Apple today released another update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March of 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.
Safari Technology Preview release 12 includes bug fixes and updates for JavaScript, Web APIs, Web Inspector, MathML, CSS, rendering, and accessibility. Several security fixes are also included.
As of release 8, Safari Technology Preview has supported Apple Pay in the web browser, a feature set to launch as part of macOS Sierra.
The Safari Technology Preview update is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store to anyone who has downloaded the browser. Versions are available for developers running both macOS Sierra and OS X El Capitan. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.
Apple’s goal with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can be run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.
Just a week ahead of Apple's planned September 7 event, Samsung today unveiled its latest smart watch, the Gear S3. Samsung's newest wearable device comes in two varieties - a "Classic" model with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and "Frontier" model that features LTE support. GPS, a new feature, is built into each model.
An always-on Super AMOLED display is included and with LTE, the Frontier model, positioned as the more rugged, outdoor Gear S3 watch, can load data quickly enough to stream songs from music services like Spotify.
Both Gear S3 models look similar, with a 46mm solid steel case and a rotating bezel (adopted from the Gear S2) that's used to swap between watch faces and select apps. The Gear S3 uses standard 22mm watch bands that are compatible with a wide range of third-party band options, and its larger body houses a 380 mAh battery that's able to last up to four days between charges.
Samsung Gear S3 is available in two bold designs to suit different users' lifestyles: frontier and classic. Inspired by the active explorer, the Gear S3 frontier evokes a rugged outdoor look with an enduring style that blends form and function. The frontier was designed to perform in any setting or environment - whether business or leisure. The Gear S3 classic pays homage to the minimalist, elegant style found in the most iconic timepieces. The classic was designed with meticulous attention to detail -- with its size and shape chosen to attain the same consistency and balance of a well-crafted luxury watch.
Other features built into both the Gear S3 Classic and the Gear S3 Frontier include the same activity tracking options available in all Gear smart watches, IP-68 water resistance, miltary-level durability, barometer/speedometer, support for Samsung Pay and MST/NFC payment transactions, and speakers. The Gear S3 also uses Corning's new Gorilla Glass SR+, said to be super scratch resistant.
The Gear S3 continues to use Samsung's Tizen operating system. Software updates being introduced today will also be brought to the Gear S2, Samsung's previous generation Smart Watch that will continue to exist in the Gear lineup.
Samsung has not yet unveiled pricing or a specific release date for the Gear 3 smart watch, but it is expected to be released in the U.S. later this year.
Apple may release details on its next-generation Apple Watch at its September event. Rumors suggest the device will include a faster processor, a better battery, and built-in GPS, but design changes are not expected.
Update: According to a Samsung representative that spoke to SamMobile, the Gear S3 will work with the iPhone, likely via the Gear mobile app that's in development for iOS devices.
Following its recent acquisition of Turi, a Seattle-based machine learning and artificial intelligence startup, a pair of new job listings reveal that Apple has spun the company into its new machine learning division.
Apple is looking to hire data scientists and advanced app developers, based in Seattle, who together will help build proof-of-concept apps for multiple Apple products to deliver new and improved user experiences where possible.
Turi is the new machine learning division at Apple. We build tools that enable teams across Apple to develop machine learning solutions to power amazingly intelligent user experiences. We are looking for new energetic members to join our ML Applications team to collaborate with product teams on a variety of proof-of-concept projects.
Many of those improvements driven by machine learning were highlighted in a recent profile about Apple's artificial intelligence efforts, including improved Siri accuracy, app suggestions, and several other examples:
You see it when the phone identifies a caller who isn’t in your contact list (but did email you recently). Or when you swipe on your screen to get a shortlist of the apps that you are most likely to open next. Or when you get a reminder of an appointment that you never got around to putting into your calendar. Or when a map location pops up for the hotel you’ve reserved, before you type it in. Or when the phone points you to where you parked your car, even though you never asked it to. These are all techniques either made possible or greatly enhanced by Apple’s adoption of deep learning and neural nets.
Apple is seeking data scientists with a minimum of 3 years experience with machine learning, with a focus on deep learning, natural language processing, image applications, recommenders, physical sensors, and signal processing.
Turi was designed to help developers build apps with artificial intelligence capabilities that automatically scale. It developed the Turi Machine Learning Platform, GraphLab Create, and Turi Predictive Services, used for functions like recommendations, fraud detection, sentiment analysis, and more.
