WWDC 2016: Apple’s launches, announcements and more

Apple has officially mailed out invites to its annual conference for developers, and that means it’s time to take a closer look at what we expect the company to announce or launch during the main keynote.

Apple used WWDC 2015 to unveil iOS 9, OS X El Capitan, and a new version of watchOS. It also debuted the music-streaming service Apple Music as well as Beats1 Radio. It’s therefore safe to say we’ll see iOS 10 and a new version of OS X this year. We might even see updates to watchOS and tvOS.

Pocket-lint has rounded up all the rumours and speculation in order to paint you a better picture of what to expect, and we’ve added information about WWDC in general, including how you can attend.

Apple

WWDC 2016: What is it?

Apple holds an annual conference in California in order to showcase new software, software updates, and technologies. It calls this conference the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), and it gears announcements toward developers.

WWDC 2016: When is it?

Apple confirmed on 19 April – following a tease through Siri – that WWDC 2016 will take place between 13 June and 17 June at the Moscone West Convention Center in San Francisco, where WWDC has been held for the last decade.

WWDC 2016: How can you attend?

WWDC is a popular event, so because of that, Apple opens ticket sales to developers through a lottery system.

Attendees are chosen randomly from a pool of applicants. Anyone can apply for a ticket between 19 April and 22 April at 10 am PST. Those who have won tickets will be notified by 25 April at 5 pm PST.

Keep in mind winners must still buy their tickets. WWDC tickets for 2016 are priced at $1,599 each. Also, in order to buy tickets, you must be registered members of Apple’s Developer Program.

WWDC 2016: Will Apple live-stream it?

Apple’s main keynote will take place on 13 June in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium at 10 am PST. You can watch the entire event in real time over at Apple’s WWDC 2016 live stream page.

WWDC 2016: What will Apple announce?

iOS 10

The next update to Apple’s mobile operating system is thought to be called iOS 10. We don’t know much about iOS 10 yet, but it could feature major design changes, as the look and feel of the software powering Apple’s mobile devices hasn’t received a significant overhaul since iOS 7 was introduced in 2013.

While iOS 7 introduced a new design, iOS 8 brought new features like Continuity and Apple Pay, and iOS 9 included more Siri capabilities, improved search, iPad split-screen multitasking, etc. We expect iOS 10 to build upon iOS 9. It might even have an improved Photos app, according to Japanese site Mac Otakara.

Apple will likely preview iOS 10 at WWDC, but it won’t be publicly released until this autumn (alongside new iPhones – so long as Apple remains faithful to its past release schedule).

OS X Fuji

Although Apple just started shipping OS X 10.11 El Capitan last autumn, rumours about the next system update have been surfacing since early 2016. It’ll likely be labelled OS X 10.12, for instance, but it also currently goes by the codename Fuji. Apple may stop referring to its Mac operating system as OS X, however.

Alongside its Earth Day 2016 announcements, Apple updated this FAQ webpage to explain to consumers how it cares about the environment and what it is doing to report carbon emissions, among other things. While that sounds boring at first blush, 9to5Mac noticed something rather interesting buried in the text: Apple used the term “MacOS”.

9to5Mac has also claimed that Apple’s next major system update for Macs will likely arrive this autumn with an impressive expansion of Siri capabilities. Siri, which debuted on the iPhone years ago, has expanded to iPad, Apple Watch, and the Apple TV, so it makes sense that Apple would bring the assistant to desktop machines.

According to Japanese site Mac Otakara, Apple is working on new versions of the Photos app for both iOS 10 and OS X 10.12. The Photos app for iOS and OS X will be updated with features to bring them up to speed with the now-discontinued iPhoto 2.0.1 for iOS and iPhoto 9.6.1 for Mac, respectively.

• Apple OS X 10.12 Fuji: What’s the story on the next Mac system update?

WWDC 2016: Will Apple launch hardware?

It’s not very common, but Apple has used past WWDC keynotes to announce updated hardware (such as 2014’s Mac Pro, AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme, and new MacBook Air). As for this year, most of Apple’s Mac lineup is due for a refresh. Plus, a second-generation Apple Watch has been rumoured.

WWDC 2016: Want to know more?

Tune into Pocket-lint’s Apple hub for the latest news and analysis. 

