Uber’s Latest App Update Restores Siri and Apple Maps Integrations

Uber yesterday updated its iPhone app, and while the release notes do not mention any specific changes, the latest version appears to re-enable the ability to request a vehicle for pickup using Siri or Apple Maps.

After updating the Uber app, we were successfully able to ask Siri to hail us a ride, while tapping on the Ride tab in Apple Maps once again listed Uber as one of the ride-hailing services available alongside Lyft.

While the Siri and Apple Maps integrations are working again in the United States, we encountered errors when trying to hail an Uber with Siri and Apple Maps in Toronto, Canada, where the features were previously supported.

As noted by Christian Zibreg at iDB, some users may need to manually re-enable the Siri and Apple Maps integrations in Settings → Uber → Siri & Search and Settings → Maps under “Ride Booking Extensions.”

The ability to hail an Uber ride with Siri or Apple Maps had disappeared in late January following an earlier update to the Uber app. Both features were originally added in iOS 10, and it’s unclear what prompted their temporary removal.

Uber’s app is available for free on the App Store.

Tags: Siri, Apple Maps, Uber
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Developers Report Recent Enforcement of Stricter Rules for Emoji Use in iOS Apps

Over the past few weeks, iOS app developers have been sharing stories on Twitter about their apps getting rejected by Apple’s App Review team because emojis were used in “non-keyboard based situations.” So if an app displayed an emoji in its user interface, where the user did not type it in with a keyboard, Apple said it was not complying with its trademark and Apple Emoji imagery guidelines.

As accounts of similar situations begin to build, Emojipedia this week reported on the topic, and attempted to make sense of the new rules, with a handful of examples of apps that have been using emoji within their UI and are now being rejected by Apple. In the iOS app “Reaction Match,” a Game Center error screen saw the use of the loudly crying face and alien emojis become problems for developer Eddie Lee. He eventually removed all instances of the emojis, and the App Store reviewers then accepted the app.

Image of Reaction Match’s rejected (left) and approved (right) app screens via Emojipedia
Github client app GitHawk faced similar issues, with Apple rejecting the app for its use of emojis as “media” in various parts of the app. As developer and software engineer Ryan Nystrom explained, these instances of “non text input” emoji use got flagged, but once he removed the emojis and used them only as “content” and as text input examples, the app was approved.

Approved it, shouldn’t use emoji as “media” (the Inbox Zero screen), but as “content” its ok pic.twitter.com/JWHwv3ZgNa

— Ryan Nystrom (@_ryannystrom) January 23, 2018

Like other newly discovered App Store guidelines, there is some inconsistency in Apple’s processes and the exact rules remain unclear. For example, a few major apps apparently violate the new emoji-as-text-only rule — like Snapchat’s emoji friend scores — but appear to not have had issues in recent updates. Other areas of uncertainty include emojis in push notifications and in responses from chatbot apps.

As Emojipedia pointed out, this could affect smaller developers the most and cause their user interfaces to become less personalized.

Smaller developers will be hardest hit as Apple’s professionally designed emojis were a quick and easy way to provide imagery in an app that fit in with the system. They will now need to create their own icons to fill the gap, embed a licensed emoji set, or have a naked-looking UI.

Larger developers have the budget to create their own emoji or icon sets, or to license existing ones. The largest or most popular apps may see Apple overlooking breaches of this new policy.

Apple is known to consistently introduce tweaks and updates to its App Store Review Guidelines, occasionally amending harsher rules that create unexpected problems for some apps. For example, last June Apple introduced new guidelines that banned apps created from a commercialized template or app generation service in an effort to fight clones and spam on the App Store. Eventually, the rule negatively affected small businesses who rely on such templates, and Apple amended its guidelines to be less restrictive.

Outside of the traditional emoji characters, Apple launched a new set of advanced emojis with Animoji on the iPhone X. The new feature creates 3D models of existing emojis and tracks their animations to the user’s facial features using the iPhone X’s TrueDepth front-facing camera, which resulted in the phenomenon of “Animoji Karaoke” videos that Apple itself eventually got in on.

