Apple Introduces New Second-Generation AirPods Case With Wireless Charging Support

At today’s iPhone-centric event, Apple briefly introduced a new second-generation AirPods case that features support for wireless charging.

The AirPods Case is physically identical to the current-generation AirPods Case, with the exception of a charging indicator light located on the outside of the case instead of the inside.

Apple’s new AirPods Case will work with the company’s upcoming “AirPower” wireless charging mat, which will be able to charge the AirPods, the Apple Watch Series 3, and the iPhone X or iPhone 8 simultaneously.

Apple does not yet appear to be offering the new AirPods Case either on a standalone basis or in a set with AirPods. It may be coming at a later date, as the AirPower charging accessory is not expected to ship until 2018.

Tag: AirPods
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macOS High Sierra Will Be Released on September 25

macOS High Sierra, the new version of the macOS operating systems for Macs, will be released to the public on Monday, September 25, according to Apple’s macOS High Sierra website.

That’s nearly a week after the iOS 11 and watchOS 4 release date, with those software updates coming on Tuesday, September 19. It is not unusual for the Mac operating system to be released after new watchOS and iOS operating system updates.

macOS High Sierra builds on features first introduced in the macOS Sierra update in 2016, focusing primarily on new storage, video, and graphics technology. The update brings a new Apple File System (APFS), High Efficiency Video Codec (HEVC), new HEIF image encoding, and an updated version of Metal with support for VR and external GPUs.

Multiple apps have been updated with new capabilities in macOS High Sierra. Photos features a new sidebar to make it easier to access editing tools and albums, and there are new filters and editing options like Curves and Selective Color.

Safari is gaining speed enhancements, an option to prevent autoplay videos, and a privacy feature aimed at cutting down on cross-site data tracking. Siri in macOS High Sierra has a new, more natural voice, and Spotlight offers flight status information. iCloud, FaceTime, Notes, and Mail also include useful new features.

macOS High Sierra will run on all machines that are capable of running macOS Sierra, the current Mac operating system.

For a complete overview of changes coming in macOS High Sierra, make sure to check out our macOS High Sierra roundup.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
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Apple Launches New urBeats3 Earphones, New Colors for BeatsX

Apple today quietly introduced new urBeats3 Earphones that come equipped with a Lightning connector, allowing them to work with Apple devices that don’t have a headphone jack – the new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, plus the existing iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

Apple is also offering a model that has a traditional 3.5mm plug that works with iPads and other Apple devices that continue to offer a headphone jack.

Apple says the urBeats3 wired earphones feature a “fine-tuned acoustic design” for an “exceptional listening experience.” They ship with a variety of eartip options for a customized fit, and include secure-fit wingtips for a comfortable, secure fit when working out.

The urBeats3 earphones with a Lightning connector are available in Silver, Gold, and Black to match the new Gold, Silver, and Space Gray iPhone models. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus come in Gold, Silver, and Space Gray, while the iPhone X comes in Silver and Space Gray.

The urBeats3 earphones with 3.5mm jack are available in Gray, White, Blue, and Black. Both models are priced at $99.95, and will be available for purchase this fall.

In addition to new urBeats3 earphones, Apple has also introduced new colors for its wireless W1-equipped BeatsX headphones. The BeatsX headphones are available in Silver and Matte Gold to match the iPhone 8 colors.

BeatsX are priced at $149.95 and will ship out in three to five business days for orders placed today.

Tags: Beats, urBeats, BeatsX
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Apple Releases New Accessories and Cases for iPhone 8 and iPhone X

Following Apple’s Tuesday event that saw the debut of the new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, Apple has introduced a range of new wireless accessories and cases in a selection of new colors.

There’s a new Leather Folio case specifically designed for the iPhone X, with a front cover that protects the display of the device when not in use. The Leather Folio case is priced at $99 and comes in Cosmos Blue, Taupe, Black, and Berry. Because the iPhone X will not be shipping out to customers until November, the Leather Folio case is not yet available for purchase.

Along with the Folio Case, Apple has introduced new standard Silicone and Leather cases for the iPhone X, the iPhone 8, and the iPhone 8 Plus. Because the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are nearly identical in size and shape to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, these new cases also fit Apple’s existing devices.

The iPhone X Silicone Case is priced at $39 and comes in Blue Cobalt, Rose Red, Ultra Violet, Dark Olive, White, Pink Sand, Midnight Blue, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.

