Jackson Dame shared how he uses iOS shortcuts and an Apple Watch for lifelogging. I experimented with lifelogging back in 2014-2015, but I gave up after a while. Shortcuts would’ve made it a whole lot easier. Mr. Dame shares a list of all of the data he collects and what tools he uses to collect it, like Data Jar (love this app), Timelines, iA Writer, Charity, Microsoft Excel, and more.
Tags: Apple Watch, shortcuts
Miles Somerville is one half of 9to5Mac’s YouTube channel alongside Jeff Benjamin. This week we’re catching up with Miles to learn how he uses the Apple Watch.
9to5Mac Watch Time is a podcast series hosted by Zac Hall. In this series, we talk to real people about how Apple Watch is affecting their lives. Subscribe now to catch up with each episode and automatically hear new episodes as soon as they’re released every two weeks:
| Read more »Mac developers are currently in the midst of a major hardware architecture transition. But for some app makers, this is the third time that they have done this.After years of rumors, Apple announced the transition to first-party Apple Silicon chips in 2020. Then the first Macs with a proprietary M1 processor launched in November — and apps started taking advantage of the new speed.Although the transition is expected to take two years in total, Apple offered a system and devices to make the process easier on both consumers and developers. Existing apps that work with macOS Big Sur can — at least in theory — simply run...
| Read more »An anonymous reader shares a report [the story is behind a paywall; alternative source]: Seven years ago, Apple made a staggering discovery: Among the employees at a factory in China that made most of the computer ports used in its MacBooks were two 15-year-olds. Apple told the manufacturer, Suyin Electronics, that it wouldn't get any new business until it improved employee screening to ensure no more people under 16 years of age got hired. Suyin pledged to do so, but an audit by Apple three months later found three more underage workers, including a 14-year-old. Apple, which has promised to ban suppliers that repeatedly use underage workers, stopped giving Suyin new business because of the violations. But it took Apple more than three years to fully cut its ties with Suyin, which continued to make HDMI, USB and other ports for older MacBooks under previous contracts. A person close to Suyin, which is headquartered in Taiwan, said that the company hadn't intentionally hired...
| Read more »Apple first unveiled its plans to transition away from Intel processors at WWDC in June, detailing that the first Mac powered by Apple Silicon would be released before the end of the year. As it turns out, Apple released three Macs powered by its new M1 chip: a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
Despite Apple having a strong 2020 in nearly all regards, the M1 Mac is what we are officially crowning as the 9to5Mac Product of the Year.
The post The 9to5Mac Apple Product of the Year: The M1 MacBook Air, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »Alison Sheridan discovered some tips and tricks for the macOS Screenshot Utility which Apple introduced with macOS Catalina. There are options to change the save location, setting a timer, showing/hiding the floating thumbnail and show pointer, remembering the last selection, and taking screenshots with the keyboard.
Tags: Mac
Spending across the Apple App Store and Google Play hit rocked to $407.6 million over the Christmas period (December 1 -27) this year, according to the latest data from Sensor Tower. The bulk of that, the spending, 68.4 percent/$278.6 million, was on Apple’s platform.
Games and TikTok Biggest App Revenue Generators
Across the App Store and Google Play Store there was a year-over-year growth rate of 34.5 percent compared to 2019. Then, around $303 million was spent. No surprise that much of the spending over the holiday period was on games. Spending on games hit $295.6 million in 2020, up from $232.4 million the year before. After that, it was entertainment apps that generated the most revenue. They brought in $19.3 million on the App Store. Overall, Tencent’s Honor of Kings was the game that prompted the most users spending – $10.7 million. Away from games, it was...
| Read more »It’s New Year’s Eve, so chances are that your Instagram feed is full of people sharing their annual top 9 year-in-review posts. If you’re looking to create and share your own Instagram Top 9 before the end of the year, here’s how to do it.
The post How to create and share your Instagram Top 9 year in review appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »A new app has launched to help with quick text transformations on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Textcraft brings over 50 formats that you can quickly convert your text to which should be useful for everyone from developers to everyday users.
The post Textcraft app for iOS and Mac offers powerful text conversion tools for HTML stripping, Base64, alt case, emoji, much more appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »A new report claims that Foxconn's foldable iPhone testing consisted of two entirely separate designs, and that both have passed the assembler's quality control checking.Mockup of a foldable iPhone (Source: William Gallagher)Following previous rumors that Foxconn is testing a foldable iPhone, a new report says that it was in fact testing two competing designs for Apple. The testing took place in Foxconn's Shenzhen factory and is said to have concluded with both designs passing quality control.
| Read more »Media has played a huge role in our lives in 2020, and Apple has been a big part of that story. As the year comes to an end, there are some genuine highlights and significant moments to reflect on.
