What Would Happen if Apple Was Forced to Allow Sideloaded Apps?

Some people want Apple to let users download sideloaded apps. These are apps that can be installed outside of the App Store, like the current situation on macOS. One counter argument is security:

“It’s not that iOS is full of holes,” he said, but that “the App Store is a natural second layer that [Apple] can filter through and decide if something would be harmful.” He agreed it wasn’t foolproof, but that it can help screen out “undesirable” apps.

My worry with sideloaded apps isn’t about the device security itself. It’s that Apple probably couldn’t control what goes on inside these apps, like SDKs that harvest our data, or developers only letting people use non-private logins like Facebook and Google. I want to use technologies like Sign In with Apple and Apple Pay, because I trust Apple with my data. To be fair, App Store apps already use trackers. As a side note, I’m linking to Apple News because of Engadget/Verizon’s new consent form when you visit the website.

Facebook, Twitter Increase Efforts to Fight U.S. Election Misinformation

Both Twitter and Facebook have announced new measures to fight misinformation, Reuters reported. The moves from the social media giant’s come in the run-up to the U.S. election.

Twitter’s move will involve coming up with new policies “that emphasize accurate information about all available options to vote, including by mail and early voting.” “We’re focused on empowering every eligible person to register and vote through partnerships, tools and new policies,” Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, Twitter’s vice president for public policy in the Americas, told Reuters in an email. Facebook, meanwhile, launched a Voting Information Center to help users with accurate and easy-to-find information about voting wherever they live.

AirFly Pro Bluetooth Transmitter Available Exclusively at Apple

TwelveSouth has released AirFly Pro. The device gives users a wireless connection to items such as an iPhone for 3.5mm audio jack. The AirFly Pro also acts as a wireless headphone splitter, allowing users share audio between two sets of headphones from one source. There is also a Receive Mode that means users can play music wirelessly through any car stereo. The item is exclusively available from Apple Store and costs $54.95.

How to Win an Argument With Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was not exactly known for his calm and understanding demeanor. Photographer Doug Menuez encountered this first hand when photographing the Apple co-founder. (A signed copy of the cover shot that day was recently auctioned for over $16,000.) However, he found a way to answer back and win the row. He told Cult of Mac how.

“He took one look at my setup and announced, ‘This is just stupid. We are not doing this,’” Menuez recalled. Jobs then got in Menuez’s face and yelled, “This is the stupidest fucking idea I’ve ever seen!” By this point, everyone else had vanished from the room… “I was absolutely terrified,” Menuez said. “Despite having been shot at, kidnapped, and threatened at knifepoint during my news career I felt as if I was ten years old.” But he kept repeating quietly that he thought it was a good idea and that, having short six covers for Fortune before, Jobs could trust him. Finally, Jobs spat out, “You just want to sell magazines.” Menuez looked at him and said, “And you just want to sell computers.” Jobs laughed and then said, “OK, great. Where do you want me?”

What if Your Phone Could Crawl Towards its Charger Like a Demon?

Robotics researchers from the Biorobotics Laboratory at Seoul National University created something that belongs in a horror movie. The CaseCrawler is a phone case that lets your phone crawl towards its charger as if it were demon-possessed.

The CaseCrawler prototype doesn’t appear to have any intelligence of its own or the ability to steer; it simply scampers forward in one direction.Thanks to its clever leg design, though, it’s not impeded by smaller obstacles in its path, which it can simply crawl over. Eventually, the smartphone it’s carrying could provide all the smarts and sensors it needs to intelligently find its way around and navigate an area like a desk without scampering off the edge.

“Scampering.” I’m picturing the famous scene from The Exorcist where the girl walks backwards down the stairs.

Virtual Reality Helps Japanese Tourists See The World During COVID-19 Pandemic

Much international travel is hugely restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s not stopping some keen Japanese travellers though, Reuters reports. They are seeing the world with the help of virtual reality.

Inoue, 56, and his wife “flew” as clients of Tokyo entertainment company First Airlines, which is tapping into a growing virtual reality travel market for Japanese holidaymakers grounded by coronavirus restrictions. “I often go overseas on business, but I haven’t been to Italy,” he told Reuters. “My impression was rather good because I got a sense of actually seeing things there.” Grounded travelers sit in first or business class seats in a mock airline cabin where they are served in-flight meals and drinks, with flat panel screens displaying aircraft exterior views including passing clouds. Virtual reality goggles provide immersive tours at destinations including – as well as Italy’s cities of culture – Paris, New York, Rome and Hawaii.

APP SALE: Sci-Fi Game ‘Implosion’ is Free, Down From $10

A sci-fi game called Implosion just went on sale for free, down from its usual price of US$9.99. Twenty years after the fall of Earth, the remnants of the Human race are once again faced with extinction. The time has come to justify our existence. A mysterious life form known as the XADA squares off against humanity’s last weapon – the War-Mech series III battle suit. Features: Stunning console-quality graphics, first-class voice acting and Hollywood-grade audio production. Full orchestral scores masterfully mixed by Grammy Award winner and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy engineer, John Kurlander.