❤ Apple iPhone iOS 14

Widgets are beautifully redesigned in iOS 14, giving users timely information at a glance right on the Home Screen pages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

iOS 14 reimagines the iPhone experience, delivering a major update to the Home Screen with beautifully redesigned widgets and the App Library, new ways to use apps with App Clips, and powerful updates to Messages. iOS 14 is available today as a free software update.

“Together with iPhone, iOS is central to how we navigate our lives and stay connected, and we are making it even more powerful and easier to use in iOS 14, with the biggest update ever to the Home Screen,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We are thrilled to see the incredible ways developers are taking advantage of widgets and App Clips to create new experiences that we think customers are going to love.”

Redesigned Home Screen Pages

New widgets present timely information at a glance and can be added in different sizes on any Home Screen page. Users can choose a Smart Stack of widgets, which uses on-device intelligence to surface the right widget based on time, location, and activity. For example, users might see the News widget in the morning, Calendar events during the day, and their Fitness summary in the evening. Home Screen pages can be customized to show apps and widgets for work, entertainment, sports, and other areas of interest.

At the end of the Home Screen pages is the App Library, a new space that automatically organizes all of a user’s apps into one simple, easy-to-navigate view, and intelligently surfaces apps that are helpful in the moment. Users can also hide Home Screen pages for quicker access to the App Library.

The App Library makes it easier for users to get to all of their apps with a simple, easy-to-navigate view at the end of the Home Screen pages.

All-New Compact Design for Incoming Calls and Siri

Incoming FaceTime and phone calls and Siri interactions take on an all-new compact design that enables users to stay in the context of what they are doing. With Picture-in-Picture support, iPhone users can now watch a video or take a FaceTime call while using another app.

iOS 14 delivers an all-new compact design that lets users multitask while receiving calls, asking Siri a question, or watching videos.

With Picture-in-Picture, users can watch a video or take a FaceTime call while using another app.

The Siri experience is redesigned to let users stay in the context of what they are doing.

App Clips Bring New Ways to Discover and Use Apps

An App Clip is a small part of an app that is designed to be discovered the moment it is needed. App Clips are associated with a particular product or business, and load within seconds to complete a specific task, such as ordering takeout or filling up the car with gas. They can be easily discovered and accessed by scanning a new Apple-designed App Clip code,¹ or through NFC tags and QR codes, or shared in Messages or from Safari, all with the security and privacy expected from apps.

App Clips are fast and easy to discover and allow users to access part of an app the moment they need it.

Powerful Updates to Messages

Messages is central to communicating with friends and family, and now it’s easier to stay connected and quickly access important messages. Users can pin conversations to the top of their messages list, easily keep up with lively group threads through mentions and inline replies, and further customize conversations by setting a group photo using an image or emoji. New Memoji options in Messages are even more inclusive and diverse with additional hairstyles, headwear, face coverings, and more.

Favorite conversations can be pinned to the top of a Messages list, with recent messages, Tapbacks, and typing indicators featured right above the pin.

iOS 14 delivers new customization options including additional hairstyles, headwear, face coverings, and more.

Greener Ways to Explore and New Guides in Maps

Maps makes it easier than ever to navigate and explore with new cycling directions, electric vehicle routing, and curated Guides. Cycling directions take into account elevation, how busy a street is, and whether there are stairs along the route. Electric vehicle routing adds charging stops along a planned route based on current vehicle charge and charger types.² Guides provide a curated list of interesting places to visit in a city, created by a selection of trusted resources. Guides are a great way to find popular attractions, discover restaurants, and explore new recommendations from respected brands.

Maps offers cycling directions along bike lanes, bike paths, and bike-friendly roads.

Electric vehicle routing adds charging stops along a planned route based on current vehicle charge and charger types.

Guides make it easy to find things to do in a city, experience great new restaurants, or places to visit on vacation.

More Transparency and Control with Expanded Privacy Features

Now users can choose to share their approximate location with app developers rather than their precise location when granting an app location access, and get even more transparency into an app’s use of the microphone and camera. Developers can now offer users the option to upgrade their existing accounts to Sign in with Apple. Later this year, App Store product pages will feature summaries of developers’ self-reported privacy practices, displayed in a simple, easy-to-read format. Starting early next year, all apps will be required to obtain user permission before tracking.

App Store product pages feature a summary of the privacy practices of each app before downloading it.

Enhanced Listening Experience for AirPods

AirPods and AirPods Pro gain powerful capabilities with iOS 14. Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking brings a theater-like experience to AirPods Pro. By applying directional audio filters, and subtly adjusting the frequencies each ear receives, sounds can be placed virtually anywhere in a space to provide an immersive listening experience. Automatic device switching seamlessly switches AirPods and AirPods Pro audio between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Headphone accommodations, a new accessibility feature, amplifies soft sounds and tunes audio to help music, movies, phone calls, and podcasts sound crisper and clearer.

Seamlessly switch AirPods or AirPods Pro audio between iPhone, iPad, and Mac with automatic device switching.

Additional iOS 14 Features

• Translate is designed to be the best and easiest app for translating conversations, offering quick and natural translation of voice and text among 11 different languages.⁶ On-device mode allows users to experience the features of the app offline for private voice and text translation.

• Siri expands its knowledge and answers complex questions with information sourced from across the internet. Keyboard dictation runs on device when dictating messages, notes, email, and more.⁷

• The Home app makes smart home control even easier with new automation suggestions and expanded controls in Control Center for quicker access to accessories and scenes. Adaptive Lighting for compatible HomeKit-enabled lights automatically adjusts the color temperature throughout the day, and Face Recognition in compatible video doorbells and cameras uses on-device intelligence from Apple TV or HomePod to identify visitors. The Home app and HomeKit are built to be private and secure, so all information about a user’s home accessories is end-to-end encrypted.

