The release, “includes support for HomePod and introduces the ability for Siri to read the news (US, UK and Australia only).”
News
Supply Chain Sources Say New Entry Level 13-inch MacBook Coming Later this Year
Apple has plans for a new entry level 13-inch MacBook, according to supply chain sources, and it’ll ship in the second half of 2018.
HomePod Ships February 9th with Pre-Orders Friday, Stereo and Multi-Room Audio Later this Year
Apple is finally ready to deliver the HomePod with preorders for the smart speaker starting this Friday, January 26th, and deliveries starting on February 9th.
Apple Supports Malala Fund, Tim Cook Joins Leadership Council
Apple announced Monday that it will support the Malala Fund as the girl’s education charity’s first Laureate partner.
Apple Rolls Out Apple Music Analytics Tool for Musicians
Billboard reports that the tool will launch in the spring.
PSA: Amazon Prime Monthly Fee Just Went Up $2 to $12.99
If you’re paying for Amazon Prime month-to-month the cost just went up US$2 from $10.99 to $12.99, but the annual $99 rate isn’t changing.
iOS Beta Shows HomePod Mics can be Disabled
iOS 11.2.5 Developer Beta includes settings for disabling Siri in the streaming home speaker so its built-in microphones won’t eavesdrop on what you say.
Apple Raids Staff at Data Science Startup for Enterprise
Apple has hired away somewhere between one third and half of the employees of an enterprise consulting startup called Silicon Valley Data Science
Kristen Wiig Will Star in Comedy Series for Apple, Reese Witherspoon to Executive Produce
Variety reported that Ms. Wiig will star in a 10-episode half-hour comedy, her first regular TV gig since leaving Saturday Night Live in 2012.
Apple's Everyone Can Code Initiative Spreading to Europe
The tech sector is growing fast across Europe, and computing and informatics jobs are in high demand.
Apple Named Fortune's Most Admired Company 11 Years Running
The Fortune annual list of the World’s Most Admired Companies is out, and Apple is in the top spot again.
chaiOS Bug Fix Coming Next Week
Apple is already working on a fix for the chaiOS bug that crashes Messages when you receive a specific URL in a chat.
Apple Just Redesigned the App Web Interface For iOS and Mac Apps
The icons are bigger, the fonts are bolder, and the iPhone X screenshots are showcased front and center.
Apple Employee Buses Under Attack by Protesters
One Apple employee speculated that the assailants were firing rubber rounds at the buses.
![Apple TV 4K Users Won’t Be Happy With Sony’s Dolby Vision TV Update [UPDATE]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/A1E-1200w.webp)
Apple TV 4K Users Won't Be Happy With Sony's Dolby Vision TV Update [UPDATE]
On Wednesday, Sony rolled out a software update for its most advanced UHD TVs that support Dolby Vision. Except the Dolby Vision portion caused an uproar.
![Apple Rejects Net Neutrality App, Reddit in Uproar [Update]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/iOS-11-app-store-rejected-net-neutrality-app-wide.webp)
Apple Rejects Net Neutrality App, Reddit in Uproar [Update]
So far, it’s hard to tell how accurate Wehe is. But for now Apple has given the final word on the matter, saying no.
Tim Cook: iPhone Owners Didn't Pay Attention to Battery Fix Details
Apple CEO Tim Cook says users may not have paid attention to details about the iPhone update that fixed a battery-related crashing problem at the expense of performance.
Apple to Give Employees $2,500 Bonus in Restricted Stock, Will Also Double Charity Contributions
At Wednesday’s closing price of $179.10, each employee would receive (roughly) 14 shares of restricted stock units that would then vest over time.
Apple Plans to Build Another New Campus
With the dust still settling on its new spaceship campus in Cupertino, Apple announced plans to build another facility.
Apple to Pay $38 Billion in One-Time Repatriation Tax
The money is owed on roughly $245 billion in overseas profits being repatriated under the recent tax overhaul bill signed into law by President Trump.
Apple Expands Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $5 Billion
Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund just got a big boost from US$1 billion up to $5 billion.
Siri Podcast News Feature Rolling Out to iOS 11.2.2 Users
The Siri podcast feature was designed for the HomePod in mind, and it’s designed for hands-free situations.
PSA: chaiOS Web Link Crashes Messages on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
There’s a URL circulating that can crash Messages on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and it can even cause the iOS springboard to unexpectedly crash and relaunch.
Apple Trying to Score J.J. Abrams Sci-Fi Series for Apple Music
Apple is pushing to land a deal with J.J. Abrams for a new sci-fi drama series for Apple Music.