Apple today seeded the tenth beta of a new tvOS 12 operating system to developers for testing purposes, four days after releasing the ninth beta and more than two months after introducing the new software at the 2018 Worldwide Developers Conference.
Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV, the tvOS 12 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV using a profile that's installed through Xcode. Subsequent betas can be downloaded via the software update mechanism on the Apple TV.
tvOS 12 introduces support for Dolby Atmos sound, which was activated in the second beta. Apple says that when tvOS 12 launches this fall, iTunes will be home to the largest collection of Dolby Atmos-supported movies.
Customers that have previously purchased movies that gain Dolby Atmos support will see free upgrades to their titles, much like the rollout of 4K support.
Building on single sign-on, a new zero sign-on feature will further simplify the cable authentication process. With zero sign-on, the Apple TV can detect a user's broadband network and automatically sign them into supported apps they receive through their accompanying cable subscription.
Zero sign-on will be available for Charter Communications customers this fall and will expand to additional cable providers in the future.
Aerial screensavers now include location information and there are new screensavers captured in collaboration with the International Space Station.
Other improvements tvOS-related improvements include AutoFill passwords from iPhone, an Apple TV Remote automatically added to Control Center on the iPhone or iPad, and Apple TV support on Home control systems like Control4, Crestron, and Savant.
tvOS 12 is available for developers and public beta testers to work out bugs and other issues ahead of a fall public launch.
Apple today seeded the tenth beta of an upcoming watchOS 5 update to developers, one week after releasing the ninth beta and more than two months after introducing the software at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
To get the beta, you'll need the proper configuration profile, which can be obtained through the Apple Developer Center. Once the profile is in place, the watchOS 5 beta can be downloaded using the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software Update.
To install the update, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.
watchOS 5 is a major update to the watchOS operating system, introducing Activity Competitions so you can compete on workouts with friends, Walkie-Talkie with push-to-talk functionality for quickly communicating with the people you talk to most, and auto workout detection to make it easier to start and stop workouts if you forget.
Other new features include an improved Siri watch face with support for third-party apps through Siri Shortcuts, a dedicated Apple Podcasts app, new Workout types that include Yoga and Hiking, new features for runners, WebKit support for viewing some web content on Apple Watch, and enhanced notifications, which will make notifications on the Apple Watch interactive.
watchOS 5 is only available to developers and will not be provided to public beta testers (because there's no way to downgrade Apple Watch software), so non-developers will need to wait until the software is officially released in the fall to try it out.
The watchOS 5 update runs on all Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 Apple Watch models, but it is not available for the first-generation "Series 0" Apple Watch models.
Last month, CalDigit debuted a pair of Thunderbolt 3 mini Docks, offering the ability to connect dual 4K 60Hz displays, Ethernet, and USB all from one travel-sized accessory that doesn't require its own external power source. Available in dual DisplayPort and dual HDMI versions, CalDigit's Thunderbolt 3 mini Docks are a convenient way to make sure you can easily connect to multiple high-resolution displays wherever you go.
I've had an opportunity to test out both versions of the dock, and I came away impressed with their performance, compactness, and usefulness in making sure you have the connectivity you need available away from your usual workplace.
Design
Both versions of the Thunderbolt 3 mini Dock have the same primarily aluminum design with plastic on the two long edges where the ports line one side and the short built-in Thunderbolt 3 cable exits the other side. The aluminum is an attractive gray that's significantly darker than Apple's Space Gray shades, and there is a CalDigit logo on the top of the dock. The bottom includes a pair of non-skid strips to help keep the dock stable.
Both docks measure just under 5 inches long by about 2.5 inches deep and 0.75 inches thick. That makes them just a bit smaller but considerably thicker than an iPhone 8, and at a little over 5 ounces they're just about the same weight as an iPhone 8 as well. Overall that makes them much smaller and lighter than a desktop Thunderbolt 3 dock, and they don't require a massive power brick (or any external power beyond the Thunderbolt cable), so they're very transportable.
The two versions each include a Gigabit Ethernet port, a 5 Gbps Type-A USB 3.0 port, and a pair of either DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 ports. The HDMI model also includes a second Type-A USB port, although it is limited to 480 Mb/s USB 2.0.
Performance
I tested the performance of both docks using an array of accessories and found solid performance. Both the DisplayPort and HDMI versions offered smooth video performance while connected to dual 4K displays running at 60 Hz with no lag or visual artifacts. You'll want to choose the version that best fits your display needs, but keep in mind that the DisplayPort model can also drive non-DisplayPort monitors such as DVI, Mini DisplayPort, or VGA, as long as you don't mind dongles for your dongle.
