Apple launches MacBook upgrade program

Apple recently introduced a business-only program that allows members to obtain and eventually upgrade their Macs for a low monthly fee. This comes after Twitter user Max Weinbach posted an image of what appears to be an Ad located on Apple's business portal.

See this is something I'd absolutely subscribe to pic.twitter.com/QbhtGKGGua

— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) November 29, 2021

As outlined on CIT's website, Apple Business Partners can distribute the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and 16-inch MacBook Pro to their staff for only 3% of their retail list prices as monthly installments.

The company's M1 refresh initiative aims to push businesses to upgrade from Intel-based Macs to their more powerful and energy-efficient successors. CIT will issue a PO to Apple on the business's behalf.

Apple announces winners of the 2021 App Store Awards

Today Apple announced the winners of its 2021 App Store Awards. The overarching theme this year was connectivity, and popular apps like Among Us and Carrot Weather were highlighted.

Here are the recipients of the 2021 App Store Awards:

Apps

• iPhone App of the Year: Toca Life World
• iPad App of the Year: LumaFusion
• Mac App of the Year: Craft
• Apple TV App of the Year: DAZN
• Apple Watch App of the Year: Carrot Weather

Games

• iPhone Game of the Year: League of Legends: Wild Rift
• iPad Game of the Year: MARVEL Future Revolution
• Mac Game of the Year: Myst
• Apple TV Game of the Year: Space Marshals 3
• Apple Arcade Game of the Year: Fantasian

The Trend of the Year

These apps were highlighted by Apple’s App Store team as trending apps that enhanced connections this year. Apple says: “This year’s trend winners brought people together in meaningful ways — while meeting social, personal, and professional needs for users around the world.”

• Among Us!
• Bumble
• Canva
• EatOkra
• Peanut

Along with Apple’s App Store Award winners, Apple also announced the most downloaded apps of 2021. The most popular apps included TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook. More info about Apple’s 2021 App Store Award winners can be found on Apple’s website.

Written by Divi

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iPhone 6 Plus being added to vintage products list this month

According to MacRumors, an internal memo was sent out to Apple employees today stating that the iPhone 6 Plus will be added to the Apple vintage products list on December 31st. This will mark the fifth year since Apple has stopped selling the device.

Repairs and services for vintage products are available for up to seven years or as long as parts are available.

The iPhone 6 Plus, introduced in September of 2014, was one of Apple’s best-selling smartphone models ever. It was discontinued after two years in 2016, while the regular iPhone 6 stayed available until 2018. This means that the regular iPhone 6 will not be added to the vintage list for about two years. Apple dropped software support for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus with iOS 13 a few years ago but has continued to offer security fixes periodically.

The iPhone 6 Plus was one of the first iPhone models to feature Apple Pay and advanced cameras. It also had a very small base storage capacity of only 16GB. Through their larger form factor and more advanced parts, the iPhone 6 and 6 Pro changed the smartphone game in 2014.

Twitter for iOS will soon support emoji reactions on tweets

After months of testing, Twitter looks likely to roll out emoji reactions for tweets in the coming weeks. An update to the code was spotted by reverse engineer Nima Owji, which reveals that Twitter is now using data from the downvote button.

When released, you will be able to downvote a reply, or react using the “thinking face”, “tears of joy”, “crying face” and “clapping hands” emoji. Twitter says this will give users a “better understanding” of how tweets make them feel. Twitter is also testing updates to the downvote button, following a public roll out earlier this year. According to Owji, it has moved the position of the button so it appears before the like icon. There is also a new tab explaining how downvotes work, and how they impact your experience on Twitter.

Twitter hasn’t confirmed when the updates will be available, although they are expected to arrive before the end of the year.

Apple hikes prices of iPhone, Mac and iPad in Turkey following economic crisis

Apple has significantly increased the prices of its products in Turkey following a major economic crash in the country this week.

Earlier this week, Apple temporarily halted its online sales over there. It was also reportedly turning down customers at Apple Stores in Turkey’s capital, Istanbul. It has now resumed all sales, but has made changes to the pricing structure of nearly all of products.