The iPhone X Leather Case is priced at $49 and comes in Cosmos Blue, Pink Fuchsia, Dark Aubergine, Charcoal Gray, Taupe, Saddle Brown, Midnight Blue, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus Silicone Cases are priced at $35 and $39, respectively, and come in Blue Cobalt, Rose Red, Ultra Violet, Dark Olive, White, Pink Sand, Midnight Blue, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus Leather Cases are priced at $45 and $49, respectively, and come in Cosmos Blue, Pink Fuchsia, Dark Aubergine, Charcoal Gray, Taupe, Saddle Brown, Black, Midnight Blue, and (PRODUCT)RED.

There are two Qi wireless chargers built for the iPhone X and the iPhone 8, designed by Mophie and Belkin. Both are simple charging pads that plug into the wall and then charge the iPhone X/iPhone 8 inductively. Belkin’s solution (on the left in the image below) is priced at $59.95 and comes in white. Mophie’s charging base comes in black and is also priced at $59.95. Neither charging base is available as of yet and there’s no release date available.

The $49 iPhone Lightning Dock, which will work with both the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X in lieu of wireless charging, is available in a new shade of gold that matches the new gold color available for the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus. Black, Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold continue to be available as well. The new dock is available today.

Though there were no iPad updates today, Apple has introduced accessories for the device in a range of new colors. There’s a new (PRODUCT)RED Leather Sleeve priced at $129, and a new (PRODUCT)RED Apple Pencil Case priced at $29.

Smart Covers for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro models are available in new colors as well. Silicone Smart Covers now come in Blue Cobalt, Rose Red, Ultra Violet, and (PRODUCT)RED while Leather Smart Covers come in Pink Fuchsia and (PRODUCT)RED.

Most of the new iPhone and iPad cases are available for delivery this week, with the exception of the cases designed for the iPhone X. Those are unlikely to be available until November, when the iPhone X launches.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone X
Buyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Buy Now)
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Hands-On With Apple’s New Glass-Backed iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus

Apple today at the Steve Jobs Theater introduced the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus with an all-new aluminum and glass design.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus via The Verge
The Verge managed to get some hands-on time with the two new smartphones, which look more or less the same as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, beyond their glossier looking glass-backed finishes.

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus look pretty much the same as their predecessors, but they have a new back cover that’s coated in glass and gives them a somewhat fresher look. The glass blends into the sides of the phone incredibly well, better than we’ve seen on other phones. There’s a subtle density to the glass, too, and overall it looks a lot better than the back of the 7. That glass back allows for wireless charging, which is one of the big new features here.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus via SlashGear
Those who owned an iPhone 4 may be concerned about Apple’s return to a glass back, but it said the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have “the most durable glass ever in a smartphone, front and back.”

Engadget’s Chris Velazco held the iPhone 8 and felt it had a “bit of extra density” compared to previous models. Fortunately, SlashGear’s Chris Burns said the difference is “near-impossibly-perceivable.”

Apple’s tech specs confirm the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are slightly heavier at 5.22 ounces and 7.13 ounces respectively, compared to 4.87 ounces and 6.63 ounces for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus respectively.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are also 0.2mm thicker than the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus respectively, so only the tightest of current cases may not fit.

Beyond their slightly thicker, glass designs, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus still have Touch ID, Lightning connectors, side Lock buttons, and no headphone jacks. And unlike the iPhone X, both still have bezels on the front.

Related Roundups: iPhone 8, iPhone X
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LTE Apple Watch to Cost $10 Per Month on AT&T and Verizon

Apple today unveiled the Apple Watch Series 3, which is the first Apple Watch model that includes an LTE chip for standalone cellular service on the device. Neither carriers nor Apple are offering information on what we can expect as far as pricing for connectivity goes, but a report from TheStreet sheds some light on what carriers are planning to charge on a monthly basis for the LTE Apple Watch in the United States.

AT&T plans to charge $10 per month to add an Apple Watch to an existing service plan while Verizon will also charge $10 per month after offering customers three free months of service.

Sprint and T-Mobile both plan to support the LTE Apple Watch, but have not provided details on how much it will cost per month. With AT&T and Verizon charging $10, pricing could be similar at Sprint and T-Mobile.

Because the Apple Watch and the iPhone share a phone number, both devices must use the same carrier for connectivity.

The LTE Apple Watch will be available in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and China, with Apple offering a list of supported carriers in each country on its website.

