Good morning, Chicago! We’re going back to school today for some exciting announcements in education. pic.twitter.com/7FhJ927reO
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 27, 2018
When the store comes back online, there's a decent chance Apple's new AirPower wireless charging mat could be available to order, given a trio of reports that claimed the accessory will launch by the end of March. We'll also be keeping an eye out for a new optional case required to charge AirPods with AirPower.
Apple already announced a new collection of Apple Watch bands that will be available to order by the end of this month, so look for those to appear on the online store soon, potentially alongside new iPhone cases.
Apple may outline the availability of iOS 11.3, which is nearing the end of its beta testing period. We've outlined everything new in the software update, including battery health information, iMessage syncing via iCloud, health records, ARKit improvements, new Animoji characters on iPhone X, and more.
Wild cards would be a second-generation iPhone SE, a new Gold or (PRODUCT)RED edition iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and/or iPhone X, and more, but given Apple's event is at an untraditional venue and isn't being live streamed, today's announcements will likely be underwhelming for those expecting a lot.
MacRumors will provide full coverage of the Chicago event throughout the day, with a live blog, news stories, video recap, and more. Mac users can get headlines right on their desktops by enabling Safari push notifications. We'll also be live-tweeting the event through @MacRumorsLive on Twitter.
Apple said it will share a video recap of the event via its website and Apple Events app on Apple TV shortly after the keynote concludes.
Xiaomi unveiled its new Mi Mix 2S smartphone at a packed auditorium in Shanghai today, claiming that the handset surpasses iPhone X in several departments while only being half the price of Apple's flagship device.
From the front, the maximum screen, minimal bezel design of the 5.9-inch phone looks almost identical to the Mix Mix 2 announced barely six months ago, but there are some changes to the rear, and the handset includes a number of internal updates, including support for Qi wireless charging, but it still lacks rated water resistance.
Like the original Mix Mix 2, a slim bezel below the device's full HD LCD display houses a 5-megapixel front-facing camera in the right corner, which allows Xiaomi to avoid an iPhone X-esque notch area up top. Meanwhile, the ceramic back panel is home to a fingerprint sensor and a new 12-megapixel dual camera system consisting of a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens, with portrait mode features and optical image stabilization.
At one point during the event, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun compared the iPhone X and Mi Mix 2S cameras side-by-side to demonstrate how much faster the Mix 2S can focus and capture subjects in shot, owing to the phone's advanced dual-pixel autofocus. Lei Jun noted that the phone has picked up a DxOMark photo score of 101, with an overall score of 97 – the same as the iPhone X – and claimed that the camera can detect up to 216 scenes and translate text or convert currencies in real-time, thanks to its AI-powered capabilities.
Internally, the phone sports a new, more energy-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, coupled with either 6GB or 8GB of memory, along with the same 3,400mAh battery as the earlier model, a mono speaker, and no headphone jack.
The Mix 2S will come in 64, 128, or 256GB of storage capacities, and is available in black or silver, both starting at 3,299 yuan (about $526) for the base model, and rising to 3,999 yuan (about $640) for the top-spec device which includes a 7.5W fast-charging wireless pad. The Android 8.0 Oreo-running handset will be available to buy in China from next week, before rolling out to Xiaomi's other established markets, which presumably precludes it from launching in the U.S. for the foreseeable future. However, the phone does support all global 4G LTE networks out of the box.
Foxconn is best known as an Apple supplier that assembles Apple's devices and supplies components to the Cupertino-based company, but as of today, it's taking over a major Apple accessory maker.
Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT), a Foxconn subsidiary, today announced that it has acquired Belkin International in a deal that's worth $866 million. The acquisition includes the Belkin brand along with Linksys, Wemo, and Phyn, other companies owned by Belkin.
One of Belkin's recently introduced wireless charging accessories
The acquisition will allow Foxconn Interconnect Technology to "further tap into premium accessories and the smart home market." The deal is also expected to expand Belkin's presence both in the United States and "key markets globally."
"FIT is excited to acquire Belkin and its capabilities in the premium consumer products space," said Sidney Lu, CEO, FIT. "Integrating Belkin's best-in-class capabilities and solutions into FIT, we expect to enrich our portfolio of premium consumer products and accelerate our penetration into the smart home."
"This move will accelerate our vision of delivering technology that makes the lives of people around the world better, more convenient and more fulfilling. I am thrilled to take our brand portfolio of Belkin, Linksys, Wemo and Phyn to new heights," said Chet Pipkin, CEO and founder, Belkin International. "We see significant synergies with FIT, including leveraging its world-class manufacturing capability to enhance Belkin's operating efficiency and competitiveness. The transaction also grants us access to more resources to invest in our people and to aggressively pursue opportunities in the marketplace."
