April 2021

on current events

A year ago this month, we were on lockdown with a new pandemic. We held our first iPUG meeting via Zoom in April 2020.

The beginning of the end is here: vaccinations are happening -- and accelerating in the US at a pace of 3+ Million shots a day across the country, some days over 4 Million/day. The US is on track to have all who are 16 or older eligible to be vaccinated earlier than planned, now by April 19. (This means those eligible can sign up starting April 19.)

The beginning of the end is here: The US rate of vaccinations is accelerating: US vaccinating nearly 5 times faster than global average, according to CNN analysis.

The beginning of the end is here: The CDC has updated its guidelines. When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated. This is a process. But life can be closer to `normal’ for those who are fully vaccinated.

The beginning of the end is here: vaccines are proving to be even more effective than the scientific studies showed prior to their release.

We are in a race between injections and infections. There is reason to feel optimistic. This does not mean it's over -- not yet. Sadly, there are increases in infections across many states again. We need to remain vigilant and continue precautions to stop the spread.

It's OK to Be Optimistic: listen to this podcast, released yesterday. Dr. Bob Wachter calls up Monica Gandhi, infectious diseases and HIV doctor at UCSF, to talk about why she’s feeling optimistic at this moment in the pandemic. They discuss why her optimism hasn’t waned despite the fourth wave, the variants, and the CDC Director’s feeling of “impending doom.” Plus, why it’s so hard for places like the CDC to balance optimism and caution in how they advise the public.

Just from yesterday, April 5:

This is from January, but it's still worth watching Captain Picard getting the jab:

Apple and iOS news

Apple announced Worldwide Developers Conference is back in its all-online format. And Submissions for the Swift Student Challenge are open now through April 18.

Artists reimagine the baseball card with iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, apple announced. `This year, Efdot is part of Project 70, which enlists even more artists and tastemakers to reinterpret cards from the 70 years that Topps has been immortalizing baseball players. New cards are released online every weekday through the end of the year and each card is available to buy for 70 hours only.'

Starting with iOS 14.5, Apple is changing the terminology: you can `follow' a podcast, you no longer use the term `subscribe' to a podcast.

Remember the rumor from 2 weeks ago that Apple would hold an event March 23? Later it was rumored that Apple deliberately created this false lead to help identify leakers. Also, Apple has made several changes to its factory security guidelines to help prevent leaks, reports 9to5Mac.

We are still (im)patiently waiting for iOS 14.5 which is in public beta currently.

iOS 14.5 will introduce more Siri voices: two new voices to Siri’s English offerings. Plus iOS 14.5 will eliminate the default female voice selection. Every user can choose a voice of their preference.

Meanwhile, Apple has released iOS 14.4.2 which has security updates.

Apple dominates personal audio market, as shown by Canalys market research. `Smart personal audio devices grew 20% in 2020 to reach 432 million units, while wearable bands grew 10% to reach 185 million units. Both segments continued to be strategic winners as countries emerged from the extended battle against COVID-19, where people grew more health-conscious and became active outdoors.' Apple’s lead is major in this space: Apple/Beats audio shipments for 4Q20: 29.5 million unit, while 2nd place goes to Samsung: 9.4 million units. Apple market share of 26.2%, Samsung 8.3%.

Apple issues guidance About recalibration of battery health reporting in iOS 14.5, especially for iPhone 11.

Future iPhones may predict when a battery will run out, give early warning, reports AppleInsider. Here is the patent: Smart advice to charge notification.

Apple Arcade launches its biggest expansion yet, growing its award-winning catalog to more than 180 games, Apple announced.

`From the start-up sound to the camera click, here's how sound designer Jim Reekes created the Apple sounds you hear every day', a video report by CNBC ( 4 mins). It's a fun set of stories on various Apple sounds. Take a look:

People Share 30 Of The Funniest Contact Names They Have In Their Phones.

iOS apps

The app Time Intersect helps you deal with world time zones, managing meetings around the world.

On the other hand if you mostly just want to see different time zones and how the align, EveryTimeZone.com gives you this functionality for free. There is also a paid version that does more. This is a web-app that you can bookmark on your iOS homescreen or use on your laptop/desktop.

Here is a demo of the EveryTimeZone optional `pro' version:

BeFocused is an app for iOS and macOS. It’s a pomodoro-style app but it does much more. `The Be Focused lets you get things done by breaking up individual tasks among discrete intervals, separated by short breaks. It’s a surprisingly effective way to retain motivation and focus. Create tasks, configure breaks and track your progress throughout the day, week or custom period. Use either your iPhone, iPad or Mac – your devices always stay in sync.’`

podcasts

Kara Swisher's latest Sway podcast episode: an interview with Tim Cook, titled Is Apple's Privacy Push Facebook's Existential Threat‪?‬ The episode is 35 minutes.

Here is the corresponding Sway column published by the NY Times.

It's OK to Be Optimistic: listen to this podcast, released yesterday. Dr. Bob Wachter calls up Monica Gandhi, infectious diseases and HIV doctor at UCSF, to talk about why she’s feeling optimistic at this moment in the pandemic. They discuss why her optimism hasn’t waned despite the fourth wave, the variants, and the CDC Director’s feeling of “impending doom.” Plus, why it’s so hard for places like the CDC to balance optimism and caution in how they advise the public.

tips & tricks

Find `code', a hidden iOS app. To find the app, go to your iOS Home Screen and pull down to bring up Search. Type in the word “code” and the Code Scanner app will appear. Tap it and you are in the QR-code and App Clip scanner.

Got any issues with Apple music? 15 Common Apple Music Problems and How to Fix Them.

gadgets & accessories

Remember the new magsafe accessories for iPhone 12 by Moment that we mentioned recently? 9to5Mac now has a video overview and review:

watch

As of today (April 6), there is a deal for $79 off a (Product)RED Apple Watch, reports Macrumors.

A recently published scientific study by Stanford University established that Apple Watch can accurately assess frailty, reports Macrumors. Here is the publication: Activity data from wearables as an indicator of functional capacity in patients with cardiovascular disease: `This finding suggests that frailty and functional capacity could be monitored and evaluated remotely in patients with cardiovascular disease, enabling safer and higher resolution monitoring of patients.'

privacy & security

Apple posts all the privacy info on its own apps in a single page, take a look: Transparency is the Best Policy.

Remember the recent news story about the new Russian law that all mobile phones would have to include apps chosen by the Russian government? It seems that now Apple has complied: iPhone Setup Process in Russia Now Includes List of Suggested Russian Developed Apps. A list of apps. ;-) It's surprising that apple's approach is considered compliant but it's a great idea. Here is Twitter user Khaos Tian with a screen capture of the new setup process:

Activision Reveals Malware Disguised as 'Call of Duty: Warzone' Cheats, reports Vice. `Security researchers at the gaming company published a report that details a hacking campaign that used malware hidden inside a cheat for the popular online game.'`

He believed Apple’s App Store was safe. Then a fake app stole his life savings in bitcoin. This is a scary and cautionary tale involving fake apps in the App Store (that got past the Apple app review process), as well as the vulnerability of cryptocurrency to non-trackable heists by smart thieves.

our next meeting

Our next iPUG meeting will be on the 1st Tuesday next month: Tuesday, May 4, at 7 pm.