• Digital versions of car keys give users a secure way to use iPhone to unlock and start their car. Car keys can be easily shared using Messages, or disabled through iCloud if a device is lost, and are available today for compatible cars using NFC technology.⁸

• Safari offers a Privacy Report so users can easily see which cross-site trackers have been blocked, secure password monitoring to help users detect saved passwords that may have been involved in a data breach, and built-in translation for entire webpages.⁹

• Health has all-new experiences to manage sleep and better understand audio levels that may affect hearing health. A new Health Checklist that includes Emergency SOS, Medical ID, ECG, fall detection, and more offers users a centralized place to manage health and safety features.¹⁰ Health also adds support for new data types for mobility, Health Records, symptoms, and ECG.

• The Weather app keeps users up to date on severe weather events, and a new next-hour precipitation chart shows minute-by-minute precipitation when rain is in the forecast.¹¹

• Apple One is the easiest way to get many Apple subscription services at a great value, so customers can choose the one planthat is right for them or their whole family. Customers can sign up for Apple One starting this fall.

• Accessibility features include Back Tap, which offers a quick new way to trigger gestures, tasks, and accessibility shortcuts, sign language detection in Group FaceTime, and Sound Recognition, which uses on-device intelligence to notify users when the sound of a fire alarm or doorbell is detected. VoiceOver, the industry’s leading screen reader for the blind community, now automatically recognizes what is displayed visually onscreen so more apps and web experiences are accessible to more people.

 

 

Translate helps users quickly and easily translate voice or text between supported languages, and can work completely offline to keep conversations private.

 

 

The Home app has a new visual status that provides an at-a-glance view of a user’s smart home accessories.

 

 

Digital car keys give users a way to securely unlock and start their car using just their iPhone, and can be easily shared using Messages.

 

 

Pricing and Availability

 

iOS 14 is available as a free software update starting today for iPhone 6s and later. For more information, visit apple.com/ios/ios-14. Some features may not be available in all regions or all languages.

– https://is.gd/NKb5aq

❤ New Apple App Store rules probably won’t please xCloud and Stadia

 

 

In recent weeks and months, Apple has been catching some heat for its App Store rules, particularly as they apply to gaming apps. Not only has Apple come under fire from Epic for the fact that it takes a 30% cut from each in-app purchase, but the company has also drawn criticism from Facebook and Microsoft, as its App Store policies have made it impossible to get their game streaming apps – Facebook Gaming and Project xCloud, respectively – on iOS devices. Today, Apple updated its App Store guidelines, and while the new rules cover a number of different apps, there are a few specifically for game streaming.

Apple’s updated App Store guidelines can be read in full over on the company’s developer site, but as that spans pages and pages of text, it’s probably easier to look at a changelog for this update that Apple published elsewhere. Apple has implemented new rules regarding App Clips, widgets, extensions and notifications, requiring that those all be related to the content or functionality of the app they belong to. Apple also now requires that “all App Clip features and functionality must be included in the main app binary,” and says that App Clips can’t contain advertising.

Apple has also relaxed some rules about in-app purchase requirements for apps that offer person-to-person experiences, which have become much more important in the age of COVID-19. Apple’s new rules say that apps which offer one-on-one services can charge using payment methods other than in-app purchases. Those that offer “one-to-few” and “one-to-many realtime experiences,” however, have to continue using in-app purchases to charge users.

With these changes, Apple is now allowing web-based tools to offer free standalone companion apps without the need for in-app purchases. So, your web provider can give you access to a standalone email app or VOIP app without rolling some kind of in-app purchase into that app. Furthermore, Apple has put in place new rules regarding in-app pop-ups that make you watch ads, request that you review the app, or click on advertisements:

3.2.2(vi): Apps should not require users to rate the app, review the app, watch videos, download other apps, tap on advertisements, enable tracking, or take other similar actions in order to access functionality, content, use the app, or receive monetary or other compensation, including but not limited to gift cards and codes.

Apps offering personal loans are now subject to some rather big restrictions too, with Apple saying that they can’t charge a maximum APR higher than 36% and can’t require that people pay back their loan in full in 60 days or less. The company also says that these apps must “clearly and conspicuously disclose all loan terms, including but not limited to equivalent maximum Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and payment due date.”

 

 

 

 

Arguably the biggest changes Apple made today apply to game streaming. Facebook has made clear its frustrations with App Store restrictions regarding its Facebook Gaming app, while Microsoft hasn’t been able to bring Project xCloud to iOS because of those same restrictions. Even Google Stadia has bumped up against these guidelines, which means there’s a distinct lack of game streaming present on the iOS App Store.

While these new guidelines are meant to ease game streaming restrictions, we’re not sure how much they’re going to help. Apple’s new rules for game streaming are as follows:

3.1.2(a): Games offered in a streaming game service subscription must be downloaded directly from the App Store, must be designed to avoid duplicate payment by a subscriber, and should not disadvantage non-subscriber customers.

Elsewhere in its changelog, Apple says that “Each streaming game must be submitted to the App Store as an individual app so that it has an App Store product page, appears in charts and search, has user ratings and review, can be managed with ScreenTime and other parental control apps, appears on the user’s device, etc.” Game streaming apps can offer a catalog app separately that points to these App Store listings, but if Microsoft and Stadia were looking to offer one, all-inclusive app that features their entire streaming catalogs, it looks like they won’t be able to do that.

According to Microsoft, Project xCloud will offer 100+ games when it launches as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate next week, so in order for Microsoft to publish that app on iOS, it would not only need some kind of mainline Xbox Game Pass app for iOS, but also an individual App Store listing for each of the 100+ games on the service so Apple can review and approve each one. It seems those App Store listings don’t necessarily have to host the full game, but CNBC notes that they’ll need some kind of basic functionality.

