5 ways we’d improve Google Assistant Routines

Routines looks to be a clean, simple way to take Android to the next level, but it’s got some obstacles to overcome first.

As long as we’ve had computers, we’ve dreamed of them being able to do everything for us effortlessly. Google Assistant even allows us to get a small taste of that, controlling our homes, giving us information about the world around us, keeping us on-task and on-time, and reminding us of all the wonderful things Google Assistant’s million-plus Actions can do.

Google Assistant Routines allow us to simplify complex tasks and commands into one simple trigger phrase, but they’re somewhat clunky to set up, and most Android users can’t use them. There are many things Google could do to make Routines more accessible and user-friendly — after all, Routines are basically low-code device automation — but a few suggestions come up as we try to build and use Routines again and again.

Routines for all

Make them available outside the United States

Google Assistant and Google Home features starting off a U.S. exclusive and then coming to the rest of the world at a later date makes some small modicum of sense if you think of the domestic audience as Google’s guinea pigs. American users get to abuse and try to break new features and functions first before Google polishes them up and releases them to the rest of the world.

That’s not how Routines in Google Assistant should be treated.

Setting aside that Google Assistant Routines need to compete with the global release of Siri Shortcuts this fall with iOS 12, Google Assistant Routines — and especially custom routines — are the de facto method for automating and controlling your phone. The only other methods that begin to come close to the automation potential of Google Assistant are IFTTT and Tasker, which both have learning curves and systemic limitations.

Routines need to be available to all Android users. International developers deserve a more hands-on experience with the Actions they’re developing for Google Assistant on multiple platforms. International users deserve the chance to use, provide feedback, and potentially shape the way Routines are used on Android and across Google’s platforms.

Putting routines in context

Let Routines fire on their own, not just when I call for them

I mentioned Tasker as one of the few automation alternatives to Google Assistant Routines, and Tasker currently has a leg up on Assistant when it comes to full automation. If you want to trigger a routine in Google Assistant, you have to say its trigger manually, every time. The Good Morning routine needs you to say “Good Morning” or “I’m up”. It can’t start on its own to wake you up.

Tasker can trigger its tasks — their version of Routines — via multiple types of variables called contexts. When my alarm clock triggers in the morning, Tasker hits play on my Google Play Music queue to wake me with sweet music instead of soulless buzzers. Imagine what Routines could do if they could fire without manual prompting:

• When your phone connects to the Bluetooth in your car a weekday morning, Google Assistant could tell you how bad traffic is on the way to work and then start playing your Drive Time Mixtape.
• When a meeting you have in Google Calendar starts, Google Assistant could set your phone to Do Not Disturb after opening the meeting itinerary in Google Docs or Google Keep.
• When your phone connects to your home Wi-Fi after 5 PM, Google Assistant could turn on the Nest thermostat to start running the fan in your apartment and cue up some relaxing music.

Allowing contexts besides direct commands to trigger Google Assistant Routines could open up new worlds of productivity and convenience for users, and could help allow for multi-stage routines that require one Routine to fire before another one does, or allow one Routine to trigger another after completing its intended actions.

Situational Awareness

Allow Routines and Actions to vary based on devices and their current state

Routines try to do the same action the same way on every single device. Problem is that not all devices with Google Assistant can do the same things; what they can do depends on where they are, what access they have, and what they’re currently doing. For instance, if I’m playing music on my phone and give a music command, Google Home answering that command does me no good because it can’t control the currently playing music.

When I’m on Wi-Fi, I use music-related Google Assistant Actions and Routines on YouTube Music without issue, but once I switch to mobile data and kick into Offline mode on YouTube Music, most music Actions don’t work, even “play some music” fails. However, Google Play Music’s commands work fine in Downloaded Only mode, but I can only set one default music provider.

If Google Assistant could see that I am on mobile data and switch music providers — or even if I could just add an If/Else modifier to routines — Assistant could trigger one music service while on Wi-Fi and the other when I’m on mobile data. This could allow users to better tailor Routines so that they don’t fail on a device that is unable to complete certain actions like sending a text message or opening a website.

Let me share it with the world!

