ROLI’s ‘BLOCKS’ Lego-Style Music Creation System Now Available at Apple Stores Worldwide
ROLI today introduced a fun new music creation system called BLOCKS, which is scalable, modular, and designed to give people a simple, visual way to create music. Each square-shaped Block has a different function, and multiple blocks can snap together so users can build the music system that’s best for them in terms of skill, price, and musical style.
ROLI is announcing three Blocks today, all of which will be available for purchase at Apple retail stores around the world. The Lightpad Block, a 5×5 grid that lights up, supports pressure-based multi-touch gestures, allowing people to use the colored surface for creating music through presses, glides, and other simple hand movements.
Varying pressure on the block changes the intensity of the sound, multiple fingers can be used at once, and multiple Lightpads can be linked together for a bigger surface to work with.
The Live Block and Loop Block both work alongside the Lightpad Block, which is the main block, offering controls to make it easier to perform and produce music in real time with physical playback and record buttons. All three of the Blocks are controlled via Bluetooth through NOISE, a new app that’s available from Apple’s App Store.
Roland Lamb, founder and CEO of ROLI, and inventor of BLOCKS, said, “Many areas of life have been transformed by the digital. Music, though, remains a universal language that everyone understands, but only a few can speak. BLOCKS will change that, and enable people around the world to experience the joy of music-making for the first time.”
ROLI Lightpad Blocks are priced at $179.95 each, while the Live and the Loop are priced at $79.95. BLOCKS are available at Roli.com starting today and should soon be available from Apple’s online store and in Apple retail locations.
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iOS update fixes your iPhone’s missing Health data
The iOS 10.1 update addressed a lot of initial gripes with Apple’s latest mobile operating system. However, it also introduced a glaring bug for some users: the Health app might not show your data, which is more than a little troublesome if you’re a fitness maven or need those stats for medical reasons. Don’t fret, though. Apple has released an iOS 10.1.1 update for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch that makes sure you can see Health info. This is a relatively tiny update (the over-the-air fix is well under 100MB for many iPhone users), but it’ll matter a lot if you’re tracking step counts or calories with your Apple gear.
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: Apple
Developers Now Able to Offer Promo Codes for In-App Purchases
Apple today announced that it is now letting developers create promo codes for in-app purchases, giving developers a way to allow early testers, reviewers, and press to unlock content that would normally only be available through a purchase.
Developers have long been able to offer promo codes to download a paid app, but until today, there was no simple way to offer access to in-app purchases.
Developers are able to give away up to 100 promo codes for each in-app purchase item, up to a maximum of 1,000 codes per app every six months.
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You’ll need a new cable to connect the MacBook Pro and iPhone 7
Today, Apple unveiled brand new MacBook Pros with a dynamic Touch Bar and a quick (albeit forced) migration to USB-3 (AKA Thunderbolt). Of course it’s Apple’s prerogative to continue to push its customers towards better standards. It did it with USB back in the 90s and removed the headphone jack on its phones because it wants everyone to go wireless. But while it’s evolving its ports it also just made every iPhone owner that wants one of these computers buy a new dongle.
Sadly your fancy new iPhone 7 won’t directly connect to your new MacBook Pro. Think about that for a second. Two flagship devices from a company that prides itself on its ecosystem won’t connect to each other without a special converter.
Plus, Apple doesn’t include the needed dongle in the box with the new MacBook Pros. You have to buy it separately.
So iPhone 7 owners, in addition to your $9 headphone dongle, if you want a computer with a TouchBar, you’re going to have to pony up an additional $19 for the Apple USB-C to USB to connect to your phone. Or drop $25 for a Lighting to Thunderbolt cable.
Of course the iPhone isn’t the only device that’ll require a dongle. If you want to connect any of your legacy USB peripherals to your new MacBook Pro, you’re going to need a dongle until you upgrade to Thunderbolt-happy items. Additionally, you’re finally going to have to break down and buy an SD reader as it’s been whisked away to the land of headphone jacks, USB 2 and the 30-pin connector.
Oh and those fancy new Lightning headphones that came with your iPhone 7. You might as well keep them out of your laptop bag.
So @ericlimer is right, there’s no way to plug in the EarPods that come with the iPhone 7 into the new MacBook Pro https://t.co/q5zIJVkRyB
— Micah Singleton (@MicahSingleton) October 27, 2016
Sometimes progress is confusing and painful. Especially on the wallet.