Apple Media Moments From 2020
Ted Lasso
Where else to start but the Apple TV+ breakaway hit? The uplifting comedy arrived in August and was just what when we needed. Such was the success of the show, that Apple has already confirmed two more seasons are on the way
Greyhound Sails Onto Apple TV+
With cinemas around the world shuttered, Hollywood had to have a rethink. Mega-movies ended up launching on streaming services, including...
| Read more »The controversial Smart Case for AirPods Max has arguably received more attention than the over-ear headphones themselves. The Smart Case has been criticized for not providing adequate protection for AirPods Max and for its awkward design. WaterField Designs is aiming to solve those problems with its new AirPods Max Shield. Read on for a closer look at the first third-party AirPods Max case.
The post Hands-on: WaterField’s AirPods Max Shield Case is a compelling alternative to Apple’s Smart Case appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »It's been a long year, and Apple has been surprisingly active throughout all of it. As we wind down the year, the AppleInsider staff recaps their favorite articles of the year.2020 has been a whirlwind of a year. There's the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, paired with an unprecedented amount of Apple events — all covered by the staff here at AppleInsider.Each of us has our own favorite articles of 2020, which we'd like to share with you as we bid 2020 goodbye and welcome in 2021.
| Read more »A new report today claims that Apple is reluctant to ban suppliers found guilty of labor violations, and can take years to do so, even in the most serious of cases.
In one case, it says, Apple took three years to stop using a Chinese supplier that was repeatedly found to use child labor…
The post Apple reluctant to ban suppliers guilty of labor violations; can take years to do so appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »A new report sheds some light on how Apple deals with companies that slack on enforcing labor laws in China, alleging that if corrective actions will impact Apple's bottom line, they are slow to materialize — or may not happen at all.iPhone 8 Plus (left) versus iPhone XR (right)Apple and Suyin
| Read more »Brave now offers native support for M1 Macs, 9to5Mac reported. This should help the privacy-focused browser utilize the faster speeds offered by Apple’s own silicon. That said, it is built on the Chrome engine, which often brings with it high memory usage and reduced battery performance.
The company says the latest version also has a fix for problems playing videos from a couple of key sites. “Our last desktop browser update of the year (v1.18.77) features native support for M1 Macs, a localization fix for Brave Rewards, and fixes for playing videos on HBO Max and IMDb.” Brave blocks ad trackers by default, and claims to be faster by blocking most ads too.
Tags: M1
Apple is researching the use of geared hinges that would strengthen a foldable iPhone's screen. These hinges could allow the iPhone to be folded both inwards like a book, and outwards to have a form of wraparound screen.Detail from the patent showing geared hinges on a foldable displayApple has previously applied for many patents about a foldable iPhone, ranging from slidable displays and scroll-like screens, to ones with articulated hinges. There are now so many that it's surely certain that a foldable iPhone is coming — but also that...
| Read more »Everybody needs to unwind, especially when things seem to be going crazy. That’s why the Ocean Wave Ceiling Projector ($32.99) is such an attractive accessory. It projects seven different wave light colors on your ceiling and adds your choice of one of eight nature sounds, allowing you to drift away to the softly pulsing lights.
The Ocean Wave Ceiling Projector is a remote-activated projector that is super easy to use and has no actual installation necessary. The remote control enables you to set timers for automatic shut-off. It also allows you to change the brightness, chose between 7 wave light colors, and 8 different nature sounds. The audio cable allows...
| Read more »Apple removed 39,000 games from its App Store in China on Thursday, Reuters reported. It’s the most ever removed in a single day.
Games and Apps Remoed From China App Store Before Deadline
In total, 46,000 Apps were removed before a deadline for developers to get a license hit. Researchers at Qimai found that only 74 of the top 1,500 paid App Store games remain. Amongst the games taken down were Assassin’s Creed Identity and NBA 2k20. December 31 is actually an extension. Originally, developers were told that they had to obtain a government-issued license by the end of June.
Tags: App Store
I’m still skeptical that Apple will ever release a foldable iPhone (and I’m 99% sure it won’t in 2021), but the tech giant continues to file patents for such a device. They could also involve a foldable iPad, which, to me, sounds a little more feasible.
Patent filing 20200409428 is for “folding devices with geared hinges.” In the filing, Apple says that, if care isn’t taken, the display of an electronic device may not offer sufficient screen real estate to display information of interest to a user. At the same time, it can be difficult to enlarge the size of electronic devices too much to accommodate larger displays, because this can make devices bulky. Apple’s idea: a foldable device with geared hinges.
Here’s the summary of the patent filing: “First and second portions of an electronic device housing for the device may be joined using a hinge. A flexible display may overlap the first housing portion and the second housing portion and may...
| Read more »Apple has filed for three patents for the rumored “Apple Glasses,” an augmented reality/virtual reality/mixed reality head-mounted display (HMD).
Patent filing number 20200410642 is for a “method and device for combining real and virtual images.” In an augmented reality (AR) experience, virtual objects are presented in a representation of a scene in which the user is present. In a mixed reality experience, a virtual scene is presented including images of real objects in the scene in which the user is present.
Accordingly, real image data and virtual image data are combined upon a display. Combining the real image data and the virtual image data, particularly at high frame rates, presents computational and other challenges. Apple wants its Apple Glasses to meet that challenge.
