shownotes_20171210

Opening
  Opening Music
    Music is Say Anything by Manda and the Marbles
Sponsor: Small Dog
  Small Dog
    Small Dog has been a staple of the Mac and Apple community since 1995 when they started shipping products to Apple customers out of their living room.
    They offer an amazing selection of new and refurbished Mac and Apple products and accessories.
    Recently they've expanded there selection of Home Automation and HomeKit products so checkout items
    Also be sure to checkout their Refurbished & Clearance section.
      Mention "dented box" items.
    This isn't just some big conglomerate warehouse company. These are REAL people (and real dogs). You can look them up right on the website and they even have their phone numbers right there
      You're gonna the great personal service you'd expect from a friend in the Mac community.
      They have two locations in Vermont and one in Florida so if you happen to be in the area stop by, say hi, and tell them you heard about them on the Maccast.
    You get no sales tax on MOST orders and free shipping on orders over $75.00
      They also can ship the same day on orders made before 3:00 PM ET.
    Maccast listeners can use the coupon code: 'maccast' to get $20 off an order of $100 or more
News
  Apple Watch band gets FDA approval
    This one is not from Apple though.
      Tim Cook has said public ally that Apple wants to avoid adding features to Apple Watch that would cause FDA approval requirements
      Would slow down Apple’s ability to rapidly develop Apple Watch features
      It doesn’t mean health features in Apple Watch can’t be really good
        A recent study, for example, found Apple Watch could detect sleep apnea with 90% accuracy and hypertension with 82% accuracy
      Limits what Apple and say and do related to health features
        Apple Watch will now detect abnormal heart rate issues, like abnormal heart rhythm and atrial fibrillation, but it can only alert you to the issue and not provide any specific diagnosis
    A company called AliveCor has developed the Kardiaband EKG reader and after 2 years got FDA approval
      Gives an accurate EKG reading by touching a sensor on the band for 30 seconds.
      It can actually diagnose if you’re having atrial fibrillation, notify your doctor, and provide readout information to her.
    Uses a CR16020 battery in the band with 90 hours of operation time, which the company says should last 2 years in typical use.
    The band costs $199 and requires a $99/yr. service.
    Apple launched it’s own heart study app in partnership with Stanford Medicine
      The Apple Heart Study app is available for download in the US
      You can download it and opt-in to share data on irregular heart rhythms with the researchers at Stanford Medicine.
      If the app detects an irregular heart rhythm, the user receives an alert on their iPhone and Apple Watch, a free consultation with a study doctor, and an electrocardiogram patch for further monitoring.
      Just be at lest 22 years old to participate and own an Apple Watch Series 1 or later.
    Apple Watch now qualifies for refund in Apple’s Recycling program
      In the past they would recycle your old watch, but no cash was offered
      Now, through their recycling partner Brightstar, you can get a gift card for between $50 and $175 for older Apple Watches that are in good working order
      Gift cards can be used towards new devices purchased from the Apple Store, either at retail locations or online
  Apple may develop power management chips
    A report form Nikkei is claiming that Apple is working on developing it’s power management chips in-house.
    Currently the power management chips are designed by a UK company calls Dialog.
      This weeks report brings back memories of another UK chip company, Imagination Technologies
      They had GPU technology called PowerVR that Apple licensed in their A-Series chip designs.
      Apple informed them early this year that they had their own designs in the latest chips and therefore no longer needed to license the Imagination Technologies PowerVR designs.
      Apple reportedly accounted for nearly three quarters of Dialog Semiconductor's revenue in 2016
    If Apple does move to it’s own power management designs it’s possible they would also not need to pay royalties to Dialog.
      It’s not clear though if this would be the case.
    The piece from Nikkei claims as soon as this year we could see Apple move to their own chips, but that is not firm
      Other analysts have predicted 2019 for Apple to move to their own Power Management Integrated Circuits
      And they have reportedly been hiring a number of Dialog’s engineers
      I wouldn’t rule out a future buyout, either. Would resolve any IP issues and bring talent into Apple.
    If Apple does move forward it’s predicted that their partner TSMC would handle manufacturing.
  Apple’s ‘most affordable’ iPad coming 2018
    A report from DigiTimes claims Apple is thinking about release an updated, even lower cost, 9.7-inch iPad
    The current “entry” models is priced at $329.00, but the new price will reportedly be $259.00
    They believe the updated model will be released in the 2nd quarter of 2018
    Apple has recently seen an uptick in iPad unit sales growth after several quarters of decline
      The latest numbers up up 15 percent year over year with Apple selling 11.4 million iPads
      A lot probably helped my the updated 10.5-inch iPad Pro and the reduced cost 9.7-inch iPad (Apple had lowered it’s price in March of 2017)
    It’s likely Apple is considering another price drop to keep the good sales trend going for iPad.
