MacRumors

An app bug is causing some iOS users to be unable to open their apps, with affected iPhone and iPad users seeing the message "This app is no longer shared with you" when attempting to access an app.

applenolongersharedbug
There are multiple complaints about the issue on the MacRumors forums and on Twitter from users who are running into problems. A MacRumors reader describes the issue:

Is anyone else experiencing widespread app crashes? I am suddenly being informed that "this app is no longer shared with you" from several iOS apps. When I follow the prompt to the app's App Store page, the only option is to "open" which then just puts me back into the same loop.

Dozens of Twitter complaints suggest the issue is affecting people running both iOS 13.4.1 and iOS 13.5, and it's not clear what's causing the problem as not everyone appears to be affected. Some users have had the problem occur after updating apps in the last day.

There have been complaints about many apps including YouTube, Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok, LastPass, and more. We updated the WhatsApp app an ‌iPhone‌ on iOS 13.5 prior to writing this article and immediately got the error message.

How to Fix 'This App is No Longer Shared'

People impacted by the issue have been able to fix their apps by deleting the app that's not working and reinstalling it. Offloading the app rather than deleting it will also fix the problem. The benefit of Offloading an app is that you won't lose any data, and you can pick up right where you left off.

To offload, go to Settings -> General -> ‌iPhone‌ Storage -> Scroll down to the App with the problem -> Tap on the App Name -> Tap on Offload App

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Vessel to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Signature 2.0 Backpack and matching Signature 2.0 Luggage.

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Vessel offers a range of backpacks, briefcases, bags, luggage, and other items, and the Signature 2.0 Backpack is one of its most popular items.

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Priced at $235, the Signature 2.0 Backpack is designed to be an everyday bag that can carry all of your essentials with its myriad pockets, but it's also sleek, compact, and attractive.

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The backpack features a dual zipper main compartment for holding larger items, an exterior zip up pocket at the front with space for a smartphone and headphones, and a padded compartment that fits up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro.

The laptop compartment features a slip pocket and internal mesh compartments, along with a velour-lined zippered pocket. A vertical side pocket provides easy access to something like a smartphone, and another zippered compartment at the bottom can hold even more.

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The Signature 2.0 Backpack has padded shoulder straps and a mesh back panel, which works well with a suitcase, such as Vessel's Signature 2.0 Luggage, which matches the backpack.

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The Signature 2.0 Luggage measures in at 14.5 inches by 10 inches by 21 inches and it features 360-degree wheels that make it easy to push or pull along when traveling.

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There's a main suitcase compartment for transporting clothes and other necessities, and there's a front pocket with a padded laptop sleeve and multiple pockets to house all of your accessories. Both the Signature 2.0 Backpack and the Signature 2.0 Luggage are made from a micro-suede synthetic leather available in a range of colors like tan, stone, gray, and rose gold.

Vessel's animal friendly synthetic leather is a solid alternative to natural leather with a soft, smooth touch and water resistance, which is useful in bad weather. Vessel says that its leather holds up well over time because the structure is similar to genuine leather.

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We have a Signature 2.0 Backpack and Signature 2.0 Suitcase to give away to a MacRumors reader, with the winner able to pick the color of their choice. To enter to win our giveaway, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.


The contest will run from today (May 22) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 29. The winner will be chosen randomly on May 29 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

Apple's creative "Bounce" ad designed to highlight the AirPods took top honors in the 99th annual ADC (Art Director's Club) awards for advertising, earning the "Best of Discipline" award along with two Gold Cube awards in the craft in video and branded content categories.


Released in June 2019, the ad features a bored man who pulls his AirPods off of their wireless charging pad and then pops outside to bounce over street items that are bouncy like a trampoline. The song "I Learnt Some Jazz Today" plays in the background while he bounces throughout town.

The ad was created by Apple's longtime advertising partner TBWA\Media Arts Lab, and the One Club website where awards are announced has a behind the scenes video that gives some insight into how it was filmed. All of the physical bouncing was done in camera with various props, with a city set built in an airport hangar.

