shownotes_20211010

Opening
News
  Apple shifts chip production to A15
    DigiTimes says that Apple has been able to get TSMC to increase chip production on the A15 to meet the incredible demand for the iPhone 15, but to do it that had to roll back production on older chip designs for earlier model iPhones
    Apple still sells the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 11 and will demand and shortages on those models are also high, demand for iPhone 13 is even higher, so looks like that were Apple wants to concentrate on meeting immediate demand.
    Right now iPhone 13 models in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are seeing 3 to 4 week shipping times.While the older iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini models are delayed 1 - 2 weeks.
    Early analyst reports seem to indicate that it is demand and not necessarily component shortages that are causing problems for Apple, so I would say that’s a good problem to have.
    For us it means that if you want a new iPhone before the end of the year it’s probably better to buy earlier that to wait at this point.
    And that A15 might even be better and faster than Apple claims it is. At least according to the detailed report done by [AnandTech](https://www.anandtech.com/show/16983/the-apple-a15-soc-performance-review-faster-more-efficient)
      In it’s marketing Apple claimed the chip was, “50% faster than the competition”
      The A15 now features double the system cache compared to the A14 and they upped the L2 cache of the performance cores from 8GB to 12GB
      The efficiency cores saw "massive gains" of +23-28% absolute performance
      The report also call the GPU performance, “off the charts”
      AnandTech concluded that, “Compared to the competition, the A15 isn’t +50 faster as Apple claims, but rather +62% faster.”
    And the next iPhone SE might be getting the A15, but not too much else
      From Macotakara
      They say the 3rd generation iPhone SE will have Apple’s best processor but will retain it’s current form factor ad design
      So still a 4.7-inch LCD with TouchID and a Home button
      The update will also bring 5G to Apple’s entry level and smallest iPhone
      It’s predicted that the iPhone SE will start production in December and be released sometime in the spring of 2022 around the March to April timeframe.
  Apple Watch 7 came and went, quickly
    Pre-orders for Apple Watch Series 7 started Friday and within minutes delivery estimates started slipping into November
    There were also a lot of folks noting frustration that Apple didn’t making different configurations and pricing options available prior to launch meaning you had to quickly figure out your combo.
    What combination of material, size, band, etc can have a significant impact on the delivery time.
    Still some models remained for in-store pickup on launch day which is this coming Friday October 15th
  Ted Lasso is about to get ‘real’
    Or at least more real when it comes to their depiction of the “real” UK Premier League that the Ted’s fictional team AFC Richmond plays in.
    According to “The Atlantic” Apple TV+ has signed a deal with the Premier League worth £500,000 (around $680,000) to allow the show to use Premier League logos, uniforms, and even the league's trophy in their episodes.
    Seems like this was something Apple TV+ had wanted for earlier seasons, but the league was a bit unsure of how the show will play. Now that the series is a huge success the piece says that, “executives have grown to love the show's folksy charm.”
    The AFC Richmond team actually plays in the Championship League which is is the highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and the second-highest overall in the English football league system after the Premier League.
    Apple TV+ will air a brand new Peanuts holiday special in December
      The upcoming special is called For Auld Lang Syne, and it will be produced by WildBrain
      It is set to air Friday, December 10
      In the episode according to the report, “the Peanuts gang experience a disappointing Christmas because Grandma can’t visit, Lucy resolves to throw herself the best New Year’s eve party ever, while Charlie Brown struggles to accomplish just one of his resolutions before the clock strikes twelve.”
    Apple has signed a deal with Sam Catlin who is the show-runner on “Preacher” and was a co-executive producer on Breaking Bad.
      Coming from Deadline that say that Catlin’s production company Short Drive Entertainment will develop scripted content for Apple TV+
      No details at this point on any specific projects
  Big US Banks “unhappy” with ApplePay. Again.
