Alleged leaked renders of Samsung's soon-to-be-unveiled foldable smartphone have emerged online ahead of the company's Unpacked product launch event on Wednesday.
Samsung has been teasing its upcoming "Galaxy Fold" phone for some time and demoed a prototype of the device back in November, but coming just hours before the company's launch event, these images via Slashleaks could be the real deal.
The Galaxy Fold features Samsung's new Infinity Flex display technology, and assuming no major changes since November, we can expect a device with a 7.3-inch display that can be folded in half, collapsing from a tablet size down to a 4.6-inch smartphone size.
Judging from the renders, the phone has a notch in the upper right corner of the display for the front-facing camera, and a dual-lens setup on the corresponding upper rear-side of the chassis.
Samsung is developing a new software platform for the device in partnership with Google, which is designed to support two UIs – one for when the device is open and one for when the device is closed – and will allow apps to orient into three possible layouts. A price tag as high as $1,800 was rumored for the phone in November, although Samsung may not have finalized costs at the time.
Following Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi revealed that they too will launch folding smartphones, and there are plenty of signs Apple is looking into the possibility of a foldable iPhone. Apple has filed several patent applications related to folding phones that variously fold inward, outward, and both inward and outward.
Apple supplier LG Display is said to have created a dedicated task force to start developing a foldable OLED display for a future iPhone, while its sister company LG Innotek reportedly has a team developing a rigid flexible printed circuit board or (RFPCB) to go along with it.
Samsung's Galaxy Fold will officially debut at its February 20 event, where we can also expect the launch of the new Galaxy S10 smartphone lineup. Samsung's Unpacked event starts at 11.00 a.m. Pacific Time at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California, with a simultaneous launch event to be held in London at 7.00 p.m. GMT.
Apple today shared two new iPhone XS and iPhone XS tutorial videos on its YouTube channel, both of which are designed to highlight available features on the new devices.
The first video is designed to teach users how to better use the search feature in the Photos app. You can search for people, places, and objects, such as food, cats, dogs, beaches, flowers, and more. There are thousands of different objects the iPhone is able to recognize.
The second video includes walks through the steps necessary to create a photo using the Depth Control feature that was introduced in the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. Depth Control lets you adjust the amount of blur in a photograph before or after you take it.
Two additional videos provide the steps for choosing a Key Photo in Live Photos and using the Stage Light Mono mode on the iPhone.
Each video is right around 30 to 43 seconds in length and is similar to other iPhone tutorial videos that Apple has shared in the past. Apple has done a whole tutorial series with videos like these, which are ideal for sharing on social media sites and for quick spots on television.
Apple also often shares many similar videos on its Apple Support YouTube channel, and it has an entire mini how to site on its website dedicated to photography-based iPhone tutorials and walkthroughs.
Google's "Keep" app for taking notes and making lists today expanded to the Apple Watch, allowing the app's users to use the note taking and list making functionality right on their wrists.
With Google Keep for Apple Watch, you can create new notes or reminder lists, pin items to lists, and check off items on existing lists.
Google Keep, for those unfamiliar with the app, is designed to let users create, edit, share, and collaborate on notes on any device at any time. It is cross platform like many of Google's apps, and works on iOS devices, Android devices, Macs, and PCs.
You can create reminders and voice memos, pull text from images, and organize notes with labels and colors. All Google Keep content can be shared with family members and friends, so you can create multi-person notes that everyone can annotate.
Apple this morning released the third beta of iOS 12.2 to developers, and as with most early betas, the new software introduces refinements and user interface changes for various features.
There are several minor tweaks, such as an update to the Apple News logo, along with more major updates that include a new Apple TV Remote design and multiple important bug fixes. We've outlined everything new in the third beta of iOS 12.2 below.
- Apple TV Remote redesign - The Apple TV Remote has been redesigned again with a darker interface, both in the Remote app itself and in Control Center.
- Lock screen charging fix - The second beta of iOS 12.2 had a pesky bug that caused the iPhone's charge to be displayed on the Lock screen instead of the date. In beta 3, that's been fixed.
