New file system spotted in macOS Sierra

Apple File System (AFPS) “engineered with encryption as a primary feature.”

Now that the WWDC keynote is over, Apple has published the names of the developer sessions to attendees at the conference. Previously masked by placeholder names, there are a bunch of events that folks can now plan on attending—including, apparently, a session discussing Apple's new file system for macOS.

Dubbed APFS, for "Apple File System," the session description implies that the new file system is a replacement for the aged HFS+ file system, which has been used in one form or another by OS X since its launch back in 2001. We're pretty light on details at this point, but the session description says that APFS is designed from the ground up to be optimized for use on SSDs and other flash-based media, and that it was "engineered with encryption as a primary feature."

We don't know if the new file system is Apple's own creation or if it's an adaptation from an existing journaled, encrypted file system. OS X (now macOS) power users have long had hopes that ZFS will take over as Apple's primary desktop file system—and, indeed, for a while it looked like that's what was going to happen. With the introduction being made here at WWDC, it's very likely this is an Apple original.

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AMD announces two more Polaris video cards: RX 470, RX 460

Targeting “1080p” and “MOBA” gaming, respectively; prices, release dates not announced.

AMD CEO Lisa Su shows off two new Polaris 14mm process video cards. Boy, the RX 460 and RX 470 sure are tiny, ain't they?

LOS ANGELES—At E3's second-annual PC Gaming Show, AMD CEO Lisa Su came to the event with a briefcase in hand, which she cracked open to reveal more video cards from the company's new Polaris line: the RX 460 and RX 470.

These new 14mm process cards looked itsy-bitsy, teeny-weenie in Su's hands, and they will be matched with lower-end specs than the $199 RX 480 card, which received a separate reveal two weeks ago. Su described the RX 470 as an ideal card for "1080p gaming," while the RX 460 promises to offer serious power for the low energy requirement of 75 watts, meant for simpler visual games like League of Legends and other MOBAs. Impressively, neither appeared to have full-shroud cooling units attached; we'll have to wait to see how these low-energy, low-heat units react to overclocking.

VR with a backpack. Doesn't look silly at all...

Specs, prices, and release dates for these two Polaris cards were not formally announced at the event. Su also brought on a representative to walk around the stage wearing a backpack complete with an Alienware PC installed inside—which could actually be light and comfortable if AMD pulls off a small form factor with the "disruptive" $199 RX 480 card packed inside.

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Polaris-Grafikkarten: AMD stellt Radeon RX 470 und RX 460 vor

Neue Grafikkarten für Gamer, die ein 1080p-Display nutzen oder gerne MOBAs spielen: AMDs Radeon RX 470 und RX 460 basieren auf der Polaris-Architektur. Sie sollen schnell und effizient rechnen. (Polaris, AMD)

Neue Grafikkarten für Gamer, die ein 1080p-Display nutzen oder gerne MOBAs spielen: AMDs Radeon RX 470 und RX 460 basieren auf der Polaris-Architektur. Sie sollen schnell und effizient rechnen. (Polaris, AMD)

Apple announces new IOT app called Home

Now you can tell Siri to stay home and cook dinner, and she will.

Apple launched HomeKit two years ago during the crazy early years of home automation. At that time, it was tough to add devices to your smart home suite due to incompatibility and lack of security. Today at Apple WWDC, Craig Federighi announced that Apple has an app called Home that integrates with an enormous range of devices, including cameras and door locks. He said that Apple has partnered with "every major maker of home accessories," as well as home builders in the US and China. The home builders bit was particularly interesting, as it means Apple is working to integrate Home into the physical structure of buildings, so "you can move in and just start controlling your home." Imagine shopping for a house and having to worry about whether it's compatible with Apple or Android.

The big IOT news at WWDC this year was the Home app, though. It fully integrates HomeKit into all your iOS devices as well as AppleTV. You can see Home right on your iOS home screen, and when you launch it you'll see all your accessories, no matter who made them. Federighi showed the audience how easy it is to tap the lights accessory and turn on or dim the lights.

You can also control several accessories at once by creating a "scene." For example, your Good Night Scene might lock the door, close the shades, turn down the heat, and turn off all the lights. If you want to feel like you're waking up in a science fiction movie, use Siri to activate a scene. "Siri, good morning!" you can say as you wake up, and Home will automatically start your coffee pot and turn on your local NPR radio station for the morning news. You can also set up geofences so that movement outside or in a particular area of the house will trigger a scene. When your car rolls up your driveway, for example, it could automatically open the garage door and turn on the kitchen lights.

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Microsoft’s powerful “Project Scorpio” Xbox console coming in 2017

Microsoft’s powerful “Project Scorpio” Xbox console coming in 2017

Microsoft’s next Xbox game console is coming this summer, but aside from a slimmer design and support for 4K and HDR content, the Xbox Okkkne S isn’t actually all that different from the original Xbox One.

But the company does have a much more powerful Xbox in the works. It’s code-named Project Scorpio, and Microsoft says it’s coming in late 2017.

Microsoft says the Project Scorpio device will be capable of handling 4K video games and high-fidelity virtual reality experiences.

Continue reading Microsoft’s powerful “Project Scorpio” Xbox console coming in 2017 at Liliputing.

Microsoft’s powerful “Project Scorpio” Xbox console coming in 2017

Microsoft’s next Xbox game console is coming this summer, but aside from a slimmer design and support for 4K and HDR content, the Xbox Okkkne S isn’t actually all that different from the original Xbox One.

