Year: 2016

Rumor: Google developing two Wear smartwatches with circular displays

Android Police ran a story two days ago, that's now picking up traction, learning from supposedly reliable sources that Google is secretly developing a pair of smartwatches—code-named “Angelfish” and “Swordfish”—that will run its latest Android Wear software, have circular displays and more.

One of the devices, ”Angelfish”, is said to have a subdued but sporty look and include a built-in heart rate sensor, embedded LTE cellular connectivity and GPS for truly standalone operation.

Facebook Messenger starts testing end-to-end encryption with Secret Conversations

The Guardian reported more than a month ago that Facebook would be rolling out end-to-end encryption for chats in Messenger. Friday, the social networking firm announced that it's begun testing the new feature, dubbed Secret Conversations.

An opt-in feature, the new option within the mobile Messenger app for iOS and Android was designed to better support conversations about sensitive topics with end-to-end encryption.

Importing data to Safari from another web browser

Love it or hate it, Apple's Safari is a zippy web browser that performs well on the Mac, and it continues to get more and more competitive with other web browser platforms.

Since Apple wants you to use Safari on your Mac, it's a no-brainer they're going to make it easier to migrate your web data from one web browser to another.

In this tutorial, we're going to show you how to import bookmarks to Safari, along with your other web data, from a different web browser.

iOS 10 tidbit: warning message when launching apps that aren’t 64-bit compliant

In April 2015, Apple reminded developers that as of June 2015 all apps and app updates submitted to the App Store must include 64-bit support. After more than a year, some apps are still stuck on 32 bits and lack support for 64-bit devices. iOS 10 takes a naming and shaming approach by including a brand new warning message that appears when you open a 32-bit app on a 64-bit iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Apple’s free app of the week: Loopimal

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the app Loopimal by Yatatoy. This means that for the next 7 days, you'll be able to pick up the critically acclaimed children's title for both iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $3.

Loopimal is essentially a building kit of handcrafted animations and sounds that teaches kids about music. The graphics are both sharp and charming, and the rhythmic/melodic content makes for endless possibilities of creations and compositions.

Check out system requirements for Auto Unlock to see if your Mac is supported

Some features of Apple's operating systems are hardware-dependent, for one reason or another. iOS 10 and macOS Sierra are no exceptions. For example, Raise to Wake on iOS 10 requires devices with Apple's embedded M9 motion coprocessor, currently found in the iPhone 6s/Plus and iPhone SE.

Following our preview of Auto Unlock, we noticed that commenters are wondering if this feature requires any special hardware so here are Apple's official system requirements for Auto Unlock.

Public betas for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra now available

Apple on Thursday seeded public betas for both iOS 10 and macOS Sierra. The releases, which come just a few days after beta 2 of both software updates pushed out to developers, can be downloaded by members of Apple's Beta Software Program.

iOS 10 brings about a number of changes, including a refreshed Messages app with tons of new features, enhanced notifications, Spotlight widgets, and much more. There aren't quite as many changes in macOS Sierra, but it compliments iOS 10 nicely.

Amazon’s Audible launches Channels, $4.95 per month podcast subscription

Who wants to pay for podcasts? Thought so... Well, Amazon thinks people will have no issues whatsoever paying for short-form audio shows so it's introducing a new Channels thing through its Audible service, which hosts the largest selection of digital audiobooks on the web.

According to Bloomberg, Channels will host premium shows like Scientific American, The Onion and the WSJ, plus a bunch of own originals like Mortal City, Presidents Are People Too and Breasts Unbound.

iOS 10 and macOS Sierra launching for public beta testing today

Apple will be releasing iOS 10 and macOS Sierra betas to public beta testers who enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program, The Verge reports. iOS 10 is turning out to be much more than another release, with dozens of refinements and little things on top of headlining new features, some of which allow developers to build apps for the stock Messages, Maps and Phone apps, as well as integrate with Siri.

Apple Pay goes live in Switzerland with Visa and MasterCard support

A scene from American Express's ad for Apple Pay featuring comedian Jerry Seinfeld

As rumored, Apple's mobile payment system on Thursday went live in Switzerland, its seventh country, expanding the European footprint for Apple Pay beyond the United Kingdom. The firm announced the service is available with initial support for MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards issued by Bonus Card, Corner Bank and Swiss Bankers, with additional banks and credit card issuers to be added at a later stage. Apple Pay boss, Jennifer Bailey, said the company plans to bring Apple Pay to every major market in which its products are sold.