The Tape Drive

Facebook leaks 'Meta Quest Pro' name in Oculus app

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 19:17:19 GMT

I found references to ‘Meta Quest Pro’ in Facebook’s Oculus mobile app. Many speculated that Meta might name their next gen VR headrest ‘Quest 2 Pro’ but the code references confirm that currently Meta is going with the ‘Meta Quest Pro’ name that is rumored to cost more than $800 or$ 1000.

I also found references to ‘Eye Tracking Support’ in the code which confirms that the long rumored feature is coming to the Meta Quest Pro. Also back in June I confirmed that the Meta Quest Pro will come with a dock and the next version of Meta Avatars will have legs.

LG working on Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan and Rewards Program called Q Rewards

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:38:24 GMT

LG Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan

LG is working on a Portable AC neck fan. Only an image is available at this time.

Q Rewards

LG is working on a rewards program called ‘Q Rewards’. The rewards program provides Q Rewards points and coupons to users who recommend LG products to their friends. Users can share LG products with their friends by using referral codes. Q Rewards users will be able to accept missions to collect Q points and rank badges. LG requires that users sign up for the Q Rewards program using their LG ThinQ account.

New LG Styler

LG is also working on a new Styler (Steam Clothing Care System) with a Virus Cycle.

“When you come back from going out, get a notification for the Styler Virus Cycle.”

“To protect your clothes and health”

LG is consumer electronics company that manufactures and distributes a wide range of products including televisions, home theater systems, digital signage, monitors, projectors, air conditioners, washing machines and smartphones.

Robinhood working on Margin Withdrawal and Stock Loan Income Program - SLIP

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 19:13:51 GMT

I found code in Robinhood’s iOS app that implies Robinhood is working on a Margin Withdrawal feature.

Robinhood is also working on a Stock Loan Income Program (SLIP) feature where users will be able to “potentially earn extra income when we lend out stocks you already own.”

Through SLIP, you have the opportunitiy to earn passive income by lending whole shares of stocks to other institutions. These

institutions may borrow stocks to settle trades or facilitate short sales. You’ll be able to buy and sell as usual, even if your stocks are on loan. Note: while

you have a margin balance, your shares will not be eligible to be loaned out.

If users elect to use the SLIP feature then they forgo voting on proposals like board of directors appointments.

Robinhood is working on a new Cash Card

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 23:47:58 GMT

Cash Card

Robinhood is working on a new Cash Card with “No monthly fees, in-network ATM fees, overdraft fees, or account minimums.” and “Spend, round up, invest your change, and earn a 10-100% bonus each week.” I found these images below that show the new design of the card. Also “Round-ups and bonus” are now called “Round-up rewards”.

Early Payday

Robinhood is also continuting to work on an early payday feature for direct deposits. Robinhood will use Atomic FI for setting up direct deposits.

Google working on new Habit and Goals feature, Encrypted Events, Navigation to Meeting Rooms

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 15:37:30 GMT

Google Goals

Google is working on a new feature for tracking habits, skills, exercise, activities, or goals. The codename for the new feature is Timely. Some examples that Google suggests as goals and related strings are included below.

Navigate to meeting rooms

Google is also working on a feature to help users locate and navigate their way to meeting rooms. Users will have to install a shortcut to enable this feature. It is not clear if this feature will use augmented realtiy but Google has enable indoor directions in the past for malls.

Encrypted Events and Attachments

Google is also working on encrypted meeting invites or events. Encrypted events encrypt the contents of the event so users will not be able to attach encrypted files to an encrypted event. Users will also be able to change the visibility of events to not only Public or Private but also Confidential.

"Creates an event, task, out of office, working location, reminder or goal.

"Add event, task, out of office, working location, reminder or goal"

"Viewing goal categories"

"Creates a Goal"

"Creates a Goal which is related to"

"Custom exercise"

"Custom activity"

"Custom skill"

"Viewing goal editor"

"Marks as done."

"Marks as not done."

"Finds a new time for this session"

"Mark as done"

"You can adjust these at any time"

"Checking your schedule"

"Finding time for your goal"

"Scheduling sessions for you"

"Viewing goal"

"Add goal"

"Account"

"Make art"

"What type?"

"Call Dad"

"Call Mom"

"Do chores"

"Clean"

"Learn to code"

"Custom.

"Eat with familv"

"Personal hobby"

"What hobby?"

"Practice an instrument"

"What instrument?"

"Learn a language"

"What language?"

"Meditate"

"Plan the day"

"Reach out to a friend"

"Read"

"Run"

"Walk"

"Work out"

"Do voga"

"Run, do yoga, get your body moving"

"Bike"

"Hike"

"Play badminton"

"Play baseball"

"Play basketball"

"Play soccer"

"Play tennis"

"Rock climb"

"Swim"

"Wiggle ears"

"Make time for who matters most"

"Have a BBQ"

"plan a date"

"plan a reunion"

"Plan family vacation"

"Play a board game"

"Visit family"

"Walk the dog"

"Learn Arabic"

"Learn Chinese"

"Learn English"

"Learn French"

"Learn Hindi"

"Learn Japanese"

"Learn Portuguese"

"Learn Russian"

"Learn Spanish"

"Draw"

"Paint"

"Create a scrapbook"

"Make crafts"

"Create a sculpture"

"Make papier-mâché"

"Screen print"

"Make clay molds"

"Draw stick figures"

"Read, meditate, take care of yourself"

"Cook"

"Get a massage"

"Journal"

"Lie in the hammock"

"Pray"

"Sit in the grass"

"Take a nap"

"Take a selfie"

"Take the boat out"

"Watch a movie"

"Stay on top of things"

"Buy groceries"

"Clean the house"

"Clear email inbox"

MoneyGram is working on POLi Payments support

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:35:16 GMT

MoneyGram, a cross boarder P2P payments and money transfer company, is working on supporting Poli Payments as evidenced by text found in MoneyGram’s iOS app.

POLi Payments is an Australian online payments company that lets customers use their online banking information instead of a credit credit on e-commerce sites.

MoneyGram’s competitor Western Union currently supports POLi Payments.

Unreleased Eero Pro 6E and Eero 6+ will turn 4th Gen Echo into Wifi Extenders

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 22:31:29 GMT

Amazon’s not-yet-released Eero Pro 6e and Eero 6+ WiFi 6e routers will turn 4th gen Echo and Echo Dot devices into wifi extenders through a feature called “eero Built-in device”. 4th gen Echo and Echo Dot (and Echo Dot Clock) devices are currently the only “eero Built-in device” compatible devices. They will be able to “Provide even more wifi for the devices in your connected home” i.e. act as wifi extenders.

There are some minor downsides to using an Echo as a wifi extender. First it will consume more power. Also you must link your Amazon account to your Eero account. Finally Echo devices will not be able to participate in Alexa Home Theater system.

Intuit is working on integrating Cleo and April virtual assistants into TurboTax

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 14:07:20 GMT

Intuit is working on integrating ‘Cleo’ and ‘April’ virtual assistants into TurboTax. Not much is known about these assistants at this time.

Meta Working with Klarna to Verify Bank Accounts for Novi transactions in WhatsApp

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 13:22:55 GMT

I found code in WhatsApp that indicates that Meta (formally: Facebook) is working on verifying Novi users’ bank accounts using Klarna. The code reads “Novi uses Klarna to instanstly verify your bank account and to make sure you have enough money in your bank to complete transactions”, “Bank verification with Klarna”, and “We need you to go to the Novi app to upload a valid bank statement.” Meta launched the Novi app last fall. Klarna is a popular Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payments company.

PayPal is working a stable coin called PayPal Coin

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 23:16:11 GMT

Evidence hidden inside of PayPal’s iOS app has revealed that PayPal is working on a coin called “PayPal Coin”. When Bloomberg reached out to PayPal about it PayPal responded that they are working on a USD stable. A stable coin is a cryptocurrency that is pegged to a more stable currency. The PayPal Coin logo looks like PayPal’s logo but with two horizontal lines through it.

Images and references to Neo cryptocurrency were also found in their app. PayPal currently supports Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

Amazon is preparing to launch Ring Tag and ONVIF camera support to Ring app

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 16:56:30 GMT

Amazon announced their pet tracker, Amazon Fetch, in the Fall of 2019. The as-of-yet-unreleased device will be sold as Ring Tag. During setup of the device users will be asked if the user is attaching the Ring Tag to a pet or an object. If the user is placing the tracker on a pet then the user will be directed to use the collar case and “Place the Tag so it will sit to the side of your pet’s neck when the collar is on.” Amazon will also offer a pole case for Ring Tag.

Amazon is also working on adding ONVIF camera support to the Ring app (Ring uses Amcrest as an example). Amazon may require Ring Protect Pro subscription plan and Ring Alarm Pro device in order to connect their ONVIF camera to the Ring app and hardware.

Ring is nearing the release of their Always Home Cam as a calibration video details the bottom of the indoor drone. The 3 contacts imply that the drone will only charge when docked in the correct orientation.

Amazon readies pet collar attachment and charger for Ring Fetch

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 14:09:32 GMT

I reported on a higher resolution image and details on what might be called Amazon Fetch or Ring Fetch back in June. Amazon originally announced the Ring Fetch in 2019 as a pet tracker. Amazon has not released the product for purchase at the time of writing. I uncovered a video that details how the tracker attaches to pet collars and how it charges. The Ring Fetch can be used with a cover and elastic band accessory so that it can be attached to existing pet collars. The bottom of the Ring Fetch appears to have a QR code and 3 electical contact points for connecting to a charging cradle.

