Expercom has launched a new coupon code that's discounting new models of the iMac, including standard configurations and configurations that Expercom has upgraded with additional RAM. Expercom offers custom-configured models with either standard Apple RAM or Expercom-branded RAM that can in some cases save you substantial amounts of money.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Expercom. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
To see the discounts, head to Expercom's iMac section and browse to add one of Apple's desktops to your cart. In the checkout screen, enter the coupon code "newimac" in the relevant field and click apply. This code works with iMacs only on Expercom's website, and will expire on Monday, April 1.
Configurations with Apple RAM are also available, but discounts are smaller. Expercom is an Apple Premium Partner, so all RAM upgrades performed by Expercom staff are certified and do not affect your warranty.
You can view the full list of available iMacs compatible with the coupon code by visiting Expercom's website. Remember that the code "newimac" will last all weekend and expire on Monday, April 1, so be sure to browse and place your order soon if you're interested.
More sales and bargains can be found in our full Deals Roundup.
As promised earlier in March, Apple today introduced major updates for all of its iWork for iOS apps, including Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.
Today's update brings enhanced Apple Pencil functionality, coinciding with the addition of Apple Pencil support on the new iPad Air and the fifth-generation iPad mini.
The new version of Keynote allows you to draw paths with your finger or with the Apple Pencil to animate an object, and there are options to add action build effects, like new move, rotate, and scale animations.
You can create and share animated GIFs by exporting one or more slides, and there's an option to edit presenter notes while presenting or rehearsing a slide show. With Keynote and the other iWork apps, you can also save custom shapes. Keynote's full release notes are below:
- Draw a path with your finger or Apple Pencil to animate an object across the slide. - Add emphasis to presentations with action build effects, including move, rotate, and scale animations. - Create and share an animated GIF by exporting one or more slides. - Edit presenter notes while presenting or rehearsing a slideshow. - Save custom shapes for use in other presentations and access them on any device using iCloud. - Create themes to use as a model for new presentations, and access them on any device using iCloud. - Slides with custom wider aspect ratios now display better in the slide navigator, light table, and presenter display. - Create image placeholders to easily replace images without affecting the formatting of your slide. - Improved performance while collaborating on presentations. - Edit grouped objects while collaborating. - Support for vertical text in shapes and text boxes in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages.
In the Numbers app, there's a new feature for making precise changes to table row and column counts with the format pane, the maximum zoom level has been increased to 400 percent, collaboration features have been improved, and there's an option to create templates to use as a model for new spreadsheets. The full Numbers release notes are below:
- Make precise changes to table row and column counts and sizes with the format pane. - Performance and usability improvements to Smart Categories. - Save custom shapes for use in other spreadsheets, then access them on any device using iCloud. - Create templates to use as a model for new spreadsheets, and access them on any device using iCloud. - Increased maximum zoom level to 400%. - Enhancements to Excel and comma separated value file import. - Create image placeholders to easily replace images without affecting the formatting of your spreadsheet. - Improved performance while collaborating on spreadsheets. - Edit grouped objects while collaborating. - Support for vertical text in shapes and text boxes in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages.
Pages features a new table of contents view to navigate through a document or book, and a table of contents can be inserted into a page. Custom shapes can be saved and used in other documents, and image placeholders can be added to replace images without affecting page formatting. Release notes for the Pages update are below:
- Use the new table of contents view to easily navigate your document or book. - Insert a table of contents onto a page in a word-processing document. - Save custom shapes for use in other documents and access them on any device using iCloud. - Create templates to use as a model for new documents, and access them on any device using iCloud. - Create image placeholders to easily replace images without affecting the formatting of your page. - Switch your document between word processing and page layout. - Improved performance while collaborating on documents. - Edit grouped objects while collaborating. - In Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages, you can now type vertically in your entire document or in an individual text box.
Apple has also updated its iWork for macOS apps with some of the same features that have been added to its iOS apps. All of Apple's iWork apps for both macOS and iOS are free for you to download.
