macOS Sierra: Photos Gains ‘Memories’ and Messages Adds Rich Links, Tapback, and Large Emoji
One of the simpler updates arriving in macOS Sierra is an overhauled experience for both Photos and Messages, bringing each app closer to their newly-updated iOS 10 counterparts. For Messages, that means users will now be able to use the Mac version of the app to send and receive rich links and Tapback messages, along with larger emoji characters when three or fewer are sent in a message.
Otherwise, Messages for Mac doesn’t have the other additions introduced in iOS 10, including Digital Touch messages and the Messages App Store with sticker functionality. Users will still have to open their iPhones to send these types of messages, although macOS Sierra will better accommodate the visual placement of stickers and Tapback notifications than previous versions of Apple’s desktop software.
On the Photos side of things, the Mac version of the app will now have the “Memories” tab that was introduced in iOS 10. The feature intelligently curates photo collections based on location, date, and even the people within each image, and puts them all into new short videos for you to view. Although the feature is streamlined, users can choose to customize each Memory to their liking, similar to the Memories editing process in iOS 10.
Some of the memory categories Photos surfaces includes Recent events, Last Week, Last Weekend, Year summary, Trips, Birthdays, and more. Users who have already set up their People album in iOS 10 will have to re-scan their image library in Sierra since facial recognition settings don’t carry over between devices. There will also be an new “Places” album to see the location of every image you’ve taken on a world map.
Other tidbit updates in Photos include a new “Brilliance” tool to improve photo detail through adding contrast and highlights, and Live Photo editing with filters and various other adjustment instruments. Third-party developers are also now able to use a Live Photo Editing API to create tools for editing Live Photos in Sierra.
macOS Sierra is available as a free download on the Mac App Store starting today. Check out the MacRumors Sierra roundup for more information on the new operating system, and keep a lookout for the rest of our macOS coverage.
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macOS Sierra: Picture in Picture Mode for Safari and iTunes Videos
With macOS Sierra, users can can float a video window from Safari or iTunes over the desktop or an app thanks to a new picture-in-picture mode. The feature enables Mac users to play a video in any one of the four corners of the desktop and resize it to see more or less of the window behind it.
The video remains pinned above the desktop and apps, including in full-screen mode and split view, so long as the Safari tab or iTunes window where the video originates remains open. The picture-in-picture window has buttons to close or unpin the video, and play and pause controls, but no rewind, fast forward, or scrubbing options.
In Safari, picture-in-picture mode currently only works on certain websites, such as YouTube, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal, but the feature should become more widely available as other websites implement it. In the meantime, it does not work on websites like Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, AMC, or The New York Times.
Even on YouTube, enabling picture-in-picture mode currently requires somewhat of a workaround. Since there is no picture-in-picture mode button in the video player itself, like in the CNN screenshot above, enabling the feature on YouTube requires right-clicking the video player twice until a contextual menu pops up with the option.
macOS Sierra was released today as a free download on the Mac App Store.
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macOS Sierra: How to Unlock Your Mac With Your Apple Watch
macOS Sierra makes it easier for Apple Watch owners to unlock their Macs with a new “Auto Unlock” feature that lets the Apple Watch be used for authentication purposes instead of a traditional password.
It’s a feature that’s limited to more recent Macs so it’s not going to work on every machine that can run Sierra, but when it is available, Auto Unlock is a super useful feature that genuinely saves a bit of time. It isn’t enabled by default, so there are a few steps to go through to turn Auto Unlock on. Here’s how to use it.
Navigate to the Apple logo on the upper left hand of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
Click on “Security & Privacy” from the first row of apps.
Auto Unlock is an option under the “General” section. Click the check box to turn it on.
Enter your password.
Once enabled, Auto Unlock works automatically whenever your authenticated Apple Watch is near your Mac (as in within a few feet). When waking a Mac from sleep and the password entry screen pops up, it will say “Unlocking with Apple Watch…” instead of bringing up the password text box.
A few seconds later, the Mac will unlock and you will receive a notification on your Apple Watch letting you know the unlocking was successful. If Auto Unlock fails to authenticate for some reason, the password entry option will pop up after approximately 10 seconds and you will be required to enter your password to log in.
Auto Unlock is a Continuity feature, so it is limited to some of Apple’s more recent machines. It is supported by all Mac models introduced in mid-2013 or later, and it requires an Apple Watch running watchOS 3 paired with an iPhone 5 or later. Handoff must be turned on in System Preferences (General –> Allow Handoff) and your iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac must be signed into the same iCloud account.
To enable Auto Unlock, you will also need to turn on Two-Factor Authentication if it isn’t on already.
For those of you using the original Two-Step Verification instead of the Two-Factor Authentication feature introduced with iOS 10, you will need to disable Two-Step Verification on the Apple ID management site and then enable Two-Factor Authentication on an iOS device. A passcode also needs to be established on the Apple Watch.