Apple has expanded its presence in Seattle, so it is likely the new hires will accompany existing Turi employees that have remained in the area.
A small but noticeable update has hit Instagram today, with the company launching the ability to zoom in on photos within the iOS app. With pinch-to-zoom support, users can get better close-up views of Instagram posts within their feed, on other users' profiles, and in the Explore tab.
Today we’re bringing ZOOM to Instagram on iOS! Pinch to zoom on photos & videos in feed, on profiles and on Explore pic.twitter.com/j1g4JQozK2
— Instagram (@instagram) August 31, 2016
Users will be able to zoom in on videos in each of these locations as well, but the update is only rolling out to iOS Instagram users right now, with no word yet regarding when it might debut on Android. You can download Instagram from the iOS App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Bang & Olufsen recently unveiled a pair of new wireless speakers, the BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2, which provide 360-degree sound displacement in cone-shaped aluminum exteriors with the added bonus of support for AirPlay (via Engadget). The speakers are priced at a premium for their sound quality and top-shelf construction, with the BeoSound 1 running for 1,295 euros (about $1,450) while the BeoSound 2 costs 1,695 euros (just under $2,000).
The difference between the two speakers lies in their size, with the BeoSound 1 acting as a more portable alternative with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 16 hours. The higher-quality BeoSound 2 requires an AC power outlet for all of its functions. Both include 360-degree sound projection to ensure high quality music playback wherever the speakers are located, but the BeoSound 2 also packs in a "sonic power" feature that produces "goosebump-inducing" sound.
Besides AirPlay, for streaming music each speaker supports Bluetooth, Google Cast, and DLNA, as well as the ability to connect multiple Bang & Olufsen speakers into a multi-room, synchronous listening experience. Hidden on the aluminum body are a set of touch controls that let users access music playback options without needing to open a smartphone.
Combined with each speaker's integrated cloud connection to services including Spotify, Deezer, QPlay, and TuneIn, the company says smartphone battery life will be preserved, and any calls, texts, and games can continue without interrupting the music. The connected BeoMusic app supports music control and the ability to setup the speaker's multi-room listening feature. While each speaker includes AirPlay integration for hassle-free playback from an Apple device, Bang & Olufsen's app itself lacks Apple Music integration, but an Apple Watch extension to the app is also available.
The company says the design of the speaker allows for the bass to emerge from the bottom, while the opening at the top generates better acoustics. Aluminum was chosen as a material for the speakers' construction due to its "acoustic properties," as well, which are said to include: "material stiffness, avoidance of dissonance from joints and corners, and the elimination of distortion."
The BeoSound 1 is available to purchase now, but the BeoSound 2 won't ship until sometime in October. Although the company has a few cheaper alternatives for wireless music playback, many of their products are known for being high quality accessories at top-tier prices.
Tile has introduced a slimmer version of its popular lost-and-found tracker that is as thin as two credit cards.
Tile Slim can be attached to MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, passports, and other important items, or placed inside items like wallets and purses, to help you locate them in the event they are lost. Unlike the original Tile, which remains available for $25, the Tile Slim does not have a circular cutout to attach it to a keychain.
By tapping a button in the companion iOS app, the Tile Slim will deliver an audible chime to help you locate an item by sound when it's within a range of up to approximately 100 feet but out of sight. Or, if you lost the iPhone itself, simply tap the button on the Time Slim and the iPhone will start chiming, even in silent mode.
If you still cannot find your Tile-affixed item, you can use the Tile app to check its last known location on a map. If your Tiled wallet comes within range of any other Tile, for example, its location will automatically be updated within the iPhone app.
The tracker uses Bluetooth LE and has a built-in unremovable battery that is rated to last one year, at which point customers can participate in the reTile program to purchase a new Tile Slim for a discounted price of $21, or a four-pack for $84.
Tile Slim is available now for $30, or a four-pack can be purchased for $100. Tile ships to the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and most countries in the European Union, excluding Cyprus, Croatia, and Malta.
Apple is planning to include iris scanning capabilities on the tenth-anniversary iPhone launching in 2017, according to a Chinese-language MoneyDJ report translated by DigiTimes. The latter website, citing supply chain sources, previously said the feature would not debut on iPhones until at least 2018.
An iris scanner could complement or replace Touch ID as a way to verify a user's identity, enabling iPhone users to unlock their smartphone, make payments, and more by authenticating with their eyes. A person's iris, or the circular colored muscle of the eye, contains a complex and random pattern that is unique to each individual.
