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Amazon’s Ring could finally get HomeKit support
The wait for Amazon's Ring video doorbell to integrate with Apple's HomeKit could soon be over. Ring has long promised HomeKit support, but it's faced repeated delays. Now, it looks like Ring's Video Doorbell Pro and Spotlight Cam have earned HomeKit certification. A Twitter user spotted the change on Apple's MFi licensing page.
AT&T is the first major US carrier to support eSIM on iPhone
eSIMs are finally getting a foot in the door in the US. Alongside the news that Apple has officially released iOS 12.1.1 to the public, which includes eSIM support, AT&T has become the first major US carrier to support eSIM for iPhone.
Razer offers three-year protection plans for PCs and phones
Razer's gaming-oriented laptops and smartphones are expensive, and the last thing you likely want is to pay directly for a repair if one of them breaks. If you live in the US, you might not have to. The brand has launched a RazerCare Essential protection plan in the country that extends the usual warranty from one to three years for PCs (two years for phones), providing around-the-clock phone help, repairs from authorized dealers and free shipping for any repairs. The company won't ask for a deductible on PC repairs, although it will ask for $25 for phone repairs and $150 for phone replacements.
Uber brings 24/7 phone support to the UK
The whole point of Uber is to make getting from A to B as easy and convenient as possible, but when things go awry (which can include anything from confusing cleaning fees to allegations of harassment) getting in touch with an actual human on Uber's side has been a herculean challenge. Until now. From today, Uber in the UK is launching a 24/7 helpline, available to both passengers and drivers.
Microsoft lets companies pay for Windows 7 support until 2023
Microsoft must still be scarred by having to support Windows XP well past its expiry date, as it's drawing a line in the sand for Windows 7 users. Corporate and institutional customers can only pay for extended security update support through January 2023, or about three years after Microsoft stops providing regular patches. On top of this, the price will increase every year between 2020 and 2023 -- the longer a company clings to the past, the costlier it gets.
Apple teaches photo editing with over-the-phone classes
Many device makers give you the tools to capture and edit great photos, but they seldom teach you how to make the most of those tools. Apple thinks it can -- and unlike in the past, you don't need to show up in person to develop your skills. The company has launched an over-the-phone training program that teaches you how to edit with Photos (both iOS and macOS) in a 30-minute one-on-one session with a specialist. It'll both show how to use simple adjustments like Auto Enhance as well as deeper edits like color balance and exposure. If you have Live Photos or Portrait mode pictures from your mobile devices, you'll learn how to edit those as well.
AirPlay 2 arrives on Sonos
AirPlay 2 has arrived on Sonos. From today, any app on your iOS devices can be streamed directly to Sonos speakers including Sonos Beam, Sonos One, Playbase and the second generation Play:5. Plus, Siri is on board with an extensive set of voice controls. Not only can you ask Siri to play songs on Apple Music, you can also specify which room or devices you want them to play on. The roll out comes a week ahead of the new Beam living room smart speaker, which ships with AirPlay 2 support as standard.
Now Google Duo can stay signed in on more than one phone
The latest build of Google Duo revealed multi-device support was on the cards, and while the feature hasn't been officially announced, it is rolling out to users now, according to 9to5Google. The function means you can simultaneously sign into the Duo video calling app on different devices, which will all alert you if someone's calling.
Apple's Support app expands to 20 more countries
The latest update for the Apple Support app -- the company's free, standalone tool designed to help users solve a range of service issues -- is now available, delivering a range of hotfixes and more. The most notable feature is the extension of support to over 20 new countries and regions. It also improves the app's overall accessibility with the addition of language assistance for Czech, Danish Finnish, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese and Russian.
Twitter kills its apps on Roku, Android TV and Xbox
Twitter pulled the plug on its official Mac app this past February, and its continuing to shut out other third party apps as well. The company tweeted that as of Thursday, May 24th, Twitter for set top media boxes Roku, Android TV and Xbox will no longer work. The company refers any of these device users to twitter.com for the "full Twitter experience."
