Path to Apple Card is a new program from Apple and Goldman Sachs to help you get approved for Apple Card if you were declined.
Recent Articles By Andrew Orr [RSS]
Here’s Why This Company Won’t Add ‘Sign In with Apple’
Today is the deadline for developers to add Sign In with Apple to their apps. One company, AnyList, doesn’t want to add it and explained why.
After considering the merits of Sign in with Apple, we have decided not to support it. We understand that this may surprise some of our customers, so we’d like to explain in detail why we made this decision.
A couple arguments make sense, but I’m not buying some others. 1) I’m not a programmer so I don’t know how hard it is to add Sign In with Apple. 2) Saying iCloud isn’t “real email” is stupid. 3) AnyList removed its Facebook login, which is still a privacy-positive move even without adding Apple login.
Update to ‘ClimaCell’ Weather App Adds Hyperlocal Forecasting Features
I wrote about ClimaCell back in April as an alternative for developers when the Dark Sky API is shut down. But the company also has an app for consumers, and the latest update adds several helpful features, like hyperlocal forecasting. Here’s an example: “For fireworks, ClimaCell took into account humidity (the more humid it is outside, the air saturation will lessen the brightness of the fireworks. Yet too dry is a fire hazard), wind (might change the path of the fireworks if over 20mph) rain, visibility, sunset time and cloud coverage. For BBQ, we don’t want any rain! Wind gusts can be dangerous with the fire, humidity actually affects the flavor of the meat and we want ideal temperatures.” App Store: Free
PSA: The Deadline to Add ‘Sign In with Apple’ is Tuesday, June 30
The deadline for developers to add Sign In with Apple into their apps is coming up tomorrow, June 30. Andrew has several guides available for readers.
Watch a Trailer for Apple TV+ Docuseries ‘The Greatness Code
Apple uploaded a trailer today for its upcoming docuseries “The Greatness Code.” It will feature stories from top athletes like Tom Brady, Usain Bolt, Shaun White, Alex Morgan, and others. It premiers globally on Apple TV+ July 10. It’s directed by Gotham Chopra and co-produced by Uninterrupted and Religion of Sports. “Internationally revered athletes featured in season one include four-time NBA MVP, three-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Lebron James; six-time Super Bowl champion and four-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady; Olympic gold medalist and co-captain of the US women’s national soccer team Alex Morgan; world’s fastest man and eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt; five-time Olympic gold medalist and 15-time world champion swimmer Katie Ledecky; 11-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater.“
PSA: Don’t Install macOS Big Sur on the Same APFS Container as Older Versions
In our Mac Geek Gab forums, Brian Monroe has a warning for people wanting to try the macOS Big Sur beta.
16 Web APIs Apple Avoided Over Privacy Concerns
ZDnet has a list of 16 Web APIs that Apple declined to add to Safari over concerns they could be used to track users.
The vast majority of these APIs are only implemented in Chromium-based browsers, and very few on Mozilla’s platform.
Apple claims that the 16 Web APIs above would allow online advertisers and data analytics firms to create scripts that fingerprint users and their devices.
Apple Card Guide: All of the 3% Cash Back Merchants
Apple is treating Apple Card as a service, not just a physical product, and will continue to add merchants to its 3% Daily Cash program.
Exxon Mobil Offers 3% Cash Back With Apple Pay
Exxon Mobil is offering a deal for Apple customers. When you use Exxon and Mobil stations you can get 3% cash back with Apple Pay.
What do Laundry Symbols Mean? Find Out With ‘Laundry Lens’
Laundry symbols are a type of mysterious hieroglyphics that can tell you if an item of clothing has special washing or drying needs. Laundry Lens is a new app I discovered over the weekend that helps you decode these symbols. All you have to do is take a picture of the label and it will tell you what each symbol means. There are over 70 laundry symbols you can browse, or search by their descriptions. App Store: Free
Department of Justice Takes Hard Look at Apple's 30% Tax
As part of its ongoing antitrust investigation, the Department of Justice is examining Apple’s rules for the App Store, like the 30% tax.
How to Get Safari 14 Without Downloading the macOS 11 Beta
Andrew shows us how to get Safari 14 features like Privacy Report without having to download the macOS Big Sur beta.
Apple Adds Encrypted DNS Support to iOS 14, macOS 11
A WWDC20 presentation shows how Apple is adding support for encrypted DNS to iOS 14 and macOS 11. It will support HTTPS and TLS.
Apple Snags International Thriller ‘Losing Alice’
Apple is partnering with Dori Media productions in Israel on a neo-noir psychological thriller called “Losing Alice.”
macOS 11’s Design Language is Meant for Augmented Reality
Jack Koloskus wrote about an emerging design language called neumorphism. Some of the new icons in macOS 11 are part of this design, like the Messages bubble that looks 3D. He believes we’ll be seeing more of this, while I am of the opinion that Apple, with this design, is laying the foundations for an AR/VR user interface. Of course an AR interface looks a bit odd on a 2D screen.
When you boil it down, neumorphism is a focus on how light moves in three-dimensional space […] What sets neumorphism apart from its progenitor is that the focus is on the light itself and how it interacts with a variety of objects in a purely digital space. The light simulations in neumorphism are more complex, and are focused on how light from one object could affect another, or the function of the object itself.
Everything You Want to Know About iOS 14 Notes and Reminders
Ryan Christoffel has a nice write-up of iOS 14 Notes and Reminders in the developer beta, which I’ve been avoiding since I don’t have spare test devices. If you specifically want to know about Apple Notes and Reminders like me, check out the article. I was hoping for more features, like tags for notes, but I’m glad the texture is gone.
Though neither app’s improvements have been held up as tentpole features of this fall’s releases, Apple has nonetheless given noteworthy attention to making the user experience for each app better in a variety of key ways. You won’t find fundamental evolutions in how either app works, but these updates prove the power of iteration.
New Henge Vertical MacBook Docks Available for Purchase
Brydge announced its new line of Vertical MacBook Docks for all current models. Some of them can be purchased now, others will come later.
Starting Today Get ’Magic: The Gathering Arena’ on Mac
Starting today, gamers can download “Magic: The Gathering Arena” on Mac through the Epic Games Store.
Our macOS release will feature full cross-platform support in parity with our Windows client, including the upcoming release of Core Set 2021. New and current players will find the same cards, formats, events, play queues, and features on macOS as they can on Windows.
Apple Orders New Comedy Series ‘The Afterparty’
Apple has given a straight-to-series order for a comedy series called “The Afterparty” from Academy Award winners Chris Miller and Phil Lord.
Apple Acquires Device Management Company ‘Fleetsmith’
Fleetsmith announced its acquisition by Apple today. The company specializes in mobile device management (MDM).
