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News
The iOS 12.1.2 Qualcomm patent changes
We talked about Apple's efforts to update iOS in China to avoid the Qualcomm injunction
What we didn't have was many details on what Apple was in violation of (or I didn't bother to look it up)
A translation of the China release notes says, "Introduces a new animation when force closing apps"
Apparently this is one of the patent violation items Qualcomm was able to get an iPhone sales ban in China for.
The friggin' animation of swiping "up" to close an app.
Seriously.
A video of the new animation was posted on Weibo and now on Chinese iPhones with 12.1.2 the animation is a shrink and fade.
Unfortunately Apple's Qualcomm patent problems continued in Germany this week
A judge that ruled containing a combination of chips from Intel and Apple supplier Qorvo Inc violated one of Qualcomm’s patents around envelope tracking, a feature that helps mobile phones save battery power while sending and receiving wireless signals.
As a result he issued a sales ban on iPhone's containing the chips and this includes iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models which Apple has pulled from sale in Germany while they appeal.
The units are still on sale from 3rd party resellers
The ban does not seem to cover Apple's newest models the iPhone XS series or XR.
Apple expands iPhone trade-in offer
Apple increased trade-in offers on older iPhone's in China for customers upgrading to an iPhone XS or XR
Looks like they have extended those promotions to Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Taiwan. Beyond North America and Asia, a clutch of European countries — Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, the UK
China Times claims supply chain check show new iPad models coming in the first half of 2019
They claim Apple plans to release an update iPad mini 5 and then also updated entry level model in a 10-inch size
Ming Chi Kuo made a similar claim back in October. He reported a new version of the iPad mini with an upgraded processor and a lower-cost display panel for late 2018 or 2019
Apple knows iPads get bent
I'm honestly not sure what to make of this latest Apple "bend" controversy
Apple told the Verge that a slight bend in the aluminum chassis of the latest iPad Pros is a "side effect" of the manufacturing process and not a defect?!!
The piece says Apple claims the bend is the result of a cooling process involving the iPad Pro’s metal and plastic components during manufacturing
They assured customers it shouldn’t worsen over time or negatively affect the performance in any practical way?
As expected this news did not make customers or the news media feel at ease. Frankly it sounds like a ridiculous thing for the PR team to tell the Verge
A concerned macRumors reader sent Apple CEO Tim Cook and email but got a reply from Apple's VP of hardware engineering, Dan Riccio
He also claimed the Verge piece did NOT include a company statement.
iPad Pro's design "meets or exceeds" all of Apple's quality and precision standards.
Apple's specification for iPad Pro flatness is up to 400 microns (less then 4 sheets of paper thick)
thing is the images surfacing online are FAR beyond that tolerance and many claiming to be direct from the box.
If you get a new iPad inspect it carefully and don't accept anything outside Apple's tolerance. Take it back or report it immediately.
Apple promotes AI head
Apple has made John Giannandrea senior vice president of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Tim Cook called John Giannandrea "a leader in the AI industry" and said Apple is fortunate to have him "driving (their) efforts in this critical area."
The move puts him in charge of AI and Machine Learning across all of Apple's products including development of Core ML and Siri technologies.
Giannandrea has a long career in technology an AI starting at General Magic in the 90s. He also was brought to Google when they acquired Metaweb in 2010 and pushed them to add AI into a range of their products.
Sponsor: Atlassian
Opsgenie
We all hate it when our favorite website or server goes down. Even for a few minutes.
I know when something like Netflix, or Amazon, or iCloud goes down it impacts me
I'm an unhappy customer. But my unhappiness is really nothing to the impact on the business who service is down.
Luckily for us there are those of you out there who are there to save us from outages, the unsung heroes of Dev and Ops teams.
And luckily for folks like you there's Opsgenie from Atlassian.
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Feedback, commentary, opinions
A correction
I believe a said the All4 service in the UK, which just recently made it onto the Apple TV, was a BBC Channel
Daniel wrote in to correct me, The All 4 service is owned by Channel 4, but that is NOT the BBC
I think I was confused because i was aware of BBC1 through BBC4 and assumed BBC4 and Channel 4 were the same thing. They are not.
