BitTorrent offers grants for budding artists
BitTorrent doesn’t just want to rely on ready-made content from big-name artists and well-funded indies to fuel its constant distribution dreams — it’s contributing to the projects themselves. The company is launching the Discovery Fund to give movie makers, musicians and other creators the money they need to get their work off the ground. A total of 25 promising artists will get between $2,500 to $100,000 to help distribute and market their wares. Producers maintain control, BitTorrent’s Straith Schreder says — this is just about finding a “global audience.”
Of course, this isn’t purely act of generosity. The more original material BitTorrent gets, the more chances it has at landing an exclusive (or at least, a first-on-BitTorrent release) that gives you a reason to try out its peer-to-peer distribution technology. It also helps show that the company isn’t just catering to established artists trying to stick it to the system. In theory, BitTorrent is for anyone who has an artistic vision they want to share without handing power to someone else.
Source: Bundle.Media (1), (2)
Instagram could soon be rolling out a ‘Save Draft’ feature
If you’re an avid Instagram user, you know it can sometimes take a few tries before you come up with the perfect post. But as it stands right now, if you back out of a screen in the app, you’ll lose any image edits. Instagram is changing this by introducing a feature you may soon be using extensively: “Save Draft.”
Only a few Instagram users are able to take advantage of the new “Save Draft” option just yet, though it seems additional users are seeing it pop up as the month goes by. Right now the company has confirmed to TechCrunch that the feature is indeed “just an experiment” for right now, but that doesn’t discount it popping back up again in the future as part of an update in the future or something to that effect.
Despite the excitement surrounding the test, it seems that unfortunately drafts aren’t in the cards definitively just yet, but Instagram is watching, and gauging the reaction to them, no doubt. So keep an eye out. It could be happening soon.
Via: TechCrunch
Why the Olympics need GIFs
The 2016 Olympics kicked off last Friday in Rio de Janeiro, and there have already been a slew of exciting moments. But if you were hoping to catch a GIF of, say, Simone Biles’ jaw-dropping floor routine, well, you won’t find it from the media. That’s because the International Olympics Committee has explicitly banned the press from releasing animated GIFs as well as short Vine videos from the event. The idea behind this policy is seemingly to force folks to watch the clip from an official media site like NBC, where people will be forced to watch ads with their sports. But this ban is woefully behind the times.
GIFs are just the latest in a long list of restrictions imposed by the Olympics committee. The media is also barred from using the Olympics logo in header images, while non-sponsor brands are prohibited from associating themselves with the Olympics on social media by using hashtags like #Rio2016 and #TeamUSA. Even words like “Olympian” and “Go for the Gold” would get them in trouble. The reasoning is to avoid brand confusion as well as to dodge so-called “ambush marketing,” where any brand can draw attention away from the official sponsors. While that’s important to advertisers, it doesn’t really affect individuals like you and me — we’re still free to use Olympic hashtags with abandon.
GIF of McKayla Maroney’s vault during the 2012 Olympics
The problem with the GIF ban, however, is that it is indeed about us. By making it harder to spread Olympic cheer with GIFs and Vines, they’re actually reducing the amount of positive press attention they would otherwise receive. The truth is, the less viral content there is, the less likely it’ll get circulated. It won’t appear as often in the press and the story will reach fewer people. Think back to the 2012 Olympics and how much more engaging and interesting the stories were when GIFs were allowed. They allowed the media to highlight important moments in a way that still photos never can.
Plus, it’s not like watching a six-second clip of Michael Phelps doing a flip turn in the pool is going to stop people from checking out the actual race. If anything, it’s actually free advertising. In addition, NBC does post 10-second video clips of certain sporting events on Olympic-specific Snapchat channels — like one of Aly Raisman sticking her landing on the vault. So the concern that social media clips would deter people from watching the actual event seems to ring hollow. Of course, these Snapchat clips are interspersed with advertising, which is why these official short clips are okay. This way they’re making as much money as possible.
The IOC isn’t the only sports entity to clamp down on social media sharing. Last year, Twitter suspended the accounts for Deadspin and SB Nation due to copyright claims by the NFL, the Big 12, the SEC and the UFC for sharing GIFs of associated sports events. FIFA doesn’t allow Vines and GIFs of the World Cup and the Premier League has threatened fans with lawsuits when they’ve posted GIFs. Though these rights-holders do have the power to send off DMCA takedown notices, copyright laws are murky when it comes to GIFs, which could fall under fair use. “Courts are much more likely to find fair use when it’s transformative,” said Andy Sellars, an attorney at Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society, in a recent interview with the Poynter Institute. “Most cases with GIFs, this would tend to be okay.”
