The Netflix original series Stranger Things was an instant hit and left us wanting more, and now that’s exactly what we’re getting. The Duffer brothers released a teaser trailer for the new season, and while it doesn’t include any clips from episodes it does list their titles. All nine of them: Mad Max, The Boy Who Came Back To Life, The Pumpkin Patch, The Palace, The Storm, The Pollywog, The Secret Cabin, The Brain, and The Lost Brother. 2017 can’t get here fast enough.
Apple's iCloud gets 2TB Storage Tier Ahead of iPhone Launch
Apple quietly added a 2TB storage option for iCloud subscribers, doubling the previous high end tier. The company quietly added the new level this week, leading to speculation that the company’s September 7th media really will include a new iPhone with 256GB storage.
Adonit Jot Touch with Pixelpoint Stylus: $39.99
Check out the Adonit Jot Touch with Pixelpoint Stylus. It features 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity, and it’s designed with support for Adobe Creative Cloud. It lasts for up to 11 hours on a charge and has a 3.18mm Pixelpoint tip. You can get this device for $39.99.
Apple Updates HP Printer Drivers
Apple released new OS X printer drivers for HP printers on Tuesday titled “HP Printer Drivers v5.0 for OS X.” The patch notes for the update are sparse even by Apple standards, saying simply, “This download includes the latest HP printing and scanning software for OS X.” It’s a safe assumption the update improves performance across the line.
Sonos's Future: Opening Up Control to Alexa and Third-Party Apps
On Tuesday, wireless speaker manufacturer Sonos summoned the press to Manhattan to show off some new software features they’ve been working on and, in doing so, painted a picture of a more open Sonos experience. Demonstrating Amazon Alexa voice control and Spotify app integration, Sonos showed a not-too-distant future where customers have the ability to control their Sonos products in a variety of new ways without sacrificing any of the existing benefits of the Sonos platform.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-08-30: Apple's EU Tax Bill, September 7 Media Event
The European Union says Ireland’s tax laws aren’t legal, so Apple owes an extra €13 billion in back taxes. Bryan Chaffin joins Jeff Gamet to look at the ruling, how it impacts Apple, Ireland’s response, and more. They also offer up their quick predictions for Apple’s September 7th Media Event.
EU Says Apple Owes €13B in Back Taxes, and the Fight is On
The European Union says Apple owes €13 billion (about US$14.5 billion) in back taxes because Ireland gave the iPhone and Mac maker illegal and unfair tax advantages. Apple and Ireland have both condemned the ruling maintaining they acted within the country’s laws, and are planning to appeal the ruling.
Apple Music's Carpool Karaoke Will Feature Broader Range of Celebrities
BusinessInsider has a piece on the Carpool Karaoke series Apple is working on for Apple Music. According to Ben Winston, co-founder of series producer Fulwell 73 Productions, the show is going to open up guest spots to celebrities who aren’t musicians. He also said the deal came together because of Jimmy Iovine, and that CBS will limit Carpool Karaoke‘s exposure on The Late Late Show with James Corden to keep it fresh. Carpool Karaoke could be a breakout hit for Apple. For context, the episode featuring Adele (below) has 124.6 million views on YouTube. Mr. Corden is executive producer of the Apple Music spinoff, but won’t be hosting it. There’s more in the full BI piece.
MOS Pack Backpack Charges Multiple Devices with One Plug
Here’s something cool for techies on the go, especially the back-to-school crowd. It’s called MOS Pack, a backpack with a built-in portable charging station for all your gadgets. It has pockets for iPhones (or other smartphones), iPads, your passport, and a spot for a water bottle. On the charging side, the MOS pack doesn’t have a built-in battery—which you’d have to lug around—but instead has a charging station that distributes power to all your gadgets from one plug. Inside it has a cable management system you feed to each gadget in each pockets, and you’re charging everything without having to pull them out. I thought it quite clever at $99.
FresheTech Splash Tunes Bluetooth Shower Speaker: $19.99
Check out the FresheTech Splash Tunes Bluetooth Shower Speaker. The name tells you what it is, but if you look at the image you’ll see a suction cup you can use to stick it to a mirror or even the wall in your shower. It has a nine-hour battery life, and you recharge via an included microUSB cable. You can get it through our deal for $19.99.