- Apple News logo - In the Apple News app, instead of spelling out "Apple News," Apple uses the "" symbol along with the word "News," similar to Apple Pay.
- About screen - The interface for viewing information about your iPhone has been updated and rearranged in a more logical way with info like model number and serial number at the top with carrier information at the bottom.
- Developer updates - Alongside iOS 12.2 beta 3, Apple introduced new resources for developers. Siri Shortcuts design resources are available, as are new iOS system design templates, Adobe XD Apple Watch design resources, and an SF Compact Rounded font. Developers are also now able to offer subscription discounts on a broader basis thanks to a new API.
Siri Apple Store suggestions - There's a new section under Siri & Search > Apple Store that indicates Siri in iOS 12.2 will be able to suggest Today at Apple sessions for you based on your Safari and app usage.
Apple has introduced many other changes over the course of the beta testing period, with most of the updates outlined in our iOS 12.2 tidbits post.
The third beta of iOS 12.2, released to developers this morning, includes a fix for the Group FaceTime bug, which also reenables Group FaceTime on devices running the iOS 12.2 beta.
Apple addressed the Group FaceTime bug in the iOS 12.1.4 update released on February 7, but there has been no new iOS 12.2 beta until today, so the Group FaceTime feature has remained unavailable to iOS 12.2 users because the server has been offline.
The FaceTime bug allowed someone to spy on you without your permission or knowledge. By exploiting the bug, a person could initiate a Group FaceTime call with you and then add themselves to the call again to force a Group FaceTime connection, as demoed in the video below.
When the Group FaceTime connection was forced using this method, the bug caused the person to be able to hear the audio on your end, even if you did not answer the call. In fact, on your end, it would continue to look like the standard incoming FaceTime call interface. In some situations, if you pressed the side button to silence a call, it would even give the person access to your video.
Given the severity of the bug, Apple took its Group FaceTime server offline while preparing the iOS 12.1.4 update. Group FaceTime was reinstated on devices running iOS 12.1.4, but it does not work on iOS 12.2 beta 2 or devices with iOS 12.1.3 or earlier installed.
It should be noted that Group FaceTime is still somewhat broken following the update. In iOS 12.1.4, there is no option to add a person to a one on one Group FaceTime call because the "Add Person" button is grayed out. Group FaceTime calls need to be started with two or more people at the current time.
Other users have been unable to use Group FaceTime at all, and have had trouble adding additional people even during a call with more than one person. Apple is presumably working out these bugs and will have further fixes available in the future.
4-inch iPhone enthusiasts who have been unable to take advantage of the $249 iPhone SE deal on Apple's clearance site can once again make a purchase, as Apple has restocked the website and has a limited supply of remaining iPhone SE models available.
The models available today are unlocked but have SIM cards from carriers that include TracFone, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. There are a range of colors available from each carrier, with 32GB models priced at $249 and 128GB models priced at $299.
Apple has been offering iPhone SE models on clearance since mid-January, but available stock often sells out quickly. Apple has done several restocks, however, giving those who prefer smaller devices one last chance to purchase a 4-inch iPhone on the cheap.
Apple originally discontinued the iPhone SE in September 2018 when the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR were announced. Apple's iPhone lineup now starts with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus as its entry level devices.
The iPhone SE, first announced in March 2016, was the last 4-inch smartphone that Apple offered, with the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models now the smallest that Apple officially sells in retail stores.
With these clearance sales, Apple seems to be getting rid of remaining iPhone SE stock, and it's clear that available supply is dwindling. Those who want to get an iPhone SE should do so soon because it's not known how many more restocks Apple will be offering.
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS Mojave 10.14.4 update to its public beta testing group, one day after seeding the third beta to developers and two weeks after releasing the second macOS Mojave 10.14.4 public beta.
The macOS Mojave update can be downloaded using the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store after downloading the appropriate profile from Apple's beta testing website. Apple's beta testing site gives users access to iOS, macOS, and tvOS betas.
macOS Mojave 10.14.4, along with iOS 12.2, introduces support for Apple News in Canada for the first time, allowing Canadian users to read the news in French or English.
