Google’s YouTube app for iOS devices was today updated to version 11.10, adding support for Slide Over and Split View on compatible iPads. With Slide Over and Split View, the app can run alongside another app or with the Slide Over panel open, allowing people to multitask while watching YouTube videos.

The third split screen feature available on Apple’s iPads, Picture in Picture, has not been added to the YouTube app despite being a feature that many YouTube users have been hoping for.

Split View is compatible with the iPad Air 2, both iPad Pros, and the iPad mini 4. Slide Over is compatible with the iPad Air and up, the iPad mini 2 and up, and both iPad Pros.

Other new features in the update include relocated home tabs when in landscape mode on an iPad and a fix for a bug that prevented URLs in video descriptions from opening.

YouTube can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
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The Apple Music app for Android devices was updated today, adding a new home screen widget that gives Android users the ability to control Apple Music playback without needing to open the Apple Music app.

The widget lets users view what’s playing, and quickly pause, skip, rewind, and favorite songs. Today’s update also lets Android users add songs directly to playlists without first needing to add them to the Apple Music, offers a way to redeem iTunes credit for membership renewal, and includes several other useful interface tweaks that should be a welcome change for Android Apple Music users.

Now you can add songs from the Apple Music catalog to playlists without having to add it to your library. You can also:
– Control playback with a widget you can add to your home screen
– Redeem gift cards in Settings to renew your membership using iTunes credit
– See what’s playing on Beats 1 directly from the Radio tab — without having to tune in
– Tap the name of the currently playing song in Now Playing to go to the album
– See which songs are most popular on albums in the Apple Music catalog

Apple Music for Android can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store.

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Apple is planning a major overhaul of the iPhone for 2017, including the adoption of an all-new curved glass casing paired with a curved 5.8-inch AMOLED display, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Seeking to move away from the metal casing designs that are no longer unique, Apple will reportedly take the glass-backed design used for the iPhone 4 and 4s „to the next level“ in building the 2017 iPhone.

We expect the 2017 new iPhone model to adopt a structural design similar to that of iPhone 4/ 4s, meaning it will be equipped with glass on both the front and back sides, and a metal frame surrounded the edges. The difference is that the new model will likely come with a curved screen and curved glass casing, with other important features including a 5.8-inch AMOLED display, wireless charging, and more biometric recognitions (facial or iris). Given the curved design, the new model may look smaller than an existing 5.5-inch iPhone.

Kuo lays out two scenarios for Apple’s 2017 lineup, depending on availability of the AMOLED displays needed for the new phone. If supplies are sufficient, Apple would launch a 4.7-inch LCD-based iPhone paired with the new 5.8-inch AMOLED iPhone as a larger option. But if AMOLED display production is unable to meet the entire large-screen demand, Kuo believes Apple will launch 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LCD iPhones similar to today’s lineup, with the 5.8-inch AMOLED model being a third option at the high end.

Such a major change in 2017 would be part of a significant departure from Apple’s usual pattern of keeping the same general body style for two years before making major changes. The current iPhone 6s and 6s Plus represent the second year of the current body style, and normally this year’s iPhone 7 would be expected to see a significant external redesign to freshen up the look. Leaks and rumors have, however, suggested changes could be fairly minor in the iPhone 7.

Previous rumors have suggested Apple is looking to launch a 5.8-inch OLED iPhone in 2017 or 2018, with Apple rumored to be working with several different OLED display manufacturers.

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A long-standing bug in Game Center that renders many games unplayable has reportedly been resolved in the latest public beta of iOS 9.3.2.

Game Center for iOS is a necessary component of many turn-based multiplayer App Store titles, which rely on Apple’s social gaming network to enable gamers to invite friends, start multiplayer matches, and compete for high scores.

The bug, which first appeared in iOS 8, affects many popular games of the sort and involves the Game Center app launching as a white screen, crashing games to a white screen, and/or the Settings app freezing when Game Center’s options are selected.

Well, community members of ours who are brave enough to install beta iOS system updates have reported that Game Center is once again working for them in the iOS 9.3.2 beta. Now, before getting too excited, it’s important to have a hefty dose of realism with all this: The Game Center bug is a vicious beast, and many people on our forums have thought they slayed it, only to have it return inside of a couple days. I’m cautiously optimistic, but by no means ready to strike up the band and declare the Game Center bug fixed.

The latest posts on the forum thread suggest that Apple’s latest beta has resolved the problem for many affected users, although claims of official confirmation from Apple that the bug is fixed remain unsubstantiated.

