HiTechEdge

Tag: Apple

  • EU Wants to Crack Open Apple’s Walled Garden Even More

    EU Wants to Crack Open Apple’s Walled Garden Even More

    The EU has its sights set on Apple once again, with the bloc looking to force Apple to open its walled garden.

    Apple is famous for its tightly controlled ecosystem. The company has already weather legal challenges within the US to its closed ecosystem, but the EU appears poised to issue further challenges, especially after forcing the company to adopt USB-C instead of its own Lightning port.

    According to Reuters, EU industry chief Thierry Breton met with Apple CEO Tim Cook to discuss the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA is the EU’s sweeping legislation aimed at reigning in Big Tech, especially so-called “gatekeeper” companies that control entire platforms.

    “The next job for Apple and other Big Tech, under the DMA (Digital Markets Act) is to open up its gates to competitors,” Breton told Reuters.

    “Be it the electronic wallet, browsers or app stores, consumers using an Apple iPhone should be able to benefit from competitive services by a range of providers,” he said.

    Only time will tell if anything more comes from Breton’s comments, but the EU is certainly not a jurisdiction to be trifled with when it comes to its efforts to regulate Big Tech.

  • Google Adding Support for iMessage Reactions

    Google Adding Support for iMessage Reactions

    Android users tried of seeing a text explanation when iPhone users send Tapback reactions are in for a surprise with Google’s recent improvement.

    Apple introduced Tapback, a way for iPhone users to react to text messages inline, rather than sending a new text. Unfortunately for Android users, Messages didn’t support any Tapback reactions. As a result, users would see:

    • Liked an image
    • Emphasized “See you then!”

    According to 9to5Google, Google is rolling out an update that replaces those text descriptions, displaying an emoji reaction, essentially duplicating how the Tapback looks in iMessage.

    The update fixes a major pain point in Apple > Google texting.

  • DuckDuckGo Debuts App Tracking Protection for Android

    DuckDuckGo Debuts App Tracking Protection for Android

    DuckDuckGo (DDG) is taking a page from Apple’s book, introducing App Tracking Protection for Android.

    Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency (ATT) in iOS/iPadOS 14.5, giving users the ability to ask that apps not track their activity across platforms and services. While Google has been working to introduce its own version of ATT, its version is not as comprehensive as Apple’s.

    DDG is looking to provide a more comprehensive solution with its App Tracking Protection for Android, an app designed to monitor other apps’ activity and prevent them from tracking users. 

    DuckDuck App Tracking Protection – Credit DuckDuckGo

    “App Tracking Protection for Android is free and blocks trackers it identifies in other apps from third-party companies (those different from the company that owns each app),” the company writes in a blog post. “It is now built right into the DuckDuckGo Android app.

    “After enabling App Tracking Protection, the DuckDuckGo app will detect when your Android apps are about to send data to third-party tracking companies found in our app tracker dataset, and block those requests. You can enjoy your apps as you normally would and App Tracking Protection will run in the background and continue to block the detected trackers throughout your apps, even while you sleep. We are continually working to identify and protect against new trackers, so you can rest easy knowing you’re getting the most up-to-date protection.”

    Given that 96% of popular, free Android apps tested track users — with 87% sending data to Google and 68% sending to Facebook — DDG’s solution looks to fill a major need.

    The feature is currently in beta. To join the private wait list open DuckDuckGo for Android, open Settings > App Tracking Protection under Privacy, click “Join the Private Waitlist.”

  • Apple Fixes Issue Where macOS Monterey Could Brick Some Machines

    Apple Fixes Issue Where macOS Monterey Could Brick Some Machines

    Apple has addressed an issue that led the latest version of macOS, macOS Monterey, to brick some Macs.

    A major operating system release often brings new features, improved performance and the potential for major bugs or issues. In the case of macOS Monterey, the new OS bricked some Macs, specifically ones with Apple’s T2 security chip.

    According to a statement Apple provided to long-time Apple writer Rene Ritchie, the issue has been resolved.

    https://twitter.com/reneritchie/status/1456672355992866816?s=20

    We have identified and fixed an issue with the firmware on the Apple T2 security chip that prevented a very small number of users from booting up their Mac after updating macOS. The updated firmware is now included with the existing macOS updates. Any users impacted by this issue can contact Apple Support for assistance.

  • Wozniak: ‘I Can’t Tell the Difference Really’ Between iPhone 12 and 13

    Wozniak: ‘I Can’t Tell the Difference Really’ Between iPhone 12 and 13

    Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak doesn’t see much difference between the iPhone 12 and 13.