Apple doesn’t offer troubleshooting tips if Auto Unlock isn’t working, but signing out of iCloud and back in again and restarting your devices may help solve any issues.
There are still instances where you will need to log in with a password, like after rebooting your machine, but for the most part, Auto Unlock successfully replaces password entry on the Mac.
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macOS Sierra: Apps Gain Safari-Style Tabs
One of the new features in macOS Sierra is tabbed windows throughout the operating system, bringing a feature that was once limited to Safari to all Mac apps, first and third party.
In apps like Pages, Keynote, and Numbers, when you work with multiple documents, there’s now an option to organize them into separate tabs instead of separate windows. This feature is available in most first-party Apple apps, including Mail, Maps, TextEdit, and more.
To use the new tab feature in an app that supports it, whenever two or more windows are open, choose the “Window” option from the menu bar and select “Merge All Windows.” The individual windows will become a single window with tabs to switch between files.
Tabs in apps work just like tabs in Safari. In Apple’s apps, Command + T will open a new tab automatically, as will the “+” button, and tabs can be dragged out into their own separate windows.
In some cases, third-party apps will automatically support tabbed windows, but for other apps, developers may have to make some changes to enable it. Text editing app Byword, for example, now has an option to combine all open windows into a single window with tab, and other apps will soon follow now that macOS Sierra is available to the public.
macOS Sierra is available as a free download from the Mac App Store starting today. For more information on the features included in the latest operating system update, make sure to check out our macOs Sierra roundup.
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iPhone 7 Component Costs Estimated to Start at $220
iPhone 7 component costs are estimated to start at $219.80, which is $36.89 higher than iPhone 6s, according to a preliminary teardown [Excel] of a 32GB model by IHS Markit.
The display remains the most expensive component, costing an estimated $43, followed by an Intel modem and other baseband chips worth an estimated total of $33.90.
Apple’s quad-core A10 Fusion chip is the third most expensive item on the bill of materials, costing an estimated $26.90. Meanwhile, the larger 1,920 mAh battery is said to cost just $2.50.
The larger rear-facing iSight camera and improved 7-megapixel front-facing FaceTime camera cost a combined $19.90, according to IHS Markit. Electromechanical components, including the Taptic Engine, antennas, connectors, microphones, and stereo speakers, cost an estimated $16.70 combined.
iPhone 7’s 2GB of RAM supplied by Samsung, and 32GB of flash storage supplied by SK Hynix, are estimated to cost a combined $16.40. An audio codec and audio amplifier supplied by Cirrus Logic, an NFC controller supplied by NXP, a Bosch Sensortec-made barometer, along with an accelerometer, gyroscope, Touch ID, proximity sensor, and other sensors, cost an estimated $14 altogether.
The accessories included in the iPhone 7 box, including a Lightning-to-USB cable, Lightning-to-3.5mm audio adapter, EarPods with a Lightning connector, and 5W USB power adapter cost an estimated $11.80 combined.
IHS raises Apple’s total cost to manufacture the iPhone 7 to $224.80 after adding $5 in “basic manufacturing costs” related to assembly, insertion, and testing. A 32GB iPhone 7 Plus costs $649 as a point of comparison.
However, the bill of materials does not factor in costs related to, among other things, research and development, software, licensing costs, and transportation. The accuracy of the component costs is also questionable. Last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook said he has never seen a cost breakdown that is “anywhere close to being accurate,” adding that they are generally “much different than the reality.”
At least in comparison to IHS estimates for previous iPhones, the iPhone 7’s bill of materials is seemingly costlier than the iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, and iPhone 5, each estimated to start at $200, and the iPhone SE at $160.
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Best Cases For Honor 8
What are the best cases you can buy today for the Honor 8?
The Honor 8, as made by Huawei, is one of the most attractive budget smartphones available right now. Take care of it by housing it in one of these recommended cases.
We’ll keep updating this page as more cases become available. In the meantime, we’ve got some great suggestions to outfit your unlocked Honor 8.
- Huawei Honor 8 Case
- Terrapin Floral Card Case
- Vinve Ultra Slim Hard Cover
- DWaybox Heavy Duty Case
- MoKo Universal Waterproof Case
Huawei Honor 8 Case
Sometimes, the best case for your new smartphone is the official one. Huawei’s clear Honor 8 case is the easiest choice if all you’re looking for is simple protection.
This official Honor 8 case is made out of see-through TPU plastic so that the color and design of your smartphone shines through. Best of all, this case is only ten bucks and it’s available on Amazon Prime.
See at Amazon
Terrapin Floral Card Case
Ladies, if you’re into floral patterns, you might find the Terrapin case wallet to be a particularly attractive choice for your Honor 8. It’s made of faux red leather and it has a frilly flower pattern made of cotton on the inside.
