Richard Lawler, The Verge:

People started noticing problems at around 10:45AM ET, and just after 6PM ET the AWS Status showed “Many services have already recovered, however we are working towards full recovery across services.”

That’s a pretty long stretch of downtime.

Annie Palmer, CNBC:

Among the services that reported issues as a result of the outage were Disney’s streaming subscription service, Disney+, Netflix, Slack, Ticketmaster, stock trading app Robinhood, and Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S.

CoinBase! If you’ve built a dependency on CoinBase for your currency transactions, your money was down most of yesterday.

The outage also brought down critical tools used inside Amazon. Warehouse and delivery workers, along with drivers for Amazon’s Flex service, reported on Reddit that they couldn’t access the Flex app or the AtoZ app, making it impossible to scan packages or access delivery routes.

Late last night, I got an email telling me a package was just delivered. I went out and checked, no package. No doorbell notification either. Then I put two and two together. I got a package late morning, right around the time the outage started, but did not get a notification. It took all day for the infrastructure to catch up, to notify me about a package delivered more than 10 hours earlier.

This dependence on AWS is a single point of failure, never a good thing.

Ankur Thakur, iDownloadBlog:

This tutorial shows you the steps to sign out of iCloud and your Apple ID (both are the same) on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. It also mentions the steps to sign in again. The entire process is easy but has some consequences. Let us tell you everything about this.

This is one of those topics that comes up periodically. Makes you wonder, what happens if I sign out of iCloud in this particular instance? What data will I lose?

Worth the read, well presented.

Follow the headline link to get to the NASA’s Eyes home page. There are simulations/data visualizations for the solar system, Earth’s vital signs (think air temperature, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide levels, etc), exoplanets (scroll, scroll, scroll), and, my favorite, the Mars lander situation.

Take time to go through these. They are a lot of fun. Try clicking, scrolling, and dragging the various elements. There’s a lot of detail.

On the Mars lander, load the page and the simulation will start. Now click/tap the “rate” arrows (lower right of the display) to speed up and slow down the simulation. At the beginning, you’ll want to speed up (I’d go to a minute per second) until you get to about 10 minutes to touchdown, then slow back down to watch it all unfold. Drag to change your view, and scroll to zoom in. Great fun!

Juli Clover, MacRumors:

With the iOS 15.1 update that launched in late October, Apple added SharePlay, a feature that’s designed to let you do more over FaceTime. Using SharePlay, you can watch movies, listen to music, and use apps with friends and family, and we thought we’d give it a try to see how it works.

If you’ve wondered about SharePlay but never quite got around to it, take the time to watch this walkthrough. Don’t miss the FaceTime call screen sharing bit about 2:48 in.

Came across this on Hacker News last night. Absolutely fascinating.

Follow the headline link, start scrolling. Bigger screen == better.

You’ll start with the December 2013 2016 first gen AirPods (have they really been in the wild that long?) As you scroll, the scan will turn and text will come into view relevant to that particular orientation. Take your time.

Next up are the AirPods Pro and then the 3rd gen AirPods. Brilliant.

York Regional Police (via MacRumors):

> Since September 2021, officers have investigated five incidents where suspects have placed small tracking devices on high-end vehicles so they can later locate and steal them. Brand name ‘air tags’ are placed in out-of-sight areas of the target vehicles when they are parked in public places like malls or parking lots. Thieves then track the targeted vehicles to the victim’s residence, where they are stolen from the driveway.

And this, on how they steal the car, without keys:

> Thieves typically use tools like screwdrivers to enter the vehicles through the driver or passenger door, while ensuring not to set off alarms. Once inside, an electronic device, typically used by mechanics to reprogram the factory setting, is connected to the onboard diagnostics port below the dashboard and programs the vehicle to accept a key the thieves have brought with them. Once the new key is programmed, the vehicle will start and the thieves drive it away.

Of all the suggestions on protecting your vehicle, this seems the best suggestion:

> Install a lock on the data port. This simple device can be purchased online and blocks access to the computer port where the thieves gain access to reprogram the vehicle’s keys.

Here’s a video that talks about the OBD port (the data port called out above) and one device in particular you can use to lock the port.

Personally, I think an OBD lock is far more convenient than a steering wheel lock, since you only need to remove the lock when you need to access the port (for service, say).

From John Gruber’s take on this article:

> I’m interested in knowing how the police figured out that AirTags were used in this way. Let’s say a thief hides an AirTag on your car while it’s in a public parking lot. Then you park the car in your home’s driveway. The thief comes in the middle of the night and steals your car. You call the police and they come to your home to investigate. How would they know an AirTag had ever been involved?

