Apple Releases Revised Version of Second iOS 11 Developer Beta

Apple today seeded a revised version of the second iOS 11 beta to developers for testing. The new version has a build number of 15A304j, compared to 15A304i for the original second beta, which was released last Wednesday.

The software update appears to be available for select iPhone and iPad models. It’s unclear what revisions have been made at this point.

Registered developers can download the iOS 11 beta from Apple’s Developer Center, or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed. A public beta will be released later this month.

iOS 11 is Apple’s biggest software release ever for the iPad, with a new Dock that introduces much improved multitasking, a Files app for better managing files, improved Apple Pencil support, a revamped App Switcher, and system-wide drag and drop.

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The update also includes many features for both the iPhone and the iPad, including a redesigned and customizable Control Center, a new Lock screen that’s merged with the Notification Center. Peer-to-peer Apple Pay payments are being introduced in the Messages app, which is also gaining a new App Drawer, and there’s a new Do Not Disturb feature that is designed to help drivers stay focused on the road. Siri, Photos, the Camera app, and more are also gaining significant improvements.

ARKit for developers will result in a wide range of new augmented reality apps, while a Core ML SDK will allow apps to become a whole lot smarter.

For full details on all of the new features included in iOS 11, make sure to check out our extensive iOS 11 roundup.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
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Apple Releases Revised Version of Second tvOS 11 Developer Beta

Apple today seeded a revised version of the second tvOS 11 beta to developers for testing. The new version has a build number of 15J5310h, compared to 15J5310e for the original version of second beta, which was released last Wednesday.

It’s unclear what changes have been made in the revised version, but this article will be updated if any differences are discovered.

Registered developers can download tvOS 11 by connecting the Apple TV to a computer with a USB-C cable and installing the beta software using iTunes.

tvOS 11 received little attention at the Worldwide Developers Conference, but according to the release notes, it introduces a few new features to the operating system.

tvOS 11 brings automatic switching between light and dark mode based on local time, Home screen syncing options that keep multiple Apple TVs in a household in sync, new background modes and notification support, Focus API improvements, custom sound support, network-based pairing and development support, and improvements to Mobile Device Management.

Later this year, Apple will partner with Amazon to bring an Amazon Prime Video app to the Apple TV for the first time, and in tvOS 11, AirPods are able to pair automatically with an Apple TV.

The new tvOS 11 update is only available for registered developers at the current point in time, but Apple plans to release a public tvOS 11 beta in the future.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Don’t Buy)
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Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

Uplift

Uplift brings you the latest positive news, inspirational quotes, and articles on self-improvement and motivation. Featuring four different categories, the Uplift app lets you read what you need, when you need it.

Available on:

iOS

kanji Flow

These Kanji flashcards for iOS feature a convenient dictionary integration and human-quality speech synthesis to enable you to learn a new language faster.

Available on:

iOS

Cleaner Pro

Your contacts are the most important data in your phone, but they can easily get messy if they’re not consistently updated. Cleaner Pro easily helps you detect and merge duplicate contacts.

Available on:

iOS

PhotoTangler

PhotoTangler Collage Maker is a powerful image app that instantly turns your favorite photos into beautiful collages. It allows you to blend them together in unique and creative ways.

Available on:

iOS

Photos 365

This app will let you automatically organize your photos on calendar or map so you can view photos you took on a specific day or in a specific place.

Available on:

iOS

Gymster Pro

Why waste time scrolling through exercises you can’t perform? Unlike other apps, Gymster only returns exercises you can perform based on your gym’s equipment.

Available on:

iOS

Building a new PC? Check out these 5 awesome cases before you start

One of the best parts of building your own computer is choosing a case. As the outermost part of the device, it’s the most visible, and therefore the most distinctive element of your build. It’s a good thing, then, that there’s an incredible variety of cases to choose from. We’ve selected a few of the best PC cases, with a few self-imposed limitations.

For our picks of the best enclosures below, we’re going to focus on the mid-tower form factor, which uses a standard ATX motherboard. It’s the most common choice for gaming or workstation builds, so if you’re trying to max out your Overwatch settings, it’s the right build. If you’d like something more compact, like a Micro-ITX or a media center build, most of the manufacturers offer a wide variety of enclosures — you can probably find something similar in appearance, if not in actual features.

The Best

Corsair Graphite Series 230T ($79)

We received the red, windowed version of this case with a Maingear review unit long ago, and have since used the case for a variety of test rigs and in-office gaming systems. And for good reason. Not only is the system spacious and easy to build in, but it has a fair amount of metal panels, considering the price point. That helps it carry a more premium look and feel that we notice while working in it; there’s a reason we used it in our PC building guide.

