Pixelmator for Mac update adds Sierra Tabs, Touch Bar integration, content-aware Smart Refine, more

Pixelmator for Mac today updated to version 3.6 optimized for macOS Sierra and the new MacBook Pro Touch Bar, as well as a handful of other enhancements for the photo editor. Pixelmator 3.6 includes support for the latest macOS Sierra APIs, like Universal Clipboard and Tabs. Tabs enable users to edit multiple Pixelmator documents in a single window. As promised at the Apple event, this update brings a contextual row of Pixelmator editing tools into the Touch Bar present in the new MacBook Pros.

The update also includes new ways to make selections, including a content-aware Smart Refine, a live preview Quick Selection, wide color image support, and more.

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Filed under: Apple

Apple’s new single-interface ‘TV’ app starts rolling out to beta tvOS users in the US

Apple’s new ‘TV’ app has begun rolling out to Apple TV owners in the USA. Apple explained last month that the app is intended to bring together shows from multiple TV apps into a single view.

“Using apps on Apple TV, iPhone and iPad has become the primary way for so many of us to watch television,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “The TV app shows you what to watch next and easily discover TV shows and movies from many apps in a single place.”

Several readers have reported seeing the app appear …

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WhatsApp goes head-to-head with FaceTime, adding end-to-end encrypted video calls

WhatsApp is competing directly with FaceTime in its latest update, which offers video calls with end-to-end encryption. The company appears to indirectly reference the iPhone in its blog post announcing the new feature.

We’re introducing this feature because we know that sometimes voice and text just aren’t enough. There’s no substitute for watching your grandchild take her first steps, or seeing your daughter’s face while she’s studying abroad. And we want to make these features available to everyone, not just those who can afford the most expensive new phones …

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Apple releases $199/$299 hardbound book covering 20 years of Apple product design, dedicated to Steve Jobs

Apple has announced a new hardbound book, available for $199 or $299 at Apple retail stores from tomorrow, which charts a 20-year history of Apple design from the iMac in 1998 to the Apple Pencil in 2015. The book features 450 photographs of Apple products new and old, including iPhone, iPod and Apple Watch. The book is called ‘Designed by Apple in California’ and is dedicated to Steve Jobs.

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Review: CalDigit USB-C Dock – an okay solution for MacBook Pro owners, if you’re willing to make compromises [Video]

The Late 2016 MacBook Pro lacks many of the convenient ports that we’ve seen on previous MacBook releases. But if there’s a silver lining to be found, it’s that the USB-C ports featured on the new machines are super-versatile.

With a single USB-C cable, for instance, you can tap into CalDigit’s USB-C Dock, which gains you instant access to multiple legacy USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, an extra USB-C port, and an additional 3.5mm headphone jack along with a microphone jack.

In addition, the unit is able to charge a MacBook up to 60W. That means that the dock should do fine charging the smaller 13″ MacBook Pro at full speed, but will take a bit longer charging the 15″ MacBook Pro that ships with a larger power adapter.

CalDigit’s USB-C Dock isn’t a perfect device, but it does a pretty good job of turning the new MacBook Pro into a desktop-worthy machine, if you can put up with the compromises you’ll have to make in order to use it. Have a look at our hands-on video walkthrough for the details. more…

Filed under: Apple

Touché lets you easily test drive and screenshot Apple’s Touch Bar features on your Mac before upgrading

Apple’s new MacBook Pro replaces the function row of keys with a dynamic screen called the Touch Bar, and customers who pre-ordered early are starting to see them ship as soon as today. Apple Stores should also receive inventory to try out this week, but you can test drive how macOS will handle the Touch Bar from your current Mac with a new app called Touché.

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Filed under: Apple