August 31 update: Apple confirms the termination of Epic Games’ App Store account, more details on the new iPads have leaked; post originally published August 28.
Taking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes the latest iPhone 12 leaks, new iPhone display problems, saying goodbye to the MacBook Pro, more speed for the largest macOS laptop, new iPads and Apple Watches confirmed, Fortnite’s latest move, and Apple’s potential search engine.
Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro Max has been widely expected to ship with a fast refresh on the screen with the 120 Hz Pro Motion seen in the iPad. Supply chain issues, due in part to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, may mean that iPhone misses out on the new screen technology this year. UNfortunatly, the design of the screen has some big problems compared to the competition, as I reported earlier this week:
“While it will come with smaller bezels compared to previous models, put them side by side with some of the latest Android flagships such as the Galaxy S20 Ultra and you’ll see that Apple’s bezels are nowhere close to the current vision of a premium screen. If your only point of reference is the iPhone 11, then yes, it’s a great upgrade, but there’s more to the smartphone market than Apple.
“And that’s not going to be the most noticeable problem. The notch is still ridiculously wide.”
Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro Max render showing the camera + LiDAR design everyone expected.
Svetapple
iPhone 12 Camera Surprise
What does look like an improvement in the high-end iPhone 12 models is the camera. Apple was already expected to use the LiDAR sensor already seen in the iPad, but brought to the smartphone. The latest leak shows not only the LiDAR sensor, but also improvements over the iPad equivalent. Forbes’ Gordon Kelly reports:
“Apple was widely tipped to add the LiDAR sensor by shifting the iPhone 11’s triangular camera setup into a square design of four equal sized lenses (three cameras, one LiDAR sensor). Instead, the case shows Apple has kept the same layout and managed to shrink the LiDAR sensor down significantly from the large module first seen in the iPad Pro in March. The result is a sensor which is as small as the LED flash and can nestle into the bottom right corner of the camera hump.”
Goodbye To The MacBook Pro As We Know It
It’s time to say goodbye to the MacBook Pro as we know it. With the introduction of ARM processors for the Mac platform, the next flagship laptop from Apple will have new chips, a new board design, new screens, innovative hardware updates, and more. It will still be called a MacBook Pro, but it will be leaving countless users behind. How will Apple manage the current MacBook base while pushing forward with something radically different? It’s a question I posed earlier this week:”
“The historical move from PowerPC to Intel saw Apple support the older architecture for four years. Is four years of support for an Intel machine purchased in 2020 enough? Given macOS Catalina supports Mac machines from 2013, I think the answer is no.
“Consumers who have put their trust in Apple by purchasing a new Intel MacBook this year will not want to be short-changed by Apple’s tendency to push forward to the future by breaking older technology.”
Of course right now the only MacBooks in town are Intel-powered MacBooks. Apple is planning a small update to its largest laptop. Whether the move from Intel’s ninth-generation chipset to the tenth-generation (brining it in line with the 2020 updates for the 13-inch Pro and the Air) is enough to bring more users to a platform arguably near the end of its lie remains to be seen. Darren Allan reports:
So, if this speculation is right – exercise caution as ever around anything from the rumor mill – we are likely looking at 10th-gen Intel processors and beefier GPUs for the MacBook Pro 16-inch, with the FaceTime camera being upgraded from 720p to Full HD resolution.
A Treasure Trove Of iPads And Apple Watches
Thanks to the certifications listed on the website of the Eurasian Economic Commission, a number of new Apple Watches and iPads have been effectively confirmed. William Gallagher reports:
“As previously rumored, the “Apple Watch Series 6” and new iPads are now expected to be soon released by Apple, following a listing on the Eurasian Economic Commission’s regulatory database. A total of seven new iPad SKUs — so one or more models with multiple configurations — and eight Apple Watches are listed.
“The new filings with the EEC found by Consomac show the iPads as running iPadOS 14. Similarly, the Watches are all shown as running watchOS 7.”
