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If you're like us, you probably have an old Apple ID from when the iTunes Music Store first went live, then maybe an iCloud or MobileMe (or even Mac.com) account, each of which is considered an "Apple ID." Why can't we consolidate all of these accounts into one? Good question. We don't have an answer, but as you'll find out in today's recap, we're not alone in asking this question...
Instapaper's New Website Redesign Exits Beta
In case you haven't heard, read-later service Instapaper has new owners, and they've finally unveiled their first big change to their acquisition with a shiny new redesign for the website. The new look and feel makes Instapaper.com work less like a desktop website and more like a mobile app. Speaking of which, the company plans to debut new iOS and Android apps in the weeks ahead, and if the website redesign is any indication, there should be plenty to look forward to.
Macworld on the Trouble with Apple IDs
Apple IDs! If you've ever gotten a divorce and had to split up your digital assets, you know what a pain in the rump Apple's accounts can be. Macworld examined the problems in greater detail this week, including one of the most-requested features, merging existing Apple IDs into one account (spoiler: it still can't be done). The report also turns up some interesting tidbits on what happens to your Apple-based digital life upon your death, how iTunes Match is pretty much a single-user service and more. Now the question is: Will Apple ever fix any of these issues? Time will tell...
ESPNews, ESPN Deportes Added to WatchESPN Apps
ESPN announced Wednesday that additional news content has just been added to the company's WatchESPN app, which is available on the web and mobile devices (including iOS) as well as the Apple TV. Assuming you have "an affiliated provider" (which includes AT&T U-verse, Comcast, Time Warner and a handful of others), you'll now be able to watch ESPNews as well as ESPN Deportes, a Spanish-language version of the sports network. One exception: If your cable provider happens to be Charter, the press release notes that viewers will have access later this week.
Facebook Introduces Shared Photo Albums
Mashable is reporting that Facebook has started to slowly roll out a new feature called Shared Photo Albums, which is a way for users of the social network to add as many as 50 contributors who will be able to add up to 200 photos to albums where the feature is enabled. The new feature has three privacy controls (public, friends of contributors or contributors only), and should come in quite handy for couples, families and others who want a single repository for photos taken by a group of people. The service started rolling to "a small group of English users" this week, but won't go international until it's enabled for all English users.
Is Apple All Out of Surprises with the iPhone?
Gizmodo may be banned from Apple media events after getting its hands on the lost iPhone 4 prototype, but that certainly hasn't stopped it from writing about the company. This week, they posed a question that's often on the minds of many Cupertino fans: Could Apple be all out of surprises? Between an endless stream of product leaks and a reasonable predictable release schedule, it seems unlikely we could be wowed again like that fateful January, 2007, keynote that unveiled the original iPhone. The report cites the recent 2013 Mac Pro as a sign of hope, however, but the Mac end of the business seems to be exempt from this phenomenon, having introduced slim MacBook Air and luscious MacBook Pro with Retina Display models without too many early spoilers.
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