Link

Publishers are Driving Readers to Apple News

Andrew Orr ·

What’s good for publishers isn’t necessarily good for readers. Josh Constine writes about how Apple News+ is bad for publishers.

Readers visit Apple’s app, not the outlet’s site that gives it free rein to promote conference tickets, merchandise, research reports, and other money-makers. Publishers don’t get their Apple News+ readers’ email addresses for follow-up marketing, cookies for ad targeting and content personalization, or their credit card info to speed up future purchases.

This is exactly why people install adblockers. No one wants to be harassed by endless pop-ups, marketing or cookies, autoplaying videos, and they don’t want you to have their credit card info or email address so it can get leaked in a data breach. You can’t blame Apple for that.

Link

Apple Needs All its Product Expertise if TV+ is to Succeed

Charlotte Henry ·

Apple TV+ is unlike any other product the company has released before. However, as Jason Snell pointed out on MacWorld, it knows about branding better than almost anyone, and that could give it a fighting chance of succeeding. There can be an ethos that underscores the new content. My colleague John Martellaro made a similar point when he wrote about the underlying values that came through at the ‘It’s Show Time’ event Monday.

Apple does bring its brand along with it, and that can help inform the feel of the content Apple produces. Apple’s self-image, as seen through its commercials and promotional videos, is optimistic and bright and creative. The lengthy scripted portion of the Apple TV+ roll-out hit a lot of the same points, and while it’s safe to say that I never need to hear the word “storytelling” again, I think Apple was trying to establish an ethos and style for what an Apple TV+ show represents.

Podcast

TMO Background Mode Interview with Astronomer Dr. Clay Sherrod

John Martellaro · · 1 Comment

Dr. Clay Sherrod’s astronomical studies began, soon after his Ph.D. work, in 1970 with the Arkansas Sky, Inc., his private non-profit and educational research and educational program. Although now retired, the work, publications and outreach from him via the Arkansas Sky Observatory ranks among the top in private non-profit facilities.

We chatted about how he got interested in astronomy at age 8. His grandfather, an educator who owned a country farm, was instrumental in introducing Clay to the night sky. In his Ph.D. work at Cornell, Clay studied under the legendary Dr. Carl Sagan, and he remembered Sagan fondly. We chatted about Clay’s career in privately funded astronomy, his work philosophy, the integration of science and religion, and how his talents in music and art enhance his scientific thinking. Clay is a fascinating speaker.

Link

More Details on Mastercard's Universal Digital ID

Andrew Orr ·

Late last year Mastercard announced its idea for a universal digital ID. We have a bit more information on that.

Mastercard envisions a platform in which consumers have control of their identity information and it is stored locally on their devices, rather than in a centralized system that Mastercard would need to defend. The ID would be set up through a bank or other participating institution that already holds identity information about the individual. And people would manage their enrollment and interact with their universal ID through that institution’s secure mobile app.

Link

Pick Up AirPods 2 in an Apple Store Today

Andrew Orr ·

You can pick up a pair of AirPods 2 in Apple retail stores today. Previously they were only available online.

If you’re looking to get your hands on a pair of second-generation AirPods, you may be able to score a pair directly from a brick and mortar Apple Store today via in-store pickup. Not all locations have stock available, and supplies will likely be limited, so you may want to act fast if you want them today.

Cool Stuff Found

Oprah - 'We're All Apple Girls Now'

Charlotte Henry ·

Oprah appears to be very excited to be joining the Apple family. She was one of the big-hitting stars at Apple’s ‘It’s Show Time’ Event on Monday and will be making programmes with the company. In a video posted to social media, Oprah leads other stars in a toast to Apple and the “1 billion” phones” they are all going to be on. “We’re all Apple girls now”, she declares.