MacRumors

There have been a number of reports about Right to Repair legislation across the United States, and an equal number of reports about the lengths that Apple has gone to in order to block new repair bills from becoming law.

Bloomberg today shared a new Right to Repair piece that highlights how Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have worked to put a stop to laws that would require the tech companies to provide genuine repair parts and device schematics to independent repair shops.

In 2021 alone, 27 states have considered Right to Repair bills, but more than half of those have already been voted down or dismissed. Lobbyists and trade groups representing major tech companies have fought hard against them, with Apple specifically arguing that such laws could lead to device damage or consumers harming themselves when attempting to repair their devices.

In Washington, for example, Washington House of Representatives Democrat Mia Gregerson sponsored a Right to Repair measure that was fought by Microsoft, Google, Amazon, along with lobbyists representing Apple. "If you really want to know who was naughty-it was Apple," said Gregerson. Lobbyists said Apple would endorse repair programs at local colleges if the bill was dropped.

Apple has opposed bills in other states that include Colorado and Nevada. Independent repair shop owner Justin Millman said that he has a difficult time sourcing iPad screens, which are repairs that school kids often need. He claims that Apple opposes repair programs to get people to buy new devices.

"That's why Apple doesn't answer my emails," he said. "For them, it's just dollars and cents. They don't think about the person on the other side of the ‌iPad‌."

As it fights Right to Repair bills, Apple has attempted to provide alternatives. Apple has launched a worldwide Independent Repair Program that's designed to provide repair shops that are not Authorized Apple Service Providers with genuine parts, tools, repair manuals, and diagnostics for performing out-of-warranty repairs on Apple devices.

The program is free, but repair providers must have an Apple-certified technician perform the repairs, which is a barrier to entry for some shops like Millman's. Even with this program, some parts, like ‌iPad‌ displays, are not provided, leaving Apple and AASPs as the only repair option.

Apple today seeded the first public betas of iOS 14.7, iPadOS 14.7, and macOS Big Sur 11.5 to public beta testers, one day after seeding first betas to developers.

Public beta testers who have signed up for the beta testing program can download the iOS and iPadOS‌ 14.7 updates over the air after installing the proper certificate from the Public Beta website on an iOS device. macOS Big Sur 11.5 can be downloaded by going to the "Software Update" section of System Preferences after installing the profile.

iOS 14.7 and macOS Big Sur 11.5 may address bugs and issues that were not able to be included in the iOS 14.6 and macOS Big Sur 11.4 updates, which have yet to be released. There were no new features found in the betas provided to developers.

Apple today shared a new privacy-focused ad on its YouTube channel, highlighting App Tracking Transparency on the iPhone.

In the spot, a man orders a coffee, and the barista follows him out as he gets in a cab, providing his date of birth to the cab driver. The cab driver and the barista follow him throughout his day, keeping track of his whereabouts and viewing his personal data.

Everyone he interacts with follows him, and at the end of the day, he has a whole crowd of people monitoring his behavior. The ‌iPhone‌ comes to the rescue with App Tracking Transparency, with the ad designed to highlight the everyday app tracking that ATT gives users control over.

Apple says that on average, each app includes six tracking mechanisms from other companies, which are designed to collect data and personal information from people. The data that trackers collect is aggregated and monetized, and most people aren't even fully aware of the extent of what's known about them.

Apple's ad sheds light on the kind of behind-the-scenes tracking that happens in apps, and it points out App Tracking Transparency as a method to provide people with the tools to protect their information.

This is a topic that Apple has visited a few times before, sharing an App Tracking Transparency video and a "Day in the Life of Your Data" report, which details how third-party companies can track user data across websites and apps.

The ad industry has fought against App Tracking Transparency because it can cut into the revenue that comes from the personalized ads delivered because of tracking, but Apple says this kind of tracking should be transparent. Apple is not opposed to advertising, but believes it can be done in a less invasive manner.

Implemented in iOS 14.5, App Tracking Transparency applies to all developers. Apps must now ask permission before tracking you, including Apple's own apps. Apple says that its advertising platform does not track you, nor do its own apps.