The update also includes support for Touch ID-enabled Safari AutoFill and automatic Dark Mode themes in Safari. That means if you have Dark Mode enabled on macOS Mojave, when you visit a website with a dark theme, it will be activated automatically. You can see a demo of the feature here.
macOS Mojave 10.14.4 will likely be in beta testing for the next several weeks as Apple refines features and works out bugs. After that, it will see a release alongside iOS 12.2, watchOS 5.2, and tvOS 12.2.
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming iOS 12.2 update to developers for testing purposes, two weeks after seeding the second beta of iOS 12.2 and a week and a half since the launch of iOS 12.1.4.
Registered developers can download the new iOS 12.2 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer Center.
The third beta of iOS 12.2 may include a Group FaceTime fix that allows iOS 12.2 users access to Group FaceTime once again. Apple shut down its Group FaceTime servers after a major privacy-invading Group FaceTime bug was found a couple weeks ago, and later limited the Group FaceTime feature to those running iOS 12.1.4, an updated version of iOS that fixes the bug. The same fix will likely be extended to iOS 12.2 as this is the first iOS 12.2 beta released since it was deployed in the release version of iOS.
iOS 12.2 expands Apple News to Canada for the first time, with Canadian iPhone and iPad users able to read news stories in English, French, or both. Apple says that during the beta, content will be more limited than it will when the update is released.
There are new Animoji in the iOS 12.2 beta, including a boar, a shark, a giraffe, and an owl. Animoji can be used within the Messages and FaceTime apps.
The software introduces support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on third-party TVs in light of recent AirPlay 2 announcements, with a new option for limiting TV access joining the speaker access option in the Home app. There's also a redesigned TV remote in Control Center, and when paired with tvOS 12.2, you can ask Siri to play specific TV shows, movies, and music on your HomeKit devices like the Apple TV.
For some AT&T users, there's a new "5G E" icon for the cellular signal, replacing the standard LTE icon. This is a bit misleading of AT&T, because the iPhone does not support 5G, nor is the network AT&T calls 5G E actual 5G. Instead, it's an upgraded version of LTE, with more info available here.
The Wallet app's interface has been streamlined and tweaked, there's a new interface for Apple Pay Cash, and the Downtime feature in Screen Time now allows you to customize by day. Apple has also made minor changes to some icons, including the AirPlay icon, and introduced new Safari features, with a full list available in in our iOS 12.2 tidbits post.
Apple is improving Safari's privacy in iOS 12.2 through a new Motion & Orientation toggle located under Settings > Safari > Privacy > Security, which is disabled by default. The setting needs to be enabled on to allow websites to display content that relies on motion data from the accelerometer and gyroscope in the iPhone and iPad.
iOS 12.2 confirms that Apple is planning to release second-generation AirPods with "Hey Siri" support, thanks to a hidden "Hey Siri" AirPods setup screen in the beta. The inclusion of the AirPods setup option in the beta indicates that Apple could perhaps be planning to release new AirPods when iOS 12.2 is released.
The update also features hints of an upcoming Apple News subscription service, which could see a Texture-like magazine service added to Apple News. The iOS 12.2 update is likely to see several rounds of beta testing before it launches to the public.
There are multiple new features in iOS 12.2, along with bug fixes. We rounded up everything that's new in the beta in our iOS 12.2 beta 3 tidbits post.
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming tvOS 12.2 update to developers for testing purposes, two weeks after seeding the second beta and a month after releasing the tvOS 12.1.2 update.
Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the new tvOS 12.2 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that's installed using Xcode. Once the initial beta has been downloaded, subsequent betas can be installed over the air.
tvOS 12.2, paired with iOS 12.2, lets users ask Siri to play specific media on an Apple TV from an iOS device. You can, for example, ask Siri to play Modern Family on the TV in the living room, or Pitch Perfect on the TV in the bedroom. This works for music and TV shows, and movies.
