Facebook adds SMS to Messenger for Android
A few months ago, Facebook was reported to be testing SMS integration in its Messenger app for Android. Now, that feature is officially live. It’s entirely optional, so you’ll need to enable it. To do so, head over to Settings in the Messenger app, select “SMS” and then choose “Default SMS app.” This means all of your text messages will be sent and received on the Messenger app. Your SMS conversations will be in purple to differentiate them from the default Messenger blue.
Interestingly, SMS in Messenger doesn’t support just text and images. It also supports rich content like stickers, GIFs, emojis and location sharing — just like regular Messenger conversations. Facebook also wanted to clarify that none of the messages are stored on the company’s servers; all of the text messages are sent via SMS as per usual. That does mean that regular texting fees do apply.
This feature is only for the Android app due to the limitations of iOS. But seeing as Apple’s own Messaging is getting a lot of these Messenger-like enhancements — emojis, stickers etc — iPhone users probably aren’t missing out too much.
Source: Facebook
Apple needed to make a standalone HomeKit app
HomeKit, Apple’s platform for the Internet of Things, was introduced in 2014. Last year hardware makers finally started selling devices with companion apps that supported the architecture. But the one thing missing from that platform was an accompanying app, built by Apple. Instead, the company decided to let developers take care of that. Apple set up the framework and third-parties were supposed to build a beautiful front end around it. But it didn’t quite happen that way.
The newly announced Home app, which was previewed yesterday at WWDC, is a big deal for Apple and all the hardware makers that make use of HomeKit. The app has a customizable home screen with quick access to all your devices and “scenes” (think: how you want your smart home set up when you go to bed at night). You can control the brightness of a light with a tap, hold and slide. There are no sub-menus to navigate through and if you’re not into launching an app, you can use Siri or swipe up from the lockscreen to access these features from the Control Center.
When it launches this fall alongside iOS 10, it’ll have a level of integration you won’t find from third parties. It’s a sign that Apple is going all in on the connected home. This also frees up the companies building those devices to do what they do best: make tiny modules that let you remotely turn on your lights.
Until now, users have interacted with HomeKit-enabled products via Siri (good) or third-party apps (not so good). Sure, the software offerings from companies like Insteon, Lutron, iDevices and others work, but they don’t feel particularly polished or intuitive. In some instances you even have to navigate in and out of sub-menus to do simple things like turn on a light. It all feels very… un-Apple.
Indeed, Apple’s usual tack is to focus on making its products intuitive. From operating systems to apps, the company works hard to make sure you can accomplish your goal in a quick and easy fashion. For the most part (with iTunes being a notable exception), it’s been successful.
That’s why the release of HomeKit without a companion app from Apple was confusing. Friends and colleagues asked me what the HomeKit app was like. I had to explain that there wasn’t one and that third parties would be building apps that used the platform. By the time I got to “platform” their eyes would glaze over.
Initially even I thought there would be an app. It’s what you expect from Apple. After all, they have apps for nearly everything else. They even have apps you don’t want like Stock and Tips on the iPhone. (Fortunately, you’ll soon be able to delete these.)
From the looks of the app shown on stage at WWDC, Apple finally built the app that we not only wanted, but needed. Like it or not, the Internet of Things will creep into our homes. Apple doesn’t want to be left behind simply because it’s waiting for hardware developers. Sometimes when you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.
Get all the latest news from WWDC 2016 here!
Safari in macOS Sierra Deactivates Flash and Other Plug-ins By Default
In Safari 10, set to ship with macOS Sierra, Apple plans to disable common plug-ins like Adobe Flash, Java, Silverlight, and QuickTime by default in an effort to focus on HTML5 content and improve the overall web browsing experience.
As explained by Apple developer Ricky Mondello in a post on the WebKit blog, when a website offers both Flash and HTML5 content, Safari will always deliver the more modern HTML5 implementation. On a website that requires a plug-in like Adobe Flash to function, users can activate it with a click as can be done in Google’s Chrome browser.
