Apple’s iOS 10 is bricking iPhones
Apple’s iOS 10 just dropped this morning and, less than an hour after launch, the landings haven’t been smooth for everyone. From the get-go, Twitter has lit up with reports of people’s phones (including your humble Engadget contributor) getting bricked or otherwise stuck in the update-restore process.
It appears iPhones weren’t the only devices having trouble with the update, either. As Brianna Wu noted on Twitter, the update has also bricked her iPad Pro.
Do not install iOS 10. It’s also bricked my iPad Pro. iPhone 6S Plus will require PSU wipe. No access to calls, email, or calendar today.
— Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) September 13, 2016
Apple, for their part, issued a statement saying: “We experienced a brief issue with the software update process, affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability. The problem was quickly resolved and we apologize to those customers. Anyone who was affected should connect to iTunes to complete the update or contact AppleCare for help.”
Of course, that’s cold comfort for someone still staring down the “Connect to iTunes screen.”
BMW and VW finish installing EV chargers along US coastlines
If you regularly drive some of the busiest highways in the US, you now have a stronger incentive to pick up an electric car. BMW, Volkswagen and ChargePoint have finished installing 95 promised EV charging stations along key routes on the US’ eastern and western coastlines. The chargers, typically placed about 50 miles apart, will help you travel from Boston to Washington, DC (mostly along Interstate 95) or Portland, Oregon to San Diego (on Highway 101 and Interstate 5) without worrying about your battery.
All stations have SAE Combo fast charging, so you can top up cars like the BMW i3 or VW e-Golf anywhere along the charger network. Some of them also have CHAdeMO plugs for cars like the Nissan Leaf, and you’ll also find slower J1772 charging at some spots. It’s not the most comprehensive network as a result, but it’s bound to help if you’d rather not buy a Tesla just to enjoy long-distance electric travel.
Via: The Verge
Source: ChargePoint
Periscope gets iMessage hearts, improved iPad support on iOS 10
Periscope’s been tweaking its service to better take on main rival Facebook Live, and with the release of iOS 10 today, the Twitter-owned app gets a big upgrade. The new version of the livestreaming app will come with native iPad support, improved global and home feeds, as well as hearts stickers that you can use in the iPhone’s messaging app.
The announcement also includes a feature that was already disclosed last week that lets you see when people you follow start tuning in to your broadcast. Now, you’ll see the avatars of your friends chilling out at the bottom of your screen while you cast your stream.
In iOS 10, you’ll be able to send stickers that resemble Periscope’s famous hearts that pop up when people like your stream. This is only on iMessage, though, which means it’ll only work between those on iOS (sorry, Android users).
The app’s global feed, which shows all the livestreams around the world at that time, will now display other broadcasts that are similar to what you’re watching. Videos will also be larger and autoplay in the home and global feed.
The new native iPad support means that instead of having to press a “2x” button to scale up the iPhone app to fit the larger screen, you’ll now get an app interface tailored for a bigger display.
As the world gets more and more dependent on livestreams for its news and entertainment, service providers are providing better tools to support content creators (and consumers). Just last week, Twitter added a new tool that will alert you whenever celebs and your friends start broadcasting, making sure you never miss a new stream.
Source: Periscope on Medium
Adblock Plus launches its very own ad network
The immensely popular (and sometimes controversial) Adblock Plus browser extension is taking the next step in its crusade to clean up online advertising — even if that effort comes at a cost to users and publishers. On Tuesday, Adblock Plus announced it is joining the ranks of those online advertisers and launching its own ad network called the Acceptable Ads Platform.
While it doesn’t really jibe with the company’s original goal of blocking ads entirely, the new platform claims it will allow bloggers and publishers to quickly and easily select “pre-whitelisted ads that they can drag and drop onto their sites.” The ads must meet ABP’s own Acceptable Ads criteria for size and labeling, but once they’re placed on a publisher’s site, the ads will be visible to ABP’s millions of users. According to the Wall Street Journal, about a quarter of US internet users have an ad blocker installed on their desktop browsers.
“The Acceptable Ads Platform helps publishers who want to show an alternative, nonintrusive ad experience to users with ad blockers by providing them with a tool that lets them implement Acceptable Ads themselves,” Till Faida, co-founder of Adblock Plus said in a release.
On the user’s end, Adblock Plus will still block ads that are not served by the new platform and users can turn off even the “acceptable” ads if they so choose. Those users who aren’t running ABP will, of course, always get the site’s original ads.
