It shows the state I’m currently in that when I saw the iOS 13.4 update on the iPhone this morning I did a little fist bump in bed. Am I proud? No, but if I’m going to survive this lockdown, I need to take the little victories where I can.
But yeah, Apple’s iOS 13.4 update is here, so go download it I guess? It’s not like there’s anything better to do.
What’s that? Yeah, you’re right! It’s not just iPhones that are getting this update. A raft of Apple devices have received updates today, the most glorious of days.
The 13.4 update was delivered to tvOS, iPadOS, and iOS devices. While your Apple computer would’ve received macOS Catalina 10.15.4, and your Apple Watch, if you’re blessed enough to have one, could now be rocking watchOS 6.2. You lucky thing.
Scroll down past the rumor (which turned out to be incorrect, but it was close enough, so what are you going to do? These are wild times) and you’ll see a collection of all the updates you’ll receive on your iPhone and iPad.
For the lazy people who can’t be arsed to click (I feel you), I’m going to give you some bullet points of the most interesting features. Ready? Are you sure? Great:
iPad trackpad and cursor support — pretty self-explanatory, but it’s a way of making an iPad Pro closer to a computer.
Universal app purchases — the iOS 13.4 update now means you can buy a single app and, if the developers choose to enable this feature, it can appear on all your supported devices.
iCloud folder sharing — you’re now able to share specific folders with people using iCloud.
There are some other features (like CarKey support), but the above three will be the ones you, the user, will notice the most.
And what about macOS Catalina 10.15.4 and watchOS 6.2?
Ohhh, you’re interested in more than just the iOS 13.4 update, huh? Well, who can blame you!
The macOS Catalina 10.15.4 update isn’t a particularly big one, but there are some interesting points. For example, there’ll be the aforementioned iCloud folder sharing support, an expanded version of Screen Time to bring it more in line with the iPhone, and you’ll be able to see lyrics on the Apple Music app.
There isn’t a huge amount there with the watchOS 6.2 update, but let’s have a look anyway. The biggest thing is there’s now support for in-app purchases on the Apple Watch. And, if you live in New Zealand, Turkey, or Chile, you can now use the ECG feature.
What should we do?
Download the iOS 13.4 update, of course! Is it going to change your life? Well, I’m not gonna tell you how to feel, but I did enjoy watching that little bar move across the screen. I’d say it’s probably been the highlight of my quarantined day so far.
Take from that what you will.
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MONTREAL – Lightspeed Commerce Inc. says it is conducting a review of its business and operations including talks relating to a range of potential strategic alternatives.
The Montreal-based payments technology company made the comments after reports concerning a potential transaction involving the company.
Lightspeed says it periodically undertakes a review of its business and operations with a view of realizing its full potential.
A strategic review is often seen by investors as a prelude to a sale by a company.
Lightspeed says its board of directors is committed to acting in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.
Company founder Dax Dasilva returned to the role of chief executive officer earlier this year and has been working to return the company to profitability.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
OTTAWA – Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says there is a lot of uncertainty around how artificial intelligence could affect the economy moving forward, including the labour market and price growth.
In a speech in Toronto at the Economics of Artificial Intelligence Conference, the governor said Friday that the central bank is approaching the issue cautiously to get a better understanding of how AI could affect its job of keeping inflation low and stable.
“Be wary of anyone who claims to know where AI will take us. There is too much uncertainty to be confident,” Macklem said in prepared remarks.
“We don’t know how quickly AI will continue to advance. And we don’t know the timing and extent of its economic and social impacts.”
The governor said AI has the potential of increasing labour productivity, which would raise living standards and grow the economy without boosting inflation.
In the short-term, he said investment in AI is adding to demand and could be inflationary.
However, Macklem also highlighted more pessimistic scenarios, where AI could destroy more jobs than it creates or lead to less competition rather than more.
The governor called on academics and businesses to work together to shed more light on the potential effects of AI on the economy.
“When you enter a dark room, you don’t go charging in. You cautiously feel your way around. And you try to find the light switch. That is what we are doing. What we central bankers need is more light,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
