Friday, November 1, 2019

How to Play Ambient Sounds on HomePod

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Apple released a new 13.2.1 HomePod software update in October 2019 that brings the ability to play relaxing high-quality soundtracks with Ambient Sounds. This article explains how to use them.


The software update will be installed automatically on the ‌HomePod‌, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how-to.

How to Play Ambient Sounds on ‌HomePod‌


The Ambient Sounds feature offers seven continuous streaming options. They include the following:
  • Rain

  • Stream

  • White Noise

  • Fireplace

  • Forest

  • Night

  • Ocean
To start streaming one of the sounds on your ‌HomePod‌, simply ask Siri. To play White Noise for example, you would say "Hey ‌Siri‌, play white noise sounds."

You can also get ‌HomePod‌ to play a random ambient sound by saying "Hey ‌Siri‌, play sounds."

How to Set a Sleep Timer on ‌HomePod‌


Additionally, you can play an ambient sound and set a sleep timer so that it automatically stops playing after a certain period of time has passed.

First, get ‌HomePod‌ to play an ambient sound using one of the phrases above, then say "Hey ‌Siri‌, set a sleep timer for 45 minutes," or however long you want it to play for.

If you listen to the ‌HomePod‌'s ambient sounds very carefully, you may notice that they loop after about 15 minutes, but it's not something you're likely to pick up on if you're using them as background audio for focus or relaxation.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)

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Mario Kart Tour Multiplayer Beta Test to Launch in December

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Nintendo has announced that it will begin testing a multiplayer option for its Mario Kart Tour mobile game in December, a step towards the full multiplayer mode that's considered essential to the mobile title's success.

The announcement came on Friday via the Japanese video game giant's official Twitter account and explained that access to multiplayer would initially be limited to Mario Kart Tour Gold Pass subscribers.

Mario Kart Tour for iOS and Android devices currently lacks the option to race against friends, leaving it shorn of the vital game mechanic that has helped make it one of Nintendo's longest running franchises on console.


Nintendo's latest smartphone app was downloaded over 90 million times in its first week, according to Sensor Tower. The number eclipses both Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and Super Mario Run, which were downloaded a respective 14.3 million times and just under 13 million times in their debut week, making Mario Kart Tour Nintendo's biggest mobile game launch to date.

Announced in January 2018, the game was delayed several times before its debut in September. The game's optional "Gold Pass" subscription introduces various in-game items and badges and also unlocks the faster 200cc mode. Nintendo is offering a two-week free trial, after which it costs $4.99 a month.

Mario Kart Tour is a free download from the App Store, requires iOS 10 or later to play, and officially supports iPhone 5s or iPad Air and later devices. A Nintendo Account is also required to play the game. [Direct Link]


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Moto Razr 2019 with Foldable Display Appears in Official Images, Launch Set for November 13


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What to Do if You're Not Seeing Your Apple TV+ 1-Year Free Trial Offer

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Apple TV+ officially launched on November 1, and anyone who purchased an iPhone, iPad, ‌Apple TV‌, iPod touch, or Mac after September 10 can get a year's subscription to it for free.


The free one-year trial can be activated in the ‌Apple TV‌ app at launch on any qualifying Apple device. However, we've heard some reports that some iPhone 11 owners aren't seeing the trial they're entitled to in the TV app.

If the trial isn't showing up for you in the mobile TV app, here's a solution that appears to be working for many people.


Open a desktop web browser, go to https://tv.apple.com and log in using your Apple ID credentials. You should be able to accept the 1-year free trial offer from there. Then on your iPhone, sign out of the TV app, close it, then launch the app and sign in again.

Your one-year free ‌Apple TV‌+ trial should hopefully now be active.

1-Year Subscription to ‌Apple TV‌+ Offers Savings


Also today, Apple quietly added a one-year subscription offer to its subscription options for the video streaming service.

subscriptions
A one-year year ‌Apple TV‌+ subscription offers a $9.89 annual saving over the $4.99 monthly plan (around a 15 percent discount). Users can select it without affecting their free one year trial by going to the Account section of the TV app: Manage Subscriptions -> ‌Apple TV‌+.

(Thanks, orbitalpunk!)


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Realme 3 Pro’s Latest Update Optimizes Gaming Experience, Brings Dark Mode, and More Features


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Leaked real-life image of the Huawei Nova 6 showcases the dual punch-hole display


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Apple TV+ Streaming Service Launches With 'Dickinson,' 'For All Mankind,' 'See' and More

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Apple TV+, Apple's new streaming television service, is already available in the ‌Apple TV‌ app on the iPhone. The rollout today will include iPhone, iPad, ‌Apple TV‌, Mac, and devices like Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV sticks, and the web at tv.apple.com.

Priced at $4.99 per month for up to six family members, ‌Apple TV‌+ provides unlimited access to original Apple-created TV shows and movies. Apple is also bundling a year of free service with any recent (since Sept 10th) purchase of am iPhone, ‌iPad‌, ‌Apple TV‌, iPod touch, or Mac.


‌Apple TV‌+ is available in more than 100 countries and regions around the world at launch. ‌Apple TV‌+ content is subtitled and/or dubbed in close to 40 languages, plus there are closed captions and audio descriptions in eight languages.


TV shows that are available at launch include "See," "The Morning Show," "Dickinson," "For All Mankind," "Helpsters," "Snoopy in Space," "Ghostwriter," and Oprah Winfrey's Book Club. "The Elephant Queen," a documentary, is also available.


Apple plans to add additional shows to ‌Apple TV‌+ each month such as "Servant," "Truth Be Told," and "Little America." A full list of Apple's TV shows and movies can be found in our guide.


‌Apple TV‌+ content can be watched both online or offline, and there are no ads. Most of the TV shows launching today will premiere with three episodes, with additional episodes to roll out each wee.


If you've purchased an iPhone, ‌iPad‌, ‌Apple TV‌, ‌iPod touch‌, or Mac after September 10, you can get a year's subscription to ‌Apple TV‌+ for free. A free subscription can be activated in the ‌Apple TV‌ app at launch.


iOS 12.3, tvOS 13.2, and macOS Catalina are required for ‌Apple TV‌+ on iPhone/‌iPad‌, ‌Apple TV‌, and Macs, respectively, but content can be watched on any device by going to tv.apple.com in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

For more on ‌Apple TV‌+, make sure to check out our Apple TV+ guide. Discuss shows in our new Apple TV+ forum.


This article, "Apple TV+ Streaming Service Launches With 'Dickinson,' 'For All Mankind,' 'See' and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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