Related Roundup: iOS 11Tags: emoji, App Store Review Guidelines
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Apple Apologizes After Sending Ad Spend and Install Reports to Wrong Developers Due to ‘Processing Error’

Apple today apologized after sending incorrect information to some iOS developers using its Search Ads Basic service yesterday. The reports actually belonged to other developers, according to Steve Troughton-Smith and others affected.

The follow-up email blames the mishap on a “processing error” and adds that all future reports of these kind will require developers to sign into their accounts to view their dashboards to ensure this issue does not occur again.

Um Apple you might want to check why Search Ads is emailing me some other developer’s ad spend details pic.twitter.com/hfBcsqpCiy

— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) February 6, 2018

The full email was shared by developers Louis D’hauwe and Pat Murray on Twitter, as spotted by Cult of Mac:

Thank you for being a part of the iOS developer community and for using our new Search Ads Basic service.

Due to a processing error, the January monthly results email we sent to you contains incorrect app promotion information.

Accurate performance information is always available in your Search Ads account. To ensure such an issue will not recur, all future performance communications will direct you to sign in to your account to view your Dashboard.

We apologize for the inconvenience this error has caused. We value your business and will work hard to make our new Basic service something you’ll love.

Introduced late last year, Search Ads Basic works so that developers only pay out if a user installs the app. It includes suggestions on how much a developer should pay based on historical data pulled from the App Store based on the type of app being marketed, and uses App Store trends to target the ideal audience.

Tag: App Store
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Olympus’ tiny Pen E-PL9 has 4K and image stabilization

Olympus has introduced the PEN E-PL9, giving its smallest Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera a significant overhaul with the addition of 4K video and in-body stabilization. The new model carries the retro look of its predecessor, the E-PL8, but improves on it with a bigger grip and mode dial. It now packs the same 16-megapixel sensor, TruePic VIII processor and 121-point contrast-detect AF (with face and eye detection) as the larger OM-D E-M10 Mark III, but is limited to 3-axis instead of 5-axis stabilization.

Olympus has wisely endowed the Pen E-PL9 with 4K, 30 fps video, knowing that a feature available on mid-range smartphones should definitely be on interchangeable-lens cameras. At the same time, the new model is clearly aimed at beginners and social media users, so Olympus added Bluetooth capability for quick smartphone sharing.

In another nod to its beginner market, Olympus has added a simplified menu system and touchscreen. That way, un-savvy users can “start their journey of photographic experimentation gradually via touchscreen selection of creative programs before moving on to more traditional settings,” it explained in a press release. As with the last model, the screen tilts out and down to ease selfie shots.

The Olympus Pen E-PL9 will come to Europe, Asia and other regions around the world in March for €699/£649 with the kit 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 power zoom lens or €549/£579 for the body only (in black, brown and white). We should know more about North American pricing and availability in the weeks to come.

Source: Olympus

‘Overwatch’ update adds Thailand-inspired Capture the Flag map

It’s the Year of the Dog in Overwatch, and Blizzard game director Jeff Kaplan has revealed a little more about what we can expect from the game’s seasonal event. The biggest headline is a new, Thailand-based map, which Kaplan says is “absolutely gorgeous”. One side boasts an ancient feel, with a temple, the other is more “bright and beautiful” and modern. More importantly, though, this is the first map Blizzard has ever made specifically for Capture the Flag, which is also returning with the event.

According to Kaplan, the Overwatch team has been paying attention to feedback from fans, and has tweaked the rules of Capture the Flag accordingly. For a start, there will be no more draws — as Kaplan notes, “they can feel very anticlimactic”. As such, the game will feature a sudden-death mechanic. Kaplan explains: “What will happen is both teams’ flags are moved closer to the center of the map and then the map resumes at that point and the teams will go for the flags and then they only have a very short distance to cap.”