The iPhone 13, for example, was priced at 11.999 TL but now starts at 14.999 TL. The Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm) has been increased to 5.399 TL, from 4.399 TL.

Apple sues NSO Group, the creator of ‘Pegasus’ spyware

On Tuesday, Apple announced that it has filed a lawsuit against NSO Group, which is known for developing the advanced spyware ‘Pegasus’ to surveil users of iOS and Android devices. The company claims that it is suing the creators of the spyware in order to “ban them from further harming individuals by using Apple’s products and services.”

‘Pegasus’ has not been available to ordinary people, as it was developed in association with world governments and law enforcement agencies. However, many countries whose governments have purchased the spyware are known to violate basic human rights, therefore putting journalists and political opponents in danger.

Although Apple and its employees consistently state that iOS devices are exceptionally secure, they have also acknowledged especially recently that companies like NSO Group spend millions of dollars every year to crack Apple’s devices. Now, Apple hopes to put an end to spyware like this by suing NSO Group.

Apple devices are the most secure consumer hardware on the market — but private companies developing state-sponsored spyware have become even more dangerous. While these cybersecurity threats only impact a very small number of our customers, we take any attack on our users very seriously, and we’re constantly working to strengthen the security and privacy protections in iOS to keep all our users safe.

As Apple says, ‘Pegasus’ spyware enables governments and agencies to access microphone, camera, and other private data from Apple and Android devices. Hackers can use fake Apple IDs to send malware to users, giving them the ability to install the spyware without the user’s knowledge. NSO Group states that it only provides this spyware to ‘vetted’ military, data groups, and intelligence agencies for use against terrorists and other criminals, but a large data leak recently revealed that the spyware has been largely abused. This has forced NSO Group to be blacklisted by the U.S. government, barring all U.S. companies from working with it.

Apple has confirmed that the spyware only affects personal Apple devices and has not compromised any Apple servers or services. Apple also emphasized major security improvements that shipped with iOS 15 such as the BlastDoor mechanism which protects users messages.

While NSO Group spyware continues to evolve, Apple has not observed any evidence of successful remote attacks against devices running iOS 15 and later versions. Apple urges all users to update their iPhone and always use the latest software.

Besides this lawsuit, Apple has announced that it will contribute $10 million to cybersecurity organizations and funds. Full details of the lawsuit can be found on Apple’s website.

Apple delays the ability to store ID cards in Apple Wallet to early 2022

As spotted by MacRumors, Apple has again delayed its upcoming feature that will allow users in the U.S. to store ID cards and driver’s licenses within the Apple Wallet app. The feature was announced with iOS 15 at WWDC this summer and was originally promised to be released in late 2021. Now, according to Apple’s website, the feature will launch in early 2022.

Announced by Apple Pay VP Jennifer Bailey at WWDC21, the feature will make it possible for you to carry your ID card on your iPhone or Apple Watch and therefore be “fully free of your physical wallet.” Apple is also said to be working with TSA checkpoints at airports in the U.S. to enable them as the first places you can use your digital ID. In September, a press release stated that the first U.S. states to use the feature would be Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah. Now, it seems, the feature will not launch anywhere until at least early next year.

The delay is not very surprising, considering iOS 15.2 is currently in beta and does not enable the feature. With iOS 15.2 likely to launch around the end of the year, it only makes sense that this feature will have to wait until the next iOS update in the new year.

Also, as we saw with Apple’s rollout of its COVID-19 Exposure Notification system, features take longer to roll out when Apple is working with individual state governments within the U.S. rather than the country as a whole.

iMessage reactions will now show up on Android

It was discovered last Friday that Google could be working on new code to show iMessage reactions on Google Messages for Android. Now, according to 9to5google, users are beginning to get the update on their Android devices. Previously, Android users received a strange message saying that the person they were texting with “liked a message” or "loved a message" instead of showing the reaction emoji present on iOS. Many users have complained about this, so it now appears that iMessage reactions will show up in the same way that other text reactions show via RCS on Google Messages. As 9to5google states, reactions like loving and liking messages will show up on Google Messages in a similar way to how RCS reactions are displayed and will show a small “translated from iPhone” popup to explain where the reaction is coming from.

