Posts in news

The Latest from Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

Sigmund and Devon compete to predict what Apple will announce at the upcoming It’s Glowtime event. Then, they go on a quick trip through the ages with the Time Bandits and land in 1960s Baltimore to recap Lady in the Lake

Matt is trying to find the right temperature, Chris is floating on Air(table), and Niléane finds out if she’s feeling lucky about getting 10 blue links.

This week, I research a local dive bar, as you do, before Federico and I both recommend gadgets that aren’t computers or videogame consoles and chat about Loot, Season 2.

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Relay Kicks Off Its 2024 Fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Today, Relay kicked off its annual fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help combat childhood cancer. We’d love it if MacStories readers joined us in supporting this cause.

You can make a donation by visiting here.

If you’re a MacStories reader, there’s a good chance you have listened to one of the shows Federico co-hosts on Relay or have another favorite, in which case you may have already contributed. However, if not, please consider donating.

St. Jude plays an important role in the fight against childhood cancer, treating kids, and doing research with other medical facilities around the world. Your donations help ensure that families aren’t charged for treatment, travel, housing, or meals, so their sole focus is helping their child get better.

Relay, which has raised millions for St. Jude over the past five years, will be raising money through the end of September, culminating in the Podcastathon, a 12-hour video streaming event featuring the hosts of many of Relay’s shows that will be held September 20th. As in past years, the Podcastathon will be streamed on Relay’s YouTube channel.

Thanks in advance for checking out Relay’s fundraiser for St. Jude and to all who donate.

The Latest from NPC: Next Portable Console and AppStories

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

This week, Federico and I celebrate episode 400 by considering what the future will hold for apps 400 more episodes from now.

On AppStories+, Federico reveals why he’s using the third generation AirPods.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Balance – A thoughtfully designed personal finance and budgeting app from one of our own Club MacStories members.

On NPC, Brendon, Federico, and I cover newly announced handhelds, a gaming pillow, and other news before covering how Federico is dual booting Windows and SteamOS on his ASUS ROG Ally X and an update on retro handhelds from Brendon and me.

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Apple Announces Fall Media Event

A short time ago, Apple announced that it will hold an event on September 9, 2024, at 10 AM Pacific time with the tagline “It’s Glowtime.” Glowtime is likely a reference to the new capabilities coming to Siri with the updates coming to the company’s OSes. If history is any indication, in addition to a recap of changes to Apple’s OSes, we’ll also see new iPhones and revised Apple Watches. Rumors point to new AirPods too.

You’ll be able to watch the event from home at apple.com/apple-events/.

As always, the MacStories team will be covering every aspect of the event.

The Latest from Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

Sigmund and Devon highlight the return of Pachinko and share their earliest experiences with Apple TV.

The gang shares their very sane, and not at all controversial ???? notification preferences. Then they explore some new and interesting Obsidian plugins you might not have heard of.

This week, John and Federico discuss peanut butter, the limits of testing gadgets in public, and Federico’s latest Spotify experiment before turning to a movie and two music recommendations.

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Apple Announces New Changes to the Browser Choice Screen and Default Apps on iOS and iPadOS in the EU

Today, Apple announced a series of new changes coming later this year to users running iOS and iPadOS in the European Union.

In March 2024, as part of Apple’s response to the DMA, iOS 17.4 introduced a new browser choice screen that prompted users in the EU to choose a new default browser when first opening Safari after the update. Later this year, once again, this screen will be shown to all European users who have set or kept Safari as their default web browser on iOS and iPadOS, “including users who have already seen the choice screen prior to the update.” The screen will also be shown to these users when migrating to a new device.

This updated browser choice screen will now feature App Store subtitles and descriptions for each listed web browser, and will let you tap on a chevron to open its product page on the App Store.

Additionally, if the selected default browser is not already installed, you will now be able to see its download progress right from the browser choice screen. But that’s not all: Apple says that the newly selected browser’s icon will now immediately replace Safari if it was placed in the Dock or on the Home Screen on iOS and iPadOS.

