GarageBand, Apple's music making app designed for iPhones and iPads, was today updated to version 2.3.8, introducing support for iOS 13 features.
The app now works with Dark Mode, and because GarageBand already had a darker interface, there are new lighter interface elements when used in Light Mode.
GarageBand also now supports accessing files from external hard drives, SD card readers, and USB drives through the files app.
Along with these iOS 13 features, GarageBand has improved audio fidelity of Apple Loops when making tempo and key changes, and a new downloadable "Skyline Heat" sound pack with a collection of more than 350 Hip Hop loops and six drum kits. Release notes are below:
- Support for Dark Mode and new Share sheet in iOS 13 - Access files from external hard drives, SD card readers, and USB drives - Improves audio fidelity of Apple Loops when making tempo and key changes - New downloadable "Skyline Heat" sound pack with a collection of over 350 new Hip Hop loops and 6 drum kits
Apple introduced a new Sign in with Apple feature in iOS 13, which is designed to let you create accounts for apps and websites using your Apple ID, so you don't have to give away your personal information.
Sign in with Apple is an alternative to the existing sign in with Google and Facebook options that apps and websites often offer. Apple's version protects your privacy and even lets you mask your email address.
How Sign in with Apple Works
In an app that supports Sign in with Apple, there's a "Continue with Apple" option that you'll see when asked to create an account.
Tapping "Continue with Apple" explains that the feature is designed to let you sign into websites with the Apple ID that you already have. Developers don't see your Apple ID and are only provided with your name and your email address, though there is also an option to hide your email address if desired.
Apps and websites get no personally identifiable information from you. When you use the feature, apps receive a unique identifier that is distinct for each developer, so there's no cross-platform or cross-app tracking available.
With Sign in with Apple, developers and websites have no way of gathering information about you beyond the name that you provide and your email address, unless it's hidden.
Hiding Your Email Address
When using Sign in with Apple, you can provide developers and websites with your email address, or you can use a hidden email address assigned by Apple that will then forward incoming correspondence to your real email address.
If you choose to use your real email address, you can use any email associated with your Apple ID.
If you choose to hide your email address, Apple generates a unique email address that developers and websites can communicate with. Apple deletes messages after delivery or after a short while if undeliverable.
Sign in with Apple Developer Requirements
Apple is requiring all apps that offer sign in with Google, sign in with Facebook, or sign in with Twitter options to also offer Sign in with Apple, but there is an June 2020 deadline, so the feature may not be available in apps right away. Eventually all apps that allow you to sign in with other accounts from Google, Twitter, and Facebook will also be required to offer Sign in with Apple.
Apps are not required to use Sign in with Apple as an option if signing in with a username and password is available, though developers certainly can if they choose to.
Websites aren't required to use Sign in with Apple, but the option is available, and apps that also have websites do have Sign in with Apple implemented.
Where Sign in with Apple Works
Sign in with Apple works on the web and in iOS and Android apps. So if you have a login for an app that also has a website, you can use Sign in with Apple as a log in option in both places.
Using Sign in with Apple on the Web
When you use Sign in with Apple on the web, websites will request your Apple ID to log in, but the entire authentication process is handled by a separate window and done through Apple so the website never sees your Apple ID. Web access allows Sign in with Apple to be used on any device.
How to Change Your Forwarding Email
If you're signing into an app, Apple uses your default Apple ID email address, but if you're signing into a website, you can change your associated email address for forwarding purposes.
To do so, open up the Settings app, choose your Apple account (your picture) and then select Name, Phone Numbers, and Email.
Converting an Existing Login to Sign in with Apple
Some apps and websites will allow you to convert an existing login to Sign in with Apple, but the process for this will vary from service to service. Whether or not a specific app or website allows a login to be converted also depends on whether or not the feature has been implemented.
Signing in on a Public Computer
If you're using a public computer or a work computer to access a Sign in With Apple website, you can follow the same general steps for logging in on a website on your Mac. Click on the "Sign in With Apple" option on a supported website, and then enter your Apple ID, password, and then enter the two-factor authentication code on an approved device.
Biometric Authentication
Apple protects your Sign in with Apple logins with Touch ID, Face ID, and passcode options so no one can sign in to your accounts but you. Biometric options are used where available, such as on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, with passwords used on Macs that don't have biometric authentication options.