“Fair use is about recontextualizing,” said Patricia Aufderheide, a founder of the Center for Media & Social Impact at American University’s School of Communication. If the GIF is for poking fun at something, or used for commentary, then it’s easier to claim that it’s fair use. Otherwise, it’s not so clear-cut. “You can’t make any blanket statements,” she said.
In my view, the use of GIFs is so widespread that it’s useless in trying to stop its propagation. Even with the media ban on GIFs and Vines, the public can obviously still create and share these clips on their own (We’ve reached out to the IOC to hear what its response to be if the public were to create GIFs and have yet to hear back). The press is also already starting to figure out creative ways to thwart the ban, like creating GIFs of infographics and illustrations rather than of the actual event. Why not just lift the ban in the first place?
The Olympics has already embraced virtual reality in its chase for viewership and a desire to keep up with media trends. It should embrace GIFs too.
Netflix speed test comes to your smartphone
Like the idea of Netflix’s no-nonsense internet speed test? You don’t have to fire up a web browser to try it. Netflix has released app versions of its Fast.com test for both Android and iOS with the same ultra-minimalist vibe as the web version. You only have to start it up to get a sense of whether or not you can play that 4K House of Cards episode. You don’t really need the app, but look at it this way: if your internet speeds are dodgy enough that you’re launching Fast.com on a regular basis, this might save you some precious time.
Via: Android Police, The Verge
Source: App Store, Google Play, Netflix Tech Blog
Refurbished 12.9-Inch iPad Pro Now Available From Apple Online Store
Apple today added refurbished 12.9-inch iPad Pro models to its online store for refurbished products, 10 months after the tablet first became available for purchase.
There is not yet a dedicated section for the iPad Pro in the refurbished store, but iPad Pro models can be seen on the main iPad page by scrolling to the bottom of the site, as was first noticed by iPhone in Canada.
Apple is offering a range of 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, all of which are available at a 14 to 15 percent discount. For the entry-level 32GB model, the discount drops the price from $799 to $679, a savings of $120.
Apple’s refurbished prices quite don’t match some of the lowest prices we’ve seen from third-party retailers who occasionally offer the 12.9-inch iPad Pro at a discount, but it’s close.
Both Wi-Fi and cellular models are available in multiple colors and in 32 and 128GB capacities. Apple is not offering refurbished 9.7-inch iPad Pro models which have only been available for purchase since March.
Apple’s refurbished inventory fluctuates on a regular basis based on available supply, so models that are available today may not be available tomorrow. All of Apple’s refurbished products are tested, certified, and come with a one-year warranty.
Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer’s Guide: 12.9″ iPad Pro (Neutral)
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iOS 10 Beta 5 Tidbits: New Lock Screen Sound, Swift Playground Content, and More
Apple today released new versions of iOS 10 to both developers and public beta testers, and as with any major beta update, there are several small changes and tweaks that have been implemented as Apple works to refine the operating system ahead of its release this fall.
Today’s update, available as an over-the-air download for those who installed the first four betas or the beta configuration profile, features a new Lock screen sound, tweaks to the Control Center and widgets screen, and more.
We’ve rounded up some of the biggest changes in beta five in the video below, so make sure to check it out to get a quick look at what’s changed. We’re also listing all of the changes in the post below.
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Smart Battery Case – The iPhone 6 and 6s should now work properly with Apple’s Smart Battery Case. According to the iOS 10 release notes, the case will no longer cause devices to panic.
Photos – Apple plans to reprocess facial recognition data in beta 5, so all named, favorited, and merged face data will be reset.
Lock sound – There’s a new sound when locking the iPhone. It sounds like a door closing.
New Output icon – The output icon seen in the Control Center, the Music app, and other locations in iOS has been slightly tweaked. It is no longer represented by headphones and instead resembles a triangle with sound waves.
Settings – The “Home” section in the Settings app has been removed on the iPhone, as it served no purpose, but it remains available on the iPad.
Widgets – The new widgets panel, accessible by swiping to the right, now displays the date on all devices.