Daniel explained:
Going back to the 80s in the UK, there were two BBC TV channels - BBC1 and BBC2. These were typically programmed to the channel 1 and 2 buttons on UK TVs
There was also ITV, not the BBC, which was on channel 3 and then Channel 4 Television Corporation's Channel 4, button 4
The BBC did add BBC3 and BBC4, but they are not related.
Optical discs on the Mac
As we've been talking about using Macs and older Macs for longer i've been getting questions related to DVDs and DVD burners.
Yes, some people still seem to have a need/want to use optical discs.
An alternative, depending on your application, might be USB sticks. You can get 16GB once for about $5.00/ea. these days
Apple sells a USB external SuperDrive, but some warnings
Cannot be used with a Mac that has an internal SuperDrive (even a broken one) - Thanks listener Marty
there is a NVRAM boot args hack you can perform in the Terminal
I've used this hack with external drives i've removed and placed into external cases.
Some non-Apple external drives may not work at all or might require additional hacks or drivers to get functioning.
Be careful when you're buying. Do your research and check documentation before buying
A good place to buy Apple compatible external optical drives is [OWC](https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/)
Only Apple SuperDrives will work with Apple's built-in DVD player software.
Quick note also on installing older apps and OS's from the Mac App store
You need to use the "purchased" section and typically will be only offered the latest version of an app that is available to run on your OS
Developers decide which versions to leave available via the MAS
Apple apps that came "pre-installed" on your Mac are registered to your account and will still show up in "purchased"
In the new version of the MAS in macOS Mojave there is no longer a "Purchased" tab. You access it via your "Account".
Click your name (Apple ID) in the lower left corner.
If you have a family account you need to use the "Purchased by" dropdown to see apps purchased or downloaded by other family members.
Gaming on Apple TV
Scott asked me to talk about games and the Apple TV
He like myself and many of us is more of a "casual" gamer and excited about the idea of games on the Apple TV
With things like the Nimbus controller the gaming experience on the Apple TV can be pretty good.
Like a lot of technologies from Apple I think they have good ideas and good intentions but often Apple fails on the follow through.
Ping, iTunes Connect, etc.
Some might argue it's the consumers that don't get excited, but often it's the limits Apple places on developers or creators also. Infinity products,
Disney tried and ultimately pulled it's Infinity product. MineCraft was recently pulled from the Apple TV.
So I think where the Apple TV is falling down is where all Apple gaming falls down. In generating excitement from the folks who make games.
The biggest hold up is the restrictions.
Some technical, like mid-range GPUs and limited expandability
Other are more policy and platform based, like only allowing limited storage usage on Apple TV
Scott asks about retro gaming and "virtual" consoles (streaming gaming services)
This could become a way for the Apple TV to be a gateway gaming platform
But it would still take effort from Apple to support and embrace the games developers and community and outside of iOS this has not typically been something Apple has really been willing to do.
It'll be interesting to see what they do as they embrace and expand into AR and VR. Games, especially at first, are likely to be a big driving force in that area.
I'd love more gaming options on the Apple TV, but I don't hold much hope for it. Maybe the headset that replaces the Apple TV?
About the Apple community
What an amazing and special thing we all have and share. It really is somewhat rare, unfortunately.
There's many reason why we have a community, but for sure one reason has to be the Home Brew Computer Club. Apple was born from the community.
Macintosh User Groups are another. If you're not participating in yours, consider it. All it takes a bit of your time and the benefits you'll get back are much bigger.
If you don't have one, check [Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/find/?allMeetups=false&keywords=Apple&radius=Infinity)
Consider starting one
There are incredible sub-communities as well
Podcasters, if you've ever considered [Macstock](https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com) put it on your list this year.
Developer community
Thank you for my podcast community
I often get how to create a successful podcast and the answer I think is build a community.
I didn't start with "how can I make money doing this".
I created something I wanted, did it on a subject I am viciously passionate about, and MOST importantly did it to give back to my community. To help people better understand and use their technology.
I love doing it.
And I can only do it BECAUSE if this community.
This is the longest "job" I've ever had. The first episode was December 13, 2004. We're on episode 685. At an average of 75 minutes per show (and some are a lot longer) that 51,375 minutes of content. 856.25 hours. Almost 36 days.
I couldn't do it without your support in all it's forms. Thank you for giving me this great gift. I really appreciate it,
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Stay safe, look out for, and help each other.