Two-Factor Authentication
On the web, all of your Sign in with Apple logins are protected by two-factor authentication, so you will need to confirm with a verified device just like you would when signing into iCloud on a new device. Two-factor authentication is required to use Sign in with Apple.
Managing Your Sign in with Apple Data
Apple maintains an on-device list of all of the apps and websites where you've used Sign in with Apple. Open up the Settings app, tap on your profile, choose Password & Security, and then tap on the "Apps Using Your Apple ID" option.
If you disable Sign in with Apple, the information that was shared with the developer to set up Sign in with Apple will continue to be available to the developer and handled according to the developer's privacy policy.
Privacy
Apple doesn't track what apps you're using or where you have accounts, but Apple says that information about your Apple ID and your device use patterns could be used to help Apple prevent fraud. Developers do not see any data from you that you don't provide.
This is the info Wordpress got about me when signing up for an account with Sign in with Apple. No real info included.
The first time that you sign into an app or website, Apple shares a "simple numerical score" with the developer to prove that you're a real person. The score is calculated from recent Apple account activity and "abstracted information about your device and usage patterns."
Apple says that it knows if you've enabled Sign in with Apple for an app or a website, but it does not track the apps that you sign in to or when. Apple does not see or retain a history of which apps or websites you sign into or when you use Sign in with Apple, nor do developers receive this information.
Guide Feedback
Have questions about Sign in with Apple, know of a feature we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.
A teardown of the 44mm Apple Watch Series 5 conducted by repair site iFixit found few design changes compared to the 44mm Apple Watch Series 4, but a subsequent teardown of the 40mm model has found some more significant design deviations.
The battery inside of the Apple Watch Series 5 has a new metal casing, likely constructed from aluminum, rather than the foil pouch that surrounds most lithium-ion batteries.
Based on an Apple patent, iFixit suggests that the new metal casing is designed to be a more space-efficient method for sealing batteries. The size of the battery compartment in the Series 5 doesn't appear to have changed significantly over the Series 4 model, but the battery in the Series 5 offers 10 percent larger capacity than the Series 4 (0.944Wh vs. 0.858Wh).
Foil pouches feature a larger seal than the metal enclosure, so with the design change, Apple may have been able to use the space saved for a slightly larger battery.
New battery design on left, old design on right
iFixit says that the metal casing also makes the battery physically stronger, which is ideal for repair purposes. An aluminum enclosure makes it more difficult to puncture during repairs.
The new design is limited to the 40mm Apple Watch Series 5 and was not seen in the 44mm Series 5 model. iFixit says that it's not clear why the updated design was used in one watch and not the other, but it could be that the smaller watch needed additional battery or Apple wanted a "low-key" way to test the design.
Apple today released a second supplemental update for macOS Mojave 10.14.6, the current release version of macOS that's available to the public.
The macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Supplemental Update can be downloaded by going to the "Software Update" section of System Preferences and selecting the Update Now option. There are also updates available for macOS Sierra and macOS High Sierra.
There's little detail on what's included in today's update, but Apple's release notes say that it "improves the security of macOS" and is recommended for all users. According to a support document, it addresses a vulnerability that could allow remote attacker to "cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution."
The next-generation version of macOS, macOS Catalina, is still in beta testing and is set to see a public release sometime in October, though Apple has not specified when.
Though watchOS 6 is now available, the update has not been released for Series 1 and Series 2 models, so Apple today made a watchOS 5.3.2 update available for these devices.
watchOS 5.3.2 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General -> Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have over 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
According to Apple's release notes, the watchOS 5.3.2 update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users. A security support document says the watchOS 5.3.2 update includes a fix for a vulnerability that could allow a remote hacker to cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
Apple has not released watchOS 6 for the Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watch models, despite the fact that these devices will be getting the update.
Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watch owners may need to wait for the release of watchOS 6.1 to get watchOS 6, as that beta is available for older devices as well as newer ones.
While waiting for the watchOS 6 update, Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watch owners should download the software released today.
Though iOS 13 has been available for a week now, Apple today released an iOS 12.4.2 update designed for those who are still running versions of iOS 12 on devices that aren't able to be updated to iOS 13.
Apple is making iOS 12.4.2 available for the original iPad Air, the iPad mini 2, the iPad mini 3, the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and sixth-generation iPod touch, all of which are not compatible with iOS 13.
The iOS 12.4.2 update can be downloaded on eligible devices over the air by opening up the Settings app, selecting the General section, and tapping on Software Update.