Additionally owners will be able to create a pet profile with their pet’s type (interestingly they suggest bird, rabbit, hamster, and guinea pig as examples), name, description, media, birthday, color, gender, Medical/Dietary info, weight, where they were last seen, date since they have been lost, and breed in the Ring app.

Review: Dockcase's 8-in-1 USB-C Hub

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 21:11:05 GMT

DockCase just launched their latest 8-in-1 USB-C hub on Kickstarter (ends Nov 26th). I was interested in reviewing DockCase’s 8-in-1 USB-C hub as I had a good experience with their previous 7-in-1 USB-C hub review unit they sent me last time they were on Kickstarter.

Port Selection

Besides the USB-C main device I/O port the 8-in-1 USB-C hub features

(1) 100W USB-C PD input port (power)
(1) USB-C 3.2 port
(2) USB-A 3.2 ports
(2) USB-A 2.0 ports
HDMI 2.0 port
Gigabit Ethernet port

Overall I think this dock provides a good selection of ports as DockCase added a Gigabit Ethernet port and USB-C port this time around. I do miss the micro SD card slot from DockCase’s older 7-in-1 USB-C though. The main port I wish both had was a USB-C port that supported DisplayPort as I use DP for my external monitor since it supports a higher refresh rate than HDMI on my MacBook.

Display

What makes the DockCase hub unique is its integrated display. My favorite feature of the display is its ability to show if a device is connected to a USB-A 2.0 or USB-A 3.2 port and which USB-C PD profile (volts, amps, & watts) it is using to charge the main attached device. This is especially helpful as different combinations of devices and chargers will result in different PD profile handshakes. One downside of using a hub with a 16 inch MacBook Pro is that the hub charges the MBP near its fastest speed which is to be expected since the hub takes a few watts to power itself and any accessories attached to it.

Another feature of the display new to the 8-in-1 hub is the ability to change how much power the hub should use and which mode it should optimize for. The hub has 4 main modes: video, data, charging, and ‘my’ mode. The video mode changes all the presets to enable the hub to convert a 4K@30Hz HDMI signal to 4K@60Hz at the cost of reducing the maximizing charging and data speeds. I believe this mode also supports using a Nintendo Switch in dock mode but I wasn’t able to test this. Similarly, the data mode enables the data ports to reach their fastest speeds and the charging mode reduces the power used by the dock to enable the fastest charging possible on the main port. And the ‘my’ mode can be used to provide a balance of the 3 other modes. I was concerned at first when I hooked up the new 8-in-1 hub and discovered that it was charging my MacBook Pro more slowly than the previous 7-in-1 hub. But when I switched the 8-in-1 hub to charging mode it started to charge my MacBook Pro faster than the 7-in-1 hub.

Conclusion

The hubs that DockCase makes are really interesting given the integrated display and the latest 8-in-1 hub builds on that with its ability to change modes. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on Thunderbolt port and don’t hook up an external display via Display Port then this could be a good hub for you if you understand that given the limitations of this USB3.2 Gen 2 hub means that you can’t run the data ports at full speed while driving an HDMI display at 4K@60Hz. For instance, I think the ethernet port speed drops from 1000Mbps to 100Mbps if the hub is driving a 4K@60Hz display (I wasn’t able to test this scenario since I used DisplayPort). If you don’t want the hassle of switching modes (and it is a hassle since it is a button tap on the hub to change the orientation of the integrated display but a 6 second long press if you want to enter the settings of the hub and another 6 second long press to confirm a selection) or if you need to use full speed data ports and a 4K@60Hz display at the same time then you might be better off getting a Thunderbolt hub. That is if you are willing to spend $50 to$ 100 more than what DockCase’s 8-in-1 hub costs. I would really like to see DockCase make a Thunderbolt hub with an integrated display since I don’t think anything like that exists or even a hub with a port that supports DisplayPort.

The review unit I tested shipped with beta firmware. It will be interesting to see what features DockCase can add with new firmware though judging by the current support documentation on their site it could be a difficult process. DockCase will begin delivers of their 8-in-1 hub in January 2022.

PayPal is working on supporting Neo Cryptocurrency

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 13:44:49 GMT

PayPal is working on a feature to allow merchants to accept cryptocurrencies. Currently PayPal supports Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). However images hidden in the PayPal Business iOS app indicate that PayPal will soon support paying merchants with Neo (NEO).

Neo (formally Antshares) is cryptocurrency and smart contract platform created in 2014. Neo is in the middle of upgrading to a new version of the Neo protocol called Neo N3. N3 supports new features such as platform native decentralized storage, a name service, and oracles.

PayPal will be the first fintech ‘super app’ to support Neo as currently Robinhood, Square, and Coinbase do not support buying, selling, or trading Neo.

$PYPL$ NEO

Tumblr is working on a Tip Jar feature

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 13:42:19 GMT

Remember Tumblr? It seems they are working on a tipping feature. I found references to ‘Enable Tip Jar to start accepting tips’ and ‘Your personal and deposit details have been verified’ in their iOS app. There is also what appears to be a low resolution version of the cash with wings emoji 💸.

Tumblr also appears to be working with Stripe on their tipping feature as another reference reads “To enable your Tip Jar we’re going to direct you to our payment partner, Stripe so you can safely provide your personal and deposit details to get paid. Don’t worry, we’ll bring you back here when your done.”

It isn’t clear if 100% of the tip goes to the creator but it probably safe to assume that it does because otherwise Apple wouldn’t allow the app in their App Store.

Netflix is working on NFTs with Fever for Stranger Things The Experience

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 14:19:12 GMT

Details inside of Fever’s iOS app reveal that they are working on NFTs for Netflix’s Stranger Things: The Experience or the Strange Things: The Official Store. The event will take place in New York City in May 2022 and is described by Fever as “Write your story as you journey through a fun gathering of iconic locations and fan-favorite moments, enjoying one-of-a-kind photo ops and uncovering plenty of thrills along the way. There may also be the occasional testing, analysis, or psych evaluation.”

Fever’s iOS app will let users “Collect the cards and claim your gifts”. In order for customers to claim their NFT they must validate their reward with staff. Part of that process will include telling the user to “Trace the V to validate your tickets.”

NFTs attached to ticketed events have become more popular as Livenation recently announced their support for NFTs.

Apple is working on Identity Card integration in the iOS Wallet app and iCloud Enterprise in iOS 15.2 Beta 2

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:57:20 GMT

Apple is continuing to work on iCloud Enterprise (AKA Enterprise iCloud Drive) and Identity Card (Driver’s License and State ID’s) integration in the iOS wallet app. I found this legalese in iOS 15.2 beta 2:

Your identity information and additional verification information you submit when adding an ID will be used by Apple and your state issuing authority to prevent fraud.

See how your data is managed…

Additional verification information you submit when adding your ID, such as your photo and recorded facial and head movements, will be used by Apple for fraud prevention for this feature and retained only until your state issuing authority authorizes or declines adding your driver’s license or state ID to Wallet.

Apple and your state issuing authority do not know when or to whom you present your driver’s license or state ID.

Identity cards in Wallet provide an easy, fast, and more secure way for people to present their driver’s license or state ID.

Adding Your Identity Card

To add an identity card, you will be asked to take a picture of the front and back of your driver’s license or state ID. Your device will evaluate the quality and type of the images to help ensure that the images you provide will be accepted by your state issuing authority. Your identity card images are encrypted on device and sent to your state issuing authority, which may share them with their third-party identity verification service provider; Apple does not see or store images of your identity card. Your device will read the barcode from your identity card and share name, address, and date of birth with Apple for identity verification and fraud prevention. Apple may continue to store information about the verification outcome, such as whether the identity information was successfully verified, to help support the feature and prevent fraud on underlying Apple platforms, but will not store the underlying identity information (such as the date of birth read from your barcode).

To help ensure that the person adding the identity card to Wallet is the same person to whom the identity card belongs, you will be asked to take a photo of yourself. As with the images of the front and back of your ID, your device will evaluate the quality of your photo you are providing in order to help ensure that the photo you provide will be accepted by your state issuing authority. Your photo will be encrypted on device and sent to your state issuing authority to be compared against their image on file for the ID. Your state issuing authority will process this photo in accordance with their privacy policies, which may allow them to use facial recognition technology. Apple will not store your photo. To help prevent fraud, before your photo is submitted to your state issuing authority, you will be asked to conduct a series of facial and head movements. These movements are evaluated by your device and Apple to help ensure that the photo being submitted is of a live person and that the same live person is submitting their photo as a part of adding their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet. Information about the movements, but not the recording or video of movements themselves, is stored in a way that is associated with you while you are in the process of adding your ID.

Information about your Apple account, device use patterns and settings, and information about your photo and facial and head movements, will be shared with Apple for fraud prevention. Apple will share fraud indicators based on this information with your state issuing authority for fraud prevention. Your state issuing authority, and not Apple, will decide whether to authorize adding your driver’s license or state ID to Wallet. In some cases, your state issuing authority may ask for more information or an in-person visit. Apple may receive information about the fact that your state issuing authority required additional verification and the type of verification (such as an in-person visit); Apple retains this information in a manner that is linked to you only while the state issuing authority is in the process of making a decision on whether to authorize adding your ID to Wallet for managing and improving the feature. In some cases, your state issuing authority may provide you with a verification code following their review of additional information. This verification code is encrypted on device and sent to the state issuing authority; Apple does not see or store the verification code. Your state issuing authority may provide Apple with information on the status of its authorization (for example, under review, accepted) so that Apple may send updates to your device and help manage your driver’s license or state ID in Wallet.

