Apple may partner with Foursquare to enhance iOS Maps

Apple is reportedly in preliminary talks with Foursquare to integrate some of the location-based social network's date into iOS Maps, with the move purportedly in response to offerings from rival services like Google Maps.

According to The Wall Street Journal, people with knowledge of the talks say Apple is looking to use local data provided by Foursquare Labs in a bid to enhance the iOS Maps app.

The sources say Apple Senior Vice President of Online Services Eddy Cue met with the popular social service "in recent weeks," but failed to detail exactly what was discussed or when the meetings took place. 

Although only speculation, Foursquare could provide Apple with a number of business listings, relative popularity and user-generated tips to help enhance the iOS Maps experience. Integration with the social service may also allow iPhone and iPad users to "check in" at various locations, letting friends know where they are around town. Currently, iOS limits such location-based discovery features to Apple's Find My Friends and Foursquare's app. 

It was reported in June that Apple was working to integrate Yelp reviews and listings, a feature that has already made its way to the Maps app.

Since its release with iOS 6, Apple's mapping solution has been criticized for its lack of features, most noticeable when compared to Google's established service which once powered the iOS app, as well asincorrect location information and a number of glitches. 

Cue is said to be "racing" to improve Maps after taking control of the project when former iOS chief Scott Forstall was ousted from the company in October.

Google Maps For iOS Was Downloaded Over 10M Times In Its First 48 Hours After Launch

According to Google’s Jeff Huber, Google Maps for iOS is a runaway success, having seen more than 10 million downloads in just 48 hours after its launch.

This is a pretty huge number, and it’s rare that a company as large as Google would share such numbers. The app stands atop the free app leaderboard on Apple’s App Store, clearly suggesting that the people have spoken. They prefer Google’s offering to Apple’s, which is bundled with iOS 6.

We knew it was coming — the question was just when. We hinted that it would be coming before Christmas, and Google waited until the last possible moment to do so, as Apple freezes its App Store over the holidays, when it comes to new releases and submissions.

This is what Huber had to say:

More than 10 million downloads in less than 48 hours after release!

We’re excited for the positive reception of Google Maps for iPhone around the world. Congratulations to the Maps Team on the recognition for the passion and hard work they poured into it, for this release and over the last 7+ years.

If you’re an iPhone user and haven’t downloaded the Maps app yet, get it on the App Store or visit: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id585027354?mt=8.

If you already have it — thank you, and please tell a friend. Any feedback you have is welcomed, here in G+ or in the app (just shake it).

You can read our entire run-through of Google Maps for iOS here, and it seems like the feedback from users has been mostly positive. The Maps team told me that the company will be iterating on it quickly, meaning that some of the features that were left out at launch, such as biking directions, might find its way into the app in the New Year.

The future is bright for Google’s mobile apps, having also released a massive overhaul to Gmail and Google+ on iOS, as well.

The really interesting trend to watch is whether this version of Google Maps will push people to update to iOS 6, who might have waited before. So far, the numbers aren’t showing that.

It looks like the “borg” has found its design heart.

iPhone 5's First Weekend Sales in China Top Two Million

Apple announced tonight that the company has sold over two million of the new iPhone 5 in China, just three days after its launch.

“Customer response to iPhone 5 in China has been incredible, setting a new record with the best first weekend sales ever in China,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “China is a very important market for us and customers there cannot wait to get their hands on Apple products.”

The Friday most recent launch included 32 other new countries as well, though the announcement specifically covers China's opening weekend sales. 

The original iPhone 5 launch weekend took place in September and saw over 5 million salesto the initial 9 countries including the U.S.

Amazon Releases Prime 'Instant Video' App for iPhone

Amazon has released an iPhone app for its Prime Instant Video service, giving free access to thousands of titles to Amazon Prime members, as well as movie and TV show purchases and rentals. The iPad app was released in August.

The app allows users to download purchased and rented movies and TV shows for offline viewing, as well as stream Prime Instant Video titles when connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Cellular data isn't supported, nor is AirPlay. Amazon also keeps track of the user's place in a video, allowing it to be resumed at the same point on other supported devices like a TV, Mac or Kindle Fire. 

With Amazon Instant Video, you can: 

- Stream thousands of titles available from Prime Instant Video at no additional cost with a Prime membership, or watch over 140,000 videos available from the Amazon Instant Video store 

- Download purchased and rented videos from Your Video Library 

- Shop over 140,000 videos available from the Amazon Instant Video store by visiting Amazon 

- Add videos to Your Watchlist from a PC, Mac, or Kindle Fire HD for later viewing on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch 

- Subscribe to a TV Season Pass by visiting Amazon and episodes will automatically be available in your Amazon Instant Video app the day after they air 

- Start watching on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, and resume watching right where you left off on a Kindle Fire HD, PlayStation3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac, or hundreds of models of connected TVs and Blu-ray players with Amazon Whispersync.

App Store Gifting Returns to iOS Devices

With the launch of iOS 6, users lost the ability to gift apps to others directly from the App Store, with users required to turn to the desktop version of iTunes if they wished to send an app gift. But as noted by iFun [Google translation], Apple has now quietly updated the share button in the iOS 6 App Store to include the option to gift paid apps. 

Not only are users once again able to gift apps, but they can now schedule delivery of their gifts, up to 90 days in the future. 

Dropbox Updates iOS App With New Photos Experience and a "Shiny New Design"

Dropbox has updated its iOS app with a new photo browsing experience, a "shiny new design", and a streamlined way to upload files directly to a particular folder. 

The new photos experience is the biggest change, however:

Now all of your photos are right at your fingertips with the brand new Photos tab. With just a tap, you’ll be able to scroll through a timeline of all the photos you’ve automatically uploaded (including the pocket-dialed ones too). And since Dropbox is a one stop shop for all your memories, you can also check out the photos you’ve uploaded from everywhere else! 

Also, when you select a photo, you’ll be able to view it in full-screen glory with nary a button in sight. This means you can get maximum real estate when you’re flipping through puppy photos, or those pics of your bare feet. And to make things even better, our new speedy scroller will help you navigate all the way back to time immemorial (or your earliest photos) in seconds. Even if you have “Billions and Billions” of them.

New iMacs to Go On Sale as Early as Tomorrow?

Belgium-iPhone.Lesoir.be claims that Apple will be delivering the new 21.5" iMac to Apple Premium Resellers in Belgium starting on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the 27" iMac model is still believed to be scheduled for December. 


The site also believes that the new iMac would be available for online orders at approximately the same time. 

Separately, we received an unconfirmed tip saying that the new iMacs would be ready to order tomorrow, Tuesday, November 27th. We're not sure if the time difference (6 hours behind U.S. Eastern) explains the conflicting time frames or if one (or both) are simply wrong. Neither sources has a track record, but both guesses are certainly realistic. Apple originally claimed that the 21.5" iMac would begin shipping in November. 

Update: Purported email sent to resellers from a distributor: