Dr Mac joins Kelly to talk about some of the ways he likes to while away the hours, or even just the minutes, and how you can do the same.
Right to Repair Not Just for iPhones Anymore - TMO Daily Observations 2022-02-02
Andrew Orr joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss right-to-repair battles happening on a new front, and how your iPhone could benefit.
Your iPhone Could Take MasterCard – TMO Daily Observations 2022-02-01
Charlotte Henry and Jeff Butts join host Kelly Guimont to discuss reports that your iPhone could also double as a credit card terminal.
![Ethan Coen’s Hilarious Review of Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” [Updated]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/The-Tragedy-of-Macbeth-key-art.png)
Ethan Coen’s Hilarious Review of Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” [Updated]
Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” has received some decent reviews since it premiered in cinemas and on Apple TV+. One person who was not so receptive was the directors brother and former collaborator Ethan. He provided a hilarious take for the Might Be Wrong Substack, full of expletives and brotherly jibes.
Consider the very decision to adapt Macbeth. The choice belies deep insecurity; Mr. Coen seems, on some level, to understand that he has the talent God gave a balloon full of piss, and therefore needs to latch onto more talented artists like a lamprey sucking the life out of a majestic blue whale. A less insecure director might have been satisfied with a less esteemed piece of intellectual property, but Mr. Coen glommed onto perhaps the best known play by the world’s most renowned playwright in a move that screams “HELP! THE NO TALENT POLICE ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! PLEASE, SOMEONE RESCUE ME BEFORE I’M EXPOSED AS A FRAUD WHO SOMEHOW FELL ASS-FIRST INTO A MOVIE CAREER!”
[Update February 3: In thoroughly disappointing news, it turns out this is a spoof and not really written by Ethan Coen. Still very funny though.]
Google One VPN for iPhone Now Available to Use
iPhone owners can now starting using the Google One VPN if they pay for 2TB or more for Google One storage.
Privacy and security are always core to everything we make. Our systems have advanced security built in to help ensure no one uses the VPN to tie your online activity to your identity. Our client libraries are also open sourced, and our end-to-end systems have been independently audited. Our VPN has the full certification from the Internet of Secure Things Alliance (ioXt) and passed all eight of ioXt’s security principles.
Update: According to MacRumors, the Google One app is no longer available through the App Store.
Here's How to Save 'Wordle' After its Purchase by New York Times
There’s a method to save Wordle now that the New York Times recently acquired it. The publisher says it will remain free during the transition. As The Verge points out, all you have to do is right-click on the page.
It doesn’t retain my previous progress, just like the web version doesn’t keep your streak intact when you move from playing Wordle in a desktop browser to playing Wordle on a phone — but you could theoretically start building a new one if you want, and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone figures out a way to import progress as well.
On Safari, save it as a web archive, because that preserves the Javascript. In Firefox you’ll see an option for saving it as Webpage (Complete) but that saves just the Javascript. Double-click on the web archive and Worldle will run in your browser.
Tripp Mickle's Book 'After Steve' Covers Apple's Rise to Trillions
Wall Street Journal correspondent Tripp Mickle has a book coming out called After Steve with an eye-catching subtitle, «How Apple Became a Trillion-Dollar Company and Lost Its Soul.» It goes on sale May 3, 2022 and is available to preorder today. From the website: «His research shows the company’s success came at a cost. Apple lost its innovative spirit and has not designed a new category of device in years. Ive’s departure in 2019 marked a culmination in Apple’s shift from a company of innovation to one of operational excellence, and the price is a company that has lost its soul.»
Get a Wooden Photo Print With New Offering From Mimeo Photos
Mimeo Photos has launched three new product categories: framed prints, framed canvases, and wooden photo prints using certified sustainable maple wood. Framed Prints: Available in black or white, images are encased in a wooden frame that’s hand cut and assembled. Choose with or without matte. Framed Canvas: Images are printed on a premium-grade canvas with ¼” gap between the canvas and the frame for a floating effect. Wood Prints: Photos are printed directly on to 1/2″ thick maple wood that’s sustainably sourced and eco-friendly.
Facebook's Failed 'Diem' Stablecoin Now Officially Over
Facebook had dreams of launching its own cryptocurrency called Diem (formerly Libra) but the company has called it quits (link to original PR piece here, commentary from The Verge below).
The sale of Diem’s assets marks the end of an effort that, in retrospect, was doomed from the start. Facebook, which now goes by Meta, created the apps that would have been the main way people used the token. So even though Facebook formed the Libra Association to govern the token with other companies, people were immediately fearful that Libra would make the controversial tech giant even more powerful. Plus, members of the Libra Association started to drop out, just months after the group had been announced.
Judge Rules Developer's Lawsuit Can Proceed Against Apple
A judge ruled that a lawsuit from Kosta Eleftheriou can proceed against Apple. Half of the claims can move forward and Mr. Eleftheriou can amend the other claims that were dismissed.
In his own lawsuit against Apple, Eleftheriou aims to document what he alleges were an unfair series of rejections for his Apple Watch keyboard app, FlickType, from the App Store. At the time, Apple told Eleftheriou his app offered a “poor user experience” and noted full keyboard apps were not allowed for Apple Watch. But, he says, it then allowed competitor keyboard apps as well as third-party apps (like Nano for Reddit, Chirp for Twitter, WatchChat for WhatsApp and Lens for Instagram) to launch on the App Store.