Apple released the first beta of its upcoming iOS 9.3.2 update to public testers last Thursday, just a day after seeding the beta to developers.

Those who want to be a part of Apple’s beta testing program can sign up to participate through the beta testing website, which gives users access to both iOS and OS X betas.

Beta testers who have signed up for Apple’s beta testing program will receive the iOS 9.3.2 update over-the-air after installing the proper certificate on their iOS device.

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Apple today began promoting a new feature on the fourth-generation Apple TV called „Live Tune-In,“ which lets users jump directly into the live streams of select apps using Siri. The company is specifically promoting CBS, ESPN, and Disney XD as apps that support Live Tune-In, but it hasn’t disclosed yet how soon other apps that have live channel functionality will gain the new feature as well.

To use Live Tune-In, Apple TV users can speak into the Siri Remote using commands like „Watch CBS,“ or specifically ask to „Watch ESPN live.“ Other features on the new splash screen of the Apple TV include updates that were released in March’s tvOS 9.2 update — including Folders and Bluetooth keyboard support — but Apple is just now beginning to promote the Live Tune-In ability as an option for those who watch live channels often on the platform.

Some live streaming apps do require separate subscriptions to be able to watch live TV in the first place, so the CBS app won’t work for those who don’t have a CBS All Access account. Other live streaming-supported apps that don’t appear to incorporate Live Tune-In yet include ABC and Food Network.

(Thanks, Eric!)

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KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new report that predicts Apple will switch to non-aluminum casing, with glass being the most likely candidate, for the majority of new iPhone models starting in 2017. If accurate, the design change would not apply to the iPhone 7 expected to launch this September.

Specifically, Kuo believes that in order to differentiate iPhone from an increasing number of competing aluminum smartphones, Apple will return to iPhone 4s-like glass casing next year to allow for an all-new form-factor design. The switch would allow Apple to again „enhance the competitiveness“ and innovation of iPhone.

If iPhone 7 still uses an aluminum casing in 2016, it will be the fifth year in a row that iPhone has done so, which means there is no longer a feeling of freshness to appeal to consumers. Also, a lot of Apple’s (US) competitors are also adopting aluminum casings, which means iPhone no longer has a clear edge due to a lack of differentiation. On expectations that iPhone shipments will decline in 2016, we believe Apple will be more strongly motivated to use non-aluminum casings in 2017 in a bid to enhance the competitiveness of iPhone by offering an all-new form-factor design.

The oft-reliable analyst adds that the ratio of new iPhone models using aluminum casing will likely drop from 100% currently to 40% or less, indicating that some aluminum-based iPhones will likely remain available for at least the short term. This could be older models like the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 series.

Kuo notes that some investors are concerned that glass casing would be too heavy or fail a drop test. However, the analyst believes that a return to glass casing will not be problematic for Apple, and the weight in particular could be offset by the switch to AMOLED screens in 2017.

Apple already uses glass casing for iPhone 4/ 4S, and non-Apple brands have also been using glass casings. We therefore think a drop test will not be problematic for glass casing. A glass casing may be slightly heavier than an aluminum one of the same thickness, but the difference is so small that the use of the thinner and lighter AMOLED panel will compensate for that.

Multiple sources have claimed that Apple will release an OLED-based iPhone as early as 2017, with possible suppliers eventually including Samsung, LG Display, AU Optronics, Japan Display, Foxconn-owned Sharp, and others. Kuo said at least one model could have a 5.8-inch OLED screen with curved glass casing.

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There’s been some speculation that the dark theme of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference website and WWDC app are hinting at a potential dark mode set to be released as part of iOS 10, and a new set of concept images from iHelpBR imagines what a dark mode setting could look like on iOS devices.

A system-wide dark mode is depicted in the images, offering up an example of what darker backgrounds would look like in Messages, Mail, Contacts, News, and more. iHelpBR speculates that such a feature could be set to come on automatically when the sun sets, darkening the entire operating system as is currently done in the Maps app.

The site images a dark mode that would extend to built-in Apple apps and system menus, as well as third-party apps using a potential dark mode API.

iHelpBR’s concept also features split-screen multitasking and picture-in-picture support, bringing the iPad feature to the iPhone when used in landscape mode. It’s not clear if Apple would consider bringing split-screen multitasking to the iPhone given the small amount of screen real estate compared to an iPad, but some users would likely welcome the feature.

