The popular email app Spark by Ukrainian developer Readdle has introduced support for the new Siri Shortcuts automation feature introduces in iOS 12.
Readdle’s email app Spark introduces Siri Shortcuts support
News
Apple bought visual effects startup Spektral
Cupertino doesn’t publicly announce all of its acquisitions, although the details of each are usually leaked soon after they occur. In the case of Apple’s purchase of Danish visual effects startup Spektral, it took nearly a year before the news trickled out.
Google Photos for iOS picks up iTunes Smart Playlist-like Live Album functionality
Live Albums, available in the just-released version 4.3 update to Google Photos for iPhone and iPad, is a cool new feature that lets you choose the specific people and pets you'd like to see and then have the app automatically add new photos of them as you take them.
Farming RPG Stardew Valley hitting App Store on October 24 as a $7.99 download, no IAPs
Stardew Valley, a popular indie farming simulation role-playing video game developed by Eric Barone and published by Chucklefish, is coming to an iPhone and iPad near you in a fortnight on Wednesday, October 24. According to yesterday's announcement in a blog post, the premium game is priced at $7.99, sports 50+ hours of content and contain no In-App Purchases whatsoever. As the initial purchase price gets you the full game, you won't be forced to spend cash on virtual stupidities like loot boxes, virtual coins and so forth.
Make critical notifications stand out from the rest with Priority
If you’re like me, then you might consider some of your notifications to be more important than others. But because of how iOS handles them, it’s easy for the most important notifications to get buried underneath all the noise from the rest of your apps.
Although Apple’s notification system isn’t perfect, a new jailbreak tweak called Priority by iOS developers Justin Proulx and Ayden Panhuyzen brings it one step closer. It can help you discern critical notifications at a glance without compromising those from other apps.
Gif2Ani V2 lets you set animated GIF images as your respring screen
Anyone with a jailbroken device should know very well what the respring screen looks like. Depending on the version of iOS you’ve pwned, it might display the Apple logo or merely a black background with a white loading circle.
If you’re looking for a way to customize the respring screen, then a free jailbreak tweak called Gif2Ani V2 by iOS developers MightnightChips and Wizages is a great place to start.
ShortLook is an OLED-friendly notification system for iOS
If you’re looking for a new way to receive notifications from your favorite apps, then you might take an interest in a new jailbreak tweak called ShortLook by iOS developers Ayden Panhuyzen, Jamie Bishop, Justin Proulx, and Jose Hernandez.
ShortLook represents your incoming notifications with a fresh coat of paint. While they’d typically appear as banners on your Lock screen, ShortLook depicts them as customizable glyphs that are then centered on a black or transparent background.
Netflix’s content chief doesn’t know what Apple’s doing with its original TV programs
Netflix might have the most to lose by Apple's upcoming entry into the world of internet TV. However, it doesn't look like the company is worried about the iPhone maker's move, at least not yet, according to CNET.
Speaking at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit in Los Angeles, Netflix's chief content officer Ted Sarandos said he doesn't know what Apple is doing with the $1 billion it has budgeted to produce original content. Further, he doesn’t “think people making shows for them have any idea” either.
Whether he’s worried, Sarandos says Netflix doesn’t “put much focus on any competitor.”
Those words might be accurate, of course. It's just as likely, Netflix isn't worried, because, like everyone else outside of Apple, it has no clue what's going on behind the scenes.
To date, occasional stories have popped up over the past year mentioning which TV projects Apple has approved and which stars are connected to them. We know, for example, that Apple is putting together a growing lineup of comedies, dramas, documentaries, and animated titles. We also know some of the biggest names in Hollywood are on board, including Academy Award winners like Reese Witherspoon and Octavia Spencer, plus Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Paul, and many more.
What no one seems to know is when the shows will begin airing and where. Rumors continue to suggest Apple plans on announcing a video streaming service that will somehow be tied to Apple Music. The specifics, however, have yet to surface, and might not until early next year. Most think Apple will begin airing programs in mid-2019.
For its part, Netflix continues to spend upwards of $8 billion each year on new content. Perhaps that amount of cash is the real reason Netflix doesn't seem worried about Apple. What do you think?
Twitter’s removing the ability to create Moments on apps
On Tuesday, Twitter announced it would soon be ending the ability to create Moments through the social network's iOS and Android apps. For the time being, you'll still be able to create Moments from the Twitter website. This news was first reported by 9to5Mac.
Google announces new Pixel phone and tablet, Home Hub & third-gen Chromecast
Google has introduced new consumer products just in time for the holiday shopping season. While devices like the third-generation Pixel smartphone were long expected to make their debut this month, the company also announced some surprises.
Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XLThe third-generation 5.5-inch Pixel 3 and 6.3-inch Pixel 3 XL look similar to last year's models, except for some minor design changes. The back on the handsets now includes Corning Gorilla Glass 5 at the top (it's also used on the front) where it surrounds the phone's camera and flash. There's also a smaller bezel on the larger model. (The Pixel 3 XL is also the first Pixel to embrace a notch like the ones found on Apple's X series.)
