Our favourite new features announced at Apple’s latest event

With GadgetGuy’s Val Quinn on the ground in Cupertino, we’re brining you our first look at some of the coolest features announced at Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC). The team will cover all of the announcements later today.

Big changes to messages

Sick of auto-correct changing words in your messages and only realising it after you sent them? Well with iOS 16, you can now edit a sent message or recall a sent message. We’re told that you can make changes for up to 15 minutes after you’ve hit send. Also, all devices would need to have the latest iOS 16, iPadOS 16 or Mac OS Ventura installed.

Another great update to Messages is the ability to mark a message as unread so you can answer it later, rather than forgetting about it as it moves up your feed.

Setting a message as unread (left) and undoing a sent message (right)

All New lock screen

Also new in iOS 16 is the ability to customise your phone’s Lock Screen. Here’s a quick list of things you can do:

• Add your own photos, add colour filters, background artwork
• Pick typefaces, colours, add widgets via widget gallery
• Widgets offer info at a glance, such as calendar events, temperature, activity rings
• Select from pre-built backgrounds from a new wallpaper gallery, with lots of options for inspiration
• Set up a photo shuffle (rotates photos) and or use the suggested photos feature which intelligently curates a photo album into some select pics
• Swipe to switch between different lock screens

Customise your lock screen or choose a ready-made one from the Wallpaper gallery

New photo library sharing

This iOS 16 feature makes it easy to share photos to the whole family right from your camera app. Essentially, you can nominate 5 people to share an iCloud Photo Library, such as family members. You can set it up to share photos automatically, so they appear when they’re taken, or you can curate based on the people in the photos, at specific date, etc. Best of all you can share right from the camera app itself, which appears as a drop-down menu.

Continuity Camera – use your iPhone as a webcam

Your iPhone can wirelessly connect to your Mac and become a high-end webcam. The benefit is you get a very high quality image, with a ‘filmic’ shallow depth of field and good low-light performance.

This includes some advanced features to make your image look better, such as Centre Stage to keep you in the frame of your shot, and it tracks you when you move around. There’s a spotlight mode to brighten your face and darken the background, but a really cool option is the ‘desktop’ view which uses the camera’s wide angle lens to simultaneously show your desktop area while still filming your face. This could be a great option for doing an online demo and creates the illusion that you have a second camera pointed at your desktop area.

Use your iPhone as a high-quality web camera (left). Amazing 2-camera view effect is created using the iPhones wide-angle and standard lenses (right)

New Passkey feature to end passwords

This security update was announced as part of MacOS Ventura and essentially gets rid of the need for passwords. It enables you to use your iPhone’s FaceID or TouchID to sign into websites and apps, and never have to choose a password.

Apple explains that unique ‘passkeys’ are generated instead, which use cryptographic techniques, and are never leave your devices. As a result, they can’t be phished or fall into the wrong hands. Thefeature will be available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV.

New Medications reminder App

This reminder app will help you keep track of your medications, and remind you when to take them. You can quickly look up medications via the app, or simply scan your medicine bottle. There are also drug+drug notifications that will warn you if one drug has a health associated risk while using with another. The Australian version will use a different info source for this option, however, and may. not be as extensive. While announced for WatchOS9, this feature is also available through the Health App, so you don’t need to have an Apple Watch.

New MacBook Air with M2 chip

In line with the rumours, we saw two hardware updates at WWDC. This includes an existing all new MacBook Air. It features a slimmer design and more powerful M2 chip. Here’s a quick summary of the features:

• Thin from every angle, all aluminium, 20 percent smaller than previous MacBook Air, 11.3mm thin
• Four case colours: Silver, space grey, starlight, midnight, 
• Ports include MagSafe connector, 2 x thunderbolt ports, audio jack (high impedence)
• 13.6 inch liquid Retina display, smaller bezels, 500 NITS (25% brighter), 1 billion colours
• Camera – new 1080P camera, 2 x resolution and low light performance than previous MacBook Air
• New speaker system with spatial audio supported
• 40% faster video editing
• Silent, fanless design, up to 18 hours video playback, ‘all day’ battery life.
• Charger comes with 2 USB ports, fast charge supported with 67W adaptor (not included), 50% charge in 30 minutes.

The new MacBook Air featuring M2 chip is 20% smaller than the previous model and comes in new colours including Twilight and Midnight (shown)

There’s also an updated 13in MacBook Pro with a the new M2 chip. Otherwise, it keeps the same last generation case design, unlike the 14 and 16in MacBook Pros with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. Prices start AU$1,899 for the new MacBook Air and $AU1,999 for the 13in MacBook Pro.