Apple first announced all of these updates on Monday, March 18, when debuting the new iPad mini and the new iPad Air models. All of Apple's iPads now support either the original Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil 2 (iPad Pro models), both which can be used in all of the iWork apps.
Google today announced that its Gmail for iOS app has been updated with customizable swipe actions that can be set to do the following things: Archive, Trash, Mark as read/unread, Snooze, and Move To.
These are the actions that will be enabled when you use the left and right swipe gestures on emails in your inbox in the recently redesigned Gmail for iOS app.
You can customize the gestures by opening up the Gmail for iOS app, selecting the Settings section, and choosing Swipe Actions.
Google says that the same swipe actions can now be used for notifications. On an incoming Gmail notification on iOS, if you long press or 3D Touch, you can get your swipe options to interact directly with emails without opening up the app.
Google says that the customizable Gmail swipe actions are rolling out to users today, but it could take up to 15 days for the option to become available to everyone.
Verizon, one of the four major cellular carriers in the United States, today announced the launch of a new free version of its Call Filter service that will identify, filter, and block incoming spam phone calls.
Verizon has offered its Call Filter service for some time now, but prior to today, all of the filtering technology required a $2.99 per month fee.
As of today, the spam detection, filtering, and number reporting features of the service are free, but there continues to be a $2.99 per month fee for Caller ID, a personal spam list, a personal block list, a risk meter, and spam lookup functionality.
For Verizon customers, the free call filtering option will provide alerts when an incoming call is likely a spam caller, it will report unsolicited numbers, and, if the option is selected, automatically block incoming robocalls.
All of Verizon's postpaid wireless customers with a compatible device are able to enroll, but the service is not available to prepaid customers.
Verizon says that in addition to making Call Filter free for all customers, it has made advancements towards blocking spoofed phone numbers. STIR/SHAKEN technology will verify that the phone number displayed on Caller ID is the phone number that has actually placed the call.
Verizon says this new call authentication standard will be deployed on the Verizon network in conjunction with other major carriers in the coming months.
"Far too frequently, customers tell me they want relief from the bombardment of bothersome robocalls," said Ronan Dunne, president of Verizon's consumer unit. "I'm confident that our new, free version of Call Filter and STIR/SHAKEN will put a big dent in the problem."
Verizon customers that want to sign up for the Call Filter service can do so through the Verizon website. The Call Filter app for iOS will need to be downloaded to unlock the full functionality.
Twitter today announced that the Twitter app for iOS devices has been updated with a new "Lights Out" feature that makes the existing Dark Mode option even darker.
The new Lights Out toggle is available in the Settings section of the Twitter app and it can be used in conjunction with the current Dark Mode feature to make Dark Mode just a bit darker for OLED displays.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said in January that Twitter was working on a new Dark Mode option in response to complaints suggesting that the existing Dark Mode was more of a dark blue than a black.
It was dark. You asked for darker! Swipe right to check out our new dark mode. Rolling out today. pic.twitter.com/6MEACKRK9K
— Twitter (@Twitter) March 28, 2019
The Dark Mode that existed before today's update is now the "Dim" Dark Mode in a blue/gray color, while Lights Out uses a pure black color palette. Twitter has also added an Automatic Dark Mode feature on iOS for turning on Dark Mode automatically based on timezone.
👋 Twitter, welcome to the dark(er) side.
We’re excited to finally share the updated dark mode, and @design will talk about it from (you guessed it) a *design* perspective on behalf of @sofo, @bhaggs, @davidk, and many other awesome teammates who brought this to life. pic.twitter.com/JCNhZ365I6
— Twitter Design (@design) March 28, 2019
Right now, the new Lights Out option is limited to iOS devices, but it should be expanding to the desktop and Android devices in the near future.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 12.3 update to its public beta testing group, one day after providing the beta to developers and a few days after releasing tvOS 12.2.
The tvOS 12.3 public beta can be obtained by going to the Settings app on the Apple TV and navigating to the Software Updates section under "System." "Get Public Beta Updates" will need to be toggled on, and once it is, the Apple TV will download the beta software.
tvOS 12.3 includes the revamped Apple TV app that Apple debuted at its services-focused event on Monday. The new TV app is a better version of the original TV app, offering up access to TV shows, sports, news, and more in one spot.