Both models feature 4GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor. New this year is Google's Titan security chip, which Google says makes for a more secure experience for users.
Pixel smartphones have received high marks over the years for the seamless integration between Google Photos and the built-in cameras. This integration expands further on this year's models with Top Shot, which examines the pictures taken in a series and suggests which one is best.
If you're in the market for an Android-based smartphone, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are both worth considering since they offer a more stripped down Android experience. In this case, each model ships with Android 9 Pie and Google Assistant.
Both models are available in Clearly White, Just Black, and Not Pink, starting at $799. Each order comes with a free six-month subscription to YouTube Premium. A separate Pixel Stand is available for $79.
You can pre-order a Pixel 3 now with the first orders being delivered on Oct. 18.
Pixel SlateThe midnight blue 12.3-inch 293 PPI Pixel Slate tablet also features Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The "Molecular" LCD touchscreen display works with the Google Pixelbook Pen. There's also Pixel Imprint, which will remind many of Apple's Touch ID.
The Pixel Slate runs Chrome OS and will arrive later this year at various price points. Those prices are determined by the processor, RAM, and amount of storage you select.
You can choose from an Intel Celeron, Core m3, Core i5, or Core i7 processor. RAM options are 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB, with storage levels of 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.
With prices starting at $599, the Pixel Slate could attract buyers looking for a Chrome OS-based tablet. Each purchase comes with a free six-month subscription to YouTube Premium. You can also buy a Pixel Slate Keyboard for $199.
The Pixel Slate arrives later this year.
Google Home HubAs an Apple buyer, you're probably not going to consider a Pixel 3 or Pixel Slate. However, you might take a look at the new Google Home Hub. Priced at $149, Google's newest Home offering features a 7-inch display and serves multiple purposes, including as a full-range speaker.
First, you can use it just as you would any other Google Assistant-based device by asking it questions throughout the day. It also can control smart home appliances, including those from August, Canary, D-Link, and many more. At launch, the Home Hub supports more than 400 different brands across multiple product categories.
The Home Hub is also noted for offering YouTube, which is a big deal when you consider that Amazon's Echo Show no longer supports the service.
When you're not using Home Hub, it will post relevant information on the display such as the time, weather, and upcoming events. Unlike the recently announced Facebook Portal, the Home Hub does not have a built-in camera. Whether this becomes a deal-breaker isn't yet know.
The Google Home Hub officially launches on Oct. 22 with pre-orders beginning now. Like other new products, Google's offering a free six-month subscription to YouTube Premium with any purchase.
Chromecast, third-generationAlso on Tuesday, Google introduced the third-generation Chromecast. Once again, the tiny dongle lets you stream content from your mobile device or computer to your televisions. This year’s Chromecast model comes in chalk or charcoal and is priced at $35. It’s said to be 15 percent faster than the previous model and offers support for streaming 60fps video at 1080p.
The 2018 Chromecast can also act like a Chromecast Audio. In doing so, you can use it to play music in sync with other speakers connected to Google’s smart devices. That feature is expected to launch later this year through a software update. Beyond these changes, the new Chromecast is similar to the older model.
Interestingly, Google didn't update the Chromecast Ultra, which offers 4K streaming.
You can order a new Chromecast now.
Finally, Call Screen and DuplexIt's important to note two of the more exciting things Google mentioned today weren't hardware-related. The first is Call Screen, which allows Google Assistant to answer your suspicious calls automatically. From there, it will transcribe the conversation in real-time so you can decide what to do. Based on the transcription, you can choose to answer the call or to hang up. You can also block the call with ease.
Call Screen is launching first on the new Pixel 3 but will arrive on older devices in the coming weeks through a software update.
Google also announced it's controversial Duplex Al voice-calling feature will begin rolling out in select cities in November. The service allows, at your prompt, Google Assistant to call businesses such as restaurants or doctor's offices to make reservations.
Demoed earlier this year, Duplex was quickly panned because the sample conversations sounded too real. Like Call Screen, Duplex will now alert users when Google Assistant is involved in a call and make clear it's a bot and not a real person. Duplex is an exclusive feature for Pixel owners.
Google introduced some exciting new products today. In particular, I'm looking forward to testing the Home Hub. I also want to hear more about Call Screen and whether this type of feature could eventually arrive on iOS devices so we can block spam calls easier.
Which new Google products are you excited about seeing in the coming weeks? Let us know below.
All images courtesy of Google
DxOMark on iPhone XS camera: “very reliable overall” & “consistently delivering good results”
DxOMark last week published their full-on review of the iPhone XS camera. We originally skipped it because DxOMark scores can be very misleading or just meaningless, but have decided to pull some choice quotes that best describe why, in many areas, Apple's new flagship phone offers noticeable improvements over last year’s iPhone X.
Apple’s “Carpool Karaoke” series is back for Season 2 on Friday, available for free via TV app
Following August 2018's debut of Season 1, Season 2 of “Carpool Karaoke: The Series” is arriving this Friday, October 22. Apple's show about apps and their makers is based on the “Carpool Karaoke” segment made popular by “The Late Late Show With James Corden”.