This is the second developer beta this week, as Apple works on a Now Playing control for Apple TV in Control Center, a bug fix for Calculator, and Apple Pay Cash.
Apple
Apple May Have Plans for a Cheap iPad in 2018
Apple is looking to take more of the budget conscious tablet market with a $259 iPad in 2018 if a new report is correct.
Listener Question: What's Apple's Next Big Thing? - TMO Daily Observations 2017-11-30
John Martellaro and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to answer a listener question: What’s next for Apple?
Apple Security FUBAR or SNAFU, Bitcoin Bubble, Tesla Bubble, and Oak Island - Pop.0 ep.22
In this video podcast, Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit ask whether the macOS High Sierra root access flaw indicates that Apple is FUBAR or was a simple SNAFU. They also discuss the huge spike in Bitcoin and whether or not we’re seeing a bubble. And speaking of bubbles, some Tesla critics say that company is experiencing its own. The cap the show with a look at The History Channel’s The Curse of Oak Island, and Bryan has a theory about the most recent episodes. (WARNING NSFW: PROFANITY & RANTS)
Apple Root Password Bug, Ajit Pai’s Net Neutrality Fight, Listener Topics – ACM 349
Apple fixed its root access flaw in macOS High Sierra, but the whole incident is a corporate black eye for a company known for executing. Bryan and Jeff also talk about Ajit Pai’s latest embarrassing comments defending his plan to gut net neutrality. They also talk about some of the topics suggested by the Apple Context Machine Facebook Group.
Apple Says It's Auditing Development Processes in Wake of Mac Root Access Flaw
Apple issued an apology to Mac users for the epic fail of the macOS High Sierra root access flaw and said it would audit its internal development processes to make sure this kind of buffoonery never happens again.
![macOS High Sierra Has a Severe Vulnerability Giving Anyone Root Access – Here’s How to Fix It [Update]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/macos-high-sierra-system-preferences-users-groups-root.jpg)
macOS High Sierra Has a Severe Vulnerability Giving Anyone Root Access - Here's How to Fix It [Update]
It gives anyone with physical access to your Mac immediate and easy root privileges, meaning access to everything on your Mac. Fortunately, there’s a fix you can do yourself until Apple fixes this mess.
Apple Seeds tvOS 11.2 Developer Beta 5
This tvOS release cycle adds a developer API called AVDisplayManager for automatic display mode switching, and it brings back support for the Unwatched category in Home Sharing.
Apple Plans Holiday Shutdown of iTunes Connect December 23-27
Apple announced Tuesday a holiday shutdown of iTunes Connect, the portal for the App Store, iTunes, and iBooks.
New Patent Could Give Macs a Minority Report Interface
A just granted Apple patent could hint at a gesture-based interface for future Macs, much like the system Tom Cruise used in Minority Report.
Apple Promotes Face ID in 4 New Videos
They cover topics such as Animoji, how Face ID works in the dark, how it recognizes you no matter what you’re looking like today, and more.
PSA Reminder: You Can Gift Apple Music to the Android Users in Your Life
This seems like a good time to remind everyone you can gift Apple Music to the Android users in your life—here’s how it works.
The Miserable State of UI, HomePod Under Achieving, and Future Man - Pop.0 ep.21
We’ve had more than 30 years of mainstream GUI computer systems, and somehow user interfaces are still miserably bad. Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit also talk about Bloomberg’s report that said HomePod will focus on music even though the world is clamoring for an Apple home voice assistant. This week’s look at pop culture includes Future Man, a Hulu original they both like. (WARNING NSFW: PROFANITY & RANTS)
Frothy Rants about Encryption and Net Neutrality, Plus Apple's AR Goggles - ACM 348
A listener sparks an intense rant from Bryan and Jeff about encryption and passcode-attempt-based device wipes, and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai gets them going on Net Neutrality. They cap the show with the observation that Apple’s AR goggle project appears to be back on.
Apple Taps Sam Smith in 'Sway' Holiday Commercial for AirPods
Apple has a new holiday commercial out called Sway. The spot channels the feeling of Christmas without overtly mentioning that specific holiday, with a sound track by Sam Smith (“Palace”). It’s a subtle promotion of AirPods featuring two young dancers who meet and metaphorically fall in love. She gives him one of her AirPods, and they then dance and sway through the snow sharing the same song. The tag line is “move someone this holiday.” What do you think?
Denise Young Smith Will Leave as Head of Apple's Inclusion & Diversity
Ms. Young Smith moved to the position in May after a three year stint as head of Apple’s Human Resources, and she will be replaced by Christie Smith, a 17 year veteran of consulting firm Delloite.
Apple Fixes iPhone X Live Photos and Video Distortion Bug with iOS 11.1.2
Apple released iOS 11.1.2 on Thursday, a bug fix release for two iPhone X problems.
Apple Accelerates macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 Cycle with Release of Developer Beta 4
This marks an acceleration of the release cycle, which in the past has meant Apple is nearing release.
Wearable Market Breakdown, Harry Potter AR, iPhone X Camera - ACM 437
Bryan and Jeff argue that the wearables market is breaking down into three competitors, Apple, Xiaomi, and Fitbit. All others are lolwannabes. They also think Harry Potter Wizards Unite will be way bigger than Pokémon Go, and talk about just how good the camera is on iPhone X.
Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 44
This release enables Payment Requests by default, and it includes 38 other improvements and bug fixes, too.
Apple's Aqua Connect Patent Fight, Firefox Quantum - TMO Daily Observations 2017-11-15
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to look at the latest patent infringement fight for Apple, plus they chat about Web browsers and Mozilla’s new Firefox Quantum.
Apple Facing ITC Patent Infringement Investigation Over Aqua Connect Complaint
The U.S. International Trade Commission is investigating Apple over patent infringement allegations stemming from a complaint submitted by Aqua Connect and subsidiary Strategic Technology Partners.
Apple's Lisa Jackson Joins Execs from JetBlue and Others to Discuss Sustainability in Open Forum
The Washington Post is organizing a forum called A World in Balance for business execs, policy makers, and experts to discuss sustainability, including Apple’s Lisa Jackson.
Apple Seeds watchOS 4.2 Developer Beta 3
No feature changes have been announced with this release, making it a bug fix and improvement cycle that also keeps up with iOS 11.2 DB3, macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 DB3, and tvOS 11.2 DB3.