Under the Belkin brand, Belkin offers a wide range of iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch cases, cables, adapters, wireless chargers, and more, while the Wemo brand offers HomeKit-compatible home automation devices. Through Linksys, Belkin sells wireless routers and similar accessories, and the Phyn brand offers a smart water assistant for monitoring for leaks.
All of the Belkin-owned brands will continue to operate as subsidiaries under Foxconn Interconnect Technology.
Every year, Apple offers free WWDC scholarships to students and STEM organization members who don't have the $1,599 necessary to purchase a ticket to the company's developer conference.
Apple began accepting WWDC scholarship applications for 2018 today, as was first announced on March 13 when Apple shared WWDC 2018 event dates. Apple plans to award up to 350 scholarships, which will include a free WWDC ticket, free lodging, and a free one year Apple Developer membership.
Scholarship applicants, who must be at least 13 years old, can use Apple's WWDC scholarship website to submit an application. Apple is asking scholarship applicants to create an interactive scene in Swift playground that's able to be experienced within three minutes.
Apple recommends that applicants "be creative" and use templates in Swift Playgrounds for inspiration. Apple will judge requirements based on technical accomplishment, creativity of ideas, and content of written responses on the accompanying application.
All submissions must be individually created, as Apple will not consider group work. Open source software is permitted, but its use must be explained on the submission form. Swift playground must be built using Swift Playgrounds on iPad or Xcode on macOS. A full list of rules are available on Apple's WWDC18 Scholarship website.
Each applicant must be registered for free with Apple as an Apple developer or a member of the paid Apple Developer Program. Applicants will need to be enrolled part-time or full-time in an accredited course of study or be a member of a STEM organization.
Apple will be accepting scholarship applications through Sunday, April 1 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and winners will be notified on Friday, April 20.
This year's Worldwide Developers Conference will kick off on Monday, June 4 and it will last through Friday, June 8. Apple is expected to hold a keynote on June 4 where new software and perhaps new hardware products will be unveiled. Scholarship students who aren't picked to attend will be able to follow along with the conference using the WWDC app.
Apple today seeded the seventh beta of an upcoming macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 update to developers and public beta testers, one week after seeding the sixth beta and over a month month after the release of a macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 Supplemental Update to address a bug that could cause apps to crash when receiving a character from the Indian language Telugu.
The new macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 beta can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center or through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store with the proper profile installed.
macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 includes bug fixes and performance improvements for issues that weren't addressed in macOS High Sierra 10.13.3.
The update offers support for some features that are available in iOS 11.3, like Messages on iCloud, which uploads all of your iMessages to the cloud. It will also support Business Chat, a feature coming when iOS 11.3 and macOS 10.13.4 are released to the public, and it includes support for eGPUs. Apple released release notes for macOS High Sierra beta 6 in certain countries, providing details on what's included in the update. The notes are below:
- Adds support for Business Chat in Messages in the U.S. and Canada - Adds support for external graphics processors (eGPU) - Fixes a graphical corruption issue affecting some iMac Pro apps - Adds a keyboard shortcut for moving to the rightmost open tab in Safari by pressing Command +9 - Adds a feature for sorting Safari bookmarks by name or URL - Fixes a bug that could prevent links from appearing in Messages - Improves protection o confidential data by filling usernames and password fields in Safari only when selected - Displays new warnings in the Safari Smart Search Field when interacting with forms that require credit card data or passwords on unencrypted web pages - Displays more information on how personal data is used by certain features
The macOS 10.13.4 update also brings the smoke cloud wallpaper that was previously only available on the iMac Pro and it introduces a warning when opening up a 32-bit app as part of an effort to phase them out.
In the future, Apple plans to phase out 32-bit Mac apps, just like it did with 32-bit iOS apps. Apple says macOS High Sierra is the last version of macOS that will support 32-bit apps without compromises.
We're nearing the end of the macOS High Sierra beta testing period and a release could come any day now.
In addition to our standalone articles covering the latest Apple news and rumors at MacRumors, this Quick Takes column provides a bite-sized recap of other headlines about Apple and its competitors on weekdays.
Monday, March 26
Highlights
1. Spotify for Apple Watch to debut at WWDC? An anonymous and unverified tipster has informed MacRumors that Spotify will unveil an official Apple Watch app at WWDC 2018 in June, based on personal involvement with the project.