‘Bastion’ studio’s third game, ‘Pyre,’ prepares to party in 2017

Pyre tells the story of three wanderers living in exile in a vast purgatory called the Downside, fighting for the chance to rejoin their homeland. They travel and battle in the Rites, a secret competition for those in exile who wish to be absolved, fighting together with a blend of magic and dexterity. While much of the game remains cloaked in mystery, it’s due to hit PlayStation 4 and Steam simultaneously in 2017.

We do know a few things about Pyre: It’s a party-based role-playing game and the third title from Supergiant Games. It follows in the footsteps of Supergiant’s Bastion and Transistor, two beautiful and atmospheric experiences, though it seems to have a wonderful Banner Saga undertone. Supergiant will showcase Pyre at PAX East from April 22nd to 24th, in booth #8212. If you’ll be there, get your hands on some of this gorgeousness.

Source: Supergiant Games

Denon outfits Heos speakers with Bluetooth and high-res audio

Denon debuted its Heos line of speakers nearly two years ago, a set of audio gear that looked to rival multi-room setups like Sonos and others. Now Denon is giving the speakers a bit of a boost by adding some new features. The Heos lineup now sports the HS2 label, so you can tell them apart from the group that arrived back in 2014. That’s an important differentiation as the exterior design hasn’t changed. What has changed is the addition of high-res audio and Bluetooth connectivity.

As far as the high-resolution audio is concerned, Heos by Denon HS2 supports uncompressed WAV (PCM), ALAC (Apple Lossless) and FLAC music files up to 24-bit/192-kHz over network or USB. And soon, you’ll be able to play DSD and AIFF tracks, too. High-res playback is made possible by a 1.25GHz ARM A9 processor alongside 512 MB of flash memory and 256 MB of RAM. What’s more, you can add any of the new HS2 gear to first-gen Heos speakers that you already own without having worry about compatibility issues.

Denon is also keeping the pricing the same as the original Heos devices, despite the additional features and upgraded internals. The Heos 5 and Heos 7 are available now for $400/£349 and $600/£499, respectively. In July, you’ll be able to pick up the retooled Heos Amp ($499/£399) and Heos Link ($349/£299) which provide wireless amplifier and pre-amp options for any set of speakers. Last but not least, the Heos 1 and Heos 3 are both expected to arrive in the middle of the year, priced at $200/£199 and $300/£249 each.

Via: CNET

Source: Denon

Android security report shows why you should stick to Google Play

Many security-conscious types will tell you to only grab apps from Google Play if you want to avoid malware, and Google just provided a good reason why. The internet giant has released its second-ever annual Android security report, and it’s clear that how secure you are depends heavily on where you go for software. Attempts to install malware within Google Play dropped significantly between 2014 and 2015, with no more than 0.15 percent of users grabbing some kind of rogue code. However, that figure shoots up to 0.5 percent when you consider all Android users — Google says it saw an uptick in attempts to compromise devices beyond its app store.

A lot of that discrepancy stems from what Google can do to clamp down on malware outside its own walls. Google Play already had screening to prevent hostile apps from getting through, and Google says that it reduced the chances of installing those apps by 40 percent last year alone. There are security measures beyond the store (such as post-install app verification), but they’re limited — the same freedom that lets you use non-Google Play apps also lets people write malicious apps that Google can’t always catch. Many third-party app stores can’t or won’t screen as thoroughly.

Things should get better this year. Google’s monthly security updates are increasing the likelihood that you’ll be safe against attacks, even if the patches don’t always arrive on time or on every device. Also, the rising adoption of newer Android flavors (namely Lollipop and Marshmallow) both gives Google more control over web code and increases the odds of spotting suspicious behavior before it’s too late. You’ll know that these were effective if next year’s security report is all sunshine and roses.

Via: Recode

Source: Google Security Blog

Vizio brings tablet remotes and 4K to lower-cost TVs

You don’t have to splurge on Vizio’s higher-end P-Series TVs to get some of their nicer features. The company is trotting out new M-Series and E-Series sets that bring over some of the nicer features, even if they aren’t quite as eye-catching. Like its pricier counterpart, the M-Series now uses a 6-inch Android tablet remote (running the company’s SmartCast app) and supports Google Cast streaming from other devices in your home. It’s a big step up in quality over last year’s model, too. There are twice as many active LED lighting zones (64) for higher contrast ratios, and you’ll get luxuries like support for HDR video and Dolby Vision. Prices for the soon-to-launch, 4K-only line start at $850 for a 50-inch set, and scale all the way up to $4,000 for an 80-inch behemoth.

