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The Power-Off Edition Saturday, October 5, 2019

Apple’s New Repair Program Covers iPhone 6S And 6S Plus Phones That Won’t Turn On, by Samuel Axon, Ars Technica

“Apple has determined that certain iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus devices may not power on due to a component that may fail," the page for the program says. The program is wordily called "iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Service Program for No Power Issues."

It does not affect all iPhone 6S and 6S Plus units; rather, it affects phones in a certain serial number range that corresponds to some handsets sold between October of 2018 and August of 2019. The iPhone 6S was discontinued in North America throughout that window, but the company continued to make and sell it for some other regions.

Apple Arcade Now Available For Mac Users Ahead Of macOS Catalina Release, by Filipe Espósito, 9to5Mac

If you’re already running macOS Catalina, you can try Apple Arcade by simply accessing the Mac App Store. You can even pair a PlayStation 4 or Xbox Wireless controller to improve gaming experience.

Apple Approves Controversial Hong Kong App After Rejection, by Mark Gurman, Bloomberg

Apple Inc.’s App Store reversed a recent decision to reject a Hong Kong app that shows police activity in the midst of increasingly violent pro-democracy protests in the city.

The app, known as HKmap.live, is a mobile version of a website that helps users avoid potentially dangerous areas, according to the developer, who uses the alias Kuma to remain anonymous. It was rejected from Apple’s App Store because it “facilitates, enables, and encourages an activity that is not legal,” Apple told the developer, according to a copy of the rejection notice seen by Bloomberg News. “Specifically, the app allowed users to evade law enforcement,” Apple wrote.

Stuff

What Runners Need To Know About The Apple Watch Series 5, by Jeff Dengate, Runner's World

It’ll accurately track all but your longest runs. If you’re an ultra marathoner or want to monitor your sleep, look elsewhere. Likewise, if you already own the AW4, don’t bother upgrading now unless you absolutely must have the latest toys. For everybody else shopping for a new watch, give the AW5 a serious look.

Apple iPad (2019) Review: No Competition, by Dieter Bohn, The Verge

Even though the processor is getting a little long in the tooth and Apple’s Smart Keyboard is too pricey, it remains impressive that you can get a computer this good for this price. It’s not a device that I would recommend upgrading to if you have a tablet you’re even moderately happy with, but it is a device I am sure you’ll be happy with if you buy it.

Nisus Writer Express 4.0, by Agen Schmitz, TidBITS

The palette system has been redesigned to improve their look, feel, and behavior (and palettes can now float freely in a separate window instead of being relegated to a drawer), the Draft View’s full-screen mode is improved with an auto-displaying options bar featuring the main menu, and typewriter scrolling is added for optionally keeping the selection a specified distance down the page while typing.

Notes

Siri Is More Open Than Ever, But It Still Has Room To Grow, by Dan Moren, Macworld

Siri was unveiled with the implicit promise that it would change the way people interact with technology, and while voice control has certainly become more common in the intervening years, we’re still a long way from upending the current paradigm. But these latest changes to Siri integration show that Apple is still interested in pushing the platform forward and, most importantly, that the company isn’t afraid of a little bit of competition.

Apple Buys UK Visual Effects Company iKinema, by Tim Bradshaw, Financial Times

Apple has confirmed its acquisition of UK-based visual effects company iKinema, which develops “full body” motion-capture software for games and movies.

[...]

iKinema might help iPhone app developers to build more sophisticated games or allow Apple to add arms and legs to its animated emoji faces, which were introduced alongside the iPhone X in 2017.

Why Apple CEO Tim Cook Hates Cryptocurrency, by David Pierini, Cult of Mac

“I deeply believe that money must remain in the hands of states,” Cook said in a wide-ranging interview with LesEchos. “I am not comfortable with the idea that a private group creates a competing currency.

“A private company does not have to seek to gain power in this way. Money, like defense, must remain in the hands of states, it is at the heart of their mission. We elect our representatives to assume government responsibilities. Companies are not elected. They do not have to go on this ground.”

Disney Bans Netflix Ads As Streaming’s Marketing Wars Intensify, by Alexandra Bruell and Suzanne Vranica, Wall Street Journal

Disney’s ban of Netflix ads marks a significant shift. In the TV industry, it isn’t unusual for TV networks to reject ads from direct rivals, especially if they include the specific time and date when a competing program will air. But broadcasters have generally allowed streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to advertise, even when it became clear they were luring away viewers.

Now, the landscape is changing. As traditional media companies launch their own streaming services, they will be going head-to-head with the tech giants—and with each other—as never before.

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Once upon a time, I was so happy to install Google Chrome on my Windows machine at work. It was way better than all the alternatives, especially on that slow Windows laptop that I was using then.

About ten years later -- I've just removed Google Chrome on my Mac.

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Thanks for reading.