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eBay Debuts New Sitewide Coupon Letting You Take 15% Off an Order Today Only

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eBay this morning has debuted a new 15 percent off sitewide coupon for its shoppers, which will last until 6:00 p.m. PT tonight. This means that for the next ten hours you can save 15 percent off a minimum purchase of $25 across eBay, although there are the usual exclusions of warranties and protection plans, coins and paper money, gift cards and coupons, and real estate.

ebay 927Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with eBay. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You'll have to use the coupon within a single transaction, and it will be capped at a maximum value of $100. To use the discount, head to eBay and browse, add items that total over $25 to your cart, and enter the coupon code PICKSOON in the checkout screen. eBay shoppers with an address located in the United States, Canada, Latin America, or the Caribbean are eligible for the coupon.

eBay's sitewide coupons are a great chance to save on a huge variety of products, which can include Apple MacBooks, iPads, iPhone cases, Apple TV 4K, and more. Another good idea for the sitewide coupon is looking for discounts on HomeKit items, including the Nanoleaf Aurora Rhythm Smarter Kit, the iDevices Switch and Outdoor Switch, Philips Hue's range of products, and more.

As with any eBay shopping, unless the item is being sold by an official retailer's eBay store -- like Best Buy's Nanoleaf Aurora kit -- it's important to remember that buying off of eBay does come with some risk. To be safe, remember to check the seller's item sold count and positive feedback rating. It's also typically useful to see if the images provided appear to be taken by the seller and not used from stock imagery of the product.

Head to eBay and eBay's Daily Deals pages to start shopping, and remember that the PICKSOON coupon code will expire tonight at 6:00 p.m. PT. You can also find more information on other sales happening throughout the week in our Deals Roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Tag: eBay
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ECG Feature on Apple Watch Could Take Years to Be Approved in the United Kingdom

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Earlier this month, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 4 with a new electrocardiogram (ECG) feature that measures the electrical activity of your heartbeat, providing you with a heart rhythm classification that can be shared with your doctor. The feature isn't out yet, but it will be limited to Series 4 models in the United States later in 2018.

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Today, 9to5Mac shared a potential time window for the launch of the ECG feature in the United Kingdom. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) explains that the process starts by examining Apple's documentation surrounding the ECG feature and performing an audit of the quality assurance system.

While this step doesn't appear to be lengthy, the proceeding steps could make the process longer. MHRA says it would require Apple to perform a new clinical investigation to judge the effectiveness of the ECG on Apple Watch, but Apple would likely not be able to use any of the data from the studies it's already completed because MHRA requires companies to notify the regulator in advance of a study.

Once the study is submitted, MHRA has 60 days to approve it (which may become longer if the regulators have further inquiries for Apple), and then Apple can begin the study. These last few steps are what the MHRA say "could potentially add years" onto the debut of the ECG in the UK.

You may need to carry out a clinical investigation as part of the process to obtain a CE marking for your medical device. You must inform MHRA if you are planning to do this at least 60 days before starting your investigation [providing] some basic details about the investigational device, the intended population, the type of study, and estimated application date.

The last factor could be the most time consuming and could potentially add years onto the CE marking process.

Despite the potential for years-long approval, Apple may find ways to expedite this process. While the United Kingdom remains part of the European Union, it’s possible that Apple could receive approval from a broader regulatory body and sidestep the MHRA's processes.

In the United States, Apple has obtained de novo FDA clearance for the ECG feature in the Apple Watch Series 4 and the feature that can send a notification if an abnormal heart rate has been detected. However, FDA clearance is not the same as FDA approval and the FDA does not recommend that the ECG feature be used by those under 22 or those who have already been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

The FDA warns that Apple's ECG app is not designed to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment and is intended for informational use only.

Elsewhere, Apple has said it is working with Health Canada to bring the ECG functionality to the Canadian market, although no timeline has been specified.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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How to Customize the Monogram on Your Apple Watch

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The monogram complication on Apple Watch is designed to let you choose up to four letters to appear on your watch's display. Previously it was only available on the Color watch face, but if you're a Series 4 owner, you can also use it on the new Infograph watch face.

customize monograph apple watch
The idea behind the monogram is to let you add your initials to your watch display, but there's nothing stopping you from adding other characters. Emoji aren't supported, but most unicode characters are, including of course the Apple  symbol.

