Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Apple Releases Updated Version of Shortcuts App With iPad Pro Support

https://ift.tt/2wyN22D

Apple today updated its dedicated Shortcuts app for iOS 12 devices to version 2.1.1, introducing support for the new iPad Pro models that are set to be released tomorrow.

Apple's 11 and 12.9-inch 2018 iPad Pro models are the latest Apple devices that will work with the Shortcuts app, which is designed to let you create multi-step shortcuts and automations using first and third-party apps that can then be activated with Siri commands.


With Shortcuts, for example, you can create an automation to do something like turn on the thermostat at home using the Nest app, text your roommate that you're on the way with Messages, and open up the Maps app with directions home all with a single "I'm going home" Siri command spoken when leaving work.

Shortcuts are deeply customizable, with Apple's Shortcuts app providing a gallery of Shortcut suggestions along with the tools to create your own.

In addition to support for the new iPad Pro models, the 2.1.1 update introduces a long list of bug fixes, as outlined in Apple's Shortcuts support document.

  • Fixed an issue where some actions (including Send Email, Dictate Text, Run Home Scene, and Vibrate Device) may not work when invoked from Siri

  • Fixed an issue where the Set Flashlight action caused an error message to appear

  • Fixed an issue where the Call action wasn't able to dial phone numbers with special characters (such as * or #)

  • Fixed an issue where entered decimal numbers may not be recognized properly in locales that use a comma as the decimal separator

  • Fixed an issue where the selected photo album in the Save to Photo Album action may be reset to "All Photos"

  • Fixed an issue where the Toggle Alarm action wouldn't disable alarms until the "Enable" switch was turned on and back off

  • Fixed an issue where the Speak Text action spoke using lower-quality voices

Shortcuts can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Discuss this article in our forums



from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2D8UUgh
at
No comments:
Labels: ,

Apple Releases Updated Version of iOS 12.1 for iPhone XR

https://ift.tt/2NqE5nq

Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12.1 for the iPhone XR, one week after the initial launch of iOS 12.1 and a little over a week since the iPhone XR's October 26 launch.

The new iOS 12.1 software for the iPhone XR carries a build number of 16B94, a slight change from the original 16B93 build number.

The update doesn't appear to be showing up on devices that have already installed iOS 12.1, suggesting the new version of the software is designed for customers who have not yet upgraded their iPhone XR devices to the iOS 12.1 update.


iPhone XR owners who have not yet installed iOS 12.1 can do so over-the-air by going to Settings --> General --> Software Update.

iOS 12.1 is a major update that brings a host of new features to the iPhone XR. It brings support for the eSIM, a digital SIM that lets you activate a cellular plan from a carrier without the need to use a physical SIM card.

eSIM support is not yet available from U.S. carriers, but AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are working on implementing support before the end of the year. Other carriers around the world have begun introducing eSIM support.

iOS 12.1 also brings a new real-time Depth Control feature, which lets you adjust the depth of field of your Portrait Mode photos before you capture them, and it adds support for Group FaceTime calls with up to 32 people.

Other new features include more than 70 new emoji and several important bug fixes that should entice anyone who has not yet installed the update to do so.

Excessive skin-smoothing with the front-facing camera, for example, has been addressed, with Apple updating the Smart HDR feature of the iPhone XR's camera to use a sharper base frame to preserve more detail.

The update also improves cellular connectivity on the iPhone XR and fixes bugs with voicemails, the phone app, Screen Time, Family Sharing, and more.

Related Roundup: iPhone XR
Buyer's Guide: iPhone XR (Buy Now)

Discuss this article in our forums



from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2qw5E0t
at
No comments:
Labels: ,

Apple Store Openings This Month: The Westchester, Third Street Promenade, Bangkok, and Likely Champs-Élysées

https://ift.tt/2ANK25B

Apple has announced that two of its retail stores in the United States will reopen over the next week following months of renovations, while two brand new locations are also expected to open in Paris and Bangkok.

Apple Third Street Promenade prior to renovations this year

Apple The Westchester in White Plains, New York is set to reopen Saturday, November 10 at 10 a.m. local time, while Apple Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California is slated to reopen Saturday, November 17 at 10 a.m. local time. Each store has received a facelift based on Apple's latest retail design.

Apple is celebrating the reopening of its Third Street Promenade store with colorful artwork and Today at Apple sessions.


"We're celebrating the vibrant creative minds that fill Santa Monica with color through a new wave of inspiring Today at Apple sessions," the store listing on Apple.com says. "From snapping creative selfies to developing a unique sound — and an hour of discovery just for kids — it's all happening at Apple."

Apple Third Street Promenade first opened in 2003, before relocating in 2012 to a larger space with a glass rooftop. The Third Street Promenade is a pedestrian-only, outdoor shopping district in the downtown area of Santa Monica.

Apple The Westchester is located in an indoor shopping mall of the same name in downtown White Plains, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County, roughly 30 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. The store originally opened in September 2002 as one of Apple's first 50 retail locations worldwide.

Elsewhere, Apple previously announced that its first retail store in Thailand will open at the Iconsiam shopping mall in Bangkok on Saturday, November 10 at 10 a.m. local time. Like the Third Street Promenade store, Apple is celebrating its first Thai store with special artwork and Today at Apple sessions.


And in Paris, France, a brand new Apple Store will "soon" open along The Avenue des Champs-Élysées, one of the city's most iconic streets. The store will replace the nearby Apple Carrousel du Louvre, which permanently closed last month.

(Thanks, Akaba!)

Related Roundup: Apple Stores

Discuss this article in our forums



from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2zwafnE
at
No comments:
Labels: ,

Deals: Black Friday Prep Begins, New Anker Discounts, Targus Sitewide Sale, and More

https://ift.tt/2PcQLPF

We're just over two weeks away from Black Friday 2018, and in preparation we have begun compiling sales that we know are coming in our dedicated Black Friday Roundup. This Roundup includes sales on Apple devices and other tech-related items that have been shared early ahead of the shopping holiday, or in some cases have leaked online.

So far, we know that Target will have sales on iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad mini 4. Apple Watch Series 3 will be marked down by $80 (as low as $199 for the 38mm GPS only model), and the iPad mini 4 will be available for $249.99, a $150 discount from the regular price of $399.99. Macy's is matching Target's sale on Apple Watch Series 3, and Costco will have its on sale on the 32GB 9.7-inch iPad from Early 2018, priced at $249.99, down from $319.99.


So far, other major retailers with Black Friday deals we know about include Belk, Kohl's, JCPenney, and Dell, so we're still waiting on other companies like Best Buy, Walmart, The Home Depot, GameStop, and more. The shopping tracker site BestBlackFriday.com is keeping track of all these ad scans, deals, and more. For specific discounts, offers, store times, and more related to Black Friday, be sure to keep an eye on our Black Friday Roundup as we'll continuously update it leading up to November 23.

Ahead of Black Friday, Anker has outlined its promo codes for the month of November, this time including a few USB-C cables and accessories that will pair well with the new 2018 iPad Pro. The full list of Anker's new Amazon sale can be found below, and be sure to pay attention to the expiration dates and place your order before the codes are discontinued.


Mobile accessory company Targus recently began a new 15 percent off sitewide sale that will last until the end of 2018, timing that will be perfect for both early and late holiday shoppers. Targus is known for its laptop bags and cases, luggage, iPad cases, and the company also makes multiple docking stations that support USB-C/Thunderbolt 3. You can get 15 percent off your order using the promo code TARGUS15SAS, which includes items on the Targus sale page.


Additionally, Targus is offering free shipping with no minimum using promo code FREESHIPPINGSAS. These codes can't be used within the same order, however, so you'll have to choose which works best with your purchase. For all orders, Targus offers free shipping when your cart exceeds $35. Head to Targus to start browsing, and you have until December 31 to place your order and take advantage of the sitewide and free shipping promo codes.

Over on iTunes, this week Apple introduced an "Iconic Moments" movie sale, offering a group of films at a reduced price of $7.99 with new pieces of cover art that reference memorable moments within each film. Check out all of the movies in the list below, and if you're interested be sure to pick up the movies before next Tuesday, when the iTunes Movies store will refresh again.


$7.99 Iconic Moments

If you're on the hunt for more sales as holiday shopping begins, be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup, which today includes a flash sale on the official Apple Leather Case in Taupe for iPhone X and iPhone 7 Plus/8 Plus, priced at $22.99 on Best Buy.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Discuss this article in our forums



from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2PHDEoL
at
No comments:
Labels: ,

Google Pixel Slate Up For Pre-Order


via Chrome Unboxed – The Latest Chrome OS News https://ift.tt/2ySTN1i
at
No comments:

Parallels Toolbox 3 Released With Dark Mode and Other macOS Mojave Features

https://ift.tt/2yUKPAp

Parallels Toolbox for Mac has been updated with a handful of macOS Mojave features, including Dark Mode support and the ability to annotate screenshots with the new and improved systemwide Take Screenshot tool.