Allow users and developers to share Routines

Google showcases their own routines in the Explore section of Assistant; why not showcase yours?

Getting a Routine set up and working perfectly can require a lot of testing, troubleshooting, and fine-tuning, and once you get it exactly where you want it, you might want to share it with your friends. At the moment, you can share the action names and the trigger phrases, but your friends will still have to assemble the Profiles again themselves, which can be tricky if they involve complex elements like the URL for reading an RSS feed aloud.

Setting up Routines can be tedious, even if they’re not nearly as complex as creating a Tasker profile, and for less technologically-patient users, allowing them to import a Routine set up by someone else would allow them to take advantage of Routines without overwhelming them. The ability to share and import Routines would also give users that are prone to tinkering and customizing their technology — like me — the ability to show off and share profiles that could help users of all skill levels enrich their Google Assistant experience.

Does this come in technicolor?

For the love of Material Design, break up all the white blank space

I know white is supposed to be clean, orderly and easy to read, Google, but Assistant’s settings are just painfully drab and blindingly white — and the Routines section is worse than most. There’s a dash of blue here and there, but otherwise, setting up Routines is not only a bland white screen; it’s an unintuitive white screen.

There are millions of things that Google Assistant can do, but you can’t really tell what they are from the Add action screen in Routines. The two examples are fairly generic and don’t even begin to cover the width and depth of what Google Assistant and its many third-party Actions can do. Adding colorful categories of Actions to peruse instead of the uninspired and fairly repetitive “Popular actions” could help users discover more uses for Assistant — and more reasons to use Assistant.

Color adds personality, and categories help add substance and starting blocks for your Routine to take off from. Apple’s Siri Shortcuts are a welcoming array of colors that help distinguish individual shortcuts from each other and bring some vibrance to automation controls that can seem tedious and droll. Even adding autocomplete to the Add action text box could help users more quickly find the actions they’re looking for, or discover better Actions for their custom routines. Even offering themes for Google Assistant the way Samsung Bixby does could go a long way towards giving Assistant a more friendly and adaptable aesthetic.

Your turn

What ways would you like to see Google Assistant improve? What ways do you wish Routines could trigger on their own? Any Actions you still want to see added to Assistant, like full Google Keep integration? Anyone else want to see Google Assistant adopt a dark theme at night so that white box doesn’t blind us while it goes through Routines on our phone at night? Share your hopes, dreams, and frustrations with Google Assistant and its Routines in the comments.

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Microsoft is working on a Movies & TV app for Android

Sources suggest a new Android app for Microsoft’s Movies & TV service is in the works.

Ever since Microsoft announced that it was no longer focused on Windows 10 Mobile, the company has been working around the clock to bring the best of Windows 10 to Android and iOS. This effort has worked well for Microsoft, with apps like Edge and the Microsoft Launcher gaining millions of downloads from the Apple and Google app stores. In 2018, you can switch from a Windows phone to an Android device and continue to use most of Microsoft’s software and services.

Microsoft Movies & TV on Android

There are still some missing apps, however. One of those apps is Movies & TV, which is only available on Windows-based platforms like Windows 10 PC, Xbox, and Windows 10 Mobile. If you’re a movie buff with a large collection from Microsoft’s store, the lack of an iOS or Android app is unfortunate. It’s also likely a barrier for any potential new customers looking to buy movies or TV content. But it appears Microsoft is now finally working on bringing its Movies & TV service to iOS or Android, according to sources familiar with the matter.

My sources suggest Microsoft is building these apps to give consumers more of a reason to buy content in the Microsoft Store. While most people have moved over to streaming content via services like Netflix, there is still a whole lot of content that isn’t immediately, or ever, available to stream. Lots of people buy digital movies and TV content, and Microsoft has a huge store that a lot of people seemingly ignore or don’t know about because there is no mobile companion app for their phone.

These apps should minimize that barrier for a lot of people and further solidify Microsoft’s commitment to its digital offerings on the Microsoft Store. Last year, Microsoft killed its music-streaming service, which saw many people question whether Microsoft was going to do the same to its Movies & TV service. Microsoft says that it continues to remain committed to Movies & TV, however (mostly because of Xbox), and these new mobile apps should help with that message.

