The post The Apple Watch SE 2 is $60 Off appeared first on iLounge.
]]>The post iOS 18 may have Apple Maps Custom Routes appeared first on iLounge.
]]>The post Apple reveals special In-Person event during WWDC 2024 appeared first on iLounge.
]]>The post WWDC event for 2024 announced appeared first on iLounge.
]]>Apple is reportedly planning a few notable updates to Apple Maps as part of iOS 18. New rumors say iOS 18 will add two notable upgrades to Apple Maps: support for “custom route creation” in the United States and the expansion of topographic maps (currently available on Apple Watch) to the iPhone.
Chance Miller for 9to5Mac:
Custom route creation would allow iPhone users to plan their own specific routes for a trip, instead of using one of the routes suggested by Apple Maps. Right now, Apple Maps will suggest multiple routes to your destination, but this feature in iOS 18 would give you full control over the exact details of your route.
Meanwhile, the addition of topographic maps for Apple Maps on the iPhone comes after the Apple Watch added the feature was part of watchOS 10 last year. Here’s how Apple described the feature for watchOS 10: Apple Maps displays a new topographic map featuring contour lines, hill shading, elevation details, and points of interest. Users can also search for nearby trails and trailheads, with place cards that include detailed information, like trail length, type, and difficulty.
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MacDailyNews Take: Topographic maps are nice, but custom route creation (think drag to change route in Google Maps) is the feature we’ve been waiting for since Apple Maps made its debut on September 19, 2012.
Please help support MacDailyNews. Click or tap here to support our independent tech blog. Thank you!
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The post Apple Maps said to get two significant upgrades in iOS 18 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>There was a surprise upgrade for some in iOS 17.4: tests reveal that it enabled iPhone 12 Qi2 charging, at the full 15W speed.
Support for 15W Qi2 charging was first announced for the iPhone 15, and then extended to the iPhone 13 and 14 through the iOS 17.2 update back in December of last year – and is now available for the iPhone 12 too …
more…
]]>The Major League Soccer season began February 21, and for members of adiClub, you can now enjoy a free 1-month trial of Major League Season Pass on Apple TV. Keep reading below to learn more.
more…
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>Adding a hot song to your video content usually makes your videos seem livelier and will help you get more fans. Converting YouTube videos into MP3 format improves your listening experience and saves your computer storage as well.
However, you may feel confused about how to do so or find the conversion process too difficult. Plus, if you are using a Mac computer, the whole process will be more difficult due to the format’s compatibility.
Luckily for you, this post is written to help you solve the problem above and provide the easiest steps for saving YouTube songs in MP3 directly. You will learn 3 methods in total about how to download MP3 from YouTube on Mac computers.
Method 1. Directly Download YouTube Video to Audio with YouTube to MP3 Converter for Mac
Difficulty: Super Easy
Best for: Users who want secure conversion and no extra ads
The first method you can try is to use a free YouTube downloader for Mac and save music directly on MacOS. Here are two good video downloaders that you can try on the market.
Option 1. EaseUS Video Downloader for Mac
EaseUS Video Downloader for Mac is an all-in-one video downloader developed by a trustworthy brand, EaseUS. This video downloader provides YouTube users with a safe and legal way to download YouTube videos and save them in MP3 format. It saves you time from downloading videos first and finding another software to convert.
Other reasons to help you choose EaseUS Video Downloader for Mac:
It helps you get access to multiple streaming sites easily with its built-in browser
It supports multiple file formats, including MP3, MP4, WAV, WMV, etc.
You can extract audio from video links or from local videos
Its 24*7 customer service provided by EaseUS solves any problems you meet
Option 2. VLC Media Player for Mac
Another video downloader for Mac you can try is VLC Media Player for Mac. However, as an open-source media player, it will be difficult to operate if you know little about MacOS. If you are already a pro in computer science, then VLC Media Player is a great choice to extract audio from YouTube videos free of charge.
To take care of more novice users, here is how you can convert video to audio from YouTube with EaseUS Video Downloader for Mac:
Step 1. Download the dmg file and install EaseUS Video Downloader for Mac on Macbook from its official site.
Step 2. Find the video that you’d like to convert and open its webpage. Press “Command + C” to copy its link.
Step 3. You can click the “add URL” button on the main interface and then paste the video’s URL on the pop-up window using “Command + V”.
Step 4. Click “Download,” and the software will begin to analyze the video. You will see a window where you can choose file formats like MP4, MP3, WAV, etc. Go to “Audio” and click “MP3”. Then, set the audio quality you like.
EaseUS
EaseUS
EaseUS
Step 5. After setting, click “Download” to begin. You can move the music file to the local file location for a better listening experience.
Method 2. Save YouTube Audio to an MP3 Format with Online Converter
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Users who seldom download MP3 files from YouTube and don’t mind pop-up ads
Don’t want another software installation on your computer? It’s OK. You can save YouTube audio files with an online YouTube to MP3 converter or a browser extension. Using an online conversion site is so convenient because you don’t need to worry about compatibility, and you can save audio files with the format you want.
However, everything is a double-edged sword. Be careful with those pop-up ads to avoid malware when using a free online converter. Some online websites may require registration before saving audio files, which may cause privacy leakage.
Here are two online conversion sites with fewer ads you can try:
Option 1. YTMP3
YTMP3 is a YouTube video-audio converter website. You can easily take songs from YouTube with the video’s URL. It is the most efficient way to save YouTube videos and audio if you don’t have many files to save.
Option 2. Y2mate
Y2mate is a website that can help you save videos and audio to Mac computers from not only YouTube but also other streaming sites as long as you have the video’s link. Another good thing about Y2mate is that this site requires no registration.
The following steps are how to use an online website to convert video to audio on Mac, taking YTMP3 as an example:
Step 1. Open the video page and copy its URL.
Step 2. Search for “YTMP3” on Google and go to its official site. Then, paste the video’s URL to the blank sheet.
EaseUS
EaseUS
EaseUS
Step 3. Click the “Convert” button. The website will automatically begin to analyze the video and prepare for conversion. Then, click “Download,” and the website will begin to download the MP3 files.
Method 3. Convert YouTube Video to MP3 Music with a Browser Extension
Difficulty: Medium
Best for: Users who usually save videos and audio and don’t want an extra installation
Using a browser extension to download YouTube audio on a Mac is more compatible with streaming sites, and you don’t need to find the website repeatedly. However, if you decide to change the browser you’re using, you need to find the download extension for that specific browser and add it again. There are some browser extensions of YouTube to MP3 converters on the market. Once you have added it to your browser, you can take any video/audio on your browser directly.
Option 1. Easy Video Downloader
Easy Video Downloader is a well-known extension for Chrome. It gets 3.2 out of 5 on the Google Extension Store. After adding it to Google Chrome, you can get any audio file from streaming sites with easy clicks, but it doesn’t support bulk downloads.
Option 2. Addoncrop Video Downloader
Addoncrop Video Downloader is a download extension specifically designed for Firefox. If you use Firefox as the default browser, this is a great choice for you. If you want to use it on Google Chrome, an extra extension for Firefox is also required.
The following content are steps of using a browser extension to convert YouTube videos into audio format taking Easy Video Downloader as an example.
Step 1. First, decide which browser you are going to use. Then, search for the Easy Video Downloader extension on Google Chrome and install it.
EaseUS
EaseUS
EaseUS
Step 2. Click “Add to Chrome” to install it on your browser.
Step 3. Open the video page you’d like to save in MP3 format. Enable Easy Video Downloader from the top right corner.
Step 4. A window will pop out then. You can choose file formats including MP3 and MP4. Click “Download” to save video files in MP3 format directly.
