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OhMiBod debuts an Apple Watch app for its remote vibrators
OhMiBod's power to let folks connect with one another from opposite ends of the internet just got a little bit bigger. The company has announced that it is building both an Apple Watch app, something it originally pledged to do back in 2015, as well as an Alexa Skill for its pleasure products. Apple Watch users will be able to use their heart rate -- via the Pulse feature -- to control the intensity of its Bluetooth-enabled vibrators.
Sling TV rolls out improved UI features on Apple TV
Apple TV users are getting some new Sling TV features that will make it easier to find and watch shows. Sling said the updates are geared towards being more "content-centric" and they include changes to the main guide, content information views and remote capabilities.
Apple blames China struggles and slow iPhone upgrades for earnings miss
Smartphone sales are struggling, and Apple is now feeling the pinch from that decline. The tech firm has lowered its guidance for its first fiscal quarter (October to December of last year) from a minimum of $89 billion down to $84 billion due to a variety of factors, most notably due to "fewer iPhone upgrades than we had anticipated." Most of the shortfall, Apple said, stemmed from China's weak economy.
NPR-led system will track podcast listening behavior
Podcast creators typically don't know much about your listening habits. They can track downloads, but they seldom know when you've skipped an ad or left an episode unfinished. NPR, however, aims to fix that. It recently partnered with a host of companies to introduce Remote Audio Data, a way to share listening metrics directly from podcast apps while theoretically protecting your privacy. A total of 13 organizations have committed to using RAD in 2019 (including mainstays like PRI/PRX and RadioPublic), while the 10 companies supporting the effort include Google, ESPN, iHeartMedia and the New York Times.
AT&T portable battery will charge both your Apple Watch and iPhone
Apple's AirPower charging mat may be a no-show, but that doesn't mean you're out of luck if you want a multi-device charger from a big-name brand. Entries at both the FCC and the Wireless Power Consortium have revealed that AT&T is working on the Power Drum, a portable wireless charger and battery bank meant to top up both an Apple Watch and a recent iPhone (or really, any Qi-compatible smartphone). While the concept isn't completely novel, it's very compact -- the biggest issue is the 3,000mAh battery, which could handle an overnight stay but not much more.
Austria plans its own tax for tech giants like Apple and Google
France isn't the only European country moving forward with plans to tax international tech giants. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has announced that it will introduce its own tax on Apple, Facebook, Google and other companies allegedly dodging their fair share. Most details aren't available at this stage, but you'll get a basic outline in early January. It would take effect as part of broader tax reforms in 2020.
Netflix kills in-app subscriptions on Apple hardware
New and returning Netflix subscribers with iOS devices will find themselves unable to sign up through the iOS app. The streaming platform has confirmed to VentureBeat that it no longer supports "iTunes as a method of payment for new members." It started testing the change in select markets back in August and rolled it out to everyone in the world in November. Those who want to pay for a subscription will now have to do so via the platform's website. That includes those who used to pay via iTunes if it's been a month since they canceled their subscription.
Apple may start building the iPhone XS and XR in India next year
Apple will reportedly start building its most expensive phones, including the iPhone X, XS and XR, in India starting in 2019, according to Reuters. Assembly of the devices will take place at a plant in Sriperumbudur operated by controversial tech manufacturing firm Foxconn. Apple has struggled to gain footing in the region where the company has faced slow sales and an executive exodus.
Fake Alexa setup app is topping Apple's App Store charts
If you received a new Alexa device over the holidays and are working on setting it up, be warned that a fake Alexa setup app has been making its way up Apple's App Store charts. The app is called "Setup for Amazon Alexa" and it's from a company called One World Software that, as 9to5Mac points out, has two other shady apps in the App Store as well. As of writing, the app was ranked at #75 in the "Top Free" apps list and #6 in the list of top utilities apps.
Recommended Reading: The best of 2018
Surface Go is Microsoft's big bet on a tiny-computer future Lauren Goode, Wired We're taking a look back at the most popular Recommended Reading stories of the year this week. At the top of the list is Wired's detailed piece on the $399 Surface Go, Microsoft's long-rumored smaller Surface device. Other popular RR entries this year cover Alexa and Google Assistant, an interview with Tim Cook, election hacking and fake news.
