Apple is offering a free month for iCloud users upgrading from the free 5 GB storage tier to any of the paid options. The offer is a move to get more iCloud users to upgrade to a paid storage plan.
Jeff Gamet
Jeff Gamet is the Mac Observer’s Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of “The Designer’s Guide to Mac OS X” from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also hosts TMO’s Daily Observations podcast, co-hosts The iOS Show podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other shows, too. Jeff dreams in HD.
Articles by Jeff Gamet
Andy Rubin's Essential Smartphone Tanks, Company May be for Sale
Andy Rubin, the father of Google’s Android OS, is reportedly looking for a buyer for his Essential smartphone company. Essential 2 phone development has been cancelled, and sales of the original model haven’t topped 150,000 units. The idea of a pure Android smartphone with expandability through accessories was appealing in concept, but not in practice considering Essential’s price dropped from US$699 to $200 before and sales still didn’t take off. Now sources are telling Bloomberg Credit Suisse Group AG is helping shop the company around. Essential is a perfect example of how difficult it is to make a hit in the smartphone market, even if you’re the guy that led Google’s Android team.
How to Enable SQM on Your eero WiFi Mesh Network
eero added SQM, or Smart Queue Management to its WiFi mesh routers to help your network run more efficiently. Here’s how to enable the feature.
Intel's Mac CPU Roadmap, Network Buffer Bloat Explained - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-24
Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro and join Jeff Gamet to look at what’s coming in Intels next generation processors for the Mac, plus Dave explains network buffer bloat and why it matters.
Tour the Millennium Falcon with Donald Glover
Solo: A Star Wars Story opens on Friday, May 25th, but you don’t have to wait until Friday to get a look inside the new Millennium Falcon because you can check it out now with Donald Glover. Glover plays Lando Calrissian, the Falcon’s owner in the movie, and he take you on a tour of the ship. You get to see the cockpit, bar, captain’s quarters, and even Lando’s cape closet. And tomorrow you can head to the theater and see the Falcon in action.
Instapaper Temporarily Shutting Down in European Union for GDPR
Instapaper is temporarily shutting down in the EU starting on May 24th while it’s brought in to compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR.
WWDC and Hardware Expectations, Apple Music for Other Platforms - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-23
John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to talk about expectations for hardware announcements at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference, plus they debate if it’s time for Apple Music to come to more platforms.
Here's How to Watch Apple's WWDC 2018 Keynote Live Stream
Apple’s 2018 Worldwide Developer Conference keynote event is scheduled for 10 AM pacific time on Monday, June 4th. Here’s how to watch the keynote live even if you aren’t there.
Apple Launches New Data and Privacy Download Page for EU
Apple has a new Data and Privacy web page for European Union residents that complies with the EU’s General Data Privacy Regulation, or GDPR, laws.
Comcast Joins the Wi-Fi Mesh Market with xFi Pods
Comcast joined the Wi-Fi mesh market on Tuesday with the official launch of its xFi Pods. The plug-size devices extend the range of Comcast’s Xfinity broadband Wi-Fi network in your home.
Lightning Versus USB-C for the iPhone and iPad - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-22
John Kheit from Pop.0, Bryan Chaffin, and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to debate whether or not Apple should move to USB-C from Lightning for the iPhone and iPad data sync and charging port.
Here's How to Watch Mark Zuckerberg's EU Privacy Hearing Live
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is going before the European Parliament today to answer questions about the social network’s privacy policies. The event will be streamed live on the interent from the EP website, which means everyone can watch and see how it compares to the recent U.S. Congressional hearings where he also testified. The live stream starts at 12:20 PM eastern time.
Intels Warns of Spectre Variant 4 Chip Vulnerability
Intel has a new report out describing what the chip maker is calling a Spectre-like vulnerability dubbed Variant 4 that exploits the CPU’s speculative execution mechanism so hackers can potentially get at sensitive information on your computer.
