KIKR S1-2-in-1 Phone Holder & Dual Wireless Charger

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We received a Kikr S1 a bit ago but were delayed in reviewing it due to distractions from Covid and other business events. According to the folks at KIKR here are details and information on the product. Fully Adjustable S1 is truly a fully adjustable stand. It features a foldable design with adjustable height. You […]

Apple Announces iOS 8 Available September 17

Introduces New Messages & Photos Features, QuickType Keyboard, Extensibility, iCloud Drive & New Health App

CUPERTINO, California―September 9, 2014―Apple® today announced iOS 8, the biggest release since the launch of the App Store℠, will be available starting Wednesday, September 17 to iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch® users as a free software update. iOS 8 delivers a simpler, faster and more intuitive user experience with new Messages and Photos features, predictive typing for Apple’s QuickType™ keyboard and Family Sharing. iOS 8 also includes the new Health app, giving you a clear overview of your health and fitness data and iCloud Drive℠, so you can store files and access them from anywhere. With more than 4,000 new APIs, iOS 8 allows developers to further customize the user experience with major extensibility features and robust frameworks such as HealthKit and HomeKit.

 

iPhone5s-5Up_Features_iOS8-PRINT

Apple Announces IOS 8, it is a new, improved iteration of ios.

“We’re excited for hundreds of millions of users to begin experiencing iOS 8, with incredible features that offer new ways to use your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “iOS 8 also creates an extraordinary environment for developers, providing them the ability to create amazing new apps like never before.”

Messages in iOS 8 makes conversations more immersive. Simply Tap to Talk to share your voice. The same gesture also works for sharing photos and videos. Users can now share several photos and videos at once and easily browse through all of them within a conversation from one place. Group messaging gives you the ability to add and remove contacts, and the option not to be disturbed or to leave a conversation entirely. You can also choose to share your current location from within Messages for an hour, a day or longer.

In iOS 8, the Photos app brings powerful editing to your fingertips. Photos automatically straightens horizons, and with smart editing tools you can quickly adjust light and color with a swipe. For deeper fine-tuning, you can access individual tools to adjust exposure, brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows and more. Developers can tap into the same robust framework as the built-in Photos app using PhotoKit, and with extensibility APIs, can make their own filters and editing tools available to users within the Photos app.

New predictive typing for Apple’s QuickType keyboard is smarter, more personalized and intelligently takes context into account, such as who the recipient is and in which app you’re typing. QuickType understands the way you communicate, suggesting favorite phrases, so you can write entire sentences with just a few taps. What the QuickType keyboard learns is kept private, encrypted on your device and never sent to the cloud. Third-party keyboards are also available, so developers can offer additional layouts and input methods system-wide, providing users more choice.

The new Health app gathers the information you choose from your various health apps and fitness devices, and provides you with a clear and current overview in one place. HealthKit APIs offer developers the ability for health and fitness apps to communicate with each other. With your permission, each app can use specific information from other apps to provide a more comprehensive way to manage your health and fitness. Users will be able to gather and monitor their own fitness metrics using apps such as MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Strava. Healthcare providers can now monitor the data their patients choose to share through apps such as Mayo Clinic or Epic’s MyChart app that will be used by Duke Medicine and Stanford Children’s Health/Stanford Medicine, among others.

HomeKit connects your home devices safely and seamlessly so you can better manage accessories like lights, thermostats, door locks and garage doors. By delivering a common protocol, HomeKit securely pairs and allows easy control over individual or groups of devices throughout the house. With Siri® integration you can say, “Good morning,” and have the lights turn on in specific rooms, the thermostat adjust the temperature and the garage door open.

Family Sharing with iOS 8 makes it easier than ever to communicate and share purchases. It automatically keeps everyone connected by creating a shared family photo stream and calendar, and provides an option to locate family members and their devices. Family members can also now browse and download each other’s eligible iTunes®, iBooks® or App Store purchases. Up to six family members can participate, each with their own Apple ID. Parents can create Apple IDs for children and, with Ask to Buy, require online parental permission for Family Sharing purchases.

iCloud Drive allows you to safely store, access and edit documents of any type. Make edits on one device and the most up-to-date version of your documents will be available across all devices, whether an iOS device, Mac®, Windows PC or on www.icloud.com. iCloud Drive brings new collaboration between apps, providing seamless access and the ability to work on the same file across multiple apps.