There are also three slots for your credit cards, as well as a larger pocket for your cash. And if you like to carry the wallet case solo, there’s an optional wrist strap that comes with the case.
See at Amazon
Vinve Ultra Slim Hard Cover
Looking for something with a little more grip? How about a physical ring on the back, so that you can literally hold on to the Honor 8? The Vinve Ultra Slim Hard Cover case is both slim, as its name states, and practical. The case helps protect the back and the sides of the chassis, and it features a 360-degree rotating ring that you can hook your finger into as you’re using it. The ring also doubles as a stand, so you can prop up the case to watch videos on the go.
The Vinve Ultra Slim Hard Cover comes in rose gold and black. Be advised that the Amazon listing offers a couple of other cases, too, but they aren’t the ones we’re referencing here.
See at Amazon
DWaybox Heavy Duty Case
Unfortunately, there aren’t any Otterbox cases available for the Honor 8. But if you’re looking for something to protect against hard drops, the affordable Dwaybox Heavy Duty case is substantial enough.
The case is comprised of two pieces: a silicone inner layer and a plastic hard shell covering. There’s also a kickstand can you pop out to use the Honor 8 in landscape mode.
See at Amazon
MoKo Universal Waterproof Case
Just because you didn’t buy the latest water resistant flagship doesn’t mean that you can’t take the smartphone you currently have into the water.
Grab a universal waterproof case from MoKo for your Honor 8 so that you can take it out on a paddleboard with nary a worry. These water resistant pouches let you use your phone regardless of water splashing everywhere. This affordable pouch is a guarantee against the elements of the beach, though you should avoid dunk the Honor 8 in its entirety.
See at Amazon
State your case
Are you using one of our recommended cases for your Honor 8? Tell us how you like it. Or, if you’re aching to tell us about another case you’ve found outstanding, shout it out in the comments below!
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Huawei’s best mid-range phone is coming to Canada in October
The Huawei Nova series is an interesting product line. Half flagship, half midrange, it embodies the shifting nature of the Android market away from expensive, highly-subsidized phones.
After debuting at IFA earlier this month, the Nova and its larger Nova Plus counterpart is coming to Europe in early October, and now we’re learning that the larger model will come to Canada, too.
Huawei Canada has announced that the 5.5-inch Nova Plus will arrive in Canada on October 18, going on sale at Rogers, Fido, and Virgin Mobile for an undisclosed price. The phone, which features a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a Snapdragon 625 SoC, 3GB of RAM, a 16MP rear camera sensor with OIS, and a large 3,340mAh battery, retails for €429 across the pond, so you can expect a similar price in Canadian dollars when it arrives later next month.
More: Huawei Nova & Nova Plus review
I admit to being pretty excited to see more higher-quality Huawei devices in Canada after the awful GR5, which was a rebranded Honor 5X. Based on Alex’s review, it seems that the hardware is pretty solid, and the only imcumbrance is the EMUI 4.1 software, which while based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, purposefully branches away from several elements of Android so compelling.
Are you interested in the Huawei Nova Plus? Let us know in the comments!
Spigen Style Ring Review: The ultimate phone accessory
Spigen’s Style Ring is a multipurpose minimalist phone accessory you may just fall in love with.
So many smartphone accessories claim themselves to be a must-have accessory, but rarely do they actually live up to the advertised hype. More often than not, they end up in some drawer after a month or two for one reason or another — you’ve upgraded to a new phone that’s not compatible with it, or you just got bored with using it.
The Spigen Style Ring may just be able to buck that trend. By incorporating so many handy features into one universal smartphone accessory, it basically become more and more essential the longer you use it.
And if you’re also among the millions of folks swept up in Pokémon Go mania, you’ve spent countless hours running through your city trying to catch ’em all. During our own hunting adventures, we’ve come to realize the Style Ring is also the perfect Pokémon Go accessory.
No more death-gripping your phone
If you’ve own a smartphone for long enough, drop damage is inevitable. If you’re lucky, it falls the “right way” and doesn’t cause any permanent scuffs or cracks. With the Style Ring, you get an added layer of security when your phone is in hand. Slip your finger in the ring and you really don’t have to worry about dropping your phone.
For Pokémon, the idea of not having to death grip your phone as you weave your way down streets and through parks tracking an elusive Pokémon is pretty novel. The Style Ring gives you the confidence and freedom to take off running when you hear someone yell about a wild Vaporeon — without ever having to worry about dropping your phone.
Perfectly car compatible
Another simple accessory included with every Style Ring is the Hook Mount, a little rubberized-plastic nub with mounting tape on the back. Wipe down a spot on your car’s dashboard, adhere the Hook Mount, and you just installed one of the most minimalist car mounts for your phone on the market.
