Introducing Switch, a button that turns on Netflix, dims the lights and puts your phone in DND mode

In a somewhat amusing move, Netflix at the 2015 World Maker Faire show announcedsomething called the Netflix Switch.

What’s that, I hear you ask. It’s basically an Internet-connected DIY physical button that turns on Netflix, dims the lights and puts your phone in Do Not Disturb mode to get you ready for a Netflix marathon with just one press.

“Settle in—the simple way,” teases Netflix. “One press dims the lights, silences incoming calls, orders takeout and turns on Netflix.”

Netflix’s prototype is housed inside a custom wooden enclosure with a standard momentary push button. The electronics include the micro controller, a built-in lithium-ion polymer, an IR blaster and a Particle Core for Wi-Fi connectivity.

iPhone 6s may suffer from iOS 9 bug affecting some apps which tap into compass and gyroscope data

Apple’s new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus seem to be affected by a potential software bug present in iOS 9.0 and iOS 9.0.1 that appears to affect some, but not all apps which rely on data collected from the handset’s compass and gyroscope sensors.

As first reported by AppleInsider, developer Fifth Star Labs has confirmed that reported issues with the Compass feature in its Sky Guide stargazing app are indeed limited to the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus and do not extend to older hardware.

“iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users are reporting problems with the way the Sky Guide compass is functioning,” Fifth Star Labs said. “We’re aware of it and are quickly working on a fix.”

“Under normal conditions, users point their iPhone up toward the sky to see an onscreen view of stars, planets, constellations and more,” notes Apple Insider. “But on iPhone 6s running iOS 9 — including the latest iOS 9.0.1 update — the map drifts uncontrollably.”

iPhone 6s may suffer from an iOS 9 bug affecting some apps which tap into compass and gyroscope data

Apple’s new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus seem to be affected by a potential software bug present in iOS 9.0 and iOS 9.0.1 that appears to affect some, but not all apps which rely on data collected from the handset’s compass and gyroscope sensors.

As first reported by AppleInsider, developer Fifth Star Labs has confirmed that reported issues with the Compass feature in its Sky Guide stargazing app are indeed limited to the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus and do not extend to older hardware.

“iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users are reporting problems with the way the Sky Guide compass is functioning,” Fifth Star Labs said. “We’re aware of it and are quickly working on a fix.”

Apple has 2x or more credit cards on file than Amazon

Following Apple’s most recent earnings report, Tim Cook revealed in a conference call with analyst that there are now more than 800 million iTunes accounts in use and said that “the majority of those have credit cards behind them.”

How does this compare to Amazon, the king of online commerce? Turns out that Apple actually has twice as many credit cards on file than Amazon, at least. This poses a tremendous opportunity should Apple decide to introduce a mobile payment service of its own, as expected…

Leo’s Fortune is the best platformer we’ve played in a while

Ah, the platformer, a genre that has stood the test of time for generations. Once Mario and his brother graced our living room screens, we were hooked on the run-and-jump adventure that platformers offer. After so many decades, it is starting to get hard to tell titles apart. It seems like anyone can make a platform game, but not everyone can make it good.

Leo’s Fortune is a platform game that is visually attractive, mechanically exciting, and filled with complex puzzles that keep you coming back for more…

Hulu Plus app updated with remote control support for game consoles

Hulu posted a significant update for its Plus iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 3.5.2. The release includes a new remote control feature that will enable users to control the Hulu Plus experience on their Xbox One, PS3 or PS4 console using an iPhone or iPad.

Setup is a breeze. Simply launch the Hulu Plus app on your iOS (or Android) device, and it will automatically detect your gaming console. Once detected, a ‘Cast’ button will appear in the app, allowing you to pair your smartphone or tablet to the selected console and take control…

Pinterest app updated with new ‘Guided Search’ feature

Pinterest users may be interested to know that the photo-sharing site rolled out a major new feature to its mobile apps this morning. It’s called ‘Guided Search,’ and it comes via an App Store update, which brings both the iPhone and iPad client to version 3.6.

Guided Search is a tool made for exploring Pinterest when you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. So for example, if you enter a vague search time like ‘vacation,’ the tool will help you hone in on a category (i.e. camping, beach, etc) or specific location…

NBC’s ‘Today’ offers peek inside Apple’s North Carolina data center

Continuing with its recent ‘green’ marketing push, Apple offered folks a rare look inside its Maiden, North Carolina data center last night. The company paired up with NBC chief environmental correspondent Anne Thompson to do a spot on Thursday’s edition of the ‘Today’ show regarding its various environmental initiatives.

The piece is fairly short—just under 3 minutes—but it’s interesting because it gives you a peek inside Apple’s data center operations, and details some of the equipment used to power the large buildings. Also, it features a brief appearance by the company’s newly-appointed Vice President of Environmental Initiatives Lisa Jackson…

Angela Ahrendts to join Apple as retail chief next week

During this afternoon’s quarterly earnings call, Tim Cook announced that Angela Ahrendts will be officially joining Apple next week. The announcement was made last October, but Ahrendts has been under contract with her previous job—CEO of luxury clothing company Burberry—until now.

Ahrendts will join Apple as the Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores, a position that has seen significant turnover in recent years. In 2011, Ron Johnson left for a CEO position at JC Penney, and his replacement, John Browett, was ousted in less than a year due to a conflict in strategy…

Aaron Sorkin talks Jobs movie at Tribeca Film Festival

Aaron Sorkin took a moment yesterday to speak about his upcoming Steve Jobs movie. The Academy Award-winning screenwriter was answering questions at New York City’s School of Visual Arts for the Tribeca Film Festival last night when the subject of the Sony-backed Jobs film came up.

Sorkin of course avoided talking about the drama that surfaced yesterday surrounding the picture’s director and cast, but he did offer up a few details about his script. Some of it we’ve heard before—such as his goal to do something other than a ‘Jobs biography’—but there were a few new tidbits…