Apple is expanding its Independent Repair Program globally in over 200 countries, and interested providers can sign up on the company’s website.
Andrew Orr
Since 2015 Andrew has been writing about Apple, privacy, security, and at one point even Android. You can find him most places online under the username @andrewornot.
Articles by Andrew Orr
HYPER Launches iPhone 12 MagSafe Battery Pack
HYPER by Sanho Corporation has launched a MagSafe battery pack for the iPhone 12 smartphone line.
Otterbox Releases iPad Cases for Kids and Other Accessories
On Monday Otterbox announced a line of iPad cases for kids and other accessories like cables, a tablet stand, and charging cords.
iCloud Security and Using Apple Notes as a Secret Messenger
Shared Apple Notes can be used to send secret messages to people. But how secure are they? Andrew finds out.
Visa Will Accept USD Coin Cryptocurrency to Settle Transactions
USD Coin (USDC) is a stablecoin tied to the U.S. dollar, meaning that one USDC is equal to one dollar. Visa announced that it will accept these coins to settle transactions on its network in partnership with Crypto.com.
Traditionally, if a customer chooses to use a Crypto.com Visa card to pay for a coffee, the digital currency needs to be converted into traditional money. The wallet will deposit fiat currency in a bank account, to be wired to Visa at the end of the day to settle any transactions, adding cost and complexity for businesses. Visa’s latest step strips out the need to convert digital coin into traditional money in order for the transaction to be settled.
Emulating Mac Plus, Mac II, and Mac 128K on iOS
Ex-Apple Technology Evangelist Matt Sephton tweeted a photo of painting on an iPad Pro in the style of Mac OS 7, otherwise known as System 7. He shared a way to do this via software emulation. A tool on GitHub called Mini vMac lets you emulate Mac Plus, Mac II, and Mac 128K on your iDevice. It requires iOS 9 or later, a ROM image from one of the three systems, and disk images with Mac software.
David Attenborough Wildlife Documentary Coming to Apple TV+
Apple announced several updates to Apple TV+ in anticipation of Earth Day 2021, including a new wildlife documentary narrated by David Attenborough.
Stories and Audio Messages are Slack’s Next Goals
Slack wants audio messsages to be its next feature and it’s currently testing them in beta. It also wants to bring Snapchat-like stories to the platform.
Butterfield said that a feature for leaving audio messages, similar to a function available in messaging apps like Telegram, was available in a beta test. He also said that Slack would soon offer a feature akin to the audio-chat app Clubhouse, which allows users to drop into rooms for conversations without requiring scheduling a meeting or initiating a call.
We Could See a Rugged Apple Watch in the Future
A report on Friday claims that Apple is considering a rugged Apple Watch for hikers and other athletes
Google Moves to Create Android Version of Apple Digital CarKey
Apple introduced digital car keys with iOS 13.6, and it looks like Google wants to do the same for Android.
With this new SE standardization effort, Google wants to support “digital keys” for your car, home, and office; mobile driver’s licenses; national IDs; ePassports; and the usual tap-and-go payments. Google notes that this initiative isn’t just for phones and tablets; Wear OS, Android Automotive, and Android TV are also supported.
‘Home Before Dark’ Season 2 Releases on June 11
“Home Before Dark” season two will premiere on Apple TV+ Friday, June 11. The mystery drama was created by Dana Fox and Dara Resnik.
Civilization VI Gets New ‘Zombie Defense’ Mode With Portugal Pack
Zombies are trudging their way into Civilization VI in the new Portugal Pack DLC. It comes with a new leader and civilization.
In the final Civilization 6 Frontier DLC, Portugal Pack, players will get access to the Portuguese civilization and leader Joao III. This isn’t anything surprising, as the game series has released new leaders like this in the past. What has come as the biggest surprise is the new zombie mode being released in this DLC. Usually found in the FPS genre, zombies have occasionally made an appearance in strategy games before.
I’ll leave you with this fine song.
Here’s How Authenticator Apps Can Help Secure Your Accounts
Two-factor authentication is an important security measure that you can add to online accounts that support this feature.
Apple Music Launches ‘Saylists’ for Speech-Impaired Customers
Apple has integrated a project from Warner Music into Apple Music called “saylists,” special playlists to help people with speech-sound disorders.