OS X has had a dark mode since the 2014 launch of OS X Yosemite, with a darker menu bar, dock, and system menus, and since then, it’s been a highly desired feature for iOS. Despite the darker look of Apple’s WWDC app and WWDC website, there is no concrete evidence a dark mode is coming, but it’s a possibility. A dark mode was also featured in the iOS 10 wish list concept video created by MacStories.

iOS 10 will debut next week alongside OS X 10.12 and new versions of watchOS and tvOS. Apple is expected to show off the new operating systems at the WWDC keynote event, set to take place on June 13 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Following the keynote event, Apple will likely provide beta versions of new software to developers.

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The Lock screen experience in iOS 10 has been completely overhauled, with a new widgets side panel, a redesigned Control Center, revamped notifications, quicker camera access, and the removal of the iconic „Slide to Unlock“ feature.

As can be seen in the hands-on video below, Slide to Unlock, formerly accessible through a right swipe, has been retired. Swiping right now brings up a widgets side panel, while swiping left opens up the Camera app. The widgets panel houses widgets formerly located in the „Today“ view of the Notification Center.

New on the Lock screen is a „Raise to Wake“ feature, exclusive to the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and SE, all three of which have an A9/M9 processor. There’s also a redesigned Control Center and rich notifications, both of which support 3D Touch. In the Control Center, a 3D Touch on Flashlight, Timer, or Camera brings up different options, while 3D pressing on an incoming notification offers up options like replying to messages directly from the Lock screen.

In case you missed it, make sure to check out our seven minute WWDC 2016 video, which features a quick rundown on all of the new iOS, macOS Sierra, tvOS, and watchOS features Apple introduced this week, and stay tuned to MacRumors for more in-depth software videos.

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Apple previewed iOS 10 earlier this week with new rich notifications that enable iPhone users to view photos and videos, listen to audio, or respond to messages directly within notification bubbles. If you receive an iMessage, for example, you will be able to reply to the conversation without leaving the Lock screen.

Apple has also provided developers with the ability to update existing notifications with new information, or delete them, which should help declutter the Lock screen and Notification Center. But many apps still generate multiple notifications, such as every photo, video, or message you receive on Snapchat.

MacRumors forum member chrf097 explains:

The problem with this current system is that notifications become easily cluttered. An active group chat can result in hundreds of individual notifications. For example I’m in a group chat of friends with about 12 active people, and I have to leave it muted anytime I choose not to participate, due to the amount of notifications that collect. In addition, this means that important information can get lost in the sea of notifications.

The solution, as seen in his concept below, could be to follow in Android’s footsteps by collapsing notifications on a per-app basis.

The new design would save valuable screen space and allow you to glance at your Lock screen or Notification Center notifications much quicker. But collapsed notifications could inhibit the rich notification experience, so it would work best if collapsed notifications could be toggled on or off on a per-app basis in Settings.

Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 10 to developers earlier this week, and a public beta will be available in July. The free software update will officially be released in the fall for most devices compatible with iOS 9, excluding the iPhone 4s, iPad 2 and 3, original iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPod touch.

Apple could introduce collapsible notifications in a future iOS 10 beta, although changes will more likely be limited to minor tweaks and enhancements.

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Apple today released new versions of iOS 10 to both developers and public beta testers, and as with any major beta update, there are several small changes and tweaks that have been implemented as Apple works to refine the operating system ahead of its release this fall.

Today’s update, available as an over-the-air download for those who installed the first four betas or the beta configuration profile, features a new Lock screen sound, tweaks to the Control Center and widgets screen, and more.

We’ve rounded up some of the biggest changes in beta five in the video below, so make sure to check it out to get a quick look at what’s changed. We’re also listing all of the changes in the post below.

Photos – Apple plans to reprocess facial recognition data in beta 5, so all named, favorited, and merged face data will be reset.

Lock sound – There’s a new sound when locking the iPhone. It sounds like a door closing.

New Output icon – The output icon seen in the Control Center, the Music app, and other locations in iOS has been slightly tweaked. It is no longer represented by headphones and instead resembles a triangle with sound waves.

Settings – The „Home“ section in the Settings app has been removed on the iPhone, as it served no purpose, but it remains available on the iPad.

Widgets – The new widgets panel, accessible by swiping to the right, now displays the date on all devices.

Swift Playgrounds – New content has been added to Swift Playgrounds in iOS 10 beta 5, including Learn to Code Part 2.

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Zagg today announced the launch of its two newest screen protectors for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, introducing the InvisibleShield Sapphire Defense and the InvisibleShield Glass+.

