Updated: Why Apple buying Tidal makes sense

Apple is reportedly in talks to buy Tidal, the music streaming service run by iconic rapper Jay Z.

Unnamed sources familiar with the matter tell the Wall Street Journal the talks are ongoing and may not result in a deal. A Tidal spokesperson denies the company is in talks with Apple.

But if discussions are happening, why would Apple want to buy Tidal when it has its own Apple Music subscription service already? By all accounts, Apple Music isn't doing too badly for itself.

One obvious reason is for Tidal's technology. It's currently the only music subscription service that offers CD-quality "Hi-Fi" streaming for $19.99/£19.99/AU$23.99 a month.

Of Tidal's paltry 3 million subscribers, almost half of them pay for the Hi-Fi subscription, pointing to a passionate user base willing to chip in for higher quality sound. Apple could tap into Tidal's audio tech to offer a higher tier for its own streaming service, charging more than its standard $9.99/£9.99/AU$11.99 monthly subscription for those willing to pay it.

Star power

Tech and higher subscription prices aren't all Apple has to gain. It also likely has its eye on Tidal for its exclusives and influence in the always-tricky music industry.

Jay Z successfully brought on big names like Rihanna and Kanye West to the service, scoring exclusive streaming rights to boot. Tidal even houses exclusive video content, like Daft Punk's Electroma film and The White Stripes' first TV appearance. Not surprisingly, Beyonce's Lemonade was a Tidal exclusive, too.

For Apple, having big stars onboard means more influence over the music biz when it comes to rights. It's already nailed down its own exclusives like Drake's Views album, but Tidal would bring even more offerings to Apple's service.

Being able to tap artists like the aforementioned singers and rappers would be a huge boon for Apple as it looks to further its business as a lifestyle brand, not just a tech company.

For its part, while it's carved out a niche in the crowded streaming market, Tidal has struggled to gain traction. Though it's managed to bring on 3 million subscribers, executive shakeups and an industry dominated by the likes of Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, and countless others have likely left it with few options but to look for an acquisition.

Today's rumor comes just a year after Apple launched its music streaming service, which currently has around 15 million subscribers, roughly half of Spotify's numbers. Adding Tidal's subscribers wouldn't boost Apple Music users significantly, though exclusives would draw in more as time goes on.

At any rate, a potential Tidal buy certainly doesn't help Apple's case that it's not trying to snuff out competition. Oops.

• The complete guide to Apple Music

Michelle Fitzsimmons contributed to this report

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In Depth: What the Time Warner-Charter merger means for you

Mega-cable in America

Well folks, it's happened. Charter owns Time Warner Cable, as well as Bright House, thanks to a merger worth a whopping $79 billion. Yes, that's billion with a "b".

What does that mean? For starters, it means that Charter is now one of the largest TV and internet service providers in the US, going up against the likes of AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.

This merger marks the rise of the mega cable company in the US – headed by Charter and Comcast. I know what you're thinking: "That's just business – I want to know what the merger means for me!"

I thought you'd never ask. So, here's why you should care that two mega cable companies now all but rule the market, and how this one in particular affects you.

Does this merger mean I'll get more/better service?

In all likelihood, no. Charter, Time Warner, and Bright House have almost no overlap in terms of their coverage, so prices aren't going to go down because of this merger. If anything, the merger will help Charter raise prices, although the company assures customers that no such thing will happen. This coming from a company that sponsored so-called official surveys touting how helpful the merger would be for customers.

In reassuring customers of the merger, Charter said that the merger would allow it to focus on offering on developing faster Internet speeds and offering better products. While that may be partly true, you should really expect more of the same from the companies, at least when it comes to Internet. When it comes to things like video streaming, you should expect a few new things from the company, given that the likes of Comcast are pouring money into video streaming.

All this said, at the very least the New York Attorney General is demanding for Charter to come in and clean up Time Warner's act.

Is this just going to create another Comcast?

You may or may not remember, but a few years back a merger of Comcast and Time Warner was proposed, long before the merger of Charter and Time Warner was thought of. That merger failed mostly because it would lead to a monopoly in most major US markets. Ironically enough, the merger of Charter, Time Warner and Bright House has resulted in another mega-company that really only Comcast can go up against.

