Question: One of the most frequently used applications and one of the seemingly most restrictive is email. I want to be able to compose messages that include bullet or numbered lists, different colors for words, different fonts and font sizes, and paragraph justification (left, center, right). Airmail has some options but brings a host of...
App Debuts
Serial Reader Serial Reader takes public domain classic books and breaks them into installments that can be read in about 20 minutes. You can choose from over 400 books, which are delivered daily. I particularly like the care and attention that has gone into the design of the books. They look great and are...
Album
Red Pandas Cuddly animated red pandas are cute, and your messages probably need more cute. This is a modestly-sized sticker pack, but every one of them is a fluffy, red ball of adorableness that will cheer up your friends and family. Cat Life I feel like there hasn’t been a great sticker pack dedicated...
Apple Announces September 12 Event
As first reported by Marques Brownlee, Apple has announced a media event for September 12, 2017 at 10:00 am. The event will be held at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino.
Based on widespread speculation, Apple is expected to introduce new iPhones, including a redesigned model with an edge-to-edge OLED screen. Rumors in recent weeks also point to the introduction of a 4K-compatible Apple TV, a new LTE-enabled Apple Watch, and perhaps other products.
In addition to hardware, Apple is expected to announce release dates for updates to its operating systems, including iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. As in the past, Apple should release a Golden Master of iOS 11 and High Sierra shortly after the event with a public release date within about 10 days.
Nest, Philips Hue, and Libratone Zipp Product Announcements
The market for smart home devices continues to heat up with new products and updates being released almost every day. Of note today are a trio of announcements:
- Nest released its Thermostat E smart thermostat, a cheaper version of its flagship product made of white plastic with a frosted glass surface. The new device begins shipping tomorrow for $169, a nice price reduction for anyone who want a thermostat that fades into the background more than the $249 Nest thermostat does. Unfortunately, neither device supports HomeKit.
- Philips Hue Starter Kits gained another bulb. Instead of three bulbs, the starter kits now comes with four bulbs for $99 (White), $149 (White Ambiance), and $199 (Color) plus a hub, making them a slightly better value for anyone who want to get started with lighting automation. Philips is also adding the ability to sync with movies, games, and music soon.
- Libratone, announced Alexa and AirPlay 2 support for its Zipp and Zipp Mini WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled home speakers. Unlike the Echo, Alexa can only be invoked by pressing a button on the Zipp speakers, which do not have a persistent microphone connection. AirPlay 2 is expected to be added as a firmware update after iOS 11 is released by Apple.
Cord Cutting Family-Style
Comcast has had me between a rock and a hard place for a while. For years I subscribed to DirecTV for video and got Internet access from AT&T, but I finally moved to Comcast because it has the fastest Internet access available in my area by far. I willingly signed up for the handcuffs...
Ramp Champ Joins Other Classic iOS Games With iOS 11 Support
The last update to Ramp Champ added retina graphics – for the iPhone 4. The beloved iOS arcade game sat untouched for nearly four years, until now. An update released yesterday by SocketFace Games adds 64-bit support, ensuring iOS 11 compatibility, along with several other changes including:
- Additional retina graphics
- Updated physics
- Updated sounds and music
- iCloud syncing
- Game Center leaderboards and achievements
- Force Touch icon support
Some classic games will inevitably be lost as a result of the transition to 64-bit apps, but it’s heartening to see some of the very best classics updated in recent weeks.
The update to Ramp Champ is available on the App Store.
AppStories, Episode 20 – Ulysses’ Switch to Subscriptions and Apple’s to 64-Bit Apps→
On this week’s episode of AppStories, we revisit subscription pricing models in the wake of Ulysses’ switch to subscriptions and discuss what Apple’s transition from 32-bit to 64-bit apps means for the App Store and consumers.
Sponsored by:
- CleanMyMac - Clean, optimize, and maintain your Mac.
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AppStories Episode 20 - Ulysses’ Switch to Subscriptions and Apple’s to 64-Bit Apps
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ETA Update Automatically Calculates Calendar Event Travel Times
In the past, I rarely added locations to my calendar events unless I was going someplace I’d never been, but that’s changed since I started testing the update to ETA that was released today. The reason for the switch is a powerful new feature available as an In-App Purchase in ETA, which uses locations associated with events in your calendar to tell you when to leave for an appointment and how long it will take to get there.