Kurzgesagt is a science channel on YouTube that creates education videos for people. They recently partnered with Wait But Why to create the Universe in a Nutshell app. It lets people explore size by zooming between scales of 10^-35 meters to 10^26 meters (atomic scale to universe scale). It’s also filled with science facts that you can find by tapping on the objects you see. App Store: US$2.99
Create iOS 14 Widgets With the “Widgetsmith’ App
Widgetsmith lets you create iOS 14 widgets and customize them to suit your needs and Home Screen theme. The app includes a variety of widget categories like weather, calendar, timezone converter, and others. Widgets can even by scheduled to appear on your screen following rules you define. App Store: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman Adventure 'Long Way Up' Now on Apple TV+
The first episodes of Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman’s latest motorcycle adventure series, Long Way Up, are now available on Apple TV+. In the series, the two best friends use prototype electric motorcycles across South and Central America. It is the third such expedition they have been on.
Card Adventure Game ‘Terafyn’ Launches September 24
A new game called Terafyn is coming out next Thursday, September 24. It’s billed as a “card adventure game” where battles are won and lost with rune cards and a spinner mechanism. The game’s story is text-based and set against a backdrop of beautiful, hand-drawn art. “The story begins in a small fishing village, Brittlemire. You and your father are gathering venterwort in a nearby forest to cure recently ailing villagers. If only this was a simple story! It will take more than magical herbs to face what lies in wait … in the woods.”
The Lives Saved by Apple Watch
Periodically stories emerge about how an Apple Watch alert has given its user a health warning that has ultimately save their life. We’ve shared some of them here at The Mac Observer. During its fall 2020 ‘Time Flies’ keynote, Apple broadcast a video detailing even more of those stories.
Apple Watch, Apple One, New iPads - Rewatch the Whole Time Flies Event
There was a lot to take in at Apple’s Time Flies event on Tuesday. If you missed any of it, the full video is available to watch back on the company’s official YouTube channel.
The Mandalorian Season 2 Official Trailer
The official trailer for season 2 of The Mandalorian dropped on Tuesday. Disney+ subscribers will be able to follow as The Mandalorian and the Child continue their journey from Friday, October 30.
Pixelmator Photo 1.4 Brings ML Super Resolution to iPad
The Pixelmator Photo 1.4 update brings ML Super Resolution to the iPad. This is the feature introduced on macOS that lets you upscale images using machine learning. “Today’s update also adds a very awesome comparison slider, letting you quickly compare your edited image with the original in a split-screen view. And it works all around the app, so when using the Repair tool, you can turn on and move the comparison slider to see just the changes made with that tool. When the Color Adjustments tool selected, you’ll see just the color changes, and so on. Super useful.” Finally, the company has raised the app’s price to US$7.99, up from US$4.99.
Satechi Releases New Quatro Wireless Power Bank for $99
Satechi released its new 10,000 mAh Quatro wireless power bank on Wednesday that features a built-in Apple Watch charger, USB-C Power Delivery, and USB-A ports to recharge multiple devices at once. You can preorder it for US$99.99 and they start shipping by mid-October. You can can get US$20 off preorders by using the code QUATRO.
‘Data Jar’ is the Perfect App for Shortcut Dictionaries
Data Jar is a great app I discovered a while back and weirdly haven’t written about yet. This app helped me unlock my automations that require dictionaries. Data Jar lets you store key-value pairs and let them persist outside of Shortcuts. While I was trying to build a dictionary into my Shortcuts, I found that they couldn’t be updated using native actions; the data had to be stored elsewhere. The app lets you store text, numbers, Booleans, lists, dictionaries, and files. It’s free with an optional tip jar to support the developer Simon B. Støvring.
A First Look at 'The Last Campfire' on Apple Arcade
On Friday, Apple published a fairly in-depth look at the Apple Arcade game In The Last Campfire. Players take on the character of ember, who is trapped in a dark fantasy adventure. By completing a variety of tactile puzzles, players uncover a way home and restore hope to friends.
Apple Releases First Look of ‘Wolfwalkers’ on Apple TV+
Apple has shared a first look trailer for “Wolfwalkers” an animated film co-directed by Tomm Moore and Toss Stewart. “In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the Wolfwalkers and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.”
'Mulan' Now Available on Disney+ Premier Access
The live-action remake of Mulan is now available on Disney+ via Premium Access. Subscribers have to pay $29.99, or else wait until December 4. It is also available to buy on other platforms, including Apple TV.
