Business

Apple looks to make editing sent Messages possible at last

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This AppleInsider piece by William Gallagher is a semi-long read, so I’ll cut to the Message-editing specifics. Apple has a new patent application, and part of it concerns editing a Message that has already been sent:

“The first message can be edited, despite the fact that it has already been sent,” it starts. “To initiate the editing of the first message, the user selects the first message with a predefined touch input (e.g., a tap gesture, long press gesture, light press gesture, or deep press gesture) on the first message or the message region for the first message.”

Of course, just a mention in a patent does not mean the concept will ever see the light of day. So grain of salt there.

But the section in the AppleInsider piece titled Editing Messages is worth reading. It does a great job laying out the problem with editing messages and syncing those edits. Makes the patent mention that much more intriguing.

And if Apple does work out a system for doing this, maybe they can share the technique with Twitter.

The curious case of AnandTech’s faulty iPhone SE camera

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In a nutshell, the camera of AnandTech’s iPhone SE review unit produced less than spectacular images. When they contacted Apple, Apple replaced the phone and AnandTech saw what everyone else is seeing, great images, especially for a camera on a $399 phone. Jump to the article and you’ll see the before and after. Clearly a huge difference in camera quality.

Here’s the curious part:

The bad news is that we still don’t exactly know what went wrong with the first unit – what I don’t doubt is confirmed is that it suffered from a manufacturing defect in the optical system of the camera.

The problem with confirming such a scenario is that it’s very unlikely that I was extremely unlucky in being the sole person receiving such a sample, as usually one-off faults like these are insanely rare, with the more likely scenario being some sort of systematic failure for a whole batch of units.

The upshot? If you get an SE and are not happy with the images, it might be that your camera is part of the same batch that went to AnandTech. Check it against the before and after images in the article. This is the first such issue I’ve heard of, so it is possible it was just a single faulty unit, though that seems unlikely.

.org just escaped being turned for a profit

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ICANN:

On 13 November 2019, PIR announced that ISOC, its parent organization, had reached an agreement with Ethos Capital, under which Ethos Capital would acquire PIR and all of its assets from ISOC. Under the agreement, PIR would also be converted from a Pennsylvania not-for-profit corporation to a for-profit Pennsylvania limited liability company.

This was disappointing news. But yesterday:

Today, the ICANN Board made the decision to reject the proposed change of control and entity conversion request that Public Interest Registry (PIR) submitted to ICANN.

After completing extensive due diligence, the ICANN Board finds that withholding consent of the transfer of PIR from the Internet Society (ISOC) to Ethos Capital is reasonable, and the right thing to do.

Huzzah. And due diligence well done.

The iPhone SE battery drain test

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[VIDEO] This might not be a fair test, since the iPhone SE enters with, by far, the smallest battery capacity of the bunch.

The SE weighs in at 1821 mAh, while the next smallest is the iPhone 11 Pro, at 3046 mAh.

Still, if you’re considering an SE, good to have a sense of the battery capacity. Video embedded in main Loop post.

Apple is making it easier to unlock your iPhone with a mask on

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Todd Haselton, CNBC:

In the new iOS 13.5 beta 3 code, which was released to developers for testing on Wednesday, Apple simplifies the unlock process for folks wearing masks by bringing the passcode field to the main screen. All you need to do is swipe up if you’re wearing a mask, and you’ll skip the Face ID display and enter in a code instead.

Smart.

iOS 13.5 lets you turn off automatic face zooming in FaceTime

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You’ll find the new setting under Settings > FaceTime in the section AUTOMATIC PROMINENCE.

I’ve been doing a lot of Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime calls in coronavirus time. With more than two people on a call, the various approaches, and their flaws, become obvious.

I get the value of automatic prominence/face zooming. But it gets distracting, especially when you have many people on a call and several people are speaking at once. The tools to moderate large discussions are rudimentary, so the autocratic “mute all” seems to be the best play.