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Apple content won other awards too. Apple's AirPods Pro ads on Apple Stores worldwide earned a Silver Cube award, the opening theme for "The Morning Show" won a Bronze Cube award, and the "Snowbrawl" video won a Bronze Cube award.

Cobra Mobile's "Towers of Everland" has launched on Apple Arcade for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac. The game is described as combining elements of exploration, combat, and RPG into an adventure quest.

Welcome to the Towers of Everland, where exploration, combat and RPG elements merge to create an amazing experience that delivers true adventure within an unfolding journey that will keep you coming back for more!

Are you brave enough to conquer all the Towers? With endless variation, no two games are ever the same!

On your epic journey, test your skills in battle against the hordes of fiendish monsters you encounter along the way!

Amass weapons and armor from hundreds of unique pieces as your legendary adventure progresses. What weapons you truly master is up to you!

Help rebuild and revitalize the Great City. Uncover the power of the Guilds and craft wondrous new weapons and armor to better challenge all enemies who stand before you!

"Towers of Everland" is available on the App Store and Mac App Store with an ‌Apple Arcade‌ subscription. The service provides ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, ‌Apple TV‌, and Mac users with access to over 100 games with no in-app purchases or ads for $4.99 per month.

Amazon has returned the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case to their low price of $149.98, down from $199.00. This is the Amazon all-time-low price that appeared earlier in the month, and it remains the best deal we've ever tracked for this model of the 2019 AirPods.

AirPods Discount DealsNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

These AirPods include Apple's Wireless Charging Case, which allows you to refuel the headphones on any Qi-compatible wireless charging mat. If you place an order today, Amazon's delivery estimate states that the AirPods should arrive between Monday, May 25 and Wednesday, May 27.

If you're shopping for the AirPods Pro, Verizon still has the best deal around: you can get the high-end wireless AirPods Pro for $219.99, down from $249.00 for a limited time. This $30 discount is applied automatically after you place the AirPods Pro in your shopping cart.

Verizon supports free two day shipping, and some retail stores are offering same-day pick-up for some locations across the United States. This is $5 under AT&T's current price on the headphones, and one of the lowest prices we have ever seen for new AirPods Pro.

We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

We've been hearing quite a bit recently about Apple's long-rumored over-ear headphones, said to be called "AirPods Studio," and it looks like a launch may be coming in the relatively near future.

Over Ear ApplePhones Cropped

Artist mockup based on Beats Studio3

Rumors have generally suggested a summer or fall launch for AirPods Studio, with a report earlier this week claiming that suppliers in Vietnam will begin shipments to Apple in June or July, but a new report from Taiwanese site DigiTimes indicates that production on the new headphones is already underway.

As Apple is likely to accelerate dropping its wired earphones, the vendor will resume normal shipments for AirPods 2 in the second half of the year and its new over-ear headphones, dubbed AirPods Studio, has also kicked off production, all securing growth momentum for rigid-flex boards suppliers for the devices, including Unitech Printed Circuit Board and Compeq Manufacturing, the sources said.

The mention comes in a larger story about circuit board suppliers for the whole AirPods lineup and doesn't include any further details on the AirPods Studio, but it certainly looks like a launch is coming sooner rather than later.

Apple's virtual Worldwide Developers Conference, which kicks off exactly one month from today, could be a good opportunity to introduce the new headphones, although they are not necessarily a developer-focused product and so Apple may opt for a separate launch so as to not distract from the focus of the event.

Among the AirPods Studio details revealed in recent rumors are a $349 price point matching the Beats Studio3 pricing, a pair of models in premium leather-like and more breathable fitness-friendly fabrics, ear and headband padding that attaches magnetically for easy swapping, and embedded sensors for head and neck detection and automatically routing left and right audio channels to the appropriate earcups regardless of which way the headphones are worn.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

We're now just a few days away from Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, and numerous retailers have opened up discounts in celebration of the holiday. This includes sales on helpful Apple-related accessories like Anker's portable batteries, Beats headphones at eBay, Incase and Incipio's protective iPad and iPhone cases, Mophie's iPhone battery cases, JBL's Bluetooth speakers, and much more.

