Joe Rossignol
Joe joined MacRumors in January 2015, and is now a Senior Reporter. Based out of Stoney Creek, Canada, he has been writing about Apple since 2008, with a focus on breaking news coverage.
Joe Rossignol's Articles
iPhone 7 May Have Dual SIM Trays for Use With Multiple Carriers
Chinese smartphone repair shop Rock Fix recently shared photos of alleged iPhone 7 components on microblogging service Weibo, potentially including dual-SIM trays that would allow for the smartphone to send and receive calls and messages from multiple phone numbers (via Engadget). Dual SIM technology would also enable iPhone 7 users to use multiple carriers based upon network coverage,...
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TextEdit Icon Spotted on iOS 10 During WWDC 2016 Demo
During its What's New in Metal, Part 1 session at WWDC 2016, Apple used an iPad to demo the graphics API's new adaptive tessellation capabilities on iOS 10. At the 17:58 mark of the video, a TextEdit icon can be seen on the iPad's home screen from the multitasking app switcher screen. TextEdit is Apple's basic word processor preinstalled on macOS Sierra and previous OS X versions, but the...
Apple Explains Why iMessage Hasn't Expanded to Android
In a wide-ranging commentary piece about WWDC 2016, tech journalist Walt Mossberg included an interesting bit about why Apple has not expanded iMessage to competing software platforms like Android.When I asked a senior Apple executive why iMessage wasn’t being expanded to other platforms, he gave two answers. First, he said, Apple considers its own user base of 1 billion active devices to...
Apple Drops Free AppleCare, Lowers Discount on Macs for U.K. Students
Along with expanding its free Beats promotion to Europe, Apple has quietly changed its education incentives for students in the United Kingdom. As of this week, Apple's online higher education store in the U.K. now offers up to 10 percent off Macs and other qualifying purchases, whereas the discount was previously up to 15 percent off. The base model 13-inch MacBook Pro now costs £898.80...
iOS 10 Concept Simplifies Lock Screen With Collapsed Notifications
Apple previewed iOS 10 earlier this week with new rich notifications that enable iPhone users to view photos and videos, listen to audio, or respond to messages directly within notification bubbles. If you receive an iMessage, for example, you will be able to reply to the conversation without leaving the Lock screen. Apple has also provided developers with the ability to update existing...
Hardware-Free WWDC Sets Stage for Busy Second Half of 2016
In the weeks leading up to WWDC 2016, multiple reliable sources indicated the opening keynote would be a no-hardware affair. And as it turned out, the focus of the event was unsurprisingly on software, including iOS 10, macOS Sierra, tvOS 10, and watchOS 3. So, when can we expect new Apple hardware? Many products were at some point rumored to have a possible connection with WWDC 2016,...
Accessibility at WWDC: Dwell Control, Taptic Time, Software TTY, and More
Apple on Tuesday hosted a WWDC 2016 session called What's New in Accessibility that provided an overview of new assisitive technologies and features added to iOS 10, macOS Sierra, tvOS 10, and watchOS 3. Physical and Motor Skills Switch Control can now be used to interact with the tvOS interface using a single physical button, such as a switch on a wheelchair. There is both a cursor...
iOS 10 Now Requires User Permission to Access Media Library
Apple implemented privacy safeguards on iOS long ago so that when an app requests access to your contacts, calendars, photos, or location, a dialog box pops up asking for express user permission. On iOS 9 and previous software versions, however, that safeguard did not extend to a device's media library. Apple developer Ben Dodson addressed the privacy concern in a blog post in January:I...
CarPlay at WWDC: Rearrange or Hide Apps, Apple Music Makeover, Alternate Routing, and More
While most of the WWDC 2016 keynote was focused on iOS 10, macOS Sierra, and new versions of tvOS and watchOS, Apple also made a number of CarPlay-related announcements during the two-hour presentation. First, the new Apple Maps appearance on iOS 10 and some new features extend to the dashboard. If there is a lot of traffic ahead, for example, CarPlay will now proactively provide you with...
watchOS 3 Tidbits: Face Gallery, Disable Screenshots, New Stock Apps, and More
Apple this week previewed watchOS 3, the next major version of its Apple Watch software platform. The first beta has been seeded to registered developers, allowing for early adopters to take a closer look at what's new in the update. Many tidbits in the new watchOS have already been discovered that were not given much or any stage time during Apple's WWDC 2016 keynote, including improvements...
