Apple Adds New Content Categories to its Podcasts App

https://ift.tt/2LVJode

Apple has started rolling out new categories in its iOS Podcasts app to help improve the browsing experience and aid content discovery.


Listeners can now scroll right along a horizontal strip of podcast categories, which appear in the Browse tab under a section labeled "Browse by Category."

The classifications include Arts, Business, Comedy, Education, Fiction, Government, Health & Fitness, History, Kids & Family, Leisure, Music, News, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports, Technology, True Crime, and TV & Film.

When a category is selected, users can browse through Top Shows and New Shows. Some of the category listings also break down into additional subsections. For example, the Science category includes sections like Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Mathematics.


Category pages without subcategories have curated rows instead, such as Long-Running Shows in the Technology category.

At this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple mentioned that its Podcasts app would be getting new top-level categories and enhanced curation. Mac users should also be able to see the new categories in iTunes when the rollout is complete.

Tag: Podcasts

This article, "Apple Adds New Content Categories to its Podcasts App" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2KnfJGw

Apple Suspends Program That Lets Employees Listen to Siri Recordings for Quality Control, Opt Out Option Coming

https://ift.tt/2gOllvC

Apple is suspending a Siri program that allows employees to listen to Siri recordings for quality control purposes, reports TechCrunch.

Apple is going to review the process that's currently used, where workers listen to anonymized Siri recordings to determine whether Siri is hearing questions correctly or being activated on accident.


Apple in the future also plans to release a software update that will let Siri users opt out of having their Siri queries included in this evaluation process, called grading.

"We are committed to delivering a great Siri experience while protecting user privacy," Apple said in a statement to TechCrunch. "While we conduct a thorough review, we are suspending Siri grading globally. Additionally, as part of a future software update, users will have the ability to choose to participate in grading."

The decision to suspend the program and offer an opt-out option comes following a report from The Guardian that shared details gleaned from one of the contractors working on evaluating Siri queries.

The employee expressed concern with Apple's lack of disclosure about the human oversight and said that contractors who work on the program have overhead confidential medical information, drug deals, recordings of couples having sex, and other private details from accidental Siri activations.

When The Guardian report came out, Apple confirmed that a small number of anonymized Siri requests are analyzed for the purpose of improving Siri and dictation. While Apple anonymizes Siri data that's evaluated for quality control and Siri improvement, its current privacy policy and security documents do not explicitly mention human oversight.

Tag: Siri

This article, "Apple Suspends Program That Lets Employees Listen to Siri Recordings for Quality Control, Opt Out Option Coming" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2KhtGWB

Netgear's Orbi Mesh Wi-Fi Routers Now Available From Apple

https://ift.tt/2K7Uud0

Netgear's Orbi Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi Systems are now available for purchase from Apple retail stores as of July, joining the existing Linksys Velop routers that Apple has been offering ever since it discontinued its own AirPort line of router options.

Apple is selling the RBK23 three pack Orbi Mesh System for $300 and the RBK50, the higher end model, in a two pack for $329.95.


These routers all work in a similar way, offering up a main Orbi router and satellite nodes to extend WiFi throughout the whole house. Maximum Wi-Fi speeds differ between the two models, as do the number of satellites, so some research is required to find the Orbi system that best fits your needs.

The RBK50, which includes one router and one satellite, covers up to 5,000 square feet of space and offers Wi-Fi speeds of up to 3Gb/s. The RBK23 triple pack with one router and two satellites covers up to 6,000 square feet and offers Wi-Fi speeds up to 2.2Gb/s.

With the Orbi system, the idea is to put a single router in a main area like a living room, outfitting other areas further in the house with their own satellite routers so all areas of the house get the same Wi-Fi coverage with no dead zones. You can add additional Orbi satellites to a home setup at any time.

Along with the RBK50 and the RBK23, Apple also sells the CBK40, an Orbi router system that has a built-in cable modem that works with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and others. It comes in a single router version that covers 2,000 square feet or a router plus satellite version that covers up to 4,000 square feet.

All of the Orbi routers are available from Apple retail stores and the Apple online store.

Tag: Orbi

This article, "Netgear's Orbi Mesh Wi-Fi Routers Now Available From Apple" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2Km8q25

Vivo V17 Neo with Helio P65 SoC, 16MP Triple Camera Setup, 4500mAh Battery Launched: Price, Features

via News – MySmartPrice https://ift.tt/2MrcZe2

Apple Now Selling 3-Meter Lightning Cable From Mophie for $30

https://ift.tt/2yuiIrh

Apple's online store is now offering a 3-meter USB-A to Lightning cable made by Mophie, adding to the 1 meter and 2 meter Mophie cables that were previously available.

Priced at $30, the new Lightning cable from Mophie features a braided nylon construction and reinforced connectors that Mophie says are designed to stand up to "daily wear and tear," avoiding fraying, breaking, and other issues.


At 3 meters or close to 10 feet, this is one of the longest Lightning cables that Apple offers, and it is ideal in situations where you need to charge but don't have easy access to a nearby outlet.

The 3 meter Lightning cable is Made for iPhone certified and will work with iPhones, iPads, and AirPods. It's available from the online Apple Store starting today, and may be in Apple retail stores in the future.

Apple is also now selling new USB-C cables from Belkin, priced starting at $20. The Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE USB-C to USB-C Cable + Strap comes in pink, white, and black, and measures in at 1.2 meters (4 feet).


It also features a durable braided nylon design and is reinforced at major stress points for improved strength. The included leather strap keeps the cable neatly wound up for transport.

Tags: Belkin, Mophie

This article, "Apple Now Selling 3-Meter Lightning Cable From Mophie for $30" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2Mt61VX

The best iPhone 8 & iPhone 8 Plus deals of August 2019

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus saw a £100 price drop last year after the launch of the iPhone XS, XS Max and iPhone XR, but can you find a better discount this month? Find the best iPhone 8 prices and contract deals here.

from Latest iPhone Articles from Macworld UK https://ift.tt/2oHXwc3

How to rip a DVD or Blu-ray Disc to Mac

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Here's how to rip all those old films and TV shows on DVD or Blu-ray Disc on to your Mac

from Latest iPhone Articles from Macworld UK https://ift.tt/2YCc0tT