Benjamin Mayo

Apple has today launched one of the few outstanding iOS 15 features first demoed at WWDC. In partnership with Hyatt Hotels, Apple users will be able to use their iPhone, or Apple Watch, as their room key in the initial rollout of six hotels.

You add your key to Wallet in much the same way as you might add a cinema ticket or DisneyWorld pass, using the hotelier’s app. As soon as you book your reservation, you can add your key to the Wallet app ready for when you arrive.

With iOS 15.2, Apple is giving iPhone owners even more information about repaired parts in their devices.

In Settings -> General -> About, there is a new section describing the Parts and Service History of the current device, including whether they are identified as genuine Apple parts, links to the date of when the service took place at Apple, or if the part is unknown and not recognized as an Apple-official component.

In addition to augmented reality, Ming-Chi Kuo also referred to several other products in his report published today. The reliable Apple analyst expects three new Apple Watch models to debut next year, including the Apple Watch Series 8, a new Apple Watch SE and the previously-rumored rugged sports version.

A significant upgrade to AirPods Pro will also release in late 2022, featuring a ‘significantly upgraded’ chip. Bloomberg previously reported that the new AirPods Pro will feature onboard health sensors for the first time, and may feature a radical chassis redesign eradicating the stems altogether.

Prolific Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is continuing his coverage of the upcoming Apple augmented reality and virtual reality product, with the first-generation headset expected to debut sometime in 2022.

The first-generation headset will weigh around 300-400 grams, which compares quite favourably to the existing VR headsets on the market. However, the analyst says Apple is already working on a second-generation design which will be significantly lighter, as well as featuring an updated industrial design, new battery system, and faster processor.

Apple TV+ has officially signed on to produce and distribute a long in-the-works adaptation of the book ‘Bad Blood’, which dissects the fall of Theranos and its Steve Jobs-wannabe founder Elizabeth Holmes.

As reported by Deadline, Apple Original Films and Legendary Entertainment studios are co-producing the film, directed by Adam McKay and starring as Jennifer Lawrence as Holmes.

Although the appeal of the Apple-Epic lawsuit is ongoing, Apple is currently subject to the judge’s decision and will have to allow app developers to show links to external payment platforms inside from December 9, unless the Ninth Circuit grants a stay.

In a related legal filing, Apple indicates that it is considering charging a commission on any such transactions that are initiated from within an app, even though they are not using In-App Purchase.

As the year draws to a close, Apple Music has today released its top streamed songs of the year. The most streamed song of 2021 goes to ‘Dynamite’ by K-pop superstars BTS. The most-read lyrics accolade goes to Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘drivers license’, which rose to prominence at the beginning of the year and was the second most streamed track.

The company also shared Top 100 charts across all songs, most-read lyrics, fitness songs and most Shazamed music (see after the jump).

The Apple Store Black Friday shopping event is now live in the United States. Customers can get up to a $200 gift card with the purchase of a qualifying product.

The offers run through Cyber Monday, November 29. Of course, for the best value Apple deals around, find full coverage on 9to5Toys across this weekend.

Apple typically sets Friday as its release date for Apple TV+ content. Following the tradition it has set in previous years, the service has released all new episodes and premieres for the week a day early, so people can stream them on Thanksgiving in the US (and just another Thursday around the world).

The brand new premiere this week is a new documentary film ‘Twas The Fight Before Christmas, which charts the insane lengths one man will go to to decorate his house and celebrate Christmas with his local community … much to the community’s dismay.

Pixelmator Pro is adding advanced background removal and subject selection with today’s 2.3 update. Using machine learning and AI, Pixelmator users can separate the foreground from its background in one click.

The Remove Background command automatically detects the subject and erases the background. Version 2.3 also includes more fine-grained AI-enhanced selection options if you require more manual control.

Apple today unveiled its Black Friday – Cyber Monday shopping event for 2021. Similar to previous years, Apple will be giving away gift cards with eligible purchases of iPhones, AirPods, Mac and iPad models.

The Apple Store offers run from November 26 through November 29. As usual, Apple’s Black Friday offer don’t beat out what you can get from third-party sellers this week. Check out 9to5Toys for the best deals.

A little over a year ago, the Apple Music app made its debut on Samsung smart TVs. It appears the exclusivity period is up as today the Apple Music app is also rolling out to the LG smart TV App Store.

This means Apple Music subscribers ($9.99/mo) can now stream their entire music library, playlists, radio stations and more directly from their (compatible) LG smart TV, without the need for an Apple TV or other add-on console.

Apple TV+ is the exclusive streaming home of the Fraggle Rock franchise. The service is already streaming the entire back catalog of episodes and a series of ‘Rock On’ shorts produced during the COVID lockdown period.

However, the big news from the deal signed last year for fans of the Fraggles was that Apple had commissioned a full series reboot. The company today announced that the new series, entitled ‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock’, will debut on January 21, 2022.