Feature Request: Automatic Theater Mode-like Apple Watch behavior when driving and sleep tracking
Apple Watch is gaining a helpful new feature called Theater Mode with watchOS 3.2. You could already mute alerts easily, and now Theater Mode lets you both mute alerts and disable raise-to-wake which easily activates the screen.
Theater Mode is intended to be used at the movie theater where lighting up a small screen accidentally when you raise your wrist can be distracting. Theater Mode may be useful in other situations despite its name. With a few tweaks, Theater Mode could be especially ideal for drivers.
Filed under: Apple
FC Bayern Munich plans exclusive Apple Music content as it signs to continue Beats by Dre partnership
Professional soccer team FC Bayern Munich has announced today that they are offering exclusive playlists and other content through Apple Music. As first noted by iPhone-Ticker, the German football club hopes to bring their fans closer to the team and players through the curated content. However, FC Bayern has committed to more with Apple…
Filed under: Apple
How to control your AirPods using Siri-like commands without internet access
A little over a month later and one of the biggest challenges using AirPods has to be the primary means of control, Siri. Within Wi-Fi networks or strong cellular service, Siri usually works reliably, even if with some delay. Step into an elevator or subway, and that voice control interface is rendered useless. Without a good internet connection, Siri just doesn’t work and that means pulling out your phone or using your Apple Watch for controls. It’s a first world problem, sure, but that doesn’t mean we can’t push for a better solution. However, even if it’s temporary, there is an offline option to use for now…
Filed under: Apple
Apple rolling out first watchOS 3.2 beta for Apple Watch
After first detailing the software update in developer documentation, Apple has now released the first beta version of watchOS 3.2 for developer testing on Apple Watch. watchOS 3.2 is the first version of the Apple Watch software that works with SiriKit, enabling developers to tap in to Siri in the same way as apps on iOS 10.
Filed under: Apple
Bar exam applicants required to disable MacBook Pro Touch Bar due to cheating concerns
The Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina has issued a notice to Bar exam applicants, informing anyone using Apple’s new MacBook Pro that the device’s new Touch Bar hardware will have to be disabled for the exam.
Filed under: Apple
9to5Toys Lunch Break: 13″ MacBook Pro w/ Touch Bar 512GB $1,800, Logitech MX Master 2 Mouse $40, Belkin Surge Protectors $4, more
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:
Take nearly $200 off Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Pro 512GB w/ Touch Bar: $1,800 shipped (Reg. $1,999)
The Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mouse is one of the best out there for $40 shipped (Reg. $60)
Time to secure those outlets w/ Belkin surge protector Gold Box from Amazon, starting under $3.75/ea
App Store Free App of the Week: Water Minder Hydration Reminder app goes free for the first time in over a year (Reg. $3)
- The unique image manipulation app Bazaart goes free on iOS for the first time in years (Reg. $5)
- The Pixelmator image editor for iOS is now matching its all-time low at $1 (Reg. $5)
- RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 drops to its lowest price ever on the App Store: $2 (Reg. $5)
Review: Fabriq is a tiny (and affordable) AirPlay speaker with Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service [Video]
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
Smartphone Accessories: Aukey Bluetooth Speaker w/ 8 hours playtime and 15W subwoofer $60 shipped (Reg. $80), more
Gift Cards up to 20% off: Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Krispy Kreme, CVS, Jiffy Lube and more
- VIZIO’s 55-inch 4K Smart Ultra HDTV includes Google Cast and an Android tablet for $999
- Give your Mac a new display w/ USB ports: HP 32-inch QHD Wide-Angle $300, more
- Save an extra 20% off any Nike clearance item w/ this promo code: Jordan, and much more!
- Daily Deals: Logitech Harmony 700 Universal Remote Control $40, more
- Games/Apps: LEGO Star Wars Force Awakens $20, Fallout 4 $20, iOS freebies, more
- VUDU offers one free movie rental: Central Intelligence, Magic Mike, and more
- Amazon has the 16-ounce Contigo AUTOSEAL Transit Stainless Steel Travel Mug for under $14
- New Subscribers can get 6-months of the Washington Post Digital Sub as a Prime member
MORE DEALS STILL LIVE:
Logitech’s popular K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard packs two-years of battery life: from $16 (Reg. $30)
Get 15% off Paracable’s woven, aluminum sheathed MFi Lightning Cables from $13.50
Monitor your home on-the-go: Netgear’s Arlo 1080p Security Camera includes 7-day cloud storage for $140 shipped
Filed under: Apple
Square promoting Apple Pay for small businesses with free processing fees and discounted readers
Square already makes it possible for small businesses to easily accept Apple Pay at checkout with their latest payment terminal, and now Square is working with Apple on a new promotion to discount Square Readers and make processing fees free for businesses that use Apple Pay.
Filed under: Apple
LG UltraFine 5K Display, Apple’s external monitor solution, can become unusable when used near a router
Apple discontinued its Thunderbolt Display last summer after five years on the market, and now Apple recommends the LG UltraFine 5K Display ($974 through March 31, regular $1299.99) for new MacBook Pro customers. While the industrial design doesn’t match Apple’s hardware, the UltraFine 5K screen is Retina resolution like 5K iMacs and connects using the new Thunderbolt 3 I/O.
LG UltraFine 5K Display has a critical usability issue, however, that doesn’t affect other external monitors: the hardware can become unusable when used within 2 meters of a router.
Filed under: Apple
Starbucks’ new virtual barista AI for iPhone lets you order via voice or message
Starbucks is rolling out a new feature in its iPhone app called My Starbucks barista that will let customers order drinks with voice commands by speaking to a virtual AI barista, the company announced today in a press release.
On top of speaking to the virtual barista to order drinks by voice, users can also send text messages to the AI and order that way if preferred:
Filed under: Apple
Viber offering free calls to landlines & mobiles in countries affected by Trump’s travel ban
Viber has announced that is is allowing users to make free Viber Out calls to both landlines and mobiles between the U.S. and the seven countries affected by Trump’s travel ban. In light of recent events in the United States, we are now offering free calls to any landline or mobile number between the United States […]