Apple news

• TikTok crosses 2 billion downloads after ‘best quarter for any app ever’

  29-04-2020 23:48 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  The viral social media app TikTok has officially crossed 2 billion downloads across iOS and Android, according to new data from SensorTower. This milestone comes just five months after the app hit 1.5 billion downloads.more…
  The post TikTok crosses 2 billion downloads after ‘best quarter for any app ever’ appeared first on 9to5Mac.
  
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• Best Buy laptop deals: Save up to $250 on midrange models - CNET

  29-04-2020 23:37
  
  Save on laptops from Asus, Dell, Lenovo and Microsoft.
  
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• Ford shortens SiriusXM trials in 2021 vehicles, report says - CNET

  29-04-2020 23:33
  
  Ford has long provided six months of SiriusXM as a new-owner benefit, but the company's cutting that in half.
  
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• How to manage COVID-19 exposure notifications on iPhone

  29-04-2020 23:28 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Apple and Google have partnered on offering a secure and private coronavirus contact tracing implementation on iOS and Android. Follow along for where to find the on/off toggle for COVID-19 contact tracing on iPhone in iOS settings.more…
  The post How to manage COVID-19 exposure notifications on iPhone appeared first on 9to5Mac.
  
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• iRobot pauses launch of its Terra robotic lawn mower - CNET

  29-04-2020 23:26
  
  The Roomba-maker drops plans for a 2020 launch of its Terra robotic lawn mower in the US.
  
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• Spinosaurus fossil discovery rewrites history of swimming dinosaurs - CNET

  29-04-2020 23:21
  
  Fossilized tail bones indicate Spinosaurus, a menacing dinosaur bigger than T. rex, was definitely able to swim.
  
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• NASA's daring Mars helicopter gets fitting name, Ingenuity, thanks to teen - CNET

  29-04-2020 23:09
  
  The NASA Perseverance rover will carry an actual (small) helicopter to Mars.
  
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• Maple Media purchases podcast app Player FM to expand podcast presence

  29-04-2020 23:09 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Maple Media has purchased popular podcast app Player FM. Player FM was one of the top 10 download podcast apps on the App Store and Google Play store during March. Acquisitions of podcast apps seem to be a coming trend after both Pocket Casts and Castro were purchased. Pocket Casts was purchased by WNYC, NPR, WBEZ, and This American Life. Castro was purchased by the owners of Dribble. more…
  The post Maple Media purchases podcast app Player FM to expand podcast presence appeared firs
  
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• Quibi, Wish, JetBlue and others leaked users' email addresses, researcher finds - CNET

  29-04-2020 23:02
  
  Emails were leaked to Google, Facebook, Pinterest and others
  
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• Chip technology firm Arm Inc. to ease fees for startups, join incubator

  29-04-2020 23:02 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Arm Inc, owned by Japan’s Softbank Group Corp, whose chip technologies power most smartphones, said on Wednesday it was easing fees for startup companies and providing free offerings to an incubator for early-stage chip firms.
  Arm licenses its intellectual property to companies like Apple which in turn uses the technology in Apple-designed chips for iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, and other devices.
  Apple’s Arm-based A13 Bionic SoC
  Stephen Nellis for Reuters:Arm charges a range of licensi
  
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• Assassin's Creed Valhalla confirms next game set in Viking Age - CNET

  29-04-2020 22:59
  
  The setting was revealed during a livestream of artist BossLogic creating a unique piece for the game.
  
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• Busy Group FaceTime call? iOS 13.5 lets you turn off automatic face zooming

  29-04-2020 22:52 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  With everyone stuck at home, more and more people are resorting to video chat tools like FaceTime to stay connected. Apple is adding a new setting in iOS 13.5 to improve the experience on a busy Group FaceTime call…more…
  The post Busy Group FaceTime call? iOS 13.5 lets you turn off automatic face zooming appeared first on 9to5Mac.
  
