MacRumors

Running and cycling app Strava today announced a new update focused on expanding the social aspect of the app's toolset, launching first for 36 professional athletes and expanding to all users later this summer. Called "Athlete Posts," the new feature will let the group of athletes post personal stories, ask their fans questions, share gear tips and recommendations, detail their workout plans, and more.

The update is an expansion to Strava's current social feed and activity uploads, which let all users post pictures of their workout, details of where the run or bike ride was located, and enables comments and likes on posts. According to Strava, Athlete Posts will be a more nuanced addition to its social features that will include basic text and link posts without requiring a workout-related activity upload.

Strava said that this will lead to posts related to recipes, article sharing, stories about recent vacations, and will allow users to avoid other social networks in their hunt for sports-related subject matter.

No more digging through forum websites built in the ’90s to find your niche gear question. And you can leave all the political rants and cat GIFs behind on other social networks. Strava’s where you can be a sport nerd, hanging out with other sport nerds, and delightfully little else.

Strava mentioned that early access for the 36 included athletes will allow any user following them to become familiar with the feature ahead of its wide public debut. Some of the athletes who will begin using Athlete Posts today include Lauren Fleshman, Rich Roll, Susie Chan, Adrian Ballinger, and more. The full list can be found on Strava's website.

“Strava is a place where athletes come to connect with each other, share their experiences and learn from one another,” says Aaron Forth, Chief Product Officer at Strava. “And until now, those connections have been based entirely on athletic activities. Our opportunity is to help athletes have conversations beyond their daily activities, sharing everything from favorite gear, to injury recovery tips, to travel recommendations.

To open up those conversations, we are introducing the ability for members to post new types of content. Ultimately, when you want to engage with friends who share your passion for all things running, cycling, swimming, hiking, or any other sport, Strava is the place to do it.”

Athlete Posts will be available for all users when the feature launches wide later this summer, and it won't be part of the Strava Premium membership plan. Strava is available to download for free from the iOS App Store [Direct Link], and the update should begin appearing throughout the day. As the company pointed out in its blog post, users will only notice Athlete Posts if they follow one of the 36 participating athletes.

Photos emerged online overnight that allegedly reveal the design of Fitbit's first "true" smartwatch, rumors of which we covered last month. The images were originally published by Yahoo Finance and appear to show that the company's upcoming Apple Watch rival looks very similar to the $150 Fitbit Blaze fitness watch, which has been on sale since early 2016.

The watch's square face, physical buttons, and flexible elastomer wristband closely resemble the company's Blaze. Several Fitbit employees who saw the design are said to have complained about it, according to previous reports.

Specifications of the smartwatch, which is said to be codenamed "Higgs" internally, include a color display with 1,000 nits of brightness similar to the Apple Watch Series 2, built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, a full-fledged app store, contactless payments, storage for music, Pandora support, and four days of battery life. The $300 watch was previously thought to have an aluminum unibody design that supports swappable watch bands.

The smartwatch was initially said to be launching this spring, but technical problems have reportedly plagued the product and the company is now thought to be aiming for a fall release.

Fitbit is also rumored to be releasing a pair of Bluetooth earbuds similar in design to Apple's BeatsX buds. Codenamed "Parkside" internally, the $150 wireless earbuds will hang around the neck and be marketed as an accessory for the forthcoming smartwatch.

A lot is riding on the success of Fitbit's upcoming products, after the company faced one of its "largest declines ever" in the fourth quarter of 2016, which resulted in layoffs of about 6 percent of its staff. Although the company remained above Apple Watch in the number of units shipped, it has gradually been losing market share to rivals Apple and Xiaomi.

Apple is exploring an electronic tagging solution to make it easier for Apple Watch users to track their calorie and nutritional intake as part of a healthy lifestyle, as shown in a patent newly granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Many of today's healthy eating and diet-based food apps require users to manually input nutrition information into their mobile devices, whether by scanning barcodes with their phone's camera or inputting nutritional figures unit by unit. It's the sort of repetitive and time-consuming exercise that often causes users to give up on their diet-tracking, but Apple's invention offers a much more convenient solution.

