The iOS 13.4 public beta dropped this week while Samsung unveiled new Galaxies and the rumor-mill discussed an upcoming budget iPhone, 5G models and more. We also have a fine selection of apps, tutorials, accessories and jailbreak tweaks for you to check out. This is iDB’s Editor’s Desk content roundup column for the week of February 10-16, 2020.
Let’s talk iOS: You’re folding it wrong
In episode #330 of iDB’s “Let’s Talk iOS” podcast, your hosts Sebastien and Cody get to discuss wallpapers, specifically the gorgeous Polygons Multi-Color backdrop pack and the awesome Electric Icons wallpapers. The two friends also cover current topics such as predicted coronavirus impact on Apple’s operations, AirPods shortages and more.
Everything comes full circle as the two friends end on a light note again.
Be sure to follow our hosts @Sebastien and @melvco and don’t forget to send a tweet to @LTiOS_fm if you’d like your question to be answered at the end of next week’s podcast.
Subscribe to the “Let’s Talk iOS” podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast or via RSS.
News you should know about
Here are the most important Apple stories that were making rounds in the past week.
- Coronavirus: Foxconn reopened its main iPhone plant with only ten percent of the workforce on Monday while the GSM Association announced cancelling Mobile World Congress over coronavirus concerns. Meanwhile, Apple reopened some of its stores in Beijing on Friday, but with limited hours and they’re screening customers.
- OS betas: Public betas of iOS/iPadOS 13.4 and macOS Catalina 10.15.4 have launched. Apple has stopped signing iOS 13.3, preventing downgrades.
- iPhone: The upcoming iPhone SE 2 may cost $399 and feature a 4.9-inch LCD display. DigiTimes claims that 5G iPhones will be announced alongside the new iPad Pro in September. According to reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the 5G iPhone may not support 2×2 MIMO uplink for maximum upload speeds. Fast Company says the handset may incorporate Apple’s own 5G antenna.
- Mac: Director Taika Waititi called MacBook keyboards “horrendous” and “impossible to write on”. Speaking of keyboards, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro with reliable scissor switch keys is now available via Apple’s refurbished store. A new review has pitted Apple’s $5,000 Pro Display XDR against Sony’s $43,000 reference monitor.
- AirPods: A new AirPods Pro Lite model may drop later in 2020.
- Siri: You can now ask Siri questions related to the 2020 US election.
- Music: Warner Music’s Jeff Bronikowski is now heading major Apple Music initiatives and Spotify now offers songwriter pages and playlists.
- Apple TV+: The five-part docuseries “Visible: Out on Television” is now available for binge-watching. Apple released a behind the scenes look at a “Little America” episode titled “The Silence”. We’ve also learned that Adrian Paul of “Highlander” fame has joined the second season of the Apple TV+ drama series “See”.
- Apple Card: Now offers support for exporting transactions in the OFX file format.
- Acquisitions: The planned merger between T-Mobile and Spirit has been approved.
- Google: YouTube wants to bring Apple TV Channels-like subscriptions to YouTube. Former Android head Andy Rubin is shutting down his startup Essential.
- Samsung: Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy S20 flagship smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip foldable and its truly wireless Galaxy Buds+ earbuds. These phones have a new AirDrop-like feature that works between up to five nearby devices simultaneously. Oh, and we’ve learned that the crease in the Z Flip screen is normal.
- Security: Wacom clarifies its macOS drivers don’t collect any personal information.
- Smart home: Abode has added HomeKit support to its Smart Security DUY system.
- Legal: Apple won’t be getting a rehearing in its patent battles with VirnetX. The BlueMail email app has returned to Mac App Store, but its developer’s patent dispute with Apple rages on. A disgruntled ex-employee who left Apple to form a chip-making startup claims his former employers “suffocates the creation of new technologies”.
- Retro tech: Using a 5.25-inch floppy on a Macintosh with a rare DynaFile drive.
Like to save money? Who doesn’t! Want to stay on top of the latest not-to-be-missed deals? If so, be sure to visit our Deals Store and follow iDB’s Deals of the Day series.
Tutorials & tips to master your devices
Learn something new with our latest tutorials:
- iPhone: How to save phone numbers to Contacts
- Apple Watch: How to manage music on your wrist
- Mac: Learn what Calendar symbols mean and how to remove location from photos
- Apple Maps: How to add a stop along your route
- iCloud Keychain: How to import and export your passwords
- Privacy: Learn how to opt out of receiving subscription renewal emails from Apple
- Netflix: How to disable annoying previews that auto-play when rolling over content
- Troubleshooting: Learn how to disable the Offload Unused Apps feature to stop apps from disappearing, fix missed call notifications not showing on the iPhone, resolve your handset being stuck on repeat songs and fix Siri not talking back to you.
Apps and games you should check out
We took a closer look at these latest apps and games.
- Roundup: The 5 best free iPad apps for cast and kittens
- Roundup: Shiftcreen, Spindrop, Instal Measure and other great new apps this week
- Apple Arcade: This week’s new arrival is Loude House: Outta Control from Nickelodeon
- Company of Heroes: The popular WWII real–time strategy game hits the iPad
- Pandora: Now offers streaming directly from the Apple Watch, no iPhone needed
- xCloud: Microsoft’s video game streaming service has launched on iOS
- SwitchGlass: A dedicated, customizable Mac app switcher by John Siracusa
- DoNotPay: This app can automatically sue robocallers and scammers
- Microsoft Office: Three new tabs on iPhone, an overhauled Alt Text pane and more
- Spark: Inbox avatars in the Mac app, a new Send Again feature hits iOS/macOS
- Shazam: The Apple-owned app gains a new search functionality
- Quick Look: The AR feature in Apple Maps not lets you buy stuff directly from retailers
- Lightroom: Split View on iPad, new features in the Mac app and Lightroom Classic
- Swift Playgrounds: Now available on the Mac, thanks to Catalyst
- StatusBuddy: Quickly check the status of Apple’s developer and consumer services
- LinkSys: An update will add HomeKit compatibility to the trio-band Velop routers
- Gmail: Uploading attachments via Apple’s Files app is now possible
- YouTube TV: Support for App Store subscriptions is ending starting March 13
- 1Password: You can no use Yubico’s NFC physical security keys with the app
- Feritte: Jason Snell edits a podcast on an iPad Pro with Apple Pencil and Ferrite
Accessories for your Apple devices
Our accessory-related content this week included the following write-ups:
- WatchMeGo: This is Sprint’s smartwatch for kids with GPS tracking
- Curve SE: Twelve South’s metal stand for MacBooks is now available in matte white
- Roundup: The best iPhone 11 lanyard cases
Jailbreak tweaks
Be sure to check out the following jailbreak tweaks.
- Dockify: Personalize your iPhone’s Dock with a myriad of customizations
- Aerial 2: Colorize the icons that appear in the iOS status bar
- CiolorMeCC: Personalize the Control Center interface with colors however you want
- VolumeLock: Lock your iPhone’s volume level to a specific point
- Castmary: Bring an iPad-like grid app switcher to your iPhone
- Appaze 2: Configure various system settings on a per-app basis
Support iDB!
If you’d like to support what we do here, then please visit our Deals Store and buy something from us. What are you favorite picks from this week’s roundup?
Let us know in the comments!