USB 3.0 speeds were fast, with a CaDigit Tuff external SSD registering speeds of 360 MB/s read and 340 MB/s write when connected to a MacBook Pro through the docks. That's a little slower than a direct connection to a 5 Gbps USB port on a Mac, but in line with performance seen when connecting through other docks and hubs. You'll be lucky to get much more than one-tenth of those speeds when connecting over the USB 2.0 port on the HDMI version of the mini dock, so you'll want to limit that port to mice, keyboards, and other peripherals where you're not trying to move a lot of data quickly.
While there are a number of bus-powered USB-C hubs and docks on the market that offer an array of ports and other options, CalDigit has opted to use Thunderbolt 3's capabilities to focus on the external display connectivity and include only a bare minimum of additional ports.
CalDigit says this is in part an effort to remain within the Thunderbolt 3 power specifications, which limit bus-powered devices to a total of 15 watts of draw. USB-C adapters can in some cases be limited to 7.5 watts total, but with so many available ports on many of these docks, it's easy to hit that figure and cause potential power issues. The USB 3.0 port on CalDigit's mini docks can provide up to 4.5 watts, while the USB 2.0 port on the HDMI model can deliver up to 2.5 watts.
Wrap-up
These Thunderbolt 3 mini Docks meet a specialized need, catering to those who need to connect to multiple high-resolution external displays on the go, but they do their job well. If you're primarily looking to expand the available ports on your MacBook Pro, you'll likely want to look at other options that offer a greater number and variety of ports and can perhaps run over USB-C. These port-focused USB-C hubs also tend to come in at cheaper price points, with $60 being a common figure.
But CalDigit's solution is great for users who need solid display connectivity that cheaper USB-C hubs can't match, while also offering a couple of handy extras in the form of Ethernet and USB ports. Compared to traditional desktop Thunderbolt 3 docks, CalDigit's mini docks are cheaper, easily portable, and don't require external power, so they're handy for on-the-go use.
CalDigit is currently offering the DisplayPort version of the Thunderbolt 3 mini Dock for $99.99, while the HDMI model is priced at $109.99, both a $30 discount over their eventual regular prices although CalDigit tells me it plans to offer the promotional pricing for an extended period of time. Both models are also available through Amazon, although they're priced $10 higher than buying directly from CalDigit, coming in at $109.99 for DisplayPort and $119.99 for HDMI.
Note: CalDigit provided the Thunderbolt 3 mini Docks to MacRumors free of charge for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon and may earn commissions on purchases made through links in this article.
Apple today seeded the twelfth beta of an upcoming iOS 12 update to developers for testing purposes, just four days after seeding the eleventh beta and more than two months after introducing the new software at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
Registered developers can download the new iOS 12 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over-the-air after installing the proper certificate, while public beta members should also be seeing the update as their tenth beta version of iOS 12.
Based on the short interval and the odd time of day of the release, the update is almost certainly an emergency bug fix for the update alert bug that began popping up in earnest yesterday. Users were being prompted to update to a "new iOS update" every time they unlocked their phone or dismissed Notification Center.
iOS 12 brings several major new features, with Apple revamping the operating system from top to bottom to make iPhones and iPads, especially the older models, faster and more responsive.
On the iPhone X, there are new Animoji characters along with "Memoji," which are customizable, personalized, humanoid Animoji that can be used both in Messages and in FaceTime, and there are new camera effects in both of those apps.
Apple originally planned to introduce Group FaceTime support in iOS 12, but the feature was removed in iOS 12 beta 7 and will not be reintroduced until later this fall in a future update to iOS 12.
Siri is smarter in iOS 12 with a new Shortcuts feature that lets you create multi-step customized automations using first and third-party apps that can be activated with Siri voice commands. Shortcuts can be created through the Shortcuts app, available as a beta from Apple's Developer Center.
Apple built comprehensive time management and monitoring tools into iOS 12 with Screen Time, allowing you to keep track of how much time you're spending in apps on your iPhone and iPad. App limits can help you cut back on iOS device usage, and robust parental controls are included for families.
Grouped Notifications make incoming notifications easier to view and manage, while a new Instant Tuning feature lets you tweak your notification settings right on the Lock screen on a notification-by-notification basis.
Apple News has a new Browse feature, the Stocks app has been redesigned and brought to the iPad, iBooks has been overhauled with a new look and a new name -- Apple Books -- and Voice Memos has been revamped with iCloud support and an iPad app.
