LAS VEGAS – TiVo has been making a lot of changes to its user interface lately, and it’s not all just on the surface. Under-the-hood they’ve added some hooks and been hard at work putting all the pieces together for some pretty impressive third-party integrations. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integrations are pretty far along, and TiVo is close to getting certifications for both of those, likely being available before the end of February. More than just turning TiVo on and off, these voice assistant integrations allow for fairly granular controls, including channel changing, play/pause, rewind, and even commercial skip. IFTTT integrations take this one step further, allowing bidirectional communications. This means TiVo could tell IFTTT that the “press D to Skip” icon is on the screen, and that could trigger an IFTTT skill to send the “skip” message back to TiVo. Yep, auto-skip is available and I’ve seen it in action! Even better news: IFTTT integration will work all the way back to Series 4 (Premier) units and doesn’t require the new Hydra UI (except auto-skip actually will require Hydra, at least at launch). Look for more from TiVo soon.
CES – Catalyst Waterproof Case for AirPods Featured at Unveiled
Catalyst is still one of the only companies to offer a case for your AirPods, and now have won a CES Innovation Award for it. They were showing off the case and its new colors at CES Unveiled on Sunday. With most people just now having finally gotten AirPods, I figured this was a good time to call this a Cool Stuff Found for you all.
CES – Ring Alarm Home Security System Coming in 2018
LAS VEGAS – Ring, maker of video doorbells and security cams, added an entire home security kit to its lineup today. The US$199 Ring Alarm Home Security System starter bundle includes a keypad, Base Station (with siren), motion sensor, and door/window sensor. Additional motion and door/window sensors can be added to the system, of course. On its own, the Ring Alarm will send alerts to your iPhone, but it can also be paired with an optional professional monitoring service and cellular backup service for $10/month. The nice part is, if you’re comfortable doing your own monitoring with your iPhone, you don’t need to ever pay a monthly fee. Just set the Ring Alarm system up, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and let it do its thing and alert you when something is awry. The Ring Alarm system will be available coming in 2018.
CES - Wemo Bridge Makes All Your Wemo Gear HomeKit Compatible
LAS VEGAS – Wemo introduced their HomeKit compatible Wemo Bridge at CES, and showed it off to Jeff Gamet. It lets you add all your Wemo devices to a HomeKit network without replacing any gear. Check out our video interview.
CES - Kuri is the Cutest Smart Home Robot Around
LAS VEGAS – Kuri is an amazingly sophisticated and cute smart home robot that’s ready to roll into your house. Mayfield Robotics shows off their cool personal robot to Jeff Gamet at CES 2018.
CES - Guardian Automatically Shuts off Your Water System to Prevent Leaks
LAS VEGAS – Homeowners (and probably insurance carriers!) can rejoice at the Guardian automated leak prevention system, shipping today. The system is entirely do-it-yourself and requires no plumbing to be done at all. Simply clamp the main unit onto the pipe where your water main control valve is, and then set the Wi-Fi-connected sensors in strategic locations around the house. When one of the sensors detects a leak, the system’s automated motor closes the valve to prevent water damage from a constantly-fed open pipe. Each sensor has a 15-year battery inside it. We think that’s long enough to get your money out of the system and move on to something else cool in 10 years! Guardian also includes a temperature sensor to help prevent against water damage from frozen pipes. At 45F the system starts sending alerts to your iPhone; at 40F it shuts off your water. The iOS app can also be used to control and monitor the system remotely. A kit with the battery-backed base unit and three Wi-Fi sensors is priced at US$399, and you can add more sensors whenever you like.
This Robot Is Named Justin, and He's Going to Build Houses on Mars
Check out Justin, a robot designed by German space agency DLR (via Wired). Justin is pretty special, starting with the fact that he was designed to make housing and other buildings on Mars. He’s powered by AI that allows him to do things he hasn’t been programmed to do, and he has three fingers and a thumb, each with eight joints, allowing him to handle a wide variety of tools. He can clean and maintain machinery, and in a recent test repaired a solar panel in minutes. Justin can also lift 31 pounds with each arm, which will go even further on Mars, which has a lower gravity. Oh, and he can make coffee and tee, thank you. Wired has more, and it’s very interesting.
