MacRumors readers with children who believe in Santa Claus may be interested to know that Google today launched its annual Santa tracking feature, allowing Santa to be tracked in real time on his journey to the North Pole as he prepares to deliver presents to kids around the world.
Google has provided its Santa tracking feature for a total of sixteen years now, giving children around the globe access to a little digital magic.
Santa can be tracked using a web browser on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by visiting Google's official Santa Tracking website. The site offers up a live map of Santa's current location, his next stop, a live video feed of his journey, and the estimated time that he will arrive in each specific location.
The Santa site provides pictures of locations that Santa has already visited, a live count of gifts that have been delivered, and Santa's current distance from your location. There are also a selection of games to play and videos to watch.
Other Santa tracking services are also available, such as the NORAD Tracks Santa Claus app and website, but Google's site is often the most interactive and detailed.
The official YouTube app for iOS has gained a new voice search feature that aims to make searching for content easier when you're casting YouTube video to a smart TV.
Once you've connected your iPhone or iPad to a smart TV, you can search with your voice via the mobile app, as well as use it to pause, play, and adjust the volume on your TV. Here's how it works.
Download and launch the YouTube app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the Cast button at the top of the Home tab.
Launch the YouTube app on your smart TV.
If you haven't connected your iOS device to your smart TV before, select Link with TV code and then tap LEARN NOW under "Learn how to get a TV code." Otherwise, tap YouTube on TV to connect.
When your iOS device is connected to your TV, you'll see an overlay on your device's screen with a volume slider, a Remote button, and the new Voice search button – tap it.
Tap the red microphone icon, and when you hear the audible prompt, say the word or phrase that you want to search on YouTube.
You should see the results of your voice search appear on your TV. And don't forget, you can use the Remote option in the YouTube app's mobile interface to navigate and select the content that shows up on your TV.
According to German site SmartDroid, YouTube is currently working on improving the remote interface for controlling YouTube casting. The updated controls are said to include quicker access to captions and playback quality settings, but there's no word on when we can expect them to roll out for the iOS YouTube app.
Twitter has banned the use of animated PNG image (APNG) files on its platform, after attackers targeted the Epilepsy Foundation's Twitter account using images that could potentially causes seizures in photo-sensitive individuals.
The company said it had discovered a bug that allowed users to bypass its autoplay settings and enabled several animated images to be attached to a single tweet using the APNG file format.
"We want everyone to have a safe experience on Twitter," the company said in a tweet sent from its Accessibility account on Monday.
"PNGs were fun, but they don't respect autoplay settings, so we're removing the ability to add them to tweets. This is for the safety of people with sensitivity to motion and flashing imagery, including those with epilepsy."
We want everyone to have a safe experience on Twitter.
APNGs were fun, but they don’t respect autoplay settings, so we're removing the ability to add them to Tweets. This is for the safety of people with sensitivity to motion and flashing imagery, including those with epilepsy. https://t.co/Suogtrop1u
— Twitter Accessibility (@TwitterA11y) December 23, 2019
The attacks on the Epilepsy Foundation's Twitter account occurred in November, which was National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Twitter said that it was not aware that APNG files had been used, but the bug meant that they had the potential to be harmful, so it had decided to ban them on the social media platform.
It's unknown how many people may have been affected by the animated images, which exploited strobing light effects with malicious intent. The Epilepsy Foundation said it had filed criminal complaints against the accounts believed to have been responsible.
In addition to the seizure risk, Twitter said the APNGs also used up a lot of data and in some cases could be a direct cause of app crashes. As such, from now on only GIFs will be able to animate images.
Twitter also said that it would look into building a similar feature in the absence of APNGs, such as adding alt-text to GIFs, which will help make them more accessible to people who depend on screen readers to navigate the internet.
Apple this evening sent out emails promoting holiday content in a selection of games that include Fortnite, PUBG, Candy Crush Saga, Minecraft, Homescapes, and Clash of Clans.
