Code in watchOS 4.3.1 Hints at Upcoming Apple Watch Face Inspired by Rainbow Flag

Apple at WWDC is expected to introduce a new pride watch face, reports 9to5Mac. The upcoming watch face is “inspired by the rainbow flag” and is likely designed to match the limited edition Rainbow Pride Woven Nylon Apple Watch band that Apple released at WWDC last year.

Code for the new watch face was found in iOS 11.4 and watchOS 4.3.1, and it appears that the new watch face will animate with moving threads of color that shift whenever the display is tapped.

The watch face will become available on Monday, June 4 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time, which suggests it will be made available to all iOS users through an over-the-air update to watchOS 4.3.1. On Twitter, a user was able to change the date on his Apple Watch and the new face showed up, confirming it will release for everyone just after the keynote event wraps up.

It is not clear if Apple has any other pride-related announcements in store to accompany the new watch face, such as a new pride band. It is also not known if Apple plans to release additional watch faces with watchOS 5, but last year’s watchOS 4 release did include new faces.

Apple always celebrates San Francisco Pride and participates in the parade, with the event set to take place on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24 this year, so it makes sense for the company to release a new rainbow Apple Watch face ahead of that date.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, WWDC 2018Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
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Gene Munster Shares WWDC Predictions: Beats Product With Siri Integration, Improvements to AI and AR

Ahead of next week’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Loup Ventures analyst Gene Munster today shared his predictions for the features and services that Apple will unveil during the event.

Munster expects Apple to debut new Siri, AR, AI, and Digital Health functionality, including a Beats-branded accessory (presumably a speaker) that includes Siri integration, much like the HomePod. Some of Munster’s predictions have been previously covered in rumors shared by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, but Siri integration in a lower-cost Beats product is a new prediction.

We expect Monday’s keynote to be highlighted by extending the reach of Siri (most likely adding new domains, opening HomePod to more capabilities, and integrating Spotlight), along with additional AI tools (new Core ML extensions).

We also anticipate new features around digital health (privacy and device management) and ARKit (development tools).

Expect Siri integration with Beats.

Collectively, these announcements advance the ease of use and intelligence of Apple’s mobile and desktop experiences.

According to Munster, Apple may be planning introduce a $250 Beats-branded product that will offer Siri integration similar to the HomePod, allowing Apple to “advance its digital assistant ambitions” with a more affordable option. Apple currently sells a Beats Pill+ speaker for $179.95, and the device has not been updated in some time.

Apple is going to announce a new “Decade Collection” at WWDC according to a Best Buy leak, but that collection is limited to existing headphones in new colorways and does not appear include new products or a new speaker. It’s possible that Apple does have a new Beats product ready to unveil, and a recent somewhat sketchy rumor did suggest that Apple’s “low-priced” HomePod would be under the Beats by Dre branding.

That rumor would make some sense if Apple is indeed planning on introducing a Beats-branded speaker product that includes Siri integration. Siri competitor Alexa is available as an option on many speakers outside of Amazon’s own, and Apple could be planning to follow in Amazon’s footsteps. Obviously, though, it’s not clear if the rumor and/or Munster’s prediction are accurate.

Munster has several other predictions for features and services coming at WWDC. Specifically, he expects Apple to introduce new Siri domains, with support for “things like navigation and email” and integrated Spotlight Search to better improve Siri’s performance compared to Alexa and Cortana, the AI assistants used by Amazon and Microsoft, respectively.

Munster also believes Apple will introduce new domains for CoreML, the machine learning SDK that Apple introduced with the launch of iOS 11. Munster doesn’t offer details on what the new domains might be, but at the current time, CoreML offers features for developers like real time image recognition, search ranking, text prediction, handwriting recognition, face detection, music tagging, text summarization, and more.

Previous rumors have said Apple plans to introduce support for multiplayer augmented reality games, and Munster believes Apple will also introduce “subtle new developer tools” to improve AR development and lead to more compelling AR apps.