Once your state issuing authority authorizes adding your driver’s license or state ID to Wallet, the information reflected on your driver’s license or state ID is stored in an encrypted format that can be decrypted only using the Secure Enclave on your device. You can view this information at any time by going to Wallet, viewing the back of your identity card, tapping “Driver’s License Info” or “State ID Info” and authenticating to view details. Apple cannot see this information. To learn more about the Secure Enclave, visit support.apple.com/guide/security/secure-enclave-sec59b0b31ff/web.

To help protect your ID card from unauthorized access or presentment, you will be asked to tie your ID card to a Face ID appearance or a biometric identifier used for Touch ID. Presenting your ID or information from your ID will require authentication with the specific method and biometric identifier you tied to your ID during set up. Alternative authentication options may be available depending on your device settings. Your device, and not Apple, stores your authentication method. If you authenticated with Touch ID, you can change your tied authentication at any time by going to Wallet, viewing the back of your identity card, and tapping Replace Fingerprint. If you authenticated with Face ID and would like to change your authentication, you must delete your identity card and add it again to Wallet with the new authentication.

Presenting Your Identity Card

To present your identity card in person, hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the identity reader to receive information about who is requesting your identity and the specific information from your identity card being requested. Upon authorization, your device will establish a direct, end-to-end encrypted channel with the identity reader and transmit the authorized information.

You can view past presentments, including when, where, and to whom you presented your identity card, and the specific information presented, by tapping on your identity card in Wallet. This information is generated by your device; neither Apple nor your state issuing authority know or keep a record of when, where, or to whom you present your identity card.

Managing Your Identity Card

You can manage your identity card at any time by tapping on your state ID or driver’s license in Wallet. To help protect your privacy and keep your identity card information secure, you will be asked to authenticate before you can view your identity details. To update or change your identity card information, you must contact your state issuing authority. To help manage your driver’s license or state ID in Wallet, your state issuing authority will periodically tell Apple whether your driver’s license or state ID is still valid. Apple will also receive information about any identity card updates from your state issuing authority, such as whether your address was updated or your identity card status was changed (for example, from active to inactive). Apple will not receive details about the update, such as your actual updated address. Apple will retain information about your identity card updates, such as whether your identity card status changed, while you keep an identity card in Wallet; this information will be used only for fraud prevention and security purposes.

You can delete your identity card from Wallet at any time by going to the back of your identity card in Wallet and tapping “Remove This Driver’s License” or “Remove This State ID.” Removing your identity card will delete all presentment history from your device.

Improving Identity Cards

Apple will not use information displayed on your identity card itself, such as your name or date of birth, to improve drivers’ licenses or state IDs in Wallet. Identity card data that is not linked to you may be retained to improve the feature and other Apple products and services. For example, Apple may retain anonymous and aggregate information about where users have difficulty when adding an identity card to Wallet in order to help improve the experience. Apple may also anonymize information it collects from you or receives from your state issuing authority in connection with this feature in order to improve identity cards in Wallet. For example, Apple will receive information about the quality of images submitted when adding your ID card to Wallet and whether the images were accepted by the state issuing authority. Apple may, for example, anonymize and use this information to help improve your device’s evaluation of the images to be submitted or to help provide users with better instructions on how to take images acceptable to the state issuing authorities.

Other

Apple may share information with our service providers, who are obligated to handle the information consistent with this notice and Apple instructions, are required to use reasonable security measures to protect any personal data received, and must delete the personal information as soon as they have completed the services unless retention is required by law or otherwise with your consent.

At all times, information collected by Apple will be treated in accordance with Apple’s Privacy Policy, which can be found at www.apple.com/privacy

When adding your driver’s license or state ID, your identity information and information about your Apple ID, and device use patterns and settings will be used by Apple and your state issuing authority to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Apple does not see or store images of your ID. Apple uses only limited information from your driver’s license or state ID to prevent fraud at setup and to display your driver’s license or state ID in Wallet.

Identity cards in Wallet are designed to provide an easy, fast, and more secure way for people to present their driver’s license or state ID.

When presenting your ID, your device will show you the specific information requested and will not present that information without your confirmation.

Oura Ring 3 Leak Shows Sensor Tweak

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 18:22:43 GMT

Overall these images of the as-yet-unannoucned Oura Ring 3 are fairly similar to the Ring 2. The biggest difference appears to be more LEDs on the inside of the band. This may indicate that the new Oura Ring 3 could track heart rate during a workout or track blood oxygen levels. The Oura Ring 2 only includes 3 sensors: Infrared photoplethysmography sensors (PPG) for heart rate and respiration, Negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor for body temperature, and 3D accelerometer for movement.

Sonos Voice Assistant Branding Revealed

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 17:20:46 GMT

Sonos has been working on their own voice assistant since at least November 20th, 2019 when they acquired Snips. Snips was a privacy focused voice assistant that processed queries offline. The branding for the Sonos voice assistant, simply known as Sonos Voice Control, is smilier to Amazon Alexa’s voice bubble branding but reversed and it contains a black and white bullseye. Also it seems that Sonos will allow its voice assistant to be active while Amazon’s Alexa is also active. However Sonos will not allow Google’s voice assistant to be active with any other voice assistant. Or rather, Sonos executives claim that Google doesn’t allows its assistant to work side-by-side with any competing assistants from Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, or Baidu.

Ecobee is working on new 6th gen Ecobee thermostat

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 19:30:25 GMT

Ecobee is working on a new 6th gen Ecobee thermostat. This new smart Ecobee6 thermostat, codenamed Ares, looks like it includes a UI redesign as the menu, weather, and settings buttons have moved to the top. It is not clear at this time what new features will ship with this 6th gen Ecobee thermostat. The 5th gen Ecobee was released in 2020 and featured deeper Alexa integration. In a 2018 interview with cnet, Casey McKinnon, vice president of product, said the company was working on Ecobee5 and Ecobee6. Perhaps this 6th gen Ecobee thermostat could provide better support for Siri on 3rd party devices.

PayPal is renaming Honey Gold to PayPal Gold

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 20:46:00 GMT

PayPal is working on renaming its Honey Gold cashback rewards program to PayPal Gold. PayPal acquired Honey Science Corporation in January 2020 for $4 billion. Honey, a shopping rewards program, is now called Honey by PayPal. Honey helps users find promo codes to save money on 3rd party shopping websites. PayPal will also offer the PayPal Gold service in its mobile apps. PayPal Gold will suppliment PayPal’s existing shopping deals portal.

PayPay is also working on a feature to provide easy returns for users via scanning a QR code on shipped packages.

Netgear is working on a gaming enhancement service called Gaming Control Service and Business VPN Services

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 20:33:34 GMT

Netgear is working on a paid service that will enhance internet connectivity for games. The new service, called Gaming Control Service, will allow users to play online games on faster servers and block ads while playing games. Netgear will offer a trial and special introductory pricing for the new gaming service. Netgear currently offers gaming focused hardware such as the Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000 and XR500.

Netgear is also working a new paid service called Business VPN which would either be an offering on top of or in addition to their Insight Cloud offering. Customers will be able to allocate the Business VPN credits to the device where they plan to enable content filtering.

Finally Netgear is still working on a new ‘RBR960’ Orbi router.

iOS 15 RC includes Time to Run Workouts

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 19:35:48 GMT

Yesterday Apple released iOS 15 RC to developers. References to ‘Time to Run’ are included in the iOS 15 RC. Similar to ‘Time to Walk’, ‘Time to Run’ would presumedly allow Apple Fitness+ subscribers to download and listen to guided running workouts on their Apple Watch. The reference reads:

Time to Run Workouts are downloaded when Apple Watch is connect to power and near your iPhone. Completed workouts are deleted automatically.

The possibility of ‘Time to Run’ workout being included in iOS 15 and watchOS 8 was first suggested by Mark Gurman in his August 15 PowerOn newsletter. Currently iOS 15 RC doesn’t show any available ‘Time to Run’ workouts as the feature will most likely launch after iOS 15 is released publically.

Microsoft is working on a photo sharing feature for OneDrive called Photo Story

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 20:47:19 GMT

Microsoft is working on a photo sharing feature called Photostream. Photostream will be backed by Microsoft’s OneDrive service. The Photostream feature is intended to be a way to share photos privately with family and friends. Users will be able to attach photos to ‘Stories’ that will have different permissions for different social groups. Users must be invited to Stories to see shared photos. Microsoft will not monetize Photostream with ads.

Update: Microsoft is now calling its Photostream feature Photo Story.

Square is working on expanding POS availability to Spain

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 14:11:27 GMT

Square is working on expanding POS availability to Spain. Code in Square’s app reveals references to Spain, options for inputing a user’s providence to support Spain addresses, and slight changes to processing VAT for transactions. Currently Square supports card payments in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. And earlier this summer Square announced that they will support card payments in France soon.

Square is also continuing to work on an updated Square Stand that supports the latest iPads and offers integrated tap-to-pay and chip reader payment options.

$SQ

Amazon is Launching their Packaging-Free Delivery (PFD) Service in the United States Soon

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 20:07:30 GMT

Amazon is launching their Packaging-Free Delivery (PFD) service in the United States soon. Amazon has been expanding their Packaging-Free Delivery option to more cities in India recently where it is called Packaging-Free Shipping (PFS) instead of Packaging-Free Delivery (PFD):

Amazon had first launched PFS in India in June 2019 in 9 cities and within a year, the company has been able to successfully expand this program to more than 100 cities.

