Courtesy of a proposed Apple settlement with developers, changes to how apps can let you know about payment options may be on the horizon.
Jeff Butts
Jeff Butts is a seasoned tech aficionado with deep roots in the Apple ecosystem. Starting his journey in the early 1980s by experimenting with hardware, Jeff has always been driven by a desire to get the most out of technological devices. His expertise has led him to prominent roles in the industry, including a nearly three-year stint as a Reporter at AppAdvice and an impressive seven-year tenure as a Writer/Editor for Byrnes Publishing, LLC. More recently, Jeff lent his technical insights to HotHardware, Inc. as a Tech Editor. With his extensive experience and unwavering commitment to providing valuable content, Jeff continues to be a trusted voice for readers keen on Apple products and innovations.
Articles by Jeff Butts
Most Workers Are Open to Pay Cuts to Stay Home
As folks have gotten accustomed to the freedom and flexibility of remote work, most workers are open to pay cuts to stay home.
How to Sign Up for Today at Apple Sessions
If you want to learn how to use Apple products, Cupertino has you covered. Let’s walk through how to sign up for Today at Apple sessions.
Tesla iOS App Update Brings Widgets and More
The latest version of the Tesla iOS app brings enhanced phone key support and a brand-new set of widgets for your iPhone’s Home Screen.
A Virtual Keyboard Could Be Coming to Your Mac
An Apple filing just approved by the United States Patent Office could point to Cupertino offering virtual keyboard technology on the Mac.
Smash Hit Asphalt 8: Airborne Racing to Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade might have been launched to help new and exclusive games, but Cupertino has been adding some really hot titles to the subscription gaming service. On August 27, 2021, you’ll be able to download the popular racing game Asphalt 8: Airborne through Apple Arcade. Sure, the franchise is up to Asphalt 9, but this version won’t tempt you with in-app purchases.
One interesting aspect of having Asphalt 8 available on Apple Arcade is the change in the gameplay model. Current Asphalt games (including Asphalt 8) are free-to-play, meaning that anyone can download them without paying, but the game offers multiple items that can only be obtained through in-app purchases.
Boston Man Thankful for Apple Watch’s Life-Saving Features
Apple Watch’s life-saving features have definitely made headlines. One Bostonian has been saved by this technology not once, but twice.
App Store Model Faces New Threat in South Korea
The biggest threat ever to Apple’s App Store model is South Korea. A new bill requires app stores to allow developers more payment freedom.
This App Helps Kabul Residents Avoid Danger
A homegrown app brings around 20 young Afghan tech workers together to track the advance of the Taliban in Kabul. They broadcast real-time reports of gunfire, explosions, and traffic jams across the city to help other Kabul residents stay safe. Ehtesab is the app helping Kabul residents steer clear of dangerous situations. This is definitely great use of crowdsourced information in a dangerous environment.
“We just want to alleviate some of the anxieties that Afghans have in these uncertain and volatile times,” app founder Sara Wahedi said. “We will find different ways of garnering data about the city and security… That’s the beauty of tech, it knows no borders,” she said.
Cybersecurity Threats Bring Tim Cook and Others to Meet With President Biden
The serious increase in cybersecurity threats is bringing Apple CEO Tim Cook to a meeting with President Biden and other top tech executives.
Apple TV+ Pays Off Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in Biscuits
One episode of Ted Lasso led to a not-so-lengthy legal standoff. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney agreed to a settlement paid in biscuits.
AppleToo Movement Seeks Change from Cupertino
With Apple offending its consumers so much, it can be easy to miss employee discrimination woes. The AppleToo movement wants to change that.
Apple Is Already Scanning iCloud Mail for CSAM
Think your iCloud Mail is safe from snooping? You should think again, because since 2019, Apple has been scanning iCloud Mail for CSAM.
New M1 Mac mini Pro Model in the Works
As good as the current M1 Mac mini is for most, it lacks the power pros need. There may be a higher-end M1 Mac mini pro model coming soon.
