Tag Archives: Software

Apple tvOS 17.2 has a redesigned TV experience and no iTunes Movies or TV Shows apps

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Alongside iOS, iPadOS and watchOS updates, Apple has rolled out the latest version of tvOS. The main change this time around is a redesign of the core Apple TV app.

You'll now see a sidebar that blends content from Apple's own services (such as Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass and a Store where users can buy and rent popular movies) with access to third-party channels and apps such as Disney+ and Max. It seems that Apple is aiming to improve navigation and discoverability without straying too far from the industry standard tile browsing format on the homepage.

On living room devices (i.e. Apple TV hardware and the eponymous app on smart TVs and other devices), the sidebar will include profiles. Apple says this will allow you to swiftly switch between users for more personalized recommendations across the app and in the Up Next section. Meanwhile, Watch Now has been rebranded as Home.

The Apple TV app, featureing several user profiles in the sidebar.
Apple

The Apple TV app's Store tab is where you'll want to go to buy or rent movies and TV shows. Starting today, the iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps on Apple TV 4K and HD devices will redirect users to the Apple TV app's Store tab to find and manage their purchases. The same goes for the iTunes Store app on iPhone and iPad.

Meanwhile, you'll now be able to answer FaceTime calls directly on Apple TV 4K devices. Apple has added support for FaceTime audio calls as well.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-tvos-172-has-a-redesigned-tv-experience-and-no-itunes-movies-or-tv-shows-apps-211732163.html?src=rss

Apple tvOS 17.2 has a redesigned TV experience and no iTunes Movies or TV Shows apps

Posted on by

Alongside iOS, iPadOS and watchOS updates, Apple has rolled out the latest version of tvOS. The main change this time around is a redesign of the core Apple TV app.

You'll now see a sidebar that blends content from Apple's own services (such as Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass and a Store where users can buy and rent popular movies) with access to third-party channels and apps such as Disney+ and Max. It seems that Apple is aiming to improve navigation and discoverability without straying too far from the industry standard tile browsing format on the homepage.

On living room devices (i.e. Apple TV hardware and the eponymous app on smart TVs and other devices), the sidebar will include profiles. Apple says this will allow you to swiftly switch between users for more personalized recommendations across the app and in the Up Next section. Meanwhile, Watch Now has been rebranded as Home.

The Apple TV app, featureing several user profiles in the sidebar.
Apple

The Apple TV app's Store tab is where you'll want to go to buy or rent movies and TV shows. Starting today, the iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps on Apple TV 4K and HD devices will redirect users to the Apple TV app's Store tab to find and manage their purchases. The same goes for the iTunes Store app on iPhone and iPad.

Meanwhile, you'll now be able to answer FaceTime calls directly on Apple TV 4K devices. Apple has added support for FaceTime audio calls as well.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-tvos-172-has-a-redesigned-tv-experience-and-no-itunes-movies-or-tv-shows-apps-211732163.html?src=rss

The ultra-customizable Arc browser is now available on Windows in beta

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Arc, a formerly Mac-only internet browser from The Browser Company, is coming to Windows. In a post on X, the company today announced that its first Windows beta invites are already hitting inboxes. This comes after months of requests from Windows users who want to give Arc a shot. Back in September, the company said it already had over 500,000 signups on the Windows waitlist, and that number is expected to grow as the waitlist remains open for new users looking to check out the Arc experience.

According to TechCrunch, The Browser Company plans to continue its onboarding process throughout the month before “rapidly” increasing invitation roll-outs in the new year. While the company didn’t say whether the Windows version will have all the same standout features of the Mac, we do know features like Peek (which lets you preview a link before opening it in its own tab) and Little Arc (a lightweight browser window meant for quickly viewing something) are currently being ported. Since the Windows version is still in beta, users may notice several missing features but those will likely come with updates along the way.