An iris scanner on a smartphone would not be unprecedented, as Samsung included one on the new Galaxy Note7 released earlier this month.
Taiwan-based supplier Xintec, an affiliate of Apple manufacturer TSMC, will begin mass production of iris-recognition chips in 2017, likely in an effort to secure orders from Apple and other smartphone vendors next year:
Xintec is expected to enter mass production for iris-recognition chips in 2017, which will boost the backend house's revenues for the year, the report cited market watchers as saying. New orders for iris-recognition sensors include those for the chips that will be embedded in the 2017 series of iPhone, the watchers were also quoted in the report.
Xintec said the company does not comment on rumors or speculation about specific products or customer orders.
After introducing a standalone mode for the DxO ONE Smartphone Camera earlier in the year, the camera manufacturer today announced an update to its DxO ONE lineup that'll bring waterproofing to the accessory, as well as an all-new Wi-Fi remote control. The latter feature will be available to all DxO ONE users through a 2.0 software update coming to the connected iOS app [Direct Link], while the former will manifest as a separate hardware accessory available for any existing DxO ONE.
The Wi-Fi remote control will streamline the Wi-Fi setup process on the accessory thanks to a Lightning adapter connection that allows an iOS device to "seamlessly pass its Wi-Fi authentication credentials from the iPhone to the DxO ONE." The enhanced communication between the camera and the iPhone allows for users to retain control over every setting in the DxO ONE without needing to return to the smartphone, along with "the ability to easily view, edit and share their content to social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube."
“Last year, we revolutionized mobile photography by packing DSLR-quality into a camera design so incredibly small that it could always be available in our pocket,” said DxO CEO and founder, Jérôme Ménière. “And now, thanks to WiFi Remote Control and our new accessories ecosystem, all our users can take the DxO ONE with them absolutely anywhere, without restrictions, and extend their creativity even further.”
In addition to the Wi-Fi upgrade, the 2.0 update will introduce an automatic lighting feature called Mobile Smart Lighting, battery management enhancements, an auto-focus mode, and an underwater white balance for better submerged images. The update is expected to hit sometime in the second half of September.
On the accessory side of things, DxO touts the stainless steel Outdoor Shell as an "extremely rugged" add-on that's still easy to attach and remove at a whim. Attachable to the shell are two waterproof back doors, one that is splash proof (IP67) and one that is "fully submersible and immersion proof" up to 150 feet. In addition to water resistance/proofing, the shell protects from dust and basic accidental drops, while still providing access to the camera's buttons and modes.
The company is also launching a line of other new accessories, including an optical adapter and a stand, both selling for $24.99. For the $59.99 Outdoor Shell, customers can choose from seven different colors: yellow, lagoon, lime, coral, black, khaki, and white. As with the 2.0 update, the accessories are expected to begin shipping later in September. The DxO ONE camera itself sells for $499.00.
Apple has updated its System Status page to reflect ongoing issues with all store services, including the App Store on iOS devices, Mac App Store, tvOS App Store on Apple TV, and app-related Volume Purchase Program for business customers.
Apple notes that some users may be unable to access the aforementioned stores or services or make purchases in the United States, Canada, and other regions. The issues began around 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
Update: Apple's System Status page now shows that all store services have been restored as of shortly after 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
After Dropbox forced a password reset on any user who hadn't changed their login credentials since mid-2012 -- due to a hack faced by the company that year -- new information has surfaced recently detailing the extent of the user data leak.
According to a collection of files obtained by Motherboard, containing the email addresses and hashed passwords of the affected user base, a total of 68,680,741 Dropbox accounts were successfully targeted during the 2012 hack. When Dropbox announced it was going through with the preventative password reset measure last week, the company didn't give any hint as to the extent of the users touched by the four-year-old hack.
The "incident," as Dropbox refers to it, was a data breach in the summer of 2012 where a few users began reporting spam sent to email addresses connected to a Dropbox account. Due to a password hack connected to other websites, hackers were able to sign in to "a small number" of Dropbox accounts, including an employee's who had access to a document listing an array of user email addresses.
Dropbox is confident its message to users last week has covered "all potentially impacted users," and the company is encouraging users to still reset passwords on other services that have the same login information, particularly passwords, previously used for Dropbox.
“We've confirmed that the proactive password reset we completed last week covered all potentially impacted users," said Patrick Heim, Head of Trust and Security for Dropbox. "We initiated this reset as a precautionary measure, so that the old passwords from prior to mid-2012 can’t be used to improperly access Dropbox accounts. We still encourage users to reset passwords on other services if they suspect they may have reused their Dropbox password.”