Continuity features in iOS 8 and OS X® Yosemite bring your Mac and iOS devices together like never before. When your iPhone or iPad is near your Mac, Handoff lets you start an activity on one device and pass it to the other. Instant Hotspot makes using your iPhone’s hotspot as easy as connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Now the SMS and MMS messages that previously only appeared on your iPhone appear in Messages on all your devices. You can even send SMS or MMS messages directly from your Mac and make or receive iPhone calls using your Mac as a speakerphone.*

Additional iOS 8 features include:

  • expanded security and management improvements for Enterprise, with new productivity features, including an extended level of data protection for key built-in apps and support for configurable Thread Notifications in Mail. Improvements in the way users are informed of how their devices are configured and managed further support the new mobilized workforce IT model;
  • design enhancements that build off the stunning interface of iOS 7, bringing interactive notifications, quick access to key contacts, intelligent suggestions and the ability to quickly switch back and forth between the Inbox and Drafts in Mail; and
  • Spotlight® suggestions beyond what’s on your device, including Wikipedia entries, places nearby and news articles.

The iOS 8 SDK, with over 4,000 new APIs, gives developers the ability to create amazing new apps like never before. The SDK delivers major iOS extensions, including new sharing options, widgets, custom actions and document APIs. Touch ID™ APIs enable developers to securely authenticate users within apps. Gaming on iOS 8 gets even better with Metal™, a new graphics technology for game providers to bring console-class 3D games to mobile devices. iOS 8 includes CloudKit, offering developers a complete and scalable back-end solution, eliminating the need for writing server code and maintaining servers. Swift™ provides developers with a powerful, next-generation programming language for iOS and OS X that’s fast, modern, interactive and helps them write safer and more reliable code.

iPhone, iPad and iPod touch customers have access to the revolutionary App Store, which offers more than 1.3 million apps in 155 countries around the world. The App Store receives more than 300 million visitors each week.

Pricing & Availability
iOS 8 will be available as a free software update starting Wednesday, September 17 for iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod touch 5th generation, iPad 2, iPad with Retina® display, iPad Air™, iPad mini™ and iPad mini with Retina display. New iCloud pricing includes 5GB free, 20GB $0.99/month, 200GB $3.99/month, 500GB $9.99/month and 1TB $19.99/month. Continuity features and iCloud Drive will be available on Macs running OS X Yosemite. In October, SMS Continuity will be available as a free update to iOS 8 and iCloud Photo Library will be available as a beta. Starting in October, with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Pay™ will be available in the US as a free update to iOS 8. Features are subject to change. Some features may not be available in all regions or all languages.

* Check with your carrier for hotspot availability; some cellular data charges may apply.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Urban Ears Zinken Review

Zinken by Urban Ears Box

Zinken by Urban Ears Box

 

While at CES 2014, I spoke with the folks from Urbanears. I had the opportunity to take a look at and listen to their Zinken Headphones. I now had the opportunity to test and review the set they sent us in the mail. We received the Orange/Red aka Tomato colored ones. As you can see from the image above the packaging is the same color as the headsets that you receive.

Here is an example of another color option–>Urbanears-Urbanears-Zinken-cover-05

I would definitely state that they are appealing to the fashion conscious crowd.

In terms of their design and fitness for purpose:

Here is an image of the items that arrived with them in the box.

IMG_20140201_093936_828

The contents of the box, included the headphones, a unique connector cord, a sticker which went to my daughter, seemed appropriate for a 12 year old girl or anyone who likes heart stickers.

The aforementioned cord is interesting is that it can be plugged into the headsets in 1 direction whereby you can use the plus in a device like an Ipad with a 1/8th inch plug or plug it in the other direction in the other port on the headphones and use the 1/4″ plug. The second option would be great for musicians and DJ’s who need a quarter inch plug. This adds a great deal of value to the headphones.