Most websites that detect that Flash isn’t available, but don’t have an HTML5 fallback, display a “Flash isn’t installed” message with a link to download Flash from Adobe. If a user clicks on one of those links, Safari will inform them that the plug-in is already installed and offer to activate it just one time or every time the website is visited. The default option is to activate it only once. We have similar handling for the other common plug-ins.
When a website directly embeds a visible plug-in object, Safari instead presents a placeholder element with a “Click to use” button. When that’s clicked, Safari offers the user the options of activating the plug-in just one time or every time the user visits that website. Here too, the default option is to activate the plug-in only once.
Safari 10 will also include a command to reload a page with installed plug-ins activated to give users additional options for controlling the content that’s displayed, and there are preferences for choosing which plug-ins are visible to which websites in Safari’s Security preferences.
Apple recommends web developers implement features using technologies built into Safari to avoid forcing users to activate plug-ins.
Plug-ins like Adobe Flash and Java have been problematic for Apple, requiring frequent security fixes and forced updates to patch an unending stream of vulnerabilities. Apple has long had a policy of blocking older versions of web plug-ins from functioning and its change in Safari 10 is another push towards fully retiring the older technology.
Related Roundup: macOS Sierra
Tags: Safari, Adobe Flash Player, Java
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watchOS 3 Tidbits: Face Gallery, Disable Screenshots, New Stock Apps, and More
Apple this week previewed watchOS 3, the next major version of its Apple Watch software platform. The first beta has been seeded to registered developers, allowing for early adopters to take a closer look at what’s new in the update.
Many tidbits in the new watchOS have already been discovered that were not given much or any stage time during Apple’s WWDC 2016 keynote, including improvements to the Apple Watch companion app on iPhone, new first-party apps and watch faces, minor user interface tweaks, and more.
Face Gallery
A new Face Gallery section has been added to the companion Watch app on iPhone, allowing users to browse and switch between watch faces, customize the color scheme, and configure complications.
X-Large Watch Face
Apple has added a new X-Large watch face with one large complication positioned at the center of the screen.
Screenshots Toggle
Apple Watch screenshots can now be enabled or disabled using the companion Watch app on iPhone. The toggle switch is in the General menu.
New Modular Complications
Apple Watch Now Appears in Find My iPhone
Other Tidbits
• More watch faces support complications
• New stock apps: Breathe, Home, Find My Friends, Reminders, and Heart Rate
• Delete most first-party apps by first deleting the app on iPhone
• Tap on the Mickey/Minnie Mouse watch faces and they will read the time in their voices
• Enable auto pausing of indoor and outdoor runs
• Dismissing a notification now returns you to watch face rather than Notification Center
• The new Activity watch face is available in both analog and digital formats
• Siri has a slightly tweaked user interface
• Activity and Workout apps have been redesigned
• Friends view has been removed in favor of the new Dock feature
Share your own tidbits in our Apple Watch: All The Little Things discussion thread.
watchOS 3 will be available as a free software update for all Apple Watch users this fall.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 2, watchOS 3
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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Netflix Updated With Picture in Picture Support for Compatible iPads
Netflix for iOS was today updated with a highly desired and long-awaited new feature, Picture in Picture support. Introduced in iOS 9, Picture in Picture is an iPad multitasking capability that allows a video that’s playing to be minimized to a corner while other apps are open.
With Picture in Picture support, iPad users can now watch TV shows and movies on Netflix while doing other things on their iPads.
Picture in Picture is available on the iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro. iOS 9.3.2 is required to take advantage of Picture and Picture in Netflix.
Today’s Netflix update also includes unspecified bug fixes and stability improvements.
Netflix can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
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Eddy Cue and Jimmy Iovine Discuss State of Streaming and Growth of Apple Music
One of the biggest updates announced for iOS 10 centers around the new design of Apple Music, which the company hopes will simplify its music streaming service into one that better introduces its users to new favorite songs, and is less of a hassle to navigate than the current version.