Third-party Spotify app Snowy, which was never released, as its developer Andrew Chang was hired by Spotify to help build their official Apple Watch app
The app will supposedly be a lead example of Apple's tentatively named StreamKit framework that will enable cellular Apple Watch models to receive push notifications from third-party apps like Facebook and Twitter, completely independent from a paired iPhone, on watchOS 5.
2. Are corporations that use Wikipedia giving back? Wikimedia's revenue chief Lisa Gruwell expresses some concerns about seemingly one-sided relationships with companies that utilize its information.
"I don't mean to sound like the Lorax here," said Gruwell. "If you overuse something and you don’t give back to it, you can harm it. In the case of Alexa and Siri, our content gets intermediated. Wikipedia works because people can contribute to it, people can edit it. Also, once a year, when we ask people can donate. When they get their information not from us — but Wikipedia content through something like Siri or something like Alexa — that opportunity to either contribute back as an editor is broken, and that opportunity to contribute, to donate is also broken."
Gruwell said Wikimedia's relationship with Google is by far the best, both in terms of how much they contribute to the organization—more than $1 million in the 2017 fiscal year—and how the companies work together.
By comparison, Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft all contributed around $50,000 through their employee donation matching programs, while Amazon wasn't named on Wikimedia's list of donors in 2017 whatsoever.
An illustration of the size difference between traditional LEDs and Micro-LEDs via CNET
The new Acer Chromebook Tab 10 is the first tablet to run Chrome OS, which has previously been available on laptops, desktops, and tablet/PC hybrids.
According to Google, the Acer Chromebook Tab 10 is designed to give schools the "easy management and shareability of Chromebook laptops" in a lightweight device that offers touch and stylus functionality along with Google Expeditions AR integration.
It features a 9.7-inch 2048 x 1536 display in a 9 inch by 6.6 inch body that weighs just over 1.2 pounds. Like other Chrome OS devices, it supports Google Play, giving students and teachers access to millions of Android apps, and it can be managed by IT professionals right alongside other Chromebook devices a school might already have in use.
There's a built-in 2-megapixel HD webcam at the front of the tablet, along with two speakers and a microphone. A 5-megapixel rear camera is designed to allow children to capture photos and videos, and it features a 9-hour battery for all-day usage.
Inside, the Chromebook Tab 10 is powered by a 6-core 3399 RockChip processor and it includes 4GB of RAM and 32GB integrated memory. It charges via an included USB-C port that can also power other devices.
Each Chromebook tablet comes equipped with a low-cost Chromebook Wacom EMR stylus that doesn't require charging or pairing. It uses advanced machine learning to "predict student writing for a natural writing experience" with zero-latency digital input for drawing, taking notes, and more.
Chromebooks are popular, easy-to-use low-cost options that many schools have already adopted, which is what Apple has to compete with through its rumored low-cost iPad. Acer plans to sell the Chromebook Tab 10 for $329 starting in April, and that's a price point Apple may be planning to beat.
Rumors have suggested Apple's new low-cost iPad will have a price tag as low as $259, and to match some of the features available with Chrome OS devices, Apple may be planning to include support for the Apple Pencil.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said last week that Apple Pencil support is "likely" for the new low-cost iPad. It's not clear if Apple will introduce a lower-cost Apple Pencil to go along with the tablet, though, as the Apple Pencil is currently priced at $99.
Aside from Apple Pencil support and a possible price tag, we don't know much about the tablet that Apple plans to introduce tomorrow, but we don't have long to wait to find out details. Apple won't be live streaming its event, but we'll have coverage here at MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Law enforcement officials are revisiting proposals that would require tech companies to build backdoor access into electronic devices to allow for better access to data in criminal investigations, reports The New York Times.
This is an issue that was heavily debated following the 2016 legal dispute between Apple and the FBI over the iPhone 5c that belonged to San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook. The government wanted Apple to create software that would allow them to access data on the device, which Apple refused to do.
In response to rumors over renewed efforts to build such a tool, Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi told The New York Times that weakening security protections in iOS devices would be a grave mistake, maintaining Apple's stance on the issue.
"Proposals that involve giving the keys to customers' device data to anyone but the customer inject new and dangerous weaknesses into product security," he said in a statement. "Weakening security makes no sense when you consider that customers rely on our products to keep their personal information safe, run their businesses or even manage vital infrastructure like power grids and transportation systems."