Pricing on the new LTE Apple Watch starts at $399 in the United States for the 38mm Aluminum model. Non-LTE versions are also available, with pricing on those models starting at $329. The Series 3 Apple Watch will be available for pre-order on September 15, with orders arriving on September 22, the official launch date of the device.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 3, watchOS 4
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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Self-assembling nanoparticles turn this window into a mirror and back

Why it matters to you

Research could lead to electric windows that are able to switch between transparent and mirrored at the press of a button.

Chances are that you’re familiar with one-way glass, which looks like a mirror from one side, but is completely transparent from the other. Researchers from the United Kingdom’s Imperial College London have taken this tech to the next level, courtesy of a material that’s capable of transitioning between a mirror and a window with the press of a button. And all it requires is a layer of tiny nanoparticles, an electrical current, and a whole lot of cutting-edge chemistry.

“Put simply, we have developed a system which can change from being transparent to a mirror and back to being transparent by applying an electrical voltage,” Anthony Kucernak, a professor in Imperial’s Department of Chemistry, told Digital Trends. “This voltage drives nanoparticles to an interface, where they congregate and form a mirror. When we switch the system to a different voltage, the particles move away from the interface and the mirror disappears.”

To make their electronically switchable windows, Imperial College researchers created a layer of evenly spaced gold nanoparticles, thousands of times tinier than the width of a single human hair. This layer is formed when gold nanoparticles self-assemble between two liquids which don’t mix. These nanoparticles are then made to change configuration through the use of a small voltage. When they’re closer together, they act as a mirror; when further away, they offer window-like transparency.

Imperial College London isn’t the first place to explore this territory, but the researchers’ work is unusual in the sense that it describes a reversible process, capable of transitioning back and forth between mirror and transparent surfaces as many times as required. As to what’s next, Anthony Kucernak says that, “We are considering the possibility of commercialization. Our future work is looking into ways of increasing the speed of response.”

It’s definitely nifty tech — and something we’d love to see in the smart home of the future, alongside similar research into dimmable windows. We guess that in this case you just need to remember which mirrors it’s safe to undress in front of!

A paper describing the work, titled “Electrotuneable Nanoplasmonic Liquid Mirror,” was recently published in the journal Nature Materials.

Google Play Family Library is rolling out to nine additional countries

Why it matters to you

Google Play Family Library allows you and your family members to save money by sharing purchased content.

Until last year, Android users were unable to share apps between family members — meaning each person had to buy an app to be able to use it. That was no longer was the case when Google Play Family Library debuted in July 2016.

It functions just like it sounds — it’s a library of purchased apps and content that’s shared with up to six family members. It applies to purchasing an “app, game, movie, TV show, or book in the Play Store,” and there’s no extra fee. Still, it only works on content and apps that are “eligible,” meaning developers have to allow it. Google sent an email around in May urging them to do so. Now, the feature is finally rolling out to more countries, meaning that millions more will be able to take advantage of it.

When Family Library launched, it was available in 12 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. Now, Google is now pushing the feature to South Africa, Chile, Belgium, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

“All purchases added to Family Library are available across Android devices, and movies, TV shows, and books can be enjoyed on iOS devices and the web,” writes Raj Iyengar, product manager at Google Play, in a blog post.

Of course, you can choose what you want to share with your family and what you want to keep to yourself — for example, you can keep a “collection of comic books” in your personal library, but share other books you have purchased to your Family Library. You don’t even have to use this service with family members, as it should work with any six people you add to the Library.

You can designate a specific credit card to handle all purchases for Family Library, but a member can still make purchases with their personal card or a gift card whenever they choose. Don’t worry about payments made by your kids — you can enable the option to require approval for their purchases.

Family Library isn’t the first family-centric feature Google has unveiled — in late 2015, the company introduced the Google Play Music family plan that allows subscribers to add up to six members to share the service for $15 a month. You can sign up now on the web for that plan, which is now rolling out to Ireland, Italy, New Mexico, and New Zealand.

Apple introduced Family Sharing for iOS content between six people in iOS 8, and it also began offering an Apple Music Family Membership last year. Google’s playing catch up, but it’s a welcome feature that is long overdue.

Update: Google Play Family Library is rolling out to nine more countries.

AT&T extends its offer of free HBO to Unlimited Choice plan users

Why it matters to you

Looking for a new data plan? Free HBO access could be enough to convince you to go for AT&T’s.