> So, when it comes to purchasing a car, especially one as valuable as a byd car, taking precautions is essential. While AirTags can serve as a modern safeguard against theft, they are only part of a comprehensive security strategy. Equally important is ensuring you acquire your vehicle from trusted dealerships with reputable track records. I opted for such a dealer when purchasing my own BYD car, finding peace of mind in knowing that I was not only getting a quality vehicle but also minimizing the risks associated with potential tampering or fraudulent activities.

> In the event of any issues, having a reliable auto mechanic like RUSH Diesel can further enhance your peace of mind. Their team offers expert repair services that cater to a range of automotive needs, ensuring that your vehicle remains in top condition. Whether dealing with routine maintenance or unexpected repairs, RUSH Diesel provides comprehensive, affordable service that goes beyond the capabilities of standard dealerships and quick oil change shops. Their skilled technicians are equipped to handle both the intricate details of advanced vehicle systems and the straightforward needs of everyday repairs, ensuring that your car is always road-ready.

>Regular maintenance and prompt attention to repairs are crucial for extending the life of your vehicle. By establishing a relationship with a trusted service provider like RUSH Diesel, you ensure that each aspect of your vehicle’s health is managed proactively. This commitment to comprehensive care helps prevent minor issues from escalating into more significant problems, ultimately saving you time and money in the long run.

> Additionally, having another dependable option such as Blue Wrench can further enhance your vehicle’s longevity. Blue Wrench is known for its exceptional repair services, offering specialized care that complements the comprehensive work of RUSH Diesel. By choosing either of these reputable services, you ensure that your BYD car gets the meticulous attention it deserves, safeguarding your investment and maintaining the enjoyable driving experience that drew you to the car in the first place.

Solid question, read the Daring Fireball post for John’s best guess. If Apple could go back in time, I wonder if they’d still release AirTags, knowing what they know now.

Mere Civilian:

A few months ago, the balance on my Apple account was running low (less than $100), and therefore, I attempted to add funds to my account using my credit card. My first attempt resulted in an error, and I decided to try again in a couple of days. The very next day, all my Apple devices gave the following prompt when updating apps from the App Store: “Your Account Has Been Disabled in the App Store and iTunes.”

Follow the headline link for the details. In a nutshell, the poster’s Apple account was disabled due to alleged breach of the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions.

This was interesting (and worth reading) on a number of fronts. Part of this is the hoops the poster had to jump through to try to find out why their account was disabled, and the fact that they never did get that info.

Another part was that having their account disabled meant they lost access to all ten years worth of “app and media purchases and the funds in my Apple account”. That’s alarming.

There’s also this:

The next day, I called again and was provided with the same response. However, this time, I was told that the Back End Team had made the decision, and there is no way to appeal that decision or even contact them. Furthermore, the senior Apple support person confirmed that they do not have access to the details as to why the account was disabled. This Back End Team appears to have God-like powers.

To be fair to Apple, this is a bit one-sided, anecdotal, so take with a grain of salt.

But read on to the end, where Tim Cook’s executive team comes to the rescue.

Follow the headline link, then log in to Apple Music in Safari. Apple Music will build your Replay playlist, then update the list weekly.

Click the Add+ button to add the playlist to your library. It might take a bit to make its appearance, but it should show up on all your devices, assuming you have sync enabled.

If you head to the Music app, tap the Listen Now tab, then scroll down a ways, you should find your year-by-year Replay lists in a section called “Replay: Your Top Songs by Year” (H/T @cyclonus).

Bloomberg:

Apple Inc., suffering from a global supply crunch, is now confronting a different problem: slowing demand.

The company has told its component suppliers that demand for the iPhone 13 lineup has weakened, people familiar with the matter said, signaling that some consumers have decided against trying to get the hard-to-find item.

Demand may be slowing (not sure how to measure that outside of Apple), but the iPhone 13 is not hard to find. At least in the US, you can get a base model Sierra Blue iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, or 13 Pro Max within a few weeks at worst.

I didn’t do an exhaustive search through all possible color/storage combinations, but “hard to find”? Doesn’t seem to be the case. Easy enough to check this for yourself.

Apple:

Apple today revealed the 2021 App Store Award winners, recognizing the 15 best apps and games that helped users tap into personal passions, discover creative outlets, connect with new people and experiences, and simply have fun.

Websites like mega888 original are gaining more and more popularity these days because of the amazing games that they offer to their players and the prizes are great too.

