Cybersecurity threats against Macs increased in 2019, with some of the world’s biggest threats targetting Apple devices Malwarebytes found.
Save $15 on a $100 iTunes Gift Card on Amazon
Amazon is offering two deals on iTunes gift cards in time for the holiday season, one for a US$100 gift card and a US$50 gift card.
Camera+ 2 Adds 12 Features for the Holidays
Camera+ 2 is a good camera for iOS, and LateNiteSoft added 12 new features just in time for the holidays. Here’s one feature that I like:
Sometimes the mood just isn’t quite right, and a bit of lighting makes all the difference. Enter, torch mode. But sometimes that little light on your device is just too bright. We want mood not glare right? Well we’ve got mood to spare now that we’ve given you a wheel to customize the brightness of your torch anywhere between 10 and 100%. So whether you’re roasting chestnuts by the fire or skating in the park, you’ll always have perfect lighting.
The Pop-Up Store That is The Set For Apple TV's 'Helpsters'
A pop-up shop appeared in New York City. It turns out it is the set of Apple TV+ kids show Helpsters, according to 9to5Mac.
Apple is continuing to expand the reach of its Apple TV+ content. In addition to various book partnerships, Apple is also opening a pop-up in New York to promote its “Helpsters” live-action puppet series. Update: This is actually the set and filming location for the show. This was spotted by Parker Ortolani on Twitter. The pop-up, located at 220 W 16 St, is free of Apple branding aside from a “Watch on Apple TV” badge on the window. The window displays showcase the characters from the show with the tagline “Four problems, big or small, we’re here to help solve them.”
A WhatsApp Bug Could Crash the App And Delete Group Chats
Security firm CheckPoint revealed a flaw in WhatsApp. It could repeatedly crash the messaging service and permanently delete group chats and associated media, ZDNET reported.
In order to launch the application-crashing attack, the attacker first of all needs to gain entry to the WhatsApp group they intend to target – although given that the chat app allows up to 256 users per group, this might not prove too difficult. An attacker would need to have some hacking skills in order to carry out the attack, with the ability to browse WhatsApp Web and open Chrome’s DevTools, as well as gaining access to the secret parameters used by the application as part of how group chats operate.
Pixelmator Pro Adds ‘ML Super Resolution’
In the latest update Pixelmator Pro adds a machine learning feature called ML Super Resolution as a way to enhance small, blurry images.
Mac Pro Gets High Score in iFixit Teardown
iFixit recently completed its teardown of the Mac Pro, giving it a repairability score of 9 out of 10.
The Mac is back and more Pro than ever, throwing away the cylindrical “trash can” design in favor of something that resembles a computer. Its appearance may harken to the original Mac Pro from 2006, but can it compare in the repairability department? We dropped six thousand dollars and one block of hard cheddar to find out. Let’s tear it down.
They listed two negative things: The SSD cards are modular and custom-made by Apple. This could make replacing them a bit complicated. And it could be expensive to replace a part that isn’t on Apple’s already-limited list of approved repairs.
Instagram Increases its Fight Against Fake News
Instagram has increased its attempts to counter fake news on the platform, taking its third-party fact-checking program global.
Deezer Expands Ability to Ban Songs You Don't Like
Music streaming service Deezer expanded its ‘Ban’ feature to allow users to better tailor the music they hear in ‘Flow’ mixes.
Smile TextExpander Evangelist Jeff Gamet - TMO Background Mode Interview
Jeff Gamet the former managing editor of The Mac Observer, a position he held for 13 years. He’s also a book author and noted podcaster. About a year ago, Jeff left TMO to become the Smile TextExpander Evangelist.
With a year at his new job under his belt, I asked Jeff about his accomplishments, challenges, and ongoing change in perspective being an evangelist for a major software company. We chatted about being deep on macOS, the TextExpander transition to macOS Catalina, the change being heavily involved in Apple developer relations and the change in work habits, especially being no longer immersed in every Apple product and service. We also chatted about his new 16-inch MacBook Pro at some length. Jeff was as he always is: charming and warm.
Apple in Talks to Buy Office Space in Pittsburgh
Apple is reportedly in talks to buy up to 90,000 square feet of space in the Pittsburgh Athletic Association building.
AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 Get Firmware Updates
AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 both received firmware updates today. The update for both products is the same: 2C54.
Apple News Partnership, A New Mac Model – TMO Daily Observations 2019-12-16
Charlotte Henry and John Martellaro join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple News partnering with ABC, and John’s proposal of a new Mac.
Time Picks 3 Apple Devices as Best Gadgets of 2010s
Time has picked three Apple devices in its list of the 10 Best Gadgets of the 2010s. The devices are the iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods.
