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iMessage App Store adds stickers and games to iOS 10 texting
iOS 10 beta users can now explore a whole new world of add-ons for iMessage, according to 9to5mac. Cupertino has launched its new iMessage App Store for iOS 10 beta, and you can use it to download games and apps like OpenTable and SquareMoney. You can also download sticker packs from the store -- hey, it won't be complete without cute stickers in the mix -- some of which come from big-name companies like Disney, Bandai Namco and Sanrio. Some of the apps are tied to ones you'll have to get from the main App Store, but others are completely independent. If you're not a beta tester, don't worry: check your Settings app's Update section tomorrow, September 13th, to download and install iOS 10.
Text 'Call Me Maybe' to your crush with Genius Lyric Messages
Genius is where the internet turns for rap lyrics (mostly) and song annotations, and tomorrow you'll be able to send those to your pals without leaving iMessage. The way the press release describes it, the process sounds fairly simple. And even a bit GBoard-like with its card structure. "Users can create Genius Lyric Messages for any song available on Genius, regardless of artist, genre, language, year or chart popularity," the press release reads. From there you can customize the card's background image and send it to whoever you want, be it via iMessage or your preferred social apps. Don't use iMessage? You can send lyrics from within the iOS-exclusive (for now) Genius app itself.
Apple's kid-friendly iPad coding app arrives tomorrow
There are lots of initiatives to teach kids how to code, including ventures from Google, Minecraft and even the Star Wars franchise. However, with Swift Playground, Apple is actually prepping kids for a potential career at, well, Apple. The company has announced that the app, based on the Swift language used for iOS, OS X, WatchOS, tvOS and Linux, will arrive alongside iOS 10 tomorrow (September 13th).
What happened at the iPhone event
If you're still reeling from the loss of the headphone jack and need to catch up with all of today's Apple news, Engadget's own Michael Gorman breaks down the new iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 introduced at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium this morning.
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are all about subtle, powerful changes
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are here, and -- wouldn't you know it? -- just about all those leaks were right. It goes without saying that we're not looking at a massive redesign here, either. There are the new black and jet-black finishes, the camera humps have changed, the antenna bands have been moved, and they're more subtly worked into the body. The list goes on, but ultimately we're working with iPhones that look and feel quite a bit like last year's models.
iOS 10 will be available to download on September 13th
In some countries, Tuesday the 13th is the unlucky date (not Friday). Coincidentally, that's the date you'll be able to upgrade your iPhone or iPad to iOS 10. Version 10 of iOS has been rattling around since Apple's developer conference in June, and we've had a pretty good look at most of the new features, but now they're finally ready for prime time.
What to expect from Apple's 'See You' iPhone event
It's that time of year again. It's the end of summer, and Apple is once again on the cusp of introducing a new iPhone. Only this year, there's a different buzz. There's been talk of Cupertino playing it relatively safe with a new smartphone for the second year in a row or even taking away the time-honored headphone jack. What's the deal with that? And of course, this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. The Apple Watch is getting long in the tooth, new versions of iOS and macOS are nearly ready... and as many will tell you, large swaths of Apple's iPad and Mac lineups are gathering dust. But just what are you going to see when Tim Cook and company take the stage? We've rounded up some of the more plausible leaks, rumors and educated guesses to help set expectations for Apple's September 7th media extravaganza.
Microsoft just changed its toy gun emoji to a real pistol
Looks like Microsoft and Apple may not be on the same page about firearm emojis afterall. Right after Apple changed its gun emoji to a water pistol in iOS 10, Microsoft replaced its toy pistol emoji with an actual revolver.
A new iOS 10 feature warns against open WiFi networks
We all know it's generally a bad idea to access unsecured networks via WiFi, but it's not every day your phone warns against it. According to Florida-based Apple beta tester Jeb Stuart, iOS 10 will do exactly that.
iOS 10 warns when your Lightning port gets wet
Many mobile devices are water-resistant (some more than others), but they'll rarely tell you when there's a less-than-obvious danger. You might not find out that you've soaked something important until a gadget doesn't work. Apple appears to have a solution, though: recent betas for iOS 10 will serve a warning when there's liquid detected in your device's Lightning port. Ideally, this gives you time to pull an accessory (and dry out your gear) before there's any real damage.