Tips for YouTube Video to Audio Conversion on Mac
After guiding you on how to convert YouTube videos to audio files, there still are some things that you should keep in mind. The most important one is that all methods provided above are to help you convert songs for personal use only. You cannot use the downloaded music for other reasons as it is against copyright protection.
To create a better experience for you, here are some tips you should take care of when saving MP3 files from YouTube:
Copyright consideration: Downloading audio or video without authorization may violate the content creator’s copyright. Better download content that you are authorized to.
Convert speed and file quality: When choosing a YouTube video converter, faster download speed and higher quality are things you should care about most for a better experience of music listening.
Format compatibility: The best audio format better be WAV as it is the unzipped format for the Mac system, and you will enjoy the music better.
To Sum Up
In this post, you have learned 3 methods about how to convert YouTube videos to MP3 on your Mac computer. You can choose to use third-party software like EaseUS Video Downloader for Mac, convert with an online converter website, or install a browser extension.
As you can see, converting videos to MP3 with a third-party tool will bear less risk of privacy leakage and enjoy higher conversion speed. Feel free to give EaseUS Video Downloader for Mac a try!
To learn more, visit us here.
Personal Software
]]>Global smartphone shipments in 2024 are expected to record a modest rebound of 3% YoY to reach 1.2 billion units, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Smartphone Shipment Forecast. The budget-economy segment ($150-$249), which shrank YoY in 2023 due to macroeconomic headwinds, especially in emerging markets, and the premium segment ($600-$799) are expected to drive this rebound.
Unlike 2023, emerging markets such as India and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) are expected to drive the global smartphone market’s growth in 2024, supported by the budget-economy segment. The robust inventory levels in Q4 2023 are also expected to help.
Global Smartphone Market Shipments by Price Band, 2023 vs. 2024
The budget-economy segment ($150-$249), which experienced a noticeable decline in 2023, is expected to rebound 11% YoY in 2024, primarily driven by India, MEA and CALA (Caribbean And Latin American) markets. As inflationary pressures have eased considerably across Africa, and local currencies have stabilized in many countries, the consumer purchasing power has recovered, benefiting the $150-$249 segment.
Steady investments into the MEA and CALA markets by Chinese OEMs like OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi and Transsion Group have intensified the competition, stimulating the demand for budget-economy smartphones. Alongside the recovery of demand for IT devices in emerging markets, the intensified competition between Chinese OEMs will be the main growth driver in the segment.
The premium segment ($600-$799) is expected to maintain steady growth in 2024, rising 17% YoY. In particular, the introduction of GenAI smartphones and the popularity of foldables will stimulate consistent demand for premium smartphones.
Apple and Huawei are likely to lead the premium segment’s growth. The steady demand for iPhones, particularly in emerging markets such as India and MEA, will drive Apple’s growth. Huawei is expected to retain its strong presence in China’s smartphone market in 2024. With the release of its 5G Kirin chipset, the brand will continue to see a sturdy demand in China.
MacDailyNews Take: For the longer term, Counterpoint Research expects “low-single-digit YoY increases for global smartphone shipments as the market seems to have bottomed out.”
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The post Global smartphone shipments to see rebound in 2024; steady iPhone demand to drive Apple’s growth – Counterpoint appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>As 2024 looks like the year that Apple makes its big push into generative AI, the federal government is also encouraging the use of AI by its own agencies …
more…
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>The practice of parts pairing – which can prevent third-party repair shops from cannibalising broken devices for parts – has been outlawed by Oregon, taking effect for any product made after January 1, 2025.
The legislature just passed the toughest right to repair law seen to date, and it now requires only the governor’s signature to pass into law. Update: Governor Tina Kotek has now signed, and the bill is now law.
more…
]]>A new supply-chain report reiterates earlier reports that some engineers previously working on Vision Pro have been moved to working a folding iPhone or iPad project.
It also claims that the planned launch of a foldable iPhone has been delayed from 2026 to 2027, but that suppliers have been told to stick to their existing schedules …
more…
]]>Apple last week released iOS/iPad 17.4.1 with a couple of important bug fixes and security updates that you’ve probably already installed on your iPhones and iPads. But if you haven’t you’ll be getting a new version when you do, and it’s not clear why.
According to multiple sources on X (formerly Twitter), Apple has pushed out a new 21E237 build of iOS/iPadOS 17.4.1, one number higher than the previous version (21E236). It doesn’t appear to have been delivered over the air, but you can download the IPSW files on a Mac and install them using the Finder.
The fact that Apple didn’t deliver it to users means it’s unlikely to have any fixes of note. The original update fixed a bug when scanning QR codes on some iPad models and included security updates for CoreMedia and Web RTC. The new build may include specific updates for the new iPad Air and iPad Pro that will reportedly arrive in early April, though Aaron on X dug into the code and found no mention of new iPads anywhere in the update.
Apple has yet to release the iOS 17.5 beta, which was expected to arrive several weeks ago.
To install an IPSW file on your iPhone or iPad, connect the device to your Mac using a USB-C cable and select “Trust this Computer” if prompted. Then select your device in the Finder sidebar, hold down the Option key, and click on the Check for Update button. Open the IPSW file on your computer and follow the prompts.
iOS, iPhone
]]>An antitrust lawsuit against Apple brought by Venmo has been dismissed, the judge finding that there was no evidence of anticompetitive behavior.
The Paypal-owned app company has, however, been given one final chance to make its case – though the judge made it very clear this would be a long-shot …
more…
]]>Although it hasn’t officially been announced by Apple, iOS 17.4 appears to have unlocked Qi2 support for the iPhone 12. A series of tests and feedback from Macworld readers prove that the iPhone 12 now works at full 15W wireless charging speed when magnetically connected to a non-MagSafe Qi2 charger.
Last December Apple ushered in Qi2 wireless charging support for the iPhone 13 and 14 with iOS 17.2, joining the iPhone 15’s support for the new MagSafe-based fast-charge technology. Apple-certified MagSafe wireless charging is rated at 15W maximum. Non-certified but compatible magnetic Qi wireless charging is limited by Apple to a maximum of 7.5 watts.
Qi2 is the next evolution of Qi wireless charging, with better efficiency and magnetic alignment features, inspired by Apple’s MagSafe technology. Apple gave the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) its own MagSafe specifications to use as the basis for Qi2’s Magnetic Power Profile that defines how the new-generation Qi works. Apple is a WPC “steering member” and chair of the WPC board of directors.
Qi2, like MagSafe, supports 15W wireless charging. For more details read our Is Qi2 as fast as MagSafe feature. Although Qi2 is based on Apple’s MagSafe, the iPhone 12, the first iPhone to include MagSafe wireless charging, was left off all reports of backdated support.
iOS 17.4 adds unofficial Qi2 support for iPhone 12
Since iOS 17.4, Macworld tests have shown that clamped on to Qi2 chargers the iPhone 12 matches the charging speed of fully Apple-certified MagSafe chargers and even shows up the 15W-only charging animation—yet Apple makes no mention of this support in the iOS 17.4 release notes.
In our tests, we first used an Apple MagSafe Charger, which was able to power up an empty iPhone 12 Pro Max to 30 percent in 38 minutes and to 50 percent in 70 minutes. Using the Anker Qi2 MagGo Wireless Charger, we powered up an iPhone 12 Pro Max to 30 percent in 33 minutes and to 50 percent in 64 minutes.
Anker’s MagGo charger fills up an iPhone 12 as fast as a MagSage charger with iOS 17.4.
Anker’s MagGo charger fills up an iPhone 12 as fast as a MagSage charger with iOS 17.4.
