MacRumors

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 11 update to its public beta testing group, two weeks after providing testers with the third beta. The tvOS 11 public beta marks the first time public beta testers have had access to pre-release tvOS software, and this fourth beta corresponds to the fifth developer beta released earlier this week.

The tvOS 11 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.

Compared to iOS 11, macOS High Sierra, and watchOS 4, tvOS 11 is a minor update that brings few changes to the tvOS operating system. It's minor enough that it received no time on stage at the Worldwide Developers Conference aside from a mention of an Amazon Prime Video app coming to the Apple TV this fall.

According to Apple's release notes, tvOS 11 introduces automatic light/dark appearance switching based on local time, Home screen syncing options for syncing content between two or more Apple TVs in a household, new background modes and notification support, plus new tools for developers and improvements to Mobile Device Management.

Additional tvOS 11 features may be unveiled ahead of the operating system's public release, which is expected to be in the fall alongside other software updates.

Instagram today announced that it's testing a new feature allowing live video streamers to invite a friend to their stream.

When using live video with a friend, the screen is split into two and viewers see both streams at the same time.

Adding a guest or a friend can be done by tapping the "new" icon on the bottom right and then tapping "Add" on anyone who is currently watching an ongoing livestream on Instagram. Viewers can be swapped out at will, but live streamers can only have a single guest at a time.

Instagram says it's testing this feature with a small percentage of Instagram users, with plans to roll it out globally over the course of the next few months.

Facebook has removed two of its standalone apps from the iOS App Store: the high school chat app "Lifestage" and community-focused gathering place "Groups." Lifestage had been on the App Store since August 2016, while Groups had been around as a standalone app since 2014.

The company discussed the closure of Groups directly on its website (via TechCrunch), assuring users that the feature will continue to be a major aspect of Facebook on mobile and the web, but the standalone app will no longer allow users to log in after September 1, 2017. "Because we're focusing on groups in the main Facebook app and on facebook.com, we are discontinuing the Facebook Groups app for iOS and Android."

Separately, Lifestage was built for those under 21 years of age, allowing users to search for their local high school and discover fellow classmates who go to the same school, then chat with each other primarily through videos and selfies. The video-focused app included user profiles to showcase short clips of each person's "happy face," "sad face," likes, dislikes, best friend, favorite dance, and more. These features and the app's UI earned it a designation as another one of Facebook's Snapchat clones.

Now, Facebook has confirmed to Business Insider that the app was removed from the App Store on August 4. In a statement, a Facebook spokesperson said that while the app has been shut down, the company "learned a lot from Lifestage," and will use this information to continuously bolster similar camera- and video-focused Facebook features, likely referring to Facebook Stories and Instagram Stories.

“We originally launched Lifestage to make it easier for teens in the US to connect with others at their school by creating a video profile with content for all of things that make up their identity," a company spokesperson told BI. "Teens continue to make up an important part of the global community on Facebook, and we've learned a lot from Lifestage. We will continue to incorporate these learnings into features in the main Facebook app.”

Facebook started the first wave of "Snapchat clone" stories last summer with Instagram Stories, which let users post 24 hour-long visual updates to their profiles for their friends to watch. The company followed with WhatsApp Status, Messenger Day, and then Facebook Stories directly within the main Facebook app earlier this year, which so far has yet to catch on with users as much as Instagram Stories.

Facebook's next big push into video will be a "higher end" version of YouTube that's set to combine short 5-10 minute videos with original big-budget, cable-length dramatic series in one section of the social networking app. In July, sources predicted that the major push into video from Facebook was gearing up for a mid-August launch, but now that we're approaching the middle of the month it's unclear whether or not Facebook has delayed the launch yet again.

The official Wikipedia app for iOS [Direct Link] has been updated this week with an all-new dark mode, letting users adjust the app for better Wikipedia browsing and reading in low-light environments. Aside from expected darker colors, the new dark mode is said to include "image dimming," so brighter pictures aren't as harsh when scrolling through Wikipedia entries.

A separate option in sepia colors is available now as well, and Wikipedia said that users will also be able to adjust text size in appearance controls.