It's not clear what's included in iOS 12.4.2, but it is likely a security update that adds important security fixes for older devices that weren't able to get those updates through the newer software. Apple's release notes say the update "includes improvements, provides important security updates, and is recommended for all users."
A security support document provided alongside the update indicates that it fixes a vulnerability that could allow a remote attacker to case unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
Apple has prototyped at least one iPhone with a 6.7-inch display and no notch, with the TrueDepth sensors for Face ID instead housed in the thin bezel above the display, according to leaker and concept artist Ben Geskin.
Geskin created the rough concept below to visualize the alleged iPhone, which he said Apple plans to release in 2020.
This isn't the first time we've heard of a 6.7-inch iPhone. Earlier this year, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple plans to release 5.4-inch, 6.1-inch, and 6.7-inch iPhones in 2020, all with OLED displays and 5G support. Kuo said the iPhones will sport all-new designs, but he did not comment on the notch.
Earlier this week, Kuo added that the 2020 iPhones will each have a new metal frame similar to the iPhone 4, suggesting the frame could have flat edges versus the round frame on the iPhone X and newer.
Geskin has had a few accurate leaks in the past, including front glass panels for 2018 iPhones that revealed the iPhone XR would have slightly thicker bezels than the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. However, until other sources corroborate this information, the rumor should be treated with some skepticism.
Apple today released a full trailer for the upcoming Apple TV+ series "For All Mankind."
Told through the lives of NASA astronauts, engineers, and their families, "For All Mankind" presents an aspirational world where NASA and the space program remained a priority and a focal point of hopes and dreams, according to Apple.
"For All Mankind" stars Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Wrenn Schmidt, Shantel VanSanten, Sarah Jones, and Jodi Balfour. The series was created by Emmy Award winner Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi. All three serve as executive producers alongside Maril Davis.
Apple TV+ is Apple's upcoming subscription-based streaming video service, launching November 1 in over 100 countries and regions. The platform will eventually offer dozens of original TV shows and movies, such as "The Morning Show," "Dickinson," "See," "For All Mankind" and "The Elephant Queen."
Apple TV+ will be available on the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and other platforms, including online at tv.apple.com, for $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. Since September 10, customers who purchase any iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, or Mac can get one year of Apple TV+ for free.
"For All Mankind" will premiere alongside Apple TV+'s launch on November 1.
ChargerLAB has tested wireless charging speeds on iPhone 11 models running iOS 13.1 and found that multiple wireless charging pads that were able to charge the new iPhones at 7.5W on iOS 13 are now limited to 5W.
Unsurprisingly, the decreased power lengthens charging times, as visualized in ChargerLAB's graph below:
The report claims that exceptions include various wireless charging pads from Belkin, Mophie, Native Union, Anker, and Logitech sold by Apple Stores, leading ChargerLAB to speculate that Apple may be limiting 7.5W wireless charging to pads using fixed-frequency voltage regulation as of iOS 13.1.
Apple today activated its in-store reserve and pickup system for the new 10.2-inch iPad in the United States and Canada.
This system enables customers to purchase the 10.2-inch iPad on Apple.com in advance and select a 30-minute window to pick it up at an Apple Store. The tool can also be used to monitor inventory of the 10.2-inch iPad at Apple Stores based on ZIP or postal code, with stock available at many locations today.
To check if Apple Stores in your area have stock, head to the 10.2-inch iPad purchase page on Apple's website, configure your desired model, select "check another store" under "pickup," and enter your ZIP or postal code.
When you get to the Apple Store, let an employee know you have an order to pick up. Make sure to bring a valid government-issued photo ID with you. Apple also sometimes provides a QR code that can be added to the Wallet app for convenience and quicker check-in, but this is optional.
Alongside in-store pickups, the 10.2-inch iPad is now available for walk-in purchase in many countries. Availability will vary by store, so we recommend calling ahead to confirm your desired model is in stock.
Apple unveiled the 10.2-inch iPad at its September event earlier this month. The 10.2-inch iPad is similar to the 9.7-inch iPad it replaces, with the same A10 Fusion chip and Apple Pencil support, but it has a larger display and a Smart Connector that enables support for Apple's full-sized Smart Keyboard.
10.2-inch iPad pricing starts at $329 in the United States, in line with the 9.7-inch iPad.
Feral Interactive has announced it is bringing ROME: Total War – Alexander to iPhone next month. The title is a standalone expansion pack to the critically acclaimed ROME: Total War, which was faithfully ported to iPhone late last year.
