The Mac Pro and Pro XDR Display are now available to order from Apple.com. This is an update to the 2013 Mac Pro.
EU Regulators Set to Get Tougher With Big Tech in 2020
Throughout 2019, EU Lawmakers have regularly look at antitrust issues around so-called Big Tech. Reuters reported that they are likely to increase those efforts in 2020.
EU antitrust regulators are considering taking a tougher line against tech giants by forcing them to do more to ensure a level playing field, a senior European Commission official said on Tuesday, a move which could affect Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google. The four U.S. tech companies are currently in EU competition enforcers’ crosshairs, with rivals complaining about being shut out of key markets. The Commission has traditionally ordered companies to halt anti-competitive practices.
How Facebook's Libra Could Take on WeChat in China
There has been much talk about Facebook-backed cryptocurrency Libra. Much of that has focussed on the effect in Western markets. However, Wired noted it could be a significant player in China.
In China, the vast majority of consumer commerce runs on WeChat, which has transitioned from a simple chat app to a platform for just about everything. Most of the rest of the world lacks this kind of fully integrated experience, which is hugely valuable to the platform, but also a great experience for consumers: the convenience, access and range of available services is unparalleled. Of course, the key to offering a fully-baked platform like this is scale, and Facebook has that in spades. The company has leveraged that scale time and again to launch new products to great success, even in cases where it lacks a first mover advantage. With Libra’s initial integration across WhatsApp and Messenger – and eventually, likely also Instagram – it could instantly be ready for use by billions.
Lots of iTunes and App Store Customers Are Not Getting Receipts Anymore
iTunes and App Store customers are used to getting emailed receipts for their subscriptions and purchases. However, 9to5Mac reported that some users are no longer receiving them.
Apple has regularly sent email receipts for all digital purchases made in the App Store and iTunes, but that seems to have changed at some point recently. It seems likely that this is a bug rather than a purposeful feature change, though. A growing thread on Apple’s support website indicates that this problem has become rather widespread… The key here is that users are still being charged, they just aren’t receiving receipts for those charges. This can be rather confusing, especially when many users have multiple monthly subscriptions.
Tim Cook Visits Suppliers, Creators, Developers, and Stores During Tour of Japan
Tim Cook has been spending some time in Japan, he posted images of him meeting key suppliers, developers, creators, and an Apple Store.
Buy An iPhone With an Apple Card and Pay in Monthly Installments
The Apple Card Pay Monthly plan for iPhones is live, meaning users can purchase a new device, interest free, and pay for it over 24 months.
VSCO Acquires Rylo, a Company Founded by Former iPhoto Engineers
VSCO recently acquired Rylo, a company founded by two former Apple engineers who worked on iPhoto for iOS.
Apple Sues Ex-Employee Launching New Chip Venture
Apple is suing a former employee claiming he broke his employment agreement when he launched his own firm and hired former colleagues.
Get 6% Cash Back With Apple Card Through December 31
Apple is giving customers a special deal. Through December 31 you can get 6% cash back on Apple purchases, instead of the usual 3%.
Google Wants COPPA to Change so it can Keep Collecting Kids’ Data
The Federal Trade Commission is considering a revamp of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Google wants to help them change the rules, and asked the agency to eliminate rules that categorizes anyone watching kids content online as actual kids.
In September, Google agreed to pay US$170 million to the FTC to resolve claims that YouTube violated COPPA by serving targeted advertisements to children under 13…After the FTC settlement, YouTube told creators that they would have to identify when videos are aimed at children under 13. When that happens, YouTube now turns off ads that rely on web browsing behavior and other targeting data, which earn more for YouTube and creators.