Similarly, rumors have indicated Apple is working on a Digital Health tool that will let parents better monitor the amount of time children are spending on iOS devices. Munster says Apple could also include additional features that notify users when data is being shared with developers and new device management features aimed at curbing “screen time and digital anxiety.”

Munster’s full range of predictions for WWDC can be read on Loup Ventures, and our iOS 12 roundup contains all of the other iOS-related rumors that we’ve heard thus far.

Related Roundup: HomePodTags: Siri, Beats, Gene Munster, ARKit, augmented realityBuyer’s Guide: HomePod (Buy Now)
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New Zealand Commerce Commission Warns Apple About Misleading Consumers

The New Zealand Commerce Commission today sent a warning to Apple over concerns that the company misled customers about their replacement rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act, reports the New Zealand Herald.

According to the commission, Apple may have violated New Zealand consumer law by telling customers its products have a two year warranty and also referring customers who purchase non-Apple branded products from Apple to the manufacturer for warranty issues.

From an eight-page statement released by the Commerce Commission:

We consider that Apple is likely to be misleading consumers by trying to exclude its liability for non-Apple branded products. If this behaviour is continuing, we recommend you take immediate action to address our concerns and seek legal advice about complying with the Fair Trading Act.”

The New Zealand Herald says the Commerce Commission began an investigation into Apple’s practices in April 2016 after receiving complaints from consumers who sought repairs from Apple but were told that their products were covered by consumer law for just two years.

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, there is no set two-year period after which it expires, with the act instead outlining a set of requirements for consumer devices regarding build quality (products must be free from defects).

According to Commissioner Anna Rawlings, businesses should not base warranty decisions in New Zealand “solely on how long a consumer has owned a product.” Instead, the “reasonable lifespan” depends “very much on what that product is” and each fault must be assessed “on its own merits.”

During the investigation, the commission also said that Apple is “likely to have misled” consumers by excluding liability for non-Apple products. Apple is responsible, says the commission, for “compliance with consumer guarantees applying to all products it sells, even if it is not the manufacturer.”

There were also some issues discovered around the availability of spare parts and repairs after one New Zealand customer was told he could have a maximum of four replacements for a faulty product.

The commission says Apple made voluntary changes to address some of the concerns that were raised, including making it clear to Apple employees in New Zealand that consumer law rights are not bound by a set time period. The commission believes Apple will consider and fix the other issues that were raised during the investigation.

Tag: New Zealand
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Hololens can be used to navigate the blind through buildings faster

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology developed an application for Microsoft’s Hololens that can steer visually impaired individuals through a complex building. Rather than deliver raw images to the brain as seen in recent prosthetic attempts, this “non-invasive” method relies on 360-degree sound and real-time room/object mapping to navigate wearers through an unfamiliar multi-story building on their first attempt. 

Typically, Hololens renders interactive virtual objects in your full view of the real world. For example, engineers can construct a 3D model of a building in physical space and examine each side by simply walking around the virtual structure. You can also use the Hololens to shop for furniture online by placing a 3D model of the desired chair or table in your living room to see how it blends in with your current décor before making a purchase. 

The drawback to Hololens, for now at least, is that all virtual objects reside only in the wearer’s view; these “holograms” can’t be seen by anyone else unless they have a device capable of sharing the same experience. In this case, the wearer can’t see anything, so the researchers fell back on the headset’s real-time room and object-mapping capabilities. 

“Our design principle is to give sounds to all relevant objects in the environment,” the paper states. “Each object in the scene can talk to the user with a voice that comes from the object’s location. The voice’s pitch increases as the object gets closer. The user actively selects which objects speak through several modes of control.” 

