Mercedes-Benz announced that it will be adding Apple Music integration to some of its vehicles within the MBUX infotainment system.
TikTok Will Collect Biometric Data From US Users
TikTok updated its privacy policy on Wednesday, adding a new section about collecting biometric data from users. This data includes “faceprints and voiceprints.”
The statement itself is vague, as it doesn’t specify whether it’s considering federal law, states laws, or both. It also doesn’t explain, as the other part did, why TikTok needs this data. It doesn’t define the terms “faceprints” or “voiceprints.” Nor does it explain how it would go about seeking the “required permissions” from users, or if it would look to either state or federal laws to guide that process of gaining consent.
'Lisey's Story' Premieres on Apple TV+
Lisey’s Story premiered on Apple TV+ on Friday. The first two episodes are now available to subscribers. The remaining episodes of the eight-part series, an adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name, will be released on a weekly basis.
Elizabeth Anweis Joins Cast of Apple TV+ Thriller Echo 3
Elizabeth Anweis has joined the cast of the forthcoming Apple TV+ series Echo 3, alongside Luke Evans and Michiel Huisman.
European Consumer Group Backs EU Apple Antitrust Case Prompted by Spotify
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has backed the European Union’s antitrust case against Apple prompted by Spotify.
Blinkist Premium 2-Year Subscription: $99.99
We have a deal on a 2-year subscription to Blinkist Premium. Blinkist is the app that brings you the key ideas from top nonfiction books and podcasts, all in 15-minute audio and text explainers. Read or listen to the key ideas from over 4,500 bestselling titles across 27 categories, including personal development, entrepreneurship, and psychology. A 2-year subscription to Blinkist Premium is $99.99 through our deal.
Key Managers Depart Apple Car Team
Managers working on an Apple car have left, including one who worked on robotics and the leader of the safety and regulations team.
PayPal Cancels Customer Who Donates to Tor Browser
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) reports that a PayPal has shut down the account of a person who had recently donated to the privacy browser Tor.
Siri is Still Version One – TMO Daily Observations 2021-06-03
The Infamous Dan Moren joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss Siri, and how the Apple voice assistant stacks up against others. Or doesn’t…
Twitter Launches First-Ever Subscription Service - and it Let's You Edit Tweets
Twitter announced that it is rolling Twitter Blue, its first-ever subscription service, in a blog post on Thursday. The new service is coming to Australia and Canada first, costing CAD$3.49 or AUD$4.49 per month respectively. It includes various features, including ‘Undo Tweet’, which gives you a brief window in which to preview and edit a tweet before it goes live.
For those wondering, no, a free Twitter is not going away, and never will. This subscription offering is simply meant to add enhanced and complementary features to the already existing Twitter experience for those who want it… Starting today, we will be rolling out our first iteration of Twitter Blue in Australia and Canada. Our hope with this initial phase is to gain a deeper understanding of what will make your Twitter experience more customized, more expressive, and generally speaking more 🔥.
How to Get Around macOS Security Using App Installers
Tenable Research found security issues related to macOS app installers, and they can be used to bypass default Mac security protections. So far, Apple hasn’t fixed it (emphasis mine).
Frustrated by the prevalence of these issues, we decided to write them up and make separate reports to both Apple and Microsoft. We wrote to Apple to recommend implementing a fix similar to what they did for CVE-2020–9817 and explained the additional LPE mechanism discovered.
We wrote to Microsoft to recommend a fix for the flaw in their installer. Both companies have rejected these submissions and suggestions.
What Having Apple TV on the Nvidia Shield Tells us About Apple's Services Business
Earlier this week, Nvidia announced that SHIELD users can purchase or rent movies and shows and access Apple TV+ through the Apple TV app on the device. At iMore, Oliver Haslam neatly outlines how this underlines a significant shift that has been going on in Apple’s services business.
Apple’s services business isn’t what it once was. It’s no longer a way to keep people tethered to Apple and is instead just another way for Apple to make money. If people insist on using Android phones, they might as well give Apple $10 each month to listen to its music. People really don’t want to buy an Apple TV 4K? No problem, Apple will take their $4.99 per month and let them watch on their crappy smart TV instead. The idea of an Apple TV app running on the Nvidia Shield – of all things! – would have been insane just a few short years ago. Call me an old romantic, but who knows – maybe it gives us all hope that one day, on an indefinite timescale, we’ll see iMessage break free of Apple’s chains as well.
App Store’s Billings & Sales Generated $643 Billion in 2020
Apple announced on Wednesday that the App Store’s billings and sales generated US$643 billion in 2020, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bribery Charges Against Apple Security Chief Dismissed
A judge has dismissed the charges against Thomas Moyer, Apple’s head of global security, saying that the main part of the case was “pure speculation.”
Tim Cook Tells Apple Staff to Come Back to Office For at Least Three Days a Week From September
Apple CEO Tim Cook has told staff that he wants them to return to the office for a minimum of three days a week from September.
Satechi Launches iPad Pro Stand With Built-In Hub
On Thursday Satechi revealed a new aluminum stand for iPad Pro, and it has built-in ports for accessories like SD cards and others.
Elcomsoft Cracks Latest Version of Encryption Tool ‘Veracrypt’
Elcomsoft, a company that sells forensics software, announced on Thursday that it has successfully cracked the latest version of Veracrypt.
Inexpensive Gifts for the Geeks you Love (Part I)
It’s June and that means another gift guide from Dr. Mac, this time focused on inexpensive (none over $30) gifts to protect, enhance, or improve the performance and/or life expectancy of your loved ones’ precious devices.
AirPods Volume Low? Suck the Suck Out of Your AirPods
In this week’s Mac Geek Gab 873, listener Raymond shares a clever way of clearing up your AirPods’ sound. Press play and learn in two minutes or less!
'The Mosquito Coast' Will Return For Season Two on Apple TV+
The Mosquito Coast has been renewed for a second season on Apple TV+, ahead of the first series finale, which will premiere Friday.
Season Three of Apple TV+ Hit 'Dickinson' is Now Shooting, Star Jane Krakowski Reveals
The cast and crew of Dickinson are back at work shooting season three of the Apple TV+ hit, star Jane Krakowski has confirmed.
Might Apple buy a Hollywood Studio? Analysts Think it Should
The lack of content on Apple TV+ compared to its rivals is a regular source of discussion and criticism against the service. According to The Hollywood Reporter, some analysts want it to fill this gap by following Amazon in purchasing a major Hollywood studio.
CEO Tim Cook has described streamer Apple TV+’s ambition “to be one of the most desired platforms for storytellers,” singling out comedy series Ted Lasso, drama The Morning Show and the miniseries Defending Jacob as its titles with “significant buzz.” But the streamer is seen by some Wall Street analysts as lacking multiple, regular breakout hits, which has led some to argue for a studio acquisition. Morgan Stanley research released in April found only 8 percent of U.S. respondents said they use Apple TV+, a figure that lags far below Netflix (58 percent), Amazon Prime (45 percent) and Disney+ (31 percent).
Apple v Epic Wrapup – TMO Daily Observations 2021-06-02
Charlotte Henry joins host Kelly Guimont to bring us up to speed on the Apple v Epic case, and look ahead to what it could mean for the App Store.
Apple Music Celebrates Black Music Month
June is Black Music Month. Apple Music will be celebrating and exploring the contribution Black artists have made with playlists and other content. It also released a new video celebrating “creators and the cross-cultural dialogues that bring the world so much texture, light, and joy.”