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.
Instagram Allowing All Users to Access DMs on The Web
All Instagram users can now access their DMs on the web, The Verge reported. The function had previously only been able to a few users.
Instagram has been testing web DMs with a small group of users since January, and the experience isn’t changing with the wider rollout. Since that test started, Instagram has made small updates to more closely mimic DMs on the app, like including the emoji keyboard and adding a gallery view to photos and videos. Web DMs are especially convenient for people who use Instagram all the time, like reporters, influencers, and social media managers. It’s the easiest way to communicate privately on the platform, especially if someone is trying to respond to possibly hundreds of messages a day. Even for non-power users, typing on a laptop keyboard is easier than typing on their phone screen, so they might be more incentivized to chat over Instagram DM if they can access their inbox through a browser
Some Apple TV+ Shows Are Now Available For Free
There are a host of Apple TV+ shows now available for free, 9to5Mac reported. There is some good content available in the offer, but it is noticeable that The Morning Show, the service’s flagship offering, has not been included.
Rather than give unlimited access to the full Apple TV+ collection, Apple has made a handful of series temporarily free. This means anyone can stream Little America, Servant, For All Mankind, Dickinson, Snoopy in Space, Helpsters, Ghostwriter and The Elephant Queen. Apple is also promoting the current Apple TV Channels offers alongside the Apple TV+ freebies. By making a select subset of the Apple TV+ catalog available for free, Apple is presumably hoping to shine a light on some of its less popular shows.
Martin Scorsese's Next Film Could be Coming to Apple TV+
With costs spiraling, Martin Scorsese’s latest film may require other partners, and talks have been held with Apple.
What is Quibi? How Much Does it Cost? Is it Worth it?
Another new streaming service – Quibi – is now live for users in the U.S., but what makes it different? And is it worth the money?
This Coral Game Helps You Train NASA Supercomputer ‘Pleiades’
NASA recently launched a game for iOS called NeMO-NET. In the game, players set forth with their ship Nautilus to scan the ocean floor. You identify and classify different types of corals, earn badges for completing missions, and watch educational videos about sea life. The data from the game is used to train NASA’s supercomputer called Pleiades, located at the Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. The goal is for Pleiades to recognize corals from various scientific instruments so that the agency can map corals across the world. App Store: Free
Apple is More Complex But Tim Cook is Doing Okay
Over at Wired UK, John Arlidge asks “Has Apple finally bitten off way more than it can chew?” It doesn’t seem as if that question is answered. It’s the typical roundup of everything Apple is doing today, across hardware, software, and services, and wondering if the company is doing okay under Tim Cook as opposed to Steve Jobs. I thought this quote was interesting however, claiming to come from an Apple veteran.
What Cook is trying to do is come up with a new set of iTunes-like services to mate with more varied hardware to create an ecosystem that is simple and compelling. Imagine secure communications, iCloud storage, TV, quality news, banking, health, insurance and more, all from the same, trusted supplier on iPhone, iPad, Mac, the Watch and, in future, AR glasses. That would be pretty revolutionary.
Indeed.
iRig Video Creator Tool Bundle with Mounting Clip, Mic, Remote Shutter, More: $89.99
Check out the iRig Video Creator Tool Bundle. It includes the iKlip Grip Pro, a desktop tripod, handgrip, full-sized tripod, and monopod; a ¼” UNC mount on the top to make it easy to mount accessories; the iRig Mic Lav lapel microphone that plugs directly into your smartphone or tablet, and a 6” LED ring light with adjustable color and brightness so you always look your best. In short, it’s everything you need to record videos or live stream. This bundle is $89.99 through our deal.
John's Ten iPhone Tips – TMO Daily Observations 2020-04-09
John Martellaro joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss John’s ten tips for iPhone users who want to get the most out of their devices.
DuckDuckGo Publishes List of Privacy Tools for Remote Work
Earlier this month I wrote an article covering five private Zoom alternatives. Today DuckDuckGo published a similar list, although it’s not focused on Zoom. I think it’s a good list.
As a remote-first Internet privacy company, we firmly believe that working outside of a traditional office setting should not compromise your privacy. To that end, we’ve rounded up some useful privacy-respecting tools and important settings that you can confidently utilize while working remotely.
Apple Partners With Stanford to Create Another COVID-19 App
Apple helped Stanford Medicine build an app to connect first responders to test sites for COVID-19 if they start to show symptoms.
32 ‘Fleeceware’ Apps Found on App Store
Researchers found 32 fleeceware apps on the App Store, a new term for apps that abuse legal loopholes in app trials.
Apple Could Expand Sleep Tracking Capabilities into Blankets And Mattress
Users already monitor their time in bed using Apple products, but the options available could be expanding. AppleInsider reported on a patent that involves the company creating a blanket and mattress with the ability to track sleep and health.
“Traditionally, monitoring a person’s sleep or vital signs has required expensive and bulky equipment,” begins “Vital Signs Monitoring System,” US Patent No 20200107785. It then points out that wearing such equipment makes the person uncomfortable, and so affects the very sleep patterns that it’s trying to monitor. This is specifically a criticism about the kind of sleep tracking that requires a stay in a medical facility, but it also makes points that could equally apply to an Apple Watch. Specifically, it says that currently any kind of worn device tends to be “configured to determine the vital signs based on one type of measurement or mode of operation.”