Get into the holiday spirit with our iPhone 16 Pro Max giveaway! Don’t miss your chance to win a brand-new iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Apple Music Awards Crowns Billie Eilish as Global Artist of the Year
In the first ever Apple Music Awards Billie Eilish was named Global Artist of the Year and she will have a concert at the Steve Jobs Theater.
Apple Express Transit Arrives in London
Apple made Express Transit Mode available to UK Apple Pay users traveling on Transport for London services, such as the tube and buses.
This VPN App Sent User Data to China
According to a report of VPN apps for 2019, downloads of these apps has increased 54%. But people need to be careful which VPN app they use. The most popular app called VPN – Super Unlimited sent user data to China. But it’s privacy policy made no secret of this.
We regularly collect and use information that could identify an individual, in particular about your purchase or use of our products, services, mobile and software applications and websites… We use various technologies to determine [your] location, including IP addresses, GPS, and other sensors.
The VPN apps I wrote about are all safe (or at least I personally believe them to be safe).
Apple Announces Best Apps and Games of 2019
Apple unveiled the best Apps and Games of 2019, including an Ai-powered camera tool, a sketching app for the iPad, and a wide range of games.
Mr. MacSpeedy – Mac Geek Gab 791
Sometimes speed is what it’s all about. Many of this week’s topics focus around making sure your Mac is running as fast as possible. That’s not all, though. Learn how to test your network from your iPhone, manage Mail plugins effectively, and recapture all those songs you added to Apple Music before they were removed. Of course, any tangents are bonus gifts from John and Dave. Press play and enjoy learning five new things!
Apple and Others Sign Letter to Support Paris Agreement
Apple, Google, Microsoft, Adobe, and more tech companies have signed a United For The Paris Agreement letter that calls on the U.S. to stay in the international climate change pact.
They argued that the international pact would “strengthen [US] competitiveness” by helping it lead the way in technologies that will usher in an eco-friendly future. It also sets “clear goals” that help with planning and spur innovation, the companies said.
The letter isn’t a binding commitment, and it’s unlikely to persuade a White House that has both ignored and tried to censor climate science. Nonetheless, it makes clear where numerous companies stand…
In the meantime we can educate people to accept scientific facts and not treat climate change as a hoax or political issue.
Facebook Begins Rollout of New Photo Transfer Tool
Facebook announced that it is rolling a new tool that allows users to transfer their photos from the social network to other services.
The 2020 Limited Edition Mac Bundle with Parallels, iMazing, TextExpander, More: $36
We have a great bundle of Mac apps for you called the 2020 Limited Edition Mac Bundle, and we have a time-limited coupon code, too. 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. This bundle is $59.99 through our deal, but coupon code CMSAVE40 brings it down to $36. But note that this coupon code expires at 12/3 11:59 PM EST, so if you want it, grab it.
With A Rusty Spork – TMO Daily Observations 2019-12-02
Andrew Orr and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss the latest “predictions” about Apple products, and tracking holiday packages.
How to Track Christmas Packages With USPS in 2019
Christmas is just around the corner, and you might be wondering how to track Christmas packages that arrive via USPS. Here’s how.
Here's How to Track UPS Packages in 2019
We’ve covered all of the other popular package services, now we’ll show you where you can track UPS packages.
Use FedEx Package Tracking For Christmas Gifts in 2019
Use FedEx package tracking for your Christmas gifts. It’s easy to use and a convenient tool. You can also sign up for FedEx Delivery Manager.
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.
Geeky Cyber Monday Savings: Sonos, Default Folder, MailSuite, and More
We geeks love both our gadgets and our apps that help us use them. And for this particular geek, well, I have some favorites. Lucky for us all, some of those favorites are offering sales for Cyber Monday 2019, and I wanted to make sure you were aware.
Tim Cook Marks World Aids Day and Rosa Parks
Apple CEO Tim Cook marked 13 years of Apple’s partnership with (PRODUCT)RED and 64 years since Rosa Parks’ bus boycott over the weekend.
‘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
Early Cyber Monday Deal Roundup: Drone, Lightning Cable, Gimbal, Disk Drill Pro
In the spirit of the weeklong Black Friday weekend, we have a roundup from our deal site, including a Lightning cable, a drone, a gimbal, and Disk Drill Pro.
TMO's Black Friday Deals: Charging Dock, Security Camera, VPN, 12min, Language Learning, More
We have a raft of Black Friday deals for you on the TMO deals site. Each of the deals below has a coupon offer saving you an addition 15%-%40%, and are available for order now.
Apple's Black Friday Deals Are Live: Gift Cards Back for $25, $50, $100, $200
Apple launched its Black Friday deals just after midnight on Friday, with gift cards back on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and Mac. We have the details in the full story.
Save 20% on Sonos Home Theater for Black Friday
Sonos‘s speakers have been long-time favorite for us here at TMO and Mac Geek Gab, both for listening to music and enjoying the sound from our home theaters. This weekend Sonos is running a rare sale on their popular Home Theater products.
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!