And:

> Ten years after its App Store debut, Toca Life World is masterfully iterating on the art of play and self-expression for kids. The developers behind DAZN guided local sport culture into the global spotlight for everyone to enjoy, while Carrot Weather brought its best-in-class meteorological forecasts — and the witty character behind it — to users’ wrists. LumaFusion made video editing faster, less intimidating, and more portable for creators at every level, and Craft creatively enabled efficiency and artistry through a notebook with seemingly limitless capabilities. The incredible graphics and rich storylines woven into “League of Legends: Wild Rift,” “MARVEL Future Revolution,” “Myst,” “Space Marshals 3,” and Apple Arcade’s “Fantasian” transported players of all ages into immersive gaming experiences.

Scroll through the linked article for the details and some pretty screen shots.

Also check out these links to App Store charts for Top Apps of 2021, Top Games of 2021, and Top Apple Arcade Games.

Twitter blog:

As part of our ongoing efforts to build tools with privacy and security at the core, we’re updating our existing private information policy and expanding its scope to include “private media.” Under our existing policy, publishing other people’s private information, such as phone numbers, addresses, and IDs, is already not allowed on Twitter. This includes threatening to expose private information or incentivizing others to do so.

And:

Sharing personal media, such as images or videos, can potentially violate a person’s privacy, and may lead to emotional or physical harm.

And:

While our existing policies and Twitter Rules cover explicit instances of abusive behavior, this update will allow us to take action on media that is shared without any explicit abusive content, provided it’s posted without the consent of the person depicted.

If you use Twitter, worth reading this whole blog post, to get a sense of where this policy is going, what types of tweets it covers.

This is a difficult enforcement road, as it opens the door to false complaints (think YouTube and misuse of DMCA takedowns). Definitely good to be aware of.

Follow the headline link, start scrolling for a walk through Apple prototype collector Giulio Zompetti’s prototype tweets.

Interesting that Apple builds these prototypes in this way. Is it cheaper to pour with translucent material? Is it so engineers can see the guts of their designs, quickly tweak the fit ’til they get it right?

This definitely reminds me of the OG translucent Bondi iMacs.

Fisher Price:

Introducing the special edition Fisher-Price® Chatter Telephone™ — a phone smart enough not to come with any apps. Its intuitive bulky face design comes with a ‘super-advanced’ rotary dial and connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth® wireless technology, so you can make and receive real calls through your existing phone plan.

When I first saw this on Hacker News, I thought it was a joke. But it does seem to be a real product, with some excellent tongue-in-cheek marketing.

Follow the headline link and look at the pictures. If you’ve got kid toys in your life, especially older kid toys, you’ll instantly recognize the Chatter telephone. It’s iconic.

And now your kids can learn the pain of a rotary dial!

Benjamin Mayo:

I can’t quite believe how much ink has been spilled these last few months about a concept that doesn’t exist and is — at best — a pipe dream. The metaverse is not a thing. It’s meaningless. Facebook had an hour long keynote event which wholly consisted of computer-generated sequences of floating Memoji/Xbox avatars. Microsoft joined the fray with similarly unsubstantiated claims that Teams is becoming a metaverse.

And:

Break apart the vision to any individual element and the state of the art technology is nowhere close to good enough. Realtime visual fidelity has to advance leaps and bounds to be as convincingly legitimate as what Facebook ‘demonstrated’ in its mockups. I’d love to know how long it took whatever render farm they used to make these videos. Probably, days.

And:

One of the things that motivated me to write up this ridiculousness in a blog post is this fencing demo from Facebook’s Meta keynote. Zuckerberg is shown to be playing against a hologram of a professional athlete, waving swords at each other. In the demo, when he lunges, she parries with the swords perfectly stopping in mid-air. How on earth is that going to be possible to do, outside of a visual effects mockup? There’s no way to recreate the sensation of metal hitting metal and the sabres rebounding.

This is an entertaining “the emperor has no clothes on” write-up. The point about the uncanny valley and the limitations of technology in senses (like touch) ring true.

That said, I do think we’re heading for a world of avatars, like it or not, because the tech drivers want this and will spend big bucks trying to race each other to this particular vision of reality.

As to the technological limitations, we’ll all live with them and, slowly, the fake world around us will improve over time, much as the graphics on our displays allowed us to move from TTL displays (think Texas Instruments calculators) to modern, varied, crisp, high resolution fonts.

Also, we’ll all have robot bodies.