Consumer advocates aren't too happy about this – it means even less competition in the broadband market, and that gives Charter leverage to charge premium rates for content providers that want to reach their audiences through the Charter network.

In other words, cable companies sometimes try to put the squeeze on online video providers with clauses in cable TV agreements with programmers. Charter has been accused of these deals in the past, as has Time Warner – perhaps even more so.

"TWC has been the most aggressive MVPD (multichannel video programming distributor) in the industry in securing Alternative Distribution Means (ADM) clauses in its contracts with programmers that either prevent the programmer from distributing its content to OVDs (online video distributors) or place certain restrictions on such online distribution," said the Department of Justice in a statement.

Good news is that, under the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) rules, that kind of business will be illegal for the newly formed company for the next seven years. Still, looking at the big picture, the future is bleak for internet in America.

After the seven years are up, Charter could have the power to charge those network access fees again, something that could eventually lead to hiked subscription rates for internet services, like Netflix, which has had to pay similar fees to the likes of Verizon, Comcast and more.

Don't get too excited about better customer service, either

Time Warner has been notoriously lacking when it comes to customer service, especially in big markets, like Los Angeles and New York City. Between billing issues, massive lines at Time Warner offices and technological problems, Time Warner isn't America's favorite company.

Unfortunately, you shouldn't expect this to change too much in the near future – Time Warner may be horribly rated when it comes to customer service, but it turns out Charter is actually worse.

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Time Warner scored a measly 58 out of 100 in customer satisfaction for 2016, while Charter took things a notch down to 57. Comcast was the worst of the bunch, sitting at 56. So, while things should stay better than Comcast, that hardly says much.

Having said that, Bright House has been quite highly rated in terms of customer service. So, on the off chance that Charter takes a page out of the Bright House customer service book, there may be hope that horrible reputation of Charter and Time warner improves. Unfortunately, it's more likely that the cable guy will continue to show up late and that your internet service will continue to be less than advertised.

Why are mega cable companies such a big deal?

First off, mega cable companies in and of themselves aren't, really. The issue is this: these mega companies largely exist in their own market. That is, Comcast doesn't serve customers where Charter does, and vice versa.

There's an oligopoly now at play. Sure, that might not be such a problem if they existed in the same markets, as it could drive competition in both price and customer service, but they simply don't.

Even companies like Verizon and AT&T largely exist in their own markets. There is some overlap, to be sure, but take a look at a Verizon FiOS coverage map and you'll see that the mega companies have nothing to worry about.

In the end, it's hard to predict exactly what will happen. Eventually, it would be nice to see Comcast and Charter competing in the same markets, creating a kind of mega-cable war, if you will. But, the likelihood of that happening, at least in the near future, is slim.

You might want to sit down for this one

The reality is this: media and broadband companies – which are more and more becoming one in the same – are going to continue to consolidate in the future. They want a monopoly.

Part of why the FCC exists is to manage this consolidation and ensure that monopolies don't happen, something that it doesn't seem to be doing too well at. Thanks, lobbyists.

Having said that, it's nice to see that the commission has imposed restrictions on the merger. If imposed correctly, these restrictions should help ensure that some of the problems associated with a massive merger like this don't exist.

• UHD Premium: one standard to rule them all

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Facebook throws out the news Paper

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Is Apple keeping you from the best Spotify experience possible?

Music streaming service Spotify claims Apple is intentionally making hard update its iPhone app and holding back new features. The updated app reportedly avoids Apple's payment system altogether, which is permitted, but Apple doesn't allow the use of an alternative payment system within the app.

Spotify sent a letter to Apple's top lawyer this week, bashing the iPhone maker for its anti-competitive business model. According to Recode, Spotify general counsel Horacio Gutierrez sent a letter to Apple's legal representative Bruce Sewell on June 26 blasting the company for its App store subscription limitations.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren also chastised Apple, Amazon and Google for trying to "snuff out competition."