    According to a report in the Wall Street Journal the bug US banks JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, and Bank of America are not happy about the deal they made with Apple on ApplePay
    And I guess they are were even more miffed when Apple announced they were doing their own credit card with Goldman Sachs
    The beef… the costs on ApplePay transactions.
    It all has to do with part of the existing interchange fees. When someone uses ApplePay Apple gets a cut of the banks fee.
      The amount varies based on the bank and the deal they struck with Apple but in general it’s believed most banks in the US are paying Apple around 0.15% of the charge amount for a credit card transaction and 0.5 cents for a debit card transaction.
    Apparently now the banks want Visa to change how they process recurring Apple Pay transactions to avoid having to pay the fees on recurring charges.
      Currently uses a token that replaces the card number for recurring changes made with Apple Pay. The plan is to use a different token on recurring automated payments in which Apple would only get the fee on the first payment.
      Visa agreed to make the change next year, but Apple and Visa are supposedly “in discussions,” and those changes could be dropped
      Also noted in the report was that Apple agreed to not develop a card network to compete against Visa and Mastercard and that Apple got a special concession from Visa and Mastercard that Apple would be able to choose which issuers it would allow onto Apple Pay and which of those issuers’ cards it would accept.
  More issues for iPad Mini LCDs
    The redditors are still going after the iPad mini LCD display for what they perceive as it’s “flaws"
    We already had “jelly scroll”, not it appear that we have screen distortions appearing when pressing on the display with minimal force
    People who have noticed the effect say it’s more pronounced when on dark screens or when using dark mode.
    Spots seem to most commonly appear at three points across the top of the screen or at points just above the USB port.
    Any LCD of you press on it hard enough can display distortions, but in the video here the distortions appear in parts of the display near, but not directly under, where the user is pressing
    The popular theory amongst the Redditors is that the LCD is so thin that components inside the device may be contacting other components.
    Honestly I think it likely a who lotta nothing. If I press firmly enough on my iPad Pro 11-inch LCD I can create distortions. I guess it all depends no how much force were talking about here. but I’m willing to say on this one, “You’re tapping it wrong”.
  OLED iPads in 2024
    There’s a supply chain report from ‘The Elec” being reported on that Apple will have OLED displays in iPads by 2024.
    I’m all for a good rumor, but really… were going to try and predict display tech in iPads 2 years out?!!
    Apple currently uses two types of IPS LEDs in iPads with the current generations using a version of the LPS with miniLED backlighting which gives them more even backlight, better contrast ratios, and “dimming zones”
    in iPhones and Apple Watch Apple has OLED
    For years now we’ve heard Apple wants to transition iPad from LCD to OLED or even better in Apple’s option to microLED.
    Both technologies seem to be a way off.
    This report claims that LG Display has begun development of a 12.9-inch OLED panel for Apple’s iPad Pro
    The deal is that the LG panel will be more advanced than current versions, with a second layer intended to boost both brightness and longevity.
    But Apple has already shown a very ken interest in microLED which they seem to think is the future and two years s along time in tech.
    Maybe they are just hedging their bets if microLED doesn’t pan out.
  Change coming for App Store
    Developers have be notified and reminded of a rule change that was part of the June updates at WWDC about apps that let you create a new account within the app
      As of January of next year the same apps need to provide a way for you to delete your account from within the app.
    Apple also restored the “Report a Problem” link the App store in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.
      This lets you tell Apple about any issues with an app including app that break guidelines or are scams
      There were some issues reported when it returned.
    Since the Epic v Apple ruling said that, “Apple must allow App Store developers to redirect users to other payment systems” the company Paddle has announced it’s plans to provide, “the industry’s first alternative In-App Purchasing system for iOS.”
      “Paddle In-App Purchase” system, though it’s likely not truly “in-app”. Though the experience doesn’t look too bad.
      Still might not match up to Apple’s interpretation of “metadata buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms, in addition to In-App Purchasing”
      Fess are 10% for transactions under $10 and 5% for transactions over $10
      So for most app developers they are likely looking at about 5% less than Apple for a much less seamless and convenient experience.
