MacRumors

Alongside the public release of iOS 12.1.1, macOS Mojave 10.14.2, and tvOS 12.1.1, Apple today released a companion 12.1.1 software update for the HomePod and updated its Shortcuts app for iOS 12 to version 2.1.2.

The software update for HomePod is a relatively minor one, adding Siri support for Cantonese and Mandarin in China and a Cantonese dialect in Hong Kong ahead of the HomePod's release in those regions in early 2019. In addition, the LEDs on the top of the HomePod will now illuminate during Group FaceTime calls.

The new HomePod software will be installed automatically on the HomePod upon updating to iOS 12.1.1 on a paired iPhone, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following these instructions.

Shortcuts 2.1.2, a free update on the App Store, features a new "Post to Tumblr" action, iCloud sync improvements, localization improvements, and a long list of bug fixes per Apple's release notes:

• Fixed an issue where the screen describing which apps and services are used by a shortcut may not appear when downloading a shortcut
  

• Fixed an issue that caused shortcuts with the Open App or Play Sound actions to fail when Siri is used to run the shortcuts
  

• Fixed an issue where shortcuts with Repeat with Each actions may freeze when they're run from the widget or Library tab
  

• Fixed an issue where the Phone Number action may not understand phone numbers that contain commas (pauses) or have long extension codes
  

• Fixed an issue where the Show Directions action may not work when it's run from the Shortcuts Today View widget on the Lock screen
  

• Fixed an issue where the Add New Reminder action doesn't work when a time or location isn't entered
  

• Fixed an issue where the Send Payment action may not appear to finish when making Apple Pay Cash payments
  

• Fixed an issue where the Ask for Input action's default answer field for dates wouldn’t support 24-hour time
  

• Fixed an issue where the Get Name of Emoji action showed the emoji name in English when the device is set to another language
  

• Fixed an issue where some shortcuts may show an error message when they're run from Search
  

• Fixed an issue where shortcuts may fail to download web pages with long Unicode titles
  

• Fixed an issue where the Run Editorial Workflow action doesn't pass a result

Last week, MacRumors revealed that the publicly released version of watchOS 5.1.2 will enable ECG functionality on Apple Watch Series 4 models, but there is no sign of that software update so far today.

Apple today released iOS 12.1.1, the third update to the iOS 12 operating system since its September launch. iOS 12.1.1 is a minor update that follows iOS 12.1, a more significant release that brought features like Group FaceTime, initial eSIM support, and new emoji.

The iOS 12.1.1 update is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the update, go to Settings > General > Software Update. As with all iOS updates, iOS 12.1.1 is free to download.

iOS 12.1.1 reintroduces a feature that's designed to let you take a Live Photo while on a FaceTime call so you can capture favorite moments and save them indefinitely. Taking a Live Photo on a FaceTime call requires the person you're video chatting with to have the "FaceTime Live Photos" setting toggled on, which can be accessed by going to Settings > FaceTime > FaceTime Live Photos. If this setting is disabled, people you chat with won't be able to take a Live Photo during the call.

FaceTime also includes a reworked bottom bar that offers up quick access buttons for muting a call and flipping the camera. Sliding up on the bottom bar brings up additional options with conversation participants.

Prior to today's update, FaceTime users were required to tap on three dots to access a secondary menu with these features, so this greatly streamlines often used options.

eSIM support on the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR has expanded to additional carriers across Europe in iOS 12.1.1, including Swisscom in Switzerland, Orange in Spain, and Three in Sweden and Denmark. We're checking to see if Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have added support for this feature.

On the iPhone XR, the iOS 12.1.1 update introduces support for Haptic Touch with notifications. Haptic Touch can now be used to expand notifications on the Lock screen through a long press to see additional content. This is identical to the 3D Touch option on notifications on other iPhones.

For owners of Apple Watch Series 4 models, the iOS 12.1.1 update introduces support for the the ECG feature that will be included in the watchOS 5.1.2 update for Apple Watch Series 4 models. A single-lead ECG reading, which detects your heart rhythm, can be taken on an Apple Watch Series 4 by placing a finger on the Digital Crown after updating to watchOS 5.1.2.

iOS 12.1.1 also adds a new option in Apple News to hide the side bar on the iPad when using the app in landscape mode, it introduces an option to turn off the physical SIM in the device in favor of the eSIM, and it tweaks the icon of the Apple Watch app so it looks like the Apple Watch Series 4.

iOS 12.1.1 release notes:

iOS 12.1.1 adds features and fixes bugs for your iPhone and iPad. Features and improvements include:

- Notification preview using haptic touch on iPhone XR
- Dual SIM with eSIM for additional carriers on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max
- One tap to flip between the rear and front-facing camera during a FaceTime call
- Live Photo capture during one-to-one FaceTime calls
- The option to hide the sidebar in News on iPad in landscape orientation
- Real-time text (RTT) when using Wi-Fi calling on iPad and iPod touch
- Stability improvements for dictation along with VoiceOver

Bug fixes include:

- Fixes an issue where Face ID may temporarily become unavailable
- Addresses an issue that prevented visual voicemail from downloading for some customers
- Fixes an issue in Messages that could prevent predictive text suggestions when typing on the Chinese or Japanese keyboards
- Addresses an issue that could prevent Voice Memos recordings from uploading to iCloud
- Fixes an issue where time zones may not have updated automatically

This release also adds features and fixes bugs for HomePod including:

- Support in Mainland China and Hong Kong
- HomePod LEDs illuminate during Group FaceTime calls

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

macOS Mojave 10.14.2, tvOS 12.1.1, and a HomePod 12.1.1 software update were also released today, but there is no sign of watchOS 5.1.2 at this time.

