Beats 1, Apple Music's global 24-hour radio station has started transmitting

iOS 8.4 beta testers in the US, who are using the latest version of the iPhone and iPad operating system which contains the new Apple Music service, can now receive the preliminary transmission of Beats 1, the global 24-hour radio station component of the new music service. With transmissions coming from NY, LA and London, Beats 1 boasts exclusive artist interviews, live performances as well as curated playlists of the latest, greatest that the music world has to offer (at least according to the DJs curating the music).

Slated to launch in earnest later on today, listeners who 'tune in' will hear the track "1/2" by Brian Eno, from his album "Ambient 1: Music for Airports." Apple Music, together with Beats 1 and the Connect interactive feature, is expected to launch one hour after the Tuesday launch of iOS 8.4, at 11 a.m. ET. No word on if and when Canadian users will receive the update or if Apple Music will be working when it does.

Source: International Business Times

Update on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 10:59AM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

iOS 8.4 is now available for download in Canada. The file on an iPhone 6 Plus is 222 MB.

Newer iPad 2's feature more efficient processor, 15-30% better battery life

Peek-a-boo! Which one is your iPad 2?You have to hand it to Apple. When they released the new iPad , they didn't just lower the price of the iPad 2 16GB by $100, they actually continued improving last year's popular tablet.

Reports are stating that some of the newer iPad 2's are sporting a redesigned 32nm (nanometer) A5 processor that is also more efficient and gives 15-30% more battery life.

Which is which? The newer iPad 2 bears the identifier "iPad2,4"

This newer A5 chip is also present in the recent AppleTV while the new iPad still uses a 45 nm processor (it does have far more powerful graphics). Anandtech.com took apart one of these newer units, subjected it to multiple tests and came to the conclusion that they are indeed more frugal.

How do you make sure you get one of the newer models, well that's the tough part. As MacRumors states,"Unfortunately, Anandtech notes that there appears to be no way for customers to ensure that they receive one of these revised iPad 2 models for their $399 purchase, as there are still a significant number of the original iPad 2 models in circulation and they can not be distinguished based without opening the box and turning on the device."

Sources:  Anandtech via Mac Rumors