Memorial Day Deals 2020 2Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Anker

There are a few sales on Anker products on Amazon this week, offering savings on wireless chargers, portable batteries, and a Bluetooth speaker. Some of these sales will expire on Sunday, May 24, so be sure to head to Amazon to check out the discounts soon.

anker memorial day 2
Also note that these don't require a coupon code, although you will need to clip the on-page coupon for the Bluetooth speaker discount. You can find all of the Anker accessories on sale in the list below.

Best Buy

This week, Best Buy is discounting Apple's HomePod smart speaker to $199.99, down from $299.99. This $100 discount remains one of the best that we've tracked for a new HomePod, and definitely worth checking out if you've been shopping for the smart speaker.

eBay

eBay is offering 20 percent off this Memorial Day, with a coupon that lets you save on select home and garden, tech, and fashion products. You can shop through all of these categories on eBay and then enter the coupon code PICK2SAVE before May 25 to see the savings.

ebay memorial day
You'll have to spend $50 minimum to use the code, and the maximum you can get taken off is $100. The code can be used up to two times. In the tech category you'll find deals on AirPods, Jabra headphones, Nintendo Switch Lite, Apple Watch, Beats headphones, and more.

Twelve South

Twelve South has a series of discounts on its most popular accessories this Memorial Day. You can find each sale on this landing page, and we've listed them all below. These deals will last through Monday, May 25.

twelve south memorial day

Incase

Incase has a 20 percent off sitewide sale going on through Memorial Day on May 25. Just use the coupon code THANKS20 during the checkout screen and you'll see the markdown on Incase's products. The company offers a wide variety of cases, bags, and other accessories for Apple devices like the AirPods Pro, MacBook Pro, and iPad.

Mophie

On Zagg.com, you'll find discounts taking 30 percent or more off select accessories. Discounts start with Mophie's Juice Pack Air battery cases for the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and X. These cases are each running for $59.95, down from an original price of $99.95.

mophie memorial day
You can also save on Mophie's portable batteries, like the Powerstation XXL for $39.95, down from $99.95. This accessory provides 20,000 mAh of battery power to help power up your iPhone or iPad while you're traveling.

Other devices on sale include Mophie's wireless chargers, Invisible Shield's screen protectors, iFrogz and Braven's Bluetooth headphones, and Zagg's iPad keyboards. Shop every product on sale across the Zagg brands right here.

JBL

The Harman and JBL family of audio products have a big Memorial Day sale this year, offering 15 to 50 percent off select devices. This includes speakers like the JBL Flip 5 for $99.95, down from $119.95; the JBL Link Music for $79.95, down from $119.95; and the JBL Pulse 4 for $199.95, down from $249.95.

JBL Pulse 4 Fire Pit 1 904x560px
There are also a few Bluetooth headphones being discounted, like the JBL Endurane DIVE for $49.95, down from $89.95. For truly wireless headphones, JBL sells the JBL Tune 120TWS for $79.95, down from $99.95. Be sure to visit the retailer's website to check out all of the Memorial Day discounts, and get free two day shipping on select items.

Scosche

Scosche is offering its customers 30 percent off sitewide and free shipping through May 31. You can use the coupon code HOMEBOUND at the checkout screen to get this offer, and it's only valid on regularly priced items.

Satechi

Satechi is offering 15 percent off your purchase on Satechi.net through May 25 with the coupon code MEMORIAL. If you spend over $100 on the retailer's website, you can take 20 percent off your purchase with the code MEMORIAL20.

Miscellaneous

  • Adorama - Save on digital cameras, camera gimbals, computers, and more.
  • Belkin - Save on iPhone docks, wireless chargers, HomeKit accessories, and more.
  • Bose - Save on Bose headphones and speakers.
  • Gazelle - Save up to 30 percent on used smartphones.
  • Incipio - Save 30 percent sitewide on iPhone cases with code WEEKEND30.
  • Moment - Save $20 on Moment's Variable ND Filters.
  • Pad & Quill - Shop discounted leather cases for iPad, iPhone, and MacBook.
  • Sena Cases - Get 20 percent off sitewide with code CONGRATS20.
  • Target - Save on electronics like Beats headphones, UE speakers, and more.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

The FBI broke the law when it powered on a suspect's smartphone to take a photo of his lock screen without a warrant, a U.S. District Court Judge has ruled (via Ars Technica).