Some of the available bonuses are free, while others appear to be holiday-themed in-app purchases, as outlined below:
Fortnite - Get an exclusive holiday outfit pack for a limited time, starting December 24.
PUBG - Limited-edition Santa suit and supply crates are now available.
Candy Crush Saga - Get extra-special items that last two times longer than normal.
Minecraft - Claim 1 free skin and 1 free world right now.
Homescapes - A free small-size pack of coins and items is all yours!
Clash of Clans - Receive 5 times more goodies with limited-edition Christmas bundles.
Apple's promotional email also highlights other games, such as Pocket City and Knights of Pen & Paper 2, though there are no specific holiday bonuses in these games.
Apple is going to be offering a separate bonus on December 24, as discovered in Australia and New Zealand this morning. In those countries, Apple is highlighting "surprises" from December 24 to December 29, with the first two being a discounted in-app purchase bundle for Looney Tunes World of Mayhem and a three-month subscription for the price of one month in Canva.
The "Surprise" bonuses will likely be live in the United States when December 24 rolls around.
Apple this afternoon announced that developers who create Mac apps outside of the Mac App Store will need to submit them for the notarization process starting on February 3, 2020.
Apple temporarily relaxed the notarization requirements for non Mac App Store apps in September after the launch of macOS Catalina, and at the time, said developers would have until January 2020 to get used to the new rules.
The January 2020 deadline has been extended to February 2020, but at that time, developers will need to adhere to Apple's requirements.
Apple suggests that developers upload their software and review the developer log for warnings, as these warnings will become errors starting on February 3. Apple says that all errors will need to be fixed by that date for software to be notarized.
In June, we announced that all Mac software distributed outside the Mac App Store must be notarized by Apple in order to run by default on macOS Catalina. In September, we temporarily adjusted the notarization prerequisites to make this transition easier and to protect users on macOS Catalina who continue to use older versions of software. Starting February 3, 2020, all submitted software must meet the original notarization prerequisites.
If you haven't yet done so, upload your software to the notary service and review the developer log for warnings. These warnings will become errors starting February 3 and must be fixed in order to have your software notarized. Software notarized before February 3 will continue to run by default on macOS Catalina.
As a reminder, all installer packages must be signed since they may contain executable code. Disk images do not need to be signed, although signing them can help your users verify their contents.
Apple has been requiring new software distributed with a Developer ID outside of the Mac App Store to be notarized in order to run since macOS Mojave 10.14.5, with the notarization process designed to protect Mac users from malicious and harmful apps.
For the notarization process, Apple provides trusted non Mac App Store developers with Developer IDs that are required to allow the Gatekeeper function on macOS to install non Mac App Store apps.
Notarization is not required for apps that are distributed through the Mac App Store. More information on notarization can be found on Apple's developer site.
On Amazon, a new Anker sale has kicked off today and it's offering solid discounts on a range of Anker's best portable batteries. You can get everything from the PowerCore 5,000 mAh to the 26,800 mAh model at a discount this week.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Most of the accessories will remain on sale through December 29, making this a perfect opportunity to purchase a reliable portable battery for anyone preparing for a trip over the holidays.
Apple is planning to offer some kind of holiday App Store promotion that may see the company giving away free apps and games.
In Australia, where it is December 24, App Store users are waking up to an App Store story that mentions a "surprise" for Tuesday and explains that users can expect a treat every day from December 24 to December 29.
Tuesday's surprise isn't live yet, but it will be shortly! Make sure you come back soon to check it out.
Have you seen today's goodies? Look for the unwrapped presents on the App Store's Today, Games, and Apps tabs.
From December 24 to 29, you'll find a new surprise every day on the App Store. Come back daily to discover which treat we have waiting for you!
The wording of the story suggests that Apple is planning to give away free apps and games in a promotion similar to the 12 Days of Christmas promotion that the company used to run several years back.
We don't know yet what app or game Apple plans to give away on December 24, but we should find out soon from Australian users. App Store users in other countries like the United States can expect to see the same promotions when December 24 rolls around.