Swift Playgrounds – New content has been added to Swift Playgrounds in iOS 10 beta 5, including Learn to Code Part 2.
Related Roundup: iOS 10
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V-MODA XS On-Ear Headphone Review
V-MODA has managed to position itself well with headphone enthusiasts. Its determined attention to detail, slick styling, and engaging sound is a formula that works, reinforced by competitive pricing. And landing around $200-$300, its headphone range is no where as far-fetched as a lot of audiophile headsets that tread closer to $1k.
In the past, we reviewed the company’s latest over-ear and in-ear solutions, the Crossfade Wireless and ZN, respectively. We were thoroughly impressed with what you get for the money. So for completion, we’re reviewing V-MODA’s newest on-ear as well, dubbed the XS. On-ears offer greater portability compared to over-ears, and the XS knocks on the compactness limit more than any other I’ve seen. Let’s check it out now.
Design
The build and styling of the XS is not a departure from what we’ve seen from its bigger brother or predecessor, the M-80. This isn’t a bad thing; it’s not like it’s dated or doesn’t work. The XS is totally a refinement, incorporating some worthy improvements. One of these is collapsible design.
The considerably compact footprint of the XS is immediately noticed when opening the packaging. It comes folded up in V-MODA’s included hard shell case, which bears an exoskeleton aesthetic, feels tough, and is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Opening it simply reveals the tightly folded headphones and audio cable.
Being on-ears, the XS are essentially a shrunken version of V-MODA’s over-ear flagship. The same materials are carried over: a leather wrapped headband with meshed fabric inner lining (for comfy head support), metal stems with sturdy CliqFold hinges, leather cushioned ear pads, and even the company’s customizable plates on top of the ear cups.
The XS has all of V-MODA’s custom shield plate options: from personalized laser-etched engravings to 3D printing on precious metals.
The XS comes in either Matte Black or White Silver. Pretty much everything on our black model is Batman-style, with the only thing not covered in a black finish is the orange cable (even the carrying case is black). And speaking of which, the braided cable feels as sturdy as the rest. V-MODA says it’s tested beyond military-level quality standards, able to withstand over 1 million cable bends. It has an in-line mic and one-button remote, and ends with a gold-plated, 45-degree angle 3.5mm jack.
The cable is not only removable, but it can be placed on either ear cup. There’s a port to accept it on the bottom of each ear cup. Not all headphone give you a detachable cable, and much fewer give you a preference on the side you want it.
Usability
The XS is an on-ear headphone, so the ear pad lays on top of the ear as opposed to around them. This style isn’t for everyone, so make sure you know what you’re getting into. V-MODA makes the right cues to make the wear as comfortable as possible, such as the supple and substantial ear pad cushions and minimal clamping force, but it’s still susceptible to a growing earache over a lengthy listening session. Although, I’m convinced this is among the best on-ear out there in this respect.
A unique thing about the XS is the shape. The sides of the headband are flattened so that it makes a tighter fit on your head, an effort which V-MODA deems as Mind the Gap. This was a smart move, as it distributes the headphone’s weight along your head instead of the very top (potentially causing a pressure point) and it allows the folded footprint to be so compact. There’s little unused space when the XS is collapsed.
On-ear headphones aren’t the best type of headset in terms of isolation, and the XS are no exception. They’re not bad relative to the on-ear competition, but the padding of over-ears, which engulf the ear, are significantly better in keeping external noise out. I think more clamping force could’ve helped a bit more, but then comfort would’ve been compromised; this was probably a back-and-forth V-MODA went through.
Sound
Although the XS takes after the larger M-100 flagship, it’s quite different in sound. I don’t mean this in a bad way; it’s actually a maturation to my ears. The sound signature of the M-100 was a tad too V-shaped for my taste, although, I won’t deny that a bangin’ bass and treble made for a fun experience. The XS is more balanced, but fortunately, still delivers V-MODA’s engaging tunes.
The mid-range is now the star of the show. Guitar strums and vocals are lush and airy, instantly pulling me in on the first listen. When the right moments hit, they can result in a moving presence, especially when vocals take center stage. And when you have a bunch of elements playing at the same time, like in a full-on rock song, you’ll be impressed how encompassing the XS’ small drivers can be. They punch above their weight.