No other new features were discovered in the tvOS 12.2 beta as of yet, and it can be difficult to determine what's new because Apple does not provide release notes for tvOS betas or releases. If additional features are discovered in tvOS 12.2, we'll update this post.
Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software update.
To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.
The watchOS 5.2 update introduces a set of new Hermès watch faces, as discovered by French site WatchGeneration. The watch faces are available in pink and blue, and feature a gradient-style design that changes much like other Hermès watch faces. There are customizable numbers and an option for a single complication.
There were no other major changes discovered in watchOS with the release of the first two betas, but we'll update this post should we find new features or major tweaks worth noting in the third.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today published a newly granted Apple patent related to an "inductively chargeable earbud case." While the AirPods and AirPower are not named in the patent, the illustrations clearly show an AirPods-like wireless charging case on an AirPower-like charging mat.
Many current inductive charging mats require precisely aligning a smartphone or other device with the coils inside the mat for the most efficient power transfer. As noted by AppleInsider, however, Apple's patent describes a method that would allow the AirPods case to be placed anywhere on the AirPower.
Apple's solution is to use a pair of small charging coils in the case, occupying the bottom left and right hand corners of the rear section, typically the side that would make contact with a charging pad. Both coils would be capable of receiving a charge from a charging pad, effectively doubling its chances of being in an optimal charging position.
This is just one of many patents Apple has been grated for an AirPods-like wireless charging case.
Apple first previewed the AirPower and optional AirPods wireless charging case at its September 2017 event. At the time, Apple promised that the AirPower was coming in 2018, but the year came and went without any release.
Multiple sources claim Apple will host a special event at Steve Jobs Theater on Monday, March 25, but Apple's widely expected subscription-based news and video services are expected to be the focus of the keynote. By the sounds of it, there may be few to no hardware announcements at the event.
AirPower already had stage time, so a press release could be appropriate for its release, potentially alongside embargoed reviews. Rumored updates to the iPad, iPad mini, and iPod touch also sound minor, with few changes expected beyond faster processors and a slightly larger screen for the 9.7-inch iPad, so they could be press release worthy too.
GM was one of the early adopters of CarPlay, with the feature debuting on a few 2016 Chevrolet models and rapidly spreading across the company's various brands including Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.
As part of a 2018 model year redesign intended to breathe some more life into its Regal sedan, Buick introduced the Regal TourX, an all-wheel drive wagon version that offers more cargo space to compete against some of the top models in the class including the Subaru Outback and Volvo V60.
I've spent some time testing out a 2019 Buick Regal TourX to get a sense of GM's latest infotainment system (which GM is calling next-generation Buick Infotainment) and how it integrates with CarPlay.
My test vehicle was the high-end Essence trim, nearly maxed out with most of the available upgrades including built-in navigation, panoramic moonroof, automatic cruise control, park assist, automatic emergency braking, and more.
Buick Infotainment
GM has been working on unifying its infotainment offerings, starting with the 2017 Cadillac CTS that launched with the "next-generation CUE" infotainment system. The same general system with some slight tweaks has been starting to expand across the Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC brands since that time, with the Buick Regal receiving the new Buick Infotainment version of the system on some 2018 vehicles.
The Essence trim of the Regal TourX comes with a generous 8-inch touchscreen display integrated nicely into the dashboard, while the mid-level Preferred and base TourX trims come with a slightly smaller 7-inch display as standard. The Buick Infotainment system operates identically on both screen sizes, although you'll need the 8-inch screen if you want features like built-in navigation and a marketplace for third-party apps. All trims support CarPlay and Android Auto.
Main app screen with hardware controls below
While it doesn't float above the dashboard like on some other vehicles where the driver's line of sight is of utmost priority, the Regal TourX's display is still highly visible, with prominent placement tilted slightly toward the driver. A matte finish and a bit of brim from the dashboard help cut down on visible fingerprints and glare, and the whole thing comes across as a very cohesive design rather than a screen awkwardly stuck onto the dashboard.
