WWDC 2016 Roundup

So, if you weren’t able to catch the live stream of the Keynote that kicked off WWDC, what did you miss?

Well, nothing earth-shattering, but there was a number of welcome updates to iOS, WatchOS, TVOS, and the newly named MacOS (previously OS X).

We’re guessing that the number one expected and celebrated update was opening up Siri to third party developers – Just look what you’re favorite iPhone friend will be able to do now. 

Siri is also on your Mac, what. 

MacOS Sierra

*Copy and paste functionality across devices

*Window tab support within multiple apps such as Maps, Mail, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and TextEdit

*Picture-in-Picture feature, found in iOS 9.3 will be brought to the Mac so you’ll be able to float video from Safari or iTunes in a window on the desktop while working on something else.

*The Photos app will have a new ‘Memories’ feature, which automatically creates collections of special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and vacations using people, object, and location recognition. Yikes.

*Also in Photos, the ‘People’ feature will automatically group photos into Albums based on who is in them, while ‘Places’ will display photos on a world map so users can see where they were taken.

*In MacOS you’ll get Optimized Storage, which frees up space when a Mac starts getting full by storing infrequently used items in iCloud

*The Messages app gets an update thanks to the updated features in iOS 10

*You’ll also get an updated version of Apple Music in iTunes, similar to the changes seen in the iOS 10 Music app.

*Siri integration

*Accessibility of files on the desktop and in the Documents folder on any Mac, iOS device, or even a PC.

MacOS Sierra is available to developers for testing today. A public beta will be launched in July, while the final public release is coming in the fall.

iOS 10

*Messages gets a revamp in iOS 10, with a bunch of new features like text balloon animations, invisible ink, enlarged emoji, and handwritten notes. Also included is a native app for Home automation, redesigned apps for Music, Maps, and News,

*A new “rich notifications” system that lets users get more information from various apps without unlocking their iPhone.

* A new feature is a “Raise to Wake” ability that wakes up the iPhone whenever users raise their device to eye level.

*Users on iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will get deeper integration of 3D Touch with the new rich notifications.

*Notes will be getting a new collaborative project feature and Live Photos will be able to go through an editing process.

* As in MacOS Sierra, iOs 10 also gets the updated  “Memories” tab in the Photos app that will use facial recognition and geo filters to group together family vacations and special memories. The app will also create slideshows.

*Maps gets larger buttons and typefaces, and the ability to scan your calendar and deliver directions proactively. Apple Maps is also now open to third-party extensions, allowing you to make a restaurant reservation via OpenTable within Maps or calling a ride from service like Uber.

*Apple Music and Apple News both get a redesign, apparently making it easier for users to find the content they want.

*iOS 10 features a new Home app that can control all of their HomeKit devices in one place.

*Apart from making Siri open for developers to play with, with iOS 10 you can use Siri to make VoIP calls, send messages through messaging apps like WhatsApp and hail cabs from services like Uber.

*Bedtime Alarm mode in the Clock app is a new feature that encourages users to set a regular sleep schedule and reminders for bedtime.

*Differential Privacy is another new feature. Starting with iOS 10, Apple is using this to help discover the usage patterns of a large number of users without compromising individual privacy. In iOS 10, this technology will help improve QuickType and emoji suggestions, Spotlight® deep link suggestions and Lookup Hints in Notes.

The developer preview of iOS 10 is available today, and a public beta program will begin in July. Users interested in the public beta can sign up for information at beta.Apple.com. iOS 10 will be available in the fall for free for iPhone 5 and later and all iPad Pro and Air models. The fourth-generation iPad and the iPad mini 2 and later will also support iOS 10.

WatchOS

*Swiping up from the bottom of the Apple Watch will bring up an all-new Control Center with toggles for Airplane Mode, Do Not Disturb, notifications, and more. Swiping left and right willswitch between watch faces.

*Speaking of Watch faces, there’s new ones!  Minnie Mouse, Activity, and Numerals.

*In WatchOS there will be new ways to create and respond to iMessages, including a Scribble feature animations, invisible ink, stickers, larger emoji, sketches, taps, and your heartbeat.

*You’ll be able to share your Activity rings with others for competitive motivation, and receive notifications when people finish workouts or earn achievements.

*New features for wheelchair users: The Activity app now supports a trio of wheelchair pushing techniques for varying speeds and terrain. There are also two new wheelchair-specific workouts and a new “Time to Roll” notification.

