We have a deal on the CHOETECH 19W Solar Charge. This device puts 19 watts of solar charging power on your back, which is perfect for hiking and other extended outdoor activity. It operates with a conversion rate up to 23-24%, providing enough power to charge 2 devices at once, and it’s $59.99 through our deal.
Bryan Chaffin
Bryan Chaffin is the cofounder of The Mac Observer and currently serves as Afternoon Editor. He has contributed to MacAddict and MacFormat magazines, and co-authored the last two updates of iPad and iPad Pro for Dummies with Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus and Ed Baig. You can find out more about Bryan at his personal site, GeekTells, or find his Twitter link below.
Articles by Bryan Chaffin
Halloween Special, New iPads and Macs, Mr. Ricky Cleans House - ACM 486
In this episode, Mr. Ricky pays a visit. And after Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss Apple’s new iPads and Macs, Mr. Ricky decides it’s time to clean up the mess and set our interns free! All that and more in this Halloween 2018 Special Episode!
Apple Updates Shortcuts App: New Actions for Weather, Alarms, Measurements, Photos, More
This update adds several actions covering weather, alarms, measurements, photos, as well as better HomePod functionality.
Apple Releases macOS Mojave 10.14.1 with Group FaceTime, More Emoji
This release includes support for Group FaceTime and new emojis found in iOS 12.1.
FODI Origami Multi-Purpose Device Stand: $14.99
Check out today’s deal of the day on FODI, a multipurpose stand that folds into shape like origami. Though thin, it supports 44 pounds when folded into shape, it will also unfold flat if you ever want to move it. It’s $14.99 through our deal.
NordVPN 1-Year Subscription: $60
We have a deal on a 1-year subscription to NordVPN. All data sent through NordVPN’s private tunnels is double encrypted (double data SSL-based 2048-bit encryption). There are 3,521 servers in 61 countries, you can connect up to 6 devices, and you get unlimited data. The company has a no-log policy, too, and it will work with Mac, iOS, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and Android devices. One year of NordVPN is $60 through us, and there’s a 2-year option available in the deal listing, too.
Apple Updates Mac mini with More Cores, More RAM, More Storage [Updated]
After only 1,475 days, Apple announced a new Mac mini on Tuesday at the company’s “There’s More in the Making” media event. [Updated with tech specs and other details.]
Parallels Access 1-Year Subscription: $9.99
We have a deal on a 1-year subscription to Parallels Access. This software lets you view and control your desktop computer from an iPhone or iPad. And, it allows you to use touch to control everything where you’d normally use a keyboard and mouse or trackpad. You can get a 1-year subscription for $9.99 through our deal.
Apple's App Stores No Longer Listing All In-App Purchases
Our good friend Jim Tanous at TekRevue ran an important public service announcement today about the App Store no longer listing all in-app purchases for apps and games. This was always an important tool for consumers wondering just what the heck they were getting into with a so-called “freemium” app. While an app developer can independently list some in-app purchases, there no longer appears to be a “List all” option, on either the App Store or Mac App Store. You can get the details from TekReveu, but this snippet has the gist.
The problem with this new policy is that the nature and prices of in-app purchases vary wildly depending on the developer and type of app or game. Users could previously check out the description and prices of the in-app purchases to determine if they were reasonable before downloading or buying an app. Now, it seems, users must download and launch the app to see the same information. In-app purchase information was already slightly hidden, but still available for those who wanted to see it. Apple’s decision to remove it and rely instead on the developers to optionally provide such data is completely anti-consumer and frankly baffling. We can only hope that user feedback forces the company to restore this feature quickly.
Match Any Surface to an Existing Color with Nix Mini Color Sensor: $58.65
We have a deal on the Nix Mini Color Sensor. This device senses color so you can match it to one of 31,000 brand name paint colors. If you’re looking for digital color matching, it will also give you the RGB, HEX, CMYK, and LAB colors. The Nix Mini Color Sensor is $69 through us, but if you use coupon code “BOO15” (without the quotes) at checkout, you’ll save 15%. That brings it down to $58.65.
Take Smoother Videos with the Rigiet Smartphone Gimbal: $93.49
Check out this cool device we’re featuring in our deal of the day, the Rigiet Smartphone Gimbal. It’s a stabilizing video stick that let’s you take smooth videos, even on the go. It features a built-in control panel that lets you quickly zoom and switch between photo/video modes and front/rear camera perspectives. You can also use the Rigiet app for auto tracking, livestreaming, panorama shots, and more. It’s $109.99 through our deal, but coupon code BOO15 will knock 15% off for a price of $93.49.