Parallels Toolbox 3, a free update for existing users, features three new tools for quickly uninstalling apps, viewing local times in various locations around the world, and revealing files and folders that are normally hidden in macOS.

The complete list of new and enhanced features added in Toolbox 3, as outlined in Parallels' press release:
  • Uninstall Apps: Easily remove applications and their files with a single click for faster removals.
  • World Time: See local times in various locations around the world to save time when working with colleagues globally.
  • Hidden Files: Reveals and conceals files normally hidden in MacOS to reduce desktop clutter and increase productivity.
  • Annotate Screenshots: Available only for macOS Mojave users, they can now use the Take Screenshot tool to add helpful markups including text, arrows, circles and more for quicker use in emails or presentations
  • Support for playlist download from video hosting websites: Quickly download playlists from Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, and many more
  • Safari Extension for Download Video: Users can now enjoy a download video extension on their Safari browsers for quicker access downloading online videos to their desktops (compatible with macOS Mojave and Safari 12)
  • Dark Mode: Support for the setting in macOS Mojave
  • Customizable "Save As": Each individual tool now allows new files to be saved in customizable locations, rather than the same default destination, for streamlined efficiency
  • Resize Image: HEIF now joins JPEG, TIFF, and PNG as supported formats
  • Record Audio: Users can now save audio recordings in a MP3 file format, with the built-in microphone in a single click. You can also record from an external microphone or the computer if it's selected as the input source in System Preferences › Sound
Demo videos:




Parallels Toolbox adds a dropdown menu to the macOS menu bar with a collection of tools and shortcuts that simplify common tasks to just a click or two, such as taking screenshots, resizing images, hiding the desktop, recording audio, switching resolutions, creating password-protected archives of files, and more.

Parallels Toolbox 3 is available today for $19.99 per year for new users. The annual subscription includes free updates with new and enhanced tools as they become available "several times a year." Lower-priced Toolbox Packs with specific collections of tools are also available from $9.99 per year.

Note that while Parallels is best known for its virtualization software that allows for Windows and Linux to be run within macOS, its Toolbox software can be used natively on any compatible Mac or Windows PC.

Related Roundup: macOS Mojave
Tag: Parallels

Discuss this article in our forums



from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2yUJiu9
at
No comments:
Labels: ,

How to Let a Contact Bypass iOS 12's Do Not Disturb Mode Without Adding Them to Your Favorites List

https://ift.tt/2SR3wNS

In iOS 12, Do Not Disturb mode conveniently allows you to silence all calls, alerts, and notifications on iPhone or iPad for a given period and reduce the potential for unnecessary distractions.

Aside from new time-limited options in iOS 12's Control Center, Do Not Disturb can be turned on and scheduled ahead of time by going to Settings -> Do Not Disturb. Among these settings, there's also an Allow Calls From option for which you can choose Everyone, No One, or Favorites.


Given these last three choices, it would seem fair to assume that the only way to let specific contacts get through to you when Do Not Disturb is on, is to add them to your Favorites list. However, there's another way to let a contact bypass Do Not Disturb mode, and it has nothing to do with enabling the Repeated Calls option.

In fact, the little-known feature described below is arguably more powerful, since it lets you receive only text messages from that contact, or only phone calls from them (or both, if you wish) for just as long as the feature is enabled. Keep reading to learn how it's done.

  1. Launch the Contacts app on your iPhone.

  2. Tap a contact in the list.
  3. Tap Edit.

  4. If you want to let calls come through from this contact when Do Not Disturb mode is active, tap Ringtone and then on the next screen toggle the Emergency Bypass switch to the green ON position.
  5. Tap Done to return to the Contact card.
  6. Similarly, if you want to let text messages come through from the contact, tap Text Tone and then enable Emergency Bypass on the next screen.
  7. Tap Done to return to the Contact card.
  8. Tap Done to finish.


Related Roundup: iOS 12

Discuss this article in our forums



from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2SQlAry
at
No comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)