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In a Seattle court, Judge John Coughenour determined that gathering evidence from a lock screen constitutes a search, therefore doing so without first obtaining a warrant violates the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable search seizure.

Joseph Sam from Washington state was arrested in May 2019 and indicted on several charges related to robbery and assault. The suspect was in possession of a Motorola smartphone. According to Sam, one of the officers present at his arrest pressed the power button to bring up the phone's lock screen.

What is known is that on February 13, 2020, the FBI removed Mr. Sam's phone from inventory, powered the phone on, and took a photograph of the lock screen [...] The photograph shows the name “STREEZY” right underneath the time and date.

The suspect's name revealed on the phone's unlock screen turned out to be useful evidence. Sam's lawyer subsequently filed a motion arguing that this evidence should not have been sought without a warrant and should therefore be suppressed.

Judge Coughenour ruled that the police were within their rights to look at the lock screen at the time of the arrest, given that certain circumstances allow for a search to take place without a warrant. However, investigators involved in later search and seizure must obtain a warrant first.

The police's examination took place either incident to a lawful arrest or as part of the police's efforts to inventory the personal effects found during Mr. Sam's arrest. The FBI's examination, by contrast, occurred long after the police had arrested Mr. Sam and inventoried his personal effects. Those examinations present significantly different legal issues […]

The FBI physically intruded on Mr. Sam's personal effect when the FBI powered on his phone to take a picture of the phone's lock screen.

Usually when the topic of a smartphone search comes up in court, the question has to do with forcing suspects to unlock their phone, so this is the first case where merely viewing a lock screen has been subject to judicial scrutiny.

A 2019 U.S. court ruling judged that law enforcement officials can't force smartphone users to unlock their devices using fingerprints or other biometric features such as facial recognition, since doing so would run afoul of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.

Previous to the 2019 ruling, multiple cases involved law enforcement forcing suspects to unlock their iPhones and other devices using biometric authentication.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Woot today has a collection of refurbished iPhones on sale, starting at $129.99 for the 32GB iPhone 7. There are multiple colors in the sale, and you can also opt for the 128GB or 256GB iPhone 7.

woot may saleNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

In total, there are sales on the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Head to Woot to browse all of the iPhones on sale.

All of these smartphones have been refurbished and are expected to have a moderate level of wear and tear, but Woot promises that each device has been tested and will be in full working condition. Additionally, batteries are tested to function at minimum 85 percent capacity.

Lastly, Woot today also has a deal on the Retina 4K 21.5-inch iMac from 2017 (3.0 GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB) for $979.99, down from an original price of $1,299.00. Woot notes that this iMac is brand new and factory sealed, but it does not come with an Apple warranty. Instead, you'll receive a one year iRecertify Warranty.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

whatsappiconcleanedWhatsApp is testing the use of QR codes to let users add contacts to the messaging platform, reports WABetaInfo.

The feature appears in beta versions for both iOS and Android, and can be found in the app's settings menu, which includes options to display your own QR code and scan the codes of other users. QR codes can also be revoked if users decide they'd rather not share their number with someone anymore.

The beta feature is a long-overdue way of adding contacts to WhatsApp directly. Currently users must first add a contact via the Contacts tab in Apple's Phone app. Only after then can they open WhatsApp and send them a message.

Using a QR code instead would skip this step and make the process a lot more convenient, although it's unknown when the feature will make it into a public release.

WhatsApp recently implemented new restrictions on the mass forwarding of messages in an effort to slow the spread of misinformation on the chat platform, and also added a group video chat capability for up to eight users at once.

forstallFormer Apple executive and iOS chief Scott Forstall made a rare public appearance this week at Code.org's virtual Code Break event, and in between classes, Forstall shared the intriguing story of how he was hired by Steve Jobs.