Microsoft and Movies Anywhere

I’m also told that Microsoft is also set to announce that it’s joining the Movies Anywhere program soon. Movies Anywhere is a program that allows you to watch content purchased from different supported digital stores wherever you want. For example, If you bought a movie from iTunes, with Movies Anywhere you can play that same movie in Google Play, because both Apple and Google support Movies Anywhere. This is a popular service that many people can’t live without, which is why Microsoft is working to rejoin this program.

Regarding a release date for all of these apps, I’m told not to expect them soon. Work is currently ongoing, and the apps will show up when they’re ready. Are you interested in a Movies & TV app for iOS and Android? Let us know in the comment. As someone who is “all-in” on Microsoft’s digital ecosystem, I can’t wait to be able to play my content purchased from the Microsoft Store on my Android smartphone.

Netflix: Everything you need to know

Educate yourself on the world’s biggest video streaming service 📺

When it comes to video streaming companies, few are as iconic as Netflix. What started out as a DVD rental service quickly turned into the world’s largest platform for binging old movies, classic TV shows, and a heap of original programming.

No matter if you’re looking to cut your cable cord or simply want some extra content to supplement it, Netflix can be a great addition to any household’s entertainment needs.

To ensure it has exactly what you’re looking for in a video service, here’s everything you need to know!

The latest Netflix news

July 5, 2018 — A new “Ultra” tier is being tested

Get ready to (possibly) start paying more for your Netflix subscription. As first spotted by TuttoAndroid, a new “Ultra” plan is being tested in Germany right now and has been seen with both €16.99 and €19.99/month prices (or $16.99 and $19.99 if it was being offered in the U.S.)

With this Ultra tier, Netflix removes HDR from the current Premium plan and makes it an exclusive for Ultra. In some cases, Netflix is also restricting Premium to just 2 simultaneous streams while making Ultra the go-to choice if you need 4.

In a statement to CNET, Netflix said:

In this case, we are testing slightly different price points and features to better understand how consumers value Netflix. Not everyone will see this test and we may not ever offer the specific price points or features included in this test.

It’s possible that Ultra may never get past this testing stage, but it is interesting to see Netflix dabble with plans as expensive as this.

June 13, 2018 — Netflix will begin streaming games this year

Netflix’s next big thing might be the world of game streaming. On June 13, a report came out claiming that the company is partnering with developer Telltale Games to launch Minecraft: Story Mode on the service by the end of the year.

The game is said to function similar to the interactive movie Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale in the sense that players make various choices that determine where the narrative goes.

According to TechRadar, Netflix is hoping to build a setup similar to the gaming environment found on Amazon’s Fire TV platform.

All the important details

Plans start at just $7.99/month

Netflix has three main plans to choose from, including Basic, Standard, and Premium.

Basic is the cheapest plan with a subscription fee of just $7.99/month, but since it’s limited to Standard Definition and only allows you to have one stream going at a time, you’ll likely want to upgrade to the Standard tier for $10.99/month. With Standard, you’ll get access to HD streams and can watch Netflix on up to 2 screens at once.

If you’ve got a 4K television and/or have a big family that wants to use one account, Netflix’s Premium plan will likely be the best fit. For $13.99/month, you’ll get access to Ultra HD video content and can watch any shows you’d like on 4 different screens at once.

New members can sign up for a 1-month free trial of whatever plan you’d like, and you can cancel at any time as there’s no commitment required.

T-Mobile customers get the Standard plan for free!

Netflix’s current pricing is more than reasonable, but if you happen to be a T-Mobile customer, you’ll get it for free!

T-Mobile subscribers get Netflix’s Standard plan bundled with their cell service at no extra charge, and if you want to upgrade to the Premium tier, you’ll pay just $3/month extra.

It’s available on pretty much everything

In addition to its excellent library of content, one of Netflix’s strong suits is its wide availability across pretty much any gadget you can think of.

For watching Netflix on the big screen, you can download its official app on Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, cast it from your phone using Chromecast, and access built-in apps across a variety of smart TVs and Blu-Ray players.

You’ll also find the Netflix app on Android, iOS, Windows Phone, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and from your desktop/laptop at netflix.com.

