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  • Opinion: Let the iPod touch rest in peace – or upgrade it now

    Opinion: Let the iPod touch rest in peace – or upgrade it now

    In truth, the iPod touch has been so forgotten by Apple and its users that you actually require to look for it on Google to discover out the company still sells the 2019 seventh-generation iPod touch in 6 colors and up to 256GB of storage.
    Apple touted that the current iPod touch is all about the “enjoyable at complete speed.” The company even promoted the iPod touch as a gaming gadget prior to launching its Apple Arcade service. Now, with over 180 video games on its gaming membership platform, and 3 years later on, the iPod touch feels lost in time.
    It runs the A10 Fusion chip, discovered in the iPhone 7. Its two times as quick as its previous design and has three times better graphics efficiency, with only a 4-inch Retina screen, the iPod touch feels too small. It has an 8MP cam efficient in video recording in 1080p HD and has a FaceTime HD camera with 1.2 MP resolution.
    With an out-of-date cam and screen size, and almost an out-of-date chip, will Apple try to restore the iPod magnificence in an eighth-generation?
    Whats the point of having an iPod touch in 2021

    Keep in mind the great old days when the iPod touch was the go-to gadget when you didnt have an iPhone or iPad? These days are slowly falling behind us. Apple does not promote any iPods anymore, and its time to let this gadget rest in peace alongside all the other iPods– or upgrade it.

    The iPod touch is relatively affordable. This might be the go-to gadget for kids to play video games, listen to music, and link with their pals utilizing iMessage and FaceTime.
    With Family Sharing established, the kid can likewise benefit from iCloud, requesting for an adult to authorize in-app payments, and it can constantly be discovered with the Find My feature. For an adult or an older person, the iPod touch will feel too small to read or play video games. The iPod touch speakers also leave a lot to be preferred.
    If we compare the iPod touch with a video gaming console, lets go back to 2019. At the time of the seventh-generation iPod touch introduced, Nintendo was still a couple of months away from introducing the $199 Nintendo Switch Lite practically created for kids.
    When the Japanese company presented a more affordable variation of its effective Nintendo Switch console, the iPod touch also lost its “video gaming gadget” advantage. In 2021, its method more visible. Heres what my associate Jeff Benjamin had to say about the iPod in 2020:

    ” How does the iPod touch 7th-gen work as a portable video game device? While many of the video games work well on the 4-inch display of the iPod touch, some video games, like the third-person runner Hot Lava, are a stretch to play on such a little screen.”
    ” For grownups, this may be particularly true, given that larger hands can quickly obscure the screen, which likewise works as the main controller for video games on the platform. Utilizing an external Bluetooth controller helps– iOS 13 includes PlayStation Dual Shock 4 and Microsoft Xbox One controller support– but such a setup isnt precisely ideal for a device with a 4-inch display.”

    What Apple could do about the iPod touch?

    Apple has two-way outs with the iPod touch: it can upgrade it with better electronic cameras, a larger display, and a much faster processor with the A12 Bionic or superior. When and for all, or the business can say goodbye to the iPod.
    As WWDC 2021 methods, it might be a fun time for Apple to announce one of the two things: the iPod line going away for excellent or providing it a well-deserved upgrade. iOS 15, for instance, will most likely stop supporting the iPhone 6s. With that in mind, the iPod touch and the A10 Fusion processor might be supported for simply one more year– offering new purchasers of the iPod just one major software application update.
    Wrap-up

    As in 2021, theres almost no factor to purchase this iPod. With a larger screen, much better processor, and improved cams, it takes advantage of the Apple Pencil as well as the Smart Keyboard, perfect for homeschooling.
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    Examine out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

    Keep in mind the great old days when the iPod touch was the go-to gadget when you didnt have an iPhone or iPad? Apple does not promote any iPods anymore, and its time to let this device rest in peace along with all the other iPods– or upgrade it.

    The business even promoted the iPod touch as a gaming gadget prior to releasing its Apple Arcade service. When the Japanese company introduced a cheaper version of its effective Nintendo Switch console, the iPod touch likewise lost its “video gaming device” advantage. With that in mind, the iPod touch and the A10 Fusion processor might be supported for just one more year– offering new purchasers of the iPod just one major software update.