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• Today only: Keep tabs on your dog with a Whistle Go tracker, get a $30 collar for free - CNET

  29-04-2020 22:50
  
  Get Whistle's Twist & Go collar for free when you buy a Whistle Go or Whistle Go Explore.
  
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• Tesla Q1 2020 investor report: Hot damn, the Big T is still profitable! - CNET

  29-04-2020 22:46
  
  Despite a number of challenges that worked against the electric car giant during the early part of 2020, Tesla was still able to turn a profit for the first time in a first quarter.
  
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• Be a Mother's Day hero: Save 20% on photo restoration software and fix your mom's photos - CNET

  29-04-2020 22:44
  
  This AI-powered photo editing software can bring out hidden color and detail in old scanned prints, slides and documents.
  
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• Qualcomm expects a steep drop in phone shipments as coronavirus hurts demand - CNET

  29-04-2020 22:42
  
  The company warned that phone sales will be hurt by the pandemic.
  
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• Facebook sees strong user growth amid coronavirus pandemic - CNET

  29-04-2020 22:26
  
  A total of 2.6 billion people are using the social network every month.
  
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• Need a pulse oximeter? These models are in stock starting at $24 - CNET

  29-04-2020 22:25
  
  Don't pay jacked-up prices to measure your heart rate and blood oxygen saturation.
  
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• Most Americans are not willing or able to use a contact tracing app

  29-04-2020 22:16 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Apple and Google have released the first version of their COVID-19 contact tracing app API (they’ve rebranded it as “exposure notification”) in a new developer release. The firms are looking to collect feedback from developers who will be using the API to create new contact tracing (“exposure notification”) apps.
  In the U.S., it’s very likely a quixotic exercise, as nearly 3 in 5 Americans say they are either unable or unwilling to use the infection-alert syst
  
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• Apple’s iPhone 11 is the best-selling smartphone in China for Q1

  29-04-2020 21:51 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  In the calendar first quarter of 2020, Apple’s iPhone 11 reamined the best-selling smartphone in China, having topped China’s best-selling models list for 7 consecutive months.
  Smartphone sales in China fell by 22% YoY and 24% QoQ in Q1 2020 due to the impact ofCOVID-19 Pandemic, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s Market Pulse—Monthly Smartphone Sales Tracking service. The top five OEMs HOVX (Huawei, OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi) and Apple accounted for a record 9
  
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• Apple makes iPhones easier to unlock without Face ID as many wear masks - CNET

  29-04-2020 21:41
  
  The beta feature comes during the spread of the coronavirus.
  
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• Apple is making iPhones easier to unlock without Face ID while many wear masks - CNET

  29-04-2020 21:41
  
  The beta feature comes during the spread of the coronavirus.
  
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• iOS and iPadOS 13.5 beta is available with initial contact tracing API, faster passcode for Face ID failures

  29-04-2020 21:35 via macworld.com
  
  Having released iOS and iPadOS 13.4 on March 24 with big new features like trackpad and mouse support for iPads and iCloud folder sharing, Apple is moving on to its next minor release.Apple released iOS 13.4.1 without a beta test, and then started realeasing beta versions of 13.4.5 that primarily included only bug fixes. On April 29, without ever releasing 13.4.5, Apple released what it calls “beta 3” of iOS 13.5. This is just a continuation of the 13.4.5 beta releases, upgraded to
  
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• Rumor: Sonos adopting Dolby Atmos with new Playbar, Play:5 and Sub updates also on the way

  29-04-2020 21:32 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  As Apple reportedly preps a smaller HomePod model for this year, Sonos could also soon announce a trio of new audio products. An anonymous 9to5Mac tipster says that Sonos is planning a new Playbar, Sub, and Play:5 for release as soon as June.more…
  The post Rumor: Sonos adopting Dolby Atmos with new Playbar, Play:5 and Sub updates also on the way appeared first on 9to5Mac.
  
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• JetBlue is first US airline to mandate face masks for passengers - CNET

  29-04-2020 21:29
  
  Here are the steps US airlines are taking to protect passengers and crew from the spread of the coronavirus.
  