Valens Quinn attended WWDC 2022 in Cupertino California, as a guest of Apple.

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How social media platforms are tackling misinformation

Some of the biggest social media platforms have removed hundreds of thousands of posts over the past year as part of a wider initiative combatting misinformation in Australia.

As Gizmodo Australia reported, a group of companies – including Meta, TikTok, and Twitter – committed to the Digital Industry Group (DIGI) voluntary code of practice last year to fight the spread of false information online. In the past few days, DIGI has published each company’s transparency report to show what measures have been taken since. What stood out was how much content ran afoul of misinformation guidelines, resulting in takedowns en masse.

In terms of numbers, just last year alone Meta removed more than 180,000 health-misinformation posts on Facebook and Instagram in Australia found to violate the company’s community standards. Globally, this figure was more than 11 million. In the same timeframe, TikTok removed over 12,000 videos relating to “Australian medical misinformation”, while Google took down more than 5,000 YouTube videos uploaded from Australian IP addresses due to providing misleading COVID-19 information.

By comparison, Twitter removed far less local content. The company outlined the total number of local violations of its generic guidelines, with nearly 40,000 Australian accounts “actioned” and just shy of 8,000 additional accounts suspended. Specifically regarding Twitter’s COVID-19 policy, only 35 Australian accounts were suspended, and 817 were actioned. Twitter removed a little bit over 1,000 individual pieces of content from Australians for violating its COVID-19 policy.

Microsoft is another participant in the DIGI code of practice, and actively removed LinkedIn content pertaining to misinformation in addition to fake accounts. Other companies that recently published transparency reports outlining actions against misinformation include Adobe, Apple, and Redbubble. Gizmodo Australia has a handy summary of what each entity did.

Although it’s encouraging to see action taken against the online spread of misinformation, the discrepancy in numbers between different platforms is intriguing. Is Twitter’s comparatively lower count of content removal due to its smaller user base, a different interpretation of guidelines, or another reason? What will be interesting to see is what impact the voluntary code of practice has long-term and if it becomes legislation down the track.

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Ergonomic LG DualUp monitor lets you control two computers at once

LG’s local range of ergonomic technology is expanding locally, with the DualUp Ergo 28MQ780 monitor providing more choices for users requiring flexible display options – even the ability to control two computers through a single display.

Available for pre-order now through the Australian LG website, the DualUp Ergo adds to the existing range of ergonomic displays from the tech company, including the LG UltraGear Ergo and LG UltraWide Ergo monitors. The main appeal of an ergonomic monitor is having greater control over its position, such as height, tilt angle, and the ability to swivel between vertical and horizontal orientations easily. LG’s latest addition attaches to the rear of a desk via a C-Clamp, freeing up valuable space for your work.

Made for multitasking scenarios such as coding and content creation, the 27.6-inch LG Dual Up Ergo monitor adopts a unique 16:18 display ratio, engineered to make full use of its vertical split view functionality. Billed to offer the same amount of screen space as two 21.5-inch displays, the Nano IPS display features what LG refers to as a Square Double QHD 2560 x 2880 resolution.

One of the big features supported by the LG DualUp Ergo monitor is picture-by-picture, which allows you to control on-screen content from two separate computers simultaneously. The best part? You only need a single keyboard and mouse to do so. Alternatively, the LG DualUp Ergo supports a dual monitor setup using a laptop, essentially resulting in three displays. This is enabled through two HDMI ports, one Display Port, one upstream and two downstream USB-C ports – which can charge up to 90W compatible laptops.

According to the spec sheet, the monitor has a response time of 5ms, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and a peak brightness of 300 nits. It supports automatic brightness settings that adjust according to the available ambient light. LG claims the DualUp Ergo is capable of displaying HDR10 content clearly, although its peak brightness would suggest less-than-ideal HDR performance (the brighter, the better).

Alongside pre-orders through the LG website, the DualUp Ergo monitor will be available from retailers starting in June for $1,299. As someone who has cobbled together a rough dual monitor workstation, I certainly see the appeal in a display that cleverly uses vertical screen space, saving you from moving your neck sideways.

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TCL’s 4K QLED Google TV packs a punch for gamers

TCL has just launched the C635 Series, a line of 4K QLED Google TVs with Quantum Dot technology, Dolby Atmos and HDR10+ offering superior image quality and audio effects. It’s the ideal choice for gamers looking for a device capable of delivering ultra-high-definition next-level performance.

