Soon after the iPhone 13 launched, repair experts found that swapping out iPhone 13 screens would break Face ID unless you also moved over a tiny control chip from the original screen. It’s a complex process that makes one of the most common types of repairs prohibitively difficult for independent repair shops.
More to the point:
Apple-authorized repair shops, on the other hand, have access to a software tool that can make a phone accept a new screen.
So what’s changed?
Apple tells The Verge it will release a software update that doesn’t require you to transfer the microcontroller to keep Face ID working after a screen swap.
Starting today, Apple is celebrating the holidays at Apple Store locations and apple.com with the launch of the Holiday Gift Guide and personalized holiday cards from Today at Apple.
Here’s a link to the gift guide. Be sure to click on all five category buttons. The one labeled “All Gifts” is misleading, since there are things in other categories that aren’t listed in All Gifts.
> On Tuesday, John Moran Auctioneers will auction off a functioning Apple-1 computer hand-built by Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs and others in a Los Altos, Calif., garage in 1976. The system was the rock upon which the trillion-dollar Apple empire was built. >
>For many, owning such a vintage piece may inspire a sense of nostalgia, but it also emphasizes the importance of having modern technology that supports today’s digital demands. Upgrading to a new computer is essential for leveraging current innovations, but it’s equally vital to ensure that your equipment is protected. This is where solutions like the SANTAK UPS come into play. A reliable uninterruptible power supply not only safeguards your new technology from power surges and outages but also enhances productivity, ensuring that your work continues uninterrupted, just as the original Apple-1 paved the way for future innovations.
And:
> The unit is dubbed the “Chaffey College Apple-1″ because its first owner was identified as a Chaffey professor. It was unearthed from the Rancho Cucamonga home of a former Chaffey student who had purchased it from the professor for $650 in 1977. > > The student, who wishes to remain anonymous until after the sale, held on to the computer for the next four decades.
Fascinating that the Apple 1 has become a collectible holy grail. Guessing this has to do with Apple rising from being doomed to one of the biggest companies in the world, changing the world several times over, redefining marketplaces with products like iPod, iPhone, iMac, and Apple Watch, to name a few.
Worth following the headline link to check out the picture of the computer, in its original Byte Shop, koa-wood case.
The United States Justice Department today announced that it has arrested Ukrainian Yaroslav Vasinskyi for his involvement with REvil, a group that executed ransomware attacks against businesses and government entities in the United States.
And:
REvil in April targeted Apple supplier Quanta Computer and stole schematics of the design of the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that were later released in October. The schematics unveiled MacBook Pro features like additional ports and the design of the notch, and REvil extorted Apple by threatening to release additional documents if the Cupertino company didn’t pay a $50 million fee.
And:
REvil continued on with its illicit activities and in May, was responsible for a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline that caused gas shortages on the East Coast of the United States. In July, REvil took advantage of a vulnerability in management software designed for Kaseya, targeting between 800 and 1,500 businesses worldwide.
The U.S. Department of State is now offering up to $10 million for the name or location any key REvil leaders, and up to $5 million for information on REvil affiliates.
Apple introduced the new line of MacBook Pro last October during its “Unleashed” event. With impressive improvements over the most recent Intel chips and even the M1 processor, the company has been very successful with the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.
With that in mind, lots of tech companies are upgrading their staffs’ Macs with the incredibly powerful M1 Max MacBook Pro with 64 GB of RAM.
The reasoning is captured in this tweet from Twitter’s John Szumski:
I'm excited to be rolling out fully loaded M1 Max MBPs to all of Twitter's iOS & Android engineers! We're seeing improvements in both top line performance and thermal throttling that currently plague our Intel builds.
Read José’s post for more examples but, in a nutshell, this is tech companies doing the math and recognizing that a new, high-end MacBook Pro would easily pay for itself in time savings.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen this sort of no-brainer purchase equation with Apple gear. One example this reminds me of is when Apple first rolled out the LaserWriter, one of the very first mass market laser printers. Back then, loaded Macs and LaserWriters became no-brainer purchases for high-end art departments. Game changers.
Usually, but not always, when Apple drops an ad outside the US, it mirrors a US ad, typically adding subtitles. It’s the Apple ads unique to other countries that I look for, enjoy.