  • What’s Google Floc? And How Does It Affect Your Privacy?

    What’s Google Floc? And How Does It Affect Your Privacy?

    It intends to provide marketers a way of targeting advertisements without exposing details on individual users, and it does this by organizing individuals with comparable interests together: Football fans, truck chauffeurs, retired tourists, or whatever it is.”We began with the concept that groups of people with typical interests might replace individual identifiers,” writes Googles Chetna Bindra. Any associates that are too little will get organized together up until they have a least numerous thousand users in them, to make it more difficult to recognize private users.FLoC is based on the idea of a Privacy Sandbox, a Google-led initiative for sites to request specific bits of details about users without overstepping the mark.
    Screenshot: David Nield through Google ChromeGoogle wants FLoC to replace the conventional way of tracking individuals on the web: Cookies. Embedded, significant trackers known as third-party cookies keep tabs on users as they move throughout multiple websites, while advertisers also utilize an invasive technique called fingerprinting to understand who you are even with anti-tracking procedures turned on (through your use of font styles, or your computers ID, your linked Bluetooth gadgets or other methods).

  • How to Silence Your Android Phone Automatically While Charging

    How to Silence Your Android Phone Automatically While Charging

    If youre like the majority of people, you charge your phone while youre sleeping. Rather of by hand switching your Android phone to silent mode every night, well reveal you how to immediately silence it while its charging.
    Silent mode on a lot of Android gadgets doesnt block alarms, which is good if you silence your phone while sleeping. We can do much better than that. With “Do Not Disturb” mode, you can silence your phone while charging and still get important notifications.
    The Google Clock app includes a suite of tools under the “Bedtime” tab. If you have a Google Pixel phone or a relatively new Android device, theres a likelihood you have additional bedtime alternatives with “Digital Wellbeing.”
    RELATED: How to Wind Down at Night with Bedtime Mode for Android
    Download the Google Clock app from the Play Store if you dont have it currently.

    Beneath that, youll want to toggle on “Do Not Disturb.” This will guarantee that alerts are silenced while your phone is plugged in throughout the selected time window.

    Tap “While Charging at Bedtime” where you will see the wake-up and bedtimes that we picked in the previous actions.

    To get the finest out of this feature, youll wish to make sure you have “Do Not Disturb” mode established. Sadly, this procedure varies wildly by gadget, but we have a guide for Google Pixel phones.
    With all of these settings interacting, your phone will be silenced at night when you charge it, however essential notifications will still come through. Thats a win/win circumstance.
    RELATED: How to Set up Do Not Disturb on Google Pixel Phones

    Quiet mode on most Android devices does not block alarms, which is good if you silence your phone while sleeping. With “Do Not Disturb” mode, you can silence your phone while charging and still get essential alerts.
    Tap the days of the week you desire to use the alarm.

    There are some additional options on this page if you are creating an alarm, however for the functions of this guide, we simply require to pick a wake-up time. Tap “Skip” once youre finished with this step.

    The Clock app will now ask you to set a bedtime. Like before, use the minus (-) and plus (+) icons to adjust the time and after that tap the days of the week you desire this to take place.

    Now, if your device has Digitial Wellbeing, you will see “Bedtime Mode” on this screen. This is where we will silence your phone while charging. Select the choice.

    Next, choose “Get Started.”

    Now, if your device has Digitial Wellbeing, you will see “Bedtime Mode” on this screen. This is where we will silence your phone while charging.

    It will ask you to create a wake-up alarm. Tap the minus (-) and plus (+) icons to pick a time. Tap the days of the week you want to utilize the alarm.

    Select the “Done” button to end up.

    Thats all we require today. Tap the back arrow icon in the top-left to go back to the previous screen.

    Open the “Clock” app and then tap “Bedtime” in the bottom toolbar.

  • Epic vs. Apple court case: first-week recap

    Epic vs. Apple court case: first-week recap

    Apple argued that Epic is asking it to eliminate a layer of security from the iOS environment, therefore putting its users at danger of compromise. The company acknowledged that its app review procedure is not ideal but kept in mind that it has 500 “expert reviewers.”

