Apple drops Bing search in Siri and Spotlight in favour of Google

Bing is no longer the default search service used by Siri on iOS and Spotlight in macOS. Apple has moved to Google search as the go-to service.

"Switching to Google as the web search provider for Siri, Search within iOS and Spotlight on Mac will allow these services to have a consistent web search experience with the default in Safari,” Apple told TechCrunch in a statement.

This means that if Siri does not have the answer to a user's query, then the system with just pull up Google results. 

Investment firm Bernstein estimates Google currently pays Apple around $3bn for this deal, based on the fact Google paid around $1bn for the same deal in 2014 according to The Telegraph.

Source: TechCrunch

Apple acknowledges Apple Watch Series 3 LTE issues before launch

The Apple Watch Series 3 which comes with its own cellular connection was launched last week and even demoed by enabling a phone call to a user paddle boarding in Lake Tahoe. Early reviews of the new Watch, however, seem to have uncovered some serious issues with its LTE connectivity.

Checking out the review of Lauren Goode of The Verge showed the reviewer having a difficult time getting Siri to work on cellular as well as not being able to make calls on the Watch which often had one bar of signal.

Not good for a product that promises to work independently from the iPhone and is specifically targeting runners and surfers who may not want to take their phones with them. LTE has other issues, including battery drain and (down to 30% by noon).

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iOS 11 coming as a free update tomorrow

Tomorrow will see Apple's servers getting busy as the company releases iOS 11, the latest version of their operating system for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices.

A huge update for iPads, iOS 11 brings enhanced multitasking, a new dock, a Files app as well as more fluid drag and drop functionality that makes Apple's tablet a better productivity and content creation tool.  Other features coming to iOS 11 include capabilities for Augmented Reality or AR, a redesigned App Store with curated information on suggested apps, better Apple Music integration and discovery, an improved Siri voice assistant. Hit jump for the list of devices that can accept iOS 11.

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iPhone 8 and Apple Watch Series 3 now available for pre-order in Canada

Pre-orders for the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plis as well as the Apple Watch Series 3 and the Apple TV 4K start today in Canada for a September 22 delivery date. These devices will also be available in Apple Retail Stores or Town Squares on the 22nd.

iPhone 8 brings an all new glass design, improved cameras, Apple A11 Bionic processor and, for the first time on a phone, the True Tone display which ensures improved viewing on all lighting conditions. iPhone 8 adopters will also be able to try the Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting feature which improve on the iPhone's already prodigious arsenal of photographic and post-processing tools.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will be available in space grey, silver and an all-new gold finish in increased 64GB and 256GB capacity models starting at $929 (CAD) from Apple.com/ca and Apple Stores and is also available through Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers (prices may vary)
.