There's still a "Watch Now" section with an "Up Next" feature for keeping track of what you're in the middle of watching, but there's a new "For You" feature that recommends new content based on what you've previously watched.
A new "Channels" option lets you subscribe to third-party services like Showtime, Starz, and HBO right within the TV app, and you can even watch all of the content from the services included in Channels right in the TV app without having to open a third-party app.
Channels will include CBS All Access, Starz, Showtime, HBO, Nickelodeon, Mubi, The History Channel Vault, and Comedy Central Now, but during the beta, only Showtime, Starz, Smithsonian, and Tastemade are accessible. You can subscribe in the TV app and get a one-week free trial before you're charged.
The TV app is on the Apple TV and iOS devices, and it's even available on the third-generation Apple TV through an upcoming software update that Apple plans to release.
Apple has said the new TV app is coming in May, so we can expect tvOS 12.3 to be released then.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming iOS 12.3 update to its public beta testing group, one day after seeding the beta to developers and a few days after the launch of iOS 12.2, an update that brought Apple News+, among other features.
Beta testers who have joined Apple's beta testing program will receive the iOS 12.3 beta update over-the-air after installing the proper certificate on an iOS device. The update will become available right around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time or 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Those who want to download the new beta can do so after signing up for the beta program, which gives access to iOS, macOS, and tvOS betas.
iOS 12.3 brings the new TV app that Apple first introduced at its March 25 event. The TV app is an updated version of the original TV app, offering up TV shows, movies, sports, news, and more all in one easy-to-access spot.
The updated TV app has improved content recommendations available through a new "For You" section in the app, which will suggest shows and movies you'll like based on your past watched history.
There's also a new feature called Channels. Channels are subscription services that you can sign up for and watch in the TV app without having to open up another app. Some of the new Channels include CBS All Access, Starz, Showtime, HBO, Nickelodeon, Mubi, The History Channel Vault, and Comedy Central Now. During the beta, users can subscribe to Showtime, Starz, Smithsonian, and Tastemade.
In the future, the TV app will also house Apple TV+, Apple's upcoming streaming service for its original TV shows and movies.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 5.2.1 update to developers, just a day after the release of the watchOS 5.2 update, which introduced AirPods 2 support and expanded the ECG feature to Europe.
Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software update.
To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.
It's not yet clear what features will be introduced in the watchOS 5.2.1 update, but as 5.x.x software, it's likely to focus on bug fixes and other under-the-hood performance improvements.
Should we find new features in the watchOS 5.2.1 beta, we'll update this post with details.
YouTube TV this week completed its nationwide rollout and is now available in every television market in the United States, with Glendive, Montana marked as the final area gaining the service (via The Verge). The end of the rollout comes two months after YouTube TV expanded to cover 98 percent of U.S. markets.
Now, YouTube TV will be even more of a competitor in the live TV streaming market, where rivals include Hulu with Live TV, DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue, SlingTV, FuboTV, and more. Although YouTube TV is available in every market, not every area will have all four major local networks, which is an issue some users have with many over-the-top services.
At the same time that YouTube TV completes its expansion, FuboTV this week announced its first price hike in over a year (via CordCutters). With this change, FuboTV's base backage, Fubo Standard, is now priced at $54.99/month. Previously, this entry-level package was priced at $39.99/month for the first month and then $44.99/month afterwards, so this is a $10/month price hike.
Fubo Standard includes 82 channels, a 30 hour cloud DVR, and two-screen streaming. According to Fubo, the reason for the price increase is because of the addition of popular channels over the past year, like AMC, CNN, TBS, and others. The change takes effect today for new customers signing up for Fubo Standard (with a $10 discount for the first month), and also coincides with a reorganization to its plan tiers that emerged earlier in the week.