Foundry
Anker’s MagGo charger fills up an iPhone 12 as fast as a MagSage charger with iOS 17.4.
Foundry
Foundry
While Qi2 narrowly beat MagSafe, in other tests using an iPhone 12 with a smaller battery than the 12 Pro Max, charging times were remarkably close between MagSafe and Qi2 (around 20 minutes to 30 percent and 45-50 to 50 percent).
A Macworld reader first alerted us to the change after his Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 filled up his phone faster and displayed the MagSafe/Qi2 animation.
Belkin, a long-time official Apple charging accessory partner, includes the iPhone 12 in its compatibility notes for its Qi2 chargers: “Universal compatibility supports fast charging of Qi2 compatible devices including iPhone 15, 15 Pro, 15 Plus, 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, 14 Pro, 14 Plus, 14 Pro Max, iPhone 12/ Pro/ Pro Max/Mini, iPhone 13/ Pro/ Pro Max/Mini”. Macworld is awaiting an official statement from Belkin on Qi2 and iPhone 12 compatibility.
Anker’s iPhone 12 Qi2 compatibility stance is a little more confusing. The specs for its MagGo Power Bank include the iPhone 12 as a compatible device. And yet for its 3-in-1 Qi2 MagGo Wireless Charging Station, above, it omits the iPhone 12 from its list of Qi2 compatible devices but includes “MagSafe-compatible iPhone 15/14/13 Series” phones.
Elsewhere, Anker states: “The iPhone 12 Pro supports the Qi wireless charging standard, but it does not natively support the newer Qi2 wireless charging standard. While the iPhone 12 Pro is equipped with MagSafe, which offers a similar alignment and efficiency improvement over traditional Qi charging, it was designed before the Qi2 standard was finalized and introduced. Therefore, the iPhone 12 Pro’s wireless charging capabilities are built around the original Qi standard and the proprietary MagSafe technology, rather than Qi2.”
Note that the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini charge up to only 12W, but with standard Qi. However, Anker points out that, as Qi2 is fully backward compatible, you can charge an older Qi-compatible or MagSafe iPhone on a Qi2 charger, but at a maximum of 7.5 watts rather than 15W.
Read our test results and reviews of the best MagSafe chargers for iPhone and best MagSafe power banks.
Accessories, Mobile Phone Accessories, Power
]]>We all recognize the benefit of investing in personal development and trying to learn new things, but it’s hard to find the time. Making learning a habit, however, is much easier with Headway Premium. This daily learning app can banish your doomscrolling habit, making self-growth more feasible for only $59.99 (reg. $299).
Named App Store App of the Day four times and winner of the Apple Editors’ Choice in 2023, Headway helps you gain knowledge in short summaries. In 15 minutes or less, you can absorb the ideas and insights of popular nonfiction titles, whether through reading, watching, or listening. There are over 1,500 summaries currently, with 30-50 new ones added monthly, and you can find summaries on topics like business, health, science, and more.
The more you learn, the more Headway gets to know your interests to provide more personalized learning materials. Plus, the app gamifies your learning by offering progress tracking, streaks, and achievements to keep you motivated to learn something new every day.
Make self-improvement sustainable with a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium for just $59.99.
Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription – $59.99
See Deal
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Accessories
]]>Apple CEO Tim Cook’s recent all-smiles charm offensive in China is the latest in a long parade of Western business leaders in recent decades seeking to shore up access to the Chinese market and consumer. It’s an outdated playbook, writes China policy expert Dewardric McNeal.
Dewardric L. McNeal for CNBC:
There’s been a recent uptick in U.S. CEOs making treks to China in search of favor and foothold. This ritual, epitomized by high-profile engagements — such as Apple CEO Tim Cook’s effusive overtures and statements of commitments to China — signals that American corporate titans think the strategy can still work. It won’t. It’s a strategic play drawn from an antiquated playbook.
Tim Cook’s recent sojourn in China, including pledges of increased investment and the expansion of research and development facilities, exemplify this tried and tested strategy. Tim Cook’s narrative of China as “critical” to Apple, coupled with his admiration for the country’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, embodies the ethos of this engagement playbook.
But the approach has run its course. It is no longer fit for purpose in an era of intense bilateral economic competition, geopolitical tensions, technological rivalries, and a profound reshaping of the global economic landscape. CEOs who continue to bet on this strategy should expect diminishing marginal returns, particularly under Xi Jinping’s leadership.
Despite Cook’s efforts, Apple faces declining sales in China, a testament to the growing domestic competition, security concerns about foreign hardware and software, and an increasingly nationalistic and patriotic Chinese consumers.
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MacDailyNews Take: As Steve Jobs said, “Throughout my years in business… I would always ask why you do things. The answers that I would invariably get are: ‘Oh, that’s just the way things are done around here.’”
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The post Tim Cook’s outdated China playbook may bite Apple appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>It’s been five years since Apple TV+ was announced. Although its content library is not as vast as that of its competitors, Apple TV+ movies and shows have won multiple awards since then. Interestingly, a study by Self Financial found that Apple TV+ is the streaming platform with the highest rated content on IMDb.
more…
]]>Apple has big plans for the Apple Watch, ranging from new health features to a completely new design. Read on as we recap three things to expect from the upcoming Apple Watch – potentially called the “Apple Watch X.”
more…
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Sponsored by FastMinder: Simple, easy to use fasting tracker for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Get started today for free.
Introducing 9to5Mac Daily Plus! Support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock:
Ad-free versions of every episode
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Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join.
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]]>Startup Databricks just released DBRX, the most powerful open source large language model yet — eclipsing Meta’s Llama 2.
DBRX is an open, general-purpose LLM. Across a range of standard benchmarks, DBRX sets a new state-of-the-art for established open LLMs. Moreover, it provides the open community and enterprises building their own LLMs with capabilities that were previously limited to closed model APIs; according to our measurements, it surpasses GPT-3.5, and it is competitive with Gemini 1.0 Pro. It is an especially capable code model, surpassing specialized models like CodeLLaMA-70B on programming, in addition to its strength as a general-purpose LLM.
Will Knight for Wired:
Databricks will release DBRX under an open source license, allowing others to build on top of its work. Frankle shared data showing that across about a dozen or so benchmarks measuring the AI model’s ability to answer general knowledge questions, perform reading comprehension, solve vexing logical puzzles, and generate high-quality code, DBRX was better than every other open source model available.
It outshined Meta’s Llama 2 and Mistral’s Mixtral, two of the most popular open source AI models available today. “Yes!” shouted Ali Ghodsi, CEO of Databricks, when the scores appeared. “Wait, did we beat Elon’s thing?” Frankle replied that they had indeed surpassed the Grok AI model recently open-sourced by Musk’s xAI, adding, “I will consider it a success if we get a mean tweet from him.”
To the team’s surprise, on several scores DBRX was also shockingly close to GPT-4, OpenAI’s closed model that powers ChatGPT and is widely considered the pinnacle of machine intelligence. “We’ve set a new state of the art for open source LLMs,” Frankle said with a super-sized grin.
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MacDailyNews Take: Congratulations to the Databricks team!
“OpenAI’s closed model.” Heh.
More info about DBRX here.
Please help support MacDailyNews. Click or tap here to support our independent tech blog. Thank you!