Treble is right behind the mid-range. It’s rich, clear, and detailed. Don’t expect the bass to be as strong as the M-100, there’s only so much on-ears can do. That said, it’s still a bold V-MODA bass response. The XS also can’t pull the magnitude of soundstage that over-ears can, but what there is, is impressive for the headphone’s size.
Final Thoughts
The XS are an impressive pair of on-ears. There’s so much going for them: durability, style, ergonomics, and sound quality. Practically all the cons that we noted are just from the fact that they are on-ears. There’s only so much you can do with isolation and comfort.
We’re really glad that the focus on quality continues onto the sound. V-MODA knows how to get our attention, and despite shrinking the drivers, the XS still delivers a wallop.
V-MODA XS webpage
Google’s latest Inbox update adds project management tie-ins with Trello, GitHub
Going beyond reminders and into project management.
Google’s advanced Inbox email app has picked up a sizable update with features that tie into some of the most-used project management services like Trello and GitHub, as well as new integrations with Google Alerts and Google Drive.
With the Trello integration, Inbox will now automatically group and update your Trello notifications so you simply get a summary of what’s coming up for the day rather than multiple disparate emails. For those using GitHub, you’ll find a rolled-up summary of code changes and issues for each repository you’re a part of. In both cases, you’re looking at reducing what could be dozens of emails in your inbox in the morning to just a single summary with a link out to open Trello or GitHub.
A great combination of altogether new features, and some old basics coming to the new platform.
Going a step further, Google’s adding in better integration with two of its own services: Alerts and Drive. Now if you have multiple Alerts notifications in your inbox, you’ll see them grouped together more like an RSS feed so you can quickly scroll through and see which ones are most important. Tap on an alert to see the several sources that generated the alert. When it comes to Drive, Google has enabled inserting Drive links into emails as well as management of permissions for the links. You can also save attachments from Inbox directly to Drive, which is a feature Gmail has long had available.
This Inbox update shows that Google is continuing to take the app seriously, both in terms of adding entirely new features that make sense in the Inbox world but not necessarily in the standard Gmail interface, as well as bringing in “basic” email features that we’ve seen in Gmail previously but are just now making their way to the new app.
The latest version of Inbox is already rolling out from the Google Play Store.
Intel’s ‘Skull Canyon’ NUC is the future of tiny desktops
What if you could have a desktop that easily slips into a messenger bag or purse? That’s what Intel has been aiming for with its NUC (Next Unit of Computing) devices. Yes, it’s a terrible name, but Intel’s goal is admirable: to deliver powerful machines that are significantly smaller than desktops of yore. Our first look at a NUC back in 2013 showed plenty of promise. And with the new Skull Canyon edition (starting at $609), Intel has come closer than ever to delivering a truly portable desktop replacement that can even play some games. Just be prepared to pay through the nose to actually use it.
Officially called the NUC NUC6i7KYK (yes, Intel is really bad at naming things), this new device isn’t a complete computer. Instead, like all of Intel’s previous tiny desktops, it’s a kit that requires some handiwork. It packs in a 2.6GHz quad-core i7-6770HQ processor with integrated WiFi, Ethernet, Intel HD Audio and Iris Pro 580 graphics. But you’ll have to open it up and add your own SSD in one of the two M.2 slots, along with your own RAM (it supports up to 32GB of laptop-sized DDR4 memory). And of course, you’ll have to supply your own OS as well. In short, don’t expect to buy this box and have it magically start working.
While previous NUCs looked like boring grey mini-PCs, Intel actually infused a bit of style into the Skull Canyon model. It’s a slim and small device, at only 1.1 inches tall, 8.3 inches long and 4.57 inches wide. It feels like a small hardcover book, weighing in at around 1.5 pounds. Its plastic case is all black, with a reflective webbing pattern and large skull imprinted on the top — a not-so-subtle hint that Intel built this thing for PC gamers. Thankfully, the company also includes a plain black replacement cover in the box. Simply put, the Skull Canyon NUC feels like an exotic piece of hardware, rather than just a humdrum PC.
Alongside the power button up front, there’s an SD card slot, headphone jack and two USB 3.0 sockets (one of which is colored yellow, as it’s a “charging port” meant to provide extra voltage for mobile devices). Around back there are ports for power, HDMI, Thunderbolt 3/USB-C, Mini DisplayPort and gigabit Ethernet, along with two more USB 3.0 connections. In addition, there’s another 3.5mm jack for audio output, which also supports minijack to optical cables (useful for connecting the NUC to an A/V receiver). This plethora of ports is another way that the Skull Canyon NUC distinguishes itself from modern laptops.