 

 

 

 

It’s hard to imagine Microsoft, Google, or Facebook opting to bring their services to iOS even after these updated guidelines. While Stadia has a traditional storefront that wouldn’t see much in the way of rotation, it still seems like a huge endeavor to publish listings for each game it sells. When you consider that games rotate in and out of the Game Pass library each month, maintaining App Store listings for each game on the service becomes even more of a chore for Microsoft.

Still, services like Game Pass and Stadia now have a way to get on the App Store, but the question now is whether Google, Facebook, and Microsoft will think getting their streaming services on iOS will be worth the trouble of complying with Apple’s guidelines. Apple has indeed given these companies an in regarding the App Store, but it’s done so in a very complicated way, seemingly to ensure that it has granular control over what’s offered on iOS for better or worse. – https://is.gd/cIJTmB

5 Most Common Smartphone Repairs

We do all kinds of repairs.

In Sydney CBD Repair Centre, we fix all kinds of devices from smartphones (Android or iOS), tablets, smartwatches, to fitness wristbands. We curated to you the most common device repairs that we do in our shop in Sydney.

Repair #5: Back Cover Glass Replacement

The back of the smartphone is oftentimes the most overlooked part of any device. But have you noticed that lately, these components are coming in glass material? In the early days of the smartphone, these are made out of good ol’ plastic. Now, if you drop your smartphone without a case, you’ll break the back cover. Sometimes, you can patch it with a case even if it’s too late but the beauty derived from these exotic glass material cannot be denied.

You also have to replace it if you still want to use wireless charging that only comes with an all glass smartphone.

Repair #4: Battery Replacement

This repair are for those who owned their smartphones for a very long time. Oftentimes, people go into the shop with their well-used smartphone. It’s scratched up and had other repairs done to it. However, the battery is not cutting it anymore. Dying before sunset. That’s not good for a workhorse of a smartphone. You can’t rely on a battery that needs recharging every six hours. Oh, no no no. So customers come into the shop to revitalise their old device with a brand new lithium pack. This works all the time. Imagine an old companion having a renewed strength in life. Another productive year ahead just by installing a brand new power source. If that’s not practical, I don’t know what is.

Repair #3: Charging Port Replacement

Here’s a tricky repair to diagnose but pretty easy to fix, a broken charging port. Believe me, this part of your smartphone can be worn out. How? The pulling out of the charger in an awkward angle or the plugging in of a contaminated charging cord? Yes, it can ruin this part and as a result, you can’t recharge your smartphone. Sounds bad? Certainly. But some people mistakenly take this problem as a battery issue or a dead motherboard. No. You just need to get rid of that faulty charging port out of your device, install a new assembly, and you’re good to go. Do you have problems like this? Maybe you just needed a charging port replacement right now.

Repair #2: Camera Outer Glass Replacement

You probably get the jist of this now. All glass parts of a smartphone are vulnerable to breakage. Yes, even the smallest glass portion – the camera glass. If you have a smartphone with a bump for the camera glass, then it can break when you drop the phone at a certain angle. If you have a smartphone with a huge camera patch at the back, it can break. If you have four cameras, then you better have a thick camera case to protect it from impact. The good news is, this is the easiest part to replace. No need to disassemble the entire phone. Just remove the broken glass, pop in a new one and viola, you have a fixed camera outer glass.

Repair #1: Screen Replacement

 

– https://is.gd/A9MMCZ

❤ Discover the secrets of the Apple Watch Workout app

Have you found the right Workout app layout for you?

 

 

At first glance, the Apple Watch Workout app seems pretty simple. You just tap the start button and get all sweaty. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. A lot more.

You can customize its layout in hundreds of different ways, changing the text size, position, metrics and even adding a chart of your progress. Even if you use the app every day, chances are you still haven’t discovered all its secrets.

So check out our top 10 Workout app tips and get set for a more effective workout.

1. Chart your progress with a Workout Goal Ring

The quickest way to start a workout is just to tap on the Open Goal button. But if you do that, you’re missing out on one of the Workout app’s neatest features.

Try tapping on the ellipsis button (…) and selecting a goal. That way you’ll see a Progress Ring during your workout. These look similar to Activity Rings, but with different colors: light blue for distance; red for active calories, and yellow for duration. It’s a great way to see at a glance how you’re doing.

 

 

 

 

Add a Progress Ring to check your workout progress.

 

2. Streamline your display

If you want to declutter the display, you have two options:

• Switch to Single Metric view: You can do this using the Watch app on your iPhone. Go to Workout > Workout View and select Single Metric.
• Reduce the number of metrics on the Multiple Metric view: In the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Workout > Workout View >Multiple Metric > [Workout Type: e.g. Outdoor Run] > Edit and delete a couple of metrics.

3. View multiple metrics from the Single Metric view

For most users, the Multiple Metric view is probably the best choice. But if you have trouble reading small text, you might find the Single Metric view easier to see. Despite its name, the Single Metric view doesn’t limit you to just one metric. You can use the Digital Crown to scroll through all the available metrics during your workout. They’re even color-coded, so you can tell at a glance which is which.

 

 

Declutter your display with the Single Metric View.

 

 

4. Highlight the most important metric

When you display the maximum five metrics in the Multiple Metric display, it can look a little overwhelming with so much type crammed into such a small space. Fortunately, you can highlight one row at a time by scrolling with the Digital Crown. Each metric is highlighted in its special color.

5. Make the metrics bigger

The Multiple Metric display automatically scales the type to make the metrics as large as possible, using all the available screen space. So if you want to make the type larger, just select fewer metrics to display.

