MacRumors

iDevices today announced the launch of its latest HomeKit product, a smart light bulb socket able to turn any standard bulb into a smart bulb. The iDevices Socket, first announced at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, is a simple Wi-Fi light bulb adapter that connects to a standard bulb and gives it the ability to interface with Siri and other HomeKit-connected products.

Priced at $79, the iDevices Socket is not cheap and is in fact more expensive than other HomeKit-compatible products like Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs and smart plugs, but it does include dimming capabilities and a customizable color light ring that can be used as a night light or to add ambiance to any room. It is able to fit into any conventional lighting receptacle and is compatible with standard Edison style bulbs up to 60 watts.

The Socket can be controlled using Siri voice commands, through the iDevices app, or through any other HomeKit app. Like other HomeKit-connected products, the Socket can be organized into specific rooms and is able to be used in Scenes, timers, and other HomeKit features.

The iDevices Socket joins the company's existing line of HomeKit products, which includes the iDevices Thermostat and the iDevices Switch. In the future, iDevices plans to release additional HomeKit accessories like a wall switch and a wall outlet.

Customers can pre-order the iDevices Socket for $79 from the iDevices website starting today.

Parallels, the company behind the popular virtualization software of the same name, has updated its iOS app Parallels Access, which allows iPad and iPhone owners to remotely access their Mac or Windows apps on their mobile device.

The app allows users to interact with their desktop apps in the same way they would interact with their iPad apps, with the full range of iPad gestures available for compatible apps. Parallels Access translates what would usually be mouse clicks and movements into iPad-friendly alternatives.
The 3.1 update means the app now officially supports the virtual keyboard and full screen resolution of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, so users can view an undistorted image of a 27-inch (non-Retina) iMac screen on the larger tablet using "Same as Computer" mode, which accompanies the existing "More space" and "Best for iPad" viewing modes.

Other new features include support for 3D Touch on iPhone 6s and 6 Plus handsets, support for Apple Pencil and other stylus devices, folders on the App Launcher, support for cursor movement using the on-screen keyboard as a trackpad in iOS 9, and support for Windows 10 Tablet Mode. Parallels Access still doesn't support Split View on iPads however, since it would require changing the screen resolution of the remote computer.

Parallels Access is available for iPad and iPhone on the App Store [Direct Link]

An alleged prototype version of Apple's "vintage" iPhone 6 has appeared in an eBay auction with a starting price of $4,999.

The device has the Apple logo and "iPhone" branding, but no FCC logos, serial number or IMEI on the rear, and appears to be in very good condition.

The handset apparently runs a much-sought-after hackable debugging OS called "SwitchBoard" and features a red lightning dock port with a serial number of C39NW00KG876. The seller claims to have bought it from a friend. The auction currently has one bidder.

In October 2014, a similar prototype iPhone 6 with red Lightning port was offered on eBay by someone claiming to have received the handset by accident. The auction garnered almost 200 bids and reached over $100,000, before being pulled by eBay, likely at Apple's request.

(Via 9to5Mac)

Collaborative video creation app GroupClip launched on iOS yesterday, allowing users to record the same event on multiple devices and combine clips in the cloud to produce multi-angle movies.

The app enables users to invite up to four friends in any location into the same movie project and start recording clips straight away. As video is synced to the cloud, each user has access to everyone else's footage, and can combine and edit them to create individual multi-angle videos.

Users can select clip segments to feature prominently in their final projects, and drag and drop clips into position. Multiple layout templates are on offer within the app (including a picture-in-picture option) for users to create their collage, and photos can also be imported into film projects.

GroupClip is a free download for iPhone and iPad on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Ultimate Ears today added to its speaker lineup with the launch of the UE Roll 2, a successor to the original UE Roll. The UE Roll 2 looks like the current version of the UE Roll, but it has been upgraded with a longer Bluetooth range and louder sound.

I own an original UE Roll, so Ultimate Ears sent me a UE Roll 2 for a comparison review ahead of the new speaker's rollout. When it comes to design, the palm-sized UE Roll 2 is physically identical to the original UE Roll. It features the same flat, circular design with a bungee cord in the back and a flap to cover both a microUSB port used for charging and a 3.5mm audio-in jack.

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i.am+, the company founded by musician will.i.am, recently announced the launch of its new i.am+ EPs, a set of premium Bluetooth earphones that are available exclusively from Apple retail stores and Apple.com.

Featuring a design inspired by the "iconic shape of vinyl records" and targeted at those interested in fashion, the EPs include circular ear pieces made of spun metal and are connected by a woven fabric cord. Because they connect to an iPhone via Bluetooth 2.0 and have a 30-foot range, there's no cord to plug them into a headphone jack or Lightning port.

The EPs are available in black or gold, and when not being used for listening to music, they can be worn around the neck for quick access. When worn, the EPs click together using built-in magnets so they stay in place. There's a built-in remote control for adjusting volume and there's a microphone that can be used to make phone calls.