Apple has continually argued for the need for improvements to device security to stay ahead of hackers and other bad actors who exploit security vulnerabilities in iOS devices. During the dispute over the San Bernardino device, Apple refused to build a backdoor tool into its devices and argued that if such a tool existed, it could easily end up in non-government hands.
Federighi has previously spoken passionately on the issue, and in early 2016, he published an op-ed in The Washington Post using the same argument he reiterated in his statement to The New York Times. iOS devices, he said, are "part of the security perimeter that protects your family and co-workers." From Federighi in 2016:
To get around Apple's safeguards, the FBI wants us to create a backdoor in the form of special software that bypasses passcode protections, intentionally creating a vulnerability that would let the government force its way into an iPhone. Once created, this software -- which law enforcement has conceded it wants to apply to many iPhones -- would become a weakness that hackers and criminals could use to wreak havoc on the privacy and personal safety of us all.
According to The New York Times, FBI and DOJ officials have been "quietly" meeting with security researchers to work on approaches that would provide "extraordinary access" to encrypted devices like the iPhone. Based on this research, DOJ officials "are convinced" there's a way to create a backdoor to access data without weakening a device's defense against hacking.
One method under discussion involves a special access key that would be generated when a device encrypts itself, allowing data to be unlocked without a user's passcode. The key would be stored on the device itself, in a part of the hard drive that would be encrypted separately. Only the device manufacturer, with a court order, would be able to access it.
Susan Landau, a computer security professor at Tufts University, told The New York Times that this would create "significant additional security risks" given that "so many more tech companies" would need to access these keys to comply with the inevitable flood of law enforcement access requests.
Talks inside the executive branch have reportedly been renewed over whether to ask Congress to enact legislation that would require tech companies to create a new access mechanisms for law enforcement officials. The talks are said to be in a preliminary stage with no imminent request for legislation ready at this time.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Last month, popular smart home accessory manufacturer iDevices launched Instant Switch, a Bluetooth switch that pairs with other iDevices products like outlets and switches to provide an additional point of manual control.
For example, it can be paired with a hard-wired Wall Switch to provide control at another convenient place in the room without the need for wiring a second switch. Alternatively, it can be paired with a Switch or Outdoor Switch to provide convenient control of a switched outlet located in a hard to reach place behind furniture or outside.
While the Instant Switch itself doesn't directly support HomeKit, it is indirectly compatible as it pairs with other iDevices products that are part of the HomeKit ecosystem.
The Instant Switch runs on a CR2032 coin cell battery that lasts up to two years, and it can be mounted in a variety of configurations, including stuck anywhere you wish with an included 3M Command Strip, screwed into empty space in an existing electrical gang box, or even stuck stuck next to an existing gang box to make it look like an integral part of a multi-gang setup.
Instant Switch without faceplate (left) and disassembled to access battery (right)
The Instant Switch comes with a narrow white magnetic faceplate for a clean look, or you can use your own single or multiple rocker faceplate for a customized look. A built-in level in the Instant Switch makes it easy to ensure you're mounting it correctly.
Installation is simple, and iDevices includes several parts to help with the process. An included manual walks you through the steps, which include removing the battery pull tab to power up the switch, using the iDevices Connected app to pair the Instant Switch to an existing iDevices product (which may require a firmware update if you haven't kept up to date), and mounting the Instant Switch in your preferred location.
App setup is dead simple, as the Instant Switch automatically enters a pairing mode for 30 minutes after you activate the battery and the app will automatically spot the Instant Switch as an available device to add. The app asks you to place the Instant Switch in the location where you want to mount it in order to ensure a good wireless connection to the paired switch, and then it takes about a minute to complete the pairing process.
At that point, you can mount the Instant Switch and you should be ready to go. My Instant Switch did go through a software update as soon as I was done setting it up, but a status light on the Instant Switch that can flash or shine solid in a variety of colors lets you know what it's doing and whether there are any problems.
The most complicated installation scenario involves installing into an existing gang box within the wall. The Instant Switch is a standard size, so it will fit easily mount into the box, but you will have to attach an included ground wire assembly and connect it to the existing ground within the box.
