Wrapping up February, we focused on the ongoing coronavirus woes and rumors about upcoming Apple products. We also shared many new jailbreeak tweaks to check out, cool new apps and games, a bunch of tutorials to help you make the most of your devices and more.
Welcome to iDownloadBlog’s Editor’s Desk weekly column. In this installment, we round up everything that was published on the site from February 24 through February 29, 2020.
Let’s Talk iOS #332: So high, so fast, so quickly
In episode #332 of iDB’s “Let’s Talk iOS” podcast, the guys spend a large amount of time talking about Seb’s watchmaking course (go to mark 26:00 to skip the entire conversation) before eventually circling back to Apple rumors, Coronavirus, AirPods Pro Lite, iOS 14 and more.
Be sure to follow your 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.
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Wallpapers: the space fantasy collection
This week’s post represent a massive 15-image collection of generated space fantasy wallpapers for your iPhone, complete with color matching variations in Midnight Green.
Take a look through the full gallery and chose your favorite.
Follow our Wallpapers of the Week roundup to make sure you don’t miss new wallpapers published on the site.
Deals that save you money
The following deals may still be alive:
- iTunes movies: Comedians in dramatic roles for under $10, sub-$5 titles and more
- Nomad: 30% off Apple Watch bands, iPhone cases and more
Save money iDB Deals Store • iDB Daily Deals • Posts tagged with “Deal”
News and rumors to know about
Here are the most important Apple stories that were making rounds this week:
- Apple rumors:
- iOS 14: iPad-like app switcher on iPhone
- iPad: Mini-LED iPad Pro due in the fall • Leaked iPad Pro case hints at a square-shaped rear camera • Smart Keyboard with a trackpad due in 2020
- iPhone 12: Gigabit Wi-Fi speeds via 802.11ay support
- Mac: First ARM-based Mac could arrive in the second half of 2021
- Other: Wireless charging and waterproofing for AirTags • Unreleased Apple TVs, iPod touches and Apple Watch bands spotted in Targets inventory system • China’s top display vendor boost efforts to sell OLEDs to Apple • Powerbeats4 sporty headphones get FCC approval
- Apple Watch: Johnson & Johnson partnership on the new Heartline study
- Betas: Third betas of iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, tvOS 13.4, watchOS 6.2 and macOS Catalina 10.15.4 released
- Concepts: Improving iPad Pro multitasking
- Coronavirus: Many Chinese stores have reopened • Virus spread may “cloud” iPhone production timeline • Plague, Inc. pulled from Chinese App Store • Facebook cancels its developers conference • Tim Cook discusses long-term impact of the coronavirus
- iOS 13.4: Over-the-air iOS recovery in the works • “Shazam It” action in Shortcuts
- Legal: Supreme Court won’t hear Apple’s appeal in VirnetX paint fight • FTC starts refunding folks deceived by tech support scams • EU may force Apple to build iPhones with removable batteries • FCC proposes fines against major US telcos for disclosing users’ location data • Apple disables ClearView’s developer account for rule violations
- Mac: standalone MacPro wheels coming soon as a user-installable option, but turns out they lack a locking mechanism
- Shot on iPhone: Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada • Lady Gaga’s “Stupid Love”
- Security: Safari to disable HTTPS certificates with 13+ months of validity starting September 1 • Apple published detailed technical papers for Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR • Go behind the scenes of the “Little America” episode “The Baker”
- Streaming: Netflix is rolling out the Top 10 lists • Apple doesn’t let bad guys use its products in movies • RIAA says streaming is up 25% at the expense of downloads • The new “Severance” thriller is coming to Apple TV+ • Watch a clip from docu-series “Visible: Out on Television” • Apple TV+ series based on the rise and fall of WeWork
- Tidbits: Today at Apple sessions coming for International Women’s Day • Santa Clara University supports contactless student IDs on iPhone and Apple Watch • Bob Iger steps down as Disney’s CEO • Tim Cook makes education announcement in Birmingham • Tidbits from Apple’s shareholder meeting • Apple teams up with Ed Farm to use AR for new educational tools • Apple Japan’s new Mac ad uses anime
Tutorials and tips to master your devices
Learn something new with these tutorials, tips and tricks for your Apple devices:
- AirPods: Fixes for when one of your earbuds stops working
- Apple Watch: Stop audiobooks from automatically downloading while charging • Customizing the Mail app • Using the zoom feature for easier viewing
- iPhone: Send handwritten texts via iMessage • Use “Hey Siri” when iPhone is face down or covered • Ask Siri to take you back to the Home screen
- iPad: Keyboard shortcuts for Photos
- Mac: View, pause and stop notifications • Disable automatic software updates • Re-enable the iconic startup chime • Remove metadata from photos • Increasing font size • Showing dynamic summary of multiple Finder items • Manage settings for external displays • Keyboard shortcuts for Notes
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New apps, games and updates to unwind
We took a closer look at these apps, games and updates:
- Altice One: Now available on Apple TV
- Apple Arcade: Platformer Crossy Road Castle is the latest arrival
- Apple Research: Updated with AirPods Pro support for the hearing study
- Google Earth: Browser support expands, but Safari still unsupported
- RTRO: Vintage camera from the makers of Moment
- Roundup: Apple TV apps for learning to play guitar
- Roundup: WeWake, LinkSum, JOI, and other apps to check out this weekend
- Spotify: Now with shuffle play, action rows and more
Follow iDB’s Apps of the Week roundup to stay on top of great apps and games.
Accessories that enhance your Apple world
We covered the following accessories this week:
- Eero: Amazon’s mesh routers updated with support for HomeKit
- Netmo Smart Indoor Camera: Now compatible with HomeKit Secure Video
- Pad & Quill: Now accepting pre-orders for 2020 iPad Pro leather cases
- Roundup: Best front-pocket wallets
- Roundup: Best iPhone 11 cases for kids
Latest jailbreak tweaks in the wild
The following jailbreask tweaks were covered:
- AirPort (iOS 13): Colorize the AirPods/Pro connect interface
- ColorfulNotifs: More colorful notification banners
- Compactor: Apple Watch font on your jailbroken iPhone
- DigitalBattery13: Customize the battery indicator on notched iPhones
- FloatyTab: Customizable floating Tab Bar on iPhone
- Foldy: Customize the appearance of Home screen folders
- Harbor3: macOS-inspired dock on iOS
- Prysm: Transform Control Center into something you’ve always wanted
- Roundup: Jailbreak tweaks of the week
- Winter Mode: Don’t miss Apple Watch notifications when heavily dressed
Follow posts tagged with “Jailbreak Apps & Tweaks” for the latest jailbreak tweaks.
Your favorites?
What are you favorite picks from this week’s roundup?
Let us know in the comments!