As we try anddecipher just who Rebecca is speaking to on Bantr, Giant Squid Productions (run by John Moltz – podcast host and guest over on the Incomparable Network) have made t-shirts branded with the fake dating app from Ted Lasso. The range also includes one with the Jamestown space base from For All Mankind, and another with Tim Cook saying “goooood morning,” which made me chuckle. They come in all shapes and sizes!
Apple Releases AirTags Firmware Update
Apple has released an update to AirTags firmware – moving from internal build number 1A291c to 1A291a. As MacRumors noted, the release comes just a week after the previous iteration was released.
We don’t know what’s included in the new firmware and no new features were found following the first release, so it likely focuses on bug fixes and other under-the-hood improvements. There is no way to force an AirTag update, as it’s something that’s done over-the-air through a connected iPhone. To make sure the update happens, you can put your AirTag in range of your iPhone, but you have to wait for the firmware to roll out to your device.
HBO Max App Now Available on Vizio SmartCast TVs
There is now a dedicated HBO Max app available on Vizio SmartCast TVs, The Verge reported. It means users can access the service directly instead of having to find workarounds like AirPlay.
Prior to today’s announcement, Vizio TVs lacked a native app within SmartCast, Vizio’s smart TV interface. Instead, they’d have to cast its content to their televisions using Apple AirPlay or by casting with Google. The addition of the app directly from the apps menu should make accessing HBO Max far more intuitive for SmartCast users. To mark the launch of the app on its sets, Vizio will also introduce a custom homescreen carousel to showcase HBO Max’s new teaser freebies. HBO Max no longer offers free trials, though it recently announced a limited sampling of the pilot episodes of more than a dozen of some of its most popular series, which can be streamed in-app without paying for an HBO Max subscription. Vizio users will be able to access these rotating teasers directly from the Vizio carousel.
AccuWeather Creates Alert System Exclusively for T-Mobile Customers
AccuWeather announced a new alert system called AccuWeather Alerts. Exclusively for T-Mobile customers, it pushes severe weather alerts for iPhones and Androids.
With this newly developed system, T-Mobile customers can received Up to the Minute alerts that read “Severe Weather Potential,” “Severe Weather Threat,” and “Dangerous Weather Imminent!” on their iOS or Android mobile phones for free. Integrated into AccuWeather’s award-winning app, these alerts provide details on upcoming and developing severe weather events, including notifications for hurricanes, snow, tornadoes, flooding, hail, heatwaves, cold waves and other types of threatening weather.
In-Store 'Today at Apple' Sessions Returning in Europe
In-store ‘Today at Apple’ sessions are returning in various countries in Europe, but not in the U.S. due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.
New Twitter Safety Mode Filters Replies, Blocks Accounts
Twitter is rolling out a new feature called Safety Mode. When you enable it for your account, it temporarily blocks accounts for seven days for using potentially harmful language or sending repetitive and uninvited replies or mentions.
You can find information about the Tweets flagged through Safety Mode and view the details of temporarily blocked accounts at any time. Before each Safety Mode period ends, you’ll receive a notification recapping this information. We won’t always get this right and may make mistakes, so Safety Mode autoblocks can be seen and undone at any time in your Settings. We’ll also regularly monitor the accuracy of our Safety Mode systems to make improvements to our detection capabilities.
I think a lot of things can be said about Twitter, but at least they’re trying (unlike Facebook).
Virtual Meeting Miscues Can Get You Fired
If you don’t believe virtual meeting mistakes can get someone fired, nearly 25 percent of executives in one survey can prove you wrong.
Report Shows 30% Increase in Mobile Shopping in Early 2021
A new report from Liftoff, App Anni, and Poq shows the pandemic has not slowed down mobile shopping. This sector increased 30%.
Backblaze Offers Alternative to Amazon EC2 With 'Vultr' Partnership
On Wednesday Backblaze announced a partnership with Vultr. It offers an alternative to Amazon S3 and EC2 for developers.