If you're not installing in a gang box, things are even easier, and iDevices includes two 3M Command Strips to allow you to stick the Instant Switch securely to any surface. If you want to install it next to an existing gang box, just get a faceplate cover that's one switch larger than the box, and you can easily attach the Instant Switch in the extra faceplate slot for a cohesive look. iDevices recommends against using metal faceplates, as they can interfere with the wireless signals, but I've never experienced any problems with the metal ones I use throughout my house.
iDevices Instant Switch (left) mounted to a double-gang faceplate and paired with an iDevices Wall Switch (right) installed in a single-gang box
The clever design of the Instant Switch makes it easy to mount and use, with an outline on the back of the switch making it easy to see where to stick the Command Strip, a ball level to ensure the switch is in proper position before sticking it to the wall, and a breakaway tab at the bottom of the switch that lets you get to the Command Strip for removal. The rocker switch itself can also be removed by squeezing a pair of tabs on the switch, letting you access the battery for replacement.
Rear of switch with 3M Command Strip attached (left) and switch mounted on wall (right)
I've spent a couple of weeks using the Instant Switch paired alternately with a Wall Switch and a Switch, and while this is a fairly straightforward product that performs one simple switching task, it can be a handy addition to your smart home — if you're already part of the iDevices ecosystem. Unlike other some switches and buttons like the Logitech POP that are directly compatible with HomeKit and can be used to control any other HomeKit devices including entire scenes, the iDevices Instant Switch is limited to extending a single iDevices switch or outlet at a time.
Finished installation with magnetic faceplate
In one of my testing scenarios, I mounted the Instant Switch at an entry to my living room to create a 3-way setup. The room has a ceiling light controlled by an iDevices Wall Switch at one entry, so it's nice to have a second point of control at the other entry without needing any dedicated wiring. The Instant Switch operates similarly to the company's Wall Switch in that you have to press the top portion of the switch to turn on the light and the bottom portion to turn it off, with the switch returning to its neutral position once you release the switch. There is a very brief delay upon activating the switch as it communicates with the paired device, but it's barely noticeable.
The Instant Switch also offers dimming capabilities when paired with a supported product like the iDevices Dimmer Switch. A single press on the Instant Switch turns the paired switch on or off, while pressing and holding will increase or decrease brightness. A double press quickly adjusts brightness to maximum or minimum.
I also tested the Instant Switch paired with a Switch tucked behind a couch that controls a table lamp in my living room. Without the Instant Switch, I'd have to use Siri, the Home app, or the iDevices app on one of my iOS devices to control the lamp, as the button on the Switch is inaccessible due to its location. With the Instant Switch, I can give that switch manual control from any location I choose within the room.
I'm looking forward to using an Instant Switch during the Christmas season to pair with the iDevices Outdoor Switch I use to control my exterior Christmas lights. I typically keep the lights on a schedule in the iDevices app, but if I need to manually turn them on or off, I currently have to pull out one of my iOS devices or venture out onto the cold front porch to hit the button on the switch. With the Instant Switch, I'll be able to mount it right by my front door to easily turn the Christmas lights on and off while staying warm.
The Instant Switch proved easy to set up and it was fast and reliable in controlling paired accessories. At $34.95 through Amazon and other retailers, pricing is fairly competitive with similar products, and this is a well thought-out accessory, although it would be nice if it could work outside of the iDevices ecosystem. If you're already invested in iDevices products, this is a great way to expand manual control of these smart home devices.
Note: iDevices provided the Instant Switch and a Switch 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.
Microsoft today announced that its Microsoft Edge browser is available for download on the iPad and Android tablets, four months after it was first released for the iPhone and Android smartphones.
Designed to create a seamless browsing experience for Windows 10 users who also have Apple or Android devices, the Microsoft Edge browser features content and data syncing between the iOS version of the app and the PC version.
A "Continue on PC" feature lets users push websites from a PC to a mobile device and vice versa (Windows 10 Fall Creator's Update required) and the "Hub View" features easy access to favorites, reading list, history, and books.
Passwords, favorites, and reading lists are all synced across devices where a user is signed in to create a personalized browsing experience no matter which device a PC user is browsing on.
Microsoft Edge also features a built-in QR code reader, voice-based search, and an InPrivate browsing mode.
Microsoft Edge for iPad and iPhone can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link] There's also a new version of the browser for Android tablets, available from Google Play.
A few retailers have kicked off the week with new discounts on App Store and iTunes gift cards, offering either straight percentage discounts on the cards or BOGO sales. Below we've rounded up each retailer that has offers going on this week, so if you're interested be sure to visit the sites and place your order before they end.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Costco - Ends March 31
If you're a Costco member the company has some of the best iTunes gift card sales this week, with discounts of up to 18 percent off. These will be delivered via e-mail and Costco places a limit of two card codes per member.
