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Google Still Doesn’t Have iOS 14 Privacy Labels
I’ve been hesitant to keep sharing these stories. At the time this news first appeared I was skeptical, saying that we just got over the holidays so give Google a break. But as the days turn into weeks, this is when it does start to look damning and now it’s time to give Google some heat.
On January 5, Google told TechCrunch that the data would be added to its iOS apps “this week or the next week,” but both this week and the next week have come and gone with no update. It has now been well over a month since Google last updated its apps.
EU Fines Valve And Five Other PC Games Publishers
The European Union Commission issued fines totalling €7.8 million ($9.4 million) to Valve and five other games publishers on Wednesday, Techrunch reported. It followed a lengthy investigation that found that firm’s had broken the bloc’s rules.
The geo-blocking practices investigated since before 2017 concerned around 100 PC video games of different genres, including sports, simulation and action games. In addition to Valve — which has been fined just over €1.6 million — the five sanctioned games publishers are: Bandai Namco (fined €340,000), Capcom (€396,000), Focus Home (€2.8 million), Koch Media (€977,000) and ZeniMax (€1.6 million). The Commission said the fines were reduced by between 10% and 15% owing to cooperation from the companies, with the exception of Valve, which it said chose not to cooperate (a “prohibition Decision” rather than a fine reduction was applied in its case).
Linux Now “Completely Usable” on Apple Silicon M1 Macs
A version of Linux now works on Apple Silicon M1 chip, AppleInsider reported. Security researchers at Corellium ported the operating system, and plan to release it under an open-source license.
The Linux version is a full Ubuntu desktop operating system booted from a USB, according to Corellium Chief Technology Officer Chris Wade. Although details are scarce, he said that Linux is now “completely usable” on Apple Silicon machines. Network compatibility is possible through a USB-C dongle, and the current update to the platform will support USB, I2C, and DART. The Ubuntu operating system is one initially meant for the ARM-based Raspberry Pi, Wade added.
President Biden on ‘Same Page’ With EU Over Big Tech Regulation
U.S. President Joe Biden and the EU are on the “same page” as regards to regulating Big Tech, according to the Head of the EU Commission.
iPhone 12 Pro Production Increasing, Mini Production Being Cut
iPhone 12 Pro lead times have decreased from 22 days to around 10 days, as Apple ramps up production of the device.
Apple Watch Tip Bonanza! – TMO Daily Observations 2021-01-20
Charlotte Henry and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss their Apple Watches, and tips and tricks they have picked up and want to share.
Apple Joint Venture Program Ends on February 22
Apple’s Joint Venture support program for businesses is ending on February 22, but an AppleCare program will be able to replace it.
The Story of the 30-Year-Old PDF Format
The Portable Document Format (PDF) has been around for thirty years. But how did it become so ubiquitous? Rob Walker shares the interesting story.
The PDF keeps spreading not because Adobe or any company forces others to use it, but because of “millions of people all over the world,” Parmenter says, “just doing their thing.”
LG Display Stops LCD Production for iPhone
LG Display has stopped producing LCD panels for iPhones as the work was particularly profitable for the company.
ViacomCBS Replaces CBS All Access With Paramount+
CBS All Access is going away and a new service will take its place. ViacomCBS announced the launch of Paramount+.
MindNode Update Adds Editable Outlines
MindNode updated its mind mapping app recently with a feature many users have wanted. Along with editing maps, outlines can also be edited. Nodes can be added, removed, indented/outdented, and reorganized directly. Other features include: Improved color pickers in the Inspector; Improved support for files from other apps that use Markdown; Fixed an issue where the Inspector would close when the icon of the open section was clicked. The update is currently available for the Mac app, but updates to MindNode for iOS/iPadOS are sure to follow.
Netflix Adds Randomize Button for its 200 Million Subscribers
Netflix has reached the 200 million subscriber mark, COO and chief product officer Greg Peters said during an earnings Q&A. Mr. Peters also revealed a new feature coming to the service.
Should Apple Build Netflix For Podcasts?