Forstall revealed that he had been considering working at Microsoft when he went to interview at NexT, the company started by Jobs after he had left Apple. Forstall described the NexT interview as "intense," involving seventeen people over the course of the day.

However, ten minutes into the first interview, Jobs burst into the room and grabbed the interviewer and took him out into the hallway. The two had an animated discussion as Forstall waited. Eventually, Jobs came back into the room to personally conduct the interview with him.

"He just started peppering me with question after question, and after about 15 minutes we really clicked – on design, philosophy, and a bunch of other things," Forstall recalled.

"Eventually he stopped, and said, 'I know you have to interview for the rest of the day. I don't care what anyone says, at the end of the day, I'm giving you an offer. But please, pretend you're interested in everyone's questions throughout the rest of the day.' Then he looked at me and said, 'I'm sure you're going to accept this offer.' So this was his way to convince me."

Forstall went on to reveal that he'd also had an offer from Microsoft, which he subsequently turned down that day. The next morning, he found a dead fish in a box on his doorstep.

Reminded of the mafia's use of a dead fish delivery as a threat, Forstall checked the box for a return address: It was from Microsoft. So Forstall called up his contact there, but it turned out the company had sent him a fresh king salmon from Seattle's Pike Place fish market, implying that he wouldn't be able to buy fish like that if he moved to the Bay Area.

Forstall said he ended up cooking the fish and eating it that evening, and then went on to work with Steve Jobs at NeXT and then Apple for the next 20 years, before departing the company in 2013.


The video is embedded above. You can watch the part where Forstall's shares his experience of joining NeXT and working with Jobs from around the 34-minute mark.

Google is currently rolling out an update for Google Maps that aims to make it easier for wheelchair users to get information about the accessibility of locations.

google maps wheelchair accessibility
By enabling the app's Accessible Places feature, users can benefit from increased visibility of businesses and places of interest on the map that are marked as wheelchair-accessible, including whether a location has accessible seating, restroom facilities, or wheelchair-friendly parking.

The accessibility information has actually been around for a while, hidden deeper in the Maps interface, but Google said it wanted to make it more clear to users that it was available:

People can now turn on an “Accessible Places” feature to have wheelchair accessibility information more prominently displayed in Google Maps. When Accessible Places is switched on, a wheelchair icon will indicate an accessible entrance and you’ll be able to see if a place has accessible seating, restrooms or parking. If it’s confirmed that a place does not have an accessible entrance, we’ll show that information on Maps as well.

Here's how to enable the Accessible Places feature:

  1. Launch Google Maps on your iOS device.
  2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Select Accessibility.
  5. Turn on Accessible Places.

Once that's done, users should see a wheelchair icon next to any place with accessible facilities. Tap a location to see more information.


Google says it's also rolling out an update that allows people using iOS devices to more easily contribute accessibility information. This guide has tips for rating accessibility, in case users aren't sure what counts as being "accessible."

Apple is working on a limited-edition version of its augmented reality smart glasses that's designed to look like the round, frameless glasses that Steve Jobs was famous for wearing, according to Jon Prosser.

Apple Glass Steve Jobs
Prosser, who runs YouTube show Front Page Tech and who has been sharing a flood of Apple rumors in recent weeks, mentioned the detail in Cult of Mac's latest Cultcast podcast.

Prosser says that the "Steve Jobs Heritage" edition version of the "Apple Glass" smart glasses that Apple is working on will be similar to the gold Apple Watch that was available when the Apple Watch first launched.

"They're also working on a prototype, a Steve Jobs Heritage Edition," Prosser said. "Similar to how we had an Apple Watch Edition, like that ridiculous $10,000 gold one when it first came out." Prosser went on to call the glasses "Some like tribute to Steve Jobs, obviously just like a pure marketing ploy at this point."

According to Prosser, Apple's smart glasses will come in a range of styles, with the "Heritage Edition" positioned as a limited time special version. He said he doesn't know what material the heritage version will be made from, nor how much it will cost.

