MyAppleMenu

The Comprehensive-Ecosystem Edition Friday, February 19, 2021

Apple Updates Platform Security Guide, Says Kernel Extensions Won't Be Supported On Future Apple Silicon Macs, by Joe Rossignol, MacRumors

Starting with macOS Catalina, developers have been able to use system extensions that run in user space rather than at the kernel level. System extensions running in user space are granted only the privileges necessary to perform their specified function, which increases the stability and security of macOS, according to Apple.

Apple Platform Security Guide Reveals Focus On Vertical Integration, by Rich Mogull, TidBITS

By vertical integration, I mean the combination of hardware, software, and cloud-based services to build a comprehensive ecosystem. Vertical integration for increased security isn’t merely a trend at Apple, it’s one we see in wide swaths of the industry, including such key players as Amazon Web Services. When security really matters, it’s hard to compete if you don’t have complete control of the stack: hardware, software, and services.

Coming Soon

macOS 11.3 Could Ensure Your Mac Is Fully Charged In Time For Calendar Events, by Joe Rossignol, MacRumors

macOS 11.3 will ensure that a Mac finishes charging to 100% three hours prior to a calendar event’s start time, the code suggests, although the exact timing may vary depending on whether an alert is set for the calendar event.

Coming Soon?

Apple Is Working On Magnetic Battery Pack Attachment For iPhones, by Mark Gurman, Bloomberg

The battery pack would attach to the back of an iPhone 12 using the MagSafe system, which all the new phones use for charging and pairing other accessories like cases and wallets. Some prototypes of the battery pack have a white rubber exterior, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the product isn’t yet public. The new accessory would differ from Apple battery add-ons for previous iPhones in that it only provides additional battery life and doesn’t serve as a full protective case.

Stuff

Apple TV Now Available On Chromecast With Google TV, by Abner Li, 9to5Google

The new app allows you to watch original Apple TV+ content, as well as access existing iTunes movie and television show purchases.

Matterport iOS App Adds iPhone 12 Pro And iPad Pro LiDAR Support For Creating 3D Models, by Michael Potuck, 9to5Mac

Matterport for iOS, an app that makes it easy to create a 3D model of any space with your iPhone or iPad has released an update today to support the LiDAR sensor on the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max and 2020 iPad Pro.

Notes

Lies, Lions, And Statistics, by Paul Kafasis, One Foot Tsunami

Anyhow, it’s 2021 and Siri is still trash. The end.

4 Work-From-Home Tech Tricks I Learned From Twitch Streamers, by Jasmine Heyward, Wired

Hear me out: This is a group of people who have worked from their bedrooms or home offices by choice for years. Whether they are sharing video games or hobbies, or just hanging out and chatting, their work is based on sharing themselves and/or a digital presentation with an audience that they must keep engaged.

With that in mind, here are four things I’ve learned about working from home from streamers.

Apple To Support Winter Storm Relief Efforts In Texas, Other US States, by AppleInsider

"Our hearts are with everyone across Texas and around the U.S., including many of our team members, as they endure the impact of the harsh winter storms," Cook said in a tweet. "Apple will be making a financial contribution to local, community-based organizations to support their relief efforts."

Bottom of the Page

It seems to me, at a certain point in time, the free trial that Apple is providing for Apple TV+ is going to feel like a free service provided by Apple that will become a little more expensive in the near future.

And we all know it is difficult to sell something that went from being free (or paid for, as part of an Apple product purchase) to a subscription service. Just ask all the app developers.

~

Thanks for reading.