Update 10:39 a.m.: The surprises have gone live in New Zealand, and MacRumors readers tonyduffe and @Ldeverell report that the deals include a special in-app purchase bundle Looney Tunes World of Mayhem and a three-month subscription for the price of one month in Canva. We'll have to see if offers are the same around the world.
Update 2: Based on reader reports, the daily surprises appear to only be available in Australia and New Zealand, with a subset of them also seen in India.
Apple is offering free two hour delivery when customers purchase any Apple Watch, iPad, iPhone, or Mac, which is ideal for last minute shoppers.
Through December 24 at 4:00 p.m. local time, customers who live in an area where courier delivery is available can get their orders for free. Apple normally charges $9 for same-day courier delivery.
Apple says that its courier delivery is available "in most metros," and it applies to the total order whenever an Apple Watch, iPad, iPhone, or Mac is ordered. AirPods aren't available for free courier delivery on a standalone order basis, but can be included with other purchases.
For deliveries that do not include an Apple Watch, iPad, iPhone, or Mac, courier options are still available, but Apple is charging the standard $9 fee. Delivery cutoff is December 24 in most areas, but Apple says that December 25th delivery is available in New York City, Las Vegas, and Hawaii.
Those who are not in an area where courier delivery is available can still get items before Christmas by using in-store pickup options.
Software developer and composer Stephen Coyle published a new article on his blog recently, intent on measuring the Bluetooth latency of Apple's new AirPods Pro and comparing their performance to previous-generation AirPods. As Coyle pointed out, Bluetooth audio latency in wireless earphones can cheapen the user experience of these devices, and can particularly cause major issues for certain accessibility features reliant upon audio accuracy.
Coyle measured latency by testing how much time passes between a user triggering a sound and when they hear it in the earphones. The developer pointed out that these user-initiated sounds "are the most commonly encountered example" of Bluetooth audio latency, because they are unpredictable and therefore difficult for most platforms to respond to with finesse. These include keyboard clicks, accessibility features like VoiceOver, and sound effects in games.
Image via Stephen Coyle
Using the default iOS keyboard and his own game Tapt as means of measuring this latency, Coyle discovered that the AirPods Pro have the lowest average audio latency (measured in milliseconds) among the entire AirPods line. AirPods 1 measured in at 274ms between the time the sound was triggered and the time the sound was heard, then AirPods 2 was at 178ms, and AirPods Pro clocked in at 144ms. Coyle called this "tantalizingly close to seamless."
If it's possible for the trend line to continue in the same direction, the next generation or two of AirPods will be very exciting. Not being a VoiceOver user, I'm unsure how much AirPods Pro improve its user experience in real terms, but I think this general trend can only be for the good. Similarly, for mobile gaming and general user experience, this trend means that what is, in my opinion, the primary downside of Bluetooth earphones may be gradually disappearing.
Coyle's test also included the Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones and Sony WH-CH700N, which measured in around 250ms and 225ms, respectively. The developer included these two devices for context and explained that they represent the general state of Bluetooth headphones as it stands right now, with devices like the third-generation Amazon Echo and a JBL Bluetooth speaker also measuring in at about the same level as the Beats and Sony devices.
Check out Coyle's full article on the AirPods Pro Bluetooth audio latency right here.
PayPal has returned with the latest 15 percent discount on App Store and iTunes gift cards this week, offering customers a chance to get the $100 gift card for $85 on eBay. This could be your last chance to save on iTunes gift cards before Christmas, and with e-mail delivery you will get the card delivered to your inbox within four hours.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with eBay. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
To get the discount, head to eBay and click "Buy it Now" on the iTunes gift card's page. The 15 percent discount is automatically applied, and once you complete your order it will be delivered to the e-mail address of your choice within a few hours. The sale is only available to customers in the United States.