"[This] continues a troubling pattern of behavior by Apple to exclude and diminish the competitiveness of Spotify on iOS and as a rival to Apple Music, particularly when seen against the backdrop of Apple's previous anti-competitive conduct aimed at Spotify […] we cannot stand by as Apple uses the App Store approval process as a weapon to harm competitors," wrote Gutierrez.

Spotify dominates the music subscription service world with over 30 million paying subscribers. Apple Music, on the other hand, has half of that.

We've reached out to Spotify and Apple for comment and will update when and if they reply.

Apple shoots itself in the foot

While Apple has the right to set rules for its App Store, it's easy to see that these rules are making its own products worse. Spotify isn't the first company to fight back against the Apple's 30% cut. Amazon removed the ability to purchase books within its Kindle and ComiXology apps, instead pointing users to make purchases in Safari. It's a band-aid on a real problem.

Like most app stores, including Google Play and Amazon, Apple takes a 30% cut from any in-app purchases, including subscriptions.

The main difference is that Google and Amazon allow alternative payment systems within apps. This means Android users can sign up for Spotify using PayPal or a credit card instead of using the Google Wallet system.

Other similar services like Google Play Movies & TV are subjected to the same sub-par user experience on iOS because of Apple's anti-competitive rules.

You can browse and watch your purchased content but you can't buy anything within the app itself. Instead, you'll have to do that in Safari.

Make Apple Music better, not its competitors worse

It makes sense for Apple to prioritize its own apps and services over the competition, especially on its own platform.

But by restricting third-party developers and services, Apple is making its own product worse. Users who don't want to live exclusively within Apple's ecosystem are left with a limited user experience and Spotify users won't likely jump to Apple Music because they can't purchase a subscription.

Instead of making its competitors worse, Apple should make Apple Music better. It's not that hard for a Spotify user to hop into Safari and sign up for the service. Personally, it's annoying, but it's not going to stop me from using the services that I want to use.

• iOS 10 vs iOS 9: the big changes

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Sky's new Now TV box includes Freeview and triple-play bundles

Sky has unveiled the latest version of its Now TV service called Now TV Combo, which offers triple-play services without any contract in addition to a Now TV Smart box which includes a Freeview tuner for the first time.

The service will be available from July and will be available without any contract, meaning you can pay for services on a monthly basis without any longer term commitment.

Prices start from £9.99 but increase depending on which of the four streaming pass are selected, as well as depending on the specific internet and fixed telephone packages.

Sky has also unveiled the latest version of its Now TV box. The Now TV Smart box works as a Freeview tuner in addition to offering full access to Sky's Now TV streaming service. The box will cost £39.99 if you buy it as a standalone product, but is included for free as part of the triple-play Now TV Combo.

From old to new boxes

The existing Now TV boxes already offered live streaming of 35 of Sky's own Sports, Cinema, Kids and Entertainment channels over the internet, but the new box will add the ability to view Freeview's 60 channels through digital terrestrial television broadcast (ie through an aerial), as well as allowing users to pause and rewind live TV.

Frustratingly the new Now TV box will not offer the ability to record live TV. A spokesperson from Sky told us this was in order to keep the cost of the box to a minimum.

The box itself is a modified box from Roku which allows for streaming of up to 720p, depending on the speed of your home internet connection.

Sky boasted that these new boxes offer 50 apps including all of the major UK broadcaster's streaming services, though the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime video continue to remain absent.

With more than a third of UK home's currently using Freeview as their only TV source according to Strategy Analytics, Sky has a significant market to sell its Now TV services to.

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Buying Guide: 10 best 50 and 55-inch TVs of 2016

Best 50 and 55-inch TVs

The 55-inch mark was once the pinnacle of TV-dom. It has now though become the latest battleground in the fight for space in your living room.

As people are upgrading their TVs they're looking to bolster their screen size too and the 50 to 55-inch mark represents the absolute sweet spot between brand new technologies, large screen sizes and great prices.

Right now, this is where it's at. For a great many of us the 65-inch TVs are far too big for our living rooms, but even just that little step down to 55-inch screens can make a big difference without compromising at all on quality.

But there's a huge amount of variety in this end of the market too, with OLED panels marking themselves out with the very best in image fidelity and 4K resolutions providing that all important future-proofing for an expensive new purchase.

