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HomeKit Weekly: Sylvania’s low-cost HomeKit bulb makes it possible to upgrade all of your lights without taking out a HELOC
There are countless options for HomeKit native bulbs that you can buy to transform how your smart home operates completely. The problem for many people is that when you’re looking to change your entire home from traditional bulbs to HomeKit bulbs, it can get pricey in a hurry. Options like Philips Hue are fantastic, but they’re more costly. What if there was an option for a low cost bulb that worked great with HomeKit? That’s what I’ve found in the SYLVANIA SMART+ Bluetooth Soft White A19 LED Bulb. It’s HomeKit compatible at a price that isn’t that much higher than normal LED bulbs.
Expand Expanding CloseBreaking down the DOJ’s claim that Apple killed the Amazon Fire Phone (and others)
One of the many bizarre claims throughout the Department of Justice’s 88-page lawsuit against Apple is that Apple somehow killed the Amazon Fire Phone. Also, Apple is apparently to blame for HTC, LG, and Microsoft exiting the smartphone business.
Expand Expanding CloseGurman: In-house Apple Watch display project canceled, but microLED products still expected
Spring cleaning continues at Apple. Per Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple no longer plans to design and produce its own displays for the Apple Watch. Apple has reportedly been investigating moving from OLED to custom microLED screens dates since at least 2016.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s a Steve Jobs signed business card worth? How about $181,183
RR Auction just closed the sales of its latest lot of Apple memorabilia. As it happens, one of the most expensive items was a very rare, Steve Jobs signed business card in “virtually perfect” condition that netted an impressive $181,183. Here’s why it was worth that much and what else sold alongside the rare item.
Expand Expanding CloseHow to customize and switch iPhone 15 Pro camera focal lengths
One of the new camera capabilities with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is the ability to quickly change between focal lengths with the main camera and set your own default. Let’s look at how to customize and switch iPhone 15 Pro camera focal lengths.
Expand Expanding Close9to5Mac Daily: March 22, 2024 – iOS 17.4.1 now available, Apple Watch on Android
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 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.
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Expand Expanding CloseFriday’s best deals drop AirPods 3 to $140, official iPhone 15 cases from $15, Sonos speakers, more
Friday’s best deals are here to wrap up the work week. Through the end of the day, you can score an all-time low on Apple’s latest AirPods 3 at $140 to go alongside a collection of official iPhone 15 silicone cases from just $15. Plus, the first discount on the Sonos Move 2 portable speaker with AirPlay 2 is live at $359. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify Premium for Mac and Windows finally adds a miniplayer
It’s happened, Spotify has finally launched a miniplayer for desktop that supports music and video (including podcasts). As shown above, you can use a few designs including a minimal bar, or resizable square or rectangle.
Expand Expanding CloseApple’s best defence against the DOJ antitrust lawsuit is its customers
After literally years of investigation, the DOJ antitrust lawsuit is finally official. Apple is accused of using a dominant market position to lock in customers, block competitors, profiteer, and stifle new technologies.
The lawsuit mirrors moves made in the EU, most notably through the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which obliges Apple and other tech giants to adopt a less aggressive approach to protecting their own financial interests against competition …
Expand Expanding CloseApple in talks with China’s Baidu for iOS 18 generative AI partnership
Earlier this week, news broke that Apple was in talks with Google to license its Gemini models to be used to power some generative AI features in the upcoming version of iOS, iOS 18, for the iPhone. It was also said to have spoken with OpenAI about a possible deal.
Today, the Wall Street Journal says Apple also held talks with Baidu, to license its models. This would likely be intended to serve AI requests to Apple customers in China, as Chinese law requires models to be approved by its regulator before they are allowed to be used.
Expand Expanding CloseUnpatchable security flaw in Apple Silicon Macs breaks encryption
University researchers have found an unpatchable security flaw in Apple Silicon Macs, which would allow an attacker to break encryption and get access to cryptographic keys.
The flaw is present in M1, M2, and M3 chips, and because the failing is part of the architecture of the chips, there’s no way for Apple to fix it in current devices …
Expand Expanding CloseDOJ lawsuit misunderstands CarPlay, claiming it too is anticompetitive
The DOJ lawsuit is 88 pages long, and I freely confess I haven’t yet finished reading it, but it seems one tech writer has – finding a claim that CarPlay is anticompetitive.