App Store and iTunes gift cards can be used to pay for iCloud storage, to rent films on iTunes Movies, and even on subscriptions to Apple Music, Netflix, Hulu, and more. Thanks to sales on the gift cards, you're able to save a little bit of money on these purchases, so be sure to visit PayPal on eBay this week if you've been looking to stock up on iTunes credit.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Apple is offering up to six months of Apple Music for free to Shazam users, in what looks like a limited-time deal for the holdays.
First spotted by Macworld UK, the trial offer currently available appears to vary in length depending on where you're located and whether you've redeemed a free trial of Apple Music in the past.
However, if you're in the U.S., Canada, or the United Kingdom, then you should be able to get at least a month of free access out of it – and perhaps more – even if you've used an Apple Music free trial before. Here's how it works.
Swipe right to enter the Library screen, or tap the Library icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
Tap the Try Now pane offering a free trial of Apple Music for a 'Limited Time.'
Tap the Try it Free button.
You'll be switched to the App Store to redeem a pre-entered code. Tap Redeem, and you'll be notified of the length of your free trial and the date from which you'll make your first monthly payment if you continue with the subscription.
If you're wary of over-running the free trial, put a date in your diary to remind you when to cancel it. For steps on how to cancel an Apple Music subscription, click here.
A 22-year-old man who claimed to be the spokesman for a hacker group called the "Turkish Crime Family" has pleaded guilty in London to trying to blackmail Apple, reports Bloomberg.
In March 2017, Kerem Albayrak claimed to have access to several million iCloud accounts and demanded that Apple pay $75,000 in cryptocurrencies, or he would reset a number of the accounts and make the database available online. He later raised his demand to $100,000.
Apple responded to the ransom threat at the time by saying there had been no breaches of its systems. Indeed, according to the U.K.'s National Crime Agency (NCA), the data Albayrak claimed to have was from previously compromised third-party services which were mostly inactive, as Apple originally claimed.
A senior investigative officer at the NCA said in a statement that during the investigation, "it became clear that Albayrak was seeking fame and fortune."
Branded a "fame-hungry cyber-criminal" by the NCA, Albayrak told investigators that "when you have power on the internet it's like fame and everyone respects you, and everyone is chasing that right now."
Albayrak avoided prison time and instead was given a two-year suspended sentence following the NCA investigation. He was also sentenced to a six-month electronic curfew and 300 hours of unpaid work.
Apple has removed messaging app "ToTok" from the App Store after an investigation by the New York Times concluded that the app was actually a spying tool being used by the United Arab Emirates government to mass surveil its citizens.
According to the report, which cites U.S. officials familiar with a classified intelligence assessment, the app was being used to mine data from users' contact lists and track locations by offering a localized weather forecast.
ToTok's privacy policy notes that it "may share your personal data with group companies," but it turns out that the app is linked to Abu Dhabi-based cybersecurity firm DarkMatter, which is under investigation by the FBI for possible cybercrimes. A U.S. intelligence assessment also linked ToTok to Pax AI, an Abu Dhabi-based data mining firm.
In the time that it was available on the App Store and the Google Play store, the app was downloaded by millions of users in the Middle East, North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The app was particularly popular in the UAE, where other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Skype are partially blocked. Users who installed the app on their devices are being advised to remove it, as any surveillance capacity could still potentially operate unhindered.
The UAE has reportedly been using surveillance technology to crack down on internal dissent in the country, including hacking Western journalists and holding human rights activists in solitary confinement over Facebook posts.
It's not the first time we've heard reports that apparently legitimate apps are being used as fronts for governments to spy on their citizens. An October report from the Open Technology Fund (OTF), an initiative funded by the U.S. government, revealed that an "educational" app teaching the Chinese Communist Party's policies includes code that amounts to a backdoor into users' Android devices.
A separate report elaborating on the findings said that the app, known as "Study Xi, Strong Nation," essentially gives the Chinese government the capacity to determine "the location of every citizen at any single point in time."
Note: Due to the political 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.
Following last week's launch of Mac Pro orders, the first deliveries have started, allowing us to go hands-on with the new powerhouse workstation and 6K display. And of course, there's lots more to come as we explore Apple's newest Mac.