You can find all manner of unicode characters on the web – try searching for "unicode faces" for some fun combinations. You could also download a unicode iPhone app like UniChar for a more complete selection. Just remember that you can only combine up to four characters in your monogram.

How to Add a Monogram to Your Apple Watch

  1. Copy the unicode character(s) you want to use in your monogram to your iPhone's clipboard. To copy from a web page, highlight the symbol(s) with a long press and then tap Copy from the popup menu.
  2. Next, launch the stock Watch app on your iPhone.
    customize monograph apple watch01

  3. Tap the My Watch tab if it's not already selected.
  4. Tap Clock.
  5. Tap Monogram.
  6. Paste the character(s) into the Monogram field.
    customize monograph apple watch02

  7. Now, return to the main menu in the My Watch tab, and a select a Color or Infograph watch face from My Faces. (If you're not yet using one, you can choose one from the Face Gallery.)
  8. If you're using an Infograph face, tap Sub-dial Top and choose Monogram. If you're using a Color face, make sure the Monograph toggle is on.

Once that's done, your monogram should show up the next time you switch to the Color or Infograph watch face on your Apple Watch.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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Australian Teen Who Hacked into Apple's Servers Multiple Times Avoids Jail

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icloud keychainA Melbourne schoolboy who hacked into Apple's corporate servers on multiple occasions over two years has avoided conviction, reports The Age.

The 19-year-old student, who can't be named for legal reasons as his case is being heard in an Australian Children's Court, earlier pleaded guilty to hacking into Apple's internal systems several times in 2015 and 2016.

The boy's hacking is said to have begun at the age of 16, and involved downloading 90 gigabytes of secure files and accessing customer accounts. His lawyer later told police that the teen "dreamed of" working for Apple.

The magistrate dealing with the case reportedly handed down an eight-month probation order, and said that no conviction would be recorded. The court also heard how the private school boy has since been accepted into university to study criminology and cyber safety.

That international investigation began when Apple detected the unauthorized access and blocked the source of the intrusions. The company notified the FBI, which passed on the information to the Australian Federal Police, resulting in a warrant being executed at the family home last year.

Prosecutors said the raid turned up a "litany of hacking files" in a folder on the boy's computer named "hacky hack hack," as well as devices with IP addresses that matched the source of the intrusions.

Following reports of the case, Apple released a statement to assure customers that at no point during the incident was personal data compromised.

Tag: Australia
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Nintendo's New iOS Game 'Dragalia Lost' Now Available

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Nintendo's newest mobile game, Dragalia Lost, is now available on both Android and iOS devices in the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau.

Dragalia Lost is an original action RPG that was developed by Nintendo and Japanese mobile game developer Cygames. In the swipe-based game, players are tasked with conquering their enemies using powerful attacks and special skills.


Players will control several characters who are able to transform into dragons to unleash their power on enemies. In addition to battling monsters, players will also need to develop a holy citadel for dragon training.

Limited time multiplayer raid battles are available for up to three players online, and an internet connection is required to play.

Nintendo has successfully launched several iOS games, including Fire Emblem Heroes, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, and Super Mario Run.

Like Nintendo's most successful titles, Dragalia Lost is free to play and it is supported through in-app purchases.

Dragalia Lost can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tag: Nintendo
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Apple Design Chief Jony Ive Awarded 2018 Stephen Hawking Fellowship

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jony iveApple Design Chief Jony Ive has been awarded the 2018 Stephen Hawking Fellowship, the Cambridge Union announced on Tuesday.

Charles Connor, Cambridge Union Society President, said Ive was one of the "most influential individuals in modern technology" when announcing the award.

Ive will speak during the Michaelmas term (the first academic term) at Cambridge University's Debating Chamber, where he is expected to offer "reflection on his career, split with a more general reflection on technology and design as a whole."

The fellowship, which is an honorary scholarship to recognize the recipients' contributions to STEM fields and social discourse, was created by the Cambridge Union Society in partnership with professor Stephen Hawking in 2017.

Stephen Hawking delivered the Inaugural Fellowship Lecture in November of 2017 after the Union Society approached him about the creation of a fellowship in his name. It was one of his last public appearances before his death in 2018.

Tag: Jony Ive
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Apple Letting Devs Invite Beta Testers Using New TestFlight Public Links

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testflightApple is introducing a new TestFlight feature that is designed to allow developers to create public links to invite new beta testers to try out their apps.

According to Apple, developers can enable a public a public link that can be shared with multiple users at one time, alleviating the need to send out individual invites. Potential beta testers can click the public link to install the app through TestFlight.

