Apple Seeds Fourth iOS 8.4 Beta With Revamped Music App to Developers and Public Beta Testers
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of iOS 8.4 to registered developers for testing purposes, nearly a month after seeding the third iOS 8.4 beta and almost two months after launching the first iOS 8.4 beta. iOS 8.4 has been in testing since mid-April, following the early April release of iOS 8.3. Today’s beta is the third that public beta testers have received.
Today’s beta update, build 12H4125a, is available as an over-the-air download and through the iOS Developer Center.
iOS 8.4 beta 4’s release notes still include a number of lingering issues with the new Music app that will need to be resolved before the software can be released to the public. Problems include an inability to use Siri with iTunes Radio, issues with AirPlay streaming, a lack of station sharing, and more.
iOS 8.4’s major feature is an all-new Music app that includes a revamped look, as seen in the walkthrough video below. The Music app’s new design shows pictures of artists in the Artists view and it offers a new MiniPlayer with a redesigned look for “Now Playing.” There are personalized playlists, global search capabilities that make it easier to search within the Music app, and a streamlined design for the radio feature to bolster music discovery.
iOS 8.4’s redesigned Music app comes ahead of the debut of Apple Music, which was introduced at the Worldwide Developers Conference yesterday. The upcoming streaming music service is similar to Apple’s existing Beats music service, but it’s been renamed and deeply integrated into the Music app.
We will see the public release of both the new music service and iOS 8.4 on June 30.
Apple Seeds Fifth OS X 10.10.4 Yosemite Beta to Developers and Public Beta Testers
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of OS X 10.10.4 to developers and public beta testers, approximately two weeks after releasing the fourth OS X 10.10.4 beta and two months after releasing the first OS X 10.10.4 beta. OS X 10.10.4 has been in testing since mid-April, following the early April release of OS X 10.10.3, which included the new Photos for OS X app.
The new beta, build 14E33b, can downloaded through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store or through the Mac Developer Center.
OS X 10.10.3 brought several consumer-facing changes including the new Photos for OS X app, a redesigned emoji picker, and diversified emoji, but OS X 10.10.4 appears to be an under-the-hood update that brings performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Thus far, OS X 10.10.4 betas have not included outward facing design changes or feature additions, but the last beta introduced a significant behind-the-scenes update that may improve networking performance for users who have experienced issues with OS X Yosemite.
Discoveryd, a somewhat problematic networking process that has been linked to multiple bugs in OS X 10.10, was removed in favor of the older bug-free mDNSresponder.
It is not clear when Apple plans to release OS X 10.10.4 to the public, but the fact that we’ve now received five betas suggests we may be nearing the end of the beta testing period.
Hands-On Look at iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 El Capitan
At yesterday’s WWDC keynote, Apple unveiled its next generation operating systems for Mac and iOS, introducing both OS X 10.11 El Capitan and iOS 9. We’ve done a hands-on overview of the two new operating systems, to give you a look at some of the changes that Apple has implemented.
With iOS 9, there are several underlying improvements that improve battery life and reduce the amount of storage space the operating system takes up, a huge benefit for users with 16GB devices. Siri’s become more intelligent, and the whole OS has been updated with “Proactive” features that help you better manage your life.
A revamped search screen on the left of the home screen offers up a list of commonly used apps, favorite contacts, restaurant and venue recommendations, and important news, all available at a glance. Maps gained Transit directions, Notes has new features, there’s a new News app, and we’re finally getting a much-desired split-screen multitasking feature for the iPad.
And those are just the big changes — check out our roundup of hidden features, too, and visit our iOS 9 forum to learn even more about the new version of iOS.
OS X 10.11 El Capitan is named for a notable mountain within Yosemite, signifying its position as an update that builds on and refines the features introduced with OS X Yosemite. El Capitan includes improved window management features with a new Split view for displaying two full screen windows at once, plus it has an improved Spotlight search with natural language support, and updates to apps like Notes and Maps.
Safari has gained features like Pinned Sites and a mute button that can silence audio from any tab, while Mail supports new gestures and Smart Suggestions. Most importantly, El Capitan improves system performance, making many tasks on the Mac faster than before. It also includes Metal for much improved graphics performance.