ARKit 2.0 introduces new capabilities like shared experiences that let two people see the same AR environment on separate devices, and persistence, which allows AR experiences to be saved across multiple sessions. There's also a new Apple-built Measure app for measuring objects using AR capabilities.
iOS 12 includes a revamped and rebuilt Maps app that uses a new Apple-designed Maps engine that will display foliage, pools, buildings, pedestrian pathways, and other map elements more accurately. The new Maps also includes significant improvements to traffic, real-time road conditions, construction, and more, plus it will enable Apple to push out changes and fixes more quickly.
The updated Maps app is available in the Northern California area during beta testing. After iOS 12 launches, Apple will continue rolling out the new maps to additional U.S. locations
New betas of upcoming operating system updates always introduce tweaked features and new functionality, and we'll be outlining what's new in the seventh beta below. We also rounded up all of the changes that were introduced in the previous betas: beta 2 and beta 3, beta 4, beta 5, beta 6, and beta 7.
Later betas have had fewer changes because we're approaching the end of the beta testing period, with a public launch for iOS 12 planned for September alongside new iPhones.
As we head into the three-day Labor Day weekend -- and the unofficial end of Summer in the United States -- numerous online retailers have kicked off sales for anyone shopping around during the long weekend. Although Labor Day is on Monday, September 3, many sales have already begun and last through Monday evening. We've collected many of the best bargains and discounts in this article, so be sure to check out each and if you're interested place your order before Labor Day ends.
Note: 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.
Of course, one of the major Labor Day sales is over at Best Buy, which kicked off an event full of Apple devices early this morning. This includes savings on HomePod, Apple Watch Series 3, iPad mini, iPad Pro, MacBook, and more. We've listed the sales below:
iPhone - Save up to $200 on iPhone X, 8, and 8 Plus when bought and activated with a monthly installment plan
Although there are a few MacBook Pro sales at Best Buy this weekend (centered upon the Mid 2017 refresh), B&H Photo is beating many of them by around $50. For example, while Best Buy has the 2.3GHz/8GB RAM/128GB SSD 13-inch MacBook Pro for $1,149.99, B&H Photo has the same model for $1,099.00, down from $1,299.00. Most of the other Mid 2017 refresh MacBook Pro models are on sale as well.
For B&H Photo, many of the 2018 MacBook Pro sales end later tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET, so be sure to browse these models right here before the deals expire.
Over on eBay, the retailer has a new coupon code offering 20 percent off select categories including tech and home electronics with code JUSTRELAX. This one expires on September 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and you'll have to purchase items worth $25 or more to take advantage of the discount (which will be capped at a max value of $50).
While not a sitewide sale, the coupon does include notable products in the discount, like iPhone X, Nintendo Switch, Dyson vacuums and fans, DJI drones, and much more. Head to the event's landing page to browse the full sale and place your order before the code expires on Monday.
There are numerous other sales online this weekend, so we'll give a quick rundown of them below:
BJ's - Club members can get $15 off orders of $200 or more with code LABORDAY (expires 9/1)
SENA - Save up to 75 percent off iPhone cases (no code needed, expires 9/3)
OWC - Save on MagSafe adapters, Magic Keyboards, and other accessories (expires 9/10)
Casetify - Get 15 percent off orders of $30 or more with code LABORDAY18
Griffin - Save 25 percent off sitewide with code GRIFFIN25 (expires 11:59 p.m. PT 9/3)
JBL - Save up to 30 percent, and get free 2-day shipping on portable speakers and headphones over $19.95
Apple has announced that, starting October 3, 2018, all new apps and app updates will require a privacy policy in order to be submitted for distribution on the App Store or through TestFlight for beta testing purposes.
Apple already requires a privacy policy for apps that access personal information, including apps that offer subscriptions, accept Apple Pay, or use Apple frameworks such as HomeKit, HealthKit, or CareKit. Now, the requirement will extend to all apps, including basic ones that do not share data in any way.
It does not appear that existing apps on the App Store will be affected by this move until they are updated on October 3 or later, so long-outdated apps may remain without a privacy policy if they are no longer maintained.
Apple detailed the upcoming changes in the News section of its App Store Connect portal for developers on Thursday:
Starting October 3, 2018, App Store Connect will require a privacy policy for all new apps and app updates in order to be submitted for distribution on the App Store or through TestFlight external testing. In addition, your app's privacy policy link or text will only be editable when you submit a new version of your app.
To add or edit your privacy policy for the App Store:
1. Go to My Apps in App Store Connect, and click on your app. 2. Under App Store, click on App Information. 3. In the top right corner, add your privacy policy link for iOS apps or macOS apps, or enter text directly for tvOS apps. 4. Click Save.
