News

Apple’s vision of a streamlined clarification process for when Auto-Correction makes mistakes

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

There probably isn't a single iPhone user on this planet that hasn't experienced the “joys” of the Auto-Correction feature interfering with their messaging. Auto-Correction mistakes often produce hilarious miscommunications (there's a website for that).

Whether or not you're a heavy typist, you'll appreciate that Apple's been researching ways to improve Auto-Correction, according to a patent application that surfaced yesterday in the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) database.

Cryptically titled “Device, method and graphical user interface for visible and interactive corrected content,” it envisions highlighting auto-corrected words in an iMessage for the recipient and a built-in Messages feature for streamlining the process of clarifying what the sender meant.

Spotlight Suggestions hit Denmark, Norway and Sweden, new Flyover and Transit data on Maps

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 29, 2016

Another day, another content expansion for Apple Maps. Less than 24 hours after bringing TrainLink and bus routes to commuters in New South Wales, Australia, Apple's mapping service has expanded its footprint with new three-dimensional Flyover content for Akron, Ohio and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Apple's also brought Spotlight Suggestions to the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac customers in Europe's Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Last but not least, traffic information on Maps has gone live in Thailand, bringing the total number of markets where this feature is available to 34 countries, as per Apple's iOS 9 Feature Availability webpage.

Phil Schiller gives fans a grammar lesson: never pluralize Apple product names

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 29, 2016

You use your iPhone every day, but how many iPhones do you actually own? That simple question would never pass a grammar check by Apple's boss of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller.

Responding to a debate on pluralizing the iPad Pro name, which ensued between Andreessen Horowitz partner Benedict Evans and analyst Michael Gartenberg, Schiller tweeted that “One need never pluralize Apple product names”. But what then does he propose as the correct way of saying that Evans used two iPad Pros?

Apple promotes Apple Music API for developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 28, 2016

Apple's Affiliate Program Newsletter has started promoting a new Apple Music API, which the Cupertino company introduced alongside iOS 9.3. With it, third-party developers can implement in their apps interesting functionality for Apple Music subscribers, including playing tracks, adding songs to a user's library and queuing up tracks for playback.

Supported apps can also see if a user is currently a member, in which country the users account is based and provide other features for members of Apple Music.

Apple Maps adds TrainLink and bus routes for Australia’s New South Wales

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 28, 2016

After previously introducing limited transit support for Sydney Trains in Australia, Apple's now expanded transit directions in the country with the addition of TrainLink and bus routes for both Sydney and New South Wales, Mac Prices Australia discovered.

With a silent backend update, Apple Maps customers in New South Wales can now start taking advantage of public transport information for trams, series and interstate services, including buses and trains, while detailing stations with entry points.

Apple Pay picks up ANZ support in Australia

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 28, 2016

Apple Pay has gained support for credit and debit cards from the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), with the exception of the ANZ MasterCard cards and corporate cards, Reuters has confirmed yesterday.

Following the initial launch of Apple Pay in Australia with support from American Express back in November 2015, Apple Pay is currently available in a total of six major markets: The United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, Australia, China and Singapore.

Periscope gains live-sketching feature, broadcasts come alive within Twitter for iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 28, 2016

Wouldn't it be great if you could doodle over live video broadcasts on Periscope? With Periscope's latest iPhone app refresh, now you can! The latest version of the Twitter-owned app lets you draw with your finger on top of a live video feed in any color you want, like a boss.

Your drawings automatically disappear after a few moments, similar to the Apple Watch’s sketching feature, and remain visible on Periscope replays.

CareKit goes live with four compatible health apps, with more to come

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 8, 2018

Apple's open-source CareKit framework has gone live this morning with support for a handful of specialized health applications for the iPhone and iPad, including the Glow Nurture fertility tracker, Glow Baby maternity app, diabetes monitor One Drop and depression medication tracker Start.

TechCrunch reports that additional CareKit-driven apps will be released at a later stage. The source code for CareKit should be released on GitHub later today.

Google Maps for iOS gains Travel Times widget, Night mode and other new features in latest update

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 28, 2016

Google yesterday pushed an update for its native Maps application on the App Store, bringing out a few newsworthy features and enhancements.

Google Maps 4.18 for iOS introduces a new Travel Times widget which lets commuters check a live travel time estimation to their home or work right within the Notification Center's Today view.

In addition, the app's gained a new built-in option for sharing directions with contacts. Plus, there's a brand new Night mode and distance units settings in navigation.

Apple removes a significant barrier to opening its own retail stores in India

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 28, 2016

Apple's removed a significant barrier to opening its stores in India as the country's Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) recommended exempting the firm from a state ruling that requires foreign companies to source at least 30 percent of their goods from domestic suppliers for their branded retail stores, as per The Times of India.

Add artistic flair to your photos with Filters, a free Mac app with 30 effects

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 6, 2016

Like the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, the Mac supports third-party extensions inside Apple's stock Photos app.

This potentially powerful capability makes it simple for Mac owners to touch up their photographs using compatible third-party filters without leaving Photos.

Filters, a new app from California-based MacPhun, boosts your photography with as many as thirty artistic and creative filters.

You can use Filters either as a Photos extension or run the software standalone in case you prefer to edit your images outside of Photos.

New betas: iOS 9.3.2 (public only), tvOS 9.2.1 (dev only) and El Capitan 10.11.5 (dev+public)

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 27, 2016

Just 24 hours after iOS 9.3.2 beta 3 released to Apple's registered developers, the Cupertino company on Wednesday made the software available to public beta testers who are signed up for the Apple Beta Software Program. In addition, Apple posted new betas of tvOS 9.2.1 and OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 for members of its Apple Developer Program.

The new tvOS 9.2.1 beta 3 (build 13Y768) and OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 beta 3 (build 15F28b) can be obtained via Apple's portal for developers.