The Sapphire Defense InvisibleShield is a hybrid glass screen protector infused with sapphire to give it superior scratch resistance. According to Zagg, the Sapphire Defense combines sapphire, glass, and traditional screen protection for a „virtually indestructible“ screen protector that offers 7x better impact protection compared to an unprotected screen.

It also features smudge resistance, a self-healing surface to mask minor scratches, and the smooth feel and clarity of traditional glass screen protectors from Zagg.

„Almost everyone can relate to the fear associated with accidentally dropping your smartphone onto a hard surface,“ said Brian Stech, president of ZAGG. „As mobile devices have become the epicenter of our lives, we believe your screen should look as good today as the day you first purchased your device. This mentality drives us to work tirelessly to ensure mobile users can charge through life free from the fear of a damaged screen, confident to know the world’s most advanced screen protection and lifetime warranty are protecting them.“

The InvisibleShield Glass+ is a less expensive tempered glass screen protector which Zagg says features advanced impact protection, scratch resistance, and reinforced edges. It’s constructed from several layers to protect against scratches and it offers 2x more impact protection than an unprotected screen.

The InvisibleShield Sapphire Defense is priced at $49.99 while the InvisibleShield Glass+ is priced at $39.99. Both new screen protectors can be purchased from the Zagg website, with the Glass+ coming in early September and the Sapphire Defense coming in early October.
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In iOS 10, Messages features creative tools to give users new ways to express themselves and communicate with friends and family. Additions include new bubble effects that change the way iMessage bubbles look, tapback reaction options for sending quick feedback on texts or photos, and screen effects that add fireworks, confetti, and more to the whole messages screen.

All of these tools are simple to use, but there are some hidden features and accessing them for the first time can be tricky, so make sure to check out our how-to for pointers.

Using Bubble Effects

There are currently four kinds of bubble effects that can be added to chat bubbles to impact the mood of a message: Slam, Loud, Gentle, and Invisible Ink. Each one changes the way a chat bubble looks when it’s delivered to a friend.

Slam, for example, expands the size of the chat bubble and slams it down onto the screen, while Loud enlarges the chat bubble and makes it shake for a few seconds before it settles down.

Gentle, meanwhile, makes the text within the chat bubble tiny for a few seconds before it expands in size, and Invisible Ink, the neatest effect, fully obscures the look of the text in the chat bubble until a finger is swiped over it to unveil it.


Here’s how to use Bubble Effects:

1. Open the Messages app and select an existing conversation or start a new conversation.
2. Type a message.
3. On the iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, use a Force Press on the blue arrow next to the chat box to bring up the Bubble Effect options.
4. On iPads or older iPhones, use a Long Press (press and hold for a few seconds) to bring up the Bubble Effect options.
5. Select one of the Bubble Effect options to see a preview of what it will look like.
6. Press the blue up arrow to send your message. It’ll be delivered to the recipient with the effect.

Using Screen Effects

Bubble Effects change the look of the chat bubbles, but Screen Effects temporarily alter the look of the entire Messages display with full screen animations that play alongside text messages you send.

1. Open the Messages app and select an existing conversation or start a new conversation.
2. Type a message.
3. On the iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, use a Force Press (use a long press on iPads and older iPhones) on the blue arrow next to the chat box to bring up the Bubble Effect and Screen Effect menu.
4. The default option is Bubble Effects. Tap „Screen Effects“ at the top of the display to change modes.
5. Swipe left and right to cycle through all of the different options.
6. When you’ve selected the desired effect, press the blue up arrow to send your message. It will be delivered to the recipient as a full screen animation.

Screen effects can be added to messages manually by following the above directions, but they’re also an automatic effect that’s activated by certain phrases. For example, if you text a friend „Happy Birthday!“ your message will be sent with balloons. If you send a „Congratulations!“ text, it’ll be accompanied by confetti.

Using Tapback

Tapback responses are little icons that can be added to any incoming message bubble, including texts, photos, GIFs, and more, allowing you to quickly share a reaction without having to type a full message. Tapback icons, when used, are added to the chat bubble that was selected and are visible to both you and the message recipient.

Tapback options include a heart, thumbs down symbol, thumbs up symbol, a „haha“ icon, an exclamation point, and a question mark. Each symbol represents a different emotion or response, which is conveyed through both the icon and the accompanying notification.

