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References to New iPads and 7th-Generation iPod Touch Found in iOS 12.2
http://bit.ly/2o0lY6r
Earlier today, registration info for seven new iPad models was discovered in the Eurasian Economic Commission Database, and now signs of new iPads and a 7th-generation iPod touch have been found in iOS 12.2.
Developer Steven Troughton-Smith has discovered references to four new iPad models, ranging from iPad 11,1 to iPad 11,4, two of which are WiFi and two of which are cellular. These model numbers do not correspond to any known iPad models.
Troughton-Smith speculates that the iPad model numbers could be new iPad mini devices, which would be in line with rumors suggesting a new iPad mini 5 is in the works. According to Troughton-Smith, none of the iPads have Face ID, which is what we would expect as a new iPad mini is likely to be positioned as an affordable, lower-end device.
There's also a reference to "iPod 9,1," which does not match up with any known iPod touch devices. The current sixth-generation iPod touch is "iPod 7,1," for reference. The iPod listed in iOS 12.2 does not appear to have Face ID or Touch ID, so it's not clear if something is missing or if it has a design with neither of these features.
Apple is rumored to be working on both an iPad mini 5 and a new version of the lower-cost 9.7-inch iPad, which may actually be upgraded to 10 inches in its next iteration.
Apple earlier this week registered seven iPads with the Eurasian Economic Commission, and at least some of those could be the four iPad models Troughton-Smith has discovered in iOS 12.2. Those model numbers included A2123, A2124, A2126, A2153, A2154, A2133, and A2152.
We first began hearing about Apple's work on a refreshed iPad mini in late 2018, and since then, chatter has picked up. Rumors have suggested a new fifth-generation iPad mini will be released in the first half of 2019, and with signs showing up in iOS 12.2 and the Eurasian database (where Apple is required to register all new devices), that prediction is sounding more and more accurate.
There's been mixed information about what to expect from an iPad mini update. A case leak suggested a vertical camera and quad speakers, but a photo of an unreleased iPad mini, which could be the new iPad mini, featured an older A9 processor and a design that's similar to the fourth-generation iPad mini.
We'll need to wait for additional information to figure out just what features the iPad mini will include, but it sounds like it's going to be more similar to the current 9.7-inch iPad than an iPad Pro. As for a launch date, it's looking like it could potentially come when iOS 12.2 is released, perhaps in late February or early March.
Apple has held events in March for the last few years, so it would not be a surprise to see yet another March event in 2019.
This article, "References to New iPads and 7th-Generation iPod Touch Found in iOS 12.2" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2sLucDR
Earlier today, registration info for seven new iPad models was discovered in the Eurasian Economic Commission Database, and now signs of new iPads and a 7th-generation iPod touch have been found in iOS 12.2.
Developer Steven Troughton-Smith has discovered references to four new iPad models, ranging from iPad 11,1 to iPad 11,4, two of which are WiFi and two of which are cellular. These model numbers do not correspond to any known iPad models.
Troughton-Smith speculates that the iPad model numbers could be new iPad mini devices, which would be in line with rumors suggesting a new iPad mini 5 is in the works. According to Troughton-Smith, none of the iPads have Face ID, which is what we would expect as a new iPad mini is likely to be positioned as an affordable, lower-end device.
In theory, iOS 12.2 references four new iPads in WiFi & Cellular variants (perhaps mini, and 9.7"?), all without Face ID, and a (seventh-gen?) iPod touch with no Touch ID nor Face ID pic.twitter.com/xiJN6kmmTe
— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) January 25, 2019
There's also a reference to "iPod 9,1," which does not match up with any known iPod touch devices. The current sixth-generation iPod touch is "iPod 7,1," for reference. The iPod listed in iOS 12.2 does not appear to have Face ID or Touch ID, so it's not clear if something is missing or if it has a design with neither of these features.
Apple is rumored to be working on both an iPad mini 5 and a new version of the lower-cost 9.7-inch iPad, which may actually be upgraded to 10 inches in its next iteration.
Apple earlier this week registered seven iPads with the Eurasian Economic Commission, and at least some of those could be the four iPad models Troughton-Smith has discovered in iOS 12.2. Those model numbers included A2123, A2124, A2126, A2153, A2154, A2133, and A2152.
We first began hearing about Apple's work on a refreshed iPad mini in late 2018, and since then, chatter has picked up. Rumors have suggested a new fifth-generation iPad mini will be released in the first half of 2019, and with signs showing up in iOS 12.2 and the Eurasian database (where Apple is required to register all new devices), that prediction is sounding more and more accurate.