Samsung Unveils Insane DDR5 512GB Memory
On Thursday Samsung revealed an industry-first 512GB DDR5 memory running up to 7,300Mbps.
Samsung’s DDR5 will utilize highly advanced HKMG technology that has been traditionally used in logic semiconductors. With continued scaling down of DRAM structures, the insulation layer has thinned, leading to a higher leakage current. By replacing the insulator with HKMG material, Samsung’s DDR5 will be able to reduce the leakage and reach new heights in performance. This new memory will also use approximately 13% less power, making it especially suitable for datacenters where energy efficiency is becoming increasingly critical.
Check Out Throwboy’s Cute Apple Clothes Collection
Throwboy is usually known for its pillows and blankets, but Juli Clover writes it’s launching a line of Apple-themed shirts.
There’s a rainbow design that lists Apple’s most important products like the Macintosh, iMac, iPod, and iPhone, along with a “1984” design that harkens back to the classic Apple ad and a “Think Different (Again)” t-shirt. Each shirt is priced at $32.99 and can be purchased from the Throwboy website.
That Container Ship Blocking the Suez Canal Will Affect ‘Anything You See in Stores’
One of the world’s biggest container ships has blocked the Suez Canal, a vital shipping route. Delays could mean higher prices for gas and other items.
The extent depends on how quickly the massive vessel, the Ever Given, which holds upward of 20,000 shipping containers and is as long as the Eiffel Tower is tall, can be moved out of the way. Everything from food, furniture, clothes, shoes, exercise equipment, electronics, car parts and carpets could be affected, logistics experts say. “Basically anything you see in the stores,” said Lars Jensen, an independent container shipping expert based in Denmark.
T-Mobile Completes Rollout of Anti-Spam ‘STIR/SHAKEN’ Technology
T-Mobile announced on Thursday that it completed the rollout of its anti-spam STIR/SHAKEN technology.
You Can Now Use Orchid VPN Starting at a Dollar
Orchid VPN now costs as little as US$1 to get started with the service, the company announced on Thursday.
With Orchid’s iOS and macOS app, users simply buy VPN credits for $1, $5 or $20, which is then turned into a XDAI-backed account. Once the user’s VPN is active, users are only charged for the bandwidth run through the VPN, with no recurring monthly or annual subscription fee, in stark contrast to other VPN offerings. The current market rate for Orchid service is only $0.06 per GB.
A pay-as-you-go blockchain-based VPN is an interesting service.
Nobody Voted on the Arizona Bill to Regulate App Store
Critics are accusing Apple of backroom dealing over the fact that the Arizona HB2005 bill that would affected app stores was never voted upon.
2021 iPad Pro Could Have an A14X Chip
Code found within the iOS 14.5 beta 5 release hints that the 2021 iPad Pros could have an A14X chip based on the M1 chip for Macs.
French Watchdog CNIL Questions Apple’s Compliance With EU Privacy Rules
CNIL, France’s data regulator, is questioning Apple’s compliance with EU privacy rules over personalized advertising.
Disney+ Price Will Increase to $7.99 This Friday
Streaming service Disney+ is increasing its price to US$7.99 this Friday, March 26.
As previously announced back in September, Disney+ subscriptions and its bundle package with ESPN+ and ad-supported Hulu are getting a price hike. Beginning March 26, subscriptions for the service will jump from $7 to $8 per month, while the annual subscription option will jump from $70 to $80 per year. The Disney+ bundle will increase from $13 to $14 a month.
Cred.ai Offers a Unicorn Credit Card Powered by AI
Cred.ai is a new fintech company that wants to help you improve your credit score with its special credit card powered by AI.
As you buy items on your credit card, Cred will automatically pay them off from your bank account—not instantly (that way, you can still build credit) and not necessarily at the end of the month (that way you don’t float too much debt at any given time, which can also hurt your credit). Even if you autopay your credit card monthly, Cred’s AI can, in theory, do better.
This is old news, but I’m sharing it because the Cred.ai app is now available in the App Store to apply. I applied for the card last night to hopefully review in the future. There is a waiting list unless you have an invite code.