Spectre Meltdown, Throttlegate Damages, Last Jedi, What's It Like to Be... Pop.0 Ep.27
In this TMO video podcast, Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit look at the Spectre Meltdown, significant security issues affecting most computing devices. They also think Apple could be facing significant damages from lawsuits over Throttlegate. Star Wars: The Last Jedi gets an in-depth nerd look, and they take some time to think about what it’s like to be Tom Cruise. (WARNING NSFW: PROFANITY & RANTS)
This Alarm App Makes You Take Photographs or Jump Around to Turn it Off
My older sister sent me a link to Alarmy today, knowing I struggle with “morning.” This cool app makes you do stuff to turn your alarm off, the idea being the effort to do those tasks will be enough to wake you up. Tasks include taking picture of a specific part of your house, say your bathroom sink. If you have a real problem, you could make that the tree in your front yard, or your mailbox. Other options include solving a math problem, vigorous movement, and more. I haven’t tested it out, yet, but I intend to! The app comes in two flavors, a “free” ad-supported version and Alarmy Pro, for $1.99. I paid for the Pro version imediately.
Watch This iPhone X Slide Around Like a Hockey Puck
Check out this video of John Kheit demonstrating his iPhone X’s miraculous (near) zero friction as it slides across his counter (with help from Walt on camera). Note that there’s nothing on either the iPhone X or John’s counter. This is just sweet, (near) perfect, air cushiony goodness. Or an accident-waiting-to-happen. You be the judge. Oh, and no iPhones were harmed in the making of this video.
Apple Maps can Navigate You Inside Airports
Navigating airports is a little easier because Apple’s Maps app has been adding floor plans for many terminals as part of its indoor mapping project. Right now indoors maps are available for many U.S. airports, along with a few other cities such as London, Berlin, Hong Kong, and Toronto. The maps include restaurants and shops, directs to gates, and more. It’s all just there, so you don’t need to worry about any app updates before your next trip.
iFixit Drops DIY iPhone Battery Replacement Kits to $29, Matching Apple's Apology Price
iFixit has dropped the price of its do-it-yourself iPhone battery replacement kits to $29—or less—matching or beating the apology price for in-store replacement Apple announced Thursday. The price changes include kits for iPhone 4S, 5, 5s and 5c, too, all of which are not included in Apple’s price drop. iFixit made a point of noting that its DIY kits are available today, too, while Apple’s discount program won’t begin until some time in January. iFixit has been in a running war with Apple, criticizing the company for the low repairability of its devices, especially iPhones. Apple has chosen to emphasize slim form factors and tight tolerances over easy-to-repair designs.
Throttlegate, Encouraging Mac Signs, and HomePod and the Holidays - Pop.0 ep.26
In this TMO video podcast, Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit look at Throttlegate, including Apple’s new apology letter. They also see some “encouraging Mac signs” from Apple, and even John is edging towards hopeful again. Which may be one of the seven signs of the apocalypse, but that’s another story. They cap the show examining the impact of Apple missing the holidays with its unshipped HomePod. (WARNING NSFW: PROFANITY & RANTS)
Erasing Your Face is the Creepiest iPhone X Camera Trick So Far
Mapping your face for Animoji is a pretty cool use for the iPhone X front-facing TrueDepth camera, but making your face disappear completely? That’s creepy, a little cool, and exactly what app developer Kazuya Noshiro did. He made an app that cuts out your face while leaving your eyes and mouth behind. It tracks your face in real time so whatever is behind you is always visible, and it’s pretty impressive if not a little unsettling. He hasn’t released his app, but you can see it in action on his Twitter feed.
iPhoneXで顔だけ光学迷彩っぽくなるやつできた pic.twitter.com/aPXJcHi8Y4
— のしぷ (@noshipu) December 27, 2017
Avoid the Passwords on this List to Reduce the Risk of Getting Hacked
The SplashData worst 100 passwords for 2017 list is out, and the top two are 123456 and password. The list shows just how predictable many passwords are and how difficult it is to convince people they need something more unique than letmein (number 7) or football (number 9). Admin is still a painfully popular password, and starwars is pretty popular, too. You can check out the full list at the SplashData website.