  Deeper CarPlay Integrations coming
    Bloomberg says Apple is working on more integrations for CarPlay including the ability for it to control air conditioning, adjust seats and more.
    They say the project is codenamed ‘IronHeart’ and that it is in the early development stages.
    Apple would want and need deeper access to the cars systems including things like temperature and humidity, speedometer and other vehicle data
    The system could then do things like adjust environmental controls, adjust seats, control the audio systems while keeping you in the CarPlay experience
    The trick is the car makers are going to need to play along and it’s not clear how willing they would be to do that considering many of these controls and features are part of their own in-car control and infotainment systems.
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Sponsor: Overland
  Overland
    Something I’ve been trying to do for myself recently is to make sure I’m taking the time to slow things down and make sure I enjoy even the small comforts in life.
      Like sitting with my wife at the end of the week and enjoying the latest episode of Ted Lasso or listening to the sound of the rain that we get so rarely here.
      Another comfort is getting to the end of a busy day and slipping on a pair of Overland sheepskin slippers.
        I have their Men's Ethan Classics and it’s like wrapping my feet in clouds.
    Overland is a family-owned American heritage brand that’s put comfort and quality first for nearly 50 years.
    They offer outerwear, accessories, and home décor made from sustainable natural fibers like sheepskin, leather, and wool.
    Overland uses expert craftsmanship to pair the highest-quality Merino sheepskin—which is naturally moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and anti-microbial—with supportive memory foam midsoles, in order to make slippers that feel better and wear better, for longer.
      I was concerned that in “sunny California” that my feet might get too warm but that has not been a problem. The slippers are breathable and the design and craftsmanship is outstanding.
    Something that really sets Overland apart is that they’re one of the only brands in the world that use true double-faced sheepskin, so the suede you see outside is the same piece as the fluffy sheepskin you feel inside.
      It’s lighter, more breathable, and means there are no synthetic materials touching your feet.
      Plus, you know you’re getting top quality material because it has to look and feel great all over to meet their standards.
    If you want a pair of well-made, comfier-than-you-could-imagine slippers —these are the ones to get.
      They would also make an amazing gift for friend or loved one.
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Feedback, commentary, opinions
  Fix for slow Reminders app
    Not sure if you will remember how we tried to help Carlos with his Reminders app
    He was a heavy user of reminders and it was running VERY slowly for him. Like painfully so.
    It would take minutes to load the app
    I thought the issue may have been too many old or completed reminders, but he always removes those.
    He finally got in touch with Apple support and they recommended just deleting and reinstalling the app and that worked!
    I asked you all about your feelings on the iPhone’s notch and here was an interesting response from Jim. For those who dislike it… maybe it’s an issue of perspective
      So don’t think about the screen you “lost” think about the screen you gained.
  Intel want dupe you into wanting a PC
    Have you seen [this ad](https://youtu.be/Xp0xzapm-zY) where Intel invites a bunch of unsuspecting Apple fans into a mock focus group supposedly about “a certain company” and then proceeds to show them features that already exist in Intel powered PCs?
    They highlight expandability of RAM and Hard drives, gaming, touchscreens and convertible notebooks.
    Oh and their ads tagline… “When you break Apple’s spell, the choice becomes clear.”
    None of this stuff is new and they ad basically insults and mocks Apple fans. This is their plan to win us over?
    That’s not to say these aren’t nice features and some Apple users for sure would like to have these options, but the ad just shows that clearly Intel doesn’t get it. It’s not just the hardware.
    At the end of the day those machines also still run Windows (or linux) and they don’t offer the features that a tight integration of hardware and software brings to the Mac and iOS. Plus, they don’t have the incredible Apple M1 which has amazing battery life and performance.
    Frankly it’s pretty insulting.
  Enhance your hearing with AirPods
    Apple put out a new firmware and it now offers Conversation Boost
    It’s an accessibility feature that let’s you use AirPods beam forming microphones to help with hearing in conversations.
