Tim Cook meets with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at Apple Park
Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at the company’s brand new campus, Apple Park, as mentioned in the tweet Mnuchin posted.
Author
Peter writes for 9to5Mac. He has a passion for music and technology and has accepted the Bluetooth audio revolution, but will never give up the beauty of vinyl.
Tips to peter@9to5mac.com
Apple shares fun ‘Unlock’ iPhone X ad showcasing the convenience of Face ID
Apple’s Face ID unlocking feature on the iPhone X is a joy to use. It almost feels like there’s no passcode to your phone as it’s such a seamless experience. A new ad released by the company takes this to a literal extreme.
Amazon Alexa gains ‘Brief Mode’ with less verbose remarks after doing simple tasks
Recently, Amazon added a ‘Follow-Up Mode’ to its Echo line of devices, which allows users to repeatedly say commands to the assistant without saying “Alexa” again. The company even added a ‘feature’ where the Echo would laugh at you sporadically. Today, the tech-giant is adding a ‘Brief Mode’ which disables the chatter aspect of the Echo, and replaces it with a simple chime once a task is completed.
Kode with Klossy coding program launching this summer, includes Swift programing language
Kode with Klossy is a coding program inspired by model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss that encourages girls to learn code and become leaders in tech. The program originally launched in 2015, but today it has been announced that the program will continue this summer.
Kode with Klossy is completely free, and is available for girls ages 13-18, with a limited 1,000 slots available. The program will be expanding from 15 camps in 12 cities in 2017 to 50 camps in 25 cities across the United States.
This is the ‘GrayKey’ box used by law enforcement to unlock iPhones [Gallery]
It’s been a few years since the San Bernardino debacle between law enforcement and Apple over the company refusing to create a back door to unlock an iPhone. After going back and forth on the case, the FBI eventually dropped the case entirely after it found a third-party company able to gain access to the device.
However, in 2017, a company by the name of ‘Grayshift’ created a device called ‘GrayKey’ that successfully unlocked iPhones without knowing the passcode.
Users in Iran are no longer able to access the App Store
According to Bleeping Computer, the App Store is no longer available in Iran. The ban took place sometime around noon GMT today.
Apple Watch Series 3 adoption growing rapidly as usage of first-gen declines
The Apple Watch Series 3 is really fast and when you pair that with LTE, and the Series 3 is by far the quickest and most reliable Apple Watch to date. Developer David Smith has been keeping track, by way of his Pedometer++ app, of Apple Watch Series 3 adoption since its debut last fall. Unsurprisingly, the device is doing really well.
How to wirelessly Qi charge your AirPods case for about $10 in 3 easy steps
While we all wait for Apple to release its wireless charging-capable AirPods case, which is rumored to cost around $70, there are several solutions out there offering pricey cases for your AirPods that could easily be replicated for under $20. However, what most “cases” (which go for $30 or more) are doing is simply gluing a wireless Qi adapter to the cheap silicone case. You can do better, for less…
Reddit introducing native promoted ads in its iOS app starting March 19
Reddit not too long ago purchased the popular Alien Blue third-party mobile client to make it its own. Now the company is looking into native promoted post ads as mobile becomes the most popular way to browse Reddit.
Apple continues beta rollout of ‘Apple Music for Artists’ analytics dashboard
After opening the platform to a few thousand artists earlier this year, Apple is further expanding beta testing of its ‘Apple Music for Artists’ dashboard, the company announced via a tweet.
Another report suggests that AirPower wireless charging mat slated to launch sometime in March
AirPower is Apple’s solution to wirelessly charging multiple devices at the same time, on a single mat. The company originally announced the mat back in September, alongside the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, and iPhone X.
While not official, the company is also slated to launch a new wirelessly charging AirPods case alongside AirPower. The charging mat will support iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone X, Apple Watch Series 3, and the new AirPods case.
Apple to talk AR/VR, display technologies at Display Week in May
Several Apple engineers are scheduled to talk augmented and virtual reality, and other display technologies at Display Week coming up in May. More interestingly, there are several sessions focused on microLED.
Amazon’s Alexa gaining new ‘Follow-up Mode’, no longer requires trigger word after every request
The most annoying thing about digital assistants is that you have to say a trigger word after every request, with few exceptions. Whether it be “Hey Siri”, “Ok Google”, or “Alexa”, it can become increasingly tiresome, especially if you’re trying to have a fluid conversation.
Warner Music Group latest to team up with Facebook to add music to memories and moments
Warner Music Group is the latest to team up with Facebook to add music to its memories and moments feature. The deal will allow users to add licensed music to their videos.
Patent suggests next generation Lightning connector with waterproof seal
While nobody should base their purchasing decisions on patents, it’s always interesting to see what companies are working on behind the scenes. Today, it looks like Apple is working on a next generation Lightning connector.
Hulu Live TV adds support for sports notifications, rolling out 60fps support for more channels
Today, Hulu Live TV will be gaining support for mobile push notifications when a sports game starts, TechCrunch reports. Previously, users would be able to add their favorite sports teams to “My Stuff” which would put games with their favorite teams front and center. However, this pushes it a step further and notifies users on their iOS or Android device when a game starts.
Apple leads Swift Playgrounds course in Austin, helping blind and low-vision students
Apple engineers visited the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired earlier this week where the company leads its Everyone Can Code curriculum. According to Austin Satesman of Open Source, this was the first class Apple has led for blind and low-vision students.
California latest to join Right to Repair bill, forcing manufacturers to publish repair details
The Right to Repair bill is a tough pill to swallow. On one hand, it will allow customers easer access to parts and repair tools if a repair is warranted. However, on the other, it could force manufacturers to not alter designs and features in the name of easier repairability. However, the bill continues to gain steam…
Golf Plus Apple Watch app aims to replace expensive golf swing analyzer gear
A lot of people argue that apps on the Apple Watch are completely and utterly useless —insisting that complications are the true potential behind Apple Watch. However, the app Golf Plus wants to buck that trend by potentially replacing your high-end golf analyzing gear with Apple Watch.
Apple Music for Android update adds new Music Video features & stability improvements
Apple Music for Android is getting a small but significant update today, adding a handful of new features for Music Video playback. Today’s update brings the app to version 2.4.0.
PSA: Don’t let your kids play with your locked iPhone — or risk being locked out for 47 years
One security feature a user could potentially find annoying is being locked out of an iPhone after a friend or family member entered multiple failed passcode attempts. In a case in China, a mother is furious after her toddler managed to lock her iPhone for 47 years.
iBooks to Apple Books? Latest iOS 11.3 beta reverts to former for now
It seems like Apple can’t make up its mind lately. First adding support for AirPlay 2 in 11.3, and then promptly removing it in a later beta, the company is now doing the same thing but with the iBooks app.
Apple holding another ‘Lose Your Wallet’ shopping event promoting Apple Pay w/ exclusive discounts
It looks like Apple is running another “Lose Your Wallet” shopping event, encouraging users to use the company’s Apple Pay mobile payment service by offering discounts at select stores. The event previously ran in June of 2017, in San Fransisco. This time, it’s being held in Los Angeles.
After three reports of employees walking into glass walls, Apple Park now has stickers to help prevent further injuries
After Cupertino building official Albert Salvador visited Apple Park last year, he was concerned about employees running into the glass walls that were placed all around the campus as the cafeteria’s doors were indistinguishable from the glass walls, as we reported last month.
After bringing up the issue, a contractor walked right into one of the glass walls, the San Fransisco Chronicle reports.