A report on Monday claims that Apple is working on an Apple TV box with a built-in HomePod speaker and a camera for video conferencing.
Geek Challenges and Cool Stuff Found — Mac Geek Gab 865
Sometimes there are those problems that just don’t have easy solutions…and that’s when things get fun! Geek Challenges mean you get to join in the fun of helping find the answers. Listen as John and Dave share some of their more troubling troublehooting experiences plus, of course, some Cool Stuff Found to round it all out. Press play and learn five new things!
An iCloud Issue, Home Automation, NFC Tags, and a Smart Home Friction Point, with Jeff Gamet - ACM 545
Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet dig deep into smart home tech and home automation, starting with an iCloud account issue Jeff had with a new HomePod mini. They also discuss NFC tags, a home automation friction point Bryan has experienced, and other aspects of smart homes.
Pictar Smart Grip Makes iPhone Feel Like Camera: $73.99
I love Pictar’s product line, and I’m thrilled we have a deal for you on the Pictar Smart Grip. It’s an attachment for your iPhone that makes it feel much more like a DLSR, including giving you a shutter button that works much more comfortably. It also gives you physical knobs for controlling some of your camera’s features. The Pictar Smart Grip is compatible with iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max, 12/12 Mini, 6/6 Plus/6S, 7/7 Plus, 8/8 Plus, Pro 12/Pro Max, SE 2020, and X/XR/XS/XS Max. It also works with various Android models if that’s your jam. This device is $73.99 through our deal.
Security Friday: Exploits and Scammers – TMO Daily Observations 2021-04-09
Andrew Orr joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss (good) Security Friday news, including an in-depth look at phone scammers and tactics to stop them.
The Day the 100 Millionth iPod Was Sold
Given the success of the iPhone, it is perhaps all too easy to forget quite how groundbreaking the iPod was. In its latest ‘Today in Apple History’ piece, Cult of Mac looks back to the day in 2007 when the 100 millionth iPod was sold, making it the most popular Apple product in history at the time.
By April 2007, Apple had released more than 10 iPod models: five original iPods, two iPod minis, two iPod nano, and two iPod shuffles. The devices spawned an enormous ecosystem of more than 4,000 accessories, from cases to standalone speakers. Plus, upward of 70 percent of cars produced in the United States in 2007 offered iPod connectivity. Along with the success of the iTunes Music Store — the third-biggest music store in the United States at the time — the iPod represented Apple’s ascendancy to the pinnacle of the tech world… “At this historic milestone, we want to thank music lovers everywhere for making iPod such an incredible success,” said Steve Jobs in a statement issued by Apple. “iPod has helped millions of people around the world rekindle their passion for music, and we’re thrilled to be a part of that.”
Ad Industry Waiting to See What App Tracking Transparency Fallout is
The advertising industry is waiting with bated breath for the arrival of Apple’s App Tracking Transparency. The feature will arrive in iOS 14.5 and make sure users are asked they want to be tracked across other apps and websites. AdWeek’s Andrew Blustein looked at what the fallout might be (Apple News link).
The median opt-in rate so far is 32%, according to an analysis of 300 apps across 2,000 devices from AppsFlyer, a mobile marketing and attribution company. The analysis found that apps with higher consumer affinity saw higher opt-in rates, hovering around 40%. It remains to be seen whether those opt-in rates will stay consistent when ATT roles out widely. Dating app Bumble said in its S-1 filing that it expects opt-in rates to be between 0-20%. Demonstrating the breadth of the identifier, Trade Desk said that 10% of the 12 million ad opportunities per second on its platform are tied to an IDFA. If opt-out rates are high and IDFAs do become scarce, app developers and publishers should expect to see a 50% decline of in-app CPMs, said Joe Root, co-founder of Permutive, a publisher-focused data management platform. This mirrors the impact media owners saw when Apple introduced ITP, he said.
Justin Timberlake to Star in Forthcoming Apple TV+ Adaptation of 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind'
Justin Timberlake will star in a forthcoming Apple TV+ drama series based on Gong Show host Chuck Barris’s ‘Confessions of a Dangerous Mind’.
Apple Music TV Arrives in the UK and Canada
Apple Music TV, 24/7 video service, is now available in the UK and Canada, having originally rolled out in the U.S.
Apple Publishes 2020 Transparency Report for Government Requests
Apple has published its transparency report from 2020. It gives information about what kinds of requests it receives from third parties.
Safari Exploit Revealed at Pwn2Own 2021
Jack Dates found an exploit in Safari which won him US$100,000 along with 10 Master of Pwn points at Pwn2Own 2021.
