Enter our new international giveaway for a chance to win the brand new iPhone 16 Pro.
Two-And-a-Half Million iPhones Shipped in China in March
As retail outlets in China reopened, Apple shipped 2.5 million iPhones in the country in March – a three-fold increase from the month before.
As of HomePod OS 13.4, Apple’s Speaker Now Runs tvOS
As of the latest 13.4 software update, the HomePod runs tvOS, Apple’s operating system for its TV set box.
Novelist Christopher Moore - TMO BGM Interview
Christopher Moore is the author of 17 novels, including Lamb, Coyote Blue, The Serpent of Venice, The Stupidest Angel, and NOIR. Chris published his first novel, Practical Demonkeeping in 1992, and his latest novel, Shakespeare For Squirrels, will be released on May 12th.
We chatted at length about how Chris came to be a very successful novelist. I asked about the influence of author Harlan Ellison as well as his favorite and best selling novels. We explored his writing technique as we delved into two of my own favorite novels, The Stupidest Angel and NOIR. ( He writes on his Mac and uses Scrivener to outline and MS Word to compose. ) If you love Chris’s work, you’ll be entranced by his charming anecdotes in this stellar interview.
Apple Responds to Senator Questions About COVID-19 App
Several Democratic senators had sent a letter to Tim Cook, questioning the privacy and security of Apple’s COVID-19 app. Today we have Apple’s response.
UK Government Memo Discussed De-Anonymizing Contact Tracing App Users
On today’s episode of Daily Observations, we explained what contact tracing is. Now that I understand the technology, I’m okay with it at this early stage. But of course there are still privacy implications, this being one of them. The UK is planning to build an app that works with contact tracing, but a leaked memo shows a discussion about de-anonymizing users.
However, the memo stated that “more controversially” the app could use device IDs, which are unique to all smartphones, “to enable de-anonymisation if ministers judge that to be proportionate at some stage”. It did not say why ministers might want to identify app users, or under what circumstances doing so would be proportionate.
Stunning iPhone 12 Pro Concept Video Looks at What Could be on The Way
There have been loads of iPhone 12 rumors. What features will we see? When will we see it? Well, I don’t have the answer to those questions, but Donel Bagrov and Anton Panton have created a stunning concept video for an iPhone 12 Pro. The clip looks at what we might expect in the next generation of pro-level Apple smartphones. The concept includes things like a pro retina XDR display, an under display camera, the A14 Bionic 5nm chip, and reverse charging.
Quibi Got 1.7 Million Downloads in First Week
Mobile-focused streaming service Quibi was downloaded 1.7 million times in its first week, according to CEO Meg Whitman.
Apple Registers Coronavirus Domain Name
Apple has registered the domain AppleCoronavirus.com, although it is not currently pointing at a website.
Apple and Google Team Up, Contact Tracing – TMO Daily Observations 2020-04-13
Andrew Orr and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple teaming up with Google on new technology for contact tracing, what exactly contact tracing entails, and what sorts of questions come up as a result.
SaniCharge Phone UV Sanitizer: $37.99
We have a deal on another smartphone UV sanitizer called SaniCharge. This device fits Apple iPhone 11 Pro, X, Xs, and 8 Plus, as well as Google Pixel 2 XL, or Samsung Galaxy S10 Note 9 if Android is your thing. It will sanitize your keys, earbuds, jewelry, and anything else that fits. This device is #37.99 through our deal.
The Best Documentaries and Dramas About Apple to Watch While Self-Isolating
We all have a bit more time on our hands to sit and watch films. AppleInsider has compiled a nice list of some of the best ones about Apple.
If there is a movie or feature-length documentary about Apple that is entirely, completely accurate, then still someone depicted will say it isn’t. There’s a lot of ego involved in the history of Apple, but then that’s part of why there is so much drama in it. Maybe you could make a drama out of any company’s history, but it has to be a very special corporation before anyone would watch it. Since movie makers are as aware of the interest in Apple as anyone else, though, there are a lot —a lot —of very poor documentary films attempting to catch your eye. We watched so you don’t have to: here are the movies about Apple that are more than worth your time.
iPhone 12 Could Have Flat, Stainless Steel Design
A report today suggests that the iPhone 12 could have a flat design similar to the iPhone 5 with stainless steel edges.
