Apple today released tvOS 13.3.1, a minor update to the tvOS 13 operating system that runs on the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models. tvOS 13.3.1 comes over a month after the release of tvOS 13.3.
tvOS 13.3.1, which is a free update, can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System --> Software Update. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to tvOS 13.3.1 automatically.
tvOS updates are usually minor, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than significant outward-facing changes. Apple provides limited information on what's new in tvOS updates, and we didn't find new features during the tvOS 13.3.1 beta testing period.
Apple today released iOS and iPadOS 13.3.1, minor updates to the iOS 13 operating system. iOS and iPadOS 13.3.1 come over a month after the release of iOS/iPadOS 13.3, which brought Communication Limits for Screen Time.
The iOS and iPadOS 13.3.1 updates are available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released an iOS 12.4.5 update for older devices.
iOS 13.3.1 includes a "Networking & Wireless" toggle that turns off the U1 Ultra Wideband chip in the latest iPhones. The feature, located in the Privacy > Location Services section of the Settings app, turns off location for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Ultra Wideband.
Apple added this location toggle after it was discovered that the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max continue to track user location even when location services options are disabled. This is because there are international regulatory requirements that mandate the U1 chip be disabled in certain locations.
The new toggle makes sure location tracking is off for the U1 chip at all times. Apple has also added a new "Play Again" button when replaying content that you've already watched in the TV app. The update also includes multiple bug fixes for issues that include a Communication Limits bug that allowed it to be bypassed, a problem with Mail that could prevent images from loading, an issue that could case push notifications to fail to be delivered, and more. Apple's full release notes for the update are below:
iOS 13.3.1 includes bug fixes and improvements. This update: - Fixes an issue in Communication Limits that could allow a contact to be added without entering the Screen Time passcode - Adds a setting to control the use of location services by the U1 Ultra Wideband chip - Addresses an issue that could cause a momentary delay before editing a Deep Fusion photo taken on iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro - Resolves an issue with Mail that could cause remote images to load even when the “Load Remote Images” setting is disabled - Fixes an issue that could cause multiple undo dialogs to appear in Mail - Addresses an issue where FaceTime could use the rear facing ultra-wide camera instead of the wide camera - Resolves an issue where push notifications could fail to be delivered over Wi-Fi - Addresses a CarPlay issue that could cause distorted sound when making phone calls in certain vehicles - Introduces support for Indian English Siri voices for HomePod
Apple also has separate release notes for iPadOS 13.3.1:
iPadOS 13.3.1 includes bug fixes and improvements. This update: - Fixes an issue in Communication Limits that could allow a contact to be added without entering the Screen Time passcode - Addresses an issue with Mail that could cause remote images to load even when the “Load Remote Images” setting is disabled - Fixes an issue that could cause multiple undo dialogs to appear in Mail - Resolves an issue where push notifications could fail to be delivered over Wi-Fi - Introduces support for Indian English Siri voices for HomePod
For more on the new features that Apple added to iOS with the launch of iOS 13, make sure to check out our iOS 13 roundup.
Moment, known for its line of high-quality lenses designed for the iPhone, recently came out with its newest lens, a 170-degree 14mm fisheye lens that works with Apple's iPhones, including the newest triple-lens models.
Fisheye lenses are by definition ultra wide-angle lenses and are some of the widest lenses you can get, often offering up a wide view with artful distortion to capture as much of a scene as possible.
Moment's Fisheye lens serves this purpose, and while it might seem entirely unnecessary because of the new ultra wide-angle lens available in the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max, it does offer a wider field of view and the ability to use it with the higher-quality wide-angle lens on those devices.
Design wise, the Moment lens features a sturdy metal body with a glass lens inside, and it uses Moment's photography cases to attach to the iPhone. I'm a big fan of the way Moment cases work because it's super simple to get a lens on and take it off when it's not needed, or to swap between multiple lenses.
You simply screw the Fisheye lens onto the back of the lens mount on the case, and it's ready to go. There's no hassling with clips or alignment, which is something that I appreciate about the Moment system. The lens is an M-Series lens, so it works with all of the M-Series cases, which are available for every iPhone starting with the iPhone 6.
Because it has a 170 degree field of view rather than a 120 degree field of view like the ultra wide-angle camera in the newest iPhones, the Moment Fisheye can capture more in the frame for a wider view.
