Our live blog has started after the break! – We’re in our seats, doors are shut, presentation is about to start! Siri making fun of Samsung, Android codenames (Jelly Bean/ICS). Garageband for iPad making a love song. Siri says my emotions haven’t been coded yet. =Tim Cook is out! This is our 23rd WWDC… “this is older than some of you are” -400 million App Store accounts with credit cards and one click buying....
Aqara has been a great option for people starting out with HomeKit, as their starter kits provide a low-cost way to add a number of HomeKit-compatible products all at once. Once you add a hub, you can add start adding water sensors, motions sensors, etc. Today, Aqara is unveiling a brand-new TVOC Air Quality Monitor with an e-ink design. HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apple’s smart home framework....
As fans in the US gear up for Aquaman’s theatrical release, the DCEU superhero adventure is already nearing a $100 million opening weekend for the China box office. If those numbers hold up, it will mark the highest December debut in Chinese history, besting the 2015 action-adventure Mojin - The Lost Legend. After its Chinese debut this weekend, Aquaman opens in the U.K. on December 12, along with Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Philippines and Taiwan....
Earlier this week, it was reported that China had granted Qualcomm an iPhone import and sale ban as part of its legal case against Apple. While the ban has been unsuccessful at stopping iPhone sales in the country, a new legal filing from Apple in China offers more color on what would happen should a Chinese ban on the sale of iPhones go into effect. As reported by Bloomberg, Apple explained in the filing that it would be forced to settle with Qualcomm due to a Chinese ban on iPhone sales....
Alongside iOS 11, Apple introduced the ability for developers to release app updates in phases. Now, Apple has expanded that feature to the Mac App Store, announcing in a blog post today that developers can release updates over a 7-day period. In a post on the App Store Connect website, Apple explains that developers can now release macOS app updates in stages with a new Phased Release for Automatic Updates. Over a 7-day window, automatic app updates will rollout gradually, hitting 1 percent of users on day one and increasing from there....
The article has been updated with information about a possible Lion release in the UK. We are receiving multiple reports of Apple telling developers that iTunes Connect will be undergoing scheduled maintenance today from 9am to 4pm Pacific Time. The iTunes Connect site is where content providers upload and manage their itunes submissions such as songs, movies, apps and more. Apple is advising developers not to make price changes during the blackout because that will cause apps to become unavailable for purchase....
[slideshow] Here is one more reason to visit Amsterdam—the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands: Apple is busy putting the finishing touches on a new retail store. According to Dutch-language website iPhoneclub.nl, the rumored Leidseplein store is now a reality as the company raised huge orange storefront stickers adorned with three Apple logos – a subtle hint at the three crosses on top of each other from the Coat of Arms of Amsterdam....
The iPhone X and iPhone 8 were the first iPhones to support wireless charging. The devices launched with support for 5W wireless charging, with a later iOS update bringing support for 7.5W. Now, Apple says the iPhone Xs supports even faster wireless charging but with the vanishing act they pulled with the AirPower charging station, details are a bit murky… Earlier reports had suggested that this year’s iPhone models would be upped to 10W wireless charging support – a small but notable upgrade compared to the 7....
The Apple Support app just got a new update with version 4.3, adding paired AirPods to the list of your owned devices. Previously, if you need support for your AirPods in regards to “Audio & Sound,” “Lost Or Missing AirPods,” “Battery & Charging,” “Pairing & Connectivity,” “Physical or Liquid Damage,” or more, you had to click on a generic AirPods icon on the Apple Support app. Now, when you search for specific AirPods on the Apple Support app, you’ll find all the AirPods you own....
Apple has landed a new comedy series order, “The Shrink Next Door”, which will star Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd. The show is based on the popular podcast of the same name. The show is a dark comedy loosely based on true events. The plot will describe the relationship between Rudd’s character, a celebrity psychiatrist, and his long-running patient Martin Markowitz (played by Ferrell). Over time, the psychiatrist invades Markowitz’s life, moves into his home and takes over the business....