Patent filing number 20200410713 is for “generating pose information for a persona in a physical environment.” Some devices are capable of presenting...
| Read more »Assassin’s Creed Identity and NBA 2K20 were among 46,000 iOS apps removed from the App Store in China as Apple purged all remaining apps without a government license.
The vast majority of the apps removed were games, with only 74 of the top 1,500 paid games surviving the cull…
The post Assassin’s Creed Identity among 46,000 iOS apps removed in China appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Sponsored by HabitMinder: Change your habits, change your life. HabitMinder helps you form healthy habits and stay accountable. Get started for free on iOS, Mac, and Apple Watch.
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| Read more »The latest T-Mobile data breach (this is the third time and the second breach in 2020) has affected an estimated 200,000 people.
The data accessed did NOT include any names associated with the account, financial data, credit card information, social security numbers, passwords, PINs or physical or email addresses. The information that was accessed may have included phone numbers, number of lines subscribed to and in a small number of cases some call-related information collected as part of normal operation and service.
Tags: data breach, Security,...
| Read more »LG Display is set to show off Transparent OLED at CES 2021. It will demonstrate how the technology can be used as part of a smart bed, in the subway system, and even as part of a sushi restaurant.
Transparent OLED At CES 2021 from LG Display
The company’s Transparent OLED realizes 40 percent transparency while the existing transparent LCD has only 10 percent transparency. It said this provides a clear image quality from a crystal clear display that can be used in various fields. This includes smart homes, smart buildings, and mobility. LG Display said it sees increasing demand for displays using the technology from a range of industries. It is the only Transparent OLED manufacturer in the world. Jong-sun Park, Senior Vice President & Head of the Commercial Business Unit at LG Display, commented:
Transparent OLED is a technology that maximizes the advantages of OLED and can be used in various places in our daily lives, from stores, shopping malls, and...
| Read more »Apple has continued its China App Store purge, with the company pulling a record-breaking 46,000 apps in one day to fall in line with licensing requirements in the country.Apple's App StoreThe one-day purge is Apple's single largest removal in one day, likely to meet the December 31 requirement set by the China government.
| Read more »It was the month we had been waiting for, as the new iPhone 12 range was finally announced, and then was eventually shipped. Or half of it, anyway.October 2020 L-R: iPhone 12 Pro with Magsafe; HomePod mini; iPad Air with Touch IDApple had failed to bring out its new iPhones on schedule in September, yet in October 2020, it was still able to announce earnings of $64.7 billion. It must be doing something right, and the pretty much universal consensus is that it has continued to do so with the new iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini,...
| Read more »When it comes to my favorite tech products of 2020, Apple nabs the top three pots. First is the revamped 2020 iMac, the best desktop the tech giant has ever released.
You can read my review here. The recent rev of the 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina Display is likely the final Apple all-in-one — perhaps even the last of the company’s desktops or laptops — to sport an Intel chip. From now on the tech giant will be equipping its computer line with its own M1 processors.
If the 2020 iteration of the 27-inch iMac is the last one with “Intel Inside,” it’s a fantastic swan song. It’s hands-down the world's best desktop. Its performance — up to 65% faster than its predecessor for some tasks— is powerful enough for all but the most demanding “...
| Read more »The privacy-focused web browser Brave now offers native support for M1 Macs, unlocking faster performance for owners of the latest machines …
The post ‘Privacy-first’ browser Brave now has native support for M1 Macs appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »By Frank Hamilton
At first glance, all text editors look the same, but when it comes to search, it turns out that they all have different functions. Fortunately, Apple can delight its users with powerful yet easy-to-use text editing apps. Below you will find the best tools that are suitable for different purposes, but at the same time fulfill their main purpose.
Top 5 Apple text editing tools
Despite the fact that apps for text management should allow you to create and edit it, there are other necessary functions that most users cannot do without. Below you will find just such apps that will not only allow you to take notes but are also suitable for those who need tools for educational or professional purposes.
Pros
Full functionality...
An Intel investor with a billion dollar stake in the chipmaker says that it needs to make drastic changes to address its changed fortunes – including attempting to win back Apple as a client.
Intel stock had fallen 21% over the course of 2020 before the 10-figure investment by hedge fund Third Point, which is pushing for fundamental change in the company …
The post $1B Intel investor says chipmaker must try to win back Apple’s business appeared first on 9to5Mac...
| Read more »By Michael Gorman
Do you know how many people have an iPhone? There are 728 million iPhones in use and with the launch of the new iPhone 12, the number will increase considerably. iPhones are nice, thin, easy to use and customize, and come with a special and interesting design.
As technology develops more, so does the use of devices. Apple is continuously working on improving its technology, especially when it comes to smartphones. And as 2020 was hit by a global pandemic that shifted almost anything online, people are looking for more performant devices.
iPhones can be of use for most students, especially during holidays when you would want to both relax and take care of your assignments ahead of time. Education will shift on mobile, as many smartphone producers are...
| Read more »It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Okay, for most of us 2020 wasn’t the best of times. But on the iOS front, Apple definitely seemed to be in a feast-or-famine mode.
