Apple

Mac tip: preventing Login Items and Finder windows from opening when you log in

Like Windows, macOS makes having apps, documents, folders or server connections launch automatically whenever you log in to your Mac as easy as dragging them to the System Preferences → Users & Groups → Login Items section.

Sometimes, one or more Login Items may cause software problems or prevent your computer from starting up properly.

Rather than remove all of your Login Items permanently, here's how you can temporarily prevent them from opening automatically when you log in, without needing to adjust your settings.

Here’s why an OLED touch bar would make a stellar addition to the MacBook Pro

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has caused quite a stir among the faithful with yesterday's research note in which he predicted a major redesign for the MacBook Pro. He claims the refresh includes, among other features, an OLED display touch bar replacing the physical function keys, which are located above the keyboard on current machines.

As some have observed insightfully, the rumored OLED bar could actually turn into a way more powerful feature addition than meets the eye.

Apple Pay rolls out fully in Singapore with five major banks on board

After debuting in Singapore last month with initial support from American Express, Apple Pay today launched fully in the country with five major banks on board. According to Apple's support document highlighting participating banks and store cards, the following financial institutions in the country support adding credit cards to Apple Pay: DBS, OCBS, POSB, Standard Chartered Bank, United Overseas Bank and American Express.

Apple developing Siri SDK and device to compete against Amazon Echo

Apple has big plans to step up its game in the field of intelligent assistants, reports The Information. Citing sources familiar with the plans, the outlet claims the company is preparing to introduce a Siri SDK for third party app developers at WWDC next month.

Additionally, the report says that Apple is also working on an Amazon Echo-like device with a speaker and always-on microphone that people can use to do things like turn on music, get news headlines or set a timer. Google unveiled a similar device last week.

Apple seeds first betas of iOS 9.3.3 and OS X 10.11.6 to public testers

Following Monday's developer release of the first iOS 9.3.3 beta, Apple has made the software available to public testers. This means that folks in the Beta Software Program can now install iOS 9.3.3 on compatible devices via the over-the-air update mechanism.

The update comes just one week after iOS 9.3.2 was released to the public, which brought about a Bluetooth fix for iPhone SE models and other improvements. As we said yesterday, it appears that iOS 9.3.3 has also been earmarked for under-the-hood bug fixes.

Apple brings back security expert Jon Callas following FBI dispute

Apple this month brought back software engineer and top expert in practical cryptography Jon Callas, reports Reuters. The move follows Apple's high-profile battle with the FBI, and amidst a growing war between governments and tech firms over encryption.

Callas worked at Apple in the '90s, and again between 2009 and 2011, when he designed encryption to protect data stored on Mac computers. He rejoined the company in May, to help add more powerful security features to its wide range of consumer products.

Watch the full Tim Cook interview at Startup Fest

Apple's chief executive officer Tim Cook sat down this morning with retired European Commissioner for Digital Agenda, Nellie Kroes, to discuss a range of topics at Startup Fest Europe, a conference aimed at boosting the European Union's startup scene.

The full video of the interview is now available and we've embedded it into this article, along with a few choice quotes that should pique your interest.

Google Maps gains new voice controls in navigation, Street View tweaks and more

Google's native mapping application for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad was bumped to version 4.19 this morning, bringing out a few enhancements meant to improve your navigation and Street View experience.

For starters, a few new voice controls are now available in navigation to mute, unmute or turn on alerts only. You can also move around Street View by swiping, and more.

Spotlight Suggestions expand to seven new countries, including India and Hong Kong

Spotlight Suggestions, a feature that recommends content from the Internet when searching with Spotlight on an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad with iOS 9.0+ or a Mac running OS X 10.11 El Capitan or later, has expanded to seven additional markets: Hong Kong, India, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and United Arab Emirates.

Counting these regions, Spotlight Suggestions are now available in a total of 26 major markets around the world, listed on Apple's iOS Feature Availability webpage.

Tip: using emojis in iOS Spotlight Search

iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users can use emoji as search terms in Spotlight Search to some rather interesting effects. It's unclear when this feature was added or activated.

That being said, bringing up iOS's built-in Emoji keyboard to type an emoji in Spotlight's search field will produce matching results related to the character's meaning, as highlighted by Cult of Mac.