'Boys State' Participants Reflect on Life After Apple TV+ Doc
The Apple TV+ film Boys State tells the tale of boys who go on a unique summer leadership and citizenship program in 2018. Three of the participants sat down with directors Jesse Moss and Amanda McBlaine to reflect on their experience and how they’ve change since, in a new video.
Apple Shares New Privacy Video About Over-Sharing
Apple uploaded a funny privacy ad for the iPhone on Thursday. With the song “Diamonds Cutting Diamonds” by Lydia Ainsworth in the background, the commercial follows various people as they share private information to strangers, like their credit card number, “I browsed eight sites for divorce attorneys today,” and “I hate Lee, puke emoji” (As he sits right behind her). Apple includes a link to its privacy page in the video description.
The AAPL Stock Split Explained
On August 31, Apple underwent a four-for-one stock split. Editor-in-Chief Bryan Chaffin explained what this means for AAPL investors and the company itself.
[Apple Announces 4-for-1 Stock Split to Make AAPL ‘More Accessible’]
[Apple Worth $2.2 Trillion as Stock Hits Record High Following Stock Split]
Apple Updates Apple Support With Wallet Passes
The Apple Support app was updated on Wednesday with a major feature: When you make a Genius Bar appointment you’ll see a button to add a pass to Wallet for faster check-in. Other updates included with version 4.1: Easier to find Advisors in your preferred language in regions with multiple languages; Accessibility improvements for VoiceOver, including Search navigation, labels, and more; Performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Official Trailer for Apple TV+ Series 'Tehran' Arrives, Show Available September 25
The official trailer for the forthcoming Apple TV+ series ‘Tehran’ arrived Wednesday. The show is about an Israeli Mossad agent who infiltrates Iran. However, her mission goes wrong and she finds herself trapped. It will become available from September 25.
First Trailer for 'Long Way Up' on Apple TV+ Lands
The first trailer for Apple TV+ show Long Way Up landed on Tuesday. The series features Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman riding electric motorbikes over 13,000 miles over 100 days. Their adventures started in the city of Ushuaia at the tip of South America and they eventually end up in LA, after going through 16 border crossings and 13 countries. The first three episodes will air on September 18.
Netflix Offering Original Movies and Shows For Free
Netflix is offering a small collection of its original movies and shows for free (via Engadget). Offerings include the movie Bird Box, starring Sandra Bullock, and the hit series Stranger Things and Love is Blind. The intention, of course, is to encourage those who may subscribe to other services into paying for Netflix too.
Apple Watch Notes App ‘Watch Notes’ Goes Free
Watch Notes by Flicktype is an Apple Watch notes app and it recently went on sale. It used to be US$2.99 and now it’s free, although for an unknown time. The app lets you compose and manage your notes directly on your Apple Watch. Notes are stored in your iCloud and sync between your Apple Watch and iPhone. You can change the note color by long-pressing on the plus button. The popular FlickType Keyboard is built into the app and doesn’t require a separate purchase.
Glenn Fleishmann Introduces Free Book ‘Take Control of Zoom Essentials’
Glenn Fleishman has released a free version of his book called “Take Control of Zoom Essentials” as well as updated the paid version called “Take Control of Zoom”. Take Control shared the news in a blog post:
Yesterday, we released two Zoom-related books by Glenn Fleishman: a new, free book called Take Control of Zoom Essentials and a gigantic version 1.1 update to the comprehensive Take Control of Zoom. We know a lot of people are using Zoom for work and school, and we hope you find these books helpful.
Zoom usage has skyrocketed now that more people have been working and learning from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consider these books to know everything you want to know about using the video sharing platform.
AR Game ‘The Witcher: Monster Slayer’ Announced
An AR game called “The Witcher: Monster Slayer” is coming in the future. Evocative of Pokémon Go, this exploration game challenges you to become an elite monster hunter. See the world around you transformed into the dark fantasy realm of The Witcher, and explore once-familiar locations now infested with dangerous beasts as you start on the path as a professional monster slayer. A release date has not been announced but you can sign up to be notified via email.
Twelve South Introduces BookBook iPad Keyboard Case
BookBook Cover is a new product from Twelve South that combines its genuine leather case with a keyboard for iPads. BookBook looks like a vintage book. But the big story is the level of protection it delivers. Inside, soft micro-suede protects the iPad surface. Outside, hardback book covers with reinforced corners and a crush-proof spine protect iPad from drops, dings and other hazards. Dual-zippers let you charge iPad while keeping the case closed. As a bonus, BookBook disguises your iPad, keeping it hidden from from itchy fingers even when it’s in plain sight. You can pick one up for US$69.99.