Twitter today announced it will begin rolling out a new application process for account verification, allowing for qualifying individuals like government officials, journalists, athletes, and recognizable brands to apply for verified status.

Verified accounts have a blue checkmark icon next to their Twitter name, helping people distinguish the authenticity of accounts that are of public interest.

Twitter outlined the criteria for verified accounts in a blog post:

To qualify for verification, you must fit the criteria of one of the six categories listed below:

- Government
- Companies, brands and organizations
- News organizations and journalists
- Entertainment
- Sports and gaming
- Activists, organizers, and other influential individuals

In addition to the category-specific eligibility criteria outlined in our verification policy, your account must be complete, meaning you have a profile name, a profile image and either a confirmed email address or phone number. Your account must also be active within the last six months and have a record of adherence to the Twitter Rules.

Over the next few weeks, all Twitter users will start to see the new verification application form directly in the Account Settings tab. Twitter will be gradually rolling out access to ensure that applications can be reviewed in a timely manner.

Once you submit your application, you can expect an emailed response from Twitter within a few days, but this could take up to a few weeks depending on how many applications are received, according to the company. If your application is approved, you'll see the blue badge automatically on your Twitter profile. For users who feel they were wrongly denied verified status, there is an option to re-apply 30 days later.

Twitter plans to introduce more eligible verified categories later this year, such as those for scientists, academics, and religious leaders. Twitter is also researching automated accounts and plans to introduce a way to denote this account type in the next few months, with memorialized accounts to follow at some point later.

Twitter also previewed a new "About" tab coming to profiles that will allow users to share more details about themselves, including their personal pronouns, location, interests, and more, according to TechCrunch. The tab will also indicate whether the account has been "confirmed" with a verified email address or phone number.

Snowman, the developer of award-winning iPhone game Alto's Adventure, today announced the launch of a new educational kids app named Pok Pok Playroom, which is essentially a digital toybox aimed at children ages two to six.

Available on the iPad and iPhone, Pok Pok Playroom offers a collection of on-screen toys that Snowman's new spin-off studio Pok Pok handcrafted to spark imagination, creativity, and learning through open-ended play.

Kids 2-6 years-old are encouraged to use their imaginations, be creative and think outside the box while exploring the playroom of toys. There is no right or wrong and no winning or losing—kids can simply follow their noses and explore. Handmade art and gentle sounds set the tone for peaceful playtime, so kids feel calm during and after play.

Pok Pok Playroom features beautiful hand-drawn animations and soft sounds that Pok Pok says sets the tone for peaceful playtime without over-stimulation.

Kids will build, tinker, create, experiment and learn while exploring our playroom of handcrafted toys. Each is designed to foster cognitive and socio-emotional development while introducing key learning concepts that kids can discover through play.

Pok Pok promises regular updates to the app so that the playroom remains fresh with new toys to keep children interested.

Pok Pok says it has collaborated with teachers, early childhood educators, occupational therapists, sensory experts, and others to ensure that Pok Pok Playroom provides the best experience possible. The app contains no advertisements or surprise in-app purchases, with Pok Pok promising that children will never see anything but the playroom.

Pok Pok Playroom is available on the App Store starting today, with subscription-based pricing set at $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year for unlimited access to every toy and future update. A two-week free trial is available.

Belkin today announced the launch of the new Belkin Soundform Connect Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2 support, which is designed to turn any traditional stereo speaker into an ‌AirPlay‌ 2-enabled speaker.

The Soundform Connect can be connected to any powered speaker or sound system using an optical or 3.5mm headphone jack. A speaker connected to the Soundform Connect can be used like any standard ‌AirPlay‌ 2 speaker for AirPlaying audio, with all of the ‌AirPlay‌ 2 features available.

Those with traditional speakers can use the Soundform Connect to gain multi-room audio with other ‌AirPlay‌ 2 speakers, and can use Siri to do things like control the volume. Speakers connected to the Soundform Connect are HomeKit-enabled, viewable in the Home app, and able to be used in scenes and automations.

