Apple Seeds Third Beta of iOS 11.2.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming iOS 11.2.5 update to developers, two weeks after seeding the second beta and three weeks after releasing iOS 11.2.1, an update that introduced a fix for a HomeKit vulnerability.

Registered developers can download the iOS 11.2.5 beta from Apple’s Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer Center.

It’s not clear what new features, if any, will be included in the iOS 11.2.5 beta. We didn’t discover any noticeable outward-facing changes in the first two iOS 11.2.5 betas, so it’s possible this update focuses mainly on bug fixes and security improvements.

If that’s the case, we may not know the extent of what’s in the update until it sees a public release. Apple is supposed to be releasing an iCloud Messages feature that was pulled from the iOS 11 release, but there has been no indication of when we can expect iCloud Messages to be reintroduced.

Should new features be found in the third iOS 11.2.5 beta, we’ll update this post.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds Third Beta of macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 update to developers, two weeks after seeding the second beta and a month after releasing macOS High Sierra 10.13.2, the second major update to the macOS High Sierra operating system.

The macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 beta can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center or through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store with the proper profile installed.

It’s not yet clear what improvements the third update to macOS High Sierra will bring, but it’s likely to include bug fixes and performance improvements for issues that weren’t addressed in macOS High Sierra 10.13.2.

No major outward-facing changes were discovered in the first two betas of macOS High Sierra 10.13.3, but we’ll update this post should new features be found in the third beta.

The previous macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 update focused solely on security fixes and performance improvements, with no new features introduced.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds Third Beta of tvOS 11.2.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming tvOS 11.2.5 update to developers for testing purposes, two weeks after seeding the second beta and three weeks after the release of tvOS 11.2.1, an update that introduced a fix for a HomeKit vulnerability.

Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the tvOS 11.2.5 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that’s installed using Xcode.

We don’t yet know what features or changes might be included in the tvOS 11.2.5 update, but it likely focuses primarily on bug fixes and performance improvements rather than major outward-facing changes.

There were no outward-facing changes discovered in the first two developer betas, but we’ll update this post should new features be found in the third beta.

Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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Apple Seeds Third Beta of watchOS 4.2.2 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming watchOS 4.2.2 update to developers, two weeks after seeding the second beta and a month after releasing watchOS 4.2, an update that introduced support for Apple Pay Cash.

Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General –> Software update.

To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.

We don’t yet know what features or improvements might be included in the watchOS 4.2.2 update, as no outward-facing changes were discovered in the first two betas.

It’s possible this update focuses mainly on bug fixes, and if that’s the case, we won’t know the extent of the changes until it sees a public release complete with release notes. Should new features be discovered in the third watchOS 4.2.2 beta, we’ll update this post.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Mophie’s new Powerstation can now recharge phones and laptops

Mophie is known as one of the top competitors when it comes to external batteries and chargers, but most of its offerings have so far been focused on phones. Now, it looks like the company wants to change that, and it has taken the wraps off of its latest external battery pack, the Mophie Powerstation AC.

So what’s so different about the Powerstation AC? For starters, it boasts a 100W AC output, which means you will be able to plug in your laptop, camera batteries, and other devices to keep them nice and charged up on the go. According to Mophie, the battery in the Powerstation AC is capable of delivering an extra 15 hours of battery life to the Apple MacBook — though we imagine that’s without the device charging anything else as well.

Thankfully, the Powerstation AC doesn’t only have an AC output — it also has a few standard USB ports as well for charging your other devices. The device offers one USB-C port and one USB-A port, which, coupled with the AC port, means you can charge your laptop, phone, and another device all while on the go.

The Powerstation AC also offers Mophie‘s Priority+ charging technology — meaning that when you plug the battery itself in to charge, it will first pass through any energy to devices plugged into the USB-C port to charge them up before topping up itself. We wish the same applied to the USB-C ports and AC port, but it seems as though only the USB-A port is supported this time around.

Under the hood, the device features a 22,000mAh battery, which is pretty large. The trade-off is that the device itself is a little large — about the size of a medium book. It’s a little heavy too, coming in at 4.44 ounces. Still, if you’re carrying around a backpack, the size and weight shouldn’t be that big of an issue, and this battery is clearly built for situations in which you have a laptop with you anyway.

So how much will the Powerstation AC set you back? $200 — which makes it one of Mophie’s more expensive battery packs. Still, it could be well worth it for those that often find themselves running out of power. This isn’t the first battery pack with a power outlet that we’ve seen — others from ChargeTech and Jackery have been on the market for some time now. But it is the first from the likes of Mophie, which is a pretty well-respected brand in the battery pack business.