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The post DBRX: Inside the creation of the world’s most powerful open source AI model appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>As Apple continues to face App Store battles around the world, it’s leaning heavily on Phil Schiller, its former Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. A new report from The Wall Street Journal gives an interesting look at how Schiller, who now holds the title of Apple Fellow, is still working 80-hour weeks to defend the App Store against antitrust allegations and developer criticism.
more…
]]>There are many known phishing attacks that target users of Apple devices to gain access to their Apple ID. However, a new “elaborate” attack uses a bug in the Apple ID password reset feature with “push bombing” or “MFA fatigue” techniques to flood Apple devices with password reset requests.
more…
]]>We learned more about the second generation of the Qi wireless charging standard last year and it’s ended up as compatible with iPhone 13 through 15. Now mophie is one of the first accessory makers to unveil its Qi2 devices.
more…
]]>Apple TV+ announced today that it will expand its award-winning drama slate with “Imperfect Women,” a new limited series based on Araminta Hall’s gripping, immersive novel of the same name that will star and be executive produced by Emmy Award-winners Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Shining Girls,” “Mad Men”) and Kerry Washington (“Scandal,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” “UnPrisoned”).
The new series will be adapted for television, written and executive produced by Annie Weisman, marking her latest collaboration with Apple TV+ following the critically acclaimed dramedy “Physical,” and will be produced for Apple TV+ by 20th Television and Apple Studios.
“From the moment I received Araminta’s novel, I couldn’t put it down. It was such an electrifying read; I fell in love with it immediately,” said Moss in a statement. “I’ve admired Kerry and her work as an actor and producer for many years, and have been looking for something to work with her on and was so thrilled that she responded to the material when we sent it to her and Pilar at Simpson Street. They were the first and only people we thought of. We are so happy that Apple and 20th Television agreed to partner with us on this, as well. It’s all an absolute match made in heaven.”
“I could not have been more thrilled to get this call from Elisabeth,” said Washington in a statement. “I have been an immense fan of hers — both as a brilliant actor and groundbreaking producer — for years. Elisabeth and Lindsey have impeccable taste, as evidenced by the way they have championed Araminta’s gripping novel, and I can’t think of a better person to bring this project to life on screen than the amazing Annie Weisman. ‘Imperfect Women’ is exactly the type of exciting, complex, raw storytelling we strive to create at Simpson Street. Pilar and I are tremendously inspired by the opportunity to team up with Love & Squalor Pictures, and we are thankful to everyone at Apple Studios and the team at 20th Television for believing in this project as much as we do.”
“I’m honored that Apple is once again trusting me to help bring complex, layered female characters to the screen,” said Weisman in a statement. “Elisabeth, Kerry and Araminta are the perfect collaborators to bring these ‘Imperfect Women’ to life.”
“I couldn’t be happier that my book has found a home at Apple, home of some of my favorite programs,” said Hall in a statement. “And to be working with Elisabeth and Lindsey is a dream. They have an incredible talent for story telling and immediately understood my book in exactly the way I meant it to be read. And then to have Kerry Washington on board is like a bonus on top of a bonus. My book couldn’t be in better hands.”
An unconventional psychological thriller examining a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women, “Imperfect Women” is a mystery complicated by perspective that explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that alter our lives irrevocably. As the investigation unravels, so does the truth about how even the closest relationships can change over time.
“Imperfect Women” is a co-production between 20th Television and Apple Studios. The limited series will be executive produced by Moss and Lindsey McManus, who initially optioned the book, via their production company Love & Squalor Pictures. Washington will executive produce for Simpson Street alongside Pilar Savone. Hall will also serve as executive producer.
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have earned 479 wins and 2,135 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
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The post Apple TV+ lands ‘Imperfect Women’ limited series, with Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington set to star appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>The most recent smart scale from Withings is so advanced the company calls it a “health station.” I’ve been testing the Withings Body Scan and its features like segmental body composition measurements, nerve activity, 6-lead ECG, and more, which all come with Apple Health integration. Is it worth the premium price? I think so if these features are valuable to you.
more…
]]>A federal judge in San Francisco has dismissed a proposed class action lawsuit accusing Apple of driving up fees at platforms such as Venmo and Cash App by prohibiting payment apps from implementing cryptocurrency transactions.
Mike Scarcella for Reuters:
In a ruling, opens new tab on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria called the proposed class action “speculative” and said it “suffers from several fatal problems.” He gave the plaintiffs 21 days to amend their complaint.
The November 2023 lawsuit alleged Apple was imposing restrictions on cryptocurrency technology in its popular App Store, harming competition for peer-to-peer payments and pushing up fees for cash and credit card transactions at PayPal’s Venmo and Block’s Cash App. It said Apple has excluded at least two Bitcoin wallet apps.
Cupertino, California-based Apple in February asked Chhabria to throw out the lawsuit, arguing that the plaintiffs failed to show any unlawful app rules or business agreements.
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MacDailyNews Take: We expect these esteemed legal scholars will be amending their complaint and coming back to take another crack at the Golden Apple.
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The post Judge tosses class action crypto-payment antitrust case against Apple appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>Apple is reportedly planning a few notable updates to Apple Maps as part of iOS 18. New rumors say iOS 18 will add support for “custom route creation” in the United States, and expand topographic maps to the iPhone for the first.
more…
]]>Other the weekend, Bloomberg reported that Apple would begin broadly rolling out a new “Presto within Apple” system to its retail stores next month. The system allows Apple Store employees to update iPhone software while the device is still in its box.
Now, iGeneration has published a closer look at Presto, adding that the system is also rolling out beyond the United States.
more…
]]>Apple’s new 13-inch M3 MacBook Air with 256GB storage in Midnight and Space Gray has hit a low of $999 Wednesday on Amazon. Silver and Starlight color schemes are slightly more at $1049.
• LEAN. MEAN. M3 MACHINE — The blazing-fast MacBook Air with the M3 chip is a superportable laptop that sails through work and play.
• PORTABLE DESIGN — Lightweight and under half an inch thin, so you can take MacBook Air anywhere you go.
• GET MORE DONE FASTER — The powerful 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU of the Apple M3 chip keep things running smoothly.
• UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Amazing, all-day battery life so you can leave the power adapter at home.
• A BRILLIANT DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors.
• LOOK SHARP, SOUND GREAT — Everything looks and sounds amazing with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, three mics, and four speakers with Spatial Audio.
• APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, from Microsoft 365 to Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.
• GET CONNECTED — MacBook Air features two Thunderbolt ports, a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and a MagSafe charging port. And connect up to two external displays with the laptop lid closed.
• IF YOU LOVE IPHONE, YOU’LL LOVE MAC — MacBook Air works like magic with your other Apple devices. Start an email on your iPhone and finish it on your Mac. Send text messages from your Mac. And much more.
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MacDailyNews Take: Get ’em while they last! More info here.
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The post Deal: Apple’s new 13-inch M3 MacBook Air hits new all-time low of $999 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>Update, March 27: In an email, Apple confirmed that these three games will launch on Apple Arcade on March 28.
Apple Arcade brings high quality games to Apple Vision Pro on day one. Apple highlights that over 250 titles are available with 12 specifically designed for a spatial experience on visionOS. Apple Vision Pro will soon gain three more games through Arcade including Spire Blast in spatial.
more…
]]>Wednesday’s best deals are all about MacBooks. The just-released 13-inch M3 MacBook Air headlines the savings at $999 to go alongside the previous-generation M2 MacBook Air at $849. Or you could step up to the 16-inch M2 Pro MacBook Pro at $500 off. Regardless, all three are new all-time lows. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
more…
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>Apple last week released iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 to iPhone and iPad users. Although the updates don’t add any new features, they do bring two important security patches. For some unknown reason, Apple has now quietly released a revised build of iOS 17.4.1.
more…
]]>China’s search leader Baidu has long been viewed as an also-ran, but an Apple deal for AI alongside shifting political and technological winds might improve Baidu’s status.