Belkin says that the Soundform Connect is compatible with any existing powered speaker or receiver that accepts optical or 3.5mm input.

The Soundform Connect Audio Adapter can be purchased from the Belkin website for $99.99.

In addition to reviews lifting for the new Apple TV 4K, Apple marketing executive Tim Twerdahl spoke with CNN Underscored's Jacob Krol about the latest generation of the streaming box, which launches this Friday.

Priced at $179 with 32GB of storage or $199 with 64GB of storage, Twerdahl said the new Apple 4K offers "tremendous" value.

"We think there's a tremendous amount of value in this $179. When we talk about the best way to watch TV, I sort of think about it at three levels," Twerdahl said. Those three levels, according to Twerdahl, are hardware specs that deliver the best experience possible, having content that people want, and seamless integration with other Apple products.

Twerdahl said Apple's focus with gaming has been on Apple Arcade, which he also said delivers a tremendous value, but he admitted that the new Apple TV 4K is not designed to compete directly with consoles like the Xbox or PlayStation.

"Our focus on gaming has been more recently on arcade stuff, because we think that that's a great value for customers, there's a tremendous amount of content in there," said Twerdahl. "And we've done a lot to make that experience fantastic. Most notably, probably support for all these different game controllers."

"It's probably not designed to compete directly with the Xboxes and PlayStations of the world," added Twerdahl. "They bring something to the market that I think is unique and great for really hardcore gamers."

Apple Arcade is Apple's subscription-based gaming service, providing access to a catalog of over 100 games without ads or in-app purchases across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, with pricing set at $4.99 per month. The recent tvOS 14.5 update added support for the latest PS5 and Xbox Series X game controllers on the Apple TV.

The new Apple TV 4K has been available to order since April 30, with most orders beginning to arrive this Friday, May 21.

The embargo has lifted on reviews of the new Apple TV 4K, a fairly minor refresh to the streaming box with an A12 chip for faster performance and a redesigned Siri Remote with a new clickpad for five-way navigation.

Most customers will begin receiving their new Apple TV 4K this Friday, and ahead of time, we've rounded up reviews and unboxing videos below.

Andru Edwards said the new Apple TV is "noticeably faster" at opening apps, and he said the new Siri Remote offers a better experience:

Jacob Krol at CNN Underscored echoed that the A12 chip is faster, but he said it's "not a night and day difference." He said the main benefit of the new chip and newly-added HDMI 2.1 support is the ability to play HDR content at a higher 60 frames per second:

Things like action sports or racing can take advantage of this to make the content more immersive or lifelike. It's a future-proofing move and many major sports channels plan to start broadcasting or streaming with it. Right now, you'll need a TV that can handle it along with this Apple TV 4K — oh, and yes, content that supports it. We were able to try out RedBull TV during our testing window for some intense action sports, and the broadcast was really smooth — though it won't be evident to the untrained eye.

The new Apple TV 4K is priced at $179 with 32GB of storage or $199 with 64GB of storage. MobileSyrup's Patrick O'Rourke said the Apple TV still remains very expensive relative to other streaming boxes and sticks, but he believes the price is justified:

Over the years, I've spent a lot of time with other streaming devices, but always find myself coming back to the Apple TV because it's the most reliable platform I've encountered, it often gets app updates first and new streaming platforms frequently arrive on Apple's set-top box earlier than other devices, particularly in Canada. This was the case with Bell-owned Crave as well as several other apps. Don't get me wrong, it would be great to see a price cut to the streaming box and its new Siri Remote, but in a sense, you really do get what you pay for with the Apple TV 4K (2021).

Rene Ritchie at iMore did have one criticism of the new Siri Remote, that being the Back button, previously known as the Home button:

What it won't solve for is the Home button. Apple's renamed it Back, but like the Android back button of old, it's more like a random action button. If you're watching a video in the TV app, and you press it, you get an option bar on the bottom of the screen. Then you have to press it again to exit. But if you press it in, say Netflix or Disney+, you're insta-dumped out of the video. On YouTube, back will dismiss the overlay. In Prime Video, it'll insta-dump you.