There are some 4K bargains at this level too, but don't discount Full HD yet either. You can bag a great value 1080p screen at 50-inches now that the burgeoning Ultra HD market is grinding down prices at the lower resolutions.

So, here's our pick of the top 50 and 55-inch panels you can buy today.

1. LG OLED55C6V

"OLED screen technology is quite simply the future of television."

Screen size: 65-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 4K Ultra HD | Panel technology: OLED | Smart TV: webOS 3.0 | Curved: Yes | Dimensions: 1,225 x 714 x 48.9 mm

See more LG OLED55C6V deals

Ground-breaking contrast

Spectacularly rich colours

Various picture noise issues

Some motion issues

While there's always been a lot of excitement around OLED technology, it seems to have reached fever pitch this year, and it's easy to see why. Having already greatly improved the performance and affordability of its OLED TVs last year, LG – the only brand currently making full ranges of OLED TVs – is claiming further substantial performance boosts and key new features for its 2016 range.

That said, the OLED55C6V is quite simply the best OLED TV yet. It looks gorgeous, particularly if curved screens are your thing, and unprecedented black levels help to deliver picture quality that is, for the most part, dazzling, as LG continues to refine its technology.

Read the full review: LG OLED55C6V

2. Samsung UE55JU6400

"Awesome 4K sharpness, pin-sharp graphics and a great new smart TV platform."

Screen size: 55-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: LED | Smart TV: Tizen | Curved: No | Dimensions: 763 x 1243 x 268mm

See more Samsung UE55JU6400 deals

Tizen Smart TV interface

Digital media handling

Tight viewing angle

Black levels unconvincing

To call this TV "real-world 4K" is probably a step too far, but the UE55JU6400 is resolutely an entry-level, next-gen Ultra HD TV for those who rate resolution over everything else. As such, it's a good effort, though that's thanks just as much down to its slick Smart Hub interface and apps as those extra pixels.

Awesome 4k detail and colours from native 4K sources are accompanied by a pristine treatment of all HD content, though standard-definition material can look noisy. Technically, its biggest problem is its tight viewing angle, though without Freesat HD or 3D compatibility, the UE55JU6400 won't be for everyone.

Read the full review: Samsung UE55JU6400

3. Sony KD-55XD9305

4K UHD streaming backed by Sony's X1 processor

Screen size: 55-inch | Tuner: Twin Freeview and dual satellite | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: LED | Smart TV: Android TV | Curved: No | Dimensions: 1,239 x 717 x 36 mm

See more Sony KD-55XD9305 deals

Ultra thin, minimalist design

High-quality HD upscaling

Gruesome no-button remote control

Audio is passable at best

Sony has taken a bit of a gamble with the XD93, opting for an ultra-thin design that doesn't really lend itself to real HDR dynamics. But thanks to some ingenious engineering, it pretty much pulls it off.

There are caveats, but images (both HD and 4K) are nuanced and colour-rich, with poppy dynamics (keep the light sensor on to minimize grain). Excellent connectivity and integrated YouView add to the fun. Factor in a competitive price, and this set is well worth auditioning for the star role in your home entertainment centre.

Read the full review: Sony KD-55XD9305

4. Philips 55PUT6400

"It catches the eye with its price and size for a 4K UHD TV."

Screen size: 55-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: LCD | Smart TV: Android TV | Curved: No | Dimensions: 773 x 1239 x 266mm

See more Philips 55PUT6400 deals

Native 4K sources look good

Good price for a large 4K TV

Processing can be clumsy

Overbearing Android TV interface

The 55PUT6400 offers more screen inches per monetary pound than any other big brand 4K TV tested so far. It's also capable of delivering excellent pictures when it's set up right - especially with native 4K content.

The 55PUT6400 is a striking debut for Philips' new TV range. It catches the eye with its price and size for a 4K UHD TV, and in many ways its pictures grab your attention too. Certainly it's capable of doing more justice to native 4K content than you might expect for its money.

Read the full review: Philips 55PUT6400

5. Panasonic TX-50CX802B

"Far and away Panasonic's best LCD TV to date."

Screen size: 50-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: LED |Smart TV: Firefox OS | Curved: No | Dimensions: 687mm x 1121mm x 211mm

See more Panasonic TX-50CX802B deals

Superbly detailed, natural pictures

Exceptional colour rendition

Slight motion blur

Calibrated pictures lack brightness

While there's room for improvement with its backlight and motion handling, the 50CX802 is far and away Panasonic's best LCD TV to date.

Its pictures benefit from a unique focus on colour and greyscale nuances that give it a genuine USP, and it backs this up with an appealingly friendly new Firefox smart TV interface and - following imminent firmware updates - both HDR and Freeview Play functionality.

All at what is, all things considered, an attractive price.

Read the full review: Panasonic TX-50CX802B

6. Hisense LTDN50K321UWT

"Hisense's UK debut is far better than you've any right to expect for the money."

Screen size: 50-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: LED | Smart TV: Hisense | Curved: No | Dimensions: 702 x 1124 x 247mm

See more Hisense LTDN50K321UWT deals

Great value

Good picture quality overall

Basic smart system

Limited viewing angles

Hisense is clearly keen to arrive on the UK TV scene with a bang. At £499 the 50K321 is groundbreakingly cheap for a 50-inch 4K TV, yet despite its extreme affordability it offers a pretty impressive set of features.

The breadth of multimedia playback support, strong connectivity, a smart TV system, and some promising picture specifications are all as welcome as they are unexpected.

It has, at the first time of asking, established itself as a brand capable of operating at the budget end of the market while serving up a markedly better-than-budget level of performance and features. All of which makes it potentially the stuff of nightmares for the more established TV brands.

Read the full review: Hisense LTDN50K321UWT

7. Panasonic Viera TX-50DX750

An aggressively priced and mostly impressive 4K TV

Screen size: 50-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: LED | Smart TV: Firefox OS | Curved: No | Dimensions: 1115 x 707 x 316 mm

See more Panasonic Viera TX-50DX750 deals

Impressive value

Firefox OS is excellent

Not a 10-bit panel

Not UHD Premium specified

The 50DX750 scores big on shelf appeal. Its £1300 price is aggressive for a TV that supports both a native 4K UHD resolution and high dynamic range playback, its adjustable design is a breath of fresh air, and its smart TV system is both eye-catchingly attractive and a dream to use. For the most part it backs this initial attraction up with its picture and sound performance too, only coming up a little short when it comes to handling HDR's most extreme content.

With HDR playback support and Panasonic's Firefox smart system, and delivering mostly impressive performance, the 50DX750 is a great-value TV that will look great in any room.

Read the full review: Panasonic Viera TX-50DX750

8. Panasonic TX-50CS520

"Feels like a bargain for the quality, screen size and features on offer."

Screen size: 50-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Panel technology: LED | Smart TV: myHomeScreen | Curved: No | Dimensions: 690 x 1126 x 230mm

See more Panasonic TX-50CS520 deals

Great value

Good picture quality

No Firefox OS platform

Mediocre SD upscaling

With HD (as opposed to 4K UHD ) TVs still apparently accounting for the major of TV sales from most retailers, the full HD Panasonic 50CS520 is a long overdue arrival on our now 4K-dominated test benches.

Especially since its no-nonsense combination of a friendly smart TV system; impressive picture and sound quality; and eye-catchingly aggressive price work together handsomely to keep the HD flag flying high.

Panasonic's mid-range HD model looks smart and modern, is well stocked with impressively customisable smart TV features, and delivers picture and sound quality that are both far, far better than you might expect of a £520 50-inch TV.

Read the full review: Panasonic TX-50CS520

9. Sony KDL-55W805C

"Includes everything the TV needs to produce one of the finest pictures I've seen from an HD TV."

Screen size: 55-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Panel technology: LED | Smart TV: Android TV | Curved: No | Dimensions: 753 x 1230 x 210mm

See more Sony KDL-55W805C deals

Superlative picture quality

Good auto picture optimisation

Android TV isn't great

Not cheap for HD

It's a sign of how fast the TV world is changing right now that Sony's decision to launch a premium HD TV like the 55W805C in 2015 feels like a brave move.

