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Skype for iPhone Gets Major 5.0 Update

A major redesign of Skype for iPhone is coming to the App Store. Version 5.0 is on the way, as the previous Skype app has already been pulled ahead of the new release. The developers aim to bring a consistent look and feel to the mobile app across all platforms, while taking advantage of the unique features of iOS.

Skype 5 iPhone

Skype 5.0 is the most significant redesign ever delivered to the iPhone, and the app has already started rolling out to selected markets. The new app is centered around a hub showing recent conversations, and features in app notifications for quick conversation switching.

UBS Predicts iWatch to Retail for $300, Match iPad in Sales

The rumor mill has been churning out questionable "iWatch" speculations and forecasts for some time now. That the product exists and will launch within a year seems a certainty at this point. If it does launch later this year, UBS analyst Steve Milunovich believes that it could match the iPad's success, selling 21 million units in 2015 and up to 36 million during the following year.

iWatch could match iPad sales

In a note to investors obtained by AppleInsider, Milunovich writes that, with a projected retail price of $300, the iWatch could see margins of around 25% at launch time, increasing to the low 30s over several quarters. He estimates sales

Google Wallet Instant Buy Now Available for iOS Apps

Google today announced that iOS developers can now sign up for the company's Instant Buy API program. Google Instant Buy allows developers to add an easy to use "Buy With Google" button to their mobile apps for iOS devices.

Google Wallet Instant Buy

Google claims 97% of mobile shoppers abandoned their shopping carts because they typically "have to fill out up to 25 fields to checkout." Google Wallet allows customers to skip the annoying registration process by offering an easy 2-click check out option in all apps that offers its service. The Instant Buy service also works with a developer's existing payment processor and guarantees secure transactions.

ESPN Now Available on iTunes Radio

Starting today, Apple users can listen to the live ESPN Radio network stream on their iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later. ESPN Radio is the first sports provider on iTunes Radio, and it will stream the same content as its terrestrial radio counterparts.

ESPN Radio

Sports fans will be able to enjoy sports talk shows including Mike & Mike, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, SVP & Russillo, just to name a few, and live events like the 2014 FIFA World Cup and Major League Baseball, including the World Series. ESPN said they are also looking to "bring expanded local station content to its listeners in the future," and noted that its ESPN podcasts and on-demand content will still be available for download on iTunes.

Apple Rejecting Apps That Reward Users for Fake Reviews and Video Views

The internet is ablaze with reports about Apple rejecting apps that reward players who watch video ads, or for sharing apps on social media. The original report from TechCrunch claims a few developers have received rejection letters for ignoring key sections of Apple’s Developer Guidelines, including a rule that prohibits apps that "attempt to manipulate or cheat the user reviews or chart ranking in the App Store with fake or paid reviews." The recent crackdown is also affecting a small number of apps that earn money from in-game advertisements hosted by AdColony, Vungle and AppLovin, according to AdExchanger.

iPhone 6

TechCrunch points to Apple's new iOS 8 App Store overhaul as the reason for the rejection letters.

"With the introduction of the revamped iOS App Store in iOS 8, Apple revealed a number of changes to the app discovery process, with new features that help users find apps by trending keywords, by category and subcategory, by related search terms, and more. Developers can even promote their apps in 'bundles.' But as these changes indicate, what the company didn’t reveal is that it’s not only trying to reinvent app discovery with iOS 8; it’s also trying to own it."

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