For me, no solution rises to the top. No one has really figured out the ideal solution, but hopefully the providers are learning from this experience and the next wave will be better.

Apple video: The Art of Music Production

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[VIDEO] Apple (about the video embedded in the main Loop post):

Follow hitmaking, Grammy-nominated songwriter and music producer Oak Felder as he creates a new song. Along the way, he speaks about music production, creating his own unique sound, working with the world’s top artists, and what it means for young artists to have access to powerful technology.

Felder is impressive. He’s six foot, five inches, 400 pounds, with a mohawk. He’s charming, articulate, and full of passion.

I get that this is a marketing piece for Apple, but I was drawn in by Oak Felder, his charisma and his obvious talent.

Apple releases new series of iOS betas with COVID-19 “exposure notification” API

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Chance Miller, 9to5Mac:

In conjunction with this, Apple and Google representatives say that they are also releasing the first seeds of the exposure notification API to public health authority developers. The goal, the companies say, is to collect feedback from those developers on how to improve the API ahead of its release in mid-May.

Here’s the setting that enables exposure notification:

https://twitter.com/_inside/status/1255549160981487622

And here’s what you’ll see when an app asks your permission to share your exposure data:

https://twitter.com/_inside/status/1255579037893898248

My concern is that not enough people will choose to participate in this process, at least in the early stages.

From this Bloomberg article, by Mark Gurman:

The first phase of the system will let health agencies build apps that allow a person who tests positive for Covid-19 to input their diagnosis. The system will then use Bluetooth technology to learn who the person has come into contact with and then notify those people of a possible exposure.

And:

A second phase of the project, to be released in the coming months, will have deeper integration with Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems to rely less on apps. Still, the first version of the program will require a software update for iPhones and a download from the Google Play store for Android phones.

Long term play. In the beginning, it’s all about creating a foundation, a system for privacy-respecting data collection. Deep iOS/Android OS integration will raise usage levels enough to make the data collected truly useful.

Maybe this won’t help so much in the short term, but when the second wave hits, this might be a game saver.

Apple Watch, the FDA, and COVID-19

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James R. Copland, CityJournal:

Millions of Americans own an Apple Watch, which commands roughly a 50 percent share of the smartwatch market. Among its many features, the Apple Watch can take your pulse. It also contains hardware to measure your blood-oxygen levels, and it has been doing so since the watch was released—but the hardware is not operable by the watch’s wearer, who thus cannot obtain the results. Under current FDA regulation, the function is disabled.

The article argues against federal regulation, and FDA overreach. That aside, what’s really interesting to me is the COVID-19 tie-in.

From this New York Times op-ed by longtime emergency doctor Richard Levitan:

We are just beginning to recognize that Covid pneumonia initially causes a form of oxygen deprivation we call “silent hypoxia” — “silent” because of its insidious, hard-to-detect nature.

And:

When Covid pneumonia first strikes, patients don’t feel short of breath, even as their oxygen levels fall. And by the time they do, they have alarmingly low oxygen levels and moderate-to-severe pneumonia (as seen on chest X-rays). Normal oxygen saturation for most persons at sea level is 94 to 100 percent; Covid pneumonia patients I saw had oxygen saturations as low as 50 percent.

And this is exactly what the Apple Watch’s built-in (but disabled) plethysmograph could prevent. If it doesn’t work, then no argument here. But if it works and the FDA’s testing would push off approval until, say, next year, this might be a time for an emergency exception. Lives are at stake.

Apple steering towards smart automobile windows

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TechXplore:

A recent patent filing offers a window into future forays by Apple into automotive design. Apple is exploring artificial intelligence systems that will enable future motorists to enjoy windows that continuously change characteristics as they drive.

Titled “Systems with adjustable windows,” U.S. Patent No. 10,625,580 envisions glass components that control light, reflection and heat conductance based on both user preference and sensory input.

