Juli Clover

Juli is a Senior Editor at MacRumors, photographer, voracious reader, cinephile, gamer, plant eater, and cat parent. She can be reached at juli@macrumors.com or on Twitter.



Craig Federighi Says Apple Intends to Address APFS Support for Fusion Drives 'Very Soon'

Tuesday May 22, 2018 5:07 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple is planning to share news on APFS support for Fusion Drives "very soon," Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi told MacRumors reader Jonathan in an email this afternoon. Federighi shared the detail after Jonathan sent him an email asking whether or not APFS was still in the works for Fusion Drives, which combine a hard drive with flash storage to provide the speed of an SSD with the affordability of a standard hard drive. Fusion Drives are used in iMacs and Mac mini machines. In response to Jonathan's question, Federighi gave a short but enticing answer, which we verified:Hi Jonathan, We intend to address this question very soon... Thanks, - craigWith the launch of macOS High Sierra, Apple introduced a new Apple File System for Macs that have all-flash built-in storage. At the time macOS High Sierra was introduced, Apple said that the initial release of the software would not allow Fusion Drives to be converted to APFS, but confirmed APFS support would be coming at a later date. Since then, iMac and Mac mini owners who have Fusion Drives have been eagerly waiting for Apple to implement support for the feature, but in update after update, no APFS support for Fusion Drives has materialized. Federighi's statement suggests that APFS will be added as a feature in an upcoming software update, perhaps the macOS 10.14 update that's expected to be unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. For those unfamiliar with the new Apple File System, it's a more modern file system than HFS+ and has been optimized for solid state
Read Full Article • 193 comments

Popular Date-Based Note Taking App Agenda Expands to iOS

Tuesday May 22, 2018 3:28 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Date-based note taking app Agenda, which we covered in one of our recent lists of top macOS apps, is expanding to iOS devices on May 29 and can be pre-ordered now. Unlike other note taking apps on the market, Agenda's date-focused structure makes it ideal for project planning purposes because you can see a total picture of everything you've worked on and everything you need to do. There's a timeline organizational system for keeping track of progress on a project by date, with the option to attach a date to each note, and there's an option to link notes to your calendar. Agenda is a date-focused note taking app for both planning and documenting your projects. With its unique timeline, Agenda gives you a complete picture of past, present and future. Add notes for what is currently on your agenda, while also preparing notes for an upcoming meeting. Use older notes as breadcrumbs to remind yourself why and when you took the actions you did.An "On the Agenda" feature highlights items that need to be dealt with right away, making them easier to search for and in a special group on the app's sidebar for higher visibility. Additional features like saved searches, navigation history, a related notes list, cross linking between notes, and more, also set Agenda apart from traditional note taking apps. The app includes a full text editor complete with styles, formatting and Markdown support, and notes can be added to categories and tagged for deeper organization. There are also detailed sharing options to make it simple to print and share notes, including a feature
Read Full Article • 13 comments

Tips and Tricks for the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar

Tuesday May 22, 2018 2:27 pm PDT by Juli Clover
With the 2016 MacBook Pro, Apple introduced an all-new design that incorporates a Touch Bar, a small touch-sensitive OLED display that offers up contextual controls depending on what you're doing on your Mac. Though the Touch Bar has been available, in our experience, many Mac owners don't take advantage of it, so in our latest YouTube video, we thought we'd share a few tips and tricks that might make the Touch Bar more appealing. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Customize Your Control Bar Most MacBook Pro owners are probably aware that this feature exists, but may not have delved into the customization options. Customizing the control strip is the best way to get the most out of the Touch Bar because you can choose the features you use most. To get to the Control Strip settings, open up System Preferences, choose "Keyboard" and then select the "Customize Control Strip" option at the bottom of the window. You can choose options like quick access to taking a screenshot, Night Shift, Do not Disturb, Screen Lock, Sleep, AirPlay, Spotlight, Mission Control, and more. Set the Function Keys as Your Default Want your function keys back as the default option? There's a setting for that. Like the Control Strip settings, it is located under Keyboard in System Preferences. You can choose to have the Touch Bar display App Controls with Control Strip, which will change the available Touch Bar options with each app you use, or you can set it to display the function keys, an Expanded Control Strip, or just App Controls. If you go to
Read Full Article • 45 comments

