The next generation Apple TV could be unveiled later this year, based on the latest leak from Apple’s unreleased HomePod.
Code for Apple’s leaky smart speaker reveals that the new Apple TV might finally gain 4K support and it will support two of the biggest formats for super high def video.
HomePod’s software contains mentions of facial recognition. Previous rumors also claimed Apple would add facial scanning to the iPhone 8 as a replacement to Touch ID. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac Magazine
HomePod software appears to reference an unannounced “SmartCamera” feature built into iOS 11 or the yet-to-be-released 2017 iPhone. And it could totally change the way we snap photos.
In this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine, you’ll find that story and more. Get more juicy details on iPhone 8. And check out one of our favorite custom-fit bands for Apple Watch now available in seven new leather colors. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.
Is this our first look at a real iPhone 8? Image: Apple
This week on The CultCast: Apple accidentally leaked major details about the iPhone 8 and HomePod — we’ll tell you everything we’ve learned. Plus: Leaked audio files show off the HomePod’s cool UI sounds; we reveal exclusive new audio of the HomePod’s boot-up noise; and we wrap with our reviews of the best internet-connected security cameras and the hawt new flagship Olympus OM-D EM-1 mirrorless camera in an all-new Under Review.
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Code reveals details of Apple's new iPhone. Photo: iHelp BR
While the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus capture impressive 4K video with their rear camera — the one primarily used for shooting photos and movies — the front FaceTime selfie camera is stuck shooting 1080p resolution.
According to a new report, that looks likely to change with the iPhone 8. Apple’s next-gen phone reportedly will capture 4K video at 60 frames per second from the device’s back and front cameras.
We could be waiting a long time for iPhone 8. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple’s HomePod might have revealed another huge new iPhone feature after developers did some more digging into the beta software for the upcoming smart speaker.
The software appears to reference an unannounced “SmartCamera” feature built into iOS 11 or the yet-to-be-released 2017 iPhone. And it could totally change the way we snap photos.
Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri are set to reveal all the details of Apple’s latest earnings in a call with investors today could have a huge impact on the company’s stock price.
The Q3 2017 earnings report isn’t expected to be a record-breaker, but Wall Street analysts will be hanging on to every word that comes out of Cook’s mouth as the next iPhone launch approaches. Most experts agree Apple will meet earnings expectations of $43.5 billion in revenue — the only question is by how much.
Cult of Mac will be right here live-blogging the entire call once it starts at 2 p.m. Pacific. Come join the fun.
Facebook is planning to make its first foray into hardware next year and according to a new report it may start competing directly against Apple.
The social network is reportedly building a stand-alone video chat device with a built in touch screen that is focused on helping bring Facebook users closer together.
HomePod will launch in December, but supplies will be constrained. Photo: Apple
Apple’s early software for the HomePod continues to reveal new features of the smart speaker, as developers dive deeper into files. After details on the speaker’s screen got discovered, another developer unearthed the UI sounds that will be used on HomePod.
HomePod firmware spills more iPhone 8 secrets. Photo: Apple
Yet more information about the iPhone 8 has been discovered in Apple’s HomePod firmware. We now know the device will have a split status bar designed to fit its edge-to-edge display and tap to wake functionality like its Android-powered rivals.
However, the future of Touch ID still looks bleak.
There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the HomePod speaker Apple announced at WWDC last month. But thanks to the firmware that was released to developers on Friday, we now know a little bit more about its internal hardware.
We could be waiting a long time for iPhone 8. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Code confirming the existence of Apple’s infrared facial recognition technology has been discovered by intrepid developer-turned-iOS sleuth Steve Troughton-Smith.
Troughton-Smith discovered the code in the HomePod firmware Apple released late last week. It suggests that previous reports about face unlocking on the iPhone 8, possibly as a replacement for Touch ID, may be accurate.
HomePod will launch in December, but supplies will be constrained. Photo: Apple
The launch of Apple’s new HomePod speaker isn’t slated until the very end of 2017, but after digging into the software that powers the new device, one developer has revealed a number of features fans can expect.
Notorious iOS sleuth Steve Troughton Smith has done some serious research into HomePod and discovered that it’s basically like another iOS device only it doesn’t have a big screen. That could open HomePod up to some exciting capabilities in the future.
We'd love to see Apple lavish some more attention on the HomePod. Photo: Apple
Apple has confirmed that it won’t store or sell any data collected by its HomePod smart speaker.
HomePod won’t send anything to Apple’s servers until a user activates it with the “Hey Siri” command. Apple encrypts any information received after that point. The data gets encrypted and sent using an anonymous ID.
