We have a deal on a wearable Lightning cable. Yeah, I know, it sounds weird, but the WRAPS MFi Lightning cable is designed to be worn around your wrist as a bracelet. The company’s promo video below shows how it works. The WRAPS cable is $16.99 through our deal, but promo code BFSAVE15 brings it down to $14.44 at checkout.
Lots of Android Apps Contain Old Security Flaws
Underlying security flaws from code copied from code libraries are in thousands of apps, according to new research from cybersecurity firm CheckPoint. Wired reported that it is causing big problems on Android.
“There are a lot of vulnerabilities out there in applications,” says Yaniv Balmas, head of cyber research at Check Point. “Some of these vulnerabilities are not specifically in applications, but they are found in code libraries. Modern applications use dozens or hundreds of these libraries to operate.” Code libraries (often known as software libraries) allow developers without expertise in specific areas, such as Java Script, to use code that’s already been created. Researchers at Check Point say they have identified existing code libraries that contained vulnerabilities and then compared them to apps scraped from the Play Store. The company says it regularly checks Android apps for its security teams to look for current threats.
Some Apple Stores to Offer Extended AppleCare+ Plans
Some Apple Stores in the are testing a new program that lets customers buy extended AppleCare+ plans that go beyond the current deadline.
Tim Cook Thinks it is Unlikely iPhone Will Ever be Made in U.S.
Tim Cook has indicated that is unlikely that the iPhone will ever be completely built in the U.S. However, speaking to ABC News, he pointed out many components are already made there.
When asked why he still builds the iPhone in China, Cook said, “The way I think about it is, the iPhone is made everywhere.” “If you look at the glass of the iPhone, which everybody touches all day long, that glass is made in Kentucky. If you were to take apart the iPhone you would see many of the silicone components that are made in the United States as well,” he added. “The iPhone is the product of a global supply chain.”
All Major Carriers to Have 5G by 2020, Predicts Qualcomm President
All major carriers are going to have 5G networks by 2020, Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon told Yahoo Finance. Given we’re mere weeks away from the new year, that seems a bold prediction. I assume he meant the carriers will have the capability at some point in 2020, not right at the start.
Next-generation 5G wireless connectivity is coming — in fact, it’s available now in some small pockets in major U.S. cities right now. According to Qualcomm (QCOM) President Cristiano Amon, the successor to our current 4G LTE wireless networks will be up and running in all metropolitan areas by next year. “We are at the very beginning of a new technology transition, and like with every technology transition, networks have to be built, you have to have coverage,” Amon told Yahoo Finance’s On The Move on Wednesday. “However, what is great about this time is that we accelerated 5G by a year, and the device ecosystem is ready.” But it will take time before 5G reaches the ubiquity of today’s 4G LTE connections.
AFI Fest Cancels Apple Film ‘The Banker’ Over Unknown Controversy
Apple’s film The Banker was set to premiere at AFI Fest tonight, but it has been canceled over concerns surrounding the film.
This Trick Might Save Your AirPods’ Battery Life
Redditor u/smakusdod proposes a trick that could help with your AirPods’ battery life. It involves resetting the AirPods case and draining the batteries of both the AirPods and the case to re-calibrate the battery life measurement system.
I completely reset the AirPods case (holding down the white button on the back for 10+ seconds), and re-paired them with my iPhone. I then completely drained both AirPods down to zero, and the case itself down to zero through normal usage. Then, I put the dead AirPods into the dead case, and charged them both up to 100%.
At some point over the weekend I’ll try this to see what happens. My AirPods haven’t significantly lost battery life, but I have noticed one Pod has a slightly lower maximum charge than the other one.
After iOS 13 Disaster Apple Plans to Change its Testing for iOS 14
Software chief Craig Federighi plans to change the company’s development process for iOS 14 due to the disaster that is iOS 13.
VSCO Redesigned its Feed to ‘Slow Your Scroll’
Photo app VSCO has redesigned its feed so that images are bigger. You’ll see single images at a time, instead of the old style where each image was smaller and alternated.
We believe this redesign will help you explore your VSCO feed in a new way, allowing the subtleties of each image to be front and center as you scroll. At VSCO, creative expression often starts with inspiration and sometimes that requires taking the time to appreciate the details as much as the complete work itself.
I think it’s an improvement and I’m glad to see it.
Vodafone Offering Free AirPods if You Buy an iPhone And Unlimited Plan
Customers buying an iPhone on a Vodafone Unlimited plan will get a pair of AirPods, but the offer is only available for a limited time.
New ‘Everyone Can Code’ Program Supports Younger Students
Apple has redesigned its ‘Everyone Can Code’ curriculum to add more support for elementary and middle school students.
Mozilla Unveils 2019 Privacy Not Included Gift Guide
Mozilla announced its third annual 2019 *Privacy Not Included gift guide to highlight gadgets and toys that are secure, and ones that aren’t secure.
This year we found that many of the big tech companies like Apple and Google are doing pretty well at securing their products, and you’ll see that most products in the guide meet our Minimum Security Standards. But don’t let that fool you. Even though devices are secure, we found they are collecting more and more personal information on users, who often don’t have a whole lot of control over that data.