 

 

Choose fewer metrics to make the text larger.

 

 

6. Make the time bigger

Apple Watch always displays the time top-right in the status bar when you’re using an app. Trouble is, when you’re jiggling about during a workout, it can be a little hard to see.

Fortunately, you can make it bigger. (The Workout app is the only app that lets you do this). In the Single Metric view, or the Multiple Metric view when you choose three or fewer metrics, the time moves out of the status bar and displays in big, bold type.

7. Switch between miles and kilometers

If you’re seriously into athletics, you might find you need to keep switching between miles (for your road-running) and kilometers (for your track sessions).

You need to remember to do this when you start a workout. Tap the ellipsis button (…). Choose the type of workout, then force-tap the display. Two buttons will pop up, allowing you to make the switch.

8. Choose different metrics for different workouts

One of the neat features of the Multiple Metric view is that it allows you to pick different metrics for different workout types.

For example, when you’re running, Distance and Pace are important. But when you’re dancing, Heart Rate and Active Calories are more interesting. So be sure to check the Watch app on your iPhone to make sure you’ve selected the best metrics for all the workouts you do regularly.

9. Don’t use the Single Metric Display for swimming

The Single Metric Display allows you to scroll through one metric at a time using the Digital Crown. The trouble is, during a swimming workout, Water Lock is enabled automatically, so you can’t use the Digital Crown. This means you’re stuck on a single metric with no way to change which one it is.

So, if you swim regularly, I recommend you stick to the Multiple Metric view.

10. Use third-party fitness apps for even more options

The Workout app is by far the most customizable built-in app on Apple Watch, but it still has its limits. That’s where third-party fitness apps come in. For example, if you want to do heart rate zone training, Runkeeper provides a handy color-coded chart. Or if you want route directions, check out RunGo, which neatly integrates them into the workout display.

The ideal workout companion

The Workout app doesn’t just log your fitness activity. If you take the time to configure it correctly, it becomes an indispensable workout companion, providing you with exactly the information you need, when you need it.

So make sure you spend a little time setting up the optimal configuration. It’ll make your workout a whole lot more effective. – https://is.gd/xh3nBr

❤ iOS 14: How to set Google Chrome as your default browser on iPhone

 

 

iOS 14 allows for third-party web browsers and email clients to become the default, so if you really don’t like Safari and Apple Mail, you now have other options.

With the latest update to Google Chrome, now available on the App Store, you can change your default browser from Safari to Google Chrome, on iPhone and iPad. Here’s how to do it …

With iOS 14, Apple has added system support for third-party web browsers and email apps. In the future, they may open even more categories.

The default web browser will be used when tapping on a link in any application. Until iOS 14, you could have an alternative browser like Google Chrome but link actions would always open in Safari. Here’s how to change that on iPhone and iPad in iOS 14.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to set Google Chrome as your default browser on iPhone

 

 

 

 

• Download the latest version of Google Chrome from the App Store.
• Open the Settings app and open the settings page for Google Chrome.
• Tap ‘Default Browser App’.
• Tap ‘Chrome’.

With this set, any app that triggers a standard open URL activity will now direct the system to open Google Chrome, rather than Safari.

If you ever change your mind, you can go back into Settings and change the Default Browser App back to Safari. If you want to use a different third-party browser that isn’t Chrome, you will have to wait for the developer to update their application. The same goes for changing email apps: so far, we haven’t seen any compatible email app expose this feature.

Obviously, this all requires iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 to be installed. Right now, we are at iOS 14 developer beta 8. Apple is expected to release iOS 14 publicly for all users later in September, with a release date likely announced as part of next week’s Apple Event.

– https://is.gd/YyBE7n

❤ Apple officially announces Apple Watch and iPad virtual event for September 15

 

 

Apple has officially revealed this year’s September special event, inviting members of the press and the public to tune in remotely to watch on September 15 at 10 am PT. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil all-new hardware including a new iPad Air and new Apple Watch models.

Update: While initial reports suggested that the September event would focus on the iPhone 12 alongside new Apple Watch and iPad hardware, Bloomberg reports that the September event will only include iPad and Apple Watch details. The iPhone 12 will reportedly be saved for October.

 

Apple September Event details

 

Much like WWDC 2020, Apple’s September event will be completely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the WWDC keynote was any indication, the iPhone 12 will likely be highly-produced and shot at Apple Park and in Steve Jobs Theater.

While the public invite for the September event does not include a tagline, the version sent to the press simply says “Time Flies.”

Apple’s WWDC keynote featured Tim Cook making opening comments from Steve Jobs Theater, then handing the reins to other Apple executives for details on iOS 14, watchOS 7, and more. We expect a similar format for the September event, but it’s always possible that Apple has some sort of surprises in store.

Apple’s September event will be live-streamed across Apple’s website, in the Apple TV app, and likely on YouTube. We’ll have more details on this process, including details on how to tune in for yourself, when event day rolls around.

 

iPad Air 4

 

Apple is reportedly developing a new iPad Air model that features an edge-to-edge display. This would serve as a middle-ground option between the $329 iPad and the iPad Pro. The new iPad Air could reportedly feature Touch ID authentication built into the power button for the first time.

The new iPad Air could also feature USB-C connectivity instead of Lightning connectivity, again closing the gap between it and the iPad Pro.

Assuming these reports pan out, it would represent a major upgrade for the iPad Air line, which certainly looks a tad dated compared to the iPad Pro. Giving it the more modern slim bezel look would also help to distance it further from the lowest-end iPad.

 

Apple Watch Series 6

 

Also at Apple’s September event this year, we expect the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 6. Rumors on the Apple Watch Series 6 are a bit lighter than the iPhone 12, but there are a couple of things that have surfaced so far.