Apple Confirms June 4 WWDC Keynote Will Be Live Streamed

Tuesday May 22, 2018 1:58 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today added a new events page to its main website, confirming that the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference keynote on June 4 will be live streamed and available to watch on the Apple website, through the WWDC app, and through the events app on the Apple TV. Apple previously made it clear that the entire conference would be live streamed through the Developer website and in the WWDC app, but the new event page clarifies that the keynote will be available for all to watch even without a developer account, as it has been in past years. At the 2018 Worldwide Developers Conference, we are expecting to see Apple unveil next-generation versions of iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, with the software made available to developers later in the day for testing purposes ahead of a fall launch. While we haven't heard specific details on hardware products coming at WWDC, there are multiple possibilities. Rumors have suggested we could potentially see new iPad Pro models and perhaps a new iPhone SE, and several Macs are due for a refresh, including the MacBook Pro, iMac, and 12-inch MacBook. Last year, these machines were refreshed at WWDC. We're also waiting on the AirPower, Apple's promised charging mat that's designed to charge the newest iPhones, the AirPods, and the Apple Watch all at once, and alongside the AirPower, we're expecting a new wireless AirPods charging case. These could see a launch following WWDC. We'll have more detail on what we can expect to see unveiled at WWDC next week. For the June 4 keynote event, MacRumors will provide a live blog
Read Full Article • 26 comments

iOS 12 Wishlist: Features MacRumors Readers Hope to See in the Next Version of iOS

Tuesday May 22, 2018 12:43 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple plans to introduce the next-generation version of iOS, iOS 12, on June 4 at its Worldwide Developers Conference. Rumors have suggested this is going to be a bug fix and performance improvement update, with Apple delaying some features until iOS 13 to focus on these internal changes. There are, however, rumors that we may see updates that include cross-platform apps for Mac and iOS devices, new Animoji, Animoji support for FaceTime, updated parental controls, and an enhanced version of Do Not Disturb. Rumors never cover all of the features that we see in new versions of iOS, though, so there could be additional changes in the works. With that in mind, we've taken a look at some of the most-desired features MacRumors readers are hoping for in iOS 12, pulled from our forums. User Interface Changes Dark mode - Unsurprisingly, a system wide dark mode for iOS is one of the most hoped for features for iOS 12, just as it was for iOS 11 and iOS 10. Apple users have wanted a true dark mode for years, but there's no word that it's coming in iOS 12. A dark mode concept from iHelpBR Split Screen mode for iPhone - The option to run two apps side by side on the iPhone would be useful on larger iPhones, especially with rumors pointing towards a 6.5-inch iPhone in 2018. More customization - MacRumors reader Breezygirl would like to see Apple add more Android-like customization options, such as the ability to change the background in messages, adjust the SMS bubble colors, or add a theme to the OS to shift the colors. Desktop mode - On some Android devices,
Read Full Article • 321 comments

'Once Upon a Time' Co-Creators to Work on Apple's 'Amazing Stories' Reboot

Tuesday May 22, 2018 9:50 am PDT by Juli Clover
One of Apple's upcoming original television shows is a reboot of Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories," a science fiction and horror series that originally ran from 1985 to 1987. For the new version of "Amazing Stories," Apple has inked a deal with "Once Upon a Time" co-creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, who are set to serve as executive producers and show runners on the series. Horowitz and Kitsis are joining "Amazing Stories" following the February departure of Bryan Fuller, the original showrunner. Fuller reportedly left the project due to creative differences with Apple. While he wanted to turn "Amazing Stories" into a Black Mirror-style show, Apple is aiming for something more family friendly. The two producers have previously worked on shows that include "Popular," "Felicity," "Lost," and "Once Upon a Time," and they have been involved with "Tron: Legacy." "Once Upon a Time," which they created in 2011, is perhaps the most well-known series the two have collaborated on. "Amazing Stories" is a show that's similar to series like "Tales From the Crypt" and "Twilight Zone," with a new topic explored during each episode. Apple has ordered 10 episodes of "Amazing Stories," but as with all of the company's original television shows, it's not entirely clear when we'll see a debut. Rumors have suggested the first of the shows could launch in
Read Full Article • 8 comments