These modes consist of scan, spotlight, and target. After selecting scan mode using a clicker, each object will call out its name in sequence from left to right via spatial audio, meaning the wearer can get a sense of their real-world placement based on the distance and location of their voice. Spotlight mode forces the object directly in front to speak, and target mode will force an object to repeatedly call out its name. Meanwhile, obstacles and walls will hiss if the wearer moves in too close. 

In one test, researchers created a virtual chair and directed Hololens wearers to approach object using the target mode. Most relied on a two-phase method: Localize the voice by turning in place and then quickly reach the correct destination. After that, researchers put a physical chair in the same location and asked the individuals to find that chair using their typical walking aid. The process took eight times longer and 13 times more distance without the help of Hololens. 

Hololens can be used for long-range guided navigation, too. Researchers created a virtual guide that followed a pre-computed path and called out “follow me” to the wearer. It continuously monitored the wearer’s progression and remained a few feet ahead. If the wearer strayed off course, the virtual guide would stop and wait for him/her to catch up. The test included crossing a building’s main lobby, climbing two flights of stairs, walking around a few corners, and stopping in an office. 

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Here’s what to expect at Apple’s WWDC 2018: iOS 12, iPhone SE 2, and more

At WWDC — Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference — the company showcases its latest innovations to thousands of developers. While the conference runs over the course of a week, Apple kicks off the festivities with its traditional keynote on June 4 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. Whether you’re attending or not, Apple’s official WWDC app is also available for download — providing you with the event schedule, latest news, access to the livestreamed sessions, and more.

While WWDC does tend to stick to new software, we could see a few new pieces of hardware make appearances as well. From its latest operating systems for the Mac and iPhone to new features on WatchOS, tvOS, and more, here’s everything we expect to see at WWDC 2018.

iOS 12

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

While the official lineup for WWDC is unclear, we know one thing is for sure — the software-focused event will unveil the latest operating system for the iPhone. Rumors about iOS 12 have already started to surface, and there are a few features we could see. While iOS 11 set out to provide more customizability and accessibility options — complete with a redesigned Control Center and App Store — Apple is most likely using iOS 12 as a way to provide a smoother experience with more stability and fewer bugs.

For starters, iOS 12 is said to include a new functionality that allows you to unlock car, office, house, and hotel doors if you own an NFC-enabled handset. Even though users are already able to manage smart locks using Bluetooth, NFC provides a more secure system. There are also new features for security on Apple’s hardware itself, with the addition of even more parental controls on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. In addition, iOS 12 might include extra parental control features, such as the ability to monitor how much time their kids spend on their devices

Other features include a redesigned Stocks app, support for multi-person augmented reality gaming, and an improved Do Not Disturb feature with more options to choose from. Those who use FaceTime often may also have the ability to video chat with multiple people at once rather than strictly one-on-one. Those with TrueDepth cameras (available on the iPhone X) could even have the option to use iOS 11’s Animoji while on FaceTime calls.

Improvements to HomeKit may be announced as well. Apple reportedly has plans to add its Home app to MacOS, which would allow those who use Mac computers to control HomeKit accessories. Since the Home app is already available on the iPhone, this would give users control from more devices.

Of course, there are also features that were originally supposed to be included in iOS 12 but have been delayed. This includes an improved Photos app, a revamped Home screen, and multitasking features — such as tab support for apps on the iPad, spilt-screen view on the iPhone, and more.

MacBook Pro

Ahead of WWDC, a user on Reddit spotted a June 5 delivery date for a 13-inch version of Apple’s MacBook Pro. that’s a day after the keynote. While that could be an indication to the debut of a new Macbook Pro, Apple’s web store does say both the base 13-inch and 15-inch models are available immediately for in-store pickup in the San Francisco area. It also gives a ship date of June 1.

Regardless, it could still be possible that a revamped model will be announced seeing as how Intel’s 8th Generation Core i Series processors are currently available. While there are PCs on the market that include the 8th-generation chips, Apple has yet to release a new MacBook Pro with better performance and battery life than its current rivals. Apple might also address the butterfly key switch design — which users reported as having a high failure rate — and whether the company plans on revamping it for a better user experience.