To add your privacy policy link to your app for external TestFlight distribution:
1. Go to My Apps in App Store Connect, and click on your app. 2. Under TestFlight, click Test Information. 3. Add your privacy policy link for iOS apps, or enter text directly for tvOS apps. 4. Click Save.
Apple elaborates on its privacy policy requirements in its App Store Review Guidelines, under Section 5.1.1:
Privacy Policies: All apps must include a link to their privacy policy in the App Store Connect metadata field and within the app in an easily accessible manner. The privacy policy must clearly and explicitly:
- Identify what data, if any, the app/service collects, how it collects that data, and all uses of that data.
- Confirm that any third party with whom an app shares user data (in compliance with these Guidelines) — such as analytics tools, advertising networks and third party SDKs, as well as any parent, subsidiary or other related entities that will have access to user data — will provide the same or equal protection of user data as stated in the app's privacy policy and required by these Guidelines.
- Explain its data retention/deletion policies and describe how a user can revoke consent and/or request deletion of the user's data.
App Store Connect has long provided a privacy policy metadata field for developers to submit a link to their privacy policy webpage for iOS apps. On the Apple TV, there is no web browser, so App Store Connect has a text box for developers to past the full text of their privacy policy displayed in app.
iPhone and iPad users who have installed the current iOS 12 beta are being plagued with a continual popup that suggests a new iOS update is available when it's not.
Affected users are seeing the following message: "A new iOS update is now available. Please update from the iOS 12 beta." The problem is users receiving this message are running the most recent version of iOS and there is no additional software to update to.
Beta testers have been seeing this popup since the latest beta was released on August 27, but over the course of the last day, the popups have become much more frequent.
Many users are now seeing the popup every time an iPhone or iPad running the beta is unlocked or Notification Center is dismissed, and it is a popup that must be manually dismissed each and every time before an iOS device can be accessed.
Developer Guilherme Rambo has suggested that an error in the latest update causes the iOS beta to think that its expiration date is imminent, leading to the popup problem.
It looks like this method in Springboard does some date/time calculations to determine if the current build is about to expire, every time the cover sheet gets dismissed. For some reason, the latest builds of iOS 12 think they're about to expire. (@davedelong :P) pic.twitter.com/HWe7C0NnIT
— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) August 31, 2018
Complaints on Twitter and the MacRumors forums are picking up from users who are frustrated with having to continually dismiss the popup, and it's not clear when a fix will be available.
Customers who use Apple's CarPlay feature report a higher satisfaction rate than those who are using Android Auto, according to data gathered by a new J.D. Power survey.
On a 1,000 point scale, Apple's CarPlay earned a satisfaction score of 777, compared to Android Auto's score of 748.
Though drivers appear to be more satisfied with CarPlay, Google still has an edge over Apple on navigation. Among owners who use their own navigation system, 56 percent choose Google Maps most often, while 16 percent use Waze most often.
Just 23 of respondents percent said that they prefer to use Apple Maps, and even iPhone owners were more likely to use Google Maps. These numbers could shift further in Google's favor with the release of iOS 12, which will give CarPlay users the ability to use third-party mapping apps in lieu of Apple Maps.
Overall, according to J.D. Power, most consumers consider phone systems like CarPlay and Android Audio better than native systems installed in cars.
"Most consumers consider phone systems better for navigation and voice recognition--and they're free. 'Better and free' are hard to compete with, so automakers will inevitably have to cede this territory and will be much better served by focusing on areas where they are the exclusive provider--like driver assistance and collision avoidance--and continue to hone those systems."
In fact, 19 percent of new vehicle owners who have factory-installed navigation options don't use it, and of those people, 70 percent use another device, which is "almost always" a smartphone.
While CarPlay was slow to roll out following its 2015 launch, it is now installed in hundreds of vehicles from nearly all prominent automobile manufacturers. Apple maintains a list of vehicles that include CarPlay support on its website.
CarPlay is also available as an aftermarket option in systems available from companies like Pioneer, Sony, Alpine, and Kenwood.
J.D. Power's data was gathered from a survey of nearly 20,000 vehicle owners and lessees, and the full report contains additional detail about the highest-ranking vehicles from 2018.
Philips is planning to introduce support for Apple's Shortcuts feature in its Hue app in iOS 12, Philips announced today at the IFA electronics trade show in Berlin (via iCulture).
