We’ve thought for a while that Apple was working on wireless charging for the next iPhone, and a recent patent filing reinforces that. What’s surprising is that the filing suggests the possibility of using a Wi-Fi router to transmit the power, but Apple’s not in that business anymore. Or are they? Jeff Butts thinks it might be too early to sound the death knell for the Airport router, and wireless charging might be the defibrillator needed to bring the device back to life.
Exxon’s Speedpass For Apple Watch Supports Apple Pay
Exxon updated its Speedpass for Apple Watch app today, finally letting customers pay for gas using their Apple Watch. Although the app uses in-app Apple Pay for transactions, you can use it at Exxon Mobil gas stations even if they don’t have a contactless payment system. Andrew Orr tells us how to use it.
Apple Wireless Charging and Mixing Hollywood into Apple Music - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-27
Apple has a new patent application dealing with wireless charging, and Jeff Butts and Bryan Chaffin join guest-host Dave Hamilton to discuss what that might mean. They also talk about Apple executive Jimmy Iovine’s efforts to bring Hollywood into Apple Music.
MarginNote Pro for Mac: $24.99
We have a deal on a Mac app called MarginNote Pro. It’s a, “reading tool for students, teachers, researchers, lawyers, or just the naturally curious.” It allows users to take notes, make mind maps, review flashcards, and more. Check the deal listing for more. It’s $24.99 through us.
Air Force Bug Bounty Program Goes Live For Hackers
Today the Air Force announced a program for sharing vulnerabilities that it will launch next month. The Air Force bug bounty program will let hackers comb several public Air Force websites for software vulnerabilities. Cash prizes are available for discovered bugs, and this new program also does something new that others of its kind don’t. Andrew Orr reveals all.
macOS: Make Your Spotlight Searches Better with the Kind Operator
When you are looking for something specific on your Mac with Spotlight, you might get overwhelmed with the search results. Jeff Butts has become a Spotlight search pro thanks to a simple operator. Read along as he shows you how it works and some of what you can do with it.
New Verizon Prepaid Plan Has Unlimited Data, But With Limitations
Verizon launched a new prepaid plan today, featured unlimited data. It’s US$80, and you won’t need to sign a contract or fork over your credit details. However, Big Red will limit you in certain ways, so take that “unlimited” phrase with a grain of salt. Andrew Orr tells us what the new plan gives you.
Epic Facebook Rant, CAPTCHA Complaints, and Apple Store Hangouts - ACM 408
Bryan and Jeff go on an epic rant about Facebook and its attitude about humanity and our very lives. They also talk about problems they’ve been seeing with CAPTCHA systems, and ask whether or not Apple can make its retail locations places where people hang out.
iPads, Robots and the Future of Tablet Computing - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-26
Future iPads are going to be designed in part based on changes in society, according to TMO’s own John Martellaro. John, along with Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet look at what’s coming for the iPad, and whether or not it’s evolving fast enough.
iPhone 8 Smokes Samsung Galaxy S8 in Leaked Geekbench Performance Tests
How fast is the iPhone 8? If a Geekbench performance test screenshot that just surfaced is to be believed, it blows the iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S8 out of the water. The reported results have some other interesting tidbits, too, like a really tall screen aspect ratio.