Apple introduces new $329 iPad with Pencil support

We're following along live with Apple's Chicago education event, where Apple VP Greg Joswiak just announced a new version of the company's tablet. The refreshed iPad features a 9.7-inch display, Touch ID Home button and support for Apple's Pencil stylus.

Spotify for Apple Watch could be announced at WWDC

Snowy Spotify for Apple Watch

The long-awaited Spotify app for Apple Watch could be unveiled at WWDC 2018, in June, according to an anonymous MacRumors source, who claims to be involved in the development of the app.

The app would take advantage of a new watchOS 5 framework called StreamKit, which would supposedly allow cellular Apple Watch models to stream music and receive notifications from third-party apps independently of their paired iPhone.

Foxconn acquires Belkin for $866 million

Belkin accessories

Foxconn Interconnect Technology, a Foxconn subsidiary, is acquiring popular accessory maker Belkin for $866 million in cash, the companies jointly announced on Monday. The deal will also include other brands in the Belkin portfolio, including Linksys, Wemo, and Phyn.

Apple seeds macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 beta 7

Apple on Monday issued the seventh beta of macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 to developers. Registered developers can download the beta through Apple’s developer center, or it can be installed using the Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.

How to turn off glowing Siri lights on HomePod

Two HomePod images placed side by side, with one photo showing the glowing Siri lights on top and the other photo showing the black top with no lights

Due to its lack of a screen, HomePod's means of expressing itself are limited to the pulsating, colorful dot on its slick top surface. The design and implementation of the expressive light undoubtedly make for a masterclass in giving an inanimate speaker an air of personality.

While we do have a detailed breakdown of which of HomePod's lights exactly mean what, what we have not done yet is call attention to the fact that the lights can also be shut down - and no, I'm not talking about pulling the plug from the power outlet.

Why would you want your HomePod to become a stale, expressionless object? Well, perhaps you don't want your HomePod to emit as much light in the dark or prefer the look of a sleek black or white speaker sans the play of colors on top! Whatever floats your boat, each to their own, you get the gist. Maybe you just appreciate knowing that there is the option without ever seriously contemplating depriving HomePod of its quirky LED.

Whatever the reason you might decide to neuter your HomePod, there is a simple switch to do (and undo) just that.

Wallpapers of the week: neon signs

The new iPhone 8 and X screens have an incredible ability to highlight bright spots in imagery. Naturally, the iPhone X's OLED screen is the best example of this capability. With that in mind, I stumbled across some neon sign photographs. Bright colors of the neon signage against dark contrasting background highlights the impressive new screens. These original photographs were curated via unsplash, the free photography site, which I highly recommend browsing.