*Are Apple Watch users super stressed? They must be, because they’ve introduced a  new Breathe app, which guides you through a series of deep breaths with relaxing animations and gentle taps. A summary provides you with your heart rate and the length of your breathing session, which can be adjusted by spinning the Digital Crown.

*The SOS feature is very cool.  Press and hold the side button and Apple Watch will initiate a call with 911 or local emergency services. It can also send a message with your location to alert your chosen emergency contacts. The feature, which works over Wi-Fi or cellular, includes a medical card with your personal information and any medical conditions.

*Apple Watch now supports Apple Pay within apps.

*Apple Watch can be used with the new Home app for controlling HomeKit accessories

WatchOS 3 is available as a developer beta today. A public beta will be released in July. The free software update will officially launch in the fall.

TVOS

*New Apps including Sling, Fox Sports Go, Molotov TV, and game-based apps like Minecraft Story Mode and Sketch Party.

*Siri will be able to search through YouTube, and search for movies by topic.

* You’ll be able to direct Siri to tune-in to live channels within apps now. For example, if a user asks Siri to “Watch CBS News” or “Watch ESPN,” Siri will instantly open the live feed within the app, rather than transporting the user to the app’s home screen.

*Siri can also manage a user’s HomeKit devices via Apple TV.

*The new Apple TV and tvOS are compatible with the revamped Remote app, which mirrors the abilities of the Apple TV’s Siri Remote on an iPhone. The app, like previous Remote apps, allows users to control their content, but it also allows users to use Siri to control the Apple TV. Users can also use the app to play games on Apple TV and enter text via the iOS keyboard.

*Newly redesigned Apple Music, and Photos for Apple TV  will have the same updates as in iOS 10 and MacOS.

If you want to catch the Keynote, Apple has made the video available for customers here on their website, and on Apple TV.

What did you think of Apple’s Software updates?

Invites go out for WWDC 2016!

The Press invites for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference went out late yesterday. The annual conference will take place in San Francisco from June 13th through June 17th.

As per tradition, the main event, the keynote, will be on the first day at 10:00 a.m.

In the past, the event has taken place at Moscone West, however this year it will take place at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, which can hold more attendees.

We’re expecting the new versions of both iOS and OS X, as well as the possibility of new versions of tvOS and watchOS. As always, there is also the possibility of some hardware release surprises as well.

Although yet to be announced, it is expected that the live stream of the keynote will be made available to the public online and through Apple TV.

iPhone 7 Rumors catching fire!

iPhone 7 is coming!

So what can we expect? With what feels like the most ferocious and threatening iPhone competitors rearing their heads this year, the iPhone 7 better have game!

Some have suggested that this year’s iPhone release will, in fact, be very similar to the iPhone 6 & 6s, and that next year is when all the fancy magic happens. Either way, here’s what we know. (As always, here is your grain of salt —> . )

The device may be made entirely of glass, instead of aluminum. The display will be OLED (yay) .

It’ll have a 3,100mAh battery, which is 12.5 per cent bigger than the iPhone 6S Plus.

The iPhone 7 will have a gold color option.

It’ll have a better taptic engine – meaning that 3D touch will be better and that there’ll be an improvement to the taptic feedback in the phone.

We may finally get wireless charging, and there may be no physical home button.

Water resistance, a better duel lens camera, and better battery life have all been thrown around, but they always are at this stage.

There will apparently be no 16GB option on the new device, with the phone instead being offered at a base 32GB.This also creates space for a 256GB option, because we all know how much we LOVE MORE SPACE!

We’re pretty sure that the device will have no headphone jack, and there may be the intorudction of a smart connecter, which, like on the iPad Pro, will provide a port for power and data transfer.

So there we go!! That’s what we know. Lots of folk out there are pretty convinced that Apple are moving to what they call a ‘tick tick tock’ cycle instead of a ‘tick tock’ cycle, which purely means that they won’t have major iPhone upgrades every year, and we’ll have to wait until 2017 to see some magic.

What do you think?

App of the week! Travel dreaming edition

Are you planning a road trip? Or are road trips your weekend life? This app is made for you! Even if you’re just interested in knowing whats going on 5 minutes away, this app is pretty rad.

It bills itself as the ‘only map built for travelers.’ The app will tell you what’s nearby or on your planned route, from music venues, to national parks, restaurants, roadside attractions, hotels and scenic outlooks.