Moment Fisheye lens with Night Mode
There is distortion at the edges, which is to be expected with any Fisheye lens and is sometimes a desirable look, but this distortion can be leveled out using the Moment Pro Camera app. It's not going to create a perfect photo that has zero distortion, but it's decent at cleaning it up and straightening the image out a bit. The app also works better in some situations than others, and sometimes the differences are subtle.
Image taken with Moment app with lens on top, image taken with Moment lens in standard Camera app on bottom
I found the Moment app a bit finicky to use in nighttime conditions and it wasn't quite able to replicate what I was able to get out of the default Camera app when it comes to Night Mode. It was great for cutting down on some distortion during the day, but not my preferred app at night.
When capturing a photo with the Moment Fisheye, there's no darkness or vignetting at the corners, and what comes out of the lens is crisp and clear. Moment says that this was achieved through multiple aspherical elements inside the lens, which are designed to maximize every corner of the image sensors within the newest camera phones.
Moment Lens on left with Night Mode, ultra wide lens on right
I've used a lot of Fisheye lenses designed for the iPhone over the years, and Moment's version paired with the iPhone 11 Pro Max (which is what I tested on) is the best quality that I've seen.
Moment Fisheye lens with Night Mode
What's most useful about this lens is that it can be attached to the wide-angle camera on the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, and that camera is a lot better than the super wide-angle camera. It has a larger sensor and a lower aperture so it works in low lighting conditions and even at night, plus it has optical image stabilization.
Moment Lens on left with Night Mode, ultra wide lens on right
You can't use the ultra wide-angle lens in the new iPhones with Night Mode because it's just not high enough quality, but with Moment's Fisheye lens, you can get the same ultra wide-angle look while also taking advantage of Night Mode. The lens allows for ultra wide shots in lighting conditions where such a shot would not be possible with the iPhone's native camera.
Moment Lens on top with Night Mode, ultra wide lens on bottom
Moment says that the wide-angle camera in the iPhone that works with the Fisheye lens lets in about 25 percent more light, which appears to be accurate in my testing. Most people are probably going to want to use this lens primarily with the wide-angle lens that's in the iPhone, but it can also be used with the iPhone's telephoto lens if desired.
Moment Fisheye Lens on top with Night Mode, standard wide-angle lens on bottom with no lens
Note that while using the lens, only the camera that it's attached to is functional as it blocks the other two cameras due to its size. If you want to use the other cameras on the iPhone, you'll need to remove the Moment lens and store it away in a pocket. Luckily it comes with a little carrying bag and a lens cap to keep it safe when it's not in use.
Fisheye lenses aren't generally everyday lenses, but they're useful when you need to shoot up close, in tight spaces (like taking a full photo of a room that you're in), or take shots of things like tall buildings. You can also get some great wide landscape shots, and while I don't do a lot of action photography, the Fisheye is a neat way to get close-up action shots and videos.
Moment Fisheye Lens
When Apple announced a super wide-angle lens for the iPhone 11 models I was excited because it allows for such unique images, but it has ultimately been a bit of a disappointment because the quality just isn't comparable to the wide-angle lens, especially when the lighting is poor. In the Ferris wheel photos above and below, for example, you can see how much crisper the shot with the Moment lens is than the ultra wide-angle shot, even though at first glance, both of these images look passable for nighttime cell phone shots.
Built-in ultra wide-angle camera on iPhone 11 Pro Max
I like the Fisheye lens from Moment because it's offering the same general capabilities, but a little bit better, especially if you don't mind or even appreciate some of the Fisheye distortion. Personally, I prefer the look of a lot of the Fisheye images to the traditional ultra wide angle, just because it adds another dimension of interest to the photos.
Bottom Line
Since this lens is priced at $120, it's not something that I'm going to recommend to everyone as for most people with new iPhones, the ultra wide-angle lens in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models is more than sufficient.
For those super into iPhone photography or videography, though, I think this is a lens you're going to want to pick up, especially if you've already got a Moment kit. It's better quality than the ultra wide-angle camera, and being able to take these kind of shots in any kind of lighting -- not just great lighting -- adds a lot more utility to the iPhone's camera setup.
Keep in mind that this is a Fisheye lens, and even with Moment's software to cut down on distortion, there's still going to be some distortion at the edges of the image.
If you don't have an iPhone with an ultra wide-angle camera, the Moment lens is even more appealing because it adds a function you won't otherwise have access to.