Jacky Wong for The Wall Street Journal:
Apple has long been the epitome of tech-sector cool: sleek design, usability and legions of devotees. Baidu, China’s answer to Google, not so much — it has been a growth laggard for years.
But the artificial intelligence boom might change that. The company has held exploratory talks with Apple over using its chatbot technology in China, on top of an existing cooperation with Samsung. And AI cloud revenue is starting to pad its top line.
The frenzy kicked off by ChatGPT has spawned many clones in China and Baidu has long invested in AI, so it is only natural that it launched its own version called Ernie Bot last year.
And Ernie seems well placed to stay ahead of its competition. Samsung is already using Ernie to power some AI features in China for its newest Galaxy phone. Apple may also be eyeing the technology for its iPhones and Macs in China…
Needless to say, the fact that the likes of ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini aren’t allowed in China helps. But Apple’s endorsement, if it materializes, would cement Ernie Bot’s leading position in the country.
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MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote last week:
One benefit of Apple missing the boat on generative AI is that if they’re forced to license while they catch up, they can always blame Google, Baidu, etc. for any questionable results delivered on Apple devices with simple badges stating, “Powered by the CIA, er, Google Gemini” and “Powered by the CCP, er, Baidu Ernie.”
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The post Can Apple and AI make Baidu cool again? appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>iPhone users are somewhat accustomed to the occasional Apple ID password prompt on their iPhones, but a new phishing attack might have them thinking twice before mindlessly inputting their most valuable password. As outlined by Krebs on Security, Apple customers are being targeted in a “push bombing” or “MFA fatigue” phishing campaign where attackers repeatedly push two-actor authentication notifications to Apple devices.
As documented in a Twitter/X thread by Parth Patel, all of his Apple devices started “blowing up” with push notifications telling him to reset his Apple ID password. All said he had to clear some 100 notifications before the attack ended. While Patel knew better than to fall for the notification, other Apple users might not be so lucky, especially when their devices are bombarded with requests.
Apple’s Forgot Password page lets users request multiple password resets and sends a notification to all of your devices each time.
Apple’s Forgot Password page lets users request multiple password resets and sends a notification to all of your devices each time.
Foundry
Apple’s Forgot Password page lets users request multiple password resets and sends a notification to all of your devices each time.
Foundry
Foundry
The notifications look real because they are real. The attackers seem to be exploiting “a bug in Apple’s systems” that sends legitimate notifications to all Apple devices logged into that Apple ID when someone tries to reset a password via Apple’s “Forgot Password?” page. The unsophisticated attack doesn’t appear to require much information other than a phone number and email address, and Apple’s system allows someone to repeatedly request a password reset with the hope that one of the requests will be allowed.
Then the user will receive a follow-up phone call from “Apple support” (spoofed as coming from Apple’s own support number, 1-800-275-2273), telling them that their account is under attack and they need to verify a one-time code. Once the attackers receive that code, they can reset your password and break into your Apple ID.
A separate user reports getting a similar alert on his Apple Watch that was suspicious enough for him to turn on his Apple ID’s recovery key, which is a “randomly generated 28-character code that helps improve the security of your Apple ID account by giving you more control over resetting your password to regain access to your account.” However, while recovery keys should make it difficult for the attackers to change your Apple ID password, it won’t stop the notifications from coming in.
Until Apple responds with a fix, the best you can do to stop the attack is to repeatedly cancel or tap “Don’t Allow” for any password reset notifications that you didn’t initiate. And as always, never give someone a two-factor code even if they say they’re from Apple.
iOS, iPhone
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>Tuesday marked the single-greatest day on record for former U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s wealth as his social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT), concluded a merger process with Digital World Acquisition Corp. (DWAC) with shares soaring 42% in their debut on Tuesday.
The value of Trump’s holdings jumped $1.02 billion on Monday landing him on Bloomberg’s list of the world’s 500 richest people at No.377, just ahead of George Soros at No.378.
Tom Maloney for Bloomberg News:
All told, his net worth increased by more than $4 billion. That means for the first time ever, Trump joined the ranks of the world’s wealthiest 500 people on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with a fortune of $6.5 billion.
DWAC shares closed at $49.95 Monday, up about 185% since the start of the year. That values Trump’s 58% stake in the company at $3.9 billion…
His revised fortune makes Trump, who is campaigning to return to the White House, worth on paper about the same as Joe Ricketts, Gordon Getty and Tony James, according to the Bloomberg wealth index, which has been calculating Trump’s net worth since 2015.
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MacDailyNews Note: Currently, Trumps’ Truth Social social media app is No.28 on Apple’s U.S. App Store, close behind Elon Musk’s social media X app at No.22.
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The post President Donald Trump joins Bloomberg’s list of world’s richest people appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>Apple Fellow Phil Schiller, Apple’s former chief marketing officer and longtime Steve Jobs acolyte has emerged as one of the most ardent public defender of the company’s “Walled Garden” ecosystem.
Aaron Tilley for The Wall Street Journal:
[Apple’s ecosystem is] a vision of electronic devices that work seamlessly together and protect user security and privacy.
Once seen as a virtue, Apple’s vision has increasingly come under attack, from regulators in the Justice Department, the European Union and other jurisdictions as well as from rivals…
In legal filings, public announcements and courtrooms, Apple has made it clear that it isn’t going to go down without a fight, and more often than not, Schiller has been the one to deliver the message.
“I have no qualms in saying that our goal is going to always be to make the App Store the safest, best place for users to get apps,” Schiller recently told Fast Company. “I think users — and the whole developer ecosystem — have benefited from that work that we’ve done together with them. And we’re going to keep doing that.”
Although Schiller retired from his role as chief of marketing in 2020, he continues as an “Apple Fellow,” a transition that led some Apple watchers to wonder whether he was close to retirement. Instead, he has become the public face of Apple’s efforts to defend itself…
People close to Schiller describe his three main hobbies as cars, Boston sports teams and Apple, where he is still known to work nearly 80 hours a week, respond to emails almost immediately and answer phone calls at any time.
“Of the people still at Apple, he is one of the few that still carry the torch of Steve Jobs’s vision,” said Tim Bajarin, a longtime Apple analyst who has known Schiller since his return to the company.
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MacDailyNews Take: Kudos to those left at Apple who carry the torch of Steve Jobs’ vision!
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The post Apple turns to longtime Steve Jobs disciple Phil Schiller to defend its ‘walled garden’ appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>The Grok AI chatbot, which was previously going to be exclusive to X’s top-tier Premium+ subscribers, will instead be coming to all premium subscribers this week.
The move is likely geared to boosting revenue in the face of falling usage and an exodus of advertisers, but it’s leading some Premium+ subscribers to question what they are now getting for their money …
more…
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>One of the new health features for iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 can help prevent eye strain for everyone, as well as lower the risk of myopia (nearsightedness) in kids. Here’s how to use iPhone Screen Distance and how it works.
Brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle fully integrates five different applications on a single Apple-only platform. Businesses can automatically deploy, manage, and protect all their Apple devices. Request a FREE account to learn how to put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.
more…
]]>Apple, the only major foreign player in China’s smartphone market, saw its iPhone shipments plummet 33% in February, according to official state data.
Bloomberg News:
The government figures showed foreign brands shipped only about 2.4 million smartphones last month, which was affected by the later timing of the Lunar New Year. Apple accounts for the vast majority of those shipments, as the only overseas player with a meaningful market share. The February decline marks a second consecutive month of lower shipments. In January, the company shipped a total of roughly 5.5 million units, or about 39% fewer handsets than in the prior year, according to China Academy of Information and Communications Technology figures.
