Let’s Talk Apple — Ep. 85 (September 2020)

Panel:

• Bart Busschots (host) – @bbusschots
• Charlotte Henry from The Mac Observer – @charlotteahenry
• Kelly Guimont from App Camp for Girls – @verso
• Nick Riley from the Essential Apple Podcast – @spligosh

Joining Bart this month are Charlotte Henry & Kelly Guimont from the Mac Observer, and Nick Riley from the Essential Apple Podcast.

The show starts with a few followup stories (including the virus-shaped elephant in every room these days), some hires and acquisitions, and a quick overview of news related to Apple’s original content. The three main stories are more App-Store-related developments, Apple’s ‘Time Flies’ event, and the release of iOS 14, watchOS 7, etc.. The show ends with a quick rundown of some smaller Apple-related stories that made the news in September.

You’ll find detailed show notes below the fold, and if you enjoy this free show, please consider clicking on the donate button at the top of the left side bar – the show is free for you to listen to, but not for Bart to Produce!

Followup

• EU to appeal Apple’s $15 billion tax bill ruling — www.imore.com/…
• Apple/Google COVID Apps continue to roll out:
  • 🇺🇸 Colorado Signs up to Apple COVID–19 Exposure Notifications Express — www.macobserver.com/…
  • 🇺🇸 Pennsylvania launches contact tracing app built on Apple and Google tech — www.imore.com/…
  • 🇬🇧 (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿) Scotland launches anonymous ‘Protect Scotland’ contact tracing app — www.imore.com/…
  • 🇬🇧 (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿) — NHS COVID–19 app released in England and Wales — www.imore.com/…
    • England Fixes COVID–19 App Issue — www.macobserver.com/…
    • Coronavirus: Some users of NHS tracing app incorrectly given COVID–19 exposure alerts — news.sky.com/…
  • 🇧🇪 Belgium the latest to launch contact tracing app based on Apple/Google tech — www.imore.com/…
  • 🇺🇸 New York and New Jersey launch contact tracing apps using Apple/Google tech — www.imore.com/…
• Apple Express is a new retail store experience designed with COVID–19 in mind — www.imore.com/…
• 🇮🇳 Apple’s move into the Indian market continues:
  • Apple’s online store opens in India — www.imore.com/…
  • Apple signs new real estate deal in India as investment continues — www.imore.com/…
  • Related Analysis: Apple’s three-pronged strategy is finally coming together in India — www.imore.com/…
• 🇺🇸 WeChat ban has been blocked by U.S. District Court — www.imore.com/…
  • Related Analysis: FAQ: TikTok & WeChat ban — why it’s happening and what it means for you — www.imore.com/…

Apple HR & Acquisition News

• Hollywood Dealmaker Tim Connolly Joins Apple — www.macobserver.com/…
• Apple acquires Scout FM, an app that turned podcasts into radio stations — www.imore.com/…

Apple Original Content Update

• Apple has its first Primetime Emmy with Billy Crudup and ‘The Morning Show’ — www.imore.com/…
• Upcoming Shows & Movies:
  • Apple TV+ lands two new kids’ series ‘Doug Unplugs’ and ‘Stillwater’ — www.imore.com/…
  • Apple’s ‘High Desert’ will star Patricia Arquette, directed by Ben Stiller — www.imore.com/…
  • Apple lands ‘The Sky Is Everywhere,’ starring Jason Segel and Cherry Jones — www.imore.com/…
  • Apple lands ‘Cherry,’ starring Tom Holland, directed by Russo Brothers — www.imore.com/…
  • ‘Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry’ doc coming to Apple TV+ — www.imore.com/…
  • Keegan-Michael Key, Kristin Chenoweth sign on to unnamed Apple TV+ series — www.imore.com/…
  • ‘The Snoopy Show’ Coming to Apple TV+ February 2021 — www.macobserver.com/…
  • Season 2 of ‘The Morning Show’ will resume production on October 19 — www.imore.com/…
  • Bruce Springsteen ‘Letter to You’ Documentary Premieres October 23 on Apple TV+ — www.macobserver.com/…
• New releases:
  • Apple Releases Oprah’s Book Club Podcast — www.macobserver.com/…
  • Long Way Up, starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, comes to Apple TV+ — www.imore.com/…
  • Espionage thriller ‘Tehran’ debuts on Apple TV+ — www.imore.com/…
    • Watch Behind the Series ‘Tehran’ From Apple TV+ — www.macobserver.com/…
  • Oprah Winfrey to interview Mariah Carey on “The Oprah Conversation” — www.imore.com/…
  • Nature documentary ‘Tiny World’, narrated by Ant-Man, debuts on Apple TV+ — www.imore.com/…
    • See how ‘Tiny World’ was brought to life in new behind the scenes video — www.imore.com/…
• The first subscribers to the free year of Apple TV+ will have to pay soon — www.imore.com/…
• Related:
  • 🇺🇸 Apple TV Channels adds AMC+ streaming to its list of services — www.imore.com/…
  • Turns out some 2018 LG TVs will get AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support after all — www.imore.com/…
  • AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Coming to 4K Roku Devices — tidbits.com/…
  • Apple TV is coming to Xbox consoles — www.imore.com/…
  • Apple and Sony reportedly working to bring the Apple TV app to PlayStation — www.imore.com/…

