News

iOS device owners continue to install iOS 8, with the adoption rate inching up every two weeks. The recent total stood at 73 percent according to the Apple Developer Support page. While this is a one point bump from the stat measured two weeks prior, the number still lags behind iOS 7 adoption. Mid-February numbers for iOS 7 indicated that 80 percent of compatible iOS devices were running the latest firmware last year.

In any case, Apple is set to launch several iOS updates over the coming months. iOS 8.2 will be released in early March, and will primarily focus on the Apple Watch management app and WatchKit for developers. A March 9 Apple media event is expected to highlight the Apple Watch and announce ship dates for the wearable device. Shortly after the event, Apple is expected to launch the first-ever iOS public beta program with iOS 8.3.

Apple will soon cease support for signing into the iTunes Store with AOL screen names. Those wishing to continue using iTunes or access previous purchases must convert their AOL sign in information into an Apple ID. The change will take effect on March 30, after which Apple will not provide support for AOL Username accounts.

iTunes users needing to convert to an Apple ID can sign in normally with their AOL screen name, and Apple will automatically ask to make the conversion. Once the process is complete, the Apple ID will retain access to all previous content purchased with the AOL Username in the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store. No other AOL services connected to the AOL screen name will be affected.

Apple on Thursday sent out invites to select members of the media for an unspecified event to be held on March 9, 2015. The press conference will be held in San Francisco at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The invitation reads: "Spring forward".

Apple is expected to announce more details about the Apple Watch, which it unveiled during its September iPhone keynote. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about Apple's wearable device, such as pricing and battery life. Some have speculated that the 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition could cost upwards of $5,000.

The developers behind Ultimate Robot Fighting have teamed up with DreamWorks to release Real Steel Champions based on the movie franchise starring Hugh Jackman. The new title is part of a series of games with over 50 million users worldwide.

Real Steel Champions will be the first game in the series that allows players to build their own robots and train them to battle in 10 new arenas. Players will be able to to design their own robot using various parts including heads, torsos, legs and arms from fan favorites such as Atom, Zeus, Noisy Boy, Midas and Metro. The game will also feature a Tournament mode, boss battles, 30 challenges, a Free Sparing mode and more.

Pebble Technology has announced its latest smartwatch, the Pebble Time. Besides featuring a new color e-paper display, the upgraded device will include a microphone for responding to notifications. Pebble Time will be fully compatible with over 6,500 existing Pebble apps and watchfaces.

The Pebble connects via Bluetooth to the iPhone 4s or later, and is also compatible with Android smartphones. The project was launched on Kickstarter today, and has amassed over $7 million in just 12 hours. Much like earlier incarnations of Pebble, the Pebble Time will be water resistant and feature long battery life.