This week Benjamin and Zac react to Instagram’s radical new icon and app design, unpack Google’s new third-party Gboard keyboard for iOS, and detail Tim Cook’s globe-trot from China to India to Amsterdam and beyond. 9to5Mac’s Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

more…

Filed under: Happy Hour Tagged: Happy Hour

Google kicked off its Google I/O developer conference today with the usual keynote address where executives showed off a number of upcoming hardware, software and developer tool products. It started off with its new voice controlled Siri competitor— Google Assistant— which also ties into its upcoming Amazon Echo-like device for the home called Google Home.

The company then demoed a brand new messaging app called Allo, and a new video messaging app companion called Duo, both of which will be coming to iOS devices. The new Allo app will be the first place that users will get to experience the new Google Assistant features that the company plans on bringing to several devices across platforms including to vehicles through Android Auto. And it highlighted a focus on security for Allo with an “incognito mode” like its Chrome browser, while giving a demo and talking up reliability of video calls for the Duo app.

Head below for our roundup of everything announced courtesy of our sister site 9to5Google, and keep checking back for more as the event unfolds. 

more…

Filed under: iOS, Mac Tagged: allo, developers, Echo, Google, Google Assistant, google home, Google I/O, Messaging

9to5Mac first reported back in February that Apple is planning to finally bring Siri to the Mac starting with OS X 10.12 later this year. Apple’s voice assistant started on the iPhone in 2011 and has since made its way to the iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV, so bringing it to the Mac is expected to be a tent pole feature in the next major software update. With the next big update to the Mac operating system set to be introduced in a few weeks at WWDC, new images have surfaced purportedly showing how Siri’s iconography will appear on the Mac.

more…

Filed under: Mac Tagged: OS X 10.12, Siri

TwelveSouth announced back in February that its iconic BookBook case was being adapted to fit the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and today the South Carolina-based accessory maker says its book-style case is now available for order.

more…

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: BookBook

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Save $399 on Apple’s 15-inch 256GB Retina MacBook Pro, now $1,600 w/ free shipping

Outfit your new iPhone SE or iPad Pro with one of these stylish cases from just $3 shipped

Vantrue 2K 2.7-Inch LCD Dashboard Cam w/ DVR + 32GB microSD card $100 shipped (Orig. $160), more

Best Buy hands Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro its first significant discount, 128GB model now $650

Apple 12-inch MacBook 1.1GHz/8GB/256GB (2015): $899.99 shipped (Orig. $1,299)

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/8GB/128GB (newest model): $850 shipped (Reg. $999)

iTunes $50 Gift Card for $42.50 shipped – save 15% on games, apps, subscriptions, more

App Store Free App of the Week: King Rabbit goes free for the first time (Reg. $1)

Adventure/platformer Swordigo goes free on iOS for the first time in over a year (Reg. $3)

Call of Duty iOS titles matching all-time lows: Strike Team $2 (Reg. $7), Zombies $1 (Reg. $5), more

Grand Theft Auto iOS Sale: Liberty City Stories $3, China Town Wars $3, San Andreas $4, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

It’s time to go 4K w/ these Samsung UHDTVs: 60″ w/ 3 HDMI inputs $999 (Reg. $1,400), 48″ 3D $925 (Reg. $1,200), more

• Daily Deals: Asus OnHub Wireless-AC Router with hand gesture control $150, more
• Smartphone Accessories: LG Music Flow P7 Bluetooth Speaker $43 (Orig. $150), more
• Games/Apps: Dishonored DE from $15, Borderlands Handsome from $20, iOS freebies, more
• Get a $100 Sears Gift Card for only $85 shipped (15% off)
• Prima has now made some of its official digital game guides available to download for free
• Up to 50% off Crocs: Shaw Boat Shoes $45 (Orig. $80), Slip-On Loafer $28 (Reg. $35+), more
• Get fast delivery  w/ Google Express: 6-mo. membership + $20 credit for $5 (~$80 value)
• Yukon Outfitters 40% off – Grab yourself a hammock from $25 (Orig. $60), more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

LifeProof FRĒ Waterproof Case for iPhone 6 (Various Colors) $30 shipped (Reg. $60)

Canvas Messenger Bags for MacBooks (up to 15-inches) in a variety of styles/colors from $25 Prime shipped (Reg. $50+)