Prosser also said that he has seen a prototype version of the smart glasses (the non-limited edition model) and called them "sleek as hell," similar to a pair of classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers or the glasses that Apple CEO Tim Cook wears.

raybanwayfarers

Wayfarers from Ray-Ban

Both lenses have displays, and there are no "projector" components, with Prosser describing Apple as using in-display technology. They're "made to look like glasses" without cameras and other tech "all over the place." At launch, Apple glasses will be similar to the original Apple Watch - a product that will be simple to start out with, but will evolve over time.

Earlier this week, Prosser claimed that Apple's smart glasses will be called as "Apple Glass," despite the fact that Google already used the "Glass" name for Google Glass years ago. The glasses will reportedly be priced starting at $499, and will be available with prescription lenses for an additional fee.

Prosser said that Apple was planning to unveil the glasses as a "One More Thing" surprise at the iPhone event in the fall, but the announcement could be pushed back to a March 2021 event due to the global health crisis.

It's worth noting that Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has a well-established track record for sharing info on Apple's plans, has called all of Prosser's smart glasses leaks "complete fiction."

Full details from Prosser are available in the Cultcast podcast, with the relevant information starting at about 57 minutes into the show.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

"Little Voice," a half-hour coming of age drama created by J.J. Abrams, Sara Bareilles, and Jessie Nelson is set to launch on Apple TV+ on Friday, July 10.

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"Little Voice" follows Bess King, a talented performer who struggles to fulfill her dreams while navigating rejection, love, and complicated family issues. Apple says the "intensely romantic" show is about "finding your authentic voice -- and the courage to use it."

The series, which is produced by J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions, will feature original music by Sara Barellies. J.J. Abrams, Barellies, Ben Stephenson, and Jessie Nelson are executive producers, with Nelson writing and directing the first episode.

Stars in the show include Brittany O'Grady, Sean Teale, Colton Ryan, Shalini Bathina, Kevin Valdez, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Chuck Cooper.

Some high school students taking their AP exams online have run into serious trouble with the HEIC image format on the iPhone and the iPad, which does not work with the website the AP College Board uses to accept tests.

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As outlined by The Verge, AP exams taken by high school students in the United States have a written component, and the exam requires students to take and upload a photo of their written responses.

Some high schoolers who used an ‌iPhone‌ to upload the photo ran into problems with the HEIC format, which would not upload and caused the students to fail the exam. There are thousands of students who will now need to retake their AP exams, and they're unhappy that the College Board did not anticipate the error before some of the exams were conducted.

The College Board has now provided express instructions to students, letting them know to swap over to a JPEG format on their devices or to convert an HEIC image to JPEG before submitting it. Here are the College Board's instructions:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down to Camera and tap it.
  3. Tap on the Formats option. heicformatiphone
  4. Select "Most Compatible."

With the Most Compatible option selected, photos will always be saved as JPEGs instead of in the HEIC file format.

Alternatively, students who have already saved exam photos as HEIC can convert them to JPEGs by mailing the photos to themselves using the Mail app on an ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌, which the College Board says is the most reliable way to ensure a file conversion.

The College Board also plans to allow some students who run into issues submitting their tests to provide the images through email, and as mentioned above, the Mail app will do image conversions automatically. This is an option only for future exams, with students who already failed still required to retake the tests.

Apple has been using the HEIC image format since the 2017 release of iOS 11 because HEIC images are smaller than JPEGs, but the HEIC format has not been widely adopted by websites and internet services. Some newer Android smartphones also use the HEIC format.

Tag: HEIF

T-Mobile is launching a Memorial Day promotion that will see the company offering a free iPhone SE to customers who trade in an eligible older smartphone in good condition.

iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean
From Friday to Monday, customers who trade in an existing smartphone can get a free iPhone SE (sales tax still needs to be paid) or up to $500 off a Samsung Galaxy S20.

The free iPhone SE will be provided in the form of bill credits. An eligible smartphone trade-in is required, as is a T-Mobile or Sprint postpaid plan (switching to a plan is allowed).