T-Mobile Expands 'Binge On' Free Video Streaming to PBS and More
T-Mobile has announced that its free unlimited video streaming program Binge On now supports over five additional video services, including Azubu, Dailymotion Games, Eyegroove, PBS, PBS Kids, and more. Binge On now supports nearly 90 video services in the United States. Binge On enables customers on a qualifying Simple Choice plan to stream unlimited 480p video from dozens of partnered...
Apple Pay Expanding to France, Hong Kong, and Switzerland
Apple confirmed during its WWDC 2016 keynote that Apple Pay will be expanding to France, Hong Kong, and Switzerland over the next few months in partnership with Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Visa and MasterCard will be supported in all three countries, while American Express will also be available in Hong Kong. The specific credit, debit, and prepaid cards that can be used in each...
macOS Sierra Tidbits: Apple File System, RAID Support, and More
Apple yesterday announced macOS Sierra, the latest version of its Mac software platform and renamed successor to OS X El Capitan. The first beta was released to developers following yesterday's keynote, providing early adopters with a closer look at what's new. Apple File System Apple File System, or APFS, is a next-generation file system for Apple products based upon the iOS, macOS, tvOS,...
List of Macs Compatible With macOS Sierra
Apple today announced macOS Sierra, the latest version of its Mac software platform and renamed successor to OS X El Capitan. The first beta of the update was seeded to developers earlier today, while a public beta will be released in July. macOS Sierra will be available as a free software update for compatible MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models in the fall....
iOS 10 Tidbits: Individual Read Receipts, Wake Alarm, Music Storage Optimization, and More
Apple today announced iOS 10, the next major version of its iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch software platform. The update is available in beta for Apple developers starting today, allowing early adopters to update and take a closer look at what's new. A public beta will be available in July, followed by an official launch in the fall. iOS 10 includes a number of changes that Apple neglected to...
List of iOS 10 Compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch Models [Updated]
Apple today announced iOS 10, the next major version of its mobile operating system. The software update is compatible with most iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models capable of running iOS 9, with exceptions including the iPhone 4s, iPad 2 and 3, original iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPod touch. iOS 10 is available in beta for registered Apple developers starting today, while the update will ...
BMW and Nissan Announce First CarPlay Models
Nissan recently announced that the all-new 2017 Maxima, available now at dealerships worldwide, is its first vehicle with CarPlay support. Apple's dashboard software is included with the Maxima Platinum trim package, which is available for a suggested price of $39,990 in the United States. CarPlay is included as part of NissanConnect, a proprietary system with a wide range of features:...
Live Coverage of Apple's WWDC 2016 Keynote: iOS 10, macOS 10.12, and More [Keynote Over]
Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off today in San Francisco with the traditional keynote being held for the first time at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the same location Apple used for its "Hey Siri" media event last September. Photo by Walt Mossberg The keynote begins at 10:00 AM Pacific Time / 1:00 PM Eastern Time, and we're expecting to see a number of...
Apple Removes Personal Pickup for Thunderbolt Display
With only a few hours remaining until Apple's WWDC 2016 keynote at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, a tipster informed us that Personal Pickup is no longer available for the Thunderbolt Display on Apple's online storefront. A quick spot check reveals that Personal Pickup has indeed been removed on the Thunderbolt Display product page in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada,...
WWDC 2016: MacRumors Readers' OS X 10.12 Wishlists
At WWDC 2016 next week, Apple will unveil the next major versions of iOS and OS X. Based on Apple's historic naming pattern, the operating systems are presumptively referred to as iOS 10 and OS X 10.12. However, there is evidence to suggest that Apple may instead rebrand OS X as macOS, in line with iOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Ahead of the keynote, MacRumors readers have been sharing their iOS 10...