App Sale: EXIF Viewer by Fluntro is Currently Free
Normally US$2.99, EXIF Viewer by Fluntro is free right now. As the name suggests it lets you view the EXIF metadata of photos, which can include location, time stamp, device model, and more. You can delete the metadata using the app as well, which is useful if you don’t want websites like Facebook to read your location from the photo. Most importantly you can bulk edit metadata if you’re working with multiple photos.
BMW Could be First Firm to Use Expected 'CarKey' Technology
BMW could be one of the first firms to use Apple’s expected ‘CarKey’ iPhone feature, according to 9to5Mac. The site claims that new iOS 14 codes indicate the carmaker is working with Apple. There is little evidence offered on the specifics. BMW, the company has made clear its commitment to Digital Key development.
The new virtual key technology was first discovered in a beta version of iOS 13.4. New evidence in iOS 14 code obtained by 9to5Mac reveals that Apple is working with BMW to likely be the first carmaker to support the futuristic iPhone feature. 9to5Mac received this non-denial statement from BMW when asked about their involvement. “Please understand that at this point we cannot confirm your request nor give you further details. We would like to refer you to our press release.”
UK Working With Apple and Google on COVID-19 Contact-Tracing App
The UK’s National Health Service is reportedly working with Apple and Google to build a COVID-19 contact-tracing app.
Changing the Volume Level...and Icon – Mac Geek Gab 810
Did you know that with just your fingers on your iPhone screen you can slide to adjust the volume or pinch to delete messages? And with an option-click of your Mac’s mouse you can opt-in to distraction free bliss? You will after you listen to this episode, where John and Dave talk you through all of these things… and that’s just the first few minutes! There’s always more to come with Mac Geek Gab, because you’re guaranteed to learn at least five new things or your money back!
“Mexico is the China of the Americas”
Here’s another thing to put on your technology watch lists. Due to a combination of the economic consequences of the coronavirus and the trade war between the U.S. and China, many U.S. companies are moving their manufacturing out of China. Consulting firm Kearney publishes its Reshoring Index [PDF].
Kearney predicts companies “will be compelled to go much further in rethinking their sourcing strategies, (and) their entire supply chains.”
Amid other companies, Mexican manufacturing is one possible fork in Apple’s road, along with Vietnam. As Forbes states, the U.S. can’t compete with China on labor costs, and I bet few Western countries can. I don’t know what the cost is to manufacture in Mexico, but the country likely carries less risk than China.
The Wide-ranging Challenges Now Facing Apple
Along with with any other company in this pandemic, Apple is sizing up the multitude of challenges facing it. Customers will adapt.
Review: Neato Robotic’s Botvac D7 is the Robot Vacuum I’ve Always Wanted
Neato Robotics sent Andrew the D7 robot vacuum to try. He promptly named it ‘Archie’ and shares his thoughts in this review.
Video: How to Move a Web Page from Your Mac to Your iPad Using Handoff And Airdrop
Sometimes you’re reading an article on a website on your Mac and realize it would be so much nicer to go sit somewhere else and read it on your iPad. Well, there are two very easy ways to do that – Handoff and AirDrop. Charlotte guides you through how to use them.
Apple Launches ‘Today at Home’ Segments With Creative Pros
Apple’s new Today at Home website will showcase sessions with Apple retail employees as videos you can watch at home.
Location-Based Reminders, Main Menu on iPad – TMO Daily Observations 2020-04-10
Andrew Orr and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss setting up reminders by location instead of time, and a “Main Menu” idea for iPadOS.
The 2020 Mac Productivity Essentials Bundle: $19.99
Check out the 2020 Mac Productivity Essentials Bundle, a collection of productivity apps for the Mac. It includes a VPN, an app organizer, a PDF editor, a password manager, a movie editor, and four more Mac apps. It’s $29.99 through our deal, but coupon code SAVEMAC10 brings the checkout price down to $19.99.
Apple Partners With Google on Contact Tracing Technology to Track Coronavirus Spread
Apple announced today that it will partner with Google on contact tracing, a technology used to slow and contain the spread of diseases.