MacRumors

Swiss startup Wrio has launched a new keyboard app for iOS which claims to speed up typing by between 20 and 70 percent compared to standard Qwerty layouts.

The developers of Wrio say they achieved this typing feat by throwing out the rulebook that says keys should be square, and instead adopting a honeycomb-like layout of hexagonal keys. This allows individual keys to be a little larger than usual, which reduces the incidence of mistyped characters.

Users will notice there's no typical spacebar in the Wrio keyboard either. This functionality is divided into two single space keys at the centre of the layout. The delete key has been removed, and users swipe from right to left to delete a character, holding the swipe at the end to continue deleting characters.

A swipe right restores deleted characters, and holding the swipe restores multiple characters. And instead of relying on shift keys which have also been removed, swiping up on a character types a capital version of it.

Eight of the most commonly used punctuation symbols can be found in two primary keyboard keys, which serve up a secondary symbol with a hold, a third with a hold and swipe up, and a fourth with a hold-swipe to the right.

Elsewhere, holding down on a key invokes any accented variations available for the character, while a new double-function key takes users to the secondary keyboard and swiping up on the same key takes them to the emoji deck.

Wrio also supports 30 languages, and boasts a custom user dictionary that learns what languages are regularly typed and makes predictions based on usage patterns.

The developers claim that after one or two weeks, users should be familiar enough with the Wrio keyboard to start making significant gains in typing speed over traditional layouts.

Wrio currently costs $2.99 on the App Store as part of a limited "40 percent off" introductory offer, and is available for iPhone and iPad. [Direct link]

In February, Seattle-based law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala (PCVA) brought a class action lawsuit against Apple over the "Error 53" bug, which bricked iPhone 6 models with select third-party components. Apple quickly responded, confirming the error and issuing an updated version of iOS 9.2.1 to fix the error. Earlier this month, Apple moved to dismiss an amended version of the class action lawsuit. However, PCVA and the plaintiffs have now moved to keep the lawsuit alive, according to AppleInsider.

Apple argued the lawsuit should be dismissed because the company issued a fix for the error and offered to reimburse customers who had paid to have their devices replaced or repaired. However, the plaintiffs are now arguing that Apple failed to properly alert users to the reimbursement program. They argue the "vague" announcement on Apple's website and a support document published in April isn't sufficient enough to inform affected customers.

The plaintiffs also claim having trouble in getting touch with Apple about reimbursement, with one plaintiff claiming they were never sent a reimbursement notice and another saying they were disconnected from Apple support twice when trying to contact the Cupertino company about the program.

The controversy first started in February, when users who had their iPhone 6 models repaired by third-party technicians were seeing the mysterious "Error 53" that bricked their phones. The error showed up when devices had parts replaced with components not sourced from the original device, with the not-matching components affecting the Touch ID fingerprint sensor and causing iOS to fail Touch ID validation checks.

Several law firms considered suits against Apple, but PCVA brought its forward. The parties will meet in a motion hearing on June 16.

Apple Pay launched in Singapore in April through a partnership with American Express, and at the time, the Apple Pay website in Singapore said Apple Pay would be available to Visa card holders and major banks in the near future.

Starting today, Apple Pay support is expanding beyond American Express. Apple Pay can now be used with major Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit and debit cards from five of Singapore's major banks, including POSB, DBS, OCBC, Standard Chartered, and UOB.

According to The Straits Times, the five banks account for more than 80 percent of the Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards issued in Singapore. Customers with an eligible card can add it to the Wallet app on the iPhone to make purchases within retail stores.

Apple Pay vice-president Jennifer Bailey told The Straits Times: "Now, almost everyone can leave their wallets at home. Apple Pay will be a natural extension of what users have been doing at payment counters."

Apple Pay can be used at more than 30,000 retail locations in Singapore that accept contactless payments, and Apple's Apple Pay Singapore website lists several official partners like Starbucks, FairPrice, BreadTalk, 7 Eleven, Toast Box, TopShop, Uniqlo and more.

Apple is working to bring additional banks on board to further expand Apple Pay support in the country.

Apple is looking to fill a "Privacy Counsel" position with an attorney who has expertise in the health field and HIPAA compliance, according to a new listing on the company's job site discovered by Business Insider. The job description calls for someone who has "health privacy expertise" and 5 to 9 years of experience as an associate at a top-tier law firm or business, among other qualifications.

Apple's privacy counsel will help the company navigate U.S. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) laws, which include a strict set of standards for managing the privacy and security of all health-related information. The listing also asks for CIPP certification, the first certification offered for information privacy law, and lists the following potential projects:

- privacy by design reviews and projects
- assist with privacy complaints and breaches
- support compliance and auditing frameworks
- advise on privacy aspects of licensing and procurement deals and corporate acquisitions
- assist with drafting of policies and procedures surrounding privacy laws

Apple has taken a significant interest in healthcare in recent years, introducing the Apple Watch and both ResearchKit and CareKit, two frameworks designed to help researchers and doctors interface with patients and gather invaluable health-related data. Given that interest, it is unsurprising Apple is looking for a lawyer with expertise in these areas, but it does perhaps signal Apple's intention to further delve into medical research that would require HIPAA compliance.

As Business Insider points out, none of Apple's current products require federal medical regulation and Apple does not offer a HIPAA compliant database for CareKit developers.

Earlier today, Apple CEO Tim Cook said health is an area where Apple is "very focused." "We believe that health is something that is a huge problem in the world, a huge issue, and we think it is ripe for simplicity and sort of a new view," he said. "We'd like to contribute to that."