Apple today received FCC approval for a nondescript "sleep monitor" in the United States. While much of the application is hidden due to a standard confidentiality agreement, one document reveals that the sleep monitor is "designed by Beddit in California" and has an all-new model number 3.5.

Simply put, this could end up being an all-new Beddit 3.5 sleep monitor that Apple will eventually release, but no further details are available. It could also be a modified version of the existing Beddit 3 sleep monitor.

Apple acquired Beddit, a company that develops health-related hardware, in May 2017 and continues to sell the Beddit 3 sleep monitor for $149.95 on its online store. The thin, flexible sensor is placed under the sheet on top of the mattress and automatically begins tracking sleep-related data when you lie down.

The data collected and analyzed includes sleep time and efficiency, heart rate, respiration, temperature, movement, snoring, room temperature, and room humidity. The data can be viewed in the Beddit app on iPhone and iPad.

Beddit technology is based upon a scientific principle known as ballistocardiography or BCG, described as an unobtrusive, non-invasive technique for measuring the mechanical activity of the heart, lungs, and other body functions:

Each time the heart beats, the acceleration of blood through the circulatory system generates a mechanical impulse that can be measured and analyzed. Throughout the night, Beddit tracks each individual heart beat and respiration cycle. Beddit's advanced analysis and machine learning algorithms adapt differently to each body type and provide detailed sleep data.

There has been hope that Apple's acquisition of Beddit could lay the foundation for first-party sleep monitoring on the Apple Watch, but this FCC application does not appear to be related to the Apple Watch.

Apple will be releasing iOS 12.1.1 today, likely around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time as usual, with several new features and bug fixes, including eSIM support for additional carriers on the latest iPhones, Live Photos support in FaceTime, Haptic Touch for notifications on iPhone XR, a Face ID bug fix, and more.

iOS 12.1.1 release notes:

iOS 12.1.1 adds features and fixes bugs for your iPhone and iPad. Features and improvements include:

- Notification preview using haptic touch on iPhone XR
- Dual SIM with eSIM for additional carriers on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max
- One tap to flip between the rear and front-facing camera during a FaceTime call
- Live Photo capture during one-to-one FaceTime calls
- The option to hide the sidebar in News on iPad in landscape orientation
- Real-time text (RTT) when using Wi-Fi calling on iPad and iPod touch
- Stability improvements for dictation along with VoiceOver

Bug fixes include:

- Fixes an issue where Face ID may temporarily become unavailable
- Addresses an issue that prevented visual voicemail from downloading for some customers
- Fixes an issue in Messages that could prevent predictive text suggestions when typing on the Chinese or Japanese keyboards
- Addresses an issue that could prevent Voice Memos recordings from uploading to iCloud
- Fixes an issue where time zones may not have updated automatically

This release also adds features and fixes bugs for HomePod including:

- Support in Mainland China and Hong Kong
- HomePod LEDs illuminate during Group FaceTime calls

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

iOS 12.1.1 will be the minimum required iOS version for viewing ECG-related data in the Health app on iPhone from the ECG app on the Apple Watch Series 4, but we'll have to wait on the release of watchOS 5.1.2 for that.

Apple has begun selling its long-awaited iPhone XR clear case on Apple.com and at many Apple Stores around the world. The case is priced at $39 in the United States, with online orders placed today estimated for delivery within a few days.

Apple says the case is crafted from a blend of clear polycarbonate and flexible TPU plastics, with a scratch-resistant coating applied to both the exterior and interior. The clear design is appropriate given the iPhone XR is available in a variety of colors, such as yellow, blue, white, coral, and (PRODUCT)RED.

Apple's description of the case:

Thin, light and easy to grip — this case lets you enjoy the look of iPhone XR while providing extra protection. It's also crafted with a blend of optically clear polycarbonate and flexible TPU materials, so the case fits right over the buttons for easy use. On the surface, a scratch-resistant coating has been applied not only to the exterior, but also to the interior. Need to wirelessly charge? Just leave the case on your iPhone and set it on your Qi charger.

This is the first Apple-branded case available for the iPhone XR since the device launched October 26. Apple mentioned the case in its iPhone XR press release in certain countries back in October, but it only became available to purchase today, limiting customers to third-party options until now.

(Thanks, Joshua!)

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A copy of the February 1984 premiere issue of Macworld magazine signed by Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs will be up for auction on the RR Auction website between December 6 and December 13.

