Tag: Apple

Apple’s 2018 iPhone XR Still Works Just Great In 2021 | Digital Trends

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

As the iPhone 13 takes its place as the iPhone literally everyone should buy, the question still exists: Should I upgrade to the new iPhone, or should I keep my old one? To find out, I went back to a much older iPhone — the 2018 iPhone XR — for just over a week to see how well it would fare in 2021. Back when we reviewed it, we praised it as the “budget” iPhone to buy. This device was loaned to me by the folks at Backmarket, so it’s a refurb without all the dings and nicks that you’d have on an actively used phone.

A game changer with a legacy

The iPhone XR may be old now, but it’s an important iPhone that preceded the current iPhones like the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and the most recent iPhone 13. It’s a phone that would be considered less than the “real” iPhone, but an iPhone nonetheless. Apple tried this sort of non-standard iPhone model with the SE and the iPhone 5C before. In many ways, the iPhone XR kicked off the standardization of Apple’s lineup, and it also became one of the bestselling iPhones in its day. After using it, it’s not a surprise.

Read More

Apple Extends AirPods Pro Service Program by Another Year | Digital Trends

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Apple’s AirPods Pro are a top pick when it comes to true wireless earbuds, but some of the earliest units that Apple sold started to experience audio problems. To address these issues, Apple created a service program to fix the busted buds. Initially, that program was meant to cover all AirPods Pro sold prior to October 2020, for a period of two years. Under those terms, some of the earliest AirPods Pro (sold in October 2019) would be about to lose their coverage, but Apple has quietly updated the program and extended its coverage to three years from the date of purchase.

Read More

10 Things to Check Before Buying a Refurbished iPhone | The Startup Magazine

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Before you decide on buying a refurbished iPhone X, you should take into consideration that it may not be an ideal choice for you. It is important to consider the following things when buying a used phone:

  • Quality of the phone
  • Condition of the phone
  • Repairs needed
  • Original features
  • Does the phone have a warranty?
  • Is the battery good?
  • Does the phone have any scratches or dents on it?
  • Does it have water damage?
  • Is it unlocked or can be unlocked for use with a new carrier?
  • Can you restore your personal data from an old backup file to the new phone if needed?
  • Are there any existing problems with the phone that could cause trouble in the future, or is there a history of hardware problems or poor quality control with this brand of phone, in general?

With the release of Apple’s newest iPhone, there are more refurbished iPhone x for sale than ever before. This is great news for those who want to save some money but are unsure about buying a new phone. Apple has released a new phone that many people are dying to get their hands on. But with the iPhone X being released only recently, there is no way around it – you’ll have to find an older model or refurbished iPhone x for sale if you want to buy the latest smartphone.

Read More

What Apple Forgot to Reveal at its iPhone 13 Event | Digital Trends

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Apple’s California Streaming event was full of product reveals, including the new iPhone 13 range, the Apple Watch Series 7, and more. But there were several other announcements I had hoped to see but didn’t — in fact, Apple might have missed a golden opportunity with some of them.

Sure, Apple was always going to save its Mac update for another event later this year. But that’s not what I’m talking about. No, there are some things that felt perfectly timed to make an appearance at the company’s September show, but for whatever reason, Apple decided to keep them under wraps. Here’s what we all missed out on.

Read More

Apple Won Its Case With Epic Games. Why It Wasn’t Worth It | Inc.com

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

On Friday, Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rodgers issued a highly anticipated decision in the Epic v. Apple antitrust case. With one major exception, the judge found in Apple’s favor, declaring that the company isn’t a monopoly, and ordering Epic Games–the maker of Fortnite–to pay Apple 30 percent of the revenue it generated when it implemented its own in-app payment (IAP) system in August of 2020.

Still, Judge Gonzales Rodgers had harsh words for Apple, especially about the company’s anti-steering provisions, which prohibit developers from pointing customers to other ways to pay for subscriptions or transactions. She issued an injunction that bars Apple from:

Read More

Apple secures first states to support digital driver’s licenses, but privacy questions linger | TechCrunch

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Apple’s plan to digitize your wallet is slowly taking shape. What started with boarding passes and venue tickets later became credit cards, subway tickets, and student IDs. Next on Apple’s list to digitize are driver’s licenses and state IDs, which it plans to support in its iOS 15 update expected out later this year.

But to get there it needs help from state governments, since it’s the states that issue driver’s licenses and other forms of state identification, and every state issues IDs differently. Apple said today it has so far secured two states, Arizona and Georgia, to bring digital driver’s license and state IDs.

Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah are expected to follow, but a timeline for rolling out wasn’t given.

Read More

Best tablets 2021: Because the iPad is no longer your only option | Mashable

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Even if you have a very capable smartphone and a nice laptop, tablets are still a worthwhile hunk of tech to add to your arsenal.

The touchscreen that can be carried anywhere makes for a portable studio for creatives, a crucial sidekick for commuters and frequent travelers, and a mini TV for people who aren’t missing the newest episode of Loki just because they’re on vacation.

A simple question kicks off the process of narrowing down your options: Are you an Apple person? Whether that’s yes, no, or an “I have no idea,” the buying guide below lays out the pros and cons of the main picks from Apple, Amazon, Samsung, and Microsoft.

Read More

Apple to let you sign up for services with Face/Touch ID instead of passwords | Mashable

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Passwords are hard to remember — especially if you use a lot of online services and try (which you should) to use a strong, different password for each one. But the days of trying to think of yet another password to sign up for a new service may be behind us.

In a WWDC developer session titled “Move beyond passwords,” Apple engineer Garret Davidson shows a new feature, allowing users to sign up for new online services using Face ID or Touch ID instead of a password.

Read More

Google and Samsung Together Could Take on the Apple Watch | Digital Trends

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

At this moment in time, Apple owns the smartwatch space, and the Apple Watch’s status as the world’s bestselling watch is well-deserved. Google, on the other hand, has let Wear OS stagnate over the years, and while the dedicated companies that use Wear OS keep making great hardware, the software usually feels substandard.

Samsung makes the only true competitor to the Apple Watch. The Galaxy Watch 3’s fluid, well-designed Tizen software and innovative control system make it a winner, but it lacks Google apps and services. Neither Google nor Samsung can beat Apple on their own, but perhaps together they can?

That’s what was announced at Google I/O 2021. Google’s new “Wear” software is an exciting mash-up of Wear OS and Samsung’s Tizen, complete with Fitbit’s comprehensive health tech for good measure. Apple may not be shaking in its boots yet, but for the first time, it should be looking over its shoulder to see what’s coming.

Read More

Apple and Google block UK COVID app update for breaking data-sharing rules | Mashable

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Google and Apple have blocked an update to the UK government’s COVID-19 contact tracing app for breaching privacy terms, the BBC reports.

The update, which was expected to roll out in time with the lifting of national lockdown on Monday, would have requested users who tested positive for COVID-19 to upload their history of venue check-ins. The app, used in England and Wales, has long operated with a feature that allows users to check in to a shop, pub, restaurant, or other venue using a QR code — some are required by law to display official NHS QR code posters and collect contact details, while others are encouraged.

Read More