Beware this iOS 12.1 bug. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Developers received a big batch of updates this morning as Apple dropped the third set of betas of its upcoming software updates for iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS.
iOS 11.4 beta 3 was made available to developers today, bringing a host of bug fixes and performance improvements to the iPhone and iPad. The new update adds a number of features that were missing from iOS 11.3 while also adding some crucial new goodies.
Lumos Helmet now works with Apple Watch. Photo: Lumos
If you want to be seen and safe on the road when you’re cycling, you need a Lumos Helmet. The world’s first smart bike helmet offers more than just protection, with built-in lights, brake and turn signals. And now it’s even better, thanks to Apple Watch.
Lumos today launched its new watchOS app, which lets you control your helmet’s lighting using simple gestures. The company also confirmed that the Lumos Helmet will soon become the first bike helmet to be sold in Apple stores throughout the United States and Europe.
It’s all thanks to the August Smart Lock. Photo: August
If you’re forever losing your keys, why bother using them at all? Now you can unlock your doors using your Apple Watch, thanks to the August Smart Lock.
It’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to get into your home, and you don’t even need your iPhone.
Will Apple finally deliver one of our most-requested features for watchOS? Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
A watchOS update could finally add support for third-party Apple Watch faces soon.
Apple Watch fans have been calling for third-party face support since the device made its debut three years ago. A note discovered in the latest watchOS code suggests developers may soon get permission to build the custom faces we badly crave.
Opening a watchOS 1 app on a device running that latest beta of watchOS 4.3.1 gets this warning. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The latest watchOS beta warns that support will end soon for applications that haven’t been updated for years. This is part of an ongoing push by Apple to get all third-party apps that were written for the first-generation Software Development Kit updated to something more recent.
Unfortunately, this drive is instead causing some developers to drop their out-of-date Apple Watch apps.
People would rather look at Instagram on a Mac than an Apple Watch. Photo: Just Mobile
Apple Watch sells very well, but apparently not strongly enough for some companies. A deadline requiring developers to base their apps on newer versions of watchOS just passed, and some businesses choose to pull their software rather than update it.
Instagram garnered the most attention, but there are surely other examples.
Apple Watch is on top of the wearable market Photo: Apple
Apple Watch owners can finally download the first big software update of 2018 for Apple’s wearable. watchOS 4.3 launched to the public this morning, adding a bunch of small new features and performance improvements that make the Apple Watch tick better than ever.
How Apple could give watchOS a tune-up. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
In the three short years since Apple Watch debuted, Cupertino has massively improved its smartwatch. Remember the early days, when Glances took ages to load, only to show out-of-date information? When the Fitness app refused to stay in the foreground during a workout? Or when the side button launched a doodling app?
Since the launch, Apple has rolled out big upgrades to watchOS every year at its Worldwide Developers Conference. But there is still loads more that could be done to really unleash Apple Watch’s full potential.
With this year’s WWDC confirmed for June, here’s my wish list of the all the new watchOS stuff I’m hoping will be announced in San Jose, California. It’s a pretty long list, so I’ve broken it down into three separate posts, starting with usability. In followup posts, I’ll focus on fitness, apps and setup.
Spotify hired Andrew Chang, creator of a third-party Spotify app for watchOS, last April. Photo: Snowy
Spotify will finally deliver its first Apple Watch app this year, according to a new report.
It could get an official reveal at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June alongside “StreamKit,” a new framework for watchOS 5 that will boost the cellular Apple Watch’s standalone capabilities.
WWDC 2018 is coming to San Jose, California. Here's how to take your shot at getting tickets to the exclusive event. Photo: Apple
Apple will kick off its 29th annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 4.
The week-long event, which will offer the first previews of Apple’s next big software updates, will again be held in the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose. Developers can register for tickets starting today until 10 a.m. on March 22.
The latest iOS update is an important one to download. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple used Presidents Day to push out a batch of software updates for iOS, tvOS, watchOS and macOS.