Using a heart Tapback response means you „love“ a photo or text message, for example, and when you send a heart response, your friend will see the message „Juli loved an image,“ if attached to a photo. Here’s a full list of Tapback responses and the notification that accompanies them:

• Heart – Juli loved an image
• Thumbs up – Juli liked an image
• Thumbs down – Juli disliked an image
• Haha – Juli laughed at an image
• Exclamation point – Juli emphasized an image
• Question mark – Juli questioned an image

Here’s how to respond to a message with Tapback:

1. Open a conversation.
2. Choose the message you want to respond to.
3. Long press on the chat bubble. A selection of Tapback icons will be displayed.
4. Choose the icon you want to respond with.
5. The icon is attached to the chat bubble and sent to the message recipient.
6. Want to remove or change a Tapback reaction? Press again and deselect the icon you chose the first time or choose a new one.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble getting Bubble Effects and Screen Effects to work, the Reduce Motion setting needs to be turned off if you’ve turned it on. The feature can be accessed in Settings –> General –> Accessibility –> Reduce Motion. Make sure it’s toggled to off, aka not green.

With Reduce Motion turned on, Screen Effects and Bubble Effects do not work because they’re motion-based. If you don’t like Screen Effects and Bubble Effects, turning on Reduce Motion is a good way to disable them.

Bubble and Screen Effects are only displayed properly on iOS devices running iOS 10 and macOS Sierra.

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Apple today shared a new television ad on its YouTube channel, designed to introduce people to the new Screen Effects feature in iOS 10. In the minute-long spot, a sole red balloon drifts through mountains, over the sea, and through hilly terrain to reach the city, where it’s joined by hundreds of additional balloons floating through the streets.

The shot pans to an iPhone user who receives a „Happy Birthday“ message, where balloons fill up the screen to accompany the text. It ends with the tagline „Expressive messages on iPhone 7. Practically magic.“

With certain keywords like „Congratulations!“ or „Happy Birthday!“ Screen Effects play automatically whenever the relevant text phrase is sent to an iPhone user who has iOS 10 installed.

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With pre-orders for the new MacBook Pro up today, and a launch expected within the next two to three weeks, Apple has given a number of journalists access to the 13-inch and 15-inch devices so they can share their thoughts with anyone who is interested in the new flagship MacBook Pro line. MacRumors has already rounded up a collection of opinions regarding the newest feature on the MacBook Pro — the Touch Bar — so this roundup will be focused on other areas.

Namely, topics covered include the keyboard, trackpad, screen, and overall weight and feel of the device. Opinions on the keyboard appear to differ depending on whether or not the user is acclimated to the 2015 MacBook’s Butterfly Enclosure keyboard, but otherwise the new MacBook Pro is getting positive initial reactions to its design, particularly in its ability to pack in powerful specs in such a lightweight enclosure.

The keyboard is almost identical to the Butterfly keyboard found on the tiny MacBook. That’s going to cause some people to grind their teeth, but I think it’s great and easy to type on — and I do think the keys might have sightly better travel, but don’t hold me to that. In any case, I expect that this will be a sore spot for some people, but my level of sympathy isn’t as high as it ought to be, because I think this keyboard is great.

The Trackpad is absolutely massive, so much so that Apple had better make sure it has its palm-rejection software perfect, because your palms are going to be resting on this thing all the time.

Forbes looked particularly at the weight of the MacBook Pro, and came away impressed with the device’s form factor and heft, even calling the 15-inch model „a reasonable weight for people on the go.“ The site was able to handle both 13-inch and 15-inch versions of the MacBook Pro and was particularly pleased with the smaller laptop due to its 3 pound weight and more svelte design.

As a road warrior and a 13-inch MacBook Air user, I was most interested in that model and pleased to learn that it’s the same weight (3 pounds) and a bit smaller form factor. Even the 15-inch, at 4 pounds, is a reasonable weight for people on the go. I was able to handle both models and could easily see myself carrying around the 13-inch model as I go about my day or walk from booth to booth at a large trade show like CES.

Macworld delved deeper into the ports that the MacBook Pro offers, including the 3.5mm headphone jack (located on the right of each MacBook) that some feared might be eliminated following its removal on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. With the new models, Apple has included four total Thunderbolt 3 ports, two located on each side of the MacBook Pro (besides the Touch Bar-lacking $1,499 tier, which has just two Thunderbolt 3 ports).

While Macworld admitted that adapters will inevitably be required for some tasks (with no proper USB-A input, an iPhone can’t be charged or synced on the MacBook Pro), the move towards a more flexible input standard is „appreciated.“ As Apple demoed during the event, one Thunderbolt 3 port can connect a MacBook Pro to a 5K display and even charge it at the same time, and there are many other dynamic instances that users will be able to take advantage of thanks to the new ports on the MacBook Pro.