The Pokémon Company today provided a few new details on its upcoming "Pokémon Home" cloud service app for iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. The service will launch in February 2020 for $2.99 (1 month), $4.99 (3 months), or $15.99 (12 months).
If you pay for the service, you'll be able to bring over your Pokémon from linked games and deposit them into the app or move them around to another compatible game.
Compatible games include Pokémon Sword and Shield, and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. You can also connect to the Pokémon Bank on Nintendo 3DS, and connectivity with the Pokémon Go app is coming sometime after launch.
The Pokémon Home app opens up the catalog of available Pokémon in the latest Sword and Shield games, by allowing you to transfer Pokémon from Nintendo 3DS games into Home, and then into Sword or Shield. Once Pokémon are transferred from the Pokémon Bank or from the Let's Go titles and into Sword or Shield, they can not be moved back to their original destinations.
Pokémon Home also brings the ability to trade with other users at any time. Using the Global Trade System, you can specify a Pokémon you want to trade and which you want to receive, and the service will match you with a Trainer if you both meet the correct criteria for the trade.
You can also create a room and trade Pokémon among friends who are allowed to join, with up to 20 people able to join at once. Additionally, one-on-one trades will be supported with nearby users once you have become friends in the app.
Some features will differ slightly between the smartphone version of Pokémon Home and the Nintendo Switch version. For example, you can only trade Pokémon in the smartphone app, while you can only move Pokémon with Pokémon Sword and Shield in the Switch version.
There will be a free version as well, but its features are limited. The "Basic" plan supports 30 Pokémon for storage, while "Premium" plans support 6,000 Pokémon. For more information on the app, be sure to visit The Pokémon Company's website.
Facebook today announced that its "Off-Facebook Activity" feature is now available to users around the world, after soft launching in Ireland, South Korea, and Spain last summer. Off-Facebook Activity lets you see a summary of the data that third-party apps and websites have shared with Facebook, and delete it if you see fit.
As Facebook explained, other businesses send the social network information about your internet activity on their sites, and Facebook uses that to display customized ads. Off-Facebook Activity lets you look at that information and clear it, and you can even choose to disconnect all future Off-Facebook Activity from your account, or just from specific apps and websites.
Today's news is built around looking towards the next decade of "stronger privacy protections" from Facebook, which the company admits it has a lot of work to do in this regard. These updates include a prompt asking every Facebook user to review their privacy settings and "Login Notifications," which warn you when your Facebook account is used to sign into third-party apps.
It's been nearly two years since the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal hit Facebook, igniting a debate about how user data should be handled and monitored by major companies. In the wake of the event, Facebook has made announcement after announcement about privacy changes, security tools, and promises to enhance its overall ability to protect user information.
Regarding the new Off-Facebook Activity tool, the company said that it welcomes "conversations with privacy experts, policymakers and other companies about how to continue building tools like this."
A notable sale on the 2019 MacBook Air continues on Amazon, with the retailer offering a $50 off coupon at checkout on the 128GB model in select colorways. Specifically, you can get the Gold and Space Gray MacBook Air for $899.99, down from $1,099.00, thanks to the automatically applied $50 discount on Amazon.
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This is currently the best price for this configuration of the MacBook Air among the major Apple resellers online, and as of writing both models are in stock and ready to ship. There are also a few discounts on the 256GB SSD model of the 2019 MacBook Air, priced at $1,099.99, down from $1,299.00.
2019 MacBook Air Sale
128GB SSD, Gold - $899.99 at checkout, down from $1,099.00 ($199 off)
Nomad, known for its range of high-quality Apple accessories, today unveiled a set of new Rugged Cases designed for the AirPods Pro.
The AirPods Pro cases are an iteration of the AirPods cases that Nomad has designed for Apple's standard AirPods, offering up a polycarbonate shell wrapped in Horween leather that comes in either black or brown.
A microfiber lining on the inside of the case adds an extra layer of protection, and Nomad has created the case with a built-in light pipe that makes the charging indicator light easy to see from all angles.
For those who want to add a lanyard or wrist strap, Nomad has included an attachment point, and there's a subtle soft spot at the back of the case where the button is for simple pairing without the need to remove the case.
The case offers a tight fit around the AirPods Pro case so it adds little bulk, and it leaves the Lightning port unobscured.
