Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet talk about CES and the future of in-person events. They also take a look at brain implants, which, believe it or not, are here. And, they talk about efforts to make social media companies accountable and say: be careful what you wish for.
Apple
2021: Reviewing a Year of Apple Hardware
Apple unveiled a number of new products in 2021, along with some discontinued items. Let’a check out a year in review of Apple hardware.
Gary Geaves, VP of Acoustics at Apple, Talks AirPods in Interview
Gary Geaves is the Vice President of Acoustics at Apple and his team was largely responsible for the design of AirPods.
The Four Products Apple Should Drop in 2022
For me, these are the four products Apple should discontinue from its lineup. I do believe they’re lost in time and any customer that bought one right now would be disappointed with the general experience.
I agree that it’s high time for Apple to discontinue the iPod touch, Watch Series 3, and Beats Solo3 Wireless. These products just aren’t reflective of the best Apple can offer anymore. Some might say the Apple Watch Series 3 is still a good choice. I’d argue most would be better off with the SE model. It’s only $70 more expensive and much more robust. But the Intel-powered Mac mini? I can’t really buy into this idea, simply for the sake of anybody who still needs to dual-boot Windows and macOS.
Apple's Policies Force Tumblr to Ban Certain Tags for iOS Users
Tumblr has been banning a host of tags from its iOS app in an effort to comply with Apple’s app review policies.
Some of the banned tags make sense for a platform trying to scrub itself of sensitive content — “porn,” “drugs” and “sex” are banned, for instance. Others are incomprehensible (or troubling if you think about them for too long), like the aforementioned “Tony the Tiger” and “Eugene Levy.” Even tags with the numbers 69 and 420 are banned.
Apple Puts India iPhone Factory on Probation
The southern India iPhone factory operated by Foxconn will remain closed until living conditions are improved to Apple’s satisfaction.
Streaming Music Today, Using iPads, NFT Comic Books, with Jeff Gamet - ACM 565
Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet talk about the practical realities of listening to music int he age of streaming music services. They also talk about how they use their iPads, and the ways in which that has changed. They cap the show with a practical use case look at NFT graphic novels, which Bryan says is one way of bringing collectibility back to the comic book world.
Rumored Hire Hints Apple AR Headset Coming Soon
If the hiring rumor is correct, Meta’s AR communications and PR head will help bring the first Apple AR headset to the public.
Dutch Regulator to Force Apple to Change App Store Policy for Dating Apps
It’s interesting that the focus of this order is on dating apps, when other assaults on Apple’s App Store payment policies approach different genres, or all apps as a whole. The decision comes on the heels of the tech giant agreeing to change its payment policies for “reader” apps and the ongoing Apple v. Epic dispute. It could be one more nail in the coffin of Apple’s monopoly on collecting payment for apps. The Cupertino-based company has, of course, appealed the decision.
Some app providers are dependent on Apple’s App Store, and Apple takes advantage of that dependency. Apple has special responsibilities because of its dominant position. That is why Apple needs to take seriously the interests of app providers too, and set reasonable conditions. That is what we are forcing Apple to do with this order.
Apple Offering Free Two-Hour Delivery 'in Most Metro Areas' Before Christmas
Apple is offering free two-hour delivery on certain items in the run-up to Christmas as well as extended holiday returns.
Budget Issues Could Delay DoJ Probes Into Apple And Google
U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) probes into Apple and Google could be delayed until spring 2022. Politico reported that the delay is due to ongoing budget issues.
Now the decision on going to court is likely to come in March or later because of continued discussions about where to file and who will make the call, the two people told POLITICO. They spoke anonymously to discuss internal DOJ deliberations. Another major concern for the department is the likely expense of a court battle with the two companies, each of which has a market value exceeding $1 trillion. That issue became more fraught this week when Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) torpedoed Democrats’ Build Back Better package, which would have given DOJ a $500 million boost for antitrust enforcement.
Apple Workers Call For Christmas Eve Walkout
Apple workers are planning a Christmas Eve walkout amidst calls for “paid sick time” and “proper mental healthcare.”
![Send Apple Gift Card to Friends and Family Abroad [Updated]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Image-7.jpeg.webp)
Send Apple Gift Card to Friends and Family Abroad [Updated]
Sending an Apple gift card to friends and family abroad is not as simple as it might think it should be, but can still be done.
SEC allows AAPL Shareholders to Push For Details on Apple NDAs
The SEC has agreed that an AAPL shareholders proposal requiring Apple to explain how it uses tools like NDAs can proceed.
Steve Jobs Returned to Apple 25 Years Ago
This week marks a major landmark in Apple history. It’s 25 years since the company acquired NeXT and Steve Jobs returned. MacRumors has a good reflection on the episode.
“With this merger, the advanced software from NeXT will be married with Apple’s very high-volume hardware platforms and marketing channels to create another breakthrough, leapfrogging existing platforms, and fueling Apple and the industry copy cats for the next ten years and beyond,” said Jobs. “I still have very deep feelings for Apple, and it gives me great joy to play a role in architecting Apple’s future.” Jobs initially returned to Apple as an advisor, making his first appearance at Macworld San Francisco in January 1997 to announce details of how Apple planned to incorporate NeXT technology into future releases of Mac OS. Jobs went on to replace Amelio as the company’s interim CEO just nine months later, and he ended up dropping the interim title and remaining CEO until stepping down in August 2011 due to health issues.
AAPL Shareholders Call For Civil-Rights Audit of Apple
Apple shareholders have called for a civil-rights audit of the company amid controversy and slow progress in improving workforce diversity
Universal Control, App Privacy, and ArtSabers, with Jeff Gamet - ACM 564
Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet geek out over ArtSabers and UltraSabers, two companies making light sabers! They also talk about Universal Control and how they would use it when Apple gets around to releasing it. And they look at the ever-changing world of app privacy.
Apple Building New Team in Irvine, California, to Build Wireless Chips
Apple is hiring engineers to work in a new office in Irvine, California and develop wireless chips in-house.
Apple Company 'Claris' Completes SOC 2 Type II and ISO Credentials
Claris completed its SOC 2 Type II audit and ISO credentials for FileMaker Cloud and its automation platform, Claris Connect.
Apple Delays Return to Office Indefinitely
Apple has delayed its return to the office once again until a “date yet to be determined” due to the onset of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.
Department of Labour to Investigate Allegations Apple Retailiated Against Whistleblower Ashley Gjovik
The U.S. Department of Labor is set to investigate allegations that Apple retaliated against whistleblower Ashley Gjovik.
Apple's Jeremy Butcher talks Apple Business Essentials – Mac Geek Gab 905
Apple recently announced-and-released the beta of their new MDM solution, Apple Business Essentials. Today we have Jeremy Butcher, Enterprise and Education Product Marketing Manager at Apple here to help us answer our questions about exactly what Apple Business Essentials can do for us and how it all works in a real-world setting. Press play and enjoy learning five new things about Apple Business Essentials!
Poland Probes Apple's App Tracking Transparency Privacy Feature
Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) is investigating Apple over its private feature App Tracking Transparency (ATT).
Smarthome Tech Matter(s), Crypto in a Down Market, with Jeff Gamet - ACM 563
Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet dig into Matter, the smarthome platform that should make it easier for devices to work all the major smarthome platforms. They also talk about cryptocurrencies in a down market, and how and why Bryan is interested only in long-term prospects and possibilities.