MacRumors

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming tvOS 12.1.1 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after releasing the second tvOS 12.1.1 beta and two weeks after releasing tvOS 12.1.

The new tvOS 12.1.1 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that's installed using Xcode. Subsequent betas can be downloaded over-the-air.

We're not yet sure what fixes and changes the tvOS 12.1.1 update might bring, but it's likely to focus on bugs that were not able to be addressed in the tvOS 12.1 update.

Apple provides little information on its tvOS software and tvOS updates have historically been minor in scale, so we may not know what's included in this update. Nothing new was discovered in the first two betas, but we'll update this post if any new features are found in the third beta.

Update: Apple has made a new public beta of tvOS 12.1.1 available to its public beta testers.

Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 5.1.2 update to developers, one week after seeding the first beta and a little over a week after releasing watchOS 5.1.1, an updated version of watchOS 5.1 that addressed a bug causing some Apple Watch Series 4 models to be bricked after installing the software.

Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software update.

To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.

As was discovered in the first beta, the watchOS 5.1.2 update introduces new complications for the two Infograph watch faces on the Apple Watch Series 4. New complications include Mail, Messages, Home, Maps, Apple News, Find My Friends, Phone, and Remote.

watchOS 5.1.2 also introduces a new toggle in Control Center for turning the Walkie-Talkie feature on and off.

The previous watchOS 5.1 and watchOS 5.1 updates introduced support for Group FaceTime in an audio-only capacity, brought new emoji characters, and included a new full-screen "Color" watch face option for the Apple Watch Series 4 models.

Twelve South today announced updated versions of its BookBook, Journal, and SurfacePad case accessories, which were built to fit the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.

BookBook combines an iPhone shell case with a wallet case that can hold five cards, and includes a pocket for cash. The case also folds into a display stand for hands-free usage, and if you ever want to remove the iPhone from the wallet, the separate shell case keeps protecting the smartphone.

BookBook comes in black and cognac, and costs $59.99 for the iPhone XS version, and $69.99 for the iPhone XS Max and XR versions.

Journal has many of the same features as BookBook, but with a straightforward leather design. This case is available in black and cognac as well, priced at $69.99 for the iPhone XS version, and $79.99 for the iPhone XS Max and XR versions.

Lastly, SurfacePad provides more minimal coverage for the iPhone. It protects the front and back of the smartphone, but doesn't included a separate shell case that can be detached. SurfacePad has two card slots, a viewing stand, and provides wake/sleep functionality on the iPhone X, XS, and XS Max.

SurfacePad is available in black, cognac, and a deep teal. All versions of the case for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR run for $59.99, but as of writing the XR SurfacePad is temporarily out of stock, with more expected for next week.

Twelve South has released a few new products recently, including an updated CaddySack, new Journal cases for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and a new Qi wireless charger called the PowerPic.

Best Buy today opened up another pre-Black Friday sale, calling this one its "Beat the Rush" sale and offering customers savings on iPhone XS and XS Max, 4K TVs, Beats headphones, Philips Hue lights, certified refurbished AirPods, and more. This sale will last through Saturday, November 17 at 11:59 p.m. CT, so if you see anything you're interested in be sure to make your purchase before the discounts expire.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Some of the deals in the Beat the Rush sale -- like the iPhone offers -- are matching Best Buy's upcoming savings for Black Friday, offering shoppers the chance to get access to the doorbusters at an early date. Check out some of the discounts in the list below, and head to Best Buy to see the full sale.

Black Friday prices and doorbusters

• iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR - Save $150 with qualified activation on Sprint
• iPhone X - Save $200 with qualified activation on Sprint
• Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit - $119.99, down from $189.99
• LG 65-inch LED 4K UHD TV - $599.99, down from $799.99
• Samsung 43-inch LED 4K UHD TV - $277.99, down from $379.99
• Samsung 50-inch LED 4K UHD TV - $327.99, down from $449.99

Other Sales

• AirPods, Geek Squad Certified Refurbished - $119.99, down from $159.99
• Select smartphone cases - save up to 70 percent
• Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones (Porcelain Rose) - $199.99, down from $349.99
• urBeats3 - $39.99, down from $79.99
• GoPro HERO HD Waterproof Camera - $149.99, down from $199.99
• Insignia Wi-Fi Garage Door Controller, HomeKit Compatible - $44.99, down from $69.99

In another sale, Amazon is also discounting Philips Hue today, but this one is aimed at certified refurbished products. You can save 30 percent or more in the sale, including the Philips Hue Lightstrip for $45.47, Philips Hue White A19 Bulb 2-Pack for $18.90, and the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit for $115.47. Amazon also offers an unlocked and refurbished iPhone X for as low as $725.00 today only.

For more on the latest sales, visit our full Deals Roundup. We also have ongoing coverage of upcoming Black Friday sales in our Black Friday Roundup, so be sure to read that over before next week's big event.

Apple's latest Apple Pay promotion is offering $45 off your next purchase from Ray-Ban, as long as you spend $180 or more on your current order. The offer is available on Ray-Ban.com through November 20, and customers who participate will receive the $45 as a gift voucher via email within two weeks of their order, which can be put towards their next order of $100 or more.

To receive your credit, browse the company's website, add items worth $180 or more to your cart, and check out using Apple Pay. The offer is limited to one per customer, and the credit must be redeemed before December 31, 2018. Additionally, it can only be used on full-priced items and not sale items.