As with the previous Creative Assembly conversion, the iPhone release of Alexander promises a full port of the original desktop game, supplemented by intuitive touch controls, enhanced Retina graphics, and mid-battle autosaves.
A century before the events of ROME: Total War, Alexander ascends the Macedonian throne and embarks upon an audacious campaign to conquer the all-powerful Persian Empire. Players will lead their armies to unify the Greek city states, and then march across Central Asia, routing all enemies along the way, before establishing their legend as Alexander the Great, the most remarkable general of classical civilisation.
ROME: Total War – Alexander for iPhone 5S and later models, including the iPod touch (6th Generation), will be available exclusively via the App Store for $4.99. The game can be played without ROME: Total War, which is available on the App Store now for $9.99.
Apple supplier Japan Display has lost out on Chinese funds from a key investment firm leading a proposed bailout deal, but Apple could be about to double its own investment to aid in the LCD panel maker's restructuring, according to reports.
Chinese firm Harvest Group has been leading the consortium for an 80 billion yen ($740 million) bailout deal, which includes investments from Apple and Hong Kong-based activist investor Oasis Management.
However, Nikkei Asian Review today reports that Harvest Group has decided it will not provide any financial aid to Japan Display Inc, also known as JDI. Harvest was expected to contribute 63 billion yen ($557 million), said Nikkei, citing sources familiar with the negotiation.
This is just the latest disappointment for the ailing Japanese firm, which has seen its bailout plan falter repeatedly. The display maker had been expecting $230 million from Taiwan's TPK Holding to cover its losses, but the proposal was withdrawn in June.
Then, just days later, financial firm CGL Group also dropped its investment plans, leaving JDI unsure whether other members in the Chinese-Taiwanese consortium would follow through with their own bailout proposals.
However, this morning, The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is considering a revised plan that would see the tech giant double its investment in Japan Display to 20 billion yen, up from the 10 billion yen ($100 million) it originally proposed in June.
Apple was slated to invest ¥10 billion in the earlier version of the bailout plan and now is looking at doubling that amount to ¥20 billion in light of Harvest’s withdrawal, said people with direct knowledge of the plan.
JDI relies on Apple for more than half of its sales, and supplies the liquid crystal display panels for the iPhone 11, which has helped support its bottom line. However, its mainstay LCD business has been hit heavily by the growing adoption of OLED panel technology.
That has left the supplier scrambling to invest in OLED production to turn around its business, which saw a $2.3 billion loss in 2018.
On a positive note, JDI received a 20 billion yen infusion earlier this month from Innovation Network Corporation of Japan. Japan Display also supplies the OLED displays for then new Apple Watch Series 5 models, according to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Last month, Kuo forecasted that Japan Display will gradually increase its proportion of OLED display orders for the Apple Watch, starting with 15-20 percent of orders in 2019 and reaching 70-80 percent in 2021.
If the Japanese firm can rethink its restructuring plans with the help of Apple, it could potentially supply OLED panels for future iPhones, which would in turn allow Apple to diversify its supply chain and reduce its heavy reliance on Samsung for the newer OLED display tech.
Apple is partnering with nonprofit Conservation International to work to restore degraded grasslands and forests in the Chyulu Hills in Kenya.
Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted about the initiative this afternoon, sharing an article penned by Fast Company that includes commentary from Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environmental, social, and policy initiatives.
"By restoring tens of thousands of hectares in the Chyulu Hills, we can remove carbon from the air, protect a critical wildlife corridor for elephants, and support the livelihoods of the Maasai people," says Lisa Jackson.
The Chyulu Hills are has the potential to "capture huge amounts of CO2," but has been degraded through unsustainable land use, which also causes problems for the people living in the area. Maasai herders, for example, don't have enough food for livestock, and elephants and other wildlife struggle to find food.
Climate change impacts all of us —every living thing on Earth. We’re working with @ConservationOrg to restore grasslands and forests in Kenya. These habitats reduce carbon, protecting the livelihoods of the Maasai people and local elephant populations.🌍 https://t.co/bwW61vqxHV
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 25, 2019
Conservation International, along with the Masaai Wilderness Conservation Trust and the Big Life Foundation will use funds from Apple to focus on social interventions to improve the area rather than planting grass and trees. As an example, the organizations may help Maasai herders shift to rotational grazing, allowing the land to recover on its own.
