MacRumors iPhone and iPad Blog: Apps, News, and Rumors

Apple on Monday seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 13 software update to its public beta testing group, giving non-developers a chance to try out the new Apple TV software ahead of its public release in the fall. tvOS 13 introduces several changes to the ‌Apple TV‌ interface, including a new Home screen designed to make it easier to find new content. It also introduces multi-user...

WhatsApp is testing a feature that enables users to share their WhatsApp Status posts over Facebook, Instagram, and other services. WhatsApp's Status feature works a lot like Stories do in Instagram, in that users can use the option to stitch together photos and video to express themselves in a way words alone might not allow them to. The idea behind WhatsApp Status sharing is that it...

A report today from Japan-based Asahi claims Apple plans to invest millions in LCD panel supplier Japan Display Inc (JDI) to aid its restructuring, after the firm's bailout plan fell through on the withdrawal of a key backer. According to Asahi, JDI is set to receive a $100 million investment from Apple, news that has sent the panel maker's shares up as much as 32 percent in Tokyo. As...

Google today announced several new features coming to YouTube, all of which are designed to give users more control over the kind of content that appears on the Homepage and in Up Next video suggestions. For removing video suggestions from channels users are uninterested in, there's a new YouTube option called "Don't recommend channel." It's accessible by tapping on the three-dot menu next to...

Apple wanted to make a wireless charger, the AirPower, that could charge the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once no matter where the devices were placed on the charger, but ultimately, the idea didn't work out and the ‌AirPower‌ was shelved. That's led multiple companies to come out with AirPower-style charging accessories that are able to provide power to multiple devices at once,...

Google in May announced a new privacy-focused auto-delete option for automatically removing Location History and Web & App Activity after a set period of time, and the feature is now rolling out to Google users. Google users who have these options enabled can choose to delete their information manually, every three months, or every 18 months. Opting in to auto-delete will allow Google to...

Shopify today announced that Apple Business Chat is now available to all of its over 800,000 merchants around the world. As noted by Engadget, some Shopify merchants are already using Business Chat, but now Apple and Shopify are rolling out the feature to all businesses who use the e-commerce platform, including those outside the United States. Merchants can manage and respond to all...

Anker is back this week with a new collection of sales and discount codes on many of its charging accessories, including the all-new Soundcore Wakey Alarm Clock. This device is a bedside alarm clock that has all of the usual features, like Bluetooth, alarm pre-sets, and a white noise mode, as well as a Qi-compatible landing mat on top for charging the latest iPhones. Note: MacRumors is an...

Apple released a public beta of iPadOS for compatible iPad models, enabling users who aren't signed up for the Apple Developer Program to test the software update ahead of its official release in the fall. iPadOS is a rebranded version of iOS 13 specially made for iPads, with extra features designed to take advantage of larger tablet displays. It includes an updated Home screen, improved...

Apple today updated its line of iWork apps for iOS and macOS, bringing new features to Pages, Keynote, and Numbers on both iOS devices and Macs. All of the apps have a new feature designed to let you style text by filling it with gradients or images, or by applying new outline styles. Images, shapes, and equations can be placed inline in text boxes so they move with text, and using face...

Twelve South today announced its latest HiRise accessory, called the "HiRise Wireless," and it's available to purchase now on Twelve South's website. The new accessory is a multi-purpose wireless charging stand with two distinct positions: you can charge your iPhone upright in a traditional stand position, or pop out the Qi-certified Power Disc for a miniature device that's perfectly sized to...

Apple accessory maker Mophie today debuted a three-in-one portable battery pack, wall charger, and wireless charging pad. The new Powerstation Hub is equipped with a 6,100mAh battery, one 5W USB-A port, one 15W USB-A port, one 18W USB-C Power Delivery port, and a Qi-enabled 5W wireless charging surface. The USB-C port can be used to recharge both the portable battery itself and connected...

Encrypted messaging platform Telegram has pushed out an update that introduces a number of new location-based features, including the ability to Add People Nearby. Users of the chat app can open Contacts -> Add People Nearby to quickly exchange contact info with Telegram users who are standing next to them and also have the same section of the app open. The new People Nearby section also...

Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 13 for compatible iPhone and iPod touch models, enabling users who aren't signed up for the Apple Developer Program to test the software update ahead of its official release in the fall. iOS 13 introduces a swathe of new features and improvements, including a systemwide Dark Mode, a Find My app, a revamped Photos app and new Camera capabilities, ...

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 13 software update to its public beta testing group, giving non-developers a chance to try out the new software ahead of its fall public release. The first beta of tvOS 13 corresponds to the second tvOS 13 update made available to developers last week. Public beta testers can download the new update by going to the Settings app on the Apple ...

Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming iOS 12.4 update to developers, two weeks after seeding the fourth iOS 12.4 beta, and over a month after releasing iOS 12.3, a major update that introduced a revamped TV app. Registered developers can download the new iOS 12.4 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the...

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 5.3 update to developers, two weeks after releasing the third watchOS 5.3 beta and a month after the launch of watchOS 5.2.1, an update that expanded ECG availability and introduced new pride watch faces. Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS beta can be downloaded...

Augmented reality game Harry Potter: Wizards Unite got a surprise early release last week in the U.S. and the U.K., and Niantic has now rolled the game out to a global audience. Early Sunday the Pokémon GO creator announced that the game was available in 25 additional countries including Canada, Germany, India, and Mexico. Since then, it has added over 130 more countries to the list as...