Last Chance for the 2020 Limited Edition Mac Bundle w/Parallels, iMazing, TextExpander, More: $48
You have one last chance at the 2020 Limited Edition Mac Bundle. This bundle has 13 Mac apps, including Parallels, iMazing, and TextExpander. You’ll also find PDF Expert, Windscribe VPN Pro, RapidWeaver 8, Disk Drill Pro, Aurora HDR 2019, and more. The 2020 Limited Edition Mac Bundle is $59.99 through our deal, but coupon code MACSAVE20 brings it down to $48. And the deal officially ends December 16th at 11:59 PM PST.
New Keyboard ‘Typewise’ Claims 80% Fewer Typos
Typewise is a new keyboard that claims to reduce typos by 80% thanks to its hexagonal design. The developers invited me to test the app, and while there is a learning curve it does have a tutorial to follow. I haven’t given up the default keyboard though, but if you’re looking for an alternative I recommend you at least try Typewise out.
Typewise has been completely redesigned to provide an optimal typing experience on the smartphone. The layout was optimized for typing with two thumbs, because, according to the Cambridge study, 74% of users write this way and achieve the highest typing speed. Two space buttons placed in the middle of the keyboard allow these most frequently used keys to be reached as easily as possible.
Adobe Updates Photoshop for iPad With Select Subject
Adobe announced a couple of features in Photoshop for iPad today, including Select Subject, optimizing cloud documents, and more.
Apple to Face Shareholder Backlash Over Human Rights Policies
Apple shareholders are preparing to criticise the firm for removing a mapping app during the Hong Kong protests at next year’s AGM.
An Apple Arcade Yearly Subscription is Here
You can now sign up for an Apple Arcade yearly subscription. Previously it was only available as a US$4.99 monthly subscription.
Steve Jobs' Estate Wins Back Ownership of stevejobs.com Domain
Steve Jobs’ estate has won back ownership of the stevejobs.com domain, Cult of Mac reported. A man going by the name Steve Jobs Kim since 1999 previously owned it.
The Steve Jobs Archive, LLC made the case against Steve Jobs Kim. Steve Jobs’ widow Laurene Powell Jobs set up this organization after her husband’s death. It filed a complaint with Forum, a group formerly known as the National Arbitration Forum. This organization provides arbitration and mediation services to businesses. A three-person National Arbitration Forum panel looked into the case and decided that the owner of the site was trading off Steve Jobs’ name. The group concluded that the site gave the impression that it was authorized by the Steve Jobs or his successors. It offered consulting and technology news.
Disney+ Has Been Downloaded on 22 Million Devices
Disney+ is off to a very good start. According to a report by Apptopia, picked up by Marketwatch, it has been downloaded on 22 million devices.
The streaming service, which made its debut Nov. 12, has been downloaded 22 million times to mobile devices in what is probably the most successful launch in the nascent industry’s history, according to app-tracking firm Apptopia. The report says the app has averaged 9.5 million daily active mobile users, landing the top spot on Apple Inc.’s and Alphabet Inc.’s Google’s app stores. “I can’t imagine anyone topping this start,” Adam Blocker, who wrote the report, told MarketWatch. He says the combination of Disney+’s inexpensive price ($6.99 a month), the allure of a $12.99-per-month bundle with ESPN+ and Hulu, and the marketing muscle of Walt Disney Co. preordained its success.
FaceID Not Fooled By Masks, Unlike Other Facial Recognition Systems
Intelligence company Kneron tested out a number of facial recognition systems used in payments and banking. It found many could be fooled by photographs or masks. However, not Apple’s FaceID, reported Fortune.
Kneron conducted the experiments to learn about the technology’s limitations while developing its own facial recognition technology. The company, which is led backed by high-profile investors including Qualcomm and Sequoia Capital, is creating what it calls “Edge AI,” an artificial intelligence tool that does the job of recognizing individual entirely on devices rather than though cloud-based services. Kneron also noted that its experiments could not fool some facial recognition applications, notably Apple’s iPhone X. The company’s experiment comes at a time of intense debate over how broadly to deploy facial recognition.
Apple News to Partner With ABC News For 2020 Presidential Election Coverage
Apple News is going to partner with ABC News to provide election coverage from a Democratic debate in February until the 2021 inauguration.
Be Good and Don't Get Caught – Mac Geek Gab 793
macOS Catalina might finally be ready for prime-time with 10.15.2. Your two favorite geeks discuss. Then it’s on to your tips and questions. Listen as John and Dave talk through Keyboard Shortcuts, third-party display issues, full-page screenshots, watching TV in multiple locations, outbound VPN, Mail, Bluetooth, and more! We guarantee you’ll learn at least five new things before the band plays you out for the week.