There's been mixed information about what to expect from an iPad mini update. A case leak suggested a vertical camera and quad speakers, but a photo of an unreleased iPad mini, which could be the new iPad mini, featured an older A9 processor and a design that's similar to the fourth-generation iPad mini.
We'll need to wait for additional information to figure out just what features the iPad mini will include, but it sounds like it's going to be more similar to the current 9.7-inch iPad than an iPad Pro. As for a launch date, it's looking like it could potentially come when iOS 12.2 is released, perhaps in late February or early March.
Apple has held events in March for the last few years, so it would not be a surprise to see yet another March event in 2019.
Related Roundup: iPad mini 5
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)
This article, "References to New iPads and 7th-Generation iPod Touch Found in iOS 12.2" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2sLucDR
macOS 10.14.4 Beta Includes Touch ID Safari AutoFill Feature
http://bit.ly/2S5dWfo
The macOS 10.14.4 update, currently available to developers, introduces a new AutoFill feature designed for Touch ID-equipped MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models.
As iMore points out, in the Touch ID section of the Settings app on macOS 10.14.4, there's a new "Safari AutoFill" listing you can enable.
Image via iMore
With Safari AutoFill enabled for Touch ID, you can place a finger on the Touch ID home button to automatically fill in web form content.
Right now, you can use AutoFill to enter usernames, passwords, addresses, phone numbers, and credit cards, and more right into web pages, but you generally have to click into a form and then start typing before the AutoFill option comes up.
It sounds like the new Touch ID Safari AutoFill feature will streamline the process, filling forms with a touch.
macOS 10.14.4 also expands Apple News to Canada and it introduces automatic dark mode themes for websites, so if you have Dark Mode enabled and visit a website that has a dark theme available, it will be activated automatically.
This article, "macOS 10.14.4 Beta Includes Touch ID Safari AutoFill Feature" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2DysZpv
The macOS 10.14.4 update, currently available to developers, introduces a new AutoFill feature designed for Touch ID-equipped MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models.
As iMore points out, in the Touch ID section of the Settings app on macOS 10.14.4, there's a new "Safari AutoFill" listing you can enable.
With Safari AutoFill enabled for Touch ID, you can place a finger on the Touch ID home button to automatically fill in web form content.
Right now, you can use AutoFill to enter usernames, passwords, addresses, phone numbers, and credit cards, and more right into web pages, but you generally have to click into a form and then start typing before the AutoFill option comes up.
It sounds like the new Touch ID Safari AutoFill feature will streamline the process, filling forms with a touch.
macOS 10.14.4 also expands Apple News to Canada and it introduces automatic dark mode themes for websites, so if you have Dark Mode enabled and visit a website that has a dark theme available, it will be activated automatically.
Related Roundup: macOS Mojave
This article, "macOS 10.14.4 Beta Includes Touch ID Safari AutoFill Feature" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2DysZpv
Apple's AirPods vs. Jabra's Elite 65t Wire-Free Earbuds
http://bit.ly/2UhHcg6
After Apple released its AirPods in late 2016, other headphone manufacturers have been attempting to compete with their own wire-free earbuds, most of which can't match the AirPods' comfort level, battery life, Bluetooth range, and ease of use.
Jabra is one such company, and its Elite 65t Wireless Earbuds have been named as one of the better AirPods alternatives. In our latest YouTube video, we compared the Jabra Elite 65t Earbuds with the AirPods to see just how they measure up.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Design wise, Jabra's earbuds are denser and heavier than the AirPods, because each one is equipped with a battery, speaker, microphone, and other tech, and Jabra hasn't been able to condense these features down in the same way that Apple is able to.
That said, they are small and tight fitting in the ear, which is a plus, but the weight makes them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. Given the snug fit, you can likely use these for working out, though Jabra does offer an "Active" version specifically for that purpose.
Like the AirPods, Jabra's Elite 65t have buttons for doing things like pausing a song or changing the volume, and once you figure them out, the controls are easier than the double tap on the AirPods. One benefit - the Elite 65t look like a "normal" pair of headphones because there's no tail coming down out of your ear like there is with AirPods.
Sound quality is one area where the AirPods fall short, with the Elite 65t offering noticeably better audio. In fact, when it comes to wireless headphones we've tested, Jabra's are some of the best sounding. Jabra offers an app where you can customize the headphones with music presets and an equalizer.