Now it's even easier to get valuable feedback on your app before releasing it on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Simply enable a public link for your app in App Store Connect that leads to an invitation to test in TestFlight. Share the link to let anyone discover the beta version of your app.

Apple first announced public links as an upcoming feature in June, but the Apple didn't make it available for developers until today.

Developers have the option to create a public link that allows for a limited number of testers. TestFlight supports up to 10,000 testers for each app that's being beta tested.

Tag: TestFlight
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YouTube App for iOS Gains HDR Support for iPhone XS and XS Max

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YouTube this week introduced an update to its iOS app, quietly adding HDR support on the new iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models, as pointed out on Reddit.

Both the iPhone XS and XS Max, like the iPhone X, feature "Super Retina" HDR displays that support HDR videos. HDR videos offer up a broader range of colors and luminance compared to non-HDR content.

iphonexsmaxhdr
When watching HDR videos on YouTube, to ensure you're watching at the highest possible quality, you can tap on the three dots in the top right hand corner and then select the "Quality" option. HDR listings will only be available on devices that support HDR, and the highest available quality on the iPhone XS and XS Max is 1080p60 HDR.

Apple added HDR support for the iPhone X back in May, but the feature was not originally working with the iPhone XS and XS Max until the latest update.

Tag: YouTube
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Hands-On With the New Depth Control Feature in iPhone XS and XS Max

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Apple's iPhone XS, XS Max, and upcoming XR come equipped with a new Depth Control feature enabled through camera upgrades that include a new image signal processor, an improved sensor, and the A12 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine.

Depth Control, which we've featured in the video below, lets you adjust the amount of blurring in the background of your Portrait Mode images, giving you more control over how your images come out.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

Depth Control can be accessed after you take a Portrait Mode image by tapping on the "Edit" button of a Portrait Mode photo in the Photos app. At the bottom of the editing interface, you'll see a new Depth slider, which is what you use to adjust the blurring or depth of field of the image.

depthcontroloptions
In a traditional camera, a larger aperture means more background blur and a shallower depth of field, while a smaller aperture results in less background blurring. This system is what Apple is mimicking with Depth Control.

depthcontrolnone

No background blurring with Depth Control set at f/16

If you're new to photography, it's a bit confusing, but a larger aperture is represented by a smaller number, while a smaller aperture is represented by a larger number. So in the Depth Control slider, which ranges from f/1.4 to f/16, f/1.4 is the maximum amount of blur while f/16 essentially eliminates all background blur for an image that's sharp throughout.

depthcontroldefault

Default/medium Portrait Mode background blurring with Depth Control set at f/4.5

By default, all Portrait Mode images on iPhone XS and XS Max start at f/4.5, and from there, you can move the slider along the bottom to the left or the right to add more or less background blur. Being able to adjust the depth of field is useful because you can tweak exactly what you want blurred, and it can save some photos that otherwise would have had key details (like the edges of hair or fur) blurred out by Apple's Portrait Mode software.

depthcontrolfull

Maximum background blurring with Depth Control set at f/1.4

Depth Control is limited to Portrait Mode images taken with the front or rear-facing cameras because there needs to be blur to adjust in the image. Right now, editing the depth of a photo is limited to images that have already been captured, but starting in iOS 12.1, it will work in real time too.

In the iOS 12.1 beta, when capturing a Portrait Mode image with the front or rear facing camera, you can tap on the little "F" in the upper right hand corner of the display to access the Depth Control slider to see how more or less background blur looks in real time before taking an image. The camera app will also remember your preferred Depth Control settings from photo to photo, so you can always set it at the depth of field that you like best.

depthcontrollive
Live Depth Control lets you get the perfect angle and the perfect amount of depth for the portrait that you want to capture so you can make all of your real-time adjustments before snapping the photo.

What do you think of the Depth Control feature in the iPhone XS and XS Max? Let us know in the comments.