The interview is an interesting read, with Chaudhri and Bongiorno sharing a few bits about their histories with Apple and the iPad, thoughts on the team's mindset during development of the iPad, their perspectives on how the iPad evolved to fit how people have used it, and more.
One of the more interesting tidbits relates to cameras, which actually weren't included on the original iPad even though a digital photo frame was intended as one of its primary use cases, driven in large part by Steve Jobs. Only after the iPad launched did Apple discover that people really didn't want to set their iPads up as static photo frames, and then later once the iPad did gain a camera, the team was surprised to see how much people were using it to take photos.
Bongiorno: We talked about the hope that it would be kind of this photo frame, like ‘“How are they going to get the photos on it?” We actually didn't believe that people would walk around taking pictures with their iPad. It was actually a funny internal conversation when we started seeing people outside taking their iPad with them and taking photos on vacation. I don't think we actually thought people would use it that way — and they ultimately did. [...]
Chaudhri: But the [iPad] camera is super funny. That's the other thing that we didn't anticipate being so big. But it was a segment of the population at the time that really was using the camera more than anything else. So I remember very clearly at the 2012 Olympics in London, if you looked around the stadium, you saw a lot of people using an iPad as a camera and generally that was people that just needed to have a bigger viewfinder for vision reasons, etc. Then seeing that, we went back in and redesigned the camera experience on the iPad — recognizing that this is going to be a thing that we just can't get people away from because they want this larger viewfinder.
Another interesting section addresses their regrets related to the iPad, with Bongiorno highlighting how difficult it ended up being to push the iPad forward given the small size of the iPad team and the "gravity of the phone," while Chaudhri similarly cited the strength of the iPhone as well as business decisions that kept the iPad from replacing textbooks in schools as had been originally envisioned.
The full interview is definitely worth a read over at Input, as it touches on a number of other topics such as the Apple Pencil, thoughts on the differences between Android tablets and the iPad, and what the next ten years might bring for the iPad.
Anker today kicked off a new Gold Box sale on Amazon, offering up to 35 percent off portable batteries, USB-C and Lightning cables, wireless chargers, wall chargers, and more. As with every Gold Box offer, these prices will last for one day only, so be sure to browse the charging accessories being discounted below.
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In the sale, you can get a PowerCore portable battery starting at $24.99 for 10,000 mAh, a PowerLine USB-C to Lightning cable 2-pack for $25.99, and a PowerPort USB-C wall charger for $18.99. All of the items in the sale have been automatically discounted so you won't need to enter a coupon code before you check out.
Filmic today released its DoubleTake camera app, which allows iPhone users to shoot with multiple cameras at the same time. An early version of the app was demoed during Apple's iPhone 11 Pro media event back in September.
By letting users shoot with multiple cameras simultaneously, DoubleTake enables twice as much coverage on the same take. Apple used the app on stage to highlight the advanced features of the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max triple-lens camera system.
The app's main interface consists of a compound overlay showing primary and secondary cameras, combining front-facing and rear-facing iPhone cameras. Users can cut between them, or capture the video feeds displayed alongside each other, in either split-screen or picture-in-picture mode.
You can choose which lenses you want to capture footage from – the ultra wide, wide, telephoto, or front-facing camera – and opt to shoot in 24, 25, or 30 frames per second. After that, it's just a matter of selecting the layout of the feeds in the composite display and then pressing the record button.
DoubleTake is compatible with iPhone XR/XS/XS Max and iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max models running iOS 13, and is available as a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]
Curve, the banking and payment service which connects several accounts to one smart card, today announcedApple Pay support for all users across Europe.
For those unfamiliar with the service, Curve is a payment card that aggregates multiple payment cards via its accompanying mobile app, allowing users to make payments and withdrawals from a single card.
In other words, you can load a Mastercard or Visa debit and credit cards to the Curve app, and spend using just the Curve Mastercard.
With Apple Pay support now active, the Curve card can be added to the Wallet app just like any other card, allowing it to be used via iPhone and Apple Watch anywhere that accepts contactless payments or displays the Apple Pay logo.
"We are thrilled to announce Apple Pay is here for all European Curve customers," said Diego Rivas, Curve's Head of Product-OS. "Curve's integration with Apple Pay is a magnificent addition to Curve's unique money management features, superbly complimenting Curve's commitment to simplifying and unifying people's financial lives and enabling even more ways for customers to pay with one of the most rewarding and feature-packed personal finance products on the market," added Rivas.
