MacRumors iPhone and iPad Blog: Apps, News, and Rumors

Apple is planning to offer a special activity challenge on Veterans Day, which is set to take place on Sunday, November 11. Apple Watch owners who do a workout of 11 minutes or more can earn a special Veterans Day-themed badge that will show up in the Activity app along with a matching sticker to use in the Messages app. Apple says the award can be earned by doing any workout that's...

Belkin's Wemo brand today announced HomeKit support for the Wemo WiFi Smart Dimmer, which is being added to existing Smart Dimmer switches through a software update. Wemo's Smart Dimmer, priced at $79.99, is a wall switch that replaces a traditional wall switch and is designed to dim connected lights. With HomeKit integration, the Smart Dimmer can be controlled via Siri voice commands on...

Satechi today introduced a new USB-C hub with one HDMI output, one USB-C port with Power Delivery, one USB-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Satechi's new USB-C hub for iPad Pro Designed for the new iPad Pro with a USB-C port, the Aluminum Type-C Mobile Pro Hub allows the tablet to be connected to a wide variety of peripherals, such as a 4K display via HDMI or a wired keyboard via USB. The...

If you own an Alexa smart device, you'll likely have used the "What's new?" or "What's happening?" voice command to hear your daily news briefing, which can be customized to include your own interests. Siri has a similar feature that uses the Podcasts app to bring you a daily news digest, which you can also customize to an extent. It can be invoked on HomePod, Apple Watch, and any iPhone or ...

Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming tvOS 12.1.1 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after releasing the first tvOS 12.1.1 beta and a little over a week 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...

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 5.1.2 update to developers, two days 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...

Apple today updated its GarageBand app for iOS devices to version 2.3.7, adding support for keyboard commands when using a Smart Keyboard such as the new Smart Keyboard Folio for the 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models or a Bluetooth keyboard. The update adds the Wah stompbox pedal and Face Control to the Smart Guitar tool, and Apple says it includes stability improvements and bug fixes....

Twelve South today launched the "PowerPic," a traditional wooden picture frame that includes a hidden, 10W wireless charger. You can place any 5" x 7" photo in the PowerPic, and then to charge an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XS, XS Max, or XR, you simply place the device on top of the photo. Twelve South says that the idea behind the PowerPic was to create a Qi charger that would not add to the...

Apple has contracted LG Display to begin production of OLED panels for iPhones. According to ETNews, the display panels will be produced at LG's E6 production line in Paju, with shipping to begin next month. LG will supply approximately 400,000 OLED panels to Apple before the end of the year, with the cost of each unit expected to be around $90. In September it was reported that LG's...

Apple today updated its dedicated Shortcuts app for iOS 12 devices to version 2.1.1, introducing support for the new iPad Pro models that are set to be released tomorrow. Apple's 11 and 12.9-inch 2018 iPad Pro models are the latest Apple devices that will work with the Shortcuts app, which is designed to let you create multi-step shortcuts and automations using first and third-party apps that...

We're just over two weeks away from Black Friday 2018, and in preparation we have begun compiling sales that we know are coming in our dedicated Black Friday Roundup. This Roundup includes sales on Apple devices and other tech-related items that have been shared early ahead of the shopping holiday, or in some cases have leaked online. So far, we know that Target will have sales on iPhone,...

In iOS 12, Do Not Disturb mode conveniently allows you to silence all calls, alerts, and notifications on iPhone or iPad for a given period and reduce the potential for unnecessary distractions. Aside from new time-limited options in iOS 12's Control Center, Do Not Disturb can be turned on and scheduled ahead of time by going to Settings -> Do Not Disturb. Among these settings, there's also...

Nike today updated its popular Nike+ Run Club app to add several new features to support recent Apple hardware and software updates. The Nike+ Run Club app now support Siri Suggestions, allowing Siri to suggest ideal times for a run based on run history. Siri Suggestions can be enabled by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Nike Run Club. On the Apple Watch, the Nike+ Run Club app now...

Apple today updated its Apple Remote app to version 4.4.1, introducing support for Apple's 2018 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. The iTunes Remote app is designed to allow you to control iTunes from anywhere in your home with the iPhone or the iPad. Apple says today's update also introduces improved network connectivity, shortcuts to play and shuffle playlists and albums, and improved...

Before Pokémon Go, Niantic had an augmented reality game called Ingress that was similar to Pokémon Go, tasking players with taking over and controlling real world locations in a virtual world. Niantic is today introducing an updated version of Ingress, Ingress Prime, a free game on iOS and Android. Ingress players who already have the Ingress app will get Ingress Prime as an update, while...

Apple this morning added two Apple Watch Hermès Bands to its online store, introducing Double Tour and Single Tour bands in a new three-color Amber/Capucine/Rose Azalée configuration. The Amber/Capucine/Rose Azalée bands are similar to the other three color bands that Apple introduced alongside new Apple Watch Series 4 Hermès models in September, but in red, yellow, and pink. Apple's...

Accessory company Hyper today announced the HyperDrive USB-C Hub for the 2018 iPad Pro. Apple's latest iPad Pro is the first of the company's tablets to include USB-C (replacing the Lightning port), allowing support for third-party USB-C accessories like Hyper's new device. The HyperDrive for iPad Pro adds six total ports to the tablet: 4K HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, SD card slot, Micro SD...

As part of my continuing series of articles looking at how car manufacturers have integrated CarPlay into their infotainment systems, I've taken a look at the 2019 Acura RDX, the popular crossover SUV from Honda's luxury brand. Acura has been gradually rolling out CarPlay support across its lineup over the past few model years, and the new 2019 RDX is the first of this model to support the...