The iPhone 11 has seriously impressive cameras. So impressive, in fact, that pop star Selena Gomez used it to shoot the video for her latest single Lose You To Love Me. It’s a moody, black and white clip that shows off many of the device’s capabilities.
AirPod Case Styled Like a Classic Mac
Elago has a rather stylish looking AirPods case that is designed like a classic Apple monitor. It has an anti-slip coating and is made of flexible, impact-resistant silicone material. The case is compatible with Apple AirPods 1 and 2 and supports wireless charging of the Airpods Wireless Charging Case. It costs $13.99
Apple Posts New 'Dickinson' Trailer
Apple has a new trailer up for Dickinson, the Apple Original about poet Emily Dickinson starring Hailee Steinfeld. Called Immortality, the trailer focuses on Ms. Dickinson’s obsession with living, or dying, a common theme of the Victorian era.
French Zoo Shows 'Blob,' with No Brain, 720 Sexes, and Super Fast Healing
Check out this insanely cool story about a…living thing? Yeah, I don’t how to better word that. It’s been dubbed the “blob,” based on the classic horror film, because it moves without feet, appears to be able to learn—even though it doesn’t have a brain—and it has 720 sexes. What? Seriously? Oh, and it can heal itself if cut in half in less than three minutes, and it can communicate what it has learned to other blobs when they’re brought together. So that’s cool and not at all frightening as all get out. Reuters has the story, including a video showing some time lapses of the blob doing its blobby thing, and some other information. It’s very interesting.
Apple's Beats Announces Solo Pro, Its First On-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
Apple’s Beats By Dre announced Solo Pro on Tuesday, the company’s first on-ear, noise-canceling headphones. They also include support for “Hey Siri,” Apple’s voice assistant. According to the company, Solo Pro offers an “exceptional frequency response with lower total harmonic distortion.” It also has two beam-forming microphones and and what Beats says is an “updated speech-detecting accelerometer” for voice calls. They’re $299.95, and will ship onOctober 30th in Black, Ivory, Gray, Dark Blue, Light Blue and Red. You can preorder now.
'The Missing Cryptoqueen' is 'Serial' With a Tech Twist
Dr. Ruja was a business superstar who sold out arenas when she spoke. Leading a cryptocurrency firm called Onecoin, she promised to change her investors’ lives and make them rich beyond their wildest dreams. Then, suddenly, she disappeared. Journalist and author Jamie Bartlett, an expert in the darkest parts of the internet, tried to uncover what happened for this impeccably produced podcast, The Missing Cryptoqueen. Like Serial, I was gripped from episode 1, totally invested in finding out what happened. It is one of the best non-news podcasts I’ve heard in a long time. The podcast was produced by the BBC and is available via the BBC Sounds app or Apple Podcasts.
Apple Releases Trailer for 'Truth Be Told' Based on Are You Sleeping
Today Apple shared a trailer for its upcoming series Truth Be Told based on a novel by Kathleen Barber called Are You Sleeping.
Every truth has a consequence. When new evidence compels podcaster Poppy Parnell (Octavia Spencer) to reopen the murder case that made her a national sensation, she comes face to face with Warren Cave (Aaron Paul), the man she may have mistakenly helped to put behind bars. Her investigation navigates urgent concerns about privacy, media and race. Truth Be Told is created by Nichelle Tramble Spellman and stars Octavia Spencer, Aaron Paul, Lizzy Caplan, Elizabeth Perkins, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Tracie Thoms, Haneefah Wood and Ron Cephas Jones.
You can watch the trailer on YouTube here.
10 Features in macOS Catalina You Need to Know
MacMost has a good video on YouTube where he shares 10 macOS Catalina features. They’re smaller features that don’t get the same attention or shoutout by Apple, but they’re good to know. The first one he mentions is a feature that I noticed but was annoyed about. When you hover or long-click the green fullscreen button in Safari, it now brings up a menu window to enter full screen or tile the window to the left or right. While it makes this capability more obvious it also adds an extra step, when just dragging the window by the green button was faster. In any case the video is pretty helpful and you can watch it here.
