How much money do you have in your digital couch cushions? John and Dave walk through a few places you can check ahead of the holiday buying frenzy! Of course, most of the show is dedicated to answering your tech questions, solving your problems, sharing quick tips and, yes, a few minutes is even carved out to review eero’s new Wi-Fi 6 systems! Press play and join your two favorite geeks in learning at least five new things!
Spotify Considers a Subscription Podcast Service
Spotify could launch a subscription podcast service in the future, according to a report from Andrew Wallenstein.
The survey describes at least four possible subscription podcast plans, ranging from $3 to $8 per month. The cheapest plan would include “access to exclusive interviews and episodes,” but would still include ads. The most expensive plan would include access to “high quality original content,” early access to some episodes, and no platform-inserted ads. None of these plans would include access to Spotify’s premium music subscription.
Emulation Apps Get JIT Compilation With iOS 14.2
Emulation apps in iOS 14.2 receive Just In Time (JIT) compilation, meaning they can run at full speed.
However, that doesn’t mean you’ll see emulation apps in the App Store, or even any other app using JIT. Testut told us that the current implementation works only for sideloaded apps, which are usually installed through Xcode and other developer tools instead of the App Store. In other words, this is a feature intended for developers with debugging purposes.
CASETiFY Releases iPhone 12 mini Cases, Pro Max Cases
Hot on the heels of Apple’s launch of iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max, CASETiFY has released cases for both models. They come in various configurations like leather, clear, prints, and custom cases to showcase your logo. They’re eco-friendly with some collections made from 50% recycled PC materials, and vegan leather for other cases. With the company’s DEFENSiFY coating, these cases are anti-microbial, preventing 99% of bacteria from occupying your iPhone’s surfaces.
The Mandalorian: Season Three and Boba Fett Spinoff Could be on Way
Fans have only just begun to be able to watch season two of The Mandalorian, but Deadline reported Season 3 could start shooting soon. There may also be a spinoff miniseries based on Boba Fett.
Disney+’s signature original series, The Mandalorian, just returned for its second season, which had wrapped production just before the pandemic hit in March. While not officially greenlit, a third season of the hit Star Wars series has been in pre-production for months, with creator, director and executive producer Jon Favreau publicly stating that he hoped to start filming by end of 2020. That may be the case, with some sources indicating that production would be starting as soon as next week (or in late November/early December), while others point to spring or even fall 2021. The confusion stems from the level of secrecy in the Lucasfilm camp. But persistent chatter could explain the discrepancy — that another Mandalorian-related project/spinoff, I hear possibly a Boba Fett miniseries, would film first, starting next week or later this month, with The Mandalorian Season 3 production coming after that.
Fortnite Could Return to iPhone Via Nvidia
The dispute between Apple and Fortnite-maker Epic Games is well documented. However, BBC News reports there could be a route back to the iPhone for the battle royale game courtesy of Nvidia’s cloud gaming service.
Nvidia has developed a version of its GeForce cloud gaming service that runs in the mobile web browser Safari. Apple will not get a cut of virtual items sold within the battle royale fighting title when played this way. Apple is embroiled in a legal fight with Fortnite’s developer Epic, which led the iPhone-maker to remove the game from its iOS App Store… Unlike Android, Apple does not allow games or other apps to be loaded on to its phones or tablets via app stores other than its own. But it does not restrict which third-party services can run within Safari or other web browsers available via its store.
iOS 14.2: Siri Gives You a Personalized Daily Update
If you’ve installed iOS 14.2 you can receive a personalized update from Siri every day from your iPhone, iPad, and HomePod.
Apple to Face Shareholder Lawsuit Over Tim Cook China Sales Comments
Apple will face a class-action lawsuit from a group of shareholders over comments Tim Cook made on an analyst call.
‘Reigns: Beyond’ Joins Apple Arcade Today
The latest game in the Reigns series called Reigns: Beyond joins Apple Arcade on Friday. As an intergalactic indie rockband, plot your rise to stardom, traveling from planet to planet and gig to gig on your quest for fame and fortune. Play local (and not-so-local) clubs throughout the galaxy, recruiting alien band members along the way, and rock out across the cosmos! But make sure you’re managing your ship’s resources and keeping your crew in check while on this stellar tour because one wrong decision may leave you dead in space.
Security Friday, Now With Gift Picks – TMO Daily Observations 2020-11-06
Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont for Security Friday news, some ballot measures that passed, and even a security minded gift option.
Here are the Lock Screen Privacy Settings for iPhones and iPads
There are a number of Lock Screen privacy settings you can find on your iPhone and iPad to help secure your devices from people.
Next year Debt Collectors Can Message You Through Text, Facebook
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a rule last week that lets debt collectors reach you through new communication channels.
iPhone 12 Leather Sleeve, MagSafe Duo Listed as ‘Coming Soon’
Apple has listed the iPhone 12 Leather Sleeve and the MagSafe Duo charger as “Coming Soon” in its store at US$129 each.
iPhone 12 Pro Max and Mini, and HomePod Mini Available to Pre-Order Now
The iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini and the HomePod mini smart speaker are all now available for pre-order.