The company released five new iPhone models (did you forget the second-generation iPhone SE?), and there was a major iPad Air revision that basically turned it into a low-end iPad Pro. The iPad Pro got an underwhelming update—but an amazing new accessory in the Magic Keyboard for iPad!
There was more to cheer than boo in the iPhone and iPad world in 2020, and that puts it pretty much ahead of most of the world. But can 2021 deliver something better? It’s time for some predictions.
To read this article in full, please click here
| Read more »Apple has removed nearly 39,000 apps from its Chinese App Store due to the apps lacking an official license from local regulators, reports Reuters.
Games affected by the sweep included Ubisoft title Assassin’s Creed Identity and NBA 2K20, according to research firm Qimai. Qimai also said only 74 of the top 1,500 paid games on Apple store survived the purge.
Apple warned Chinese developers that a new wave of paid gaming apps are at risk of removal from its app store, according to a memo viewed by The Wall Street Journal, after the company removed thousands of such apps earlier this year.
Four years ago the Chinese government four years ago began requiring videogames to be licensed before being released, but developers were able to skirt the requirement in the App Store. The Wall Street Journal...
| Read more »Well-drawn type has been integral to the Mac since the very start. Steve Jobs, who famously adored a calligraphy course in college, insisted that the Mac use “real” fonts, something made possible by the company’s early partnership with Adobe Systems. From 1984 through the present day, Mac operating systems have always let you use typefaces that look great—as well as those designed poorly, to be fair—but the features associated with type aren’t always well exposed.
Apple has over several years gradually, quietly added support for refinement available by accessing features in OpenType, the standard way in which font files are created for digital use. Cracking open the Fonts palette in Pages and other Apple software (as well as some third-party apps or their alternative controls) can let you make routine documents look a little spiffier and more legible, and add flourishes to ones that could use some pizzazz.
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| Read more »According to a source close to the story, the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds may arrive in multiple sizes. A tweet published by a “Mr. White” shared some images of what appear to be a more compact design as well as what appear to be multiple sizes for the units. However, he also said they will […]
| Read more »You really can’t argue with Apple’s decision to yank this one from the App Store. Apple has pulled an iOS app from its App Store that encouraged users to organize secret underground parties despite social distancing measures and U.S. pandemic restrictions. The app, which was called “Vybe Together,” billed itself as a place to organize […]
| Read more »Say farewell to a disaster of a year with a selection of apocalyptic movies, plus some glimmers of hope for the future.
| Read more »Nanoleaf’s impressive Hexagons light panels just got some company.
| Read more »Last month, GM announced that it was ramping up its electrification efforts and aiming to have 30 EVs on the market by the end of 2025. Turns out we might see some of those vehicles very, very soon: according to Bloomberg, the automaker will give us...
| Read more »9to5Mac’s Benjamin Mayo and Zac Hall discuss the latest with 5G UWB in the wild, iOS 14 Shortcut triggers, and Apple’s 2020 in product releases and service updates.
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| Read more »If you’re the proud owner of an LG Wing, your quirky dual-screen phone is about to pick up new features. As spotted by Droid Life, Verizon (Engadget’s parent company) has released a new update that builds out the Wing’s unique functionality and shoul...
| Read more »Back in August, Apple decided to take legal action against a company called Prepear. Although the company has nothing to do with technology, it tried to register a pear-shaped logo — and of course this bothered Apple. However, it seems that the two companies are coming to an agreement about that logo.
The post Apple negotiating settlement with Prepear after opposing its pear-shaped logo appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »As per its annual tradition, LG Display is preparing to show off some new display tech demos for CES 2021, with the latest focus set on showing where transparent OLED may fit in the pandemic age. The Korean company is setting up a few physical demos...
| Read more »S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was announced in 2001 and didn’t ship until 2007, so news that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is preparing for a 2021 release more than ten years after it was originally announced is fitting. Presumably first-person shooter play...
| Read more »Although iOS comes with a native Apple Music application, developers have been using the MusicKit API to create new experiences for those who subscribe to Apple’s streaming service. If you’re an Apple Music subscriber and want to find out how to better enjoy your music library with unique features, I’ve selected some of the best iOS apps with Apple Music integration.
The post Best iPhone apps to enhance your experience with Apple Music appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »Eric Bangeman, writing for ArsTechnica: Despite over 82 million cases and over 1.75 million deaths due to COVID-19, many people are bound and determined to carry on with normal life. For some, that includes attending Saturday night ragers, just like they did in the Before Times. Reports of yet another secret party being broken up by law enforcement have become distressingly common. Getting guests for these secret parties is at least slightly more difficult now that Apple has pulled Vybe Together -- an app with a tagline that invited users to "get their party on" -- from the App Store. The Verge pointed out that the app had largely been flying under the radar until a tweet from Taylor Lorenz of the New York Times brought some unwelcome, but much-needed scrutiny to the app. One of Lorenz's tweets highlighted Vybe Together's TikTok account, which had posted videos of unmasked people partying indoors while advertising New Years Eve parties. According to Business Insider, TikTok has...