It appears this update is rolling out to users on Google Messages for Android now.

Meta delays plans to launch end-to-end encrypted messages on Instagram and Messenger until 2023

Meta (previously Facebook) has delayed its plans to make end-to-end encryption the default for messages sent on Instagram and Messenger until 2023.

The company’s head of global safety, Antigone Davis, said that the plans have been pushed back from the original deadline of 2022 to focus on stopping online abuse while providing users with additional privacy.

Social media platforms have been criticized by law enforcement and child-protection groups for enforcing end-to-end encryption and preventing authorities from reading messages and from protecting child safety online.

We're taking our time to get this right and we don't plan to finish the global rollout of end-to-end encryption by default across all our messaging services until sometime in 2023. As a company that connects billions of people around the world and has built industry-leading technology, we're determined to protect people's private communications and keep people safe online.

Instagram has recently set the account status of users who sign up under the age of 18 to private, meaning they have to manually accept follower requests and vet who can see their profile. It also encourages users to report harmful content and messages using the built-in report functionality.

Meta says that it “believes people shouldn't have to choose between privacy and safety” and will continue work on implementing end-to-end encryption. It’s worth noting that WhatsApp already encrypts conversations, and Messenger users can move into an end-to-end encrypted chat, although it isn’t enabled by default.

Apple distributes an internal report saying employees are open to talk about pay and working conditions

Ever since 15 employees launched the #AppleToo website in August, the company has been troubled by accusations of harassment and discrimination. The allegations were mostly made by the company's retail employees.

At the time, Cher Scarlett, a former #AppleToo organizer and engineer, told Insider that she believed the HR department "didn't really consider anything they complained about to be an issue." Apple's employees now have the right to openly voice any concerns about pay equality or working conditions, according to an internal memo obtained by NBC News. The memo was posted on the company's internal people site on Saturday, according to the outlet, and was available to all 80,000 salaried and hourly US employees.

According to NBC, the memo reads:

Our policies do not prevent employees from discussing their pay, hours, or working conditions openly.

We encourage any employee who has a concern to express it in the way that feels most comfortable to them, whether internally or externally, such as to their manager, any Apple manager, People Support, People Business Partner, or Business Conduct.

According to NBC News, eight unfair labor charges have been filed against Apple since the #AppleToo movement began, though one has since been dismissed. Janneke Parrish, another ex-employee, claimed earlier this month that the company retaliated after she tried to bring attention to issues of discrimination and harassment. Apple said in a statement to Reuters in response to the report about Parrish that it didn't discuss matters involving individual employees. "We are deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace," the company said.

According to The Verge, Apple claimed that the language in its business conduct policy adequately covered the issues under scrutiny before posting the memo on Saturday. No part of their NDA policies, according to the policy, should restrict their employees' free speech in regards to workplace conditions or equal pay.

The extent to which the policy has been enforced was called into question in August by the #AppleToo open letter sent to Tim Cook and the senior leadership team.

Apple prides itself on its commitment to diversity, equity, and an environment where everyone can do their best work; however, this is far from the case in practice," it said.

If you would like to read about this more in-depth, please have a look at this article by Insider.

Apple announces its second store in Berlin

Rumors about the opening of a second Apple Store in Berlin were already in the news and today Apple has confirmed it. Apple has officially announced a second Apple Store in Berlin. Although the new store has been announced, any pictures of the interior hasn't been released yet. However, pictures of the front of the Apple store has already been revealed. A colorful tube system with the text "Welche Idee ist deine Baustelle?" (Which idea is your construction site?) is depicted on it. With this design, Apple has also released a dedicated page for the store including new wallpapers. Click here to download the wallpapers. A second store in Berlin should definitely be worthwhile for Apple. Due to the history of the formerly divided city, there is no single city center in Berlin and so far Apple is only represented in City-West. The Apple Store on Kudamm is in the Haus Wien, a building built between 1912 and 1913 as a cinema. On May 3, 2013, Apple opened its first Berlin Apple Store there.

