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Android Could Mimic iOS 14 App Tracking Transparency

Andrew Orr ·

A report from Mark Gurman suggests that Google could add the App Tracking Transparency privacy feature to Android. But it wouldn’t be as private since Google is ultimately an advertising company.

A Google solution is likely to be less strict and won’t require a prompt to opt in to data tracking like Apple’s, the people said […] To keep advertisers happy while improving privacy, the discussions around Google’s Android solution indicate that it could be similar to its planned Chrome web browser changes.

In other words, why even bother?

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Sarayu Blue Joining the Apple TV+ Show 'The Shrink Next Door' Opposite Paul Rudd

Charlotte Henry ·

Sarayu Blue is joining the Apple TV+ show The Shrink Next Door, reported Deadline. The I Feel Bad actor will be alongside Paul Rudd in the show, which is based on the hit podcast by Wondery and Bloomberg Media.

The series hails from director Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, The Lovebirds), writer Georgia Pritchett (Succession, Veep), Civic Center Media and MRC Television. Inspired by true events, The Shrink Next Door details the bizarre relationship between psychiatrist to the stars Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf (Rudd) and his longtime patient Martin “Marty” Markowitz (Ferrell). Blue will play Miriam, a patient of Ike’s.

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Apple and Facebook Are on a Collision Course

Charlotte Henry ·

We’ve reported a lot on The Mac Observer about the growing tensions between Apple and Facebook. Bloomberg News has a good writeup of how things turned sour between the two tech giants, and why this may be just the beginning.

In March 2018, Facebook Inc. was in the midst of a scandal involving political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica and was facing serious questions about its stewardship of its users’ personal data. A commentator on MSNBC asked Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook what he would do if he were in Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s shoes. “I wouldn’t be in this situation,” Cook said…. The feud has escalated rapidly over Apple’s forthcoming update to the software that powers its iPhones, which includes a requirement that developers get explicit permission to collect certain data and track users’ activity across apps and websites. Such a move could undermine the efficacy of Facebook’s targeted advertisements. In December, Facebook took out full-page ads in a trio of U.S. newspapers saying it was “standing up to Apple for small businesses everywhere” by opposing the changes, which it describes as an abuse of market power.

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Affinity Apps Updated With RAW Engine, Contour Tool, More

Andrew Orr ·

Serif has updated its line of Affinity apps to version 1.9. on Thursday. New features include a contour tool, a RAW engine, GPU acceleration, and plenty of other goodies.

A key feature which sets Affinity Photo apart from the competition is its non-destructive workflow, and that has been taken to another level again with the ability to add liquify adjustments as live, maskable layers. On top of that there are substantial improvements to its RAW engine, new linked layer functionality, path text, as well as a whole new mode to control the stacking of astrography images for stunning results.

Additionally, all Affinity apps are currently available with 50% discount as an initiative to support the creative community during COVID-19, from affinity.serif.com.

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iPhone 13 Likely to Have Upgraded Ultra Wide Camera

Charlotte Henry ·

The verification process for Chinese supplier Sunny Optical’s iPad 5P lens has reportedly gone smoothly, significantly increasing the probability of the ‌iPhone 13‌ shipping with its 7P Wide Angle lens. This would improve the Ultra Wide camera’s low light capabilities. That’s according to the latest TFI Securities note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, seen by MacRumors. (The information does though conflict with a report from Barclays analysts.)

Kuo expects Sunny to begin mass shipments of its ‌iPad‌ 5P lens in the middle of the first quarter of 2021, supplying Apple with around 15% of those parts due to limited initial production capacity. It is not specified in the report which ‌iPad‌ model the 5P lens is destined for, but shipment proportion for both 5P and 7P lenses is expected to further increase to between 15-20% and 25-30% in 2022. According to Kuo, Sunny Optical’s greater competition will also put pressure on Largan, which is currently fueling a price war due to its significant technological advantages over other iPhone lens suppliers.

TMO Deals

UVCcleans UVC Mask Box: $32.99

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on the UVCcleans, a device that uses 185nm UVC light to clean your face masks. It deactivates the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, destroying their ability to multiply and cause diseases. It’s $32.99 through our deal.


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Canada Approves Apple Card and Apple Cash Trademarks

Charlotte Henry ·

Canadian users may be able to user Apple Card and Apple Cash in the not too distant future. The trademarks for both have now been approved in the country, iPhone in Canada reported.

Apple applied for the trademark ‘Apple Card’ and ‘Apple Cash’ back in July 2019, and recent action history shows both were approved on January 25, 2021… Apple Inc. is listed as the applicant, with the filings completed by agent Baker & McKenzie LLP… It’s unclear if Apple will ever launch Apple Cash and Apple Card in Canada, but it’s always a positive sign to see trademarks for new features approved.

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Forthcoming Apple TV+ Movie 'CODA' Wins Big at Sundance

Charlotte Henry ·

Over the weekend, the movie CODA was purchased to stream on Apple TV+. On Tuesday night, it won the grand jury prize, the directing prize, the audience award and a special jury prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition category at the Sundance Film Festival. Variety reported that this is the first time a movie has won all three top prizes in that category, underlining why Apple Studio was prepared to splash so much cash on it.

“I hope that this opens the door to people getting that audiences want to see these kinds of stories,” director Siân Heder said while accepting the audience award. “And I hope that this means that more stories that center deaf characters and characters with disabilities get put front and center because clearly people want to respond to that.” “CODA” already broke records at Sundance when Apple Studios picked it up for $25 million after a fierce bidding war following the film’s debut on the festival’s opening night

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Porsche’s VP of Chassis Development Heading to Apple Car ‘Project Titan’

Charlotte Henry ·

Porsche’s VP of Chassis Development, Dr. Manfred Harrer, looks to be heading to Apple in a sign of intent for the Apple Car and ‘Project Titan’. 9to5Mac picked up on the rumors, first published by Insider Deutschland.

If there was any doubt Apple fully intends to turn its Project Titan ambitions into a viable vehicle in the future, hiring a senior official responsible for car body development from a respected brand should stoke those concerns. Dr. Harrer has more than a decade of experience at Porsche, most recently adding the Cayenne series to his plate at the company, and his chassis development leadership dates back to 2016. Insider Deutschland says Porsche, Apple, and Dr. Harrer declined to comment on the report. Hyundai, on the other hand, has been making headlines over what its willing to say about Apple and the car rumors. Earlier this month, Hyundai stated on the record that it was in early discussions with Apple about producing its car. For the uninitiated, this is a solid way to guarantee that you are no longer in talks with Apple to produce its car. Nevertheless, additional reporting added that the two companies could reach a deal by March with a goal of vehicle production by 2024.