Main Stories

1. App Store Developments
   • Apple updates App Store guidelines to include game streaming apps, more — www.imore.com/… & Apple Changes Streaming Game Rules in New Rules — www.macobserver.com/…
     • Related: The new Xbox app will let you stream Xbox One games to your iPhone — www.imore.com/…
     • Related: Microsoft remains committed to bringing Xbox Game Pass to iPhone — appleinsider.com/…
     • Related: Luna, Amazon’s Upcoming Cloud Gaming Service, Will Run on iOS Via the Web — daringfireball.net/…
     • Related: You can now play Google Stadia on iOS 14, sort of… — www.imore.com/…
     • Related: App Store generates $19B in global revenue in Q3, says Sensor Tower — www.imore.com/…
   • Apple made a number of App Store changes in September:
     • Apple rolls out enhancements to sandbox testing for developers — www.imore.com/…
     • Apple updates its App Store pages to highlight developers, editorial, more — www.imore.com/…
     • Apple offers new App Store marketing tools including a link generator, more — www.imore.com/…
   • Apple explains controversial Video Partner Program in new guidance — www.imore.com/…
   • Apple backs down on taking 30% cut of paid online events on Facebook — arstechnica.com/…
   • Epic -v- Apple Rumbles on:
     • Sensor Tower implies being out of the App Store is costing Epic Games $26M per month — www.imore.com/…
     • Epic warned users Apple was about to kill Sign in with Apple for them, Apple denied it, Epic said Apple gave them an extension, reporting by John Gruber backs up Apple’s side of the argument:
       • Epic says Apple’s disabling ‘Sign in with Apple’ for Fortnite soon — www.imore.com/…
       • Epic says that Sign in with Apple for Fortnite will still work after all — www.imore.com/…
       • Fortnite ‘Sign in with Apple’ claims ‘simply false’, says Gruber — www.imore.com/…
     • Epic Games Asks Court to Put Fortnite back onto the iOS App Store — www.macobserver.com/…
     • Apple Sues Epic Games Over Breach of Contract, Calls it ‘Robin Hood’ — www.macobserver.com/… & Apple files counterclaim against Fortnite developer Epic Games over breach of contract — www.imore.com/…
     • Apple says Epic Games bullies platforms for personal gain in scathing attack — www.imore.com/…
     • Fortnite: Save the World no longer playable on Mac from September 23 — www.imore.com/…
     • Epic games warns Fortnite players over updating to iOS 14 — www.imore.com/…
     • Epic Games joins ‘Coalition for App Fairness’ in latest dig at Apple — www.imore.com/…
     • Judge says that Epic’s lawsuit against Apple should go to trial by jury — www.imore.com/…
     • Apple and Epic Games agree to have lawsuit heard by court, not by jury — www.imore.com/…
     • Judge in Apple ‘Fortnite’ case slams Epic’s tactics, hints at July trial date — edition.cnn.com/…
     • Epic ‘does not dispute’ breaking App Store rules in latest filing — www.imore.com/…
     • Related Analysis: An excellent summary of the legal arguments: Battle Royale: What are the legal arguments of Apple and Epic Games? — www.imore.com/…
   • Related: Google ‘Clarifies’ Play Store Policies, Ending Spotify, Netflix, and Apple Music’s Use of Their Own In-App Billing Systems — daringfireball.net/…
   • Related: Anti-trust pressure continues to build on Apple
     • 🇮🇹 Apple faces third antitrust investigation from Italian watchdog — www.imore.com/…
     • 🇦🇺 App Store and Google Play Store under scrutiny in Australia — www.imore.com/…
     • 🇪🇺 Facebook formally submits Apple complaints to EU — www.imore.com/…
     • 🇪🇺 Proposal would give EU power to boot tech giants out of European market — arstechnica.com/…
     • 🇪🇺 EU suggests phones and laptops should come without pre-installed apps in new proposed legislation — www.imore.com/…
     • Related: Apple Stifles Cryptocurrency Innovation, Says Coinbase CEO — www.macobserver.com/…
2. Apple’s September Event — www.imore.com/…
   • 🎦 Apple event video — www.loopinsight.com/…
     • 🇺🇸 Apple posts ASL interpreted recap video of its September event — www.imore.com/…
   • New Apple Watches:
     • Series 6:
       • The Apple Watch Series 6 adds blood-oxygen monitoring and more — arstechnica.com/…
       • Apple Watch Series 6’s blood oxygen sensor will be available in a ton of countries — www.imore.com/…
       • Apple Watch Series 6 will be the first to feature Apple’s U1 chip — www.imore.com/…
       • Teardown of Apple Watch Series 6 reveals bigger battery and Taptic Engine — www.imore.com/…
       • Analysis: Apple Watch Series 6 vs Apple Watch Series 5: What’s the difference and should you upgrade — www.imore.com/…
     • Apple Watch SE: Apple announces the Apple Watch SE, its low-cost Apple Watch — www.imore.com/…
     • New Bands:
       • Apple announces Braided Solo Loop, Solo Loop, Leather Link Apple Watch Bands — www.imore.com/…