Adonit, known for its line of styluses, today announced the launch of the Pixel, a stylus it's calling its "most advanced stylus to date." The Pixel features a 1.9mm Pixelpoint tip that's been improved with predictive touch technology for better accuracy and responsiveness, and "paper-like drag" to mimic the feeling of writing on paper.

Combining features from the Jot Script and the Jot Touch, the Pixel features Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity with support for 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity, palm rejection in supported apps, offset correction, and dedicated shortcut buttons that can perform functions like undo, redo, and erase.

"A stylus should do more than just replace a user's fingertip when working with a tablet, but rather enhance the experience so users can create and work without boundaries," said Rafael Gomez, Marketing Manager for Adonit. "With the introduction of Pixel in particular, we wanted to make sure we addressed all our users' needs and incorporated them into a stylus that works with the entire modern line of iPads. Users will be able to take notes, draw, mark finite details, or simply maneuver through their iPad more precisely with Pixel. Whatever their needs may be, Pixel provides consumers with a high performing experience."

An SDK for the stylus can be used by developers to incorporate support into third-party apps, and a built in sensor feature turns the stylus on when it's picked up and off when it's inactive to conserve battery power. The Pixel, which Adonit says is designed to be ergonomic, is available with a Black or Bronze 10.5mm body.

The Adonit Pixel is compatible with the following devices: iPhone 4s, 5, 5c, 5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, SE, iPad 4, iPad Mini, iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro 12.9.

Apple makes its own stylus, the Apple Pencil, but it is only compatible with the 9.7 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. The Pixel cannot be used alongside an Apple Pencil due to the potential for interference and screen protectors are not recommended.

The Pixel stylus can be purchased from the Adonit website or from Amazon.com for $79.99.

Apple this month has expanded Spotlight Suggestions to seven additional regions for compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models running iOS 9 or later.

The localized feature is now supported in Hong Kong, India, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

Spotlight Suggestions, such as popular contacts, frequently opened apps, nearby amenities, and local news headlines, can be found by swiping right on the home screen.

Other supported regions include the U.S., U.K., Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The universal search functionality on the latest Apple TV recently saw NBC added to the list of content providers included in results in the United States. The addition is part of an ongoing expansion that most recently saw CBS added last month.

Universal search on the Apple TV allows users to search for content using Siri or text entry and see a list of providers offering a given movie or TV show. For providers that offer only certain seasons of a show, those limitations are reflected on the results screen.

With the addition of NBC, apps for all four major U.S. networks are now included in universal search, as well as iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney's suite of TV channels, Showtime, PBS, Starz, Nat Geo, and FX. In most other countries, only iTunes content is currently supported, while Netflix is also supported in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Twitter announced today that it will be making a number of expected changes to simplify tweets over the coming months.

First and foremost, when replying to a tweet, Twitter handles such as @MacRumors will no longer count toward the 140-character limit. Media attachments, like photos, GIFs, videos, polls, and Quote Tweets, will also no longer be counted.

The changes should provide Twitter users, including brands and websites, with more characters for actual text and article headlines.

Meanwhile, new non-reply tweets that begin with a username will now reach all of a user's followers, eliminating the need to use the ".@" convention to broadcast a tweet widely. Last, Twitter users will be able to Retweet and Quote Tweet their own tweets.

Twitter expects the changes to have a significant impact on tweets, so the microblogging service aims to provide its developer partners with time to make any needed updates to products built using the Twitter API.

OtterBox today announced the launch of a new uniVERSE Case System, featuring a versatile OtterBox-branded protective case that's able to be used with accessory modules from a range of companies like Square, Polar Pro, SanDisk, olloclip, Seek Thermal, and more.

Available for the iPhone 6/6s and the iPhone 6 Plus/6s Plus, the uniVERSE Case System combines a slim but protective OtterBox case with a slotted rail system for attaching accessories. There's a removable back accent plate covering the rail when the accessory modules are not in place, and there's also a grooved edge inside the camera opening for attaching camera accessories.

"Innovation in the mobile technology world continues to evolve, and smartphones are at the center of this evolution," said OtterBox CEO Jim Parke. "OtterBox is bringingtogether industry giants and cutting-edge innovators to create acustomizable mobile ecosystem. With uniVERSE Case System, consumers don't have to compromise premium protection to use the amazing array of accessories that are changing how we use our phones."

Alongside OtterBox, a number of companies are announcing new accessories designed for the uniVERSE case system. Olloclip, one of OtterBox's first partners, is releasing its first 4-in-1 Lens kit compatible with a third-party case. Priced at $79.99, the 4-in-1 quick change Lens accessory for the uniVERSE Case features Fisheye, Wide-Angle, 10x Macro and 15x Macro lenses.

The Olloclip Lens set works with both the front and rear-facing cameras, fitting over the OtterBox case. It comes with two wearable pendants so it's always on hand even when not in use and can be purchased starting today.

Other accessories compatible with the OtterBox uniVerse Case include a Square Contactless and Chip Reader ($49.99), the SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive ($59.99 to $119.99), the Nite Ize Vent Mount Kit ($39.99), the Goal Zero Slide Battery ($59.99), the Seek Thermal Compact Camera and Seek Case ($249), the Influx Wi-Fi Booster ($39.99), and more.

The uniVERSE case for iPhone 6/6s and 6/6s Plus can be purchased from the OtterBox website starting today.