As Motherboard discovered, nearly 32 million of the affected accounts were secured with the strong hashing function bcrypt, "meaning it is unlikely that hackers will be able to obtain many of the users' actual passwords." The other half of the passwords had a slightly less secure SHA-1 aging algorithm and were salted with a random string of characters to further strengthen them. Since 2012, Dropbox has changed up this password and account hashing process several times in attempt to make sure every user remains secure.
Motherboard confirmed that none of the four files, which total 5GB of collected user login data, appear to be anywhere on the dark web. Also, given Dropbox's aggressive measures taken in the past week, their value will continue to "diminish" over time.
A photo claiming to show a specification sheet for a 256GB-capacity iPhone 7 Plus has been circulating online today.
Originally posted on Chinese microblogging site Weibo, the image is just the latest in a series of pictures of potentially dubious authenticity given how easy it is to digitally alter them.
The photo in question appears to be of Hong Kong origin, and claims to show the inclusion of Lightning-equipped wired EarPods and a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter in the box.
Those details square with the widely held belief that Apple's upcoming iPhone 7 and 7 Plus won't have a headphone jack, and will instead rely on an all-in-one Lightning port for charging, listening, and connectivity.
Yesterday, Apple added a 2TB storage tier to its iCloud service, which could be tied to the impending launch of a larger capacity handset or improvements to phone camera quality. Also yesterday, Apple was granted EAEC certificates for "AirPods" – wireless in-ear headphones which may be sold separately as accessories.
With just a week to go before Apple's September 7 media event, leaks and rumors of varying quality will undoubtedly continue to emerge at an increasing pace. Pre-orders for the new iPhones are expected to begin on September 9 with a potential launch of September 16 or September 23.
Amazon has expanded its domestic goods-ordering Dash Buttons program beyond U.S. shores, bringing the devices to Germany, Austria, and the U.K. for the first time.
The buttons have been available in the U.S. since March of last year, and enable Amazon Prime customers to reorder specific household items like coffee, toilet paper, and washing up liquid by pressing a physical button that's wirelessly linked to their Amazon account.
Amazon has added over 100 popular household brands to its Dash program in the 18 months since its launch, in a bid to make reordering goods online a seamless process. Daniel Rausch, Director of Amazon Dash, said of the launch:
"We've all experienced the frustration of running out of something we need—Dash Button and Dash Replenishment Service are designed to make that moment a thing of the past.
"Dash Buttons offer the convenience of 1-Click shopping from anywhere in the home — they can be placed near those frequently used items you don't want to run out of, and when you see supplies running low, the Dash Button makes it easier than ever to order more. Just press the button and your item is on its way."
Dash buttons cost $4.99 (£4.99 / 4.99 euros) each, but Prime members get the same amount discounted off their first order, making the first device essentially free.
Amazon also announced it is launching its Dash Replacement Service (DRS) in the above countries. DRS lets connected devices like water filters and printers link up to the Dash system, either by manufacturers incorporating manual Dash buttons into the hardware, or enabling the devices to automatically reorder supplies when they are running low.
Companies including Bosch, Siemens, Samsung and Whirlpool are currently working on integrating Dash Replenishment into their products, according to Rausch.
Amazon Prime costs $99 (£79 / 49 euros) and grants customers access to a range of Amazon services.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Fahey today dismissed the key claims in a lawsuit that alleged that Beats co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre double-crossed former partner Noel Lee, founder of cable maker Monster, reportsThe Associated Press. The allegations were made in a lawsuit that was filed last year.
Monster's lawsuit accused the Beats co-founders of orchestrating a "sham" deal with HTC that would terminate Monster's stake in Beats. Monster used to design and sell Beats by Dre headphones, but that changed when Beats sold 51 percent of the company to HTC in 2011, invoking a change-of-ownership clause in the Beats and Monster deal.
Beats Electronics later repurchased HTC's stake in the company and convinced Lee to sell part of his 5 percent stake. Lee alleges that the moves were made to exclude Monster from Beats by Dre profits and, later, the Apple acquisition, which would have netted Lee more than $100 million if he had kept his stake.
Judge Fahey concluded that Beats' actions were allowed under the contracts they had signed with Lee and Monster, and that Lee and his company had entered into business with Beats as sophisticated investors. Fahey also dismissed Monster's claims against HTC America.