Apple's New Austin Facility, 100cameras and iPhone – TMO Daily Observations 2019-11-20
Andrew Orr and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s Austin expansion and 100cameras using iPhones to teach photography.
Review: Photoshop for iPad Isn’t Great and Hopefully Improves
Andrew has spent the past couple of weeks testing and using Adobe’s Photoshop for iPad. He was happy that it uses Sign In with Apple.
Disney+ Could Rocket to 60 Million Subscribers Sooner Than Expected
Disney+ gained 10 million subscribers on its first day and the service’s growth shows no sign of slowing down. Variety reported that it could hit its target of 60 million subscribers by 2022, two years earlier than its aiming for.
Expectations were already enormous ahead of the launch. Disney Plus was largely expected to accrue about 8 million users across the seven remaining weeks in calendar 2019 — but not 10 million in one day. Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives believes that at its current pace, Disney could hit its 2024 goal of 60 million to 90 million global streaming subscribers potentially two years earlier than targeted. That would mark admirably aggressive growth. For context, streaming market leader Netflix boasts more than 60 million subscribers in the U.S. and 158 million worldwide, a base built over the last 12 years or so. Ives’ estimates suggest Disney could get within spitting distance of a nine-figure subscriber base in just three years.
Build Better Web Apps and Software with This Full-Featured API Tool for Mac: $21.24
We have a deal on Paw, a full-featured HTTP client that lets you test and describe the APIs you build or consume. It features a native macOS interface to compose requests, inspect server responses, generate client code and export API definitions. Paw is $24.99 through our deal, but coupon code BFSAVE15 brigs it down to $21.24 at checkout.
Some Google Stadia is Having Problems
Google Stadia opened up preorders for its subscription gaming service on June 6th. However, The Verge reported that some so-called ‘Founders’ who pre-ordered the service are having issues getting in.
Though Stadia is now live, many buyers are reporting they haven’t received the most crucial piece of the entire Stadia package: the invite email that opens the door to actually let them in. Many on Stadia’s official Discord server are performing what they’re calling a “code check” to let others know whether their codes have been sent, and whether their devices have actually been shipped. Others are reporting the usernames they wanted are already taken.
Spotify Free Tier Coming to Alexa, Sonos, And Bose Devices
Spotify’s free tier is coming to Alexa powered devices. It will also work on Sonos and Bose devices, Techcrunch reported. Previously only those with a premium subscription could access their music on such speakers.
In the case of Alexa devices, like Amazon Echo speakers or the Fire TV, users will be able to ask Alexa to play Spotify’s playlist, like “Today’s Top Hits,” or their personalized playlist, “Discover Weekly,” among others. The service can also be set as the default, so you can use commands like “Play my Discover Weekly,” “Like this song,” or “Pause,” and more, without having to say “on Spotify.” Meanwhile, on Sonos and Bose speakers, users can set up Spotify Connect from the Spotify app. This works with Bose smart speakers and soundbars, as well as all Sonos smart speakers, including the new indoor/outdoor speaker Sonos Move and the Symfonisk IKEA WiFi Speaker, integrated with the Sonos Home Sound System.
Humans Place in Suspended Animation for First Time
Humans have been placed in suspended animation for the first time, in a technique called emergency preservation and resuscitation (EPR).
EPR involves rapidly cooling a person to around 10 to 15°C by replacing all of their blood with ice-cold saline. The patient’s brain activity almost completely stops. They are then disconnected from the cooling system and their body – which would otherwise be classified as dead – is moved to the operating theatre.
A surgical team then has 2 hours to fix the person’s injuries before they are warmed up and their heart restarted. Tisherman says he hopes to be able to announce the full results of the trial by the end of 2020.
Years ago I remember reading in Popular Science of experiments like this involving dogs. It’s amazing that it’s moving to the human stage.
Construction Begins of Austin, Texas Apple Campus
Construction has officially started on the Austin, Texas Apple campus which is expected to open in 2022 to manufacture Mac Pros.
Apple TV+ Series 'Servant' Premieres in New York
Apple hosted a premiere for the upcoming Apple TV+ show ‘Servant’ at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York.
iPhone 11 Helps Teach Chicago Students About Photography and Storytelling
Apple partnered with 100cameras, a Chicago-based non-profit, over the fall on a providing iPhone 11s for a photography program.
Apple Music for Business Could Come to a Store Near You
Apple not only wants to provide music for consumers but also businesses in the form of muzak. It has 25 clients so far.
‘Settlers of Catan’ Could be Niantic’s Next AR Game
Niantic has had two popular AR games on its hands in the form of Pokémon Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. What possibly be next? Maybe Settlers of Catan.
Late last month, the company behind Catan said during a board games conference in Germany that it was working on a “upcoming massively multiplayer location based game” (albeit with no mention of Niantic). Called Catan: World Explorers, they noted that it “transforms the entire Earth into one giant game of CATAN”.