Want to know more about El Capitan? Make sure to visit our OS X 10.11 forum, where members are discussing the new update and sharing many smaller changes that went under the radar.
El Capitan and iOS 9 are both available to registered developers, and Apple plans to provide them to public beta testers in July. A public release of both software updates will come in the fall.
CarPlay and Android Auto will be in Cadillac’s 2016 models
Following in the footsteps of sibling Chevrolet, Cadillac has also revealed its plans to support both CarPlay and Android Auto. This is yet another move by the automaker’s parent company, General Motors, to not miss out on the new wave of in-car features from Apple and Google. Cadillac says it’s all part of a major overhaul to CUE, the 8-inch infotainment system that’s been powering its vehicles for the past few years. You can expect to see CarPlay in most 2016 Cadillacs this summer (save for the SRX Crossover), while Android Auto compatibility is scheduled to arrive at a later, undisclosed date.
Filed under: Transportation, Software, Apple, Google
Source: Cadillac
Apple Bumps Developer Test Device Limits to 100 Per Device Type, Including Apple TV [iOS Blog]
Through Apple’s developer program, users have long been able to register the Unique Device Identifiers (UDIDs) for up to 100 individual devices to qualify them for testing Apple beta software and their own apps. Some users saw that limit raised to 200 several years ago, but the higher limit was never officially implemented by Apple.
With yesterday’s move to merge Apple’s developer programs, the company has also rolled out new limits for registered devices, as noted by a number of MacRumors readers. The total limit is now 500 devices, but it is broken down by device type with up to 100 slots each for iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, and Apple TV devices now available.
A number of readers have highlighted the inclusion of Apple TV as a supported device, believing it points to third-party app development for the set-top box as had been rumored for launch at WWDC but was reportedly pushed back just weeks ago. The Apple TV has actually been a supported device for UDID registration for quite some time, and Apple has regularly offered developers betas of upcoming Apple TV software for testing.
Image via Ouriel Ohayon
Even so, the limit of 100 Apple TVs per account seems generous for simply testing Apple’s beta software, so the question is whether the Apple TV was given the same limits as other device types for simplicity’s sake or if the company is setting the stage for broader third-party app development for the platform later this year.
As was the case previously, once a device is registered it counts toward the user’s limit for the remainder of the developer subscription year, preventing users from rapidly deleting and adding devices to game the system.
The Wait is Over: eBay for Apple Watch Launches Today on App Store [iOS Blog]
eBay today released its long-anticipated Apple Watch app for the online marketplace, just over one month after Apple quietly removed the app from its list of featured Apple Watch apps after failing to launch in April. TechCrunch reports that the eBay for Apple Watch app enables buyers and sellers to receive updates and alerts for items they are tracking on the eBay storefront.
eBay for Apple Watch is broken down into four simple categories that can be accessed from the app’s home screen: Activity, Buying, Selling and Watching. Activity provides alerts about auctions that are ending soon, items in which you have been outbid on, items that will be shipping soon and more. Meanwhile, the Buying, Selling and Watching sections are rather self-explanatory.
“Watching is for the items you’re keeping tabs on but haven’t yet bid on. Buying lets you see an overview of those items you’re actively bidding on; and Selling is to track the items you’ve listed on eBay. Within each of these sections are the key details you would need to know at a glance – like the time left on an auction, the current price, the number of bids, item photos, etc.”
eBay for Apple Watch focuses on providing quick at-a-glance information, and enables sellers to quickly reply to messages received from other users, although buyers still have the option to place bids from their wrists in just a few seconds. eBay is also updating its iPhone, iPad and Android apps with user enhancements and regional support for additional payments in Germany and India.
eBay for Apple Watch is free on the App Store and rolling out today. [Direct Link]
Engadget giveaway: win an iPad mini 3 courtesy of Blast Motion!