"Direct planting work is very expensive," says Nikola Alexandre, a restoration fellow at Conservation International. "But when you work instead with local communities, you find actions that they can carry out that improve their well-being and the well-being of the ecosystem. It's kind of a win-win solution for everyone."
Restoration efforts implemented across Africa have the potential to "yield huge climate benefits," potentially leading to 4 metric tons of CO2 removal per hectare.
Working to combat climate change requires "everyone to act with fierce urgency," according to Jackson. "At Apple, we're bringing the same focus we have for creating innovative and groundbreaking products to creating climate solutions," she told Fast Company.
Apple has also worked to preserve mangrove forests in Colombia, has funded forest management programs in China, and has worked on forest management in the United States.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Apple's new iPhone 11 Pro Max is similar in design to the previous-generation iPhone XS Max, with the exception of a significantly upgraded camera system.
In our latest YouTube video, we went hands-on with the triple-lens camera in the iPhone 11 Pro Max and compared it to the dual-lens camera in the iPhone XS Max to see just how much of an upgrade it is.
From a pure hardware standpoint, all of the cameras in the iPhone 11 Pro Max are better than the cameras in the iPhone XS Max. The main wide-angle camera has a larger sensor that lets in more light, the telephoto lens now features a larger f/2.0 aperture, and there's a new ultra wide angle camera (f/2.4) that didn't exist before.
In practice, though, there isn't a lot of difference between wide-angle camera comparison shots taken with the iPhone 11 Pro Max and the iPhone XS Max in good lighting conditions.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is sharper in some situations with more vivid coloring, but there are also instances where certain areas of the image get more blown out than with the iPhone XS Max. Image quality between the two phones may change later this year when Deep Fusion, a new iPhone 11 feature, comes out.
Deep Fusion uses machine learning for pixel-by-pixel processing of photos, optimizing for texture, detail, and noise.
When it comes to Portrait Mode, edge detection in the iPhone 11 Pro Max is also similar to edge detection in the iPhone XS Max, so for well-composed shots in good lighting, you're not going to see a lot of difference.
There are new portrait mode capabilities worth highlighting, however. You can now take wide-angle portrait mode shots with the 1x lens in addition to the telephoto lens, so you can get more in a shot if desired. The telephoto lens itself has also been improved, so Portrait Mode shots in lower lighting will turn out better.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has the ultra wide-angle camera, which is entirely new and allows you to take wider shots than were possible with the iPhone XS Max. For comparison's sake, the ultra wide-angle camera offers a 13mm equivalent focal length, while the wide-angle camera is 26mm and the telephoto is 52mm.
The new 13mm focal length makes a world of difference for landscape and architecture shots, plus it can be used creatively for closer shots with unique perspectives. An ultra wide-angle lens is an excellent addition to a smartphone and is perhaps more useful than even a telephoto lens.
The ultra wide-angle lens has an f/2.4 aperture and no optical image stabilization like the other lenses in the iPhone 11 Pro Max, so it doesn't do quite as well in lower lighting conditions and images aren't quite as crisp, but it's great in the proper lighting, such as outdoors.
All three cameras are available for both photography and video recording, and you can switch between them at will with a new toggle in the camera app.
Along with the wide-angle lens, the real difference between the iPhone 11 Pro Max and the XS Max is the new Night mode and the low light capabilities of the 2019 iPhones.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max's Night mode uses machine learning and multiple shots to create usable photographs even when it's close to pitch black outside, while still preserving the color and the feel of a night time photo.
Night mode is drastically different than even the best low light shots from the iPhone XS Max and it allows iPhone users to capture shots that just wouldn't have turned out on the iPhone XS Max.
Night mode exposures range from 1 seconds to 10 seconds, based on the ambient lighting conditions, how still you hold your iPhone, and more, and the feature basically uses multiple combined shots to create one image so you need to make sure you're holding the iPhone steady or using a tripod.
Shots taken this way aren't great for moving objects like pets or kids, and Night mode photos aren't always as crisp especially when it's close to pitch black, but you can get some amazing looking images when using it.
As for the front-facing camera, it's also been improved. There's a 12-megapixel lens (up from 7-megapixels) and Apple is using next-generation Smart HDR (this is available for the rear camera too), so that "beauty filter" that people disliked in the iPhone XS Max has been toned down. In good lighting, though, there's not a ton of difference between front-facing shots from the iPhone 11 Pro Max and the XS Max.