Curve is available in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (excluding Crown Dependencies Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man).
Apple's production plans for the so-called "iPhone SE 2" or "iPhone 9" next month could face disruption due to the coronavirus outbreak that has caused more than 100 deaths in China, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The vast majority of Apple's iPhones are made in China, by Foxconn in Zhengzhou and by Pegatron at an assembly plant near Shanghai. Both of the locations are more than 500 kilometers away from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, but Gurman suggests the distance "doesn't immunize them from its effects," and analysts he spoke to agreed.
"I can't imagine a scenario where the supply chain isn't disrupted," said veteran industry analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy. "If there's one major hiccup in the raw materials, fabrication, assembly, test, and shipping, it will be a disruption."
Apple typically launches its flagship smartphones around September, so the coronavirus shouldn't affect those plans, but Apple is also reportedly prepping a new low-cost iPhone that's set to be released during the first half of 2020 – possibly as early as March – which puts those mass production plans "more at risk," says Gurman.
Apple has booked orders for up to 65 million of its older iPhones and up to 15 million units of the "iPhone 9," according to the Nikkei Asian Review. Mass production of the new low-cost iPhone is reportedly due to start in the third week of February.
Confirmed cases of the coronavirus are rising in Henan province, where the Zhengzhou facility is located, and that could lead Foxconn or the government to close factories to prevent further contamination, according to Bloomberg's Matthew Kanterman.
Foxconn said it is monitoring the situation in China and following all recommended health practices. It declined to comment on production in specific locations but said, "We can confirm that we have measures in place to ensure that we can continue to meet all global manufacturing obligations."
Gurman notes that Apple dual-sources many of its components to mitigate the impact of extreme scenarios like the coronavirus. As such, a major immediate impact to its production plans is unlikely for now, according to a person familiar with its operations.
Over the weekend, Apple chief Tim Cook said in a tweet that the company intends to donate money in support of groups in China fighting the outbreak of the Coronavirus. A coronavirus is a family of viruses that include the common cold, but this particular virus causes severe acute respiratory infection and has never been detected before.
MGM held preliminary talks with Apple, Netflix, and other large media companies to gauge their interest in a possible acquisition, reports CNBC.
The report confirms another report from The Wall Street Journallast month that suggested Apple was exploring deals for MGM Holdings content, though the talks had "yet to reach an advanced stage."
A deal with MGM would potentially offer Apple a huge catalog of content to add to Apple TV Plus. MGM owns the James Bond franchise and is responsible for multiple hit TV shows like "The Handmaid's Tale," which currently airs on Hulu. It also owns Epix and the rights to movies like "Rocky" and "Mad Max."
There's no word on when and if MGM and Apple might reach some kind of deal, and all companies declined to comment on the ongoing talks.
Right now, Apple is behind other streaming media services. Apple TV+ features a handful of original Apple shows, like "The Morning Show," "For All Mankind," "Servant," and "See." Some of the shows have been nominated for awards and have proven popular, but Apple has a long way to go to be able to compete with the larger catalogs available from Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
The United States Federal Communications Commission today cleared the way for OnGo [PDF], a wireless product spearheaded by the Citizens Broadcast Radio Service Alliance (CBRS) that aims to use the 3.5GHz band for a range of applications, including improving data speeds and connectivity across the United States on both 4G and 5G networks.
The CBRS Alliance announced that the FCC has allowed the Full Commercial Deployment of the OnGo service, which has been in the works since 2013 when the FCC first began pursuing a shared spectrum model for the 3.5GHz band.
Many major companies and government agencies came together as part of the CBRS Alliance to launch OnGo, including AT&T, Ericsson, Intel, Nokia, Samsung, Qualcomm, the FCC, the NTIA, the Department of Defense, and more, with the alliance boasting more than 159 members in total.
The 3.5GHz CBRS band will allow for new 4G and 5G operations, which the National Telecommunications and Information Administration says will create "tremendous value" for the United States by opening up capacity and coverage for 4G networks and facilitating the rollout of 5G.
Prior to the opening up of the 3.5GHz spectrum for commercial uses, it was used by the Department of Defense for shipborne radar systems. Environmental Sensing Capability (ESC) networks built along the coast will reserve spectrum for ship radar systems, dynamically reassigning standard users to other parts of the band.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said that the 3.5GHz band will benefit both consumers and businesses through agreements with CommScope, Federated Wireless, Google, and Sony who are now fully approved to operate commercial services in the band.