Apple hit inside $2 billion lawsuit

Cupertino has recently been hit in a $2 billion dollar lawsuit, alongside hip-hop artists Travis Scott and Drake, and Live Nation. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday corresponds to the AstroWorld Fest incident, which occurred at the beginning of November. AstroWorld, a popular music festival annually hosted by Travis Scott and other artists, resulted in a deadly incident when over 50,000 people went to the venue, resulting to overcrowding. During the incident, over 150 people were reported injured and there were 10 fatal injuries. In the lawsuit, over 280 attendees joined on the case, and could only get bigger as more victims join in on it, added Lawyer Thomas J. Henry. Apple live streamed the entire event on the widely-used Apple Music platform. A wave of lawsuits have been hitting Apple, with another lawsuit filed against Apple and Travis Scott for over $750 million USD in damages. Live Nation, the promoter of the festival, has also been hit with the lawsuits.

Apple launches Self Service Repair, giving customers access to dedicated parts and tools

No, this is not a late April fools joke. This is reality. Apple today announced Self Service Repair, allowing customers to complete own repairs using special parts and tools. This will give customers with knowledge of repairing Apple devices access to a dedicated online store, including Apple genuine parts, tools and manuals. The Self Service Repair program is going to be available for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups first. Followed by the Macs with M1 chips, this service is going to be available next year starting in the US. Apple plans to expand to additional countries throughout 2022.

“Creating greater access to Apple genuine parts gives our customers even more choice if a repair is needed. In the past three years, Apple has nearly doubled the number of service locations with access to Apple genuine parts, tools, and training, and now we’re providing an option for those who wish to complete their own repairs.” — Jeff Williams

The new online store is going to start with more than 200 individual parts and tools to complete iPhone repairs. Customers who return their broken or used part for recycling will receive a discount for their next purchase. Customers join more than 5,000 Apple Authorized Service Providers and 2,800 Independent Repair Providers, who already have access to these parts, tools and manuals. Apple pointed out that Self Service Repair ist only for technicians with knowledge and experience with repairing electronic devices. Therefore, people without knowledge should visit a certified repair provider to get the safest and most reliable repair.

Final Cut Pro 10.6.1 brings bug fixes and reliability improvements

Apple has released Final Cut Pro 10.6.1 with bug fixes and minor improvements. The update is rolling out now to all users on macOS Big Sur and later.

According to the release notes, the new version fixes an issue that prevented importing FCPXML 1.9 and 1.10 files. It also resolves bugs affecting playback of AC3 audio and more.

- Fixes an issue that could prevent successful import of FCPXML 1.9 and 1.10 files

- Fixes an issue where the Command-Z keyboard shortcut would not perform an Undo if Language was set to Spanish in System Preferences

- Fixes an issue in the Export File share destination where the Video Codec setting was unavailable after choosing Computer as the format

- Improves reliabilitv during plavback of AC3 audio

The bug fix update follows a major release in October that included a built-in object tracker, for attaching effects, titles, clips and generators to people and objects. Final Cut Pro 10.6 also introduced the ability to edit Cinematic video captured on iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro.

Amazon app updated with new festive icon

The latest update to the Amazon app on iPhone and iPad introduces a slightly redesigned icon for the holiday season ahead.

Apple Scoop was able to get the new icon after updating to version 17.22.2 in the UK, and it’s likely that the update, and the new icon, will be rolling out now.

The new icon introduces a small change to the sticky tape on the top, following the overhauled version that appeared earlier this year. It’s the first time Amazon has updated its app icon for a festive occasion.