As the piece notes, it seems clear that the Department of Justice doesn’t actually understand what CarPlay is, or how it works, as the claim simply makes no sense …
Expand Expanding CloseInstagram and Theads users reportedly getting logged out of the apps
If you’ve suddenly been logged out of the Instagram and Threads apps, it’s not just you. There’s a bug affecting a number of users of Meta’s platforms on Thursday night, causing their accounts to be logged out for no reason. Read on as we share more details about the bug.
Expand Expanding CloseJob listings on Apple’s website hint at Vision Pro launch in Australia, China, and Japan
A recent report revealed that Apple is gearing up to launch Vision Pro in more countries soon. To add fuel to the fire, the company has published new job offers on its website looking for specialists to work with Apple Vision Pro in countries such as Australia, China, and Japan.
Expand Expanding CloseiFixit praises Apple’s diagnostic tool for DIY repairs
Apple last year launched its hardware diagnostic tool for anyone interested in DIY repairs as part of its Self Service Repair program. Before that, the software was limited to Apple Retail Stores and Authorized Service Providers (AASP). iFixit has now shared an in-depth analysis of Apple’s diagnostic tool and how helpful it is.
Expand Expanding CloseApple turns to Google for iOS 18 AI features, new AirPods with noise canceling, anti-reflective iPad screens
Benjamin and Chance react to the news that Apple is partnering with Google to use their Gemini models to power some AI features coming in iOS 18. Also, there’s more details about the two new AirPods models set to debut later this year. There’s also rumors about anti-reflective matte screens for iPhone and iPad, and Walmart announces that it is selling Macs for the first time, starting with the cut-price $699 M1 MacBook Air.
In Happy Hour Plus: Chance tells Mayo about his experience seeing the Rivian R2. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
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WhatsApp now lets users pin multiple messages to a chat
It’s been a while since WhatsApp introduced the ability to pin a message to a chat, so that it is always visible in that conversation. With the latest version of the app, Meta has introduced a small change to this feature that now lets users pin multiple messages to the same chat.
Expand Expanding CloseDOJ lawsuit is an attempt to turn the iPhone into Android, Apple alleges
The US Department of Justice filed its antitrust lawsuit against Apple today, with the supposed goal of “freeing smartphone markets from Apple’s anticompetitive and exclusionary conduct and restoring competition.”
Apple has another take, arguing that the goal of the lawsuit is to turn the iPhone into an Android phone.
Expand Expanding Close9to5Mac Daily: March 21, 2024 – The United States sues Apple
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 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.
Sponsored by DirecTV Stream: The best way to watch every single NCAA March Madness game on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Save $30 and start watching now.
Introducing 9to5Mac Daily Plus! Support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock:
- Ad-free versions of every episode
- Monthly bonus episodes
Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join.
Expand Expanding CloseGet one month free trial of MLS Season Pass, thanks to Lionel Messi
Apple and the MLS are running a new promotion to offer a one-month free trial of MLS Season Pass, available to new sign-ups. Interested fans can access the promotion by following the link on Lionel Messi’s Instagram page.
Expand Expanding CloseApple says it spent three years trying to bring Apple Watch to Android
As part of its response to the United States DOJ lawsuit today, Apple confirmed that it at one point considered creating an Apple Watch for Android. The company tells me that it spent three years working on bringing Apple Watch to Android before ultimately scrapping the idea.
Expand Expanding CloseApple releases iOS 17.4.1 for iPhone users, more
Apple has officially released iOS 17.4.1 for iPhone users today. The update comes two weeks after Apple released iOS 17.4 with major changes in the European Union.
Expand Expanding CloseUnited States sues Apple: Read the full DOJ lawsuit document here
The US Department of Justice officially filed its antitrust lawsuit against Apple today, after years of preparation. Apple has already voiced its opposition to the suit and vowed to “vigorously defend” itself against the claims.
The full PDF of the DOJ’s lawsuit is embedded below and available for download here.
Expand Expanding Close14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro starts from $1,605, AirTags at $24, Eve Cam, more
If you need more than 8GB of memory, today’s 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro discounts are right up your alley. Pricing starts at $1,605 for the usually $1,999 MacBook and comes joined by AirTags from $21 each and a rare chance to save on the HomeKit-enabled Eve Cam at $130. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
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