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The Quietly-Slashed Edition Friday, January 10, 2020

Apple Slashes Estimated Trade-In Values Of iPhone, iPad, Mac, And Apple Watch Models Overnight, by Tim Hardwick, MacRumors

Overnight, Apple has quietly slashed almost all of its maximum estimated trade-in values of second-hand iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watch models.

For example, yesterday on Apple's device trade-in program web page, the iPhone XS Max had an estimated trade-in value of up to $600, but today Apple is only offering up to $500 –– a full $100 less than it did 24 hours ago. The only devices that have been spared reductions are the MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, and ‌Apple Watch‌ Series 1, 2, and 3.

Apple Accepting Donations To Aid Australian Bushfire Relief, by Benjamin Mayo, 9to5Mac

Customers can make Red Cross donations simply through the iTunes and App Store, using their associated payment method. Apple does not collect any commission or processing fees, 100% of donations go to the charity.

Apple’s Security And Privacy Is Good, But Could Be Even Better, by Dan Moren, Macworld

If you feel like we’ve been here before, it’s because we have. Back in 2016, the FBI wanted Apple to unlock a phone belonging to the San Bernardino shooter; Apple declined to help, as doing so would have potentially compromised the security of all of its devices. Eventually, the bureau sought help from an Israeli-based cyber security firm who was able to hack into phone in question.

Leaving aside the dangers inherent in the creation of backdoors into the technology we all rely upon, I think this is as good a time as any for Apple to double down on its (already pretty solid) security focus. Because when it comes to digital information and our devices, what we need is not less security, but more.

Stuff

Front And Center Makes The Mac Finder Behave Like It Should, by Charlie Sorrel, Cult of Mac

Clicking an app’s window brings it to the foreground, of course. But did you notice that only the window you clicked came forward. If that other app has any other windows open, they will stay hidden. It wasn’t always this way. In pre-OS X days, the default behavior was to bring all those windows to the front. And now, thanks to a new app called Front and Center, from John Siracusa, you can get this behavior on a modern Mac.

A First Look At The Doppler 2 Music App, by Marius Masalar, The Sweet Setup

Streaming may have revolutionized our listening habits, but some of us still value a standalone music collection, and Doppler offers a streamlined way to enjoy it on the go.

Jillian Michaels Fitness App, by Jiff Duffy, PC Magazine

The Jillian Michaels Fitness app and program seems best suited for people who are already at least a little bit fit and want to be fitter. While you can set a goal of losing weight, maintaining weight, or building muscle, the plan is poised to boost people along their fitness journey rather than help those who are starting from square one with issues like changing their eating mindset and their relationship to food.

Notes

Fun With Charts: Why Apple's Services And Wearables Are In The Spotlight, by Jason Snell, Six Colors

So when you read about Tim Cook emphasizing Services and Wearables to financial analysts or in a quick interview on CNBC come January 28—this is why. In less than half a decade, Services and Wearables have gone from afterthoughts to a third of Apple’s business.

Apple Stock Hits Record After Chinese Government Data Shows iPhone Sales Spike, by William Feuer, CNBC

Apple's iPhone sales in China rose more than 18% last month, according to CNBC calculations using government data published by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, a government think tank.

The news drove Apple stock up more than 2% Thursday, bringing the stock to a fresh all-time intraday high of $310.01, according to FactSet.

With Its New Ad-targeting Tech, Spotify Is Sharpening Its Platform Power In Podcasting, by Nicholas Quah, Nieman Lab

“We’re bringing podcast advertising up to par with what marketers expect from digital advertising in general, and we’re working to do that while preserving what’s unique and good and effective about podcast advertising,” said Matt Lieber, Gimlet co-founder and now Spotify’s head of podcast operations. “We’re not trying to facilitate a radio advertising-style world.”