With this expansion of PFS, more than 40% of Amazon customer orders shipped from Amazon India’s Fulfilment centers are now packaging-free or have significantly reduced packaging. With PFS, multiple customer orders are secured and transported in re-usable totes during deliveries.

Packaging-Free Delivery will be offered for free in the beginning. Then after May 31, 2022 Amazon will charge customers $1.99 per order to use Packaging-Free Delivery. PFD will be part of the Amazon Key delivery service.

Mysterious Samsung Luxo Device Revealed - Update: Samsung Freestyle Projector

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 13:26:46 GMT

Samsung is working on a new mysterious device known as Luxo. The white cylinder device on what appears to be a rotating stand has ventilation holes and plus and minus buttons in the middle. The Luxo work mark uses a san serif font and the luxo logo features two overlapping circles. Could this be a new smart speaker or air purifier? I believe this new device is a rotating lifestyle projector given that Lux is the SI unit of illuminance. Luxo might join similar Samsung display products such as the Frame and Sero TVs.

Samsung is also working on phone related features for its new line of Micro LED TVs, Smart Monitors, and Lifestyle projectors. When a phone is paired to a new Samsung Micro LED TV it can automatically turn on Ambient mode on the tv when the phone is nearby. There is also a new feature where users can create a color themed background for their TV by taking a photo of the Mirco LED TV in the user’s room.

The new Samsung Smart Monitor will be able to display calendar notifications. And users will be able to share their screen to the new Samsung projector by tapping the back of their phone against the top or side of the projector.

Update: Samsung launched and renamed the smart projector to Samsung Freestyle.

SimpliSafe is Working on a Battery Powered Video Doorbell

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 04:19:45 GMT

SimpliSafe is working on a new battery powered video doorbell pictured below. The doorbell, simplied named “Wireless Video Doorbell”, features a remove-able battery that charges via USB. SimpliSafe will offer an optional wired mount for the new doorbell.

SimpliSafe currenly sells the wired-only SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro for $169.

Exclusive: Images of Unreleased Arlo Go2 Camera and Low Cost Security Camera and Video Doorbell

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 12:20:19 GMT

Unreleased Arlo Camera

Arlo is planning to release an undated version of their 720p LTE Arlo Go security camera. The new camera, currently called the Arlo Go2, will feature 1080p and wifi in addition to LTE.

Arlo is also preparing to launch a low cost doorbell and security camera. The marketing names have not yet been revealed. Interestingly both cameras feature what look like AA batteries instead of Arlo’s proprietary batteries for the first time.

Arlo Secure

Arlo just launched their new ‘Arlo Secure’ subscription plans to replace their ‘Arlo Smart’ subscription plan. Arlo details the differences between their old and new plans on their FAQ site.

Arlo Secure is a new and improved version of Arlo Smart. Arlo Secure offers unlimited camera plans*, which means you can add cameras at any time without any added cost. For US subscribers, Arlo Secure Plus has a new premium Emergency Response feature. Like Arlo Smart, Arlo Secure also includes advanced AI object detection, cloud activity zones, longer and higher resolution cloud recordings, and smart notifications.

Wyze Is Working on Wyze Buds, a Non-Pro Version of Their Earbuds

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 17:59:46 GMT

Wyze is working on a new set of headphones they call Wyze Buds. Wyze has already released a set of pro earbuds that feature active noise cancellation (ANC). Presumedly these non-pro Wyze Buds will not include ANC. The unreleased Wyze Buds feature a stem-less design unlike the pro version and more like Apple’s new Beats Studio Buds. The Wyze Buds will feature tap gesture to control playback and a battery case with interior and exterior status ligths.

Three Companies that have successfully integrated Electronic Driver License based features

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 17:30:11 GMT

Three Companies that have successfully integrated electronic driver license based features

During the WWDC last week, Apple announced that it has integrated electronic driver license into its upcoming iOS 15 operating system. This latest development by the Cupertino giant will allow users to store their driver license electronically on their iPhones and use the eDL for Airport checking and TSA processing with ease.

This latest development on Apple’s part has not gone unnoticed by major app developers. Here are 3 app developers that are expanding their platform features to take advantage of this new provision:

Carvana ($CVNA , the popular auto e-retailer is working on a document upload and driver’s license scanning feature in their iOS app. The new settings in the app will be integrated with the iOS privacy settings. Once an user authorizes camera use ( iOS Settings > Privacy > Camera > Enable Carva to take photos), he/she can scan their driver’s license and other relevant documentation directly into the app. Carvana is leveraging technology to generate nearly 4 billion annual revenue run rate. The company has been actively working on several initiatives that help them to reduce the average days to sale nudging them on their path to Gross profit expansion.
Popular drive sharing app Uber ($UBER) is not behind when it comes to assimilating new technology into its app offerings. Uber is working on verifying customer’s age via a Driver’s license barcode scan. Code snippets show that users will be requested to scan the barcode on the back of their ID in order to verify their age.

Payment Solutions provider, Stripe has extensive experience in building numerous ID verification technology in order to conduct business operations in more than 40 global markets. Stripe Identity service will offer a feature that other software platforms can leverage in order to verify identities. The ability to programmatically confirm a valid ID across the globe will help prevent attacks from fraudsters and improve the speed of transaction processing

eWallet technology has been around for some time. When big tech companies such as Apple embrace it and improve it with new features such as integration of driver license and vaccine certificates, it acts as a catalyst in speeding up the digital transformation of numerous companies.

These three companies are definitely on the leading edge when it comes to keeping a pulse on new technology and are first to explore how it can benefit their customer and provide a competitive advantage against their competitors.

-NS

Amazon plans to release a suite of Ring product including Amazon Fetch, Ring Auto, and this strange looking 'Jaws' camera

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 12:30:56 GMT

Amazon is readying releases of Ring Fetch, Ring Auto, and this strange camera with the codename of ‘Jaws’.

Amazon Fetch

Amazon previewed Amazon Fetch, its AirTag like tracker, at its event last. It is not clear if the Sidewalk powered tag will come under the Ring brand as Ring Fetch. While Amazon advertised the tag as primarily a pet tracker at it’s event, Amazon will also promote it’s use as a personal item tracker such as tracking bags and bikes.

Ring Auto

Amazon is also preparing to launch a car tracking device that plugs into a vehicle’s OBD2 port. Users will be able to set up geofences to let them or other users know when a vehicle left or arrived at a certain location. The Ring Auto device features the familiar circular Ring light. The Amazon or Ring device will also alert users when their vehicle has been tampered with such as if someone is rocking the vehicle. A sentivity setting will let user adjust which events will trigger alerts.

Alexa Greeting

Amazon recently announced that they are supporting Level locks via the Ring app. Amazon might also provide some sort of integration with the Alexa Greetings feature and Level locks. Also it appears that either the existing Ring Peephole Cam will gain Alexa Greeting functionality or if there is an updated model on the horizon.

Yale Smart Door Delivery Box

In addition to integrating Level locks, Amazon is also integrating support for the Yale Smart Delivery Box. The integration will allow Amazon packages to be left and locked in the box via Amazon Key. A few months ago there were rumors of Amazon making their own Ring branded delivery box.

Glass Break Sensor

Amazon is still working on a Ring branded smart sensor that could detect breaking glass when placed on windows. The glass break sensor’s codename is ‘Bear’.

‘Quint’ device

Amazon is also working on this mysterious blue box device, codenamed ‘quint’.

‘Access Controller Lite’

Amazon appear to be working on a cheaper access controller. It has a similar shape to their gate control device that integrates with Amazon Key to allow packages to be left inside a gated area.

Ring ‘Always Home’ Cam

Finally Amazon is preparing to ship it’s ‘Always Home Cam’ indoor drone, codename Zues, in the coming weeks. It is not clear if the release of these product will coincide with Amazon Prime day.

The New 2021 Apple TV 4K (2nd gen) adds eARC support for the discontinued HomePod

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:41:53 GMT

Code found in tvOS 14.5 RC indicates that Apple is working on eARC and ARC support for the newly announced 2021 Apple TV 4K (second gen). The feature is labeled as being in beta in tvOS 14.5 RC and tvOS 14.6 beta 1. ARC (Audio Return Channel) is a feature of HDMI 1.4 so that users can send audio and video to their tv from a set top box or their smart tv and passthrough the audio through an HDMI port (instead of an optical cable) to a receiver or sound bar. ARC also lets users send volume and mute commands from their set top boxes to their receiver or sound bar. eARC or enhanced Audio Return Channel builds on the features of ARC by adding support for sending higher bandwidth audio such as Dolby Atmos, uncompressed 5.1, and 7.1 surround sound to receivers and sounds bars along with support for Lip Sync Correction.

So if eARC is a feature to send audio to a device then why would the Apple TV support it? Because this is how Apple will allow users to send audio coming from other set top boxes like a cable box, PS5, or Xbox Series X to their TV via HDMI and then from the TV to the Apple TV via eARC over HDMI and finally from the Apple TV to HomePod. eARC support on the Apple TV allows users to use HomePod, when set up as home theater speakers, for not only audio coming out of their Apple TV but all their home theater audio needs.

Though oddly Home Theater setup, a feature introduced back in November in tvOS 14.2, only supports the discontinued HomePod and not the HomePod mini. This could be a sign that Apple is working on support for a replacement for the HomePod or home theater setup is coming to HomePod mini soon. Or this could be related to the report by Mark Gurman on Bloomberg that Apple is working on an Apple TV with an integrated speaker.