For instance, one of the tentpole features of this year’s Apple Watch update is expected to be blood oxygen level detection. Code found within iOS 14 by 9to5Mac has indicated that Apple Watch will add it this year, further expanding the Apple Watch’s health monitoring capabilities.

 

 

 

 

Apple is also developing improved electrocardiograms for the Apple Watch Series 6. Apple Watch Series 4 and 5 currently result in inconclusive ECG readings with heart rates between 100 and 120 beats per minute. A future update, either in software or hardware, will remove that limitation with an upgraded version of the ECG app.

As for the Apple Watch Series 6 design, reports indicate that there aren’t any major changes in store for the Apple Watch Series 6’s industrial design and that it will follow the same general form factor as the Series 4 and Series 5.

iPhone 12

 

 

 

 

Apple is expected to unveil four new iPhone 12 models this year at an event in October: a 5.4-inch iPhone 12, a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max, a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max. The differentiating factor between these iPhone 12 models will be the camera technology.

The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max are expected to feature dual-lens camera set-ups on the back, while the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will feature triple-lens camera arrays on the back with an all-new LiDAR Scanner as well.

Other features of the iPhone 12 lineup include OLED displays across the board as well as 5G connectivity. The iPhone 12 lineup will reportedly support mmWave 5G as well as sub-6GHz 5G. In terms of design, the devices are expected to feature flat edges similar to the iPhone 4, iPhone 5, and the latest iPad Pro.

 

Wrap-up

 

In addition to the aforementioned hardware, there are other possibilities as well. For example, Apple is working on Apple Silicon updates for the Mac lineup. Apple is also reportedly planning Apple Studio over-ear headphones, AirTag item trackers, and more. Some of these announcements are possible at the September event, but others could be saved for a future October event.

Finally, Apple’s September event will also likely include details on the firm release dates for iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS 11 Big Sur, watchOS 7, and tvOS 14.

 

 

 

 

Apple may toss a wrench into expectations for their next big event. Where before this week it was expected that Apple would soon reveal the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, rumors today suggest that we’ll see an iPad and an Apple Watch instead. Could this be a major upset for iPhone fans looking to upgrade to a new model this Fall, or is this just a sign that Apple’s switching up their game just a little bit?

 

 

 

See you in 7 days! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/zDXneII5di

— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) September 8, 2020

 

 

It’s likely we’ll see some focus on the future of augmented reality at this event. It’ll be interesting how this will work, given that past augmented reality features on Apple devices were largely relegated to devices with 3D sensors on their fronts and/or backs.

It could be that Apple’s simply preparing audiences for the eventual October event in which they’ll reveal the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, complete with the hardware needed to take their aspirations with augmented reality to the next level. – https://is.gd/BrGsZg

❤ Apple delays iOS 14 ad tracking policy that left Facebook furious

 

 

Apple is delaying its new rules around in-app tracking in iOS 14, postponing the controversial disclosure requirement that set it at odds with Facebook. Announced at WWDC 2020, the new feature was intended to make explicit that software could use data to deliver personalized adverts, and indeed track users across multiple apps and websites.

Users would be presented with the option to allow such tracking, or ask the app not to track them. At the time, Apple was praised by privacy advocates for taking the step, which could prevent iPhone and iPad users from unwittingly having their digital lives tracked and comprehensive profiles built on them for more specific advertising purposes.

However it was less popular with ad providers and networks. In August, Facebook called out the iOS 14 feature as having the potential to undermine its partner ad business. The change could leave its so-called Audience Network system “so ineffective on iOS 14 that it may not make sense to offer it on iOS 14,” Facebook said at the time.

Clearly someone at Apple has been listening to the feedback. Now, while iOS 14 will still support the new notification and the prompt to permit in-app tracking, developers won’t be penalized if their apps don’t show it. Instead it won’t be until sometime early in 2021 before Apple makes supporting the notification a requirement.

 

 

 

 

 

“We believe technology should protect users’ fundamental right to privacy, and that means giving users tools to understand which apps and websites may be sharing their data with other companies for advertising or advertising measurement purposes, as well as the tools to revoke permission for this tracking. When enabled, a system prompt will give users the ability to allow or reject that tracking on an app-by-app basis. We want to give developers the time they need to make the necessary changes, and as a result, the requirement to use this tracking permission will go into effect early next year” Apple

The technology relies on IDFA, or Identification for Advertisers, which sees each iOS device being given a unique code. That can be shared with advertisers, and used to personalize campaigns shown to a user across different software and websites. Audience Network, for example, is used in numerous apps and sites, and many people may not realize that they’re all keeping track of visits and sharing that data in aggregate in the background.

Making it more visible, Facebook and others have warned, could pull the rug out from under effective campaigns. Without a comprehensive user profile, targeted promotions will be trickier to finesse. “Like all ad networks on iOS 14, advertiser ability to accurately target and measure their campaigns on Audience Network will be impacted,” Facebook explained last week, “and as a result publishers should expect their ability to effectively monetize on Audience Network to decrease.”

Apple’s decision comes as it faces criticism from multiple quarters about its policies. In August, Epic Games led a revolt around in-app purchases and the so-called “Apple tax” applied to developer revenues made through the App Store. Apple responded by pulling Fortnite from its store, with Epic going on to sue the Cupertino firm – and Google – over the situation.

Apple says it will have more information on when, exactly, app publishers will need to start asking permission around tracking, later this year. “More information, including an update to the App Store Review Guidelines, will follow this fall,” the company told developers. – https://is.gd/TEw7ys

❤ iOS 14 beta features and changes

 

 

In our first hands-on iOS 14 video, we’ll step through over 250 changes and features, including all of the aforementioned QOL improvements such as Picture in Picture, Widgets, App Library, Compact call interface, and more.

