Deadline reports that Apple has already greenlighted a second season of Apple TV+ space drama “For All Mankind,” along with additional seasons for several other shows set to debut on its upcoming streaming video service.
The cast of “For All Mankind” celebrated the show’s premiere on Tuesday
Renewing the shows early is said to be part of a strategy by Apple to queue up original content and ensure there’s a steady pipeline of programming by avoiding lengthy hiatuses between seasons.
Apart from “The Morning Show”, which was picked up on a two-season deal, Apple previously hasn’t officially confirmed second seasons for any of the shows it’s promoting ahead of the launch of Apple TV+ on November 1.
Shows also reportedly renewed or in the process of being renewed for a second season include futuristic thriller “See,” starring Jason Momoa, period comedy “Dickinson,” which stars Hailee Steinfeld as poet Emily Dickinson, immigrant anthology comedy “Little America,” and young detective drama “Home Before Dark.”
Apple premiered “For All Mankind” on Tuesday at the Regency Village Theater in Westwood, California, where show stars Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Wrenn Schmidt and Jodi Balfour were in attendance. The show imagines a world in which the global space race never ended and the space program remained the cultural centerpiece of America’s hopes and dreams.
The first three episodes of “For All Mankind” will be available to watch on Apple TV+ on the day it launches, while new episodes will continue to roll out weekly, every Friday. Apple has launched a press site showcasing information on a number of movies and series coming to Apple TV+, which will be priced at $4.99 per month for up to six family members.
The service will be available on the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac and other platforms, including online via www.tv.apple.com. Customers who purchase any new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch starting September 10, 2019, are eligible for one year of Apple TV+ for free.
Apple today announced that it has launched a new version of its Transporter app for developers on the Mac App Store. Transporter, which was previously available as a command-line tool, now lets developers drag and drop binaries for quick upload to App Store Connect and easily view details like progress, warnings, errors, and delivery history.
Transporter is the simple and easy way to deliver content to Apple. Easily send apps, music, movies, TV shows, or books for distribution on the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV app, Apple Books, or iTunes Store.
– Simply drag and drop your content into Transporter to get started.
– Validate and upload multiple files simultaneously for fast delivery.
– View delivery progress, including validation warnings, errors, and delivery logs, so you can
quickly fix any issues.
– See a history of past deliveries, including date and time.
An App Store Connect, iTunes Connect, or encoding house account is required.
Language support for Transporter includes Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Amazon today has discounted Apple’s 2019 MacBook Air in two configurations, with each price representing the lowest price ever for these models. Both sales kicked off today, and it’s unclear how long they’ll last so be sure to check them out soon.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
To start, you can get the latest 128GB MacBook Air (1.6GHz, 8GB RAM) for $899.99, down from $1,099.00 ($199 off) in both Space Gray and Silver. Gold is not on sale in this configuration.
You can also purchase the 256GB MacBook Air (1.6GHz, 8GB RAM) for $1,099.99, down from $1,299.00 ($199 off) in Gold. Space Gray and Silver are not on sale in this configuration.
Apple refreshed the MacBook Air this past July with a lower price tag, an updated display with True Tone, some minor SSD changes, and a new butterfly keyboard that uses the same updated materials as the 2019 MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air continues to be equipped with a Retina display with slimmer black bezels that better match the slimmer bezels of the MacBook Pro.
For more information on the best Apple-related sales, head to our full Deals Roundup.
With just over two weeks to go until the launch of Apple TV+, The Hollywood Reporter today shared a deep dive into the service’s history. The new report reiterates that the majority of projects coming out of Apple TV+ will reflect Apple’s aspirational company brand — a move that has led to behind-the-scenes drama for shows like Amazing Stories and the shelved Vital Signs.
Despite previous reports, Apple TV+ will not solely focus on family-friendly content; as long as explicit content serves the story, Apple will approve of the project. Still, Apple is steering the platform to be headlined by its so-called aspirational brand identity, putting the brakes on an “edgy, high-concept” version of Amazing Stories in favor of one with an aspirational viewpoint told by Once Upon A Time’s Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz.
In addition to the $1 billion annual content budget Apple allotted for Apple TV+ (which Apple is believed to have overshot), the company is said to be offering every showrunner and series regular a free Apple product. According to today’s report, Apple has dispatched representatives to Apple TV+ show sets to “take orders” regarding which style of iPhone or iPad the crew would like.
As the launch nears, the behind-the-scenes of Apple TV+ has been chaotic, according to multiple sources. Particularly, the company has struggled with arranging early critic and tastemaker screenings, which can help promote early buzz for launch shows like The Morning Show and See. According to one unnamed publicist, Apple is treating the TV+ rollout like a product launch and not a TV service launch, leading to some unrest.
One issue that numerous sources brought up was Apple TV+’s lack of a large back catalog, which will look particularly troublesome for the company alongside Disney+ and its hundreds of hours of TV and movies dating back to the 1930’s. As expected, analysts suggest Apple will acquire a content creator to address this issue in the future, suggesting such companies like MGM, Lionsgate, Sony, and A24.