“Apple’s retail channels in China are still digesting the shipment from the fourth quarter of 2023, that could explain the drop in recent months,” said Nicole Peng, an analyst at Canalys. “But it’s a sign of a slowing trend for the upcoming months for Apple in China, especially when the Chinese peers are driving very aggressively the AI smartphone messages.”
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MacDailyNews Take: Bloodbath.
WWDC can’t come soon enough. Hopefully, there’ll be enough meaningful AI announcements from Apple (or its partners) at WWDC to start to staunch the bleeding.
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The post iPhone shipments in China plummeted 33% in February appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>A new supply-chain report says that Samsung declined to make displays for the iPhone SE 4, expected to debut in 2025 with a major upgrade.
The Korean report says that Samsung was unable to reach agreement with Apple on the price of the displays, and so they will instead be made by China’s BOE …
more…
]]>Apple could double down on the China smartphone market amid declining iPhone sales and increasing competition in the country, Wedbush Securities’ analyst Daniel Ives says.
Sheila Chiang for CNBC:
Apple needs to overcome its China challenges including a tough macro environment and competition from Huawei before the iPhone 16 release and “it all starts with reaffirming Apple’s presence in China,” Wedbush said.
China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met Apple CEO Tim Cook on Friday and said his country holds opportunities for Apple as well as other companies, and asked the iPhone maker to keep building its business in China for “shared development,” according to a press statement.
Cook said China was a crucial supply chain partner for Apple and the company plans to increase investment in the country in the long term, the statement said…
Cook’s latest trip to China, which Wedbush said is “a sign Apple could double down” on China, comes amid reports of iPhone sales in China plunging 24% in the first six weeks of 2024… “The timing of this trip was important as in essence Apple needs China and China needs Apple despite all the noise,” Wedbush said.
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MacDailyNews Take: </strongIves maintained Wedbush’s “outperform” rating with a $250 price target on Apple stock.
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The post Apple could double down on China market – analyst appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>An iPad and iPhone fraudster who is estimated to have cost Apple more than $6M in replacement devices has been sentenced to 51 months in prison.
His two co-defendants were sentenced to 41 months each back in 2023. The trio also had property and cash seized to the value of more than $4M …
more…
]]>The post The AirPods Max is $70 Off appeared first on iLounge.
]]>The post iPhone 16 to have A18 Pro Chip for AI performance appeared first on iLounge.
]]>The post Apple puts up ‘Reasons to Upgrade’ page appeared first on iLounge.
]]>The post macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 launches with USB hub fix appeared first on iLounge.
]]>A new report highlights what probably amounts the most most absurd stretch in the DOJ’s antitrust lawsuit. A section notes that Apple last year spent half as much on research and development (R&D) as it did on AAPL share buybacks, presenting this as ‘evidence’ of the lack of competition faced by the company.
It contrasts this with Google, whose R&D spend matched that of its share buybacks, suggesting this means the search giant faces greater competition …
more…
]]>Titans are clashing. Big tech companies, including Apple, are facing legal challenges from government entities such as the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. Battle lines are being drawn. Compromises are being floated. Hours are being billed by pricey law firms.
But what does it all mean for the regular people who live in regions governed by these entities and use products made by those tech giants? Is this something that will change how we use our personal technology, or will it end up meaning a whole lot of nothing? What about the smaller developers who create innovative apps but can’t afford to employ giant law firms or take out million-euro lines of credit at their local bank?
Who gets protected?
Sometimes I wonder exactly who the European Commission is protecting–its citizens, or large corporations? Fortunately, Apple has handed the EC a golden opportunity to show what it stands for. Apple was recently forced by regulators–er, I mean, it received feedback from developers and other stakeholders–to amend its complex plans for alternative app marketplaces in the EU and just go ahead and offer direct downloading of apps. (Again, it’s 2024, and only now may Apple offer iPhone users in one region the ability to download software from the Internet, something many Mac users were doing in the 1990s!)
Because the EC has (rightly) allowed Apple to continue acting in the interest of the security of the users of its platforms, Apple hasn’t just agreed to turn on iPhone app downloads in the EU. Instead, it’s created the concept of a “trusted developer”–and only developers who meet a series of rules can qualify. The rules require developers to spend at least two years with active Apple developer accounts and have a successful app business with a million app installs in the EU in the last year.
Apple’s new App Store rules could end up hurting its smallest developers.
Apple’s new App Store rules could end up hurting its smallest developers.
Foundry
Apple’s new App Store rules could end up hurting its smallest developers.
Foundry
Foundry
In other words, to get around Apple as a gatekeeper of software, you must spend two years inside its gates and have already created an app so popular that it’s landed on a million iPhones in the EU. In the name of security, Apple has raised the bar for sideloading so high that almost nobody will be able to cross it.
This is a rule that offers freedom, but only for the biggest and most successful developers. Imagine if a bunch of brilliant developers left their employers, got some funding, came up with an idea for a killer app had to be sideloaded due to Apple’s refusal to allow such an app in the real App Store, and got busy. They’d need to wait two years and create some other hit app in the meantime to be considered trustworthy.
Now it’s the European Commission’s opportunity to decide whether Apple is allowed to set arbitrary rules that bar smaller developers from opportunities open to the likes of Spotify, Epic, and Meta. We’ll see what it decides.
Similarly, Apple’s “Core Technology Fee” threatens small developers by charging 0.50 euros per app download over a million downloads. As developer Riley Testut testified last week, a free app he built as a teenager and gave away for free would’ve cost his parents millions of euros in fees. An Apple representative indicated the company is aware of the issue, but it’s easy to see why this bizarre set of rules exists: Apple’s trying to cadge money out of big developers. Smaller developers? They’re just collateral damage.
Trickle down to who?
While most regulation is at least intended to benefit the public in the long run, many regulatory regimes practice a sort of “trickle down” approach to the benefits. The theory goes that if businesses are able to better compete with gatekeepers like Apple, the competition will create a better environment for consumers. We’ll all benefit from lower prices as the big companies compete with one another.
Unfortunately, a lot of the players in the DMA case seem to be squabbling over which company gets more of the money. Epic Games doesn’t want to pay 30 percent to Apple, but not to give it back to the users, Robin Hood-style–it wants the money for itself. It’s a for-profit corporation, after all. The same goes for Spotify and all the rest. Their goal is to change Apple’s ways so that it’s easier for them to make money without Apple getting in the way.
This is not to defend Apple, which has made an awful lot of money by inserting itself between app developers and their customers. To me, it’s undeniable that Apple has degraded several parts of the iOS experience in order to take a portion of every in-app financial transaction for itself. We’ve all been buying things on the web for how many decades now? Yet Apple insists that it’s unsafe to allow users to use their own credit cards to pay for things on the web or even visit the web.
My point is, will all this reform really mean consumers pay less? Or is this just a squabble about which corporation gets to book a larger average revenue per user?
Protecting us from ourselves
In both Europe and the United States, some of the moves being made seem unfounded, misguided, or confused–and don’t seem to directly address the lives of regular people. I appreciate that controlling access to iOS via the App Store gives Apple an extraordinary level of control over developers, but how many iPhone users in Europe are ever going to install an alternative app marketplace, let alone patronize one over the long term? Will alternatives to in-app purchase become wildly popular, or will the convenience of Apple’s simple purchase system be enough for most users?
Governments can force companies to give users a choice, but that doesn’t mean the users will choose something different.
Apple users really love their iPhones—so does lock-in really matter?
Apple users really love their iPhones—so does lock-in really matter?
Apple
Apple users really love their iPhones—so does lock-in really matter?
