A possible AirPort Extreme replacement? Hands-on with the Synology RT2600ac [Video]
Since the news broke that Apple is getting out of the router business, I’ve been looking to replace my AirPort Extreme. I wanted something with more power-user features, and the Synology RT2600ac stood out as a likely candidate. The $240 RT2600ac, which is the follow-up to last year’s popular RT1900ac, contains a wealth of new additions, and is considerably more power-user friendly than Apple’s AirPort Extreme.
Synology’s routers run the SRM operating system, which makes managing the RT2600ac similar to driving one of the company’s popular NAS boxes. But does this router make a good replacement for the easy-to-use AirPort Extreme? Have a look at our hands-on video walkthrough as I showcase 15 of my favorite RT2600ac features.
Filed under: Apple
SoundCloud Go introduces new cheaper $5/month plan w/ limited catalog
After first introducing its $10/month ‘SoundCloud Go’ subscription service last March, the company is today introducing a mid-tier offering at a cheaper $5-6 price point with a limited catalog.
Filed under: Apple
Comment: Auto-authentication of fingerprints has pros & cons, but personally I’d go for it [Poll]
With Apple widely expected to embed a fingerprint reader into the display of the iPhone 8, the company has patented a number of different technologies it could use to accomplish this.
One approach would limit fingerprint recognition to the bottom section of the display, meaning that authenticating a fingerprint would have to be a deliberate step, as it is with today’s Touch ID sensor. But a patented granted today would allow a fingerprint to be recognized anywhere on the screen, with Apple specifically arguing that authentication could then be completely automatic …
Filed under: Apple
Apple updates system status site for reporting iCloud service issues, now emphasizes last known outage
It’s never a great experience when iCloud goes down and Apple services are affected, but it always helps to know it’s not just you having issues. Apple typically acknowledges ongoing outages on its System Status site with a brief description of the problem, and this week Apple has updated its design to emphasize last known issues.
Filed under: Apple
Apple has 1,000 engineers working on AR, may debut in iPhone 8 – UBS
A UBS research note seen by Business Insider says that Apple is believed to have more than 1,000 engineers working on an augmented reality project, and that the company’s first AR offering may be seen in the iPhone 8.
According to some industry sources, the company may have over 1,000 engineers working on a project in Israel that could be related to AR […] UBS expects Apple could implement new AR products as early as in the next iPhone, expected later this year, which could include “moderate 3D mapping … and possibly an AR software development kit,” the note says.
The note is consistent with a KGI one stating that the iPhone 8 will include a ‘revolutionary‘ camera able to sense 3D space …
Filed under: Apple
LG UltraFine 5K Displays now shipping March 8 after inventory pulled over poor shielding
After previously pulling inventory over quality issues caused by poor shielding, Apple now promises LG UltraFine 5K Display deliveries as soon as March 8. 9to5Mac discovered last month that the original version of the Apple-endorsed Retina resolution monitor could become unusable when placed near a wireless access point like most routers.
Filed under: Apple
Opinion: The time is right for a switch to USB-C in the iPhone 8 & this year’s iPads [Poll]
I wrote an opinion piece last year speculating on whether Apple would switch from Lightning to USB-C, and when it might do so. A new report today suggests that the company is planning to do so this year, in the iPhone 8.
I argued then that there were compelling reasons for Apple to make the switch. While the Lightning port is a clever standard, USB-C is even smarter and more capable. Adopting a single port across both Mac and iOS devices would massively simplify the cable and connector ecosystem. And the high-speed data transfer capabilities provided by USB-C would allow Apple devices to work together better than ever.
I addressed the three possible objections before, but let’s quickly summarize them here …
Filed under: Apple
EduTech: Developers behind AirParrot introduce new classroom management app ‘ClassHub’
EduTech is a new 9to5Mac weekly series that will focus on technology’s application in education, lower and higher level, both for productivity and enjoyment. If you have suggestions for topics or specific questions you’d like to see answered, feel free to let me know. Catch up on past installments here.
This special weekday installment highlights a new app from AirParrot:
The developers behind the popular screen sharing software AirParrot have today launched a new app built specifically for use in education. The new app from Squirrels is simply called ClassHub and is a classroom operations platform that “combines collaboration, device management and device monitoring into a single dashboard for teachers.”
Filed under: Apple
Boat skipper suspended after boat sank in collision when iPad navigation app failed
Apple granted patent for fingerprint reader embedded in display; could allow auto-authentication
Apple has filed a number of patent applications for different ways of embedding a fingerprint reader into a display, and one of these has today been granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Apple first applied for the patent in 2015.
In addition to allowing Apple to eliminate a separate Touch ID sensor, the patent also explains how embedding the reader into the screen can make for a more seamless experience …
Filed under: Apple