Rumors abound that Apple is to launch a Podcasts+ subscription service to compete with Spotify. In his latest Vulture column, Hot Pod’s Hot Pod‘s Nick Quah looked at whether he should and highlighted some difficulties that the company may come across.
You have to start with the reality that nobody’s really figured out a Netflix-esque paid subscription service for podcasting just yet, which is another way of saying that audiences haven’t sufficiently expressed interest in that kind of relationship with podcasts … or that audiences haven’t been sufficiently conditioned to want to pay for a service that would serve them podcast-like experiences. For all intents and purposes, Luminary went nowhere, notable only for its achievements in raising investment money and driving headlines. Meanwhile, other examples that can be evoked — whether it’s Stitcher Premium or Quake Media — seem largely limited in their respective achievements. We simply haven’t seen meaningful efforts at a true podcast equivalent to Netflix or even something more genre-specific like Crunchyroll, Shudder, or the Criterion Channel.
Zayn Malik-Inspired Avatars Come to 'Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells'
There are new avatars available for all players of the popular Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells game, inspired by recording artist Zayn Mailk.
This App-Integrated Case Prevents Your AirPods from Being Lost: $35.99
We have a deal on Air Fob, an app-integrated case for your AirPods Charging Case that will protect that case and help you not lose it. The case is made from silicon rubber, and it features an integrated Mu tag in the top of the case that will help prevent your AirPods from being lost. It’s $35.99 through our deal.
Malwarebytes Reveals it Was Hacked by Nation State Behind ‘SolarWinds’
Malwarebytes co-founder and current CEO Marcin Kleczynski reveals the company was hacked. He believes it was the same nation state actor behind the SolarWinds attack. The state is believed to be Russia.
After an extensive investigation, we determined the attacker only gained access to a limited subset of internal company emails. We found no evidence of unauthorized access or compromise in any of our internal on-premises and production environments.
Crazy stuff, and we’ll probably hear of the fallout for a long time.
AirPods Max Headbands Could be Interchangeable
iFixit published a tear down of the AirPods Max and it reveals, among other things, that the headband could be interchangeable.
It was rumored that Apple wanted to design the AirPods Max headband to be easily-swappable like its magnetic ear cups. That feature was thought to be missing from the final design, but this joint is so complex it just might have one more thing up its sleeve…despite the joint’s complexity, you can detach the entire headband from AirPods Max with just a SIM card removal tool or paperclip, without even opening the ear cup.
TV+ Tuesday, Rumor Chat – TMO Daily Observations 2021-01-19
Charlotte Henry and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont to discuss the latest TV+ news and (subscription) updates, and some new hardware rumors.
Bug Lets Audio, Video be Transmitted Without Consent in Apps Like Signal
Google’s Project Zero security team found a bug that lets audio and video be transmitted without user interaction in five messaging apps. These are Signal, JioChat, Mocha, Google Duo, and Facebook Messenger. All bugs have been fixed.
I investigated the signalling state machines of seven video conferencing applications and found five vulnerabilities that could allow a caller device to force a callee device to transmit audio or video data. All these vulnerabilities have since been fixed. It is not clear why this is such a common problem, but a lack of awareness of these types of bugs as well as unnecessary complexity in signalling state machines is likely a factor.
Former Warner Bros Exec JP Richards Joins Apple TV+
JP Richards has joined Apple as head of film marketing strategy for Apple TV+. He was formerly Co-President of Worldwide Marketing at Warner Bros.
Ted Lasso Scores Three Critics Choice Awards Nominations
Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso has been nominated in three categories for the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards – Netflix leads on 26 nominations.
New Apple Podcasts Spotlight Feature Highlights Creators
Apple has added a new feature to Podcasts on iOS and macOS called Spotlight. It showcases rising creators in the podcasting world.
My Home is my Studio — Media+
BBC Tech Reporter Zoe Kleinman joins Charlotte Henry to discuss the reality of reporting from home. Have reporters become influencers? They also look at Zoe’s reporting on how WhatsApp can be an (unreliable) news channel.
Twelve South’s New ParcSlope Stand Works for Mac and iPad
Twelve South introduced a new stand called ParcSlope that works with MacBooks and iPads. It‘s available to purchase for US$59.99.