shownotes_20200112

Opening
  Opening Music
    Music is Say Anything by Manda and the Marbles
Sponsor: Linode
  Linode
    Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. Get a server running in seconds with your choice of Linux distro, resources, and choice of 10 node locations.
    They just opened their newest datacenter in Mumbai, India.
      Built using their most up to date hardware and our Next Generation Network backbone, Linode allows you to comply with in-country data protection requirements while taking advantage of all Linode’s technology and tools.
    They are giving all new Maccast customers a $20 credit.
    More than just hosting. With Linode you have all the options and choices to build a server with the services and features you need
    You can build it on Linode - Dedicated CPU, distributed applications, hosted services, websites, and Continuous integration and continuous delivery environments.
    Featuring native SSD storage, a 40 Gbit network, with industry leading processors
    Pick from any of their 10 worldwide data centers
    Pricing is simple with no surprise fees. Your pay just for what you use with hourly billing across all of their plans and add-on services
    Their new cloud manager features an improved user interface which makes managing your Linodes and upgrading your plan even easier.
    And if you have the skills and are looking for a job Linode is hiring. Checkout https://www.linode.com/careers for their current opportunities.
    Visit: linode.com/maccast to set up your first Linode and get a $20 credit.
News
  It's 2020 let the sketchy iPhone rumors begin
    It's almost laughable at this point to think these are anything beyond just random guesses about the future of the iPhone design based in minimal fact
    Still they do bring up some some interesting things to think about.
    The most far fetched comes from Credit Suisse, yes the Swiss financial services company
      They claim the "top-end" 2020 iPhone will drop FaceID, go back to TouchID with an under the display sensor and also put the TrueDepth camera under the display
      First red-flag, if it's not FaceID then it's not a TrueDepth camera.
    The likely more accurate rumor here is that Apple really, really, wants to get to Jony Ive's vision of a "slab of glass" device
    Ming-Chi Kuo has said Apple likely will move to an under display fingerprint sensor, but likely in additional to FaceID
      Having both makes sense as they each have limits that are mitigated by the other
      Bloomberg has also supported the theory of an under display authentication system from Apple.
      Kuo and Bloomberg differ in the possible release date. 2021 vs 2020.
    Under display fingerprint tech is still problematic and no one has seemed to solve the security issues to date.
    There also exists tech to put cameras under displays, but as far as I understand they are very early stage
      Way back Apple had a patent where the whole display was also a camera with sensor pixels squeezed in with the display pixels.
    I think a more likely guess is that Apple might try to squeeze the TrueDepth camera system into a tiny bezel outside the display.
    One thing that is very likely to happen with the displays is they could get thinner
      LG has some new tech that will allow the touch layer to be integrated directly into the OLED panel without the need for a separate layer
      A thinner display may or may not mean a thinner phone. Could mean more space for other tech, like more battery.
    Another rumor that Apple will spilt the iPhone 12 launch because of 5G tech
      The first ones in September with the "slower" sub-6GHz tech
      followed by new faster mmWave models in December or January 2021.
  Apple has new GPU deal with Imagination Technologies
    You might remember that back in the day Apple had Imagination Technologies as a partner and that they supplied the GPU chips and tech for iPhones
    Then in 2018 Apple switched to using their own designs in the A11 chip and Imagination suffered the loss
    The company was later bought by a a Silicon Valley-based fir and now it looks like they and Apple may have reached a new licensing deal.
    Imagination announced it has replaced the multi-year, multi-use license agreement with Apple with a new deal that will give Apple access to a wider range of Imagination’s intellectual property in exchange for license fees.
    Not many other details are known but Imagination recently announced the tenth generation of its PowerVR graphics architecture the IMG A-Series processor
      The company claims the new chips, due out later this year, offer 2.5x the performance, 8x faster machine learning processing and 60% lower power than current PowerVR devices
    It's not clear if Apple might move back from their own custom designs back to power VR or if maybe they want access to the chips and designs for other future products
    One possibility could be a device like the rumored AR glasses.
  Apple TV+ gets exclusive deal with former HBO exec
    According to the New York Time Apple has secured a five year deal with Eden Productions to produce TV shows, documentaries, and feature films exclusively for Apple TV+.
    Eden is a new company run by former HBO CEO Richard Plepler
    While he was at HBO they won more than 160 Emmys and had many hit series including “Game of Thrones,” “Big Little Lies,” and “Veep.”
    In interviews it seems like Plepler decided to go with Apple because they are just staring out and he thinks his production company, "could make a little contribution there".
    Plepler had also had some experience working with Apple when they launched HBO Now.