Eve for HomeKit Updates for iOS 13
Eve is a smart home company that builds products that work with Apple’s HomeKit. The company recently updated its app to version 4.0 for iOS 13. It adds dark mode, easier access to your favorite views, and other refinements.
Eve works with all HomeKit-enabled accessories. See your home at a glance. Customize your ecosystem down to the finest detail. Activate scenes in a snap. And easily create automations using timers and rules. With Eve, you’re at the forefront of connected home control – and guided – every step of the way.
App Store: Eve for HomeKit – Free
Watch the Creepy Teaser Clip for M. Knight Shyamalan's Apple TV+ Show 'Servant
A teaser for forthcoming Apple TV+ show Servant from M. Knight Shyamalan landed Thursday. The show is centered around a couple that is in mourning after being affected by a tragedy. It will be available on November 28th. The clip is seriously creepy.
The iPhone 11 Glows Thanks to its Glass Back
Someone noticed that their iPhone 11 glows when you turn on the flashlight. The latest models have a special matte glass material on the back. While the iPhone 8 and later have had a glass back, it wasn’t matte and so didn’t produce this effect (Or at least, this is the first time I’ve seen this).
When you turn the flash light on, the iPhone 11 glass back glows. Not sure if the iPhone XR did this too, but I thought the effect was pretty cool.
You can watch it in action on YouTube here.
32BitAppCheck Helps You Transition to macOS Catalina
32BitAppCheck is an app that scans for 32-bit apps on your Mac. It can help you prepare for macOS Catalina because this release will end support for 32-bit apps. It takes about 30 seconds to scan your computer (longer if you have hard drives plugged in). Once it’s finished it will present a list of all the 32-bit apps it found, which you can save as an .RTF file.
Information then collected in the app’s window begins with a list of 32-bit applications, followed by 32-bit preference panes found in System preferences. Then, you will see 32-bit system extensions, and 32-bit system frameworks. These software will include both Apple and 3rd-party software. You can then edit the information, changing fonts, and adding notes. Click Save to save the information in an RTF file. The most recent information with you edits is also saved within the app.
You can download the app here. As this is an app outside of the Mac App Store, I scanned it for malware using VirusTotal, and it appears to be clean. For an additional resource I’ve also written about Go64, which does the same thing and the UI is a bit more friendly.
Earbuds Commercial Shot on iPhone 11 Pro Max
An ad for noise-cancelling earbuds from Koss Heaphones was shot on the iPhone 11 Pro Max by videographer Martin Moore.
Recently shot this Koss Headphones Commercial on an iPhone 11 Pro Max using FiLMiC Pro on FiLMiC Extreme 4K 24fps, Zhiyun Smooth 4 3-Axis Gimbal. Edited in FCPX and exported with Apple ProRes 422.
Mr. Moore is known for shooting commercials with iPhones. Last year he created several using the iPhone XS Max. It’s a great way to show off the video capabilities of Apple’s devices. You can check it out here.
Call of Duty Finally Arrives on iOS
Call of Duty for iOS is finally here! You can now play some of the games well-known maps. Options include participating in a 100 person Battle Royale, 5vs5 deathmatches, and taking on zombies. The game is free on iPad and iPhone.
Wanderlust Travel Stories is About 'Slow Gaming'
Wanderlust Travel Stories is a new game that you can pre-order today, and it’s about “slow gaming.” You play at your own pace, exploring the lives of modern travelers each with their own desires, hopes, and fears. Every story is a journey, and on this travel, you are both the tourist and the guide. Take the role of various modern travelers, live their adventures and shape their stories. Choose your own pace, this title is meant to be taken in, experienced and felt. Relish in discovery and awe, longing and hope as you journey from Africa to Antarctica, from Europe to Asia. Wanderlust is a digital travel experience. Perfect when you’re traveling — or wish that you were. You get a 10% discount along with other goodies when you pre-order it today for US$17.99.
All the macOS Wallpapers: Jaguar to Catalina
USA Today/tech has published a showcase of the Mac OS X/OS X/macOS wallpapers throughout the years. It’s very cool. By the way, TMO discovered which galaxy was used for OS X Mountain Lion back in 2012.