It’s available in a variety of colors, and with or without a side window, which should help those who are indecisive, or picky about their aesthetic choices. Despite Corsair listing it as “beginner friendly” on the product page, there’s plenty of room for extra drives, big GPUs, long power supplies, and fancy lighting and cooling setups. For under $100, it’s hard to ask for much else from a computer case.

Available at: 

Amazon Newegg

The Rest

NZXT S340 ($65)

NZXT has been around since 2004, but in recent years has begun to find its voice, making a name for itself among PC gaming enthusiasts with attractive cases and interesting accessories like the Puck cable management system. The S340 is a great example of case with modern sensibilities, excellent cooling and cable management opportunities, and a wide variety of colors sure to please the streaming crowd.

Beyond that, it has room for a 280MM all-in-one cooler, three internal 3.5-inch bays, two internal 2.5-inch bays, plus the full suite of expansion slots and a basement for the power supply, a perk usually reserved for high-end cases. All told, the S340 may not be the best case for fancy liquid-cooling or high-end builds, but it’s an excellent option for mid-range systems without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.

Available at: 

Amazon Newegg

Fractal Design R5 ($120)

With a sleek appearance and an impressive variety of built-in features, not to mention a low price, the R5 from Fractal Design is a great choice for just about any system builder. It’s not as flashy as some of its contemporaries (the only full-metal piece is the aluminum front access door), but its wide configuration options make it a popular choice.

The case supports up to seven 140mm fans (two included) and an impressive amount of radiator options for water cooling, plus dampening covers for the fan slots you don’t use. It has slide-out trays for both internal hard drives, side-mounted SSD slots, dust filters for the front and bottom fans, and a quick-release system for the side panel. The R5 ranges in price from $85 to $150 based on the color (black, white, or titanium) and the optional case window.

Available at: 

Amazon Newegg

Cooler Master MasterCase Pro 5 ($100)

If you’re ready to upgrade to a bigger, more capable enclosure, CoolerMaster’s MasterCase series is an excellent choice. Its modular system allows most of the body panels to be removed for easy access to all components, and dust filters are included for the front, top, and bottom fans – even the 5.25″ bays include filters.

The storage bays are separated into multiple removable racks, allowing for more interior space for cable routing if you don’t need extra drives, and SSDs can be mounted either opposite or below the motherboard. True to the company name, the case includes radiator mounting options on the front and rear, and a fully-separated bottom-mounted chamber for the power supply. The case even supports three 140mm front fans and a 280mm radiator at the same time, for extreme cooling.

Available at: 

Amazon B&H Newegg

ThermalTake Core P5 ($126)

Not satisfied with the boxy, standard selection of desktop cases? Something like the ThermalTake Core P5 might be just the ticket. Its open-air design requires frequent cleaning, but in exchange your system isn’t just a computer, it’s a showpiece. The panoramic case gives everyone full view of every system component, so make sure to keep your wire runs clean and tight. It has full support for open loop liquid cooling as well, and even has VESA mounts on the back to mount the whole system to a wall.

It’s a bit limited when it comes to drive space, with just three hidden slots and one exposed slot for either 2.5 or 3.5-inch drives, but there’s plenty of room for fans and radiators in exchange. Plus, the GPU bracket allows for vertical installation, to show off that powerful new GTX 1080. It’s certainly not the right case for everyone, or people with pets, but it makes a beautiful addition to a flashy gaming PC setup.

Available at: 

Amazon Newegg

Cryptocurrency mining is making some graphics cards stupidly expensive

Why it matters to you

Until graphics card stock gets under control, prices for midrange graphics cards are terrible for gamers. Be very careful if you’re looking to upgrade.

Almost a year on from our look into why graphics card prices often seem to be higher than their manufacturer suggested retail pricing (MSRP), it’s happening again in much more dramatic fashion. Once again availability and the ever-present fluctuations of supply and demand are the cause, but this time demand has skyrocketed because of graphics card-powered cryptocurrency mining.

It’s been years since graphics cards were used en masse for Bitcoin mining because the hardware arms race meant that specialized application-specific integrated chip (ASIC) mining hardware quickly overtook them. Ethereum mining, however, as with other digital currencies, doesn’t benefit in the same way from specialized hardware, so graphics cards are a great solution for mining them, and that’s leading to stock shortages and price hikes.