AT&T wants you to sign up for its unlimited data plan, and it’s sweetening the pot by giving subscribers on its Unlimited Choice plan free access to HBO.

In April, the carrier threw in free HBO subscriptions for new and existing customers on Unlimited Plus, its $90-a-month unlimited talk, text, and data plan. And on Tuesday, September 12, it expanded that offer to folks on its $60-a-month Unlimited Choice tier.

Starting September 15, new and existing Unlimited Choice customers will be able to access HBO either through the HBO Go app or an existing DirecTV television subscription. If you already have an AT&T video account and aren’t paying for HBO, the channel will be added automatically to your account at no extra cost, and if you currently already pay for HBO, you’ll get it free of charge.

So now that both Unlimited Choice and Unlimited Plus include HBO, what’s the difference between these two AT&T’s unlimited plans? It mostly comes down to extras. Unlimited Choice customers get video at “DVD quality” (480p) while on AT&T’s wireless network, while Unlimited Plus subscribers get HD (1080p) when available, and Unlimited Plus customers also get 10GB of hot spot data at no extra charge.

AT&T and HBO seem to have a pretty good relationship. Just last month, AT&T began including a free year of HBO access to those who sign up for DirecTV Now. This new deal, however, seems a little better because you will apparently keep your HBO access as long as you stay on AT&T Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Choice, which could potentially be a lot longer than a year.

Before the promotion, access to HBO came with a $5-a-month price tag.

The news comes as AT&T is preparing to purchase HBO’s parent company, Time Warner, with a bid of approximately $85 billion.

U.S. carriers are engaged in quite the war over who can offer the best unlimited data plan. In early September, T-Mobile added a free Netflix subscription for customers with two or more lines on its T-Mobile One or One Plus unlimited plans, and in June, Sprint began giving unlimited customers six months of free music streaming from Tidal.

Zero-rating schemes and free video have been a big part of these offerings, and while HBO is currently unique to AT&T, we wouldn’t be surprised to see similar add-ons from other carriers in the near future.

Update: Added information about AT&T’s expanded HBO offer for Unlimited Choice customers. 

Defense giant BAE says future fighter jets will be piloted in augmented reality

Why it matters to you

Augmented reality controls could offer a whole new customizable way of controlling fighter planes, as well as training their pilots.

To paraphrase the movie Zoolander, augmented reality (AR) is so hot right now. Used to refer to technology designed for superimposing a computer generated image onto a user’s view of the real world, AR has been leaped on by tech leviathans ranging from Apple to Google — all of whom are convinced that it represents the next frontier for consumer technology.

AR isn’t just considered transformative for regular users, however. United Kingdom defense giant BAE Systems believes that augmented reality has a valuable role to play in the future of combat. BAE is known for its far-out tech concepts, which have ranged from UAVs that can be “grown” using chemistry in large-scale labs to submarines piloted by virtual reality. In a “wearable cockpit” concept unveiled today, BAE’s department of military air and information showed off its ideas for incorporating AR technology into combat jet cockpits.

These could be used for both training and combat scenarios, with the use of a Striker II full color Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) for projecting augmented and virtual reality displays and controls in front of the pilot’s eyes — entirely replacing the need for physical cockpit layouts.

“Because the controls and displays are projected onto the helmet display, the technology allows pilots to customize the cockpit display and the way they interact with it based on their own personal preferences and mission objectives,” Suzy Broadbent, human factors lead for cockpits at BAE Systems, told Digital Trends.

“The move away from hard wired controls and displays and into virtual reality is something that has interested us for a while. However, it is only now that the technology is developing enough for us to see it as a definite potential for use in the fast jet domain. The idea is that the pilot can ‘wear the cockpit,’ and the innovations within HMI technologies allows us to provide a variety of methods for the pilot to interact with the system beyond the traditional HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick).”

In addition to this, BAE’s proposed system focuses on “adaptive autonomy,” meaning that it could monitor pilot health and mental workload and, based on its assessments, shift what it is showing to the pilot at any one time. If mental workload becomes too much, the system could allow the aircraft to take over certain tasks the pilot would otherwise manually control.

“This is a technology demonstration concept, but one which is being looked at in research and development terms for potential exploitation on future platforms,” Broadbent continued. “The platforms of the future will be more ‘information heavy’ than ever and, we will therefore need more innovative ways of presenting that information to a pilot to allow them to interact with it.”