If you’ve been pondering a new 4K/UHD TV for the holidays (and an Apple TV 4K), you’ll want to check out this very easy to read introduction to the High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology used in modern TVs. You’ll learn about the basic tech and the similarities and differences between HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG and which ones each TV maker offers.
TMO Background Mode Interview with Planetary Scientist Dr. Pascal Lee
Dr. Pascal Lee is a planetary scientist with the SETI Institute. He’s also Chairman of the Mars Institute, and Director of the NASA Haughton-Mars Project at NASA Ames Research Center. His research includes the history of water on Mars and planning future human exploration of Mars. Pascal has a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Space Sciences from Cornell University. We chatted about how he spent his very early years in Hong Kong, inspired by American and British SciFi TV shows. Later, he migrated to Paris where he continued his education and, inspired by Dr. Carl Sagan, made his way to Cornell in the 1990s. He was Dr. Sagan’s last teaching assistant. Next, we talked about his trips to the remote Canadian island, Devon, to study Mars-like conditions. We wrapped up with an introduction to his thoughts on SETI.
BusyMac's BusyContacts: $19.99
We have a deal on on BusyMac’s BusyContacts, the company’s Contacts replacement app for the Mac. You can customize your views; track activities associated with each contact including calendar events, emails, and messages; create Smart Filters based on certain conditions; integrate with BusyCal, and much more. It’s $19.99 through us, 60% off retail.
Apple Releases iOS 12.1 Developer Beta 4
No new features are in evidence, meaning this release squashes bugs, optimizes, and generally refines iOS 12.1.
Graduate Student Solves Quantum Verification Problem
Graduate student Urmila Mahadev has solved a quantum verification problem. Quantum verification answers the question: How do you know whether a quantum computer has done something quantum? Redditor u/Wolgoz has an ELI5 (Explain Like I’m 5) explanation:
There are different kinds of problems in computer science, closely related is the class of problems where you can easily verify if the answer is correct, but it’s hard to find the answer. This is however about the class of problems where you can’t easily check it with a normal computer, but can check it with a quantum computer.
She made a protocol that allows you to use a quantum device to check the answer, without the uncertainty of quantum mechanics. She does however make an important assumption, so it’s not certain if this will work.
Apple Donates Apple Watches to Binge Eating Study
Apple is donating a thousand Apple Watches to a binge eating study. The University of North Carolina’s medical school will start this study.
Developers Aren't Satisfied With Mac App Store Update
macOS Mojave brought a Mac App Store update, but developers aren’t fully satisfied by Apple’s changes.
Digging into survey answers, the biggest issues developers still have are ones that have been identified multiple times over the years: inability to offer trials or priced upgrades, as well as a lack of analytics. Lengthy app reviews and sandboxing rules have been issues for some developers, as well. Though the former has seen marked improvement in 2018, 33 percent of MAS developers still rate “faster approval” as a desired improvement, and 65 percent of non-MAS developers cite the approval process as a reason for staying out.
Apple can’t treat the MAS like the iOS App Store. If Apple wants the MAS to be the sole source of Mac apps, it has to give developers enough incentives to favor it over their own websites.
This Tool Lets You Install macOS Mojave on Unsupported Macs
Just because Apple’s installer won’t let you install macOS Mojave on your older Mac doesn’t mean you can’t. The dosdude1 website has a special tool that patches the installer so you can install Mojave on unsupported Macs, just in case that’s your thing. The site also has patcher tools install macOS Sierra and High Sierra on Macs that don’t support those operating system versions. It’s pretty cool, but remember that just because you can make the installer run you shouldn’t expect the best performance, or that every feature will work.
PlayStation Vue Support For Apple's TV App is Here
PlayStation Vue recently added support for Apple’s TV app on iOS, as well as the fourth and fifth generation Apple TVs.
Photoshop CC for iPad, Third-party Apple Watch Faces - TMO Daily Observations 2018-10-15
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about Adobe’s new Photoshop CC for iPad announcement, plus share their thoughts on third-party watch faces for Apple Watch.
The Sims FreePlay Adds AR Features to iOS
The Sims FreePlay has an awesome update out today that adds AR features. It’s part of the Brilliant Backyards update, which includes seasonal content for decoration as well as a couple of live events.