Thanks to a rich specification list that includes Sony's ever-impressive X-Reality Pro processing, edge LED lighting driven by a local dimming engine, some potent motion handling and a content-rich smart TV system it delivers a truly high-end, big-screen experience.

So long as you don't see yourself being fussed about 4K for the next few years, the 55W805C is a compelling TV. Its engagingly slim form plays host to a long list of features that includes everything the TV needs to produce one of the finest pictures I've seen from an HD TV. It's well connected too, and while Android TV turns out to be a bit of a chore it's still got plenty of smart TV appeal.

Read the full review: Sony KDL-55W805C

10. LG 55EG960V

"If you're not yet lusting after OLED, you've got it all wrong."

Screen size: 55-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD and FreeSat HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: OLED | Smart TV: webOS | Curved: Yes | Dimensions: 760 x 1226 x 213mm

See more LG 55EG960V deals

Incredible realism

Best black levels ever

High price

Confusing webOS

Is this is the best TV on the planet? Judged purely on picture quality, this 4K OLED has a jaw-dropping combination of total black, cracking colour, judder-free video, a reflection-free curve and an innate ability to make standard-def sources ripple with realism.

Self-lighting pixels are the future, as proved by the 55EG960V's spotless colours, awesome blacks, bright, pure whites and all-round utterly gorgeous images. 4K detail is mesmerising while even standard definition sources look clean and crisp. Self-lighting they may be, but it's when those pixels completely switch off that this OLED TV really stands out next to an LED TV.

Read the full review: LG 55EG960V

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Google Maps gets multi-stop directions and vacation memories on mobile

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Digi.me bags $6.1M to put users in the driving seat for sharing personal data

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Updated: macOS Sierra release date, news and features

macOS Sierra

Update: If you're enrolled in Apple's developer program, you can try out the company's new filesystem technology now, albeit in a limited capacity. Read on to find out more!

• Here's how macOS will convince you to go all-in on Apple

With Microsoft's Windows 10 heating up the PC market, Apple is bringing a free upgrade of its own with the launch of a new version of OS X for Mac packed with new features and improvements.

OS X 10.12 was officially revealed and renamed macOS Sierra at the Worldwide Developers Conference(WWDC). As expected, Sierra does much more than just providing bug fixes and performance updates, as we saw with the move from 10.10 Yosemite to 10.11 El Capitan.

So what's in store for Mac users? Follow along and we'll tell you exactly what you can expect from the next version of OS X – we mean macOS.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next version of Apple's desktop operating system
• When is it out? Fall 2016
• What will it cost? Like the previous several versions, it will be a free update

macOS Sierra release date

Apple has gotten into a cycle when it comes to releasing new operating systems. Typically they're demoed and debuted during WWDC in June, a beta preview over the summer and having the final OS in our hands by November.

• Find out if your Mac can run macOS

The Cupertino firm's macOS Sierra seems to follow that same formula. Following its reveal in mid-June, Apple plans to release a developer preview in July and the final OS in this fall.

Siri finally makes an appearance

The biggest new feature slated for macOS Sierra is the inclusion of the Siri virtual personal assistant. Siri was launched on iOS back in 2011, and Macs are surprisingly the last platform Apple decided to bring it to.

Just as with using the virtual assistant on iPhones, users will be able to simply command Siri and ask it questions with their voice. However, being on the Mac opens up a greater swath of options such as searching for files.

At WWDC, SVP of software engineering Craig Federighi demonstrated how Siri can help with sophisticated queries for files like, "Show the files I worked on last week about the off-site." And from there users can narrow down their search based on tags.

Siri also has full access to other parts of macOS' including applications such as iTunes, making her your personal DJ. Alternatively, Siri integrates with Safari to act on web searches.

By adding Siri to the Mac platform, Apple hopes to offer the same services for iPhone and iPad owners with a Mac.

What's more, Apple opened has issued an SDK for developers to make their own applications work with Siri.

A long overdue file system upgrade

Since 1985, Apple has remained complacent with its Hierarchal File System, or HFS. With macOS, however, that all changes thanks to the new APFS, or simply Apple File System. Starting with the company's 2017 MacBook lineup, all of Apple's computers will support the new filesystem on its bootup drive. And, although we'll be able to try it out for ourselves when the macOS Sierra public beta lands, developers in the preview right now are saying the new filesystem is limited to transferring files back and forth on a non-startup drive.