| Read more »Apple and Prepear recently entered settlement talks over the meal planning app's disputed pear-shaped logo, a design which the tech giant maintains is too similar to its own iconic apple mark.The iPhone maker raised eyebrows in August when it formally objected to a trademark application from meal planning firm Super Healthy Kids, which filed for a minimalist pear illustration to go along with its app Prepear. According to Apple, the pear logo bears too close a resemblance to its "famous Apple Logo" and "creates a similar commercial impression."A similar grievance was lodged in Canada weeks later.
| Read more »Used electronics marketplace Gazelle is ending its mail-in trade-in program. In an email obtained by The Verge, the company says it will stop offering the service on February 1st, 2021, meaning potential customers have until January 31st to get an ol...
| Read more »Enlarge / Just some of the iDevice types that Corellium didn't break one law—but may still have broken another—by emulating. (credit: Kristin Lee | Getty Images)
Security firm Corellium, which develops software that researchers can use to analyze Apple products, has been handed a partial victory in Apple's lawsuit against it, as a judge ruled that its creation of virtual iOS environments does not violate Apple's copyrights.
Corellium has since 2017 been creating iOS environments that can run on desktop computers, for use as a research and development tool. Apple...
| Read more »If you're looking for a cute keyboard to liven up your desk or complement your iPad, you'll want to check out the Akko World Tour Tokyo mechanical keyboard.Yes, we're aware that this keyboard isn't for everyone. It's cheerful pink and white design skews feminine, and the Japan-inspired keycaps don't exactly lend themselves to an office setting.Yet, for someone who wants to add an instant pop of cuteness to their setup, you can't argue— the Akko World Tour Tokyo keyboard definitely makes a statement.
| Read more »Amazon announced today that it has acquired podcast startup Wondery, bringing the company behind several Apple TV+ adaptations into the Amazon Music fold.Podcast publisher Wondery is joining Amazon MusicWondery is known for podcasts including "Dirty John," "Dr. Death," "Business Wars," and "The Shrink Next Door." In a company blog post, Amazon said the deal won't lead to any user-facing changes and that Wondery content will still be available through various podcast services.
| Read more »For the first time since the service arrived in April 2018, the ESPN+ annual plan is getting a price increase. From January 8th, it’ll cost new members $59.99 instead of $49.99. Existing annual subscribers will have until at least March 2nd to renew...
| Read more »Apple and the developers of the meal planner and grocery list app “Prepear" are nearing a settlement in the legal brouhaha regarding the latter’s logo, reports MacRumors.
In August Apple sued Super Healthy Kids, the company behind the app,accusing it of ripping off the Apple logo. According to the Prepare developers, Apple “has opposed the trademark application for our small business, Prepear, demanding that we change our obviously pear shaped logo, used to represent our brand in the recipe management and meal planning business.”
In a petition on Change.org, Prepear went on to say, “before attacking...
| Read more »Gazelle emailed its customers on Wednesday saying that it plans to cancel its smartphone trade-in program on February 1, 2021 (via 9To5Mac).
Gazelle Trade-In
The deadline to send in a device to trade is January 31. The email states:
Beginning February 1st, 2021, we will no longer be offering our trade-in option on Gazelle. If you have a trade-in that is in process right now, your trade-in will continue as planned. You can also still log in to your account here to view the status of your current trade-ins.
You will still be able to buy high quality used electronics for a fraction of the price from our online store. We’re excited to continue to help you save with awesome prices on used smart devices!
As an alternative, Gazelle offers physical trade-ins with its ecoATM kiosks in select retail...
| Read more »2021 holds a lot of anticipation as the world hopefully recovers from the pandemic and people around the world have more clarity than ever about their priorities. Let’s take a look at some of the best apps to create habits, set stakes, and achieve New Year resolutions with iPhone and Apple Watch.
The post These iPhone and Apple Watch apps help you create and achieve New Year’s resolutions appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »We’ve been talking about what the second generation of AirPods Pro might look and sound like for a while now. According to one leaker, the headphones will come in multiple sizes for the first time.
AirPods Pro in Multiple Sizes, but Still Just One Color
In a tweet spotted by Gizmodo, leaker Mr. White shared some pictures that indicate both a more compact design (something we’ve hear about previously.) They also that they will be available in multiple sizes.
New AirPods Pro Mabey Two Sizes Still W2 Chips
| Read more »Update 12/30: Amazon has officially announced that it is acquiring the podcasting company Wondery.
According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Amazon is now in exclusive talks to acquiring the independent podcast network Wondery. This comes after a report last month suggested that Apple was among a handful of companies that had expressed interest in purchasing Wondery.
The post [...
| Read more »September 2020 was the first September in eight years where Apple didn't launch a new iPhone. However, in the midst of App Store and antitrust battles, it did fine with iOS 14, a new iPad Air, and Apple Watch Series 6, plus a new fitness program, and the Apple One services bundle.New Apple launches, L-R: iPad Air, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Fitness+August 2020 had been comparatively normal for Apple, at least in this coronavirus year. But then it was September, and nothing was usual as even the annual iPhone launch simply didn't happen.
| Read more »The long-time refurbishing company Gazelle has announced today that it is shutting down its popular trade-in program. This program had allowed people to trade in their old iPhones, iPads, and Macs for cash.