Apple Sends Media Invites for WWDC Keynote on June 4

Tuesday May 22, 2018 9:04 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today sent press invites to a variety of news and media sites for the upcoming 2018 Worldwide Developers Conference, confirming the company's plans to hold a keynote event on Monday, June 4 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. MacRumors will be in attendance at the keynote. It is tradition for Apple to hold a keynote event on the first day of the Worldwide Developers Conference to introduce new software and hardware products. This year, we expect to see new versions of iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS at the conference, and it's possible Apple will also use the event to unveil new iPad Pro models and new Macs. Apple is rumored to be working on an updated iPad Pro that features an iPhone X-style edge-to-edge display with no Home button and support for Face ID. It's not clear, however, if this device will be ready to debut at WWDC as rumors have said that it may not come until later in the year. Apple often introduces refreshed Macs, and the iMac, MacBook Pro, and MacBook are all awaiting 2018 refreshes. It's also possible Apple will use the WWDC event to launch the long-awaited AirPower, a charging mat that's designed to charge iPhone X, 8 and 8 Plus models at the same time as the AirPods (with a new charging case) and the Apple Watch Series 3. Apple in March announced that this year's Worldwide Developers Conference will once again be held at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. This is the second year that Apple has hosted the event in San Jose, a location that's closer to its two Cupertino campuses and the myriad other office buildings the
Read Full Article • 194 comments

Spark 2.0 Launches for Mac and iOS With Support for Team Email

Tuesday May 22, 2018 6:00 am PDT by Juli Clover
Readdle, the company behind the popular Spark email client for Mac and iOS, today announced the launch of Spark 2.0, a free update to the existing line of Spark apps. Spark 2.0 continues to offer the same feature set for individual users, but it introduces a new collaborative email experience for teams. Teams can use Spark 2.0 to discuss email using private in-line conversations, share emails through email threads rather than forwarding, collaborate on emails, and create links to email threads that can be shared in various ways with security settings to control who can view it. In Spark 2.0 for Mac, there's a full-featured Calendar available to Spark for teams users, and on iOS, there are third-party integrations for Reminders, 2Do, Omnifocus, Things, Wunderlist, Todoist, Asana, Trello, Bear, and Files. Spark is going to continue to be free for all individual users and core team functionality will be available at no cost, but a fee will be charged for teams who want upgraded features. A premium Spark subscription for teams is priced at $7.99 per month per user, a fee that includes additional storage for comments and file sharing (5GB is available free), 3 or more collaborators for composing an email, premium customer support, advanced link sharing options, and access to admin settings and controls for the team. Spark 2.0 can be downloaded on iOS devices from the iOS App Store [Direct Link], and on the Mac from the Mac App Store. [Direct Link]
Read Full Article • 10 comments

Razer Launches New Core X External Graphics Enclosure, Adds Mac Support to Razer Core Lineup

Tuesday May 22, 2018 12:01 am PDT by Juli Clover
Razer today announced the launch of its latest external graphics enclosure, the Core X, and alongside the debut of the new accessory, the company is also adding Mac support to its enclosure lineup. Both the new Core X and the existing Core V2 external graphics enclosure are now compatible with all Macs that offer support for Thunderbolt 3, including the MacBook Pro, iMac, and iMac Pro. The Razer Core X, which also works with Windows machines, has been designed based on customer feedback Razer received after releasing the Core V2. Users wanted a wider external graphics enclosure able to fit larger 3 slot PCIe graphics cards, which the Core X delivers along with better cooling capabilities. Razer designed the Core X to be future proof with the aforementioned larger enclosure and a 650W power supply that offers enough power to support all graphics cards on the market today and those coming in the future. While this is larger than the Core V2, Razer still designed it with desktop use in mind, so it's relatively slim and compact. For those unfamiliar with Razer's Core series, the enclosures are designed to add additional graphics power to a Mac or a PC for tasks like gaming and system intensive workflows. With an external graphics enclosure, a machine not normally capable of handling GPU-intensive tasks can be hooked up to a powerful GPU. You will, of course, need to purchase a GPU alongside the Razer Core accessories - these are just enclosures. To use the Razer Core X with a Mac, the machine must be running macOS 10.13.4 or later, and the Razer Core X
Read Full Article • 42 comments

Instagram Working on 'You're All Caught Up' Feature to Let You Know When All New Posts Have Been Viewed