While the system is an overall win for anyone who dislikes obtrusive, annoying or obnoxious ads, the Journal also notes that Adblock Plus already whitelists ads from Google, Microsoft Corp. and Taboola. For now, the platform is in open beta for publishers and advertisers. A full launch will follow in the fall.
Source: Adblock Plus, BusinessWire
Foursquare’s revamped city guide app puts search at its center
Foursquare’s namesake app is all about finding things to do around town, but it hasn’t really put the strongest focus on the finding part — it’s usually focused on suggestions. Well, the company is fixing that today. The new Foursquare 10 for Android and iOS has a redesigned home screen that puts search at its heart. On top of a more prominent search box, you’ll also get big quick access buttons that help you find common activities, such as dinner or nightclubs. And if you’re on iOS 10, you’ll get rich notifications that include photos and quick actions.
If you spend more of your time in Swarm, you’re also in luck. If you’ve spent ages accumulating in-game coins, you can now spend them to unlock the service’s real-world deals. UNIQLO will give you a $5 gift card, for instance, while Miami’s Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market will give you $10 off. San Francisco’s Balboa Cafe will even hand you some free ice cream. And now that those coins are useful for more than stickers, you have more ways to earn them — the app will occasionally ask you trivia questions about your travels (say, the last time you hung out somewhere) in return for some virtual currency. In short: you now have a good fiscal incentive to use Swarm every day, not just when you’re out on the town.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Foursquare, App Store, Google Play
Apple’s iWork for iOS Apps Updated With Real-Time Collaboration
Apple today updated its iWork line of apps, including Pages, Keynote, and Numbers, for iOS 10. The new versions of the apps include a real-time collaboration feature, which is available as a beta.
With real-time collaboration, first announced on September 7, multiple users can edit an iWork document at one time using a Mac, an iOS device, or iCloud.com. Real-time collaboration allows all users to see what each person is doing inside the document, with multiple cursors and a list of document editors.
Also included in today’s update is a new formatting pane designed for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, support for wide color gamut (a feature coming in the iPhone 7), improved downloading, and enhanced keyboard navigation and keyboard shortcuts.
What’s New in Version 3.0
– Real-time collaboration (feature in beta)
– Edit a document with others at the same time in Pages on Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iCloud.com
– Share your document publicly or with specific people
– See who else is in a document
– See participants’ cursors as they’re editing– A new format pane takes advantage of the display on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro
– Improved downloading – Pages now downloads documents from iCloud only when you’re ready to work on them
– Wide color gamut image support
– Enhanced keyboard navigation and additional keyboard shortcuts
In Keynote, there’s an option to present a slideshow that users can follow along with from their Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iCloud.com, and there’s a feature for highlighting with the Apple Pencil while presenting on the iPad Pro. Pages and Keynote also both feature support for opening and editing Pages and Keynote ’05 documents.
Apple’s line of iWork apps are free to users who have recently purchased a new Mac or iOS device. Otherwise, each iWork app for Mac is available for $19.99 while each iWork app for iOS is available for $9.99.
Pages for iOS – [App Store]
Keynote for iOS – [App Store]
Numbers for iOS – [App Store]
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Apple Says Over-the-Air iOS 10 Update Issue is Fixed
In a statement given to BuzzFeed’s John Paczkowski, Apple says the issue that was causing iOS 10 updates installed over-the-air to fail on some iPads and iPhones has been resolved, making it safe to resume iOS 10 downloads.
“We experienced a brief issue with the software update process, affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability. The problem was quickly resolved and we apologize to those customers. Anyone who was affected should connect to iTunes to complete the update or contact AppleCare for help.
Shortly after iOS 10 was released, a number of people who attempted to install iOS 10 using an over-the-air download saw their installation fail, effectively bricking devices until plugged into iTunes for an update or restore. For people who are not near a computer or who do not own one, this is a significant problem.
Users who were already affected by the problem will need to continue on with the restore process using a computer, but new users who attempt to install the update should not run into the problem.
Apple recommends creating a backup before installing any new iOS update, and those worried about having the install fail can instead download the update through iTunes, an installation method that has not been affected.
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How to Use iOS 10’s Redesigned Lock Screen
With a brand-new iOS operating system now available, many users are excited to delve into iOS 10’s biggest and boldest changes, like an overhauled Messages app and a more personal space in Photos to relive past vacations and family get-togethers. However, before you even get to all of iOS 10’s new features, you’ll have to get used to its new lock screen mechanisms, which completely change the way the iPhone is unlocked moving forward.
iOS 10 brings about the first major overhaul to the lock screen since the iPhone launched in 2007, ditching the popular “Slide to Unlock” instruction on the bottom of the screen for a collection of new prompts that make it easier than ever take advantage of the lock screen. Prior to iOS 10, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users in particular experienced some frustrations with the traditional method of unlocking the phone, as the faster Touch ID system would unlock “too quickly,” causing users to miss notifications that might have been on the lock screen.