    To use it you need to be on firmware version 4A400.
      It should update automatically
      You can check it by connecting your AirPods to you device and tapping the “i” icon next to the AirPods in in the Bluetooth settings
    To enable Conversation Boost
      Open the Settings app.
      Tap on Accessibility.
      Tap on Audio/Visual.
      Tap on Headphone Accommodations.
      Scroll down and tap on Transparency Mode.
      Toggle on Conversation Boost.
    Inside the same screen where you enabled Conversation Boost you can also customize how your Transparency mode works
      You can change the amount of amplification
      Adjust the balance and tone (brighter or darker)
      And adjust the amount of ambient noise reduction.
    Another cool thing you can do with Headphone Accommodations turned on is adjust your AirPods or beats headphones audio profile
      You can make slight adjustments for tuning the audio tone, enhancing the volume on soft sounds and control if those adjustments are applied to phone calls, media, or both. There is a sample you can even play to help you hear and make the adjustments.
      Better still… there is a “Customize Audio Setup” link. This will let you upload an Audiogram hearing test profile and make the adjustments based on your test. Or there is a built in wizard that you can use to help you find the perfect settings for you.
      [Mimi Hearing Test](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mimi-hearing-test/id932496645)
  Some iOS 15 features you may have missed
    There is a great [article and list](https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-15-tips-and-tricks/) over at MacRumors. It has 50 amazing tips and tricks for iOS15, but here are some of my favorites
    Copy all the links in a Safari tab group
      Open the Tabs Group
      Tap group's name at the bottom of the screen, then tap Edit in the top-left of the Tab Groups card menu.
      Tap the circled ellipsis next to the Tabs Group, then select Copy Links.
    Move or delete entire home screens
      Enter “jiggle mode” (Tap and hold on a blank area of the home screen)
      Tap the dots above the Dock to enter the ‌Home Screen‌ pages view
      Drag around the screens to rearrange them
      Tap the minus button in the corner to delete the entire screen. Apps will still live in the App Library.
    Change default text size per app
      There is a control center button you can add to change the text size in your apps. This used to be universal, but now you can also set it per app.
      In Settings > Control Center add the “Text Size” control
      When your in an App, activate control center and tap the Text Size control
      Tap the toggle over to the “App Only” option and adjust it’s text size.
      You can adjust again from the Text Size control or go to Settings > Accessibility > Per App Settings
    The text selection magnifier is back. Press and hold on text to bring up the cursor and magnifier bubble
    iPad OS split view control
      Not sure if I love this yet or not, but in iPadOS now at the top of the screen there are three dots.
      Tap those to access the split screen controls
        Can tap fullscreen, split view, or slide over
        It is nice as when you tap an option the app slides over and lets you access your entire home screen to choose another app.
    Select multiple images in Safari to drag to Photos
      From say a google image search… tap and drag on an image to begin to dragging the image.
      Now with your other finger tap to select additional images
      Now you can drag them as a group into another app like photos, pages, or notes
      Might be easiest to do this in split screen
    QuickNote on iPadOS
      From any app, swipe up diagonally from the bottom right corner of the screen
      Create your note and tap “Done”
      The note will be in a special “Quick Note” section in the notes app
      You can drag the note from there to place inside any location or folder in your Notes app.
      Bonus: use hashtags in notes to add tags. These will show up in a Tags section of the notes overview and tapping a tag will show you all notes with that tag
    iCloud Keychain now support 2FA Authenticator codes
      Go to Settings -> Passwords
      For any saved password you can tap “Set Up Verification Code…”
      Then enter the key or tap the Scan QR code option.
    Share content via Messages with Siri
      On a web page, while listening to Music, while viewing a Photo, whatever invoke Siri and say Share this with and then the name of who you want to share it with.
      She’ll confirm you want to send it and who you’re sending it to. The it will be sent via messages.
    Blur background on FaceTime calls
      Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center
      Tap on the Video Effects button
      Select Portrait to enable the blur
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