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Apple
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Microsoft announced today that Apple’s iCloud app is now available in the Microsoft Store for Windows 10. Apple put a lot of focus on iCloud at their WWDC conference, so it is not surprising that Apple would launch its new iCloud app for Windows 10 this week. Back in April of 2018, Apple launched iTunes in the Microsoft Store which looks to be the final version of iTunes. iCloud is home to iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders and Safari Bookmarks which sync to Apple iPhones, iPads and Macs. Microsoft announced on their blog “The new iCloud for Windows app introduces a new iCloud Drive experience for Windows 10 users powered by the same Windows technology that also powers OneDrive’s Files On-Demand feature, enabling users to be more productive offline on mobile devices and quickly share files on iOS.” iCloud added some additional features to their client Access your iCloud Drive files right from File Explorer, without using up space on your PC Choose the files and folders you want to keep on your PC Safely store all your files in iCloud Drive and access them from your iOS device, Mac and on iCloud.com Share any file right from File Explorer and easily collaborate with others – edits will be synced across your devices iCloud for Windows is now available to download as an app in the Microsoft Store worldwide.
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June 12, 2019Many of my readers have reached out to me and asked me what I read on Apple News+ so I started looking over what I read and it’s interesting to see how diverse my interests are as a reader and a writer. Popular Mechanics This is a magazine I have been a subscriber of since I was a kid and while I feel bad canceling my subscription there is no need for me to subscribe to both popular mechanics and Apple News+ since its part of my subscription. This magazine has really survived the test of time with how the world changes from cars, computers, internet, cell phones, and gadgets. This is one publication that has proven they can change with the times. Wired Wired is one magazine that I have subscribed to for what feels like forever since I got into computers and the internet. I remember I started reading this when Bill Gates was on the cover in the late 90s. They are one of the true tech magazines of the time. Esquire I always liked reading esquire ever since I was a teenager their tips on men’s fashion, grooming and entertainment have always been great to read and now their tech section is very well done. They are one of the longest running magazines of all time and while the writing has shifted a bit over the years, they still put out a great publication. Linux Format This is one magazine I have started reading religiously. I have been a Linux Journal subscriber for close to a decade but since I have started with Apple News+ I stopped my subscription to Linux Journal to save a little money since I am paying for Apple News+. I am a big Linux guy and this is a great publication...
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June 10, 2019There is much speculation as to why Google put out the Pixel 3a but here are the most noticeable reasons that I picked up on as to why Google released the Pixel 3a. Apple Success Apple has had major success in the sales area of the iPhone XR. There is no hiding the fact that while the iPhone XS is a great phone it’s very expensive and Apple needed something in that sweet spot price point that they have had so much success with over the years. Google just like Apple went up with the price of the Pixel 3 to $999 for a base model and there is no phone by Google in that sweet spot of 400-700 dollars. The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL put them in that sweet spot to be competitive with Apples XR series. Pixel 3 Quality Issues The Pixel 3a is much cheaper than the Pixel 3 but unlike the Pixel 3, the Pixel 3a comes with 4 gigs of ram and not 3 like the first gen Pixel 3 this gives users incentive to trade in their phones and upgrade to a cheaper phone with fewer issues and more ram. Google Fi Google is desperately trying to get people onto Google Fi offering 50 percent off sales on the flagship Pixel 3 phone from $1000 to $500 dollars. The Pixel 3a will allow them to offer deals on Google Fi using a cheaper phone and offering better deals to get on Google Fi. Leftover Hardware No one has said this but I think part of the reason Google is doing Pixel 3a is they had extra hardware from the Pixel 2 launch. The Pixel 3a has very close to the same hardware specs as the Pixel 2 and I wonder if this...
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Apple officially released their new Sign In With Apple button at WWDC. While Apple has always put the security of their users above anything else they have asked that they take the first spot for logins now. When reading Apples Human Interface Guidelines they ask developers to “Prominently display a Sign In with Apple button. Make a Sign In with Apple button the same size or larger than other sign-in buttons, and avoid making people scroll to see the button.” “Position a Sign In with Apple button correctly in relation to other sign-in buttons. In a stacked layout, place the Sign In with Apple button above the other buttons.” Apple has been at the topic of antitrust issues as of late and I am very surprised they would do something like this knows that they are still being investigated and could spend some time in court. With Apple only under fire for their App store this may not be an issue at this very moment. I can understand why Apple would want to be on top since you are using an app on Apples platform.