The front-facing camera supports 4K at 60 frames per second and slow motion 120fps video at 1080p, allowing for slow motion selfies, aka "Slofies." The other major change to the front-facing camera is an option to get a wider shot, so you can zoom in or zoom out as desired, which is perfect for group selfies.
All in all, most iPhone XS Max users may not want to upgrade to the iPhone 11 Pro Max, but the exception is people who love taking photos with the iPhone. The cameras are dramatically improved with the ultra wide-angle lens and the new Night mode, letting users capture shots that were not possible with the previous-generation device.
For more on the differences between the iPhone 11 Pro Max and the iPhone XS Max, make sure to check out our comparison guide. We also have more info on the iPhone 11 Pro Max in our roundup, and we'll have more iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro camera coverage and comparisons coming in the near future.
Apple has teamed up with Maroon 5 to add the group's new song "Memories" to the Memories feature in the Photos app, allowing it to be used for photo slide show creations, reports Billboard.
"Memories" will be available as a soundtrack option for a limited time and it is available to iPhone and iPad users running the latest iOS 13 and iPadOS software.
Memories in the Photos app are created when iPhone and iPad users choose to play a curated memory option, which can be set to different soundtracks.
At an event in Seattle, Amazon today unveiled a series of new Alexa-enabled Echo products, ranging from a new high-end speaker to a lamp.
Amazon's Echo Studio, a new higher-end version of its Echo smart speaker, is designed to compete with Apple's HomePod. The Alexa-equipped Echo Studio, which is priced at $199, supports 3D Dolby sound and, like the HomePod, is designed to optimize sound based on the layout of a room.
Image via The Verge
The Echo Studio features three mid-range speakers (left, right, and top) along with a directional tweeter and a 5.25-inch subwoofer for bass and improved sound. Amazon is working with record labels that include Sony, Universal, and Warner Music Group on music tracks that support Sony 360 audio.
The Echo Studio is able to connect to 4K Fire TV devices and when Atmos-encoded content is played, the speaker will be engaged to "fill the room with sound."
In addition to a HomePod competitor, Amazon also debuted a new product designed to compete with the AirPods. The Echo Buds, priced at $130, are Amazon's first Echo wearable that offers hands-free access to Alexa.
Amazon says the earbuds deliver excellent sound with crisp, clear vocals and dynamic bass, plus they're equipped with Bose Active Noise Reduction technology. The Echo Buds last for five hours and have a case that adds additional battery life for up to 20 hours.
Amazon also unveiled a new version of its main Echo smart speaker today, which features improved sound quality with new Neodymium drivers and a 3-inch woofer. Priced at $100, the speaker is said to have stronger bass, and clearer mids and highs. The speaker looks similar to prior Echo speakers, but comes in a new dark blue color.
There's a new version of the Echo Dot, the Echo Dot With Clock, which is priced at $60. The Echo Dot With Clock features an LED display at the front with options for displaying the time, alarms, timers, temperature, and more.
The Echo Show 8, an upgraded version of the Echo Show 5, also debuted at Amazon's event. It features an 8-inch display, crisp audio, and a sleek form factor. It's priced at $129.99, and customers can now choose from three screen sizes: 5.5 inches, 10 inches, and the new 8-inch model.
For kids, Amazon introduced the Echo Glow, a multi-color smart lamp that pairs with Alexa. Priced at $30, Echo Glow can light up with different colors, mimic a flickering campfire, offer a Sleep Timer, or work in "dance party" mode with music and lights (an option coming soon).
A new Echo Flex device ($24.99) can be placed anywhere in the home, plugging right into a wall outlet. There's a small speaker that's optimized for Alexa's voice, and there's a USB charging port. Amazon is also allowing developers to customize the port, and accessories that include a motion sensor and nightlight are coming.
Amazon even debuted a new Alexa-equipped Smart Oven that can cook common foods through Alexa voice commands. Priced at $250, it is a combination microwave, convection oven, air fryer, and food warmer.
A new product, Echo Frames, is part of a program Amazon is calling "Day One Edition." Amazon is making a limited number of Day One Edition products, and if they prove popular, Amazon will make more.
Echo Frames are Alexa-enabled glasses that look like regular prescription glasses. There's no camera, but they offer Alexa voice access.
Another Day One Edition product is the Echo Loop, an Alexa-enabled smart ring that has two microphones that can be activated with a tap.