Netflix’s official list of all supported devices

The Android app recently got a big overhaul

Netflix’s Android app is one of the best ways to access the service, and it recently got a big update that makes everything look much more polished.

The old navigation menu on the left-hand side has been replaced for a simple navigation row at the bottom for Home, Search, Downloads, and More. Home is where you’ll be taken upon opening the app and tapping the TV Shows, Movies, and Originals tabs near the top will allow you to quickly filter the content that’s presented to you.

The Search and Downloads sections are pretty self-explanatory, and More is where you’ll be able to switch profiles, customize notifications, and adjust all of your other account/app settings.

Everything works about the same as it did before, but the new layout is still greatly appreciated and considerably easier to understand.

New content’s being added (and removed) all the time

Every month, Netflix changes its content library by adding and removing titles from its lineup. The company’s taken a big bet on original movies and TV shows over the last few years, but you can still find a wide array of third-party content, too.

The Netflix app does a pretty good job at highlighting new/trending content as it’s released, and Joseph Keller at iMore does a regular roundup of the best shows you should be watching at any given time.

Best TV shows and movies on Netflix right now

Some Android phones support HDR playback

The displays on our smartphones are crispier and more colorful than ever before, some of which go as far to support High Dynamic Range (more commonly known as HDR). HDR offers more vivid colors and higher contrast, and Netflix supports this type of content on the following phones:

• Huawei Mate 10 Pro
• Huawei P20 / P20 Pro
• LG V30
• Razer Phone
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
• Samsung Galaxy S9
• Sony Xperia XZ Premium
• Sony Xperia XZ1
• Sony Xperia XZ2

You can still rent physical DVDs

Although renting physical DVDs to customers may not be its primary focus anymore, this is something that Netflix does still offer.

The DVD business has since been moved to DVD.com, but it’s just a full-featured as ever before. Plans start at $4.99/month to rent one disc at a time with a cap of two discs per month, or you can step all the way up to $11.99/month to have two discs out at once and rent as many movies as you want each month (prices are increased to $5.99/month and $14.99/month respectively for HD Blu-Ray).

Netflix finally brought its DVD app to Android in October of 2017, and while the service may not be nearly as popular as the on-demand streaming platform, it’s still alive and kicking for anyone that wants to see that iconic red envelope in their mailbox.

What are you waiting for?

If you somehow still haven’t checked out Netflix, you owe it to yourself to at least sign up for a free trial. My fiance and I use Netflix just about every day, and whether you’re using it to re-watch The Office for the eighth time or catch up on the latest Marvel movies, it’s well worth every penny.

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Marvel iHome headphones review: At least they look fun

Show off a little with your headphones, it’s cool.

Some of us put headphones on as we’re leaving the house at the beginning of the day, and and don’t take them off until we’re home again. Those headphones become a part of our visual identity from day to day, and so it’s natural to want them to stand out a little. For the Marvel fans among us, iHome has released a pair of headphones themed after Captain America and Iron Man. While the inside hardware is identical, the outside lets you choose which part of the Avengers you are most happy with.

While I love me some Cap, for this review I went with the Iron Man variant of the headphones. No matter which design I went with, the mission of owning headphones that stand out is already a success.

Marvel iHome Headphones

Price: $50

Bottom line: If you are a Marvel fan and you’re looking for headphones that stand out, these are great.

The Good

• Bright colors, solid design
• Lightweight
• Lots of padding in the right places

The Bad

• Microphones aren’t great
• Not as adjustable as I’d prefer
• Mediocre audio quality

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Dance tot he music

Marvel iHome Headphones Design

There can be no doubt these are Iron Man headphones. The bright red body with gold accents matches the theme, but at the center of each earpiece is a light up Arc Reactor which pulses slowly while the headphones are on. In the unlikely event you have these headphones and aren’t wearing them, the included carrying case is an almost microfiber soft with Marvel imagery all over the bag. You’ll also find a microUSB cable and a flat 3.5mm cable included in the packaging.

