Week 4, June 2021
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” — Albert Einstein
1. Facebook Live Audio Rooms rolling out today; hosts need an iPhone
● Facebook Live Audio Rooms are beginning their rollout today. The ability to create and host rooms are currently limited to public figures and a handful of high-profile Facebook groups. You can join in with chats using either iOS or Android apps, but you’ll need to be an iPhone user to host rooms, as this requires the main Facebook iOS app.
2. Apple launches new AR experience and Snapchat lens promoting Apple Pay Express Transit
● Apple has launched a pair of new augmented reality experiences designed to promote Apple Pay Express Transit. Apple has added a new AR feature to its Apple Pay website highlighting Apple Pay with Express Transit in New York City, and there’s a new Apple-designed Lens in Snapchat as well.
3. CARROT Weather Shares Humorous Unboxing of Apple Design Award
● As part of WWDC this month, Apple announced this year’s winners of an Apple Design Award, which honors excellence in innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement in the app and game design. Among the recipients in 2021 was CARROT Weather, a popular app known for its humorous weather forecasts.
4. Darkroom photo editor adds robust Shortcuts integration on iPhone and iPad
● Darkroom is a photo editing and management app and a new update today brings deep integration with Apple’s Shortcuts application, including Shortcuts actions for a variety of different features.
5. Round-up: Here’s everything new in the Music app with iOS 15
● Apple is set to launch iOS 15 this fall. Unlike other years, Apple Music didn’t receive a redesign or a handful of new tweaks on its app with this new version of the iPhone operating system. However, Apple is creating broader integration with the Music app on iOS 15. Here’s what’s new.
6. macOS Monterey: Here’s everything new with AirPlay to Mac
● macOS 12 Monterey was previewed during the WWDC21 keynote. The new Mac operating system will bring a refined experience from its predecessor macOS Big Sur. One of the top features of Monterey is the ability to AirPlay to Mac. macOS Monterey is currently in beta for developers. In July, Apple plans to release a public beta to all users. The operating system is set to be released in the fall.
7. Comment: Spatial Audio is changing everything on Apple Music, at no extra cost
● Apple Music was updated in June with Lossless and Spatial Audio support after some catches and controversies. Even still, thanks to these new features, Apple is differentiating itself from other competing music streaming services and becoming the best platform around. Here’s why.
8. iOS 15: Here’s everything new with the Notes app
● At the beginning of June, Apple previewed iOS 15 during its WWDC21 keynote. The Notes app is one of the most useful apps for users on a daily basis. With the ability to create different folders, sharing notes with others, and syncing them between devices on iCloud, the app is becoming even better with iOS 15.
9. Leaker claims new redesigned MacBook Pro will be launched in Q4 along with M1X Mac mini
● According to Dylandkt, who has correctly predicted details about unreleased products in the past, Apple will launch new versions of the MacBook Pro in Q4 2021, along with an updated Mac mini. Both the new M1X-chip MacBook Pro and Mac mini models are expected to replace the more expensive versions of these machines, which remain available with Intel processors.
● Target has released its newest perks for its Circle loyalty program and this time around, it’s partnered with Apple to offer 4–6 months free for some of its most popular services. That includes Music, Arcade, TV+, and even upgraded iCloud storage for new and existing Target Circle members.
11. Fox Now App No Longer Supports Third-Generation Apple TV
● The Fox Now app has removed support for the third-generation Apple TV, with the app now only compatible with fourth-generation and later models of Apple’s set-top box.
12. iOS 15: How to Rearrange and Delete Home Screen Pages
● In iOS 14, Apple lets you disable individual Home Screen pages thanks to the App Library, which is available to keep your apps better organized. However, not everyone gets on with the App Library, and it’s not possible to rearrange the order of your Home Screen pages, nor can you delete a page outright rather than merely disabling it. In iOS 15, though, you can do both. Here’s how it works.
13. Hands-on: macOS Monterey brings new Shortcuts app
● One of the top features introduced with macOS Monterey is the Shortcuts app. Previewed during the WWDC21 keynote, the operating system is set to launch this fall. This marks the first time the Shortcuts app has been available on the Mac.
14. Video: 20 Annoyances Apple Fixed in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey
● With iOS 15 and macOS Monterey, Apple is adding several life improvements, which are designed to address some of the complaints that people have had with these operating systems for years now. Here is a video of “fix” features that address long-running problems in iOS and macOS or that bring significant improvements to the user experience.