Amazon in Talks for The Expanse Season 4
The internet pretty much had a meltdown when SyFy announced about two weeks ago there wouldn’t be a season 4 for The Expanse. Now Amazon is stepping up and is negotiating to keep the show alive through Amazon Prime. Amazon already has the rights to stream the first three seasons, so adding first-run rights for season 4 makes sense. The Hollywood Reporter makes it sound like the deal is practically a done deal, and hopefully they’re right. After all, we need to know what the protomolecule is up to.
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg Testifying at EU Privacy Hearing on Tuesday May 22
First Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg testified before a U.S. Congressional hearing about the social network’s privacy policies, and now he’s doing the same in the European Union. Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify before the European Parliament on Tuesday, May 22nd.
iPhone Addiction, TeenSafe's Apple ID Login Leak - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-21
Andrew Orr and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to discuss who should be responsible for controlling iPhone and other electronic device addiction, plus they have something to say about TeenSafe’s Apple ID user name and password leak.
Apple Drops Lightning to USB-C Cable from $25 to $19
The cost for a Lightning to USB-C cable to connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your new Mac isn’t as expensive as it used to be. Last month, the cable cost $25, and now it’s $19. That’s great because it seems like a cable should’ve included. If we take a big logic leap, maybe it’s also a hint that Apple is dropping USB A from more Mac models soon.
No, Apple isn't Releasing a Cheaper HomePod Model this Year
Apple is hard at work on a lower-priced version of the HomePod, or so the latest reports claim. The report comes from the Chinese website with a claim that “foreign media” is reporting a US$199 HomePod is on the way this year. It looks like this all spins out of an article from money.udn.com from early March (english translation) speculating that Apple could decide to make a lower priced HomePod model. The information available so far doesn’t even amount to a rumor, so no, Apple isn’t releasing a sub $200 HomePod this year.
TeenSafe Leaks 10,000 Kid's Apple IDs and Passwords
TeenSafe let 10,200 Apple ID user names and passwords leak all in plain text, and the service requires two-factor authentication be disabled.
Twitter Killing Client App APIs, Micro.blog Explained - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-18
Jean MacDonald from Micro.blog and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on Twitter’s plans to deprecate the APIs third-party client apps use, plus Jean fills us in on Micro.blog.
Yanny or Laurel? How About Either with this Online Tool
Not to be left out of the mem fun, the New York Times made a tool that lets you hear Yanny or Laurel. Just slide to the right to hear “Yanny,” and to the left for “Laurel.” It’s interesting to hear how the sound changes as you cut out the higher or lower frequencies. The “Yanny” in the NYT tool sounds more like “Hugh-We” to me. Regardless, it sounds less and less like “Laurel” as you slide farther to the right.
How to See Where Apple Tracks You on Your iPhone and iPad
Your iPhone and iPad use Location Services to track places you go that it deems important to you. That’s either really cool, or super creepy, depending on your point of view. Here’s how to see the significant locations where your iPhone and iPad have tracked you.
Deadpool Takes Over Stephen Colbert's Monologue
It’s Friday, so that can mean only one thing: Deadpool 2 opens in theaters today. To celebrate—and shamelessly promote—the premiere, Deadpool himself paid a visit to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and took over the opening monologue. Turns out Deadpool can hold his own against a late night talk show host. Makes sense considering he’s a superhero.
Can't Find an AirPort Base Station in Stock? Here's How to Pick a Wireless Mesh System
With Apple officially dropping its AirPort Base Station product line it’s no surprise the remaining inventory is dwindling. Reports are cropping up saying some models from Apple’s Wi-Fi router lineup are already gone, although we’re still seeing AirPort Extreme, Express, and Time Capsule as in stock in the Apple Store app. Still, if you’re looking into getting a new Wi-Fi router it may be time to check out the wireless mesh network options. Dave Hamilton has done a great job of explaining what your options are, and how to pick the right product for your needs.