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• Chinese EV startup Nio nabs $1B investment to keep it afloat - CNET

  29-04-2020 21:29
  
  Nio has faltered in recent months, but this new injection of capital secures future product development.
  
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• Kids in China head back to school wearing social-distancing hats - CNET

  29-04-2020 21:19
  
  Maintaining coronavirus protocol has never been so adorable.
  
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• iOS 13.5 beta makes iPhone unlocking easier when wearing a mask

  29-04-2020 21:11 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Due to COVID-19 mitigation, many people are wearing face masks in public, but Apple’s Face ID iPhones do not unlock when the face is obscured by a mask. In response, Apple’s iOS 13.5 beta makes unlocking an iPhone with passcode easier when wearing a face mask.
  Apple iPhone’s Face ID facial recognition isn’t made for use with masks, which the CDC now recommends we all wear in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. “Face ID is designed to work with your eyes, nose and
  
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• A massive asteroid (and several smaller ones) just passed close to Earth - CNET

  29-04-2020 21:03
  
  They didn't stop to say hello, but a mountain of a space rock and some friends did visit the neighborhood.
  
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• Luc Donckerwolke, head of Hyundai, Genesis, Kia design, departs company - CNET

  29-04-2020 20:43
  
  Donckerwolke's resignation was attributed to "personal reasons," and the automaker didn't name a successor.
  
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• See NASA Earth Observatory's gorgeous best image from 20 years of views - CNET

  29-04-2020 20:42
  
  One stunning view emerged supreme from the Earth Observatory's 20th anniversary image tournament.
  
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• Affirm, Klarna, AfterPay and more: Online installment plans, explained - CNET

  29-04-2020 20:32
  
  These alternative payment options let you buy goods now without paying full price for them right away.
  
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• Mattel coronavirus action figures include nurses, grocery clerks, delivery drivers - CNET

  29-04-2020 20:27
  
  Money from the new toy line will go to an initiative benefiting health care workers.
  
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• Stacktrace Podcast 081: “A good old fashioned roadmap”

  29-04-2020 20:00 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  John and Rambo return to the topic of app architecture, this time to discuss how to build scalable code bases using the MVC design pattern, and also talk about what Apple’s pro-level apps (including Xcode) might look like if ported to the iPad.
  Sponsored by Disco Elysium: An award-winning and groundbreaking role-playing game, now available on Mac. Get 25% off until May 1 on Steam.
  http://traffic.libsyn.com/stacktrace/njfpaVpACT_StacktraceEp81.mp3
  Download MP3more…
  The pos
  
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• Apple, Google release early COVID-19 contact tracing API to developers

  29-04-2020 19:55 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Apple and Google have released the first version of their COVID-19 contact tracing API, which they’ve since rebranded as a less-threatening “exposure notification.” This is a developer release, and is a seed of the API still in development. Apple and Google are looking to collect feedback from developers who will be using the API to create new contact tracing, err… “exposure notification” apps.Darrell Etherington for TechCrunch:Apple and Google say they will
  
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• Google rumored to release Pixel 4A next month - CNET

  29-04-2020 19:53
  
  The phone will reportedly be available in Europe on May 22.
  
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• iOS 13.5 beta makes it easier to skip Face ID if you’re wearing a mask

  29-04-2020 19:46 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Apple today released a new beta of iOS 13.5 to developers, bringing the first version of its COVID-19 exposure notification API to public health authorities. The update also includes a small tweak that makes it easier to skip Face ID and enter your passcode if you’re wearing a mask.more…
  The post iOS 13.5 beta makes it easier to skip Face ID if you’re wearing a mask appeared first on 9to5Mac.
  
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• Galaxy Fold 2 rumors: August release date, no word yet on price - CNET

  29-04-2020 19:45
  
  What will the cameras, features and price for Samsung's next foldable phone be? Here's what we've heard so far.
  