The FCC has made it a priority to free up mid-band spectrum for advanced wireless services like 5G. And today, I'm pleased to announce the latest step to achieve that priority: the approval of four systems that will enable the 3.5 GHz band to be put to use for the benefit of American consumers and businesses. As with all of our efforts to execute on the 5G FAST plan, we're pushing to get next-generation wireless services deployed in the 3.5 GHz band as quickly and efficiently as possible.
OnGo is the name that the CBRS Alliance is using for the 3.5GHz spectrum. The CBRS Alliance says that OnGo empowers new business opportunities in workplaces, in public spaces where consumers will be able to use the spectrum, and for machine-to-machine communications or sensors for enabling a smarter infrastructure.
In simpler terms, OnGo facilitates private LTE networks, offers better performance than Wi-Fi, provides spectrum without cost that can be used for a multitude of purposes, allows wireless carriers to add coverage and capacity and improve data, and it boosts IoT connectivity in the longer-range level currently limited to Low-Power Wide Area Networks.
Apple's newest iPhones, including the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max, already support OnGo, or CBRS Band 48, and iPhone users could be seeing OnGo benefits in the near future. Verizon, for example, is a customer of Federated Wireless, one of the companies authorized to use the spectrum. Federated Wireless has already said that it plans to initiate CBRS services for more than 20 of its major customers in both urban and rural markets.
Along with the iPhone, other major smartphones also work with CBRS Band 48, including Samsung's Galaxy S10 devices and Google's Pixel 4 smartphones.
Apple and its partner film studio A24 have acquired the rights to "Boys State" a political coming-of-age documentary that examines the health of American democracy, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
Apple is said to have paid $10 million for the documentary, which was directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine. Laurene Powell Jobs, Steve Jobs' widow, served as an executive producer on the project.
Image courtesy of Sundance Film Institute
The film features an experiment in which 1,000 17-year-old boys from across Texas gather together to build a representative government from the ground up, reproducing some of democracy's worst principles and flaws.
Strap up your saddle and get ready for a wild ride. Boys State is a political coming-of-age story, examining the health of American democracy through an unusual experiment: a thousand 17-year-old boys from across the state of Texas gather together to build a representative government from the ground up. High-minded ideals collide with low-down dirty tricks as four boys of diverse backgrounds and political views navigate the challenges of organizing political parties, shaping consensus, and campaigning for the highest office at Texas Boys State--governor.
Documenting impeachment threats, dramatic debates, underdog victories, and even nefarious internet memes, filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine (The Overnighters, 2014 Sundance Film Festival) chart the dramatic twists and turns of these intersecting stories to reveal profound truths about our political choices and civic obligations and to remind us, ultimately, that democracy is not a spectator sport. With cunning insight that will have audiences buzzing, Boys State holds a mirror up to our divided country. This is a film for the ages in every sense of the term.
Prior to being purchased by Apple, the documentary premiered on January 24 at the Sundance Film Festival.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News 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 has all kinds of fanciful patents for imaginative devices that will likely never come to fruition, such as an iMac-like desktop computer made entirely of glass, which was shared last week in a patent published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Apple's patent describes an electronic device with an upper portion that serves as a display area, a lower portion that serves as an input area, and a transitional section that connects the two halves for a "continuous curved surface between the upper portion and the lower portion."
The lower section of the device rests on the desktop and is used for holding input devices, while the larger flat area serves as the display, with a stand at the back for propping it up and holding it in place. Given the thinness of the all-glass curved design of the Mac, the stand that holds it in place would be able to house necessary components and would also be able to be positioned differently to adjust the angle of the display.
The glass between the two sections of the device is described as flexible and able to change in angle between the display area and the input area. The input area is said to extend along a portion of the display area to form a "touchscreen-style display," and functionality such as wireless charging for other devices or data transfer capabilities could be included.
Apple separately describes multiple embodiments of the design, including one with a detachable, removable keyboard that fits over the lower portion of the glass design, which, when in place, allows the glass to detect the keystrokes.
An electronic device comprising: a slumped glass housing member defining: a continuous exterior surface of the electronic device; and an opening extending through the slumped glass housing member; a support structure coupled to the slumped glass housing member and configured to support the slumped glass housing member; a display coupled to an upper portion of the slumped glass housing member; and a keyboard having: a storage configuration in which the keyboard is positioned at least partially within the opening; and a use configuration in which the keyboard is extended from the opening.