Like AirPods, Jabra's earbuds offer five hours of battery life, with the case serving as a way to store and charge them. Jabra uses micro-USB to charge the case, which is not as convenient as Lightning or USB-C.
There are four microphones in the Elite earbuds, so phone calls sound great, and the microphones are also used for voice commands. The Elite 65t have Alexa support built in, and there are options to use Siri on the iPhone or Google Assistant on Android as alternatives. Apple recently partnered up with Amazon to let Alexa activate Apple Music, but that's only on Echo devices.
Jabra's earbuds are IP55 certified, which means they'll hold up to a bit of moisture, and there are some AirPod-like features, such as an option to pause music when an earbud is removed. In the app, you can also set soundscapes or do things like activate an option to amplify the sounds around you.
The Elite 65t earbuds have some useful features, but as with all AirPods competitors, there's no way Jabra's earbuds can match the functionality added with Apple's proprietary W1 chip. The W1 allows the AirPods to connect to an Apple device automatically, and it extends Bluetooth range quite a bit.
All in all, there are some areas like sound quality where the Elite 65t outperform the AirPods, but when it comes to comfort and ease of use, the AirPods win.
What do you think of Jabra's Elite 65t earbuds? Let us know in the comments.
This article, "Apple's AirPods vs. Jabra's Elite 65t Wire-Free Earbuds" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2Hwz6yJ
After Apple released its AirPods in late 2016, other headphone manufacturers have been attempting to compete with their own wire-free earbuds, most of which can't match the AirPods' comfort level, battery life, Bluetooth range, and ease of use.
Jabra is one such company, and its Elite 65t Wireless Earbuds have been named as one of the better AirPods alternatives. In our latest YouTube video, we compared the Jabra Elite 65t Earbuds with the AirPods to see just how they measure up.
Design wise, Jabra's earbuds are denser and heavier than the AirPods, because each one is equipped with a battery, speaker, microphone, and other tech, and Jabra hasn't been able to condense these features down in the same way that Apple is able to.
That said, they are small and tight fitting in the ear, which is a plus, but the weight makes them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. Given the snug fit, you can likely use these for working out, though Jabra does offer an "Active" version specifically for that purpose.
Like the AirPods, Jabra's Elite 65t have buttons for doing things like pausing a song or changing the volume, and once you figure them out, the controls are easier than the double tap on the AirPods. One benefit - the Elite 65t look like a "normal" pair of headphones because there's no tail coming down out of your ear like there is with AirPods.
Sound quality is one area where the AirPods fall short, with the Elite 65t offering noticeably better audio. In fact, when it comes to wireless headphones we've tested, Jabra's are some of the best sounding. Jabra offers an app where you can customize the headphones with music presets and an equalizer.
Like AirPods, Jabra's earbuds offer five hours of battery life, with the case serving as a way to store and charge them. Jabra uses micro-USB to charge the case, which is not as convenient as Lightning or USB-C.
There are four microphones in the Elite earbuds, so phone calls sound great, and the microphones are also used for voice commands. The Elite 65t have Alexa support built in, and there are options to use Siri on the iPhone or Google Assistant on Android as alternatives. Apple recently partnered up with Amazon to let Alexa activate Apple Music, but that's only on Echo devices.
Jabra's earbuds are IP55 certified, which means they'll hold up to a bit of moisture, and there are some AirPod-like features, such as an option to pause music when an earbud is removed. In the app, you can also set soundscapes or do things like activate an option to amplify the sounds around you.
The Elite 65t earbuds have some useful features, but as with all AirPods competitors, there's no way Jabra's earbuds can match the functionality added with Apple's proprietary W1 chip. The W1 allows the AirPods to connect to an Apple device automatically, and it extends Bluetooth range quite a bit.
All in all, there are some areas like sound quality where the Elite 65t outperform the AirPods, but when it comes to comfort and ease of use, the AirPods win.
What do you think of Jabra's Elite 65t earbuds? Let us know in the comments.
Related Roundup: AirPods 2
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution)
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Review: 2019 Ram 1500 Offers a Gorgeous 12.3-Inch Portrait Display With CarPlay Support
http://bit.ly/2G19hV5
Back in November, I took a look at Fiat Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system and CarPlay integration in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan, discovering a quite positive user experience that nearly seamlessly incorporates CarPlay into Uconnect. That seamlessness comes thanks to an 8.4-inch Uconnect display that keeps a top status bar and a bottom menu bar visible at all times for easy navigation.
