Voice-activated speakers with smarts have been mainstreamed thanks to Amazon, becoming more attractive with the arrival of HomePod. But HomePod leaves a lot to be desired. It's too pricey for the average consumer and only works with Apple Music. HomePod also doesn't act as a regular Bluetooth speaker nor is it portable. But I know something that is!
Bluetooth
watchOS 5.2 brings ECG app to more regions, adds support for AirPods 2
Apple on Wednesday released watchOS 5.2 to the public as expected, an update for the Apple Watch that adds support for Apple’s brand-new second-generation AirPods, among other things.
The update also brings the ECG app and irregular rhythm notification to Hong Kong and 19 European countries. It also offers support for the AirPods 2nd generation and real-time text (RTT) for phone calls.
AirPods 2 will work on pre-iOS 12.2 firmware, albeit with ‘limited’ functionality
When Apple’s second-generation AirPods became available to order from the Cupertino company’s website, asterisks discovered at the bottom of the web page denoted that the Bluetooth headphones would necessitate macOS 14.10.4, iOS 12.2, and watchOS 5.2 to be used. But is that really the case? Perhaps not…
Citing a post shared on /r/jailbreak by Reddit user TomLube just this week, Apple’s second-generation AirPods will work just fine on pre-iOS 12.2 firmware, albeit with semi-handicapped functionality.
nControl lets you use console controllers with your jailbroken iPhone or iPad
Many agree that console-based gaming is significantly more immersive than mobile gaming on an iPhone or iPad, and one of the primary factors to be considered in that is having access to a gaming controller that feels good in your hand.
A limited number of MFI (made for iPhone) controllers reside on the market today, but they often fall short of the classics. That’s why iOS developer Kevin Bradley created a new jailbreak tweak called nControl, which adds support for a bevy of popular game console controllers to a subset of iOS games.
How to enable mono audio for AirPods or other headphones
Learn why and how to switch to mono audio instead of stereo sound for your AirPods or other earphones on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, and Apple TV.
How to check the battery level of connected Bluetooth devices on Mac
Check out various ways to see and keep track of the battery percentage of your wireless keyboard, trackpad, mouse, AirPods, and other Bluetooth devices on your Mac.
AirPower & AirPods with wireless charging and upgraded Bluetooth should ship by the summer
Apple's release schedule for the first half of 2019 allegedly includes the AirPower wireless charging mat plus upgraded AirPods with Qi charging support and extended Bluetooth range.
Quickly check the remaining battery of Bluetooth peripherals with EZBatteries
You can configure your iPhone to display its numeric battery percentage in the Status Bar, but the same can’t be said about any Bluetooth peripherals that you might have paired with your device, such as AirPods or Apple Watch.
iOS developers Easy-Z and Karimo299 recognized this as an issue for some people and responded to the situation with the release of a new free jailbreak tweak called EZBatteries.
AirWave brings more media control gestures to your iPhone when AirPods are connected
Just a few days ago, we showed you a new jailbreak tweak called Siliqua 2 that empowered users to customize the stock gesture system on any pair of AirPods, but why stop there? A new free release called AirWave by iOS developer Michael Lema can provide you with at least two more customizable gestures whenever a pair of AirPods are actively paired with your handset.
While Siliqua 2 focused primarily on changing the outcome of your AirPods’ native tap gestures, AirWave brings two previously non-existent gestures to your device: 1) double-pressing your iPhone or iPad’s power button when AirPods are connected; and 2) triple-pressing your iPhone or iPad’s power button when AirPods are connected.
Siliqua 2 lets you customize your AirPods’ gesture system
A set of AirPods can go a long way when you’re listening to music or watching a movie from your iPhone or iPad, but could Apple’s flagship wireless earbuds be improved with user-configurable software? If you answered yes to that question and you have a jailbroken handset, then you’re in for a treat.
Developer LaughingQuoll has just released Siliqua 2, the successor of a popular jailbreak tweak called Siliqua that launched just under two years ago. With Siliqua 2, you can customize your AirPods’ gesture system, which empowers you with additional control over your media playback directly from the peripheral.
AirBuddy brings proper AirPods support to the Mac
If you’ve ever used Apple’s AirPods with your iPhone or iPad before, then you already know about the seamless pairing experience that's made possible by the Apple-exclusive W1 chip. Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t polished this experience on macOS just yet, and the AirPods experience on the Mac feels the same as any other Bluetooth-enabled device.
To say Apple left Mac users hanging in this respect would be an understatement, but third-party app developers have taken notice of this macOS-centric niche and now appear to be coming to our rescue.
Xiaomi’s new wireless earbuds look familiar
Chinese consumer electronics vendor Xiaomi doesn't shy away from copying Apple's design style and their latest AirPods rival, called Mi AirDots Pro, is no exception.