The Browser Company describes Arc as a much better way of using the internet. The goal is to provide a cleaner, calmer experience that helps users to better organize their time online. Arc definitely has a few features that sets it apart from other browsers like Safari, Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

Among its unique features is one launched this spring that lets you customize (or vandalize) any website. There’s also a sidebar that holds your bookmarks and tabs. We’re all guilty of having a million tabs open at once and Arc helps to prevent clutter by archiving. That means you’ll always have a fresh and tidy space to work from. You also have the option to create spaces to store research for individual projects. And patient Windows users will finally get to try it, once they get picked from the waitlist anyway.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-ultra-customizable-arc-browser-is-now-available-on-windows-in-beta-200039901.html?src=rss

The ultra-customizable Arc browser is now available on Windows in beta

Posted on by

Arc, a formerly Mac-only internet browser from The Browser Company, is coming to Windows. In a post on X, the company today announced that its first Windows beta invites are already hitting inboxes. This comes after months of requests from Windows users who want to give Arc a shot. Back in September, the company said it already had over 500,000 signups on the Windows waitlist, and that number is expected to grow as the waitlist remains open for new users looking to check out the Arc experience.

According to TechCrunch, The Browser Company plans to continue its onboarding process throughout the month before “rapidly” increasing invitation roll-outs in the new year. While the company didn’t say whether the Windows version will have all the same standout features of the Mac, we do know features like Peek (which lets you preview a link before opening it in its own tab) and Little Arc (a lightweight browser window meant for quickly viewing something) are currently being ported. Since the Windows version is still in beta, users may notice several missing features but those will likely come with updates along the way.

The Browser Company describes Arc as a much better way of using the internet. The goal is to provide a cleaner, calmer experience that helps users to better organize their time online. Arc definitely has a few features that sets it apart from other browsers like Safari, Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

Among its unique features is one launched this spring that lets you customize (or vandalize) any website. There’s also a sidebar that holds your bookmarks and tabs. We’re all guilty of having a million tabs open at once and Arc helps to prevent clutter by archiving. That means you’ll always have a fresh and tidy space to work from. You also have the option to create spaces to store research for individual projects. And patient Windows users will finally get to try it, once they get picked from the waitlist anyway.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-ultra-customizable-arc-browser-is-now-available-on-windows-in-beta-200039901.html?src=rss

iOS 17.2 and Apple’s new Journal app are now available

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After several weeks of testing the latest version of its iPhone operating system in public, Apple is now rolling out iOS 17.2 to all compatible devices. In addition, iPadOS 17.2 and macOS 14.2 Sonoma, which boast many of the same features, are here as well. Finally, watchOS 10.2 is also available for download. The biggest change this time around is the introduction of a new core app called Journal.

Apple's hope with the app is to help "iPhone users reflect and practice gratitude through journaling." It differs from third-party offerings like Day One, as Apple is able to offer suggestions for journal entries based on activity in other apps. Your iPhone might suggest logging a trip populated by photos from your camera roll, accompanied by a writing prompt such as "what will you remember most about your day out?" Your device might also suggest creating a journal entry after a workout or even to note a podcast episode you listened to.

Third-party developers can tap into a Suggestions API to nudge users to create journal entries based on activity in their apps. Apple says the Journal app is end-to-end encrypted and all information is stored locally (though you can sync everything to iCloud if you wish). Users will have control over which apps can offer Journal suggestions too.

The Journal app isn't all that's new in iOS 17.2. You'll be able to set up the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to act as a quick translation tool for spoken phrases. You could even use it to have a conversation with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you.

Apple is rolling out support for Qi2 charging on all iPhone 13 models and iPhone 14 models (it's already present on iPhone 15 models). Qi2-certified chargers are said to match the 15W wireless charging speeds of MagSafe. As Qi2 chargers become more widespread, it should be easier for both iPhone and Android users to top up their phones' batteries quickly.

Elsewhere, iPhone 15 Pro users can capture spatial video that can be viewed in 3D in Apple Vision Pro's Photos app (once you're eventually able to try out the headset, that is). You'll now be able to access and log Health data with your voice thanks to a Siri update. The Apple Music, Messages and Weather apps are getting a few new features too, while an AutoFill upgrade for PDFs and other forms could prove very useful.

In addition, Apple is rolling out watchOS 10.2. Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can now log and access Health app data through Siri (both devices process Siri requests on-device for greater privacy). You can ask Siri for information on things like how much you slept the night before, your step count and whether you've closed your exercise ring for the day. You can also instruct Siri to log data such as your weight, medications that you've taken and your body temperature. These requests are available in English (US) and Mandarin Chinese for now, with support for more languages to follow.