Monday May 21, 2018 5:00 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Instagram has not used a chronological feed for years now, making it difficult to determine when you've seen all of the new content on the social network. Instagram may be planning to fix this issue with a new "You're All Caught Up" feature that's designed to notify users when all unseen posts from the last 48 hours have been viewed. The feature was first noticed by TechCrunch, and an Instagram spokesperson confirmed that it is being tested and will show up for a limited number of users. Instagram did not, however, share details on how it works and whether it includes every single post from the people you follow or just the best ones that its algorithm has decided to display. The new "You're All Caught Up" text is part of Instagram's pledge to offer a Usage Insights feature that will let users know just how much time they're spending in the Instagram app. "We're building tools that will help the IG community know more about the time they spend on Instagram - any time should be positive and intentional. Understanding how time online impacts people is important, and it's the responsibility of all companies to be honest about this. We want to be part of the solution. I take that responsibility seriously," Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom wrote on Twitter last
Read Full Article • 27 comments

Intel Discloses New 'Variant 4' Spectre-Like Vulnerability

Monday May 21, 2018 4:11 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Intel, Google, and Microsoft today disclosed a new variant of the Spectre design flaw and security vulnerability that impacts millions of computers and mobile devices from a range of manufacturers. Called Variant 4, or the Speculative Store Bypass, the vulnerability is similar to Spectre, taking advantage of the speculative execution mechanism of a CPU to allow hackers to gain access to sensitive information. Variant 4 was demonstrated by researchers in a language-based runtime environment. CVE-2018-3639 - Speculative Store Bypass (SSB) - also known as Variant 4 Systems with microprocessors utilizing speculative execution and speculative execution of memory reads before the addresses of all prior memory writes are known may allow unauthorized disclosure of information to an attacker with local user access via a side-channel analysis.According to Intel, the new vulnerability has a "moderate" severity rating because many of the exploits that it uses have already been addressed through mitigations that were first introduced by software makers and OEMs in January for Meltdown and Spectre. Intel is, however, releasing a full mitigation option that will "prevent this method from being used in other ways." This additional mitigation for Variant 4 has been delivered in beta form to OEM system manufacturers and system software vendors, and Intel is leaving it up to its partners to decide whether or not to implement the extra measures. Intel plans to leave the mitigation set to off by default because of the potential for performance issues.This mitigation will be set to
Read Full Article • 83 comments

Apple's Clips App for iOS Gains New Soccer Graphics, Poster and Label

Monday May 21, 2018 2:08 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today updated its Clips video app for iOS devices to introduce new soccer assets ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, set to kick off in Russia on June 14. Apple has added new soccer graphics that can be added to video clips, and there's a new soccer label and a soccer-related background poster that includes customizable text elements. Today's Clips update comes several months after the launch of Clips 2.0, a new version of the app that introduced 360-degree selfie scenes, a feature limited to the iPhone X and its TrueDepth camera. Clips, for those unfamiliar with the app, is a video editing app designed to allow users to combine several video clips, images, and photos with voice-based titles, music, filters, and graphics to create enhanced videos that can be shared on social media sites. Clips can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Read Full Article • 24 comments

Sonos Launches New Lineup of Discounted Speaker Bundles

Monday May 21, 2018 1:45 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Sonos today introduced several new speaker bundles, which are designed to allow customers to purchase more than one Sonos speaker at a discounted price. The new bundles range in price from $379 to $1,899 depending on the products included, with discounts up to $157 on the highest priced bundles. A two room set that includes two Sonos One speakers is priced at $379, for example, down from the regular price of $398 that the speakers would cost when purchased separately. A two room pro set, which includes two of the Sonos Play:5 speakers, is priced at $899, almost $100 off the separate pricing. Sonos has options for multi-room speaker setups and entertainment arrangements that include the Playbase and the Playbar, along with more expensive setups designed for vinyl records. All of the new speaker bundles can be viewed and purchased on the Sonos website. Sonos is one of Apple's main competitors, with the Sonos One, which includes support for Amazon's Alexa voice assistant, designed to compete with the HomePod. Sonos first introduced bundles when the HomePod launched, selling two of the Sonos One speakers for $349, the same price as the HomePod. The new bundle that includes two Sonos One speakers is more expensive than that original deal, but, along with other offerings, allows for Sonos equipment to be purchased at a discounted price. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Sonos and may earn commissions on purchases made through links in this article.
Read Full Article • 25 comments

