Flash Deal: Get $10 off a $50 iTunes Gift Card on Amazon

Amazon is offering a US$50 iTunes gift card for US$40. But you have to buy one in the next 90 minutes because it’s a Lightning Deal.

One card, millions of ways to enjoy it. Use the App Store & iTunes Gift Card to get apps, games, music, movies and TV shows. Available in a variety of denominations – spend it on in-app content, books, TV show subscriptions or even iCloud storage to secure files from all your Apple devices.

EU Antitrust Regulators Investigating Google

The EU Commission is investigating how Google collects data. Reuters confirmed a story on Monday it originally ran on Friday, demonstrating the 27-nation bloc’s increasing focus on so-called Big Tech.

The EU executive said it was seeking information on how and why Alphabet unit Google is collecting data, confirming a Reuters story on Friday. “The Commission has sent out questionnaires as part of a preliminary investigation into Google’s practices relating to Google’s collection and use of data. The preliminary investigation is ongoing,” the EU regulator told Reuters in an email. A document seen by Reuters shows the EU’s focus is on data related to local search services, online advertising, online ad targeting services, login services, web browsers and others.

Ming-Chi Kuo's Latest iPad Pro and MacBook Pro Predictions

High-profile analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in his latest note that Apple will release a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and upgraded 16-inch MacBook Pro towards the end of next year. MacRumors rounded up his latest predictions.

Apple is planning four to six products with mini-LED displays over the next two to three years, including a high-end 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an A14X chip in the third quarter of 2020 and a refreshed 16-inch MacBook Pro in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a research note with TF International Securities today, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said the mini-LED displays will “significantly improve productivity and the entertainment experience” without elaborating.

‘Chain of Trust’ on Apple Devices Explained

In computer security, a ‘chain of trust’ is when each component of hardware and software validates each other to make sure they haven’t been compromised. Kirk McElhearn explains the chain of trust on Apple devices.

It all begins with your Apple ID. When you create a new Apple ID on Apple’s website, or on a device you own, you provide your name, birthday, and email address, set up a password, then answer three security questions. You verify your email address, and your Apple ID now allows you to use Apple’s services.

Space Black Hermes Apple Watch Series 5 No Longer Available

The Space Black Hermes Apple Watch Series is not available to order, according to AppleInsider.  It can still be selected from the Apple Website, but there is no delivery date.

Spotted over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, would-be shoppers visiting Apple’s Apple Watch purchase page are unable to pick up the black Hermes model. Prospective purchasers are able to still choose the Space Black color option while using the Apple Watch Studio tool —but the option to add it to cart for delivery or in-store pickup is not available. Anyone hoping to pick up the Space Black Hermes Apple Watch Series 5 shouldn’t concede defeat just yet though. Given that the model is still selectable in the configure tool, and still featured on the Apple product page, it appears only out of stock. But, the lack of an expected delivery date is unusual, especially during the holiday buying season

Happy Thanksgiving, from TMO!

It’s Thanksgiving in the U.S., so that means The Mac Observer is taking Thursday and Friday off to celebrate the holiday. (Though we will also sneak some Black Friday deals in throughout the long holiday weekend.) We’ll be back with our regular news, analysis, tips and podcasts on Monday, December 2nd. We hope everyone has a great weekend, wherever you are in the world!

Russian Dairy Cows Wear VR Headsets to Reduce Anxiety

The RusMoloko farm is experimenting with giving cows VR headsets. They claim it can reduce anxiety and thereby increase milk production.

“Examples of dairy farms from different countries show that in a calm atmosphere, the quantity, and sometimes the quality, of milk increases markedly,” it read.

Researchers will examine the effects of the programme in a long-term study. The developers reportedly hope to expand the project if positive results continue.

This Tool Shows Which Sites Disguise Third-Party Trackers

Tracking companies have started disguising their third-party trackers as first-party trackers to bypass privacy tools, called CNAME tracking. This tool called TrackingTheTrackers can find them.

This method is called CNAME Cloaking and the disguise is not obvious if one does not know where to look. That’s why we made a free analysis tool that anyone can run on any website. We also wrote an in-depth article about this, you can read it here.

Sounds like a helpful tool. I’ll be keeping an eye on this one. Even Apple does it (But The Mac Observer doesn’t).

New Apple Store Opening in Toronto

Apple customers in Toronto can look forward to a new Apple Store. Macrumors shared details about the new downtown location.

The new store will take over a space recently vacated by apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch. Apple’s new store will be more than twice as large as the current 4,977-square-foot store, according to an Eaton Centre floor plan. The extra space is much needed, as not only is the Eaton Centre the busiest shopping mall in North America, but it is home to Apple’s only store in Toronto’s downtown core. Apple has three other stores in Toronto at Yorkdale, Sherway Gardens, and Fairview, all within shopping malls.

Samsung and LG to Supply iPhone 12 OLED Displays

The iPhone 12 is set to have OLED displays supplied by Samsung and LG. That is according to industry sources that spoke to South Korean outlet Etnews.

According to the industry, 5.4-inch, 6.1-inch, and 6.7-inch new iPhone models that will be released in the fall of 2020 are expected to be applied with three different sizes of OLED panels. Although there are three types of displays, it is likely that the number of entire iPhone models will be more than four as Apple is also planning to release a model that will support 5G network. It is understood that Samsung Display will be the sole supplier of 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch OLED panels. Specifically, it will supply on-cell touch flexible OLED panels… 6.1-inch OLED panels will be supplied by both Samsung Display and LG Display as 6.1-inch OLED panel will not be an on-cell touch OLED panel but based on film touch method.

Readdle Celebrates Black Friday 2019 With Deals up to 50% Off

Readdle creates apps like PDF Expert and Documents, and it’s celebrating Black Friday 2019 with deals until December 2.

PDF Expert for Mac at 40% off

Black Friday Bundle at 50% off: Apps include Scanner Pro, Calendars 5, PDF Converter, and Printer Pro

Premium Features in Calendars at 40% off

PDF editing in Documents at 50% off

I no longer use Readdle apps but these are great deals for great apps.