    On the second day of the Epic vs. Apple lawsuit, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney testified about his companys company design, relationship with the similarity Microsoft and Sony, and more.

    The Epic vs. Apple court case started on May 3. As it still has two more weeks to go, heres what we have actually discovered this week with the trial.

    Since of Apples focus on privacy and security in response to questioning from Apple lawyers, a fascinating tidbit came when Sweeney admitted that he uses an iPhone.
    One of the things Apples legal representative focused greatly on was Epics usage of its Metal graphics API. Apple lawyers pointed to previous appreciation of Metal on iOS provided by Epic.

    Apples legal representatives, on the other hand, concentrated on the benefit supply to designers on its platforms. This includes access to Apples copyright, such as its range of APIs and developer resources.

    Legendarys opening slideshow consisted of a multitude of internal emails from Apple officers detailing how the company built its so-called “walled garden.” This included e-mails from Steve Jobs, Craig Federighi, Luca Maestri, Tim Cook, Eddy Cue, and Scott Forstall. The e-mails picked by Epic intended to highlight the early decision making that entered into the development of the App Store, with Epic accusing Apple of producing anticompetitive standards from the start.

    The first day
    On the first day, it was everything about Epics and Apples opening statements. Impressive focused on painting Apple and the App Store as an anti-competitive and monopolistic community that fails to provide the benefits to customers that Apple touts.

    Discover more about the first day here.
    Day 2

    Things got made complex for Epics CEO when he said whether or not he would accept a special deal from Apple for a lower App Store commission:

    According to Kosmynka, of these rejected apps, about 215,000 infringed Apples privacy guidelines in some way. Each app sent to the App Store initially goes through vibrant and fixed analysis to spot whether the app breaches any App Store rules or uses private APIs. Theres also an action in the process to inspect if the app is similar to another one offered in the App Store in order to avoid copycats or frauds.
    Then theres the human evaluation procedure, which has over 500 individuals working to examine about 100,000 apps each week. As displayed in the images below, they have access to multiple Apple gadgets to check the apps.

    For more information about this here.
    Read more

    On the fourth day of the trial, the VP of the App Store Matt Fischer was the very first Apple executive to testify. He detailed his participation in the App Store, the creation of Apples standards, and more.
    The App Store VP explained that Apple has long put a concentrate on security in the App Store and refuted suggestions about things like alternative payment approaches and sideloading apps. Fischer likewise talked about Apple Arcade, the App Store account system and scams, and more.
    The App Store VP claimed to Epics attorney that Apple has actually not performed studies on whether video gaming business utilizing third-party payment platforms in-app would lead to security issues.

    Learn more about the 4th day here.
    Day five

    The Apple executives on the e-mail thread organized a variety of conferences with Netflix to go over the businesss prepared tests concerning IAP. ( …) After Netflix had actually begun rolling out its test of removing IAP support, Apple crafted an in-depth slide show presentation for the business in an obvious effort to encourage the business to keep supporting the payment technique. The discussion was sent by Chapman in July of 2018– five months prior to Netflix would ultimately drop IAP support.

    Legal representative: If Apple had told you that it would offer you an offer and no other developers, would you have accepted that?
    Sweeney: Yes, I would have.

    On the 5th day of Epic vs. Apple trial. we discovered more about App Store review procedure.
    In a new document submitted with the trial, Trystan Kosmynka, among the heads of the App Store, detailed that about 5 million apps are sent to the App Store every year and that the app rejection rate is less than 40%. In 2019, 4,808,685 apps were sent for the App Store review process, and 36% of them– or 1,747,278– were rejected.

    On the third day of the trial, we discovered Apples effort to stop Netflix from dropping App Store In-App Purchase support. An e-mail thread showcased internal communication at Apple once the company became aware of Netflixs strategies to present an A/B test focused on usage of the App Stores In-App Purchase system.

    There was also some drama during Fischers testament around the admittance of internal interaction from Apple into proof. Judge Rogers apparently challenged Epics continued efforts to admit particular documents into proof, based upon aspects like significance and files that estimated 3rd parties.
    One e-mail shows there was an internal question about why Hulu had the ability to change between App Store billing and Hulu billing. As it ends up, Hulu is part of a “set of whitelisted developers” with access to the subscription cancel/refund API. The business had actually initially provided Hulu access to this API to support upgrade and downgrade plan modifications before this was natively integrated to the App Store.

