The BBC has created a “digital wellbeing” keyboard for kids called Own It. It uses machine learning to analyze what a child types.
Apple Starts Using Recycled Rare Earth in Taptic Engine
Apple said today it will use recycled rare earth materials in the Taptic Engine of the new iPhone 11 models.
How To Enter Responsive Design Mode in Safari and See Your Website on Multiple Devices
There is a really easy shortcut for entering responsive design mode in Safari and testi how your website likes on different devices.
Apple Claims EU Does Not Understand Its Business
Apple accused the European Commission of failing to understand its business during its appeal against a tax ruling by EU’s executive body.
Podcast App Pocket Casts Moves to a Subscription
Popular podcast app Pocket Casts is now free with an optional US$0.99/month or US$10/year subscription. The previous price was a one-time fee of US$3.99. Pocket Casts CEO Owen Grover told TechCrunch: “We understood pretty clearly that we were limiting our reach and limiting the number of users that could enjoy the quality and power of the app and the platform. It felt penny wise and pound foolish to continue to collect a few dollars at the top … We have the benefit of these owners who are supporting us in a way that allows us to grow our audience, habituate new listeners and deliver a pretty terrific user experience.” App Store: Pocket Casts – Free
Fortnite Adds Party Hub and Split View on iPad
Fortnite added a Party Hub and split view support for iPad in a recent update. The Party Hub tells you which friends are online for voice chat, according to Cult of Mac. Split View support means you can have another app running along side the game on compatible iPads.
The Party Hub is the first thing you’ll see when you load up Fortnite on an Android or iOS device (after installing the latest update). And it shows you instantly which of your friends is online. You can then voice chat with any of those friends — even if they’re in a game and you’re not. You can also start a party to voice chat with multiple friends before jumping into a match together. Party Hub works across platforms, so you can chat to friends who play on console and PC. And you can quickly transfer your party from your smartphone or tablet to another device.
Life is Tough. So is The iPhone 11 Pro.
In a new ad, which I spotted on UK TV earlier today, Apple shows off how resilient the iPhone 11 Pro is. It shows the device being subjected to all sorts of things, including a wedding cake, and surviving. Naturally, it’s all done in typical Apple style.
iPhone 11 Pro Has 25% Larger Battery Than 2018 Models
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 25% larger battery than last year’s models according to filings submitted to the Chinese regulator.
Amazon Has a Mole in the California State Assembly
Perhaps using the word “mole” is hyperbole. But it’s deeply concerning that California Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin is actively trying to kill California’s privacy act that would impede companies like Amazon Ring, when her husband is the COO for Ring.
Like other companies that collect vast amounts of consumer data, Ring — and its parent company, Amazon — has a financial stake in the details of California’s groundbreaking data-privacy law. Industry groups, including those representing Amazon, have been scrambling to change the law before it takes effect Jan. 1.
“We can talk about this later,”Jacqui Irwin said, side-stepping questions about a potential conflict outside her office last week. “It’s a little bit offensive there.”
Steam Gets Long-Awaited Library Overhaul
Steam’s library view got an upgrade in the latest public Beta. Eurogramer looked at what’s new.
Once you’ve opted in to the beta (which merely requires selecting the appropriate drop-down option from Steam’s settings menu), the first thing you’ll likely notice is your new library’s aesthetic overhaul. That immediately comes into play on the new library landing page, which offers a snapshot of recently played titles, as well as recent activity for select games in your collection – seemingly pulled from developer-created news posts. There’s also an overview of recent friend activity, and the ability to display games organised into user-created collections. Steam’s library update (which, incidentally, isn’t reflected across its Big Picture mode at present) also brings with it new-look pages for individual games. Select a title in your library at random, and you’ll be presented with a broad selection of information pertaining to that game, now organised in a manner which doesn’t appear to have tumbled out of the 90s.
Why The iPhone 11 Pro Has 3 Cameras
Just what are the two cameras on the iPhone 11 doing? What’s different about the three cameras on the iPhone 11 Pro? TechCrunch explains.
On the back of the iPhone 11 Pro can be found three cameras. Why? Because the more light you collect, the better your picture can be. And we pretty much reached the limit of what one camera can do a little while back. Two, three, even a dozen cameras can be put to work creating a single photo — the only limitation is the code that makes them work.