The post Gazelle shutting down used device trade-in program next year appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join host Kelly Guimont to discuss the year in Apple software and hardware. Tune in to see what stood out!
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Twelve South have produced a range of products that we’ve highlighted at The Mac Observer during 2020. To end the year, the company has a sale, offering these items at a reduced price. There is 20 percent off everything through New Year’s Eve.
| Read more »Gazelle is ending its entire device trade-in and buy-back program, with the closure effective February 1, 2021.After 14 years, Gazelle is ending its device trade-in programFounded in 2006, Gazelle had been one of the most popular online services for trading in used iPhones, iPads, and other mobile devices. The company announced the move today and hasn't yet stated why it is backing out of the trade-in market.
| Read more »In the wake of the SolarWinds cyber attack on the U.S. government, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) urges agencies to update their SolarWinds Orion software by the end of the year or take them offline.
Update SolarWinds ASAP
The SolarWinds attack is the largest of its kind against the U.S. government in years. The company sells networking software called Orion that helps businesses manage their IT infrastructure. Believed to originate from Russia’s hacking team known as APT 29 or “Cozy Bear”, the hack involved compromised Orion updates that let them infiltrate as many as 18,000 companies.
A second vulnerability was found over the holidays, CVE-2020-10148, this one through the Orion API. It could let a remote attacker to bypass...
| Read more »Amazon announced Wednesday that it is purchasing Wondery. There had been speculation as to who would acquire the podcast maker – at one point Apple was considered to be in the running.
Wondery Joining Amazon Music
Wondery will officially become part of Amazon Music. The transaction still needs to close. A statement about the deal said:
When the deal closes, nothing will change for listeners, and they’ll continue to be able to access Wondery podcasts through a variety of providers. With Amazon Music, Wondery will be able to provide even more high-quality, innovative content and continue their mission of bringing a world of entertainment and knowledge to their audiences, wherever they listen.
| Read more »As expected, Amazon has agreed to buy one of the few remaining large and independent podcast networks in the US. On Wednesday, the retailer announced that it’s acquiring Wondery, best known for producing shows like Blood Ties and Dying for Sex. Amazo...
| Read more »Were you lucky enough to get a new Mac, iPad or iPhone or other Apple device from Santa this year? If so, there are a host of resources out there if you need some help.
Resources to Help You Get The Most of Your New Mac, iPad, or iPhone
January is just a couple of days away, and there’ll soon be a fresh slate of games you can pick up at no extra cost if you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber. Among the January selections is Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the third entry in the rebooted To...
| Read more »AppleInsider readers have consumed thousands upon thousands of news stories and posts over the course of 2020, and some were more read than others. Here are the five stories that you read the most from the last 12 months.5 - Amazon says users don't own content bought on Prime VideoThe fifth most-read story on AppleInsider dealt with a lawsuit where Amazon was accused of false advertising and unfair competition due to the way it handled purchases of content hosted on its streaming service.
| Read more »On this second Stacktrace holiday special, John and Rambo look back at the past year and what some of the highlights were among the hectic, strange rollercoaster ride that 2020 has been.
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| Read more »Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
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| Read more »Wednesday’s best deals include the Apple Watch Series 4 Cellular models, as well as an Anker New Year sale, and Wemo’s HomeKit Smart Plug. Hit the jump for all that and more in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
The post Apple Watch Series 4 Cellular on sale for $250, plus Anker New Year sale from $8, more appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »On Christmas Day 2020, iPhone and iPad owners spent record-setting amounts on apps, with the App Store seeing a 35.2% rise over 2019.The App Store again dominated Christmas Day mobile-app salesMarket intelligence firm SensorTower released its data on app store spending, showing a record-breaking $407.6 million spent across both Apple's App Store and Google Play — a 34.5% year-over-year improvement. Like in previous years, the App Store led the way, taking in $278.6 million and making up 68.4% of total earnings.
| Read more »Enlarge (credit: Hinterhaus Productions | Getty Images)
Despite over 82 million cases and over 1.75 million deaths due to COVID-19, many people are bound and determined to carry on with normal life. For some, that includes attending Saturday night ragers, just like they did in the Before Times. Reports of yet another secret party being broken up by law enforcement have become distressingly common.
Getting guests for these secret parties is at least slightly more difficult now that Apple has pulled Vybe Together—an app with a tagline that invited users to "get their party on"—from the App Store. The Verge pointed out that the app had largely been flying under...
| Read more »Peloton will be the only place anyone can hear a trio of classic Elvis Presley songs remixed by DJ Dillon Francis, Big Boi and Chromeo, at least for now. The songs, Do The Vega, Catchin’ On Fast, and Clean Up Your Own Backyard, will play out as part...
| Read more »Apple’s report card 2020 is the latest in my annual look back at the company’s product launches and other key activities across the year. It follows similar pieces in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Normally, I’d kick off with the latest iPhone lineup, but not in 2020 …
The...
| Read more »If you’ve dreamed of running a profitable side gig or escaping your 9-to-5 entirely, you might want to consider running an eCommerce store on a marketplace like Amazon or Alibaba. You can make a killing once you learn how to source products overseas...