This portion of the patent also highlights a camera that could be built into the glass of the enclosure, using an "optically transmissive material." Apple says that the design outlined in the patent could be made of glass, but the housing could also feature plastic or ceramic, as long as the material is light-transmissive.
The material for the design could have special features like scratch resistance, wireless charging support, or it could be able to allow touch and force to be detected through it. Apple also says biometric sensing capabilities could be included, detecting everything from fingerprints to heart rate, blood oxygenation levels, and temperature.
Because the patent describes both an "electronic device" and a "desktop computer," it suggests that this same design could be used for Macs or potentially an iOS device like an iPad. The patent goes into great detail about possible designs and functions, and further reading is available in the application on the US Patent and Trademark Office website.
Apple hasn't redesigned the iMac in some time, and although the patent appears to describe an iMac-like desktop computer, this probably isn't the implementation that we're going to see when Apple ultimately debuts a new iMac enclosure. Apple patents all manner of devices that never make it to production, but with curved glass and foldable devices becoming more popular, there is a possibility that we could see some of the functionality described in this patent at some point in the future.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) today announced the upcoming launch of its next-generation infotainment system, Uconnect 5. The new version of Uconnect has been rebuilt from the ground up on an Android platform with a number of new features including wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, a familiar-yet-revamped user interface, support for up to five user profiles for customization, Alexa support, improved voice control, and more.
Uconnect 5 home screen
We've been fans of the current Uconnect 4 infotainment system and the way it nearly seamlessly blends CarPlay into the native system, and making CarPlay wireless will no doubt make that experience even better. Many of the other improvements in Uconnect 5 such as enhanced customizability, faster hardware performance, and new features and services should also make for a better user experience.
Uconnect 5 user profiles
The award-winning Uconnect system offers new conveniences, keeping customers engaged and informed all while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are currently available on more than 80 percent of FCA's North American applications. Uconnect 5 will bring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to 100 percent of FCA's North American offerings. The feature also adds wireless connectivity, allowing customers to wirelessly project phone apps quick and easy, while leaving phones securely stowed.
Uconnect 5 TomTom navigation
Wireless CarPlay has so far been largely limited to a handful of luxury brands like BMW, Audi, and Porsche, with some aftermarket systems also supporting it, but more mainstream manufacturers are on the verge of adding wireless Carplay as they launch major updates to their infotainment technology. Ford announced last October that its SYNC 4 system will support wireless CarPlay in select vehicles, and now FCA is following suit with its family of brands including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and more.
FCA has yet to announce exactly when and on which models Uconnect 5 will first launch, but it should start rolling out later this year.
Tile today is offering two flash sales on some of its most popular Bluetooth trackers. To start, the Tile Pro 2-pack is on sale for $34.99, down from $59.99. Secondly, you can get the Tile Essentials 4-pack for $39.99, down from $69.99.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Tile. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
The Tile Pro is considered the company's high-performance tracker, with a 400ft range, the loudest ring possible among the Tile family, and a 1-year replaceable battery. Tile Pro are meant to be placed on key rings, bags, important accessories, and more, and if you ever lose your items you can track them down via the connected Tile app on your smartphone.
The Tile Essentials 4-pack includes 2 Tile Stickers, 1 Tile Mate, and 1 Tile Slim. The Tile Mate is one step down from the Tile Pro and offers a range of 200ft for item tracking. The Tile Slim is built to mimic the look of a credit card and can fit easily into your wallet, while the Tile Sticker is the company's smallest tracker and can be easily attached to most items with its sticky adhesive backing.
Tile has made a name for itself as one of the best-known Bluetooth tracking companies, but it's been fighting back against recent changes made by Apple in iOS 13. Tile claims that Apple's Bluetooth and location tracking services have hurt its business, allowing Apple to get a leg up on these services with the new "Find My" app, and causing Tile users to go through a series of buried menus in order to place Tile as the preferred Bluetooth tracker on its device.
Furthermore, Apple is rumored to launch its own dedicated "AirTags" Bluetooth tracker, which would allow Apple device users a first-party solution to keeping track of keys, bags, and equipment. It's not clear when AirTags will launch, but we've organized all of the most recent rumors and leaks on the Bluetooth trackers in our AirTags Guide.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.
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.
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.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Tile. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
