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The Free-Space Edition Tuesday, February 9, 2021

PSA: Upgrading A Mac To macOS Big Sur Without Enough Space Can Result In Data Loss, by Filipe Espósito, 9to5Mac

After noticing several reports from users on the web, Mr. Macintosh found out that macOS Big Sur installer isn’t checking whether the Mac’s internal storage has enough free space. As the system initiates the update process, the Mac becomes unresponsive and data can be permanently corrupted.

Developer Exposes Multiple Scam Apps On The App Store, Some Bringing In Millions Of Dollars In Revenue, by Chance Miller, 9to5Mac

Over the last several weeks, developer Kosta Eleftheriou has been highlighting many apparent scam applications on the App Store. The formula for each scam application is virtually identical, and it centers on fake reviews and ratings paired with a deceptive weekly subscription.

Apple Is The $2.3 Trillion Fortress That Tim Cook Built, by Austin Carr and Mark Gurman, Bloomberg

Over the next four years [Biden's] White House will continue pushing to increase U.S. manufacturing and may support congressional scrutiny of potentially anticompetitive practices, egged on by Facebook Inc. and other companies that say Apple exercises too much power. But Cook has been counterpunching, broadening his influence over the mobile phone industry while marketing Apple’s commitment to privacy as the antidote to the practices of social media companies. Moreover, Cook’s unflappable temperament makes him well suited to the polarized political climate. Allies praise his operational skills and diplomatic instincts. “Tim may not be able to design a product like Steve,” says Warren Buffett, who knows Cook well and whose Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has a stake in Apple worth $111 billion, as of a September filing. “But Tim understands the world to a degree that very, very few CEOs I’ve met over the past 60 years could match.”

Coming Soon

Siri Setting In iOS 14.5 Beta Lets Users Select Default Music Streaming Service, by Tim Hardwick, MacRumors

Apple last week released beta versions of upcoming iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 updates to developers and public beta testers, and among a number of new features, Apple has added the ability to set a default music streaming service when using Siri to play songs.

Apple Testing New Ad Spot On Homepage Of App Store Search Tab, by Benjamin Mayo, 9to5Mac

As part of the iOS 14.5 beta, it appears Apple is testing new ways to monetize the App Store. Building on the existing App Store Search Ads program, users are now seeing a new sponsored ad slot appearing on the Search tab as a “suggested” item.

Stuff

Export iCloud Photos Using Photos Takeout For Mac, by Bradley Chambers, 9to5Mac

If you’re looking for a simple way to export your iCloud Photos to another source, check out Photos Takeout.

You Can Now Browse Every National Park In The U.S. With Just One App, by Matthew Wille, Input

The National Park Service is beginning the rollout of a new unified app for information on all of the United States’ national parks. The app, which is simply called “National Park Service,” allows users to find nearby parks, save their favorites, and book tickets where necessary.

'Controlly' App Turns A Game Controller Into A Remote Control For Macs, by Juli Clover, MacRumors

With the app installed and a gaming controller connected, the different keys on the controller can be mapped to various functions such as displaying the desktop, adjusting screen brightness, tweaking volume, controlling media playback, accessing Launch Pad, launching Mission Control, and more.

Notes

EU's Vestager Warns Apple To Treat All Apps Equally Amid Privacy Dispute, by Foo Yun Chee, Reuters

Europe’s antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, has warned Apple Inc to give equal treatment to all apps on its platform amid the iPhone maker’s privacy changes that have drawn charges of anti-competitive practices from rival Facebook Inc.

Empty iPad Boxes Flew Halfway Across The World And Back, by Ben Lovejoy, 9to5Mac

Some empty iPad boxes making a crazy journey halfway across the world and back is a surreal illustration of the distribution challenges Apple is facing during the pandemic.

Apple’s Dan Riccio Shifts From Hardware Chief To AR, VR Headsets, by Mark Gurman, Bloomberg

Apple Inc. executive Dan Riccio is focusing on the company’s upcoming virtual and augmented reality devices after he shed his role as the head of hardware engineering, according to people with knowledge of the move.

Bottom of the Page

I think I may have both imposter syndrome and mid-life crisis. As well as one whole bunch of problems that I managed to discover in Wikipedia. :-)

~

Thanks for reading.