Other new Apple Watch features include the ability to automatically view what's Now Playing from a nearby 2nd-gen HomePod or HomePod mini that's playing something from Music or Podcasts. You can enable a setting that'll let you swipe to change watch faces. You'll also be able to choose whether to prioritize the volume of the music or a trainer's voice in most Fitness+ workouts.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ios-172-and-apples-new-journal-app-are-now-available-181348877.html?src=rss

iOS 17.2 and Apple’s new Journal app are now available

Posted on by

After several weeks of testing the latest version of its iPhone operating system in public, Apple is now rolling out iOS 17.2 to all compatible devices. In addition, iPadOS 17.2 and macOS 14.2 Sonoma, which boast many of the same features, are here as well. Finally, watchOS 10.2 is also available for download. The biggest change this time around is the introduction of a new core app called Journal.

Apple's hope with the app is to help "iPhone users reflect and practice gratitude through journaling." It differs from third-party offerings like Day One, as Apple is able to offer suggestions for journal entries based on activity in other apps. Your iPhone might suggest logging a trip populated by photos from your camera roll, accompanied by a writing prompt such as "what will you remember most about your day out?" Your device might also suggest creating a journal entry after a workout or even to note a podcast episode you listened to.

Third-party developers can tap into a Suggestions API to nudge users to create journal entries based on activity in their apps. Apple says the Journal app is end-to-end encrypted and all information is stored locally (though you can sync everything to iCloud if you wish). Users will have control over which apps can offer Journal suggestions too.

The Journal app isn't all that's new in iOS 17.2. You'll be able to set up the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to act as a quick translation tool for spoken phrases. You could even use it to have a conversation with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you.

Apple is rolling out support for Qi2 charging on all iPhone 13 models and iPhone 14 models (it's already present on iPhone 15 models). Qi2-certified chargers are said to match the 15W wireless charging speeds of MagSafe. As Qi2 chargers become more widespread, it should be easier for both iPhone and Android users to top up their phones' batteries quickly.

Elsewhere, iPhone 15 Pro users can capture spatial video that can be viewed in 3D in Apple Vision Pro's Photos app (once you're eventually able to try out the headset, that is). You'll now be able to access and log Health data with your voice thanks to a Siri update. The Apple Music, Messages and Weather apps are getting a few new features too, while an AutoFill upgrade for PDFs and other forms could prove very useful.

In addition, Apple is rolling out watchOS 10.2. Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can now log and access Health app data through Siri (both devices process Siri requests on-device for greater privacy). You can ask Siri for information on things like how much you slept the night before, your step count and whether you've closed your exercise ring for the day. You can also instruct Siri to log data such as your weight, medications that you've taken and your body temperature. These requests are available in English (US) and Mandarin Chinese for now, with support for more languages to follow.

Other new Apple Watch features include the ability to automatically view what's Now Playing from a nearby 2nd-gen HomePod or HomePod mini that's playing something from Music or Podcasts. You can enable a setting that'll let you swipe to change watch faces. You'll also be able to choose whether to prioritize the volume of the music or a trainer's voice in most Fitness+ workouts.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ios-172-and-apples-new-journal-app-are-now-available-181348877.html?src=rss

Google Messages APK suggests you may soon able to edit messages after they’re sent

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Android users may soon be able to edit texts after they're sent via the Google Messages app. TheSpAndroid dug around in an APK for a recent beta version of Messages and found multiple references to a message-editing feature.

The publication unearthed flags concerning aspects such as a message-editing UI, loading the edit history and processing incoming and outgoing edits. For the time being, enabling these flags doesn't seem to do anything, as The Verge notes. TheSpAndroid also found code suggesting that message editing would work with the RCS protocol.

Were Google to enable this feature (which users would surely appreciate), it would follow the footsteps of WhatsApp and iMessage. Over the last year or so, those services each added the ability to edit messages within a certain timeframe after they're sent.

Google recently introduced some other handy features to Messages, such as the ability to turn photos into reactions and for users to create a profile with their name and photo that's attached to their phone number. Users can also change the color of text message bubbles, including making them blue.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-messages-apk-suggests-you-may-soon-able-to-edit-messages-after-theyre-sent-155244187.html?src=rss

Google Messages APK suggests you may soon able to edit messages after they’re sent

Posted on by

Android users may soon be able to edit texts after they're sent via the Google Messages app. TheSpAndroid dug around in an APK for a recent beta version of Messages and found multiple references to a message-editing feature.

