Elf & more Emojis from Apple

We love the new emojis Apple previewed in celebration of World Emoji Day, coming to iOS, macOS and watchOS later this year.

Especially, the Elf one :) 

For more info, visit Apple's Newsroom.

Better Workout Tracking via watchOS4

Happy Tuesday! Here we're excited by so many of the WWDC updates from last month that we're exploring now in more depth. In terms of the Apple Watch, there are two updates that we are keen on. These will be available to the public in the fall. Here's a preview.

Syncing Up with Gym Equipment

Apple Watch via Apple

The new watchOS4 update offers GymKit that helps you sync up your Apple Watch with your cardio equipment, ranging from treadmills to ellipticals, indoor bikes and stair steppers manufactured by global equipment companies such as Technogym and Life Fitness. This option of data transfer between smartwatches and fitness machines was not available before and syncing up data was cumbersome and often full of errors. Now the process is fast and seamless, with just a tap to enable. You can pull data from your workout such as your distance, speed, incline, pace, floors climbed and calories used. Together, all this data provides a more accurate measurement of your workout while requiring less device management and manual effort.

Apple Watch via Apple

Redesigned Music App

We also love the redesigned Music App that syncs with your New Music Mix, Favorites and Most Listened to music. Both of these updates offer a better, more personalized user experience. Exciting stuff!

Apple Music app via Apple

WWDC: More of our Favorites - Podcasts, HomePod and Apple Music - Part 3

Apple has redesigned its entire App Store in iOS 11. Along with this large update, there is also a new Podcasts App. This is terrific news as discovery has been less accessible on Apple's podcast app.

1. Redesigned Podcasts App UI

 While the overall idea of the app remains the same, the new Podcasts app in iOS 11 has significant changes to improve user experience with an improved interface design.

The podcast industry has also grown exponentially. 

Podcast Consumption via Apple at WWDC 2017

At WWDC last month, Apple shared some statistics too:

• 400,000 Podcasts

• 14,000,000 Episodes created

• 10,000,000 Episodes downloaded

• 155 Countries for distribution and submission

A lot of key media players have also now forayed into the podcasting space, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, BBC, NPR, CNN, Bloomberg, MTV, Vogue, Verge, ESPN, Disney, Buzzfeed, Entertainment News and more. Well known individuals for their business acumen or industry expertise have joined the bandwagon as well, offering insight via interviews with guests. A good example is LinkedIn's co-founder and Greylock partner, Reid Hoffman who interviews entrepreneurs and business leaders in his Masters of Scale podcast.

Improved Presentation

The new app addresses some of the problems in the prior iOS version where it was difficult to add all episodes to the library and the listening order did not truly reflect the content best. In the new Podcast app for iOS 11, you can:

• decide how episodes are ordered and recommended
• add the full season to your library, with the newest episode at the top
• have collections of episodes
• use Quick Play to pick up where you last left off
• easily find episodes with clear, concise titles

This new format is ideal for narrative and storytelling content and encourages listeners to hear the whole season and discover new episodes. There are also four new tabs along the bottom of the interface: Listen Now, Library, Browse and Search.

You can also add more detail about any episode. This is ideal for podcast trailers, season trailers and episode bonus content.

Podcast New UI Details via Apple at WWDC 2017

Podcast Episode Notes via Apple at WWDC 2017

Podcast Analytics

Apple has also added analytics accessible via iTunes Connect to help determine:

• how many people are listening
• how much do they actually listening
• where are they listening

Here's an example from the podcast The Very Hungry Tourists.

New Podcast Analytics via Apple at WWDC 2017

2. New HomePod, High Fidelity Sound for Your Home

Apple announced its new smart speaker, HomePod at WWDC to be released in December. While the new HomePod is similar to the Amazon Echo and Google Home in lacking a display and being activated by the voice, HomePod differentiates itself with superior sound quality.

HomePod via Apple.com

Given our work with and love for audio at Elf, we’re keen on trying out the new HomePod for ourselves. The ability to have distortion-free high fidelity sound with directional control is very appealing. HomePod achieves this with 7 beam-forming tweeters that come with individual amplifiers and an upward-facing woofer and a 6-microphone array. The A8 chip powers Siri and also has room-sensing technology. With its entry into the home audio systems, HomePod takes on the likes of Sonos and also offers integration with Apple Music.

HomePod via Apple at WWDC 2017

3. Updated Apple Music

Apple has also updated Apple Music so you can discover and share music and artists with your friends. We like this new feature as well as the option to play 2 different tracks in 2 different locations in your home using AirPlay 2. It's easier to control your home audio system and the speakers throughout your home.

Together, all these updates make for a much higher quality audio experience from discovery to playing audio. We're excited to contribute to this via our Hayden's podcast Stardust launching in early 2019.

New Apple Music via iOS 11

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