Picture in Picture

new feature in iOS 14 is Picture in Picture video.

Picture in Picture is a huge convenience feature. It allows me to consume videos while chatting in iMessage or while browsing in Safari. I especially like that it allows me to watch YouTube how-to videos while jotting down notes in the Notes app.

 

 

 

Hands-on with 250 + iOS 14 beta features ( 1HR VIDEO )

 

 

Compact Call interface

In bringing a compact incoming call interface to iOS 14, Apple has addressed perhaps one of the most requested quality of life features for the iPhone.

 

 

 

 

In previous versions of iOS, receiving an incoming call would present a full-screen call interface and interrupt your current task. It was a jarring experience that never fully got used to and it made to dislike receiving incoming phone calls.

In iOS 14, incoming phone calls are relegated to a small banner at the top of the interface. This allows you to keep reading, or browsing without worrying about being ambushed by an incoming call.

Compact Siri

Like the compact call interface, compact Siri allows users to interface with the virtual assistant without interrupting whatever current task you’re engaged in. Siri is now displayed as an overlay at the bottom of the screen, with Siri results appearing as a significantly less conspicuous banner at the top of the screen.

 

 

 

 

App Library

Apple’s App Library is another big win for iPhone users who have long lamented over the state of app management on iOS. Instead of being forced into adopting page after page of apps and folders, users can now add and remove app pages at will.

 

 

 

 

Regardless of what’s displayed on the traditional Home screen pages, the App Library is where all of the apps installed on your iPhone reside. There’s even a handy alphabetical list of all of the apps currently installed on your iOS device.

Improved Search

Search in iOS 14 is a big improvement over its predecessors, bringing smarter search results and launcher-like functionality to native iOS. New features include as-you-type suggestions and the ability to press the “go” button to take action and launch websites, web searches, and apps.

For references, here’s a list of everything included in our iOS 14 beta features video walkthrough:

Initial setup

• Downloading app data

Home screen

• Slide through app pages
• Enter edit mode from anywhere
• New minus indicator for deleting apps
• Edit Home screen pages
• Six new iOS 14 wallpapers

App Library

• Remove any app from Home screen
• Automatic categorization
• Suggestions
• Widgets on Home screen
• Edit a widget
• Siri Suggestions widget
• Differently sized widgets
• Widget stacks
• Edit a widget stack
• Stack multiple weather widgets
• Smart stack

Search

• As-you-type search suggestions
• Quick launcher
• In-app search
• Web search
• Updated Siri Suggestions UI
• Redesigned Siri Knowledge layout

Picture in Picture

• Enable Picture in Picture
• Customize and control Picture in Picture
• Settings > General > Picture in Picture

Siri

• Compact Siri UI
• Send audio messages
• Share ETA
• Updated Siri Settings > Suggestions on Lock screen
• Updated Siri Settings > Siri Feedback
• Updated Siri Settings > Suggestions when Sharing
• Updated Siri Settings > In Search settings
• Updated Siri Settings > App Clips

Privacy

• Manage app tracking
• Approximate Location
• Limited Photos library access
• Recording/microphone indicator
• Recently used indicator in Control Center
• Notification when apps access clipboard
• Privacy > Local Network
• Use Private Address

Markup

• New colors button
• New eyedropper tool
• Colors: Grid, Spectrum, Sliders
• Opacity
• Hexadecimal colors
• Save colors as favorites
• Shape recognition

Settings

• Long press back button to go back levels
• Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock
• Settings > General > Customize Automatic Updates
• Settings > TV > Cellular Streaming > Automatic Optimized based on data plan… Settings > iCloud > Media & Purchases
• Rename Bluetooth devices
• Search bar added to iPhone Storage
• New Glyph when Bluetooth devices connected
• AirPods now have their info in iOS Bluetooth Settings
• All-new Field Test app

Family sharing

• Family sharing shows avatars of all members
• New Family Sharing Layout shows when joined, role, and access
• “Shared with your Family” instead of shared features
• Invite member now uses Share Sheet
• Apple TV Channels are broken up individually
• Ask To Buy
• New Screen Time UI

Keyboard

• Emoji search

Control Center

• Updated Camera app glyphs
• Home app CC toggle removed
• Dynamic Home toggles added
• Sound Recognition toggle
• Hearing toggle shows decibel rating
• Updated Control Center Settings

Accessibility

• Headphone Accommodations
• Accessibility Settings
• VoiceOver
• Magnifier
• Spoken Content
• Touch
• Switch Control
• Side Button
• Audio/Visual
• Siri
• Accessibility Shortcut

Phone

• Compact interface
• Third-party VoIP calls compact interface
• New audio picker
• Updated tables and buttons in contacts
• New contact photo options camera, photos, emoji, text
• Updated Groups in contacts
• Updated Settings > Phone > Incoming Calls
• Updated Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown/Blocked/SMS call reporting

Messages

• Pinned conversations
• Now typing indicator in conversation list
• Mentions
• Inline replies
• New contact photo avatar layout for group messages
• Set group photo and name
• Edit button replaces action button
• Hide Alerts and Delete alerts changed to glyphs
• Updated Detail view (Name, buttons, photos and links history)
• Updated Audio Call UI
• Move between 3D effects by sliding finger
• Shooting star effect removed
• New Memoji and Memoji Sticker icons
• New hairstyles
• New headwear styles
• Face coverings
• More age options
• New Memoji stickers

Maps

• Updated route UI buttons
• Cycling
• Guides
• Updated Maps Settings > Cycling
• Updated Maps Settings > Navigation & Guidance
• Other upcoming Maps features