Check out the video below for more information on the Mophie Powerstation AC, and head to the Mophie website to buy one.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The Saber portable power pack can keep your MacBook pro running for days
• Stay safer, bike brighter with the See Sense Ace, an A.I. cycling light
• Forget lithium-ion — this graphene-based power pack recharges insanely fast
• Lenovo’s stand-alone Daydream VR headset finally appears on FCC site, with a name
• The best portable chargers for quickly juicing your device

Mophie’s new Powerstation can now recharge phones and laptops

Mophie is known as one of the top competitors when it comes to external batteries and chargers, but most of its offerings have so far been focused on phones. Now, it looks like the company wants to change that, and it has taken the wraps off of its latest external battery pack, the Mophie Powerstation AC.

So what’s so different about the Powerstation AC? For starters, it boasts a 100W AC output, which means you will be able to plug in your laptop, camera batteries, and other devices to keep them nice and charged up on the go. According to Mophie, the battery in the Powerstation AC is capable of delivering an extra 15 hours of battery life to the Apple MacBook — though we imagine that’s without the device charging anything else as well.

Thankfully, the Powerstation AC doesn’t only have an AC output — it also has a few standard USB ports as well for charging your other devices. The device offers one USB-C port and one USB-A port, which, coupled with the AC port, means you can charge your laptop, phone, and another device all while on the go.

The Powerstation AC also offers Mophie‘s Priority+ charging technology — meaning that when you plug the battery itself in to charge, it will first pass through any energy to devices plugged into the USB-C port to charge them up before topping up itself. We wish the same applied to the USB-C ports and AC port, but it seems as though only the USB-A port is supported this time around.

Under the hood, the device features a 22,000mAh battery, which is pretty large. The trade-off is that the device itself is a little large — about the size of a medium book. It’s a little heavy too, coming in at 4.44 ounces. Still, if you’re carrying around a backpack, the size and weight shouldn’t be that big of an issue, and this battery is clearly built for situations in which you have a laptop with you anyway.

So how much will the Powerstation AC set you back? $200 — which makes it one of Mophie’s more expensive battery packs. Still, it could be well worth it for those that often find themselves running out of power. This isn’t the first battery pack with a power outlet that we’ve seen — others from ChargeTech and Jackery have been on the market for some time now. But it is the first from the likes of Mophie, which is a pretty well-respected brand in the battery pack business.

Check out the video below for more information on the Mophie Powerstation AC, and head to the Mophie website to buy one.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The Saber portable power pack can keep your MacBook pro running for days
• Stay safer, bike brighter with the See Sense Ace, an A.I. cycling light
• Forget lithium-ion — this graphene-based power pack recharges insanely fast
• Lenovo’s stand-alone Daydream VR headset finally appears on FCC site, with a name
• The best portable chargers for quickly juicing your device

Apple could become the world’s first $1 trillion company in 2018

The world’s biggest tech giants are in a race to become the first company to be valued at over $1 trillion, and Apple is currently leading the pack, despite the iPhone X’s disappointing sales.

The valuation, created by taking the share price of each company and multiplying it by the number of shares available, puts Apple in the lead, with Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook in close competition behind the Cupertino giant. If share prices are to continue to climb at the same percentage as they did in 2017, then it’s pretty much inevitable we will see the world’s first $1 trillion company — and Apple only needs to increase share prices by 15 percent to do so (following an increase of 47 percent last year).

The race to become the first $1tn company has opened. Apple has the best shot to be the world's first trillion-dollar company. Requires just a 17% rise in market value from $860bn. The 5 other contenders are Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Tencent. pic.twitter.com/JSdE4lmsCd

— Holger Zschaepitz (@Schuldensuehner) January 1, 2018

Apple’s valuation of $869 billion puts it $140 billion ahead of Google parent Alphabet, and $200 billion ahead of Microsoft, so Apple’s lead appears strong. Market analysts, however, are still split over which of the tech giants will be the first to reach the coveted value. U.S. investment magazine Barron’s backs Apple to claim the prize, citing its strong profits and overall performance is a good indicator of success in 2018. Other sources back fourth-place Amazon as a key contender for the top, claiming Amazon’s fast growth will see it supplant Apple at the top of the list. Alphabet’s and Microsoft’s chances have largely been downplayed — Alphabet’s shares would have to rise by 72 percent in 2018, after a 2017 rise of only 11 percent, and Microsoft’s shares would have to rise by 98 percent, making either company an unlikely winner.

