Apple announced today an order for “Shining Girls” a metaphysical thriller based on the bestselling 2013 novel by Lauren Beukes.
Is TikTok Really a Security Threat? Here’s What Experts Found
TikTok has faced accusations of data collecting and spying for the Chinese government. Here’s what the experts say.
Campaigners Call on Apple to Exit Uyghur Region Amidst Forced Labor Fears
Apple is amongst the major firms urged to cut ties with China amidst allegations that Uyghur Muslims are used as forced labor by suppliers.
Jamf IPO, NYT Media Purchases – TMO Daily Observations 2020-07-23
Charlotte Henry joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss her interview with the CTO of Jamf, and the latest media moves by the New York Times.
Serial Podcast Maker Bought by The New York Times
Serial Productions, the maker of the hit podcast series, has been purchased by The New York Times Company.
AT&T 5G Network is Available Across the United States
The AT&T 5G network is now available nationwide, the company announced today. All unlimited wireless plans will come with 5G starting August 7.
The Reasons Why Apple Should Buy TikTok
TikTok has been the focus of much political attention recently due its base in China and allegations (which it denies,) of data sharing with the Chinese state. The video-sharing app has said it will move its HQ, but it could even be bought by a U.S. firm. Music Business Worldwide offered a number of reasons why that company could, and maybe should, be Apple.
TikTok’s global addictive appeal is no accident. The app’s advanced artificial intelligence capabilities and powerful recommendation algorithms are key factors behind the 68 billion hours spent by its users in the app last year. Case in point: respected investor and tech industry commentator Connie Chan recently wrote a piece in which she called TikTok “the first mainstream consumer app where artificial intelligence is the product”… In an increasingly competitive music streaming market, with Apple Music’s primary rival Spotify known for excelling in content recommendation, TikTok’s AI baked into the the Apple Music ecosystem could be Spotify’s kryptonite.
Plex Goes Back to The Future With Free Live TV Service
Plex is launching a new live TV streaming services with 80 channels available for free with more on the way.
Steve Wozniak Suing YouTube Over Bitcoin Scam
Steve Wozniak has accused YouTube of allowing a Bitcoin scam, similar to that carried out on Twitter, to take place.
Creating Beastie Boys Posters on iPad Pro
To celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the Beastie Boys releasing Hello Nasty, Apple released a new video in which artist Geoff McFetridge describes making five new posters related to the Apple TV+ series about the band. The eye-catching posters were made entirely on an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil. They give some insight into the cultural and musical impact of the rap trio.
DNA Company ‘GEDmatch’ Hacked in Data Breach
First, over a million DNA profiles from GEDmatch were leaked. Then, email addresses from the breach were used in a phishing attack against users of genealogy website MyHeritage.
As a result of this breach, all user permissions were reset, making all profiles visible to all users. This was the case for approximately 3 hours. During this time, users who did not opt in for law enforcement matching were available for law enforcement matching and, conversely, all law enforcement profiles were made visible to GEDmatch users.
If GEDmatch sounds familiar, it was the DNA database used to identify the Golden State Killer.
NBC Peacock Review
John has mixed feelings about this new TV streaming service in his NBC Peacock review.
Apple Security Research Device Program Launches Today
The Apple Security Research Device program launched today, and it aims to provide special iPhones to researchers with shell access.
Apple Hires Economists to Prove App Store is not Anticompetitive
Apple hired economists from the firm Analysis Group who said in a study that the company’s fees are similar to competitors.
Apple's Carbon Neutral Plans, OmniPlan 4 – TMO Daily Observations 2020-07-22
Andrew Orr joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s Carbon Neutrality schedule, and the latest releases from the Omni Group.
UK Government Heading Towards New Standoff With Apple Over COVID-19 Contact Tracing App
The UK Government wants QR code check-ins in its COVID-19 contact tracing app, something Apple has rejected in another country.
iPhone 'Periscope' Lens Supply Chain on Target for 2022 Launch
Apple’s so-called “periscope” lens for iPhone is on track for 2022, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. It is expected to bring onboard new suppliers to fulfill orders for both lens and voice coil motor parts, reported AppleInsider.