Below the screen, there's a strip of hardware controls including a centered volume/power knob, forward and back buttons on either side to change tracks or station presets, and home and back buttons on the outside edges of the row. It's a fairly limited selection of physical controls, but it's largely sufficient for the most common quick adjustments that are more easily made by feel.
Audio controls
The Buick Infotainment system offers an extremely clean design that's very simple to navigate. It has a modern look that's reminiscent of a smartphone or tablet operating system. Icons are simple and easy to recognize at a quick glance, with a little bit of color to differentiate the major functions.
Built-in navigation
The system is controlled strictly by touch, with no trackpad or scroll wheel input provided. That's a good thing in my view, as direct manipulation via a touchscreen is a far more natural interaction mechanism.
Multi-view home screen with audio, map, and phone sections
The system offers a couple of different home screen views, with the ability to swipe between them. One view divides the screen into three sections, with one showing a map of your general area, another showing your current audio information and track controls, and then a small strip showing any connected phones to give you quick access to their functions.
Third-party app management screen
The other main home screen view is a customizable 4x2 grid of app icons that spans multiple pages if necessary. Aside from the default apps included on the system, you can also download a number of third-party apps including The Weather Channel, Spotify, and more.
Second page of home screen apps
Any of the app icons on these home screen pages can be rearranged by tapping and holding, then dragging the icon to the desired location, with other icons adjusting their positions to make room, just like on iOS.
When you're within the Buick Infotainment system, there's a persistent shortcut tray or bar along the bottom that offers icons for quickly getting back to the home screen or to music, phone, navigation, or climate. The bar also shows the current time, exterior temperature, and cellular signal strength.
Onscreen climate controls
Most climate controls can be managed through a set of buttons and knobs located lower on the center stack, but you can also make adjustments through the infotainment system.
CarPlay
CarPlay on the Buick Regal TourX requires a wired connection using one of the two USB-A ports inside the center console compartment. While connected, you can store your phone either inside the compartment or in a nearby cupholder with the cable routed through one of the gaps in the front of the console compartment lid.
CarPlay home screen
CarPlay does take over the entire infotainment screen when it's active, so you won't be able to see information such as audio or navigation from the Buick system. If you've opted for the digital driver's display that's standard on the Essence trim and an option on the Preferred trim, that helps overcome the visibility issue as you can select from several different views to get the information you need right in front of you.
Driver's display showing current audio information
There's no Buick app icon on the CarPlay home screen, but the hardware home button makes it easy to get in and out of CarPlay at any time. Pressing the home button while in CarPlay takes you back to the Buick system, while pressing and holding the button takes you into CarPlay. That makes this system one of the relatively few with an always-available hardware method for accessing CarPlay regardless of what you're doing in the infotainment system.
CarPlay's "Now Playing" screen
Colors on the CarPlay screens look a little washed out, and there don't appear to be any settings to adjust the color. I'm not sure the reason for this issue with the colors, as they seem fine on the native infotainment system. I got used to the CarPlay colors after a while, and it's not a major problem, but it was definitely noticeable at first after coming from other vehicles with more vivid colors.
Voice control is managed through a dedicated button on the steering wheel, with a short press bringing up the Buick voice assistant and long press accessing Siri.
Voice assistant/Siri button is at top right of left cluster
Ports and Wireless Charging
Aside from the two USB-A ports inside the center console that can be used for connecting for CarPlay purposes, my tester also came equipped with a pair of charge-only USB-A ports on the rear of the center console. There's also a 12V power port up front and another in the rear cargo area.
Charge-only USB ports on rear of center console
A vertical wireless charging pocket is available on the Regal TourX, but only on the Essence trim and only as part of a $1,725 package that also includes LED auto-leveling and cornering headlights, heated side mirrors, rear park assist, lane change/blind zone alert system, rear cross traffic alert system, and upgraded power lumbar seat controls.
