Link

iOS 14 vs Android, App Library, Widgets, and Default Apps

Andrew Orr ·

Writer Nicole Lee is happy with iOS 14 features that are similar to Android, like widgets, default apps, and App Library. And she wants more of that.

But for me, the real star of iOS 14 is not quite so obvious (It’s so low-key that Apple didn’t mention it at its WWDC keynote). It’s the fact that, at long last, iOS now lets you pick your own default email and browser apps. This one feature, more than any other, is what I feel is a key factor in preventing me from switching to Android. That’s because, as an iOS user, it is not Android that I find attractive — it’s Google.

I’m trying to wrap my head around this argument. I don’t want to be one of those people who say, “If you’re not happy with iOS, then switch to Android.” But it doesn’t make sense to me that setting default apps would stop her from switching, considering Android had that all along. She goes on to say that she hasn’t bothered with iOS 14 widgets and that Android widgets don’t appeal to her. Okay, don’t use them?? Just like you’re not using iOS 14 widgets?? There’s more I have to say but this is running up against the length limitation of our Linked Teasers. Go read.

Link

Would You Like a Flying Security Drone From Amazon?

Andrew Orr ·

On Thursday, Amazon’s Ring surveillance company revealed a security drone that flies around your house taking photos of everything, because what could go wrong in 2020?

The company’s promotional video highlighting the camera showed a burglar breaking into a home and getting spooked as the drone flew straight at him — “Oh, no!” he exclaimed — while the homeowner watched the encounter on his phone. “Oh, yes,” the ad proclaimed.

I know what you’re thinking. Yes, it’s a real product and not a parody from The Onion.

Cool Stuff Found

Watch Behind the Series ‘Tehran’ From Apple TV+

Andrew Orr ·

Apple uploaded a behind the series look at thriller “Tehran” on Apple TV+. It’s a new espionage thriller from “Fauda” writer Moshe Zonder that tells the thrilling story of a Mossad agent who goes deep undercover on a dangerous mission in Tehran that places her and everyone around her in dire jeopardy. The series is created by Moshe Zonder, Dana Eden, and Maor Kohn, and directed by Daniel Syrkin. Omri Shenhar serves as writer alongside Zonder. The series is executive produced by Moshe Zonder, Dana Eden, Shula Spiegel, Alon Aranya, Julien Leroux, Peter Emerson and Eldad Koblenz; and produced by Donna and Shula Productions in association with Paper Plane Productions, with the participation of Cineflix Rights and Cosmote TV. Tehran will premiere globally on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes on September 25, and new episodes will premiere weekly, every Friday.

Link

Amazon’s Luna Streaming Game Service Works on iOS

Andrew Orr ·

Amazon’s newly-launched Luna streaming game service works on iOS…as a progressive web application. It’s not the same as a native app but it lets Amazon get around certain App Store rules.

Amazon said that Luna can support for gaming at a 4K resolution and 60 frames per second in “select titles.” It brought this up in relation to its Ubisoft gaming channel. This feature works like Amazon’s Prime Video channels. For example, I subscribe to PBS Kids for $5 per month on Prime Video to ensure I have plenty of content for my kids that goes beyond what the free PBS Kids app provides.

Link

‘Blacklight’ Tool Reveals Website Trackers

Andrew Orr ·

A tool called Blacklight has been making waves in the news recently. When you enter a website address into the page it scans it to reveal user-tracking technology.

Blacklight works by visiting each website with a headless browser, running custom software built by The Markup. This software monitors which scripts on that website are potentially surveilling the user by performing seven different tests, each investigating a specific, known method of surveillance.

Link

Twitter Tests Voice DMs After Debuting Voice Tweets

Andrew Orr ·

After rolling out voice tweets this summer, Twitter is now testing voice DMs. RIght now it’s being tested in Brazil.

Similar to voice tweets, voice messages have a bare-bones, simple interface: there’s just a play / pause button, and the sender’s avatar pulsates as the message plays. The product team designed an “in-line recording experience to make it easier to send these messages as part of the natural conversation flow,” so that’s one difference from the current audio tweets interface.

TMO Deals

Wirelessly Charge iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods with Ultra-Slim 15W Charging Dock: $59.99

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on the Moovy 3-in-1 Wireless Fast Charging Station. This charging dock can wirelessly charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods (with a wireless charging case). With over-current, over-voltage, and over-temperature protection, this 15W dock prevents over-charging damage to your battery devices, and it has a silicone bottom to keep it from sliding around. It’s $59.99 through our deal.

Link

Microsoft Still Interested in Bringing Xbox Game Pass to App Store

Andrew Orr ·

During an interview with CNBC, Microsoft Xbox lead Phil Spencer says the company remains committed to bringing Xbox Game Pass to the App Store.

With Apple changing the App Store policies, the Xbox Game Pass will be able to exist as a catalog app, which means that each game that will be available through the Game Pass will have to go through its indivudla [sic] review on the App Store. This is not really viable for a number of reasons, simply because Microsoft is talking about how it would still force a “bad experience” on the users.