    Unfortunately the piece doesn’t go into what, if any, improvements Apple has planned for the updated model
      I wouldn’t expect much outside the lower price
      They could possibly give it a small processor bump, maybe an A10 fusion?
      It’d be also nice to see the 32GB of RAM go up, but that’s not likely.
    AirPods will stay popular in 2018 according to Ming Chi-Kuo
      He said he expects shipments to double to between 26-28 million units in 2018
  Another week, more Apple bugs
    December 2nd brought a nasty date bug to iOS 11.1.2
    After midnight if an app sent a time-based local notification it would cause to continuously crash or relaunch the springboard (app screen)
    Apple quickly rushed out the iOS 11.2 update which appeared to have the fix
      If you were already being hit by the bug:
        1. Tap Settings > Notifications.
        2. Tap an app, then turn off Allow Notifications. Repeat this step for each app.
        3. Update your device to iOS 11.2.
        4. After updating, tap Settings > Notifications and turn Allow Notifications on again for each app.
      The fix seemed to be in the beta, but the release was seeming not scheduled to happen before the bug would hit users?
      The update also brought 7.5W “fast” inductive charging support to iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X models.
      The release notes also mention the Apple Pay Cash support being enabled by the update.
    That caused a lot of confusion
      Support WAS in the update, but Apple was not scheduled to actually enable the service
    Apple Pay Cash did actually go live on Monday/Tuesday, but it’s rollout was strange as well
      Many, myself included, saw the option for Apple Pay Cash on Monday morning
      If you tried to enable it it would fail
      Later in the day for many the option completely disappeared.
    By Tuesday it all seemed to be working OK.
    9to5Mac reported on a HomeKit flaw that was demonstrated to them that allowed for unauthorized remote access of HomeKit devices including smart locks and garage doors
      The issue impacts the current version of iOS 11.2
      Apple has already implemented server side changes to prevent the access and is working on a software fix.
    Apple said in a statement that the temporary fix, "disables remote access to shared users, which will be restored in a software update early next week."
    9to5 dis not explain how the hack was accomplished only noting that it is "hard to reproduce"
    The piece also claims that Apple was informed about this and related vulnerabilities in late October, and some but not all issues were fixed as part of iOS 11.2 and watchOS 4.2
  New tvOS and Amazon Prime app
    The Amazon Prime Video app is FINALLY available for Apple TV
      Was announced at WWDC for release this year
      Grab it from the App Store.
      Does support the TV app and Up Next.
      Support for HDR and 4K video, but oddly only 2.1 audio (bug?)
        Amazon support says the Apple TV app DOES support 5.1 audio
        Many users are reporting otherwise.
        Updated iOS Apps also support Apple’s TV app and Up Next.
      The audio thing might be related to the discovery that the app seems to be a trumped up port of it's HTML5 / Smart TV app it has on smart TVs
        Some wonder if they gave Amazon a special entitlement to use web views, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
        Developer Steve Troughton-Smith seems to think it took so long because Amazon had to develop a whole new custom "UI glue layer for tvOS".
        This means the app isn't likely using native code which also means it can't really access native libraries.
        Seems like this would actually be harder to port and maintain vs just building a native app. Will also be harder to add and support new OS native features in the future.
    tvOS 11.2 came out for Apple TV 4th gen and Apple TV 4K
      The big deal is support on Apple TV 4K to automatically switch HDR and frame rate settings to match the content
      Settings > Video & Audio > Match Content
        Separate settings for Dynamic Range and Frame Rate matching
      The update also adds “Live Sports” to the TV app
      Reports that over the weekend Apple's TV App is showing up for some 4th gen and 4K Apple TV owners in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
    Apple reportedly purchased a podcast search engine developer called Pop Up Archive
      They had a site called audiosear.ch
      Their site was shutdown on 11/28
      The site offered full text search of podcasts and a search recommendation API.
      They gave shows a “Buzz” score based on iTunes Charts and reviews.
      Apple gave their standard statement, “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time. We generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”
      The hope is Apple plans to roll the technology into iTunes and the Podcast app.
    Rumors that Apple might be looking to acquire Shazam
      This is coming out of TechCrunch
      The service, if you're not familiar, allow you to identify any song, TV show, film or advert in seconds, by letting it listen to an audio clip.
      Shazam is integrated into Siri.
      The piece claims the deal was in the works and could be announced as soon as Monday December 11th.
      They estimate the deal at around $400 million dollars
      It seems like this is something Apple would acquire to maybe integrate with Apple Music or expand functionality inside Siri?