Related Forum: iPhone
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Review: Crazybaby Air 1S Wireless Earphones Offer Decent Sound, but Cheaper Air Nano Model Disappoints

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As more and more smartphones ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack, the market for true wireless Bluetooth earphones has become increasingly flooded with numerous options for customers to buy. Apple has its own first-party earphones with the AirPods, which fit conveniently in the Apple ecosystem thanks to the W2 chip's simple device pairing and a straightforward charging solution with the included carrying case.

crazybaby review 11
Sony, Jabra, Bang & Olufsen, Anker, and more all provide similar true wireless earphones (a term that means there is no wire at all between each earbud), usually priced anywhere between $80 to $200. Now, wireless accessory company Crazybaby — which first made a splash with the introduction of a "levitating" Mars Bluetooth home speaker — has introduced a few AirPods-like products of its own with the Air Nano ($79 for MacRumors readers using code RUMORSNANO, $99 normally) and Air 1S ($129 for MacRumors readers using code RUMORS1S, $159 normally).

Air Nano

Starting with the cheaper Air Nano model, Crazybaby sells this pair of earphones in 10 bright colors and the company sent me the Volt Green option. While I typically enjoy having an array of colors to choose from for most products, I personally prefer something a bit more subdued for headphones. Air Nano definitely stands out when in your ear, and they pulse with a white glow in a breathing rhythm (red when charging in the case), drawing more attention to them.

crazybaby review 6
Overall, the Air Nano earphones lack a feel of quality in day-to-day use. While the pill-shaped charging case is svelte, when it’s fully open the caps dangle off the sides. There is a helpful magnetic click once the case is closed, but it doesn't seem like the case will stay completely closed in a purse or backpack since it doesn't take much force to open it. On the outside of the charging case, you'll find a very minuscule charging status light and a USB-C port, which I definitely appreciated since I charge my MacBook nearby and could easily swap out the cable for the Air Nano without digging for another cord.

➜ Click here to read more...

Tag: Crazybaby
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eSIM Functionality Available in iOS 12.1, But Carrier Support is Required

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Apple's iOS 12.1 beta introduces support for the eSIM, aka a digital SIM that lets you activate a cellular plan from your carrier without needing to use a physical SIM card. In the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, the eSIM pairs with the included nano-SIM to enable dual-SIM functionality.

The eSIM in the new iPhone XS and XS Max was not available at launch, with Apple promising to activate it in a later update, which appears to be iOS 12.1.

dualsimcellularplan
eSIM settings are available by going to the Cellular section of the Settings app and choosing "Add Cellular Plan," which is the method used to add another cellular provider via the eSIM.

All contacts in the Contacts app also now list a "default [P] Primary" setting in iOS 12.1 which lets you change the default phone number that you contact each person with if you have multiple phone numbers.

dualsimcontacts
According to German site iPhone-Ticker.de, some Deutsche Telekom users are able to use the eSIM feature in iOS 12.1 to add two SIMs to their iPhones. Carriers need to implement the eSIM feature before it will work, and Apple offers a list of carriers that plan to offer the eSIM it in a support document.

In the United States, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon plan to offer eSIM support, but the carriers likely won't roll out the feature until iOS 12.1 launches to the public.

Dual-SIM support with the eSIM is useful for people who use two cellular plans at once, such as for home or work, and it is also beneficial when traveling.

As Apple outlines on its website, both numbers used with a dual-SIM iPhone can make and receive voice calls and SMS/MMS messages, but an iPhone can only use one cellular data network at a time. That means if one number is on a call, a call to the other number will go to voicemail.

Both networks are active at once, however, and with dual-SIM enabled, you will see two carrier signal readings in the Control Center.

appleesim
eSIM support will be available to everyone with an iPhone XS, XS Max (and future XR) when the iOS 12.1 update launches to the public. We've only had one beta of iOS 12.1 so far, so there is still a ways to go.

The iOS 12.1 update also includes support for Group FaceTime for up to 32 people, a new real-time Depth Control slider that can be used when taking Portrait Mode photos, and, with watchOS 5.1, new color watch face options in the Apple Watch app.

Related Forums: iOS 12, iPhone
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Get Cash for Your Old iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch Through MacRumors and MyPhones Unlimited

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With new iPhone and Apple Watch models now on the shelves, you may be thinking of paving the way for an upgrade by selling your current device. We've partnered with MyPhones Unlimited, an Arkansas-based company that buys used iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and much more at competitive prices, to offer our readers a way to get cash in hand to make an upgrade happen.

myphonesunlimited portal resized

Entering the details for my iPhone to get a quote, MyPhones Unlimited is offering $490 at the time of writing this post (as with all buyback programs, a device's age and condition have a large impact on how much you can get for it) for my unlocked 256GB iPhone X. It's fully functional with no screen damage (thank you, screen protector and Apple leather case).