Other reports claim the company will announce an entry-level MacBook that could ship by the end of the second quarter of 2018. It will be the same price as the current MacBook Air models or could even be a bit lower. According to reports, it could include 13.3-inch amorphous silicon panels that pack 2,560 x 1,600 resolution — similar to what the current 13.3-inch MacBook Pro offers now.

Watch OS 5

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

While we won’t hear any news about a next-generation Apple Watch, we’ll learn what Apple has in store for its next rendition of Watch OS. Rumors are scarce around Watch OS 5, but users can expect to see additional watch face options, along with upgraded customization options. There is also speculation the new operating system will include a native podcast app. After debuting its Face ID unlocking technology on the iPhone X last September, some predict Watch OS will integrate the same functionality, allowing users to unlock their timepieces using their facial features rather than entering a password.

We can also expect to see improved health-tracking features on the OS. Following reports March, KGI Securities industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed the Apple Watch Series 4 will have “enhanced health sensors,” but gave no other additional information. This could mean anything from sleep tracking to even female health tracking (a feature that Fitbit introduced on its Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Ionic earlier in May).

tvOS 12

There aren’t too many rumors surrounding what we might expect for tvOS 12 — but we do expect to see some type of announcement, whether it’s big or small. A few weeks ahead of WWDC, Apple released tvOS 11.4. It includes support for AirPlay 2, which is designed to bring multiroom audio where music can be played on a variety of devices in your home. With the latest tvOS update, AirPlay 2 is now included in the Home app for HomeKit devices. allowing users to control AirPlay 2 playback through Apple TV, iPhone, or Siri. It could be possible that Apple’s announcement is related to the latest update.

iPhone SE 2

Even though Apple always saves its next-generation lineup of iPhones for its fall event in September, rumors claim the iPhone SE 2 will be revealed at this year’s WWDC. The original iPhone SE launched about two years ago and was the more compact, less expensive iPhone option. According to recent leaks, this year’s version could sport an iPhone X-like design complete with a glass back and will be smaller than its predecessor. Other rumors point toward an iPhone SE 2 that looks more like the original, with more of an iPhone 5 type look — Touch ID included.

As for specifications, a glass back on the iPhone SE 2 would allow for wireless charging. Under the hood, it could also come complete with Apple’s A10 Fusion chip, 2GB of RAM, and the option to choose between 32GB or 128GB of storage. In terms of the camera, it’s said to have a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera and 5-megapixel front-facing camera.

MacOS 10.14

The biggest rumor swirling about the MacOS update is the possibility of “universal apps,” which allow you to sync up apps on iOS and MacOS. That way, if you start a project on Pages or even a conversation through iMessage on your iPad or iPhone, you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off on your Mac. There are also signs that Apple plans on moving all apps to 64-bit APIs for iOS and MacOS — if not this year, then in the coming years.

Other potential announcements could be related to Siri and its capabilities. It’s possible there could be more app and email management, along with full integration with Spotlight. It’s also highly likely we’ll see improvements to the Dock. Rumors have surfaced claiming that Apple is planning on creating a control panel — similar to the one already on iOS. This will combine the notification bar, Dock, and Launchpad to make it easier for you to control apps and documents you use often.

A smaller, cheaper HomePod

At last year’s WWDC, Apple previewed the highly anticipated HomePod — which many found to be too expensive at $350. Recent rumors claim that Apple plans on releasing a cheaper version under its Beats brand for $200. To allow for a smart speaker at a lower price point, Apple could be releasing a smaller version similar to the Google Mini or Amazon Echo Dot. If the company decides to go down the same path as both Google and Amazon, then the smaller HomePod would still have the same capabilities as the original device. But the chances are still slim, seeing as how the original HomePod is still fairly new and Apple typically waits for more than a year before making any updates.

iPad Pro

Since the iPad Pro wasn’t announced at Apple’s education-focused event in Chicago in March, it’s likely it could make its debut at WWDC. Based on rumors, the 2018 iPad Pro could have a similar look to the iPhone X — no home button and minimal bezels. It’s also possible the new model will use Face ID to unlock the device for security. According to an anonymous source, the Apple Pencil may get an upgrade that could include new software features and tools.