Apple Shares New Animoji Karaoke Ad Featuring Korean Band HYUKOH

Monday May 21, 2018 11:27 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple yesterday shared a new Animoji karaoke ad on its Korean YouTube channel to highlight the newly released "Citizen Kane" single from Korean indie group HYUKOH. As with previous Animoji karaoke songs Apple has shared, the new spot features Apple's Animoji characters lip syncing to the new song. HYUKOH's "Citizen Kane" single comes ahead of the planned release of the group's newest album on May 31. Apple first adopted Animoji karaoke for two ads that were created for the 2018 Grammys, with Apple's characters singing "Redbone" by Childish Gambino and "Stir Fry" from Migos. Animoji karaoke is a concept that was conceived by iPhone X users back in November of 2017 shortly after the release of the new device. People discovered that Apple's 3D emoji characters that are designed to mimic facial expressions and emotions could be used for lip syncing to songs, and for a short period of time, Animoji karaoke took over the internet. Animoji are limited to iPhone X users because the front-facing TrueDepth camera is required to create the depth map that's used to animate them with a person's facial expressions, but in the future, Animoji will be available on additional devices. The next-generation iPad Pro, which is rumored to be adopting the TrueDepth camera, is likely to be the next device that will support Animoji. Since the launch of the iPhone X, Apple has added four new Animoji characters, including the dragon, bear, skull, and lion, two of which are used in the new Animoji karaoke ad. Apple is planning additional updates to Animoji karaoke in iOS 12,
Read Full Article • 81 comments

Apple Loses Out as Netflix Inks Content Deal With Former President Obama

Monday May 21, 2018 10:04 am PDT by Juli Clover
Former United States President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have signed a multiyear production deal with Netflix that will see the two producing television shows and films for the service, reports The New York Times. Though Netflix had been in negotiations with the Obamas for several months, Apple was rumored to be interested in working with the duo had the Netflix deal fallen through. Apple has been developing a slew of original television shows, and a deal with Michelle and Barack Obama would have been a big win. Image via Getty Images Obama's deal with Netflix will allow for him to create content that will reach millions of people both in the United States and internationally through a new production company he created alongside Michelle Obama called "Higher Ground Productions." According to Netflix, the Obamas will create "scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features" that are meant to highlight the issues and themes the president worked on during his eight years in office."One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience. That's why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix -- we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world."Obama has said that he does not plan to use Netflix to wage a public campaign
Read Full Article • 529 comments

Google News vs. Apple News on iOS

Friday May 18, 2018 2:09 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Google recently introduced a new Google News app with an entirely updated interface and a range of new features that put it on par with Apple's own News app, including a "For You" recommendation section and "Full Coverage" headlines that present a story from multiple angles. We went hands-on with Google News to check out the new features and to see how it compares to Apple News, the built-in news app that's available on the iPhone and the iPad. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The Google News app is a reimagining and revamp to the existing Google Newsstand Play app that was previously available via the iOS App Store. It's been entirely overhauled though, with a simple, clean interface that's fairly similar to the look of Apple News with a dedicated navigation bar at the bottom. Google News does, however, have an additional section for quickly selecting news categories like U.S., World, Business, and Technology. Both apps feature a "For You" section based on personalized recommendations. Apple's draws in information from the categories and news sites you choose to follow, while Google presents a selection of stories that become more tailored over time based on what you choose to read and what you favorite. In each app, you can search for different news sites, blogs, and topics and add them to your coverage lists to impact "For You." Google's For You section highlights a list of five top stories and then provides supplemental stories at the bottom of the list, while Apple organizes For You into top stories, trending stories, top
Read Full Article • 165 comments

Apple Reintroduces Financing Options in the United Kingdom

Friday May 18, 2018 1:50 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple has resumed offering financing options in the United Kingdom after eliminating the option earlier this year. Apple has a new financing page on its UK website, outlining its Barclays financing plan. While the financing page specifically focuses on the Barclays financing options, when checking out, customers can choose installment payments through Barclays or PayPal Credit. To use the Barclays financing option, customers in the UK must make a purchase over £399. There is no interest for the first 12 months, with purchases split into reasonable monthly payments. PayPal Credit is available for purchases over £99, but there is no interest free option. It is not clear why Apple temporarily stopped offering financing in the United Kingdom, but full financing is now available once again. The company made the same change to financing in Canada in June of 2017, but has not yet reimplemented the financing options in that
Read Full Article • 39 comments

MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Band From Southern Straps

Friday May 18, 2018 11:11 am PDT by Juli Clover
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Southern Straps to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a high-quality leather or nylon watch band for the Apple Watch. Southern Straps has a wide selection of nylon Apple Watch bands, which are similar in style and design to the Woven Nylon bands that Apple sells, but in unique color combinations. Bands are available in one, two, or three colors, and each comes equipped with lugs to match gold, silver, and black Apple Watch models. All of the nylon bands from Southern Straps are made from a single piece of nylon that's been carefully doubled over, sealed, and stitched for an ultra durable construction that's still comfortable on the wrist. A buckle that matches the lugs is included with each band to keep it tight on the wrist. The nylon bands, which are all priced at $35, are available in both 38mm and 42mm sizes and are able to fit nearly all wrist sizes, from 14 to 25cm. Southern Strap's leather bands are a bit more expensive at $75, but each one is made from a single piece of full-grain Italian leather that's been vegetable dyed for a rich color that will gain a unique patina with wear. The leather straps, available in black or brown, are hand stitched with a durable wax cord in San Francisco. Like the woven bands, the leather bands are available for 38 and 42mm Apple Watch models to fit wrists sized 14cm to 25cm, with several lug colors available. Each Southern Strap leather and nylon band is equipped with pegged spring bars to make it easier to swap out your watch band or clean it. Using
Read Full Article • 5 comments

App Store Developers Form a 'Union' Ahead of WWDC Calling for Free App Trials, Better Rates

Friday May 18, 2018 10:48 am PDT by Juli Clover
A group of App Store developers calling themselves "The Developers Union" today published an open letter to Apple asking the company to commit to allowing free trials for apps and a "more reasonable revenue cut." The group says that it is first aiming to get Apple to implement free trials for all apps in the iOS and Mac App Stores by July 2019, with plans after that to advocate for other changes.We believe that people who create great software should be able to make a living doing it. So we created The Developers Union to advocate for sustainability in the App Store. Today, we are asking Apple to commit to allowing free trials for all apps in the App Stores by the tenth anniversary of the App Store this July. After that, we'll start advocating for a more reasonable revenue cut and other community-driven, developer-friendly changes.The initiative is led by Brent Simmons (MarsEdit, Vesper, and NetNewsWire creator), Jake Schumacher (App: The Human Story documentary maker), Loren Morris (product designer), and Roger Ogden (software designer). The Developers Union is not a "trade union" in the traditional sense of the word, but it is aiming to bring developers and supporters together to advocate for App Store changes. In an interview with WIRED, the team behind The Developers Union said the aim is to gain a thousand members this week and 20,000 by early June, when the Worldwide Developers Conference takes place. "It's a non-union union in a way," Morris, the product designer, said when reached by phone. "I'm not super interested in creating a traditional union; I'm
Read Full Article • 204 comments

Apple Sold an Estimated 600,000 HomePod Speakers During the First Quarter of 2018

Thursday May 17, 2018 11:23 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple sold an estimated 600,000 HomePod speakers during the first quarter of 2018, according to new estimates shared this morning by Strategy Analytics. Apple's sales allowed it to capture just 6 percent of the global smart speaker market, coming in well behind Amazon and Google. Amazon shipped an estimated 4 million Echo smart speakers during the quarter, for a 43.6 percent share of the market, while Google shipped an estimated 2.4 million Google Home speakers for 26.5 percent market share. Alibaba also came in ahead of Apple with 700,000 shipments, while Xiaomi trailed behind with 200,000. Apple has a long way to go to catch up to Google and Amazon, both of whom have seen an enormous growth in shipments over the course of the past year. Amazon's shipments increased by two million compared to Q1 2017, while Google's increased by 2.1 million. Amazon's market share has fallen year over year due to strong sales of Google speakers and new entrants to the market like Apple, Alibaba, and Xiaomi, but Amazon continues to be the number one smart speaker vendor in the world by far. David Watkins, Director at Strategy Analytics commented that "Amazon and Google accounted for a dominant 70% share of global smart speaker shipments in Q1 2018 although their combined share has fallen from 84% in Q4 2017 and 94% in the year ago quarter. This is partly as a result of strong growth in the Chinese market for smart speakers where both Amazon and Google are currently absent. Alibaba and Xiaomi are leading the way in China and their strength in the domestic market alone is
Read Full Article • 393 comments