According to Urban ears–>

These brightly colored orange on-ear headphones were developed with the professional DJ in mind. Zinken delivers deep bass, crisp mids and highs and efficiently reduces noise from the outside world. Packed with features, Zinken comes with the ingenious TurnCable for an adapter-free life and the ZoundPlug for instant music sharing. We’ve also thought a lot about comfort, and designed Zinken with swivel earcaps, an adjustable headband and specially selected materials that are easy to keep fresh and clean.

I would agree with them that the headphones are made in a decent manner, are flexible to fit most head and ear sizes, and fit nicely over the ears even for people like me with larger than average ears. What is also nice is that they are not huge and obtrusive either and are easy to wear in public.

Though the headphones are not as fancy as the expensive guys like Beats or Monster, they are a superb value for the money and have a high level of usefulness and utility.

I found that since the headphones were intended for DJ’s they lived up to my expectation that they would have good bass and nice sound quality. I was impressed by them overall.

To get a real world view, I let one of my 17 year old sons to try them out with his DubStep music, and he was impressed and now wants to keep them for himself.

The Design of the Urbanears Zinken Pro DJ headphones are simple, but in a cool way. Some of the competition is over the top in design and price, where these are not they are affordable and work well. They have a no-nonsense look to them where everything has a specific purpose within the design. They come in ten different colors and they all have a “Flat” type paint style to them. This way they can be as tame or as wild as your personal preference suggests. Around the outsides of the headband and the outsides of the ear cups, the Flat paint also has a rubberized texture to them. The part that extends out of the headband for more length is a hard plastic. The cable is very unique and intuitive. It is completely detachable. One end is a mini 1/8-inch connector while the other end has a ¼-inch connector. The right earcup has an 1/8-inch output, while the left earcup has a ¼-inch output. This way you will never need a ¼-inch or 1/8-inch adapter because you will always have either one or the other at your disposal. This cable is known by Urbanears as the Turncable. Each earvcup can also output the sound to another set of headphones so others can see what you are listening to if you wish. The cable is about 3ft but it is also coiled and can extend up to about 9ft when pulled to the max. The Turncable also has an in-line microphone and one-touch button for receiving or making calls on a compatible smartphone. I would probably not use them all of the time for making phone calls but when I am at home and on a conference call I expect them to perform well.

Overall:

I liked:

–>The design and variety of colors
–>The sound quality
–>The option of either using the 1/4″ or 1/8″ cord with the nice kevlar cord, which for those who were in the army, and am familiar with kevlar it is a good thing implying that they will last for a while
–>The well made, durable metal reinforced hinges
–>The way the headphones fold for stashing them in your bag
–>The fact that they are comfortable

What could be added value
–>A carry bag would be cool
–>A cool logo on the side of the headphones.

Overall I would recommend these to anyone that needs nice headphone for DJ’ing, up and coming musicians or audio technicians, or those that want nice headphones to listen to music, especially the young bass loving folks. One other point is that the headphones would appeal to guys and gals especially for those like my daughter who loves pink or purple or to football or sports fans who could get them in the team’s colors.

For more information or to get a pair or two for your self go to–>

Urbanears!!

More images–>
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IMG_20140201_093936_828

Apple offers free Mavericks os

Apple offers free Mavericks OS X update for Mac users (via The Inquirer)

APPLE HAS RELEASED the latest version of its Mavericks Mac OS X desktop operating system, and has made the surprise announcement that it will be available to download for free. Apple claims that new improvements to the software mean a 13in Macbook running…

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iOgrapher® Filmmaking Support Case

iOgrapher® Filmmaking Support Case for the Apple iPad Mini Reaches Kickstarter Funding Goal; Now Shipping to Customers (via MarketWired)