Weekly Undocumented App Features - Lyft's Self Driving Ford Focus, Pinterest Creative Hours

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 20:44:05 GMT

While Apple announced a lot of new products this week (and I have more about that below), I thought I would wrap things up with smaller undocumented iOS app tidbits I can’t leave unpublished. One overall theme I noticed was ATT notices in most apps as Apple has set a deadline for apps to include ATT permissions in the near future.

Uber Eats

Uber has been working on what looks like a feature to ‘dine in’ at stadiums for their Uber Eats app. User will be able to place orders for a specific section, row, and seat which should make ordering food while watching your favorite pastime even easier. Also users can split group orders in Uber Eats now: “Invite guests to add items with a shareable link. Pay for everybody or have guests pay for their share once they’re done.”

Uber

Hailing a ride for a friend that doesn’t have a smart phone is a feature that Uber has had for sometime but now they are testing a feature to let your friend pay in cash. The app warns the user that if their friend doesn’t pay then Uber will charge the user for the ride. Uber has also been working on integrating its purchase of Autocab, a cab dispatching service. User’s can hail a cab using the app or by calling or chating with an Autocab dispatcher. This is a timely feature as ride sharing companies are having a hard time sourcing enough drivers to meet demand. Finally Uber is working on their commute partner feature: “We’ll send you a reminder so you and your commute partner stay on time.”.

Lyft

Another way ride sharing companies can meet demand is by continuing their push of using self driving cars. Lyft’s self driving car division, Level 5, has been working in partnership with Ford on using Ford Focus vehicles as a test bed for their tech and now it appears they are testing it in their public facing app. When users tap on the self driving Ford Focus option they will see this image. Finally Lyft is also working on a ‘Lyft to Lot Discount’ which is perhaps a discount for using Lyft to get a ride to a rental lot at airports.

Instagram

Facebook is working on allowing users to add events to their calendar. It isn’t clear if this is related to Facebook’s recently announced social audio features and partership with Spotify, code named boombox.

Spotify

You saw the first images of Spotify’s Car Thing on MacRumors; digging into the code some more I also discovered that Car Thing’s codename is Superbird and it has a audio recording capabilities. The latest version of Spotify for iOS in the App Store also includes the following changes: “By supporting this creator with a monthly subscription, you’ll help them to make more episodes. You’ll get access to the full show feed, plus all bonus and exclusive episodes.”

Netflix

Netflix is getting closer to launching “Downloads for You” on iOS. “We’ll download a personalized selection of movies and shows for you, so there’s always something to watch on your phone.” “Downloads for You” is currently only available on Android.

As the Clubhouse clone space heats up, Pinterest continues to work on their live classes feature since by adding a new ‘creative hours’ feature where creators can schedule live sessions and allow their followers to create reminders for when their favorite creators ‘go live’. Creators will be notified of how many followers are planning on attending. Pinterest is also working on business profiles which could be featured for a big Pinterest 2.0 launch.

Robinhood

Robinhood added IPO notifications to its app. It is also reminding users that recurring cypto investments are not supported but maybe this means they are considering it for the future.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft is working on adding its Immersive Reader feature to its iOS Teams app. It has also been working on adding its Immersive Reader feature to Office for iOS.

Google Docs

Google is working on adding emoji reactions to its suite of Office style apps “You and 1 other reacted with…“. They also make users aware that they “Can’t make an encrypted file available offline” or make a copy, open them in other apps, print, preview or send a copy of encrypted files. The latest update also brings suggested replies.

YouTube

Google is working on bringing its Applause tipping feature to iOS. It isn’t clear Google will take a cut or give 100% of the tips to creators like clubhouse does. Google currently takes a 30% cut of Applause tipping.

Zoom

Zoom introduced a big update this week where it highlighted features like more emoji reactions. One thing Zoom didn’t highlight is that they are working on a new immersive view feature that won’t run on all devices as it warns “The host started an immersive view. Your view is modified because your device doesn’t have enough processing power to support the full experience.” It is not clear what is different about the view but it could be some sort of 360 video experience. Also Zoom is working on removing members from chat.

Apple iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS Updates

Finally you can check out MacRumors for more coverage of Apple’s latest iOS 14.5 RC, macOS 11.3 RC, iOS 14.6 beta 1, acOS 11.4 beta 1 updates. I’ll be sharing my thoughts of the event shortly but until then check out some the new copy for AirTags, eArc and color calibration support on Apple TV.

  "AIRTAG_BLUETOOTH_ERROR" => "Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and your AirTag is in range."

  "AIRTAG_BLUETOOTH_TITLE" => "Cannot Connect to AirTag"

  "APPLEID_BUTTON_TITLE" => "Open Settings"

  "APPLEID_MESSAGE" => "To set up this AirTag, sign in with your Apple ID in Settings."

  "APPLEID_TITLE" => "Sign in with your Apple ID"

  "B389_MARKETING_NAME" => "AirTag"

  "BACK" => "Back"

  "BATTERY_TOO_LOW_DEFAULT_ACTION" => "Exit Setup"

  "BATTERY_TOO_LOW_MESSAGE" => "You can retry setup after replacing your AirTag battery."

  "BATTERY_TOO_LOW_TITLE" => "AirTag Power Low"

  "CALL_OWNER" => "Call Owner"

  "CHECKING_LOST" => "Checking if this tag is lost…"

  "CHOOSE_EMOJI" => "Choose an Emoji"

  "CHOOSE_EMOJI_SUBTITLE" => "Select an emoji to represent this AirTag."

  "CONNECTING" => "Connecting…"

  "CONTACT_OWNER" => "Contact Owner"

  "CONTINUE" => "Continue"

  "COULD_NOT_COMPLETE_AIRTAG_SETUP" => "Could Not Complete AirTag Setup"

  "COULD_NOT_SETUP_THIS_AIRTAG" => "Cannot Set Up This AirTag"

  "CUSTOM_NAME" => "Custom Name"

  "CUSTOM_NAME_PLACEHOLDER" => "Enter Name"

  "CUSTOM_NAME_SUBTITLE" => "Add a name for this AirTag."

  "DIRECTIONS_IN_MAPS" => "Directions in Maps"

  "DIRECTIONS_IN_MAPS_SUBTITLE" => "View this AirTag on a map and use the Maps app to navigate to it."

  "DONE" => "Done"

  "EXIT_SETUP_MESSAGE_AIRTAG_IPAD" => "Are you sure you want to exit setup? Bring your iPad close to your AirTag to restart setup later."

  "EXIT_SETUP_MESSAGE_AIRTAG_IPHONE" => "Are you sure you want to exit setup? Bring your iPhone close to your AirTag to restart setup later."

  "EXIT_SETUP_MESSAGE_AIRTAG_IPOD" => "Are you sure you want to exit setup? Bring your iPod touch close to your AirTag to restart setup later."

  "FIND_WITH_SIRI" => "Find With Siri"

  "FIND_WITH_SIRI_SUBTITLE" => "Just say “%@”"

  "FIND_WITH_SIRI_SUBTITLE_FALLBACK_VALUE" => "Hey Siri, where is my AirTag?"

  "HSA2_MESSAGE" => "AirTag uses end to end encryption to keep your location information private."

  "HSA2_TITLE" => "Upgrade Your Account Security"

  "LEARN_MORE" => "Learn More"

  "LIMIT_REACHED" => "Your Apple ID cannot add another AirTag until one or more have been removed."

  "LINKING" => "Register AirTag to your Apple ID"

  "LINKING_WARNING" => "This will be associated with the personal information you have provided to Apple."

  "LOST_TITLE" => "Lost AirTag"

  "MAKE_NAME" => "%1$@’s %2$@"

  "MAKE_SURE_CLOSE_BY" => "Make sure AirTag is nearby and try again."

  "MANATEE_NOT_AVAILABLE_ERROR" => "Manatee is not available."

  "MANATEE_NOT_AVAILABLE_MESSAGE" => "To continue with setting up your AirTag, review and upgrade your Apple ID security."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_IPAD" => "To improve AirTag location accuracy, switch your location sharing from “%1$@” to this iPad."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_IPHONE" => "To improve AirTag location accuracy, switch your location sharing from “%1$@” to this iPhone."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_IPOD" => "To improve AirTag location accuracy, switch your location sharing from “%1$@” to this iPod touch."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_KHA_IPAD" => "To use AirTag features, switch your active device from “%1$@” to this iPad."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_KHA_IPHONE" => "To use AirTag features, switch your active device from “%1$@” to this iPhone."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_KHA_IPOD" => "To use AirTag features, switch your active device from “%1$@” to this iPod touch."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_NO_CURRENT_IPAD" => "To improve AirTag location accuracy, switch your location sharing to this iPad."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_NO_CURRENT_IPHONE" => "To improve AirTag location accuracy, switch your location sharing to this iPhone."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_NO_CURRENT_IPOD" => "To improve AirTag location accuracy, switch your location sharing to this iPod touch."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_NO_CURRENT_KHA_IPAD" => "To use AirTag features, switch your active device to this iPad."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_NO_CURRENT_KHA_IPHONE" => "To use AirTag features, switch your active device to this iPhone."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_MESSAGE_FORMAT_NO_CURRENT_KHA_IPOD" => "To use AirTag features, switch your active device to this iPod touch."

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_TITLE_IPAD" => "Enable Additional AirTag Features by Sharing This iPad’s Location"

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_TITLE_IPHONE" => "Enable Additional AirTag Features by Sharing This iPhone’s Location"

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_TITLE_IPOD" => "Enable Additional AirTag Features by Sharing This iPod touch’s Location"

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_TITLE_KHA_IPAD" => "Make This iPad Your Active Device?"

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_TITLE_KHA_IPHONE" => "Make This iPhone Your Active Device?"