If you like the quote you get, the process to get paid is simple. You provide your contact and address information and MyPhones Unlimited will send you a box with a pre-paid shipping label so you can send your device to them. You'll receive a check in return within 10 business days of mailing your device. MyPhones Unlimited then refurbishes your device, if needed, and resells it. If it's unfit for reselling, it gets recycled. You can find more information in this FAQ.

With Apple's new GiveBack program, I get a quote of $525 for my iPhone X. Apple offers this in the form of an Apple Gift Card or a refund on a purchase, which is great if you plan to buy your next device from Apple. But if you plan to purchase it from your cellular service provider or another retailer, you'll have to find a way to convert that Apple gift card into cash so you can use it. MyPhones Unlimited offers an advantage here since you'll get a check you can cash and use however you wish.

Note that you could probably get more for your device through a private sale through Craigslist or even eBay. Right now, the going rate on Craigslist for an unlocked 256GB iPhone X is around $800 in the Boston area where I live. While you can get more cash this way, you have to post the ad, respond to potential buyers, and meet them. This can be inconvenient depending on your schedule or location and your own safety can be at risk (please follow Craigslist's own Personal Safety guidelines, at the very least). Selling your device to MyPhones Unlimited eliminates the hassle from this process.

MacRumors gets a portion of each transaction made through our buyback page. MyPhones Unlimited offers full support by phone and email if you have any questions not answered in the FAQ or need help with your transaction.

Tags: Buyback, MyPhones Unlimited
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Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 66 With Bug Fixes and Feature Improvements

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safaripreviewiconApple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced over two years ago in March of 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.

Safari Technology Preview release 66 includes bug fixes and feature improvements for Web Share API, Conic Gradients, WebRTC, Shadow DOM, CSS, Web Inspector, Web API, Apple Pay, JavaScript, Media, Web Animations, Web Assembly, and Password AutoFill.

The new Safari Technology Preview update is available for both macOS High Sierra and macOS Mojave, the newest version of the Mac operating system that was released to the public earlier this week. After installing macOS Mojave, Apple says you may need to reinstall Safari Technology Preview.

The Safari Technology Preview update is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store to anyone who has downloaded the browser. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.

Apple’s aim with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.

Tag: Safari Technology Preview
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Deals: Save on Koogeek's HomeKit Light Strip, Refurbished Beats, and Get $450 Off 12-Inch MacBooks From 2016

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Woot today has Apple's 12-inch MacBook from Early 2016 (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) for $849.99, down from $1,299.99. While an older model, today's sale is $450 off the original price tag and $450 cheaper than the latest 12-inch MacBook models with similar specs. The MacBooks are available in Gold and Rose Gold.

2016 12 inch macbookNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Woot's sale lasts one day only, so if you're interested head to the retailer's website and place your order before the day ends. Amazon Prime members will get free shipping, and Woot is offering cheaper $6 shipping today only for non-Prime members.

On Amazon, there are a few notable sales today:

926 deals article

Best Buy's Daily Deals page is highlighting a few refurbished Beats products on sale today only, with savings as high as $115. You can get the BeatsX in Black for $63.99, down from $149.99, and the Powerbeats3 for $84.99, down from an original price of $199.99.

beats best buy sale
Both headphones beat their typical sale prices as well, with the BeatsX usually getting marked down to around $90 in more recent sales. In regards to its refurbishment process, Best Buy promises that Geek Squad certified refurbished products are tested to verify that they work like new and are restored to original factory settings.

Check out our full Deals Roundup for more information on this week's sales, including the HomePod for $299.99 at Costco.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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Jaguar and Land Rover Set to Begin Offering CarPlay and Android Auto

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Jaguar and Land Rover will soon offer CarPlay and Android Auto in both new and existing vehicles in the United States.

carplay jaguar land rover
A spokesperson for the brands confirmed to MacRumors that, from the 2019 model year forward, all Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles equipped with its InControl Touch Pro or Touch Pro Duo infotainment systems will be available with an optional smartphone connectivity package including CarPlay and Android Auto.

Jaguar and Land Rover say the smartphone connectivity package will be an optional installation in new vehicles, either at the factory or port-of-entry, at a cost of $280 and up depending on the model and trim level.

There's also good news for existing owners of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles with an InControl Touch Pro or Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, as the spokesperson confirmed a retroactive update with CarPlay and Android Auto functionality will soon be available at authorized dealerships in the United States.