Center console with vertical charging slot and two USB ports inside the compartment
Unfortunately, the charger has a few design issues. First, it's located inside the center console compartment, which makes things a bit more difficult than just tossing your phone on the charger when you hop in the car and grabbing it as you exit. Second, it doesn't fit Plus/Max-sized iPhones. A naked iPhone XS Max can be forced down into the charger, but even then it's not deep enough to allow the phone to charge.
iPhone XS Max squeezed into the charger but not charging
In fact, GM's wireless charging system is generally a bit of a mess for iPhone owners, as you can see in device compatibility matrix. Prior to the 2019 model year, some of GM's models used wireless chargers that didn't fully implement the Qi standard, and so they were incompatible with iPhones unless the vehicles are retrofitted with newer hardware. But even now that GM has rolled out full Qi support in 2019 models, the company acknowledges that Plus/Max iPhones may not fit in their chargers.
OnStar and Wi-Fi Hotspot
As a GM vehicle, the Buick Regal TourX comes with the company's powerful OnStar suite of connected services. Basic access such as vehicle diagnostics, maintenance reminders, and the third-party app marketplace is included for ten years, while buyers receive a one-month trial of OnStar's Safety and Security Plan that offers automatic crash response, roadside assistance, stolen vehicle assistance, and turn-by-turn navigation assistance from a live advisor.
Onscreen options for OnStar services
Once your trial runs out, you can choose from a variety of paid plans with different combinations of features.
The Regal TourX also has available 4G LTE hotspot service through AT&T. Service can be purchased separately or as part of the Unlimited Access Plan bundle that also includes OnStar services.
Wrap-up
I really liked the Regal TourX's infotainment system with a clean and modern user interface that makes it easy to find exactly what you need without garish colors. The minimal hardware controls are enough to get things done by feel without making it overly complicated, and they look nice too. The overall hardware design of the center stack is great, with the screen fitting in extremely well rather than looking like an iPad mini stuck onto the dashboard as an afterthought.
CarPlay integrates quite well with the Buick Infotainment system, and the available driver's display helps compensate for the lack of a split-view widescreen infotainment display. The 8-inch screen in particular provides plenty of real estate for both CarPlay and the Buick Infotainment system, and the screen and hardware controls are within easy reach of the driver. The dual-duty hardware home button makes it simple to jump back and forth between the systems as needed.
Beyond the infotainment system itself, the Regal TourX could use some refinements. The only available USB ports for plugging into the system are inside the center console compartment, which is fine for those who prefer to keep their phones tucked away, but I prefer having some options with at least one USB somewhere on the center stack and another inside the console.
Wireless charging is another area that really needs improvement here. While GM is moving past its early issues with iPhone incompatibility on the technology side, it's mindboggling that Apple's larger phones won't even physically fit in the charger. Apple's Plus/Max phones have been essentially the same size since the iPhone 6 Plus launched in 2014, so there's no excuse for not making the charger large enough to accommodate them.
That said, the wireless charging issue may not affect that many users, as many will have smaller phones that fit fine or won't want to use wireless charging since they have to plug in for CarPlay anyway. It's also an expensive add-on considering it requires the top-end trim plus an additional pricey package to even get it, so I imagine many owners won't even opt to have their vehicles equipped with it.
The 2019 Buick Regal TourX starts at $29,995 for the base model, which does include CarPlay on the 7-inch touchscreen. The mid-level Preferred trim starts at $33,595, and if you want to upgrade that to the larger 8-inch screen with built-in navigation, you'll have to do it as part of a package that includes other features like Bose premium audio, the digital driver's display, and remote start, which pushes the price to around $35,500.
Alternatively, you can go straight to the high-end Essence trim starting at $35,995 and get the 8-inch screen standard. A package adding navigation and Bose premium audio bumps the price to just over $37,000, and if you go all-in on the advanced safety features and other options, you can push the price tag up to over $43,000.
HomePod shipments totaled 1.6 million units in the fourth quarter of 2018, a 45 percent increase on a year-over-year basis, according to Strategy Analytics. Despite the growth, the research firm estimates that Apple's share of the worldwide smart speaker market was just 4.1 percent during the quarter.
By comparison, Amazon and Google commanded the market with an estimated 13.7 million and 11.5 million smart speakers shipments respectively. The two companies combined for an estimated 65.5 percent market share in the quarter.