Throttlegate Lessons, Free Apple Video Rumors, Security PSA - ACM 485
In the wake of Apple’s $12 million fine from Italian regulators, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet ask if the company learned any lessons from Throttlegate. They also update their plans for the show, discuss increasing rumors that Apple’s video content will be free, and offer a security public service announcement.
Stream to 2 Headphones with DualStream S1 Bluetooth Audio Transmitter: $34.99
We have a deal on the DualStream S1 Bluetooth Audio Transmitter. This device takes one audio source—like your TV—and streams it to two different Bluetooth speakers or headphones at the same time. It’s $34.99 through our deal, but Coupon code “BOO15” at checkout will get you 15% off, for a price of $29.74.
Ming Chi Kuo Says Apple Working on iPad Mini 5
TF International Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo says Apple is working on an update to iPad Mini, and that loooooooooooooooong-awaited AirPower and updated AirPods could be released sometime in the next 6 months. Those devices may or may not be mentioned at Apple’s October 30th media event in Brooklyn, but new iPad Pro models with USB-C ports will definitely be there. According to Ming Chi Kuo, that is. Juli Clover has details at MacRumors. I’ll believe it all when I see it. Here’s a snippet:
Kuo says that Apple will launch a new version of the iPad mini, which has not seen an update in several years. Kuo says the device will feature an upgraded processor and a lower-cost panel.
Kuo does not know, however, if Apple will announce it during the media event or launch it sometime later in the year/early next year, but if an updated model is in the works, it makes sense for it to launch alongside the iPad Pro .
Apple's iCloud Service Suffering Outage
Almost half of Apple’s iCloud services are in the grip of an unspecified issue.
Apple Promotes 13 Pre-Release Reviews of iPhone XR
Apple put out a press release Tuesday promoting 13 different pre-release reviews of iPhone XR. As expected, they’re all positive reviews full of gushing commentary about Apple’s new entry-level XS-era device.
Steve Carell Joins Jennifer Anniston and Reese Witherspoon Apple TV Show
The Office veteran will play, “a morning show anchor who is struggling to maintain relevance in a changing media landscape.”
Private Internet Access VPN 2-Year Subscription: $55.55
We have a deal on a 2-year subscription to Private Internet Access VPN. This VPN uses Blowfish CBC encryption to protect your data, and it works with Mac, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. You can get a 2 year subscription for $55.55. There are also 1 and 3 year options available on the deal listing.
Sir Jony Ive Interviewed by Financial Times
Apple Chief Design Officer Sir Jony Ive was interviewed by The Financial Times of London. The first part of the story can be skipped, since it’s about waiting, meetings past, and snacks, but the second half includes some interesting comments on Apple Watch. Here’s a snippet:
“I think we have been lulled into this sense that people will accept new products and services very quickly, and I don’t believe that’s true at all,” [Sir Jony] says. “Very often, so much of what a product ends up being able to do isn’t what you initially thought. If you’re creating something new, it is inevitable there will be consequences that were not foreseen — some that will be great, and then there are those that aren’t as positive. There is a responsibility to try and predict as many of the consequences as possible and I think you have a moral responsibility to try to understand, try to mitigate those that you didn’t predict.”
Populele - the Smart Ukulele: $179 [Update]
We have a fun deal of the day for you, Populele. It’s a smart ukelele, by which I mean it interacts with an app. It also has LED-lit frets that work with the app to help teach you how to play. You also get real-time feedback and correction via sound-responsive technology. It works with iOS and Android, and it’s $179 through our deal. [Update: our deal includes the Accessory Kit that features a capo, canvas case, 2 picks, a string set, and a MicroUSB charging cable.]
All 370 Apple Logos from the 'There's More in the Making' Media Event
Alix Rezak of ApplePersian did the hard work of ferreting out 370 Apple logos and then assembling them into one image.
Scanmarker Air, a Wireless OCR Pen Scanner for $89
Check out today’s deal of the day on Scanmarker Air. It’s a wireless OCR pen scanner, meaning a scanner you hold in your hands, and it does optical character recognition. This device can scan one line per second, and it can also translate text in 40 different languages. The Scanmarker Air is $89 through our deal.
Flyington Selfie Drone: $69.99
We have a deal on the Flyington Selfie Drone. It shoots 720p HD photo and video, with real-time camera transmissions to iPhone or Android device. But it’s also built to flip, roll, and slice through the air, and also features one-key auto landing. It’s $69.99 through our deal.
Apple Announces October Media Event, iPads and Macs up to Bat
The company is widely expected to announce new iPad models at the event, and some hope there will be new Macs, too.