Dark mode! Read in comfort with new Appearance controls, including dark colors and image dimming. Make those late night Wikipedia sessions easier on the eyes. Choose between sepia, dark or white themes to read Wikipedia your way!

The version 5.6 update also introduced an iMessage sticker pack for Wikipedia users, and a few new ways for readers to explore and discover new articles. In the Explore feed, an "on this day" card will highlight interesting events that happened on the day in question throughout history, with a timeline that users can scrub through to see other events on the same day.

Standalone iOS apps have been gaining support for dark mode individually over the years, although a system-wide solution introduced on Apple's part remains omitted from any version of iOS. The upcoming launch of iOS 11 will include a new "Smart Invert" feature in accessibility options, reversing the display's colors with an overall effect that's similar to what users want out of dark mode. But the feature doesn't extend to all UI elements in iOS 11, including exceptions related to images, media, and some apps.

The official Wikipedia app is available to download for free from the iOS App Store. [Direct Link]

Last month, Apple supplier Japan Display reportedly asked local banks and its own shareholders for around $897 million to fund part of an "extensive" restructuring effort of its business, which would see the supplier's manufacturing output shift from LCD to OLED panels. Now, the company is said to be seeking an outside partner to help pay part of the funds (via Nikkei).

Japan Display is facing a troubled time due to its speciality of making LCD displays in an era when companies are slowly shifting to OLED-only smartphones, including its main customer Apple, so the restructuring money will go towards installing OLED panel lines at some of its plants.

Smartphone makers including Apple, its largest customer, are increasingly turning away from LCDs and toward state-of-the-art organic light-emitting diode displays, where the Japanese company lags far behind South Korean rivals.

JDI, as the company is also known, has drawn up plans for extensive revamping in response, and is on the hunt for investors at home or abroad that can help shore up its shaky financial base and lend a hand in running operations.

Japan Display will begin with a cut back on LCD production as well as laying off "more than 3,500 workers" at parts assembly plants in China and the Philippines. In Japan, the company will initiate an "early retirement program" for 250 volunteers. LCD-focused plants, including a central location in Japan, will completely halt production and be repurposed for OLED panels, while the remaining workers will be transferred to other factories.

The cost of Japan Display's restructuring plans is estimated at around $1.35 billion, with many market watchers expecting the supplier to end its next fiscal year with another monetary loss, "marking the company's fourth straight year in the red." For its bank loans, three local banks have agreed to extend Japan Display new lines of credit worth about $997 million.

Other Apple suppliers have already begun making OLED panels, including the current leader in the field, Samsung Display, and up-and-comer LG Display. Apple itself is said to be investing in LG Display's OLED production, with the hopes that it can lessen its reliance on Samsung as it shifts to OLED-only iPhones in 2018 or 2019.

For Japan Display, the company's planned shift to OLED began with a report from December 2015, where it cited a plan to begin mass producing OLED panels for iPhones by spring 2018. Then, in November 2016, the supplier sought a government-backed fund to improve its LCD technology and introduce OLED lines at its plants.

Tile today released two new Bluetooth lost-and-found trackers, Tile Sport and Tile Style, which together make up the new Tile Pro Series.

Tile Sport and Tile Style feature a Bluetooth range of up to 200 feet, double that of the previous Tile Mate and Tile Slim. They're also twice as loud, with new silent, normal, and loud volume options in the updated Tile app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, rolling out on the App Store [Direct Link] today.

Tile's app has also been updated with two additional ringtones and a redesigned proximity meter that provides improved accuracy.

Tile Sport and Tile Style have improved IP68-rated dust and water resistance, a marked improvement over the IP5X and IP57 standards of the Tile Mate and Tile Slim respectively. Tile says the new Pro Series trackers can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for at least 30 minutes.

Both new trackers have more rugged designs than their predecessors. Tile Sport features a tread-like design with a graphite ring for increased durability, while Tile Style is satin white with a so-called subtly-ridged texture.

Unlike the Tile Slim, both new trackers have a cutout in the top-left corner so they can be looped onto keychains or other items. But they're also the thickest Tiles ever at 5.9mm, which is even thicker than the original Tile launched in 2014.