The publication unearthed flags concerning aspects such as a message-editing UI, loading the edit history and processing incoming and outgoing edits. For the time being, enabling these flags doesn't seem to do anything, as The Verge notes. TheSpAndroid also found code suggesting that message editing would work with the RCS protocol.

Were Google to enable this feature (which users would surely appreciate), it would follow the footsteps of WhatsApp and iMessage. Over the last year or so, those services each added the ability to edit messages within a certain timeframe after they're sent.

Google recently introduced some other handy features to Messages, such as the ability to turn photos into reactions and for users to create a profile with their name and photo that's attached to their phone number. Users can also change the color of text message bubbles, including making them blue.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-messages-apk-suggests-you-may-soon-able-to-edit-messages-after-theyre-sent-155244187.html?src=rss

Beeper Mini team says a fix is ‘coming soon’ and promises to extend users’ free trials

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The Beeper Mini team has apparently been working around the clock to resolve the outage affecting the new “iMessage on Android” app, and says a fix is “very close.” And once the fix rolls out, users’ seven-day free trials will be reset so they can start over fresh. Beeper Mini was released earlier this week, and seemed an especially promising entrant due to its unique approach to bridging the iMessage-Android gap. The app, reportedly the result of a 16-year-old’s work to reverse-engineer iMessage, routes messages directly through Apple’s own servers, making it more secure than some of the other options out there.

But, only days after its release, Beeper Mini users on Friday found that they could no longer send and receive messages, sparking questions about whether Apple intervened and put a stop to it. In an update posted on social media, the team said it’s deregistered users’ phone numbers from iMessage while it works to fix the issue. That may not be the end of the immediate headaches caused by the outage, though. “Annoyingly, the iPhone Messages app ‘remembers’ that you were a blue bubble for 6-24 hours before falling back to SMS,” the Beeper Mini team wrote, “so it’s possible that some messages will not be delivered during this period.”

While Beeper says a fix is coming soon, it may still have a greater struggle ahead if Apple actually was behind the shutdown. The chat app costs $2 a month after the seven-day free trial and offers end-to-end encryption for messages sent between Android and iMessage users. In a statement to Engadget yesterday, Beeper co-founder Eric Migicovsky said, “If it's Apple, then I think the biggest question is — if Apple truly cares about the privacy and security of their own iPhone users, why would they try to kill a service that enables iPhones to send encrypted chats to Android users?”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/beeper-mini-team-says-a-fix-is-coming-soon-and-promises-to-extend-users-free-trials-171310651.html?src=rss

Threads countdown hints at EU launch on December 14

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After much speculation and waiting, Threads is finally launching in Europe. Meta’s social media app will likely release in the EU on December 14, just in time to post photos of holiday dinners or whatever. There’s no official announcement by Zuck and the gang, but there is a countdown timer on Instagram appearing for EU users. These users will find a ticket within the app that advertises the pending release for the Twitter-like platform.

The timer is also available on the Threads website, but only for those clicking from EU-based IP addresses, as reported by The Verge. Finally, European Instagram users can simply search for “ticket” to find a scannable QR code that announces the forthcoming launch. We don’t know, however, which countries in the EU will get the app on December 14. Engadget reached out to Meta and will update this story if we hear back.

So what’s been the holdup? Meta has had trouble complying with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Meta and other tech giants were designated as platform gatekeepers back in July, forcing stricter rules regarding user consent and data protection. It looks like the company worked everything out in time for this release, though it remains unclear if the app itself would change to accommodate the regulations. We’ll find out next week.

Threads has certainly had a topsy-turvy year, launching to much fanfare amidst the dumpster fire that is X. However, user engagement fell sharply once people realized there wasn’t that much to do on the platform. Meta, to its credit, has been quickly adding features and tools to the app. In the past few months, Threads has gotten searchable topics, also known as hashtags, and an edit button that doesn’t cost $8 per month, among other upgrades.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/threads-countdown-hints-at-eu-launch-on-december-14-183053910.html?src=rss