Click here to catch all the latest news from Apple’s “Hello again” event.
The Morning After: Tuesday October 25th 2016
While you were sleeping, we found out where you can still buy a Galaxy Note 7 (don’t), Apple added Portrait mode to its flagship iPhone 7 Plus, and we’re thinking about what Microsoft has planned for later this week.
iOS 10.1 is herePortrait mode brings blurry backgrounds to iPhone 7 Plus photos
While it’s a mostly minor update, the iPhone 7 Plus will pick up another way to utilize its duo of rear-facing cameras. Yes, the once-teased portrait mode is now here to blur your backgrounds and make those portraits of loved ones really pop.
Disable in-app purchasesDoctors say your toddler can use your tablet — as long as you’re around to supervise
The American Academy of Pediatrics has softened its guidelines when it comes to screenwatchin’ for the under-twos, stating that they can watch “high-quality programming” (Sesame Workshop, for example) so long as you’re there to help understanding and monitor use. If your wee ones are younger than that, you should limit them to video chat for now. The AAP reiterates that, regardless of your children’s age, it’s important to both set “consistent limits” and ensure that device time doesn’t affect physical activity, play and sleep.
Tune in, turn on … TrumpSocial media isn’t just for apologies and insults
There’s no “Trump TV” yet, but the campaign has launched a daily show for its Facebook followers. So far, it’s not outdrawing Chewbacca Mom, but you all know those viewing counts are rigged anyway.
Scratching the surfaceHere’s what to expect from Microsoft’s ‘Imagine What You’ll Do’ event
New Surface? Sure, but in what shape — maybe an all-in-one? Perhaps, perhaps. While we probably won’t see a Surface Pro 5, we do expect Microsoft to explain what’ll happen in the next Windows 10 update, likely to launch in early 2017.
GastlyPokémon Go’s first global event is Halloween-themed
To celebrate All Hallows’ Eve, Pokémon Go creators Niantic Labs is increasing the encounter rate for its spookier Pocket Monsters. Gastly, Gengar, Golbat (ugh!) and more will appear far more frequently, while each monster caught will net you double the number of candies. In true trick-or-treat style, you’ll also get more candies from your Buddy Pokémon, and even from Professor Willow when you send him your Pokémon.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you shouldIf you want a Galaxy Note 7, they’re still on sale in Hong Kong
Because people like to risk carrying around something in their pocket that might explode in a burst of smoke. Read how Engadget Chinese editor-in-chief Richard Lai fared while trying to buy one — and why they’re still on sale in the first place.
But wait, there’s more…
- Hackers can gain full access in five seconds with this Linux exploit
- Stare at this beautifully detailed map of the Milky Way
- New White House initiative hopes to ensure microsatellites thrive
- A new stylus-toting Samsung Galaxy device that won’t burst into smoke
There’s an inactive one-handed keyboard hidden inside iOS code
In these days of big iPhones, smaller-handed individuals have trouble typing up a storm on their iOS devices. However, since iOS 8 (at least), Apple has toyed with an edge-swipe activated one-hand keyboard. To keep characters closer to your thumb, it squishes character keys and expands copy and paste buttons, keeping the word prediction rail above the keys. Alas, it still remains unfinished and inaccessible, hidden away in the iPhone’s Xcode.
Developer Steve Troughton-Smith spotted the code inside Apple’s iOS simulator, noting that the code for it has likely existed for several years, even if it hasn’t surfaced in iPhones yet. Big Android phone makers like Samsung and LG have offered truncated and even floating keyboard windows after the companies moved into smartphones larger than four inches. Android’s native keyboard also has a one-handed option if you need it.
Troughton-Smith even released the code chunk for jail-breakers to make a reality… if you jailbreak your iPhone. And here it is in action, albeit steered with a mouse:
Video or it didn’t happen: (very hard to engage in the Simulator with a mouse cursor) pic.twitter.com/vw2wpCgiLJ
— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) October 19, 2016
Via: Apple Insider
Source: Twitter (@stroughtonsmith)
AT&T’s insurance plan will soon repair busted phone screens
If you have insurance on your phone and smash the ever-loving tar out of the screen, you normally have to file a claim, pay a deductible and wait for a replacement device. Bleh. AT&T and its insurance provider Asurion, however, are trying something a little different. As of November 15, people paying to insure their phones can shell out $89 to — schedule permitting — have a technician repair that display that very day.