I’ve been enjoying the Apple TV+ show Dr. Brain, which was made in South Korea. The Apple Korea ad below highlights Apple TV+ programming and, as you’d expect, prominently features Dr. Brain.
If your country has a unique Apple-related ad, please tweet me a link. I’ll watch every one of ’em.
Indie musician Mary Spender sat down with a loaded M1 MacBook Pro, using the internal mic, and started recording. An hour and 8 minutes later, song in hand (zero fan noise), it was on to Photo Booth to build a music video.
I found the whole interview interesting, but jump to 1:44 and listen to Rene’s testimonial comparing his experience moving from an Intel i9 MacBook Pro to one of the new models. I’ve heard similar raves from other reviewers, but it really brings the huge performance leap to a fine point.
Follow the headline link, start scrolling. If you find a font you like, download button is on the right, with links to typefaces and designers at the bottom of the page.
Side note: If you load the page in Safari on the Mac (at least in macOS Monterey, which is what I’m running), notice the animated favicon in the Safari tab. Not sure how much I love the distraction, but it is interesting.
This was a lot of fun to watch. As I made my way through the beginning, the RC cars/trucks just looked very toy-like, hard to fool my brain. But jump to about 1:41 in, after shooting in 4K60, rolling it into iMovie, slowing the footage by 1/3 and applying the Blockbuster filter, and those shots start to look a lot more real.
We’re exploring ways to make the Twitter experience next level—and Twitter Blue is just the beginning. This opt-in monthly subscription offers exclusive access to premium features that let you customize your Twitter experience.
Twitter Blue is currently launched in Canada and Australia as an iOS in-app-purchase, with Android coming “in the near future”.
As to features:
Right now, Twitter Blue subscribers get access to Bookmark Folders, Reader Mode, Custom App Icons, Themes, and an Undo Tweet option. They’ll also get early access to whatever we’re testing in Labs where we explore more premium features and learn what subscribers want to include in their experience!
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I may need to step in and get Dave an intervention soon as his obsession with a particular Apple product is starting to consume his life. A couple of Dave’s keyboard keys are reversed, so he needs some help getting those fixed, and Facebook is stealing company names and logos.
You might think $85K is a wild ask, but there are currently 144 bids, and there’s a week to go on this auction. 144 bids makes $85K a valid bid, and with a week to do, who knows how high this will go.
To get a sense of what folks are bidding on, watch the video below.
Apple TV+ is on a sci-fi roll, with new shows like Foundation and Invasion, older shows See and For All Mankind, all worth checking out.
To me, Dr. Brain is a worthy addition to this list. It’s full of twists and turns, a fun watch all the way through. I watched it subbed (Korean audio, English subtitled), but it is available dubbed (English language dubbing), if you find processing the subtitles takes your attention away from the action.
Either way, if you do check out Dr. Brain, commit to watching the first two episodes. The first one (available now) sets up the basic mechanics of the story, gives you a sense of the important elements, then episode 2 starts you on the roller coaster ride.
Though the spine of the story is classic sci-fi, there’s a heavy dose of mystery. Personally, I love the show.
A lot has rightly been written about the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips found in Apple’s new MacBook Pro models. However, while the spotlight is rightly on them now, their origins date back to a decision made in 2008 under the leadership of Apple co-founder, the late Steve Jobs and his team, which included Tony Fadell.
Before you watch the trailer below, consider the cast.
Mahershala Ali: Oscars for Moonlight and Green Book
Naomie Harris: Oscar nomination for Moonlight, and played Miss Moneypenny in Skyfall
Glen Close: Oscar nominations for The World According to Garp and The Big Chill
Awkwafina: Well, she’s Awkwafina.
I get it, Oscars and Oscar nods aren’t the basis for judging a movie. But this is a great cast, make me hopeful for this latest addition to Apple TV+’s sci-fi push.
When the “Unleashed” Apple event wrapped up a few weeks ago, the first thing I did was run over to the Apple store to see if any new unannounced accessories had been added. Sure enough, a handful of new ones were. But only one of them stood out: the polishing cloth. It’s taken the world by storm, so much so in fact that it’s backordered up to nearly 12 weeks. Luckily, I was able to get my hands on one and I’ve been using it rigorously over the past week.