| Read more »The best M1 Mac mini deals are going on today, with year-end savings knocking $100 to $150 off every single configuration with 16GB of memory — and prices from $625 across the compact desktop line.M1 Mac mini prices from $625The year-end deals are courtesy of Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama and offer shoppers anywhere from $75 to $150 off every single model, with 16GB Mac mini configurations eligible for the steepest discounts at $100 to $150 off.
| Read more »A new report by Sensor Tower reveals that 2020 has been a record-setting year for worldwide spending on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, which collectively passed $100 billion in a single year for the first time ever in November. From a report: The trend of increased spending continued over Christmas, when consumers around the world spent an estimated $407.6 million across Apple's App Store and Google Play. This represents a 34.5 percent year-on-year growth from approximately $303 million in 2019. At the same time in 2019, spending only increased by 17.1 percent year-on-year. Spending on Christmas day constituted 4.5 percent of December's total spending so far, which reached nine billion dollars globally on December 27. The majority of holiday spending was on mobile games, which climbed by 27 percent from $232.4 million at the same time last year to $295.6 million. Tencent's "Honor of Kings" was the leading game with approximately $10.7 million in consumer spending, which...
| Read more »Apple’s MagSafe Duo hasn’t been received too well with a $129 price tag and lacking features like a power brick and upright iPhone 12 charging. It turns out there’s a neat MagSafe Duo alternative that can be 3D printed and used with the MagSafe Charger and your existing Apple Watch charger.
The post Make your own MagSafe Duo Charger with this 3D printer file appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »Six years ago I bought into the hype and backed Unsung Story, then touted as a spiritual sequel to Final Fantasy Tactics. I loved the latter title for its gameplay, music and character designs — especially Agrias, as I have a thing for women in plate...
| Read more »Alex Williamson, executive producer of “Earth At Night In Color” on Apple TV+ spoke with Ben Consoli on the Go Creative Show podcast. Topics include filming the series, using special low-light cameras, discovering new animal behaviors, the benefits of using infrared light, the impact of using lights in nature, finding a narrator for the show, and how the pandemic affected production. It’s an hour-long show and you can listen by clicking the link below.
Tags: Apple Podcasts, Apple TV+
In this episode of our explainer show Upscaled, we took a look back at the year in CPUs. From one perspective 2020 feels like the new normal for CPUs. Intel put out another high-end chip, 10th-gen “Comet Lake”, which added a few cores but is still ba...
| Read more »A group of internet-based companies outside of the historical champions of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act have formed a coalition to defend the controversial law.A new group of influential internet companies wants to defend Section 230 from threats in WashingtonThe group, called Internet Works, includes industry heavyweights eBay, Reddit, Snap, GoDaddy, Pinterest, Dropbox, Etsy, and Wikimedia Foundation. The coalition plans to lobby Congress on the importance of Section 230 protections, the need for a unified and comprehensive approach towards reform, and the dangers of making "blunt changes to the law."
| Read more »It might soon be easier to track down a favorite social video without launching the relevant app. TechCrunch has confirmed reports from Brian Freiesleben, Search Engine Roundtable and others that Google is testing a search feature that highlights cli...
| Read more »Pixelmator Pro now fully supports Apple Pro Raw. The feature comes with version 2.0.3 of the software.
Apple Pro Raw Comes to Pixelmator Pro
The latest update for Pixelmator Pro is now available in the app store. As well as Apple Pro Raw, there are other improvements and fixes in the update. This includes the arrival of three new effects, the ability to export in WebP format, and keyboard shortcuts for the Align Objects command. Pixelmator Pro already works with the latest M1 Macs. The update is available via the App Store in the usual way. If you’re a newcomer, it’s currently available for $19.99.
Tags: Pixelmator Pro
By Ashley Simmons
As lovely as it is to use AirPods, the scary thing about them is losing them. I’m not even talking about someone stealing them (even though that’s another way to lose them).
I’m talking about dropping them somewhere and then not remembering where you dropped them. It happens to the best of us. So, how do you find the AirPods after losing them?
AirPods are an essential asset for iPhone users. You know how difficult or impossible it is to do the little things like listening to music, shows, and even making calls, especially in public. So, even though it might be challenging to keep track of these earphones, it is very important. At some point, some companies made dedicated neck-straps for AirPods to reduce their vulnerability.
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| Read more »To keep an eye on your home or office, a Wi-Fi camera is a great idea that lets you monitor the situation from anywhere. One problem — these cameras are usually expensive and noticeable. Not so with the Amadeo 1080p Mini House Camera ($19.95), a tiny (less than one cubic inch) Wi-Fi cam with night vision, motion detection and more.
Home security is one of those things in life on which you just can't compromise, and this 1080P Mini House Camera totally understands that. Featuring a 140° wide viewing angle, night vision, and motion detection, this camera captures just what you need for better home surveillance. This security camera allows you to keep an eye on everything...
| Read more »2020 has been a record-setting year for worldwide spending on mobile apps and games, which passed US$100 billion in a single year for the first time ever in November, according to Sensor Tower.