Jobs signed the magazine at the grand opening of Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue store in New York on May 19, 2006, writing "to Matt, steven jobs" on the front cover, which features a photo of Jobs posing with a trio of original Macintosh computers. The magazine is listed in fine condition with light handling and edge wear.

The premiere issue of Macworld magazine is considered to be scarce and desirable in its own right, while Jobs was often reluctant to provide his autograph, so this is a rare collectible estimated to fetch at least $10,000 at auction.

There is both photo and video proof of Jobs signing the magazine, along with letters of authenticity from verification services Beckett and PSA/DNA.

Also up for auction at RR Auction beginning tomorrow is a Steve Jobs business card listing him as Chairman of the Board at Apple Computer. The business card features Apple's classic rainbow logo and an address of 20525 Mariani Avenue, across the street from its Infinite Loop campus in Cupertino, California.

The business card is not signed by Jobs, but it is still a nice collectible and is estimated to fetch at least $500 at auction.

Apple has ranked 71st on Glassdoor's annual list of the best companies to work for in the United States, an improvement over its rank of 84th last year, but the iPhone maker remains far behind a handful of tech rivals.

Facebook and Google are both among the top of the 2019 list, ranking seventh and eighth respectively, followed by Adobe in 30th and Microsoft in 34th. Other tech-related companies that cracked the list include LinkedIn in sixth, Nvidia in 36th, VMware in 51st, T-Mobile in 59th, and HP in 87th.

Beyond tech, notable inclusions are In-N-Out Burger in third, Southwest Airlines in 10th, St. Jude Children's Hospital in 13th, and FedEx in 85th. The best place to work overall is considered to be management consulting firm Bain & Company.

Apple has an overall rating of 4.3 out of five stars based on over 14,000 reviews from employees at both the corporate and retail level. Glassdoor quoted one review about Apple having a "fast-paced, goal-oriented environment that makes personal development and team collaboration incredibly easy to cultivate."

Apple ranked as high as 10th in Glassdoor's list back heading into 2012, the first full year of Tim Cook serving as CEO. Cook continues to lead Apple, and was ranked the 96th best CEO in the United States on Glassdoor for 2018, with a 91 percent approval rating based on 8,063 employee reviews.

As far as methodology is concerned, Glassdoor says it takes quantitative and qualitative data into account. "Led by Glassdoor's Economic Research Team, our proprietary awards algorithm factors in what employees have to say and looks at trends over time to determine who makes the list."

Complete Rankings: Glassdoor's 2019 Best Places to Work - Employees' Choice

Continuing improvements to Apple's popular AirPods wireless earphones will trigger an intense round of ear-device innovation and competition in 2019 as tech companies look to other avenues for growth amid declining smartphone sales, according to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a research note published today and obtained by MacRumors, Kuo predicted that AirPods, which are the most successful current Apple product, will rapidly grow in popularity next year when upgraded models appear, with many brands to follow Apple's steps with their own competing products. Kuo also laid out how he expects the in-ear devices to evolve over the coming years in the context of Apple's ecosystem.

We believe that the AirPods are more than just earbuds for Apple and will become increasingly important in Apple's ecosystem for the following reasons. (1) They increase the switching costs for users to Android from the iOS ecosystem. (2) This is an important device for voice assistant/AI services because it can easily enable the voice assistant. (3) The ear is a perfect sensing area for detecting various health data. It may integrate with the Apple Watch to offer better health management in the future.

For an idea of the potential health integrations Apple has in mind for future AirPods, a new patent awarded to Apple on Tuesday (spotted by 9to5Mac) shows AirPod-like devices performing heart rate monitoring and taking body temperature measurements.

With smartphone shipments slowing, more brand vendors are said to be paying attention to wireless earbud sales as a way to generate growth in the near-term, with a view to long-term strategic improvements in the ear-device space, according to Kuo.

Google and Amazon are expected to become Apple's main competitors in the emerging market, due to the former's Android influence and the latter's mature Alexa voice assistant. AirPod-like products from both companies are expected to be launched in the second half of next year.

We believe that AirPods' success has drawn Google and Amazon's attention and these two companies will launch AirPod-alike products in 2H19. The combined shipments of two brands will likely reach 10–20mn units in 2H19. Goertek (assembly) and Unitech (Rigid-flex PCB) are sole suppliers for Google and Amazon. We think that Google and Amazon are Apple's main competitors because Google is the most influential brand in the Android ecosystem and Amazon has the best voice assistant service.

Earlier this week, Kuo said he expected Apple's AirPods to see "dramatic growth" over the next two years, with new AirPods with a wireless charging case to debut in the first quarter of 2019, and an "all-new design model" following in the first quarter of 2020.

Kuo also said that fewer than 5 percent of iPhone users currently own AirPods, and with over 1 billion iPhone users worldwide, there are "great potential growth opportunities" for the accessory. Almost a year ago, Kuo predicted Apple would launch upgraded AirPods in the second half of 2018, but Apple's difficulties in bringing its AirPower charging mat to market likely impacted those plans.

Just ahead of Apple's October media event, Kuo said he was uncertain about the timing for an AirPods update, suggesting the new models could come late in the fourth quarter or early in the first quarter of 2019.