    Eventually, Apples attempts to encourage Netflix to keep using the App Stores In-App Purchase system didnt work, but at least offered us with the lengths to which Apple was prepared to go to keep Netflix pleased.
    Discover more about this here.
    Day 4

    Discover more about the second day here.
    Day three

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    Have a look at 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

    According to Kosmynka, of these declined apps, about 215,000 infringed Apples privacy standards in some way.

    One of the things Apples attorney focused heavily on was Epics usage of its Metal graphics API. Apple attorneys pointed to previous praise of Metal on iOS offered by Epic. In 2018, Epic likewise offered a quote for WWDC, at Apples request, praising Metal.

    The emails chosen by Epic intended to illustrate the early decision making that went into the creation of the App Store, with Epic accusing Apple of creating anticompetitive standards from the start.

  • What’s Google Floc? And How Does It Affect Your Privacy?

    What’s Google Floc? And How Does It Affect Your Privacy?

    It aims to provide marketers a way of targeting ads without exposing information on individual users, and it does this by grouping people with similar interests together: Football fans, truck drivers, retired travelers, or whatever it is.”We began with the concept that groups of people with typical interests could replace specific identifiers,” composes Googles Chetna Bindra. Any friends that are too little will get organized together till they have a least numerous thousand users in them, to make it more difficult to identify private users.FLoC is based on the concept of a Privacy Sandbox, a Google-led initiative for websites to request specific bits of information about users without violating the mark.
    Screenshot: David Nield by means of Google ChromeGoogle desires FLoC to change the standard method of tracking individuals on the internet: Cookies. These bits of text and code are kept on your computer or phone by your web browser, and help sites figure out if youve checked out in the past, what your site choices are, where worldwide youre based, and more. They can be practical for both websites and their visitors, but theyre likewise heavily used by marketers and data brokers to develop patterns of our searching history.As Google mentions, cookie tracking has become increasingly more intrusive. Embedded, far-reaching trackers called third-party cookies keep tabs on users as they cross multiple websites, while advertisers also use an intrusive technique called fingerprinting to understand who you are even with anti-tracking procedures switched on (through your usage of fonts, or your computer systems ID, your connected Bluetooth gadgets or other means).

  • This 3D Printer Uses Sawdust to Make Real Wood Stuff

    This 3D Printer Uses Sawdust to Make Real Wood Stuff

    Desktop Metal
    This week, a business called Desktop Metal revealed its all-new 3D printers that use wood waste and sawdust for 3D printing, and it looks remarkable. Yes, picture using wood with your 3D printer to create all sorts of things.
    The brand name, Forust, seeks to conserve trees by utilizing wood waste to create sustainable wood products. Everything from house products, furnishings, and anything else that looks good with wood grains.
    According to Desktop Metal, the technology uses sawdust and lignin, by-products from the wood and paper markets, and turns them into beautiful items. Nevertheless, numerous wood-printed products look more like MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or plywood than real things crafted from real wood after browsing the website. Still, its a neat technique to 3D printing while likewise being simpler on earth.
    Desktop Metal, Forust
    Desktop Metal CEO Ric Fulop stated, “There are numerous applications where polymers and plastics are utilized today where you can now cost-effectively change with sustainably manufactured wood parts– glamorous high-end components in interiors, customer electronic devices, instruments, aviation, boats, house goods, and ultimately in flooring and outside roofing applications.”
    Forust is upcycling and repurposing wood with 3D printing innovation. It can develop all sorts of items from existing wood, instead of lowering trees. As of now, it appears like the site currently has items including bowls, flower pots, car shift knobs, and random home items or furnishings. Moving forward, the business desires to build anything and whatever from upcycled wood.
    by means of Gizmodo.

  • How to Switch between Light and Dark Themes in Photoshop

    How to Switch between Light and Dark Themes in Photoshop

    After you click a square, Photoshop will instantly use your picked style.

    Adobe Photoshop defaults to a dark theme when you first install it, however its easy to rapidly change to a light style (or somewhere in between) on Windows and Mac. Heres how to do it.

