iOS

Seemingly in an effort to combat the ongoing problem of accidental App Store subscriptions, Apple has added an extra step to the subscription process in the App Store. Apple will now present users with a “Confirm Subscription” popup before finalizing the details.

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A German video editor has created a concept video (below) showing what he describes as ‘a simple and efficient macOS.’ What is depicted is a macOS/iOS hybrid, in which traditional app windows are largely replaced by iPad-style split-screen views.

Thomas Weinreich argues that the old desktop metaphor is no longer relevant today …

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Designer and developer Doney den Ouden has today released a brand new take on the task of managing contacts through iOS. The goal of the app, called Cardbox, is to remove a lot of the painstaking details of contact management by reimagining the address book as a social network.

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In yet another abuse of the enterprise distribution program, security analyst Lookout has identified apps (via TechCrunch) that were pretending to be published by cell carriers in Italy and Turkmenistan. The apps were available for iPhone users to download through Safari as they were signed by an enterprise certificate. These apps used carrier branding and pretended to offer utilities for the users’ cell plans when in reality they would ask for every permission they could to track location, collect contact, photos, and more, and had the capability to listen in on users’ phone conversations.

Apps using enterprise certificates are not available through the App Store, but malicious criminals can target iOS users through Safari (perhaps with a phishing attack-esque email) and get people to download the app over the web, outside of the purview of the App Store review process.

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It’s been almost two weeks since Apple started a new beta cycle with the release of iOS 12.3 beta 1. The update brought with it the initial code-level support for some of the features announced during the “It’s show time” event, including assets for the Apple Card, which we revealed would be paired in a similar way to AirPods.

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Twitter has announced today that it is expanding its dark mode options for iOS users. Adding to the blue/gray dark mode theme that the platform has offered for a while, Twitter is now gaining a “Lights Out” option as well as an automatic dark mode.

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Update: Now available.

Following the release to developers yesterday, Apple will release the first public beta of iOS 12.3 today. The update will be available to those users enrolled in Apple’s public beta program. Apple will also release the first beta of watchOS 5.2.1 to developers today.

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Apple today has revealed a new game subscription service it is calling “Apple Arcade.” This will allow iOS, macOS, and tvOS users to pay a flat monthly fee and access a bundle of otherwise paid apps through the App Store.

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During its “It’s Show Time” event at the Steve Jobs Theater today, Apple announced that the latest versions of its operating systems will be released later today. The updates will include support for the new services announced during the event, including News+, with the magazines and exclusive content offerings.

Update: iOS 12.2 is now available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

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iOS is generally a very slick operating system, but every now and then I come across a UI decision that makes me wonder what on earth Apple was thinking, and app settings are a prime example.

You never know whether an app setting is configured in the app, or in the separate Settings app …

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Apple today has stopped signing iOS 12.1.3, which means it is no longer possible to downgrade from iOS 12.1.4. iOS 12.1.4 was released last month to resolve the FaceTime eavesdropping bug.

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[Update: Sixth beta versions of iOS 12.2, watchOS 5.2, tvOS 12.2, and macOS 10.14.4 now available.]

Apple is releasing iOS 12.2 beta 6 for iPhone and iPad today. The latest beta update should be released over-the-air at the top of the hour. Apple will also likely release the sixth beta versions of watchOS 5.2, tvOS 12.2, and macOS 10.14.4 today as well. We’ll update our coverage if any notable changes are discovered in the latest software updates.

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[Update: Fifth beta versions of iOS 12.2, watchOS 5.2, tvOS 12.2, and macOS 10.14.4 now available.]

Apple is releasing iOS 12.2 beta 5 for iPhone and iPad today. The latest beta update should be released over-the-air at the top of the hour. Apple will also likely release the fifth beta versions of watchOS 5.2, tvOS 12.2, and macOS 10.14.4 today as well. We’ll update our coverage if any notable changes are discovered in the latest software updates.

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Slack is finally testing one of the features requested most by its users: Dark Mode on iOS. This week, Slack has rolled out a new version of its iOS app to beta testers, and it includes the long-awaited new Dark Mode interface for beta users.

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As iOS 13 is rumored to add long-awaited system-wide Dark Mode, Facebook is seemingly testing a dark interface for its Messenger app. As spotted by a user on Reddit, there’s a hidden way to enable Dark Mode in the Facebook Messenger app. Here’s how to do it.

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