Category: Apple Insider

Called Protect Scotland the free app is an opt-in coronavirus tracking measure administered by NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect program.

Like other apps utilizing the Exposure Notification framework, Protect Scotland operates in the background and uses Bluetooth to exchange anonymous, encrypted identifiers with other devices running the app. When the app discovers another user, it records the distance between devices and the length of time they were in contact with each other.

The solution does not store data on central servers run by Apple or Google, but instead silos anonymized Bluetooth beacons on user devices until participants elect to share the information with an outside party.

If a user tests positive for coronavirus, they can input a test code assigned by a contact tracer into the app. This will trigger transmission of an automated notification to other app users who came in contact with the infected person.

Protect Scotland also includes a feature that enables users to share the app with friends and family, hopefully boosting adoption rates.

Scotland’s launch follows similar digital contact tracing efforts from a number of countries around the world. As of mid-August, some 16 countries including Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Uruguay were using the Apple-Google API.

While international support has been relatively strong, U.S. states have been slow to adopt the Exposure Notification system. Only six states currently use the API, while another two are expected to launch compatible apps in the coming weeks.

On Wednesday, Colorado announced upcoming support for Exposure Notification Express, technology that allows owners of iOS and Android smartphones to participate in contact tracing efforts without downloading a dedicated app. The new protocol was pushed out to iPhone users with the release of iOS 13.7 last week.

Issued last week, iOS 13.7 includes new capabilities for Apple and Google’s coronavirus Exposure Notification system. Specifically, users can now opt in to the program without first downloading an app developed by their local government.

In addition, the new Exposure Notification Express feature enables Apple to present health instructions to users if it is determined that they were potentially exposed to the virus. This is accomplished without a third-party app, though data sharing with public health authorities is required for full functionality.

The outgoing iOS 13.6.1 arrived in August to fix a number of minor bugs including a thermal management issue that could cause an iPhone’s screen to display a green tint. Also remedied was a problem with Exposure Notification alerts, as well as an issue that prevented the deletion of unused system files.

Today’s stoppage means users can no longer download the out-of-date operating system from Apple’s servers. Apple regularly ceases signing of older code to prevent installation of past iOS versions following the release of a new variant, a practice that keeps users safe from new threats and ensures devices are running the latest feature-rich software.

Apple’s iOS 13.7 could be the version’s final point update as the company moves toward the release of iOS 14, a next-generation operating system expected to debut alongside new iPhones in the coming weeks.

As rumors persist that Apple will announce the date of its “iPhone 12” event, a new report claims that production is now or shortly to be underway on Apple’s “AirTags,” certain models of “iPhone 12,” and new iPads.

According to the Nikkei Asian Review, Apple has managed to shorten the coronavirus-induced production delays to weeks instead of months. The “iPhone 12” range is reported to be about to begin limited manufacturing, before ramping up toward the end of September or the start of October.

“We’ve managed to shorten the delay significantly and we are not stopping here,” a supply chain executive reportedly said. “The final assembly for some models is still going to be early October, but we are working to keep moving the production as early as possible.”

Backing up other recent rumors, Nikkei Asian Review says that the “iPhone 12” production is going to start with the expected 6.1-inch OLED “iPhone 12 Max.” Reportedly this model amounts to 40% of all the 5G iPhone orders Apple has placed

It’s claimed that Apple has ordered components for up to 80 million 5G iPhones, but two sources have told Nikkei Asian Review that it’s more likely only between 73 and 74 million will be produced before the end of the year. The remainder will be produced in early 2021.

While production on the “iPhone 12” range builds up, Nikkei Asian Review also says that Apple is already mass producing the forthcoming “AirTags” accessory. Plus it has increased production for new iPads, reportedly aiming for 27 million devices between September and December.

That’s claimed to be almost as many as Apple produced of its entire iPad range in July to December 2019.

Nikkei Asian Review sources also deny rumors of an annual refresh of the iPhone SE. Reportedly multiple sources say that there won’t be a 2021 version.