Of these, the most significant is iOS 11.2.6, which fixes a big that allowed a character in the Telugu language to crash certain apps, including Messages and other messaging apps.
The technology packed into HomePod is what makes it so special — and unlike anything else in its price range. This story and lots more in this week's Cult of Mac Magazine. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine: Don’t make the mistake of comparing HomePod to rival smart speakers and lamenting its $349 price tag. There are good reasons why the device costs more than three times as much as an Amazon Echo — and yet is still an absolute steal.
In this week’s issue, you’ll find that story and more. Learn awesome Apple Watch tricks and tips to get the most out of your wearable. Discover how to add sketches to emails in iOS 11. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.
watchOS 4.3 brings back the iPhone music remote. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
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.
A new update is out for iPhone! Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple pushed out a big batch of software updates this morning for iOS, tvOS, watchOS and macOS, bringing a host of bug fixes and performance improvements to all of its major platforms.
iOS 11.2.5 is the biggest of today’s software updates. The update for iPhones and iPads adds a couple new features, including support for Apple’s HomePod smart speaker, which opens for preorders this Friday.
Apple Watch needs some of these tweaks. Photo: Matt Birchler
WWDC 2018 is six months away but it’s not too early to start dreaming of new watchOS software.
Concept designer Matt Birchler has created a detailed look at some incredible features he thinks Apple should add to the Apple Watch. Some of the ideas like always-on watch faces seem like no-brainers for future updates, but Birchler also has some ideas on how to pack more useful information on the watch face.
Developers received a fresh batch of new beta software updates from Apple this morning, including the fourth build of iOS 11.2.5.
Apple has also released the fourth builds of watchOS 4.2.2, tvOS 11.2.5 and macOS 10.13.3, all of which come with a number of bug fixes and performance improvements for Apple’s platforms.
Hot on the heels of today’s iOS update for the public, Apple has come out with a fresh set of beta updates for developers with the release of iOS 11.2.5 beta 1, along with new betas for Apple Watch and Apple TV too.
iOS 11.2 brings Apple TV support to Control Center. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Developers received a bunch of new beta software updates from Apple today that included the third beta of iOS 11.2 and macOS 10.13.3 beta 3 as well.
The new betas contain a number of bug fixes and performance improvements as Apple prepares to launch Apple Pay cash and other new additions to the public later this year.
Streaming services like Apple Music dominate the US music market Photo: Apple
Album covers take center stage in the latest ad for Apple Music. The funky new video that was pushed to Apple’s YouTube channel this morning features an eclectic collection of quick art shots inspired by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Sia, Eminem, Drake, FKA Twigs and many more.
Apple customers using the latest iOS and macOS software can rest a little bit easier about KRACK Wi-Fi attacks.
The internet is losing its mind today in light of news that a serious Wi-Fi vulnerability was recently discovered. But Apple says it already created a fix for most of its platforms.
Apple is said to be working on a fix. Photo: Apple
Along with dropping a new iOS 11.1 beta, Apple also released the second beta builds for macOS 10.13.1, tvOS 11.1 and watchOS 4.1.
The new batch of betas come about two weeks after Apple seeded the last set of betas to developers and come with a host of bug fixes and under-the-hood improvements for Apple’s platforms.
You can no longer buy Android Wear devices from Google. Photo: Google
Apple Watch could be about to lose one of its biggest rivals.
The future of the Android Wear platform looks bleak today after Google removed all traces of wearable devices from its online store. Its focus on the platform seems to have fizzled out since it became clear that only Apple could sell smartwatches in large numbers.
Early reviews of the Apple Watch Series 3 are now dropping ahead of its official debut on Friday, September 22. If you’re still in two minds about whether you should upgrade, they should help you make that all-important decision.
The general consensus is that LTE is a great addition to Apple’s wearable lineup. Just don’t expect a drastically different experience, and prepare yourself for some early teething troubles.