Packing plenty of style, the i.am+ EPs Bluetooth wireless headphones deliver superior surround sound and deep bass to truly represent the music on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. The metallic discs clasp around your neck for all-day wear. Their lightweight, no-fuss form means no interruption to your music or flow. So easy, so fresh, they'll quickly become an everyday essential to complement your wardrobe.

A microUSB port located on the remote charges the EPs, and the battery is rated to last up to eight hours before needing to be recharged.

The iam+ EPs are available immediately from Apple.com for $229.95. They are also available for purchase from a select number of brick and mortar Apple Stores.

Philips today announced a new HomeKit-compatible Hue-branded lighting product, the Philips Hue White Ambiance. Like the standard Philips Hue lighting set, the White Ambiance ships with a HomeKit hub and bulbs, but it's aimed at people who want adjustable white light without a multitude of color options.

The Wi-Fi-connected White Ambiance bulbs feature "every shade of white light," from 6500k daylight to 2200k warm light, and they can be adjusted automatically throughout the day using light recipes, routines, and HomeKit scenes in the recently released Philips Hue app. The bulbs, rated at 800 lumens at 4000k, can also be controlled through HomeKit using Siri voice commands.

"We know how important white light is in the home; it is similar to natural day light and can help us to focus, feel more alert as well as wind down at night" says Sridhar Kumaraswamy, Business Leader Connected Home Systems at Philips Lighting. "With Philips Hue white ambiance, we are delivering a high quality connected light bulb that delivers the full spectrum of white light at the swipe of a finger, allowing consumers to fully benefit from the impact that white light can have on their wellbeing when at home."

Philips' White Ambiance Hue starter kit includes two Philips Hue white ambiance bulbs, a HomeKit-compatible bridge, and one wireless dimming switch that allows lights to be controlled from anywhere in the house without the need to open the iPhone app. The new Hue starter kit joins the standard kit that includes bulbs adjustable to any color or any shade of white and a simpler kit with white bulbs that are unable to be adjusted to different shades.

At $129.95 for the entire kit and $29.95 for a single bulb, the Philips Hue White Ambiance kit is more affordable than the standard Hue lighting kit, which is priced at $199 for the initial bridge and bulbs and $59.95 for individual bulbs. The White Ambiance starter kit is available from the Philips website starting today.

Apple today provided developers with the first beta of an upcoming 9.2.2 update to tvOS, the operating system designed to run on the fourth-generation Apple TV. tvOS 9.2.2 comes one week after the public launch of tvOS 9.2.1, a minor update focusing on bug fixes.

tvOS betas are more difficult to install than beta updates for iOS and OS X. Installing the tvOS beta requires the Apple TV to be connected to a computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable, with the software downloaded and installed via iTunes or Apple Configurator. Once a beta profile has been installed on the device through iTunes, new beta releases will be available over the air.

As a minor 9.x.x update, tvOS 9.2.2 is likely to focus on bug fixes and performance improvements to address issues discovered since the release of tvOS 9.2.1, and Apple's release notes do say the update contains bug fixes and security improvements. Any outward-facing changes found in the tvOS 9.2.2 beta will be included below.

Spotify has upgraded its family plan to directly match Apple Music's offering, with up to six Premium accounts per family now available for $14.99 a month (via The Verge).

Spotify says users under the family plan will receive their own separate premium accounts and have full access to Spotify's library of songs and videos. Existing subscribers meanwhile will automatically be upgraded to the new plan and should receive a lower bill in the next month. The plan rolls out globally today, except for users of the music streaming service residing in Canada.

The move follows in the footsteps of Google Play, which matched Apple Music's family plan in December.

Earlier this month Spotify claimed it had experienced a faster pace of growth since the launch of Apple Music, reaching 30 million paying subscribers compared to the 20 million it had when the rival service launched last June. In April, Apple claimed 13 million subscribers, up from 11 million users in February.

At the beginning of May, Apple introduced a 50% discount for all student subscribers to Apple Music, offering those eligible a $4.99 per month deal. Apple Music is widely expected to see a design overhaul in time for WWDC this year, due to be held June 13–17 in California.

Another photo has emerged this morning on Weibo allegedly showing a genuine iPhone 7 rear case (via 9to5Mac).

The latest claim shows a bevelled, protruding camera hole, which contradicts rumors that the next-gen iPhone due in September will have a camera flush with the case.

The camera is also positioned closer to the upper left corner of the chassis than in previous iPhones, while the hole for the lens appears to be larger than that found in the iPhone 6s, suggesting a potentially upgraded camera module.

The photo also appears to show the expected redesigned antenna lines which restrict the bands to the edges of the device. The poster also included images of screen cable components which appear different to equivalent parts in the iPhone 6s.

The alleged leak follows a Weibo post last week which claimed to show a dual-camera module, possibly for the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus, alongside memory chips in 16GB, 64GB, and 256GB sizes, suggesting a higher storage variant for Apple's next flagship phone and the continuing availability of the lowest capacity tier.

As always, without confirmation readers are advised to take these leaks with a grain of salt, but they do at least offer an idea of what components may be circulating in the supply chain.