SAN JOSE – The next major update for the company’s mobile platform focused on Siri skills, performance, improved communication, enhanced augmented reality tools, and addiction controls.
Apple
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo Returns to Predict More Aggressive iPhone Pricing
After leaving KGI Securities, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is back to predict “more aggressive” iPhone pricing for the upcoming 2018 models. Kuo believes that Apple wants to reassure investors concerned with the iPhone X’s $1,000 base price, as well as make technologies like Face ID more accessible.
Leaks Show Dark Mode, Apple News App in macOS 10.14
Apple this weekend leaked a Mac App Store preview video of a new version of Xcode, which happened to also show off new features in the upcoming macOS 10.14 update, including a new dark mode, Mac App Store video previews, and a strong suggestion that the next version will be called macOS Mojave.
Toshiba Completes Memory Business Sale to Bain Capital
Apple has a bigger stake in the memory chip market because Toshiba has officially wrapped up its sale to Bain Capital. Apple is part of the consortium with the winning bid for Toshiba’s memory chip business.
What Will The Next macOS Version Be Called?
Some trademarks were uncovered that give a list of possible names for the next macOS version.
Apple Allows Developers More Options for App Store Search Ads
The company added “Creative Sets for more ad variations” for better user targeting.
Apple's Intel Engineer Hires, iCloud Safari History - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-31
Andrew Orr and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to share their ideas on what Apple is doing with the engineers it’s hiring away from Intel, plus they look at how much of our Safari browser history Apple retains.
Apple Seeds macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Developer Beta 1
Mum’s the word on features in the new release cycle, even while all eyes turn to next week’s World Wide Developer Conference.
Developers, Apple Has a WWDC Activity Challenge For You (and There's a Reward)
Designed for teams up to four WWDC attendees in conjunction with the Challenge app, developers who complete the challenge will earn an unspecified reward on Friday, June 8th.
Report Claims Apple Actively Ditching Intel for its Own ARM Processors in the Mac
Apple has tasked Pegatron with manufacturing an ARM-based MacBook, or so a report claims. This rumored ARM Mac is code named “Star” and series number N84.
Tim Cook Tweet - Wait, What's that iPhone X without a Notch in Tim's Pic? (Probably Just a White iPhone)
What some have noticed is a device being used at a nearby table with neither a notch nor space for a Home button—what in the world could that be?
Twitter Insanity, Apple's AI Showdown, FBI Exaggeration, Apple's HQ Hunt - ACM 463
Twitter has lost its corporate mind, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet argue in this episode of ACM. They also weigh the importance of WWDC 2018 in terms of Siri, and discuss whether or not Apple has to announce significant improvements to remain competitive in AI. Then there’s the revelation that the FBI exaggerated the number of locked iPhones it couldn’t get into, and they squeeze in a fourth topic, too: Apple’s hunt for a new campus, and how it contrasts with Amazon.
WWDC and Hardware Expectations, Apple Music for Other Platforms - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-23
John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to talk about expectations for hardware announcements at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference, plus they debate if it’s time for Apple Music to come to more platforms.
Here's How to Watch Apple's WWDC 2018 Keynote Live Stream
Apple’s 2018 Worldwide Developer Conference keynote event is scheduled for 10 AM pacific time on Monday, June 4th. Here’s how to watch the keynote live even if you aren’t there.
Apple Launches New Data and Privacy Download Page for EU
Apple has a new Data and Privacy web page for European Union residents that complies with the EU’s General Data Privacy Regulation, or GDPR, laws.
![Apple’s Siri Says She’s Getting ‘Smarter’ at WWDC [Update]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/siri-tease-la-la-la-wwdc-2018.jpg)
Apple's Siri Says She's Getting 'Smarter' at WWDC [Update]
So far, Siri has revealed she will be getting a new voice, and she hinted at what may be a new HomePod. Perhaps most importantly, on one test, she told me she was getting smarter. [Updated with additional info.]
Samsung Thinks Galaxy S9 Is at Least Better than iPhone 6
Check it out. Samsung is positioning its two-month old flagship Galaxy S9 against an iPhone. And when I say “iPhone,” I mean iPhone 6 [via MacRumors]. The ad appears to be a pitch to owners of old iPhones, but it feels more like a Freudian slip to me. “This,” Samsung appears to believe, “is all we can do.” Even if the psychology behind the ad isn’t as twisted and warped as my Samsung-loathing mind wants it to be, comparing a brand new flagship device to a three-and-a-half year old competitor is terrible, awful, absurd positioning. Perhaps that’s part of why iPhone 7 is still selling as well as the Galaxy S9, let alone the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X, all of which handily outsell the Samsung device. Anyhoo, you can watch it and judge for yourself.
The Developers Union Forms to Give Indie Developers a Voice to Apple
The group says it will start by asking Apple for developer-friendly changes to the App Store. Its goal is 20,000 members by early June (i.e. WWDC), and has 182 members so far (16 of whom joined while I was working on this article).
Senate Net Neutrality, Nader's Whiff, Jony Watchman - ACM 462
The U.S. Senate passed legislation that would restore Net Neutrality in the country, but Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet explain why they don’t think it will go any further. They also break down Ralph Nader’s kind-of-weird whiff in complaining about Apple’s share buyback program. They cap the show with a look at how Sir Jony Ive is a watch-man, though Steve Jobs wasn’t involved with Apple Watch.
Designing Apple's Personal Robot, Yanny or Laurel - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-16
Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about what a personal robot from Apple could be, plus they explain what’s going on with the “Yanny or Laurel” meme.
Apple's Helpful Video on Using 2FA for Apple Devices
Check out this Apple video on using 2FA to secure your Apple devices. I won’t pass up an opportunity to promote device and service security. For instance—and while I’m here—DON’T REUSE PASSWORDS! So, anyway, Apple has this short (only 6 seconds) how-to video that gives you the quick run-down on using 2FA to protect your Apple ID. Really, it’s a pointer to a more in-depth piece on using 2FA, and that article has a lot of good information. TMO has some great articles on 2FA, too, and too, and too, and too. Many of our readers already know this stuff, but we all have friends and family who don’t. Pass it to them. Post a link in social media. Help the people who count on you for tech stuff learn more about protecting their digital #^%$!
Keep your personal information secure, even in your sleep. With two-factor authentication, you can protect your Apple ID with more than just a password.
Here’s how it works: https://t.co/d9RtMwoV1L pic.twitter.com/aXV5g6RjGL
— Apple Support (@AppleSupport) May 14, 2018
Apple's Leadership Without Steve Jobs' Influence - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-15
Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on the impact Steve Jobs had on Apple’s current leadership, and what happens when Tim Cook is gone.
Ralph Nader Uses Apple's Success as Focal Point for His Causes in Open Letter
Ralph Nader has penned an open letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook urging him to suspend his company’s plan to to spend US$100 Billion on stock buybacks.
Apple Seeds tvOS 11.4 Developer Beta 5
This version of tvOS is testing AirPlay 2 through Apple TV 4 and Apple TV 4K devices.