In this week’s top stories: Another pesky text bug on iOS and macOS, more thoughts on the HomePod, Apple Watch helps save yet another life, and more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories..
This week, we highlighted another life-saving Apple Watch story. Apple’s wearable was credited with saving the life of a 24-year-old and her daughter who were hit by a drunk driver. Read the full story here.
Facebook is rolling out a new “Protect” feature on iOS that some say essentially installs spyware on iPhone and iPad. Essentially, Facebook prompts users to install the Onavo Protect on their iOS device on the basis of “peace of mind” and “an added layer of security.” What it does is route web browsing through Facebook servers, giving the company the ability to collect and analyze the user data.
As happens from time to time, a pesky new text bug has emerged on iOS, watchOS, and macOS. Essentially, when a certain Indian text character is sent, the Messages app crashes and prevents users from re-opening it. Apple says a fix is coming soon.
Apple this week also announced that it will require all new apps to natively support the iPhone X display starting in April. This means that apps that aren’t optimized for the new 5.8-inch display will not be accepted in the App Store.
As for the HomePod, an oddity emerged this week that sees the smart speaker leave a white ring on some pieces of wood furniture. Apple, however, says it’s normal for speakers to do this and a separate review found that the Sonos One does the same thing.
Finally, Snapchat’s redesign continued to stir controversy this week. A petition asking for the company to rollback to the previous design hit 1 million signatures, but Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said the design is here to stay, with the complaints only “validating” the changes.
These and the rest of this week’s top stories below…
iOS | macOS | tvOS | watchOS
- Receiving an Indian character crashes Messages and other apps in iOS 11 [U: Mac & Watch too]
- Apple will require all new apps to natively support iPhone X display from April
- New report explains the thinking behind Apple’s new focus on software quality
Apple TV |
- How to stream the 2018 Winter Olympics on iPhone, iPad, Mac & Apple TV
- How to use HomePod with Apple TV … it mostly works but there are some drawbacks
iPhone |
- KGI: Apple estimated to sell 100 million units of new 6.1-inch iPhone, priced as iPhone 8 replacement
- Verizon will begin locking iPhones to its network starting this spring
- Google reportedly planning to mimic iPhone X notch in next-generation Android phones
HomePod |
- The HomePod power cable can be removed, but you probably shouldn’t [Video]
- HomePod teardown reveals durable, densely-packed speaker internals, LED array, hidden 14-pin connector
- HomePod Diary: The best party gadget ever, and the difference between ‘really good’ and ‘great’
- HomePod Diary: For me, it’s the Apple Watch all over again – but should you buy one?
- Consumer Reports: HomePod audio quality ‘very good’ but Google Home Max & Sonos One sound better
- Apple admits HomePod may leave white ring on wood surfaces, recommends using elsewhere
- More audiophile praise for the HomePod as professional tests confirm Apple’s claims
- New test shows Siri on HomePod answer 52% of questions correctly, lagging behind Alexa & Google Assistant
- Infinite loop aimed to keep HomePod, Amazon Echo & Google Home in conversation for 48 hours
- HomePod impresses audiophiles in technical measurement tests
Apps |
- Facebook’s ‘Protect’ feature on iOS essentially installs spyware on iPhone and iPad
- Snapchat redesign causes uproar as users call on Snap to revert to the old design
- Evan Spiegel defends Snapchat redesign, says complaints only ‘validate’ the changes
- Petition calling for Snapchat to rollback redesign hits 1M signatories; company declines
- Skype bug could allow malicious attacker ‘system’ level access, Microsoft says fix is ‘too much work’
- Google Maps iOS update adds new bottom bar with real-time transit and driving info
Apple Watch |
- Apple Watch SOS saved a mom and her baby after a drunk driver hit their car
- Apple launches rich ‘Close Your Rings’ webpage to promote healthy living with Apple Watch
AAPL Company |
- Comment: The FBI’s warning against Huawei smartphones is kind of ironic …
- AAPL shareholders meeting recap: Wearables business approaching Fortune 300 size, Apple Pay adoption slower than expected, more
- Some ‘distracted’ Apple employees accidentally walking into Apple Park’s clear glass panes, claims report
Subscribe to 9to5Mac’s YouTube channel for more videos.
This week’s top video |
- HomePod hands-on: The best (and worst) of Apple’s new smart speaker [Video]
- 20+ must-know HomePod tips [Video]
- Twelve South launches new SurfacePad leather cover for iPhone X [Video]
Happy Hour Podcast #160 |
This week Benjamin and Zac have a short chat about the new Apple HomePod. (Stay tuned for 9to5Mac’s official review later next week. This episode was also recorded before stain-gate, so thoughts on that next episode.)
9to5Mac Daily |
Welcome to 9to5Mac Daily, a new podcast bringing you the latest in Apple news and top 9to5Mac stories every Monday through Friday. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
- 026: iOS 12 (and 13) rumors, Alto’s Odyssey, and HomePod exploded | 9to5Mac Daily
- 027: Shareholders meeting recap, Kevin Durant on Apple TV, HomePod tips | 9to5Mac Daily
- 028: HomePod stains, Berkshire Hathaway’s AAPL investment, KGI on 6.1-inch iPhone sales | 9to5Mac Daily
- 029: iOS 11 Telugu bug, Sonos has HomePod’s problem, and Carpool Karaoke 2 | 9to5Mac Daily
- 030: Apple Park pains, Subaru’s CarPlay, and Apple Watch impact | 9to5Mac Daily
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