And don’t worry if you’re just looking for 4K without the frills — you’re covered as well. The updated E-Series now includes a few 4K models, starting at $470 for a 43-inch version and moving up to $1,700 for a 70-incher. You won’t get a tablet, HDR or Dolby Vision, and there are only 12 active LED zones. However, you’ll find both Google Cast and support for SmartCast through the devices you already have. The sets are rolling out today, so they might be your best bet if you just have to watch that 4K Blu-ray and can’t afford close to a grand for the privilege.

Source: Vizio (PR Newswire 1), (2)

My Miitomo addiction proves social media is just a game

I used to think there was no room for another social network in my life. I already have Twitter for public interactions and jokes, Facebook for connecting with friends and family, Instagram for sharing closeup photos of my dinner and Snapchat for when I feel like goofing around. Upstart social networks like Ello, App.net and Peach never resonated with me. But for the past two weeks, I’ve been flirting with a new contender. It’s called Miitomo, a game from Nintendo that’s really a social network in disguise. And my Miitomo obsession has made me wonder if the social networks I use the most often — Twitter, Facebook and Instagram — aren’t games of a sort too.

Released about a month ago in Japan and then in the US a week or so later, Miitomo is Nintendo’s first-ever smartphone app. Since it comes from the publisher of iconic titles like Super Mario Bros and the Legend of Zelda, you’d be forgiven if you thought Miitomo was a video game too. One of the first things you do in Miitomo is to create your “Mii,” a a cartoon avatar that’s been part of the Nintendo experience since the original Wii. But after tricking out your Mii with cool clothes and funky hairstyles, you don’t play a rousing round of Wii Tennis or go for the perfect strike in Wii Bowling. Instead, you’re supposed to add friends and interact with them.

Of course, Miitomo is not a pure social network like Twitter or Facebook. In it, you’re supposed to answer randomly generated questions: Examples include what you did last week, who your favorite celebrity is and what sort of nightmares you had as a kid. Your friends can then heart your answers or leave comments on them and vice versa. Social interactions are limited to just that. There’s no feed of free-form messages, and you can’t seek out a specific person’s stream of content. Rather, you have to read whatever responses happen to come up.

Despite these limitations, I’m starting to feel addicted to Miitomo. And no, it’s not just because of the cute factor. For one, I feel that I’m learning more about my friends than I would otherwise. Some of the answers I’ve read were their memories as a child or their hopes and dreams — answers to questions that I’d probably never think to ask. Also, I feel compelled to answer the same questions, not only to earn points but also because I wish my friends were this interested in me in real life.

Ultimately, one of the main reasons Miitomo is addictive is that it rewards you for being social. You get coins for each answer, and you get coins for reading answers from your friends. You also get points for sharing Miifotos — posed portraits of your Mii in action. You can then use this in-game currency to buy costumes or try your luck at a drop-chute challenge to see if you can win exclusive outfits. Miitomo feeds both the innate desire to connect with people and the more obvious high of getting points. In short, it’s gamified social interactions.

That got me thinking that using mainstream social networks like Twitter and Facebook is addictive for many of the same reasons. Though it’s not immediately obvious (Twitter doesn’t give you coins, and Facebook doesn’t offer ninja costumes), they offer a distinct feeling of reward just for socializing. There’ve been numerous studies that show we get a dopamine hit every time someone retweets us or likes our post on Facebook. Kristen Lindquist, a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, told the Financial Times that this sort of interaction feeds the reward center of the brain and is akin to how drug addicts feel when they take yet another cocaine hit. “You end up developing an association between Facebook and goodness, and that sustains the behavior,” she said.

I know this is the case for me. I often take care to construct witty or interesting tweets, hoping for a retweet or a favorite. I carefully compose each shot on Instagram, painstakingly going through each filter to see which one makes my homemade guacamole pop more on the screen. I give myself a little high five whenever more than five people like a post I published on Facebook. I’ll admit that this sort of instantaneous interaction feeds an inner desire for validation, and I’m self-aware enough to acknowledge that I try pretty hard to get it. Pathetic? Maybe. But some of you probably feel this too. Most of us attempt to present our best selves on social media to gain acceptance.