Price hikes for live streaming TV services have been quite popular this year, most infamously for DirecTV Now. Earlier in March, the AT&T-owned company confirmed a $10 price hike for all its customers on every plan, meaning that the cheapest DirecTV Now tier is $50/month. The service also changed up its subscription plan lineup for new subscribers and increased the prices for its premium channel add-ons for existing customers.
Just under a year ago DirecTV Now increased its base "Live a Little" tier from $35/month to $40/month to be in line with the market, because most OTT services hit the $40/month price point. With all of the recent price hikes, $50/month is now closer to becoming the standard entry level price for these services, and FuboTV now has one of the most expensive entry level plans.
SlingTV - $25/month for "Orange and Blue" with limited-time discount
Hulu With Live TV - $44.99/month
PS Vue - $44.99/month for "Access" tier
DirecTV Now - $50/month for "Plus" and "Live a Little"
Apple today shared a humorous new privacy-focused ad on its YouTube channel, highlighting the ad tracking prevention features that have been built into Safari.
In the spot, a 15-year-old boy with a wispy mustache stands in front of a mirror and looks up when he should be shaving, a search he presumably wouldn't want to be tracked. It's followed with text that reads: "Safari limits sites from tracking you across the web, because what you browse should be your business."
Apple has been highlighting the privacy features of the iPhone in its recent advertising campaign, and today's video follows a funny video from earlier in the month highlighting situations where people would want their privacy protected in everyday life.
Safari on iOS and macOS has had Intelligent Tracking Prevention features since 2017, making it harder for companies to gather data about you and track your browsing habits across multiple websites.
The new 256GB RAM option consists of four 64GB memory modules, and in an internal document distributed to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, Apple states that the new configured-to-order iMac Pro is the only model designed to work with those 64GB memory DIMMs. No reason is provided.
This information suggests that Apple Authorized Service Providers will not be able to upgrade an iMac Pro to 256GB of RAM, nor will third-parties like OWC. In other words, purchasing an iMac Pro with 256GB of RAM will only be possible via the CTO option on Apple's online store during the checkout process.
256GB of RAM is a $5,200 upgrade option on Apple's online store, in addition to the iMac Pro's base $4,999 price.
The standard iMac is a bit more fortunate, as OWC has confirmed that the new 27-inch models released last week can be upgraded with up to 128GB of RAM, despite maxing out at 64GB on Apple's online store.
Bethesda's iOS game "The Elder Scrolls: Blades" has begun rolling out in early access this week, after facing numerous delays in 2018 (via TouchArcade). The game was first announced at E3 2018, and then showcased by Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard at Apple's "Gather Round" iPhone XS event in September 2018.
Apple used the mobile game as a way to showcase the A12 Bionic chip on the newest generation of iPhone devices. During the event, Howard said that Blades is a massive, first person role-playing game that is full of quests for players to complete in an open world.
In the game, you play as a member of the Blades, a group of the Empire's top agents who are forced into exile, forcing you to return to your hometown in an effort to help rebuild it. The game's App Store page highlights features like dungeon questing, city customization, player-versus-player arena battles, character and gear editing, and more.
The Elder Scrolls: Blades is available to download from the iOS App Store for free [Direct Link]. As with most free-to-play games, there are in-app purchases of up to $99.99.
Square has announced that its handheld payment terminal will be piloted at MLB's Nationals Park, allowing Washington Nationals fans to use contactless payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay to purchase popcorn, peanuts, beer, and other ballpark favorites directly from their seats.
Square has also partnered with food delivery service Caviar to offer a skip-the-line, order-ahead experience in the ballpark. Fans who open the Caviar app from their seats will be able to order their concessions in advance, including beer and wine, and receive an alert when their food is ready to be picked up.
The new ordering options are ready to go for Opening Day, with the Nationals kicking off a three-game series against the New York Mets at 1:05 p.m. local time.
Spotify has begun testing a new subscription plan called "Premium Duo," offering users two Spotify Premium subscriptions for a discounted price of €12.49 per month (via The Verge). Tests for Spotify Premium Duo are currently being held in Colombia, Chile, Denmark, Ireland, and Poland, and the company has not mentioned when or if the plan will expand to more territories, including the United States.