Apple's promo email also encourages shoppers to look their best by shopping for the latest fashions and more at Bonobos, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Zara. All three iOS apps support payments through Apple Pay. The company also reminds users that they can split gift payments for the holidays by using Apple Pay Cash in Messages.

The Ray-Ban promo follows a few weeks after Apple Pay offered similar savings from Oakley, where customers received a $25 Oakley coupon after they spent $100 at Oakley.com. Throughout the past year, previous Apple Pay promos have targeted retail partners like Under Armour, Postmates, Nike, and StubHub, and shoppers can expect more holiday-themed promotions to be coming in the next few weeks.

Twitter has changed the way the Explore tab works in its official iOS app, with entries now organized based on topic and divided up into separate navigable sections.

Twitter says the update should make exploring the platform easier than ever, with users able to find trending tweets on specific topics by tapping the designated tabs for news, sports, fun, and entertainment.

The searchable Explore section, introduced early last year, gives users one-stop access to trends, search, Moments, and live video, with ads also showing up there in the last few months.

Users in the United States can start accessing the new Explore tabs today, with availability likely to roll out gradually to other regions and territories, all being well.

Earlier this month, Twitter added a new compose button to its official mobile app for iOS, with the aim of enabling one-handed scrolling and tweet composing. Twitter is also testing an option to quickly access a classic reverse chronological timeline, as promised back in September.

A new feature rolling out for Google Maps will allow iOS and Android users to message local businesses with their queries without having to leave the GPS-based navigation app.

The feature is an extension of Google's real-time business-to-customer messaging service that the company introduced in select countries last year.

Businesses that signed up to the service include a Message button on their Business Profiles on Google Search allowing people to get in touch, and those same messages are set to appear in the side menu of Google Maps. This from the Google blog:

Sending messages to businesses gives you the opportunity to ask questions without having to make a phone call so that you can order a cake for your mom's birthday while on the bus or find out if a shoe store has your size without having to wait on hold.

Now you'll see your messages with the businesses you connect with via Business Profiles within the Google Maps app, where you're already looking for things to do and places to go or shop.

As part of the rollout, Google is also releasing a revamped Google My Business mobile app for iOS and Android that lets businesses browse their followers, reviews and messages, as well as create content for their business profile on Google.

The dual changes follow a recent update to Google Maps that introduced a new "Follow" button to let users track businesses and learn about promotions, events and, other news. The features are Google's attempt to rival Facebook Pages, which have been the more popular go-to for companies seeking to broadcast their outward-facing business activities online.

Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

At the annual Never is Now Summit on Anti-Semitism and Hate, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) will present Apple CEO Tim Cook with its inaugural Courage Against Hate Award.

Cook, says the ADL, has been "led by a strong moral compass" and has demonstrated that the business community has a responsibility to make the world better for all people.

He recently said, "We advocate for human rights because Apple has always been about making products for everyone. And, arguably, if people are treated as second-class citizens in any part of the world, then it's kind of hard to accomplish that objective."

Tim has been led by a strong moral compass. In his role as Apple CEO, Tim is committed to leading by example in tackling critical social issues that are also core to ADL's mission including immigration and refugee rights, LGBTQ rights, cyberhate and civil rights.

The ADL also highlighted Apple's donations to ADL and other civil rights groups, along with Cook's inspiring letter to employees following the events of Charlottesville, where he wrote: "We've seen the terror of white supremacy and racist violence before. It's a moral issue -- an affront to America. We must all stand against it."

For all of the reasons listed above, the ADL chose Cook as its award recipient.

Cook will be in attendance at the Never is Now Summit in New York City on December 3, where he will speak after receiving his award.

Tickets for the event are available for $150.

Update: Tim Cook's keynote speech at the ADL "Never is Now" summit will be available via a livestream that starts at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, December 3. Cook is set to receive his award and speak at 3:20 p.m. Eastern Time.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Microsoft today released an updated Cortana app for iOS, which features an overhauled interface and new features like music and podcasts support.

For those unfamiliar with Cortana, it is Microsoft's version of Siri or Alexa, an AI-based personal assistant that can answer questions and complete small tasks.

Microsoft has been testing the revamped version of Cortana since October. The new interface is focused on conversational experiences with Cortana, plus it includes support for music and podcast suggestions, and a focus on setting reminders, timers, and meetings.

Cortana 3.0 offers up a new conversational experience when asking questions, and there is a new dedicated spot for setting up and managing Cortana devices. Microsoft's full release notes for the update are below:

What's new:
· A new conversational experience for answers
· A new place to manage and set up your Cortana devices
· Listen to music and podcasts on the go
· Stay on top of your tasks managing meetings, emails, reminders and To Do on the go
· Join your next Skype or Teams meeting by simply asking Cortana

Microsoft's Cortana app for iOS can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Instagram parent company Facebook said in August said that it would introduce tools to let users know how much time they're spending in the Instagram app, and as of today, that feature is rolling out to Instagram users.

As noted by The Verge, Instagram has a new "Your Activity" section accessible by tapping the hamburger button on your profile page.

"Your Activity" displays the time that you've spent in the Instagram app over the course of the last week, providing a daily average.

There are options to set a daily time limit with a reminder to be sent when that time limit is reached, useful for those who want to cut down on their social media usage. This section also allows includes controls for managing notifications, with toggles for customizing the notifications that you receive.

Apple also natively monitors time spent in various apps like Instagram through the Screen Time feature that was introduced in iOS 12. Screen Time info can be accessed in the Settings app on iPhones and iPads.

Facebook, like Instagram, is supposed to be gaining an activity monitoring feature, but it hasn't yet been introduced.