The new Apple Maps is now available in more than half of the U.S.
Apple is currently rolling out a new version of Apple Maps -- and that new version is now available in more than half the U.S. The new Apple Maps adds features like Look Around, as well as more natural Siri guidance. Apple says the new Apple Maps will be rolled out to the rest of the country by the end of 2019.
Apple is holding a special ceremony for its favorite apps and games of 2019
According to a leaked invitation, Apple will be holding a special ceremony for its best-of awards for this year's apps and games. According to the invite, this ceremony will take place in New York City on December 2. But we're not supposed to know yet, so please keep the speculative chatter to a minimum.
iOS update for iPhone squashes bugs in Mail, Notes, and Messages
Apple on Monday issued its seventh software update for the iPhone since the release of iOS 13. The latest release improves the handset's overall performance and squashes several bugs in Mail, Files, Notes, and Messages. iOS 13 is available for the iPhone 6S onward as well as the latest iPod Touch.
Internet shut down in Iran in response to large-scale fuel protests
The "largest internet shutdown ever observed in Iran" is happening right now in response to ongoing protests sparked by a sudden rise in fuel prices late last week. The nationwide blackout appears to be an attempt by the Iranian government to prevent people from organizing protests and disseminating news of the unrest.
WhatsApp flaw could have let hackers take control of a phone via an MP4 file
A new WhatsApp security flaw has been discovered that would have allowed hackers to take control of a user's smartphone by sending them a specially coded MP4 file. According to Facebook, the flaw has been patched in the latest version of WhatsApp -- so it's worth updating if you haven't yet.
Google Maps puts Local Guides front and center for top travel tips
Google Maps is giving more prominence to its top Local Guides in a test designed to give travelers easier access to their suggestions for things to do and places to go. The pilot, which places the Guides in Maps' personalized For You section, begins in nine cities that include New York, San Francisco, and London.
Microsoft will shut down Cortana app for Android, iOS in January 2020
Microsoft published a support article that sets the shutdown date of the Cortana app for iOS and Android on January 31, 2020. The support article, however, was not found on the U.S. support website, which opens the possibility that the app will remain functional in the United States.
Spotify starts testing real-time lyrics to enable karaoke experience
Spotify is testing a real-time lyrics feature in its mobile app, but only for users in certain countries. The public release of the feature, which will allow listeners to sing along to songs, is not yet known, but it should come soon as a similar experience just arrived to rival Apple Music.
Avoid juice jacking! L.A. warns travelers against public USB charging stations
The District Attorney's Office of Los Angeles County issued a warning against juice jacking, a method in which hackers load malware into public USB charging stations. While the attack is nowhere near epidemic levels, travelers are recommended to consider safer alternatives while on the go.
Apple has banned all vaping-related apps from the App Store
Following months of mystery surrounding vaping-related illnesses and deaths, Apple has made the decision to remove all vaping-related apps from the App Store. Already downloaded apps will continue to work, but apps can no longer be downloaded or updated.
Google wants an iMessage Android alternative. RCS won’t help it do that
Google is having another go at building an iMessage alternative for Android with RCS. But its plans have way too many moving parts and already begun to show cracks. Instead, it likely has a better chance of succeeding by merging a simple instant messaging service inside its existing SMS app.
More features at half the price: This new smartwatch wants to take on Apple Watch
The Pollix Watch, now available through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, is looking to take on the Apple Watch by offering a wealth of features, including heart-rate monitoring, GPS, and meditation features, at a budget price.
Exclusive: AT&T will prove the potential of 5G at DreamHack’s CS:GO tournament
AT&T will be at the DreamHack Open to show what a 5G network can do by streaming footage of the CS:GO tournament live. Three 5G-enabled smartphones will be on hand to capture unique perspectives, and their footage will be spliced into the official Twitch livestream.
Google Search can now teach you how to pronounce tricky words
A new Google Search feature shows you how to pronounce difficult or unusual words. It’ll even offer feedback if you practice the pronunciation by speaking it into the microphone. It also offers the phonetic spelling of the word and an animation that shows you how to move your mouth when saying it.
Google is finally rolling out RCS support to Android Messages in the U.S.
Google is finally bringing support for better messaging to users in the U.S. The company announced that it's rolling out support for RCS to users of the Android Messages app. The new standard will allow for better read receipts, better group messaging, and better support for multimedia.
4 things I like about the Motorola Razr and 4 I don’t
The jury is still out on folding phones, and there's plenty room for innovation. Enter Motorola with a revamped Razr sporting a folding OLED screen. The nostalgia aspect makes me warm and fuzzy and that folding action looks sweet and seamless, but there are some less likable issues here.
New iPhone SE and iPad Pro with 3D sensing tipped for early 2020 release
According to a new research note from Ming-Chi Kuo, a new iPhone SE and a new iPad Pro are expected to be released in the first half of 2020. According to the report, the new iPad Pro will feature a 3D sensing camera with a time-of-flight lens, helping boost Apple's AR efforts.