Here are a current list of graphics card prices at a few different retailers. These are the lowest prices we could find for these cards which are in stock and ready to ship, but many go for substantially more.

MSRP prices are for non-Founders Edition, stock cards.

MSRP
Newegg
Amazon
Tiger Direct
Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti
$700
$700
$700
$762
Nvidia GTX 1080
$550
$530
$500
$582
Nvidia GTX 1070
$380
$658
$700
$500
Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB
$250
$400
$400
$375
Nvidia GTX 1060 3GB
$200
$357
$243
$230
AMD RX 580
$230
$600
$700
Out of Stock
AMD RX 570
$170
$500
$650
No listing
AMD RX 560
$100
$100
$110
$117

It’s important to point out that not all of the price rises you see are because of unscrupulous gouging. Supplies of base-model cards are almost nonexistent, so only the superclocked, water-cooled, fancy RGB lighting versions of these cards are still available. The cheapest GTX 1070 at Newegg, for example, was the MSI Sea Hawk version that ships from Canada. Other, much cheaper versions just weren’t in stock.

But these were still the cheapest versions we could find. Some stretched even further. We saw one GTX 1070 selling for as much as $850, which would be enough to buy you a far more powerful (for gaming) 1080 Ti and still save money. Miners have wrecked the pricing on the GTX 1060 too, making an extra $100 for the GTX 1080 seem like a far more reasonable purchase.

AMD’s cards were hit far worse, however. Following increased knowledge that they were some of the best cards for GPU mining, their prices have been steadily rising over the past few months, culminating in stock problems around the world. Those show no signs of abating, though we may have finally reached a point where people aren’t willing to pay three times the MSRP for them.

It’s reached such ridiculous heights that the current price for the RX 580 on Newegg is identical to the same card bundled with an AMD Ryzen 7 1700X CPU.

In some cases this price explosion has only been stopped by the cards being out of stock entirely. Tiger Direct has no AMD RX 580s available despite the cards only debuting a few months ago, and doesn’t even have a listing for the RX 570.

While this problem doesn’t appear to have extended to the very top-end cards, that’s more of a problem than it might seem, because most people can’t afford those cards. While it now seems like you can get a “better” deal by opting for a high-end graphics card than one of the more midrange options, that’s not how it’s supposed to be. The middle-of-the-road cards are supposed to offer the most bang for buck, but in a market accosted by mining rig builders, that’s no longer the case.

It’s not clear what can solve this problem, though increasing the number of cards manufactured would be a good place to start. Perhaps we’ll see purchasing limits introduced, as Nvidia does with some of its high-end graphics cards, but it would be a surprise to see either AMD or Nvidia look to clamp down on purchases. Ultimately, a sale is a sale, whether the cards are rendering pixels or crunching cryptocurrency algorithms.

The big rumor is that both companies are working on releasing mining-focused graphics cards which would ship with a slightly lower price tag and no video connectors. That would make them useless for running a gaming PC, but perfect for mining rigs, and could go some way to stem this tide of GPU purchasing that is leaving hardware enthusiasts and gamers with few options when it comes to their next upgrade.

Preview the look of golden hour in 3D with this Ephemeris photo app update

Why it matters to you

A popular photo app for planning how the light will look during a photo shoot now allows photographers to see just how those shadows will fall across the mountains too.

The Photographer’s Ephemeris is a popular tool that allows creatives to view just how the light will look at any scene at any given time — but now the tool is getting a modern refresh. The developer will launch a new tool that integrates lighting information with a 3D topographical map with The Photographer’s Ephemeris 3D, expected to launch worldwide on Tuesday, June 27.

Like the original app, the 3D version will allow photographers to preview how the sun, moon, and even the Milky Way will influence their shots by depicting their location in the sky, making the app a popular choice for landscapes or for photographing the moon. Unlike the original app, however, 3D topographical information will allow photographers to see just how the shadows will fall in the mountains, the adjusted sunset time in the valley, and when the moon or Milky Way will appear right next to that mountain peak.

The developer, Crookneck Consulting LLC, says that the app update capitalizes on recent advances in 3D content on mobile devices, including an iOS update that was a necessary prerequisite for such an app. Because 3D mapping is so data-heavy, most apps won’t allow users to look at the horizon. Adding in lighting details requires more data, which means other developers haven’t tried it yet because that means less terrain can actually load on a mobile device, the developer says.