I’ve always envisioned auto glass moving to edge-to-edge displays, combining see-through, heads up data displays for the driver, if there is one, and computer driven displays (that are transparent to the driver) with news, entertainment, etc., for the passengers. All of which are, as the article indicates, built to filter out the elements, as needed.

Will we ever see the fruits of Apple’s automotive efforts? Who knows.

Cellebrite pitches data-siphoning solution to COVID-19

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Reuters:

Cellebrite is pitching the same capability to help authorities learn who a coronavirus sufferer may have infected. When someone tests positive, authorities can siphon up the patient’s location data and contacts, making it easy to “quarantine the right people,” according to a Cellebrite email pitch to the Delhi police force this month.

Just iPhone their data and contacts. You’ll get permission first, right?

This would usually be done with consent, the email said. But in legally justified cases, such as when a patient violates a law against public gatherings, police could use the tools to break into a confiscated device, Cellebrite advised.

And:

“We do not need the phone passcode to collect the data”

What could go wrong? The mind reels.

Apple Maps now shows COVID-19 testing sites across the US

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Joe Fingas, Engadget:

As hinted earlier, Apple has started displaying COVID-19 testing sites in Maps. People in all 50 states and Puerto Rico can use Apple’s default navigation app to quickly find a place to get checked, whether it’s a hospital, urgent care clinic, pharmacy or dedicated testing site. The facilities also fall under a new “COVID-19 Testing” search category that’s prioritized alongside other essentials like groceries and healthcare.

To see this yourself, fire up Maps, tap in the search field, then scroll down past Recent Searches to the section labeled Search Nearby. COVID-19 Testing should be first on that list. Tap it, then testing centers near you should appear on the map.

Each location is marked with an icon:

  • Hospitals are marked with a “+”
  • Clinics and others are marked with a “*”
  • Military locations are marked with a stethoscope icon

Or that appears to be the scheme. I’ve found exceptions, so it’s possible there’s more to it than that. If you know the specifics, ping me, I’ll update the post.

NHS rejects Apple-Google coronavirus app plan

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Leo Kelion, BBC News:

The UK’s coronavirus contact-tracing app is set to use a different model to the one proposed by Apple and Google, despite concerns raised about privacy and performance.

And:

The NHS says it has a way to make the software work “sufficiently well” on iPhones without users having to keep it active and on-screen.

And:

It has opted for a “centralised model” to achieve this – meaning that the matching process, which works out which phones to send alerts to – happens on a computer server.

This contrasts with Apple and Google’s “decentralised” approach – where the matches take place on users’ handsets.

With this basic premise in mind, go read Ben Lovejoy’s piece, titled It’s no exaggeration to say UK rejection of Apple API will cost lives. Smart take.

Rene Ritchie and iJustine talk Final Cut Pro for iPad

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[VIDEO] Rene Ritchie and iJustine make their livings using Final Cut Pro on the Mac. In this video (embedded in the main Loop post), they discuss the rumored emergence of Final Cut Pro for iPad. Lots of detail, smart questions.

Two things that stand out for me are the issues of RAM and storage space/management. How will iPad support resource hungry projects that take advantage of the much large RAM/storage of a specced out MacBook Pro or Mac Pro?

It’s all speculation, so take with a grain of salt, but this is a good case study if you are considering an iPad as a Mac replacement.

Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca film festivals to align for free, online COVID-19 YouTube festival

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Variety:

We Are One: A Global Film Festival is being produced and organized by New York’s Tribeca Enterprises. The YouTube-hosted event will feature programming from 20 top film festivals including the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival and Venice Film Festival.

Great idea. Can’t wait. The festival will benefit COVID-19 charities, and will run from May 29-June 7.

Here’s a link to the We Are One festival YouTube page.