This trend continued on Christmas, when consumers around the globe spent an estimated $407.6 million across Apple’s App Store and Google Play, according to preliminary Store Intelligence estimates from the research group. This figure represents 34.5% year-over-year growth from approximately $303 million in 2019, and is nearly 17 points higher than the growth experienced last year when spending grew 17.7% year-over-year.
Mobile spending on Christmas comprised 4.5% of the month’s total spending so far, which reached approximately $9 billion globally from December 1 to December 27, according to Sensor Tower. The majority of the holiday spending was on mobile games, which...
| Read more »Apple has yanked an app from the App Store dibbed “Vybe Together” that encouraged users to organize secret underground parties despite social distancing measures and U.S. pandemic restrictions, reports The Verge. Its TikTok account has also been banned.
Vybe Together billed itself on TikTok and its website as a place to organize and attend underground parties, using the tagline “Get your rebel on. Get your party on.” Organizers would have to approve everyone who wanted to attend, and the ones that got approved would receive the address two hours before the event. Most of these gatherings would have been illegal under current U.S. pandemic restrictions, notes The Verge.
| Read more »When stars of a certain large size and energy run out of fuel, the result is a supernova explosion that can be spotted with the naked eye just once in a lifetime. Some leave behind a relatively spherical supernova remnant. However, others expand with...
| Read more »Apple would have liked you to associate August 2020 with it reaching $2 trillion in valuation, its new iMac launch, or with its Apple Music radio revamp. Unfortunately, it did also get into a little scrap with Epic Games which will take years to resolve in full.Shown on the new 27-inch iMac. Left: Tim Cook. Right: A shot from Epic Games's "1984" parodyIn July 2020, you'd have had to be a fan or at least a gamer to have given "Fortnite" much thought. Then throughout August, however, it became practically impossible to avoid hearing Epic Games's decrying about Apple, Apple's decrying of Epic, and countless pundits weighing in one side, the other, or occasionally both. Both sides seemed immediately intractable, yet the points and the disagreement moved about a lot while still staying fundamentally the same.
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| Read more »In a new Apple Pay promotion, Apple is offering a 20% off a meal delivered with Grubhub. Grubhub is an American online and mobile prepared food ordering and delivery platform that connects diners with local restaurants.
You can use Apple’s mobile payment service and get the discount off an order of US$10 or more in the Grubhub app — available free at the Apple App Store — or on the web through January 1. Enter promo code APPLEPAY at checkout.
| Read more »Apple has pulled an iOS app called Vybe Together that promoted private parties in New York City and elsewhere during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Verge has reported. The app quickly gained notoriety yesterday following critical tweets by New York Times...
| Read more »Let’s be honest, we will all be very pleased to see the back of 2020. Apple Music is here to help you see in 2021 safely, offering some exclusive mixes for New Year’s Eve. They can be found in the Browse section of the app. (I’ve linked to the mix by Disclosure.)
Tags: Apple Music
Today, we’ve got stories on Apple’s “ultra” security measures, someone squeezing entire movies on floppy disks and a deep dive on the ways we might connect, without touch, in a post-pandemic world. But for this opening salvo, let’s home in on a famil...
| Read more »2020 saw a record App Store spend as coronavirus lockdowns saw people forced to seek more at-home entertainment, according to analytics data. With less time spent with family, and fewer entertainment options outside the home, more time has been spent using apps.
The holidays alone have seen consumers so far spend an estimated $407M on iOS and Android apps, some 34% up on the same period in 2019 …
The post Pandemic sees record App Store spend; iOS more than twice Android revenue appeared first on 9to5Mac.
| Read more »Apple sued security start-up Corellium last year, accusing it of violating copyright law for offering researchers access to “virtual” iPhones that can help them find bugs in iOS products. Now, a federal judge in Florida has tossed Apple’s copyright c...
| Read more »By Richard Conn
Apple is not only the world’s most recognizable brand but also the most valuable, with an estimated value in 2020 of $205.5 billion.
Image courtesy of kingsimpactinvesting.com
The main contributors to that value are its iPhone range and its Macs, with laptop sales recently regaining market leadership.
Apple is now going green with a goal of becoming 100% carbon neutral by 2030.
We look at six sustainability initiatives that are helping them reach that target.
Lowering the Use of Carbon Materials
Since its introduction in 2007, the iPhone has sold over 1.5 billion units. Their phones also play a major...
| Read more »Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,876,347) for “rotating door systems and methods” for businesses, including its own retail stores.
In the patent data, Apple says that a business owner (e.g., a retailer) may wish to invite customers into a building or store “in an aesthetically appealing and inviting way.: At the same time, the business owner may wish to prevent entry into the building during specific times of the day (e.g., when the building is closed for business).
To do this, Apple says the business owner may employ one or more rotatable doors to allow individuals to enter the building at certain times and prevent entry during other times. What’s more, the tech giant’s patent involves managing the time and manner in which individuals enter a building store for crowd control. In some instances, automatic control of the time and manner in which individuals enter a building may be desirable. To accomplish these and other objectives...
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