    Each year Apple releases a new iPhone, trying to balance adding new features with keeping the price largely the same. The latest models include a number of improvements, but none of them are really revolutionary, offering relatively minor improvements compared to past upgrades.

    Wozniak would seem to agree, telling Yahoo Finance he can’t tell much of a difference.

    “I got the new iPhone; I can’t tell the difference really,” Wozniak said. “The software that’s in it applies to older iPhones, I presume.”

  • Apple Cutting iPad Production to Keep Up with iPhone Demand

    Apple Cutting iPad Production to Keep Up with iPhone Demand

    Apple is cutting iPad production in an effort to mitigate problems caused by the semiconductor shortage and keep up with iPhone demand.

    The semiconductor shortage has been impacting a range of industries, especially the tech industry. While Apple’s supply chain management is legendary, even it has been struggling to keep up with demand.

    According to Nikkei Asia, the company is severely cutting iPhone production and diverting components to iPhone production, since the two devices share many common components.

    “The scale of iPhone shipments of around 200 million units a year is much bigger than that of iPads. Apple’s most important and critical ecosystems are all surrounding iPhones, its iconic product. To add one more point, iPads do not have that strong seasonality like its flagship iPhones, which are always launched in autumn,” Brady Wang, a tech analyst with Counterpoint Research, told Nikkei Asia.

  • Some USB Hubs Not Working With macOS Monterey

    Some USB Hubs Not Working With macOS Monterey

    macOS Monterey is out and brings a number of improvements, but some users are also reporting issues with their USB hubs.

    USB hubs are far more important with today’s Macs than they were years ago, thanks to Apple’s most recent computers only sporting a couple of USB-C ports. As a result, any issues with USB hubs can cause major problems to users’ workflows.

    According to MacRumors, users on Apple’s Developer Forums, Support Communities and Reddit are reporting issues using their USB hubs with Monterey. The problem seems to especially impact USB 3.0 ports on the hubs, with USB-C and HDMI ports often unaffected. Some users are also reporting issues with the power delivery port.

    The issues don’t seem to be restricted to a particular Mac architecture, with both Intel and M1 Macs impacted. Similarly, no single brand of USB hubs is at fault, with even Apple certified models displaying issues.

    Hopefully Apple will release a fix as soon as possible.

  • Rumored iPhone SE Plus Expected in 2022 With 5G, But Same Design

    Rumored iPhone SE Plus Expected in 2022 With 5G, But Same Design

    Apple fans hoping for a bigger iPhone SE are in for a disappointment, as the latest rumor says the next iPhone SE will retain the same design, albeit with 5G.

    The iPhone SE is Apple’s entry-level iPhone, offering many of the features of its more expensive siblings, but at a much cheaper price. The SE gives up only the most advanced features, and is also smaller than the largest iPhones.

    Some rumors have hinted at a larger SE in the pipeline, but the latest rumor from Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), indicates the redesigned larger version won’t be released till 2024. In the meantime, Young says Apple will release an iPhone SE Plus next year, keeping the same design but adding 5G.

  • Google Pixel 6 Will Come With Five Years of Security Updates

    Google Pixel 6 Will Come With Five Years of Security Updates

    A new leak indicates Google’s upcoming Pixel 6 will include a full five years of security updates.

    Samsung made headlines in February when it announced it would provide four years of security updates for its Galaxy line of devices. Updates have traditionally been an area where Android has played second fiddle to Apple, with the Cupertino company well-known for supporting its iPhones for years.

    Not to be outdone, a new leak indicates Google is planning on one-upping Samsung, providing five years of security updates for the upcoming Pixel 6. Leaker Evan Blass tweeted about it, including screenshots of the leaked pages before they were taken down.

  • Apple Spending $500 Million on Apple TV+ Marketing in 2022

    Apple Spending $500 Million on Apple TV+ Marketing in 2022

    Apple is ramping up its marketing for Apple TV+ in 2022, to the tune of $500 million.

    According to The Information, via The Mac Observer, Apple TV+ has some 40 million subscribers, roughly half of which are paying a subscription fee. Apple had a very generous trial period initially, giving anyone who bought a new Mac, iPhone or iPad an entire year for free. Even though Apple has since reduced that to three months, T-Mobile is offering its users a free year of Apple TV+.

    It appears the Cupertino company is getting serious about marketing its streaming TV service, something that has been a sore point for some Apple partners who believe the company hasn’t done enough in the past. Apple plans on spending some $500 million this year, and will release a new move or show every week during 2022.

    Given that Apple has a number of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hits on its hands, it’s a safe bet the marketing will likely pay off.