The new plan is aimed at couples and roommates, providing a separate Spotify Premium account for each person so they can enjoy their own music. Both users on the plan must live at the same address, and Spotify requires a confirmation of address during the sign-up process. Spotify Premium for Family (up to six people sharing the same plan) also requires users to live at the same address, but many people still use it to share accounts from afar with their friends, so Spotify appears to be attempting to curb this behavior with Premium Duo.
Premium Duo comes with an exclusive playlist called "Duo Mix," which Spotify regularly updates based on music that each user on the plan listens to. On mobile devices, Duo Mix will also have two alternate versions that users can switch to with just a tap: "Calm" for more mellow tracks and "Upbeat" for songs with a faster tempo. Additionally, the two members on Premium Duo will be able to create playlists and share them with one another thanks to a Shared Playlists feature.
The bill for the plan will be sent to the person who sets up and purchases the Premium Duo account. In terms of pricing, it appears that the new plan sits somewhere between a normal Premium membership ($9.99) and a Premium for Family membership ($14.99).
Head to Spotify's website for more information on Premium Duo.
The Apple TV+ streaming service features original TV shows and movies with high-profile producers, directors, and actors, with Apple adding new content on a regular basis.
In the guide below, we've rounded up all of the details on Apple's streaming television service, which officially launched back on November 1, 2019.
What is Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ is the name of Apple's television service that is home to the original TV shows and movies that are funded by Apple. Apple has produced dozens of shows, and has dozens more in the works, plus it has acquired multiple movies.
Apple competing with streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, Showtime, and others with its original content and has brought on huge names ranging from Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and J.J. Abrams to Oprah. Well-known actors and actresses like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hiddleston, Claire Danes, Chris Evans, Elizabeth Moss, Samuel L. Jackson, and Steve Carell are involved in Apple's original TV shows.
Are there ads?
Nope. Apple TV+ is ad-free and available to watch on-demand.
What's the price?
Apple TV+ is priced at $9.99 per month, with a one-week free trial. There's also an annual $99.99 subscription that saves a bit of money over the monthly option, and subscriptions also support Family Sharing, so up to six members of a family can access content using a single subscription. An Apple One bundle is available starting at $19.95 per month, with Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple Music included.
Apple is also offering a free three-month subscription to Apple TV+ with the purchase of a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch or Mac, but only one can be redeemed per person.
When did it launch?
Apple TV+ launched on November 1, 2019, in more than 100 countries.
How do I watch?
Apple TV+ is built into the Apple TV app, which was overhauled in 2019. The Apple TV app provides access to Apple TV+ content right alongside content from third-party providers, with machine learning and AI techniques used to recommend content that's perfect for you.
The Apple TV app is available on Apple devices that include the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple TV. It is also available on the web at tv.apple.com and on Roku, Amazon Fire TV devices, Samsung smart TVs, Nvidia Shield, and Android TV OS.
Can I download TV shows for offline viewing?
Yes. You can download TV shows and movies for offline viewing.
Can I watch on more than one device?
Yes. Up to six family members can watch on their own individual devices through Family Sharing. Family Sharing requires all Apple ID accounts in the family to use the same credit card for all Apple content, so giving someone access to an Apple TV+ account isn't quite as simple as sharing a Netflix account.
What's the difference between Apple TV+ and Channels?
The revamped TV app also includes "Channels," which will let you subscribe to and watch services like HBO, Starz, SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade, Noggin, and MTV Hits, right in the TV app without needing to open a different app. Channels are completely separate from Apple TV+, which is in fact Apple's own channel and available the Channels section.
Along with Channels and Apple TV+, the Apple TV app makes recommendations and suggestions for shows and movies from iTunes and more than 150 streaming apps and cable services like Canal+, Charter Spectrum, DIRECTV NOW and PlayStation Vue, though content that is not Apple's own and not included in a channel will need to be watched in a third-party app just like the original TV app.
What does an Apple TV+ subscription include?
An Apple TV+ subscription provides access to all Apple TV+ shows and movies, which are located inside of the Apple TV+ section of the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. It does not include iTunes movies and content from other providers, which still requires a separate fee.
