Instagram is aiming to make Snapchat less relevant by making its own direct messaging features easier to use. An app update coming out today streamlines chats by combining disappearing photos and video with the direct message feature.
Jeff Gamet
Jeff Gamet is the Mac Observer’s Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of “The Designer’s Guide to Mac OS X” from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also hosts TMO’s Daily Observations podcast, co-hosts The iOS Show podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other shows, too. Jeff dreams in HD.
Articles by Jeff Gamet
Apple Reportedly Moving to its Own iPhone Power Management Chips in 2019
Apple is developing its own iPhone power management chips and plans to stop using Dialog Semiconductor’s in 2019. That’s what Bankhaus Lampe analyst Karsten Iltgen says after talking with industry sources, although Apple and Dialog aren’t commenting on the report.
Watch Out, Imagination Technologies, Because Apple is Hiring More GPU Designers
Apple’s in-house GPU plans have the company on a hiring spree in London, which happens to be pretty close to where Imagination Technologies is based. That’s the company Apple partnered with for iPhone and iPad graphics processors before deciding to go it alone—and more than 20 employees have already left to join the Cupertino-based company.
No 32-bit Apps in iOS 11, Apple Designing its Own GPUs - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-10
The writing is on the wall: iPhone and iPad 32-bit apps are on the way out. Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about 32-bit apps and what their coming demise in iOS 11 means, plus they look at Apple’s plans for its own mobile device GPUs.
Jay Z Comes Back to Apple Music
Whatever behind the scenes drama Jay Z was having with Apple Music seems to be resolved because the songs and albums he pulled from the streaming music service on Friday were back by Monday morning. His catalog disappeared from Apple Music and Spotify at the end of last week without any notice, and is back without any fanfare, too.
iOS 11 May Not Include 32-bit App Support
Apple plans to drop 32-bit app support completely in iOS 11, or at least that’s what seasoned developer Steven Troughton-Smith is hearing. That means apps that haven’t been updated with 64-bit support won’t run at all even though current iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch processors still support both 32-bit and 64-bit code.
Jay Z Ditches Apple Music and Spotify for Exclusive Streaming on Tidal
It looks like Tidal co-owner Jay Z doesn’t think Apple Music and Spotify are cool any more because he pulled his albums from the streaming music services. It looks like just his original content is gone while collaborations with other artists are still available.
Social Media Privacy Settlement, Apple's Clips App - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-07
The big social media networks settled a lawsuit over taking our phone’s contacts without our knowledge, but it isn’t costing them much. Bryan Chaffin joins Jeff Gamet to look at the settlement and companies stepping into our privacy, plus they talk about Apple’s new Clips app.
TSMC Drops Out Toshiba Memory Bidding, Foxconn Still in the Race
The number of companies bidding for Toshiba’s NAND flash memory business is getting smaller now that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC, has dropped out of the race. Foxconn is still still in the race with the highest bid at about US$30 billion.
Apple's Clips Social Media Video App Available for iPhone, iPad
Apple’s Clips video editing app for social networks hit the App Store on Thursday. The app lets iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users capture and edit short videos to share on Facebook, Twitter, and more.
Pebble Watches Aren't Dead Yet, Whole-home VPN - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-06
Good news, Pebble owners, your smartwatch isn’t a paperweight just yet. Dave Hamilton and John F. Braun join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on Fitbit making it possible to side load apps onto Pebble smartwatches, plus they explain whole-home VPN protection.
Pebble Update Lets Watches Work After Servers Shut Down
Pebble smartwatch owners got a welcome iPhone app update this week that removes the dependency on the company’s cloud servers for firmware updates and app installation. The update addresses a concern users and developers have had ever since Fitbit bought Pebble last year.
Samsung Lands 2 Year Deal for Curved OLED iPhone Displays
Smartphone makers planning on using OLED screens are about to be in a bind because Apple just signed a two year contract with Samsung for the panels. Samsung will reportedly supply Apple with at least 70 million bendable OLED panels this year, and Samsung will take up the rest for itself.
Apple Watch Series 3 Set for Fall Launch
The third generation Apple Watch, or Apple Watch Series 3, will ship in late 2017, according to insider sources. Apple is also adding Compal Electronics as a second watch manufacturer.
Apple's New Display Plans, Broadcom's WiFi Chip Security Flaw - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-05
Along with the promise of new a new Mac Pro yesterday, Apple also said it’s going to get back into the pro display business, too. John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to talk about Apple’s plans, plus they look at Broadcom’s WiFi chip security flaw.
Apple's iOS 10.3.1 Update Fixes Critical Broadcom WiFi Security Flaw
If you haven’t installed Apple’s iOS 10.3.1 update yet, now would be a good time because it fixes a big security flaw in the Broadcom WiFi chips in your iPhone. The security flaw could let attackers who are in WiFi range inject and run code on your smartphone.
Don't Look for iPhone 8 Until October or November
Apple’s iPhone 8 may not ship until October or November instead of the September window we usually see. The reason for the later launch may be tied to production problems with the smartphone’s curved OLED display.
TMO Staff Share their Favorite VPN Services
Thanks to a new law green lighting ISPs selling our personal web browsing data, along with restrictions prohibiting the FCC from stopping the activity, there’s a lot of talk about VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks. With so many VPN services to choose from it’s hard to decide which is best for you, so I asked the TMO staff what they rely on.
Apple's Surprise Mac Pro Announcements - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-04
Apple gave the Mac Pro a minor processor and GPU refresh after only three years, but also surprised us by talking about the plans for its pro-level desktop computer. Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts and reactions to Apple’s out of character announcements.
Apple Second Quarter 2017 Earnings Report Set for May 2
Apple’s 2017 second fiscal quarter earnings report is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2nd. The iPhone and iPad maker will host its usual conference call with analysts after the market closes at about 5PM eastern time.
Smile's Greg Scown Discusses TextExpander and Subscription Software - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-03
It’s been about a year since Smile introduced its subscription licensing model for TextExpander, so I invited company co-founder Greg Scown back on the show to talk about how that’s working out. Dave Hamilton joins us to round out the discussion.
Apple's Plan for In-house Mobile GPU Design Could Lead to Imagination Technologies Patent Fight
It’s no secret Apple likes using its own chips in products like the iPhone and iPad, and Imagination Technologies is learning that in a painful way. Apple currently uses Imagination’s GPU chips in its mobile devices, but that’s changing within two years when they move to in house designs—and that could lead to a patent fight.
Apple Scheming for HBO, Showtime, Starz Streaming Bundle
Apple has a new plan for selling us a streaming TV package: premium channels. A new report says Apple is trying to bring together a deal to offer HBO, Showtime, and Starz without requiring viewers to sign up for a base-level channel package first.
Google Maps Transforms Your City into Ms. Pac-Man for April Fools Day
Google is all about April Fools Day pranks, and this year they put one inside the Google Maps app. Instead of navigating your city, you can turn it into a Ms. Pac-Man game. Seriously. Just launch the Google Maps app on your iPhone and tap the Ms. Pac-Man button. The city streets turn into the game grid and you swipe to move around and avoid the ghosts. It’s 8-bit awesomeness that makes pretty much any city cooler. If you don’t already have the Google Maps app it’s a free download at Apple’s App Store.