MyAppleMenu

The Health-Tool Edition Thursday, May 27, 2021

Why Apple And Google’s Virus Alert Apps Had Limited Success, by Natasha Singer, New York Times

But some researchers say the companies’ product and policy choices limited the system’s usefulness, raising questions about the power of Big Tech to set global standards for public health tools.

[...]

But the apps never received the large-scale efficacy testing typically done before governments introduce public health interventions like vaccines. And the software’s privacy features — which prevent government agencies from identifying app users — have made it difficult for researchers to determine whether the notifications helped hinder virus transmission, said Michael T. Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

Apple Entrepreneur Camp Participants Break Barriers On Their Coding Journeys, by Apple

“I said, teach me to code, and I’ll build it myself,” says Garrison. “Just show me how it's done. Because I think as an artist today when you're faced with a challenge in technology you've got to break it and push it.”

Working initially in Objective-C and later in Swift, Garrison and his team have been collaborating on an app called TuneBend, a new way for musicians to jam together, record, and eventually sell their music in a musical entrepreneur ecosystem. TuneBend combines Garrison’s passions for music, technology, and entrepreneurship; Garrison runs his own business, ShapeShifter Lab, a music venue and performance space in Brooklyn, New York.

Exploitable Security Bug Remains In iOS And macOS 3 Weeks After Upstream Fix, by Dan Goodin, Ars Technica

The vulnerability resides in WebKit, the browser engine that powers Safari and all browsers that run on iOS. When the vulnerability was fixed almost three weeks ago by open source developers outside of Apple, the fix's release notes said that the bug caused Safari to crash. A researcher from security firm Theori said the flaw is exploitable, and despite the availability of a fix, the bug is still present in iOS and macOS.

Stuff

1Password In The Browser Now Supports Touch ID, Dark Mode, And More, by Michael Potuck, 9to5Mac

Headlining the new release is Touch ID integration, dark mode, and a new experience for saving and editing credentials.

New iPad Pro Center Stage Camera Feature Comes To Zoom, by Michael Potuck, 9to5Mac

The popular video call platform has launched support for the handy new Center Stage feature that follows users as they move, a new Gallery view for all iPads, new developer support resources, and more.

Develop

Apple Updates Developer Forums With New Features Ahead Of WWDC 2021, by Benjamin Mayo, 9to5Mac

Developers now have the ability to leave targeted comments on posted questions to add additional information. The forums are also expanding beyond just text; it is now possible to upload images and screenshot attachments with a posted question.

Notes

Apple Is Looking For Crypto Experience In 'Alternative Payments' Job Post, by Danny Nelson, Coindesk

Apple is looking to hire a business development manager with experience in the cryptocurrency industry to lead its “alternative payments” partnership program.

Bottom of the Page

I'm not sure Apple and Google will ever re-look at their exposure-notification system.

~

Thanks for reading.