Getting started involves removing the four Philips screws on the bottom of the NUC and plugging in the RAM and M.2 SSD of your choice. Intel packed our demo model with a 512GB SSD and 16GB of memory, but I nonetheless unplugged and reinstalled those pieces of hardware to get a feel for what it’s like to work with such a tiny case. If you’ve ever installed RAM, a video card or any PCI card in a desktop, you won’t have any trouble here. But even if this is your first time dealing with naked hardware, it shouldn’t be too difficult (just remember to align the pins). With my system complete, I then installed Windows 10 from a USB stick, a process that took around 15 minutes.
Once I got into Windows, I quickly realized that none of the drivers for the NUC were automatically recognized, not even its WiFi radio. I used my Windows desktop to snag those drivers, along with Intel’s Display drivers for the NUC. Once those were installed, I had the NUC run through Windows Update several times to fully upgrade the OS and grab all of the other relevant drivers. It took about an hour to get the NUC fully up and running. All the while, I had flashbacks to the hours I spent mindlessly installing Windows during my IT days.
With everything set up, I used the NUC for my daily workflow, which involves having dozens of browser tabs open across multiple browsers, chatting on Slack, writing on Evernote, listening to music on Spotify and occasionally editing some photos. For the most part, I was surprised by how normal everything felt. Even though it’s running a laptop-grade i7 processor, which produces less heat than its beefy desktop counterparts, the NUC managed to keep up with me every step of the way. Having 16GB of speedy RAM also helps, especially when it comes to multitasking and handling large files. You can definitely hear the system’s fan working when things heat up, but that’s to be expected with such a small device.
In practice the NUC felt almost indistinguishable from my custom-built desktop, which is particularly surprising given just how small it is. This is also the first NUC with decent gaming performance: It had no problem staying at 60 frames per second in 1080p with less demanding games like Transistor and Civilization 5. Quadrilateral Cowboy, with its blocky ’80s aesthetic, ran between 35 fps and 60 fps in 1080p. Even Overwatch was playable, reaching between 60 and 70 fps at 720p with low settings. Even more surprising, it ran at around 50 fps in 1080p with low settings. That’s a testament both to Blizzard’s scaling skills and the amount of power Intel has managed to cram into its Iris Pro 580 graphics.
For some gamers, the Skull Canyon’s NUC’s performance will be just fine for LAN parties and competitions. And if you need even more power, you can connect a full-sized graphics card over Thunderbolt 3, using an enclosure similar to Alienware’s $200 Graphics Amplifier. I didn’t have one of those to test out, unfortunately, but it’s nice to know the capability is there.
| Intel Skull Canyon NUC (2.6GHz Core i7-6770HQ, Intel Iris Pro 580) | 6,130 | 5,634 | E5,105/ P3,085/ X844 | 7,797 | 2.5 GB/s / 1.5 GB/s |
| Microsoft Surface Book (2.4GHz Core i5-6300U, Intel HD 520) | 5,412 | 3,610 |
E2,758 / P1,578 / X429 |
3,623 | 1.6 GB/s / 571 MB/s |
| HP Spectre 13.3 (2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U, Intel HD 520) | 5,046 | 3,747 | E2,790 / P1,630 / X375 | 3,810 | 1.61 GB/s / 307 MB/s |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (1.2 GHz Core M7-6Y75, Intel HD 515) | 4,951 | 3,433 | E1,866 / P1,112 | 2,462 | 545 MB/s / 298 MB/s |
| Dell XPS 13 (2.3GHz Core i5-6200U, Intel Graphics 520) | 4,954 | 3,499 | E2,610 / P1,531 | 3,335 | 1.6GB/s / 307 MB/s |
| Razer Blade Stealth (2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U, Intel HD 520) | 5,131 | 3,445 | E2,788 / P1,599 / X426 | 3,442 | 1.5 GB/s / 307 MB/s |
| Toshiba Radius 12 (2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U, Intel HD 520) | 5,458 | 3,684 | E2,865 / P1,622 | 3,605 | 552 MB/s / 489 MB/s |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (2.4GHz Core i5-6300U, Intel HD 520) | 5,403 | 3,602 |
E2,697/ P1,556/ X422 |
3,614 | 1.6 GB/s / 529 MB/s |
My experience with the NUC was reflected in its benchmarks. It’s significantly faster than any laptop we’ve reviewed over the past year, especially when it comes to gaming performance. In fact, it even outdoes Microsoft’s Surface Book and its dedicated NVIDIA GPU. We don’t review many high-end gaming laptops these days, so we don’t have any beefier mobile hardware to which we can compare the NUC, unfortunately. And while I’ve been testing a slew of desktop GPUs over the past few months, comparing them to the NUC to one of those just feels unfair.