SOURCE: iOgrapher LLC October 08, 2013 09:00 ET iOgrapher Turns iPad Mini Into a Handheld Rig or Tripod Mounted Studio for Pro and Consumer Filmmakers SAN MARINO, CA–(Marketwired – Oct 8, 2013) –  The creators of the patent-pending iOgrapher® mobile…

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Apple plans to rain on Nokia and Microsoft with 22 October iPad launch date

Apple plans to rain on Nokia and Microsoft with 22 October iPad launch date (via The Inquirer)

GADGET DESIGNER Apple reportedly plans to hold an event on 22 October to showcase its next iPad tablets along with its refreshed Mac Pro and OS X Mavericks operating system. We have no reason to dispute this speculation from Allthingsd, as the website…

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New AmpliTube® release for iPhone, iPad adds iOS 7 support, featuring Inter-App Audio routing system

New AmpliTube® release for iPhone, iPad adds
iOS 7 support, featuring Inter-App Audio routing system


The most popular guitar-playing and recording-studio app
adds iOS 7 support and Inter-App Audio functionality

September 24, 2013 – IK Multimedia, the pioneer and global leader in music-creation software, mobile apps and music-making hardware for musicians, engineers and producers, is pleased to announce a new version of AmpliTube for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, the full-featured guitar studio and recording app for mobile musicians, which adds iOS 7 compatibility as well as the ability to use AmpliTube as a filter app in the new iOS 7 “Inter-App Audio” feature.

iOS 7 Compatibility
The new version of AmpliTube (version 3.1) is fully compatible with iOS 7, the new operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, which means you can create music on the go with the latest mobile functions and features available, including the new Inter-App Audio routing feature.

Inter-App Audio Support
Inter-App audio allows audio apps to communicate with each other and stream the audio output from one app to another. This feature is extremely handy for adding effects, and processing the audio stream from one app and sending it to another. AmpliTube can be used as a “filter” app in iOS 7 for processing the audio from other apps, allowing musicians to use all of the stompbox and amplifier effects with any live (real-time) or recorded material. This feature is similar to AudioBus functionality, but provides the opportunity for more complex routing. AmpliTube is fully AudioBus compatible as well, making it the most flexible audio-processing and recording app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Effects, Amp, Cabinet, Mic, Multi-track Recorder & DAW – All in One App
AmpliTube for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is a full-featured and expandable playing-and-recording studio for guitarists and bass players, vocalists and producers/engineers. It features a complete instrument signal chain, including stompbox effects, amplifier head, cabinet section and microphone, just like a traditional guitar or bass stage rig.

It also features a recording studio, and multi-track-DAW editing-and-sequencing tools. AmpliTube is also expandable with collections of gear from the world’s top manufacturers like Ampeg® and Fender®, and from artists like Jimi Hendrix™ and Slash. Now musicians can capture their ideas and performances on the go on their iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, with a comprehensive suite of creative tools, all from the leader in mobile music-creation apps and accessories.

Plug in and Play with Lightning-Compatible Accessories
AmpliTube is the perfect companion app for IK Lightning-compatible accessories such as the new iRig PRO universal audio/MIDI interface, and the iRig HD audio interface. For the complete lineup of mobile accessories, please visit the IK Multimedia web site,www.ikmultimedia.com/ios.

Pricing and Availability
The latest AmpliTube update for iOS is free for existing AmpliTube iOS users. AmpliTube is available on the App StoreSM(www.AppStore.com) for iPhone and iPad for only $19.99/€17.99. A free version is also available. AmpliTube effects and functions can be expanded via in-app purchase with gear from Ampeg®, Fender®, Soldano®, Slash and Jimi Hendrix™, and a complete multi-track recording studio with drummer and DAW-editing features.

For more information about AmpliTube for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, please visit www.amplitube.com. For more information about IK’s range of interfaces and accessories for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac/PC, please visit www.ikmultimedia.com/interfaces.

IK Multimedia announces iRig PRO, the “all in one” universal audio/MIDI interface for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IK Multimedia announces iRig PRO,
the “all in one” universal audio/MIDI interface
for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac

iRig PRO allows professional recording musicians to connect
microphones, guitars, line instruments or MIDI devices on the go

September 5, 2013 – IK Multimedia, the global leader in mobile music-creation apps and accessories, is proud to announce iRig® PRO, the universal digital mobile audio/MIDI interface for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac.

