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Epic Games Requiring Two-Factor Authentication to Claim Freebies

Charlotte Henry ·

Epic Games is requiring that users have two-factor authentication activated in order to claim free downloads, until May 21. The Fortnite developer said in a blog post that this was to help protect account security and is presumably because more people are downloading more free games at the moment.

If you do not have two-factor authentication enabled on your account, you will see the following message when attempting to claim a free game: “Two Factor Authentication Required Claiming this free game requires you to have Two-Factor Authentication setup on your account. Two-Factor Authentication provides an additional level of security to your Epic Games account and will help prevent unauthorized access.” In order to enable two-factor authentication, please head over to your Epic Games Account settings. Two-factor authentication can be used to help protect your account from unauthorized access by requiring you to enter a security code when you sign in.

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Cellebrite Pitches its iPhone Hacking Tools as COVID-19 Surveillance Solution

Andrew Orr ·

Cellebrite, a company known for its iPhone hacking tools, is pitching its products to governments as a surveillance alternative to contact tracing.

When someone tests positive, authorities can siphon up the patient’s location data and contacts, making it easy to “quarantine the right people,” according to a Cellebrite email pitch to the Delhi police force this month.

This would usually be done with consent, the email said. But in legally justified cases, such as when a patient violates a law against public gatherings, police could use the tools to break into a confiscated device, Cellebrite advised.

I get the feeling that there are many who are unhappy that Apple and Google’s solution is private and opt-in. Companies like Cellebrite and Palantir can’t pass up such an opportunity.

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Siri Gets German Voice Improvement That Was Promised Years Ago

Charlotte Henry ·

Siri has had a voice upgrade in Germany. AppleInsider reported that this is particularly noticeably to HomePod users in the country and is courtesy of an update that was meant to arrive in… 2017.

Now German-language users are reporting that the Siri voice they hear every day has been noticeably improved to sound more human and natural than before. According to German site iphone-ticker.de, Siri has finally received an update that was actually promised back in 2017…. Readers of iphone-ticker.de say that the new Siri voice is more melodic, as well as natural, and that this is particularly noticeable on HomePods. However, there have been certain problems. Some readers are saying that since the update, “Siri always sounds like helium.” Apple has yet to comment.

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The Inside Story of How Apple and Google Worked on Contact Tracing

Andrew Orr ·

CNBC has a report today on how a small team at Apple started developing ideas on how to help with the pandemic. It was codenamed Project Bubble.

In mid-March, with Covid-19 spreading to almost every country in the world, a small team at Apple started brainstorming how they could help […] Within a few weeks, the Apple project — code-named “Bubble” — had dozens of employees working on it with executive-level support from two sponsors: Craig Federighi, a senior vice president of software engineering, and Jeff Williams, the company’s chief operating officer and de-facto head of healthcare.

It’s a fascinating read.

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New iPhone SE Gets The Teardown Treatment

Charlotte Henry ·

It has arrived. Having outlined which iPhone 8 parts go in the 2020 iPhone SE, iFixit has published its teardown of the new device.

The two most commonly replaced components, display and battery, remain straightforward to access with the proper knowledge and tools. Most components are modular and independently replaceable, including many that are cross-compatible with iPhone 8. IP67 seals complicate repair, but make the need for difficult liquid damage repairs less likely. While the overall construction is pretty repair-friendly, you’ll still need up to four different driver types for many repairs. The fragile glass back is impractical to replace.

Cool Stuff Found

Apple Support 4.0 Update Adds Dark Mode, New User Interface

Andrew Orr ·

The Apple Support app was updated today with Dark Mode and a new, streamlined user interface. It‘s easier to find topics like Device Performance and Repairs & Physical Navigation, as well as support for services like Apple TV+. Release notes: All new customized user interface, including ‌Dark Mode‌ support; Get smarter solutions for even more topics using guided, step-by-step troubleshooting; It’s now easier to find support for all of your Apple services and subscriptions; New and improved chat and call experiences. App Store: Apple Support – Free

Cool Stuff Found

Todoist Introduces 'Upcoming View' to Give Users Clear Picture of Their Schedule

Charlotte Henry ·

Todoist, the popular checklist and planning app, has made those tasks a little bit easier. On Tuesday, it rolled out a new ‘Upcoming View’ that gives users a clearer picture of what’s to come. The company explained all in a blog post and showed off the new feature in a video. The app is available through the App Store, with a premium subscription costing $3.99 a month or $35.99 for a year.

TMO Deals

U-STREAM Home Streaming Studio with 10" Ring Light and Tripod: $49.99

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on Aduro’s U-STREAM Home Streaming Studio, a bundle of products designed to help you make the perfect in-home video. It includes a tripod with a 10-inch ring light with 3 distinct lighting options and a remote. The tripod is adjustable, and stands from 18-inches to 52-inches. And the included smartphone holder has a non-slip rubber grip to hold your phone securely in place. This kit is $49.99 through our deal.

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Examining the iPhone SE Single Lens Camera

Andrew Orr ·

The team behind camera app Halide have taken a look at how well the iPhone SE can take Portrait Mode photos with a single lens camera.

The new iPhone SE can’t use focus pixels, because its older sensor doesn’t have enough coverage. Instead, it generates depth entirely through machine learning. It’s easy to test this yourself: take a picture of another picture.

A good write up, and interesting that it can do this purely with software, while the iPhone XR still had some hardware basis for these types of photos.