Apple has expanded its Apple Beta Software Program to include the fourth-gen Apple TV for the first time. Apple’s public beta program has previously been limited to iOS and macOS while tvOS betas were only available to developers with paid accounts. Apple’s Beta Software Program website says “iOS 11, macOS High Sierra, and tvOS 11 public betas are coming soon” and Apple promised public betas of iOS and macOS later this month....
In addition to introducing a more affordable, entry-level iMac early this morning, Apple has dropped the price of the Apple TV in a few non-United States markets. Specifically, the Apple TV sold in Europe and the UK has received a price drop of €10/£20 from their respective €109/£99 price points before. Customers in Europe and the UK can now purchase the Apple TV set-top box at €99 in Europe and £79 in the United Kingdom....
Apple has released a small but notable update to Final Cut Pro for the Mac. The update brings two new sharing options to the video editing app: YouTube and Facebook. Apple has rolled out similar updates to iMovie and Clips on iOS, as well as Motion and Compressor on Mac. Apple says that when you choose one of these new sharing options, a specific file will be created for uploading to the service....
As expected, Apple is releasing updates to many of its iOS apps today including Garageband, Keynote, Numbers, Cards, iPhoto, iMovie, and Find My Friends with support for iOS 6 and other new features. We also expect to see a few more updates headed towards the rest of Apple’s own iOS apps today following the public release of iOS 6 earlier today. Some of the new features now available in the updated apps, in addition to iOS 6 support: Location-based alerts in the Find My Friends app, the ability to create custom ringtons and alerts in GarageBand, iPad support for Cards with a new universal app (and new themes, layouts, and iPhoto integration) , and huge updates to iPhoto and iMovie that bring a long list of new features....
Apple has officially set a date for its next Apple Watch Activity Challenge. This time, the company has scheduled an Activity Challenge for Earth Day, which is set to take place on April 22. This challenge requires users to complete a workout of any category for at least 30 minutes. You’ll then unlock stickers that can be used in the Messages app, FaceTime, and more. Apple Watch Activity Challenge set for April 22 Apple says:...
A quiet update to Apple’s website earlier revealed that the Apple Watch Nike+ edition would go on sale this Friday, October 28 – and Apple has now further confirmed the date with some additional details. You’ll naturally be able to buy the special edition Watch at Apple Stores and ‘select’ Nike retail stores, but it will also be available at a number of specialty and department stores. Macy’s is no surprise as the Apple Watch has seen availability there already, but Apple says you’ll also be able to pick up the new Watch at DICK’S Sporting Goods stores …...
While the new Apple Watch Series 5 offers a number of notable features, there’s still plenty to like about Series 3 at this price point. Our Zac Hall detailed all the reasons to consider this previous-generation model in his re-review last month. Make sure to put your savings to work and grab an extra band. First-party options from Apple come in various finishes or you can swing by our roundup of the best third-party straps for even more styles on sale....
Apple Watch Series 3 is having a hard time updating to new versions of watchOS 7, but there’s good news for customers using the hardware first introduced in 2017. watchOS 8 will run on all Apple Watch models that support watchOS 7. That means Apple Watch Series 3 will run watchOS 8. Hopefully Apple considers the storage constraints Apple Watch Series 3 owners are experiencing with recent watchOS 7 updates and addresses this with watchOS 8....
Apple has just released a flood of information about how apps on Apple Watch work, through the WatchKit framework. There are three types of integrations currently possible: WatchKit apps, Glances and actionable notifications. Although they sound similar, the development process for WatchKit apps are actually very different to that of normal iOS apps for iPhone and iPad, as much of the computation is done on the connected iPhone rather than rendered by the watch’s hardware itself....
Apple’s annual MFi summit, an event for accessory manufacturers in its Made-for-iPhone/iPad/iPod licensing program, will focus on getting accessory makers ready for new technologies including HomeKit hardware, iBeacon, Apple’s new Lightning headphones spec, and game controllers, according to Apple’s official event schedule. The summit, which is used by Apple to brief accessory makers on new technologies rolling out soon, is often a precursor to wide adoption of Apple’s latest iPhone and iPad-connected accessory specifications....
