O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: keyboard

  • tvOS 18 beta code hints at possible upcoming HomePod featuring a touchscreen interface

    tvOS 18 beta code hints at possible upcoming HomePod featuring a touchscreen interface

    While there have been several rumors floating around as to Apple TV and HomePod devices with a touchscreen of later, a set of newly-discovered code references in the tvOS 18 beta point towards a unique feature en route to the HomePod.

    A unique touchscreen interface was allegedly found buried in tvOS 18 beta 3, and the finding is actually relevant to the ‌HomePod‌ because the ‌HomePod‌’s software is an offshoot of the tvOS software. The interface is internally known as “PlasterBoard”, and is in line with the naming for other Apple interfaces, which include SpringBoard for iOS and iPadOS, PineBoard for tvOS, SoundBoard for ‌HomePod‌, and SurfBoard for visionOS. The interface appears to feature just a Lock Screen with a touch-based keyboard for entering passcodes as of right now, with little else discovered about it.

    Both the Apple TV currently lack an option for locking it with a passcode, and the HomePod currently only supports simple gestures. The design referenced in the beta closely resembles the familiar on-screen keypad you’d find on an iPhone or iPad.

    Apple is rumored to be working on several home control devices, complete with multiple development paths and prototypes that are being looked into. Additional rumors have also surfaced of a simple ‌HomePod‌ with a touch display at the top, a hybrid ‌HomePod‌ and Apple TV device with a camera, a ‌HomePod‌ with a screen and a camera, and an iPad/HomePod sort of combo that works as a centralized home hub.

    Perhaps one of the most interesting rumors has focused on a standard ‌HomePod‌ with an LED touch-based display at the top of the device could potentially be the first HomePod and display combo. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said a HomePod with 7-inch display would launch at some point in 2024, and there have been leaked prototype images.

    A recent reference to a “Home Accessory” device with a HomeAccessory17,1 identifier has also been located. No existing ‌HomePod‌ or ‌Apple TV‌ devices use the HomeAccessory identifier, but it is similar to the AudioAccessory identifier that Apple uses internally for the ‌HomePod‌. Given the numbering, it’s also believed that this device could incorporate the same A18 chip that’s thought to be present for each model of the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and 9to5Mac

  • ChatGPT for Mac now available for all users

    ChatGPT for Mac now available for all users

    If you’re hankering for AI goodness ahead of the release of macOS Sequoia’s and Apple Intelligence, you’re going to like this.

    The new ChatGPT app for Mac is now available for all users beyond the Plus subscribers, and can readily perform functions such as taking screenshots, analyzing files, and reviewing text with just a keyboard shortcut.

    Users can set up the CMD + Space keyboard shortcut to summon ChatGPT, which means replacing Spotlight. The app works with macOS Sonoma or later on Macs with M-series processors.

    A Windows version is coming later in 2024.

    Conversations created by engaging with the app will be archived and searchable, and the app can be downloaded from the OpenAI website.

    Stay tuned for additional deetails as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and OpenAI.com

  • WWDC: Apple highlights forthcoming changes in visionOS 2

    WWDC: Apple highlights forthcoming changes in visionOS 2

    During Monday’s WWDC keynote, Apple highlighted several major features and revisions en route for visionOS 2, the operating system for its Vision Pro wearable headset.

    Upcoming features include the following:

    • visionOS 2 can recognize and reveal your Magic Keyboard or MacBook keyboard when you’re immersed in an Environment. Previously, being fully immersed in an Environment meant you couldn’t see your keyboard while typing.
    • Support for mice, including Apple’s Magic Mouse as well as third-party mice
    • You can now rearrange your Vision Pro’s Home View by pinching and holding
    • iPad apps on visionOS can be moved out of the “Compatible Apps” folder and placed anywhere on the Home View
    • Improvements for watching videos in Safari

    The first visionOS 2 beta is now available to developer beta testers and the update will be released to the public in the fall.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac

  • WWDC: Apple announces macOS Sequoia operating system

    WWDC: Apple announces macOS Sequoia operating system

    It wouldn’t be a WWDC keynote speech without mention of Apple’s forthcoming desktop operating system, and over in Cupertino, Tim Cook and company announced macOS Sequoia, the next version of the Mac operating system. Version 15 of macOS has AI features, many of which are also in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18.

    Sequoia is expected to contain the following features:

    iPhone Mirroring: This allows Mac users to directly access their iPhones via their Mac desktop. The devices connect wirelessly, allowing the Mac to see the iPhone’s Home screen. Users can use the iPhone apps, app notifications can be activated, and the appropriate iPhone app launches. Users can also drag and drop data such as photos and videos from the iPhone to the Mac. The iPhone’s audio will come through the Mac’s sound output.