But the company does have a much more powerful Xbox in the works. It’s code-named Project Scorpio, and Microsoft says it’s coming in late 2017.

Microsoft says the Project Scorpio device will be capable of handling 4K video games and high-fidelity virtual reality experiences.

Continue reading Microsoft’s powerful “Project Scorpio” Xbox console coming in 2017 at Liliputing.

Goodbye, A5: iOS 10 ends support for iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and more

Support list now requires iThings made in 2012 or later.

Enlarge / RIP iPhone 4S, we knew ye all-too-well. (credit: Andrew Cunningham)

SAN FRANCISCO—Apple has just announced the hardware support list for iOS 10, the next version of its smartphone and tablet OS that will be released in beta form soon and in final form later this year. After a surprising stay of execution last year, it looks like Apple is set to stop providing updates for a fair handful of older devices: the iPhone 4S, the iPad 2, the original iPad Mini, the 3rd-generation iPad, and the fifth-generation iPod Touch.

Here's the full list of supported hardware:

  • iPhone 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, and SE.
  • iPad 4, iPad Air, and iPad Air 2.
  • Both iPad Pros.
  • iPad Mini 2 and newer.
  • Sixth-generation iPod Touch.

All the dropped devices have something in common: some version of the Apple A5 SoC. The A5 has been actively supported for longer than any of Apple's other chips to date; it was originally included in the iPad 2 in March of 2011, the last hardware launched by Steve Jobs before he passed away in October of that year. It later made its way into the iPhone 4S, and it was added to the fifth-generation iPod Touch and the iPad Mini in 2012. The first Retina iPad used a faster A5X variant, and the the third-generation Apple TV used a version with a single CPU core (Apple dropped support for that Apple TV box last year).

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PSA: macOS Sierra drops support for many Macs from 2007, 2008, and 2009

Macs are getting dropped for the first time since Mountain Lion in 2012.

Enlarge / Older Macs like this late 2008 MacBook Pro are getting the axe in Sierra. (credit: Andrew Cunningham)

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—For the first time since Mountain Lion was released in 2012, a new Mac operating system release will end support for older hardware. Older Macs, mostly models from 2007, 2008, and 2009, won't run this fall's new macOS Sierra.

To run Sierra, you'll need:

  • MacBook (late 2009 and later)
  • iMac (late 2009 and later)
  • MacBook Air (2010 and later)
  • MacBook Pro (2010 and later)
  • Mac Mini (2010 and later)
  • Mac Pro (2010 and later)

Many of these Macs were already missing out on Yosemite and El Capitan-era features like AirDrop, Continuity, and the Metal graphics API.

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MacOS Sierra: Das X ist weg, Siri ist da

Apple hat mit MacOS Sierra die neue Version seines Desktop-Betriebssystems vorgestellt. Eine universelle Zwischenablage tauscht sich mit den iOS-Geräten des Nutzers aus, und mit Siri kann der Nutzer das System steuern. Apple Pay und Picture-in-Picture von iOS kommen jetzt auf den Desktop. (Apple, Applikationen)

Apple hat mit MacOS Sierra die neue Version seines Desktop-Betriebssystems vorgestellt. Eine universelle Zwischenablage tauscht sich mit den iOS-Geräten des Nutzers aus, und mit Siri kann der Nutzer das System steuern. Apple Pay und Picture-in-Picture von iOS kommen jetzt auf den Desktop. (Apple, Applikationen)

Apple unveils iOS 10, opens Siri and Maps to 3rd-party developers

Apple unveils iOS 10, opens Siri and Maps to 3rd-party developers

The next version of Apple’s operating system for iPhones and iPads includes support for new 3D touch gestures, the ability to wake your phone simply by raising it, and more.

Apple is also opening up Siri and Apple Maps to third-party developers, allowing you to interact with more apps using Apple’s voice assistant, book a car or make a reservation from Maps, and more.

The update will be available as a free upgrade for all supported devices this fall.

Continue reading Apple unveils iOS 10, opens Siri and Maps to 3rd-party developers at Liliputing.

Apple unveils iOS 10, opens Siri and Maps to 3rd-party developers

The next version of Apple’s operating system for iPhones and iPads includes support for new 3D touch gestures, the ability to wake your phone simply by raising it, and more.

Apple is also opening up Siri and Apple Maps to third-party developers, allowing you to interact with more apps using Apple’s voice assistant, book a car or make a reservation from Maps, and more.

The update will be available as a free upgrade for all supported devices this fall.

Continue reading Apple unveils iOS 10, opens Siri and Maps to 3rd-party developers at Liliputing.

Microsoft teases Project Scorpio—the 6 TFLOPS, 4K60 gaming, VR Xbox—coming holiday 2017

Company promises to take performance lead, offer full Xbox One accessory compatibility.

At E3 today, Microsoft announced the next member of the Xbox family: code-name Project Scorpio. The company calls it an uncompromised gaming machine. Project Scorpio will reportedly come with a 6 TFLOPS GPU, 8-core CPU, and 320GB/s of memory bandwidth. It will be capable of 4K, 60 frame per second gaming and support VR. What headset that VR support will use remains a mystery.

Microsoft emphasized that Scorpio will be a part of the Xbox family: all games and peripherals that work on Xbox One and Xbox One S will be fully compatible with Project Scorpio. Microsoft's Phil Spencer said this is the start of gaming beyond generations—entering a world where hardware improvements don't mean ditching your game library, echoing his previous promises about hardware upgrades.

Fallout 4 featured heavily in the launch announcement, suggesting that it will see a VR-enabled Scorpio-related update in the future.

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