Aside from the Mac Pro, the pace of news has slowed as we've started getting into the holiday season, but this week did see the start of a new cycle of beta releases for Apple's operating systems, an announcement about a smart home alliance involving Apple, Amazon, Google, and Zigbee, and a few other items of note. Read on for all of the details!
Hands-On With Apple's New 2019 Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR
Apple designed the new Mac Pro to be modular and upgradeable, making it possible to swap in many new components. In another YouTube video, we've walked through the RAM upgrade process.
iFixit Shares 2019 Mac Pro Teardown: 'A Masterclass in Repairability'
As with any new Apple product, the folks at repair website iFixit have torn down the new Mac Pro, which they describe as "beautiful, amazingly well put together, and a masterclass in repairability."
Given its modular design, the new Mac Pro unsurprisingly earned a nearly perfect repairability score of 9/10, with iFixit noting that basic repairs and upgrades can be performed with standard tools or even no tools at all.
Apple Releases iOS 13.3.1 Beta 1, AirPods Firmware Update, and More
The new connectivity standard will be open source and royalty free, with code to be maintained on GitHub, according to Apple. The newly established working group has a goal to release a draft specification and a preliminary reference implementation in late 2020.
iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods Named to Time Magazine's Best Gadgets of the Decade
Steve Jobs introduced the iPad in 2010, while the Apple Watch and AirPods are part of the Tim Cook era, having been released in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Apple Arcade provides access to over 100 premium games across the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac, with no ads or in-app purchases.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with Satechi to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win one of Satechi’s newly released Compact Backlit Bluetooth Keyboards for use with Apple’s iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Priced at $80, Satechi's Compact Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard is a full-sized keyboard with backlit keys that have 10 levels of brightness and an included number pad on the right. It has attractive square keys with rounded edges, and the same satisfying typing experience offered by other Satechi keyboards.
The Compact Bluetooth Keyboard is made from a space gray aluminum that’s designed to match Apple’s devices with keys that are a matching shade of black. The keyboard connects to an Apple device using Bluetooth 5.0, and can be recharged using a built-in USB-C port.
The keyboard is designed to last for up to 600 hours before needing to be recharged, though that will vary based on the backlighting level.
Up to three Bluetooth devices can be connected to the keyboard at one time, with swapping between each device possible through the press of button. So you can connect the keyboard to a Mac and an iPad, for example, and swap connections quickly.
There are macOS shortcuts designed specifically for Apple’s Macs, for controlling brightness, accessing Spotlight and Mission Control, controlling media playback, and more.
Satechi says the keyboard is compatible with 2016 and later MacBook Pro models, the 2018 and later MacBook Air Models, the 2018 iPad Pro, the 2018 iMac and later, the iMac Pro, and the iPhone 8 and later. It is also compatible with most 2011 and later macOS devices.
We have six of the Compact Backlit Bluetooth Keyboards from Satechi to give away to MacRumors readers. 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 MacRumorsFacebook 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 (December 20) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 27. The winners will be chosen randomly on December 27 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
As we enter the last weekend before Christmas, last-minute holiday shopping is in full swing. For our readers, we have a collection of exclusive discounts that remain ongoing this season, offering the perfect chance to do some quick online Christmas shopping this weekend.
Note: 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.
These sales largely focus on accessories for Apple products, including those from Pad & Quill, Mophie, Twelve South, Nimble, and Zagg. On these websites, you can shop for iPhone cases, MacBook sleeves, Apple Watch bands, screen protectors, leather bags, and much more.
Each sale has a different end date, and shipping will vary from site-to-site, so be sure to read on for more information. Most brands are still offering delivery for Christmas, as long as you place orders by the end of the day today.
Save 20 percent on any Apple-related product with MR20
Save 15 percent on everything else with MR15
At Pad & Quill, our readers have a chance to save on Apple accessories all the way through Christmas day. With our first discount code, you can save 20 percent on any Apple related product, including those for iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and MacBook. Enter the code MR20 to access this sale.