The spokesperson was not able to provide an exact date when new vehicles with CarPlay and Android Auto will arrive to U.S. dealerships, or exact availability of the retroactive update, but did note the rollout should be imminent.

The retroactive update appears to already be rolling out to select Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in the United Kingdom.

2018 has been a successful year for CarPlay adoption, with Toyota and Lexus, Mazda, and now Jaguar and Land Rover beginning to offer the Apple software platform as a preinstalled option. Apple's website says CarPlay is now available in over 400 vehicle models in the United States, from almost all major automakers.

Related Roundup: CarPlay
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology
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Apple's Special Version of iTunes That Still Has an App Store Currently Incompatible With macOS Mojave

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Last year, Apple removed the App Store from iTunes. Soon after, however, Apple quietly released a special edition of iTunes that retains access to the App Store for "certain business partners" who "might still need to use iTunes to install apps."

macos mojave itunes apple configurator
Apple provides a download page on its website for the special edition of iTunes, which originally had a version number of 12.6.3. Two updates have since been released, including version 12.6.4 and the current version 12.6.5.

As brought to our attention by a MacRumors reader, and confirmed by our own testing, however, iTunes 12.6.5 fails to install on Mac systems updated to the public release of macOS Mojave this week. It also appears that the previous 12.6.3 and 12.6.4 versions do not function properly on macOS Mojave.

It's unclear if Apple does not plan on supporting the special edition of iTunes on macOS Mojave, or simply hasn't updated it yet. In the meantime, Apple Configurator can be used to mass-deploy apps on iOS devices from a Mac.

Tag: iTunes
Related Forums: macOS Mojave, Mac Apps
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Google Maps Makes it Easier to Decide on a Restaurant With New Group Planning Feature

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Google today announced a new group planning feature for Google Maps on iOS and Android, which aims to make it easier for a group of friends to decide on a place to eat.

To use the feature, open Google Maps and tap "Restaurants" on the Explore tab. Then long press on any location to add it to a shortlist, shown in a small floating bubble on the lower right side of the screen. Once you add a few places you can share the shortlist with friends through any messaging app, like iMessages, which will then let them browse the list and link them back to Google Maps.

google maps group planning
Friends can then vote in Google Maps on their favorite restaurant in the shortlist, and every member in the group can add and delete places. Voting results are showed in Google Maps, and if a group member doesn't have the app they can also view it on the web.

This may sound familiar: you and your friends are trying to pick a place for dinner, but no one wants to make the decision and you don't know where to go. How do you decide on a place that your BBQ aficionado bestie, quinoa-loving sister, and wannabe foodie friend can all enjoy without scrolling through a ton of links in group text messages?

Starting today, you can use Google Maps to easily plan where to go as a group

At Google I/O in May, Google outlined numerous features coming to Google Maps throughout the year, including AR Street View, a "For You" Tab, and this week's group planning feature. Recently, Google Maps on iOS also updated with an events section and elevation data, and introduced CarPlay support in iOS 12.

Group planning will start rolling out on iOS and Android this week.

Tags: Google, Google Maps
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Apple Watch Series 4 Expected to Gain Second Manufacturer Following 'Much Better Than Expected' Demand

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Taiwanese manufacturer Compal Electronics will begin mass production of Apple Watch Series 4 models in November, according to industry sources cited by supply chain-focused publication DigiTimes.

apple watch series 4 trio
Compal will share orders with fellow Taiwanese manufacturer Quanta Computer, which has reportedly reached its maximum capacity for Apple Watch Series 4 production following "much better than expected demand" for the latest models, according to Apple analyst extraordinaire Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo also said Compal will be added as a second supplier of Apple Watch Series 4 models, which entails final assembly of the wearable.

Kuo believes Apple Watch shipments from suppliers to Apple will fall between 18 million and 19.5 million units in 2018. Apple does not disclose Apple Watch sales, grouping the device under its broad "Other Products" category in its earnings reports, alongside the Apple TV, AirPods, HomePod, and so forth.

Apple Watch is the world's most popular smartwatch by many metrics, including market share and revenue. In fact, Apple says the Apple Watch is the world's most popular watch of any kind, having surpassed Rolex.

Many models of the Apple Watch Series 4 ordered on Apple.com today are estimated to be delivered in late October in the United States, lending credence to strong demand, limited supply, or some combination of the two. With a second supplier coming on board in November, availability should improve.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Tag: DigiTimes
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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