With the integration, Hue owners will be able to add lighting recipes to various Siri Shortcuts, such as shifting the lights in the dining room to a certain color with a Siri voice command like "Dinner Time," as demoed by Philips.
Siri Shortcuts is a Siri feature designed to allow users to create multi-step shortcuts using first and third-party apps that can be activated by Siri voice command.
Shortcuts are deeply customizable, and third party apps like the Hue app are able to develop quick actions for Siri that can be incorporated into Shortcuts recipes. When Hue integration launches, Hue options will be available in the dedicated Shortcuts app.
The Hue shortcuts will be compatible with other shortcuts, so you can have a whole "Dinner Time" setup that not only changes the lights, but also does things like turn on music and text family members that the food is ready.
Siri is able to suggest frequently used Shortcuts right on the iPhone's lock screen and Apple Watch, so if there are Hue-related lighting shortcuts that are often used, these options will be able to be implemented with a simple tap.
Right now, the Shortcuts app, which is what's used to create these Siri Shortcuts, is available to developers in a beta capacity, but it will be released when iOS 12 is released. Sometime after that, Philips will presumably implement Shortcuts support.
Philips today also announced a new power feature that's designed to allow Hue lights to retain their color and brightness settings after a power outage or after a lamp has been manually turned off, and the company is partnering with new lighting companies that include Makris, Kichler, Busch-Jaegar, Illumra, Koizumi, and John Lewis for its Friends of Hue program.
Mophie today announced the launch of four new wireless charging products designed for the iPhone and other Qi-based smartphones, debuting the Charge Stream Vent Mount, the Charge Stream Desk Stand, and the Charge Stream Powerstation Wireless in standard and XL configurations.
The Charge Stream Vent Mount ($69.95) is designed to fit in most vehicles with a four-prong mount that slips over the air vent. It's meant to accommodate one-handed smartphone insertion and removal, and should work with most smartphones regardless of size. Rubberized arms hold a device in place while charging, and for iPhones, it supports faster 7.5W charging speeds.
Mophie's new Charge Stream Desk Stand ($69.95) , which is coming this fall, looks similar to its existing charging pad for iPhones. It offers 7.5W charging speeds while holding an iPhone or other smartphone upright in portrait or landscape mode. The charging pad can be removed from its steel frame and used as a traditional wireless charging pad if desired.
The Charge Stream Powerstation Wireless ($79.95) and the Charge Stream Powerstation Wireless XL ($99.95) work as a traditional wireless charging pad when near a wall outlet and as a 5W wireless charging battery pack when on the go. The Powerstation Wireless features a 6,040mAh capacity, while the Powerstation Wireless XL features a 10,000mAh capacity. An included USB-A port can also charge a second device.
With the exception of the Desk Stand, which is not yet available, all of the new wireless charging options can be purchased from the Mophie website starting today.
Apple's Shortcuts app has been in beta testing and available to developers since July, and over the course of the beta testing period, Apple has been slowly adding new features through Shortcuts beta updates.
The latest beta, number four, is a significant update that introduces iCloud syncing for Shortcuts for the first time. Prior to today's beta, Shortcuts created on one device wouldn't sync to another, an issue that's now been solved.
According to the update's release notes, Apple has also fixed issues that prevented Shortcuts that change system settings, access the clipboard, or use current location from working. Shortcuts that include Health actions are also now able to open the Shortcuts app when run from Siri, something that wasn't available before.
MacStories has dug into the new beta and says that in addition to these changes, there have been major improvements to dictating text.
Big improvements to the Dictate Text action in Shortcuts beta 4 – dictation can now stop automatically after a pause AND you can dictate from the widget (!!). This is very very good. pic.twitter.com/fFEI6kLW2y
— Federico Viticci (@viticci) August 30, 2018
For those unfamiliar with Shortcuts, it's a new Siri feature that lets you create multi-step shortcuts using first and third-party apps that can be activated by Siri voice command. So, for example, you can create a shortcut to do something like turn on the thermostat at home using the Nest app, text your roommate that you're on the way with Messages, and open up the Maps app with directions home all with a single "I'm going home" Siri command.
Shortcuts are deeply customizable, with third-party apps able to expose a series of quick actions to Siri that can be incorporated into your Shortcuts recipes.
Prior to releasing the Shortcuts app to the public, Apple plans to add other features, such as the ability to share shortcut links and a more expansive list of actions.
Shortcuts will be released when iOS 12 sees its official launch. Until then, the Shortcuts app is limited to developers.
Apple is suffering from a major leak that has allowed 9to5Mac to discover images of the upcoming "iPhone XS" models and the Apple Watch Series 4, giving us an idea of what to expect when the new devices are announced on September 12.