More written reviews:

• Carrie-Ann Skinner at TechRadar
• Kevin C. Tofel at Stacey on IoT
• Adrian Weckler at Independent.ie
• Lance Ulanoff at Debugger
• Stuart Miles at Pocket-lint

More video reviews and unboxings:

The new Apple TV 4K has been available to order since April 30, and it will go on sale at most Apple Store locations starting May 21. The older Apple TV HD remains available for $149 and now ships with the redesigned Siri Remote.

Bombich Software has released version 6 of Carbon Copy Cloner, the first major update to the backup program and Time Machine alternative in over four years.

Apart from offering the ability to make bootable backups on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, the new-look CCC 6 includes a number of additional features, including a "Quick Update" to existing backups that is said to be up to 20 times faster. To achieve this, CCC 6 now uses the macOS FSEvents service to check for a list of folders modified on the source since the last backup, rather than scanning every folder for changes.

Using the same underlying technology that's used by the "Quick Update" feature, CCC 6 also offers a new automation option that allows users to have a task run when a threshold of data changes have occurred at the source. So rather than scheduling hourly or daily tasks, CCC can run tasks when a specific amount of data has changed on the disk, with the added ability to limit the number of automated tasks that run in a given time window.

Elsewhere, a new Preview feature offers an advance look at what changes will be made to the destination before a backup runs, while new Backup Audits record detailed information about the transactions that occurred during the task, such as files copied, files updated, folders created or updated, and files deleted or archived.

CCC's new Compare feature offers a visual comparison of a task's source and destination, and provides details if the differences are the result of a task filter. There's also a new Snapshot Navigator, which allows users to step through older versions of their backups and get a preview of files as they were at specific points in time.

Interface-wise, CCC's main window has been redesigned for Dark Mode, and now has a smaller desktop footprint while making many of the controls and font sizes larger. It also now includes more detailed progress indication while a task is running, including a time remaining estimate, and file processing and transfer rates are now charted in real time during backup tasks.

Meanwhile, the menubar item has been updated, and now offers one-click access to starting, stopping and monitoring CCC tasks. It also tracks disk usage consumed by snapshots and alerts users to usage that exceeds expectations.

Carbon Copy Cloner 6 costs $39.99 for a personal and household license, or a commercial, single computer license. CCC 5 users get a 50% discount off that price, while CCC 4 users are being offered a 25% discount. CCC 5 owners who purchased the app after February 18, 2021 are eligible for a free upgrade. A 30-day trial of the software is also available on the Bombich website.

Apple's updated Apple TV 4K isn't officially supposed to launch until Friday, May 21, but it appears that UK retailer Argos has jumped the gun by offering customers in-store pickup today.

Twitter user @ApplWatcher was first to note that Argos has been allowing pre-orders to go out a day early, with many store locations offering collection "right away" or after 4:00 p.m. UK local time.

At least one customer wasted no time in taking up the offer, and provided iMore with pictures as evidence of their purchase. It's not clear why Argos is selling the new-generation ‌Apple TV‌ one day earlier than Apple's official launch date, and there could be repercussions for the retailer. But as it stands, anyone in the UK who is interested in picking up the latest set-top box (or indeed just the new Siri Remote) a little earlier than most could be in luck.

Apple customers who purchased an ‌‌Apple TV‌‌ 4K with ‌‌Siri‌‌ Remote will start seeing deliveries on May 21, with customers in Australia and New Zealand set to receive their devices first. Yesterday we reported that one Apple customer in Finland also received their second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K and ‌Siri‌ Remote earlier than expected.

‌‌Apple TV‌‌ 4K orders have already started shipping for some customers. The earliest ‌‌Apple TV‌‌ 4K orders have delivery estimates ranging from May 21 to May 27.

Update: Argos appears to have realized its error and has since updated its ‌Apple TV‌ 4K website listings to read "Watch this space: This product hasn't been released yet. Please check back soon."