Are Apple TV shows in 4K?
Yes. Original Apple TV+ content is available in 4K HDR with support for Dolby Vision. Most titles also offer Dolby Atmos sound.
Will Apple TV+ movies be in theaters?
Yes. Apple is releasing some of its Apple TV+ movies in theaters before releasing them on Apple TV+. Movies that have been in theaters include "Hala," "The Banker," and "The Elephant Queen."
Where is Apple TV+ available?
Apple TV+ is available in more than 100 countries. Apple TV+ content is not available outside of the TV app.
What devices support Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ can be watched through the following sources:
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 or later
Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with tvOS 13 or later
Third-generation Apple TV with the latest software
Smart TVs and streaming boxes that support the Apple TV app
Macs running macOS Catalina or later
tv.apple.com in a Safari, Firefox, or Chrome browser
Right now, some Samsung TVs and LG TVs support the Apple TV app, and other smart TV makers will be adding support in the future. The TV app is also available on the Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices.
How can I sign up for Apple TV+?
Customers can sign up in the Apple TV app or on tv.apple.com to start their Apple TV+ subscriptions.
Apple is offering all customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV a free three months of Apple TV+ access with the purchase.
To access the free subscription, open the TV app, and the free trial offer should be presented immediately after launching the app or in the "Watch Now." Each family can only the free Apple TV+ trial one time, regardless of the number of devices purchased.
Apple says any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, or Mac purchased after September 10, 2019 and capable of running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, or macOS is eligible for the free of Apple TV trial.
How can I cancel my Apple TV+ subscription?
You can cancel Apple TV+ on iPhone by opening up the Apple TV app, selecting your profile picture, and choosing the "Manage Subscriptions" option. From there, choose the "Cancel Free Trial" option.
Make sure to read the fine print before canceling if you have a free one-year trial from purchasing a device. If you cancel the subscription, it ends immediately and your access is revoked, so you'll want to make sure to set a calendar reminder to cancel rather than canceling right away. The trial period also cannot be reactivated once canceled.
Free Apple TV+ for students with Apple Music subscription
Students who have a student subscription to Apple Music can also get access to Apple TV+ at no additional charge.
Guide Feedback
See something we left out of our Apple TV+ guide or have a question not answered here? Let us know in the comments or Send us an email here.
Apple earlier this week released macOS Mojave 10.14.4, which has had the unfortunate side effect of rendering the Mail app unusable for some who use Gmail services for their email addresses.
After installing the macOS 10.14.4 update and opening the Mail app, Gmail users are asked to authenticate their email addresses using a Google web login form.
Unfortunately, the authentication process does not stick, and shortly after authenticating, the Mail app asks for authentication once again or refuses to work, listing all Gmail accounts as offline.
There are threads on the Apple support forums and the MacRumors forums from users who are experiencing this issue, and we here at MacRumors have also run into the problem firsthand. MacRumors reader dwfaust describes the bug:
I updated to Mojave 10.14.4 yesterday and all seemed good. This morning I woke up to most (5 of 7) Gmail accounts "offline" and prompting for login credentials "in Safari".
I went through the process of entering email addresses and passwords, and the accounts are still offline. Whenever I try to take them online, I get prompted for the logins again, but they won't come back online.
Rebooted twice, but no go.
Some users have had success setting up their email accounts using IMAP as a workaround. Those who have contacted Apple support have been told that a fix is in the works, so the bug could be addressed in the near future.
"Watch Now" with its "Up Next" function is still front and center in the TV app, but there's a new machine learning-based recommendation engine that will surface personalized content suggestions for you based on what you like to watch.
Up Next will continue to keep track of what you're watching so you'll never forget what episode of a TV show you're on or where you left off watching a movie, while the new "For You" recommendation feature will draw in content from more than 150 streaming apps, including Hulu, Amazon Prime, DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue, and more. In addition to the "For You" section, the TV app will also offer "Because you watched..." recommendations much like Netflix.
