Apple today rolled out its second iOS 11.3 beta ahead of a public launch this spring. The update is available to download now for registered developers, alongside a second beta of tvOS 11.3.
In the first reviews for Apple’s new HomePod speaker, everyone totally raves about the smart speaker’s pristine sound quality. Siri, on the other hand, doesn’t sound so brilliant. Many critics argue that Siri sucks compared to other voice assistants, highlighting its struggles with accuracy and responsiveness.
Apple seeded a few review units to major outlets ahead of this Friday’s HomePod launch. The embargo lifted this morning, and the early reviews reveal a few surprising tidbits about the HomePod.
Here’s what people are saying:
Apple could deliver its first new devices of 2018 next month. A new report claims the company is gearing up to launch a new iPhone, iPad and MacBook in March. We’ll have to wait longer for an Apple Watch Series 4, however.
This year’s iPhone lineup will rely exclusively on Intel modems, according to one reliable analyst. Apple previously bought modems from Qualcomm, but it seems Cupertino is shunning the chipmaker in light of a series of recent lawsuits.
Apparently, we can forget about big new features for iOS 12, as Apple is reportedly focused on “addressing performance and quality issues” in 2018. But, this is great news! Cult of Mac Magazine shows you five things that should rise to the top of Cupertino’s fix-it list.
In this week’s issue, you’ll find that story and more. Graham Bower explains why it sucks when fitness apps don’t share your workout data with Apple, while Apple confirms HomePod’s supported audio sources. And, discover how to make Mac’s Launchpad useful again. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.
Apple’s refurbished store is stocking up on new products heading into February.
Right after Apple added refurbished iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus units to its store this morning the company also added the latest generation Apple TV, giving customers an option to get it at a discount.
The first Apple earnings report of 2018 is already here. Based on analysts’ expectations, it will probably be Apple’s biggest earnings ever.
Thanks to the high price of the iPhone X and the holiday shopping season, Apple is set to rake in record-setting profits this quarter. Wall Street is eager to know what Apple plans to do with all its cash, especially now that it is bringing more than $200 billion back home from overseas.
Tim Cook and Apple CFO Luca Maestri are set to get on the phone with investors at 2 p.m. Pacific to talk about all the numbers. Per usual, we’ll be right here live-blogging all the action with up-to-the-minute analysis on all of the juicy new nuggets.
Come join us:
ARKit hasn’t produced any apps that are absolutely must-haves, but that could soon change with iOS 11.3.
Apple has added some new ARKit features in the updates slated for release this spring. iOS developer Andrew Hart has already created a demo that utilizes the image recognition tools to identify books on a store shelf while providing reviews and ratings from the internet.
Prepare to be amazed:
The first big Apple earnings report for 2018 is nearly here. And, based on analysts’ expectations, it will likely be Apple’s biggest moneymaking quarter ever.
After weeks of waiting, investors will finally get their first look at how well the iPhone X is selling. Apple’s holiday sales probably hit historic levels. But with recent reports that Apple slashed iPhone X orders in half, there could be quite a few surprises in store.
As usual, Cult of Mac will be here to liveblog all the action as it transpires on Thursday, February 1, at 2 p.m. Pacific. Get ready to watch for these six things during the call:
Get an extra eye on the road with the awesome Owl Car Cam. Founded by Andy Hodge, a former iPod product leader, this dash camera was designed to give you home-grade security behind the wheel. It’s packed with stellar features you won’t find elsewhere.
With HomePod just over one week away from making its debut, Apple has confirmed which audio sources are officially supported. Apple Music and AirPlay are obviously on the list, but there are some big omissions.
India has just struck Apple another harsh blow by raising its duty on imported mobile phones from 15 percent to 20 percent.
The move, which will make imported iPhones more expensive, follows less than two months after the country raised the import duty from 10 percent to 15 percent. It comes at a time when Apple is trying to grow its market in the world’s fastest-growing smartphone market.
Telegram and Telegram X vanished from the App Store on Wednesday and are yet to return. It’s not yet clear if the apps were pulled by Apple or Telegram.
Colgate’s new iPhone-compatible smart toothbrush promises to transform the way you brush your teeth, thanks to the magic of machine intelligence.
So is the E1 Smart Electronic Toothbrush With Artificial Intelligence like having a virtual dentist at your beck and call? Here’s what we make of it after a week of tooth-cleaning action.
Apple says it is cooperating with U.S. government agencies investigating the company’s decision to throttle CPU speeds on iPhones with older batteries.
The official statement from Apple this morning comes a day after news broke that the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating whether Apple broke any securities laws.
We can forget about big new features for iOS 12. Apple is focused on “addressing performance and quality issues” in 2018, according to a new report. Here are five things that should be at the top of the company’s repair list.
Investigators at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are looking into whether or not Apple violated securities laws when it disclosed that it throttles CPU speeds on some iPhones.
Apple revealed at the beginning of the year that it intentionally lowers the speed on iPhones with older batteries to prevent unwanted crashes. Customers in numerous counties have filed lawsuits against the iPhone maker. Now it appears that the feds are getting ready to weigh in.
Apple’s market value has fallen $46 billion in a week amid reports that iPhone X isn’t selling.
A growing number of analysts and news outlets have claimed that Apple is cutting production due to weaker-than-expected demand for its flagship device. The Wall Street Journal is the latest to corroborate the claims.
Apple is said to be planning “at least three” new Macs with custom security co-processors for 2018. Two of the machines will be updated MacBooks, while the other will be a desktop, according to a source familiar with the plans.
WhatsApp has become the first major messaging platform to add CarPlay support. Users can have their WhatsApp conversations read to them, dictate replies, and more without taking their hands off the wheel.
One of the biggest directors in Hollywood is ready to totally embrace filming on the iPhone.
Steven Soderbergh — whose titles include everything from Ocean’s Eleven to Magic Mike — filmed his latest movie entirely an iPhone. Only instead of using it as a gimmick, Soderbergh says he’s likely going to start using iPhone on most of his future films.
Apple has rolled out its first watchOS 4.3 beta ahead of a public release this spring. The update brings a number of welcome improvements, including a new Nightstand Mode and greater control over your music.
Apple may be rethinking plans for the ratio of OLED to LCD iPhones for 2018, a new report claims.
Apple is reportedly developing four next-gen iPhone project simultaneously: a 5.7- to 5.8-inch LCD device, a 6.0- to 6.1-inch LCD device, a 6.0- to 6.1-inch OLED device, and a 6.4- to 6.5-inch OLED device. However, only three of these are likely to ship to users. The question, therefore, is which three.
Apple’s first big product launch of 2018 is finally here after the HomePod launch was pushed back last year.
HomePod pre-orders are set to open to the public in just a few hours on Friday, January 25th. If the launch is anything like the iPhone X or AirPods, shipping times could slip quick, but it’s going to be hard to know when you can buy one.
One of the key features Apple left out of iOS 11 is finally entering the beta testing phase among developers.
Apple added iCloud support for Messages to iOS 11.3 beta 1 today, which should be a huge help in saving space on most iPhones once it finally launches for the public.