Apple Fitness+ Connectivity Issues Limit The Service

There is lots to commend Apple Fitness+. However, I’ve been frustrated that it doesn’t fully work with iPad, due to a lack of syncing between that tablet and Watch. AppleInsider’s Andrew O’Hara highlighted some other issues which also limit the service.

During a workout, the Apple TV would lose connection with my Apple Watch without warning. When it disconnects, Apple Fitness+ doesn’t allow you to finish the workout or reconnect your watch. Instead, it just errors and ends unceremoniously. This fires off a notification to all friends and family you share your activity rings progress with, letting them know you’ve finished part of a workout. Then, when you go to try to go back to the workout you were just kicked from, Apple Fitness+ doesn’t allow you to pick up from where you left off, or even to fast forward to the right place. It makes you start back at the beginning of the workout. This isn’t too much of a problem if you’re going through a brief 10-minute session. If you’re doing a 30 or 45-minute workout, this can be infuriating and demoralizing.

The UK Contactless Payment Limit Has Gone up, But it Will Have Little Impact on Apple Pay

The UK limit on single contactless transactions  – those that you can simply tap your card to make, no pin or signature required – has increased to £100. However, as Ben Lovejoy at 9to5 Mac noted, this will have little impact on those who want to use Apple Pay to purchase goods as the limit was already significantly higher than that. (In the U.S. of course, the situation is different with different ceilings on when a signature etc is required.)

Apple Pay uses a more sophisticated form of contactless payment reserved for mobile wallet devices that have biometric authentication. With this protocol, banks and retailers can set a much higher payment limit, or even have no limit at all, because the device verifies the identity of the user via Face ID or Touch ID in the case of an iPhone, or the PIN you entered on an Apple Watch when putting it on in the morning. When I asked at the time of launch, my bank hinted that its own limit was £750 ($1,050), and certainly I have made three-figure purchases using Apple Pay. Some people report successfully using Apple Pay for mid-four-figure purchases.

Should Apple Really be Trying to Make a Portless iPhone?

Rumors rage that Apple is working on a portless iPhone. There are some valid reasons why this would be a good move, but there are major issues too. For instance, at the moment, the absence of ports would mean recovery required sending the device back to Apple. (I’m currently experiencing this with my Watch and it’s quite annoying.) Oliver Haslam explored this and the other problems with a portless iPhone for iMore.

The increased water resistance afforded by removing the Lightning port is cool and all, but iPhones survive long enough underwater as it is. And you’d still need a slot for your SIM card and holes for speakers and whatnot. These things won’t be 100% sealed, Lightning port or not. Could Apple make thinner iPhones because of the removal of a port? Possibly. But Apple has a history of iPhones bending and we would all rather more battery than a thinner device. Maybe this is all about adding bigger batteries after all? Next, there’s the potential return of Touch ID that’s built into the screen. Could Apple need more space for whatever black magic phone makers do to make that happen? Maybe, but probably not. The likes of Samsung manage it just fine with their USB-C port in tow.

Rolling With Wi-Fi — Mac Geek Gab 859

Sometimes you’ve gotta go… and sometimes — make that ALL the times — you need Wi-Fi. Never fear, John and Dave are here to help answer the tough (and fun) questions. Listen as your two favorite geeks pour through the mailbag, trying to answer as many of your questions as possible in the time we all have together each week. Don’t forget to send in your questions: [email protected] and they’ll answer yours, too!

Headphone Safety, Big Sur, & Geek Challenges — Mac Geek Gab 854

Big Sur continues to mature…and it continues to have some pesky little issues, too. Never fear, your two favorite geeks are here to answer your questions and help solve your problems. Listen as John and Dave talk through Big Sur, Headphone Safety, and share some Geek Challenges of yours with the Mac Geek Gab family. Press play and enjoy learning at least…five new things!

Remote Reflections from CES — Mac Geek Gab 853

Your two favorite geeks “went” to CES last week, and have some stories to share. Cool Stuff Found abounds, as well as some thoughts on this year’s trends. Of course, they didn’t leave home, so they still had time to answer your questions, find some Quick Tips, and make a show out of it all. Press play and listen as John and Dave help us all to learn at least five new things!

New Weekly Fitness+ Series and Apple Music Playlists Now Live

Apple has added a number of “goal-setting workouts’ to Fitness+, MacRumors reported. It’s part of a new weekly series designed to help users stay motivated and on track with their training. More Music playlists have been added too.

A new introductory video can be found on the main Fitness+ page in the Fitness app, where trainer Kim highlights what’s new in the subscription service this week and points users to the new Ring in the New Year Limited Edition Activity Challenge that can be found on their Apple Watch… In the video, Kim picks out two workouts in particular that offer goal-setting motivations, including a 20-minute strength workout and a 10-minute HIIT workout, and should help users bag the Ring in the New Year Challenge award, which can be earned by closing all three rings for seven days in a row.

Time Capsule Replacements, Quick Tips, & Cool Stuff Found — Mac Geek Gab 850

Apple’s Time Machine lets you backup to a network drive… but which network drive should you use now that Apple no longer sells a Time Capsule? John and Dave are here to answer this question and many, many more! Listen as your two favorite geeks answer all the questions YOU sent in this week, plus sharing Quick Tips and Cool Stuff Found to give you lots to think about… and to get! Press play and enjoy learning at least five new things about your Mac, iPhone, and other tech.

Swiper, NOT Swiping — Mac Geek Gab 848

These days we do lots of swiping on our devices, and sometimes the results are expected, other times not so much! Listen as John and Dave share tips and answer questions about swiping. That’s not all, of course, the topics expand from there, including a great dive into USB speeds on Apple’s new iPads. Listen as your two favorite geeks walk through all of this for you this week!

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