Vratislav Holub In this regular column, every day we look at the most interesting news that revolves around the California company Apple. Here we focus exclusively on the main events and selected (interesting) speculations. So if you are interested in current events and want to be informed about the apple world, definitely spend a few minutes on the following paragraphs.
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Amaya Toman The TestFlight application changes its icon
If you haven't heard of Apple's TestFlight app, don't worry. This program primarily serves developers as a platform for releasing the first beta versions of their applications, which can then be tested by, for example, the first lucky ones. TestFlight on the iOS operating system has recently been updated with the designation 2.7.0, which brought better software stability and bug fixes. But the biggest change is the new icon.
The icon itself abandons the simple old design and adds a 3D effect. Above this paragraph, you can see the old (left) and new (right) icons right next to each other.
Apple worked with the US government on a secret iPod
Just a few years ago, when we didn't have smartphones, we had to reach for, for example, a Walkman, a disc player or an MP3 player to listen to music. The Apple iPod has gained immense popularity. It was a simple device for listening to music that simply worked and offered the listener perfect comfort. Currently, former Apple software engineer David Shayer shared very interesting information with the world, according to which Apple collaborated with the United States government to produce a secret and heavily modified iPod. The magazine published the information TidBits.
The entire project was supposed to start already in 20015, when Shayer was asked to help two engineers from the US Department of Energy. But in reality, they were employees of Bechtel, which operates as one of the largest suppliers for the Ministry of Defense. In addition, only four people from Apple knew about the entire project. In addition, it would be difficult to find more detailed information. All arrangements and communication took place only face-to-face, which did not leave behind a single piece of evidence. And what was the goal?
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The goal of the entire project was for the iPod to be able to record data when additional accessories were added, while still having to look and feel like a classic iPod. Specifically, the modified device was a fifth-generation iPod that was very easy to open and offered 60GB of storage. Although the exact information is unknown, Shayer believes that the product subsequently functioned as a Geiger counter. This means that, at first glance, an ordinary iPod was actually a detector of ionizing radiation, or radiation.
The battle of the giants continues: Apple is not going to back down and threatens Epic with the cancellation of the developer account
The Californian giant will not make exceptions
Last week, we informed you about a rather large "battle" between Epic Games, which is the publisher of Fortnite, and Apple, by the way. Epic updated its game on iOS, where it added the possibility of direct purchase of in-game currency, which was both cheaper, but linked to the company's website and thus did not take place through the App Store. This, of course, violated the terms of the contract, which is why Apple pulled Fortnite from its store within moments. But Epic Games counted on exactly this, because it released immediately #freefortnite campaign and subsequently filed suit.
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This is undoubtedly a large-scale dispute that has already divided the company into two camps. Some argue that Apple took care of the creation of the entire platform, created great hardware and invested a huge amount of money and time into everything, and therefore can set its own rules for its products. But the others do not agree with the share that Apple takes for each payment. This share is 30 percent of the total amount, which seems excessive to these users. However, it is necessary to draw attention to the fact that practically everyone in this industry takes the same percentages, that is, for example, even Google with its Play store.
Apple statement on terminating Epic's developer account: “We won't make an exception” pic.twitter.com/3a3L6meHfI
- Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 18
According to the editor of Bloomberg magazine Mark Gurman, Apple also commented on the whole situation, which does not intend to make any exceptions. The Californian giant is of the opinion that it will not endanger the safety of its users with these steps. The apple company is undoubtedly right about this. The App Store is a relatively safe place where, as users, we are sure that in the worst case scenario, you will simply not lose your finances. According to Apple, Epic Games can get out of this situation relatively easily - it is simply enough to upload a version of the game to the App Store, in which the purchase of the aforementioned in-game currency takes place through the classic App Store mechanism.
Apple is about to cancel the developer account of Epic Games. This could bring huge problems
The attacker himself, or Epic Games, commented on the whole situation today. He was informed that if he does not back down and agree to Apple's terms, then Apple will completely cancel the company's developer account on August 28, 2020, thereby preventing access to the App Store and developer tools. But in reality, this is a rather big problem.
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Flying around the world with Apple In the world of gamers, the so-called Unreal Engine is extremely well-known, on which a number of popular games are built. Epic Games took care of its creation. But if Apple really blocked the company's access to developer tools, it would affect not only the iOS platform, but also macOS, which would bring huge problems when working on the aforementioned Engin. Consequently, Epic would not be able to use the elementary tools for its engine, which, in short, many developers rely on. The whole situation would thus be reflected in the gaming industry in general. Of course, Epic Games has already gone to court in the state of North Carolina, where the court is asking Apple to prohibit the removal of their account.
Campaign against Apple:
It is rather paradoxical that in its campaign Epic Games asks Apple to treat all developers equally and not to use the so-called double standard. But the Californian giant has been proceeding according to standard rules and conditions from the very beginning. It is therefore clear that Apple will not be blackmailed and at the same time will not tolerate someone who knowingly violates the terms of the contract.
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Pavel Jelic Apple just released the fifth beta versions of iOS and iPadOS 14 and watchOS 7
Only a little while ago, Apple released the fifth beta versions of its operating systems iOS and iPadOS 14 and watchOS 7. They are published two weeks after the release of the fourth versions.
For now, the updates themselves are only available to registered developers, who just need to go to the apps Settings, select a category In general and go to Software update, where all you have to do is confirm the update itself. The fifth beta should bring bug fixes and other improvements.
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I never liked Epic. Apart from giving away games for free, they didn't bring anything to the users, why one should remember them. The reason to buy games on GOG.com, for example, is clear, they are without DRM protection, so they can be played even without an Internet connection and so on. Epic - just nothing. I'm sorry. And this was simply a mistake on their part.
In my opinion, the removal of the account is once again pointless on Apple's part and will make life difficult for a lot of people, and if because of this even the few games that still work after the cancellation of 32-bit support stop working, then Apple will not help itself in any way. Sure, there are probably a lot of macOS gamers out there, but I'm one of them, so I wouldn't mind.
I had a dilemma... but I chose Epic Games - I've had problems with Apple for a long time with handling complaints, it's not what it was when Steve Jobs was there. Despite the fact that I have an apple, I changed my tablets to Samsungs and phones as well. Surprisingly, both the Note 10+ and the S6 tablet work great and I'm satisfied after a few days. There will be Epic in the Galaxy store, I'm a gamer and I don't intend to change it because of Apple and their nonsense claim about security. It's about money and short-sightedness, and that already bothers me.
Epic draws attention to the monopoly in the case of Apple, in the sense that there is no other option to legally install the software there, apart from the apple store. Epic has its own store and the means to be able to distribute games without a problem even without an apple store, but Apple simply does not allow such an option and that is the problem they are concerned with. For Android, most people probably use Google's Play Store, but the difference is that they have the choice to install any other store or an app directly from the manufacturer's website if they want.