You have some control over how the lights on the side of the headset behave, The button for these arc reactors allows you to turn the lights on and off, but also a third setting for flashing along with whatever it is you are listening to. This feature is cute for showing off, but hardly practical or functional. You will drain precious battery life by having the feature enabled, and no matter what you are listening to the lights flicker erratically. The animation is tied to too many different kinds of sound, and so instead of just flashing with the bass line or something it just flashes to everything and looks generally unpolished in the process.

The iHome packaging doesn’t explicitly label these headphones as designed for teens or young adults, but the fit on my head did plenty of talking. These are over-the-ear headphones, and while they have padding in all the right places for a comfortable fit the it was always a little snug no matter how I had the arms extended. Snug can be good, especially if you’re moving around a lot, but there was no way to adjust the fit so it was looser on my head.

Marvel iHome Headphones Experience

At the core, these headphones are built to be functional as wired and Bluetooth headphones with little difference in audio quality between the two modes. As Bluetooth 5.0 headphones there’s nothing these things won’t connect to with relative ease, and the inclusion of a “tangle-free” flat 3.5mm cord in the box is great for stowing away until you need it. I didn’t find myself needing to use the cable for much, since the battery in the headphones did a great job providing me with a full day of listening before I put them on the charger when I got home.

Connectivity with Google Assistant is listed ad a feature on the box, but accessing and using this feature is more than a little clumsy. There’s a single button on the right-hand side which activates Assistant, but the microphone isn’t very good at relaying your instructions to the phone. This improves a little in wired mode thanks to the external mic in the cable, but even then Google Assistant is somewhat hit or miss when using it through the headphones. I didn’t experience and significant audio issues when using the headphones for calling, outside of people on the other side telling me I sound like I was calling from a set of headphones instead of from the phone itself.

Audio quality on the headphones themselves is just OK. The sound isn’t exceptional in any one specific way. The bass isn’t particularly heavy, the mids are a little on the weak side, and the highs come off tinny in instrumentals especially. These are fairly mediocre-sounding headphones, there’s really no other way to put it.

Should you buy it? Sure

The iHome folks have these headphones listed for $50 in most stores. If you’re looking to spend $50 on headphones and you want something that stands out, these headphones will deliver.

3.5
out of 5

If you’re looking to spend $50 and you want the best possible audio you can get for that price, you’re going to want to look elsewhere.

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Bixby Home will get sports news and scores from theScore in August

The service will be available in the U.S.

If you’re into sports, chances are you use theScore for keeping up to date with all of the latest sportsketball games there are. Today, theScore announced that it’s getting new integration in Bixby Home for Samsung customers.

For folks that have a phone like the Galaxy S9, Note 8, or any other select Galaxy handset that’s got Bixby on it, you’ll be able to visit Bixby Home for staying up to date with the latest news and scores for the World Cup, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and EPL.

Per theScore’s Founder and CEO John Levy:

We are happy to provide theScore updates through Bixby. This enables us to showcase the features that have made theScore one of the most popular sports apps in North America to a huge audience, delivering sports fans on Bixby Home a highly-customizable experience and access to their scores and news headlines at a glance.

As Levy notes above, you’ll be able to customize the information shown in Bixby Home to ensure you only get updates about the sports and teams you’re interested in. If you tap on a story you want to learn more about, you’ll automatically be redirected to the theScore app.

theScore says its Bixby Home integration will be available sometime next month.

Sunrise Gold Galaxy S9 hands-on: Enjoy the view

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

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Apple Releases Second Public Beta of iOS 12

Apple today seeded the second public beta of iOS 12 to public beta testers, giving non-developers a chance to test the software ahead of its upcoming fall release. The second iOS 12 public beta, which comes one week after the first public beta, corresponds to the third developer beta released on Tuesday.

Beta testers who have signed up for Apple’s beta testing program will receive the iOS 12 beta update over-the-air after installing the proper certificate on an iOS device.

Those who want to join the beta testing program can sign up on Apple’s beta testing website, which gives users access to iOS, macOS, and tvOS betas. Before installing a beta, make sure to create a full encrypted iTunes backup or an iCloud backup and be sure to install iOS 12 on a secondary device because beta software is not always stable and can include bugs.

