iOS 13.5.5 beta brings Audio stories to Apple News+ subscribers

Apple News will soon let paid users hear a story, aside from just reading it. First spotted by 9to5Mac, the first iOS 13.5.5 beta adds a new Audio section for Apple News+ subscribers in the News app. However, those who have not subscribed to the service by paying the $9.99 monthly fee will also be able to listen to audio stories, but only a snippet of it.

The report adds that Apple might rope in actors to recite the long-form articles from magazines and websites that come bundled with Apple News+ subscription. In addition to the dedicated Audio section, users will also see a Listen button at the top of a story if it supports the listening feature.

Aside from just hitting the listen button, users will get basic playback controls such as play, pause, skip to the next article, go back 30 seconds and more. Users will also be able to share an audio story, queue stories for back-to-back listening, and also change the order in which they want to play a specified number of stories.

The post iOS 13.5.5 beta brings Audio stories to Apple News+ subscribers appeared first on Pocketnow.

Pocketnow Daily: Apple’s WWDC will be DIFFERENT?!(video)

On today's Pocketnow Daily, we talk about Apple's next WWDC that will now be an online event, Foxconn reopening its factories and more

The post Pocketnow Daily: Apple’s WWDC will be DIFFERENT?!(video) appeared first on Pocketnow.

Project Ara, Pixel 4 and neither the twain shall meet | #PNWeekly 345

We discuss the overhyping of patents, AT&T's overhyping of its 5G network and content providers not buying Apple's single-stream hype on the show!

The post Project Ara, Pixel 4 and neither the twain shall meet | #PNWeekly 345 appeared first on Pocketnow.

Sources say next Apple event on March 25 won’t have AirPods 2, iPad mini 5

Instead of seeing the AirPods 2, AirPower charging mat and iPad mini 5, we might see subscriptions, subscriptions and subscriptions.

The post Sources say next Apple event on March 25 won’t have AirPods 2, iPad mini 5 appeared first on Pocketnow.