Once Apple's hardware begins to support the new standard, it won't be long before we start to reap the benefits. These include improved flash memory optimization, faster Time Machine backups and improved space allocation letting two APFS-formatted disks act as one combined storage drive. Unfortunately, for legacy Mac users this means HFS support will be ousted in the next 25 years, though it would be a miracle if your computer could still boot up by then.

Continuity gets even better

Continuity between Mac and iOS is a big deal for those engulfed in Apple's hardy ecosystem. Ever since its introduction, users have been able to pick up calls and text conversations from their phones and conveniently pull them up on their Mac computers.

With macOS Sierra, not only will you be able to access your computer from other machines including your iPhone, but if you need to copy something from one device to another, you can achieve that using the Universal Clipboard function. By copying something from one device, you can seamlessly paste it over to another. If you thought AirDrop made your life easier, this enhances the Apple ecosystem even further with yet another method of shuffling around files.

And, while TouchID isn't coming to Mac anytime soon, auto-unlock is. As the name implies, this new feature will let you unlock your Mac by merely being in close proximity to an Apple Watch or iOS device.

What's more, Apple Pay has expanded beyond the restraints of a 4.7-inch screen and onto PCs by way of macOS. Making an effort to compete with ecommerce services like PayPal, a "Pay with Apple Pay" button will soon be integrated in your browser with TouchID on a nearby iPhone or iPad serving as a means of quick authentication.

Better photo and video functionality

Finally we have the Photos app getting an overhaul in iOS 10, and because of the way Continuity works, the incoming features also apply to Mac. These include a new "Memories" tab for a more magazine-like viewing mode as well as an AI that automatically sorts photos either by people or topics.

Likewise, if you're a skilled multi-tasker interested in watching videos while you work, you'll be delighted to know that macOS Sierra's picture-in-picture mode allows users to take their video windows with them even as they rotate between desktop screens.

Gabe Carey also contributed to this article

• What about that Surface Pro 5?

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Aircall launches mobile apps for its cloud phone system for teams

 Aircall just launched its mobile apps on iOS and Android out of beta. The company announced the first beta of its mobile app at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco. The startup is bringing all of the core features of the service to its mobile app. Aircall lets you generate virtual numbers in many countries around the world and share these numbers with the rest of your team. For instance,… Read More http://ift.tt/295smpO

Round up: The best free alternatives to Evernote

Free Evernote alternatives

The best free note-taking apps

This week, Evernote's developers announced that the free note-taking app is undergoing significant changes. Controversially, these include limiting the Basic (free) account tier to just two devices, and raising the prices of Plus and Premium accounts to US$3.99 (about £2.96, AU$5.37) and $7.99 (about £5.93, AU$10.75) per month respectively.

That's disappointing news for anyone who uses the app on their desktop and mobile devices to keep track of thoughts, gather resources for projects or jot down ideas throughout the day.

Evernote has vowed to give current users time to adapt before the new limits kick in, but if you're looking for an alternative, here are your options.

1. Microsoft OneNote

Text, drawings, web clips, audio – OneNote stores it all

• Price: Free
• Storage: Through OneDrive (5GB as standard)
• Devices supported: Unlimited

If you use Evernote as a multimedia pinboard or to manage projects, OneNote is an excellent alternative. The OneNote app comes pre-installed with Windows 10 as part of the updated Office suite, and is available to download for earlier versions of Windows. There are mobile apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone too, plus a web app.

OneNote synchronizes your data through your Microsoft account, and uses OneDrive to store everything you save. Earlier this year, Microsoft cut the standard OneDrive storage limit from 15GB to 5GB, which is worth bearing in mind if your notes tend to contain a lot of images and other media.