FCA isn't stopping at an 8.4-inch display, however, with the company's 2019 Ram 1500 offering a gigantic 12.3-inch portrait display as an optional upgrade. I've had a chance to spend some time with a Ram 1500 Laramie, so I thought I'd share my impressions of this large portrait display.
Given my previous look at Uconnect 4, I'm not going to spend much time looking at the infotainment system in general, other than differences unique to the larger display. Suffice it to say, I've found Uconnect to be one of the better infotainment systems out there, and its persistent status and menu bars at the top and bottom of the screen make it easy to shift between functions. The interface is relatively clear and easy-to-use, and the various functions perform well.
When it comes to hardware on the Ram 1500, it's impossible to miss the gorgeous 12.3-inch portrait display with rich, vibrant colors. It simply dominates the entire center stack in the car, with a selection of hardware knobs, buttons, and switches framing it.
You might think a giant 12-inch rectangle of glass could generate a significant amount of glare, and that can be a bit of an issue in certain situations with direct sunlight. It's really not enough to make it difficult to see the screen, but it is noticeable at times. The display is also a bit of a fingerprint magnet as you might expect, but again, they're generally not too noticeable in person unless you're in the right light.
What the large portrait display allows for Uconnect is a choice between a unified single app interface or what is essentially a pair of 7.5-inch displays stacked on top of each other. Regardless of which setup you choose, the status and menu bars at the top and bottom remain visible.
Full-screen audio app
The single app view can be a bit of overkill for some functions, but it allows for large, easy-to-hit buttons and an impressively broad map view. I generally found the split-screen interface to be more useful, allowing a full view of navigation and audio functions simultaneously, for example.
Navigation on top, card selection screen on bottom
Configuring the split-screen display is as easy as hitting the Home icon in the top left corner and then choosing what you want displayed on the top and bottom cards from five available options: Media, Comfort, Nav, Phone, and Sirius XM Travel Link, which offers data such as nearby gas prices, sports scores for your favorite teams, and more.
Split-screen navigation and audio
If you want to swap the positions of your two screens, there's an icon in the top left corner of the bottom card that will do that. And the menu bar at the bottom remains active to easily jump into a full-screen app, for example.
CarPlay isn't designed to be used on a large portrait display by itself, so you're limited to the split-screen Uconnect interface when using CarPlay, which allows you to display a Uconnect app simultaneously for convenient access to vehicle systems outside of CarPlay. While Uconnect normally lets you swap the top and bottom app cards, CarPlay is restricted to the top card, so you won't be able to customize that layout.
CarPlay home screen on top, SiriusXM audio controls on bottom
The CarPlay interface, particularly maps, can start to feel a bit cramped on smaller screens, but thankfully the Ram 1500's display is big enough that even in split-screen mode you still have a roughly 7.5-inch screen devoted to CarPlay, which is in the range of normal infotainment displays.
Apple Maps on top, Uconnect climate controls on bottom
There are a few quirks with the integration of CarPlay and Uconnect in this setup, driven largely by the fact that the systems are designed to only allow one of each app type to be open simultaneously. For example, you understandably can't run Apple Maps and Uconnect navigation at the same time, as you'd end up with confusing conflicts of information. Similarly, the system is designed to prevent you from accessing your phone through both CarPlay and the Uconnect Bluetooth setup at the same time.
These restrictions are present on all vehicle infotainment systems, but they stand out a bit more on the Ram 1500's portrait display because it's one of the few systems that allows you to view CarPlay and a full native infotainment app at the same time.
In certain cases, you can get CarPlay audio and Uconnect USB audio controls to show up simultaneously
The upshot of this is that if you activate CarPlay, it populates the top app card on the system and still offers the full set of app options for the bottom card, but if you tap navigation or phone, it simply activates Apple Maps or the Phone app up in the CarPlay screen rather than bringing up the Uconnect versions in the bottom card. It's not a huge deal, but it takes a little getting used to when things don't necessarily react as you'd expect.
As on the Pacifica Hybrid and other Uconnect vehicles, there is no "Ram" icon on the CarPlay home screen to take you back to the Uconnect system, thanks to Uconnect's bottom menu bar that lets you easily hop in and out of CarPlay controls from wherever you are in the system.