Of course, there could be a dark horse in the race. Elon Musk has previously stated he believes his Tesla and Solarcity will be eventually valued at $1 trillion, and with renewable energies on the rise, a sudden burst in enthusiasm for Musk’s companies could see a surge in share prices for each. The trick would be getting there before Apple.

A $1 trillion-valued company is currently seen as “inevitable,” and it’s highly likely we’ll see such a company emerge this year, barring any sudden revaluations of the market. The global stock market generally follows an upwards trend, and ended 2017 on a high, adding $9 trillion over the year, and with such a trend likely to continue, it’s possible one of the biggest companies in the world will gain immortal bragging rights during 2018.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Bitcoin is still soaring. What’s the limit?
• Netflix keeps on growing, bumps budget for original programming to $8 billion
• Remember GeoCities? 9 tech titans that fell from grace
• SoftBank investment is a long-awaited piece of good news for Uber
• 5 tech trends you’ll be talking about in 2018

Are you using Substratum themes on your phone?

Gotta have that all-black theme.

Towards the end of Summer last year, Substratum was made available for non-rooted Android phones running Oreo and some Samsung phones. Substratum is a theming engine that was previously reserved for devices that had root access, and the expansion of it to phones without root meant that you could now customize just about every aspect of your UI that you wanted without having to tinker too much at all with your handset.

Android Central’s Ara Wagoner raved about how much she loved using Substratum shortly after it was released for her Pixel, and now at the beginning of 2018, some of our forum users got to talking about whether or not they’ll still theming their devices all these months later.

Here’s what they had to say:

mary beth hale
01-01-2018 06:29 PM

“

Use Substratum swift black theme on my S8 and love it. Taking a break from it right now because I’m doing the Oreo Beta and didn’t want to complicate things.

Reply

hasasimo
01-01-2018 11:41 PM

“

Using an all-black theme on Android Oreo on my Nokia 8 currently, without the need to root. Absolutely love the aesthetics. As the member above said, it takes Samsung themes to a whole new level by theming out some apps that Samsung themes don’t, like Google Voice and Gmail, and even parts of the Google app itself.

Reply

chazglenn3
01-02-2018 12:03 AM

“

I’m using the Swift Black Substratum theme. I’m loving the black Google search on my home screen. I reduced it to a circle.

Reply

gernerttl
01-02-2018 12:30 AM

“

I just downloaded the Swift Black. I like it! It’ll be even better when it supports all of my apps.

Reply

What about you – Are you using Substratum themes on your phone?

Join the conversation in the forums!

The Nokia Body+ Wi-Fi scale has matched its lowest price ever

Too much Christmas ham, huh?

The Nokia Body+ Body Composition Wi-Fi Scale is down to $59.97 on Amazon. You can also get this deal in White. This scale normally sells at $100, although it did drop to $80 in mid-December. This deal is a match for its lowest price, one it only hit once before over Black Friday.

A smart scale is one of the easiest ways to keep track of those holiday pounds. It can send data straight to the app on your smartphone, and this Nokia Body+ happens to be compatible with hundreds of third-party apps as well.

Features include:

• Full Body Composition analysis – Monitors weight (kg, lb., st lb.), body fat & water %, plus muscle & bone mass. Weight trend screen delivers instant feedback
• Automatic synchronization – Data from every weigh-in appears in the Health Mate app automatically via Wi-Fi (iOS8+ and Android 5+)
• Nutrition tracking – Set a weight goal and manage your daily calorie budget
• Daily weather forecast – Step on your scale to enjoy a localized weather report to help plan your day
• Multi-user friendly – Up to 8 users can weigh themselves and access their personal weight history. Nokia Body+ automatically recognizes who’s who

See on Amazon

And a reminder: This is the updated (and rebranded) version of what Modern Dad took a look at last year!

5 tips for living in harmony with the iPhone users in your life

It’s inevitable that you have friends and family with iPhones. Here are some tips for living with the frenemy.

As we begin the new year, many people like to wipe the slate clean and reconnect with friends and family members they may not have spoken to for some time.

But the question is — how does one do that in a world of Android and iOS, of iMessage and WhatsApp and various messaging apps, social networks, and photo-sharing services keeping people siloed into closed-off ecosystems? While it’ll always be easier to share between two iPhones or two Galaxys, we’re offering some tips on how to make cross-platform communication a little simpler and more reliable.