"The way the Un-carrier says THANK YOU is, of course, by putting money back in your pocket -- like with an iPhone on us or half off one of the latest 5G superphones," said Sievert. "This weekend, every T-Mobile and Sprint postpaid customer can get a new iPhone SE on us, or half off another brand-new phone, with eligible trade-in. Why? Because 'thank you' -- that's why!"

As outlined by TmoNews, eligible smartphones and their discounts are as follows:

$400 Off

  • iPhone 11, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy S10 Series, Galaxy Note 10 Series, Galaxy S9 Series, Galaxy Note 9
  • Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL
  • OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren, OnePlus 7T
  • LG G8 ThinQ

$200 Off

  • iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 series, Galaxy Note 8
  • Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL
  • OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro, OnePlus 6T
  • LG V50 ThinQ, V40 ThinQ, G7 ThinQ

The iPhone SE deal will be live tomorrow, May 22, and it will be available through May 25. Customers can get the deal online or by visiting a T-Mobile or Sprint store.

T-Mobile today also said that it is planning to provide free service and 5G access to first responder agencies, which includes all public and non-profit state and local fire, police, and EMS departments.

Apple is working on original podcasts that will be exclusive to the Podcasts app, and is searching for an executive to lead its podcast efforts, reports Bloomberg.

Apple Podcast
Earlier this year, Bloomberg suggested Apple was developing original podcasts focused on TV shows and movies from its Apple TV+ streaming service, using the podcasts as a way to promote ‌Apple TV‌+, but it appears Apple is also planning to purchase original content.

Apple will focus on audio spinoffs of existing movies and programs on ‌Apple TV‌+, but is also seeking to purchase original programs that could potentially be adapted into future TV+ content. Apple is said to be searching for an executive to lead its original podcasting work. The new hire will report to Ben Cave, Apple's head of podcasting.

Apple is also said to have asked some producers working on podcasts to provide versions of their podcasts without advertisements, an effort separate from its work on original content.

Apple Music competitor Spotify has been focusing heavily on podcasts over the course of the last year, aiming to challenge Apple's dominance in the podcasting sphere. Apple's Podcasts app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac have long been the go-to listening choice for Apple customers.

Spotify has been working on original podcast content and has purchased several well-known podcasts. Spotify in February 2019, for example, purchased Gimlet Media, known for podcasts like "Reply All" and "Homecoming." Just this week, Spotify scored exclusive rights to popular podcast "The Joe Rogan Experience," which will see all of the podcasts made available exclusively through Spotify.

According to podcast producers that spoke to Bloomberg, Apple is just "dipping its toe" into original podcast content and has not yet made a massive leap into original podcast content like Spotify.

Beta builds of Premiere Pro include support for Apple's Afterburner accelerator card, Adobe told Premiere Pro users earlier this week. Premiere Pro and After Effects were recently updated with native ProRES RAW support.

macproafterburner
The Apple Afterburner is a ProRes and ProRes RAW accelerator card that is an optional add-on accessory available in the 2019 Mac Pro. It supports playback of up to 3 streams of 8K Pro-Res RAW or 12 streams of 4K ProRes RAW.

Adobe says that Premiere Pro supports decode acceleration of ProRes 4444 and 422 codecs using the Afterburner card, but ProRES RAW acceleration through the Afterburner card is not supported at this time.

The Metal renderer must be selected for use in the applications (this is already the default setting):
After Effects (Beta): File > Project Settings... > Video Rendering and Effects > select "Mercury GPU Acceleration (Metal)"
Media Encoder (Beta): Preferences > General > Video Rendering > select Renderer: "Mercury Playback Engine GPU Acceleration (Metal) - Recommended"
Premiere Pro (Beta): File < Project Settings > General > select Renderer: "Mercury Playback Engine GPU Acceleration (Metal) - Recommended"

Adobe is seeking ‌Mac Pro‌ users with an Afterburner card to test the ProRes 422 or 4444 support to improve the feature.