Translate

• Voice translation
• Conversation mode
• Attention mode
• Text translation
• Favorites
• On-device translation settings
• Dictionary
• Keyboard automatically added when typing a foreign language

Home

• Redesigned UI
• Suggested automations
• Home controls
• Adaptive Lighting for smart light bulbs
• Face Recognition for video cameras and doorbells
• Activity Zones for video cameras and doorbells
• Recording options

Safari

• Web page translation
• Website Privacy Report
• Performance
• Password monitoring

App Store

• App details
• App Store search typo suggestion
• Shared in-app purchases for third-party apps
• Updated App Store settings

App Clips

• App Clips

Apple Arcade

• Continue playing
• Filter all games
• Friends suggestions
• Achievements
• Game Center in-game dashboard

Camera

• Updated quick action shortcut glyphs
• Improved shot-to-shot performance
• QuickTake video on iPhone XR and iPhone XS
• Quick toggles in Video mode available to all devices
• New chevron button for settings
• Updated Night mode capture experience
• Exposure compensation control
• Capture burst photos and QuickTake video with volume buttons
• Mirror photos taken on front camera
• QR code reading enhancements
• Updated Camera settings

FaceTime

• Compact mode
• Improved video quality
• Updated FaceTime settings
• Sign language prominence
• Eye contact
• Animoji renamed Memoji

Files

• APFS encrypted drive support
• Updated sidebar
• More consistent glyphs
• New action button for easy folder and file management
• Now sort and change list view when searching
• New Shared Documents folder

Health

• Customized sleep schedule
• Wind Down for sleep
• Sleep mode
• New Health data types
• Updated profile page
• Health Checklist
• Hearing health

Clock

• New system-wide time picker
• Bedtime removed
• Change Sleep Mode alarm on one-time basis

Mail

• VIP Star color now gold and no more separator
• Mark shortcut now features flag
• New accounts setting location

Measure

• Updated quick action Level and Measure glyph

Magnifier

• Updated Magnifier app

Music

• Listen Now
• Updated now playing background
• Updated album page
• Autoplay
• Improved search
• Library filtering
• Scrubber when in lyrics view

News

• Dark Articles in Dark Mode

Notes

• No more textured paper background
• New table view for list of notes
• Enhanced actions menu
• Collapsible Pinned section
• Top Hits in search
• New headings for formatting
• Quick styles
• Enhanced scanning

Photos

• New actions button
• Filter and sort
• Easy, fluid navigation
• Zoom in further on photos
• Add context to photos and videos with captions
• Memories enhancements
• Redesigned image picker in apps
• Recently deleted photos now displayed in reverse
• Less intrusive “Rendering Video” message

Podcasts

• Smarter Listen Now

Reminders

• Assign reminders
• New reminders from the lists screen
• Enhanced calendar picker
• Revamped Details view with colors and glyphs
• Edit multiple reminders at once
• Personalized lists with emoji and new symbols
• New Assigned to Me list
• Organize smart lists
• Improved search
• Settings > Reminders > Assignment Notifications

Shortcuts

• Show on Apple Watch
• New Shortcuts Widget
• Brighter colors
• New Automation Triggers
• Time of day recurrence
• New actions

Books

• Updated Books settings

Game Center

• User details at top
• Friend Suggestions
• Achievements By Game
• Profile Privacy

Voice Memos

• Light recording button area in light mode
• Enhance recording
• Favorites
• Smart Folders
• Folders

FindMy

• Will integrate with third parties

Weather

• Next-hour precipitation
• Air Quality meter
• Multi-day precipitation forecast
• Slide between locations
• View locations without adding

Fitness

• Renamed from Activity to Fitness
• Consolidated Summary tab

– https://is.gd/U0EwVu

❤ Apple releases iOS 13.7 beta with support for COVID-19 Exposure Notifications without downloading an app [U]

 

 

Update: As of right now, iOS 13.7 is only available to developers. We will update this post if that changes today. Initially, iOS 13.7 appeared to be rolling out to all users, but we’ve since confirmed that it is a beta release for now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple is releasing iOS 13.7 to developers today with a key focus on expanding the COVID-19 Exposure Notification API. According to Apple, this update will allow users opt-in to COVID-19 Exposure Notifications without the need to download an app from your local public health authority.

Here’s what Apple says about iOS 13.7 for iPhone users:

iOS 13.7 lets you opt-in to the COVID-19 Exposure Notifications system without the need to download an app. System availability depends on support from your local public health authority. For more information see covid19.apple.com/contacttracing. This release also includes other bug fixes for your iPhone.

When Apple and Google announced their partnership on the COVID-19 Exposure Notification API, the companies detailed two phases of the technology. The first phase, which is what we ultimately saw released with iOS 13.5, required that users first download an app from their public health authority to opt-in to Exposure Notifications.

At the time, Google and Apple also teased “phase two” of the technology. This is what is being released as part of iOS 13.7, and it allows users to opt-in to COVID-19 Exposure Notifications without installing an app. In order to verify a positive case, however, you still will need an app from a public health authority to confirm a positive COVID-19 case.

Ideally, this change could expand the availability of the COVID-19 Exposure Notification API. Currently, just a few states in the US are taking advantage of the platform, as are several other countries around the world. Unfortunately, Apple says that the availability of COVID-19 Exposure Notifications will still depend on support from local public health authorities, even as the ability to opt-in is now built directly into iOS 13.7.

Apple has also released iPadOS 13.7 today, which includes bug fixes and performance improvements for iPad users.

 

 

– https://is.gd/W77KeP

❤ Apple announces Apple Music radio

Apple Music premieres new Apple Music radio.