Otherwise, you can use the code MR15 to take 15 percent off Pad & Quill's other products, like its premium leather bags, wallets, and desk accessories. These two codes essentially cover the entirety of Pad & Quill's website, and are a perfect opportunity to shop for anyone on your holiday list who loves high-quality accessories for their Apple devices.
Eco-friendly brand Nimble is offering our readers 30 percent off sitewide this holiday season with the exclusive promo code MACRUMORS30. With this promotion you can save on Nimble's portable chargers, wireless chargers, iPhone cases, and more.
Nimble's products are made from highly sustainable materials and come inside plastic-free packaging. The company also runs a one-for-one tech recovery project, placing a disposable bag with every product it sells. In these bags, customers can send back their old or unused tech so that it can be recycled responsibly.
In terms of shipping, Nimble offers free two-day shipping and returns, so be sure to browse the retailer's website soon to place your order in enough time before Christmas.
Mophie is giving our readers a chance to save 25 percent on one item on Mophie's website using the code MACRUMORS25.
If you place multiple items in your cart, the code will take 25 percent off of the highest-priced item, so if you've been waiting to buy one of Mophie's portable batteries, wireless charging mats, or battery cases, now is the perfect time. This new discount will run through New Year's Eve.
At Twelve South, you can get 15 percent off your entire order with the promo code MacRumors15. This promo code will last through December 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET for users in the United States.
Twelve South has numerous accessories that are specifically made for Apple products, like AirSnap for AirPods, HiRise Wireless for iPhone, and BookBook Vol. 2 for iPad Pro. You can browse for some holiday shopping ideas of your own in Twelve South's gift guide.
Save 20 percent across Zagg's brands with RUMORS20
On Zagg's other brands, you can get 20 percent off sitewide, including Zagg itself, Braven, Invisible Shield, iFrogz, Gear4, and Halo. This sale covers the gamut of Apple product accessories, including screen protectors, portable batteries, battery cases, charging cables, and more.
To get the discount, head to one of Zagg's websites, browse for an item, add it to your bag, and when you do you'll notice a pop-up on the right where you can view your bag. Here you can enter the promo code RUMORS20 and click apply to see the 20 percent discount taken off the most expensive item in your cart.
This discount can be applied across all of Zagg's brands, and it can be used twice per customer. You'll have until December 31, 2019 to use the code, so it should be a great way to save some money during your holiday shopping this season.
Although Mophie is included in this deal, our Mophie-specific code (mentioned above) is providing a deeper discount, so only look to use this Zagg code if you're shopping on the company's other product brands like Invisible Shield or Braven.
Apple today shared a new Apple Arcade video that focuses on great games to play during the holidays in an effort to get new users to try out its gaming service.
Get Apple Arcade for the holidays, and your whole family can play with you. Tap the joystick icon on the App Store to start your one-month free trial.
Apple highlights top Apple Arcade games like What the Golf (which has been updated with new December levels), Cat Quest II, Super Impossible Road, Sneaky Sasquatch, Steven Universe Unleash the Light, Patterned, and Exit the Dungeon.
Apple Arcade is priced at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, and one subscription allows up to six family members to play through Family Sharing. For those who have not yet given Apple Arcade a try, there is a one-month free trial available.
Update: MacRumors has obtained what appears to be a legitimate internal bulletin from Apple that indicates both Apple Store and AppleCare support employees from levels S1-S5 will be eligible to receive free access to Apple Arcade and Apple TV+ starting January 6. The bulletin does not mention Apple Music.
Original story follows.
At least some Apple Store employees will receive free access to Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade starting in January, according to 9to5Mac.
The report claims the perk will be limited to individual use by the employees themselves, so if they wanted to use Family Sharing for any of the services, they would have to pay for a subscription on their own.
It is unclear based on the report if every Apple Store employee will be offered this perk or if the perk will available globally.
Apple can benefit from offering this perk by having more of its employees gain first-hand experience with three of its major services, which can be useful when interacting with customers. It's unclear how long it will last.