  Ive returns 'full time' as Apple CDO
    Bloomberg reported, and Apple confirmed, that Jony Ive will once again take over direct management of hardware and software design teams
    Ive became Apple's CDO back in 2015, but recently had stepped back from heading both the Hardware and Software design teams to focus on Apple Park
      At the time there were rumors that Ive might be considering leaving Apple and going back to the UK, but not many of us put much stock in those rumors
    Still Apple did add Vps Alan Dye and Richard Howarth to their Leadership page with Dye in charge of UI and Howarth heading up Industrial Design.
      They have now been removed from the leadership page, but are assumed to both still be at the company.
      We are unsure at this point how their roles have changed.
Sponsor: Squarespace
  Squarespace
    If you need a website and you want something that is quick, easy, and is going to look awesome and can be up in possibly minutes, then you want Squarespace.
    You get everything you need from a single source. Domain, hosting, professional responsive design, and access to all the good stuff like e-commerce, social media integration, analytics and more.
    All on a great platform with the best customer support in the business.
    I've used Squarespace to set up quick websites to promote events and meet-ups for the Maccast
      I'm a web developer and I could have built it myself, but I really wanted something with a great look fast and Squarespace is PERFECT for that.
      They have templates for any kind of site you might need. Portfolio sites for Artists, Designers, Photographers. Writers and Bloggers. A site for your wedding or event. How about a site for the sports team you run or the club you organize?
    The ability to take a design and customize and adapt to to your needs quickly and easily is awesome. Add blocks for things like Maps, Galleries, social media integration, audio and more.
    Plus, if you do know code you can get in there and do advanced things as well.
    They also have you back with 24/7 award-winning customer support. Get help when you need it.
    Check out Squarespace.com for a free trial and when you’re ready to launch, use the offer code 'MACCAST' to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Feedback, commentary, opinions
  Alternative iOS App Launcher
    Back in the 11/19 show I mentioned the issue in iOS 11 where you can have trouble using Spotlight as an app launcher
      If the App is not part of Siri Suggestions. Settings > Siri & Search. Tap app and then turn on Search & Siri Suggestions
      It will only show up on the search screen once you've typed the full name of the App.
    The fix of course is to enable Siri & Search suggestions for all the apps you might ever want to lunch, but that may not be really what you want.
    Douglas wrote in with a possible alternative. A 3rd party app from Cromulent Labs call [Launcher](https://www.cromulentlabs.com/launcher.html) - Free, with $2.99 IAP for "Pro" version
    Give you a "widget", or multiple widgets so you can have multiple groupings of apps to launch.
    Just pull down Notification Center and swipe right to access the Launcher Widget
    Can also set up actions with some apps and perform other tasks.
    Dougles did note that it might not work with ALL apps, but you if you run across one that is missing you can ask the developer to add it.
    I know there is also the app [Launch Center Pro](https://contrast.co/launch-center-pro/), but I think that is focused more on launching actions in apps.
  Using Apple Pay Cash
    You need to be running iOS 11.2 and watchOS 4.2
    You must have two-factor authentication enabled on your iCloud account.
    Apple Pay Cash transactions are handled through the Discover Network payment network
      Can only be used where you can use Apple Pay
      If a PIN is required by the terminal the PIN is “0000” and cannot be changed (irony).
    Payments made using a credit card will incur a 3 percent transaction fee
      After you hit “send” you’re given the option to select which card to use for sending, if you don’t have an Apple Pay Cash balance or are sending an amount over your balance.
    To enable Apple Pay Cash
      You need to have Apple Pay on and cards registered
      You can enable in three ways
        From the Wallet app, tap the Apple Pay Cash Card and hit continue
        From Messages, it will prompt you or you can open the Apps and tap on the Apple Pay Cash app to turn it on.
        Finally from Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay. Turn on the Apple Pay Cash toggle.
    Transfer funds to an Apple Pay Cash Card
      Tap Wallet and tap the Apple Pay Cash Card
      Tap the “i” icon
      Tap Add Money, set the amount, tap ‘Add’
      Select a payment source.
      You cannot add funds directly from a bank account. Has to be through an Apple Pay registered debit or credit card.
    Transfer Apple Pay Cash funds to your bank account
      Tap Wallet and tap the Apple Pay Cash Card
      Tap the “i” icon
      Tap ‘Transfer to Bank’
      If you have not set it up you’ll be prompted to add your back account
        You’ll need to account and routing numbers
    To use Apple Pay Cash at an Apple Pay terminal just select it as your payment choice.
    To send money to a friend (or your favorite podcaster ;) )
      Open Messages
      Select or start a new message with the person you want to send Apple Pay Cash to
      Tap the apps and choose Apple Pay Cash
      Set the amount (you can also “request” funds) and then tap Pay
      Review the message and amount and tap Send.