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Nvidia set to begin construction of 750,000-square-foot Voyager campus

Nvidia is gearing up to begin the second phase of construction at its Santa Clara, California headquarters. After completing construction on phase 1 — a 500,000-square feet building called Endeavor on its campus — in 2017, Nvidia is ready to break ground on a second building called Voyager totaling 750,000 square feet. Both buildings will be situated next to each other and share a similar futuristic design with a dramatic and flowing sculptural roof that was conceived by architectural firm Gensler.

For Voyager, Nvidia changed its mind on the total size of the building, adding 50 percent more space to the 500,000-square-foot plan by adding a third story to the construction, according to The Mercury News. “It was to be identical to phase 1, which they just occupied, which is 500,000 square feet in two stories,” Julie Leiker, a market research director with Cushman and Wakefield, told the newspaper. “They will add a third story to make it 750,000 square feet.”

Nvidia said it was still working out staffing plans, according to TechCrunch, but given that Endeavor’s 500,000-square-foot two-story structure houses 2,500 workers, the larger Voyager structure could potentially accommodate up to 3,750. Likely, the headquarters can staff up to 6,250 employees across Endeavor and Voyager. Nvidia employees approximately 11,500 people globally with some 5,000 in Santa Clara, so the larger Voyager building could allow Nvidia room to grow in the future without requiring more space for expansion.

Credit: TechCrunch

Like Endeavor, Voyager was shown in a photo-realistic rendering featuring a similar sculptural rooftop design with skylights and underground parking. The buildings appear to be connected via an open space area. Devcon, which was hired to construct Endeavor, will return for work on Voyager once construction begins in June.

Although it sounds like Nvidia drew inspiration from Star Trek for the names of its buildings, the real reason is that these words start with the sounds of “En” and “V,” which has the initial sounds as Nvidia, the company told TechCrunch.

Silicon Valley has recently become a hotbed of new construction for the technology industry. After having completed work on its headquarters in neighboring Cupertino, Califonia, Apple is also working on a second campus in Sunnyvale, California featuring a similar spaceship design. Google’s proposed campus in San Jose, California is expected to bring 15,000 to 20,000 jobs to the area, according to ABC News.

In addition to Voyager and Endeavor, Nvidia has a third phase. In total, the city of Santa Clara had authorized Nvidia to construct 1.95 million square feet of offices, so this could mean that Nvidia will have to scale down plans for a third building.

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OnePlus 6: Everything you need to know

Unlock the secrets.

The OnePlus 6 is now available, and it’s a compelling option for someone looking for an unlocked phone at a reasonable price — starting at $529 to be specific. But price aside, it’s a great choice for anyone, even those considering more expensive options, thanks to a combination of hardware and software, and a community that continues to support the company and one another.

Here’s everything you need to know about the OnePlus 6!

The latest OnePlus 6 news

May 29, 2018 — JerryRigEverything tears down the OnePlus 6 to see how waterproof it really is

It was expected that OnePlus would have to cut a few corners in order to keep the OnePlus 6’s price as low as it is, and one of those cuts came in the way of a proper water resistance rating.

Unlike other flagship phones, the OnePlus 6 doesn’t come with a proper IP rating. However, OnePlus does note on its website that the phone “is well-equipped to survive a drop in the sink or a spilled glass of water.”

To test out just how “water resistant” the OnePlus 6 actually is, JerryRigEverything cracked open the phone and determined it’s about as protected as other phones that have a proper IP rating. Check it out above!