Apple warns Mac users that 32-bit apps will soon stop working
Starting tomorrow, you'll see an alert box when you open a 32-bit app in MacOS 10.13.4. The one-time-per-app warning is designed to encourage users -- and developers -- to update their apps before Apple's full transition to 64-bit. It's not clear when the complete switch will happen, but when it does, all support for the legacy architecture will cease and apps that haven't been updated will stop working.
NVIDIA will end 32-bit OS GeForce support this month
NVIDIA recently warned that the end was nigh for GeForce support on 32-bit operating systems, and it has now put dates to that event. It will halt GeForce GPU driver support at the end of April, meaning users will lose access to new GeForce Experience features and game ready updates. Moreover, NVIDIA will end security updates by January 2019, so continuing to use your 32-bit OS with a GeForce card beyond that date could actually put it at risk.
Audible returns to Sonos speakers after two-year hiatus
It's taken a while (over two years in fact), but Audible is now available on Sonos again. Following an incompatible update the service was removed in August 2015, much to the annoyance of bibliophiles everywhere, but today it makes its triumphant return -- and support for Alexa is set to follow, too. Just add Audible as a service in the Sonos App, or play directly from the Audible app, to get started.
Say goodbye to 'Pokémon Go' on older iPhones
If you're a hardcore Pokémon Go trainer with an old phone, it might be time for an upgrade. Niantic has announced its plans to drop support for iOS devices that can't be updated to iOS 11, so phones released in or before 2013 (that's the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C) aren't going to work with the game anymore.
Uber tests 24/7 support hotline with its most frequent customers
While Uber tries to mend its company culture and make things easier on drivers, it's also building out support for its most loyal customers. The company is started two different pilot programs this week for a portion of its heaviest users: One is a call hotline available 24/7, while the other offers 'specially trained experts' for the in-app support feature, Uber confirmed.
Apple reminds iPhone X owners they're using an OLED display
Apple's bezel-less "X" is the first iPhone with an OLED screen -- a technology known for its greater contrast and saturation, but also for its tendency to get burn-in. To make sure customers understand that their $1,000 phone might suffer from image persistence in the future, the tech titan has updated the iPhone X's display support page to explain how an OLED screen works.
Google lists all the devices Home supports for easy reference
The number of gadgets Google Home supports is getting pretty large these days. According to the company, more than 1,000 smart home devices from more than 150 brands play nice with its smart speakers to control things around your house. That's quite a lot of gadgets. If you're looking for a way to find out whether or not your Google Home, Mini or Max will work with the specific smart devices you have in your own home, the company has provided a new support page that lists all the compatible gear.
Microsoft officially ends support for Windows Phone
It's official: for all intents and purposes, the Windows Phone era is over. Microsoft has ended support for Windows Phone 8.1 just over 3 years after its April 2014 debut. From now on, your WP8.1-toting device won't get software updates or technical help. This doesn't mark the end of Microsoft's mobile ambitions (Windows 10 Mobile is still hanging around), but it does finish a long, sad story in the company's history that reflects the tech giant's shifting priorities.
Twitter wants you to slide into its DMs for account help
Ever wanted to have a private chat with Twitter to settle your burning questions? At last, you can. As hinted a few weeks ago, Twitter has started offering both tips and account help through direct messages to @support. You're talking to a chatbot and not a live human, but this could still help you deal with abuse, regain control of an account or offer feedback without scrounging around Twitter's website first. It certainly beats having to publicly mention the @support account and hope for the best. Just don't expect them to give you an edit button and you'll be set.
Customer service on Twitter now includes location sharing
Twitter is one way to easily get some customer service. A simple tweet can often get a faster response than finding a customer support number or using email. The social network has a new feature to make support even more personal: Brands can now request and share location data with users via direct messages.