Target has again launched its usual buy one, get one iTunes card promo, allowing users to purchase one card for full price and get another for 20 percent off. The offer is valid on $15, $25, $50, and $100 iTunes cards and will be delivered via email.
The 20 percent discount will be applied to the lower priced item, so multiple price tiers can be added at once, and after two cards are placed in your cart you'll notice the discount. A few examples of BOGO discounts available from Target are listed below (note that REDcard holders can get an additional 5 percent off their total order price):
2x $15 iTunes cards - $27, down from $30
2x $25 iTunes cards - $45, down from $50
2x $50 iTunes cards - $90, down from $100
2x $100 iTunes cards - $180, down from $200
Best Buy
Best Buy is offering simple 10 percent discounts on a variety of iTunes gift card tiers, the best being $10 off $100. Note that Best Buy's sale is covering both physical cards as well as those delivered via e-mail.
HQ Trivia prize pots are about to get a lot bigger as the live trivia show brings on its first corporate sponsors and advertisers.
To celebrate Nike's Air Max Day today, for example, HQ will be hosting a surprise 15-question game with a shared $100,000 prize. It appears this will be a bonus round in addition to the regular games at 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time, so players will need to keep an eye on their iPhones for a notification at any time.
A spokesperson for HQ told MacRumors that the game will also feature "a prize that money can't buy" for 100 winners. Based on promotional tweets from HQ and Nike, the prize could be limited edition pairs of Air Max shoes.
Then, on Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, HQ will be hosting its biggest game yet -- a $250,000 prize pot -- sponsored by the upcoming Steven Spielberg film Ready Player One. Over the weekend, Ad Age reported that HQ inked a $3 million deal with studio Warner Bros. to promote three films in total.
HQ's largest jackpot to date has been $50,000, won by a single player on Sunday night. The game's record high for players is nearly 2.2 million, set on the evening of Sunday, March 4, during the 90th Academy Awards.
HQ's standard prize amount was recently raised to $5,000, which is often split by tens if not hundreds of players, in which cases each winner ends up with a small prize like $5 or $10. It's unclear if every round of HQ will eventually be sponsored, or if the larger jackpots will only take place periodically.
For those unaware, HQ is a live trivia show that launched on iPhone in August, and on Android around New Year's Day. In a standard game, players attempt to answer a series of 12 questions correctly to win a cash prize. To reduce cheating, players have less than 10 seconds to choose one of three answers.
The show is hosted every day at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and at 3:00 p.m. every weekday, most often by comedian Scott Rogowsky. A valuable tip: you can swipe right on the chat to hide the endless flow of comments.
If you haven't played HQ yet, you can download the game from the App Store and sign up for free. The app is also available on Google Play.
Lexus today announced that CarPlay will be a standard feature in the all-new 2019 UX crossover in the United States, marking its first confirmed vehicle with support for Apple's in-car software platform.
CarPlay and Amazon Alexa, but not Android Auto, will be available through the vehicle's Enform 2.0 system. Lexus said the CarPlay implementation will be wired, so the iPhone must be connected via USB cable, but it hasn't specified how large the touchscreen will be or provided other details about the system.
Lexus and its parent company Toyota are among the last of the major automakers to support CarPlay, after having initially chosen the open source platform SmartDeviceLink in partnership with Ford and Livio.
Toyota reversed course in January, starting with the 2019 Avalon, and CarPlay will be a standard feature in the 2019 Corolla Hatchback as well. The forthcoming 2019 Camry and 2019 Sienna will also likely feature CarPlay given the 2018 models of those vehicles are already equipped with Toyota's Entune 3.0 system.
Toyota and Lexus plan to expand CarPlay availability to several other 2019 model year vehicles. A spokesperson for Toyota told MacRumors that it doesn't have plans to support the platform in pre-2019 vehicles at this time.
Lexus is debuting the 2019 UX at the New York International Auto Show later this week. The vehicle is expected to go on sale at dealerships across the United States in December. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
Adobe today announced that it is discontinuing its website building software "Adobe Muse" for Mac and PC. The shutdown process begins today with the final feature release of Muse, although technical support for Creative Cloud customers will remain ongoing through May 20, 2019. After that date, Adobe will officially end new feature development for the software.
Adobe Muse launched in 2012, offering users the ability to design websites without having to write any code. Adobe said that while it has been "deeply committed to the Muse vision," trends in recent years have caused the company to evolve its strategies related to website creation.