The TV is available in five panel sizes ranging from 43″ to 75″, featuring Onkyo premium audio and Dolby Atmos for surround sound experiences.

For compatible console gamers, TCL’s Dual Line Gate technology automatically boosts the 60Hz TV panel to a 120Hz refresh rate (up to 2K resolution). More frames per second on screen coupled with Auto Low Latency Mode and an upgrade to HDMI2.1 equates to a much smoother presentation and a more responsive gameplay experience.”

Rafael Mayen, national marketing manager for TCL in Australia and New Zealand

Features

Priced from $899, the range includes Google TV, HDR10+ and Quantum Dot technology producing more saturated, brighter, and a more accurate colour range. The C635 focuses towards gaming as TCL’s Dual Line Gate technology automatically boosts the 60Hz TV to a 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth gameplay experience. Motion display blur and judder are countered with MEMC and 100 Clear Motion Rate by artificially adding frames to a video that has a low frame rate.

The C635 series is currently available through Betta Electrical, Bing Lee, Harvey Norman and The Good Guys.

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New LG CineBeam projector creates a massive image

LG is adding to its premium CineBeam projector range with the new Ultra Short Throw HU915QE 4K laser projector capable of beaming up a 90-inch image from less than six centimetres away from a wall.

A follow-up to the HU715Q projector from earlier in the year, the upcoming HU915QE model can also create a 120-inch image from 18.3 centimetres away from a viewing surface. Made for movie lovers, it uses three-channel laser technology, using a separate light source for each primary colour, which LG claims results in more vivid images – even during the day – than projectors using a single light source.

From a technical standpoint, the CineBeam HU915QE projects brightly with 3,700 lumens at a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and the lamp has a 20,000-hour life expectancy. It has an in-built 2.2 Channel 40W speaker system plus the capacity to wirelessly connect to two Bluetooth LG speakers at the same time. To directly plug viewing content in, you can access three eARC HDMI ports and two USB 2.0 ports.

Made for more than just plugging things into, the projector uses the LG webOS platform, so you can stream content from the major services directly to the device. It also supports Screen Mirroring, Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth streaming.

Capable of displaying images in HDR, the CineBeam HU915QE adopts LG Brightness Optimizer II technology to automatically adjust brightness depending on your room’s lighting. There’s also the option to enable Adaptive Contrast to automatically adjust the projector’s light sources for individual scenes.

LG hasn’t announced a specific release date beyond indicating “the first half of 2022, starting with key markets in North America, Europe and the Middle East, with Latin America and Asia markets to follow.” There are no confirmed pricing details either, although a quick online search suggests around the US$5,999 mark.

If you’re committed to watching movies and TV series on the biggest display possible, but space is at a premium, an Ultra Short Throw projector might be what you’re looking for. Considering what you’d pay for similarly-sized TVs, it’s not a bad value proposition either.

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Apple presents AR/VR headset at board meeting ahead of WWDC

Executives at Apple recently went hands-on with the company’s yet-to-be-revealed headset, a sign that an official announcement could be imminent.

Bloomberg reported that the product was shown off at a board meeting a couple of weeks ago, fuelling speculation that the mixed-reality headset is reasonably far along in its development. Another factor contributing to the discussion is that Apple is reportedly progressing development with its operating system known as “rOS”, which stands for reality operating system. Bloomberg’s report suggests the headset could see a public reveal in the coming months.

In development since around 2015, the mixed-reality headset incorporates both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) functionality. Reports indicate it uses advanced processors level with those used in recent Mac devices, and will feature ultra-high-resolution screens. Alongside the mixed-reality device, Apple is also developing a set of AR glasses, although its release isn’t expected until “later this decade”.

Apple originally planned to reveal the headset in 2019, but development hit multiple snags along the way, leading to several internal delays. Coinciding with work on the hardware, Apple developers have also been working on AR versions of core iPhone apps, in addition to new apps intended for streaming content and virtual meetings

Apple’s last major new product – beyond iterations of its existing range of tech – was the Apple Watch back in 2015 which falls within the company’s wearables and home category, which accounts for just under 10% of its annual sales. 

As far as a potential price for the mixed-reality headset is concerned, Bloomberg’s reporting suggests it could cost more than US$2,000, potentially pricing it well above competitors’ offerings. Last year, the Meta Quest 2 sold the most units out of any AR/VR technology, which starts at $479 locally.

With Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) taking place in just over a week, it will be interesting to see if the company makes any reference to its headset. Even if it does receive an unveiling, the cost might be the main point of contention.

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Roborock lands in Australia with the S7 MaxV Ultra robot vac

Roborock, maker of advanced robot vacuum cleaners sold in the US and other countries, is now available in Australia. The brand is known for its high-end tech, with the new S7 MaxV Ultra staying true to form. You can pick one up at retailers including Godfreys, Harvey Norman and Bing Lee today.

Launched at a Hayman Island event, GadgetGuy had an exclusive first look at what the brand has to offer. Described as “the robotic vacuum and mop that cleans itself”, the S7 MaxV Ultra is loaded with cutting-edge features to minimise intervention while maximising cleaning capability.

Auto-emptying, self-cleaning

The Ultra model is really two systems that work together – the first part the vacuum itself, and the other is the “empty, wash, fill” dock. This has three separate chambers, one for dust, one for clean water and the other for dirty water. When the vacuum returns to the base, it automatically empties the onboard dust container, swaps dirty mop water with clean water and even scrubs the mopping brush. The process only takes a couple of minutes and it’s ready to resume duties where it left off.

In terms of self-cleaning, there’s a little brush that extends from the base to clean the mop, and this rotates at 600 rpm. The mechanism is also designed to self-clean the vac’s chassis, and the dustbin only needs emptying once every 7 weeks, according to Roborock.

Mop and vac

As mentioned, the S7 UltraV can vacuum and mop your floors. It can do this at the same time, with the vacuum sucking up dirt at the front and the mop head scrubbing the floor at the rear. However, for most cleaning, it will vacuum your carpeted areas first, and then move to mop hard surfaces. You can also prioritise areas to clean first using the companion app.

For carpets, there’s up to 5100 pa of suction power, which can vary depending on what the S7 decides based on floor type. There are small sweeper brushes too for getting into corners. During the demonstration, the suction was able to pull quite a bit of dirt out of an already clean-looking carpet, so it should be capable of performing a thorough cleaning. More on this when we review the unit.

On the mopping front, the S7 uses “VibraRise” sonic vibration to create a scrubbing action. The mopping head vibrates up to 3000 times a minute as it’s dragged across a surface, and S7 will clean up to 300 sqm of floor space per tank. There’s also automatic carpet detection, so the robot knows when to apply the mop, and the head can be raised up to 5mm to avoid wetting low-pile carpets.

Battery-wise, the S7 can run for about 4 hours per charge cycle, and then it returns to its base for a top up. The Ultra model gets a fast-charge capability, which is 30 percent quicker than the previous model.

Navigating the world

Navigation is a big part of a robot vacuum’s effectiveness, so it’s great to see that the S7 has a turreted LiDAR scanner, front-facing sensors and even an onboard camera. The system can also see at night so it can navigate objects while you sleep, so you can wake up to clean floors.

Using Roborock’s Reactive AI 2.0, the system can detect, identify and avoid objects such as shoes, and marks their location on a virtual floor map. You can view a 2D, 3D or Matrix version of your home’s floor via the companion app.

Smart software

The S7 and app also receive over-the-air updates, meaning that the system can improve over time. Roborock says that the AI can also benefit from data collected from units in use and sent back for analysis.

The app is a handy way to access the S7’s settings, prioritise areas you’d like to clean, check battery charge, cleaning time, floor area and more. You can also tap in to the robot’s camera and see what it sees. There’s a chat mode too, with full duplex support, so you can see, hear and speak to people or pets near the vac from your phone.

To protect your privacy, the system will not retain video, audio files or radar data, and is certified by the TUV.

Models and prices

There are two S7 variants, the S7 MaxV Ultra, which includes the self-emptying dock. The standard S7 Max V comes with a standard charging dock instead.

Also unveiled at the Hamilton Island event was Roborock’s lower cost Q7 Max+ and Q7 Max models. The Q7 Max+ does not have a mopping feature but includes strong 4200 pa suction, PreciSense LiDAR scanner, 3D floor mapping and an auto-emptying dust dock – and is available exclusively at Godfreys. The lower priced Q7 Max model comes with a basic charging dock instead.

Prices

Q7 MaxV Ultra	$2,699
Q7 MaxV	$1,599
Q7 Max+	$1,399
Q7 Max	$1,099

Valens Quinn attended the S7 MaxV Ultra launch event in Hayman Island as a guest of Roborock.

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