May 23, 2018 — The OnePlus 6 is now available!

It was only announced a week ago, but the OnePlus 6 is now available to order from oneplus.net starting at $529 USD.

Are you ordering?

Read our review and watch the video

First thing’s first, watch the video and read the review. There’s plenty about the phone to learn, even though much of it is familiar. But the essential question a review tries to answer is, Should you buy this thing? And the response is an unrestrained, Yes.

The OnePlus 6 is the company’s finest phone ever, with excellent design, build quality, battery life and, for the first time, cameras.

Read the review

Review the specs

Once you’re done reading the review, you should, ahem, review the specifications. The phone is powerful — like one of the most powerful on the market today — with plenty of headroom and legroom (it’s proverbially spacious is what I’m trying to say) for whatever you want to throw at it. Apps-wise, not like object-wise.

OnePlus 6 specifications

How does it compare to other phones?

Of course, the OnePlus 6 doesn’t exist in a bubble — you have to compare it to other devices if you’re going to decide whether you should buy it. Thankfully, we’ve done most of the work for you, comparing it to the best flagships on the market right now.

• OnePlus 6 vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Which should you buy?
• OnePlus 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy S9+: Which should you buy?

What about to other OnePlus phones?

Yeah, OnePlus owners like to keep it in the family, so to speak, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see many upgrading, or thinking of upgrading, from an existing OnePlus device, like a 3, 3T, 5, or 5T. Of course, with the company releasing two phones a year these days, it won’t be long until the next upgrade cycle hits, but that also means that the existing phones age quite well, thanks to frequent software updates (the joys of not going through carriers).

If you have a OnePlus 5 or 5T, you can probably hold onto those phones for a bit longer — unless you need the camera improvements. OnePlus’s 2016 phones, on the other hand, may be getting a bit long in the tooth and could use a replacement.

• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: Should you upgrade?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?

Is the OnePlus 6 camera that much better than before?

This photo was taken in nearly pitch-dark conditions. OnePlus ramps up the light sensitivity to ISO6400, which would normally produce a lot of grain, but this photo is totally usable thanks to better software processing.

Yes! The OnePlus 6 has a larger 16MP sensor than previous OnePlus devices, with pixels that are 19% bigger, so low-light photography is immensely improved. It’s not going to overtake the Huawei P20 Pro or Pixel 2 for Low Light Champion Of The World, but it’s reliable in all conditions, and that’s more important than anything else.

The camera is probably the biggest improvement over previous OnePlus models.

The phone’s main sensor is aided by a fast ƒ/1.7 aperture, so true depth of field is a thing, along with drastically improved image signal processing from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845. Together, the phone is able to detect the correct settings more quickly, take multiple shots if necessary, enable HDR mode automatically, and reduce or eliminate grain in dark conditions.

There’s also Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which was in the OnePlus 3 line but removed in last year’s series for unknown reasons. It’s back now, and paired with a larger sensor and faster main lens, the results speak for themselves.

On the other hand, the OnePlus 6’s secondary camera has less to do — it’s a 20MP sensor with an ƒ/1.7 lens, but its main purpose is to facilitate portrait mode which, while good, isn’t enough reason to have a second sensor in the first place.

Is the notch distracting?

The notch is what it is. You may hate it out of an aversion to all things Apple, or you may learn to live with it and forget it’s there. Most people will fall somewhere in the middle — it’s a character trait, like a freckle or a certain hairstyle.

What it does, though, is open up spme additional real estate on the 6.28-inch screen, which is great. But it also limits the number of icons that can be seen in the notification area, which is a bummer. Plus, the clock on the left side of the notification bar will never make sense. If you watch the video below, though, you can see ways to tweak the notification area to your liking. And you can also disable the notch altogether if you want to.

How’s the software?