All of this is to say that I think Nintendo has tapped into what makes social networks so addictive. Instead of tweeting for hearts, I’m answering questions for coins. And while retweets and favorites are dependent on the fickle minds of the public, the coins in Miitomo are constant and reliable. Even without the validation of my peers, I still get some kind of reward from interacting with them. Right now, I have 10,900 coins in Miitomo. I’ve never received that many retweets, likes, stars or hearts on any other social network. And I can’t use those to buy a stylin’ pair of cat ears.

Razer’s latest gaming keyboard and mouse are built for your lap

Remember the Turret, Razer’s living room-friendly mouse and keyboard combo? After more than a year of waiting, it’s finally ready for action. Plunk down $160 and you’ll get a pair of wireless peripherals (they work on both Bluetooth and proprietary connections) that are designed to be used in your lap. The keyboard has a lapboard that provides a flat surface for its high-precision, 3,500DPI mouse. The setup is primarily intended for a PC hooked up to your TV, but it has dedicated Android keys in case you’re using a Google-powered set-top box. There are plenty of other couch-oriented combos out there, but this may be your best pick if you’re determined to play first-person shooters and anything else that’s particularly involving.

Source: Razer (1), (2)

Intel cuts 12,000 jobs in restructuring initiative

Intel announced that it’s laying off 12,000 employees today in a radical measure designed to restructure the company. In a statement, the company said that it plans to accelerate its evolution from a PC-centric business to one that’s more focused on connected wearables and the Internet of Things. Last year, Intel’s growth in data and IoT businesses made up 40 percent of its revenue, while the PC market continues its downward trend.

“Our results over the last year demonstrate a strategy that is working and a solid foundation for growth,” said Brian Krzanich, Intel’s CEO, in that statement. “The opportunity now is to accelerate this momentum and build on our strengths.” As a result, the firm plans to increase investment in data center, IoT, memory and connectivity while reducing its focus on PCs. The cut of 12,000 positions is a drop of about 11 percent of its workforce.

The announcement arrived at the same time as the company’s earnings result for the first quarter of 2016, where it reported a revenue of $13.7 billion. It noted that Client Computing Group revenue was down 14 percent sequentially and up two percent year-over-year and Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group revenue dipped 15 percent from last month and is down 6 percent year-over-year. Its Internet of Things Group, on the other hand, is healthy at $651 million in revenue, which is up 4 percent sequentially and up 22 percent from this time last year.

Source: Intel

Corning can now print high-res images on its Gorilla Glass

Corning revealed a new use for its line of toughened touch surfaces on Tuesday, dubbed Vibrant Gorilla Glass, which will enable manufacturers to print high-resolution images on the material. “It provides a wide range of color possibilities that you just can’t get from traditional screen printing processes,” Scott Forester, director, Gorilla Glass Innovations, told me during a recent call.

One of the challenges with glass is that it is inert but how do you get stuff to durably stick to it? Corning didn’t disclose much detail into the process and technology, save that “We spent a bit of time understanding inks and fluids, and how these adhere to glass,” Forester told me. “There’s a lot of intellectual property around the equipment and ink formulation. It’s a very different printing technology than what you see today.”

Now, obviously, Corning isn’t planning to stamp images onto iPhone screens but the company does see a market in front plates — ie the top cover of your laptop where the logo resides — or the backsides of smartphones. “We’ve gotten a lot of interest from companies that want to add their multicolor logos to devices,” Forester said. What’s more, Corning is open to offering the technology to advertisers and marketers before potentially offering it to consumers as a personalization option when purchasing new devices from the manufacturer. Eventually, people may be able to swap out the manufacturer’s logo on the back of their device with an image of their own choosing.

The Shock Clock band uses fear and electricity to wake you up

How hard is it to get up in the morning? When you have a job, and want to keep it, most of us can usually haul our sleepy asses out from beneath the duvet, even if that’s at the last minute. I’m not exactly Mr sunshine in the mornings, but is an electric shock really the answer? Pavlok, the team behind the Shock Clock band think so, and luckily enough for you, I hate myself just enough that I was willing to find out if it works. You know, for science and whatnot.