Just like all other Tile trackers, non-replaceable batteries in the new Pro Series models are guaranteed to last one year with no charging required. After 11 months, Tile Sport and Tile Style owners can replace their current Tiles at a discounted price of $25 each through the reTile program. Tile then recycles the old ones.

Tile Sport and Tile Style are available today on Tile's website, and at retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The trackers retail for $35 each, or $60 for a two-pack, in the United States. They're $45 each in Canada.

So, What's a Tile?

Tiles are small Bluetooth trackers that can be attached to valuable items like a MacBook, passport, or car keys, or placed inside items like wallets and purses, to help you locate them in the event they are lost. Tile's app always shows the last time and place it saw your Tile on a map.

If prompted with the Tile app, the Tile Sport or Tile Style deliver an audible chime to help you locate an item by sound when it's within a range of up to approximately 200 feet, but out of sight. Or, if you lose your iPhone, simply tap the button on the Tile and the device will start chiming, even in silent mode.

Tile also has a feature it calls Community Find, which potentially allows millions of other Tile owners in more than 230 countries to help find your lost item.

If your Tile moved location since the app last saw it, tap the Notify When Found button in the app. This will securely and anonymously put all other Tile apps on the lookout for your Tile. You’ll receive an alert when another Tiler comes within range of your item. We call this feature Community Find.

Tile has generally received decent reviews, but the non-replaceable battery turns what would be a one-time purchase into an annual subscription. If you are a forgetful person, then perhaps it's worth the investment.

AT&T today announced that it's managed to ink a deal with CBS to bring CBS channels to the DirecTV Now streaming service. The deal includes CBS entertainment, sports, and news programming, plus Showtime, The CW, CBS Sports Network, and Pop.

"This is another key milestone in bringing DIRECTV NOW users access to their favorite entertainment, news and sports from all of the major broadcast networks," said Daniel York, senior executive vice president and chief content officer - AT&T Entertainment Group. "As we add more live national and local channels, we know even more people will choose DIRECTV NOW as their go-to streaming service."

Video-on-demand catalogs will be available from CBS, The CW, Pop, and Showtime, and DirecTV Now customers will be able to access live local coverage on close to 25 local CBS and The CW stations in the following areas:

• New York
• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Philadelphia
• Dallas - Ft. Worth
• San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose
• Boston
• Detroit
• Minneapolis-St. Paul
• Miami-Ft. Lauderdale
• Denver
• Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, CA
• Pittsburgh
• Baltimore

CBS and The CW content will be available in all DirecTV Now packages, which start at $35 per month. Pop will be included in the "Just Right" and higher tier, while CBS Sports Network will be available with the "Go Big" plan. Showtime can be added to any plan for $8 per month. According to AT&T, the new content will be rolling out "in the coming weeks."

AT&T also plans to add 30 additional ABC, FOX, and NBC affiliates on DirecTV Now in the near future, bringing the total to more than 170 live local channels in over 80 metro areas. Some DirecTV Now customers have also begun receiving beta invites for the cloud DVR feature that is being added to the service this fall.

T-Mobile today announced the launch of a new T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+ plan, which is designed for users that are over the age 55.

Starting on August 9, T-Mobile subscribers that are 55 or older can purchase two lines of T-Mobile ONE unlimited service for $60, with all taxes and fees included. T-Mobile's standard two line price is $100 per month ($50 per line), so this is a significant discount for older adults.

"For years, the carriers have been patronizing the generation that invented wireless. They thank these mobile pioneers by selling dumbed down 'senior' plans with exactly zero data and -- get this -- night and weekend minutes! That's not just idiotic -- it's insulting!" said Legere. "Today, the Un-carrier ends this ridiculousness with T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+ -- an offer that recognizes how Boomers and beyond actually use their smartphones!"

To get the $60 price, customers must be over 55, and must enable Autopay using a debit card or bank account. It's $50 for the first line, $10 for the second line, and unlimited everything with a $5 per line Autopay discount.

T-Mobile's new plans will be available starting on Wednesday, August 9. New customers can sign up by visiting a T-Mobile store, while existing customers can get the new plan by calling T-Mobile, visiting the website, or heading to a T-Mobile store.