LG has continued its rollout of the Apple TV app to selected 2018 model television sets, and at the same time stated that it will be bringing AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support “later this year.” This follows a report last week that the company had cancelled plans to support these technologies despite a previous pledge.

The prior report of there no longer being any plans to support these technologies also came from a tweet by the same official LG Twitter account. It stated that “LG has no plans to update its pre-2019 TVs with AirPlay 2or Homekit unfortunately.”

LG had previously committed to adding this support to various 2018 smart TV models and to do so by October 2020. The models included its “SK” and “UK” LED sets, plus the “B8” through “Z8” OLED ones.

The “no plans” tweet did cause a series of complaints from users over the next few days. It’s more likely, however, that it was a mistake, although users spotted that previous references to the forthcoming support had also been removed from the LG website.

The new announcement was intended to promote how LG 2018 OLED and Super UHD TVs now have the Apple TV, and also how UHD TV models will shortly. This continues the recent rollout of the Apple TV app to models in the range.

Amazon Flex is the major retailer’s app-based service for on-demand deliveries, but one used by drivers who actually make the deliveries rather than customers. If a delivery is to be made for Amazon’s Prime Now, Amazon uses the app as a dispatch system, alerting potential drivers to a delivery that can be picked up and delivered.

According to a report from Bloomberg, some drivers savvy to how the system worked were able to secure more deliveries within the dispatch system than others, by hanging iPhones running the app on a tree near Whole Foods and Amazon depots that offer same-day deliveries.

By keeping the smartphones near to the depots in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C. areas, this made the driver seem to be far closer and more immediately able to pick up the delivery than others, even if they were in reality miles away. As each delivery was worth $15 to the drivers, plus any tip, the competition led to some Flex drivers coming up with inventive ways to be picked.

Previously, this included hanging around in Whole Foods parking lots, though Amazon warned drivers away from such behavior in June. “Waiting in the parking lot or using the store Wi-Fi is not an effective way to increase one’s chances of seeing an instant offer,” Amazon said in a statement.

To combat the gaming of the system, Amazon has changed the way the app works, with one source familiar with the app claiming it only required a “few lines of code.” Though the actual changes were not revealed, it appears that Amazon didn’t simply create a dead zone around store locations to discourage phone-hanging and stalking the parking lot, as doing so would increase delivery times for consumers.

The AAPL share price closed at $120.96 at end of trading, up 0.066% on the day. Apple’s stock price hit a low of $111.17 in intra-day trading on Sept. 4, representing a 7.44% bleed since trading began.

Apple’s reclaiming of a $2 trillion valuation comes the day after it bled nearly $180 billion in market capitalization. On Thursday, Apple’s share price was down nearly 8% in intra-day trading amid a broad sell-off of tech stocks. It marked the worst day of trading for technology stocks since a coronavirus plunge in March, in which Apple saw a 12.5% drop.

According to MarketWatch, Apple’s plunge was the worst one-day loss in value for any company ever. Tech stocks led the self-off, and all three major indices showed major losses across other segments.

The dip Thursday follows several months of steady growth for the Cupertino tech company and several quarters of better-than-expected earnings. Apple became the first U.S. company to hit a $2 trillion valuation on Aug. 19, 2020. Apple’s share price is still up nearly 113% since a coronavirus-sparked low on March 23.

Apple’s current share price has been readjusted due to the recently completed four-for-one stock split on Aug. 31. The split gave each shareholder three additional shares for every one held, each at 25% of their original value.

While Tim Cook has said in front of the House of Judiciary that Apple supports human rights, the company has now formally stated its position in the form of its first-ever policy document on the topic. It comes after shareholders have pressured Apple, both in votes at shareholder meetings and via a petition.

“At Apple, we are optimistic about technology’s awesome potential for good,” says Cook in a statement at the start of the new document. “But we know that it won’t happen on its own. Every day, we work to infuse the devices we make with the humanity that makes us.”

The document, called “Our Commitment to Human Rights,” is 1,400-word pledge about how Apple treats people and the way it sees technology’s role in protecting human rights. It’s chiefly a description of principles, but does include some more specific details.