The foldable Motorola Razr makes big phones less of a handful
Motorola has ended years of speculation by announcing the new Motorola Razr -- a foldable phone that takes more than a few design pointers from the classic Razr V3 clamshell phone. With a vertically folding 6.2-inch POLED display and a smaller external display, is Motorola's vision of the future a winner?
Motorola Razr hands-on review: A $1,500 blast from the past
Motorola has revived the Razr namesake, and with it brought us a modern smartphone packing a gorgeous foldable screen. It's a splash of something new while still evoking the nostalgic look and feel of a phone you can slam shut. But for all this beauty and wonder, there is a cost.
Google is bringing some Translate features into Google Maps
Google is bringing Google Maps and Google Translate a little closer together by adding part of Translate to Google Maps. You can tap on a button within Google Maps to have the name of your destination and the address read out in the local language. It will be available to users over the next month in over 50 languages.
An iOS bug gives Facebook background access to your iPhone’s camera
A new iOS bug allows the Facebook app to access your iPhone’s camera in the background. The issue keeps the camera active in the background when you scroll through your personal feed. The glitch becomes apparent when you open a picture on the Facebook app and swipe it down to return to the feed.
The CastAway adds a Chromium-powered second screen to your smartphone
Dual-screen and foldable phones are the future -- but it's likely to be an exceptionally expensive future. In a new IndieGoGo campaign, CastAway is offering to add dual-screen functionality to your existing smartphone for just $200. Powered by Chromium, the CastAway can be used as a book, laptop, or a second device.
Honor V30 to launch November 26, and it’s going to have 5G
Honor will launch the V30 smartphone on November 26, and not only will it have a dual-selfie camera inside a cutout on the screen, but it will also have 5G, making it the first Honor phone to be released with the new connectivity. While the date is likely only for China, the V30 should also be released internationally.
Frustrated by slow websites? Google Chrome may have a solution
It's no fun waiting for a slow website to load, so Google is planning a badge system that warns users when a page is likely to take a long time to appear. It's hoped the system will also nudge developers into optimizing their websites, making the web a less frustrating place for everyone that uses it.
The Apple Card is being investigated for sexism. Here’s Goldman Sachs’ response
After numerous complaints, the Apple Card is being investigated for the algorithm behind it being sexist and giving men higher credit limits than women, even in cases where women have higher credit scores. Goldman Sachs has since issued a response to the complaints.
Apple plans to release AR headset in 2022, AR glasses in 2023
According to a new report, Apple's augmented reality headset may not be released until 2022, despite rumors that the company was planning on releasing it in 2020. The report notes that Apple will release an Oculus Quest-type headset in 2022, followed by a glasses-type device in 2023.
New Apple bug may be sharing your Keychain passwords with Family Sharing members
A new bug in Apple's Family Sharing feature may be sharing your Keychain passwords with family members. A few Apple users say that their Keychain credentials are being synced with the rest of the family members without their permission. The issue will likely require a new patch.
Apple Card under investigation over alleged gender bias in setting credit limits
Allegations of gender discrimination have surfaced against the Apple Card, starting with a viral complaint by David Heinemeier Hansson, the programmer behind Ruby on Rails. An investigation will probe the Apple and Goldman Sachs joint venture, following Hannson's claim of gender bias.
Samsung Galaxy S11 will reportedly launch with 3 screen sizes across 5 models
Reliable leaker Evan Blass tweeted preliminary details about the Samsung Galaxy S11, claiming that it will come with three screen size options over a total of five models. The lineup will reportedly go as large as a 6.9-inch display, with options for LTE and 5G models, according to Blass.
Roku app transforms Apple Watch into wearable remote control with voice commands
The Roku app is now available as a free download for the Apple Watch, enabling basic remote control functions on the wearable device's screen. The app also offers a Channel Launcher, voice search and voice command capabilities, and a way to find the Roku remote control in case it gets lost.
Downed server caused nearly 170K Valentine’s texts to be delivered on Wednesday
Almost 170,000 text messages failed to send on Valentine's Day, and this week they finally went through. Now, we may finally have a reason. According to a statement from a company called Syniverse, a downed server that finally went back online yesterday is the cause behind the phantom texts.
The Samsung Galaxy S11 will have a massive battery, according to leak
A new leak suggests that the Samsung Galaxy S11 will seriously step things up on battery life. The leak, which comes from known Samsung leaker Ice Universe, suggests that even the smallest Galaxy S11e will have a 4,000mAh battery, meaning that the Galaxy S11+ could have up to a 5,000mAh battery.
Apple’s iOS 13 is now available. Here are all the new features
Apple announced iOS 13 during the keynote presentation at its 2019 Worldwide Developer Conference. This next version of its mobile operating system is available on any compatible iPhone, iPad, or iPod, as well as the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. Here's everything you need to know.
T-Mobile promises free 5G for first responders if Sprint merger goes through
T-Mobile CEO John Legere promised that the carrier will offer 10 years of free 5G service to first responders if its merger with Sprint goes through in the next year. According to to T-Mobile, if all first responders sign up for the service, they could save up to $7.7 billion.