Two new suppliers are anticipated to enter Apple’s supply chain as the tech giant works to build out iPhone’s camera capabilities, Kuo said in a note to investors on Wednesday. Korean lens supplier Semco and Chinese lens supplier Sunny Optical are predicted to furnish parts in the second half of 2020 and in 2021, respectively. Apple is contracting with the new companies to further diversify lens component supply for iPhone, iPad and Mac, the note reads. Lower lens costs and new technology development are also cited as benefits. Semco, for example, is forecast to ship a periscope telephoto lens for iPhone in 2022, with the firm winning an estimated half of all orders. Largan+Alps/Minebea are also expected to provide parts for the new mechanism.
Apple Looks Back on 30 Years of Americans With Disabilities Act
Apple shared a post today in which it reflects on the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Companies Like Doordash Share Your Purchases With Facebook
Thomas Smith dug into his Facebook settings and downloaded a copy of his data. In a section introduced this year called Off Facebook Activity, he found that companies like Doordash send data about your purchases to Facebook.
If you’ve bought an item on myriad e-commerce websites, made a donation to a political campaign, used any of several hundred participating apps, or, in my case, bought a wildly expensive bubble tea, there’s a good chance Facebook knows about it. What are they doing with this knowledge? Again, it’s pretty clear. It’s there so it can “show you more relevant ads,” “help you discover new businesses and brands,” and the like.
He also sounds incredibly guilty for buying bubble tea through Doordash.
Winners of 2020 iPhone Photography Awards Announced
The winners of the 2020 iPhone Photography Awards (IPPA) have been announced, with the grand prize going to Dimpy Bhalotia from the UK.
TestFlight Beta for NextDNS iOS 14 is Here
NextDNS for iOS 14 is now available as a TestFlight beta. It uses the encrypted DNS feature introduced with iOS 14.
The first beta of NextDNS for iOS 14 is now available at:https://testflight.apple.com/join/AFDFPLP3
This version uses the new Encrypted DNS feature of iOS 14, removing the need for the fake-VPN trick used in iOS 13 and below.
The new iOS 14 feature means three things. First, DNS apps will no longer need to set up a fake VPN profile for you to use the service. Second, these DNS settings will work over cellular, whereas in the past it would only work over Wi-Fi unless you used said fake VPN profile. Third, this means that if you have a real VPN app, you can set it to use the OpenVPN protocol. Because of the fake VPN profile created by DNS apps, you had to use the IKEv2 VPN protocol if you wanted to use the VPN and DNS apps at the same time.
Apple Employee 'Close Your Rings' Fitness Challenge is Back
Apple’s ‘Close Your Rings’ employee fitness challenge returned this week. It sets staff the challenge of closing all three of their Apple Watch Activity rings every day of the month. Usually, it takes place in February, which is designated as Heart Month. However, it was postponed this year due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an Apple employee that spoke to MacRumors, Apple is reinstating the challenge this week, with the event expected to end on August 16. Employees who finish the challenge will be rewarded with a t-shirt that says “2020” in a logo with Apple Watch Activity-style rings. Employees who complete the challenge each day will earn a “gold” ranking and will receive a gold pin along with their t-shirt, and there are also silver and bronze rewards accompanied by silver and bronze pins.
Instagram Introduces New Way to Fundraise for Personal Causes
Instagram is rolling out a new way to fundraise. Parent company Facebook made the announcement in a blog posted, published on Tuesday. The tool will be made available to users in the U.S., UK, and Ireland over the coming months.
We’re making it easier to create fundraisers directly on Instagram that benefit such personal causes. To create a Personal Fundraiser tap Edit Profile, Add Fundraiser and then Raise Money. Choose a photo, select a fundraiser category and add details to help tell your story and encourage others to donate. Then you’ll enter your information for Stripe, our payment processor for donations. And when you’re finished, you’ll tap Send to submit your fundraiser for review. All fundraisers go through a review process to make sure they are for eligible causes. Once approved, you can start raising money. Each fundraiser lasts 30 days, but can be extended as many times as you want. You must be at least 18 years old to create a fundraiser.
Australian Government Blaming Apple for COVID-19 Contact Tracing App Flaws
A senior Australian lawmaker has once again blamed Apple and Google for flaws with the country’s COVID-19 contact tracing app.