The overall app interface has been streamlined with sections for Movies, TV Shows, Sports, and Kids content at the top on both Apple TV and iPhone, while Library houses a list of content that you've purchased from iTunes.
There is a new "Channels" feature in the TV app, which is one of the main new components that Apple added. Channels are subscription services that you can sign up for and watch within the TV app without having to open up another app.
So, for example, if you come across a show you want to watch on your iPhone or Apple TV that's on Showtime, you can tap to subscribe to Showtime right in the TV app, and then you can watch that show without leaving the app.
Some of the new Channels that will be supported include CBS All Access, Starz, Showtime, HBO, Nickelodeon, Mubi, The History Channel Vault, and Comedy Central Now. During the beta, though, users can subscribe to Showtime, Starz, Smithsonian, and Tastemade.
You'll still get recommendations for content from services that aren't a part of Channels, so while Hulu isn't something you can subscribe to and watch in the TV app itself (you need to watch Hulu content in the Hulu app), you can still see Hulu content suggestions just like the original TV app.
Basically, while you'll get recommendations from a huge list of sources (minus Netflix), there are a small handful of content sources where subscribing and watching has been streamlined. For most content, you'll still need to watch in a third-party app at this time.
In the future, Apple's TV app will house Apple TV+, Apple's newly announced streaming service that will feature all of its original shows and movies.
Apple plans to introduce the new TV app in May, so we can expect the iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3 updates to be released sometime that month. Apple also plans to bring the TV app to the Mac, but that won't happen until the fall.
Apple today released watchOS 5.2, the fifth update to the watchOS operating system that runs on modern Apple Watch models. watchOS 5.2 comes more than two months after the release of watchOS 5.1.3, a bug fix update.
watchOS 5.2 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
The watchOS 5.2 update expands the availability of the ECG app to Hong Kong and 19 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.
"We've seen the ECG App and irregular rhythm notifications on Apple Watch have meaningful impact on our customers across the United States" said Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer. "We are excited to bring these features to customers in Europe and Hong Kong, giving them access to empowering information about their heart health."
Countries where ECG functionality has been added will also have access to irregular heart rhythm notifications, which will allow the Apple Watch to send you a notification if an irregular rhythm is detected.
The ECG feature was introduced in watchOS 5.1.3 in December 2018, but at launch, it was limited to the United States, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and Guam. Today's release of watchOS 5.2 marks the first time ECG functionality has expanded to other countries.
An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is designed to measure the electrical activity of the heart to detect abnormal rhythms and diagnose serious heart conditions.
The Apple Watch Series 4 is designed to let users take a single-lead electrocardiogram using electrodes built into the sapphire crystal of the Apple Watch and the Digital Crown to keep an eye on heart health The electrodes detect the electrical impulses from the heartbeat and route the data to the S4 processor in the device, where it is converted into a signal for Apple's algorithms.
Capturing an ECG is as simple as wearing the Apple Watch, initiating the test, and placing a finger on the Digital Crown of the device for 30 seconds. After an ECG reading has been captured, Apple will provide a heart rhythm classification that can be shared with your doctor.
If your heart is beating in a normal rhythm, Apple will let you know that a standard sinus rhythm has been detected. If your heart is not beating normally, however, the app will let you know that atrial fibrillation has been detected.
Along with ECG functionality, today's watchOS 5.2 update introduces support for the second-generation AirPods, allowing them to be used with the Apple Watch, and it supports real-time text (RTT) for phone calls.
There are also two new watch faces for Hermès watches that match the spring Hermès band collection, and the update introduces support for the Apple News+ feature added to iOS earlier this week.
Apple's full release notes for the watchOS 5.2 update are below:
ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 now available in Hong Kong and some regions in Europe. For a list of available regions, visit: https://www.apple.com/watchos/feature-availability/ - Irregular heart rhythm notifications now available in Hong Kong and some regions in Europe. For a list of available regions, visit: https://www.apple.com/watchos/feature-availability/ - Adds support for AirPods (2nd generation) - Supports real-time text (RTT) for phone calls
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Apple earlier this week 