A lot of this comes down to pricing. At $349, the HomePod is significantly more expensive than the Amazon Echo and Google Home. In particular, the smaller Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home Mini models were available for as low as $25 during the holiday season, a fraction of the cost of a HomePod.
"Amazon and Google both have broad model lineups, ranging from basic to high-end, with even more variants from Amazon. Apple of course has only its premium-priced HomePod, and likely won't gain significant share until it offers an entry-level product closer to Echo Dot and Home mini," CIRP co-founder Josh Lowitz said last month.
To improve sales, many resellers offered the HomePod for $249 during the holiday season, and $279 is a commonly seen price too.
A third reason is availability. Apple launched the HomePod two to three years after its largest competitors, and sales remain limited to the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, China, and Hong Kong. Amazon and Google smart speakers are available in more countries.
Of course, the Strategy Analytics data is estimated to begin with. Apple does not disclose HomePod sales, instead grouping the speaker under its "Wearables, Home, and Accessories" category in its earnings reports alongside the Apple Watch, Apple TV, AirPods, Beats, iPod touch, and other accessories.
Following an announcement last year and launch in Europe, Eve Systems today released the portable LED lamp Eve Flare in the United States and Canada. Similar to Hue Go, Eve Flare lets you pick up and easily move the lamp around the house -- or to outdoor locations thanks to IP65 water resistance -- to bring light wherever you go.
Eve Flare is compatible with Apple HomeKit and offers six hours of battery powered light. When the battery runs down, you can recharge Eve Flare easily thanks to an included wireless charging base.
“Wherever you need a pop of light, it is easy with Eve Flare. Find a spot, open the Eve App, pick the perfect shade and enjoy hours and hours of soothing light,” says Ina Hirsch, Director of Marketing. “As with all Eve products, there’s no bridge required so Eve Flare is built to go from your bedroom to your balcony to your garden and beyond.”
The lamp allows you to choose from pre-made lighting shades or create your own custom color scenes, and does not require a bridge to work with HomeKit. Thanks to HomeKit support, you can include Eve Flare in your existing scenes and automations to turn the light on/off when you arrive/leave home, activate a scene via Siri, and more.
Eve Systems is continuing its rebranding from Elgato by focusing solely on its Eve line of HomeKit products, a move that was announced last summer. After that news, Eve Systems announced a new power strip, light strip, and light switch; and also updated the Eve Room in the fall. All of these products are compatible with HomeKit.
Eve Flare is priced at $99.95 and available to purchase today on Eve's website or on Amazon.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
SoundCloud today announced a new feature that allows creators to distribute their music directly to major streaming music services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music (via Billboard). The tool will be included in SoundCloud Pro and Pro Unlimited subscription tiers for artists, and each artist will get 100 percent of earnings back from each streaming platform, meaning SoundCloud won't take any cuts and won't charge additional distribution fees.
Artists on SoundCloud Pro or Pro Unlimited who are 18 years or older, control all rights to their original music, have no copyright strikes, and have garnered at least 1,000 plays in the past month will be able to use the tool. These eligible artists will now see a distribution button within the track manager section of SoundCloud, prompting them to select from a list of distribution channels like Apple Music, and schedule their release.
Last September, Spotify launched a beta for a service similar to SoundCloud's, allowing indie artists to bypass distributors and upload their music directly to the service. SoundCloud is now expanding this idea to support all streaming services, and the company hopes that these companies see it more as a location to scout new up-and-coming artists rather than another streaming rival.
"SoundCloud isn’t, nor ever was, meant to be a one-way, mass streaming experience," Trainor explains. "Streaming has risen, people are paying for music again and it’s fantastic what all the major streaming services are doing there. But what SoundCloud has been about, always, is empowering creators and giving that connection between creator and listener. Our overall position is about continuing to invest in that -- it’s not about trying to chase those other mass services."
While SoundCloud does offer a monthly streaming music service that is a competitor to Apple Music and Spotify, the company's major difference is in its community of artists who create and share their music on the platform. With the expansion of direct uploads to Apple Music and Spotify, these creators will now have even more outlets for their music to be heard.