The updated browser choice screen in iOS 18. Source: Apple

The updated browser choice screen in iOS 18. Source: Apple

Along with the updated browser choice screen, Apple announced the addition of a new ‘Default Apps’ section in Settings for users in the EU running iOS and iPadOS 18. In addition to web browsers, alternative app marketplaces, and email apps, you will now be able to set a new default app for each of the following features:

  • Dialing phone numbers
  • Adding Call spam filter
  • Sending messages
  • Navigating with maps
  • Managing passwords
  • Using alternative keyboards
  • Translating text

Apple will now also let users in the EU uninstall the following core apps on iOS and iPadOS: ‌

  • App Store‌
  • Messages
  • Camera
  • Photos
  • Safari
A new 'Default Apps' section in Settings will be available to users in the EU as part of iOS and iPadOS 18. Source: Apple

A new ‘Default Apps’ section in Settings will be available to users in the EU as part of iOS and iPadOS 18. Source: Apple

These changes to the browser choice screen and the ability to select new default apps on iOS and iPadOS come a few months after the European Commission announced their intention to open a non-compliance investigation against Apple in regard to the DMA. In its press release from March 25th, the Commission specifically cited the design of the browser choice screen introduced in iOS 17.4:

The Commission is concerned that Apple’s measures, including the design of the web browser choice screen, may be preventing users from truly exercising their choice of services within the Apple ecosystem, in contravention of Article 6(3) of the DMA.

It is unclear at this time whether these changes will satisfy the Commission.

Monument Valley 3 Is Heading To Netflix Games Along with the Series’ First Two Installments

Yesterday, during Gamescom’s opening night ceremonies, Netflix Games released a trailer for Monument Valley 3. The franchise’s sequel from Ustwo Games, which has been in development for five years, will be published exclusively on Apple’s App Store and Android by Netflix Games on December 10th. Monument Valley 1 and 2 are also moving to Netflix Games on September 19th and October 29th, respectively. Both games previously launched on the App Store as paid titles and were later added to Apple Arcade.

Few details have been shared about Monument Valley 3, although the trailer does reveal that the game’s protagonist Noor will sail a boat for the first time. According to Jennifer Estaris, Ustwo’s Game Director of Monument Valley 3:

Monument Valley is a title that has pushed boundaries of what is possible in games, from the power of minimalist design, to the simplicity of play and the emotion of interactive storytelling. Our goal is to bring our biggest Monument Valley yet to as many people as possible, which is why we partnered with Netflix to deliver the game to hundreds of millions of players around the world as part of their memberships.

Netflix has promised additional information about the game during its September 16th Geeked Week event.

I’ve had my eye on Netflix Games for a while. Its catalog, which we discussed on NPC: Next Portable Console and I’ve written about a lot, is full of high-quality indie games as well as casual games and TV tie-ins. I’ve half expected Netflix to veer in a more Arcade-like direction, but so far, the company’s game library continues to outdo Apple Arcade in terms of game quality and balance among genres.

The Latest from AppStories and Ruminate

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

This week, Federico and I look at the gadget landscape to find inspiration for expanding Apple’s hardware lineup.

On AppStories+, a behind-the-scenes look at our expansion into video and a conversation about the Vision Pro.

  • Memberful – Help Your Clients Monetize Their Passion

The snack cup overfloweth this week with chips, seasoning, and a very blue beverage. The onto the App Store and finally a new Ruminate family member has joined.

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Apple Podcasts Is Now Available as a Web App

Apple Podcasts got the full Apple Music treatment with its own web app today. The UI is essentially the same as Apple’s native app but with the added flexibility of working on non-Apple devices. Apple says Podcasts works on all major browsers, including Safari, Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, and can be accessed in more than 170 countries and regions in their local language. If you’re an Apple Podcasts user, your progress will be synced from the web to your Apple devices, too.

Apple Podcasts' web app is nearly identical to the native version.

Apple Podcasts’ web app is nearly identical to the native version.

The web app strikes me as a win for both listeners and podcasters. Podcast fans now have more ways to enjoy their favorite shows, discover new ones, and share episodes with others. Suddenly, Apple Podcasts is cross-platform, which is still relatively rare among the most popular podcast apps, except for Pocket Casts.

Your entire library of shows is available on the web and syncs across all versions of the app.

Your entire library of shows is available on the web and syncs across all versions of the app.

Links opened on Apple devices will open in the native Podcasts app and in the browser on other devices, although on the Mac, it is possible to play episodes in a browser if you prefer. Here’s Comfort Zone playing on everyone’s current obsession, the Boox Palma:

The latest episode of [NPC](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gamecube-to-go/id1749770019?i=1000665157926) running on my Boox Palma.

The latest episode of NPC running on my Boox Palma.

It sounds great, too.

The web app also means podcasters can now reach a bigger audience. Not only are free RSS-based shows available on the web, but listeners can also subscribe and listen to paid shows.

I’ve only played around with the web version of Apple Podcasts a little, but it works well on every device I’ve tried with it so far, including the Palma, a Boox Android tablet, and a Windows gaming handheld using Chrome and Edge. In every case, the Podcasts web app worked just as well as listening in the native app.