As can be seen in the photo below, the new Apple Watch models feature smaller bezels for more visible screen space, which allows for new complications arranged in a round configuration, which could be a nod to the media invites that went out earlier today.
Rumors have suggested the displays of the new Apple Watch models are 15 percent larger, which appears to be in line with the video.
Apple is clearly planning to introduce at least one new watch face, which appears to be able to support a total of eight complications. Four complications are included on the watch face itself, underneath the hands, while another four are located at the edges of the display.
Interestingly, the Apple Watch in the image features a shiny gold enclosure, which appears to be shinier than previous aluminum models, perhaps suggesting a stainless steel option with a gold finish. It could also be shiner in the Apple marketing materials, though.
There's a new hole below the Digital Crown, which is perhaps another microphone, and the Digital Crown has a red outline rather than a full red dot.
Apple will unveil the Apple Watch Series 4 models alongside new 2018 iPhones on September 12, at a 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time event that's set to be held at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus. Apple will live stream the event, but for those who cannot watch, MacRumors will be featuring live coverage both on the site and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Apple has accidentally leaked images of the new 2018 iPhones that will be announced during its upcoming September 12 keynote, and those images were shared by 9to5Mac, giving us our first official look at Apple's upcoming iPhones.
Rumors have suggested Apple is planning to introduce three new iPhones this year: a 5.8-inch OLED device that's a followup to the iPhone X, a 6.5-inch OLED device that can be thought of as an "iPhone X Plus," and a low-cost 6.1-inch device with an LCD display.
The images that have been discovered confirm the existence of the two OLED models, which will be available in gold for the first time. Last year's OLED model, the iPhone X, was limited to silver and space gray.
Apple's new iPhones feature an edge-to-edge display with slim bezels and no Home button, as Touch ID has been replaced with Face ID, enabled through the TrueDepth camera system.
According to the leaked data, Apple is planning to call both the 5.8 and 6.5-inch OLED iPhones the "iPhone XS," which is an unusual choice. Apple typically gives all of its iPhones unique names, but the company was said to be struggling with a naming scheme for this year's devices.
Apple is planning to officially unveil its new 2018 iPhones on September 12, at a 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time event that's set to be held at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus. Apple will live stream the event, but for those who cannot watch, MacRumors will be featuring live coverage both on the site and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Apple today sent out media invites for its annual iPhone-centric event that will be held on Wednesday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park Campus in Cupertino, California.
The media invites released today give a first look at the theme of the event and feature the tagline "Gather Round," likely referencing the main ring-shaped building at Apple Park.
There are a lot of product refreshes that we could see at the fall 2018 event. First and foremost, Apple is expected to be introducing three iPhones this year: a second-generation 5.8-inch OLED device, a larger-screened 6.5-inch OLED device, and a lower-cost 6.1-inch smartphone with an LCD display.
All three iPhones are expected to feature upgraded A12 processors, faster LTE, edge-to-edge displays, and Face ID integration, with Apple doing away with the Home button for its entire 2018 iPhone lineup.
Apple's low-cost iPhone, which could be priced around $700, is expected to use an aluminum frame and a single-lens camera, keeping costs low. The two OLED iPhones, which could cost somewhere between $800 and $1,000, will use stainless steel frames with dual-lens cameras.
Along with fresh iPhones, Apple is expected to introduce the Apple Watch Series 4, which is said to feature a larger display likely implemented through a reduction in bezel size. Longer battery life and improved health monitoring capabilities are also rumored, but beyond that, we don't know much about the new wrist-worn devices.
A mockup of what the Apple Watch Series 4 might look like
New iPad Pro models with Face ID, slimmer bezels, and no Home button are in the works, as are refreshed Macs that include a low-cost MacBook and a new Mac mini, but it is not clear if these products will come at the September event.
Apple may use a second October event to unveil new iPads and Macs as it has done in past years where Macs and iPads were introduced in the fall.
2018 iPad Pro mockup via Benjamin Geskin
New Apple Watch bands, revamped AirPods with "Hey Siri" support, and the long-awaited AirPower charging mat, which is designed to charge the Apple Watch, iPhone, and AirPods at the same time, will all likely be introduced in September.
Apple's 2018 iPhone keynote event will begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will live stream the event on its website and on Apple TV, but for those who are unable to watch, MacRumors will be providing full event coverage both on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Apple representatives attended the Touch Taiwan display industry convention in Taipei this week, holding private meetings with Taiwanese display makers AU Optronics and Epistar, according to the Economic Daily News.