Flag pick-up rules are also changing. “Picking up the flag is instant, but if you use certain abilities and these abilities are limited to things that either give you invulnerability or give you great mobility, those abilities will drop the flag. We call these ‘restricted abilities’.” Kaplan explains that Winston’s leap, for example, will cause the flag to drop if he’s holding it. Players can also expect six legendary skins, a four-week competitive season for the new Capture the Flag mode and a new highlight intro for one of the game’s heroes — although Kaplan didn’t say which one. The Year of the Dog event kicks off on February 8 on Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC.

Source: YouTube

UK government will finally settle the gig economy ‘worker’ debate

The UK government is making some changes to the rights and working conditions that “gig economy” workers are entitled to. Under its new ‘Good Work Plan’, legislators will ensure “vulnerable workers” — defined by low wages — have access to basic holiday and sick pay. These will be included in “a list of day-one rights” that include the right to a payslip. These measures are designed for zero-hour and agency workers, but could impact Uber and Deliveroo’s flexible workforce too. For instance, all workers will have the right to “request” more stable hours, “providing more financial security for [people] on flexible contracts,” according to the government.

Politicians believe gig economy workers should have more information and, therefore, a greater understanding about their vaguely-defined employment terms too. To help, it will define “working time” for anyone that finds work through an app or online, and make sure new and expectant mothers are aware of their workplace rights. At the same time, the UK is planning a name-and-shame program for employers who fail to pay out in employment tribunal cases. Fines will be quadrupled to £20,000 for employers who have shown “malice, spite or gross oversight,” and the government is considering higher penalties for repeat offenders.

The plans are in response to an independent review by Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the Royal Society of Arts. In his report, he argued for clearer definitions of UK employment while protecting the flexibility of gig economy work. “It should not be as difficult as it is now for ordinary people or responsible employers to seek clarity on employment status,” he said.

At the moment, gig economy workers fall somewhere between “worker” classification — a rung down from “employee” — and “self-employed.” Worker status means they are entitled to the national living wage, minimum levels of paid holiday, and basic protections against discrimination. Some Uber drivers have proven they should be “workers” in court (Uber is trying to contest the decision) and two select committees want everyone in the gig economy to be classified as “workers” by default. Uber and Deliveroo think differently, however. Both companies typically draft contracts without “worker” benefits in them, putting the onus on drivers and couriers to prove that they deserve these extra rights.

Today, the UK government launched a series of consultations on employment status, enforcement of employment rights, and “measures to increase transparency in the UK labour market.” In these, however, the government has simply posed questions, rather than issue any kind of preliminary stance. On the issue of worker classification, it said: “As the (Taylor) review notes, it is the line between whether someone is a worker or is self-employed that is disputed the most, rather than the distinction between employees and workers.” Finally, though, it suggests (on page 35): “One option government could consider might be whether the worker definition in legislation could benefit from drawing a clearer line between the worker category and both the employee and self-employed categories.”

Jason Moyer-Lee, general secretary of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, told the BBC: “Like the Taylor Review, it so far appears big on grandiose claims, light on substance.” Dave Prentis, general secretary for UNISON added: “Britain’s worst employers need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, but sadly this response won’t do that.”

EVO 2018 lineup adds ‘Dragonball FighterZ’

This year’s EVO, arguably the biggest fighting game tournament, will feature eight titles in Las Vegas year, including established favorites like Street Fighter 5, Tekken 7 and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Capcom’s Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, however, will not be making an appearance this year. The series has regularly appeared at the tournament, but the newest addition apparently hasn’t made the cut. Don’t worry though, in its place there’s new games!