    LG says they'll be adding support for Apple’s TV app to its webOS smart TV platform this year
      The app will be available on its newest 2020 OLED and NanoCell TVs, as well as on 2018 and 2019 models
      LG has limited AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support to its 2019 and newer TVs, citing technical limitations.
  Apple sees iPhone growth in China
    According to official Chinese government data Apple saw iPhone sales growth of 18.7 percent in December
    That's up significantly from the 6 percent year over growth they saw in September and October
    It's estimated they sold 3.18 million units in China in December and believed that the iPhone 11's release contributed significantly to the up tick.
    It good news for Apple in the region especially since total smartphone shipments in the country were down more than 13% year-on-year.
    Bloomberg does note that Apple may not see that growth continue as more 5G devices begin to hit the market in China.
  iPhone XS & XR Battery Case replacements
    Apple has announced a replacement program for their iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR Smart Battery cases
    Some Smart Battery Cases can experience charging issues, including cases that will not charge or charge intermittently when plugged into power, or cases that will not charge an iPhone or charge it intermittently.
    Affected Smart Battery Cases were manufactured between January 2019 and October 2019.
    Customers can contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider and eligible cases will be replaced for free.
Sponsor: ExpressVPN
  ExpressVPN
    We've talked in the past about the advantages of using a VPN.
    It's great for protecting your security and privacy when your surfing online.
    And ExpressVPN has been my go to VPN for about a year now.
      What I really love about it is how easy it is to use. Install the app, choose the VPN location, click a button.
      It's that easy, plus the connection is fast and reliable.
      And it works that way for all my devices. Mac, iPad, and iPhone
    Recently I had another need for Express VPN that also came in handy
      I run in nerd circles, yeah big surprise, and many of my friends love Doctor Who. It's been on my streaming list for a while and i've never really gotten around to it, until the other day.
      I thought it was on Netflix, but it was pulled in 2016. Read it was on Prime, got pulled a few month ago. So frustrating.
      Then I heard it was still available on Netflix in the UK. Using Express VPN I could connect to their UK VPN and watch.
    And Express VPN has access in almost 100 different countries, so it can do the same for your favorite shows and content as well.
    Best of all if you visit my special link right now EXPRESSVPN dot com slash MACCAST, you can get an extra three months of ExpressVPN for free! Support the show, watch what you want, and protect yourself at EXPRESS-V-P-N dot com slash MACCAST.
Feedback, commentary, opinions
  Apple Maps not as complete as they say
    Last time I mentioned that we had reports that Apple completed their update maps roll out in the US as promised before the end of 2019
    Several site reported the completion of the roll out with expansion into Alaska, Central & the Southeast US
    After my report though MANY of you emailed to say you weren't really seeing the enhancements in your areas.
    Seems especially true in more rural areas of the central and south east US.
    Indeed, if you just open the Maps app you can easily see the deficiencies. From North Dakota to Florida
    It's important to point out that these reports were coming from Mac news sites and not from any official statements made by Apple
  Making the most of Activity
    The activity app for iOS and Apple Watch can be a bit of a black box
    I received an email recently asking me how you adjust the activity goals on the iPhone
      First is you can't. While iOS does have the Activity app, you can only get information there. You can't adjust any goals.
      Second, only the "Move" goal can be adjusted and it has to be done from Apple Watch
        You can set the daily calorie goal. Either to what you currently want to burn or a future goal
        Open the Activity app
        Firmly press on the screen and tap "Change Move Goal"
        Tap to adjust the number of calories and tap update
      The Exercise goal is locked in at 30mins/day and the Stand goal to 12 stands
    But then that got me thinking about how do these goals actually work and what does it take to achieve them?
    Move Goal
      This is the number of "active" calories you burn in a day
      Active calories are ones you burn while being active and moving around. It doesn't have to be just exercise.
    Exercise Goal
      Every full minute of movement that equals or exceeds the intensity of a brisk walk
      To get exercise credits your arm with the Apple Watch needs to swing naturally. If it can't you should start a Workout with the exercise app to make sure you get your credit.
      Tip, if you choose "Other", it will log time as "brisk walking" even when sensors readings are not available. You're basically on the honor system.
    Stand Goal
      Complete your daily Stand goal by standing up and moving around for at least 1 minute during 12 different hours in the day.
      You need to actually move a bit, just standing won't do it.
    Wrist detection needs to be on
      If Wrist Detection is off, you won't get Stand notifications, and your Apple Watch can't track your Stand progress
      Background heart rate readings for resting and walking rates also won't work with Wrist Detection off.
      Open the Apple Watch app on iPhone. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Passcode. Make sure that Wrist Detection is on.
