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The Later-This-Fall Edition Monday, September 20, 2021

Apple Highlights Additional iOS 15 Features, Such As Dual-SIM Phone Number Switching In iMessage Conversations, by Joe Rossignol, MacRumors

Apple said iOS 15 allows users to seamlessly switch between phone numbers in the middle of an iMessage conversation on an iPhone with Dual SIM support, including the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and newer.

Apple Says Find My Network Support For AirPods Delayed Until Later This Fall, by Joe Rossignol, MacRumors

Apple recently updated its iOS 15 features page to indicate that Find My network support for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max has been delayed until “later this fall,” implying that the feature will not be available with the initial release of iOS 15.

On Health

Can Apps Manage Our Chronic Health Conditions?, by Maddy Savage, BBC

From stumbling slowly out of bed, to doing active weights classes at the gym, Ewa-Lena Rasmusson's mobility has transformed during the pandemic.

The 55-year-old, from Stockholm, says it's all thanks to a Swedish app that uses artificial intelligence to create bespoke exercise plans designed to help alleviate joint pain.

Stuff

The Best Hiking Apps To Keep From Getting Lost, by Arielle Pardes, Wired

Ah, the great outdoors. The flora, the fauna, the welcome mystery of the open trail stretched before you. You’ve left it all behind, until … Wait. Where’s the map? Did you mean to turn left back at that fork? What direction is the campsite anyway? Is it starting to get dark? Don't lose yourself out there. Download one of these trail-mapping hiking apps to make sure you can always find your way, whether you have cell service or not.

Belkin SoundForm Connect Can Add Apple AirPlay To Any Audio Device, by Mark Sparrow, Forbes

Despite the low output levels, the sound quality from the Belkin SoundForm Connect is great, even when using the analog output.

Ikea's $40 Hidden Wireless Charger Will Recharge Your iPhone Through Your Desk, by Malcolm Owen, AppleInsider

Ikea has introduced Sjomarke, a Qi-compatible charger that can turn desks and shelves into a wireless charging point, by being secretly installed underneath the surface.

Notes

Apple Joins Streaming Elite, Netflix Crosses Milestone With Emmy Wins, by Lisa Richwine, Reuters

The honors give the streaming services new bragging rights they can use to promote their offerings in the hard-fought battle for audiences who are ditching traditional TV and searching for quality entertainment online.

"Ted Lasso" won seven awards overall for Apple TV+, the streaming service that the iPhone maker launched two years ago. Jason Sudeikis took home best comedy actor for his starring role as an upbeat American coach trying to rally a struggling soccer team in Britain.

How The Old Products Apple Keeps Around Are Crucial To Its Success, by Dan Moren, Macworld

Apple’s sales performance has been staggering in the last decade, and while we don’t know how these older devices impact the bottom line, they remain an important part of the company’s sales strategy nonetheless.

Tech Giants Quietly Buy Up Dozens Of Companies A Year. The Biden Administration Is Finally Noticing., by Gerrit De Vynck and Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post

While big acquisitions, like Amazon’s plans to purchase MGM, are the subject of press scrutiny and regulatory attention, hundreds of other purchases fly under the radar because of financial market guidelines and antitrust laws, which only require companies to disclose their largest deals. As they seek to take on tech titans’ power, regulators are increasingly paying attention to how tech companies gobble up smaller potential competitors before they have a chance to develop enough to provide consumers with serious alternatives.

Bottom of the Page

Here's my plan. I know I will give in to the temptation, so I'm going to install the new operating system for my iPad first, maybe on one of the upcoming weeknights. Partly I don't use my iPad for any 'essential services', so I can afford the risks of being one of the early adopters. Partly also because Apple's operating system updates had been quite uneventful lately -- no accidental erasure of hard disk or bricking of devices.

Then, if nothing goes wrong, I will find some time to install iOS 15 on my iPhone early this weekend, after I figure out what my initial Focus settings should be.

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Thanks for reading.