 

 

Apple Music 1 and two new stations, Apple Music Hits and Apple Music Country, feature exclusive original shows from the world’s top music hosts and artists

Cupertino, California — Apple today announced two new live global radio offerings on Apple Music, now available to music fans in 165 countries. Beginning today, Beats 1, the flagship global radio station, will be renamed Apple Music 1, and two additional radio stations will launch: Apple Music Hits, celebrating everyone’s favorite songs from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, and Apple Music Country, spotlighting country music.

Since Apple Music’s launch in 2015, Beats 1 has grown into one of the most-listened-to radio stations in the world, consistently delivering the best in-depth artist interviews, more global exclusives and premieres than anywhere else, and unique programming that produces culture-moving, news-making moments year after year. Throughout its evolution, Beats 1 has established an inherent camaraderie with the artist community and championed human curation and discovery — an approach that will continue across the three stations.

“For the past five years, if ever there was a meaningful moment in music culture, Beats 1 was there bringing human curation to the forefront and drawing in listeners with exclusive shows from some of the most innovative, respected, and beloved people in music,” said Oliver Schusser, vice president of Apple Music, Beats, and International Content. “Now, Apple Music radio provides an unparalleled global platform for artists across all genres to talk about, create, and share music with their fans, and this is just the beginning. We will continue to invest in live radio and create opportunities for listeners around the world to connect with the music they love.”

Beats 1 Now Renamed Apple Music 1

 

 

Apple Music’s flagship Beats 1 global radio station has now been renamed Apple Music 1.

 

 

With state-of-the-art studios in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, and London, Apple Music 1 is the center for pop culture conversation and artist-led programming, and the global destination for artists from around the world to release new music, break news, and speak directly to their fans. Apple Music 1 is led by cornerstone presenters Zane Lowe, Ebro Darden, Brooke Reese, Dotty, Hanuman Welch, Matt Wilkinson, Nadeska, Rebecca Judd, and Travis Mills, and offers a lineup of shows from the biggest names in music, including Action Bronson, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Joe Kay, Lil Wayne, Frank Ocean, Vince Staples, and The Weeknd, as well as new shows from Aitch, Kerwin Frost, HAIM, Lady Gaga, Nile Rodgers, Travis Scott, Charlie Sloth, Young M.A, and many more.

Apple Music 1 also features several shows dedicated to celebrating the vibrancy of Latin music around the world, including a new show from J Balvin and listener favorites “¡Dale Play! with Sandra Peña” and “La Fórmula Radio with El Guru.” The station is also home to “Africa Now Radio with Cuppy,” showcasing the very best local African music and artists.

“Apple Music is home — it’s home to artists, it’s home to fans, and it’s home to incredible music,” said Zane Lowe, Apple Music’s global creative director and host. “I’m an obsessive music nerd. I love searching for the most exciting new artists and playing them right alongside the most essential, established artists of our time, because great music does not know the difference and Apple Music fans just want to hear great music. That’s what Apple Music radio is all about.”

Introducing Apple Music Hits 

 

 

Apple Music Hits offers a full catalog of the biggest songs fans know and love from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s.

 

 

Apple Music Hits offers a full catalog of the biggest songs fans know and love from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. The station features remarkable new shows from notable artists and hosts, connecting listeners with the stories behind the most popular songs in the world.

Apple Music Hits will be helmed by daily on-air hosts Jayde Donovan, Estelle, Lowkey, Jenn Marino, Sabi, Nicole Sky and Natalie Sky, George Stroumboulopoulos (“House of Strombo”), along with special shows from Ari Melber and others. Fans can also tune in to hear new exclusive shows from artists like Backstreet Boys, Ciara, Mark Hoppus, Huey Lewis, Alanis Morissette, Snoop Dogg, Meghan Trainor, Shania Twain, and more.

Introducing Apple Music Country

 

 

Apple Music Country showcases an increasingly diverse genre with a talent roster full of country’s most exciting voices.

 

Radio is part of the fabric of country music culture, and Apple Music Country amplifies that experience for the modern fan. As country music evolves and expands around the world, Apple Music Country aims to be the definitive place for every lane of an increasingly diverse genre. The station offers a mix of the best music of today while introducing fans to the stars of tomorrow and reminding them of the legendary artists and tracks that have shaped and defined country music along the way.

Apple Music Country’s talent roster boasts a wide range of country’s most exciting voices, including daily on-air hosts Kelleigh Bannen, Ty Bentli, Bree, Alecia Davis, Ward Guenther, Nada, and Tiera, plus weekly shows from Ashley Eicher and Kelly McCartney. Fans can also enjoy new exclusive shows from artists like Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, BRELAND, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Morgan Evans, Florida Georgia Line, Pat Green, Willie Jones, Chrissy Metz, Midland, Rissi Palmer, The Shires, Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen, alongside exclusive shows from legendary producers and songwriters like Dave Cobb, Jesse Frasure, and Luke Laird, and journalist Hunter Kelly.

Fans can enjoy Apple Music radio wherever they listen to Apple Music, including iPhone, iPad, iPod, CarPlay, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac, HomePod, and on the web at music.apple.com. They can also ask Siri to play “Apple Music 1,” “Apple Music Hits,” or “Apple Music Country.”

About Apple Music

Apple loves music. With iPod and iTunes, Apple revolutionized the music experience by putting a thousand songs in your pocket. Today, Apple Music takes this to the ultimate with over 60 million songs, thousands of playlists, and daily selections from the world’s best music experts, including all of the artists and hosts broadcasting daily across its Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, and Apple Music Country global live streams. Since 2015, Apple Music has welcomed tens of millions of subscribers in 167 countries. Streaming seamlessly to iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac, HomePod, and CarPlay, Apple Music is the most complete music experience on the planet.

– https://is.gd/qrtoIb