Germany’s Federal Cartel Office is investing Amazon and Apple over “brandgating”, an Amazon policy that interferes with independent vendors.
Amazon
Amazon Apple Card Option is Disappearing
People are starting to notice that their Amazon Apple Card payment option has disappeared.
Another person was told that the Apple Card is “not allowed on your account,” which is curious as the Apple Card is a Mastercard that should be accepted where Mastercard is accepted. A third person was told that the issue was on Apple’s end, so it appears that Amazon’s support staff has no insight what’s going on at this time.
Update: In a statement to MacRumors, an Amazon spokesperson said the following: “We are aware of this technical issue and are actively working to resolve it as soon as possible.”
Amazon Offers Great Deals on 2020 MacBook Air
If you’ve been holding off on buying a new 2020 MacBook Air, it’s time to make your move. Right now, Amazon offers great deals on the lightweight laptops with digital coupons worth up to $100. You can purchase a 256GB MacBook Air for $849.99, down from its retail list price of $999.99. Amazon lists it at $949.99, plus you get a $100 digital coupon at checkout. Even better, the 512GB MacBook Air can be yours for $1,149.99. This is marked down from the usual $1299 price tag and also uses a digital coupon.
Would You Like a Flying Security Drone From Amazon?
On Thursday, Amazon’s Ring surveillance company revealed a security drone that flies around your house taking photos of everything, because what could go wrong in 2020?
The company’s promotional video highlighting the camera showed a burglar breaking into a home and getting spooked as the drone flew straight at him — “Oh, no!” he exclaimed — while the homeowner watched the encounter on his phone. “Oh, yes,” the ad proclaimed.
I know what you’re thinking. Yes, it’s a real product and not a parody from The Onion.
Amazon’s Luna Streaming Game Service Works on iOS
Amazon’s newly-launched Luna streaming game service works on iOS…as a progressive web application. It’s not the same as a native app but it lets Amazon get around certain App Store rules.
Amazon said that Luna can support for gaming at a 4K resolution and 60 frames per second in “select titles.” It brought this up in relation to its Ubisoft gaming channel. This feature works like Amazon’s Prime Video channels. For example, I subscribe to PBS Kids for $5 per month on Prime Video to ensure I have plenty of content for my kids that goes beyond what the free PBS Kids app provides.
AmazonSmile Arrives on iPhone App
AmazonSmile is now available on the online retailer’s iPhone app, having previously only been available on the web and Android.
Amazon Releases New Fire HD 8 Tablets
Amazon has unveiled new Fire HD 8 tablets which come with a 64 GB memory option and a kids-specific offering.
Amazon Prime Video Offers In-App Purchases for Customers
Apple is loosening its App Store restrictions, at least for Amazon, letting the company directly sell content to users through in-app purchases.
The Pick Your Streaming Service and Device Giveaway: HBO Now, Apple TV+, Hulu, Disney+, More
We have a giveaway for you today called The Pick Your Streaming Service and Device Giveaway. The winner can choose a streaming device, including, but not limited to: Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and Google ChromeCast. And, a 1-year subscription to the streaming service of your choice — including, but not limited to: Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, and Disney+. Cool, right? To enter, register for our deal emails (which you should do anyway). If you’re already registered, click the Enter to Win button on the giveaway listing.
More Online Resources, Privacy PSA – TMO Daily Observations 2020-03-26
Andrew Orr joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss the latest resources available for online work and fun, and include a PSA about a fitness app.
How Jeff Bezos Built a Data Collecting Empire
BBC News published an inside look into “Why Amazon knows so much about you.”
“They happen to sell products, but they are a data company,” says James Thomson, one of the former executives interviewed.
“Each opportunity to interact with a customer is another opportunity to collect data.”
Founder Jeff Bezos frames it in terms of being a “customer obsession”, saying the firm’s first priority is to “figure out what they want, what’s important to them”.
AmazonSmile Available on Android App, But Not iOS
Amazon has introduced AmazonSmile to its Android app, making it easier to donate to charity, but the feature is not yet available on iOS.
TMO UK Associate Editor Charlotte Henry (#4) - TMO Background Mode Interview
Charlotte Henry is a London-based technical journalist. A self-described media junkie, she writes about Apple — and now for the Mac Observer as well as our UK Associate Editor. She has also written for City A.M. (London’s daily business tabloid,) Computer Business Review, the Independent on Sunday and CapX. Her new book is: Not Buying It.