To discuss the nuances of the revamped service, Eddy Cue, Jimmy Iovine, Trent Reznor, and Robert Kondrk sat down with Billboard, commenting on the importance of Beats 1, the steady growth of Apple Music, and the much-talked-about slow death of downloaded music in iTunes.
Billboard asked Cue and Reznor about a “streaming-only future,” but the former reassured fans who prefer to download music by saying that “there’s no end date” to paid music services like iTunes, which “is doing very well,” Cue said. Reznor admits that such a future is probably inevitable, but doesn’t see why paid and streaming music couldn’t coexist simultaneously, similar to the niche buyers market of vinyl records today.
Eddy Cue: There’s no end date, and as a matter of fact, they should all be surprised and thankful to the results that they’re seeing because our music iTunes business is doing very well. Downloads weren’t growing, and certainly are not going to grow again, but it’s not declining anywhere near as fast as any of them predicted or thought it would. There are a lot of people who download music and are happy with it and they’re not moving towards subscriptions. We talked about subscriptions bringing a lot of new customers in, people who have never bought music. And if you look at Apple’s music revenue on a quarterly basis, because of subscriptions and because of sales, it’s now higher; it’s actually growing, which is great for the labels.
Trent Reznor: It feels as though we’ve turned a corner in terms of the adoption of streaming. I think it’s inevitable that downloads will diminish, much like CDs. But I’ve started buying vinyl — probably out of nostalgia, but also there’s something about a physical thing that has meaning to me as an artist. I think coexistence can take place.
When addressing the concern that Beats 1 wasn’t directly mentioned during the WWDC keynote, Iovine promised that “Beats 1 is going to be creating a lot more content as well,” besides being a part of the overall Apple Music design change. This content encompasses video, according to Iovine, who didn’t directly mention which rumored scripted TV project this might entail, but said the team is currently focusing on the “impact” the radio service has as part of the overall music ecosystem at Apple.
As usual, Cue wasn’t ready to divulge specific numbers regarding the conversion rates of users transferring from Apple Music’s three month free trial to a paid subscription, but he did say that the team has “been very happy with the results we’ve seen.” As confirmed during yesterday’s keynote, the service has also reached 15 million subscribers a few weeks ahead of its one year anniversary later in June.
You can read the full interview between Billboard and the Apple Music executives here.
Related Roundup: iOS 10
Tag: Apple Music
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CarPlay at WWDC: Rearrange or Hide Apps, Apple Music Makeover, Alternate Routing, and More
While most of the WWDC 2016 keynote was focused on iOS 10, macOS Sierra, and new versions of tvOS and watchOS, Apple also made a number of CarPlay-related announcements during the two-hour presentation.
First, the new Apple Maps appearance on iOS 10 and some new features extend to the dashboard. If there is a lot of traffic ahead, for example, CarPlay will now proactively provide you with alternate routes and estimate how much time you saved compared to your original route.
Additionally, CarPlay turn-by-turn directions will now be available directly in your instrument cluster in vehicles equipped with a driver-side peripheral screen for a safer driving experience.
Another feature that should make CarPlay safer is the Siri SDK. Apple is opening Siri up to developers, enabling third-party apps for VoIP calling and more to work seamlessly with the virtual assistant, and the functionality extends to CarPlay.
Siri on CarPlay will support VoIP calls like Skype, which is not yet available in the car
CarPlay apps can now be rearranged or hidden on iOS 10 by tapping on Settings > General > CarPlay > Your Vehicle. Simply tap the add or subtract button on the stock or third-party apps that you want to add or remove. Phone, Music, Maps, Messages, Car, and Now Playing cannot be removed.
CarPlay apps can now be rearranged or hidden on iOS 10 (Image: 9to5Mac)
Just like on iOS 10, Apple Music has received a makeover on CarPlay that makes it easier to browse and discover music. The top menu options have changed from For You, New, Radio, Playlists, My Music, and Now Playing to Library, For You, Browse, Radio, and Now Playing. Curated playlists have also been added.