Google Maps in CarPlay
Both Uconnect and CarPlay can of course also be controlled via voice using a button on the steering wheel, with a short press bringing up the Uconnect voice assistant or a long press bringing up Siri.
Steering wheel controls with voice assistant button at right edge of left cluster
Finally, while CarPlay is best controlled via the touchscreen, you can also control it using the hardware scroll/enter knob to the right of the display. As with other knob-based control systems, it's not as easy to navigate the CarPlay system as it is through direct touch manipulation, but the option is there if you prefer a more tactile input method.
While Uconnect offers access to extensive climate controls via the touchscreen, FCA has thankfully retained hardware buttons along the left and right sides of the display to control the most commonly used climate control options.
Temperature overlap pop-up
Adjusting the temperature via the hardware buttons, for example, briefly pops up a temperature display over top of your existing screen content rather than completely exiting to Uconnect's full climate control app.
As a work truck, the Ram 1500 unsurprisingly has a number of available power ports scattered throughout the cabin, including a 12V power port on top of the dash and two 115V traditional power outlets, one at the bottom of the center stack and one on the rear of the center console.
The Ram 1500 also has no shortage of USB ports, including both USB-A and USB-C variants. The center stack has two easily accessible sets of ports, with each set including both a USB-A and a USB-C port. Either set can be used to connect to the Uconnect system, including for CarPlay.
Rear USB ports and power outlet
Rear passengers will find two more sets of USB-A and USB-C ports, with one set allowing Uconnect/CarPlay access while the second is for charging only. There's also a single USB-A port with Uconnect/CarPlay access inside the lid compartment of the center console if you want to keep your phone and cable completely hidden away.
Wireless charger at bottom of center stack, with USB ports and power outlet also visible
My test vehicle also included a Qi wireless charger down near the bottom of the center stack. A rubbery holder keeps the phone upright and pressed against the vertical charger, with a blue light letting you know that your phone is charging. Its location low on the center stack means you won't really be able to see the screen of your phone while you're driving, but it's best to not be looking at your phone anyway.
iPhone XS Max on wireless charger
Wireless CarPlay is not supported in the Ram 1500 or in any Uconnect system, so you'll need to have a Lightning to USB (Type-A or Type-C) cable on hand to hook things up. The rubbery phone holder in the center stack can hold a second phone to the right of the Qi charger, although larger phones with a cable sticking out may get in the way of the some of the toggle switches for parking sensors.
The available 12-inch portrait display on the Ram 1500 is a rare feature among automotive infotainment systems, and it strikes an impressive look when you first encounter it. It's certainly handy being able to see two full-size app screens simultaneously, although some other manufacturers have been able to get away with nearly as much functionality packed into a split 75/25 widescreen display.
I appreciated that Ram maintained hardware buttons for the most important climate control options, as well as volume and tune/scroll knobs for those times you want to make changes by feel. And I really like the way Uconnect makes it easy to access frequently used functions through the customizable menu bar at the bottom of the screen.
Even more so, as with the Pacifica, I love the way CarPlay feels so integrated into Uconnect, making it incredibly easy to jump back and forth between the two systems. The split-screen portrait display even helps integrate things further by giving you access to both systems without even needing to switch.
Yes, there are a few quirks introduced by the fact that CarPlay usurps some of the traditional infotainment system functions, quirks made more obvious by that double app screen that lets you interact with both systems simultaneously. But overall, it's a net positive.
I do also still have some concerns about the shift toward increasingly large touchscreens in vehicles, which can make it harder to make changes by feel and end up taking your eyes off the road for longer. A portrait display magnifies these issues by bringing significant portions of the display lower on the center stack and away from the driver's line of sight. I would have appreciated it if the display could have been moved all the way to the top of the stack to minimize this issue as much as possible.
Pricing
The 2019 Ram 1500 starts at $31,795 for the Tradesman trim, but that only comes with a 5-inch Uconnect 3 infotainment system that doesn't support CarPlay. If you want CarPlay, you'll need to step up to at least the second-level Big Horn/Lone Star trim with the Level 1 Equipment Group that bumps up to an 8.4-inch Uconnect 4 system, bringing the total up to at a bit over $40,000.
The 12-inch portrait display reviewed here requires a minimum of the Laramie trim plus the Level 1 Equipment Group and the 12-inch display upgrade, which tips the scales at a little over $44,000. You can of course add all sorts of other upgrades to the Ram 1500, with my tester approaching $55,000 and a maxed out Limited model coming in at over $65,000.