We’ll start with the basics and move on from there. The trick is communication: if you have friends or family members with iPhones, talk to them beforehand about what services you use, and which ones you’d like them to use to communicate with you. Even set it up for them so they’re familiar, which will prevent a bunch of confusion down the road.

The iMessage conundrum

This mainly applies if you’ve recently moved from iPhone to Android and have recently disabled iMessage: make sure to tell your iPhone-using friends to start a new conversation with you on their phone, otherwise you may never receive their texts, or they may never receive yours. This is doubly true in the case of group chats, since iMessage has a very difficult time (read: impossible) routing group chats to people who are no longer using the service.

The issue is informally referred to as the “iMessage Black Hole” and it crops up even when you, as a former iPhone user, do your due diligence in disabling iMessage on your old device before switching, or disabling it remotely using Apple’s online tool. The reason is simple in theory, but complex in reality: Apple uses your phone number as a registration, telling iPhone owners that when it sends or receives a message from another Apple user it should “turn blue” and use iMessage.

The iMessage “Black Hole” is a real thing you’ll probably have to contend with at some point.

While the deregistration process has improved over the past few years, it still causes problems when the iPhone user receiving a text from a now-Android user still tries to respond with an iMessage and the text never goes through.

A couple suggestions: ask your friend or family member to enable “Send as SMS” in the iPhone settings so, if the iMessage fails, it will try to send it a second time as a text. That should trigger future texts to go through properly. The other option is, if there’s nothing terribly exciting in the thread, to ask the iPhone user to delete the old thread and start fresh. That will ensure texts will go through properly in the future.

Finally, if you’re suddenly finding yourself shut out of group texts because of your green bubble, the best thing to do is, well, keep reading.

Getting everyone on the same page

iMessage is great when everyone uses an iPhone, but you don’t — so how do you get everyone chatting the right way?

Honestly, we’d recommend something like Google Allo, which is super smart and fast and has Google Assistant built in, but we know that most people are going to laugh at that suggestion. We get it. We’d also suggest WhatsApp, and possibly everyone in your friend or family group already uses it, but to us WhatsApp isn’t a great group chat app. For one-on-one communication, WhatsApp is fantastic, and we’ll recommend it forever. (It also does video calls, too.)

For group chats, we’re going to suggest using one of two services: Facebook Messenger, which was built with group chat in mind and performs incredibly well on mobile and desktop; or Telegram, which isn’t nearly as popular, but does an incredible job if you want to recreate the iMessage experience without having to, you know, actually use an iPhone. Telegram not only allows for big, beautiful, dynamic group chats, but it’s fast and secure — and doesn’t force you to have a Facebook account, which is, for many, a bonus.

Turn off your Advanced Texting options

One of the biggest complaints I hear from iPhone users is that they’re never sure their texts are getting through to their Android-using friends. At first, I scoffed at this — it’s likely user error, I thought — but I looked into it and it turns out some Advanced Messenger protocols from carriers, often built into carrier-sold devices from Verizon and AT&T, have the potential to be quite disruptive and may prevent texts from getting through because they’re competing with iMessage.

You see, these “Advanced Messaging” apps try to recreate an iMessage-like experience for everyone using those proprietary apps on that particular carrier, but that’s not an enormous subset of the population, and causes trouble in the long run. My suggestion, unless everyone in your life uses Verizon Messages, is to switch to a more universal SMS app like Google Messenger or Textra. You’ll thank me later.

The best texting apps for Android

Use other cross-platform services

The death knell of any Apple-only friendship is trying to use Apple-only services. The iPhone is great for some people, but Apple’s photo backup service, for instance, isn’t really compatible with the outside world.

To that end, if you want to send and receive photos easily, get your friends and family on Google Photos. I wrote about this in my backup guide, but Google Photos also has some of the best sharing features of any photo service. Similarly, if you want to share notes or task lists, get them using Google Keep.

And if you miss FaceTime, there’s always Google Duo for video calling, which is pretty darn good and uses less data.

Buy ’em an Android phone

This is kind of a joke, but not really: many iPhone users know nothing of Android, or may not have used it since the early days when Droids ruled and HTC was the king of the heap. Android in 2018 is everything iOS is and more, without the notification headaches and poor battery life. Android even has the best camera out there, period.

It’s easy and safe to stay within the confines of the Apple ecosystem, but if your family and friends are finding bugs with iOS 11 and battery problems with their iPhone 6, maybe it’s time to school them on the best.

The best Android phones of 2018