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The Without-Standard-Defenses Edition Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Apple’s Hackable iPhones Are Finally Here, by Lily Hay Newman, Wired

Last August, Apple announced that it would distribute special iPhones to elite security researchers. The idea was to offer a device that had fewer constraints, allowing researchers to home in on security vulnerabilities more easily, without first having to work around standard iOS defenses. Starting today, you can apply to get your hands on one.

The Apple Watch Is In Full Control Of My Pathetic Life, by Callum Booth, The Next Web

I love the Apple Watch. (Help me).

Stuff

Apple Store Displays Spotlight Apple Fitness+ And Workout Gear, by Michael Steeber, 9to5Mac

Apple Stores are motivating customers to try Apple Fitness+ with dynamic new displays and a curated selection of third-party workout equipment. The new fixtures rolled out to select Apple Stores today and highlight the seamless integration between Apple hardware and the subscription service.

iPhone 12 Mini & iPhone 12 Pro Max: Enjoyable Extremes, by Jason Snell, Six Colors

I’ll say this: I never felt disappointed by the iPhone 12 mini. Using it never made me feel like I had compromised in order to go smaller. After a month using the iPhone 12, moving to the 12 mini was easy—it’s the same phone, just in a smaller package.

Apple Silicon M1 MacBook Pro Review: This Changes Everything, by DL Cade, PetaPixel

Apple is much further ahead than anybody expected them to be with these 1st generation Apple Silicon devices. Rosetta 2 emulation is so good it’s practically invisible, performance exceeds price point by a lot (at least by Apple standards), and efficiency is absolutely mind-blowing. I hoped for “good” with the ARM-based apps, and “usable” with non-optimized apps; I did not expect improved performance at 1/4 the power draw and 3/4 the price.

Using Craft Notes For Study And Preserving Long-Term Knowledge, by Josh Ginter, The Sweet Setup

Craft is a more beautiful solution than I ever thought possible, with features seemingly perfect for the type of studying and long-term knowledge preservation I’m looking for.

Fitness Totals Review: Effortlessly Surface Fitness Data And Track Your Progress, by John Voorhees, MacStories

Apple’s Health app has all the data Fitness Totals displays, but the company doesn’t offer a Health widget. Fitness Totals also benefits from its focus on just a handful of fitness metrics that can be turned on or off by users surfacing the data far better than the Health app.

7 Smart Apps To Improve Your Sleep Quality, by Kate S. Petersen, Inverse

In the interests of a good night's sleep, Inverse has ranked seven of the most-popular apps which claim to help you get better sleep. All of them offer different strategies to make the most of your nighttime, but there are some common themes, too.

Develop

Small Business Program Confirmation Emails Start To Arrive, by Ben Lovejoy, 9to5Mac

Eligible developers are now beginning to receive their App Store Small Business Program confirmation emails from Apple after submitting their applications earlier in the month.

Notes

Apple’s China App Store Sheds Games Under Pressure, by Tim Higgins, Wall Street Journal

In China, the scrutiny of Apple’s app store highlights the delicate balance the Cupertino, Calif.-based company must strike as it works to reach Chinese consumers while also navigating official demands.

Bottom of the Page

The last time I wanted to listen to the voicemails from my answering machine thing was 1992.

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Thanks for reading.