Dedicated smart home app reportedly coming to iOS 10

The list of devices that support Apple’s HomeKit platform continue to grow. And with that means varied apps needed to manage different kinds of appliances or devices. Thankfully, there might be a central hub for all of that in the future, if the rumours are to be believed. MacRumors reported they saw a review on Amazon from an Apple employee that claims a “standalone” HomeKit app will be coming in the fall just in time for the release of iOS 10. The staffer can’t say how it’d work but the implication is it’ll be a hub for all HomeKit-compatible gadgets. Of course, there’s no certainty that Apple plans to show up soon. But if this does get released, that’ll give Apple an edge in the smart home market.

Source: Engadget

Radiohead outs digital version of new album

Radiohead’s ninth studio album A Moon Shaped Pool has officially been released digitally. It’s now available on iTunes and Amazon and it’s streaming on Tidal and Apple Music. Before the online release of the 11-track album, the songs “Burn the Witch” and “Daydreaming” were released earlier this week. For those who want physical copies of the album, you have to wait to get them until June 17^th but you can pre-order now. The band will kick off its world tour on May 20^th in The Netherlands. They will be playing at the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal, which is happening on July 29 to 31.

Source: Associated Press via Business Insider

Apple meets with top podcasters to discuss the format, share issues

There’s been a resurgence of interest in podcasts lately and Apple knows they have to take advantage of its popularity. What the tech giant did is talk to the top podcast producers about the issues they have with Apple when it comes with the format. The exact details weren’t disclosed but things like how iTunes has fallen behind to supporting the medium were talked about. These include how producers aren’t able to earn revenue from subscription downloads or the lack of data and analytic tools when it comes to number of listeners and duration of plays. There are also poor sharing and promotion features for social media and the producers only have a single employee to contact when it comes to solving issues or working on promotions with iTunes.

Apple hasn’t made any promises for the podcast creators to hold them on but the representatives who were at that meeting then talked to iTunes chief Eddy Cue afterwards to relay the feedback. Cue said in a statement to the NY Times, “We have more people than ever focused on podcasting, including engineers, editors and programmers. Podcasts hold a special place with us at Apple.” We may or may not see changes soon. We’ll just have to wait.

Source: New York Times | Via: SlashGear

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup 05/01-05/07

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