Apple
Apple
Then there’s the Department of Justice. I’ve spilled thousands of words about the case and anticipate spilling hundreds of thousands more over the next few years. The initial filing has some strong points and a lot of bizarre and weak moments, but after reading the whole thing, I walked away with the sense that the Department of Justice has nothing but contempt–for Apple and its customers.
The document is full to the brim of the attitude that Apple has spent decades as a sort of technological con artist. It makes the usual tired argument that, essentially, Apple dazzles suckers with clever marketing, cons them into buying overpriced junk, then claps on the manacles and locks them in an ecosystem from which it’s impossible to escape.
It feels to me like the lock-in argument is a bit overplayed. I’d rather switch my iPhone than my Mac, iPad, or Apple TV. Next, take a look at Apple’s growing sales, increasing market share, solid rates of getting Android users to switch to iPhones, and sky-high customer satisfaction rates.
It sure seems like people… like their iPhones, actually?
Yes, Apple benefits from lock-in and frequently encourages it. And that behavior is frustrating and should be curbed. The company has numerous anticompetitive policies that need to be stopped. But step back for a moment and consider: What if the end result of this entire lawsuit is that the Department of Justice unlocks the lock-in… and nobody leaves?
iOS, iPhone
]]>Teams and leaders without effective project management tools to support them are vulnerable to disorganization, lost time, and missed profits. To save on one of the most popular and relied-upon project management solutions on the market, check out this limited-time deal.
Until April 2, you can get Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for Windows for only $24.97 (reg. $249). This one-time fee nets you lifetime access and you might find yourself managing projects far more efficiently with this software.
Project Professional (4.4-star rated on Capteraa and Getapp!) offers teams and leaders pre-built templates, timesheet submission features, what-if scenarios to help maximize task assignments, and even auto-population of start and end dates based on dependencies.
You can even pair the software with Office LTSC and Office 2021 to streamline additional tasks. Plus, there are built-in reports to reduce any project member’s inefficiencies.
Through April 2 at 11:59 PM Pacific, get lifetime access to Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for Windows for just $24.97. No coupon needed.
Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for Windows
Only $24.97 at Macworld
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Accessories
]]>Apple includes plenty of preferences in macOS. But if you’re left wanting more, MacPilot can help. This powerful utility unlocks an extra 1,200 options to play with to enhance your Mac experience. Usually priced at $99, you can score lifetime access to MacPilot for only $29.97 (reg. $99) through April 2.
Dubbed by TechRadar as “the Swiss Army Knife that does all the user interface customization,” MacPilot is designed to offer Mac users additional control over their devices. Through a highly familiar interface, MacPilot enables users to perform the following functions: show the Quit menu, use your screensaver as the desktop, customize your dock by adding spacers and smart stacks, and more.
MacPilot also allows you to optimize and repair your system using scripts, such as cron jobs and launching services. It can even replace System Profiler with a beautiful new interface and allow users to see a complete list of network ports in use, check your RAM bus speeds, and even look up your Mac’s serial number easily.
Enjoy enhanced and additional optimization of your Mac with lifetime access to MacPilot, now just $29.97 until April 2 at 11:59 PM Pacific. No coupon required!
MacPilot Lifetime License
Only $29.97 at Macworld
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Accessories
]]>If you’re looking to get a copy of Adobe InDesign for Mac, and wondering how and where to download it, this article contains everything you need to know. Also, we explore whether you can get InDesign for free.
What is Adobe InDesign?
InDesign is Adobe’s design software for magazine and other publication-style layouts. You can put together great-looking brochures, newsletters, posters and of course longer-form magazines, all with powerful tools to make everything look cool and professional. It comes with plenty of tutorials to get you up and running, plus 100GB of cloud storage for your creations.
Can I get InDesign for free?
Yes, but only for a limited period: Adobe offers a 7-day free trial allowing you to test out the package to see if it’s what you’re after. And this gives you access to the full version, not a feature-limited one, so it’s well worth giving it a go even if you intend to buy the software later.
To grab the free trial, go to the InDesign page on the Adobe site (there’s a separate UK page) and click the Free Trial button next to Buy Now. You’ll need to create or sign into an Adobe account to be able to use the software, but this is easy to do when you’re at the checkout.
Foundry
Foundry
Foundry
How much does InDesign cost?
$22.99/£21.98 per month (if you commit to a year-long subscription)
$34.49/£32.98 per month (if you want to be able to cancel at any time)
$263.88/£262.51 per year (pre-paid)
If you want ongoing use of the full version of the software, you’ll need to sign up to one of Adobe’s various subscription tiers for Creative Cloud. Gone are the days when you could pick up a boxed copy of the software and have it for years; now Adobe insists upon a monthly charge. If this sounds a little daunting, you might be reassured to hear that the software does get regular updates, and any new features are immediately added to your version of InDesign. That’s the good part of the subscription approach.
If you go to the main page for Creative Cloud, it can be tricky finding the subscriptions that just come with InDesign. Your best bet is to visit the InDesign product page (or the UK equivalent) and click the Buy Now button.
At time of writing, the standalone cost for InDesign is $22.99/£21.98 per month if you sign up for a year-long subscription. (That’s $275.88/£263.76 in total.)
If you’re prepared to pay up front for the whole year, then it costs a little less: $263.88/£262.51. On the other hand, there’s also the option to have a rolling monthly subscription, where you can cancel at any time, but that costs more: $34.49/£32.98 per month. (That would work out as $413.88/£395.76 if you kept up the subscription for a year.) The latter option might work for you if you only need InDesign temporarily, but for longer than the free trial lasts.
Alternatively, if you want to use other Adobe products alongside InDesign, then a Creative Cloud subscription (here’s the UK page) offers access to a wide range of Adobe software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro and Acrobat Pro. Obviously, the price is somewhat higher for this comprehensive package, with the current cost coming in at $59.99/£56.98 (annual, paid monthly), $659.88/£656.21 (annual, paid up-front) or $89.99/£85.48 (monthly, cancel any time).
To see all the pricing for the various apps in Creative Cloud read: Adobe Creative Cloud pricing: How to get the best deal.
Foundry
Foundry
Foundry
Is there a student discount for InDesign?
Yes. The Student and Teachers subscription (click the tab with this label rather than Individuals) offers a huge discount over the normal prices. You can’t get a student subscription solely for InDesign, but instead Adobe knocks the price off the Creative Cloud tier so that it’s actually cheaper than just paying for the individual software. With the discount, you can get Creative Cloud (with more than 20 software titles, including InDesign and Photoshop) for $19.99/£16.24 (annual, paid monthly) or $239.88/£196.27 (annual, paid up-front).
Adobe offers deals for students at certain times of the year.
Where to buy InDesign and get the best price
You can buy and download InDesign direct from Adobe. (Here’s the UK page.) From time to time you can save money by buying direct, with Adobe offering deals at certain times of the year, such as up to 40% off for Black Friday.
If you’re looking for a good deal on the full Creative Cloud subscription, try the Adobe page on Amazon (or here for Amazon UK), where we often see the prices cut. At time of writing Amazon has a solid 23% discount for the 12-month option in the U.S. ($507.99), and a brilliant 42% discount in the U.K. (£378.99). Amazon’s prices change regularly, however, so it’s worth taking a look to see if the price is better when you’re shopping.
You can also sign up for a rolling monthly subscription at Amazon, although that’s currently the same price in the U.S. as if you bought direct: $89.99. But even if you manage to snag a good deal, it’s important to remember to cancel before it auto-renews if you only plan to use it for one or two months. This option is not available in the U.K.
Are there any good alternatives to InDesign?