The report claims Apple held the meetings to learn more about each company's development of next-generation display technologies MicroLED and MiniLED, suitable for future generations of iPhones and Apple Watches. As those names suggest, both technologies utilize arrays of very tiny LEDs.
In May, AU Optronics received a Best in Show award at the Display Week 2018 convention in Los Angeles for its multiple advanced display technologies, including the "world's highest resolution and full color TFT driven 8-inch micro LED display technology," according to the company's press release.
Apple is said to be most interested in MicroLED, as MiniLED is described as more of a transitionary technology that it may skip.
MicroLED displays have many of the same advantages as OLED displays have over LCDs, including improved color accuracy, improved contrast ratio, faster response times, and true blacks given both have self-lit pixels, but they are even thinner, much brighter, and more energy efficient than OLED panels.
Image Credit: TrendForce
MiniLED displays also have benefits such as improved brightness and contrast ratio, but they have a backlight like LCDs.
Eve Systems, formerly Elgato, today announced several new additions to its popular HomeKit product lineup, including a power strip, a light strip, and a new light switch for use in Europe.
The Eve Light Strip follows the Eve Flare, a HomeKit-connected mood lamp that was released in May. The Eve Flare was limited to countries in Europe and is not available in the U.S., but the Light Strip will see a wider release.
The LED light strip works with a selection of pre-installed lighting scenes and allows users to set their own colors. According to Eve, the Light Strip provides up to 1800 lumens across its two meter length thanks to triple-diode architecture. Eve Light Strip can be extended to a total length of 10m with additional light strip purchases.
Unlike most Eve products, which connect to HomeKit over Bluetooth, the Light Strip connects using a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection. It does not, however, require a bridge and works on a standalone basis.
The Eve Power Strip is a triple-socket power strip that adds separate HomeKit-based controls to three devices that are plugged into it. It features a black housing that's framed in aluminum, with built-in surge protection safeguards.
With the Eve app, the Eve Power Strip is able to measure power consumption and provide energy cost projections, allowing users to keep track of power usage for the devices that are plugged in. Like the Eve Light Strip, Eve Power Strip connects to a HomeKit setup using a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection.
The third product Eve is announcing today is a new Eve Light Switch, which is designed to replace common European switches. Eve already has a Light Switch compatible with U.S. setups, and this new version expands the light switch to Europe.
With HomeKit integration, all Eve accessories can be controlled via Siri voice commands, through the Home app, or through the dedicated Eve app. Eve accessories can also be integrated into HomeKit scenes and automations alongside other HomeKit products.
Eve Light Strip, the new Eve Light Switch, and the Eve Power Strip will be available at a later date from the Eve website and from retailers like Amazon. The Light Switch will be priced at 99.95 euros, while the Light Strip will be priced at $79.95. Pricing for the Power Strip has yet to be announced.
Apple is again partnering with Postmates for this week's Apple Pay promotion, which offers a free delivery from the app when using Apple Pay for your first Postmates delivery. This means that the offer is valid only to new customers who have not previously made an order on the Postmates app before.
If you qualify and are 18 years or older, the promotion will run through September 5, 2018. You can check if Postmates is in your area by downloading the app [Direct Link], and if it is you can then place an order for food, groceries, or many other items. Choose Apple Pay during checkout, and you'll get the first delivery for free. No promo code is required.
This week's Apple Pay promotion is themed around the weekend, and Apple encourages customers to "pick up supplies quicker at your favorite places" and pay with Apple Pay, including Baskin-Robbins, Jamba Juice, and Trader Joe's.
Apple offered the same promotion with Postmates back in May, and previously partnered with the delivery app in one of the first Apple Pay promotions last November. Other recent promotions include partnerships with StubHub, TGI Fridays, Adidas, Instacart, Fandango, and more.
Popular speaker company Ultimate Ears today announced the launch of the two newest speakers in its product lineup, the BOOM 3 and the MEGABOOM 3. Like all Ultimate Ears speakers, the BOOM 3 and MEGABOOM 3 are portable, waterproof speakers that can be used in a variety of conditions and are perfect for the pool or the beach.
Compared to previous-generation speakers, the BOOM 3 and MEGABOOM 3 use new two-toned high-performance fabric that's ultra tough and was originally designed for purposes like motorcycle jackets and fire equipment.
The speakers also include a new Magic Button at the top of the enclosure for easier access to music controls, while MEGABOOM 3 comes equipped with deeper bass thanks to new passive radiators.