Apple announces Business Essentials IT management service

Apple today announced a new IT management service geared towards small businesses. Apple Business Essentials combines device management, 24/7 phone support, business iCloud storage, and options for onsite device repairs for businesses that have up to 500 employees. The service will launch a free beta today, with the full, paid service launching to the public next year.

Within Apple Business Essentials, Collections enable IT personnel to configure settings and apps for individual users, groups, or devices. When employees sign in to their corporate or personally owned device with their work credentials, Collections automatically push settings such as VPN configurations and Wi-Fi passwords. In addition, Collections will install the new Apple Business Essentials app on each employee’s home screen, where they can download corporate apps assigned to them, such as Cisco Webex or Microsoft Word.

Through Apple Business Essentials, IT departments can manage app downloads, updates, and more for company devices. When employees sign in with their work credentials, important information such as WiFi networks and other settings will be automatically enabled. Users will also have access to work iCloud accounts that include advanced storage and backups, as well as a way to collaborate with others via the iWork apps. A new AppleCare+ plan for Business Essentials adds 24/7 support for both IT teams and company employees and includes two device repairs per plan every year. Onsite device repairs are available and can be initiated directly by company employees rather than IT managers. AppleCare+ for Business Essentials is not available during the service's free beta.

Through Apple Business Essentials, businesses can cover every employee and device. Plans are customizable, and each user can have up to three devices with up to 2TB of secure iCloud storage. The starting price is $2.99 per month, with added costs for optional AppleCare+ for Business Essentials. Prices range from $2.99 to as high as $12.99 per month.

Apple Business Essentials is available today as a free beta and will be fully launched to the public in the spring of 2022.

Apple will soon allow Face ID with third-party replacement screens on iPhone 13

Since the launch of the iPhone 13 in September, it has been noted that when the screen is replaced with a third-party alternative, Face ID stops working. This limits most iPhone 13 screen repairs to Apple, its Authorized Service Providers, and Apple-associated repair shops.

This revelation immediately sparked a backlash as users want more freedom in deciding where to get their phones repaired, and this can be considered anti-competitive behavior as Apple would theoretically force users to use its repair shops if they want to continue to use Face ID. This change also makes it much harder for smaller independent repair shops to repair iPhones. Apple today told The Verge that it will issue a software update that will enable Face ID with third-party screens, therefore making it possible to repair your iPhone 13 at a non-Apple certified repair shop.

From The Verge:

Soon after the iPhone 13 launched, repair experts found that swapping out iPhone 13 screens would break Face ID unless you also moved over a tiny control chip from the original screen. It’s a complex process that makes one of the most common types of repairs prohibitively difficult for independent repair shops. (Apple-authorized repair shops, on the other hand, have access to a software tool that can make a phone accept a new screen.) For indie repair shops, things may get easier soon, however, as Apple tells The Verge it will release a software update that doesn’t require you to transfer the microcontroller to keep Face ID working after a screen swap.

As of now, it is unclear when this software update will roll out, but it may come in iOS 15.2, which is currently in beta testing and will likely be released in a few weeks.

Apple will accept App Store Connect submissions through the holidays, breaking tradition

Traditionally, Apple has shut down the App Store Connect platform for a week mid-holiday season. Today, Apple announced that it will be breaking tradition and will “continue accepting submissions in App Store Connect throughout the upcoming holidays.” App Store Connect is used by developers as a way to submit apps and app updates to the App Store. Apple then reviews them before publishing them to the public.

Apple today said that developers should still submit time-sensitive updates early, but the service will not be shut down like usual.

This year, we’re pleased to continue accepting submissions in App Store Connect throughout the upcoming holidays. Make sure your apps are up to date and ready for the busiest season on the App Store. Due to anticipated high volume, plan to send time-sensitive submissions early. Please note that reviews may take longer to complete from November 24 to 28 and December 23 to 27.

This will mark the first time Apple has ever kept the App Store Connect platform open throughout the whole holiday season. Last year, for example, Apple shut down the service from December 23 to December 27. When the service is shut down, developers lose the ability to submit new apps or app updates for review.