       • How to correctly measure your wrist for Solo Loop and Solo Braided Loop Apple Watch Band — www.imore.com/…
       • Apple Stores will help you fit the new Solo and Braided Solo Loop band — www.imore.com/…
       • Apple initially made users return the entire watch if they got their size wrong, not only did Apple reverse that quickly, but they are now sending regular sports bands to tide people over while they wait for the new solo bands to come back into stock — www.imore.com/…
     • Both new Apple Watches come without a power brick — www.imore.com/… & www.imore.com/…
     • 🇺🇸 Apple launches three new health studies along with Apple Watch Series 6 — www.imore.com/…
     • Related: Singapore and Apple partner on national health initiative using Apple Watch — www.apple.com/…
   • Family Setup:
     • Apple unveils Family Setup to bring Apple Watch to those without an iPhone — www.imore.com/…
     • Family Setup turns off blood oxygen monitoring for family members — www.imore.com/…
   • Fitness+: Apple announces brand new Apple Watch fitness service, Fitness+ — www.imore.com/…
   • The Apple One bundle:
     • Apple announces Apple One bundle with iCloud, Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, News+, & Fitness+ — www.imore.com/…
     • Apple One: Release date, price, and everything else — www.imore.com/…
     • Apple One will play nicely with different iCloud and Apple Music logins — www.imore.com/…
     • Related: Spotify says Apple One bundle will cause ‘irreparable harm’ to developers — www.imore.com/…
   • New iPads: Apple Introduces iPad Air 4 and iPad 8th Gen — www.macobserver.com/…
     • 8th Gen iPad: Apple launches 8th generation iPad with A12 Bionic chip for $329 — www.imore.com/…
     • iPad Air 4:
       • Apple announces brand new iPad Air with all-new design, A14, $599 — www.imore.com/…
       • The new iPad Air goes all-screen, adds Magic Keyboard support — arstechnica.com/…
       • Related: Logitech announces the Folio Touch keyboard and trackpad for iPad Air 4 — www.imore.com/…
   • Related: Apple’s Back to School promo is extended by two weeks, but there’s no new iPad Air freebie — www.imore.com/…
3. Apple release updates to most of their OSes & Safari (but not macOS Big Sur) — arstechnica.com/…
   • iOS & iPad OS 14: iOS 14: Everything you need to know — www.imore.com/…
     • Widgets have really taken off:
       • People are making real money by selling icon sets for iOS 14 Home screens — www.imore.com/…
       • One artist made $100,000 in 6 days by selling custom icons to iOS 14 Home screen fans — www.imore.com/…
     • Apple Updates iWork Apps With Support for iPadOS 14 ‘Scribble’ — www.macobserver.com/…
     • iOS 14 brings along Apple Cash Family: How to use Apple Cash Family — www.imore.com/…
     • What’s new in HomeKit in iOS and iPadOS 14 — www.imore.com/…
     • Apple’s iOS 14 is already at 26% adoption less than a week after launch — www.imore.com/…
   • watchOS 7
     • 🇨🇴 🇮🇱🇰🇼🇴🇲🇶🇦🇦🇪 watchOS 7 brings the ECG feature to Colombia, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the U.A.E. — www.imore.com/…
     • Will my Apple Watch support watchOS 7 — www.imore.com/…
   • tvOS 14: tvOS 14 Review: PiP, privacy, and a peek around the home — www.imore.com/…
   • Safari 14 (iOS & macOS): Apple rolls out the new Safari 14 to users of macOS Catalina and Mojave — www.imore.com/…
     • Understanding Safari’s New Privacy Report — www.intego.com/…
   • Related: New AirPods Pro update adds spatial audio, automatic device switching — www.imore.com/… & Powerbeats Pro now supports automatic switching between iPhone and iPad — www.imore.com/…

Quick Stories

• 🇮🇪 🇬🇧 Apple rolls out its new map to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland — www.imore.com/…
• 🇯🇵 Apple Pay Express Transit comes to Japanese payment system PASMO — www.imore.com/…
• AppleCare+ Updates:
  • AppleCare+ now covers two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months — www.imore.com/…
  • 🇬🇧🇩🇪 People in the UK & Germany can now pay for AppleCare+ with monthly payments — www.imore.com/…
  • 🇳🇴🇫🇮🇩🇰 AppleCare+ comes to Norway, Finland, and Denmark — www.imore.com/…
• Apple Publishes Human Rights Policy in Response to Shareholders — www.macobserver.com/…
• Some 2021 Honda Passport SUVs will come with Apple CarPlay as standard — www.imore.com/…
• Apple ends Barclays partnership, doubles down on Apple Card — www.imore.com/…
  • You can now buy a shiny Apple Watch on Apple Card monthly installments — www.imore.com/…
• Swift language tools now available for Windows 10 — www.imore.com/…

Legend

Note: When the textual description of a link is part of the link it is the title of the page being linked to, when the text describing a link is not part of the link it is a description written by Bart.