Pickup trucks like the Ram 1500 have to serve a wide range of needs, so they're generally highly customizable with a variety of options across all different price ranges, and the Ram 1500 is certainly no exception. It would be nice if the 12-inch display system could be an option on lower-tier trims for tech-heavy users who may not have a need for some of the other upgrades you get as you move up the trim chart, but it's certainly not unusual for top-end technology to be limited to higher vehicle trims.
This article, "Review: 2019 Ram 1500 Offers a Gorgeous 12.3-Inch Portrait Display With CarPlay Support" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2G176ku
Back in November, I took a look at Fiat Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system and CarPlay integration in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan, discovering a quite positive user experience that nearly seamlessly incorporates CarPlay into Uconnect. That seamlessness comes thanks to an 8.4-inch Uconnect display that keeps a top status bar and a bottom menu bar visible at all times for easy navigation.
FCA isn't stopping at an 8.4-inch display, however, with the company's 2019 Ram 1500 offering a gigantic 12.3-inch portrait display as an optional upgrade. I've had a chance to spend some time with a Ram 1500 Laramie, so I thought I'd share my impressions of this large portrait display.
Uconnect on the Big Screen
Given my previous look at Uconnect 4, I'm not going to spend much time looking at the infotainment system in general, other than differences unique to the larger display. Suffice it to say, I've found Uconnect to be one of the better infotainment systems out there, and its persistent status and menu bars at the top and bottom of the screen make it easy to shift between functions. The interface is relatively clear and easy-to-use, and the various functions perform well.
When it comes to hardware on the Ram 1500, it's impossible to miss the gorgeous 12.3-inch portrait display with rich, vibrant colors. It simply dominates the entire center stack in the car, with a selection of hardware knobs, buttons, and switches framing it.
You might think a giant 12-inch rectangle of glass could generate a significant amount of glare, and that can be a bit of an issue in certain situations with direct sunlight. It's really not enough to make it difficult to see the screen, but it is noticeable at times. The display is also a bit of a fingerprint magnet as you might expect, but again, they're generally not too noticeable in person unless you're in the right light.
What the large portrait display allows for Uconnect is a choice between a unified single app interface or what is essentially a pair of 7.5-inch displays stacked on top of each other. Regardless of which setup you choose, the status and menu bars at the top and bottom remain visible.
The single app view can be a bit of overkill for some functions, but it allows for large, easy-to-hit buttons and an impressively broad map view. I generally found the split-screen interface to be more useful, allowing a full view of navigation and audio functions simultaneously, for example.
Configuring the split-screen display is as easy as hitting the Home icon in the top left corner and then choosing what you want displayed on the top and bottom cards from five available options: Media, Comfort, Nav, Phone, and Sirius XM Travel Link, which offers data such as nearby gas prices, sports scores for your favorite teams, and more.
If you want to swap the positions of your two screens, there's an icon in the top left corner of the bottom card that will do that. And the menu bar at the bottom remains active to easily jump into a full-screen app, for example.
CarPlay
CarPlay isn't designed to be used on a large portrait display by itself, so you're limited to the split-screen Uconnect interface when using CarPlay, which allows you to display a Uconnect app simultaneously for convenient access to vehicle systems outside of CarPlay. While Uconnect normally lets you swap the top and bottom app cards, CarPlay is restricted to the top card, so you won't be able to customize that layout.
The CarPlay interface, particularly maps, can start to feel a bit cramped on smaller screens, but thankfully the Ram 1500's display is big enough that even in split-screen mode you still have a roughly 7.5-inch screen devoted to CarPlay, which is in the range of normal infotainment displays.
There are a few quirks with the integration of CarPlay and Uconnect in this setup, driven largely by the fact that the systems are designed to only allow one of each app type to be open simultaneously. For example, you understandably can't run Apple Maps and Uconnect navigation at the same time, as you'd end up with confusing conflicts of information. Similarly, the system is designed to prevent you from accessing your phone through both CarPlay and the Uconnect Bluetooth setup at the same time.
These restrictions are present on all vehicle infotainment systems, but they stand out a bit more on the Ram 1500's portrait display because it's one of the few systems that allows you to view CarPlay and a full native infotainment app at the same time.
The upshot of this is that if you activate CarPlay, it populates the top app card on the system and still offers the full set of app options for the bottom card, but if you tap navigation or phone, it simply activates Apple Maps or the Phone app up in the CarPlay screen rather than bringing up the Uconnect versions in the bottom card. It's not a huge deal, but it takes a little getting used to when things don't necessarily react as you'd expect.