Apple has also begun work on funding its own content through a new “Masters” internal production studio, the first project for which will be a follow-up to HBO’s Brand of Brothers and The Pacific series called Masters of the Air. With its own studio, Apple will wholly own all of the shows and movies it creates, instead of having to work with other partners like Amblin Television.
Apple today released iOS 13.1.3 and iPadOS 13.1.3, minor updates to the iOS 13.1.2 software that was released two weeks ago. This is the fourth update to the iOS 13 operating system that came out in September.
The iOS and iPadOS 13.1.3 updates are available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
According to Apple’s release notes for the software, the iOS 13.1.3 update introduces bug fixes and performance improvements. Full details below:
iOS 13.1.3 includes bug fixes and improvements for your iPhone. This update:
– Addresses an issue that could prevent a device from ringing or vibrating for an incoming call
– Fixes an issue that may prevent opening a meeting invite in Mail
– Resolves an issue where data in the Health app may not display correctly after daylight savings time adjusts
– Fixes an issue where Voice Memos recordings may not download after restoring from iCloud Backup
– Addresses an issue where apps might fail to download when restoring from iCloud Backup
– Fixes an issue that can prevent Apple Watch from pairing successfully
– Resolves an issue where notifications may not be received on Apple Watch
– Fixes an issue where Bluetooth may disconnect on certain vehicles
– Improves connection reliability of Bluetooth hearing aids and headsets
– Addresses launch performance for apps that use Game Center
There are also separate release notes for the iPadOS 13.1.3 update, outlining fixed issues relevant to that platform:
iPadOS 13.1.3 includes bug fixes and improvements for your iPad. This update:
– Fixes an issue that may prevent opening a meeting invite in Mail
– Fixes an issue where Voice Memos recordings may not download after restoring from iCloud Backup
– Addresses an issue where apps might fail to download when restoring from iCloud Backup
– Improves connection reliability of Bluetooth hearing aids and headsets
– Addresses launch performance for apps that use Game Center
Google today unveiled several new products at its Made by Google event in New York, including the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL smartphones, Pixel Buds 2 wireless earphones, Pixelbook Go notebook, and new Nest devices.
The new Pixel 4 and 4 XL were widely rumored ahead of their release, to the point that Google even shared teaser photos of its own, and now the devices are official. Key features include 90Hz displays, a new rear-facing 16-megapixel telephoto lens, facial authentication, motion sensing, and more.
The Pixel 4 sports a 5.7-inch OLED display, while the larger Pixel 4 XL has a 6.3-inch OLED display. Both displays are 90Hz for a smoother experience, compared to 60Hz for the iPhone 11 Pro and most other smartphones.
With the Pixel 4, Google says you can fine-tune the brightness and amount of detail in the shadows, helping with difficult shots like sunset portraits. And with a new astrophotography capability, Night Sight on the Pixel 4 can capture shots of the night sky, the stars, and even the Milky Way when visible.
Google has moved away from both the notch and rear fingerprint scanner of the Pixel 3, with the Pixel 4 and 4 XL instead featuring a sizeable top bezel housing an earpiece, front camera, and sensors for a facial authentication system similar to Face ID. Google says the Pixel 4 has the “fastest face unlock” of any smartphone.
Google says face unlock on the Pixel 4 is aided by a new Motion Sense feature that uses a miniature radar sensor to detect movement around the phone. The same sensor allows for quick hand gestures for snoozing alarms, dismissing timers, and silencing an incoming call, all without picking up the device.
The Pixel 4 is powered by a 2,800 mAh battery, while the Pixel 4 XL has a 3,700 mAh battery. Other tech specs for both devices include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, Adreno 640 graphics, 64GB or 128GB of storage, 6GB of RAM, Bluetooth 5.0, IP68-rated water and dust resistance, and stereo speakers.
The Pixel 4 and 4 XL start at $799 and $899 respectively, with pre-orders beginning today ahead of an October 24 release. Google will be selling the devices through all the major U.S. carriers for the first time. The devices come in three colors, including Clearly White, Just Black, and limited edition Oh So Orange.
Unlike the original Pixel Buds, the new version unveiled today feature a truly wireless design like AirPods.
Google says it scanned thousands of ears to create a design that is comfortable for as many people as possible. The new Pixel Buds feature a low-profile look that sits flush in your ear, with a so-called stabilizer arc and interchangeable ear tip ensuring a secure fit, even while exercising.
The ear tip gently seals the ear to isolate outside noises, but a spatial vent below the ear tip lets through a moderate amount of environmental sound so you can stay aware of the things around you. Pixel Buds can also dynamically adjust the volume based on the loudness of the surrounding environment.
Like Siri on the AirPods, the Pixel Buds have built-in Google Assistant.