Design
We were able to check out the new MEGABOOM 3 ahead of its debut, and we were impressed with its fresh design and the new controls that Logitech has implemented. The new two-tone fabric looks fantastic, and the overall design of the speaker is much sleeker because the rubber strap that's normally at the front has been relocated to the back. This also gives more surface area for the sound, for better 360 degree audio.
We checked out the red version of the speaker, which is vibrant and eye catching, but it also comes in black, blue, and purple. Apple will also be selling two exclusive BOOM 3 and MEGABOOM 3 colors: cloud, a light blue, and denim, a darker blue shade. It's worth noting that the new fabric the speaker is made from adds better resistance to dust, increasing its water resistance and ingress rating to IP67.
MEGABOOM 3 and BOOM 3 will hold up to liquids and can be used at the beach, at the pool, in the rain, and in other similar conditions. This year, the speakers float, so you can stick them right in the pool to listen to music while you swim. Ultimate Ears does water resistance right and we've never seen issues with the speakers in wet conditions.
The BOOM 3 is the smaller of the two speakers and is more portable, while the MEGABOOM 3 is larger with louder sound and more bass, making it ideal for use outdoors. Sound wise, the MEGABOOM 3 is loud enough that at max volumes it's more than loud enough to be heard throughout multiple rooms or across much of a pool or beach area.
With the new look, the "+" and "-" buttons blend right into the fabric of the speaker for a more subtle design, and, most importantly, the update relocates the micro-USB to the back of the device instead of the bottom so it's now possible to charge while the speaker is upright and in use.
Both the MEGABOOM 3 and BOOM 3 are compatible with the $40 Power Up charging dock that Ultimate Ears launched last year, which lets you charge the speaker inductively so you don't need to fuss with a cable and the micro-USB port.
The MEGABOOM 3 and BOOM 3 have built-in batteries. The BOOM 3 battery can last for up to 15 hours before needing to be recharged, while the MEGABOOM 3 battery can last for 20 hours.
Performance and App
While the MEGABOOM 3 and BOOM 3 look great, it's the addition of the Magic Button that boosts their utility above and beyond previous-generation Ultimate Ears speakers.
Paired with the new Ultimate Ears BOOM app, the Magic Button allows the MEGABOOM 3 and BOOM 3 to work with playlists for the first time. From Apple Music, you can import up to four playlists. You can include self-created playlists or those that Apple creates, such as New Music Mix and Chill Mix.
Playlists can be played automatically using the Magic Button. A long press will activate your Playlists, while a second long press will skip to the next playlist. This is useful if you have different playlists you want to access at a party or while at the beach or in the pool but don't have your iPhone handy.
The Magic Button also offers full controls for other purposes. Pressing it turns the speaker on, while a second press will pause. A double press will skip to the next song.
You can set up four playlists using the BOOM app, which is required to use the playlist feature. On iOS devices, it works with Apple Music and pulls content from your music library, recommendations from Apple, and preset playlists you've created. The playlists feature is limited to Apple Music, so it unfortunately won't work with Spotify at this time.
On Android, though, it does work with Deezer Premium, and Ultimate Ears says that additional music services will be added in the future.
You can, however, still play music from Spotify or any other music service from the iPhone over the Bluetooth connection to the speaker. The BOOM app also offers full music controls and the ability to turn the speaker on and off, plus it offers an equalizer for adjusting bass, mid, and treble to preferred levels.
The app also provides access to key features Ultimate Ears speakers are known for like PartyUp for linking up to 150 speakers together and Block Party for allowing multiple people to stream content to the MEGABOOM 3 or BOOM 3.
Ultimate Ears says that both the MEGABOOM 3 and BOOM 3 have been upgraded with enhanced Bluetooth range up to 150 feet, and that longer range support was evident in our testing compared to previous-generation Ultimate Ears speakers.
Ultimate Ears' speakers always sound great, and while no improvements have been made to the sound quality of the BOOM 3, the MEGABOOM 3 has noticeably deeper bass through the inclusion of new passive radiators.
We weren't able to test the BOOM 3's sound, but the MEGABOOM 3 sounds even better than previous-generation Ultimate Ears speakers.
How to Buy
The new MEGABOOM 3 and BOOM 3 will be available for purchase starting in September in the United States and select countries in Europe and Asia.
The BOOM 3 is priced at $149.99, and the MEGABOOM 3 is priced at $199.99. As mentioned earlier, Apple will be selling exclusive versions of the two speakers in two different shades of blue.
Note: Ultimate Ears provided MacRumors with MEGABOOM 3 for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
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