There's a built-in haptic engine that vibrates discreetly when there's a notification or an incoming call and a tiny speaker for responses. It's meant to be paired with a phone and can do things like turning out lights, calculating a tip, and more. Echo Frames and Echo Loop will be available in limited volumes by invite only. The Echo Frames will be available for $180 and Echo Loop will be available for $130.
Amazon is adding a Multilingual Mode to its devices that will let customers interact with Alexa in multiple languages at one time. Three pairs will be available at launch on October 7: in the United States - English and Spanish, in India - Indian English and Hindi, and in Canada - Canadian English and French.
Alexa is also becoming more emotive and expressive thanks to neural text to speech technology, and Alexa can recognize when a customer gets frustrated when something is wrong, resulting in adjustments to Alexa responses. This feature will be rolling out in early 2020.
There's also a new option to add celebrity voices to Amazon devices to change Alexa's voice. Celebrity voice options will be available for $0.99, and the first one, coming later this year, is going to be Samuel L. Jackson's voice.
Amazon customers can opt in to a new auto delete option that will see voice recordings older than three months or 18 months automatically deleted on an ongoing basis. The feature is accessible in the Privacy Hub for Amazon devices.
As for non-Echo Amazon-owned brands, Amazon unveiled a new version of the Eero mesh Wi-Fi system, a Ring alarm retrofit kit, an updated Ring Stick Up Cam ($99), and a new Ring Indoor Cam ($60).
Amazon is adding Wi-Fi specific skills that will let device users do things like pause the WiFi for dinner or turn on the guest WiFi, which will work with the new Eero and compatible ASUS and TP-Link routers (this fall). Starting next year, it will also support devices from Arris and Linksys.
Amazon is offering pre-orders for its newly announced devices starting today, with devices set to ship out in the near future.
Fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV owners who have upgraded to tvOS 13 now have access to a series of under the sea themed screen savers on the device, which are a new addition in the latest update.
The screen savers were created in partnership with the BBC Natural History unit, the team behind "Blue Planet," showing off the deep ocean around the world with under the sea creatures and scenes that include fish, coral, kelp, jellyfish, and more.
There is no way to download all of the screen savers at once, as the Apple TV only supports Daily, Weekly, or Monthly downloads. You can adjust how often screen savers download by opening up the Settings app on the Apple TV, going to General, and selecting the "Screen Savers" option.
While there's no way to see all of the screen savers from Apple until they've been downloaded over a series of days, 9to5Mac's Benjamin Mayo maintains a website that showcases all of Apple's screen saver options.
There are 10 new screen savers in total featuring these ocean creatures and scenes: barracuda, bumpheads, jacks, kelp, Palau coral, three Palau jellyfish options, sea stars, and seals.
Screen savers are high resolution and are somewhere around 950MB in size. Apple has been offering its Aerial screen savers for years and has been adding to its collection with each tvOS update. Last year's tvOS 12 update brought screen savers created in collaboration with the International Space Station and NASA.
Screen savers come on after a set period of time of idleness on the Apple TV, but pressing the Menu button while on the Home screen of the Apple TV will cause a screen saver to start playing automatically.
A tap on the remote provides information on where a screen saver was filmed, while a swipe left or right will change the screen saver that's displayed if multiples are downloaded. Apple's support document on screen savers has further instructions on how they work.
The internals of the Apple Watch Series 5 are almost identical to the internal components of the previous-generation Apple Watch Series 4, according to a new teardown conducted by repair site iFixit.
That should come as no surprise as the two devices are identical in design, with the major differentiating factor being the Always-On display in the newer model.
iFixit hoped to get a look at the changes implemented to allow for the Always-On display, but much of what's new relates to display technology and is "invisible to the human eye."
The site did spot a new ambient light sensor embedded under the OLED panel, and Apple says there are more advanced display drivers and an improved power management chip in the Series 5 as well.
There's a new built-in compass and the battery is slightly bigger than the battery in the Series 4 (1.4% larger in the 44mm model). The Series 5 chip includes 32GB of storage, up from 16GB, and the new compass, but it features the same GPU and CPU as the Series 4 so there are no real performance improvements.
Series 4 battery on left, Series 5 battery on right
iFixit says there are minor changes to connectors for the Taptic Engine, display, and battery, which means components are not generally interchangeable, but otherwise, the two devices are "very similar" on the inside.
