The ride-hailing app, which expanded into Europe five years ago, has come under attack from established taxi companies and some EU countries because it is not bound by strict local licensing and safety rules which apply to some of its competitors.

Uber’s dispute with Barcelona’s main taxi operator, which in 2014 accused it of running an illegal taxi service via its UberPOP service, is seen as a landmark case which could lead the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) to label it a transport company rather than a digital service.

That is the crux of the argument—is Uber a transport or digital company? Arguments can be made for both sides. I haven’t used a taxi since Uber and Lyft started offering their service. All the legal arguments aside, the app-based services are much better, friendlier, and professional than any taxi service I’ve ever used.

Shoppers spent $3.45 billion on Cyber Monday on Samsung 4K TVs, PlayStation 4s and Barbie dolls among other products, marking the largest online sales day in U.S. history.

Top-selling electronics by units on the day include Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox gaming consoles as well as Samsung 4K TVs, Apple iPhones and Amazon’s Fire tablets.

Wow, that is a lot of money. I find it interesting that many of the electronic items are in the high-end category, but yet Amazon’s Fire tablet made the list. It makes me wonder how consumers view the tablet category.

Some fun from The New Yorker.

I haven’t been able to find a list of channels the new service will offer, but it seems clear they are going after PlayStation Vue and Sling TV.

Secrets is now Free on the App Store! Secrets is a simple, secure password manager for Mac and iOS. It leverages industry standard encryption algorithms to provide secure storage and macOS and iOS native features to facilitate automatic filling of logins in the browser.

Version 2.0 is the culmination of months of testing in the real world. Bugs have been squashed, important features have been added and polish has been applied throughout. With this new version you can use Secrets and all of its features for Free with up to 10 items.

Download it now on the App Store or the Mac App Store.

MY thanks to Hullo for sponsoring The Loop this week.

This Holiday season, give the gift of good sleep with Hullo buckwheat pillow. Hullo is a unique and thoughtful gift that even the most discerning sleeper can appreciate.

Hullo buckwheat pillow:

• allows air to move freely through the pillow’s buckwheat hull fill, preventing uncomfortable heat build up.
• is manufactured in the USA with organic and all-natural materials.
• is biodegradable.
• has a high level of customer satisfaction.

Avoid the Black Friday crowds and save money—every Hullo order ships fast and free. Order today at hullopillow.com.

This is hilarious and sad all at the same time. An entire generation that expects everything to be handed to them.

I see why some people think Designed by Apple in California could be Ive’s goodbye to Apple. But it feels to me like Ive’s heartfelt goodbye to his best friend and colleague, five years gone. I don’t think Jony Ive is going anywhere.

I agree with Gruber on this. Although, I do think Jony is taking a higher level view of design for Apple these days.

According to industry sources on Nov. 21, the Korean tech giant plans to launch a new glossy black version of the flagship smartphone early next month.

Of course they will.

This is very cool. I need one of these.

This Holiday season, give the gift of good sleep with Hullo buckwheat pillow. Hullo is a unique and thoughtful gift that even the most discerning sleeper can appreciate.

Hullo buckwheat pillow:

• allows air to move freely through the pillow’s buckwheat hull fill, preventing uncomfortable heat build up.
• is manufactured in the USA with organic and all-natural materials.
• is biodegradable.
• has a high level of customer satisfaction.

Avoid the Black Friday crowds and save money—every Hullo order ships fast and free. Order today at hullopillow.com.

Om had some interesting things to say in the article. Personally, I use both iPad and Mac, but I use them in different ways. I think each device is suited for, and excels at, their own set of unique tasks.

Today we are pleased to announce PlayStation Vue’s expansion to Apple TV. As one of the most highly requested devices by our fans, the PlayStation Vue experience on Apple TV will provide viewers with a better option to watch your favorite live TV programming, with unique streaming features such as cloud DVR, simultaneous streaming, and no long-term contract commitments.

I wonder how popular services like this are for people. There are still channels missing that I would like to watch, but Vue and SlingTV are making strong plays for customers.

My thanks to Timing for sponsoring The Loop this week.

