There’s won’t be a COVID-19 version of Pac-Man, or any other equally tacky game. Apple today banned all entertainment applications that use this pandemic as a theme.
In addition, Apple reiterated an earlier rule requiring software that provides information about this global health crisis be from official sources.
A fully functional and complete Apple-1 computer, hand-built by Apple founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs back in 1976, was auctioned off yesterday for over $458 thousand.
There are only a handful of these left. This particular unit appeared recently on the TV show Pawn Stars.
Internet service providers AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Verizon and many more have pledged to not cut off service from customers who can’t pay their bills because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Internet access is important during the crisis to keep the public informed, but also to let people work from home, attend school remotely, and keep in touch despite social distancing.
Combine a role-playing game with a pinball machine and you have Roundguard, a new game added Friday to Apple Arcade. It’s a bit like Rogue, but with lots more bouncing. And a silly sense of humor, too.
Production halts in China last month caused by the COVID-19 outbreak have resulted in iPhone shortages in some US stores, according to market analysts.
Fortunately, Apple’s top contract manufacturer said today it’s ramping production back up.
The iPad and iPhone version of Pixelmator will soon get its first major update in years, according to its developer. And the macOS version of this graphics application is also getting new features.
Apple reportedly signed the contracts it needs to keep streaming songs from the biggest labels. However, there supposedly was no mention in the agreements of an “Apple Prime” that would bundle this company’s music and video streaming services.
It’s apparently nearly back to business as usual at Foxconn, the company that assembles most iPhones. Its general manager says plants in China and Vietnam are once again getting the components they need.
Production had been tremendously slowed by the COVID-19 outbreak in China, but the epidemic is now nearly over in that country.
Magrig Adapter lets USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 cables easily disconnect if they get yanked on. It’s a revival of MagSafe, which Apple used to build into MacBooks.
There are competing options, but most of these can only transfer power. Magrig, on the other hand, promises up to 40Gbps data transfers as well as 100W of power.
Sandwich chain Jimmy John’s will throw in a free drink to customers in its loyalty reward program who make a $10 purchase with Apple Pay.
This will encourage iPhone users to visit Jimmy John’s — and also to set up Apple Pay on their phone or Apple Watch.
Not every iPhone concept video is a crazy mashup of dream features. A new one gives a realistic preview of the low-cost iPhone Apple is expected to release this spring.
Watch a video of this concept device now:
A phone service Verizon launched today offers iPhone and Androids unlimited data for $39.99, including tethering. That’s significantly less than the cost of this carrier’s regular unlimited plan.
But, of course, there are limitations in the new service, dubbed Yahoo Mobile.
Apple, Facebook, Google and other tech heavyweights are reportedly heading for the White House on Wednesday. There they’ll meet with officials from various government agencies to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak.
Apple’s HomeKit home-automation system will reportedly get a version of Night Shift to reduce the amount of blue in smart light bulbs as each day nears its end. This feature, allegedly coming with iOS 14 in the fall, is supposed to help people sleep better.
In addition, Apple might be adding facial recognition to security cameras controlled with HomeKit.
Apple engineers are exploring the feasibility of a dual-screen iPhone or iPad. Two displays that touch with no bezels between them would simulate one large display. And this wouldn’t have some of the drawbacks of folding screens.
iPad users will be able to use an Apple Pencil to write words into any text box, if an unconfirmed report is correct. Handwriting recognition will allegedly be built into iPadOS 14.
This would bring real changes to the way many interact with their tablet.
An augmented reality application could reportedly become one of the default apps in iOS14. This would allow any iPhone user to view their location with AR at any time.
This is apparently part of Apple’s embrace of augmented reality this year, with the company reportedly building 3D scanners into the next-generation iPhone and iPad.
Apple cancelled classes in its retail stores in two cities in California and Washington where the novel coronavirus is spreading. A check of the calendar for “Today at Apple” in both Seattle and San Francisco finds nothing scheduled.
However, this doesn’t seem to be a first step toward closing the Apple Stores in these cities. Even temporarily.
A leak from inside Apple indicates the next watchOS version will allow users to share Watch faces. In addition, parents allegedly will be able to set “Schooltime” limits, restricting what a child’s Apple Watch can do during certain hours.
Other changes coming in watchOS 7 have come to light as well.
CEO Tim Cook told Apple employees at company headquarters and other locations around the world to “please feel free to work remotely if your job allows” this week.
This guidance came in response to the COVID-19 disease that’s spreading across the United States.
I never had an interest in Apple Watch. I didn’t see the point of carrying around yet another computer when my iPhone goes with me everywhere. Then I got one, and now that I’ve used Apple’s wearable, I see all the ways it makes my life easier.
It’s made me an Apple Watch convert. Here’s why.
The newly-unveiled Oppo Watch borrows heavily from the Apple Watch. But this China-based company nevertheless built in some features that fans of Apple’s wearable can appreciate.
Samsung’s new flagship phone came out slightly ahead in a smash-off between with Apple’s top-tier model. The Galaxy S20 Ultra survived the early rounds of drop tests better than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
However, at the end of multiple drops, the iPhone was still almost completely functional while the Android was utterly destroyed.
Home Before Dark is a mystery/drama on the real-life adventures of a nine-year-old girl who solved a murder. It’s coming to Apple TV+ this spring, and a new trailer gives the first look at it.
Watch it now:
There’s an area where Android is much faster than any iPhone: losing value. A gadget trade-in service tracked the depreciation of Apple and Android handsets and found that after a year the iPhone had held on to far more of its resale value.