Last July, Apple revoked Monster's "Made for iPhone" license after the lawsuit. The trial is still scheduled to go on next week, but will be limited to Beats' effort to force Monster to pay its attorney fees.
Mophie today announced the next generation of its Powerstation family of external batteries, focused on delivering extra battery power to multiple devices in different situations. The complete Powerstation family now includes the new Charge Force Powerstation and Powerstation USB-C alongside updates to the Powerstation Plus and Powerstation lines.
The first new device is the Charge Force Powerstation, an extension of Mophie's wireless charging ecosystem. The device is compatible with all Charge Force Juice Pack cases as well as other Qi wireless charging-enabled devices. It delivers 10,000 mAh of battery capacity, which Mophie says is nearly 5X additional battery life for most smartphones.
The redesigned Powerstation Plus upgrades its built-in charging cable with a new switch-tip, allowing users to easily adapt the cable for either iOS or Android devices. The new, slimmer design comes in Space Gray, Gold, and Rose Gold and three storage configurations: the 4,000 mAh Powerstation Plus mini ($59.95), the 6,000 mAh Powerstation Plus ($79.95), and the 12,000 mAh Powerstation Plus XL ($99.95). However, the XL version does not come in Gold. The Plus also comes with a second USB port that allows users to charge two mobile devices at the same time.
The fourth-generation Powerstation line also sees a redesign, with colored aluminum plates on the top and bottom of the devices. This line comes in four upgraded storage configurations: the 3,000 mAh Powerstation mini ($29.95), the 6,000 mAh Powerstation ($49.95), the 10,000 mAh Powerstation XL ($69.95), and the 20,000 mAh Powerstation XXL ($99.95). Mophie says the XXL, which is only available in Space Gray and Rose Gold, is the largest capacity universal battery the company has offered to date.
The Powerstation comes in White, Space Gray, Rose Gold, and Gold while the Powerstation XL comes in Space Gray, Rose Gold and Gold. Mophie says the Powerstation mini is inspired by the street art of Los Angeles, coming with the bolder color options of pink, blue, purple, black, and white.
Finally, the Powerstation USB-C is a 10,000 mAh battery in an aluminum casing that comes with both USB-C and USB-A charge ports with cables included. Mophie touts that the device is capable of powering "all past, current, and future smartphones." It's available for $99.95.
The new Powerstation and Powerstation Plus external battery packs are currently available on Mophie's website, while the Charge Force Powerstation and Powerstation USB-C are coming soon to Mophie.com and select retailers.
Apple today quietly added a new iCloud storage tier, offering customers 2TB of data storage space at a price of $19.99 per month in the United States. Apple now offers four iCloud storage tiers at prices that start at $0.99.
The new 2TB iCloud storage option comes just over a week ahead of the company's September 7 event, where new versions of the iPhone and Apple Watch are expected to debut alongside new operating system updates.
Rumors have suggested camera improvements could be one of the features coming to the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, and that could be one of the reasons Apple is introducing more storage space. A dual-lens camera, as is rumored for the iPhone 7 Plus, could potentially produce images that are larger, resulting in customers who need more space to store their photos and other files.
We've also heard rumors that the high-end iPhone models could offer up to 256GB of storage (perhaps limited to the iPhone 7 Plus), which could be another factor leading to Apple's decision to increase available iCloud storage space.
Perhaps the biggest reason for the jump in iCloud space is a new desktop syncing feature coming to macOS Sierra. In the new operating system, all files stored on the desktop or in the Documents folder of a Mac are automatically uploaded to iCloud to make them available across a wide range of devices.
In 2015, Corning announced "Project Phire," a new material that combines the strength of Gorilla Glass with the scratch-resistance of sapphire, and as of today, the result of that project is ready to launch.
Now called "Gorilla Glass SR+," Corning's latest product is a composite material for wearable devices. It's been designed to cut down on visible scratches while continuing to deliver all of the features of the original Gorilla Glass.
According to Corning, Gorilla Glass SR+ offers scratch resistance similar to sapphire but with 70 percent better damage resistance against impacts and 25 percent better surface reflection. Corning says these optical improvements enable better battery life and improved outdoor readability.
"In early 2015, Corning launched Project Phire with the goal of engineering glass-based solutions with the scratch resistance approaching luxury cover materials, combined with the superior damage resistance of Gorilla Glass," said Scott Forester, director, innovation products, Corning Gorilla Glass. "Corning Gorilla Glass SR+ delivers a superior combination of properties that is not available in any other material today - it is in a class of its own."