Phone Carrier Visible Appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Visible is a prepaid phone carrier I subscribe to that runs on Verizon’s network. Last night they had a funny commercial on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Guillermo Rodriguez talks to a store clerk about how he’s headed to the phone store to sign up for a “confusing and expensive phone plan.” Don’t worry, the clerk says, you don’t have to camp out at the phone store anymore. Instead you can sign up for Visible which doesn’t have any stores and offers its services through an app. You can watch the video on YouTube here, and read my review to see if Visible is right for you.
Universe Splitter Lets You Play With Quantum Mechanics
Everett’s many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics says that there is a single wave function for the entire universe, and at the moment of measurement, the universal wave function splits in two. You see one measurement, and the you in the other universe sees another measurement. Universe Splitter lets you play with this theory. Type two choices into the app. The app will split the wave function in two by activating a quantum device that will send a single photon into an “either/or” state. Then, the app will tell you which universe you’re in. Unfortunately, Many Worlds says that the universes can’t communicate with each other, so you’ll never be able to talk to your copies. App Store: Universe Splitter – US$1.99
Apple Reality Composer Available on App Store
The Apple Reality Composer app is now available on the App Store. It’s also included with Xcode so developers can build, test, tune, and simulate augmented reality experiences. Easily prototype and produce AR experiences directly in AR with no prior 3D experience. Drag and drop to place and rotate virtual objects to assemble your scene directly in AR or on the canvas. Build your scene by importing your own .usdz files or take advantage of the ready to use virtual objects in Reality Composer’s built-in AR content library, so you can get up and running quickly. Customize a virtual object’s size, style, and more. Add animations that let you move, scale, and add emphasis like a ‘wiggle’ or ‘spin’ to virtual objects, without having any animation experience. Add spatial audio, all of which can be set up to happen upon a user tapping on those objects, coming in close proximity with them, or other triggers. App Store: Apple Reality Composer – Free
Sayonara Wild Hearts Available on Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4
When Apple said that Apple Arcade games were exclusive, it meant that they won’t be on Android. But these games can be released on other platforms. Like Sayonara Wild Hearts which was shown at Apple’s keynote. It’s available for Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 for US$12.99. In Sayonara Wild Hearts, players follow a young woman after she experiences heartbreak and finds her other self dubbed “The Fool” in an alternate universe. Play as The Fool and journey through a custom-written pop soundtrack, chase scores, and set out to find the harmony of the universe hidden away in the hearts of Little Death and her star-crossed allies: Dancing Devils, Howling Moons, Stereo Lovers and Hermit 64. Additionally, you can get physical copies as well as a vinyl record at iam8bit.com.
Podcast App Pocket Casts Moves to a Subscription
Popular podcast app Pocket Casts is now free with an optional US$0.99/month or US$10/year subscription. The previous price was a one-time fee of US$3.99. Pocket Casts CEO Owen Grover told TechCrunch: “We understood pretty clearly that we were limiting our reach and limiting the number of users that could enjoy the quality and power of the app and the platform. It felt penny wise and pound foolish to continue to collect a few dollars at the top … We have the benefit of these owners who are supporting us in a way that allows us to grow our audience, habituate new listeners and deliver a pretty terrific user experience.” App Store: Pocket Casts – Free
Life is Tough. So is The iPhone 11 Pro.
In a new ad, which I spotted on UK TV earlier today, Apple shows off how resilient the iPhone 11 Pro is. It shows the device being subjected to all sorts of things, including a wedding cake, and surviving. Naturally, it’s all done in typical Apple style.
Blue Adds Professional Voice Effects with Yeti X Pro USB Mic
Blue launched a new version of the Yeti microphone, the Yeti X, shown below. The device is being targeted at gaming, streaming and podcasting, but the signature new feature is VO!CE Software, which gives creators and streamers professional voice effects and presets at the touch of a button. Internally, it features a four-capsule condenser microphone array, and it offers high-res LED metering. The presets and effects mentioned above are controlled through a a multi-function smart knob. It ships in October for $169.99.
Apple Shows Off iPhone 11 Pro Cameras' Cinematic Qualities
At the ‘By Innovation Only’ event Apple unveiled the iPhone 11 Pro. It was particularly keen to show of the device’s high-end camera. On Saturday, it published a video show cinematic tests using the 4k, triple-camera system. The results are stunning.