Author: RSS Feed

  • |

    Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video service is becoming seriously impressive


    With iOS 27, Apple is rolling out Apple Intelligence-powered features like AI video summaries, natural-language search, richer notifications, faster performance, and upcoming 4K support — giving its privacy-focused smart home camera system a much-needed boost to compete with Ring and Google Nest.

    In her hands-on first look, The Verge‘s Jennifer Pattison Tuohy tests the developer beta and finds it’s now back in contention as a solid home security option.

    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy for The Verge:

    I’ve been playing with some of the features in the developer betas for iOS 27 and tvOS 27 for a few days, and based on my first impressions, Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video is much improved — enough to put it back in contention for me as a home security system.

    With Apple Intelligence bringing these features to Apple Home, Apple’s smart home platform is gaining parity with competitors’ offerings. It will also soon support up to 4K video resolution, and when you factor in that the service works with cameras from several manufacturers, it gets more compelling — as long as you’re an iPhone user.

    Summarized videos use AI to process video from my HomeKit Secure Video cameras and send a notification with a more detailed description of the action. So, instead of an alert saying “animal detected,” I’ve been getting “dog in yard,” and instead of “person detected,” I’ve seen “lawn mowing.” I also had one notification that summarized several activities from one camera: “Someone walked into the yard and then went back out to a dog. Aqara G5 changed modes.”

    I’m a big fan of the new camera view in the Home app, where I can scroll through a timeline of clips or view a live feed from all the cameras at once. The clips are sequenced by time, not by camera, so scrolling shows activity around the home in real time. When I click on a clip, a camera switcher presents footage from other cameras recorded at the same time on either side — which is really handy. I’ve used a lot of camera app interfaces, and this is one of the simplest and most intuitive.


    Here’s how to set up HomeKit Secure Video on all your devices.


    .

    Source link: https://macdailynews.com/2026/06/16/apples-homekit-secure-video-service-is-becoming-seriously-impressive/

  • |

    Apple TV drops to just $5.99/month for Amazon Prime members – 50% off limited-time deal


    Apple is teaming up with Amazon to make its premium streaming service more accessible than ever. Prime members can now subscribe to for only $5.99 per month — a full 50% discount off the regular $12.99 price — for up to two months.

    This timely promotion arrives just as gears up for one of its strongest summers yet, with major returning hits like Ted Lasso Season 4 and Silo Season 3 on the horizon. Whether you’re a longtime fan or thinking about giving the service a try, this deal offers an affordable way to dive into Apple’s lineup of critically acclaimed originals, movies, and live sports.

    • The offer is exclusive to Amazon Prime members.

    • Subscribe directly through the Prime Video app or website for seamless integration.

    • You’ll be able to watch content right inside the Prime Video interface alongside Amazon’s own shows and movies.

    • The promo is available through June 26, 2026, so act fast if you want to lock in the savings.

    Subscribe to via Prime Video (must be logged into your Amazon account).

    Prime Video has become a convenient one-stop hub for multiple streaming services. Adding through Prime lets you manage subscriptions in one place and enjoy content without switching between separate apps. It’s a smart way for Prime households to expand their entertainment options without extra hassle.

    + stands out for its high-quality, ad-free original programming. Highlights include:

    • Award-winning series like Ted Lasso, Severance, Silo, For All Mankind, Foundation, Star City, The Morning Show, and many more

    • Hit movies, including Best Picture CODA, and documentaries

    • Live sports coverage (MLS Season Pass, MLB Friday Night Baseball, and more)

    After the two-month promotional period, the subscription will renew at the standard rate unless canceled. You can always subscribe directly through Apple at full price or bundle it with other services via Apple One for additional savings.

    This is one of the best short-term deals we’ve seen on + recently. If you’ve been waiting to catch up on Apple’s summer slate or sample the service risk-free at half price, now’s the perfect time. Just remember the cutoff rapidly approaches (June 26th)!


    .

    Source link: https://macdailynews.com/2026/06/16/apple-tv-drops-to-just-5-99-month-for-amazon-prime-members-50-off-limited-time-deal/