The idea behind the Shock Clock is pretty simple: punch in your desired wakeup time, then tell it to vibrate, beep or give you an electric shock (or all three, in that order) to wake you up. It’s aimed at chronic “snoozers” for whom loud music, the radio and regular alarm clocks aren’t enough. Unlike conventional methods, though, the idea here isn’t to shock you every morning. Pavlok claims it’s to program yourself — via aversion therapy — into permanently becoming a morning person.

If Shock Clock seems familiar, that’s because it’s essentially the same product as the existing Pavlok we wrote about two years ago. The makers claim its original zap-dispensing wearable has helped cure everything from sugar cravings to tobacco addiction. Now it’s hoping to abolish the snooze-button with this single-purpose version.

Setting up the Shock Clock is easy. Pair the wristband with the Pavlok Alarm app (available for iOS and Android), and then configure your wake-up punishment of choice. You can go straight in for shocks, or give yourself a chance, and wake to a vibration on the wrist and/or beeps before deploying a shock as the last resort. I went straight for shocks, because why not? A quick side note: The shocks aren’t crazy strong, but they were stronger than I expected; enough to make my open hand visibly twitch.

Given that the hardware is effectively the same, it might feel like you’re being sold the same shoes twice. Especially since the Pavlok Alarm app already also exists. To offset that, Shock Clock costs a chunk less than Pavlok, and will come with a revamped, more feature-rich app. What’s more, it’s cheaper, starting at $79 for early birds (it’s being crowdfunded), eventually selling for $100. Pavlok proper costs $169.

Ironically, given the whole habit-breaking thing, Shock Clock is a essentially a gateway drug to the full Pavlok experience. If the campaign reaches $50,000, Shock Clock will come with the option to be upgraded to unlock the full suite of Pavlok habit-busting features. These include such delights as shocking you when you visit certain websites or even custom IFTTT recipes that shock you based on any number of conditions.

The first morning I wore the Shock Clock, I think I’m already cured. I wake naturally a good 10 minutes before my set time. Easy. Perhaps it was some mild anxiety that caused me to stir, though. Much like how I’ll wake every hour, on the hour, whenever I have to get up for an early flight. I was actually so pleased with myself that I forgot about turning the alarm off, so I received my shock anyway 10 minutes later, conveniently as I was pouring some coffee.

The second morning I try waking with vibrations first, then tones, using the shock as the last resort. I must have relaxed into the idea, because I slept right through the vibration part. The tones wake me, but only just enough for me to realize I’m about to receive a… “damnit.” It zaps me, and sure enough, I’m awake. I’m groggy, though, and then I spot a flaw in the current app design: To let it know you’re awake, you press the wristband for three seconds. A snoozer’s delight! That’s a problem the new app will solve with a feature called “Snooze lock” that will use the motion sensors to check that you are up and awake (or just moving your wrist?). Sleep tracking will be a feature in the new app as well.

For me, at least, there’s a different problem: I already have a reliable system for waking up. I use a “natural” alarm clock that gradually illuminates the room during the 30 minutes before your desired wake up time. When the time comes, if you haven’t let it know you’re awake, soothing zen-like tones play in increasing volume until you do. It wakes me every time, gently, and the light makes me feel alert. Waking to a shock does the trick, but it’s like using jump-leads by comparison. It’s also a reminder that waking in darkness means my brain still feels like it’s 4am.

It’s worth remembering that Shock Clock isn’t simply about halting sleep; it’s about the habit of waking (many of us can open our eyes, only roll over and close them again). If this is your problem, and nothing else you’ve tried works, then I can see how Shock Clock might be appealing. My concern is that there’s another looming problem: You either have to remember to put the Shock Clock on each night, or wear it all the time, which seems a bit much for something you use for about five seconds in the morning. Also, if there’s any way to game the device, I suspect the heavy snoozer within us will find and exploit it — or just stop wearing it all together.

The team at Pavlok argues that’s not a problem. The theory is that if Shock Clock does its job, just the threat of it zapping you will eventually seep into your lizard brain, and its aversion to pain. With this, you’ll start waking naturally too. No lights and no zen music needed.

Source: Indiegogo, Pavlok