While slightly complex until you get the hang of it, iOS 10 streamlines this process so that you can still have your thumb placed on Touch ID when the iPhone wakes up via a new Raise to Wake feature on the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE, without immediately jumping past the lock screen. For more details on how to navigate the lock screen, interact with notifications, and unlock your iPhone, follow each set of instructions below.
Navigating the iOS 10 Lock Screen
Before you even get past the lock screen, there are a few new additions to the front-end menus in iOS 10 that should be noted for anyone who likes to take a glimpse at their apps or snap a quick photo without unlocking their iPhone.
To start off, bring your iPhone up to eye level to activate Raise to Wake.
Once the screen is awake, simply swipe right-to-left to bring up the iPhone camera.
To go back to the main lock screen while still in camera, press the home button (trying to swipe back right will simply cycle through the camera’s various photo and video modes).
Swipe right from the main lock screen to access your widgets page, which contains a customizable array of widget-supported apps you have downloaded onto your iPhone.
Scroll down to view more widgets.
All the way at the bottom you will find an “Edit” button to rearrange, delete and add any new widgets onto your lock screen.
If you decide to enter the edit menu, gently place your finger on the home button or enter your passcode when prompted.
Tap “Done” when finished editing your widgets, or “Cancel” if you change your mind.
Return to the central lock screen by swiping left.
Interacting With Notifications on the iOS 10 Lock Screen
Thanks to new rich notifications in iOS 10 on 3D Touch-enabled iPhones, you can also use quick actions to jump directly into your favorite apps. Apps currently have varying degrees of interactivity, with Apple’s own apps unsurprisingly having the greatest functionality for the time being.
Apple’s first-party Messages and Mail apps, for example, allow you to perform various actions directly from the lock screen, such as responding to messages, while most other third-party apps simply direct you to the app itself once your phone is open because developers need to specifically add support for rich notifications. As with the adoption of 3D Touch itself, these features are expected to grow in popularity as more developers embrace iOS 10.
Since any app that allows you to remain on the lock screen will be largely self-explanatory (like typing a text in Messages, as in the screenshot below), these steps will be for notifications that require you to dive past the lock screen.
Whenever you have an incoming notification, tap and hold on the message to activate 3D Touch.
The resulting dialog box prompts vary from app to app, but could include the option to place a bid on an ending auction (eBay), or view the post a friend recently liked (Instagram), among a variety of other options.
If you choose to follow through with the 3D Touch pop-up dialogue box, enter your passcode or place a finger on the home button to activate Touch ID.
The iPhone will then unlock and bring you to the app you were interacting with on the lock screen.
If you change your mind following a 3D Touch press, tap anywhere else on the screen to return to the normal view.
Note: Apps that don’t support rich notifications on the lock screen will simply lack any interactive prompts after pressed upon.
Unlocking the iOS 10 Lock Screen
When you’re finally ready to get into your iPhone, follow these steps to get past the security features of iOS 10.
As with any interaction on the iOS 10 lock screen, wake up your iPhone by picking up the device using Raise to Wake. On an iPad, you’ll need to quickly press the home or power button to activate the screen.
Gently place a Touch ID-approved finger or thumb on the home button to “unlock” the iPhone (do not press the button down).
Now you’ll see “Press home to open” at the bottom of the screen.
From here, you can browse notifications, and see widgets that require the iPhone to be unlocked before using (like Activity).
When you’re ready to enter your iPhone, simply press the Home button.
Note: If Touch ID fails after three tries, the traditional number pad will prompt you for your iPhone passcode, which will open your iPhone immediately.
Although the new features of the lock screen let you peruse various notifications and widgets for as long as you want, the duality of Raise to Wake and Touch ID also let you enter an iPhone in one quick gesture, as long as you press the home button as soon as you wake up the screen. This method will provide an unlocking method closer to that of iOS 9.
It takes a little getting used to at first, but after a few tries the new unlocking method feels far easier and more convenient than the old mainstay of swiping to unlock. MacRumors will have plenty of other how-to guides coming out to help users get acquainted with iOS 10, so keep a watch out for those and visit the forums for more specific user-created topics focused on the iPhone 7 and iOS 10.
Related Roundup: iOS 10
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Apple Removes Option to Purchase Gift Cards by Email
Apple recently removed the option to purchase Apple Store or iTunes gift cards by email from its U.S. website, eliminating the ability to buy e-gift cards.