In this special episode, Charlotte and I discuss the various streaming TV services: Apple TV+, Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, CBS All Access, Britbox, Peacock, and Quibi. We chat about our favorite shows, our experiences viewing, the pricing, and the prospects of success for the new guys on the block. Charlotte loves The Bold Type (Netflix). John waxes poetic about The Mandalorian and Star Trek: Picard.
Amazon Will Sell Your Face for as Low as 40 Cents for Facial Recognition
Reporters at The California Sunday Magazine recently published an overview of facial recognition technology. It’s a long read and it provides a lot of information on this technology and how it works. Among the tidbits that caught my eye I wanted to share this one:
Why has the use of facial recognition become such a hot-button issue now? The most obvious answer is that the technology has been improved, streamlined, and commercialized to the point that it has become widely accessible, available for purchase for as low as 40 cents an image if you opt for Amazon’s facial-recognition software plan.
Amazon’s 2019 Transparency Report Shows Slight Decline in Government Requests
Amazon’s 2019 transparency report says it received 1,841 subpoenas, 440 search warrants, and 114 other court orders in the second half of 2019.
We previously reported on how Amazon’s transparency reports have purposefully become more vague over the years rather than clearer — bucking the industry trend. At just three pages, the company spends most of it explaining how it responds to each kind of legal demand rather than expanding on the numbers themselves.
Two other notable findings: Apple was the only other company to report a decline in government requests. And Amazon’s Ring surveillance product hasn’t released a transparency report.
Amazon’s Ring Surveillance App is Loaded With Trackers
Not only are Ring doorbell cameras used as surveillance, but the app itself too. Like many apps, it’s loaded with third-party trackers and analytics tools. The EFF examined the Android app.
As we’ve mentioned, this includes information about your device and carrier, unique identifiers that allow these companies to track you across apps, real-time interaction data with the app, and information about your home network. In the case of MixPanel, it even includes your name and email address.
Amazon Boasts Record Holiday Sales
Amazon reported a record-breaking holiday season as U.S. online sales overall hit a record high according to a new report.
VICE Tests Amazon Ring’s Security, and it’s Not Good
Journalists at VICE tested the security of Amazon Ring security cameras, and they call it “awful.”
Ring is not offering basic security precautions, such as double-checking whether someone logging in from an unknown IP address is the legitimate user, or providing a way to see how many users are currently logged in—entirely common security measures across a wealth of online services.
Save $15 on a $100 iTunes Gift Card on Amazon
Amazon is offering two deals on iTunes gift cards in time for the holiday season, one for a US$100 gift card and a US$50 gift card.
Premier League Streaming, TMO Gift Guides – TMO Daily Observations 2019-12-06
Andrew Orr and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Amazon’s foray into streaming sports, and the latest TMO Holiday Gift Guide.
Flash Deal: Get $10 off a $50 iTunes Gift Card on Amazon
Amazon is offering a US$50 iTunes gift card for US$40. But you have to buy one in the next 90 minutes because it’s a Lightning Deal.
One card, millions of ways to enjoy it. Use the App Store & iTunes Gift Card to get apps, games, music, movies and TV shows. Available in a variety of denominations – spend it on in-app content, books, TV show subscriptions or even iCloud storage to secure files from all your Apple devices.
Amazon Ring Surveillance Cameras Leak Customer Data
Romanian security company Bitdefender found that Amazon Ring doorbell cameras were leaking customer data like Wi-Fi credentials.
Bitdefender researchers have discovered an issue in Amazon’s Ring Video Doorbell Pro IoT device that allows an attacker physically near the device to intercept the owner’s Wi-Fi network credentials and possibly mount a larger attack against the household network.
At the moment of publishing this paper, all Ring Doorbell Pro cameras have received a security update that fixes the issue described herein.
You can view the whitepaper [PDF] here.
Veterans can Save $40 on Amazon Prime This Year
Amazon is giving veterans a discount for its Prime subscription service. The price is normally US$119 but veterans can get it for US$79.
A couple of restrictions to note before jumping on the deal: you can’t take advantage of the discount if you’re already a Prime Student subscriber. Additionally, it’s not possible to use Amazon and partner rewards points to make the subscription even cheaper.
Over 175 Musicians Boycott Amazon Over ICE Contracts
Over 175 musicians have pledged to boycott Amazon festivals and partnerships because of the company’s contracts with ICE.
We the undersigned artists are outraged that Amazon continues to provide the technical backbone for ICE’s human rights abuses. We will not allow Amazon to exploit our creativity to promote its brand while it enables attacks on immigrants, communities of color, workers, and local economies. We call on all artists who believe in basic rights and human dignity to join us.