“TPE 3D pushes the limits of what can be achieved currently with simulated lighting, due in part to the sheer scale of the model that we need to illuminate,” the developers wrote in a blog post. “The shadow of a large mountain extends for a great many miles around the time of sunrise and sunset, and so the lighting and shadow algorithms are stretched in this app.”

The new app mixes the lighting data from the original app with topographical information, allowing photographers to check how a non-flat scene will look at a particular time. Users can control how complex the scene is to choose between fast loads and more detail, such as switching to enhanced mode for more detail. While the app requires an internet connection, locations can be virtually scouted using the app well in advance, including the use of actual coordinates and both a daily and annual list of lunar events.

While the app includes data on the moon’s phases, information about solar and lunar eclipses is excluded. The topographical information is also limited to between 83 degrees north and 83 degrees south.

The company plans to continue refining the new app, including a possible premium subscription that would allow users to access the information without an internet connection. After launching in Ireland and New Zealand last week, the app is expected to launch worldwide on June 27. The 3D app will list for $20, with discounts available for users who already own the $9 original app.

Purism offers reassurance with expanded access to security-minded Librem laptops

Why it matters to you

Many PC users still don’t give enough consideration to their privacy and security, but specialized hardware like the Librem range could help remedy the situation.

More than ever before, it’s crucial for the average PC user to maintain their own digital security. The high profile Wannacry ransomware attack earlier this year was just one example of what can happen when hackers strike. With this in mind, privacy-minded laptop manufacturer Purism has announced an expansion to the availability of its Librem line.

Purism launched its first wave of Librem computers in 2015 via a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign. The project raised $461,946 during its stint on CrowdSupply, a figure that has since swelled to over $2.5 million when subsequent donations and seed funding are taken into account.

For the last two years, Librem laptops have been available for purchase on a made-to-order basis, which often required customers to spend months on a waiting list. However, in response to continued demand for the hardware, Purism is now scaling up its production process so that it can fulfill orders within a matter of weeks.

Purism bills its Librem line as being built from the ground up with security in mind. This effort takes many forms, ranging from the fact that the laptops utilize chips that were selected specifically because they’re less susceptible to breaches of user privacy, to the implementation of the security-conscious PureOS.

One of the more unique features of the Librem line involves its physical hardware kill switches, which serve to replace the classic strategy of taping over a webcam lens. Users who are worried about being monitored via their webcam or microphone, or concerned about data being transferred wirelessly or via Bluetooth, can use these switches to give themselves some peace of mind.

“It’s an exciting turning point for Purism as we see our vision to create a security-focused laptop that everyone can enjoy using start to resonate with the greater public,” said the company’s CEO and founder, Todd Weaver. “Users are starting to realize that security features are no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a necessity to protect their increasingly precious digital identity.”

Librem laptops are available to order now via Purism’s online store, with the 13-inch model starting at $1,699, and the 15-inch model starting at $1,999.

Windows 10 source code leak isn’t quite as big as originally thought

Why it matters to you

Big leaks can often lead to security concerns for users, but this one seems to be more embarrassing for Microsoft than anything else.

A small portion of the Windows 10 source code has been leaked. It contains files that are relevant to Windows USB, storage, and Wi-Fi drivers, though Microsoft has confirmed that the leak has come from its Shared Source initiative which is most commonly used by its partners and OEMs.

Microsoft has had to deal with several leaks of its operating system over the years and has at times been rather aggressive in defending it and chasing down those who leaked it. However, it has mitigated much of that with Windows 10 by opting for a regular release of new features and builds through its Insider program. But it’s not a foolproof system.

This latest leak appeared on the Beta Archive site, which hosts archived builds of Windows operating system for donating members. The site has now reportedly removed the leaked source code, though not because of Microsoft intervention in any way. It claimed that it had removed the file “under [its] own decision,” as per The Verge.

The leak totaled some 1.2GB of files and was said to be mostly made up of Windows 10 drivers. It did, however, also contain the Windows 10 Mobile Adaptation Kit, some Windows 10 Creators Update builds and some ARM-based versions of the operating system.

While leaks are always cause for concern for companies, this one will be more embarrassing for Microsoft than damaging, since it was code that was already available to partners and enterprises through its Shared Source initiative. No doubt Microsoft will still be keen to sniff out the source of the leak and make sure that they are unable to gain such access again, but it hasn’t commented on any measures it has put in place since the news broke.

Although far from a confirmed link, this leak appeared online a mere day after two men were arrested in the United Kingdom for allegedly hacking into Microsoft’s own network. Verge reports that they were said to be involved with accessing and collecting Windows 10 builds and one of them donated to the Beta Archive site.