As on the Pacifica Hybrid and other Uconnect vehicles, there is no "Ram" icon on the CarPlay home screen to take you back to the Uconnect system, thanks to Uconnect's bottom menu bar that lets you easily hop in and out of CarPlay controls from wherever you are in the system.
Both Uconnect and CarPlay can of course also be controlled via voice using a button on the steering wheel, with a short press bringing up the Uconnect voice assistant or a long press bringing up Siri.
Finally, while CarPlay is best controlled via the touchscreen, you can also control it using the hardware scroll/enter knob to the right of the display. As with other knob-based control systems, it's not as easy to navigate the CarPlay system as it is through direct touch manipulation, but the option is there if you prefer a more tactile input method.
Climate Control
While Uconnect offers access to extensive climate controls via the touchscreen, FCA has thankfully retained hardware buttons along the left and right sides of the display to control the most commonly used climate control options.
Adjusting the temperature via the hardware buttons, for example, briefly pops up a temperature display over top of your existing screen content rather than completely exiting to Uconnect's full climate control app.
Ports and Charging
As a work truck, the Ram 1500 unsurprisingly has a number of available power ports scattered throughout the cabin, including a 12V power port on top of the dash and two 115V traditional power outlets, one at the bottom of the center stack and one on the rear of the center console.
The Ram 1500 also has no shortage of USB ports, including both USB-A and USB-C variants. The center stack has two easily accessible sets of ports, with each set including both a USB-A and a USB-C port. Either set can be used to connect to the Uconnect system, including for CarPlay.
Rear passengers will find two more sets of USB-A and USB-C ports, with one set allowing Uconnect/CarPlay access while the second is for charging only. There's also a single USB-A port with Uconnect/CarPlay access inside the lid compartment of the center console if you want to keep your phone and cable completely hidden away.
My test vehicle also included a Qi wireless charger down near the bottom of the center stack. A rubbery holder keeps the phone upright and pressed against the vertical charger, with a blue light letting you know that your phone is charging. Its location low on the center stack means you won't really be able to see the screen of your phone while you're driving, but it's best to not be looking at your phone anyway.
Wireless CarPlay is not supported in the Ram 1500 or in any Uconnect system, so you'll need to have a Lightning to USB (Type-A or Type-C) cable on hand to hook things up. The rubbery phone holder in the center stack can hold a second phone to the right of the Qi charger, although larger phones with a cable sticking out may get in the way of the some of the toggle switches for parking sensors.
Wrap-up
The available 12-inch portrait display on the Ram 1500 is a rare feature among automotive infotainment systems, and it strikes an impressive look when you first encounter it. It's certainly handy being able to see two full-size app screens simultaneously, although some other manufacturers have been able to get away with nearly as much functionality packed into a split 75/25 widescreen display.
I appreciated that Ram maintained hardware buttons for the most important climate control options, as well as volume and tune/scroll knobs for those times you want to make changes by feel. And I really like the way Uconnect makes it easy to access frequently used functions through the customizable menu bar at the bottom of the screen.
Even more so, as with the Pacifica, I love the way CarPlay feels so integrated into Uconnect, making it incredibly easy to jump back and forth between the two systems. The split-screen portrait display even helps integrate things further by giving you access to both systems without even needing to switch.
Yes, there are a few quirks introduced by the fact that CarPlay usurps some of the traditional infotainment system functions, quirks made more obvious by that double app screen that lets you interact with both systems simultaneously. But overall, it's a net positive.
I do also still have some concerns about the shift toward increasingly large touchscreens in vehicles, which can make it harder to make changes by feel and end up taking your eyes off the road for longer. A portrait display magnifies these issues by bringing significant portions of the display lower on the center stack and away from the driver's line of sight. I would have appreciated it if the display could have been moved all the way to the top of the stack to minimize this issue as much as possible.
Pricing
The 2019 Ram 1500 starts at $31,795 for the Tradesman trim, but that only comes with a 5-inch Uconnect 3 infotainment system that doesn't support CarPlay. If you want CarPlay, you'll need to step up to at least the second-level Big Horn/Lone Star trim with the Level 1 Equipment Group that bumps up to an 8.4-inch Uconnect 4 system, bringing the total up to at a bit over $40,000.