Is that cross fit regimen working? Perhaps that batting cage practice is paying off or you’re lofting those dunks better than ever. Capturing the action on video will tell part of the story, but adding stats or instant slow-mo edits can add a whole new dimension. Blast Motion is a 3D motion capture sensor that works alongside video to help analyze performance by tracing factors like vertical height, rotation, acceleration and more through a variety of custom apps depending on your sport. It plays well with iOS, so the company provided us with one of Apple’s iPad mini 3 slates along with Blast Motion’s Athletic Performance package so one lucky Engadget reader can start getting their stunts on film. Metrics from all your jump shots, swings, leaps and flips are ready to view in chart form to help trace your progress over time and if you’re particularly impressed with yourself, it’s easy to share your exploits through social media. In order to take Blast Motion’s sensor and a new iPad mini 3 for a spin, all you need to do head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning.
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) Apple iPad mini 3 (MGNV2LL/A, 16GB, Silver) and one (1) Blast Motion Athletic Performance Pack.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Engadget and AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until June 10th at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Filed under: Announcements
UK Apple Pay purchases to face the £20 contactless cap
Apple Pay is on its way to the UK next month, and from launch, all the big banks except Barclays, and a quarter of a million retail outlets will support it. And yet, despite so many day-one partners, it seems we’re not quite ready for it. You see, Apple Pay isn’t like any other contactless payment method we use already, since you authorise transactions with a Touch ID fingerprint scan. Contactless debit and credit cards don’t require any kind of authentication, which is why transactions are currently limited to a maximum of £20, though the cap is increasing to £30 in September. The whole point of the two-step Apple Pay process is that you can make purchases of any amount using your iPhone, but today we’re hearing that the majority of retailers will be bound by the £20 cap at launch.
The thing is, the UK’s contactless infrastructure has been built around frictionless, unauthenticated transactions, and right now retailers simply aren’t set up to process anything but minor payments. Caps are effectively hard-coded at the reader level, meaning new devices are needed to handle higher-value payments. While some outlets will have the necessary hardware installed to deal with larger sums by the time Apple Pay launches, most won’t, so don’t assume your iPhone will be a viable replacement for your wallet straight away.
You can definitely expect that, in time, more retailers will make the move to newer hardware as Apple Pay adoption picks up. And with other mobile players undoubtedly gearing up to follow suit with their own contactless schemes, it makes sense for retail outlets to invest in upgrading their payment terminals sooner rather than later.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Source: The Guardian
Cadillac Announces CarPlay and Android Auto Support Coming to 2016 Models
GM today announced that its luxury car brand Cadillac will add CarPlay and Android Auto support to its 2016 model year vehicles, which will begin rolling out this summer.
CarPlay will be available in all 2016 vehicles equipped with a CUE 8-inch multi-touch screen, excluding the SRX Crossover, while Android Auto will be phased in at a later date.
“Cadillac CUE provides owners a smart and simple way to access both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A “Projection” icon will appear on the CUE screen, to enable simpler, easier access to key smartphone functions, including navigation, contacts, hands-free text messaging and select applications supported by Apple or Google.”
CarPlay-equipped vehicles have a built-in touchscreen display that provides quick and easy access to Maps, Phone, Messages, Music, Podcasts and third-party apps such as Spotify, Rdio, iHeartRadio, CBS Radio and MLB At Bat. CarPlay also uses Siri voice control and interfaces with your vehicle’s knobs, dials and buttons for hands-free or eyes-free control of your iPhone.
Apple also introduced a handful of CarPlay improvements during its WWDC keynote this week, including support for apps developed by carmakers to control the in-car experience and compatibility with larger and wider screens. CarPlay will also function wirelessly in future vehicles, eliminating the need to take your iPhone out of your pocket or bag after getting in your vehicle.
GM is also adding CarPlay support to 14 new 2016 Chevrolet models later this year.
Apple’s Watch getting the same anti-theft security as iPhone
One thing Apple failed to mention last night at its WWDC 2015 shindig is that its WatchOS 2 update will have much improved security. Early Watch adopters noticed that all a thief would need to do to pair the wearable with a new iPhone would be to reset it. Although that’s documented as a “feature” in case you forget your passcode, Watch will get the same Activation Lock as an iPhone when WatchOS 2 arrives this fall. Activating it will then require your iCloud Apple ID and Password, making it effectively useless for thieves. Apple may have also made the move because the new OS will support native apps, so more of your personal info could end up in the Watch’s 8GB of internal storage.
Source: Apple
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