“Our approach is based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” it says. “We conduct human rights due diligence to identify risks and work to mitigate them. We seek to remedy adverse impacts, track and measure our progress, and report our findings.”

“We believe that dialogue and engagement are the best ways to work toward building a better world,” it continues. “In keeping with the UN Guiding Principles, where national law and international human rights standards differ, we follow the higher standard. Where they are in conflict, we respect national law while seeking to respect the principles of internationally recognized human rights.”

Tim Cook’s quote at the start of Apple’s new policy document

Apple’s document does not give a reason for why it is being published now, but it does follow continued pressure from shareholders. According to Sondhya Gupta of the campaigning organisation SumOfUs, it has been published in order to beat Apple’s own September 5 deadline for shareholders to submit motions ahead of next year’s annual meeting.

She says that at the 2020 shareholders meeting, SumOfUs put forward a proposal against Apple’s alleged cooperation with Chinese censorship, and 40.6% of shareholders voted against Apple to support it.

“Apple’s adoption of a human rights policy is a breakthrough moment and we commend Apple for taking this first step,” says Gupta. “However, we still have questions about how the policy will be implemented and what oversight there will be.”

“We will continue to work alongside shareholders and human rights defenders in dialogue with Apple to ensure the company lives up to this responsibility,” she continued.

SumoOfUs has been petitioning Apple for at least eight years. A previous petition from the organization had to be reworded following a false claim about working conditions in factories making Apple products.

Apple has not as yet commented publicly about its new policy document.

Despite recently bringing the Apple TV app to selected 2018 television sets, LG has now reversed its decision about supporting HomeKit and AirPlay 2 on those models.

Previously, LG committed to adding support to smart TV models including its “SK” and “UK” LED sets, plus the “B8” through “Z8” OLED ones. The support was due to come by October 2020, but now a support representative has told a user that no such support is coming at all.

As spotted by MacRumors, this tweet dates from a week ago but is now being followed by complaints from owners of 2018 TV sets as the information spreads.

Reportedly, the initial promise on LG’s website was accompanied by references within support documents. However, those were allegedly removed shortly afterwards.

LG made no public announcement about reneging on the HomeKit or AirPlay 2 support and as yet has not commented beyond its one tweeted response.

The one-day only sale at Amazon-owned Woot features refurbished MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops, ranging from 2015 model year notebooks all the way up to 2019 model year 15-inch MacBook Pros.

The condition of each config can be found on Woot’s individual product pages, with the entire sale selection at your fingertips here.

As with Woot’s daily deals, quantities may be limited with the offers ending at 10 p.m. Pacific.

Shoppers can also get a head start on Labor Day weekend deals at OWC, with the retailer knocking up to 70% off Beats, HomePods, AirPods, cables, docks and more. Sale prices start at just $0.88, with nearly 440 items to choose from.

AppleInsider and Apple authorized resellers are also running additional exclusive specials on Mac hardware that will not only deliver the best Apple prices on many of the items, but also throw in bonus savings on AppleCare, Office 365 and more. These offers are as follows:

According to Bloomberg, the new Apple TV will benefit from a faster processor designed to improve the gaming experience.

In addition to beefier silicon, the set-top box is expected to ship with a new feature that helps users find the accompanying remote control. Described as similar to Find My iPhone, the function could in theory enable location of the accessory through sound or vibratory alerts. Alternatively, the feature might integrate a form of Apple’s rumored “AirTags” location tracking technology that uses UWB signals to locate Tile-like devices in augmented reality.

Apple last updated its Apple TV platform with Apple TV 4K in 2017. The current hardware is powered by an A10X Fusion chip for streaming high-resolution content and playing basic games. Current storage capacities are locked in at 32GB and 64GB, while the included Siri Remote controls the streamer through both physical touch and voice commands.

Today’s report fails to offer specifics on the coming hardware, though it does say the device could launch in 2021. Previous rumors support the claims, with leaker Jon Prosser in August saying the device will be powered by an A12Z chip and feature a new controller. Apple is also said to be working on a first-party gaming controller to support Apple Arcade.