• Smartphone Accessories: Kmashi 10000mAh Dual-USB Power Bank $9 Prime shipped (Reg. $14)
• Amazon’s Fire TV will gain Alexa voice-activated features in the coming weeks
• Amazon offers snack bar/energy drink sample boxes from $5 w/ free $5 credit (Prime only)
• BenQ 1080p dual HDMI home theater projector: $630 shipped (Reg. $749)
• Green Deals: GRDE 10000mAh Solar Dual-USB Power Bank $13 Prime shipped (Reg. $19), more
• Beat germs in your home w/ the Purell Everywhere Starter Kit: $10 Prime shipped
• Eco Vessel Boulder TriMax Triple Insulated Water Bottle $20 shipped (Reg. $25+)
• Cuisinart 17-Piece Artiste Collection Cutlery Knife Block Set for $50 shipped (Orig. $90)
• Dyson AM06 Air Multiplier Table Fan with Remote (multiple colors) $200 shipped (Orig. $300)
• Get Nomad’s premium Italian leather Apple Watch Strap for just $100 shipped (Reg. $150)
• The 2016 Roku Streaming Stick receives its first discount: $40 Prime shipped (Reg. $50)
• AmazonBasics Ultra Thin 50-mile HD Antenna for $32 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)
• LG 4K OLED Ultra HDTVs w/ webOS 2.0: 55-inch $1,950 (Reg. $3,000), more
• Motorola’s SURFBoard DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem (Cert. refurb) $40 (Orig. $100), more
• Full 1080p HD 27-inch Displays: LG Ultra-Thin Bezel $160 (Reg. $250+), more
• Smartphone Accessories: JBL Synchros Over-Ear Headphones $99 (Reg. $300), more
• Acesori 3-in-1 Smartphone Camera Lens Kit: $10 (Orig. $50)
• TarDisk adds 64GB of integrated storage to your Macbook Air: $100 (Orig. $149)
• LEGO Deals: City Racing Bikes + Transporter $15, Police Hovercraft $28, more
• DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Quadcopter Drone w/ 2.7K HD Camera: $599 shipped (Reg. $799)
• RAVPower’s 4-port 40W 8A USB Power Station: $11 Prime shipped (Reg. $17)
• Add a 40-inch Samsung 1080p Smart HDTV to your bedroom or den for $280 (Reg. $400)
• Green Deals: Snap-On 1600PSI Electric Power Washer $90 shipped (Reg. $120+), more
• Philips Friends of Hue Bloom Wireless LED Bulb $45 shipped (Reg. $60)
• iTunes $0.99 HD Rentals (Reg. $5): Sicario, Prometheus, much more
• Sprint’s 40GB/mo Better Choice XXL plan now includes 12 free months of Amazon Prime
• GOOLOO Dual-Port Mini USB Car Charger $3 Prime shipped (Reg. $7), more

Roundup: The best power strips w/ USB ports to quickly (and safely!) charge all of your devices

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Black + Decker launches app-connected Bluetooth batteries w/ USB port

• Garmin’s new vívosmart HR+ opts for GPS-tracking and heart rate monitoring over battery life
• The Tap Bluetooth wearable turns nearly any surface into a functioning Bluetooth keyboard
• The Vuze Camera brings an affordable point-and-shoot design to virtual reality
• Review: Samsung’s KS9500 65-Inch curved 4K TV is pretty amazing [Video]
• The newest Garmin Fitness Tracker delivers a ‘Suffer Score’ after each of your workouts
• The Thin Ice wearable cools your body in hopes of burning an additional 1,000 calories per day
• This Hybrid Tube Amp system for Raspberry Pi is ideal for DIY Audiophiles
• Vans and Nintendo team up for epic new line of NES-themed sneakers
• NERF’s upcoming Terrascout RC Drone Blaster is going to be a menace in your home
• Straight out of Chicago, this mid-century modern Bluetooth stereo cabinet is beautiful
• Garmin goes classy with its new smartphone-connected vívomove fitness tracker

Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, Amazon, app deals, Best Buy, Daily Deals, Dash Camera, free apps, Gold Box, iPhone SE, MacBook Pro, video games

When a well-respected audiophile brand known for an amplifier costing a cool $150k launches an AirPlay speaker system, you can be sure of two things. One, it’s going to be pretty special. Two, it’s not going to be cheap.

Sure enough, Naim’s first wireless offering – the mu-so which I reviewed earlier this year – came in at $1500. I did, though, consider it worth every penny. It’s a true replacement for a hifi system, delivering room-filling sound that I couldn’t fault. The design is fantastic, build-quality first-rate and it offers every input source you could ever want: AirPlay, Bluetooth, UPnP, Spotify Connect, Tidal, wired Ethernet, USB, optical and 3.5mm analog.

If you liked the sound of it but thought that $1500 was pushing things a little, there’s good news and bad …

more…

Filed under: Reviews Tagged: AirPlay, AirPlay speakers, AirPlay systems, Hifi, Naim, Naim Audio, Naim mu-so QB, Naim mu-so QB review, review

TermHere is a new app available on the Mac App Store that serves as a Finder extension. Once enabled, right-clicking inside of the Finder will present a new shortcut to jump to a Terminal window pointed to the current working directory.

TermHere may feature a straightforward premise, but it’s very nice to have if you’re a developer or avid Terminal user. Watch our brief hands-on video inside to see it in action. more…

Filed under: Apps, Mac Tagged: App Development, Mac App Store, Terminal

The Economic Times reports that Tim Cook is meeting with the heads of major carriers in India in order to form ‘strategic partnerships’ as the country accelerates its LTE rollout. The smartphone market in India has so far been constrained by slow data speeds in most parts of the country.

Cook has said the advent of high-speed 4G networks in India will expand the market for iPhones, flagging elsewhere, making it a key market for the company.

Cook is said to be meeting with Bharti Airtel, the largest carrier in the country; Reliance Jio Infocomm, which plans to roll out LTE services nationwide this year; as well as Vodafone and others …

more…

Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS Devices Tagged: Apple India, India, Tim Cook

While the Pebble smartwatch range may not compete with the Apple Watch in terms of functionality or display quality, it can be a good option for those who want multi-day battery-life. Third-party company Powerstrap is now aiming to boost that life even further with a powered strap that claims to add a full week of power through a 250mAh battery, as well as an on-board GPS module.

more…

Filed under: iOS Devices

Uber has added Find My Friends-style tracking of family members using the car service on your account. The feature is an extension of the Family Profiles facility Uber started testing back in March, allowing you to add partners and children to your account so that their rides are all billed to a single card.

more…

Filed under: iOS Devices