You can plan your trip directly on the app (or on their site), then you can see whats on your route and share with friends, who can then add to the itinerary. Any trips you’ve saved will sync automatically across devices.

if you’re planning a European roadtrip, kudos to you, that sounds amazing, can we come? And … sorry, this app is USA focused only for the time being. It also comes with the warning that because it uses GPS, it can be pretty hard on your device battery life.

Go Roadtrip warriors!

It’s free for iOS from the app store. 

App of the week! Tatted up edition.

Are you looking at getting a Tattoo? Are you a little scared by how …permanent that are? And how you can never truly tell how good it might look until it’s there, permanently staring back at you?

Worry no more, guy!

New App inkHunter is here to help. Use their tattoo gallery or upload a design, snap a pic of a smiley face on your arm and BOOM! That’s realistically what your tattoo would look like. Also use it to make people believe you’re tatted up, because it’s cool?

Awesomely, you can also order any tattoos as temporary stickers.

Get the app free from the App Store. 

Want a one-of-a-kind iPad Pro?

Are you a fan of Apple’s notoriously shy head designer, Jony Ive?  This might be of interest to you.

A one-of-a-kind 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Smart Cover and Apple Pencil holder designed by Ive’s team will be auctioned off as part of a fundraiser for the London Design Museum.

The iPad Pro is bright yellow (awesome), literally one of a kind (Edition 1 of 1 is etched on it) and special because it highlights Ive’s relationship and support of the museum – back in 2003 he was the first recipient of the museum’s ‘Designer of the Year’ award for the iMac.

The Smart Cover is made from blue French leather and the Apple Pencil will sit in an orange Italian calf leather case.

The whole deal has an estimated value of GBP10,000 – 15,000, and if this floats your boat, you can bid starting on April 28.

Kickstarter of the week OLO Smartphone 3D printer what

This is a Kickstarter that has been funded 2,180,650of their initial $80,000 goal.It doesn’t necessarily need your help to become a reality – but you’ll probably want one in your reality.

Introducing the OLO. The very first Smartphone 3D Printer.  Crazy.

3D printers are still fringe for some of the population even though they’ve  been around for a while. They’re very cool, have so many amazing consequences for the future, but have been a little expensive and carry a little bit of a intimidating barrier to entry for the general population.

The OLO on the other hand, comes in at a slick $99 clams, is portable at just over a pound, runs on AA batteries, and is super easy for both new users and pro’s. This one sentence says it all, straight from the Sauce:

“Imagine being able to print 3D objects directly from your smartphone… for just $99.”

Actually, OLO dudes, we weren’t able to imagine that… Now we can though. OLO won the World Maker Faire Editor’s Choice Award in October 2015 and has since blown people’s minds, just like it did ours, worldwide.

There’s 16 hours left on the Kickstarter. You should probably check it out. Get in on the future!

Apple Facts of the week!

Did you know that although we think of Apple as being everywhere, and that their Fifth Avenue Apple store was the city’s most photographed attraction in 2011, there are 6 states in the US that have no Apple Stores?

Sorry, Vermont, North Dakota, Wyoming, West Virginia, South Dakota and Montana.

That sounds fake, right? We had to check when we heard it – just like we bet people have to check that Apple was actually founded on April Fool’s day 1976.

Something else Apple related that isn’t a trick? Apple has trademarked both a hybrid animal called Clarus the Dogcow that appears in some Apple applications, and the noise it makes.

Moof, obviously.

The more you know.

Apple Fact of the day!

Did you know that Apple was one of the first companies to launch a consumer digital camera? And that their 1993 device the Newton originated the term “personal digital assistant” as well as being  the first to feature handwriting recognition?

The Quicktake came out in 1994 was one of the first consumer digital camera lines but was a smidge before it’s time – being discontinued in 1997. The QuickTake cameras had a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels maximum and was ranked by Time Magazine as one of it’s “100 greatest and most influential gadgets from 1923 to the present”

The Newton was also before it’s time – with production only running from 1993 until February 27, 1998, with price and handwriting recognition problems blamed for lack of sales.

The more you know, right?

iPhone trick of the week!

See microbes with DIY iPhone microscope!

Ever wonder what’s floating around in that puddle of <insert name of whatever weird liquid you have at your house here>?

Wonder no more!! Simply grab your iPhone and follow the instructions in this neat video and you’ll be wiser in minutes!