The option to purchase physical Apple Store or iTunes gift cards by mail remains on Apple’s website, while both physical and e-gift cards remain available from third-party resellers such as Walmart and Staples.
Apple previously allowed customers to purchase digital gift cards and send them by email. The purchaser selected a card design and value, and composed a birthday wish or similar message for the recipient.
The change appears limited to the U.S. for now, as Apple continues to sell Apple Store and iTunes gift cards by email in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Tag: Apple retail
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Best cases for Moto G4 Play
What are the best cases you can buy today for the Moto G4 Play?
The Moto G4 Play is barely out of the gate, but if you’re aching to equip it with some stylish protection, here are a few worthy considerations.
We’ll keep updating this page as more cases become available. In the meantime, we’ve got some great suggestions to outfit your new mid-range Moto G4 Play.
- Cimo Premium Slim Fit Protective Cover
- Innovaa Elite Hybrid Series Case
- CoverON Hard Slim Hybrid Kickstand Phone Cover
- BELK Retro Vintage Leather Wallet Case
- Moze Moto G4 Play Wallet Case
Cimo Premium Slim Fit Protective Cover
The Cimo Premium Slim Fit Protective Cover is your run of the mill silicone case. It’s extremely affordable, ships quickly with Amazon Prime, and protects the Moto G4 Play from all sides. All of the ports and buttons are protected, too, and Cimo’s cases feature raised bezels to protect the screen and the protruding rear-facing camera from touching any undesirable surface. You can also double up and purchase a screen protector for extra protection.
If you’re looking for a quick solution for protecting your spankin’ new Moto G4 Play, the Cimo’s protective cover is readily available in a variety of styles.
See at Amazon
Innovaa Elite Hybrid Series Case
Just as soldiers need to equip themselves with armor before heading into battle, so does the smartphone that we carry need a protective coat from everyday perils.
The Innovaa Elite Hybrid Series Case is specially equipped for protecting the Moto G4 Play. Its “hybrid” moniker comes from the fact that this case features two parts: a polycarbonate shell and a silicon lining that helps absorb the impact from any drops. The Moto G4 Play is all plastic, so it should be fine regardless, but for the price of this case, a little extra cushioning can’t hurt. The Innovaa case also features a brushed metal backing, which should add a bit more posh to the otherwise bland G4 Play.
The Innovaa Elite Hybrid Series case comes in six different colors, including Rose Gold and Teal. It also comes with a screen protector so that your G4 Play’s display remains scratch free.
See at Amazon
CoverON Hard Slim Hybrid Kickstand Phone Cover
Its name might be exhaustively long, but this $10 hard shell smartphone case can help ruggedized the Moto G4 Play. The case comes in two parts: a hard polycarbonate backside, and a snug, form-fitting inner layer that goes on top. The two parts then snap together around the G4 Play to protect it from the occasional drop. As an added bonus, there’s also a kickstand so you can prop up the Moto G4 Play and watch videos on its 5-inch display.
The CoverON Hard Slim Hybrid Kickstand Phone Cover is available in five color combinations on Amazon Prime. It also comes with a 90-day manufacturer warranty.
See at Amazon
BELK Retro Vintage Leather Wallet Case
Ladies and gentlemen, you don’t have to cover up your Moto G4 Play in a plain old polymer casing. Instead, you can choose to outfit it in a stylish, pleather wallet case.
Belk’s retro vintage leather wallet case holds your Moto G4 Play and features two card slots and an inside pocket for your cash. There’s also an earphone cutout so that you can have telephone convos without opening up the wallet case and exposing your cards to the outside world. There are cutouts on either side for the G4 Play’s power button and volume rocker, and a magnetic latch keeps everything tightly knit. And if you’re in the mood to watch a movie on your train ride home, Belk’s faux leather wallet features a film stand mode so that you can easily prop up the device.
Belk’s Retro Vintage Leather Wallet Case is available in six different colors.
See at Amazon
Moze Moto G4 Play Wallet Case
Here’s another wallet option if you’re looking for something a little more colorful and a bit more feminine. The Moze Moto G4 Play wallet case comes with four card slots, including one that’s exposed, and a pocket for your cash and receipts. All of this is tightly held together by a magnetic flap, which also converts into a kickstand. There’s also an optional wrist strap, as well as a cutout for the G4 Play’s 8-megapixel rear-facing camera.
The Moze Moto G4 Play Wallet Case comes in four colors.
See at Amazon
State your case
Are you using one of our recommended cases for your Moto G4 Play?? 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!