If you’re not desperate to pledge fealty to Adobe, there are some decent alternatives that can help you create publications on your Mac. Perhaps our favourite comes from Affinity, which makes the excellent Photoshop alternative Affinity Photo 2. Its InDesign rival comes in the form of Affinity Publisher 2, which features a huge range of tools to make designs that really pop. Best of all is the price, which is fantastic for the powerful software you’ll be getting.
Affinity Publisher 2 will set you back $69.99/£67.99, which is a one-off payment with no subscription required. The excellent iPad version, meanwhile, can be picked up for $18.49/£17.99 with the same lack of strings attached. (And in both cases, at time of writing there’s a substantial discount, bringing those prices down to $48.99/£47.49 and $12.99/£12.49 respectively. We don’t know if that deal will still be available by the time you read this.)
The best value remains Affinity’s V2 Universal license, which includes all three Affinity products–Designer 2, Photo 2 and Publisher 2–on all platforms (Mac, iPad and Windows) for $164.99/£159.99 with nothing extra to pay. (And again, at time of writing there’s a discount on that price.)
But there are plenty of other InDesign alternatives out there. Other solid choices for include VivaDesigner, QuarkXpress and Swift Publisher.
Related reading:
How to get Photoshop on a Mac
Best Mac for photo editing
Best Mac for designers and graphic design
Personal Software
]]>The Affinity suite of apps, which includes Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher, has become known as an excellent alternative to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. But there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, as Serif – the company behind the Affinity apps – has now been acquired by Canva in a multi-million dollar deal.
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]]>If you’re looking to take your desk setup to the next level, this is the guide for you. Head below for some of my favorite products that can improve your working setup, ranging from accessories to decorations and more. All of the things on this list are things I’ve personally used and can vouch for.
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]]>Apple last month opened applications for the 2024 Swift Student Challenge. The annual competition encourages developers to show off their coding skills by creating playground projects. This year, Swift Student Challenge winners will be invited to attend the WWDC 2024 kick-off event at Apple Park.
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]]>Bloomberg News’ today reported that Apple is not planning to debut its own generative AI chatbot with its next major software updates, including iOS 18 for the iPhone. Instead, reported Mark Gurman reiterated that Apple has held licensing talks with companies such as Google, Microsoft/OpenAI, and Baidu about generative AI partnerships.
Joe Rossignol for MacRumors:
Recent reports indicated that Apple has considered licensing existing chatbots, such as Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, but Apple offering its own chatbot of some kind on iOS 18 had not been explicitly ruled out until now.
Gurman still expects AI to be a major focus at Apple’s just-announced WWDC 2024 developers conference. He reiterated that Apple plans to announce new AI features that “assist users in their daily lives,” but he did not provide any specific details. He has previously reported that generative AI will improve Siri’s ability to answer more complex questions, and allow the Messages app to auto-complete sentences.
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MacDailyNews Take: Generative AI chatbots require large, dedicated data centers which will take Apple time (years) to build out, if they are planning on owning this technology instead of just farming it out.
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The post Apple won’t debut its own generative AI chatbot in its next major OSes appeared first on MacDailyNews.
]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>Apple today confirmed that WWDC 2024 will kick off on June 10, where we expect iOS 18 and major new AI features. In a new report today, Bloomberg reiterates that iOS 18 will be “the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone’s software in its history.”
One thing we shouldn’t expect at WWDC, however, is Apple’s own generative AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT or Google Gemini.
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]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
]]>Amit Daryanani, Evercore: Fair enough, and then as a follow up,
you folks have implemented a fair bit of changes around the apps
for in Europe post the DMA implementation there. Can you just
touch on what are some of the key updates and then Luca, does
NetApp at all, do you see it having any significant impact
financially to your services or the broader Apple P&L statement.
[Remarks from Tim Cook omitted.]
Luca Maestri: Yes, and Amit, as Tim said, these are changes that
we’re going to be implementing in March. A lot will depend on the
choices that will be made. Just to keep it in context, the changes
apply to the EU market, which represents roughly 7% of our global
absolute revenue.
It’s unclear whether Maestri was saying that the EU accounts for 7 percent of Apple’s worldwide App Store revenue, or 7 percent of all revenue, but I suspect it doesn’t matter, and that both are around 7 percent. App Store revenue ought to be a good proxy for overall revenue — there’s no reason to think EU Apple users spend any less or any more in the App Store than users around the world.
There’s some “7 percent sounds way too low” confusion that stems from the fact that Apple, in its quarterly consolidated financial statements, breaks results into five geographic regions: Americas, Europe, Greater China, Japan, and “Rest of Asia Pacific”. “Europe” accounts for somewhere around 25 percent of Apple’s global revenue. That’s the number most people think about. But there are a significant number of high-GDP countries in Europe that aren’t in the EU — the UK (most famously), Russia, Turkey, Switzerland, Norway, and Ukraine. More importantly, Apple’s “Europe” includes the entire Middle East.
So EU member states account for only 25–30 percent of Apple’s revenue from “Europe”, and just 7 percent globally. 7 percent is significant, to be sure, and in addition to users, there are of course many iOS and Mac developers in EU countries. I really don’t know what Apple pulling out of the EU would even look like, but it would be ugly. Could they merely stop selling the iPhone there but continue selling other products? Would that create a massive gray market for iPhones imported from outside the EU? How would Apple deal with the hundreds of millions of existing iPhone owners in the EU? I have no idea. It would be a mess, to be sure, but the DMA has already made doing business in the EU a mess for Apple and the other designated gatekeepers. But one can make the case — as Eric Seufert has — that American companies have to at least consider the fact that doing business in the EU isn’t worth the risk of fines so vastly disproportionate to the revenue they generate in the EU.
And it’s not like the risk is merely a first-offense fine of up to 10 percent of annual global revenue and a single second fine of up to 20 percent — there’s no limit to how many times the EC can fine a gatekeeper for non-compliance with the DMA’s arbitrary and vague rules.
The EC just fined Apple $2 billion for violating article 102(a) of their rules on competition, for hindering Spotify (a European company — surely a coincidence) in the music streaming market. The entirety of article 102(a):
Any abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position
within the internal market or in a substantial part of it shall be
prohibited as incompatible with the internal market in so far as
it may affect trade between Member States.
Such abuse may, in particular, consist in:
(a) directly or indirectly imposing unfair purchase or selling
prices or other unfair trading conditions;
Where “unfair” is never defined. That’s as specific as the law gets. Note too that the base penalty for this infraction, per the EC’s 2006 guidelines, was €40 million, but the EC raised the fine by a factor of 45× to €1.8 billion because the guidelines aren’t binding:
In addition, the Commission decided to add to the basic amount of
the fine an additional lump sum of €1.8 billion to ensure that the
overall fine imposed on Apple is sufficiently deterrent. Such lump
sum fine was necessary in this case because a significant part of
the harm caused by the infringement consists of non-monetary harm,
which cannot be properly accounted for under the revenue-based
methodology as set out in the Commission’s 2006 Guidelines on
Fines. In addition, the fine must be sufficient to deter Apple
from repeating the present or a similar infringement; and to deter
other companies of a similar size and with similar resources from
committing the same or a similar infringement.
Judging from the EC’s actions and statements, there’s no reason not to believe that the EC will pursue maximum fines under the DMA.1
In addition to weighing revenue generated in the EU vs. the risk of fines of 10–20 percent of global revenue, the designated “gatekeepers” are already paying significant penalties in terms of engineering resources. Every software engineer working on features related to DMA compliance is an engineer not working on new features or improving existing features for the non-EU world. I suspect Apple is currently spending more than a commensurate-with-revenue 7 percent of engineering resources on DMA compliance features and APIs. ↩︎
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]]>(via Cult of Mac – Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
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