August 31 update: More details on the new iPads have leaked out, and the non-Pro iPads are growing in stature and power. Not only is it expected to sport USB-C connectivity, but also picking up biometric security with FaceID. David Nield reports for TechRadar:
“While a 10.8-inch iPad has been tipped for a 2020 launch in the past – by well-respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo no less – it would seem strange for the cheapest iPad to include Face ID while the more expensive iPad Air sticks with Touch ID (albeit on the power button).
“It is of course possible that one or both of these leaks aren’t accurate or authentic, or that they don’t refer to the iPad models that they think they do. That said, it does seem the right time for Apple to bring more uniformity to the design of its iPad range, across all the different models and price points.”
Epic, Apple, Fortnite, Unreal, and the Courts
The battles between Epic Games and Apple continued this week. Following Apple’s notification that it would be removing Epic Games access to Apple’s developer ecosystem – which would directly impact the Unreal engine used by countless developers – on top of the removal of Fortnite from the App Store, the companies have been in court as Epic sought a temporary restraining order on Apple. Manish Singh reports:
“A district court denied Epic Games’ motion to temporarily restore the Fortnite game to the iOS App Store, but also ordered Apple to not block the gaming giant’s ability to provide and distribute Unreal Engine on the iPhone-maker’s ecosystem in a mixed-ruling delivered Monday evening.
“U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said Apple can’t retaliate against Epic Games by blocking the gaming firm’s developer accounts or restrict developers on Apple platforms from accessing the widely used Unreal Engine tools.”
More at TechCrunch. meanwhile Epic Games is continuing the PR fight inside Fortnite, but it’s all starting to look a bit undignified to Paul Tassi:
“Meanwhile, this public-facing anti-Apple campaign is doing…what, exactly? The idea seems to be that a bunch of kids try to log on to Fortnite on their iPhones at season 4 start and they can’t get the new battle pass so they…complain to their parents? Their parents…call Apple? Complain online? I really don’t understand the call to action here, and all Epic seems to be doing is highlighting the futility of their fight, however correct they may be in pointing out Apple’s monopolistic position.”
Action Taken On Epic Games’ Account
August 30 update: As expected, Apple revoked Epic Games’ App Store account that was tied to Fortnite (and other Epic titles, including the Infinity Blade series). Heading to the App Store through direct links to the apps will show “this app is currently not available in your country or region”. Following the early legal ruling, the separate account for the Unreal gaming engine remains active. Filipe Espósito reports:
“It’s worth mentioning that Epic Games has an alternative Apple account to manage its Unreal Engine, which according to a judge cannot be blocked by Apple in retaliation for the Fortnite situation. The account that was blocked today was only used to offer Fortnite and some other apps from Epic, which consequently will now prevent the company from offering any updates to its game on Apple platforms.”
Apple has confirmed the move with an official statement:
“We are disappointed that we have had to terminate the Epic Games account on the App Store. We have worked with the team at Epic Games for many years on their launches and releases. The court recommended that Epic comply with the App Store guidelines while their case moves forward, guidelines they’ve followed for the past decade until they created this situation. Epic has refused. Instead they repeatedly submit Fortnite updates designed to violate the guidelines of the App Store. This is not fair to all other developers on the App Store and is putting customers in the middle of their fight. We hope that we can work together again in the future, but unfortunately that is not possible today.”
And Finally…
Is Apple preparing to launch a Search Engine? It’s a curious question The potential of having a search engine deeming embedded into iOS, and one that does not rely on external advertising to finance it feels very Apple especially when you consider its possession of other parts of the ecosystem. Fanciful? Perhaps. Yet AppleBot s acting more like GoogleBot since the July update. Jon Henshaw has thoughts:
“Apple is investing heavily in search, as shown in their job postings for search engineers. The job listings reveal they incorporate AI, ML, NLP, and more into all of their services and apps.
“It’s not clear if Apple uses Bing anymore, as results are labeled only as Siri Suggestions. It is clear that Apple has started to return search results within Spotlight Search and is completely bypassing Google altogether.”
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