Same-day repairs definitely aren’t guaranteed, but the plan could work well for people who can’t go without their phones or don’t have the time for the traditional trade-in process. You stand to save a little money, too: the usual deductible for a high-end smartphone fluctuates between $150 and $225 depending on what it is, so just under $90 doesn’t sound like a bad deal for potentially speedy service.
There are a couple caveats you should know about, though — for one, the new plan only applies to certain smartphones. If you have an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus or SE, you’re in luck. Ditto if you own Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S5 or Galaxy S6. You might notice some very popular omissions from that list, namely the most recent iPhone and Galaxy S devices, but that’s probably because the requisite parts are more pricey or tougher to come by. Beyond that, the screen replacement plan is only set to launch in 14 markets come November 15; you can check out the full list (plus markets launching down the road) below.
Via: AndroidPolice
Source: AT&T
Here’s Apple’s workaround when your iPhone 7 home button fails
The iPhone 7’s non-moving home button may feel odd at first, but it has its perks… especially if it ever stops working. MacRumors forum goer iwayne has shown that the new iPhone will give you an on-screen home button (along with a warning that you may need repairs) if it thinks the physical key is broken. While that’s not much consolation if your phone needs to be fixed, it does mean that you can keep using your device in a relatively normal way while you’re waiting for your Genius Bar appointment.
The technology may be short-lived when there are reports of Apple possibly ditching physical home buttons entirely with the next iPhone. However, it’s not hard to see why Apple would push for a motionless button in the short term. It’s not just the customizable haptic feedback — the new design is theoretically less likely to break (since it doesn’t click down) and reduces the pressure to get an immediate fix. That helps Apple’s bottom line, of course, but it may also make you a happier owner in the long term.
Image credit: iwayne, MacRumors Forums
Via: MacRumors
Source: MacRumors Forums
Olloclip’s new lenses attach quickly to your iPhone 7
Now that there are new iPhones with revised cameras, many smartphone photographers are going to want new Olloclip lenses. Thankfully, they’ve arrived… and Olloclip didn’t just tweak the connectors and call it a day. Its new Core, Active and Macro Pro lens sets not only have improved optics (“premium multi-element coated glass,” Olloclip says), but an improved interchangeable lens system. Called Connect, it separates the frame on your phone from the lens housings. This lets them quickly attach to and align with your iPhone’s camera, even if you have a screen protector. You should spend less time swapping lenses and more time shooting, in other words.
The lenses themselves aren’t a revolution, but they’ll cover most of your photographic needs. The $100 Core Lens kit includes fisheye, 120-degree wide-angle and 15X macro lenses that prioritize flexibility above all else. You can get it with a protective case for $120. The $80 Macro Pro set includes 7X, 15X and 21X lenses for extreme close-ups, while the $120 Active Lens bundle includes both a 2X telephoto lens and a 155-degree ultra-wide lens to capture those outdoor adventures.
You can pre-order all of the lens kits today ahead of the planned early November launch. You may want to choose your lenses carefully if you have an iPhone 7 Plus, however. There’s no mention of taking advantage of the Plus’ longer-range secondary camera — you’re not going to combine that extra zoom with Olloclip’s other optical tricks.
Via: Mashable
Source: Olloclip (PR Newswire)
Apple Watch Banned From U.K. Government Cabinet Meetings Over Hacking Fears
Government ministers in the United Kingdom have been banned from wearing the Apple Watch to cabinet meetings over fears the device could be hacked, according to The Telegraph.
Several cabinet ministers reportedly wore the device to meetings while serving under former Prime Minister David Cameron, however new PM Theresa May has apparently banned the smartwatches over fears that they could be used by Russian spies as listening devices. One source told The Telegraph: “The Russians are trying to hack everything.”
The Verge notes that the Apple Watch has been banned from Australian cabinet meetings as well. An advisor for the Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull said that more attention needed to be paid to communications security as an increasing number of devices, from glasses to running shoes, offered internet connectivity.
The bans follow serious concerns over the potential reach of clandestine state-sponsored hacker groups, after U.S. officials pointed the finger at Russian hackers following the release of confidential emails from the Democratic National Congress during the U.S. election.
Russian hackers have also been implicated in the release of private medical files of some of the world’s most famous athletes. Smartphones have also been barred from the Cabinet because of similar worries that the devices could be used to listen in on meetings.
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