    In the Preferences window, locate the “Color Theme” choice in the “Appearance” section. Click the colored square representing the style color that you d like to utilize in Photoshop.

    In addition, you can alter the color that Photoshop utilizes to highlight selected items (like layers on the “Layers” panel). Because the default highlight color isnt plainly noticeable in these themes, you might desire to do this if you utilize a gray or dark theme.
    To change the emphasize color, click the “Highlight Color” drop-down menu in the Preferences > > Interface window and choose a color.

    How to Set a Light or Dark Theme Using Preferences
    There are two methods to alter the Interface theme from dark mode to light mode in Photoshop. The very first approach is by utilizing the Preferences menu. To do so, initially, open Photoshop on your computer system.
    If youre using Windows, click the “Edit” menu, and then choose Preferences > > Interface. If youre a Mac user, click “Photoshop” in the menu bar, and after that choose Preferences > > Interface.

    While youre in this menu, you might want to experiment with other look options. When youre done, click “OKAY” to save your changes and close the Preferences window.
    How to Set a Light or Dark Theme Using Keyboard Shortcuts
    The second method to set style color in Photoshop is by using two comparable keyboard shortcuts. These faster ways (which deal with both Mac and Windows) enable you to rapidly move between the four light and dark user interface modes. Heres how to use them:

    There are 2 ways to alter the Interface theme from dark mode to light mode in Photoshop. The very first technique is by using the Preferences menu. To do so, initially, open Photoshop on your computer system.
    The 2nd way to set style color in Photoshop is by utilizing two similar keyboard faster ways. These shortcuts (which work on both Mac and Windows) enable you to quickly move in between the 4 light and dark interface modes.

    Shift+ F1: Photoshops interface style becomes one shade darker.
    Shift+ F2: Photoshops user interface style becomes one shade lighter.

    There are currently only four levels of brightness, so when you get to the darkest style, you cant get any darker, and vice versa with the lightest setting. Try out the theme colors until you discover whichever is most comfy for you.
    Even much better, Photoshop remembers your theme color setting the next time you run the app, so theres no requirement to set it once again during your next session. Have fun!
    RELATED: 30 Great Photoshop Tips and Tricks to Help Your Computer Graphic Skills

  • These ingenious iPhone wallpapers ensure your battery never dies

    These ingenious iPhone wallpapers ensure your battery never dies

    Mobile phone parts are more effective than ever, and battery capacities have actually progressively increased recently. On top of that, all brand-new mobile phones support substantially quicker charging speeds, and a lot of them include cordless charging support. This makes it much more convenient to recharge the handset throughout the day.
    Still, if dropping battery life freaks you out, then Ben Vesseys smart iPhone wallpaper trick may assist. As youve probably thought by now, the wallpaper rotates depending on the battery state. You get to pick a various house and lock screen for healthy battery, low battery, and charging mode. That method, a quick glimpse at the screen will tell you all you need to understand about it.
    iPhone 12 wallpaper changes depending upon the battery charge. Image source: Ben Vessey
    IOS doesnt use this kind of iPhone dynamic wallpaper performance. So Vessey took one of the terrific iOS features that could pull it off, the Shortcuts automation app constructed into iOS.
    The Dynamo wallpapers that Vessey designed arent an iOS app, so you will not find them in the App Store. Youll need to purchase the 2 packs, each containing three sets of dynamic Wallpaper, straight from Vesseys website.
    If youre currently well-versed in setting up automation on iPhone, then you may currently know how to set up such shortcuts. You might use any images as battery life indications, as long as theyre descriptive enough for the battery mentions shown above.

    Chris Smith started discussing gadgets as a pastime, and before he understood it he was sharing his views on tech stuff with readers around the world. Although he desperately attempts Whenever hes not writing about devices he badly fails to stay away from them. Thats not necessarily a bad thing.

    Some phones provide much better battery than others but choose any of the latest handsets, and youre likely to get exceptional battery life. Last years iPhones and Androids likewise qualify.