If this is satire, it is absolutely pitch perfect. No matter, Polishing Cloth has somehow become beloved and deserving of this detailed review.
You’ve no doubt launched the Find My app on your iPhone, but have you ever jumped through the Find My hoops on your Apple Watch? Watch the video below for the how-to. Good to know how this works.
> The digital playground just got more exciting with today’s update. Now, alongside your favorite series, you can dive into games directly on your mobile. From the nostalgic escapades in “Stranger Things: 1984” to the hoop-shooting action in “Shooting Hoops,” there’s an array of games to choose from. And let’s not overlook the trendsetters and trailblazers creating content beyond the screen; the rise of creators on platforms like deutsche onlyfans accounts is a testament to the diverse entertainment landscape. It’s a universe where every swipe and click could lead to new narratives and interactive experiences. This endeavor is not merely about adding options to your digital library; it’s about enriching the ecosystem where stories thrive and where members find a trove of entertainment at their fingertips, ready to explore and enjoy.
For everyone? Great, let’s go!
> All you need is a Netflix subscription — there’s no ads, no additional fees and no in-app purchases. (Don’t let the demogorgon tell you otherwise).
Perfect. I’ve got a Netflix subscription. How do I play?
> Our mobile games are currently available on Android devices when you log into your Netflix profile.
Um. OK. So not everyone then.
And I searched the entire release, not a single mention of Apple, iPhone, or iOS. Feh.
We’re shutting down the Face Recognition system on Facebook. People who’ve opted in will no longer be automatically recognized in photos and videos and we will delete more than a billion people’s individual facial recognition templates.
and:
This change will also impact Automatic Alt Text (AAT), which creates image descriptions for blind and visually-impaired people. After this change, AAT descriptions will no longer include the names of people recognized in photos but will function normally otherwise.
As to why, Facebook says:
We need to weigh the positive use cases for facial recognition against growing societal concerns, especially as regulators have yet to provide clear rules.
When the Federal Trade Commission fined Facebook a record $5 billion to settle privacy complaints in 2019, the facial recognition software was among the concerns.
And:
Last year, the company also agreed to pay $650 million to settle a class-action lawsuit in Illinois that accused Facebook of violating a state law that requires residents’ consent to use their biometric information, including their “face geometry.”
If you like playing around with tech, this is a straightforward project that will let you make use of an old iOS device (an old, unused iPhone or iPad, perhaps) to act as a bridge to get any line-in source to your HomePod or HomePod mini.
The Fit Pros are a wonderfully designed pair of earbuds that integrate the best of Apple tech. They’ve got active noise cancellation that’s on par with the AirPods Pro. The same spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. The same Adaptive EQ. They even have the brand-new skin detect sensor that only just debuted in the third-generation AirPods.
And:
The Fit Pros come in a case that’s basically a miniaturized version of the Powerbeats Pro case. Just as with those, there’s no wireless charging — a very frustrating omission at this price — but the case at least uses USB-C instead of Lightning.
And:
Beats says it designed the wing tips for “every ear imaginable,” but ears are all different, and there will always be exceptions. That said, I let several people try the Fit Pros and even those with small ears could find a way to make the wing tip work for them and said it resulted in a more steady overall fit. They passed the gym test and didn’t come even slightly loose during high intensity runs.
And:
for the first time, you can remap a long press to adjust volume instead of toggling noise cancellation or summoning Siri. This can be done right in the iOS settings menu and is something that the AirPods Pro can’t do, nor can the Beats Studio Buds. I like having the option, even if I ended up sticking with the defaults. Bring that remapping capability to your other earbuds, Apple.
As to the sound:
Beats has outfitted its latest earbuds with 9.5mm drivers, and they produce very satisfying sound quality that I’d rank above the AirPods Pro. This isn’t the bloated bass Beats of old: the company shed that reputation quite a long time ago.
So my question here is, wireless charging aside, did Beats Fit Pro just dethrone the AirPods Pro? Chris’ take is enough for me to want to take them for a spin. Feels like the bar has definitely been raised. Will the AirPods team respond with a new generation?