'9/11: Inside the President's War Room' Out on Apple TV+ and BBC iPlayer
9/11: Inside the President’s War Room has started its global rollout on Apple TV+ and is available on in the UK via the BBC iPlayer.
Apple’s Bias Against Discussing Pay Equity Rears Its Head in Slack
Apple recently barred employees from discussing pay equity on Slack. Jeff Butts believes this censorship clearly demonstrates Cupertino’s reluctance to deal with an important issue.
Is It Safe To Download Synology's DSM 7.0? A Synology Update
Is It Safe To Download Synology’s DSM 7.0? A DSM 7 Update from Mac Geek Gab 886.
Here are the First States to Support iOS 15 Digital IDs
On Wednesday Apple revealed which U.S. states are the first to support storage of IDs within Apple Wallet in iOS 15 and watchOS 8.
'Masterchef: Let's Cook!' And 'Layton's Mystery Journey+' Coming to Apple Arcade September 3
‘Masterchef: Let’s Cook!’ and ‘Layton’s Mystery Journey’ are both expected to become available to Apple Arcade subscribers from Friday.
Today at Apple Creative Studios Launches in Chicago, Washington, DC
Apple announced on Wednesday that its Today at Apple Creative Studios endeavor will expand to Chicago and Washington, D.C., in September.
Apple Watch 7 Faces Production Issues And Delays
Production of the forthcoming Apple Watch 7 has been hit by delays following quality issues potentially due to the new, more complex, design.
Use Your Keyboard and Mouse in Games With IOGEAR KeyMander 2 Mobile
If you want the power of being able to use keyboard and mouse in your games, this accessory is just what you need.
LEGO Star Wars Battles Coming to Apple Arcade
Fans of LEGO and a galaxy far, far away rejoice. Lego Star Wars Battles will soon be available on Apple Arcade for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
Spotify Makes 'Blend' Personalised Shared Playlist Feature Available
Spotify announced Tuesday that Blend, which allows two users to create a shared playlist that combines both their musical tastes, is now available. It was released in beta in June and is now accessible by both free and premium users.
The experience includes new cover art to easily identify each of your Blend playlists, taste match scores to see your listening preferences compared to your friends’, and shareable data stories that are unique to every listening pair and can be shared across social channels. Blend, which will be updated daily and adapts based on what listeners stream, combines the best of Spotify’s personalization capabilities and collaborative playlist functionality into a single shared playlist, making it easy for users to get into a social listening session that is made just for them. But creating this experience was no simple feat. There’s a massive team behind the experience, blending their own different skills and expertise to bring it to life.
Explaining The Right to Repair Row
The issue of Apple and the Right to Repair is something we’ve covered extensively here on The Mac Observer. In a new video, the Wall Street Journal‘s Joanna Stern provides an explanation of the controversy surrounding the issue.
App Store Payments, Future iPhone Features – TMO Daily Observations 2021-08-31
Jeff Butts joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss a recently passed law in South Korea, and some features coming to future iPhones.
James Bond Retrospective Film Coming to Apple TV Ahead of No Time To Die’ Release
‘Being James Bond’, in which Daniel Craig reflects on his 15 years as the super spy, will be available on exclusively Apple TV.
Flipboard Gives People Tools to Prevent 'Doomscrolling'
Flipboard is rolling out a series of personalization tools to help people cut back on doomscrolling.
The company announced this morning the launch of a new controller on the cover of its own main newsfeed, aka the “For You” feed, which now allows users to select new topics to follow and deselect those they no longer want to hear about. The feature, which Flipboard dubs “an antidote to doomscrolling,” allows users to customize their For You feed to deliver a wider selection of stories related to their various interests, instead of focusing their home page on breaking news and politics.
New South Korean Law Changes App Store Payments
Recently passed by South Korea’s National Assembly, the Telecommunications Business Act could be the first to change app store payments.