    Calibrate your Apple Watch
      Make sure calibration is on
        On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
        Tap Privacy > Location Services.
        Make sure that Location Services is turned on.
        Scroll down, then tap System Services.
        Make sure that Motion Calibration & Distance is turned on.
      Calibrate
        While wearing your Apple Watch, go to a flat, open outdoor area that offers good GPS reception and clear skies.
        If you have Apple Watch Series 2 or later, you just need your Apple Watch. If you have Apple Watch Series 1 or earlier, bring your iPhone for GPS. Hold your iPhone in your hand, or wear it on an armband or waistband.
        Open the Workout app. To start, tap Outdoor Walk or Outdoor Run. To set a goal before starting, tap "…".
        Walk or run at your normal pace for about 20 minutes.
        This can be done over multiple sessions if needed.
      If you need to reset the calibration data you can
        On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
        Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Privacy > Reset Fitness Calibration Data.
  Streaming experience on the Apple TV
    Scott got a new Apple device in his family and because now has access to a free year of Apple TV+ wanted to know if it was possibly worth it to add an Apple TV to his life
    He had two questions
      Since he has just an HD TV, is it worth getting an Apple TV 4K or is the HD version just fine?
      What other advantages does an Apple TV bring?
    To 4K or not to 4K?
      I honestly hadn't looked at Apple TV's in a while, but you have two options and 3 sizes
      Apple TV HD 32GB (USD $149). A8 Processor. 100baseT Ethernet. Bluetooth 4.0. Supports up to Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound
      Apple TV 4K 32GB (USD $179) or Apple TV 4K 64GB (USD $199). A10 Processor. Gigabit Ethernet. Bluetooth 5.0. Supports up to Dolby Atmos sound
      Honestly for the $30 price difference I see almost no reason to buy the HD version at this point. Even if just for future-proofing
    Advantages for an Apple TV?
      If it's just for watching Apple TV+ content. Not much. You can get that built-in to many new TV sets, but a Roku or and Amazon Fire TV
      If you have a lot of Apple content, including iOS games & apps. Have the Apple Arcade service. Want to access your cable and other streaming content with a consistent Apple experience across devices.
      You still need to install the various "apps" to access your services, or use their Apple TV "channels".
      Apple's TV is OK for consolidating a lot, but not all, your content.
        Better for stuff that you are actively watching
        It's browsing and recommendations are not great.
        Recommendations suffer because they recommend stuff in channels that you don't have access to or content you subscribe to.
      There are also gaps in services, like Netflix, that don't participate in the Apple TV app integration.
      Still it's easy enough to jump back to the individual apps to browse and access that content.
    I currently have access to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN (last 3 via their bundle), Amazon Prime Video.
      I don't own a cable subscription, so live TV is pretty much out
      For me the main deficiencies are live special events (like award shows, holiday stuff, etc). I also don't have sports (outside ESPN)
      For sports most have subscription plans, like MLB At Bat, etc.
  When 'any' key means power on
    Apparently MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models introduced in 2018 or later turn on when you press any key on the keyboard or press the trackpad.
    So that actually creates an issue. How can you wipe down and clean the keyboard?
    Ideally it's best to do that with the machine powered off.
      In olden times you could do that and even better remove the battery
    So if touching a key powers the device now what?
    One trick is to drop back to the Lock Screen
      Apple Menu > Lock Screen (Command+Option+Q)
    "The Loop" also pointed out the ["KeyboardCleanTool"](https://folivora.ai/keyboardcleantool/) app
      Locks any keyboard input until you click a button in modal
      Good for ANY Mac really
    But what if you only want to clean the keyboard when the power is off?
  Thing of the Moment: SmartyKit
    [SmartyKit](https://www.smartykit.io)
    Shown off at CES it's a DIY kit that gives you everything you need to build your own Apple I replica computer
    It's all done with breadboards and no soldering
    The chips are all in numbered bags, kind of like LEGO kits, to make assembling the parts easier
    The kit comes with breadboards, 15 chips with firmware, jumper wires, colored cables, PS/2 and RCA sockets, and a battery holder.
    Has the 1 MHz MOS 6502 processor used in the original Apple I and the ROM has a copy of Steve Wozniak's original Monitor operating system.
    Bring your own Keyboard and Monitor
    It will run BASIC, but there is also a lightweight version of Python that will run on the system as well.
    No launch date yet but will sell for $99 USD.
    Will need a way to convert the PS/2 keyboard and composite video connections.
Closing
  Supporters
    maccast@gmail.com
    Bandwidth for the Maccast provided by CacheFly at cachefly.com
    Advertising is handled by Backbeat Media at backbeatmedia.com
  Keep emails coming. Audio comments.
    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