Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss the myth of the failing iPhone X, where that myth comes from, how it’s sustained, and how Apple’s own data says otherwise. They also talk about how Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri tried to dispel those reports during Apple’s quarterly conference call with analysts. They also look at the indicators that HomePod, on the other hand, isn’t doing well, and Tim Cook’s continued insistence on focusing on sound quality when we really want a capable home assistant. They cap the show with some perspective on just how much money Apple is paying out to shareholders.
iPhone
iPhone-related tips and news for everyone interested in Apple’s iPhone or looking to make your iPhone experience even better.
Apple Q2 2018 Earnings Report, Mobile Safari Alternatives - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-02
Andrew Orr and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at Apple’s second fiscal quarter earnings, plus Andrew tips us off to some alternatives to Safari on the iPhone and iPad.
Apple Seeds iOS 11.4 Developer Beta 3
So far, this release cycle for iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2, along with Messages in iCloud.
No Cross-platform App Development Platform from Apple Until 2019
Don’t count on seeing Apple’s rumored unified app platform at Worldwide Developer Conference this year. That’s likely happening in 2019, and macOS will go 64-bit only at the same time.
WhatsApp's Future, No Project Marzipan this Year - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-01
Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about what Jan Koum leaving Facebook means for WhatsApp, plus they look at when we can expect Apple’s unified Apple app development platform.
How to Stop Video Autoplay in the iOS App Store
The iOS App Store on your iPad or iPhone may autoplay video demos of the apps you’re looking through; if you find that annoying (or don’t want such a thing eating up your cellular data!), come on in and learn what to do in today’s Quick Tip.
T-Mobile and Sprint Merging, Announce Nation-wide 5G Plans
T-Mobile and Sprint agreed to a US$26.5 billion merger deal with plans to make the first truly nation-wide 5G cellular network.
Another Report Says Apple VR Headset Coming in 2020
Apple reportedly has a wireless 16K virtual reality headset in the works and it’s going to ship some time on 2020.
Photolemur's 35 Tips for Stunning Landscape Photos
Photolemur—the photo editing app—has a new blog post called the “35 Composition Tips for Taking Stunning Landscape Photos.” I immediately checked it out because I am almost always highly dissatisfied with my landscape shots. It includes some common ideas such as the rule of thirds, but there was a bunch of stuff that was new to me, and I thought it was a great article. Topics include using lines to draw your attention, how to frame the subject, using people or animals properly, lighting, colors, framing, timing, and a whole lot more. Each tip comes with a representative photo, and they’re all gorgeous. If you want to take better landscapes, this piece is a must-read.
Amazon's Kid-friendly Echo Dot, Crowdfense Zero Day Exploit Bounties - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-26
Bryan Chaffin and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on Amazon’s new kid-focused Echo Dot, plus they discuss Crowdfense and the state of zero day exploit bounties.
Apple Releases iOS 11.3.1: Includes Security Fixes and Addresses 3rd Party Screen Replacement Problem for iPhone 8
Apple’s patch notes specify two things: security and an issue affecting iPhone 8 devices with unauthorized third party screen replacements.
Canary Home Camera Gets New Away Alert Controls
The Canary home monitoring camera app for the iPhone just got more useful because it adds the ability to limit motion recording and alerts to just people.
Apple Says Switch to iPhone with 2 New Commercials: App Store and Portraits
They’re both part of Apple’s Switch to iPhone series, offering short metaphorical illustrations for why you should ditch other platforms for iPhone.
No Unified Apple OS for You, Daisy iPhone Recycling Robot - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-20
Dave Hamilton and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to talk about why macOS and iOS won’t merge into a single operating system for now, and they look at how the iPhone’s long life span stands in contrast to Greenpeace criticism.
Greenpeace Slams Apple's iPhone Recycling Robot Daisy
Greenpeace criticized Apple’s new iPhone recycling robot Daisy saying the company should instead design iPhones that can stay in use longer—a request that seems odd considering the company supports iOS 11 on the five year old iPhone 5s.
Stolen iPhone Guide: What You Can Do if Your iPhone is Stolen
If you’re the victim of an iPhone theft, there are steps you can take after to try to get it back. But there are also preventative steps to take before it happens.
GrayKey Underscores Why We Need Strong iPhone Passcodes
The GrayKey box is available only to law enforcement, but it’s a perfect example of why strong passcodes for our iPhones are so important.
iPhones, Strong Passcodes, and GrayKey - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-17
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to talk about why longer iPhone passcodes are becoming more important, plus they discuss the GrayKey iPhone hacking device available to law enforcement.
How to Set an Alphanumeric Passcode on Your iPhone or iPad
A six-digit passcode for your iPhone or iPad is good, but if you want to make is really difficult for anyone to hack into your device you need an alphanumeric passcode. Here’s how to set one up.
PSA: Keep Your Fingerprints Out of Social Media Posts
Thanks to a photo shared through WhatsApp, police got enough of a fingerprint to identify and arrest a drug dealer and his accomplices.
How to See Which Apple Products Have Extended Repair or Recall Status
Sometimes Apple extends device warranty coverage for specific issues, and keeps a list online so it’s easy to know if you have something that’s potentially due for repair or replacement.
WhatsApp: How to Enable Two-Step Verification
WhatsApp may give you end-to-end encryption for your conversations, but it’s stunningly simple to log into your account unless you enable two-step verification. Read on to learn how.
IK Multimedia Ships iRig Stomp I/O
IK Multimedia announced Thursday that iRig Stomp I/O is now available. Announced during NAMM in January, this device is a essentially a pedal board for use with IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube. It features four switches, an expression pedal, a built-in preamp, phantom power for microphones, a built-in USB audio interface, a combo input jack for line, instrument or mic input, and balanced stereo output. It will work with both iPhone and iPad, but it’s big enough for an iPad, giving you more screen to see when the device sits on the floor at your feet. It’s MFi-certified, priced at US$/€299.99, and shipping.
How to Increase Your iPhone's Memory from 16GB to 128GB
Let’s say you want more storage in your iPhone. No problem, if you get the right flash memory chip, have the right gear to duplicate what’s on the original, and are confident with your soldering skills. Strange Parts did just that, and it worked! Check out their video to see the whole process.