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• Apple shares, Wall Street jump on COVID-19 drug hopes

  29-04-2020 19:31 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  U.S. stocks jumped to seven-week highs on Wednesday as Gilead Sciences gave an encouraging update on a potential COVID-19 drug treatment and upbeat earnings from Google-parent Alphabet boosted the market-leading FAANG stocks. Shares of Apple popped $8.90 (+3.20%) to hit $287.48 in afternoon trading.
  Reuters:Gilead rose 7% after the drugmaker said its experimental antiviral treatment remdesivir helped improve symptoms for COVID-19 patients who were given the drug early.
  The three main indexes hav
  
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• Lyft tightens its belt, laying off 17% of its workforce - CNET

  29-04-2020 19:24
  
  As a recession looms, Uber and Lyft are looking at ways to stay afloat.
  
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• Pandora shows Spotify how to make a proper Apple Watch app

  29-04-2020 19:23 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Pandora is out with an update today that brings Siri support to its Apple Watch app as well as improving Siri support on iOS. The underdog music service that is Pandora continues to show Spotify how third-party music services should work on the Apple Watch. Pandora now supports two key features that are must-haves on watchOS…more…
  The post Pandora shows Spotify how to make a proper Apple Watch app appeared first on 9to5Mac.
  
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• Superman's son embraces his pantless moment: 'I'm a lousy camera operator' - CNET

  29-04-2020 19:12
  
  Journalist Will Reeve went viral for wearing barely visible shorts under his suit coat on Good Morning America.
  
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• Apple releases iOS 13.5 beta with first version of its COVID-19 exposure notification API [U]

  29-04-2020 19:00 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Apple has released a new beta of iOS 13.5 today, containing the first version of its exposure notification API for COVID-19 contact tracing. The beta is available to developers now alongside the first beta release of Xcode 11.5. The Xcode release includes an updated version of the iOS SDK that incorporates the exposure notification API.
  Update: The second public beta of iOS 13.5 is also now available.more…
  The post Apple releases iOS 13.5 beta with first version of its COVID-19 exposure
  
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• Apple, Google give early tools to public health authorities for coronavirus tracking tech - CNET

  29-04-2020 19:00
  
  The two companies will deliver the first seeds of the application programming interface to some developers before releasing the full API in mid-May.
  
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• Apple, Google deliver early tools to public health authorities for coronavirus tracking - CNET

  29-04-2020 19:00
  
  The companies are handing over the first seeds of an application programming interface before they release the full API in mid-May.
  
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• DisplayPort Alt Mode coming to USB4/USB-C with support for up to 16K displays, 80 Gbps speeds

  29-04-2020 18:31 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  VESA has announced today that its DisplayPort 2.0 specs are coming to USB4/USB-C that will bring a jump in the capabilities of video output. The standard will support up to 16K displays with video data throughput of up to 80 Gbps.more…
  The post DisplayPort Alt Mode coming to USB4/USB-C with support for up to 16K displays, 80 Gbps speeds appeared first on 9to5Mac.
  
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• Facebook says its Blender chatbot 'feels more human' - CNET

  29-04-2020 18:28
  
  Facebook's new open-source chatbot blends personality, knowledge and empathy with the goal of being more humanlike.
  
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• PlayStation Store sale: 7 great PS4 games under $20 - CNET

  29-04-2020 18:24
  
  Whether you're after a blockbuster game or a charming indie experience, the PlayStation Store's new sale has something for you.
  
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• Lexus LS 600h may return with hybrid V8 punch, report says - CNET

  29-04-2020 18:17
  
  This trim was retired in 2016, but it may come back as part of a mid-cycle refresh.
  
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• DisplayPort 2.0 with USB4 compatibility supports up to two 8K displays or one 16K display

  29-04-2020 18:15 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today announced that it has released version 2.0 of the DisplayPort Alternate Mode (“Alt Mode”) standard.
  DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 provides seamless interoperability with the new USB4 specification published by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), and fully enables all of the features in the latest version of the DisplayPort standard (version 2.0) through the USB Type-C (USB-C) connector. With DisplayPort Alt Mode, the USB-C connecto
  
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