Brilliant Backyards Live Event – Starting now through October 25, players can show off their green thumb and customize lush gardens with new plants, planter boxes, birdhouses, water features, and even unlock the ultimate prize – a Brilliant Backyard House.
Fashion Designer Stockings Hobby Event – From October 24 through November 3, players can step up their Sims’ style with a variety of colorful and patterned stocking styles.
Day Spa Live Event – From November 4 through November 18, Sims are treated to some R&R at the spa.
Halloween Ghost Flustered Seasonal Quest – From October 23 through October 31, fans can unlock quirky colored body paints and sleepwear, and enjoy spookier activities where Sims summon and scare away cheeky ghosts.
You can see the AR features shown off in the YouTube video down below.
iOS: How to Hide iOS Folder Names
Lifehacker has a simple but cool tip to check out. If you’ve ever wanted to hide iOS folder names, you can do it with this little trick.
Adobe Launches Premiere Rush CC Video Editor for Mac, iPhone, and iPad
If you want a consumer-friendly video editor on your Mac, iPhone and iPad, but iMovie isn’t your thing, Adobe has a new app for you to check out: Premiere Rush CC. The app launched at Adobe MAX on Monday. It includes the video editing tools you need to record and edit, adjust or add audio, and share your movies on social networks. It uses Adobe Creative Cloud to sync files so you can switch devices while editing, too. I’ve been using the beta and it’s pretty impressive. You can try Premiere Rush CC for free. It’s priced at US$9.99 a month for individuals, $19.99 a month for teams, and $29.99 a month for enterprise.
Check Out the Apple Watch Faces Steve Troughton-Smith Designed
Steve Troughton-Smith does more than post Apple product leaks. He’s also a professional coder, and his latest pet project shows why it would be cool to get third-party faces for Apple Watch. He’s come up with some pretty interesting watch faces, plus he posted the example code on Github so you can experiment with your own—assuming you’re a developer. I get Apple not wanting horribly garish watch faces, but maybe they could partner with some developers or make a watch face screening process. I know I’m ready for some options outside of Apple’s limited pool.
Apple Buys Asaii, Adds its Team to Apple Music
Apple purchased the music and artist discovery service Asaii—a deal that was confirmed by the company’s investment backer The House. Asaii makes tools for finding and managing artists, along with a tool for music services to make recommendations to listeners. The House founder Cameron Baradar told Music Ally,
As the first investors in Asaii, we are incredibly excited by their recent acquisition by Apple where they will have the opportunity to dramatically scale their impact and continue building out their vision for the future of the music industry.
Asaii’s founders are now part of the Apple Music team. Their tools can predict the next music hits weeks in advance. Couple that with the music discovery tools and Apple Music’s listening recommendations could get a lot better very soon.
Adobe Photoshop CC Coming to the iPad in 2019
Adobe Photoshop CC is coming to the iPad in 2019. It’s really Photoshop, and not just a subset of photo editing features.
APFS Corruption, Wi-Fi Numbering, and Backups – Mac Geek Gab Podcast 731
APFS has been available on our Macs for a year now, and we’re beginning to see the issues with corruption that can’t be yet be solved by Apple or third party utilities. Wi-Fi is changing names… and getting faster! And folks, Backups are still important! All this and more in this week’s Mac Geek Gab. Press play and enjoy!
Get Free Bitcoins from 40 Faucets That Pay
Bryan Chaffin explains how Bitcoin faucets work and which faucets you can trust to pay. [Update: Added a paying faucet and tested all faucets. – Bryan]
Introducing Salto, Another Terrifying Robot
Robot technology often invokes sophisticated mechanisms, in order to perform a task, that mimic those of living creatures. When done right, the visual effect can be startling, even creepy. Mark Serrels writes: “Meet “Salto-1P” a robot being designed by the Biomimetic Millisystems lab at Berkeley, University of California. The work is being supported by an Army Research Office Grant, which makes me wonder if one of these things is gonna kill me one day.” Better check under your bed again, Mark.
AI, Chatting With Lightbulbs and iPad Miracles
Modern technology, like AI, can look dorky and error prone in its early stages. We make fun of it. Then it matures before our eyes. Chatted with a lightbulb lately?
