Enter our new international giveaway for a chance to win the brand new iPhone 16 Pro.
iPhone 11 Pro Triggering Small Hole Phobia
There was much excitement at the new iPhone 11 Pro’s triple-lens camera array. However, it also caused problems for some people, BBC News reported.
Hundreds of smartphone users now claim the new design has triggered their “trypophobia”, an aversion to the sight of clusters of small holes. Trypophobia” was first coined in 2005 in online forum Reddit and it has since become widely talked about on social media. American Horror Story actress Sarah Paulson and model Kendall Jenner are among those who say they have the condition. Vision scientist Dr Geoff Cole, at the University of Essex, was part of the first full scientific study of trypophobia, working with his colleague, Prof Arnold Wilkins.
Lawmakers Demand Documents From Tim Cook and Other Apple Execs
Lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee demanded emails and executive communications from major tech firms, including Apple.
Apple Joins Academy Software Foundation as Premier Member
The Academy Software Foundation advocates for greater open source software development in the motion picture and media industries. Apple has joined as a Premier member.
To support the continued growth of open source software across our industry, we have the privilege of providing developers with tools that make it easier to contribute code and participate in the community…With Apple as a new member, we hope to work with them to improve support for Apple platforms, which will continue to democratize open source software development.
Spotify Wants to Track Your Location so Friends Don't Use a Family Plan
In more location tracking news today, Spotify wants to track yours because non-family members sometimes use Family Plans *gasp!*.
“The changes to the policy allow Spotify to arbitrarily use the location of an individual to ascertain if they continue to reside at the same address when using a family account, and it’s unclear how often Spotify will query users’ devices for this information,” said Christopher Weatherhead, technology lead for UK watchdog group Privacy International, adding that there are “worrying privacy implications.”
Some iPhone 11 Pro Delivery Estimates Quickly Slip to October
Apple’s iPhone 11 Pro delivery estimates slipped to October within minutes of the device opening to preorders.
iPhones Can Now Use Yubico NFC Security Keys
Apple is expanding NFC capabilities with iOS 13, and you’ll be able to use Yubico NFC keys or other brands with your iPhone.
SimJacker is a Newly-Discovered SIM Card Vulnerability
SimJacker is a newly-discovered vulnerability in SIM cards that lets an attacker hack your smartphone just by sending an SMS message.
Avantree Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones: $59.99
We have a deal on a pair of Avantree Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones. These headphones feature high precision-engineered 40mm stereo drivers, and you can wirelessly answer phone calls and control music playback via built-in mic and easily accessible keys. They’re $59.99 through our deal, 14% off retail.
iOS 13 Forced Facebook to Admit it Collects Your Location Data
Yes, I know how shocked you are folks. As it turns out, Facebook lied about yet another thing: It totally collects your location data, and admitted that fact itself in a blog post.
For years the antisocial media giant has claimed it doesn’t track your location, insisting to suspicious reporters and privacy advocates that its addicts “have full control over their data,” and that it does not gather or sell that data unless those users agree to it.
Then, late on Monday, Facebook emitted a blog post in which it kindly offered to help users “understand updates” to their “device’s location settings.”
You may have missed the critical part amid the glowing testimony so we’ll repeat it: “… use precise location even when you’re not using the app…”
Quote from a TMO reader: “Hoping that FB will somehow become secure is as much magical thinking as expecting a wild pig to perform the role Juliet for Bolshoi.”
Netflix should worry about Apple TV+
None of Apple TV+ contented revealed so far looks particularly revolutionary. However, argues Oliva Ovenden at Esquire, Netflix should still be worried.
As Apple will know from watching its soon-to-be competitors win awards for their success stories, having one tentpole series can be enough for users to stay. Both Hulu and Amazon Prime Video have earned multiple Emmy Awards for The Handmaid’s Tale and The Marvellous Mrs Maisel respectively, off-setting series which have been received less favourably. Apple TV+ only need one huge hit to make people’s Netflix subscription feel less worthwhile, and they’ve got enough money to keep trying until they get one. Getting in on the streaming game is a shrewd move given how many of Apple’s customers are currently watching Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime on Apple’s phones, laptops and tablets.
Preorder iPhone 11 in UK from 1:00 PM Local Time
The iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro will be available to preorder in the UK from 1:00 pm BST, the same time preorders go live in the U.S.
Apple Online Store Down ahead of 5:00 AM iPhone 11 Preorders
Apple’s online stores are down in preparation for iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro preorders, which begin Friday at 5:00 AM Pacific. T
iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, Apple Watch Series 5, with Jeff Gamet - ACM 522
Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet reunite to discuss Apple’s new product announcements, including iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, Apple Watch Series 5, Apple’s trade-in program, midnight green, glass…it’s Bryan and Jeff, so of course they spin out of control on various and sundry side rails. Buckle up!