  "ME_DEVICE_SWITCH_TITLE_KHA_IPOD" => "Make This iPod touch Your Active Device?"

  "MESSAGE_OWNER" => "Message Owner"

  "MULTI_BRING_NEAR_IPAD" => "Bring first AirTag near iPad to begin."

  "MULTI_BRING_NEAR_IPHONE" => "Bring first AirTag near iPhone to begin."

  "MULTI_BRING_NEAR_IPOD" => "Bring first AirTag near iPod touch to begin."

  "MULTI_DETECTED" => "More than one AirTag detected"

  "NAME_TAG" => "Name AirTag"

  "NETWORK_ERROR" => "Cannot set up AirTag. Check your internet connection and try again."

  "PAIR_LOCKED_ERROR" => "AirTag is pair locked."

  "PAIR_LOCKED_MESSAGE" => "This AirTag is connected to another Apple ID."

  "PERSONALIZE" => "Personalize Your AirTag"

  "PERSONALIZE_SUBTITLE" => "Add a custom name and emoji to AirTag."

  "PLAY_SOUND" => "Play Sound"

  "PLAY_SOUND_SUBTITLE_IPAD" => "Find your AirTag by playing a sound from your iPad."

  "PLAY_SOUND_SUBTITLE_IPHONE" => "Find your AirTag by playing a sound from your iPhone."

  "PLAY_SOUND_SUBTITLE_IPOD" => "Find your AirTag by playing a sound from your iPod touch."

  "PRECISE_FINDING" => "Precision Finding"

  "PRECISE_FINDING_SUBTITLE" => "When AirTag is nearby, an arrow will point to its precise location."

  "RESTART_SETUP_MESSAGE_AIRTAG_IPAD" => "Bring your iPad close to your AirTag to restart setup later."

  "RESTART_SETUP_MESSAGE_AIRTAG_IPHONE" => "Bring your iPhone close to your AirTag to restart setup later."

  "RESTART_SETUP_MESSAGE_AIRTAG_IPOD" => "Bring your iPod touch close to your AirTag to restart setup later."

  "VIEW_IN" => "View in %@ app"

  "VIEW_IN_FIND_MY" => "View in Find My"

  "WAIT_A_FEW_MINUTES_TRY_AGAIN" => "Wait a few minutes and try again."

  "WITH_YOU" => "With You"}

  "TLV_COLOR_FAILED_SUBTITLE" => "Your iPhone and Apple TV couldn’t connect. Make sure they’re close to each other and on the same network."

  "TLV_COLOR_FAILED_TITLE" => "Unable to Measure"

  "TLV_COLOR_SUBTITLE" => "You can use this phone to measure your television's color."

  "TLV_COLOR_TITLE" => "Color Balance"

  "TLV_COLOR_TRYAGAIN_SUBTITLE" => "Hold your phone close to your television for the entire test."

  "TLV_COLOR_TRYAGAIN_TITLE" => "Unable to Measure"

  "TLV_COLOR_TRYAGAIN2_SUBTITLE" => "Apple TV could not improve your picture quality. Try a picture mode like Standard or Cinema."

  "TLV_COLOR_TRYAGAIN2_TITLE" => "Unable to Adjust"

  "TLV_COLOR_UNSUPPORTED_SUBTITLE" => "Unsupported device for color balance."

  "TLV_COLOR_UNSUPPORTED_TITLE" => "Unsupported Device"

  "TLV_SETTING_UP_COLOR_CALIBRATION" => "Hold your phone close to your TV to begin measurement."

  "TVL_COLOR_SUCCESS_SUBTITLE" => "Apple TV calibrated your display’s color by adjusting its white point."

  "TVL_COLOR_SUCCESS_TITLE" => "Complete"

  "TVL_COLOR_SUCCESS2_SUBTITLE" => "Your television’s color balance is accurate. It doesn’t need to be calibrated right now."

  "TVL_COLOR_SUCCESS2_TITLE" => "Confirmed"

  "TVL_COLOR_TURN_PHONE_SUBTITLE" => "Turn your phone around, so the front-facing camera points at the television in the device outline."

  "TVL_COLOR_TURN_PHONE_TITLE" => "Turn Your Phone"

  “ALERT_ITEM_FOLLOWING_ALLOW_INDEFINITELY_BUTTON_TITLE” => “Allow Indefinitely”

  “ALERT_ITEM_FOLLOWING_LEARN_MORE_BUTTON_TITLE” => “Learn More”

  “ALERT_ITEM_FOLLOWING_OK_BUTTON_TITLE” => “OK”

  “ALERT_ITEM_FOLLOWING_PLAY_SOUND” => “Play Sound”

  “ALERT_ITEM_FOLLOWING_SUBTITLE” => “The location of this AirTag can be seen by the owner.”

  “ALERT_ITEM_FOLLOWING_TITLE” => “AirTag Found Moving With You”

  “ALERT_ITEM_FOLLOWING_WITH_HANDLE_SUBTITLE” => “The location of this AirTag can be seen by %@.”

  “ALERT_ITEM_FOLLOWING_WITH_HANDLE_TITLE” => “%@’s AirTag Found Moving With You”

  “ALERT_ITEM_LOST_DETECTED_LEARN_MORE_BUTTON_TITLE” => “Learn More”

  “ALERT_ITEM_LOST_DETECTED_SEE_OWNER_MESSAGE_BUTTON_TITLE” => “See Message from Owner”

  “ALERT_ITEM_LOST_DETECTED_SUBTITLE” => “This AirTag has been marked as lost by its owner. Tap to help recover it.”

  “ALERT_ITEM_LOST_DETECTED_TITLE” => “Lost AirTag detected with you.”

  “ALERT_SCREEN_LOCKED_HEADER_TITLE” => “Find My”

  “LOCAL_ITEM_FOUND_NOTIFY” => “This AirTag was seen nearby.”

  “NFC_SHEET_MESSAGE_LOST_NOT_YOURS” => “Message from %@”

  “NFC_SHEET_MESSAGE_NOT_YOURS” => “Linked to %@”

  “NFC_SHEET_TITLE_LOST_NOT_YOURS” => “Lost AirTag”

  “NFC_SHEET_TITLE_NOT_YOURS” => “Not Your AirTag”

  “PAIRING_MESSAGE_FOR_NFC” => “AirTag belongs to %s”

  “WARNING_ITEM_LOW_BATTERY_SUBTITLE” => “Replace the battery on %@ soon.”

  “WARNING_ITEM_LOW_BATTERY_TITLE” => “AirTag Battery Is Low”{

  “CINEMATIC_FRAMING” => “Center Stage”

  “CINEMATIC_FRAMING_DISABLED_FOOTER” => “The front-facing camera can automatically keep you in frame during video calls. You can control Center Stage only from the app.”

  “CINEMATIC_FRAMING_NORMAL_FOOTER” => “The front-facing camera can automatically keep you in frame during video calls.”

}{

  “ARCDisabledTitle” => “Off”

  “ARCEnabledTitle” => “On (ARC)”

  “AudioReturnChannelTitle” => “Audio Return Channel (beta)”

  “eARCEnabledTitle” => “On (eARC)”

  “eARCListeningTitle” => “On (Not Available)”

  “PlayTelevisionAudioNotAvailableDescription” => “Audio Return Channel is not currently available on this HDMI port. Check your television’s settings to make sure CEC is enabled and this input supports ARC/eARC.”

  “PlayTelevisionAudioStandardDescription” => “Apple TV will play audio from your television and its inputs through your home theater HomePod speakers.

Use your television’s “passthrough” mode for best performance.”

  “PlayTelevisionAudioTitle” => “Play Television Audio”

NBC is Working on Pause and Rewind controls for Live Video on Peacock

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:38:22 GMT

NBC is adding controls to pause and rewind live video on its video streaming service Peacock. Additionally users will be able to skip back 10 seconds or jump back to the real time video stream. The ability to pause live video is one of the biggest missing features of the NBC’s Peacock service especially as it has added more live sports and WWE content where users are used to pausing live video. I expect this feature to go live before July 23 which is the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games.

NBC is also looking to revamp their offering for children. The new offering will be called ‘Peacock Kids’.

Microsoft Surface 2021 April Event #OriginialByDesign Hashflag Appears on Twitter

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 11:50:38 GMT

Today Twitter added a #OriginialByDesign hashflag for Microsoft’s April 2021 event where they are expected to announce a new Surface Laptop 4 and webcam. The hashflag image depicts 4 gray emoji faces. Jane Wong’s hashflag browser shows the filename for the hashflag is SurfaceOriginalByDesignApril_2021 which indicates the event will take place in April and will feature a new Surface device. Also the hashflag browser shows that the event hashflag will appear on Twitter from 2021-04-13 - 2021-07-14. Microsoft could send out invite for this event as soon as today. Microsoft could also release updates to its Microsoft Office for iOS app which would include new PDF annotation features.

Microsoft is Working on PDF Annotation Tools for Office for iOS

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 15:06:22 GMT

Microsoft is adding new PDF related features to Office for iOS. A new feature to merge PDFs will require an internet connection. Microsoft is also working on the ability for users to markup PDFs with bookmarks, annotations, and add signatures from users’ photo library. Microsoft is using Google’s PDFium library to enable these PDF realted features.

TikTok is Working on Notifications for Live Events

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:02:24 GMT

TikTok is working on changes for their Live Events feature. Notably that TikTok creators can be given event violations. The TikTok app will tell creators who end their live events too early: “Your event ended shortly after going after the start time, resulting in an event violation. Multiple LIVE violations can result in limited feature access for future LIVE events.” TikTok will give creators the ability to block, mute, and reply to comments during live events. Viewers of live events will be register for future live events and translate comments with a touch of a button next to comments.

