Disney Parks Launching MagicMobile on Apple Devices

Disney Parks announced Thursday that there will soon be a new way to access the theme parks. Called MagicMobile, it will rollout on Apple devices first.

Launching in phases starting later this year, Disney MagicMobile service is a convenient and contactless way to access MagicBand features like theme park entry through the power of your iPhone, Apple Watch or other smart device. Guests will be able to create a Disney MagicMobile pass through the My Disney Experience app and add it to their smart device’s digital wallet. It works like magic – most features will be available by just holding up your smart device near an access point, just like you do with a MagicBand. Disney MagicMobile service and its features will roll out first on Apple devices.

(Image via Disney)

Dashlane Reveals New Password Changer and Autofill Engine

Dashlane announced on Thursday a redesign of its Password Changer, as well as a new autofill engine powered by machine learning.

Password Changer seamlessly logs users into compatible websites, generates strong, unique passwords, then changes the passwords for those sites on the user’s behalf in one-click.

Interested persons can sign up to test the beta versions of Dashlane with these new features using this website.

Pocket Smartphone Forehead Thermometer: $24.99

We have a deal on a nifty gadget today, the Pocket Smartphone Forehead Thermometer. It features a built-in thermopile sensor that measures temperature through accurate recognition of the human body surface. Aim at the center of the forehead, and its one-second measurement provides accurate reading to even 0.1°. You plug it in to your iPhone for power and read the display for the temperature, making it small enough to carry around in your pocket. The deal listing also has an option for an Android version of the device.

When AAPL Overtook Walmart

There’s been much talk in recent days, as Apple’s market cap has slipped at points to sit below the US$2 trillion mark. Cult of Mac shared a timely reminder of when AAPL first overtook Walmart stock.

At the time, AAPL was trading at $226 per share. Today, it trades at $275.43. If that doesn’t seem much of an increase, bear in mind that a 7-to-1 stock split took place in 2014 after AAPL peaked at $645. If that split hadn’t happened, Apple would now be trading at approximately $1,925. It didn’t take Apple long to catch up to market leaders ExxonMobil and Microsoft, either. In May 2010, Apple overtook Microsoft, surpassing the tech giant that dominated Cupertino during the previous decade. A little over a year after that, on August 9, 2011, Apple blew past oil giant ExxonMobil to become the world’s most valuable company. In all, it was an astonishing turnaround for a company that came perilously close to going out of business during the 1990s.

Netflix Moves to Crack Down on Password Sharing

Jason Gurwin reports that some Netflix users recently began seeing warnings if the company detects you’re using someone else’s password.

We’ve heard the test right now is only on TV devices. A Netflix spokesperson told The Streamable, “This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so.” It isn’t clear if users in the test all need to be on the same IP address to be considered in the same household.

To quote Jahil Nelson: “The only thing worse than a bunch of people pirating your software is …nobody pirating your software.”

It's Time For Some Official Apple TV+ Merch

Apple TV+ has been available for well over a year now, and some of the shows have picked up a considerable fan base. Writing for 9to5 Mac, marketing strategist Parker Ortolani argued that we now need some official merch. (And I think he’s got a good point…)

There is plenty of bootleg merch on the web for different Apple TV+ shows, primarily for “Ted Lasso.” That comes as no surprise since the show has been a huge hit for the company. The upbeat show has become a mainstay of pandemic life. It’s uplifting and just a pure joy to watch during these difficult times. We all know that if Apple were to take a stab at making merch, they would make some awesome things. In fact, they already have made some products to market shows like “Ted Lasso.” But they haven’t made them available to the public, rather opting to send gift packages to press and leaders of the television industry. The Apple-branded merch products that they sell exclusively at Infinite Loop and at Apple Park have always been incredibly cool pieces to show your Apple pride. There’s no doubt that Apple’s designers could do the same for these shows and films.