The new iOS 12 beta includes a rebuilt Maps app with a new Apple-designed Maps engine that’s available in the San Francisco Bay Area at the current time. While limited to the San Francisco area at this time, the features will roll out to Northern California in the fall before expanding to additional locations across the United States in late 2018 and 2019.

The revamped Maps app displays foliage, pools, buildings, pedestrian pathways, and other map elements more accurately, and it brings improvements to traffic, real-time road conditions, construction, and more.

Today’s update also includes a new interface for the Voice Memos app on iPad, a relocated Share My Location setting, options to clear all notifications on iPad with a long press, and the removal of the haptic feedback buzzing that occurred whenever an iPhone 6s or later was unlocked with the Touch ID Home button.

iOS 12 introduces Group FaceTime, local multiplayer shared AR experiences, new Animoji, and a Memoji feature that’s designed to let you create a personalized Animoji that looks just like you.

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Animoji, stickers, text, and more can be used in FaceTime and the Messages app, and there’s a new Screen Time feature to help customers understand and manage the amount of time they’re spending on their iOS devices. There are options to limit app time and Screen Time also includes comprehensive parental control tools.

New Do Not Disturb features make it easier to manage notifications, as do interactive notification options and notification grouping.

Siri has been improved in iOS 12 with Siri Shortcuts, a feature designed to allow let to work with third-party apps, and Siri is also smarter and able to provide info on motorsports, food, and celebrities. Later in the year, Apple will launch a Shortcuts app so you can create your own shortcuts.

Under-the-hood improvements to iOS 12 will make everyday tasks on the iPhone and iPad faster and more responsive, with the camera launching up to 70 percent faster and the keyboard showing up to 50 percent faster.

iOS 12 will be available to developers and public beta testers as a beta for the next two months to allow Apple to work out bugs and other issues ahead of a fall launch alongside new iPhones.

Related Roundup: iOS 12
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Apple Seeds Second Beta of tvOS 12 to Public Beta Testers

Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming tvOS 12 update to its public beta testing group, giving non-developers a chance to try out the new software ahead of its fall public release. Today’s second beta comes one week after Apple released the first public beta, and it corresponds to the third developer beta released earlier this week.

The tvOS 12 public beta can be obtained by going to the Settings app on the Apple TV and navigating to the Software Updates section under “System.” “Get Public Beta Updates” will need to be toggled on, and once it is, the Apple TV will download the beta software.

tvOS 12 introduces long-awaited support for Dolby Atmos, and when tvOS 12 launches this fall, iTunes will be home to the largest collection of Dolby Atmos-supported movies. As with the launch of 4K HDR, previously purchased content will be upgraded to include Dolby Atmos on all supported titles at no cost.

tvOS 12 includes a zero sign-on feature that lets cable subscribers watch live channels and on-demand programs they’re entitled to through their cable subscription simply by being logged into their home internet networks. This feature will be limited to Charter Spectrum users to begin with, but Apple plans to expand it to additional providers in the future.

Other tvOS 12 features include the ability to autofill passwords from the iPhone to sign into Apple TV apps more quickly, and support for Home Control systems like Crestron and Savant, which will be able to be used to control the Apple TV.

Apple has also made the Apple TV Remote a default option in Control Center on iOS devices with the iOS 12 beta, there are new aerial screensavers created with help from the International Space Station, and aerial screensavers now offer up location information.

tvOS 12 will see a public launch this fall, and until that time, will be limited to developers and public beta testers as Apple works out bugs and other kinks.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 12Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
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Apple Shares App Store Retrospective Ahead of 10th Anniversary

Ahead of the App Store’s upcoming 10th anniversary on Tuesday, July 10, Apple today shared some App Store history, exploring significant App Store milestones and sharing testimonials from Apple execs, app developers, and more on how the App Store put mobile businesses first, transformed gaming, improved accessibility, bolstered health, revolutionized education, and changed lives.

The App Store launched on July 10, 2008 with a total of 500 apps, which Apple says ignited a “cultural, social, and economic phenomenon” that has, over the past decade, created a place for iOS users of all ages to get the best apps. From Phil Schiller, Apple marketing chief:

“In its first decade, the App Store has surpassed all of our wildest expectations — from the innovative apps that developers have dreamed up, to the way customers have made apps part of their daily lives — and this is just the beginning. We could not be more proud of what developers have created and what the next 10 years have in store.”