'Hey Spotify' Voice Activation is live

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 02:32:36 GMT

A few days ago I posted images of Spotify’s Car Thing device, UI, and mounting options. Now Spotify’s voice activations feature is live. As the feature rolls out users will receive a notification from Spotify stating “Just enable your mic and say, ‘Hey Spotify, Play my Favorite Songs’. Try it and see what songs we’ve got for you!” Upon opening the notification users are prompted to enable microphone access which states “This lets you control Spotify using your voice.” Finally just use the hot word “Hey Spotify” to trigger the voice assistant. The voice assistant offers basic music controls and the ability to queue up songs, artists, or albums. In Spotify’s settings under ‘Voice Interactions’ user can toggle the “Hey Spotify” functionality, view terms & conditions, and choose between two voices. Alternatively users can hold down the search button to bring up the Spotify Voice UI.

Exclusive: Kara Swisher Interviews Tim Cook on ‘Sway’ Podcast

Sat, 03 Apr 2021 03:56:01 GMT

During a Twitter Space about Amazon fighting workers organizing, Kara Swisher announced that her interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook will air on Monday, April 5th at 5 AM ET. The interview will be posted on her New York Times podcast ‘Sway.’ They will discuss Parler, Facebook, and what it’s like being called Tim Apple. CNN’s newsletter ’Reliable Sources’ has more details:

Swisher asked: “What is your response to Facebook’s response — which is quite vehement — calling you essentially an existential crisis to their business?” Cook answered: “All we’re doing, Kara, is giving the user the choice whether to be tracked or not. And I think it’s hard to argue against that. I’ve been — I’ve been shocked that there’s been a pushback on this to this degree.”

When Swisher asked Cook what impact this might have on Facebook’s business, Cook replied, “Yeah, Kara, I’m not focused on Facebook. So I don’t know.” Ouch. The full episode will be

posted here

at 5am ET Monday…

Exclusive: Sony Working on a successor to the Sony Shake X30D and X70D

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 21:49:22 GMT

Sony is working on a successor to the Sony Shake X30D, the Sony Shake X31D. The Sony Shake X30D, pictured below, was introduced on March 20th, 2017. Sony is also working on a successor to the Sony Shake X70D which is named the X71D. Now if only Sony’s naming scheme was as memorible as it is predictable.

Exclusive: Next Generation Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell Revealed

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 20:27:34 GMT

Google is working on a next generation Nest Hello Video Doorbell. On January 5th, Google confirmed to 9to5Google that is is working on a “new lineup of security cameras for 2021.” Google released the originial Nest Hello Doorbell in 2018 with a micro USB port. I found this next generation Google Nest Hello Doorbell image which appears to have a USB-C port. Google could announce this next generation doorbell at a Google I/O event if the event isn’t cancelled again this year.

Apple Card Onboarding Text Revealed

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 17:29:49 GMT

With the release of iOS 12.4 this week Apple is ready to launch Apple Card at anytime this Summer. While looking through the latest beta of iOS 13 I found the Apple Card onboarding text included below. It includes many details such as the requirements to sign up, marketing messages, and privacy.

Photo ID scan

During the Apple Card application process Apple is going to request the typcial pieces of information such name, birth date, contact information, annual income, and Social Security number. Apple will also request a scan of your photo ID. Application information will be shared with a third-party to verify your information (but not stored by Apple).

Goldman Sachs credit evaluation

Intrestingly you may optionally share with Goldman Sachs some of the information Apple knows about you including which Apple products you own. Goldman Sachs will use this information to evaluate your credit i.e. you might have a better chance of getting an Apple Card if you let Goldman Sachs know that you bought a new iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.

Transaction data in iCloud

Transaction data is stored in iCloud so perhaps Apple Card users can see their transactions on other devices or restore tranaction data when setting up a new device.

Marketing messages

Apple will target users for marketing emails and push notifications based on their transaction history. “For example, Apple may send a message to your device that is relevant to people who typically purchase travel.”

Apple Card on the web

Finally apps and websites will be able to check if you have an Apple Card on account but this can be turned off in the settings. It is not clear what benefit a user gets out of an app or website knowing if the user has an Apple Card.

Apple is expected to start accepting applications for Apple Card sometime this Summer.

Applying for Apple Card

When you apply for Apple Card, your name, birth date, contact information, and device phone number are used by Apple and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch ( Goldman Sachs ) to verify your identity and to help prevent fraud. Goldman Sachs uses a third-party identity verification service provider to verify your partial or full Social Security number and country of citizenship; Apple does not read or store this information.

If more information is needed to verify your identity, you will be asked to scan your driver s license or state-issued photo ID. The image of your photo ID is securely transferred to Goldman Sachs s third-party identity verification service provider for the purpose of allowing Goldman Sachs to verify your identity and to prevent fraud. Apple does not read or store the image of your photo ID but receives the name and address from your photo ID for identity verification to prevent Apple Card application fraud.

You may have the opportunity to share additional information with Goldman Sachs about your transactions and experiences with Apple as part of your application. If you ask Apple to share this information, Goldman Sachs will receive information about the year you created your Apple ID, the Apple products registered to your Apple ID, and the type of payment method you have on file with your Apple account (for example, credit, debit). Goldman Sachs will use this information along with information obtained from credit bureaus and other sources to reevaluate your application; Goldman Sachs will not use this information for purposes other than assessing and granting credit for Apple Card.

You will also be asked to provide an estimate of your annual income to Goldman Sachs to help them make a decision about whether to grant you credit and the amount of credit to grant. Apple does not read or store your annual income.

Information that you have entered as part of your Apple Card application will be stored on your device up to 30 days so that you can continue and complete your Apple Card application when it is convenient for you. After 30 days, you will need to restart your application to apply. Your application will not be submitted to Goldman Sachs for a credit decision until you accept the Apple Card terms and conditions.

Information about your location at the time you submit your application is used by Apple to prevent fraud.

Paying with Apple Card When you use Apple Card, our issuing bank and payment network partners Goldman Sachs and MasterCard receive information about your transaction, including the merchant, time, and amount in order to operate Apple Card. Neither Goldman Sachs nor MasterCard share or sell your transaction information with third parties for advertising or marketing.

Apple delivers and stores individual transaction information in your iCloud account and keeps your transaction history up to date across your devices. Your transactions are stored in iCloud using end-to-end encryption, providing a high level of data security. Your data is protected with a key derived from information unique to your device, combined with your device passcode, which only you know. Your devices can access or read your transaction history, but Apple cannot access this information. Apple Card features that use your transaction history, like spending summaries, are created on-device.

Apple Card and Location

When you use Apple Card with Apple Pay, information about the merchant and location is sent from your device to Apple Maps in a way that cannot be connected to you, in order to provide enhanced merchant information such as address and contact data. If you use the physical Apple Card, you will have the option to use your device’s location to help Apple Maps identify the correct merchant for the transaction. Apple does not otherwise collect your location for Apple Card.

Apple Card and Analytics

To help improve Apple Card, Apple collects information about the Apple Card application process and the use of Apple Card features in Wallet app in a way that does not identify you personally. Personal data is either not logged at all or is removed from any reports before they are sent by your device to Apple. This information includes the time it takes complete the application and what Apple Card features are most frequently used, such as the monthly activity view.

Apple Card and Communications

Apple may use your Apple Card account status, such as whether you have applied for or have a current Apple Card account, to determine whether a message is relevant to you, including a marketing message. Apple may also send messages to your device, which may use information known only to you and your device, such as your transaction history and location, to help determine whether a message is relevant to you. For example, Apple may send a message to your device that is relevant to people who typically purchase travel. Apple does not need to know whether you purchased travel your device can use your transaction history to decide whether the message is relevant to you. This helps to ensure that you receive relevant communications, while protecting your privacy. Apple does not know which messages you see on your device.

Anonymous and aggregate information that cannot be tied to you may also be used for Apple Card marketing and other messaging. You may opt out of marketing messages by clicking the unsubscribe link in a marketing email or by turning off notifications for Apple Card.

Apple Apps and Websites Can Check if You Have Apple Card

Apple apps and websites that can check if you have Apple Pay enabled can also check if you have Apple Card. You may disable these apps and websites from checking if you have Apple Card by changing your settings. On iOS, go to Settings > Safari > Check for Apple Pay. On macOS, go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy and deselect Allow websites to check if Apple Pay is set up.

Daily Cash

If you have Apple Cash, your Apple Card Daily Cash disbursements are processed through Apple Payments Inc., a licensed money transmitter that is a subsidiary of Apple Inc. You can learn more about how Apple Payments Inc. protects your privacy by opening Wallet, tapping your Apple Pay Cash Card > & > About Apple Pay Cash & Apple Payments Inc. and Privacy.

Apple Card Support

If you have questions about Apple Card, you can contact support through your Wallet app by initiating Messages. Apple will use any information you share, including personal information, to process your request. If your inquiry must be sent to Goldman Sachs for servicing, Apple will share information about you and your inquiry with Goldman Sachs so that they may better help you. Apple will not retain any personally identifiable financial information that it sends to Goldman Sachs for servicing. You may also contact Goldman Sachs directly with questions by calling 877-255-5923.

Closing Your Apple Card Account

If you close your Apple Card account, information about your Apple Card account will remain in Wallet until you remove Apple Card from the Wallet app.