Like most note-taking apps, OneNote lets you gather and organise links, text, images and drawings in tagged notebooks, but it also has a few extra tricks up its sleeve. You can also import text and tables from other Microsoft Office apps, record audio, and email content straight to a notebook (a very handy option for working on fiddly smartphone screens). It can also record audio

There are optional extensions, too: OneNote Web Clipper lets you capture and clip sections of web pages, and Office Lens (for Windows 10 Mobile) captures pictures of handouts, whiteboards and other meeting-room paraphernalia, turns them into editable documents and saves them to a notebook.

Thanks to Microsoft's business clout, other developers are falling over themselves to integrate OneNote into their apps. WordPress, IFTTT, Feedly and Livescribe are just a few with OneNote compatibility now built in.

Convinced? Shift your clips and notes across using Evernote to OneNote Importer and you're ready to go!

2. Simplenote

Text-only notes for pretty much any device with a screen

• Price: Free
• Storage: Unlimited
• Devices supported: Unlimited

You can use Simplenote on as many devices you like, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Kindle Fire, Android and Linux, plus a web version for good measure. There's unlimited storage too (as long as you don't go mad with it), and it's completely free.

The catch? It's text-only – no images, web pages or doodles. That won't be to everyone's liking, but if you never bother with Evernote's fancier options and just want a cross-platform notebook with automatic syncing, it's perfect.

Simplenote is so small, you might as well install it on everything you own, just in case. You never know when inspiration might strike – or you need to jot down the registration number of a van that took your wing mirror off in a car park.

3. Cintanotes

A lean note-taking app with handy shortcuts

• Price: Free; Pro US$39 (about £29, AU$52); Lifetime Pro US$119 (about £88, AU$160)
• Storage: 100MB for synchronized attachments
• Devices supported: Unlimited (Windows only)

Cintanotes is Windows-only, and although it's also available as a portable app so you don't have to install it, there's no online version. There's no limit on the number of devices though, so if you're dedicated to Microsoft's OS that will be no obstacle.

Cintanotes comes in three flavors: free, Pro and Lifetime Pro. The free version is a straightforward affair offering text clipping, search, backup, customizable hotkeys and three sections to store your notes. It's nicely designed, and the keyboard and mouse shortcuts make it feel like a natural extension of Windows.

Notes created in Cintanotes are synchronized using Simplenote (above), so it's worth trying both programs to see which suits you best.

4. Google Keep

Quick reminders to jog your memory

• Price: Free
• Storage: Unlimited (attachments stored in Google Drive)
• Devices supported: Unlimited

Google Keep is available for Android and iOS, as a Chrome browser plug-in, and as a web app. As you'd expect. it uses your Google account to sync across devices, making it a particularly useful option for Android users.

However, despite this convenience, Google Keep is quite limited compared to Evernote and OneNote. Although useful for keeping your own thoughts in order, it's not built with collaboration in mind. You can share individual notes with contacts one at a time, but that's the extent of it. There's no convenient way to work with teams, so you're better off using a Google Doc. You can't attach files directly to notes in Keep, either; they must come from Google Drive. This is particularly irritating if you want to add an image from a website – you need to save it locally, then re-upload it. Not ideal.

Ultimately, Keep's little notes are essentially a portable alternative to a collection of Post-it notes orbiting your monitor reminding you to make a phone call at 3pm, or pick up cake ingredients on Wednesday. They serve a definite purpose, but you wouldn't use them to gather ideas for a novel or manage a project.

5. Dropbox Paper (beta)

Wave goodbye to the office whiteboard

• Price: Free
• Storage: Unlimited (for now)
• Devices supported: Unlimited (online only)

In contrast to Keep, Dropbox Paper (initially known as Note) is serious business. With support for images, tables and tasks (which can be assigned to people using their Dropbox usernames), it makes a great replacement for the usual handwritten minutes, hastily scrawled, then transcribed by an unfortunate soul and sent as a mass email. We're sure you've been there.

There's currently no size limit on notebooks created using Paper, but you can't insert documents directly; instead, the document must uploaded to your Dropbox account, then linked. Paper will display a small preview of the document, so teammates can see if it's relevant before adding it to their own Dropbox folder. The interface is straightforward, and everything can be clicked and dragged around the page.

Paper is still in beta, so its features are subject to change, but if you already use Dropbox for filesharing at work then it's definitely worth a look. Bear in mind that it's still undergoing stability and security testing.

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