HomePod will launch in December, but supplies will be constrained. Photo: Apple
Apple’s freshly unveiled HomePod speaker may soon get some competition from its Silicon Valley neighbor Facebook. The social network giant is supposedly developing a smart speaker of its own and based on a report out of Asia, it could pack some features that HomePod can’t match.
Siri gets a lot of love in the latest iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra updates. Photo: Cult of Mac
Siri often gets dinged for being stupid, but significant upgrades in iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra make Apple’s AI assistant smarter than ever. With advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence, Siri sounds slicker and understands you better on Apple’s updated platforms.
Siri also learned a lot of new tricks, and can now offer suggestions inside other apps. Here’s a brief look at everything new with Siri in iOS 11.
Samsung doesn't want to fight HomePod... yet. Photo: Apple
Samsung currently has no plans to take on HomePod with a smart speaker of its own.
Recent rumors have claimed the South Korean company is working on a standalone Bixby device, but a source familiar with its plans says the market is too small to be profitable.
Phil Schiller said Apple won't release the HomePod till it's satisfied with the quality. Photo: Digital Trends
This week on The CultCast: The magic of HomePod! We’ll tell you about the built-in audio tech that’s getting even the most ardent audiophiles hyped about Apple’s upcoming smart speaker.
Plus: Why iPhone 8’s biggest features may be disabled at launch; how you can grab Apple’s new back-to-school promo without being in college; the fascinating story behind Steve Jobs’ iconic turtleneck; more of iOS 11’s best unknown features; and we wrap with the heartwarming story of why Jobs insisted on always buying his friends’ lunches.
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Apple’s HomePod is hoping to gain the edge over other smart speakers with its superior sound quality. However, Amazon’s reportedly planning to fight back with its upcoming Echo standalone speaker refresh that will focus on a higher quality music experience.
Apple's smart tech will let the HomePod smart speaker perfectly rock your house. Photo: Apple
According to Apple, its upcoming HomePod smart speaker will “reinvent the way we enjoy music” thanks to its seven-tweeter array, 4-inch woofer, and smart “spatial awareness” technology that lets it “read” its environment.
If you want to find out more about how Apple’s smart speaker works, check out this new patent application. It describes an Apple speaker that uses digital signal processing, microphones and algorithms to play perfectly equalized music.
It's only available in China for now, though! Photo: Alibaba
China’s Alibaba Group has launched a cut-price smart speaker to compete with the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple’s forthcoming HomePod, as announced at WWDC.
Called the “Tmall Genie,” after Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Tmall, the China-only device represents the company’s first step into artificial intelligence hardware. It is priced at 499 yuan ($73.42), which makes it significantly cheaper than the aforementioned rivals.
We'd love to see Apple lavish some more attention on the HomePod. Photo: Apple
There isn’t an Apple product Samsung doesn’t have an answer to, so it’s not surprising to hear the South Korean company is developing its own HomePod rival.
It will be powered by Bixby, the Galaxy S8’s new virtual assistant, but it’s likely to be a while before it’s ready to hit the market.
Phil Schiller said Apple won't release the HomePod till it's satisfied with the quality. Photo: Digital Trends
This week on The CultCast: Early reviews for the new iPad Pro and HomePod show Apple’s done it again. Plus: Someone in the Apple supply chain just accidentally leaked some of iPhone 8’s marquee features; speed tests show a big CPU boost in the new MacBook Pro; Apple finally offers us iCloud Storage sharing; our favorite unannounced iOS 11 features; and we’ll tell you what we like (and don’t) about the apps and gadgets we’re currently testing in an all-new Under Review.
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Are you pleased with what you saw at WWDC 2017? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
This year’s WWDC keynote was an early Christmas for Apple fans. It delivered the big updates to iOS, macOS, and watchOS we were eagerly anticipating; a 10.5-inch iPad Pro; updated Macs with Intel Kaby Lake processors, plus nice surprises like the iMac Pro and HomePod.
But is this Apple back at its best, or do we need more out of Cupertino? Are fancy software updates enough to breathe new life into boring hardware? Is Apple’s new push into virtual reality and machine learning too little, too late?
Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we battle it out over a bumper WWDC!
This week on The CultCast: In one of the most exciting and action-packed keynotes in years, Apple updates just about everything. Catch our reactions, plus our picks for best in show!
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After helping unveil Apple’s huge software updates and new hardware lineup, Apple CEO Tim Cook sat down for a post-keynote interview where he discussed topics like the new HomePod and President Donald Trump.