SoundCloud Pro starts at $6/month and Pro Unlimited $12/month (both billed yearly). At the Pro and Pro Unlimited level, artists can schedule releases, check full stats on tracks, gain access to full embed controls, replace tracks, and now distribute unlimited releases to all major music services. At this point, SoundCloud notes that this tool is still in beta.
As part of its efforts to rebuild Apple Maps, Apple has been collecting street-level data with LiDAR-equipped vehicles for over three years, with at least 45 states across the U.S. partially surveyed to date.
That total is set to rise in the coming months, as Apple has confirmed it will begin surveying Alaska, South Carolina, and Tennessee between March and July, according to an update to its recently revampedApple Maps image collection website. Data collection is also set to continue in seven other states over that time.
Apple is conducting ground surveys around the world to collect data which will be used to improve Apple Maps. Some of this data will be published in future Apple Maps updates. We will also periodically revisit some locations to gather new data in an effort to maintain a high-quality, up-to-date map. We are committed to protecting your privacy while conducting these surveys. For example, we will blur faces and license plates on collected images prior to publication.
To our best knowledge, the only states that Apple has yet to confirm surveying are Arkansas and Oklahoma, although Twitter users have spotted the vehicles in both states since last year and perhaps earlier. It's possible the vehicles were only passing through those states without collecting mapping data.
Whether the total is 48 or 50 states, Apple's surveying efforts have reached nearly every corner of the United States. Apple plans to roll out its improved Maps app across the country section by section over the next year.
The improvements first rolled out in Northern California in iOS 12 and have extended to Hawaii and Southern California over the past few months. The overall look and feel of Apple Maps is mostly the same, but zooming and panning reveals more details like grass, trees, sports fields, and parking lots.
Apple Maps vehicles have also surveyed parts of Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, and they are headed to Andorra in April, according to Apple's website. It's unclear when the Apple Maps improvements will be available internationally.
Printer company Epson today announced the launch of voice-activated mobile printing support for Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. With the addition, iOS users can snap a photo and ask Siri to print to a compatible Epson printer thanks to Siri Shortcuts.
You'll need the Epson iPrint app, which now supports Apple's new Shortcuts app on iOS. After the shortcut is installed, you can set up a voice activation phrase for printing, and when an image is displayed on your iPhone ask Siri to print it, even if you aren't home.
Other commands supported include scanning a document with an iPhone, iPad, or the Epson printer, and you can also ask Siri how much ink you have left in the printer. The company says all of these Shortcuts will help streamline printing and scanning documents since you will no longer have to navigate any software menus.
“Our customers have overloaded daily routines and are always looking for ways to save time and quickly get errands done,” said Jack Rieger, senior product manager of software and user experience, Epson America. “By expanding compatibility with some of the top smart home voice assistants, Epson is committed to making printing and scanning easier and more efficient for all of our busy customers.”
Compatible printers include those with support for the Epson Connect service, like Epson EcoTank, WorkForce, and Expression models. Once enabled, you can say "Hey Siri, open Epson printer" to get started.
TweetDeck for Mac has been updated with backend improvements that are said to "significantly improve the stability of the app." This includes a fix for a major crashing issue that was affecting many users, including a few of our editors.
The full release notes for version 3.11:
- This release replaces the old web view implementation with a modern one based on WKWebView. Because of this change the minimum supported macOS version is now 10.10 (Yosemite). - Memory usage has been significantly reduced. - Fixes the ability to link Twitter accounts through Teams. - Fixes a major crash that was impacting a lot of people. This should significantly improve the stability of the app.
The last TweetDeck for Mac update in January also promised to "fix many crashes," but the app still closed unexpectedly on occasion in our own usage, so hopefully this week's update delivers on its word.
Twitter bought TweetDeck back in 2011 and largely neglected the Mac app for several years. Unfortunately, it is the only desktop app that supports continuous streaming of tweets due to Twitter's new limitations on third-party apps last year.