    The image above programs three iPhone 12 units, each including three different wallpapers. Upon closer examination, you d understand its the same iPhone 12 gadget rocking a type of wallpaper thats not exactly readily available on iPhone. The image turns depending upon a particular action, in this case, your worst mobile phone fear. They match the iPhones battery life. Its a dazzling gizmo that anyone can establish on their iPhones without jailbreaking the handset. Its all possible thanks to a different iPhone functionality thats currently developed into iOS.
    Todays Top DealAirPods Pro are finally back in stock at Amazon … at the least expensive cost of 2021! Sticker price:$ 249.00 Price:$ 197.00 You Save:$ 52.00 (21%) Available from Amazon, BGR may receive a commissionBuy NowAvailable from Amazon BGR may receive a commission

    The image above programs 3 iPhone 12 units, each featuring three various wallpapers. Upon closer inspection, you d recognize its the same iPhone 12 gadget rocking a type of wallpaper thats not exactly offered on iPhone. They match the iPhones battery life. Still, if dropping battery life freaks you out, then Ben Vesseys smart iPhone wallpaper trick might help. If youre currently skilled in setting up automation on iPhone, then you may currently know how to set up such shortcuts.

    Youll require an iPhone 6s or later on to make it all work on your own or with Vesseys vibrant iPhone wallpapers, which are offered at this link.
    Todays Top DealAirPods Pro are lastly back in stock at Amazon … at the least expensive rate of 2021! Sticker price:$ 249.00 Price:$ 197.00 You Save:$ 52.00 (21%) Available from Amazon, BGR may get a commissionBuy NowAvailable from Amazon BGR may get a commission

  • Today in Apple history: iTunes experiments with video downloads

    Today in Apple history: iTunes experiments with video downloads

    Apple Music TELEVISION
    These days, Apple is deep into the streaming game. Developed on the $3 billion acquisition of Beats, subscription service Apple Music introduced in 2015.
    Video was constantly in the mix, considering that Cupertino folded some music documentaries into the service. In 2020, Apple flipped the switch on a 24/7 streaming music video service for subscribers called Apple Music TV.
    What was the very first video download you made via iTunes? Leave your remarks listed below.

    The video quality wasnt constantly remarkable. Unlike the HD quality of todays iTunes video downloads or Apple TV+ video, some music videos came at a meager 480 × 360 resolution. Making them bonus instead of premium material allowed Apple to iron out the kinks prior to charging cash for video downloads.
    By that time, Apple had launched the fifth-gen iPod Classic. That gadget introduced video playback– verifying video as an exceptionally important part of Cupertinos content offerings.

    This feature never truly caught on due to its general awkwardness. You needed to take the disc out of the CD gamer, put it into your computer system, and then navigate a (usually badly developed) user interface to watch a short MPEG video.
    Downloading videos worked no in a different way from downloading music. This ease of usage made all the distinction.

    Apples choice to embrace video made perfect sense. YouTube was in its infancy (for this reason individuals paying cash for music videos). Downloading videos worked no differently from downloading music. Unlike the HD quality of todays iTunes video downloads or Apple TV+ video, some music videos came at a meager 480 × 360 resolution. Making them bonus rather of premium content enabled Apple to iron out the kinks before charging cash for video downloads.

    May 9, 2005: Apple silently starts selling music videos in the iTunes Music Store
    The function shows up with iTunes 4.8, initially providing benefit material for individuals buying albums through the store. It will take a number of months for Apple to start offering private music videos, together with Pixar short movies and a selection of TV programs, for $1.99 a pop.
    Video: The next step for iTunes Music Store.
    Apples decision to embrace video made perfect sense. YouTube was in its infancy (hence people paying money for video). Increased high-speed internet penetration made video streaming a possibility for ordinary users.

    Music videos on iTunes
    The first video to appear on iTunes included a mix of solo tracks and albums with additionals: “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz, The Antidote by Morcheeba ($ 9.90 for 10 songs, plus one video), “Warning Shots” by Thievery Corporation ($ 1.98 for one song and one video), Stand Up by Dave Matthews Band ($ 11.99 for 14 tunes, one video and one PDF) and “Pink Bullets” by The Shins ($ 1.98 for one song and one video).

    In an effort to take on services like iTunes, some record labels began selling boosted CDs around this time. The discs included music videos and other bonus available by computer.