      That’s it.
    When you receive Apple Pay Cash you will get the message and you can tap to view the transaction
      By default Apple Pay Cash payments are accepted automatically
      You can go into the Apple Pay Cash card settings and change it to only “manually” accept payments.
  Apple’s Gatekeeper Security
    I light of the latest ‘root’ bug it’s probably good to have a discussion about how Apple manages security on your Mac.
      FYI, if you updated to macOS 10.13.1 after applying the security patch to macOS 10.13.0, then you’ll need to re-apply the security patch.
      If you don’t see the security patch in Software Update, go to Apple’s webpage for the security update and download it from there
      Or just install the macOS 10.13.2 update which came out.
    Some people might have noticed that the patch Apple pushed out was automatically downloaded in the background
      Then there was a notification to install the update immediately
      That was macOS “Gatekeeper” in action
    It goes further in the case of some updates, like this one.
      Had you not manually updated it could have, “automatically installed on all systems running the latest version (10.13.1) of macOS High Sierra.”
      And by design you cannot opt out of Gatekeeper updates like this.
    Apple obviously only uses this functionality in the most critical of situations
      Back in December of 2014 they pushed out a critical update that impacted security related to the Network Time Protocol (NTP)
    Another feature of Gatekeeper is it maintains a list of known malware and Trojan apps preventing them from installing or running on your Mac.
    There are some settings you can adjust related to Gatekeeper and software updates
      System Preferences > App Store
        Download new updates in the background
        Install app updates
        Install OS X updates
        Install system data files and security updates (you should probably leave this checked)
        Automatically download apps purchased on other Macs.
    Additional protections
      System Preferences > Security and Privacy
        FileVault encryption
        Firewall
        Password settings when mac goes to sleep
      System Preferences > Sharing
        Check remote access, screen and file sharing settings
      iTunes Sharing
      System Integrity Protection (SIP)
        Built-in and stops apps from being able to access, install, or manipulate items in places that could alter or impact the operating system
        Some people disable this to add low level code or apps, generally not recommended. Make sure it’s re-enabled if you do disable it.
  Apple Watch helps Maccast listener in emergency
    This is gonna be like one of those "I never thought it would happen to me letters…" though a lot less risqué
    Since Apple started adding things like Siri and SOS to the their devices we've all likely heard the stories how an Apple Watch saved someones life.
    This time we all know know someone, I got an email and a link to news coverage from a maccast listener Bryan
    He began working as a truck driver in May and a couple weeks ago we was driving down the highway and a car crossed over the yellow line and came head on into his lane
    He tried moving to the shoulder to avoid the car but a guardrail force d his truck down an embankment.
    His leg was trapped and the entire drive side cab was crushed
    His iPhone was no where to be found, but he remembered he had is AirPods in and used them to call 911. (The news report incorrectly implies it was his Apple Watch)
      I would say it definitively proves that AirPod do not fall out easily.
    Luckily all involved, even the driver of the other car, survived.
    [Link to news coverage](http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/apple-watch-comes-in-handy-for-truck-driver-trapped-after-crash)
  'Let it Snow' in Apple Store
    If you have the Apple Store app (not the App Store) on you iOS device Apple has hidden a little holiday easter egg in the latest update
    Just open the app, tap the search icon, and type 'let it snow'
    You'll get falling snowflakes in the app.
    You can even shake your device to give it a little flurry
    It will stay persistent until you fully quit the app in the background.
  Thing of the Moment: FlipFlop Solitaire
    A little solitaire game from the same creator as Really Bad Chess and Sage Solitaire
    In this variant you only have 5 piles
    You can stack both down and UP! So 7-6-5-6-7-8 is valid
    You can only move 'suited' stacks, so all spades for example.
    You start out with a deck of just one suit to learn the game. You can then have 2 suited, 3 suited, etc.
    The design is clean and simple and looks awesome.
    It's free to try and just $2.99 to unlock the full game.
    [ FlipFlop Solitaire](http://www.flipflopsolitaire.com)
Closing
  Podcast Marketplace
    Thanks to my sponsors
      Smile
      Gazelle
        Gazelle. The fast and simple way to sell your used gadgets! Find out what your used iPhone, iPad and other Apple products are worth at Gazelle.com.
  Supporters
    Bandwidth for the Maccast provided by CacheFly at cachefly.com
    Advertising is handled by Backbeat Media at backbeatmedia.com
  Keep emails coming. Audio comments.
    maccast@gmail.com
    281-622-4269 or 281-Mac-I-Am-9
      PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
    MacCast Forum
    Follow me on Twitter
    Checkout the page on Facebook