Danish audio outfit Bang & Olufsen today announced the Beosound Explore, a rugged, lightweight Bluetooth speaker that's designed for taking on outdoor adventures.

Pitched as the first speaker to use a scratch resistant Type 2 anodized aluminum, the can-shaped unit is IP67 dust and waterproof, weighs 631 grams, is portable (81mm x 124mm) and offers up to 27 hours of playtime on a single charge.

"We created Beosound Explore to be our toughest speaker that can withstand the outdoor elements," says Bang & Olufsen SVP of Product Management Christoffer Poulsen. "The exceptional sound quality for its size makes Beosound Explore the perfect companion for any adventure."

With outdoor use in mind, the Beosound Explore packs dual 1.8-inch full range drivers and delivers 59 decibels of bass, while the grill is cut in 360-degree lines to ensure omnidirectional sound output. Two units can also be used for stereo pairing.

The aluminum shell features a simple user interface on top that's designed to be easy to use with gloves on for colder conditions. The speaker also comes with an aluminum carabiner for attaching to a rucksack on long hikes, and an integrated strap for hanging.

The Bluetooth 5.2 speaker uses USB-C for charging and is certified Made for iPhone (MFi), which means it's passed Apple's compliance and safety tests. Beosound Explore is available in a Black Anthracite, Green or Grey Mist, which B&O says are reminiscent of forests, glaciers and fjords typically found in Scandinavian landscapes.

The Black Anthracite and Green models are available in Bang & Olufsen stores and online from today, while the Grey Mist color will become available in Summer 2021. The speaker retails at $199USD, $299CAD, and £169GBP.

One lucky Reddit user received his second-generation Apple TV 4K and Siri Remote earlier than expected in Finland, and he shared some initial thoughts and opinions on the new set-top box.

The new trackpad on the ‌Siri‌ remote "feels good" and though the buttons are clicky, they're "still solid."

I'm almost always navigating with the trackpad. I just set the tracking speed to slow and it's feels good to me.

Rotate to seek doesn't work, at least right out of the box... Does it need to be enabled? Maybe I haven't really understood how to use it... As a good ol' click wheel as on the iPods, right? It just recognizes my input as swiping on the trackpad.

The buttons feel a bit clicky, but still solid.

As for the ‌Apple TV‌ 4K itself, the interface runs smoothly and installing apps is quick, but the Reddit user did not have a prior-generation for comparison.

Nothing to complain. Runs smooth on every corner and installing apps is so quick it's ridiculous. Can't really compare to the older Apple TVs, since that this is my first Apple TV... But smoother than my Sony Android TV software, that's for sure.

Customers who purchased an ‌Apple TV‌ 4K with ‌Siri‌ Remote from Apple will start seeing deliveries on May 21, with customers in Australia and New Zealand set to receive their devices first, so we should soon be hearing additional opinions on the redesigned ‌Siri‌ Remote and the speed improvements introduced with the A12 Bionic chip.

‌Apple TV‌ 4K orders have started shipping in Canada, though we have yet to hear from any U.S. customers that have shipping notices at this time. The earliest ‌Apple TV‌ 4K orders have delivery estimates ranging from May 21 to May 27.

Prior to the public releases of iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, tvOS 14.6, watchOS 7.5, and macOS Big Sur 11.4, Apple has seeded a new series of developer betas including iOS 14.7, iPadOS 14.7, tvOS 14.7, watchOS 7.6, and macOS Big Sur 11.5.

iOS and iPadOS 14.7 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or over the air after the proper profile has been installed on an iPhone or iPad. macOS Big Sur 11.5 can be downloaded using the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences after installing the proper profile from the Apple Developer Center.

tvOS 14.7 can be downloaded onto the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ via a profile that's installed using Xcode, and watchOS 7.6 can be downloaded through the dedicated ‌Apple Watch‌ app on the ‌iPhone‌ by going to General > Software Update after installing the proper profile from the Apple Developer Center.

