Not only was it sourced from a publication without a solid track record with respect to Apple rumors, but it just never made a whole lot of sense to begin with. Apple confirmed to me that anybody will be able to use an iOS 10-compatible iPad as a Home Hub, but it will need to be permanently connected both to your WiFi network and to power.
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Beyond that, we’ve also learned the inclusion of third-party apps within the new Messages app will include subscriptions.
Using voice commands will allow Mac users to search for photos, documents, music and various other files.
Natasha Lomas reports for TechCrunch that Siri rival Alexa, embedded into Amazon’s Echo speaker, has been open to outside developers for a year. These apps significantly expand entertainment options, and the updated version will provide a single sign-on feature enabling users to log in to all their network apps using their Apple ID, but such improvements possess limited impact within most business offices.
Overall, Apple’s announcements emphasized themes that continue to gain ground in the evolution of the company’s operating systems: more user customization, convergence of features among the systems, and more control for developers.
Apple is working to make the keyboard more contextual.
When Apple wants to fix something on one of those apps or needs to squash a bug, it has in the past been forced to update its entire mobile OS. When the gadget launched in 2008, that store had only 500 apps.
Still, while Apple didn’t highlight the feature during its WWDC keynote this week, the ability to remove stock apps is kind of a big deal, and something it’d be nice to see more phone companies copy. The company doesn’t clearly state what type of device this would be, but there are hints that it would be part of the iPhone line. In April, it reported its first-ever drop in iPhone sales, an indication that people just aren’t as excited about phones anymore. There’s also app fatigue.
With AI, “systems get much better the more they know about the user”, said Alan Black, an expert in voice-enabled technology at Carnegie Mellon University. A report from Nomura found the top 15 app makers saw downloads tumble an average of 20 percent in May in the U.S., indicating that not even popular apps like Facebook are immune to the app slowdown.
The intention, Apple told me, is to ensure that those countries where Apple TV is not available – particularly China – can still use HomeKit remote access.
Artificial intelligence, personified by the wisecracking Siri, is starting to play a larger role in Apple’s future plans.
“We expect Apple’s content upgrades to deepen folks’ relationship with their iOS devices and to elongate consumers’ daily usage time”, she said in a report. The feature is even retroactive to older apps.
For Apple, these moves to consolidate power and fortify the walls of its tech empire come at a pivotal time. “We’ve been changing all that making home automation products work together securely, and every major maker of home accessories is shipping or announced support for Homekit”, he added.
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ATS’ current language states apps can access insecure domains, but Apple requires that they be detailed in the Info.plist documentation for each app.