This Hacker Fights Back Against Phone Scammers
AARP recently published a fascinating investigative report of how one man, alias Jim Browning, fights back against phone scammers.
Apple TV+: Helpsters Teach Heart T-Ball
In a new clip shared Friday, the Helpsters teach their friend Heart to play T-Ball. It’s the latest in the ‘We’ve Got a Plan’ series of videos from the Apple TV+ show that have been released. It is from the season two finale, which is available now to subscribers.
Peter Thiel Calls Apple's China Supply Chain Reliance a 'Real Problem'
Peter Thiel criticized tech companies’ relationships with China, picking out Apple and its supply chain in the country as a “real problem.”
Verizon Recalls Mobile Hotspots Over Fire Hazard
Working with the CPSC, Verizon is recalling its Ellipsis Jetpack mobile hotspot devices due to a potential fire hazard from its battery.
Samsung’s ‘iTest’ Puts Android on Your iPhone
Samsung has created a web app called iTest that puts a simulation of Android on your iPhone to convince you to switch.
When you’re in the Samsung iTest app on your iPhone, you’ll even receive a variety of simulated text notifications and phone calls highlighting different things to try out and different ways of communicating with friends. And of course, Samsung is also using this as an opportunity to promote its other Galaxy products, such as Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Watch3, and Galaxy Buds Live.
I think it’s really cool and creative.
Apple TV+ Content Recognized, But Doesn't Win, at GLAAD Media Awards
The episode of Apple TV+ show Little America called The Son earned ‘Special Recognition’ at the Glaad Media Awards.
Apple And Epic Reveal Their Legal Arguments in Upcoming App Store Trial
New filings reveal the legal arguments that Apple and Epic plan to make in their App Store trial. Bloomberg News outlined the details of the respective cases, which the companies presented to a judge on Thursday. None of it is hugely unexpected, but it is worth being aware of as we follow the trial, which will begin on May 5
In a summary of its legal arguments, Apple contends the 30% commission it charges most developers isn’t anticompetitive, but that it’s a typical fee across other mobile and online platforms. Moreover, Apple argues that taking a share of the revenue is justified by the billions of dollars it has invested in developing the proprietary infrastructure that underpins its App Store in the company’s iOS operating system, including software development kits and application programming interfaces. “Epic has benefited handsomely from its contractual relationship with Apple,” Apple’s court submission said. “Epic has used Apple’s proprietary SDKs, and thousands of proprietary APIs to develop games for iOS users.”
Eddy Cue Advising Tom Brady NFT Company
Age-defying, seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady is setting up an NFT company called Autograph. CNN reported that Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President, Internet Software and Services, is acting as an advisor to the firm.
Brady and entrepreneur Richard Rosenblatt will serve as co-chairs of Autograph. The company has also assembled a high-profile advisory team including Apple SVP Eddy Cue, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer, Live Nation Entertainment CEO Michael Rapino, DraftKings cofounders Jason Robins and Paul Liberman, and Dawn Ostroff, chief content and advertising business Officer at Spotify, among others. Autograph will also have interactive offerings like live auctions, physical product drops and in-person experiences.
3-in-1 Apple Watch & Lightning Charger Cable: $16.99
We have a deal on a charging cable that has three ends: Apple Watch and two Lightning connectors with support for dual charging. It also comes in gray, pink, blue, white, red, and purple. It’s $16.99 through our deal.
How to Play Apple Music Radio and Playlists on an Amazon Alexa Device
Apple Music 1, the rebranded radio station, and playlists can be accessed on Amazon’s Echo dot and other Alexa-enabled smart speakers.
Thursdays with Bob: Cool Stuff Found! – TMO Daily Observations 2021-04-08
Thursdays with Bob bring Dr Mac by to chat with host Kelly Guimont about a new interactive data service, and deliver some bad news about your webcam.
Tom Holland to Star in 'The Crowded Room' on Apple TV+
Tom Holland will star in a forthcoming Apple TV+ anthology series called The Crowded Room, created by Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman.
Adobe Releases Update to ‘Source Han Sans’ Open Source Font
Adobe and Google partnered to create an open source font for East Asian languages called Source Han Sans. Adobe on Thursday released the latest iteration called Source Han Sans Variable.
The existing seven weights of Source Han Sans now come in a single file that encompasses the entire design space. This affords typographers more granular control: rather than seven static weights ranging from ExtraLight to Heavy, weight exists on a continuum and is expressed through minimum and maximum numeric values.