The Apple Beat: Apple's year in Review

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Looking back at Apple’s 2016, it was hard to expect the company to match the frenetic pace of product releases from 2015. After all, the previous year saw the introduction of the Apple Watch, iPad Pro, the remixed Apple TV, new and improved iPhone 6s as well as major moves in the areas of car infotainment (Car Play), home automation (Home Kit), Health (Health Kit) and the inception of Apple Music. So, let's look back at what 2016 was all about.

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Facebook introduces Live Audio, takes on podcasts and the radio

Facebook has been steadily building its Live Video feature but it seems that isn’t the only thing the social network is building in the live broadcasting space. This time, it’s taking on the podcast and radio markets with Live Audio. Facebook launched the feature with a small group of publishers with plans to open up the service to everyone by 2017. Just like Live Video, the service will bring these Live Audio streams into the News Feed. Right now Facebook launched with BBC World Service, book publisher Harper Collins, talk radio broadcaster Leading Britain’s Conversation, and authors Adam Grant and Britt Bennett.

The social giant claims this’ll be a good way for low-connectivity areas to broadcast data-efficient media. And if, for example, signal gets low, hosts can switch to audio for a seamless stream. Facebook sees these working particularly well for a semi-professional stage setup for things such as book readings and interviews with Live service viewer interaction included. If you listen on Android, you’ll be able to use other apps while the audio streams in the background. For iOS, you need to keep the Facebook app open.

Source: Engadget

Volkswagen to pay out $2.1 billion to Canadian customers due to emissions scandal

Volkswagen Canada is about to make reparation to the 105,000 Canadians who bought Volkswagen or Audi vehicles equipped with 2.0-litre diesel engines between 2009 and 2015.

These customers will reportedly receive $5,100 to $8,000 in compensation. Those who decide to sell their vehicles back to Volkswagen Canada Inc. will receive such a payment on top of the value of their car or crossover on Sept. 18, 2015. The payouts will come after March, 2017, when the Ontario Superior Court and the Superior Court of Quebec issue final approval of the settlement.

Source: Globe and Mail

Tim Cook: "Great desktops," are in the roadmap

There's been growing concern that Apple has somewhat neglected its desktops. Sure, the iMac was updated in 2015 with impressive new 5K and 4K variants, but it's been two years since the Mac mini has gotten revised and three long years since the Mac Pro was launched. Well, Apple CEO Tim Cook reassured Apple staff that desktops are very much a part of Apple's roadmap in an internal memo to employees.

Some folks in the media have raised the question about whether we’re committed to desktops. If there’s any doubt about that with our teams, let me be very clear: we have great desktops in our roadmap. Nobody should worry about that.

This is very good news for Apple desktop users who have been waiting patiently for an upgrade path from their current desktops. Like most manufacturers of the PC industry, Apple's likely been held back by Intel, who supplies the processors that power notebooks and desktops and whose latest Kaby Lake processors are trickling out. The Mac is also a shrinking part of Apple's business. Notebooks may be on the upswing but desktops are a tough sell all around. Tim Cook's reassurance that great desktops are coming will help put a lot of speculation to rest.

Source: TechCrunch