Manage Your Finances, Set Budgets and More on the Go with This Intuitive Finance App: $29.99
We have a deal on CoinKeeper, a streamlined personal finance app for Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android. You can track your finances through a drag and drop coin-based system, add any number of income and expense categories, use tags, and more. A lifetime subscription is $29.99 through our deal.
Former Apple Senior Director Michael Gartenberg (#7) - Background Mode Interview
Michael Gartenberg spent three years as Apple’s Senior Director of Product Marketing, reporting directly to Senior VP Phil Schiller. In his seventh appearance on Background Mode, Michael and I analyze Apple’s September 10, 2019 iPhone event: “By Innovation Only.”
We started with a discussion of the overall content and tenor of the event. Was the scripting more evident than usual? Is the format wearing thin? Why were there no success numbers touted as is customary? In the second segment, we looked at some of the new products announced. Michael and I also pondered whether some of the traditional inspirational and aspirational elements were in too short supply. And, crucially, why was Phil Schiller’s shirt tucked in? Michael is well versed in Apple marketing strategies and is always a delight to have on the show.
iPad 7, Apple Watch Series 5 Available for Preorder
News that might have gotten lost in the new of iPhone 11 is that the Apple Watch Series 5 and iPad 7 are available to preorder now, while we have to wait until tonight/tomorrow to preorder the new iPhones.
Apple Watch Series 5: Starting at 32GB of storage, Series 5 has an always-on display, a Compass app, and available in more finishes, colors, and materials, like titanium and ceramic. Preorder it here starting at US$399.
iPad 7th Gen: This is an updated version of what became known as the education iPad. It has a 10.2-inch display with thin bezels like the old 10.5-inch iPad Pro. The 10.2-inch Retina display has almost 3.5 million pixels, an A10 Fusion chip, and for the first time, an 100% recycled aluminum body. Preorder it here for US$329.
Both will be officially out on September 30.
Apple Card 3% Club, NSA in NYT – TMO Daily Observations 2019-09-12
Andrew Orr and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss the latest 3% back offers on Apple Card, & a letter from the NSA in the NYT.
New Exploit Shows We Should Just Skip to iOS 13.1
A contacts exploit was discovered in iOS 13 that lets a person bypass Face ID / Touch ID to see an iPhone’s contacts.
Relatively little is at stake with this exploit. Beyond the inherent danger of an assailant having your iPhone, this method only allows someone to view the contacts within the target iPhone, provided that they have physical access to the target phone and can complete the VoiceOver exploit.
Little is at stake, but there have been so my iOS exploits in the news lately that we might as well go straight to iOS 13.1.
T-Mobile Offers iPhone 11 for 50% Off With a Trade In
T-Mobile has an aggressive strategy for the iPhone 11: People who sign up for a plan and trade in an old iPhone can get the iPhone 11 for up to 50% off.
Here’s the full pricing break down from T-Mobile: Save $550 when you trade in an iPhone XS Max 64GB or 256GB; save $500 when you trade in an iPhone XS 64GB or 256GB; and save $350 when you trade in an iPhone XR 64GB or 128GB, X 64GB, 8, 8 Plus, 7 or 7 Plus.
Those are great deals, especially for people with older models like the iPhone 7.
App Store Guidelines Modified for Kids Apps, Sign In With Apple
Apple has updated its App Store Review Guidelines for kids apps and its new Sign In with Apple technology, giving developers more time.
Uber Pushes Back Against New California Contractor Law
Uber pushed back against a new employment law in California, Wired reported. The law was designed with ride-hailing apps in mind, trying to get them classify drivers as employees not contractors.
The company’s argument rests on a premise that’s been a cornerstone since its early days: that Uber is a technology company, not a transportation one. The California law, called Assembly Bill 5, reaffirms a 2018 California Supreme Court decision that established a three-part test to separate independent contractors from employees, who are eligible for minimum wage, health care benefits, workers’ compensation, and other protections. A worker is only an independent contractor if she is not under the control or direction of the company while she’s working; if her work is “outside the usual course” of the company’s business; and if she is “customarily engaged” in the same kind of work that she does for the company. This three-part test is already in limited use in Massachusetts and New York.
Netflix Could be Overtaken by Apple TV, But Just For a Year
A free subscription with a new device means that Apple TV+ could overtake Netflix for a year, but it still faces a tough challenge.
Apple Becomes Trillion-Dollar Firm Once Again
Apple became a trillion-dollar company again after it disclosed details of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, and aggressive services pricing.
Apple News isn't Favorable to Local Newsrooms
Apple News is the poster child of the Pareto principle, which states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of the causes.