To mount your phone, you simply extend the ring, hook it on the mount, and push until you feel it pop into place. BAM! Your phone is secure and accessible to you as you drive. Perfect for controlling your music on the go, following along with turn-by-turn directions from Google Maps, or a quick swipe if you’re near a PokéStop at a red light.
For Pokémon players who love to play while being driven around, the Style Ring lets you confidently lean out the window like a dog and really stretch your phone to get into range of distant PokéStop. As long as you’ve got the Style Ring on your finger, your phone is secure. We’re definitely not recommending such behavior, we’ve just seen people doing it and it’s only a matter of time before someone’s phone slips and shatters on the pavement below.
Also works great on bike
If you’re more of a Pokémon purist, maybe you prefer to bike around as you hatch and catch. With the Style Ring, you’re able to maintain much better control of your bike while still managing to keep your phone literally on hand. This allows you to conveniently swipe PokéStops as you bike past, or pop off your bike at a moment’s notice when you feel that vibration informing you a Pokémon is around.
This goes without saying, but as the game warns on load up, always be careful and alert when you’re out and about. Heed the words of Professor Oak who frequently scolded you — there are time and places where you simply shouldn’t be on your bike. Be considerate to your fellow trainers!
Better range for one-handed Pokéball throws
So we’ve talked about how the Style Ring can help you keep a better grip on your phone, but let’s talk about how the Style Ring might help with some Pokémon Go fundamentals: catching Pokémon!
Spigen highlights how the Style Ring grants you a wider reach across larger smartphones. This added range will give you more control over your Poké Ball throws.
Once you’re on that XP grind to to level up your trainer, every little addition helps. That means maximizing every Pokémon catch with a throw bonus. One of the coolest (and often frustrating) techniques is the curveball throw. It nets you an extra 10 XP, which should become automatic when you get the curveball down pat.
If you need to work on your curveball throws, we’ve got a guide for that!
And it’s got other uses beyond Pokémon Go, too
On top of everything previously mentioned, the Style Ring also doubles as a kickstand, which is awesome. With the ability to tilt and swivel the ring 180 and 360 degrees respectively, you have the freedom to set up your phone any which way you want. Prop it up in portrait orientation on your work desk, or flip it to landscape for watching YouTube videos or Netflix.
There are many other clever uses for the Style Ring — you just need to use your imagination. Mobile Nation’s own Kevin Michaluk is a huge fan of the Style Ring. On top of all the awesome functionality of the Style Ring mentioned above, he enjoys using it as a spin-the-phone game for determining who’s going to pick up the cheque when out for dinner with friends.
Because of how the Style Ring secures to the back of your phone, removing it does takes some elbow grease. Best practise is to wedge something thin such as a guitar pick under a corner then slowly peel it back. But you can swap the Style Ring to another phone, which is great. Take care of your Style Ring and it may just outlive your device.
Oh, and if you’re wondering, it doesn’t quite work as a beer bottle opener. We tried.
Get it to match your phone
Spigen offers the Style Ring in five familiar colors — Space grey, Champagne Gold, Black, and White — so you should be able to find the right color to match your phone.
If only they came in Valor red, Mystic blue and Instinct yellow. (Psst! Spigen, you listening?)
An essential accessory, for average phone user, or the ultimate Pokémon Go fan!
See at Amazon
Go Time! Episode 10: The big repeat
Episode 10 of Go Time! has arrived!
In Episode ten of Go Time Jen, Russell and Thom are here to rep their respective teams.
This week, the awesome Thom Obarski joins to represent Team Mystic. The group chats about Pokémon buddies, Pikachu’s easter eggs, and the Pokémon that Thom is used to seeing. But what they really wanted to talk about is how they would play the game differently if they were to start over today. Plus, the best strategies, and how newer players might have a leg up as they make the climb to level 20.
Join us weekly for the awesomeness of Pokémon Go!
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- Or add us to your podcatcher of choice!
You can also join our Facebook page to keep up on all things Pokémon Go. See you in the world!
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ABC signs Facebook deal to livestream 2016 presidential debates
When ABC started experimenting with online streaming of the Democratic and Republican national conventions on Facebook this summer, they got a whopping 28 million video views. Whether that was an influx of cord-cutters or just a hungry public that does more browsing than TV watching, the success was proof enough for the network to go bigger for the next phase in the election. They will broadcast the presidential debates on Facebook Live advertisement-free, beginning with the first one on September 26th.
As we pointed out when ABC partnered with Facebook for the conventions, creating material specifically for an online audience is a huge step up from rehashing TV coverage. On the days of, network anchor commentary will precede and follow the 90-minute main events. ABC will fill up its Facebook page with supplementary coverage, including on-the-ground reporting in the debates’ host cities. Just like they did at the DNC and RNC, they will will incorporate viewer questions and discussions into their commentary.
Source: Variety