The 12-inch portrait display reviewed here requires a minimum of the Laramie trim plus the Level 1 Equipment Group and the 12-inch display upgrade, which tips the scales at a little over $44,000. You can of course add all sorts of other upgrades to the Ram 1500, with my tester approaching $55,000 and a maxed out Limited model coming in at over $65,000.
Pickup trucks like the Ram 1500 have to serve a wide range of needs, so they're generally highly customizable with a variety of options across all different price ranges, and the Ram 1500 is certainly no exception. It would be nice if the 12-inch display system could be an option on lower-tier trims for tech-heavy users who may not have a need for some of the other upgrades you get as you move up the trim chart, but it's certainly not unusual for top-end technology to be limited to higher vehicle trims.
Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Ram Trucks
This article, "Review: 2019 Ram 1500 Offers a Gorgeous 12.3-Inch Portrait Display With CarPlay Support" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Hints of Magazine Subscription Service Spotted in Apple News in iOS 12.2 Beta
http://bit.ly/2S6U6A5
Apple is rumored to be working on a subscription-based service that will be offered in the Apple News app, and hints of that service were discovered in the iOS 12.2 beta.
Apple in 2018 acquired subscription-based digital magazine app Texture, leading to rumors suggesting Apple would develop a subscription-based news and magazine service.
Apple appears to be testing such a service internally based on images found in iOS 12.2 by 9to5Mac. A hidden landing page indicates Apple is going to call the service "Apple News Magazines," with customers able to subscribe in the Apple News app.
Billing appears to be handled through iTunes, much like Apple Music, and there are also reportedly hints of a "bundle subscription," suggesting rumors that Apple will develop an all-in-one subscription option for TV, Apple Music, and magazines could be accurate.
The interface for Apple News Magazines is similar in design to Texture. Texture, which is still available via the App Store, provides access to over 200 popular magazines like People, The New Yorker, Time, National Geographic, Shape, Newsweek, and more, all for a $9.99 per month fee.
Apple News Magazines could work similarly, though rumors have suggested it will also include news subscription options, and pricing is unclear. In September, Apple was rumored to be aiming to get major newspapers like the Washington Post and the New York Times to join its subscription service.
Late 2018 rumors indicated that Apple would launch its subscription news and magazine service in spring 2019, which could line up with the launch date of iOS 12.2. Apple has also held a March event for the last several years, and if such a service is in the works for spring 2019, a March event would be an ideal time to unveil it.
Early 2019 is also the prospective launch date for Apple's rumored TV streaming service, so it's quite possible both this news service and the TV service will be announced at the same time.
This article, "Hints of Magazine Subscription Service Spotted in Apple News in iOS 12.2 Beta" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2UfKm4b
Apple is rumored to be working on a subscription-based service that will be offered in the Apple News app, and hints of that service were discovered in the iOS 12.2 beta.
Apple in 2018 acquired subscription-based digital magazine app Texture, leading to rumors suggesting Apple would develop a subscription-based news and magazine service.
Apple appears to be testing such a service internally based on images found in iOS 12.2 by 9to5Mac. A hidden landing page indicates Apple is going to call the service "Apple News Magazines," with customers able to subscribe in the Apple News app.
Billing appears to be handled through iTunes, much like Apple Music, and there are also reportedly hints of a "bundle subscription," suggesting rumors that Apple will develop an all-in-one subscription option for TV, Apple Music, and magazines could be accurate.
The interface for Apple News Magazines is similar in design to Texture. Texture, which is still available via the App Store, provides access to over 200 popular magazines like People, The New Yorker, Time, National Geographic, Shape, Newsweek, and more, all for a $9.99 per month fee.
Apple News Magazines could work similarly, though rumors have suggested it will also include news subscription options, and pricing is unclear. In September, Apple was rumored to be aiming to get major newspapers like the Washington Post and the New York Times to join its subscription service.
Late 2018 rumors indicated that Apple would launch its subscription news and magazine service in spring 2019, which could line up with the launch date of iOS 12.2. Apple has also held a March event for the last several years, and if such a service is in the works for spring 2019, a March event would be an ideal time to unveil it.
Early 2019 is also the prospective launch date for Apple's rumored TV streaming service, so it's quite possible both this news service and the TV service will be announced at the same time.
Related Roundup: iOS 12
Tag: Apple News
This article, "Hints of Magazine Subscription Service Spotted in Apple News in iOS 12.2 Beta" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2UfKm4b
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