Titled "Electronic tag transmissions of custom-order nutritional information", the patent describes a system that allows food vendors to encode nutritional information into radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on the fly. The tags can be generated to accompany multiple-item orders at a food counter, as an attachment to the food packaging or as part of a purchase receipt. The tags can then be used to automatically transmit the nutrition data to the customer's NFC-capable device, such as an iPhone or Apple Watch.

In one example detailed in the patent, an RFID tag combines the multiple variables that make up a customer's bespoke food order – such as the bread, cheese, meat, and sauces in a hamburger – to generate accurate nutritional information for the end user. Once these details are transmitted to the user's mobile device, a health monitoring app subtracts the numbers from a daily calorie intake limit as defined in advance, allowing for a more measured, less bothersome way of recording eating habits.

If such a system ever came to market, its success would depend on the wide adoption of the technology by all kinds of food vendors – a difficult undertaking that suggests Apple's aims may not be so grand. As noted by AppleInsider, it's possible the RFID tagging could be used in company cafeterias and restaurants for the benefit of employees – in Apple Park, for example.

Apple has increased its focus on health and medical technology that integrates with its mobile devices in recent years, with iPhone and Apple Watch being at the center of its plans. HealthKit framework debuted in 2014, allowing developers to build health monitoring software that integrates with Apple's Health app, while Apple's open source framework ResearchKit was made available to developers in April 2015, enabling them to create their own iPhone apps for medical research purposes.

Logitech today announced the debut of the Logitech Slim Folio, a Bluetooth keyboard and case that's designed for the fifth-generation 9.7-inch iPad that Apple debuted earlier this year.

The Slim Folio has been designed with what Logitech says are "large, well-spaced keys" that are "stretched from edge-to-edge" and a comfortable layout to make typing quicker and easier. It also features dedicated function and iOS shortcut keys to do things like switch between apps, bring up the search function, access the Home screen, and control volume without needing to touch the iPad's display.

A folio-style stand locks into place at an ideal typing and viewing angle, allowing the iPad to be used equally well on a flat surface like a desk or a lap. Designed to be slim and light, the folio protects the iPad from scratches and bumps with stain resistant fabric that was originally developed for the luggage industry.

"The fifth-generation iPad is Apple's most affordable iPad to date, but there's still a learning curve typing on the new device if you're used to a laptop or desktop keyboard," said Michele Hermann, vice president of mobility at Logitech. "With four years of battery life, a lightweight design, and overall great typing experience, the Logitech SLIM FOLIO can help take your mobile computing to a new level, allowing you to enjoy laptop-like typing anywhere."

The new iPad connects to the Slim Folio over Bluetooth LE, with the keyboard automatically activating whenever the iPad is put into a typing position. Replaceable coin cell batteries that last up to four years mean there's no need for charging.

Logitech is offering pre-orders for the Slim Folio starting today from the Logitech website. The Slim Folio is priced at $99.99 and will be available globally in May.

Apple has added Spike and Nickelodeon, including Nick Jr., to the universal search function on the fourth-generation Apple TV.

For those unfamiliar with universal search, it allows users to use Siri or input text-based searches to find TV and movie content across a wide range of channels. At launch, universal search only supported a few channels, but Apple has been rapidly expanding the feature to encompass additional channels.

Apple TV universal search is available for a wide number of apps in the United States, but the feature is limited to iTunes, Netflix, and a few other services in Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Elsewhere, only movies in iTunes are supported.

Relatedly, Apple's new TV app now supports the apps Crackle, Filmstruck, and Freeform on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.

Samsung is rumored to be looking into a potential acquisition deal with Taiwan-based PlayNitride, specifically for the company's micro-LED technology, as Apple's micro-LED ambitions for the Apple Watch stretch into 2018.

According to sources speaking with OLED-Info, Samsung is willing to offer up to $150 million for the company, and would use the micro-LED tech for VR applications and television sets in the future.

