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macOS 11’s Design Language is Meant for Augmented Reality

Andrew Orr ·

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.

TMO Deals

Ozone Generator and Air Purifier: $29.95

Bryan Chaffin ·

Our friends at Stack Commerce have another cool gadget deal for us today, an ozone generator and air purifier. It has a built-in rechargeable 600mA battery so you can take it with you anywhere, and it has a max sound output of 35dB. This device is $29.95 through us.

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AirPods and AirPods Pro Updates Coming With iOS 14

Charlotte Henry ·

There is a lot coming with iOS 14. Some of the updates announced involved AirPods and AirPods Pro. AppleInsider has a good rundown.

Of all the new features coming in iOS 14, the most headline-grabbing is spacial audio for AirPods Pro. This works with 5.1, 7.1, and even Dolby Atmos encoded audio to create immersive sound that goes far beyond simple stereo playback. So much content is now coming in HDR Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos audio these days that it makes sense for Apple to continue to invest in these. Creating 3D sound from a set of headphones isn’t easy but Apple took it a step further.

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Apple And Google Displayed Unaccountable Power Over COVID-19 Contact Tracing

Charlotte Henry ·

Apple and Google have had a major influence in how COVID-19 contact tracing has progressed, or hasn’t, in various countries. Writing for Businesss Insider, Tom Loosemore, a cofounder of the UK’s Government Digital Service, expressed concern at their unaccountable power.

I hope I am wrong, but I fear that Google and Apple’s approach will not prove particularly valuable in the messy real world of contact tracing. It is just too crude. Google and Apple have given governments an abacus in an era of machine learning. I’ll admit I was instinctively pleased when I heard of Google and Apple’s decision. Throughout my career, I’ve defended people’s privacy from your typical state’s propensity to collect ever more data about their citizens, often without reason. But in the weeks since April 10, I’ve reflected more on the nature of power. Who has power? And how is it held to account?

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Everything You Want to Know About iOS 14 Notes and Reminders

Andrew Orr ·

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.