Apple Music has received a makeover on CarPlay (Image: 9to5Mac)
CarPlay is also now supported on ultra-wide screens. The new features and improvements will require pairing an iPhone 5 or later on iOS 10.
Many automakers in the U.S. and abroad now support CarPlay, including Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lamborghini, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Peugeot, Seat, Škoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Volvo, and others.
Aftermarket systems are available from Alpine, JBL, JVC, Kenwood, and Pioneer.
Related Roundups: WWDC 2016, CarPlay
Tags: Apple Maps, Apple Music
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AppLock: A solid choice for security (Review)
Overview
App locks are the easiest way for people to have access to your phone without allowing them to dive into areas that you don’t wish them to see. There are quite a few app locks out there and choosing one can be a task. Hopefully, this will help you decide if AppLock is the best protection for you.
Developer: DoMobile Lab
Cost: Free (In-app upgrades)
Setup
Setup Pattern
When you open the app for the first time, it prompts you to make a pattern and set up your email. Once you have configured your unlock pattern, you are then carried to the main screen, which lists all the apps you can lock out. Simply click which app you want locked out and it’s secured.
Highlights:
- Lock apps individually
- Lock photos and videos
- Different lock profiles
- Time lock
- Location lock
Review
AppLock is one of the best security tools you can get from the Play Store. It’s a free app that is rich in features. Like all app locks, it allows you to lock apps individually, but there are couple things I really like about this one.
Randomized Keyoard
To start off, it does have the pattern lock that I mentioned, however, you can change it to a numeric lock. What’s so special about that? Well, nothing really, except that you have the option to use a randomized numeric keyboard so, even if someone sees a pattern, the numbers will be in a different place the next time. The downside is it makes you really have to pay attention to what numbers you are punching in as you can be easily confused.
Another great feature is setting profiles for different scenarios. You could have profiles for your home, guests, kids, and more. You can customize the profile to only allow people access to certain apps. The best part is you can create home shortcuts that allow you to activate them by clicking and inserting your passcode.
Some other awesome features include the ability to activate those profiles at certain times and locations. So, if you have a work profile, you could set it for clock-in time. Be aware that there is no deactivation time, so it will stay on that profile until your next time lock occurs.
The location lock works off WiFi. When your phone hooks up to certain networks, it locks to the appropriate profile.
Let’s not forget that you can lock your videos and pictures one at a time as well. I don’t use this feature, but it’s always good to have more security at your fingertips.
Other Features:
- Security questions
- Power-saving mode
- Quick lock switch
- Themes
While this isn’t all that this app can do, it’s enough to give you a good read into how well this app has you covered.
In-app Purchases
Menu
This is the part that I found confusing. In the description of the app, it mentions that there are three different types of accounts and where to find them. Most people do not fully read the descriptions and may find it difficult to find where to upgrade.
To make it more confusing, the screen where you can manage your subscription is not apparent at all. You have to click your email in the Account Center that is located in the menu when you click the top-left hamburger menu.
Once you get into the Account Center, you’ll find the different accounts you can purchase. In order to get the premium features, you can either subscribe to a premium account or keep the app free but ad-supported. There’s also a basic account option that doesn’t show you ads, but doesn’t provide premium features.
Premium Features: ($.99/month, $5.99/year, or ad-supported)
- Photo vault
- Video vault
- Themes
- Fake covers
- Customize background
- Profiles, easy to change locks
- Auto time lock
- Auto location lock
- Hide applock icon
- Random keyboard
- Lock switch
Conclusion
AppLock has tons of features, which is nice, but I have rated it lower in value. The reason I did that is because I think it’s a bit pricey to pay for an app like this by the month or year. I think you’re better off using the ad-supported version of this app as the ads aren’t bad. The developer should consider simply charging a higher price to outright buy the app.
I also believe that it would be less confusing for the users if the developer changed the Account Center and just add a pretty “Premium Features” button, so the average customer knows that this is where he or she should go to support the developer. However, they are nice enough to auto-enroll you in the ad version instead of basic, no-extra-features version.
Download and install AppLock from the Google Play Store.
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