Pocket-sized, battery-powered and fully portable, iRig PRO is designed to give mobile musicians and songwriters an interface that can handle the widest variety of audio input signals, so they can create music and audio on the go anywhere, any time.

iRig PRO accepts virtually every type of audio and MIDI input, making it the most versatile compact interface on the market. Users can plug in a dynamic or condenser microphone; a guitar, bass or other Hi-Z instrument; or any line-level source.

Additionally, iRig PRO is equipped with a MIDI input for keyboards, pads and controllers, making it a truly universal compact interface for recording and composing on the go or in the studio. Its audio and MIDI inputs can be used simultaneously, for example, to control guitar or vocal software with MIDI foot controllers or pedals, for switching presets or controlling effects levels.

Plus, iRig PRO comes with a suite of IK’s best music-creation apps like AmpliTube, VocaLive, SampleTank, iGrand and iRig Recorder, and is compatible with most audio and MIDI processing apps for the mobile musician. Mac users will also enjoy the inclusion of premium software with iRig PRO, like AmpliTube, T-RackS and SampleTank, and will appreciate the unit’s compatibility with any type of music-creation software.

Universal Inputs
iRig PRO features a high-quality 1/4″-XLR combo input connector for connection with standard XLR cables, 1/4″ mono line or instrument signal cables, and a switchable 48V phantom power supply for use with studio condenser microphones. It has an ultra-low-noise, high-definition microphone-and-instrument preamp; a high-quality 24-bit A/D converter; a preamp gain control; plus LED indicators for device status, MIDI, phantom power and signal level.

iRig PRO is powered by the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, or USB, when used with instruments or a dynamic microphone. A 9V battery (included) provides phantom power to compatible microphones. iRig PRO also features a standard MIDI input for connection of MIDI devices like drum machines, controllers and MIDI keyboards.

Universal Compatibility
iRig PRO comes with three detachable cables, compatible with Lightning, 30-pin and USB connectors, respectively, allowing for digital connection to every model of iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac, out of the box, with no need for adapters. A MIDI cable with a standard MIDI jack is also provided to connect the widest variety of MIDI-compatible keyboards and controllers.

iRig PRO is class compliant and compatible with Core Audio and Core MIDI, so it can be used with any audio and MIDI processing apps for iOS and Mac OS, for true plug-and-play performance without additional hardware/software.

Universal Apps and Software Included
For iPhone and iPad users, iRig PRO comes with a suite of IK Multimedia’s most popular apps for mobile music creation on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, including AmpliTube FREE (the #1 app for guitar players) for guitarists and bass players, VocaLive FREE for singers, SampleTank FREE and iGrand Piano FREE for keyboard players and iRig Recorder FREE for recording engineers.

Plus, all these apps work together with Audiobus integration, offering a truly complete set-up for making any type of music. Additionally, exclusive AmpliTube gear and SampleTank sounds are available as free add-ons for iRig PRO users.

For Mac users, iRig PRO includes AmpliTube Custom Shop, the industry standard guitar-and-bass processing software; a free version of AmpliTube Metal; T-RackS Custom Shop, the mixing-and-mastering effect suite with a free version of T-RackS Classic; and SampleTank XT, a sound workstation that includes over 1GB of sounds. All these software titles are available both as plug-ins for the most popular digital audio workstations (including GarageBand), or as standalone applications for immediate plug and play.

Pricing and Availability
iRig PRO will ship in September from music and consumer electronics retailers worldwide for $149.99/€119.99 (exc. taxes). iRig PRO can now be ordered from the IK Online Store and select retailers.

For more information on iRig PRO, please visit
www.ikmultimedia.com/irigpro

IK Multimedia adds Audiobus compatibility and iPhone 5 graphics support to VocaLive

IK Multimedia. Musicians First.