You also get four Thunderbolt 3 ports on the 13-inch and 15-inch models (only two on the lower-end 13-inch MacBook Pro with Function Keys, but we’re discussing the Touch Bar models here). Apple put two on each side, and it’s kind of cool how all the ports can charge the laptop or connect to Thunderbolt, DisplayPort 1.2, and USB-C devices.

I’m used to having dedicated ports for each IO method, so the flexibility is appreciated, and it’s a relief Apple went with four instead of, say, two. You’ll still need adapters for some things, like peripherals that use USB-A or Thunderbolt 2 ports, or an SD card reader, since that slot is gone. But having multiple ports might let you avoid picking up one of the USB-C docks that MacBook owners need if they want to connect more than one device at a time.

Engadget was particularly impressed by the screen on the new MacBook Pro models, calling it „stunning“ when in person and „a noticeable upgrade“ from the previous generation of MacBook Pros. The site specifically mentioned that warmer colors in red and yellow boost image quality, and overall colors „really are richer and more vibrant.“

Engadget concluded its hands-on preview with one of the more superlative opinions on the new MacBook Pro, calling the device „an engineering marvel“ that feels very solid in the hand and has beautiful finishes in Silver and Space Gray. Thanks to the added bonus that the 13-inch version weighs „even less than a MacBook Air,“ the site said that the 2-3 week shipping estimate will be a hard wait after pre-ordering.

Aside from the Touch Strip, the laptop itself is an engineering marvel. It feels super solid, like a solid slab of aluminum, and I’m particularly enamored with the space gray finish. It’s remarkable that Apple managed to cram fully fledged MBP internals into a chassis that weighs even less than a MacBook Air — I held my Air in one hand and the new 13-inch Pro in the other, and I couldn’t tell a difference between them. The 15-inch model is a bit heavier, of course, but it’s still a relatively svelte machine for how powerful it is.

And I can’t discuss the hardware without mentioning the new screen. The wider color gamut it provides isn’t something that most civilians need, but it is a noticeable upgrade when you see the difference side to side. Colors really are richer and more vibrant, particularly with warmer colors: reds and yellows in particular.

For anyone interested, Apple’s new MacBook Pro is available for pre-order today, with the 13-inch model starting at $1,799 and the 13-inch model starting at $2,399, and both versions are said to begin shipping in the next 2-3 weeks. Apple has also introduced a second 13-inch MacBook Pro sans Touch Bar for $1,499, which is shipping today. For more hands-on coverage, check out our roundup of opinions on the Touch Bar.

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Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, recently continued the company’s stance against turning its desktop and laptop devices into touch screen-enabled computers, which some customers believe could be advantageous additions to the macOS platform. With the new addition of the „Touch Bar“ on the MacBook Pro line, seen by some as a potential step towards a full-on Mac touch screen, many Apple executives have come out saying this isn’t the case.

Speaking with Backchannel, Schiller has now stated that a multi-touch display on a MacBook „wouldn’t be enough,“ because it would begin a divide between MacBook and iMac. But, if the company implemented the same touch screen on a desktop it would „become absurd,“ due to the iMac’s main source of user interaction — the keyboard and mouse or trackpad — residing too far away from where users would raise their hand to interact with the screen. Ultimately, Schiller said this line of thought is „lowest common denominator thinking.“

“We think of the whole platform,” he says. “If we were to do Multi-Touch on the screen of the notebook, that wouldn’t be enough — then the desktop wouldn’t work that way.” And touch on the desktop, he says, would be a disaster. “Can you imagine a 27-inch iMac where you have to reach over the air to try to touch and do things? That becomes absurd.” He also explains that such a move would mean totally redesigning the menu bar for fingers, in a way that would ruin the experience for those using pointer devices like the touch or mouse. “You can’t optimize for both,” he says. “It’s the lowest common denominator thinking.”

All the same, Schiller confirmed that Apple has tried out touch screens on a Mac in its labs over the last few years and the company „absolutely come away with the belief that it isn’t the right thing to do,“ he said. „Our instincts were correct.” When asked whether the Touch Bar was the beginning of a larger influence by iOS on the macOS platform, Schiller said this was not the case.

When I suggested that this might be only the latest in a number of mobile innovations moving to the Mac, in an overall annexation of the Macintosh platform, Schiller pushed back, hard. “Its implementation is pure Mac,” he said. “The thought and vision from the very beginning was not at all, ‘How do we put iOS in the Mac?’ It was entirely, ‘How to you use the [iOS] technology to make a better Mac experience?’”