So Intel has built a mini-computer that’s both portable and capable, but who actually needs it? That’s a good question. It’s much easier to carry around than previous NUCs and other tiny desktop designs, like Gigabyte’s BRIX. Intel is pitching it as something ideal for bringing to LAN parties and other gaming events. You’ll still need to bring along a monitor, keyboard and mouse to actually use it, of course. If you’re simply looking for something smaller than a typical desktop tower to use at home, there are plenty of small options out there that would likely cost less than the Skull Canyon NUC. And even if you’re not worried about the cost, you can still cram in more powerful hardware in other mini-PC cases.
The big takeaway is that this isn’t a device meant for everyone. Most people would be fine with a laptop instead (which is hard for me to admit as a desktop fan). And while it makes for a powerful home theater PC that can actually play some games, you’d be better off with something like Alienware’s Steam Machine. And if you’re just concerned about the media side of HTPCs, earlier NUC models are cheaper alternatives (and only slightly larger).
The biggest issue with the Skull Canyon NUC? It’s too expensive for most uses. While it’s retailing for $609 now (down from around $650 originally), it would likely end up costing closer to $1,000 once you include the cost of a decent SSD, RAM and a Windows 10 license. It’s faster than Apple’s highest end Mac Mini, which goes for $999 with a 2.8GHz dual-core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, but I’d argue that’s also not the wisest purchase for most. If you want the best tiny desktop replacement, no matter the cost, then the new NUC is for you.
In the end, the Skull Canyon NUC is a statement of intent for PC hardware tinkerers. Behold! A small profile desktop coupled with a surprising amount of power. It might seem impractical today, but in a few years this is what desktops will look like.
Apple Seeds Fifth Beta of iOS 10 to Developers
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of iOS 10 to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the fourth beta and approximately two months after first unveiling the new operating system at its 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference.
iOS 10 beta 5 is available as an over-the-air download to those who installed the first four betas or the beta configuration profile and it’s available for direct download via Apple’s Developer Center.
iOS 10 is a major iOS update with a ton of new features and design tweaks, including a new Lock screen experience with 3D Touch-enabled notifications, a more easily accessible camera, a redesigned Control Center, and a new widgets screen. According to Apple, iOS 10 is the company’s biggest iOS update ever released.
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The Messages app in iOS 10 has been overhauled with features that include background animations, bubble effects, Digital Touch, handwritten notes, Tapback replies, predictive emoji, and a dedicated App Store, and Photos has gained new facial and object recognition capabilities along with a Memories feature for rediscovering forgotten moments.
Over the beta testing period, Apple is tweaking the features introduced in iOS 10 to refine them ahead of the public release of the operating system. In iOS 10 beta 4, Apple introduced new emoji characters and a redesigned look for many existing emoji, a Control Center intro, new Accessibility features, changes to the Notification Center, and more. New changes found in the fifth iOS 10 beta will be listed below.
iOS 10 is currently available to developers and public beta testers, with a full public release planned for the fall. For full details on iOS 10, make sure to check out our iOS 10 roundup.
What’s new in iOS 10 beta 5:
Smart Battery Case – The iPhone 6 and 6s should now work properly with Apple’s Smart Battery Case. According to the iOS 10 release notes, the case will no longer cause devices to panic.
Photos – Apple plans to reprocess facial recognition data in beta 5, so all named, favorited, and merged face data will be reset.
Lock sound – There’s a new sound when locking the iPhone. It sounds like a door closing.
Control Center – Control Center icons in the Music panel have been slightly tweaked.
Settings – The “Home” section in the Settings app has been removed on the iPhone, as it served no purpose, but it remains available on the iPad.
Widgets – The new widgets panel, accessible by swiping to the right, now displays the date. Previously the date was only displayed when accessing widgets through the Notification Center.
Related Roundup: iOS 10
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