 


MEDIA ALERT

IK Multimedia adds Audiobus compatibility
and iPhone 5 graphics support to VocaLive


New version lets you use VocaLive’s professional effects
with other compatible audio apps, and adds full-screen support
for iPhone 5 and new iPod touch

Modena, Italy – June 18, 2013 – IK Multimedia today announced the release of a new version of its VocaLive app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The update adds Audiobus compatibility, plus full support for the larger displays in the iPhone 5 and new iPod touch. VocaLive, IK Multimedia’s professional real-time vocal processor app, provides stunning vocal effects for live performance and recording.

Audiobus Compatibility
The new version of VocaLive can be used in any of the available app slots in the Audiobus signal chain: Input, Effects, or Output. Audiobus (from Audiobus Pty Ltd) allows compatible apps to be connected together in realtime, thus opening up many new creative possibilities. Singers can use the new VocaLive to add great vocal effects to their recordings in apps like AmpliTube and GarageBand, or record instrumentation from compatible apps to their projects in VocaLive.

When VocaLive’s Recorder is set as the Output in the Audiobus signal chain, the Audiobus control panel can be used to select the input channel without switching back to VocaLive. The app can also be used in the center Effects slot of Audiobus to creatively add effects to instrumentation or previously recorded material.

At the present time there are 214 apps that support Audiobus, including IK’s AmpliTube, SampleTank, iGrand Piano, iLectric Piano, and now VocaLive. For more info on Audiobus, go to: www.audiob.us

iPhone 5 Support
VocaLive for iPhone now supports the larger screen display of the iPhone 5 and new iPod touch, providing a gorgeous, full-screen, high-resolution graphic user interface.

More About VocaLive
VocaLive is a professional real-time vocal processor and recording app that’s available in versions for iPhone/iPod touch and iPad. It allows singers, songwriters and producers to add professional quality effects to vocal performances, both onstage and in the studio.

The app includes a suite of five dedicated vocal effects (Double, De-Esser, Choir, Pitch Fix and Morph), plus seven additional effects optimized for vocal processing (Reverb, Para EQ, Comp, Delay, Env Filter, Chorus and Phazer) that can be combined on a 3-processor (4-processor on iPad) vocal chain.

VocaLive features a single-track Recorder section (expandable to a 4-track on iPhone/iPod touch, 8-track on iPad), which provides a complete mobile recording solution for artists, anytime and everywhere. The app also offers a “Song” section with a “No Voice” center-channel-cancel feature, which allows vocalists to sing along with material from their iPod library. In addition, VocaLive provides vocal scale tools for warm-up and rehearsal.

VocaLive works with any audio input device compatible with iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, and supports digital audio input as well. For best results, use the IK Multimedia iRig® MIC handheld vocal microphone, iRig® PRE universal XLR mic preamp or the iRig® MIC Cast compact microphone.

Pricing and Availability
The VocaLive app is available for $19.99/€17.99 from the App StoreSM for iPhone/iPod touch and iPad, or at www.AppStore.com. The new version is a free upgrade for existing users.

For more information on VocaLive, go to:
www.ikmultimedia.com/vocalive

For the complete line up of IK Multimedia’s line of iRig interfaces and microphones, please visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/irig

Best regards,

Starr Ackerman
USA/CA/SA PR Manager

IK Multimedia. Musicians First.
954-846-9101 ext 313
starr@ikmultimedia.com
www.ikmultimedia.com


About IK Multimedia: IK Multimedia is a computer music technology company that offers a diverse range of affordable and easy-to-use music production tools with great sound quality and a realistic look and feel. With over one million installations worldwide, the IK range has been adopted by musicians of every level, from beginners to professionals, to gain access to high-end, studio-quality gear from their computers or mobile devices. VocaLive™, AmpliTube™, iRig® PRE, iRig® MIC Cast, and iRig® MIC are trademarks property of IK Multimedia Production. Audiobus is a trademark of Audiobus Pty Ltd,. GarageBand is a trademark of Apple Inc. iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch®, Mac and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other product names and trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with IK Multimedia. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.