Many of the apps available on the first day of the App Store’s launch can still be purchased today, including MLB at Bat, The New York Times, eBay, Travelocity, Tap Tap Revenge, and more. Early App Store developers Keith Shepherd and Natalia Luckynova, who created Temple Run, said the App Store changed their lives.

“The App Store and iPhone changed our lives. Our first game, Imangi, launched the day the App Store opened. Fast forward 10 years, and we’ve created over 10 games, including Temple Run, which has been downloaded over a BILLION times. Our studio has grown from the two of us to a team of 35. None of this would have been possible without the App Store.”

Cutting edge technology, explains Apple, has allowed developers and start-ups to create apps that take advantage of Apple Pay, GPS, location services, and more to create “billion dollar businesses” that started with the App Store. Games, too, have become an important part of the App Store. Nintendo director Shigeru Miyamoto said the App Store allows the company to share Nintendo games with new audiences.

“We are very happy that we are able to deliver Super Mario Run, a new Super Mario experience that could be played with just one hand on iPhone, to hundreds of millions of consumers because of the App Store. The App Store allows us to share the joy of Nintendo games with many new audiences, and we will continue striving to provide unique and new game experiences to App Store customers.”

Apple also changed gaming and apps with the in-app purchase, allowing people to unlock different functionality and try apps before purchasing. That expanded to subscription apps in 2011, and as of now, 28,000 apps offer subscription options.

The iPad came in 2010, along with apps designed for the larger screen. There are a total of 1.3 million apps created just for the iPad available today, ranging from Lightroom and Microsoft Office 365 to Procreate. Procreate founder James Cuda says the digital art creation app “simply would not be possible without the App Store.”

ARKit and augmented reality apps came in 2017, turning iOS into the biggest AR platform in the world. There are more than 3,000 AR apps available on the App Store, and improvements coming in iOS 12, such as multi-person support and persistent experiences, will lead to even better AR apps.

As of June 2018, developers have earned more than $100 billion from the App Store. There are more than 20 million third-party developers registered for the App Store, and more than 500 million customers visit it on iPhone and iPad each week.

Apple in 2017 entirely overhauled the App Store, splitting games and apps into two categories and focusing more heavily on app discovery through Today tab stories, editor’s picks, and more. Apple says that hundreds of Today stories have been read by more than 1 million people.

Check out Apple’s full App Store tribute in the company’s newsroom to see all of the different testimonials from app developers.

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Apple Launches Beta Version of New Siri Shortcuts App for iOS 12

Apple today introduced a beta version of the Siri Shortcuts app that’s been designed for iOS 12, which developers can request access to through the Developer Center.

The Shortcuts beta is being handled through TestFlight, with a “Request” option for access available after logging in to the Developer Center. After clicking the button to request access, Apple says selected users will be notified shortly via email if they’re permitted access.

Siri Shortcuts is based on the Workflow app that Apple purchased in 2017, allowing users to create multi-step shortcuts using third-party apps, which can then be activated using a Siri voice command.

So, for example, you can create a shortcut to do something like turn on the thermostat at home using the Nest app, text your roommate that you’re on the way with Messages, and open up the Maps app with directions home all with a single “I’m going home” Siri command.

Shortcuts are deeply customizable, with third-party apps able to expose a series of quick actions to Siri that can be incorporated into Shortcut recipes.

When iOS 12 was introduced, Apple said a Shortcuts app would be available in the fall, but it wasn’t clear if a beta version would be available. Right now, in the iOS 12 beta, a limited number of Shortcuts can be created within the Siri section of the Settings app, but the Shortcuts app will be required for full functionality.

According to Apple, the initial beta of Shortcuts will have limited actions, no iCloud syncing, and some missing actions. Shortcuts are also not able to open apps when run from Siri when a device is locked.

Testers who have Workflow installed will see their workflows migrated to shortcuts after installing the beta.

It’s not clear if Apple will also release a beta version of the Shortcuts app for public beta testers, but this first iteration is limited to developers.

Related Roundup: iOS 12Tag: Siri
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