The new Pixel Buds will be available for $179 in spring 2020 in four colors: Clearly White, Oh So Orange, Quite Mint, and Almost Black.
Google’s latest Chromebook is the Pixelbook Go, a slim and light notebook that is 13mm thick and weighs just over two pounds.
Tech specs and features include a 13-inch touchscreen, 8th-generation Intel Core processors, up to 16GB RAM, up to 256GB flash storage, up to 12 hours of battery life, a backlight keyboard with soft typing, two USB-C ports, and a headphone jack. Like other Chromebooks, the Pixelbook Go runs Chrome OS.
Pricing starts at $879, with pre-orders starting today in the U.S. and Canada, followed by the U.K. in January.
Google also unveiled the Nest Mini, the successor to the Google Home Mini, with key new features including stronger bass and faster response times. Also under the Nest umbrella is a new Nest Wifi router, which builds upon the Google Wifi router with two times the speed and up to 25 percent better coverage.
Apple is currently engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with persistent kids looking to circumvent Screen Time restrictions, but the company has been receiving some criticism for not moving quickly enough to lock down some of the loopholes, reports The Washington Post.
A few of the loopholes and ways for parents to shut them down are documented on the site Protect Young Eyes, while these and others are frequently shared by kids through various social channels.
“These are not rocket science, backdoor, dark web sort of hacks,” says Chris McKenna, founder of the Internet safety group Protect Young Eyes. “It blows me away that Apple hasn’t thought through the fact that a persistent middle school boy or girl can bang around and find them.”
Although Apple has been making tweaks and improvements to Screen Time since its launch, some of the loopholes kids have been using to work around Screen Time limits have gone unpatched. And while Apple declined to address specific issues related to Screen Time, the company noted that it’s committed to improving the feature.
Apple spokeswoman Michele Wyman, in an emailed statement, said the company is “committed to providing our users with powerful tools to manage their iOS devices and are always working to make them even better.” Wyman did not comment on specific bugs and workarounds in Screen Time or the speed with which Apple addresses them.
Apple rolled out Screen Time last year as part of iOS 12, and brought it to the Mac just last week with the release of macOS Catalina.
The Apple Card was “the most successful credit-card launch ever,” according to Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon (via CNBC). The quote came from a Goldman Sachs conference call held earlier today, in which Solomon discussed the bank’s new initiatives with its investors.
Apple created the Apple Card in partnership with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard, launching the credit card in August. Solomon stated that since the August launch, the bank has seen a high level of consumer demand for the Apple Card.
“In three short years, we have raised $55 billion in deposits on the Marcus platform, generated $5 billion in loans, and built a new credit-card platform and launched Apple Card,” Solomon said, adding “which we believe is the most successful credit-card launch ever.”
“Since August, we’ve been pleased to see a high level of consumer demand for the product. From an operational and risk perspective, we’ve handled the inflows smoothly and without comprising our credit underwriting standards.”
iPhone owners can sign up for Apple Card right in the Wallet app on iOS, and once they’re approved they can begin using the digital version of the card immediately. Apple Card also comes in a physical titanium credit card to be used at places that don’t accept Apple Pay.
Apple-owned Beats today introduced the Beats Solo Pro, its first on-ear headphones with active noise cancellation.
Like the over-ear Beats Studio3 headphones, the Solo Pro feature proprietary Beats noise cancelling technology known as Pure ANC, but with updated tuning to accommodate the on-ear form factor. Apple says Pure ANC uses advanced algorithms to continuously monitor and adjust to the listening environment.
When enabled, a new feature called Transparency turns on the external microphones on the Solo Pro so the wearer can hear announcements, talk with friends, stay aware of their surroundings, and so forth without pausing music playback. There is a button on the left ear cup to switch between the modes.
Battery life is listed as up to 22 hours with Pure ANC and Transparency, and up to 40 hours with those features disabled. Like other recent Beats headphones, a Fast Fuel feature provides three hours of playback with a 10-minute charge.
Beats Solo Pro feature redesigned on-ear cushions with a remodeled enclosure for improved comfort and acoustics. Beats says exposed metal sliders enable a more durable and personalized fit, while the headband has no visible separation at the hinges when unfolded for a sleek appearance.
Beats Solo Pro also have an evolved acoustic platform, including a refined driver. Two beam-forming microphones, an updated speech-detecting accelerometer, and the Apple-designed H1 chip combine for improved audio quality and enhanced voice recognition for hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality.
Audio Sharing lets you wirelessly share audio between the Solo Pro and other Beats and AirPods with H1 or W1 chips. Simply bring the second set of headphones near an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13 or later and connect with a tap, and then both headphones can listen to the same audio with separate volume control.
Beats Solo Pro headphones will be available October 30 in Black, Ivory, Gray, Dark Blue, Light Blue, and Red, with pre-orders beginning today on Apple.com in the United States. Pricing is set at $299.95.
Included in the box is a Lightning to USB-A charging cable and a carrying case.