In the past Microsoft has faced leaks from within. In 2012, a leak of a Windows 8 build came from one of its own employees.

WhatsApp is becoming an increasingly popular news source

Why it matters to you

While social media and messaging apps are increasingly popular sources of news and information, respondents say they don’t necessarily trust these sources either.

The burgeoning problem of fake news over the last several months has underscored the role that social media plays in our news consumption. And it doesn’t look like that role will be getting any smaller anytime soon. According to new data from Digital News Report, WhatsApp is becoming an increasingly popular source of news, and in some parts of the world, has overtaken its parent company Facebook as the go-to purveyor of information.

As per the new report (which was conducted by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism), “the use of WhatsApp for news is starting to rival Facebook in a number of markets, including Malaysia (51 percent), Brazil (46 percent), and Spain (32 percent).” And while 47 percent of study respondents overall still check out Facebook to see what’s going on in the world, this figure has actually dropped in over 50 percent of countries surveyed when compared to 2016.

Taken as a whole, it doesn’t appear that WhatsApp is gaining much ground — after all, only 15 percent of overall respondents said that they used the messaging service to stay informed. But on a country-by-country basis, the picture begins to shift. In Brazil, the 46 percent of people who use WhatsApp as their top news source represents a 7-percentage-point growth over last year. In Spain, 32 percent rely on WhatsApp for news, a 6-point increase from last year, and in Turkey, the study found an 8-point increase.

So why the sudden uptick in popularity?

The Reuters Institute surmised that “more closed and private messaging … allows users to share without fear of embarrassment,” whether this content is comprised of photos or potentially contentious news articles. Moreover, price plays a part, as free WhatsApp is generally included in phone contracts (particularly enticing in developing markets). And finally, because WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption, it is often viewed as a safe means of sharing sensitive information. As the Institute noted, “This is true in Hong Kong where WhatsApp, We Chat, and Facebook Messenger are popular and in Turkey where a quarter of our sample (25 percent) share news via WhatsApp.”

But even as these messaging services become more popular, they’re not necessarily viewed as more trustworthy. Less than a quarter of respondents said that social media is good at differentiating between fact and fiction. So keep looking for the truth, friends — although it may not be where you spend your social media time.

New Smart Mute feature on Pioneer Rayz switches off the mic when not in use

Why it matters to you

If you often find yourself pausing your music to charge your iPhone 7, these headphones will finally let you listen in peace.

Update: We’ve added information on the launch of the Rayz Plus’ new Smart Mute feature and Apple Store availability. 

When Apple released the iPhone 7 without a headphone jack, it was the end of an era. Like it or not, it’s doubtful the company will reintroduce the headphone jack in the future. Headphones with Lightning connectors are gaining in number, but many introduce another problem in that you cannot charge and listen at the same time. With its new Rayz Plus earphones, Pioneer lets you do both.

Pioneer’s Rayz line consists of two models: The Rayz and Rayz Plus. The models are similar when it comes to most features, but only the Rayz Plus offer the built-in Lightning port that enables charging while listening. Even so, both models do make use of the Lightning connector on iOS devices.

Both the Rayz and Rayz Plus make use of Avnera’s LightX platform, which the company says allows them to use the least possible power from iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. The company doesn’t go so far as to say if this means more or less power draw than Apple’s own Lightning EarPods, but the LightX platform does enable features that Pioneer says isn’t possible with a standard 3.5mm jack.

Each mode features six embedded microphones for a feature Pioneer calls Smart Noise Cancellation, which is supposed to scan your ear and optimize the cancellation for your ears and environment. These microphones can also detect when you’re wearing the earphones and when you’re not, allowing for smart pausing of playback when you take them off and resuming playback when you put them back on. And Smart Mute, a relatively new feature, automatically mutes the microphone when you aren’t speaking and unmutes it when you begin speaking again.

These features cause the headphones to enter a low-power mode, saving you precious battery life.

A companion app, called Rayz by Pioneer, is available in the App Store and allows you to adjust the EQ as well as program the “smart button,” a feature available on both models. This button allows you to quickly and easy open apps without having to reach into your pocket for your phone.

The Pioneer Rayz are available in Onyx and Ice for $100, while the Rayz Plus come in graphite and bronze metallic finishes for $150. (The Rayz Plus is also available in black and rose gold exclusively at Apple.com and brick-and-mortar Apple stores.) For more information, see the company’s website.