Apple retail chief sees ‘many more’ store reopenings in May

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Mark Gurman, Bloomberg:

Deirdre O’Brien, vice president of retail and people, made the disclosure in a weekly video update, according to retail employees familiar with the matter. She didn’t specify which stores or regions, but said “we are continuing to analyze this health situation in every location, and I do expect we will reopen up many more stores in May.”

Tantalizing, but wish there was more detail. Is this a slow regional spread from the Seoul Apple Store that opened earlier this month? Will we see Apple Stores open in the US? UK? EU? Standalone stores first, mall locations last?

The incredibly well balanced design of the Magic Keyboard (try this at home)

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Saw this tweet, my brain kind of exploded:

https://twitter.com/MattVanOrmer/status/1253826835529584641

Thought it might be some kind of trick, but no, I asked, Matt assured me that it was real.

And got this video from Matt Birchler in reply:

https://twitter.com/mattbirchler/status/1254760427277475841

I absolutely love the balance here, the stability. And look forward to a day when I can try one of these out on an airplane tray table.

Apple Watch designer reveals history of faces and features on fifth anniversary

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Michael Potuck, 9to5Mac:

Imran Chaudhri spent over 20 years at Apple and helped create the company’s hero products like iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Now on the fifth anniversary of Apple’s highly successful wearable, Chaudhri has shared some neat details on the history of what went into creating the Apple Watch‘s faces and features.

Nice collection of tweets from Chaudrhi, worth scrolling through.

Amazing to think back to that first Apple Watch, entering a crowded, clunky, smart watch market, tiny in comparison to the gigantic mechanical watch market. Oh how things have changed.

Here are the parts you can swap between the new iPhone SE and iPhone 8

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iFixit, from the comparison teardowns of the iPhone SE and iPhone 8:

iPhone SE’s cameras, SIM tray, Taptic Engine, and display assembly (including the microphone and proximity sensor) are all swappable with iPhone 8 parts.

And:

That screen should be cheaper to replace than any new iPhone we’ve seen in years. However, as with any modern iPhone screen swap, you will lose True Tone unless you have access to a screen programmer.

And:

Home buttons are still not interchangeable—you’ll need to hold on to your original home button in the event of a repair, substitute an aftermarket home button with no Touch ID, or else pay Apple whatever they ask to fix it for you.

And:

Although the battery looks identical, the battery’s logic board connector differs from the one in the 8, so they don’t fit together. The SE will connect to an iPhone 11 battery, which uses the same connector—but it won’t turn on. And, sadly, this seemingly throwback phone has some very modern Apple roadblocks inside. You can’t even swap one genuine iPhone SE 2020 battery for another without triggering a “not a genuine Apple battery” service warning.

Barriers to self-repair. But at the same time, keyed parts to keep repairs from going wrong. Interesting article.

Germany flips to Apple-Google approach on smartphone contact tracing

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Reuters:

In Europe, most countries have chosen short-range Bluetooth “handshakes” between mobile devices as the best way of registering a potential contact, even though it does not provide location data.

But they have disagreed about whether to log such contacts on individual devices or on a central server – which would be more directly useful to existing contact tracing teams that work phones and knock on doors to warn those who may be at risk.

Related note (via this MacRumors post):

Apple and Google are now referring to “contact tracing” as “exposure notification,” which the companies believe better describes the functionality of their upcoming API. The system is intended to notify a person of potential exposure, augmenting broader contact tracing efforts that public health authorities are undertaking.

See also the embedded Exposure Notification FAQ from the Apple/Google team. Can’t help but wonder if the name change from contact tracing to exposure notification was an attempt to ease EU concerns about privacy.

Connecting the iPhone SE display to an iPhone 8

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[VIDEO] If you teardown an iPhone SE and an iPhone 8, they look remarkably similar. We know the SE brings big camera and processor upgrades, but watch the video embedded in the main Loop post (it’s short) to get a sense of how much has stayed the same.

What matters in a phone?