Analyst Ming Chi Kuo Starts Looking Ahead to iPhone 13
The entire iPhone 12 range is not yet available, with the final set of pre-orders opening Friday. However, thoughts are already turning to the next generation of devices. According to a note by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, seen by MacRumors, there will be four models of the next set of devices in the same sizes as this year’s.
Specifically, Kuo says the Ultra Wide cameras on the two high-end models will be significantly upgraded to f/1.8, 6P (six-element lens) with autofocus. All the current iPhone 12 models are equipped with f/2.4, 5P (five-element lens) Ultra Wide cameras with fixed focus. Looking further ahead, Kuo says he also expects all the new 2022 iPhones (tentatively called the iPhone 14 series) to be equipped with the same improved Ultra Wide camera with f/1.8, 6P and autofocus. Kuo states that Largan is likely to become the major supplier of voice coil motors (VCM) for the improved Ultra Wide cameras. It is expected that Largan will obtain about 70% of the VCM orders for the iPhone 13 under the advantages of vertical integration of lens production and VCM, versus 50% of the iPhone 12 series’ Ultra Wide angle lens.
watchOS 7.1 For Apple Watch Now Available
Apple has released watchOS 7.1, which brings a host of improvements to the Apple Watch, including headphone volume alerts.
Safari 14 Translation Rolls Out to Brazil and Germany
Filipe Espósito shares news that 9To5Mac readers in Brazil and Germany report they can use Safari 14’s built-in translation feature.
For some unknown reason, the Safari translator wasn’t available in all countries supported by the Translate app. Luckily this might have changed today, as multiple users from different countries reported that the Safari translator is now enabled for them.
Some 9to5Mac readers from countries like Brazil and Germany told us that the translating option is now working in Safari, which is something that has definitely changed today. I was able to confirm that the Safari translator is now working on my devices with the system region set to Brazil.
Here’s How to Disinfect Your Apple Card
Brittney Myers wrote a guide on how to disinfect your Apple Card and other credit cards. I think it’s useful in situations where you’re unable to pay contactless with Apple Pay. We’ve heard for years that our smartphones are dirty, with some saying they can be dirtier than a toilet. I expect that credit and debit cards will have a similar level of uncleanliness.
According to Harvard Health, the coronavirus can live on plastic and stainless steel for up to three days, and the CDC advises that frequently touched objects and surfaces should be cleaned and sanitized at least once a day. In addition to copious handwashing, cleaning your frequently used items can help keep your home germ-free.
Apple Releases macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update
Apple has seeded a supplemental update of macOS Catalina 10.15.7 to protect against some security vulnerabilities.
How iPads Helped Baseball Crowds ‘Return’ to Ballparks
When Major League Baseball returned, without fans, during the coronavirus pandemic, those involved realised crowd noises still needed to happen. Oakland A’s executive producer for ballpark entertainment Amelia Schimmel and others told Sports Illustrated how iPads helped bring empty ballparks to life.
“When you see a fly ball that’s clearly not going out for a home run, but everybody does that oooh? That still has to happen,” says the A’s Schimmel. “Because we’re not trying to make it sound just like how we’d want it to sound. We’re trying to make it sound real.” The end result of all those layered noises is somewhere north of 1,000 individual sounds per game in Oakland, Schimmel estimates. (It’s common to have several different ones layered for each at-bat, she notes, as they try to adjust the background murmur a bit for every individual pitch in the count.) “It’s almost like playing the piano,” she says, with some buttons pressed together like chords and others on their own, all blended into one greater body of sound.
WhatsApp Users Can Now Send Disappearing Messages
WhatsApp finally gave users the ability to send that message that disappear after a certain period of time. As The Guardian noted, it’s something of a shift for the Facebook-owned app.
Unlike some competitors, such as the secure messaging app Signal, WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, decided against offering flexibility to users. There is no option to change the length of time messages are stored, for instance; and the service also removes images and videos sent. “We’re starting with seven days because we think it offers peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent, while remaining practical so you don’t forget what you were chatting about,” the company says in a blogpost. “The shopping list or store address you received a few days ago will be there while you need it, and then disappear after you don’t. “While it’s great to hold on to memories from friends and family, most of what we send doesn’t need to be everlasting. Our goal is to make conversations on WhatsApp feel as close to in-person as possible, which means they shouldn’t have to stick around forever.”
Deadline is December 8 for App Store Privacy Labels
Apple announced on Thursday that developers have to get their apps ready for the new privacy labels by December 8, 2020.
Apple Facing Potential iPhone 12 Chip Supply Shortages
Apple is facing a potential shortage of chips crucial to iPhones and other devices and is battling to make sure it can meet holiday demand.
tvOS 14.2 Released for Apple TV Fourth Fifth Generation
Apple released tvOS 14.2 for the fourth and fifth generations of Apple TV that brings general performance and stability improvements.