Now, Adobe is thanking Muse users while hoping a "smooth transition" can be made into other Adobe programs that will be sticking around:
If you are building complex websites and applications, you can now use Adobe XD. Although XD does not generate web-ready code as Adobe Muse did, XD is an all-in-one solution that allows users to design, prototype and collaborate with stakeholders and developers to bring their websites to life.
If you are building a website to showcase your creative work, you can use Adobe Portfolio to create beautiful portfolio websites that can also be connected to the Behance platform.
If you are building one-page websites, such as photo stories, newsletters, or landing pages, you can use Adobe Spark Page to create beautiful responsive web pages with your own unique brand.
Adobe explained that users will still be able to open Muse on their Mac or Windows computers, as well as edit or create new websites in the app. But, after May 20, 2019, there will no longer be any compatibility updates or fixes to bugs that could appear when users publish a Muse-created website.
For more details about the Adobe Muse discontinuation, be sure to visit the company's FAQ page on the topic.
Nearly two weeks after Fitbit first announced the Fitbit Versa, reviews for the new smartwatch have now emerged online today. Many of the reviewers agreed on the following points: the Versa is a step above last year's Fitbit Ionic, trading off GPS and NFC is worth it for the $200 price tag, and Fitbit still hasn't launched a device that could properly challenge the Apple Watch's dominance.
The Verge started off by pointing out that text message notifications on the Versa are clunky for iOS users, especially because "there's no way to respond to them" from the watch. Android users will have a "quick replies" feature updated in May, and because of this and other factors The Verge ultimately explained that the Fitbit Versa could appeal to "everyone other than those hardcore Apple users."
So it all comes down to how much you want to pay, how tied into the Apple ecosystem you are, and how much you care about battery life. Fitbit may have a hard time luring away hardcore Apple fans, especially since the Versa is coming to market years after the original Apple Watch. On the flip side, it may be appealing to Android users, as Google’s Wear OS smartwatch platform has stagnated at this point.
Engadget said that while the Versa looks like a "slightly wider Apple Watch," it's also the "best-looking Fitbit yet." To get the Versa to its $200 price point, Fitbit removed some features from the standard version of the smartwatch, like GPS and NFC, but Engadget said that this price drop is what could help the company "reach a bigger audience" in the future.
Ultimately, the things that stand out about the Fitbit Versa are its sub-$200 price and attractive design -- this is a Fitbit that finally looks more like a smartwatch than a fitness tracker. With the addition of female health tracking in May, the Versa could be even more helpful to women. It's disappointing that GPS isn't built in and NFC is missing, but those tradeoffs may help Fitbit reach a bigger audience.
In its review, Ars Technica called Fitbit's fitness app the "best health and fitness program for any wearable," thanks to its flexibility to adapt to both workout novices and experts. The site liked how the $39.99/year Fitbit Coach service integrated with Versa, although the wearable experience is still lacking in comparison to the mobile app.
However, Fitbit has the opportunity to make its wearable operating system just as killer as its mobile application and overall ecosystem—if it can do that, its devices will be strong contenders in the smartwatch world. It may not have made a splash as Fitbit's first smartwatch, but if any device can entice users to take a chance on Fitbit as their smartwatch provider, it's the $200 Versa.
As a quick tidbit, most of today's reviews mentioned that the process of swapping out bands on the Fitbit Versa is far more difficult when compared to Apple Watch. A few also commented that the Versa's bezels are sometimes noticeable in certain lighting situations, with The Verge further pointing out that Fitbit "had enough space to cram the word "fitbit" onto the watchface, a questionable design choice."
Apple's second-generation iPhone X and so-called iPhone X Plus could be priced from $899 and $999 respectively in the United States, according to RBC Capital Markets analyst Amit Daryanani.
iPhone X and iPhone X Plus dummy models via Ben Geskin
Daryanani said the current iPhone X has experienced "limited success" at $999 and up, leading him to believe that lowering the base price by $100 could reinvigorate sales of the 5.8-inch model. A widely rumored 6.5-inch model, dubbed iPhone X Plus, would then fill the $999 price point.
While this is merely a prediction from one analyst, the strategy could make sense if iPhone X sales have slowed significantly, as a series of supply chain reports have suggested. We won't know for sure until Apple's next earnings report, likely to be released around late April or early May.
At this point, all we know is that the iPhone X was likely a key contributor to Apple's record-breaking revenue of $88.3 billion last quarter, easily topping its previous all-time high of $78.4 billion set in the year-ago quarter. Whether that momentum carried forward to the current quarter remains to be seen.
