RokBlock, a 4-Inch Long Record Player: $89

Our deal on the RokBlok is back. This device is billed as the world’s smallest record player, and it sits on your record, traveling around in a circle to play it. In the video below, you can hear that it produces a small sound, but it’s Bluetooth enabled for piping the sound to another set of speakers. It’s $99 through us, but coupon code ROK10 takes off $10, for a checkout price of $89.

Members of Congress Write to Tim Cook, Demand Saudi Arabia Female Tracking App Removed From App Store

14 members of Congress wrote to Apple CEO Tim Cook and his Google counterpart Sunder Pinchai, demanding their firms remove the Absher app. Insider published an investigation into the government-run app, reported on by TMO, earlier in February. It found that Absher has access to a database of women in the country. Men can use it to monitor the whereabouts of female relatives and even stop them leaving Saudi Arabia. The 14 representatives included Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Katherine Clark, and Jackie Speicer. Following the initial report, both Apple and Google said they would investigate Absher, but have since failed to comment.

In Thursday’s letter, the signatories said Google and Apple need to remove Absher as it “serves as [a] tracking device” used to “prevent the free movement of Saudi women.” They said: “Twenty-first-century innovations should not perpetuate sixteenth-century tyranny. “Keeping this application in your stores allows your companies and your American employees to be accomplices in the oppression of Saudi Arabian women and migrant workers,” the letter said.

Warren Buffett Holding His Stake in Apple

World-renowned investor Warren Buffet said Monday that he is holding his Apple stake. However, the Berkshire Hathway founder told CNBC’s SquawkBox that his firm is not increasing its holding at the moment. He has previously said that his company “would love to see Apple go down” so it could buy the shares for a bargain price.

“If it were cheaper, we’d be buying it. We aren’t buying it here,” Buffett said in an interview with CNBC “Squawk Box” co-host Becky Quick. “I don’t see myself selling – the lower it goes, the better. I like it, obviously.” Buffett has made Apple a keystone of his expansive holdings and highlighted his own use of the company’s products. Buffett has made Apple a keystone of his expansive holdings and highlighted his own use of the company’s products. He said at his annual shareholders’ meeting in Omaha last May that “we would love to see Apple go down in price,” so he could buy more at a bargain.

Apple News Has Problems But Privacy Isn't One of Them

Hot takes abound in the wake of a report from DigiDay about how publishers are frustrated with Apple News. One of the cited issues is a lack of user targeting, which is great for users. One problem I see with Apple News is that the rumored News subscription might reward clickbait. But privacy is a big reason why I use Apple News. I can put up with ads, but the less time I spend on publishers’ websites infested with trackers, popups and autoplaying videos, the better. I have my favorite sites I subscribe to, but I do it through Apple News so the companies can’t sell my credit card information.

And while publishers remain frustrated with Apple News as a source of revenue, some said they appreciate where Apple is coming from. “I respect Apple and that they believe in privacy,” one source said. “It just makes it incredibly challenging to sell there.”

Apple Video Hows to Use Depth Control, and Defuse Awkward Situations With Your Partner

Ever taken a lovely portrait, only for it to be ruined by someone lurking in the background? Apple feels you. Ever had a nice snap of your partner, but their friend or colleague features in it accidentally? Again, Apple feels you. That’s why it introduced depth control to iOS- the ability to adjust the depth of field before or after a picture is taken. As a new video released Sunday shows, the depth control tool can also help defuse an awkward conversation with your partner!

Apple and Content, Marzipan, and the Executive Shuffle, with Charlotte Henry - ACM 502

Where is Apple going with its content drive? Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-host Charlotte Henry to dive deep into original shows, services, publishing, news, and Apple’s other content ambitions. They also talk about the promise (and potential drawbacks) of Marzipan, and what Apple’s recent executive shuffling might portend.