Apple:

Over the past 15 years, Apple customers have played a critical role in (RED)’s fight to end AIDS through support to the Global Fund, which provides critical access to healthcare services in communities most in need in sub-Saharan Africa. As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, including those living with HIV, the fight to end global pandemics is more urgent than ever.

And:

Since 2006, Apple customers have helped raise nearly $270 million to fund prevention, testing, and counseling services for people impacted by HIV/AIDS. Apple-supported grants have enabled care and support services for over 11 million people, provided over 192 million HIV tests, and allowed over 13.8 million people access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatments. In 2020 alone, Apple’s support for (RED) helped prevent over 145,000 HIV-positive mothers from passing the virus on to their babies.

Props to Apple for this ongoing work and support.

Follow the headline link to read more about Apple’s efforts here, and about their PRODUCT(RED) products.

Open this link on your iPhone, then scroll down to the Apple Watch Faces section to view and add any of the new Apple Watch faces to your collection.

Apple:

Each year, Apple recognizes the best and most popular podcasts for their exceptional content, unique ability to engage audiences, and innovation in craft, spanning production, presentation, sound design, and more, that expand the definition of podcasting and deepen its impact on listeners worldwide.

Here’s a “Best of 2021” link that’ll open in Apple Podcasts.

Follow the headline link, scroll down for a list of top shows, episodes, then, below that, the Apple Podcast charts.

Apple:

The Apple Music Awards honor achievements in music across five distinct categories — Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Top Song of the Year, and Top Album of the Year — and winners are chosen through a process that reflects both Apple Music’s editorial perspective and what customers around the world are listening to the most.

And:

This year, the Apple Music Awards will introduce a new category of awards for Regional Artist of the Year, recognizing artists from five countries and regions: Africa, France, Germany, Japan, and Russia. The Regional Artist of the Year awards recognize artists who made the greatest impact culturally and on the charts in their respective countries and regions.

And about the physical award itself:

Each award features Apple’s custom silicon wafer suspended between a polished sheet of glass and a machined and anodized aluminum body. The result of this multi-month process, before it is sliced into hundreds of individual chips, is stunning and distinctive. In a symbolic gesture, the same chips that power the devices that put the world’s music at listeners fingertips sit at the very heart of the Apple Music Awards.

Short list of winners:

• Global Artist of the Year: The Weeknd
• Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year: Olivia Rodrigo
• Songwriter of the Year: H.E.R.
• Artist of the Year (Africa): Wizkid
• Artist of the Year (France): Aya Nakamura
• Artist of the Year (Germany): RIN
• Artist of the Year (Japan): OFFICIAL HIGE DANDISM
• Artist of the Year (Russia): Scriptonite

Jeff Johnson:

The madness in this case is Safari background tabs spontaneously coming to the front again, an obviously undesirable behavior.

Read the blog post for the specifics on what causes this (props to Jeff for figuring it out). To give this a try, follow the headline link, click the “Start 5 second timer” button, then click another tab to bring it to the front. After 5 seconds, the background tab will jump to the front. Works every time.

Turns into an ad for the highly regarded StopTheMadness browser extension. Worth a look.

Apple’s retail price for the base model 14″ M1 MacBook Pro is $1999.99. Follow the headline link to B&H Photo and save $200, a pretty great deal.

Interestingly, the discount only applies to the Space Gray model. Want Silver? Pay full price. Not sure why.

Quantities are limited, so jump on it.

My thanks to BBEdit for sponsoring The Loop this week. There’s a lot to love about software I’ve been using for more than 20 years and now BBEdit, the power tool for text, is ready for Big Sur and M1-powered Macs and was just updated to version 14!

More than a year ago, at the 2020 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced that it would be adding third-party music service support to ‌HomePod‌. A few months later, Apple highlighted some of the apps that would take advantage of the new feature, including Amazon Music, Pandora, and iHeartRadio. A notable exclusion from the list – Spotify.

Whether Spotify opted not to be part of the initial batch of third-party music providers with ‌‌HomePod‌‌ support or Apple didn’t ask remains unknown.

With all of the noise Spotify has made over the years against Apple, I would guess they had been asked to be one of the third-party providers. Apple wouldn’t want to be seen excluding them from the list. With all of the bad sentiment from its users, Spotify could simply say that Apple wouldn’t let them on HomePod and turn the pressure back on Apple.

Whatever is going on, it seems Spotify needs to address this issue with its users quickly.

There’s a lot to love about software I’ve been using for more than 20 years and now BBEdit, the power tool for text, is ready for Big Sur and M1-powered Macs and was just updated to version 14!