Apple

How to restart or put your Apple TV into sleep or standby mode

By now, you have learned how to use the new Apple TV's task switcher, rearrange and delete apps on the set-top box, take screenshots, disable password prompts for free and paid downloads and more.

Our coverage of the device continues with this tutorial which will teach you how to restart your Apple TV or put it into sleep or standby mode using either its remote or by selecting an option in the Settings menu.

How to disable password prompts for both free and paid downloads on Apple TV

You are probably aware that you can disable password prompts altogether for free downloads made on your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac. As an added layer of protection, iOS and macOS will either require your Apple ID password for each paid download or after fifteen minutes of making your last purchases in the iTunes Store, App Store, Books Store or Mac App Store, depending on your preference.

What you cannot do on iOS and macOS is disable password prompts for both free and paid downloads. On the Apple TV, however, it's possible to turn off password protection for both free and paid items and this tutorial will help you do just that.

Apple TV 4 supports stereoscopic 3DTV content

Your brand spanking new Apple TV does a lot of nice things pretty well, and some really cool ones Apple hasn't even mentioned officially.

As first discovered by developer Steve Stroughton-Smith, the set-top box can actually render stereoscopic 3D content provided an app has implemented the functionality and the customer owns a 3D-enabled TV set to enjoy it on.

Specifically, he has identified stereoscopic 3D support within Pangea Software’s Bugdom 2, which has been refreshed in the App Store to work on the new Apple TV.

New Google app finds people to hang out with

A brand new Google app for your iPhone, currently available on an invite-only basis in the App Store, wants to take the pain out of finding people who are free to hang out.

Aptly named Who’s Down, the 16.2-megabyte download comes with an easy to use user interface featuring a slider that, when toggled, tells the app to let others know you're down to meet up, allowing you to see which of your friends are free to hang out.

Facebook easing restrictions on real name policy, changes how profile violations are reported

Facebook is changing its controversial real name policy, according to BuzzFeed News Friday, to let users provide more context when the service requires name confirmation.

In addition, Facebook will now require more information from anyone reporting a profile in an effort to discourage users from misusing the reporting tool as a weapon or harassment tactic. Both changes are expected to start rolling out in December.

iPad Pro reportedly launching Wednesday, November 11

The iPad Pro is still listed on Apple's website with a vague November launch date and now a new report by 9to5Mac is alleging that the Cupertino firm is planning on unleashing the 12.9-inch tablet upon the public on Wednesday, November 11.

The iPad Pro, which starts at $799 for the Wi-Fi-only model with thirty-two gigabytes of storage, has an ultra high-resolution screen with much improved touch latency, four speakers, the powerful Apple-designed A9X processor, the new Smart Connector for connecting and charging the Smart Keyboard without needing Bluetooth pairing, and more.

Facebook replacing Other inbox with a new feature called Message Requests

Don't you hate it when messages you receive from Facebook users you're not friends with end up in the Other section of your inbox, where they're far too easily overlooked and simply forgotten?

If so, you'll be pleased to learn that the company is getting rid of the Other inbox and replacing it with a brand new feature called Message Requests, David Marcus, who runs Messenger, announced Tuesday.

Apple opens cryptographic libraries used to protect iOS and OS X to app makers

Apple yesterday announced it's opened up its cryptographic libraries, the same ones used to protect iOS and OS X, to third-party developers. As reported by VentureBeat, the move is significant in that developers can now implement advanced security features into their apps, for free.

In addition to open-sourcing the cryptographic libraries, Apple back in the summer promised to open source its Swift programming language by the end of the year.