Apple releases second public betas for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra
Were you quick to hop on the test versions of iOS 10 and macOS Sierra? It's time to start updating. Apple has released the second public betas of both platforms, and they're not just adding some spit and polish. The new iOS 10 beta introduces a functioning option for using Touch ID to unlock your device the "old-fashioned" iOS 9 way, where resting your finger is enough to get to your home screen. If you lock an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, you'll get vibration feedback. And if you're a health maven, you can opt to share your activity and workout data to help improve Apple's fitness features.
iOS users report Apple ID lockouts (update: temporary fix)
You might want to hold off on trying the iOS 10 beta if you can't bear to be without two-factor sign-ins. At least a handful of users are reporting a two-part problem that has locked them out of their Apple IDs. The first part is a bug with app-specific passwords that can force a password reset, regardless of the iOS version you use. It's not the worst issue if you're using a stable version of iOS, since it takes mere moments to get a new password. Things may go haywire if you're an iOS beta tester with two-factor authentication turned on, however. Users say that Apple's iForgot password system doesn't work for those experimenters, shutting them out of their accounts the moment the app-specific password glitch creeps up.
iOS 10 preview: Apple's software takes a big step forward
Rumor has it that Apple isn't going to reinvent the iPhone this year, but you definitely can't say the same about its software. iOS 10 was unveiled to the world late in the company's Worldwide Developer Conference keynote, and for good reason -- there were many, many new software features to unpack. And now it's time to play. Assuming you have the guts to install unfinished software, you'll be able to grab the iOS 10 public beta soon (as long as you're part of the Apple Beta Software Program, anyway). As a quick reminder, the preview is compatible with the iPhone 5 and newer, the iPad mini 2 and newer, and the sixth-generation iPod touch. Before you choose your sacrificial iDevice, though, read on to get a better sense of what works in the beta, what doesn't and how Apple's approach to software continues to evolve.
Apple will use the iPhone to encourage new organ donors
Apple CEO Tim Cook knows firsthand the agony of watching a close friend wait for an organ transplant, so his company is doing something to help ease the shortage. With iOS 10, Apple will add a new button to the Health app that will allow users to enroll in with Donate Life America. That non-profit organization promotes organ donation and facilitates registries, including its own National Donate Life registry.
Apple left iOS 10's core code unencrypted on purpose
Apple is infamous for guarding its secrets tightly, so it came as a big surprise that the preview version of iOS 10 it released at WWDC has an unencrypted kernel. According to a spokesperson, though, Cupertino did it on purpose, because by leaving it unencrypted, the company was "able to optimize the operating system's performance without compromising security." The kernel is the heart of an operating system, and on iOS, it's in charge of security and managing what parts of an iPhone or an iPad apps can access. Apple used to keep it under several layers of protection -- now that security researchers can examine it more closely, bugs could come to light more quickly than before.
Apple will only let you remove iOS 10 apps, not delete them
Apple confirmed that it's giving you the power to drop native mobile apps on iOS 10 when it published an official support page detailing the feature for beta testers. What that page didn't mention is that you can't really delete stock apps, you can only remove them from your home screen. When you delete a stock application on iOS 10, it loses its configurations and purges any data you gave it. However, its binary file will remain in your system even if you can't see its icon anymore, the company's SVP of software engineering told Apple blogger John Gruber.
Your iPad can double as a smart home hub with iOS 10
No inclination to get the latest Apple TV just to give yourself a hub for your HomeKit devices? If you have a reasonably recent iPad hanging around, you won't have to. Apple tells SlashGear that iOS 10 can use your iPad as a smart home hub as long as the tablet is both plugged in and connected to your network. It seems like an odd move, but Apple says it's all about increasing HomeKit's reach -- you can't buy the new Apple TV in countries like China, so the iPad offers that remote home automation instead. Either way, you probably won't want to try this in a multi-person household. You don't want to lose out-of-home control over your thermostat just because Junior decided to play Hearthstone.
iOS 10 can livestream your games
You won't have to use an Android phone if you want to livestream your mobile gaming sessions. Apple has revealed that iOS 10 will include ReplayKit Live, a feature that livestreams apps in addition to previous recording support. As you might expect, you can also include your own audio or video remarks. You'll have to wait for both iOS 10 and supporting apps, of course (Mobcrush is one of the first to make plans), but it could be a big deal for iOS gamers who've wanted to share a hot new title while they're playing it. ReplayKit Live should be useful in more productive apps, too -- it could help teachers demonstrate concepts through educational apps, or open the window to live technical help.
Apple's iOS 10 will transcribe voicemails and show calls made in apps
Not many of us send voice messages anymore, and most folks sure hate checking them. Apple is trying to adapt to that with voicemail transcription, a beta feature on iOS 10 revealed at its WWDC keynote today. Instead of listening to Aunt Edna drone on for 10 minutes, you can get the gist by scanning a transcript of her message in text form. Alternatively, you can still listen to the message visual voicemail-style, call her back or delete the message.
Apple iOS 10 uses AI to help you find photos and type faster
Apple is making artificial intelligence a big, big cornerstone of iOS 10. To start, the software uses on-device computer vision to detect both faces and objects in photos. It'll recognize a familiar friend, for instance, and can tell that there's a mountain in the background. While this is handy for tagging your shots, the feature really comes into its own when you let the AI do the hard work. There's a new Memories section in the Photos app that automatically organizes pictures based on events, people and places, complete with related memories (such as similar trips) and smart presentations. Think of it as Google Photos without having to go online.
