Apple’s first developer beta for iOS 11.3 is out with new Animoji, improved ARKit and HomeKit, Business Chat, and more. A public beta is coming soon.
Jeff Gamet
Jeff Gamet is the Mac Observer’s Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of “The Designer’s Guide to Mac OS X” from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also hosts TMO’s Daily Observations podcast, co-hosts The iOS Show podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other shows, too. Jeff dreams in HD.
Articles by Jeff Gamet
Buying a HomePod? Here are the Compatible iPhone and iPad Models
Apple’s HomePod isn’t a completely stand alone smart speaker, so you need to have a compatible iPhone or iPad. Here are the compatible models, along with the required version of iOS.
iOS 11.3 Announced with Battery Management, New Emoji, Health Records, More
iOS 11.3 for the iPhone and iPad is coming this spring and it’ll included the promised power management for worn out batteries feature, along with new Animoji characters, Health Records management, and more.
tvOS 11.2.5 Released with More Bug and Security Fixes
Apple released tvOS 11.2.5 for the fourth generation Apple TV and Apple TV 4K on Tuesday with bug fixes and patches for several security flaws.
Apple Ready to Ship HomePod - TMO Daily Observations 2018-01-23
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about Apple announcing the HomePod ship date, its delayed features, and how they think consumers will respond.
Here are the HomePod Touch Gestures You Need to Know
Apple’s HomePod will be in stores on February 9th, and along with Siri voice control you can use gestures to control your brand new smart speaker. Read on to learn how.
Supply Chain Sources Say New Entry Level 13-inch MacBook Coming Later this Year
Apple has plans for a new entry level 13-inch MacBook, according to supply chain sources, and it’ll ship in the second half of 2018.
HomePod Ships February 9th with Pre-Orders Friday, Stereo and Multi-Room Audio Later this Year
Apple is finally ready to deliver the HomePod with preorders for the smart speaker starting this Friday, January 26th, and deliveries starting on February 9th.
iPhone X Will Be Discontinued, but not Because It's a Market Failure
There’s a report out saying the iPhone X has been a disappointment for Apple and is being discontinued this summer. Here’s why that report is off base.
The iPhone X Doom Report, WeChat's Mini-app Platform - TMO Daily Observations 2018-01-22
Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to sort out what’s really going on with a report that Apple is discontinuing the iPhone X, plus they look at WeChat’s mini-app platform that runs inside the messaging app.
PSA: Amazon Prime Monthly Fee Just Went Up $2 to $12.99
If you’re paying for Amazon Prime month-to-month the cost just went up US$2 from $10.99 to $12.99, but the annual $99 rate isn’t changing.
iOS Beta Shows HomePod Mics can be Disabled
iOS 11.2.5 Developer Beta includes settings for disabling Siri in the streaming home speaker so its built-in microphones won’t eavesdrop on what you say.
Instagram's New Tracking Feature, Dolby Vision and Apple TV 4K - TMO Daily Observations 2018-01-19
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to talk about Instagram’s new Show Active Status feature, plus John explains the confusing state of Dolby Vision for Apple TV 4K owners.
Apple Named Fortune's Most Admired Company 11 Years Running
The Fortune annual list of the World’s Most Admired Companies is out, and Apple is in the top spot again.
How to Turn Off Instagram's "Last Active" Tracking Feature
If you aren’t keen on Instagram’s new feature that lets the people you follow see when you’re active in the app, here’s how to turn it off.
chaiOS Bug Fix Coming Next Week
Apple is already working on a fix for the chaiOS bug that crashes Messages when you receive a specific URL in a chat.
MacBook Air's Legacy, Tim Cook's iPhone Battery Comments - TMO Daily Observations 2018-01-18
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look back on the MacBook Air’s influence on other Apple products, plus they take Tim Cook to task for his recent iPhone battery throttling comments.
FaceRig is the Animoji You Wish Apple Made
Animoji on the iPhone X is pretty cool, but with just a handful of emoji faces to choose from it feels a little limited—plus it works only in the Messages app. FaceRig is an app that fixes those problems by giving you loads of characters to choose from, and you can unlock more through credits you earn by using the app. It uses the iPhone X’s facial tracking feature to do its magic, plus you can record videos to share with friends. You can choose from characters that animate in sync with your movement, or masks that overlay your face. FaceRig is free, and it’s already eating up too much of my time.
Tim Cook: iPhone Owners Didn't Pay Attention to Battery Fix Details
Apple CEO Tim Cook says users may not have paid attention to details about the iPhone update that fixed a battery-related crashing problem at the expense of performance.
Apple Plans to Build Another New Campus
With the dust still settling on its new spaceship campus in Cupertino, Apple announced plans to build another facility.
Apple Expands Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $5 Billion
Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund just got a big boost from US$1 billion up to $5 billion.
chaiOS Bug, J.J Abrams New Sci-fi Series - TMO Daily Observations 2018-01-17
Kelly Guimont and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to discuss the chaiOS bug for the Mac and iPhone, plus they weigh in on Apple’s bid for the new J.J. Abrams sci-fi series.
PSA: chaiOS Web Link Crashes Messages on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
There’s a URL circulating that can crash Messages on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and it can even cause the iOS springboard to unexpectedly crash and relaunch.
Apple Trying to Score J.J. Abrams Sci-Fi Series for Apple Music
Apple is pushing to land a deal with J.J. Abrams for a new sci-fi drama series for Apple Music.