This week, Apple posted a page to their website describing new features in the next incremental update to iOS called iOS 9.3. One of the new features is Night Shift, which changes the color on your iPhone when it is close to bedtime to reduce the blue light from the screen. If you use your iPhone late at night, studies have shown that the blue light can make it harder for your body to go to sleep. Apple also added the ability to add a lock to a Note, which you can unlock using your fingerprint, handy if you use a note to store confidential information and someone else is using your iPhone. Apple is also letting schools put multiple user accounts on an iPad, so that a student can pick up any iPad and see only that student's files. Apple hasn't announced when iOS 9.3 will be available, but my guess is March. And now, the news of note from this week:
- ABA TECHSHOW is March 17-19 this year. Unfortunately, there is no track dedicated to iPhone/iPad users this year, but there is one iOS-related session on the morning of March 19th, and I'll be one of the panelists for that session. If you want to learn about legal technology and get CLE credit, I hope to see you in Chicago.
- Jeff Benjamin of iDownloadBlog looks at signs that Apple might come out with a more powerful power charger for the iPad Pro, a 29W charger instead of the 12W one that it ships with. This would let the iPad Pro charge even faster, although you might need an upgraded Lightning cord for it to work. I hope that this rumor is true. One of the few features of the iPad Pro that I don't like is that it takes so long to charge.
- Phil Dzikiy of iLounge reviews the Apple Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro, and he isn't a big fan of how it feels when you type on it. I only tried it for a few minutes in the store, but that was my impression too. Still, I've heard from others who like it.
- If you use your iPhone in rugged outdoor conditions, you might be interested that Scosche this week announced the goBAT 12000, a $99 external battery in a rugged, waterproof and dustproof case that can recharge an iPhone about six times. You can currently get it on Amazon for about $64.
- Speaking of travel, Allyson Kazmucha of The App Factor recommends accessories for traveling with an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.
- Elizabeth Cohen of CNN explains how a doctor used an iPhone with Google Cardboard to save a baby's life.
- I love using HomeKit devices to control lights and other appliances in my house. They work great ... except when they don't. Nick Bilton of the New York Times explained what happened when his Nest Thermostat stopped working due to a software bug.
- Serenity Caldwell of iMore explains the features that she enjoys using on her Apple Watch.
- As noted by Zac Hall of 9to5Mac, 1Password was updated this week. If you use an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, the app now supports 3D Touch for quick actions. A password manager is a must-have app, and I love that the fantastic 1Password app is frequently updated with great new features.
- And finally, with the Steve Jobs movie getting some Oscar nominations this week, don't we need a Broadway musical about Steve Jobs? Well, need it or not, we are getting one. Jon Blisten of Rolling Stone reports that a musical comedy about Steve Jobs and Bill Gates will open on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on April 21st. The show is called Nerds, and it was first presented in Philadelphia back in 2005. Here is a video from when the show played in Philly: