July 2022

iOS and Apple news

Apple Aiming to Replace Passwords With New Passkey Feature, from Macrumors.

A little more info on passkeys from Apple: About the security of passkeys. `Passkeys are built on the WebAuthentication (or "WebAuthn") standard, which uses public key cryptography. During account registration, the operating system creates a unique cryptographic key pair to associate with an account for the app or website. These keys are generated by the device, securely and uniquely, for every account. One of these keys is public, and is stored on the server. This public key is not a secret. The other key is private, and is what is needed to actually sign in. '.

[ RUMOR ] The new Macbook Air is expected to be available July 15.

New iOS 16 CarPlay feature could let you pay for fuel from your car’s screen, reports 9to5Mac. `A new feature quietly unveiled at WWDC conference last month will allow CarPlay users to tap an app to navigate to a pump and buy gas straight from a screen in the car,' reports Reuters.

The very first iPhone was released 15 years ago, on June 29, 2007.

Joanna Stern, of the WSJ, Through interviews with current and former Apple executives like Tony Fadell and Greg Joswiak, `tracing how Apple’s invention matured and changed all of us — perhaps the youngest generation most of all. `On June 29, 2007, the first iPhone went on sale. On that same day, a boy named Noah Schmick was born. Over the next 15 years, the iPhone grew. . . and so did Noah. Watch on the WSJ, or watch on Youtube:

Apple executive Greg Joswiak Says Samsung Copied the iPhone and Simply 'Put a Bigger Screen Around It', in his interview with Joanna Stern. `“They were annoying,” said Joswiak. “And they were annoying because, as you know, they ripped off our technology. They took the innovations that we had created and created a poor copy of it, and just put a bigger screen around it. So, yeah, we were none too pleased.”`

[ RUMOR ] Bloomberg reports that New HomePod coming in 2023, featuring S8 chip, similar audio quality of original model.

iOS 16, version Beta 2, improves SMS filtering on Messages to iPhone users, reports 9to5Mac. `“allows developers to classify incoming SMS from unknown numbers into 12 new sub-categories within Transaction and Promotion categories for improved organization.''

With iOS 16, Apple could kill CAPTCHAs with Private Access Tokens, reports AppleInsider. `Apple demoed technology at WWDC 2022 called Private Access Tokens — and they could potentially kill CAPTCHAs once and for all.'

iPadOS 16 and Stage Manager, a feature that improves multitasking with a =Mac-like multi-window experience. There is also full external display support:

With iOS 16, RoomPlan captures 3D floor plans in seconds: A new framework named RoomPlan will allow apps to quickly create 3D floor plans of rooms using the LiDAR Scanner in recent iPhones and iPads, reports CultofMac. Photocatch is one of the first apps to take advantage of this:

With iPadOS 16 in the near future, iPads will become even more capable. How to replace your computer with an iPad, writes AppleInsider.

An excellent overview of iOS 16 coming this fall.

Everything new with iOS 16 v Beta 2:

A look at a recent patent awarded to Apple: a Possible new AirPods Max Smart Case Form Factor. `According to Apple, the new housing may have an opening into an interior region that receives the headphones. A magnetic closure may be formed along the opening. The magnetic closure may have a pair of mating flexible magnetic members such as flexible rings that can be separated to form the opening or joined along a seam to close the opening.'

Two more patents: an Eye Tracking System, 2 Apple Pencil Patents with new Features, Sound Processing for VR+, reports PatentlyApple. The first one, `illustrates a side view of an example Mixed Reality headset (HMD #200) that implements an eye tracking system. The eye tracking system may, for example, be used to track position and movement of the user's eyes.'

(cont'd) The other patents relate to the Pencil. `Today’s Apple Pencil offers “double-tap” to change tools. Apple’s patent illustrates that they’re considering the addition of “Slide” and “Compressive Force” inputs in the future,' as well as haptic feedback.'

Apple CEO Tim Cook Hints at AR/VR Headset: 'Stay Tuned and You'll See What We Have to Offer', reports Macrumors. Watch:

[ RUMOR ] Apple Rumored to Announce 'Game-Changer' AR/VR Headset in January 2023, reports MacRumors.

Man reunited with iPhone lost in River Wye for 10 months. The iPhone had been underwater for 10 months. It was recharged and still works.

EU Approves Landmark Legislation to Regulate Apple and Other Big Tech Firms, reports Macrumors. `The Digital Services Package now simply needs to be adopted by the European Council before coming into force in the fall.'

Steve Jobs to Be Posthumously Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, reports Macrumors. The presidential honor for Jobs comes alongside sixteen other recipients, including Simone Biles, Sister Simone Campbell, Julieta García, Gabrielle Giffords, Fred Gray, Father Alexander Karloutsos, Khizr Khan, Sandra Lindsay, John McCain (posthumous), Diane Nash, Megan Rapinoe, Alan Simpson, Richard Trumka (posthumous), Wilma Vaught, Denzel Washington, and Raúl Yzaguirre. The awards will be presented at the White House on Thursday, July 7. Read the official announcement, including:

(cont'd, from the White House's announcement): `Steve Jobs (d. 2011) was the co-founder, chief executive, and chair of Apple, Inc., CEO of Pixar and held a leading role at the Walt Disney Company. His vision, imagination and creativity led to inventions that have, and continue to, change the way the world communicates, as well as transforming the computer, music, film and wireless industries. `

iOS apps

Lee told us about Simple Transfer, an iOS app for transferring your photos and large videos to computer using WiFi or USB. It works for those who want to transfer to a Windows system. It can also convert HEIC photos to JPG, HEVC videos to MOV/MP4 and Live Photos to videos.

Woman paralyzed in motorcycle accident turns trauma into hope, reports Today. She created the app Wheel with me Fitness. Download WheelWith Me Fitness at the App Store.

Review of podcast app: Why I think Overcast is the best podcast app out there , writes Joe White for CultofMac. The app is free, with banner ads at the bottom. With an annual $10 subscription, there are no ads.

tips & tricks

A useful reminder: How to Hard-Lock your iPhone, by Apple Support. This will place your iPhone in the mode that requires typing your passcode to unlock it. Just press and hold the power button and one of the volume buttons at the same time, for 2 seconds.

Having trouble with Notifications or Control Center on your watch? Here are 3 ways to fix this.

gadgets & accessories

This 7-in-1 USB-C hub packs both HDMI and DisplayPort, reports CultOfMac in their review. It's very compact and ready for travel. More info at USB4 Mobile Dock.

Pay

Apple Offering Apple Card Owners 4% Daily Cash Back at Select Stores in July, reports Macrumors.

watch

Apple Watch Sent SOS Signal to Save Kayaker Swept 4KM Into The Sea . `Apple Watch came to the rescue of its owner who was swept 4km out into the sea by strong currents by sending an emergency SOS alert,' reports Techworm.com. The incident took place near Sydney, Australia. `The kayaker drifted nearly 2.5 miles off the coast due to strong currents and was unable to paddle his way back to shore due to the force of the strong winds. Luckily for him, he had his Apple Watch on, and was able to immediately send a signal for help by activating the emergency SOS function.'

A reminder: Use Emergency SOS on your Apple Watch, by Apple Support. Also recall that `Apple Watch Series 5 and later (GPS + Cellular), and Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular), can call local emergency services when you're in another country or region. '

You Can Finally Waste Work Hours Watching YouTube Directly On Your Apple Watch, reports Gizmodo. All you need is WatchTube on your watch.

[ RUMOR ] Apple Watch Series 8 Might Be Able to Tell If You Have a Fever, reports Macumors.

general news and crossover

next iPUG meeting

our nextiPUG meeting will be on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

A reminder: Apple makes it easy to donate to Ukraine via iTunes sending funds to Unicef.