When was the last time you were frustrated with your time tracking app,
for example because you had forgotten to set a timer?

Or when you wondered what you spent all your time on today?

Timing solves this problem. Instead of making you do all the work, Timing automatically tracks how you spend your time. It logs which apps you use, which websites you visit, and which documents you edit.

Timing is essential for anyone serious about their time — power users and freelancers alike. Download the free trial now and on Friday review exactly what you did this week, down to the second.

Use coupon code THELOOP to get a 25% discount till next Monday.

Good ad/idea.

So Apple has been syncing call log history and some people have been reporting this as a major problem. Here’s Apple’s statement:

This is hilarious.

Apple today opened registration for Hour of Code workshops at all 487 Apple retail stores worldwide, from December 5 through 11 in celebration of Computer Science Education Week. Among the most popular events at the Apple Store, Hour of Code workshops teach the basics of computer science with Code.org’s programming tutorials. Apple and Code.org share the goal of giving every student the opportunity to learn computer science.

This is such a great program.

Correct. I joined Apple in January of 1997, almost twenty years ago, because of my profound belief that “the power of the computer should reside in the hands of the one using it.” That credo remains my truth to this day. Recently, I was informed that my position as Product Manager of Automation Technologies was eliminated for business reasons. Consequently, I am no longer employed by Apple Inc. But, I still believe my credo to be as true today as ever.

I’ve known Sal for years, and he is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. He cared about Apple and the user.

Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai will meet in Brussels with EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager and Guenther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, as the final stop in a short tour of the continent, spokespeople for Google and the EU confirmed.

Google is some trouble in the EU and the situation could get much worse.

Wow.

[Via Coudal]

Apple’s in an interesting, but tough spot here. They could be the vehicle to bring original content to your home with Apple TV, or they could add their own original content and battle with Netflix and Amazon.

Pixelmator 3.6 Cordillera brings full support for macOS Sierra and the all-new MacBook Pro Touch Bar, adds Tabs so you can manage your Pixelmator windows with ease, includes a content-aware Smart Refine feature, Deep Images support, and more.

There are a lot of changes in the latest version, including macOS Sierra and Touch Bar support. This is one of the first apps I install on any of my devices.

When Shazam (macOS) is toggled ‘OFF’ it to simply stops processing recorded data…however recording continues.

Shazam considers it a feature.

[Via MacRumors]

To deliver that, Google Play Music uses machine learning to figure out what music you like and then mixes in signals like location, activity, and the weather along with hand-picked playlists to personalize music for wherever you are and whenever you want tunes. Starting this week on Android, iOS and the web, the new experience will roll out globally (62 countries, to be precise).

The new app is live now, I just downloaded it.

When was the last time you were frustrated with your time tracking app, for example because you had forgotten to set a timer? Or when you wondered what you spent all your time on today? Timing solves this problem. Instead … Continued

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been using three new MacBook Pros: A 13-inch entry level model; a 13-inch with Touch Bar; and my favorite, a 15-inch with Touch Bar. As with all of my reviews, I’ll give you an idea of how I use the MacBook Pros in my daily life, but I’ll also give you a look at how it performed while working on some pro music projects. […]

My thanks to Marketcircle for sponsoring The Loop this week.

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Your brain is for ideas, not for remembering things. Free up your mind for ideas by leveraging Daylite to remember all your client and project details. Imagine having all your client info, email history, project details, tasks, and a shared calendar with your team – all in one app. That’s what Daylite does.

Clear out the clutter in your brain. Make more room for your ideas and plans.

Try Daylite free for 30 days. The Loop Sponsorship special- mention you heard about Daylite through The Loop and get a 50% credit on your first month subscription.

With so many P2P transactions happening during such a busy season, we’re excited to give our users an early holiday present: starting November 10, Siri will be integrated with PayPal. For iPhone and iPad users running iOS 10, making a … Continued

Google’s Android mobile operating system boosts competition rather than hurts it, the company’s general counsel said on Thursday, in a rebuttal of EU antitrust charges that it uses the platform to crush rivals.

This could cost Google millions.