Get a Refurbished M1 iMac Direct from Apple
If you were in the market for an M1 iMac and do not want to pay full retail price, you now have a new option. Refurbished 24 inch M1 iMac models are now available directly from Apple. The model including 512GB SSD storage will cost you $1439, while the same model with 256GB of storage is $1269. The normal retail price of these models is $1699 and $1499 respectively. Of course, Cupertino puts plenty of testing, cleaning, and necessary repair work into its refurbished products. They are backed by a one-year warranty and free delivery and returns.
Support US National Parks by Using Apple Pay
The US National Park Service turns 104 on August 25, 2021. In honor of the occasion, Apple has announced a donation program, a new Apple Watch Activity Challenge, and special content collections to allow you to experience the parks and learn more about what makes them the amazing national resource that we often take for granted. From August 24 to August 27, Apple will make a $10 donation to the National Park Foundation for each purchase made with Apple Pay on its website, in the Apple Store app, or inside any Apple Store in the US. In years past, Cupertino’s offered much less of a donation per purchase, so this is pretty cool.
Our national parks strengthen our connection to nature, to one another, and to the soul of our nation. We’re excited to continue building on our four-year partnership with the National Park Foundation, and to support their work to preserve our parks for generations to come.
Tim Cook, Apple CEO
VR Video Conferencing Has Arrived, With a Catch
If you’ve been looking for a more realistic experience in remote collaboration, VR video conferencing is here. You might not like it, though. It’s made by those folks at Facebook, who have proven not the most reliable when it comes to your privacy.
Plex Apple TV App Offers Customizable UI
One of the coolest thigs about Plex is that it works on so many different platforms and devices. You can run the Plex app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Raspberry Pi, or almost anything else. The app is very helpful in managing your media library and watching your favorite content. With the latest version of the Plex Apple TV app, you’ve got new options for how your library looks and feels. You can customize the app and home background, what artwork should be displayed, and how much of a title’s metadata shows up.
[O]ur challenge is that since Plex is used by so many different types of users (a great problem to have!), each one of you has different habits and desires and styles as well as a vast variety of TVs with different resolutions and brightness and contrast ratios.
Apple's Back to the Office Mandate Delayed to 2022
An internal email reveals that Apple’s back to the office mandate has been delayed again. Employees won’t return to the office until 2022.
Emails Confirm Apple's Smaller iPhone Nano Talks
When Steve Jobs was still leading Apple, rumors said Cupertino was planning a smaller iPhone nano. Recently found emails confirm the plans.
Get a Discount on a Subway Footlong With Apple Pay
We all like free stuff, but sometimes even just a few dollars off is still a great thing. Cupertino has offered discounts in the past to use its mobile digital wallet, and now has a new offer. Apple is offering a great discount on a Subway footlong. US customers who use Apple Pay with the Subway app can get a $2 discount off a footlong sandwich. All you have to do is install the Subway app on your iPhone or iPad, and order your sandwich in advance. If you use Apple Pay along with the promo code APPLEPAY, you’ll get two dollars off your order. This promotion only lasts until August 25, so take it advantage of it while you can. Define print states that the offer is only valid at participating subway locations in the United States, and extras, add-ons, and taxes are additional. You can’t use any other discounts or coupons with this offer, and Footlong PRO™ and Signature Wraps don’t count.
Apple TV+ Series ‘Wool’ to Feature Actor Tim Robbins
More casting for Apple TV+ series “Wool” has been announced. Joining Rebecca Ferguson will be Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins.
The Social Dilemma Now Streaming Free on YouTube
A controversial examination of the good, the bad, and the ugly (but mostly the bad and ugly) of social media is now available free to stream.
Speed Testing iOS 15 Beta 6 and iOS 14.7.1
The latest beta of iOS 15 is available now for both developers and the public. The team over at Geeky Gadgets have put the newest build through its paces on a number of devices, both new and older. They’ve also compared boot-up times and app speeds to iOS 14.7.1 on the same devices. The results of speed testing iOS 15 Beta 6 and iOS 14.7.1 seem a bit surprising.
In the speed test with the iPhone XR the device running the new iOS 15 beta 6 was the first handset to boot up. There were no major speed improvements in the apps.
In the final speed test with the iPhone 11 the device running the iOS 14.7.1 softwarewas the first to boot up, there are no noticeable speed improvements in the apps.