In regards to the MacBook Pro’s switch to Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, and the subsequent frustration by some users who fear needing to purchase and keep track of many dongles, Schiller said that “we’re absolutely more sure than ever that we’ve done the right thing,” because of the standard that USB-C is set to become. For context regarding the amount of cables available, MacRumors recently collected some USB-C adapters and dongles available from Apple and third-party accessory makers into a roundup.

Ultimately, Schiller said that the „fundamental difference“ between the MacBook Pro’s naysayers and fans is divided between those who have not yet interacted with the laptop, and those who have. Thankfully, many more will be able to get a chance to use the MacBook Pro and Touch Bar as the first round of shipments have begun arriving to pre-order customers today.

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One of the best features on the fourth-generation Apple TV is its high-quality aerial screen savers that play on the screen after a short period of inactivity. The Aerial screen saver option on the Apple TV features an aerial view of different locations around the world, which Apple has added to over time to keep content fresh.

The Aerial screen saver picks a random video option from a data source maintained by Apple, and that data source was recently updated with 21 new screen savers. iDownloadBlog has parsed the data and shared direct links to each of the new screen savers that can be watched on iOS devices and Macs.

Screen savers are time-based and show off various cities and locations in slow motion, with the lighting changing based on the time of day. New screen savers of video captured in China, Dubai, Greenland, Hong Kong, Liwa, and Los Angeles have been added.

China:
– Day 4
– Day 5
– Day 6

Dubai:
– Day 1
– Day 2
– Day 3
– Day 4
– Night 1
– Night 2

Greenland:
– Day 1
– Day 2
– Night 1

Hong Kong:
– Day 1
– Day 2
– Day 3
– Night 1

Liwa (United Arab Emirates):
– Day 1

Los Angeles (United States):
– Day 1
– Day 2
– Day 3
– Night 1

These screen savers aren’t likely to be immediately available to all users, as the Apple TV downloads new aerial content on a regular basis depending on your Apple TV settings. New screen savers can be set to download on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis in the Settings app on the Apple TV.
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Chromecast users can now control YouTube streaming to their TV from the lock screen of their iPhone, thanks to the latest update to the YouTube app.

Like YouTube for Android devices, version 12.03 of the iOS app adds play, pause, previous, next, and volume controls to the iPhone’s lock screen whenever YouTube is casting to Chromecast devices, smart TVs, game consoles, and other living room devices. The same controls can also now be found in the iOS Control Center.

In addition, the update enables iPhone owners with a paired Apple Watch to access the same controls from their wrist. YouTube is available to download for free from the App Store. [Direct Link]

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The upcoming 2017 iPhone will feature a 5.8-inch display with 5.15 inches of usable screen space according to new predictions shared by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo believes the iPhone 8 will use a 5.8-inch OLED display panel, but that some space will be reserved for virtual buttons.

As has been rumored, the display is said to take up the entire front panel of the iPhone, effectively eliminating bezels, which means Apple will eliminate both the current Home button and the current Touch ID fingerprint recognition technology used in iPhones.

Size wise, Kuo says the OLED iPhone will have measurements similar to the 4.7-inch iPhone, allowing for one-handed operation. Such a size is possible with a 5.8-inch panel because there will be no extra space outside of the display, as can be seen in the mockup below. It will feature a display similar in size to the 5.5-inch iPhone, but in a 4.7-inch package.

Alongside the 5.8-inch OLED iPhone, Kuo continues to believe Apple will also offer standard 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LCD iPhones, but it is not yet clear what features those devices will adopt. In previous research notes, Kuo has said they will include glass bodies and wireless charging, but he has not gone into detail on other potential features. He does, however, say that the OLED iPhone will be „the only bright spot“ in the 2017 iPhone lineup, suggesting only minor improvements for the other two rumored devices.

Because the OLED iPhone will eliminate the Home button, it is expected to adopt „other biometric technologies,“ which other rumors suggest could include things like iris or facial recognition.

Battery life may also be another major change in the OLED iPhone, with Apple expected to introduce a stacked logic board design to support bigger batteries and longer battery life. In today’s report, Kuo says the iPhone 8, though similar in size to the 4.7-inch iPhone 7, will feature a battery capacity similar to the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus.

With the radical design changes, battery improvements, and the new biometric features, Kuo expects the OLED iPhone to cost in excess of $1,000, a pricing rumor that was also shared by Fast Company last week. Kuo does not expect the high price point to significantly impact sales due the „innovative user experience“ offered by the device.