Updating Your Information

You can update your Apple Card account information by contacting Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs may share updated Apple Card account information with Apple for purposes of providing Apple Card services.

More Information

Apple receives anonymous and aggregate information about Apple Card, including information about the use of Apple Card in Wallet. None of the collected information identifies you personally. Apple may use information that does not identify you to improve Apple products and services, for marketing, and for fraud and security purposes. Apple will not attempt to re-identify any anonymous or aggregated Apple Card data we receive.

Apple and Goldman Sachs will use your information as required by law and for fraud prevention. Apple Card-related information may be used by Apple or Goldman Sachs to the extent necessary and required to comply with law or valid legal process, even after you have closed your account.

You can learn more about how Goldman Sachs protects your personal information by reviewing their privacy policy.

By using Apple Card, you agree and consent to Apple s and its subsidiaries and agents transmission, collection, maintenance, processing, and use of your information as described above.

Information collected by Apple will be treated in accordance with Apple s Privacy Policy, which can be found at www.apple.com/privacy Your application, account, and device use patterns and settings information will be shared with Apple, Goldman Sachs, and an identity verification service for application processing, identity verification, and fraud prevention. See how your data is managed. You may have the opportunity to share information with Goldman Sachs about your transactions and experiences with Apple as part of your application. Goldman Sachs, Apple Card’s issuing bank, and MasterCard, Apple Card’s global payment network, receive your Apple Card transaction information, but do not share or sell your transaction information to third parties for marketing or advertising. Apple Card features that use your transaction history, like transaction history and spending summaries, are created on-device. Apple does not know your transaction history. Apple Card is designed to protect your privacy and security so that you can focus on your financial health. Information you provide in your Apple Card application will be used by Apple and Goldman Sachs and will be shared with a third-party identity verification service provider to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Face ID fails to prevent access to iCloud Keychain passwords in iOS 13 Public Beta

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:15:13 GMT

In iOS 13 Public Beta 2 and Developer Beta 3 Face ID does not authorize before allowing access to a user’s iCloud Keychain containing their website and app passwords. This is a regression from iOS 12.

Steps to Reproduce

Open the Settings app
Tap ‘Passwords & Account’
Cover the Face ID sensor
Quickly and repeatedly tap ‘Website & App Passwords’

Expected:

The ‘Face Not Recognized’ dialog should appear.

Actual:

The user is shown the ‘Website & App Passwords’ screen without Face ID authenticating.

Note: Sometimes the ‘Face Not Recognized’ dialog appears when reproducing this but after canceling out of the dialog and trying again should make it work.

Check out my tweet for video proof: https://twitter.com/SteveMoser/status/1149067077640163334

New Mac Pro Details from Catalina Beta 2

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 16:26:24 GMT

Catalina (macOS 10.15) Beta 2 includes some new details on the new 2019 Mac Pro (Mac7,1). The Expansion Slot Utility app lives again! The app, now updated to version 2.0, wasn’t compatible with the previous 2013 Mac Pro since it didn’t have user replaceable PCI slots. The app icon which used to be the default app icon has been replaced with an image of the new 2019 Mac Pro (with the default feet, no wheels). New strings included in the app indicate that the user will be alerted when cards in the Mac Pro are not in an optimal configuration and will give the user suggestions on where to move a particular card. Also one of the file names includes a reference to ‘J160’ which is most likely the codename for the 2019 Mac Pro (J90 was the codename for the 2013 Mac Pro). The application of course doesn’t open on my MacBook Pro but I did find some assets that have to do with card slots and covers.

The Memory Slot Utility app has also been updated with references to K71S and K52S build configurations for the 2019 Mac Pro.

Finally, in a display related framework, I found the landscape and portrait artwork used for the new Apple Pro Display XDR. This artwork is used in Display preferences window to show which monitor is in use.

Apple Internal HomeKit Video Analysis Study

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 13:42:32 GMT

While looking around the files included in the Home app and related frameworks in the Beta of macOS 10.15 Catalina I found a PDF study consent form for an internal project named HomeKit Video Analysis Study. The purpose of the study to “improve the HomeKit IP camera experience” by collecting video clips from a HomeKit-supported camera in employees homes in order to “train an algorithm to detect movement and people.” Participation in the study is voluntary of course for Apple Employees. This study could have been created in order to improve the newly announced Secure Video API in iOS 13 which analyzes video on a HomePod sent from a HomeKit camera before storing it on iCloud.

Apple's List of 235 Apps that are incompatible with macOS Catalina

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 18:53:23 GMT

A bundle called IncompatibleAppsList.bundle found in /Library/Apple/Library/Bundles/ in macOS Catalina contains a of list of 235 apps that are incompatible with Catalina. This list is used by the Catalina installation process to show the user a list of currently installed apps that are incompatible. Many of the apps listed are included only because older versions of the apps are incompatible as noted by the strings included with the bundle. This is example of the one for Transmit: Transmit: this version of Transmit is not compatible with this version of macOS. Some notable inclusions are:

Transmit 4.1.7
1Password 2.12.2
iStats Menu 2.9
Box Sync 4.0
QuickBooks 2015
SugarSync 1.0
Default Folder X 4.3.10
VMWare Fusion 3.1.4
Creative Cloud 1.1.0.592
Parallels 2.5
and many antivirus apps

Also there is one app in a bundle called IncompatibleAppsList which includes the following string: TextWrangler has been end of lifed. Update to BBedit.

Gist Download Link: IncompatibleAppsList.plist

ARKit 'Star' Found in iOS 13's New Find My App

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 11:44:02 GMT

Besides finding references to Apple’s as-yet-unannounced Tile-like ‘Tag1,1’ I also found an ARKit ‘star’ icon in the new Find My app. Apple’s new Find My app in iOS 13 replaces both the Find my iPhone and Find my Friends app. The ARKit ‘star’ icon included in the Find My app implies that there might be a way to use augmented reality to find lost devices. Curiously there is also a circular Settings icon which could imply that this app could run on the watch or as-yet-unannounced hardware. Finally why did Apple include an orange balloon in the app?

Undocumented and Under Documented features in macOS 10.15 Catalina

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:26:25 GMT

With so many announcement from this year’s WWDC it is no surprise there are many under documented and undocumented features, deprecations, and updates in macOS 10.15 Catalina. Let’s start with a few features I’ve found while digging through macOS 10.15

Features

SideCar

The first part of SideCar was introduced last year as Continuity Camera even though internally it was called SideCarCamera. Strangely enough this year it is referred to internally both as SideCar and Continuity. I like the name SideCar as it is more memorable than Continuity and implies the one to one relationship between the Mac and iPad (or the iPhone in the case of SideCarCamera). This year Apple announced on stage that SideCar includes extending and mirroring a Mac’s display to an iPad and using a iPad to markup or sketch content on a Mac. Extending or mirroring a Mac’s display can be done through Preference, AirPlay menu bar app, or by clicking on the green button in the “traffic lights” which displays options for entering full screen or tiling left or right. Additionally if you hold Option while clicking the green button options for zooming and moving windows to the left or right side of the screen appear. Finally, I found the following reference to a as-yet-unannounced feature of SideCar: signature support.

ContinuityCamera.appex
ContinuityDisplay.appex
ContinuityMarkup.appex
ContinuitySignature.appex
ContinuitySketch.appex

The ‘Continuity Signature’ or SideCar Signature can be seen in the signature feature inside QuickLook and Preview. I was able to grab a screenshot on the Mac for this signature feature but SideCar keeps timing out on me so I wasn’t able to grab a screenshot from the iPad side. If SideCar is working for you send me a screenshot on twitter.

Siri Air Quality

Siri supported Air Quality requests in Mojave but replies came back as plain text. This year Apple included a Siri UI bundle for Air Quality which not only nicely displays the Air Quality but also the Fine Particles and Ozone values.

WPA3

With macOS 10.15 Catalina the Mac now supports WPA3 as noted in the Beta 1 release notes.

New Frameworks

Helium which might be the codename for Multi GPU Pooling technology for the new Mac Pro
Geode which might be the new photo editing UI for the Photos app
Mondrian (as in Piet Mondrian) which might be the new layout (PhotosAtlasView) for Photos in the Photos app
ProVideo
USDKit
caulk which might be a new audio framework

Changes

Z shell (Zsh) replaces Bash as the default shell .
Previous Catalyst apps such as News have better keyboards shortcuts such at ⌘+[ or Escape to navigate back instead of ⌘+U.
The systems files have been moved to their own read-only volume.
Ticket Viewer app was moved to core services folder
CoreServices’s CoreTypes bundle includes references to PCIe card in slot %d is not placed in an optimal slot and There are no card move recommendations for the new Mac Pro.

Deprecations

RAID Utility no longer ships with or runs on macOS 10.15 as it requires the no longer shipping CoreRAID.framework SiriTTS.framework
Hardware RAID is no longer included in the System Information app
System Image Utility no longer ships with or run on macOS 10.15 as it requires the no longer shipping SIUFoundation framework
The 64-bit compatibility column is gone in the Applications list in the System Information app
New International tab in System Information app

Apple Renames iOS for iPad to iPadOS

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 15:30:00 GMT

Hours before Apple kicked off this year’s WWDC keynote a new Apple Developer Program License Agreement (accessibile only if you have a developer membership) was uploaded to Apple’s developer site with a timestamp of June 3rd 2019. Major changes were found when comparing it to the previous license agreement (October 10th 2018). The biggest change was the addition of as-yet-unannounced iPadOS to the list of operating systems that they support.

To be clear this is a marketing change and rename of the existing iOS for iPad, not a brand new OS from the ground up.