There's no word yet on what's new in these software updates, but we'll update this post if we find notable features or changes in the betas.

Apple today updated its Apple Store app on the iPad to introduce a refreshed design that includes a new sidebar. The sidebar on the left side of the screen offers quick access to shopping, Today at Apple sessions, favorites, order history, and more.

There are also buttons to shop by product so you can navigate to the iPhone, Mac, ‌iPad‌, Apple Watch, and other Apple device options more quickly.

Apple says that this update also makes it easier to seamlessly add a keyboard or Apple Pencil when shopping for your ‌iPad‌, and it also introduces support for virtual Today at Apple sessions.

Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi is testifying in the ongoing Apple v. Epic games trial this afternoon, providing details about iPhone security to convince the judge that any change to the App Store policies would be detrimental to ‌iPhone‌ users.

Epic Games wants the judge to force Apple to allow multiple app stores on iOS, similar to how it works on Mac, which would allow users to install apps that have not been reviewed by Apple. During questioning, Federighi was asked why app stores on iOS shouldn't work like the Mac, where apps can be installed via the Mac App Store or from third-party sources.

In response, Federighi said third-party app installation is often exploited on the Mac. "iOS has established a dramatically higher bar for customer protection," he said. "The Mac is not meeting that bar today."

He went on to explain that the level of malware on the Mac is not something that Apple finds acceptable, and if iOS worked similarly, it would be overrun with malware, a particular danger because there are far more iOS devices.

Sideloading apps on iOS would "dramatically" change security on iOS, according to Federighi. "No human policy review could be enforced because software could be downloaded directly." People could put an unsafe app up for sale and "no one would check that policy."

Federighi was also asked about earlier testimony that said iOS and Android have no significant security differences, leading him to point out a report from Nokia that said Android devices have 30 times more malware infections than iOS devices. "It's well understood in the security community that Android has a malware problem that iOS has succeeded in staying ahead of," he said.

Later this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook will also be testifying in the trial. Yesterday, we heard lengthy testimony from Apple Fellow Phil Schiller, who is in charge of the ‌App Store‌. Schiller focused on the inner workings of the ‌App Store‌, the ‌App Store‌'s value, and the value of Apple's SDKs for developers.

The new Apple TV 4K will begin arriving to customers this Friday, May 21, and ahead of time, orders are now beginning to be marked as "shipped" on Apple's online store. Track your order with others in the MacRumors forums.

As of Wednesday afternoon, most of the Apple TV 4K orders that have been marked as "shipped" appear to be in Canada, but orders in other countries should start shipping within the next day. Many customers who ordered the new Siri Remote separately are also seeing a May 21 delivery estimate, but we've yet to see these orders begin shipping at this time.

The new Apple TV 4K features a faster A12 Bionic chip, support for high frame rate HDR and Dolby Vision video, and a redesigned Siri Remote with a physical clickpad that is also touch-enabled for swipe gestures that Apple TV users are familiar with. The outer ring of the clickpad supports a circular gesture for finding a scene in a movie or show.

Priced at $179 with 32GB of storage or $199 with 64GB of storage, the new Apple TV 4K will also be on display and available for purchase at Apple Store locations starting May 21, although supplies may be limited on launch day.

Apple today previewed a long list of new accessibility features coming soon, including AssistiveTouch for the Apple Watch, which will allow users to control an Apple Watch without ever having to touch the display or controls.

Aided by on-device machine learning, the Apple Watch's gyroscope, accelerometer, and heart rate sensor will be able to detect subtle differences in muscle movement and tendon activity, and these movements will allow users to navigate a cursor on the Apple Watch's display through a series of hand gestures, like a pinch or a clench.

AssistiveTouch on the Apple Watch will enable customers who have limb differences to more easily answer incoming calls, control an on-screen motion pointer, access Notification Center and Control Center, and more.

Apple says AssistiveTouch for the Apple Watch will be available with a software update. The feature will likely be part of watchOS 8, which is expected to be unveiled alongside iOS 15, macOS 12, and tvOS 15 at WWDC 2021 next month.