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle and the bonkers Dragonball FighterZ will both make their EVO debut this year. I’m curiously enamoured with the style of Bandai Namco’s Dragonball fighter, although I lack the skill (and power) levels to beat any EVO competitor. The Smash Bros. series gets two entries: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Melee will both be showcased (it’s happened before), and while no Marvel heroes will be at EVO 2018, Injustice 2 and its DC heroes and villains, is still on the roster. The tournament kicks off August 3rd in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here’s the full list:

• Street Fighter 5 Arcade Edition
• Tekken 7
• Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
• Super Smash Bros. Melee
• BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle
• Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2
• Injustice 2
• Dragon Ball FighterZ

Source: EVO (Twitter)

UK to review online trolling laws

Over the last nine months, the UK government has looked at various ways to make the internet safer for people across Britain. In October 2017, culture secretary Karen Bradley published an Internet Safety Green Paper, which discussed a voluntary levy on major social media companies to fund awareness and preventative activity against online trolls and in turn help users report threatening behaviour.

Today, the Prime Minister — supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport — announced a new independent review “to make the UK the safest place to be online.” It’ll seek to clarify whether current laws are effectively treating online and offline behaviour the same.

The Law Commission, which has previously considered introducing tougher prison sentences for whistleblowers, will lead the review, determining whether current legislation regarding “offensive online communications” are up to date with the wide range of apps, services and online tools available today.

The Internet Safety Green Paper is the first part of the Digital Charter, a new regulatory framework drawn up with help from charities and technology companies, that governs the way users and business behave online. As part of that work, the Law Commission will look into the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and Communications Act 2003 and identify what online words and actions can be deemed “grossly offensive” and whether certain definitions have been made obsolete by technology.

While all of this is going on, the government will seek to introduce a new social media code of practice that outlines what is expected from websites, social media platforms and other online services. This includes the development and enforcement of new community guidelines for platforms like Twitter and Facebook, the prevention of troll behaviour and misuse of social media platforms and guidance on how to help uses spot and report illegal content.

Source: Gov.uk

Amazon’s Echo Look taps into Vogue and GQ for style help

Magazines are constantly looking at ways to bridge the gap between their paper-based and digital audiences, especially with an ecommerce slant, which has demonstrated its potential in a number of innovative areas, including augmented reality. Now, Condé Nast fashion bibles Vogue and GQ are experimenting with content on the exclusive Amazon Echo Look, which is basically Alexa with a camera (and is only available to purchase by invitation at this stage). From February 19, readers can take a selfie with the Look, send it to the app and get a host of celebrity and fashion content in return, some of which they can buy through the app, with Condé Nast getting a cut of the sale.

The content will be updated once a week by Condé Nast and Amazon employees, and while it’s not clear how many customers the glossy titles hope to reach through the project, Vogue’s digital director Anna-Lisa Yabsley revealed that the experiment was prompted largely because more and more readers are asking for help in choosing products. Plus, Condé Nast has previously identified ecommerce as a key growth area for 2018. Rob DeChiaro, GQ’s digital manager, added that if trials are successful, the title may end up making content specifically for Look users.

The curated content joins a number of other new features in the Look’s latest update. New voice recognition abilities can differentiate between multiple users, while a new Collections tool lets users organize their catalogue by color, item or occasion, as well as create customized lists. The Look has gotten smarter, too, automatically creating collections for favorites, seasons and even the weather, which is handy if you’re the type to be caught short by a rain shower.

Source: DigiDay

Microsoft’s Cortana Assistant Now Available on iPad

Microsoft today updated its Cortana app for iOS with native iPad support. The design looks essentially the same as the iPhone version, but with an interface optimized for the larger 7.9-inch to 12.9-inch screen sizes of Apple’s tablets.

The release notes also mention that Cortana now opens 20 percent faster:

What’s new:
Introducing a brand-new Cortana for iPad design. Enjoy an exclusive layout and interface for your iPad.
Cortana now launches 20% faster! Enjoy a lightning-fast experience.

Like rivals Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, Cortana is a digital assistant that can set reminders, schedule calendar appointments, respond to queries, and provide other information through machine learning techniques.

Apple only allows third-party assistants to function within their apps, however, limiting their usefulness versus Siri on iPhone and iPad. For example, Cortana can’t be invoked with a voice command when an iOS device is locked.

Nevertheless, iPad users now have one more assistant to choose from alongside Siri and Alexa. Cortana is available for free on the App Store.

Tags: Microsoft, Cortana
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