Another potential reason behind Samsung's interest in PlayNitride might be related to Apple and an upcoming version of the Apple Watch.

Apple has been predicted to switch its wearable device over from an OLED display to micro-LED as soon as 2017, but it's more likely that micro-LED screens will hit an Apple Watch device in 2018, according to reports from sources in Apple's Longtan District plant in Taiwan.

Apple Inc is expected to crank out a small volume of next-generation Micro-LED displays from a plant in Taoyuan by the end of this year for its wearable devices, an IDC analyst said yesterday.

The US technology giant is forecast to begin mass production of Micro-LED displays at the plant in Longtan District (龍潭) next year, ahead of rival display makers, IDC analyst Annabelle Hsu said.

If accurate, a late 2017 ramp-up for a 2018 product launch would align with Samsung's entry in the micro-LED supply chain thanks to PlayNitride. Reports surrounding PlayNitride state that the company doesn't plan on beginning to produce micro-LED chips until later in 2017, meaning that the display maker and Samsung -- if it acquires PlayNitride -- wouldn't be added as potential Apple Watch supply sources until 2018 or later.

According to an industry insider in Taiwan, Samsung is set to acquire Taiwan's PlayNitride for the company's micro-LED technology for around $150 million. Our inside says that Samsung aims to develop micro-LED based displays for VR applications, but may also look into micro-LED based TVs using PlayNitride's technology.

All this means that Samsung may be just hedging its bets and gaining a foothold in an interesting and promising next-generation display technology. A $150 million investment is substantial - but Samsung is also spending billions of dollars to expand its OLED production capacity so it's unlikely that Samsung actually considers micro-LED as a replacement for OLEDs, unless maybe for specific applications.

In regards to advantages of micro-LED, devices with the screen technology have the chance to be thinner, lighter, see an improved color gamut with increased brightness, and sport higher resolutions.

Still, there remain numerous technical challenges that make micro-LED difficult to mass produce, making some analysts believe that true commercialization of the technology won't be reached until 2020. If Apple tries to build an Apple Watch with micro-LED this year or next, the company could face potential hurdles with the new technology, similar to what is rumored to be happening with the iPhone 8 and its switch to the new OLED screen.

A few years ago Apple itself acquired a micro-LED display maker, LuxVue, but the company hasn't given any updates on the progress of its micro-LED development since then. At the time, a LuxVue investor said that the company had made "a technical breakthrough in displays." Also believed to be a focus of Apple's micro-LED efforts is a facility in northern Taiwan.

While Apple's timing for micro-LED technology remains unclear, Apple Watch Series 3 is rumored to come with an all-new glass-film touchscreen in place of the current touch-on-lens solution, although it's not certain how such an update would affect users. Rumors still conflict as to whether or not the Series 3 edition will mark the Apple Watch's first major design change, or be another iterative addition to the lineup with a focus on battery life improvements.

Apple will begin selling iPhones directly through its website in India later this year, according to local newspaper The Economic Times.

Apple plans to make the iPhone SE available on its online store by October, in time for the Indian festival Diwali, followed by other iPhone models once it expands local production to include the rest of its smartphone lineup.

Apple manufacturing partner Wistron is expected to begin iPhone SE assembly at its Bengaluru facility by the end of June, satisfying India's requirement that 30 percent of products sold by foreign companies be manufactured or produced within the country. Thus, the iPhone SE can soon be sold on Apple's website in India.

Wistron will begin assembling the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s over the coming weeks too, The Wall Street Journal previously reported, so those older models could eventually be added to Apple's online store in India as well.

Apple's website in India currently has a "Where to Buy" page for all iPhone models, directing users to resellers Airtel and Vodafone.

Apple may also sell some accessories sourced from India on its online store in the country, according to today's report.

Apple is expected to open its first physical retail store in India as early as 2018, and the company is reportedly looking to open four to five flagship-class stores in the country over the next five to ten years.

