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News - page 307

Surprising iOS 14.8 update might be on the way

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iOS 14 adoption. It’s a good thing.
iOS 14 just keeps going and going. Next on the docket is apparently iOS 14.8.
Photo: Apple

Don’t think iOS 14 is ready to ride off into the sunset. There’s strong evidence there could still be another version released, even as Apple works on iOS 15. But it’s not clear what will be in iOS 14.8.

44% of iPhone users already plan to upgrade to iPhone 13

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This concept image shows how the iPhone 13 notch might shrink.
A smaller notch isn’t the feature most potential iPhone 13 buyers are looking forward to. Not even close.
Artists concept: Cult of Mac

Apple has yet to unveil the iPhone 13 but a survey shows that nearly half of current iPhone users are ready to upgrade. The potential buyers are making the decisions are apparently based on rumored features, and the survey totals which ones people are most looking forward to.

D.C. teens get free AirPods with COVID-19 vaccine

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AirPods 2 pairing with iPhone
Aged between 12 and 17? Get vaccinated to get yours.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Washington, D.C., says it will give teens free AirPods — and the chance to win even bigger prizes — for receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.

The promotion, which hopes to encourage widespread adoption for the vaccine among youths, applies to those aged 12 to 17 who get their first shot at one of three sites throughout the city.

Next-gen MacBook Pro with mini-LED screen takes big step toward release

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Apple_macbookpro-13-inch_screen_05042020
Apple could be making 800,000 units a month by late November.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s next-generation MacBook Pro models, which are expected to be the first Mac units with mini-LED displays, have entered mass production ahead of their official debut, according to a new report.

The new 14- and 16-inch machines, which could also ship with revamped designs and even faster Apple Silicon chips, are scheduled to arrive before the end of the year.

Apple TV, HomePod combo on the way to combat weak living room strategy

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Apple TV 4K reviews: Finally more than a hobby?
But we'll have to wait a while for it.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV engineers say “there isn’t much optimism” over the company’s weak living room hardware strategy, but there plans to change it with new devices, according to a new report from one reliable reporter.

Cupertino is still planning a combined Apple TV, HomePod and FaceTime camera — but it is not expected to appear until “around 2023.”

Apple looks to ease CSAM photo scanning concerns with new FAQ

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Apple CSAM photo scanning
Clearing up the confusion.
Photo: Apple

Apple defends its plan to scan user photos for child sexual abuse imagery in a newly published FAQ that aims to quell growing concerns from privacy advocates.

The document provides “more clarity and transparency,” Apple said, after noting that “many stakeholders including privacy organizations and child safety organizations have expressed their support” for the move.

The FAQ explains the differences between child sexual abuse imagery scanning in iCloud and the new child-protection features coming to Apple’s Messages app. It also reassures users that Apple will not entertain government requests to expand the features.

Track pins, identify birds and boost your productivity [Awesome Apps of the Week]

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Awesome Apps of The Week for Aug. 8, 2021
Whether you want to bring technology to your hobby or boost productivity, this week’s Awesome Apps are worth checking out!
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

The “Shazam for bird sounds” and a genius way to digitize your pin collection kick off the “Awesome Apps of the Week” series this week. On top of that, a couple of interesting new productivity apps to simplify your calendar, task list, email, and notes. And best of all, they’re all free, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Free IMDb TV service brings classic movies and shows to iPhone, iPad

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Free IMDb TV service brings classic movies and shows to iPhone, iPad
A new IMDb TV app offers thousands of classic movies and series. It’s free but advertiser supported.
Photo: Amazon

Looking for something budget-friendly to do this weekend? IMDb TV offers thousands of free classic movies and series. It costs nothing, and a version for iPhone and iPad debuted recently.

The service from Amazon includes hit shows like Mad Men, Chicago Fire and Lost. Movies currently available include How to Train Your Dragon, Boyz n’ The Hood, Wolf of Wallstreet, A Beautiful Mind and many more.

Hey kids, fight crime with Batman in new AR app for iOS

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Games, comics, stickers -- the new Bat-Tech app for iOS packs a lot of fun.
Games, comics, stickers -- the new Bat-Tech app for iOS packs a lot of fun.
Photo: Warner Bros.

On Thursday Warner Bros. launched its DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition app for iOS, aimed at kids aged 6 to 12 (but who’s counting?). The app comes loaded with exclusive Batman content, mini-games, augmented reality (AR) filters and digital comic books.

Jump onto Super Leap Day platformer on Apple Arcade

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Jump onto ‘Super Leap Day’ platformer on Apple Arcade
Float up, leap high and raise the roof in Super Leap Day.
Photo: Nitrome

There’s no reason leap day should only happen once every four years. With Nitrome’s Super Leap Day, it can be every day! This fast-paced one-button platformer offers a new level to play every single day.

And it’s not the only game to debut on Apple Arcade this Friday. A pair of classic titles are also available for subscribers at no additional cost.

Edward Snowden, privacy advocates speak out against Apple’s photo scanning plan

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Apple photo scanning
A "slippery slope" that could lead to mass surveillance.
Photo: @Privacyfan2021

Whistleblower Edward Snowden and other privacy advocates are speaking out against Apple’s plan to scan user photos for child abuse imagery.

The move will turn everybody’s iPhone into an “iNarcs,” Snowden said on Twitter. “If they can scan for kiddie porn today, they can scan for anything tomorrow.” The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is also against the plan.

Apple suppliers fight for staff ahead of ‘iPhone 13’ production

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Apple's relationship with Foxconn on the rocks
Fewer people are interesting in building Apple products.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s manufacturing partners are reportedly competing for staff as they ramp up for “iPhone 13” production in the coming months.

Foxconn, Luxshare, and Lens Technology are said to be among the assemblers offering incentives — including larger bonuses — to attract new staff. Competition has increased following a decline in interest in the work.

iPhone Messages app will warn kids if they’re receiving a nude photo

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iPhone Messages app will warn parents if kids send, receive nude photos
Children and parents will be alerted by the Messages app of sexually explicit photos.
Photo: Apple

Apple will soon offer a new tool to protect children from sexual predators. The Messages application will be able to detect if an iPhone or iPad user gets or sends sexually explicit photos.

The process will use on-device machine learning so that Apple does not have access to the images.

Apple plans to scan iPhones and iCloud for child abuse imagery [Updated]

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Learn the financial lingo to get the most out of earnings call chatter.
Learn the financial lingo to get the most out of earnings call chatter.
Photo: Kevin Dooley/Flickr CC

Apple plans to scan photos stored on peoples’ iPhones and in their iCloud accounts for imagery suggesting child abuse, according to news reports Thursday. The effort might aid in law-enforcement investigations, but also could invite controversial access to user data by government agencies.

Apple’s update to its web page “Expanded Protections for Children” — see under the “CSAM Detection” subheading — appears to make the scanning plan official. CSAM stands for “child sexual abuse material.”

Prepare for an epic adventure in Baldo, coming soon to Apple Arcade

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Prepare for an epic adventure in ‘Baldo’ coming soon to Apple Arcade
Baldo: The Guardian Owls is an adventure game with a lot of influence from Studio Ghibli movies like Spirited Away.
Photo: NAPS team

Baldo: The Guardian Owls is a Zelda-like puzzle adventure that’ll soon be on Apple Arcade. Players explore an open world meeting quirky characters but also fighting ferocious foes.

And this is just one of nine games launching on Apple’s gaming service in the near future, like Super Leap Day.