Apple responds to reports of bent iPad Pros
Earlier this week, Apple reportedly acknowledged some iPad Pros to ship with a slight bend in the body and said it won't be replacing them. In an email obtained by 9to5Mac, the company's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering Dan Riccio doubled down on the position, stating the device "meets or exceeds all of Apple's high quality standards of design and precision manufacturing."
Google's former AI chief is now an Apple VP
Apple has added John Giannandrea to its executive team, less than a year after he left Google to join its rival. Giannandrea has been appointed as the senior vice president of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a new role that shows Cupertino is getting more serious with AI development. The new exec, who used to be Mountain View's AI and search chief, oversees the development of Siri and Apple's Core ML software that developers can use to add machine learning capabilities into their apps.
Apple received over 32,000 user data requests in six months
Apple's bi-annual transparency report is here and it now has its own interactive page on Apple's website. As usual, it details the personal data requests Apple received from governments worldwide. Only the new look makes it easier to review and digest thanks to a slider at the bottom that lets you scroll through report cards for each country. And if you're a fan of the old ways, you can still download a PDF crammed with the same data.
German court bans some iPhone sales over Qualcomm dispute
A court in Munich, Germany ordered an injunction against Apple that will prevent the company from selling some iPhones in the country, Reuters reported. The decision comes as part of an ongoing legal battle between the iPhone maker and chip manufacturer Qualcomm. Apple plans to appeal the ruling, but the company will stop selling the iPhone 7 and 8 during the appeal process. Those devices, as well as other iPhone models, will continue to be sold through carriers and third-party retailers in the country.
Apple's new rules can make gifts out of in-app purchases
It looks like Apple will soon allow users to gift in-app purchases to friends and family thanks to a recent change to the company's App Store Guidelines. First spotted by MacRumors, the updated text shows developers can allow people to buy in-app purchases for one another. That includes everything from ongoing subscriptions to one-off boosts. Apple's policy previously barred such gifts.
Didn’t think Facebook could get any worse? Think again.
Just about 24 hours ago, we published a story recapping Facebook's terrible 2018. But the year isn't over, and it looks like the drama is going to continue until the bitter end. According to an investigation by The New York Times that cites interviews with more than 60 people, including former Facebook employees, the company gave Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, Spotify and other tech firms far greater access to user data than previously disclosed. Earlier this month, the paper reported how some of these companies were receiving favored access to people's information, but we didn't know it was allegedly giving certain ones the ability to read, write and delete private messages.
Apple TV's zero sign-on is live, starting with Charter Spectrum
Charter Spectrum support for the new zero sign-on feature for Apple TV is now live. The feature, announced earlier this year, automatically signs into apps that require a cable subscription when the device connected to internet service from the same provider. If you're a Spectrum subscriber, you should now be able to access content in any app just by connecting your Apple TV to your Spectrum network.
Alexa will work with Apple Music on third-party devices 'soon'
Now that Apple Music streams on Echo speakers, there's an obvious question: will third-party devices join the party? Thankfully, the answer is yes. An Amazon spokesperson has informed Mashable that Apple's streaming service "will be coming to other Alexa-enabled devices soon." It didn't say how widespread access would become, although it wouldn't be surprising if the company opens the floodgates instead of cherry-picking non-Echo hardware.
Twitter's chronological timeline button is here to stay
Nearly two months ago, Twitter began testing a feature that made it easier for users to see the latest tweets on their feed first, rather than the ones pushed by the company's algorithm. It's a toggle dressed as a sparkle icon that lives above the home timeline, which keeps you from having to go deep into your Twitter settings to get that purely chronological view. Certain iOS users have had access to this since October, but today Twitter is making the change permanent and rolling it out to everyone on Apple's platform. Twitter's Android app as well as its website are getting the new magic button, too, but that won't be coming until after the holidays.
Apple adds 'Fast & Furious' director Justin Lin to its TV talent pool
Justin Lin is the latest to join Apple's ever-growing pool of TV talent as he and his Perfect Storm Entertainment production company have now signed an overall TV deal with Apple. It's a multi-year agreement, according to Deadline, and under it, Lin will develop, produce and direct TV series for Apple's upcoming service. Known for directing a number of Fast and the Furious installments -- including the franchise's upcoming ninth and tenth films -- as well as Star Trek: Beyond, Lin has also produced TV series such as Scorpion, S.W.A.T. and CBS' Magnum P.I. reboot.