Corning is a long-time Apple Supplier, and its Gorilla Glass products have been used in the iPhone and the iPad for several years. For its wearable device, the Apple Watch, Apple currently uses Ion-X glass for the Sport model and sapphire glass for the stainless steel and Edition models.
It is not clear if Apple will consider Corning's newest product for any future versions of the Apple Watch, but if it is superior to current technology, it is a possibility. Corning says Gorilla Glass SR+ is now commercially available and is expected to be in products from "leading global brands" starting later this year.
iOS 10 lets Siri work with third-party apps for the first time, enabling a whole range of features the personal assistant is able to help with, from summoning an Uber to sending cash to sending a message via WhatsApp.
Ahead of the launch of the new operating system update, The Wall Street Journal's Nathan Olivarez-Giles was able to go hands-on with some of the apps that will support Siri and give a little more insight into how the feature will work in practice.
After using the feature, Giles called Siri support for third-party apps "long-overdue" and a factor "important to making Siri more useful in everyday life." He was able to test apps for sending mobile payments, image search and messaging, but Siri will also support ride booking apps like Uber, VoIP calling apps like Skype, and workout apps. Giles says asking Siri to perform tasks was "quicker than launching the app" and carrying out the task himself.
As has been previously described by Apple, Siri commands like "Siri, send Catherine $20 for lunch with Square Cash" or "Send Jim a Message in LinkedIn" work in iOS 10, and with the former, security is maintained with Touch ID authentication. Commands vary from app to app and Siri support can also be built into watchOS 3 apps.
Strings can get even more specific. For instance: "Siri, show me photos of what Kanye West wore to the VMA awards this year in Looklive." This command pulled up pictures of the rapper's wardrobe, along with links to buy what he was wearing, in the celebrity shopping app. In most of these demos, Siri carried out the task without opening the app itself. Instead, a card, styled like the app, appeared with the details of the action.
According to Giles, some of the first apps to integrate with Siri in the chat, mobile payments, and photos categories will include LinkedIn, WhatsApp, WeChat, Slack, Square Cash, Monzo, Pinterest, Vogue Runway, Looklive, The Roll and Pikazo. Apple has previously said apps like Lyft, Uber, and Fandango will be compatible with Siri, along with CarPlay-specific apps.
Not all apps will work with Siri, but Apple has plans to expand the app types that can interface with the personal assistant in the future. When iOS 10 launches, the following app categories will have the option to enable Siri support: ride booking, messaging, photo search, payments, VoIP calling, and workouts.
Apple has limited SiriKit to certain kinds of apps in order to keep a tight rein on privacy, control the Siri experience, and develop Siri's understanding of language and context. Apple has promised that third-party apps are only privy to the specific data necessary to perform a requested function, keeping user information locked down.
Siri support for third-party apps is baked into iOS 10 and will be available as soon as the new operating system launches to the public in September. Apps will need to update to support the new feature, but many companies are undoubtedly planning launch day updates to be among the first to work with Siri.
Pebble today announced the launch of a major software update for its line of Pebble smart watches, introducing new health features and interface tweaks designed to streamline the "glance and go" process of getting information and acting on it.
An updated Timeline with a new Quick View setting lets users see what events and activities are planned for the current day and up to three days in the future, while a new Launcher menu displays more items at once.
App Glances, a new feature, offers up information from apps before they're opened, and a 4-button Quick Launch feature lets users assign their favorite apps to the Up, Down, Back, and Select buttons.
The Pebble Health feature built into the Pebble app has a new look with clearer, easier to understand Activity and Sleep graphs, plus it's easier to access.
Press Up from your watchface for quick glances at your step and sleep performance with the redesigned activity cards. Press Right from each activity to dive deeper and compare how you're currently doing with your typical performance from the past week.
For iOS users, there's a "Sneak Peek" feature that lets a Pebble watch paired with an iOS device manage emails, an option that was previously limited to Android users. With iOS Email Actions, it's possible to Delete, Archive, Mark as Read, Reply All, and Star emails received from Gmail accounts.
The new features are available for the Pebble Time, Time Steel, and Time Round and can be downloaded from the Pebble app. Older Pebble watches, including the Pebble and Pebble Steel, will see an updated look and feel and performance and reliability improvements with today's update.
The updated Pebble app will be available today from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Apple today released another update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March of 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.