It’s good! Running Android 8.1 Oreo, OxygenOS has turned into one of the most enjoyable, reliable versions of Android to date. OnePlus has also added a number of additions to make the whole thing run more smoothly, especially if you’re looking to maximize your screen real estate.

One of the more interesting changes to the software is a set of gestures that eliminates the bottom navigation keys, relying on swipes up from different areas of the bottom edge to go back, home, and enter multitasking. It’s different, but not bad. You’ll have to try it yourself.

As for tips and tricks, we’ve already got that list going, so if you’re looking to make the most of your OxygenOS experience, we have you covered.

• How to enable navigation gestures on the OnePlus 6
• How to disable the notch on the OnePlus 6

What’s it cost?

The OnePlus 6 starts at $529 USD for the base model and goes up to $629 for additional RAM and storage. There are three configurations and three colors, though one of the colors, Silk White, is only going to be available in early June and will be manufactured in limited capacities.

Here’s how the pricing breaks down in various regions.

6/64	$529	€519	£469	$699
8/128	$579	€569	£519	$769
8/256	$629	€619	£569	$839

See at OnePlus

Tell me more about the colors

There are three colors: Mirror Black, Midnight Black, and Silk White.

• Mirror Black is going to be the most common, since it’s the only color offered in the cheapest tier. It’s shiny, reflective glass, so it gets fingerprint-y, but that’s OK because you’ll likely put the phone in a case (see below). It’s also a little slippery, which is to be expected. Mirror Black is offered in 6GB / 64GB configurations for $529.

• Midnight Black is the color we’ve come to expect from OnePlus over the years, though the matte-looking finish belies a glass back, too, like the Mirror Black. Midnight Black is only available in 8GB / 128GB and 8GB / 256GB configurations for $579 and $629, respectively.

• Silk White is the most limited of the three colors, and will be available June 5. It’s also covered in glass, but like the Midnight Black model it has a matte finish and is easier to grip. Its white back has rose gold accents, and it’s definitely the nicest and most unique of the three colors. It will only be available in the 8GB / 128GB configuration, for $579, and once the run is sold out, OnePlus is not making any more.

I heard there’s an Avengers version — TELL ME EVERYTHING

Yes, you heard right: OnePlus has once again worked with Disney on licensing a special version of the OnePlus 6 for the Chinese and Indian markets. Last year, OnePlus offered an understated Start Wars variant of the OnePlus 5T, and now the Avengers version takes advantage of the hype behind the recent film release.

The Avengers version comes in a unique box and includes an Iron Man case and a OnePlus/Avengers co-branded medallion, which is neat. And while there’s a familiar glass back on the Avengers Edition, it has a Kevlar-style design underneath. Because Kevlar=superheroes, or something.

While the special edition isn’t coming to the U.S. officially, I’m sure that some entrepreneurial Indian and Chinese resellers will do the dirty business of importing some of them at a huge premium to this side of the world.

This is the OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers Edition

The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Sprint or Verizon

The OnePlus 6 technically supports the CDMA bands for Verizon and Sprint in the U.S., but the phone lacks certification for their networks, so those users — just under half the smartphone-wielding U.S. population, is out of luck.

We’ve got your full technical explainer below.

The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Sprint or Verizon

Do you like cases?

As it does with all of its phones, OnePlus has unveiled a series of first-party cases for the OnePlus 6, and they’re all pretty great.

This year, there’s a fancy new protective bumper made of woven nylon, and while it adds a bit more bulk than the typical snap-on, I think it looks and feels awesome.

These are the official OnePlus 6 cases you can buy at launch

What are your thoughts on the OnePlus 6?

Let us know in the comments!

OnePlus 6

• OnePlus 6 review
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: How much changes in six months?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
• These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
• The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
• Join the discussion in the forums

Moto G5S Plus being updated to Android 8.1 Oreo

The May 2018 security patch is also here.