Your X-Ray Images and Medical Data Are Available on the Internet
A ProPublica investigation revealed that medical images and health data are often stored in insecure servers that are easily accessible to anyone with a bit of computer knowledge.
We identified 187 servers — computers that are used to store and retrieve medical data — in the U.S. that were unprotected by passwords or basic security precautions. The computer systems, from Florida to California, are used in doctors’ offices, medical-imaging centers and mobile X-ray services.
All told, medical data from more than 16 million scans worldwide was available online, including names, birthdates and, in some cases, Social Security numbers.
EU Tax Bill 'Defies Reality and Common Sense,' Says Apple
Apple hit back at the $14 billion tax people being imposed on it by the EU, saying it defies reality and common sense.”
The United States Sues Edward Snowden Over Book
Edward Snowden recently published a book called Permanent Record. The United States filed a civil lawsuit against him and his publisher, saying that he violated nondisclosure agreements because he didn’t submit the book to the CIA and NSA for pre-publication review.
The United States’ lawsuit does not seek to stop or restrict the publication or distribution of Permanent Record. Rather, under well-established Supreme Court precedent, Snepp v. United States, the government seeks to recover all proceeds earned by Snowden because of his failure to submit his publication for pre-publication review in violation of his alleged contractual and fiduciary obligations.
Apple Awards iPhone Supplier Corning Additional $250 Million from Advanced Manufacturing Fund
Apple awarded $250 million from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund to Corning, provider of precision glass for iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad.
Apple TV+ Subscribers vs Users, Calculus of Success – TMO Daily Observations 2019-09-17
John Martellaro and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s eventual reporting of TV+ users, and what success looks like.
Blue Adds Professional Voice Effects with Yeti X Pro USB Mic
Blue launched a new version of the Yeti microphone, the Yeti X, shown below. The device is being targeted at gaming, streaming and podcasting, but the signature new feature is VO!CE Software, which gives creators and streamers professional voice effects and presets at the touch of a button. Internally, it features a four-capsule condenser microphone array, and it offers high-res LED metering. The presets and effects mentioned above are controlled through a a multi-function smart knob. It ships in October for $169.99.
Mophie Launches New 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad
Mophie is launching a new 3-in-1 wireless charging pad for your AirPods, Apple Watch, and compatible iPhones in new black Ultrasuede.
Organize Your Apple Accessories with BentoStack: $42.95
One of our most popular deals is back: the BentoStack, an organizer for your Apple accessories. Borrowing its design from a Japanese bento box, BentoStack fits everything just so. It includes four adjustable compartment dividers and two 2 silicone straps, and it’s $42.95 through our deal, and there’s a silver version, too.
Amazon Music HD Adds Tracks for Audiophiles
Amazon Music HD is a new service that provides high quality streaming for audiophiles. New subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited get a three month free trial.
What if a Robot Charged Your Apple Car For You?
A patent granted to Apple today references a robot that could autonomously carry a power cord to an electric car.
Amazon Tweaked Algorithm to Push Its Own Products
Amazon changed the way its search algorithm works. According to an exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal, the company will now boost products that are more profitable for the online retailer.
Amazon optimized the secret algorithm that ranks listings so that instead of showing customers mainly the most-relevant and best-selling listings when they search—as it had for more than a decade—the site also gives a boost to items that are more profitable for the company. The adjustment, which the world’s biggest online retailer hasn’t publicized, followed a years long battle between executives who run Amazon’s retail businesses in Seattle and the company’s search team, dubbed A9, in Palo Alto, Calif., which opposed the move, the people said. Any tweak to Amazon’s search system has broad implications because the giant’s rankings can make or break a product. The site’s search bar is the most common way for U.S. shoppers to find items online, and most purchases stem from the first page of search results, according to marketing analytics firm Jumpshot.
NBC Universal Launches 'Peacock' Streaming Service Featuring Battlestar Galactica, Parks & Rec, Saved by the Bell
NBC Universal announced more details of its streaming service, Peacock, which will arrive in April 2020 boasting a vault of popular content.
Apple Orders 'Mosquito Coast' Series Starring Justin Theroux
Apple has ordered a series adaptation of The Mosquito Coast starring Justin Theroux. The series is based on a novel.