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Matt Birchler:

I look at my brand spanking new iPhone (which I of course will likely replace in 5 short months) and while I love how it looks, how fast it runs, Face ID, and how good the cameras are, I keep wandering over to the iPhone SE page on Apple’s site and keep looking for the “gotcha” moment. What is the Achille’s heel that makes this actually a bad phone for someone like me who likes the best in phones?

So far, I can’t really find one.

The primary differences are Face ID, screen real estate, extra camera features. Toughest to give up, for me, would be the extra screen real estate. But I like Touch ID (not as convenient as Face ID, but it has its own convenience), and the iPhone SE camera is an excellent camera, I’d guess good enough for most folks.

And the cost saving is significant.

So when I see the $399 iPhone SE with 5 years of likely updates, with a really good single lens camera, and with it’s processor that’s faster than all 2020 $1,000+ Android phones, and will likely still be faster than all 2021 Android phones…well, it just looks like a damn good phone, and it makes it look like we’ve been frolicking around in excess for years now.

Practical vs luxury.

Apple TV+: Beastie Boys, Defending Jacob go live, Apple lands Paul Rudd/WillFerrell limited series

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If you’ve been looking forward to the Apple TV+ show Defending Jacob or the History of the Beastie Boys documentary, today’s the day. Both are now live.

In other news, from this Apple media release:

Directed by Michael Showalter (“The Big Sick,” “The Lovebirds”) and based on the script by Emmy, Golden Globe, BAFTA, WGA Award winner Georgia Pritchett (“Succession,” “Veep”), “The Shrink Next Door” is a dark comedy inspired by true events that detail the bizarre relationship between psychiatrist to the stars Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf, played by Paul Rudd, and his longtime patient Martin “Marty” Markowitz, played by Will Ferrell. Over the course of their relationship, the all-too-charming Ike slowly takes over Marty’s life, even moving into Marty’s Hamptons home and taking over his family business.

The series is based on this podcast. Sounds like some dark, dark comedy.

Bloomberg: Apple aims to sell Macs with its own chips starting in 2021

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Bloomberg:

Apple Inc. is planning to start selling Mac computers with its own main processors by next year, relying on designs that helped popularize the iPhone and iPad, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is working on three of its own Mac processors, known as systems-on-a-chip, based on the A14 processor in the next iPhone. The first of these will be much faster than the processors in the iPhone and iPad, the people said.

And:

Apple is preparing to release at least one Mac with its own chip next year, according to the people. But the initiative to develop multiple chips, codenamed Kalamata, suggests the company will transition more of its Mac lineup away from current supplier Intel Corp.

Take with a grain of salt. It’s a rumor. But a believable one, very believable. So logical that Apple would want their own processors in every device they make.

Add in the recent rumors about Xcode coming to iPad Pro (big grain of salt, but still), and it all seems so inevitable.

Rene Ritchie, video review of iPhone SE

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[VIDEO] Typical Rene Ritchie video: Lots of detail, story well-told, well-filmed, well worth watching. Video embedded in main Loop post.

Interesting side note: Rene filmed this with chapter markers (they are detailed about 25 seconds in). Though the chapter markers do show up for me (as breaks in the progress indicator at the bottom of the video) in Chrome, they do not show up in Safari. But they do show up for Rene in the same version of Safari (I asked).

Anyone know why this would be? We’re both running the latest public release of Catalina and Safari. Ping me if you know why this is happening.

The cheapest iPhone has a more powerful processor than the most expensive Android phone

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AndroidCentral:

I expect that some people are going to tell me about single thread versus multi-threaded performance and how the A13 GPU isn’t that great or how iPhones have much lower resolution screens so the chips don’t have to work as hard. All this is true, but another thing is true: the A13 is a stronger chip than the Snapdragon 865 for daily use in every category

I love when Apple gear appreciation pieces appear on Android sites. It’s one thing when Apple folk rave about the new shiny. But so much more credible when that appreciation comes from a traditional critic

Also, what a strong headline.