In late October of last year, Motorola launched the Moto G5S Plus — an improved version of the already great Moto G5 Plus that introduced a full metal unibody and dual rear cameras. Now, the phone’s being updated to Android 8.1 Oreo.

Android 8.1 is rolling out to the G5S Plus now, with Motorola’s support website indicating that it comes with —

many enhancements including new multitasking features, more efficient notification controls, improved data saver and battery features, new power menu UI and Bluetooth improvements.

In addition to the above list, the May 2018 Android Security Patch is also included.

The update is rolling out to users now, and while you should automatically be notified of the OTA update once it hits your phone, you can manually check by diving into your settings.

Moto G5S Plus review: Too much of a good thing

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HomePod Now Supports French, German, and Canadian English, While Canadian French Coming Later This Year

Apple today announced that the HomePod will be available in Canada, France, and Germany beginning June 18, but ahead of then, the speaker has gained support for languages and dialects spoken in each country.

Today’s new 11.4 software update for HomePod enables Siri to speak in French, German, and Canadian English in any region, including the United States. Apple says Canadian French will be added in a subsequent software update coming later this year, but it has not provided a specific timeframe as of yet.

The new software update should be pushed to the HomePod automatically after updating to iOS 11.4 on a paired iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, but it can also be installed manually through the speaker’s settings in the Home app.

To change a HomePod’s default language, open the Home app on a paired iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 11.4, 3D Touch or long press on the HomePod’s icon, tap on Details, and tap on Languages. There are now six languages, including the previous options of U.S. English, U.K. English, and Australian English.

Canadian residents who purchased a HomePod in the United States, for example, can now switch from American English to Canadian English.

While the switch from American English to Canadian English doesn’t yield any significant differences, it does allow the language of a paired iOS device to be set back to Canadian English as well, as in Canada, a HomePod and paired iOS device must be set to the same language for Siri to deliver Personal Requests.

Despite support for Canadian English, the HomePod still isn’t completely localized for Canada, as Siri still doesn’t work with music charts, for example, as demonstrated by MacRumors reader Pedro Marques in the video below.

Of course, the HomePod should gain support for additional languages as it launches in more countries in the future.

Related Roundup: HomePodTags: Canada, France, GermanyBuyer’s Guide: HomePod (Buy Now)
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Apple Hosting ‘Close Your Rings’ Apple Watch Activity Challenge for Developers at WWDC

During WWDC, Apple will be launching a Close Your Rings Challenge that’s designed to motivate developers to close the three Apple Watch activity rings each day of the week, with the challenge starting on Sunday, June 3 and lasting through Thursday, June 7.

To participate, developers will need to download the Challenges app from the App Store and sign up on the developer website for a unique invitation code. Move ring calorie goals will be set by weight for the challenge, and developers are able to team up with up to four friends to earn points.

If everyone on the team closes their rings each day, teams will be eligible for bonus points. All individuals who earn 200 points or more during the challenge will earn a reward on Friday, June 8, which will be given out at the McEnery Convention Center.

Participants will earn one point for each 1/12 of the Move ring that’s completed (capped at 36 points), 1 point for each 1/12th of the Exercise ring that’s completed (capped at 36 points), and 1 point for each 1/12th of the Stand ring (capped at 14 points) that’s completed every day.

Individuals will earn 12 bonus points for closing all three rings on the same day, while teams will earn four bonus points for each teammate who closes all three rings that day.

Through the Challenges app on the iPhone, participants will be able to view a Challenge leaderboard and if in a team, team rank and status. Team members will be able to send motivating nudges to one another, and an Apple Watch complication is available for viewing daily point total.

Apple does not mention what the prizes are for winning the challenge, but for similar employee challenges in the past, Apple has given out unique pins, Apple Watch bands, and t-shirts.

The Close Your Rings WWDC challenge is limited to those who are attending WWDC, as the prizes will be given out in person at the end of the week. Attendees who want to participate can get an invitation code on Apple’s developer site.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
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