If you are looking to try out a bunch of apps without spending a lot of money, Apple is running a promotion this week in which 100 apps and games are being sold for only $0.99 each. There are even some great productivity apps like GoodReader (a must for any attorney) and Scanner Pro. Also on sale is this little up-and-coming game called Angry Birds; there might be a future in that one. Check out the full list of $0.99 apps here. And now, the news of note from the past week:
- John Gruber of Daring Fireball notes that Apple now sells as many iOS devices as the worldwide PC industry sells PCs. And Apple makes a lot more money selling iPhones and iPads than PC makers do selling their computers.
- Farhad Manjoo of the New York Times discusses the future of the Apple Watch, noting that, as Apple announced earlier this week, Apple sold more units in the first nine weeks on the market than either the iPhone or iPad did during that same period. Perhaps one day Apple will sell more Apple Watches than PC makers sell PCs?
- As John Moltz points out, Apple’s statement that the Apple Watch is selling better than the iPhone and iPad at launch means that Apple sold more than 3.27 million Apple Watches in the first nine weeks. Others are estimating 4 million. Anecdotally, though, I’m still not seeing many folks wearing an Apple Watch — just enough that I actually take notice when I see it.
- Apple’s HomeKit technology is still in its infancy, but I’m a fan of it, as you can tell from my review last month of the Lutron Caséta Wireless Dimmer and Smart Bridge. Rene Ritchie of iMore says one reason that compatible devices are slow to come out is that Apple has very stringent security requirements. And this is a good thing. As Ritchie notes: “These accessories are coming into our homes. They’re going to be controlling the devices we and our families live with. They need to be rock-solid reliable and as secure as the state-of-technology allows. Because you better believe the first ‘hijacked home’ video will go viral.” Agreed.
- Ritchie also reviews the new iPod touch, which is essentially a thinner and smaller iPhone 6 without the phone. It looks like a good device if you want to give your kids something that can run apps and play music but doesn’t have a phone (and a monthly contract). It can also be useful if you want a second iOS device, such as something smaller and lighter to take to the gym.
- John Callaham of iMore notes that Microsoft updated its iOS Office apps this week, including Word. New features include the ability to open and view documents that have permissions applied to them.
- Serenity Caldwell of iMore wrote a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting Apple Music.
- Joshua Ho and Brandon Chester wrote a long and in-depth review of the Apple Watch for AnandTech.
- And finally, Apple has recently been featuring some stunning videos shot by real people using an iPhone 6. Elite Daily put together this parody video showing more honest videos shot on an iPhone.