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Apple made a huge announcement at WWDC unveiling its latest security feature “Sign In with Apple” part of Tim Cooks more secure vision for Apple. The new sign-in system made by Apple that’s meant to replace other platforms offered by Facebook and Google who have had issues in the past with user data handling. Apple’s system is designed with security in mind and ensures your data stays secure, safe and doesn’t get abused by third-party developers. Sign In with Apple lets you login with Face ID or Touch ID, and it only lets you share your name and email address with apps. Apple is taking this security feature very seriously as a twitter follower points out “Sign In with Apple will be available for beta testing this summer. It will be required as an option for users in apps that support third-party sign-in when it is commercially available later this year.” Apple plans to implement this feature very soon. Wow. Apple sign-in support is mandatory? https://t.co/qen34RLGOW pic.twitter.com/gBhStE6HVN — Ben Sandofsky (@sandofsky) June 3, 2019
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June 4, 2019WWDC had some big announcements one that iTunes will be broken up into three separate apps Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple TV on all MacOS devices but what does this mean for Apple music users who use Windows. According to Apple, they have 100 million users on MacOS but Microsoft Windows is the most popular desktop platform with 1.5 billion users. Many Apple Music users like me that run Windows were wondering what is going to happen to Apple Music on Windows. Arstechnica reports on their blog “Apple says users of iTunes under Microsoft Windows will not see any changes. It won’t be broken up into several apps; it will work just like it does now. However, Apple did not provide any clarification about what support will be like for future features. The company simply says that Windows users will continue to have the same experience as before and that it is not announcing any plans to end support for iTunes in Windows. But keep in mind: that only means for now. Apple might one day bring an Apple Music application to Windows just as it has to Android. But just as the iTunes era seems to be ending for the Mac, it will continue for the immediately foreseeable future in Windows—so iTunes is not really dead. At least not yet.” Many people have brought up that Apple Music and Apple TV will be on Android. My take on all this is Apple Music is on Android for the same reason that iTunes was on Windows back when the iPod was released. Apple simply has no choice, due to the popularity of that platform and the edge it gives to competing services. Apple needs to be on Android to compete with Spotify. Apple needed iTunes for Windows at the...
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May 23, 2019I decided to make the jump from my iPhone 8 plus to the iPhone XS. I have had almost every iPhone S series since the iPhone 4 S. I am not one to grab the first generation of any device, that’s why I have always waited for the S year of an iPhone release. Since I have started with the iPhone, I have been loyal to Apple because the phone is reliable and has great support. Screen Size And Price Are Always An Issue I went with the iPhone XS, not the XS max because it came down to the price I had an iPhone 8 plus and the iPhone XS is the same screen size. The iPhone XS max gives you the extra on the top and bottom of the screen when the button and camera used to be on the plus models. In this case, spending 1,000 dollars on a 64 meg phone is enough for me to spend plus trade in of my old iPhone 8 plus which was in perfect condition just made the price point right for me and my budget. I know the iPhone XS max is only a hundred dollars more than the iPhone XS but I usually upgrade after I get to the 50% to 75% pay off amount since I am on Verizon. The screen is big enough for me personally on the iPhone XS where at times the iPhone 8 plus got a little bit too big for me. Maybe down the road, I will get a bigger screen but right now iPhone XS is the perfect size for me. Display Quality And Cameras Sell Phones The first thing I noticed is the screen on the iPhone XS is way better than the iPhone 8 Plus. The super retina HD...
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May 16, 2019Two things that many readers have asked me over the year is Will Apple ever make a touch screen MacBook? and Will Apple ever bring its App Store to the Mac? MacBook Touch Screen I think this will happen as the features between iPad and MacBook start to resemble each other more over time I think it’s inevitable. Apples WWDC is coming up and usually every year they have a large number of features and improvements for the iPad that make it more of a multipurpose device rather than just a tablet. I think Apple to keep up with the changing landscape of computer hardware will need to add a touchscreen to their entire laptop line of products, many computer manufacturers like Lenovo, Microsoft and HP are already offering touchscreen laptops. I think it’s just a matter of time for Apple to jump on board with a touchscreen on their computer but I do think we may get a touchscreen first on an iMac before a MacBook just so Apple can compete with Microsofts Surface Studio which has a large touchscreen display for artists. App Store on MacOS While Apple has started adding phone apps to MacOS they are only doing it with their own apps at this point. Apple has ported over Apple News, Stocks, Home, and Voice Memos to MacOS and soon we will have Apple Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, and Books on the Mac. Moving over Apples entire App Store over to MacOS I think will happen but it will take time as Apple wants to make sure it’s done right. Apple will need to let app developers know about this moving forward to give developers time to make proper changes to their apps in advance. This kind of announcement I would expect at WWDC this year...
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May 15, 2019When Apple had their big press event back in March they showed us what the new Apple TV experience was going to look like when it was released and it’s officially here with the release of tvOS 12.3. This is the first step in the launch of Apples streaming service Apple TV+ service which is set to launch in the fall. Apple hasn’t yet announced pricing on the Apple TV+ service yet but I am sure will over the summer or at the launch. The new TV app is the first step, and it appears to look like the version Apple showed off in March. The new tvOS app is available in over 100 countries. The new TV app is also now available on select Samsung smart TVs and on iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad. Apple has said the Apple TV experience will be available on MacOS coming this fall with the launch of Apple TV+. Apple did mention customers with AirPlay 2-enabled Samsung smart TVs can now play videos and other content from their iPhone, iPad or Mac directly to their smart TVs. Added customers with eligible VIZIO, LG and Sony smart TVs will be able to enjoy AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support later this year. Apple wrote in its press release “With the free iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3 software update, customers around the world can now subscribe to Apple TV channels within the Apple TV app — paying for only the ones they want — and watch on demand directly in the app. In the US, Apple TV channels include popular services such as HBO, Starz, SHOWTIME, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade and new services like MTV Hits, with more to be added over time around the world.” Apple also revealed that the new Apple TV...