    Tiled UI for Organizing Windows: This allows macOS Sequoia users to drag a window to the edge of a screen and the operating system will suggest a tiled position for the open window. Tiles can be arranged side by side or in a corner arrangement. New keyboard shortcuts can be used to manage the tiles.

    New Password app: The new version of the Passwords application will store encrypted data via iCloud. Windows users will also be able to sync their devices using the iCloud for Windows app.

    Highlights: This will allow Safari to scan for relevant information within a website. The Reader feature now offers a summary and table of contents to quickly access the webpage’s content. The new Viewer kicks in when a video is detected on a webpage and includes a full set of controls and the ability to set the video in Picture-in-Picture.

    Videoconferencing Improvements: This allows for improved features within FaceTime, and presenters can see previews of their slides before presenting them as well as customize their background with a macOS wallpaper or a personal photo.

    Apple Intelligence:

    “Writing tools: In apps such as Mail, Pages, Notes, and others, written content will have several features available, including suggestions for revisions, proofreading and copy editing, and more. Mail will offer email summarizations and smart replies.
    Image Playground: apps will be able to create images in one of three styles: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. In Messages, Image Playground can be used to create personalized images; in Notes, Image Playground can be used to transform sketches into polished pictures.”Writing tools: In apps such as Mail, Pages, Notes, and others, written content will have several features available, including suggestions for revisions, proofreading and copy editing, and more. Mail will offer email summarizations and smart replies.
    Image Playground: apps will be able to create images in one of three styles: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. In Messages, Image Playground can be used to create personalized images; in Notes, Image Playground can be used to transform sketches into polished pictures.

    Photos: New tools in the Photos app allow users to find photos based on a set of characteristics–show me pictures with a basketball,” for example. A new Clean Up tool can be used to remove items from a picture.

    Siri: Many Apple Intelligence features are implemented through Siri, which will have a better understanding of contextual commands, and will be able to perform functions based on the context of its use.”

    While the macOS Sequoia beta can be downloaded from the link below, the operating system is compatible with the following Macs:

    • MacBook Air: 2020 or later
    • MacBook Pro: 2018 or later
    • iMac: 2019 or later
    • iMac Pro: 2017 or later
    • Mac Mini: 2018 or later
    • Mac Studio: 2022 or later
    • Mac Pro: 2019 or later

    If there’s one major caveat so far, it’s that in order to use the Apple Intelligence feature set, the Mac requires an M1 chip or later, and these features will not work on Intel Macs.

    In order to access the beta, sign in to an Apple ID that is registered as a developer, and then, on your Mac, open System Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and choose the macOS Sequoia Developer beta.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via Macworld

  • Apple releases visionOS 1.2 update for Vision Pro headset

    Apple releases visionOS 1.2 update for Vision Pro headset

    Prior to all the WWDC keynote news and announcements, Apple released visionOS 1.2, the second major update for its Vision Pro wearable headset.

    The hefty update adds the following fixes and change:

    Mobile Device Management:

    • Enables account-driven device and user enrollment using Managed Apple IDs
    • Support for device configuration (Wi-Fi, VPN, email accounts, single sign-on, and more)
    • Support for deploying apps in volume including iPhone and iPad compatible apps, visionOS apps included in a Universal purchase, and proprietary in-house visionOS apps
    • Support for remote erase via MDM and device inventory data

    Messages:

    • Adds support for iMessage Contact Key Verification

    Accessibility:

    • Closed captions can be anchored to the playback control while viewing Apple Immersive Video

    Persona (beta) and EyeSight:

    • Adds an option to enroll your Persona hands-free
    • Improves hair and makeup appearance
    • Improves neck and mouth representation
    • Improves rendering of the eyes for EyeSight

    Virtual keyboard:

    • Cursor positioning for text input is now more accurate
    • Resolves some instances where the virtual keyboard placement obscures the text input field
    • Fixes an issue where in some cases, the text preview on the virtual keyboard may appear out of sync with the text field in the app
    • Fixes an issue where the edit menu may appear unexpectedly

    Mac Virtual Display:

    • Improves the reliability of discovering and connecting to a Mac using Mac Virtual Display
    • Resolves an issue where Universal Control may stop working
    • Addresses a connectivity issue that occurs when a previously paired Bluetooth device cannot be found

    Captive Network Support:

    • Ability to set up your device while using a captive Wi-Fi network such as those found at hotels, cafes and airports

    ‌‌The update can be found, downloaded, and installed by going to the Settings app on the Vision Pro, selecting the General section, and choosing Software Update. The Vision Pro headset will need to be removed to install new software, with a progress bar available on the front EyeSight display.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the visionOS 1.2 update, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors