GTA 5 Online multiplayer component.

Specifically, they ask what will happen to this dynamic and ever-growing world when gamers shift to the Xbox One and PS4 in November and in the months after.

Rockstar skirts around talk of GTA 5 on PS4 and Xbox One, but leaves options open with Grand Theft Auto Online.

Right now the in-game demos, like the video below show the GTA 5 world on a PS3, but according to Rockstar there is no major benefit on the PS3 or the Xbox 360.

Obviously we’ve seen the game running on current gen systems, but in three months we’ll be in a situation where next gen consoles will be arriving. How do you plan to develop GTA Online as the audience migrates over the next year or so?

We already have plans for what the next world holds in terms of missions, new content, clothes, apartments, for the next while. But we really want to see what people are playing, and we’re putting a lot of effort into the back end, so we can keep an eye on exactly how long people are spending in deathmatches, races, and all the other modes – just to see what they’re doing. And if we see any peaks anywhere, then we know where to concentrate our efforts. There’s not a lot of data out there for us. There’s very few games like GTA Online – so we’ll play it by ear and see what the consumers want.

This is a positive note, from Rockstar, as the company isn’t coming out and saying there will be no GTA 5 on Xbox One and PS4. If anything it sounds like the company is waiting to see what gamers are playing and doing in the world before announcing any major plans.

If Rockstar is planning GTA 5 on PS4, it’s possible someone in the company is already experimenting or working on it. The big problem is that the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, as well as the PS3 and PS4 are different enough that neither can play a previous generation game. For a more detailed version of why you can’t play GTA 5 for the PS3 on a PS4, read this article that explores backwards compatibility and emulation.

Rockstar is working on a system that will keep your online identity from GTA 5 available across platforms and consoles, which is good news for gamers looking to upgrade to a PS4 or Xbox One.

Combine this with Rockstar’s plans to make Grand Theft Auto Online a growing and dynamic world with new places and there’s hope for more. Benzies said, “The only limitation is the size of the disc and how much memory we’ve got. We could, if we wanted, simulate the entire world, different countries, whatever.”

Gamers eagerly await news of GTA 5 on PS4 or Xbox 360.

In a followup CVG asks, if new consoles, like the Xbox One and PS4 will help with this, only to get a rebuff from Benzies who states,

“We’ll get the current gen version out first and see what happens in the future.”

Even though Rockstar refuses to talk about GTA 5 on PS4 or Xbox One, the large scale and long term outlook for Grand Theft Auto Online is a good sign. Given the timing of the release of this and many other games, current console owners will likely keep an Xbox 360 or PS3 around to play games like Grand Theft Auto 5 and others for a while, but eventually a new console takes over the entertainment center for the average consumer, and at that point Rockstar will likely want to have GTA Online for PS4 and Xbox One available, and with that could come GTA 5 on PS4 and Xbox One.

HTC One Apps: My Top 5 Free Apps

This year, I purchased my first Android device. Following the purchase, the HTC One was my constant companion. Its hardware made it an easy choice over the HTC 8X I had at the time. The device is a great Android flagship featuring a fast processor, gorgeous screen and some great utilities built into its Sense 5 interface.

Unfortunately, the apps that come with the device aren’t exactly that robust. But don’t fret, you can add more applications to extend the features of your device. Here are five top free apps for the HTC One that really make it a more rounded device for first time smartphone users and iPhone switchers.

Stitcher – Free

Podcast playback is one of those things many iPhone and Windows Phone users take for granted. Though Android doesn’t have a Google-built Podcast application, it doesn’t need one. That’s because Stitcher delivers just about every possible feature in a podcast/player radio app you could possible want. That includes smart Stations that continually play related podcasts, playlist creation and more. All free.

1Weather – Free

The 1Weather accomplishes a few key tasks very decisively. As if its designers recognized that unattractive applications don’t equal experiences that users value, it manages to make conveying the weather in any area look very attractive. However, it doesn’t do so by skimping on the things that weather watchers might need to know. It features rain gauges, severe weather alerts and even custom themes.

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Feedly – Free

The HTC One comes with the news and magazine app, Flipboard, installed by default. Flipbaord is a great app, with terrific visuals, but sometimes you just need a news application that cuts down on the other stuff and that works flawlessly as a news application and web service. That’s where Feedly comes in. Since adopting it on the HTC One, it’s become my go to app for all things news. It’s fast and its light and the airy interface doesn’t hurt it in the slightest. Plus, you can open the web version of Feedly on devices that don’t have a native  app.

SeriesGuide – Free

Nothing really ruins what little television watching time you might have like sitting down to the latest episode of Suits, only to realize that you hadn’t seen the four earlier episodes and you’ve just ruined the season finale for yourself. SeriesGuide tracks all of your television shows and puts them in one organized and elegant place.

Nova Launcher – Free

There are probably some things that you don’t like about the Sense 5 user-interface on the HTC One. Luckily, even beginners can grab a new launcher that allows them to customize their Android experience. So far, my favorite has been Nova launcher. It’s dead simple to use, free, and you can add more themes to it over time. There is a paid version that gives users even more customization options, like customized gestures and swipes.

For any user just starting out with a HTC One, installing these applications will definitely put you ahead. Each app really is a showcase of the things Android App developers can do with the platform and the powerful hardware of the HTC One.