iCloud Passwords for Chrome is no longer only on Windows
macOS Sonoma’s best kept secret is really no secret at all, and it’s something Chrome browser users are going to love.
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Author
Zac covers Apple news for 9to5Mac and hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast.
Philips Hue lights will soon gain a brightness balancer and automation enhancements
Philips Hue customers will soon have a new way to control lighting around the home. Signify will add a new brightness feature through an update to the Philips Hue app. Users will also have access to expanded automation tools.
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Apple releases Apple Music Classical for Android before iPad or Mac apps
After buying Primephonic in 2021, Apple premiered Apple Music Classical on iPhone at the end of March. Starting today, Android users with an Apple Music subscription can also tune in to the classics.
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Electrify America rolling out CarPlay and Android Auto apps for finding EV charging stations
Electrify America is upgrading its mobile apps to work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment systems starting today. The new feature helps electric vehicle drivers easily discover the nearest EA charging station, initiate and complete charging remotely, and view charging plan details.
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Quibi video service shuts down 6 months after launch, 1 day after Apple TV app release
According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, the short-form video streaming service Quibi will shut down after less than a year. The report says that Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg has spent the day calling investors to inform them of the shutdown.
Notably, the shutdown comes just 24 hours after Quibi debuted its Apple TV application…
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Budget-friendly Sling TV adds Fox News, MSNBC, and $5 price increase for all customers
Happy holidays from Sling TV! The value-focused live TV streaming service is adding more news channels to one of its plans starting today. Sling TV subscribers including existing customers will also see a $5/month increase on all plans as part of the change. Sling explains why:
Mario Kart Tour launching on iPhone and Android next month, Nintendo announces
Over a year and a half ago, Nintendo announced plans to bring Mario Kart Tour to the iPhone and Android. Now, the company has given the game an official release date, teasing that it will be available starting next month.
Review: Sony WF-1000XM3 true wireless noise-canceling earbuds are the new champs
Over the past month, I’ve used the Sony’s poorly-named but pretty incredible WF-1000XM3 wireless earbuds for gym workouts (recommended) and bike rides (at your own risk). These $228 earbuds fall between Apple’s $159 AirPods and $259 PowerBeats Pro but offer something both don’t: active noise cancellation.
In fact, I reviewed the PowerBeats Pro last month and thought I was done with my search for the perfect wireless earbuds. Turns out I was wrong…
Can smart home devices get viruses? Experts separate fact from fiction …
Can smart home devices get viruses? There’s been a lot of talk about the idea of IoT (Internet of Things) devices being infected by viruses, not least because Samsung this month recommended scanning its QLED televisions for viruses every few weeks.
Security experts from Avast and Symantec have set out to separate fact from fiction. They say that while a virus isn’t impossible, it is extremely unlikely – but there are four other ways the security of your smart home can be compromised, and we outline some simple steps you can take to reduce the risks …
Having Siri, Google Assistant & other intelligent assistants female by default is sexist, says UN
Apple’s decision to make Siri’s voice female by default in the US and many other countries reinforces gender bias, claims a new United Nations report. The same complaint is levelled at Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa and Microsoft’s Cortana.
The problem with this, says the report, is that it ‘reflects and reinforces’ the idea that assistants – acting in a support role – are female …
Podcast listeners have gone from three-quarters white to reflective of US population
A decade ago, podcast listeners were almost three-quarters white. Today, says a new report, the audience for podcasts is almost as ethnically diverse as the US population …
[Update: Rollout details] Pokemon Go will soon use Apple Health and Google Fit data to hatch eggs and earn candy
Niantic has announced a new feature called Adventure Sync that’s coming soon to Pokemon Go on iOS and Android. Adventure Sync will use Apple Health and Google Fit activity data to credit players with distance traveled in the real world for hatching eggs and earning candy — even when Pokemon Go is not running.
Update 11/1: This post has been updated with information about the Adventure Sync feature rollout and how it works.
Snapchat update lets you delete sent messages, Spectacles hit Amazon․com
Snapchat messaging has always been ephemeral in nature with chat logs disappearing moments after being opened, but what about taking back messages that you regret sending before they’re opened? Now you can do that with Snapchat’s new clear chat feature! Snapchat is also making it easier to buy its photo and video capturing shades…
Plex overhauls mobile app with customizable home screen, podcast playback
Plex is out with a major new app update today that includes two big changes. First up is a new personalization feature that lets you arrange your home screen within the app as well as top-level navigation. And second is podcast support with subscribing to shows and playing back episodes.
Snapchat update introduces Snappables — a new way to play fun AR games with your friends
Snapchat is continuing to build features on top of its signature selfie filters, and its newest addition may have you making crazy faces in public. Snappables are augmented reality-based games that let you compete with your friends uses Lenses.
Snapchat Lens Studio now lets anyone create AR Face Lenses, gains integrated GIF stickers
Snapchat is updating its Lens Studio tool with the ability to create custom Face Lenses for the first time. Lens Studio previously offered the ability to create World Lenses, or AR effects applied to your environment, and now users can create custom selfie effects as well.
Apple Music for Android gains ‘new music video experience’ in latest update
Apple Music for Android continues to receive new updates that bring it in line with the iOS 11 version. The latest update released this week includes a ‘new music video experience’ following the same enhancements added in iOS 11.3 last week.
Apple Music for Android updated with crash fix, playback reliability improvements
Apple Music for Android has received its second app update of the month — an uncommon occurrence for the rarely updated Apple Music client.
Alexa-equipped ecobee Switch+ with Google Assistant support now available for pre-order, ships March 26
After being teased last summer, ecobee has officially announced pricing and availability for its new Switch+ smart home accessory. Switch+ is available for pre-order starting today and ships on March 26 for $99 in the US and $119 in Canada. Like other smart light switches, Switch+ includes Alexa integration as well as Google Assistant support for controlling lights — but Switch+ takes integration with Amazon’s voice assistant a step further by building it in to the light switch.
Jurassic World Alive roaring to Android and iOS with AR dinosaurs, Pokémon GO-like gameplay
Gigantic dinosaurs may soon be roaming the planet once again — at least on Android and iOS. Universal Studios and Montreal-based video game company Ludia have teamed up to create Jurassic World Alive. The title is a new augmented reality game launching this spring, and the premise is similar to Niantic’s Pokémon GO.
Pokémon GO launching monthly Community Day for Trainers
Niantic is still cracking away at its AR-hit game Pokémon GO with a new series of events called Community Day. These events will be scheduled once a month around the world and aim to bring Trainers, or Pokémon GO players, together with special perks.
Snapchat unveils redesign with focused friends and media sections ahead of limited release
Snapchat teased out earlier this month that its app would soon see its first major redesign, and today we’re seeing the first look at the new Snapchat. The details come a bit earlier than expected, although the rollout will be gradual…
Instagram continues Snapchat assault, lifts 24 hour limit on Stories clone
Instagram is continuing its assault on Snapchat (which is working) by opening up its Stories clone to any photos and videos in your photo library. Stories were originally limited to shots and footage captured in the app, then later updated to include photos and video captured within the last 24 hours.
Pokémon GO gets spooky with Hoenn Region ghost-type monsters and Halloween Pikachu
Pokémon GO is kicking off its second in-game Halloween event with new ghost-type pocket monsters from the Hoenn Region, a special Pikachua with a witch hat, and more rewards and perks.