Check out the video below, at about 3:10 in, to get a sense of how these fit in your ears. There’s a bit of a twisting motion required to get the “wings” in place.
Side note: The AirPods Pro are on sale on Amazon for $189.99. So that’s the price I’d use to compare with the $199.99 price of the Beats Fit Pro.
Customers in Canada, Mexico, and the US will be able to order HomePod mini beginning at 7 a.m. PDT on Monday, November 1. Customers in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan will be able to order HomePod mini beginning at 6 p.m. PDT on Monday, November 1.
And:
HomePod mini will be available in Australia, Austria, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and the UK later this month.
Check out the video below to see the new colors, in hand. Unless you care for unboxing, skip ahead to about 3:15 in. If you have one of the new yellow, orange, or blue iMacs (but NOT the purple, red, or green), you can be matchers.
I agree with Brian Tong here. I’d love to see Apple complete the set here.
macOS Monterey, released last week as the latest version of macOS, is bricking older Mac computers, rendering them unusable and unable to even turn on, according to a number of reports from users across social media and online forums.
And:
If this sounds oddly familiar, it may be because last year, with the launch of macOS Big Sur, similar reports surfaced about that update bricking older MacBook Pro models.
No answers here, but plenty of tweets from owners of newly bricked Macs. If you’ve got an older Mac and are considering upgrading to Monterey, definitely read through the post, maybe wait until macOS 12.1 drops.
Items purchased at the Apple Online Store that are received between November 1, 2021 and December 25, 2021, may be returned through January 8, 2022. Please note that all other terms and conditions provided in the Apple Online Store Sales and Refunds Policy are still applicable with respect to such items purchased. All purchases made after December 25, 2021 are subject to the Standard Return Policy.
TextSniper is the fastest way to copy uncopyable text, wherever it may be: in photos, screenshots, PDFs, videos, online presentations, apps, or websites that annoyingly block copying.
TextSniper works just like the built-in screenshot tools in macOS. Press Shift-Command-2, then select the area of the screen with the text you want to copy. That’s it! A friendly thumbs-up indicates that the text is in your Clipboard, ready for pasting.
TextSniper can also copy URLs and text embedded in QR codes, as well as barcode numbers. It even can read the recognized text to you. And because the app supports Continuity Camera in macOS, you can use your iPhone or iPad camera to capture text right to your Mac.
Available on Intel and M1 Macs, running macOS Catalina and higher.
Get TextSniper now to speed up your workflow. Use the promo code LOOP at checkout to get 20% off this week.
Follow the headline link for Joanna Stern’s enthusiastic take on the new MacBook Pros. But watch the video below for Joanna’s real-life battery testing.
At about 3:54 in, Joanna tries to duplicate Apple’s battery claims for the new devices. Worth watching to get a sense of what you can expect if you buy one of the new MacBook Pros.
First things first, to be really clear, this is the Mac Pro (NOT an Intel MacBook Pro). Just making sure you get the drift of the comparison.
Follow the link, scroll through the benchmarks, then check out this link for a bunch more benchmarks comparing the same two machines.
Bottom line, the benchmarks showed the M1 Max was pretty close to the 2019 Mac Pro, beating it in some tests, losing in others, but pretty much neck-and-neck overall.
To me, this is incredible, really shows the giant leap Apple made with the M1 Max. Obviously, the Mac Pro brings expandability to the table that a laptop just can’t match. Wonder when we’ll see an Apple Silicon-powered Mac Pro. That’ll be something.
I was hesitant on updating because I enjoyed my phone being jailbroken but last night I figured I would for the FaceTime updates, but it was the Find My AirPods feature that I really got a benefit out of. I arrive at the airport to head home and come to find out I left my AirPods in the car of my Uber driver, after getting a “Find My” notification.
Presumably, this refers to a “separation alert”, also known as a left behind notification.
I call him up and he brings them back to me. It even tracked him every so often along the way. I didn’t even know that was in the update but it just saved my wallet
I’ve gotten a few of these, especially when I left my AirPods at home on a charger. Some people find the alerts annoying, I like the reminder that they exist.
Here’s Apple’s official separation alert support document, telling you how to turn the alerts off and on, and how to set up a Trusted Location if you want to be able to leave your item somewhere without being notified.