One OS to Rule Them All, Apple's Structure Solved, 2018 MacBooks, Why Some Stuff Feels So Good - Pop.0 Ep.25
In this TMO video podcast, Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit look at how Project Marzipan could lead to one OS to rule them all. John also says he has a solution for Apple’s corporate structure. They also pore over Intel’s roadmap to look at what could be coming to MacBook in 2018. And they cap the show by asking why it is that some things just plain feel so good. (WARNING NSFW: PROFANITY & RANTS)
Nose Zone for iPhone X Turns Your Nose into a Laser Targeting System
Yesterday it was Rainbrow, and today it’s Nose Zone, the latest game to take advantage of the iPhone X’s facial tracking. In Nose Zone you point your nose to control an onscreen dot’s movement to destroy boxes. The more boxes you zap before time runs out the higher your score. It’s easy to learn and taught me just how bad I am at aiming with my nose. Nose Zone is a free download at Apple’s App Store.
Light L16 Unboxing Video by Pop.0
Remember the L16 by Light? This thing has 16 lenses built into the case. 16 of them! John Kheit got one, because [John Kheit], and he did an unboxing video for us. He’ll be taking pictures with this crazy puppy soon, but let’s start with the unboxing! [Correction: A Light representative contacted us to note that the L16 was made available via a “private preorder initiative,” rather than Kickstarter, as John said in the video. John was using “Kickstarter” generically. – Editor]
Watch the Apple Music Trailer for 'Who Built the Moon Live: Noel Gallagher'
In addition to the Sam Smith exclusive Apple Music published, the service also has a trailer for an exclusive concert film from Noel Gallagher, formerly of Oasis. It’s called Who Built the Moon Live: Noel Gallagher, and features tracks from his new album Who Buolt the Moon.
Watch the Apple Music Trailer for 'The Thrill of It All Live: Sam Smith'
Apple Music just published a trailer for The Thrill of It All Live: Sam Smith. It’s a live performance movie by Sam Smith for his new album, The Thrill of It All. It’s an intimate performance, with a small, round stage in a small room, and it’s exclusive to Apple Music.
Apple KRACK Debacle, iMac Edition, Rubio vs Cook vs China, Apple Hires TV Executives - Pop.0 Ep.24
Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit discuss the AirPort KRACK fix, and why the iMac Pro should really be called iMac Edition. They also dig into political criticism of Tim Cook speaking in China and Apple’s overall position in that country. And when they hear that Apple has hired new television execs, they hope it means Apple’s leadership is learning how to delegate. (WARNING NSFW: PROFANITY & RANTS)
ProtonMail Bridge Lets You Use Apple Mail as a Client
ProtonMail is an end-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland. Since its debut, it has become a viable email service for those wanting email security. Until now, you could only access your ProtonMail account via the web app, and an iOS app. But ProtonMail Bridge finally lets you bring it to the desktop. Bridge acts as a local email server using IMAP and SMTP. It runs in the background and interacts with email clients on your computer. All encryption and decryption happens locally. Benefits include full text search, multiple accounts, and import/export of emails. It uses JavaScript cryptography, and is open source. The software is only available for users with paid accounts, however. You can download it here.
Coinbase Updates iOS App to Simplify Signup, Improved Identify Verification for iPhone X
Coinbase updated its iOS app Tuesday, as the company works overtime to beef up its infrastructure in the midst of Bitcoin Mania: 2017 Edition™. The update improved identify verification, “especially for iPhone X.” It also has a simplified sign up, optimized charts, unspecified bug fixes, and more. Coinbase is an online, hosted wallet for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin cryptocurrencies, all of which have exploded in popularity. Coinbase features the ability to buy and sell those cryptocurrencies, and the company owns dedicated exchange GDAX. You’ll need a Coinbase account to use the company’s iOS app.
iMac Pro First Look: It's Crazy Powerful, but Not Upgradable
Apple just announced the iMac Pro will be available on December 14th, and MKBHD already has a first look video out for the new computer. After using the iMac Pro for a week he says it’s definitely a pro-level machine when it comes to power and performance, and it looks really cool, too. The big downside is that you can’t upgrade any internal components, just like Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup. Check out the MKBHD video to see more.