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One More Thing 043: WWDC: The Oooh and Ow Show
You already know what was announced at this year's WWDC. True, if you didn't watch the keynote or read our analysis then there's likely to be a lot you didn't catch but overall, you know. So this week's One More Thing laboriously details everything all over again. Oh, yes. We'll read out every one of Apple's slides. That'll be good.
Apple Design Award winners named at WWDC
As it does every year, Apple has announced the winners of the 2016 Apple Design Awards for student and professional apps made for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS -- the first year that all four platforms offered awards. An emphasis this year was on apps that were compatible with multiple languages as well as being accessibility-friendly. One student-made app, Dividr, was already available on the iOS App Store, and offers a twist on the rapid-runner scenario by allowing the character to be split into two that can be controlled independently to help pass more blocks and gather more coins. Among the other honorees were creative writing tool Ulysses for Mac (and now iOS), video collaboration app Frame.io for iOS, and music creation app djay Pro for iPad.
Hands On: OtterBox Defender Series case for iPhone 6/6s
We belong in the camp that says the best iPhone case is the AppleCare insurance program. For we love the feel of the phone without anything getting in the way. Unfortunately, whatever you may feel about cases, there are jobs where they are a practical necessity. If you have a job in, say, construction -- or maybe you spend your day running around a hospital, then the OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone 6/6s is startlingly strong, and surprisingly cheap.
Pointers: Organize iPhone apps on your Mac
Death, taxes, the fact that you haven't plugged your iPhone into your Mac since the dawn of time and the other fact that you have so many apps that your phone seems heavier. These are the four certainties of life and Pointers can do something about two of them –– plus get you an extra added bonus for your trouble.
Hands On: Alfred 3 (OS X)
There are times when it is a pleasure to use a Mac and not only when you've been working on a PC. There are just features of OS X that we take for granted –– and there are also certain applications that help that. If you've already got an earlier version then you know that Alfred 3 is one of them. If you haven't got it, go get the generously well-featured free version and immediately buy the paid one too.
Public betas of iOS 9.3.3, OS X 10.11.6; Airport Base Station updates
Apple on Tuesday issued the first public betas of iOS 9.3.3 and OS X 10.11.6, immediately following the Monday release of the developer versions of the same betas. The latest updates are considered primarily maintenance patches, with little in the way of any new features. Apple hasn't identified what the updates fix, although these often emerge on user forums not long after their availability, particularly if anything unusual is unearthed. The public betas are open to any Apple user who is enrolled in Apple's Beta Software Program, but as always, caution is urged when attempting to install non-finalized software.
IDC: Chromebook shipments outpace Mac in US for first quarter
Shipments of Chromebooks have outpaced those of Macs for the first time in the United States, according to information from an analytics firm. IDC analyst Linn Huang advised the cheap notebooks using Chrome OS "overtook Mac OS in the US in terms of shipments for the first time" in the first quarter of this year by its own estimates, though the analyst stopped short of advising by how much of a margin Chromebooks were in the lead.
Hands On: Awa 1.2 (OS X)
It's not fair to expect greatness from a $1 app. However, all this one manages to do is make you wish even more that Apple would bring Siri to the the Mac -- and maybe wonder if there are reasons why it hasn't. For Awa 1.2 aims to be the kind of voice control that Siri is for iOS, and as yet is not for OS X. It aims to be this, and it feels like the start of something that may grow and improve, but right now it just doesn't work.
App review times drop to just two days, say developers
Although the two App Stores Apple operations -- one main one for iOS-based apps (including Apple TV), and one for Mac apps -- have been hugely successful, they have not been without complaints from developers over various aspects, including some back-end issues. One such issue -- unpredictable and sometimes-long review times for app submissions to be checked and approved before being published on the stores -- appears to be in the process of being resolved, with developers reporting dramatically-shorter approval times.
Hands On: WhatsApp 0.2.684 (OS X, Windows)
WhatsApp is like Apple's Messages, but for everybody -- pretty much regardless of what type of phone they have. So it looks like text messaging, but it's got Messages's ability to send just about anything from typing to audio, and it doesn't rack up those ancient MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) charges. Now what you've had on your phone, you've now got on your Mac with WhatsApp 0.2.684 for OS X.
Now AAPL Stock: 112.42 ( -1.53 )
Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