Based on Daryanani's research note, obtained by MacRumors, here's our take on how the next iPhone lineup could look in terms of pricing:
6.5-inch second-generation iPhone X Plus: $999
5.8-inch second-generation iPhone X: $899
6.1-inch mid-range iPhone X with LCD: $799
iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus: $549 and $669
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: $449 and $569
iPhone SE: $349
Here's a rough idea of how the next iPhone lineup could look if Apple maintains its current pricing strategy instead:
6.5-inch second-generation iPhone X Plus: $1,099
5.8-inch second-generation iPhone X: $999
6.1-inch mid-range iPhone X with LCD: $799
iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus: $549 and $669
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: $449 and $569
iPhone SE: $349
Apple will likely unveil its next iPhones in September as usual, and presumably only the company's top executives are privy to pricing plans.
A new vulnerability within iOS 11 was uncovered over the weekend, this time centering upon the QR code scanner in the iPhone camera app. With the new scanning feature in iOS 11, users can open the Camera app on iPhone or iPad, point the device at a QR code, and tap a notification to access whatever the code contains.
In a new report by Infosec, the researchers discovered that QR codes related to website links can potentially trick users by displaying an "unsuspicious" website link in the notification, while actually leading them to a completely different site. Infosec showed this off by creating a QR code that generates a notification to "Open 'facebook.com' in Safari", but then leads to its own website.
Infosec explained that the Camera app isn't properly parsing URLs in QR codes, and appears to be tricked by simply editing URLs with a few extra characters:
The URL embedded in the QR code is: https://xxx\@facebook.com:443@infosec.rm-it.de/
But if you tap it to open the site, it will instead open https://infosec.rm-it.de/
The URL parser of the camera app has a problem here detecting the hostname in this URL in the same way as Safari does. It probably detects “xxx\” as the username to be sent to “facebook.com:443”. While Safari might take the complete string “xxx\@facebook.com” as a username and “443” as the password to be sent to infosec.rm-it.de. This leads to a different hostname being displayed in the notification compared to what actually is opened in Safari.
iOS 11 has faced a number of bugs and issues since its launch last September, including one that was fixed in December that allowed unauthorized access to HomeKit devices.
For the QR code issue, Infosec said that it reported the problem to the Apple security team on December 23, 2017, and as of March 24, 2018 it has not yet been fixed.
Apple is on track to outspend Facebook and YouTube on original content for the launch of its TV series and movie platform, which could debut as early as March next year.
According to the report, Apple’s strong brand name and its willingness to write big checks have quickly made it a top draw for show creators and stars. Furthermore, to underline its ambitions in the original content space, the company is said to be building a 128,000-square-foot headquarters for its new entertainment division in Culver City, California.
The location will likely be home to a 40-person team working on Apple Worldwide Video, whose portfolio of shows will include adult dramas, children's shows, and programming for Latin America and Europe. The planned rollout of the new slate of original content is expected to be sometime between March 2019 and summer 2019.
Last August it was reported Apple would spend $1 billion acquiring and producing original TV shows and Hollywood content over the next year. However, today's report suggests Apple will plough a lot more money into programming than that amount, having outbid Netflix in negotiations for some shows and exceeded Facebook's and YouTube's original content spend in recent months.
According to NYT, entertainment executives who met with Apple say the company is looking for TV shows that align with its "bright, optimistic" brand. That accords with previous rumors suggesting Apple wants to produce shows with broad appeal that are also inoffensive enough to be shown in an Apple Store. For example, Bryan Fuller, who was set to be the showrunner for Apple's upcoming "Amazing Stories" reboot, reportedly cut ties with the company after it requested family friendly content only. Today's report notes that Apple still hasn't found a replacement for Fuller.
Meanwhile, the delivery mechanism for the original content still remains unclear – the shows could be accessed through Apple's TV app or another standalone wrapper as part of a separate subscription streaming service.
Apple is known to have invested in at least 12 television shows so far. They include include a new animated TV series called "Central Park" an untitled morning show drama starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon (which is said to be still waiting on a script), an "Amazing Stories" reboot from Steven Spielberg, an untitled space drama from Battlestar Galactica creator Ronald D. Moore, a series written by "La La Land" creator Damien Chazelle, a Kristen Wiig comedy series, See, an epic world-building drama, Home, a docuseries focusing on incredible homes, "Little America," an anthology series from "The Big Sick" creators Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, Swagger, a drama based on the early life and career of NBA star Kevin Durant, and a psychological thriller produced by M. Night Shyamalan.
Additional detail on all of Apple's TV projects can be found in the original content section of our Apple TV roundup.
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