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Today at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference, the company announced watchOS 3, the latest version of its operating system for the Apple Watch. Apple's main focus with this watchOS update is making the device easier and more intuitive to use.

First, Apple's Kevin Lynch showed off how much faster watchOS 3 is compared to the previous version. Watch apps now launch instantly, rather than taking a few seconds to load. Overall, watchOS 3 is about seven times faster than watchOS 2, which should make all activity on the watch more seamless.

Apple also added a number of UI updates to the watch to make it easier to use and more "familiar." There's a new dock where you can set your favorite apps for quick use, and a Control Center you can access by swiping up from the bottom of the Watch's display. When it comes to texts, you can now see "smart replies" on the display as well, so you can choose a reply to send to someone to answer their message.

(credit: Microsoft)

When announcing Gears of War 4 at its E3 event today, Microsoft unveiled a new gaming feature called Xbox Play Anywhere. Essentially, this initiative allows a gamer to purchase a title once but still have the option to play on console and PC.

As perhaps the headlining feature of Xbox Play Anywhere, multiplayer across platform will become a reality. With Gears of War 4, for instance, the co-op modes will support this crossplay between Windows 10 and Xbox One users. Progress and achievements will be shared on Xbox Live across these platforms at no additional cost.

In addition to Gears of War 4, Microsoft announced that Forza Horizons 3 will be another upcoming Xbox Play Anywhere title. Additionally, the game will allow for four player campaign co-op for the first time. And this version of the game will feature "the largest car roster ever seen in Horizon," according to Ralph Fulton from Playground Games.

A leaked promotional image for the Xbox One S confirms news that Ars had gathered ahead of this year's E3 conference. (credit: Microsoft)

It leaked yesterday and now it's official: the Xbox One S, a slimmer, lower power, white Xbox One, is coming in August. Prices will start at $299.

Microsoft confirmed the information from a weekend leak at the company's E3 event today. The new Xbox supports 4K video output, including support for 4K Blu-ray discs, and high dynamic range (HDR) imagery. The system is 40 percent smaller than its predecessor, and it also does away with the bulky power brick that the first generation hardware uses.

With the streamlined Xbox comes an updated controller: it adds a texture to the back, extends the range, and also supports Bluetooth in addition to proprietary wireless.

Sebastian Anthony

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible, roof down, with Wales in the background.

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Land Rover, one of the oldest and most recognisable car brands in the UK, is adventuring off the beaten path with the Range Rover Evoque Convertible. As far as I can tell, it's the world's first convertible compact luxury SUV. And despite the intrinsic engineering tradeoffs from trying to straddle three different automotive segments, I'm surprised to report that it's a rather nice car indeed.

Well, it's a nice car if you have at least $50,000 burning a hole in your pocket and you're looking for a convertible SUV at least.

Engines, storage, rear seats, etc.

Starting at $51,470 and ranging up to about $58,270, the Evoque Convertible is certainly not a cheap acquisition, but you do get quite a lot of car (and technology) for your money. There are only two engines available: a decent 2.0L TD4 diesel that puts out 180hp (134kW) and 317 ft-lbs (430Nm) and a 2.0L petrol engine that puts out 240hp/179kW but only peaks at 250ft-lbs/340Nm of torque. Both engines are attached to a ZF nine-speed automatic gearbox. In theory the diesel does 0-62mph in 10.3 secs; the petrol, 8.6 secs.

(credit: europe-vs-facebook)

The US government has asked to be joined as a party in the Irish High Court case between the Austrian privacy activist and lawyer Max Schrems, and the social network Facebook. In a press release, Schrems called this "an unusual move."

He told Ars that there are no documents relating to the "amicus curiae"—friend of the court—request yet. "The US government simply appeared via a barrister at the first (administrative) hearing today," he said. "They will be able to file the documents until the 22nd."

Schrems speculated that the US government has made this move because it wanted to defend its surveillance laws before the European Courts. "I think this move will be very interesting," he told Ars. "The US has previously maintained that we all misunderstood US surveillance."