He believes Apple will ship 100 million iPhones during the second half of 2017, with 60 percent of those to consist of the higher-end OLED iPhone.

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iPhones that have undergone any third-party screen repair now qualify for warranty coverage, as long as the issue being fixed does not relate to the display itself, according to an internal memo distributed by Apple today. MacRumors confirmed the memo’s authenticity with multiple sources.

Previously, an iPhone with a third-party display was not eligible for any authorized repairs under warranty.

When a customer with an iPhone that has a third-party display seeks a repair for a non-display issue, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers have been advised to inspect the device for any fraud or tampering, and then swap out the device or replace the broken part based on Apple’s in-warranty pricing.

iPhones with third-party displays must still be within their warranty coverage period, whether it be Apple’s standard 1-year manufacturer’s warranty or extended AppleCare coverage, in order for warranty service to be honored.

If the iPhone is out of warranty, or the repair involves a display-related issue, customers will be offered the option to pay Apple’s flat rate out-of-warranty pricing. If a customer declines this out-of-warranty pricing, then Apple Authorized Service Providers are instructed to decline service altogether.

If the presence of any third-party part causes the repair to be unsuccessful or breaks the iPhone, Apple said customers will be required to pay the out-of-warranty cost to replace the third-party part, or the entire device if necessary, in order to resolve the issue that the iPhone was initially brought in for.

If a customer wants to pay for an Apple genuine display to replace their third-party display, Apple Authorized Service Providers have been instructed to quote the typical out-of-warranty price for a new display. Apple said AppleCare+ will not cover third-party display or battery repairs.

Apple Authorized Service Providers are still instructed to decline service for any iPhone with a functional failure related to a third-party aluminum enclosure, logic board, battery, Lightning connector, headphone jack, volume buttons, mute switch, sleep/wake button, and certain microphones.

MacRumors has confirmed that the policy applies to repairs in the United States and Canada, while other regions are likely included.

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In line with previous reports, The Wall Street Journal today said Apple’s rumored iPhone 8 will feature a curved OLED display supplied by Samsung.

Tuesday’s report corroborates previous claims from KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi-Kuo that Apple will release three devices this year: Two „S“ cycle iPhones with LCD displays to succeed the current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, as well as a special „10th Anniversary Edition“ iPhone 8.

Apple Inc. has decided to adopt a flexible display for one model of the new iPhone coming out this year and has ordered sufficient components to enable mass production, people familiar with the matter said.

According to WSJ’s anonymous sources, Apple will drop the traditional home button on the iPhone 8 in favor of a distinct touch-enabled area on the chin of the handset, also corroborating Ming-Chi Kuo’s claims of a „function area“ below the new iPhone’s main display. Additionally, in a new claim likely to cause much debate, the paper reports that Apple will replace the Lightning connector with a USB-C port. Indeed, all of the next iPhones are said to feature a „USB-C port for the power cord and other peripheral devices instead of the company’s original Lightning connector“.

Over recent weeks, reports have clashed over which models will include several purported new features. For example, citing „reliable sources“ within Apple’s supply chain, Japanese blog Mac Otakara most recently claimed that only the OLED model will adopt glass casing and wireless charging capabilities, contradicting a Nikkei report and analyst Kuo’s repeated claims that all 2017 iPhones will feature an all-glass design and wireless charging.

Further muddying the waters, Mac Otakara made no mention of the Lightning port being dropped, despite the fact that a USB-C connector would allow newer MacBook or MacBook Pro owners to connect the iPhone 8 to their laptop straight out of the box. On the contrary, Mac Otakara’s sources claimed Apple’s Lightning to USB-C Cable would remain an optional purchase, which just goes to highlight the odd situation that newer Mac owners could find themselves in, should the next iMac and Mac mini models also adopt exclusively USB-C ports, as they are expected to do so. The other possible scenario is that Apple replaces the current USB-A connector on the end of the iPhone Lightning cable with USB-C.

With an edge-to-edge design, the iPhone 8 is said to be similar in size to the 4.7-inch iPhone, but with a display the size of the 5.5-inch iPhone. According to Kuo, it will feature a 5.8-inch display with 5.15 inches of usable area, with the rest dedicated to virtual buttons that will replace the existing Home button. The iPhone 8’s front-facing camera may also include 3D sensing capabilities, allowing it to find the location and depth of objects in front of it, perhaps enabling facial and iris recognition. According to one report, the iPhone 8 could cost upwards of $1,000.

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