Fans of Domino's pizza will gain access to a collection of new mobile ordering advantages thanks to the pizza chain's partnership with automation platform If This Then That, known as IFTTT. With the addition of new Domino's "Applets," anyone ordering a pizza from the restaurant who owns a few connected smart home products -- like Philips Hue -- will be able to receive notifications about their order update in interesting new ways.

As the first restaurant brand to join IFTTT and create an Applet, Domino's has listed a few useful IFTTT commands of its own to celebrate the partnership. One of the most notable Applets sends a signal to a user's Philips Hue bulbs, changing the lighting color at various intervals of the order's progress, like switching over to blue when the pizza has been placed in the oven.

Other Applets will turn off a Rachio Smart Sprinkler system when the Domino's order is out for delivery, preventing potential mishaps for the delivery person, and even activate a Samsung POWERbot vacuum when the order is being prepped to clean up the house before guests arrive.

"We understand how much people love using Domino's Tracker, not only to know where their order is in the preparation and delivery process, but also to plan around that much-anticipated pizza arrival," said Dennis Maloney, Domino's senior vice president – chief digital officer.

"And now we're empowering customers to unleash their imagination as they create new ways to integrate some of our favorite innovations, like Domino's Tracker, into their everyday lives. Thanks to the endless possibilities of IFTTT Applets, customers will be more connected than ever."

To sync up IFTTT and Domino's Tracker Applets, users can download the IFTTT app on iOS [Direct Link] or Android devices. Although Domino's Applets are limited on the restaurant's IFTTT page, users will be able to create any number of commands on the automation app platform, including text message-based alerts about orders.

Last week, Twitter announced plans to launch a network of news-based TV shows that would stream on the social media company's apps 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Now, a report by The Wall Street Journal has confirmed that Twitter will be partnering with Bloomberg in its live streaming endeavor, and together the two plan to launch a service "that will stream news produced solely for Twitter," and is set to debut sometime in the fall of 2017.

The network, which has yet to be officially named, will showcase the "most important" pieces of news going on every day around the world, and Bloomberg Media CEO Justin Smith mentioned that it will be "broader in focus" than the media company's existing network. The Bloomberg/Twitter hybrid won't be a simple rebroadcasting of Bloomberg's existing news streams, but consist of all-new reporting from various global Bloomberg bureaus.

Twitter's contribution to the network will come in the addition of crowdsourced footage being added into news pieces through videos posted on Twitter during related news coverage.

“It is going to be focused on the most important news for an intelligent audience around the globe and it’s going to be broader in focus than our existing network,” said Bloomberg Media’s chief executive officer, Justin Smith.

“We really think we can reach audiences that are not paying for TV and are watching television on the go and we think Bloomberg is the perfect partner for us to start with,” said Anthony Noto, Twitter’s chief financial and operating officer.

The monetary aspect of the deal was not disclosed by either Twitter or Bloomberg, but the companies did confirm that the network would be supported by advertisements and that programming duties would entirely fall on Bloomberg's shoulders.

The report comes ahead of the official announcement of the partnership, set to happen later today at an event that Bloomberg is holding for advertisers, where Michael Bloomberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey will both be in attendance. Previously, Twitter and Bloomberg partnered to cover the presidential debates last year on the social media network.

Besides those debates, Twitter has embraced live video during a number of special events, including the inauguration and pre- and post-shows for the 2017 Oscars. Video has subsequently turned into a major effort for Twitter, and in the first quarter of 2017 became one of the largest portions of the company's ad revenue, ramping up alongside similar video projects from rivals Facebook and Snapchat.

The advantage for users watching Twitter and Bloomberg's network will come thanks to the ability to watch live news coverage while simultaneously viewing and posting commentary of it from Twitter's social network. "Viewers have already embraced a multistream experience with live events," said Smith. "And marrying those experiences seemed like a very powerful thing to offer to consumers."

Update: Twitter has now revealed details on new shows coming to its 24/7 live streaming network with the help of partners other than Bloomberg, including BuzzFeed, the WNBA, and The Verge. The full list of partners and shows -- which range from sports coverage to fashion-related commentary -- can be found on Recode.