We love when content providers finally get the message and give us the features we want -- nay, need! -- as loyal users of their products. On Tuesday, the big news came with a very tiny update to the existing HBO Go apps, which are finally enabled with AirPlay streaming at long last. Really, it's something that every video streaming app should have now, and users need to keep the pressure on companies to provide it. So what else happened Tuesday? We're glad you asked...
As first noted by Engadget on Tuesday, HBO President and COO Eric Kessler announced during an interview at the D: Dive Into Media 2013 conference that HBO fans would finally be getting AirPlay support on their iOS apps. Shortly after, updates to the existing HBO Go and Max Go apps popped up in the App Store with the promised feature enabled, although the HBO boss was less specific about when a dedicated Apple TV app might land. "We will get on Apple TV -- there is no problem. These things take time," Kessler remarked. Sadly, all of these cool features still require an HBO subscription to use -- the COO cited a possible "negative economic impact" to allowing just anyone to pay for HBO Go without a cable or satellite subscription to help keep the lights on.
No, you're not having deja vu: Apple pushed out a new MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.7 on Tuesday, this time for 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro models from mid-2010 and early 2011. "This update addresses a rare issue on some Apple notebooks where a battery that has accumulated more than 1000 charge cycles may unexpectedly shut down or stop functioning," reads the typically brief support note that accompanies the update.
American Express announced an extension of its Sync with Twitter program on Tuesday. Originally aimed at cardholders looking for discounts, the service now allows Amex users to also pay for select purchases using only a Twitter hashtag tweeted to @AmexSync. Confirm your purchase within 15 minutes, and Amex will ship the product via free two-day service; for in-store purchases, simply pay with the same card and your savings will be automatically added to your account.
TouchGen is reporting that Real Racing 3 is gearing up to speed into the App Store in just over two weeks. Landing on February 28 for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, the third installment in the Real Racing series "promises to be the most realistic experience yet, featuring photorealistic tracks, 45 meticulously detailed cars and the all-new Time-Shifted Multiplayer." Electronic Arts is holding a press event next week to firm up the plans, so we should have more details at that time. UPDATE: Seems EA is eager to get the wheels on the road -- Real Racing 3 has already shown up in the New Zealand App Store, which means it should hit the U.S. edition sometime Wednesday evening or Thursday morning -- and it's free, folks!
Close on the heels of the recent Office for Mac 14.3 update, Microsoft pushed out a new 14.3.1 update on Tuesday, promising improved stability. "This update fixes an issue that may cause Office 2011 applications to report a problem with Licensing even though the applications continue to run unaffected," the release notes explain. The productivity suite can be updated right from the Microsoft AutoUpdater included with each application, or the updater package can be downloaded straight from the web link above.
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