This is delightful, but I’m keeping an eye out for a version for the classic Mac OS.
Face ID Repairs Won’t Require Full-Phone Swaps ⇢
Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will soon be able to repair Face ID on the iPhone XS and newer without having to replace the whole device, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors from a reliable source.
Apple said authorized technicians will soon have access to a new TrueDepth Camera service part containing all Face ID and front camera modules, allowing for same-unit repairs. Apple said the move will help to reduce the number of whole-unit repairs completed, as part of the company’s commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of its products.
I wasn’t aware that a faulty TrueDepth Camera module necessitated a full phone replacement. This is a good move that should help with the cost for those with out-of-warranty phones.
Connected #386: Laptops? Too Complicated! ⇢
After blindly obeying a website written by someone else, Myke, Federico and Stephen dream up a new vision for the iPod touch, discuss Safari’s fading marketshare and wonder what foldable devices Apple could be working on.
I also surprised the guys with a majestic new iPhone case.
On Connected Pro, we talked about the early days of Twitter and some weird words that are still attached to the social network.
Ungeniused #145: The Spacecraft Cemetery ⇢
This week on Ungeniused, Myke and I go diving:
On occasion, a large, remote area of the Pacific Ocean will catch a falling satellite or spacecraft.
Mr. Jobs Goes to Washington (and the Classroom) ⇢
Over on Userlandia, Dan Vincent has a great piece about the Apple IIe and Apple’s desire to put it in classrooms. I learned a lot in listening to it last night.
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Kbase Article of the Week: Xserve (Early 2009): Applying EFI Firmware Update to a “Headless” Xserve ⇢
MPU #628: Stream Deck Power Users ⇢
The Stream Deck has become a central tool for many who use automation tools on their Mac. Stephen and David dive into the device’s hardware and software, explaining what makes it such a versatile device, before sharing their own uses for it.
FastScripts ⇢
My thanks to Red Sweater Software for sponsoring 512 Pixels this week. FastScripts is their Mac scripting utility that has been relied on by automation experts for nearly 20 years. It’s free to download with a 14-day trial.
Wishes for a New iMac ⇢
Jason Snell, writing at Six Colors, has outlined what he wants to see out of the forthcoming larger Apple silicon’d iMac:
My last two primary Macs have been 27-inch iMacs. First the original 5K model, then the iMac Pro. As much as I have loved using this iMac Pro for the past four years, I’m over it now. I’m ready to enter the Apple silicon era. And Apple has, thus far, failed to oblige.
Will Apple announce a new, large iMac at an event next month? “Reply hazy, ask again later,” said Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. (Or at least that was my interpretation of his reporting.)
What I’m saying is, if the next new Mac to be announced is a faster Mac mini or an upgraded 13-inch MacBook Pro, I’m going to treat them fairly and evaluate them properly… and the entire time, I am going to be grumbling. Because what I want is a new big iMac.
So to pass the time while I’m waiting, I’m going to do what they taught me to do as a kid and enter the land of the imagination. Here’s what I want to see in a new, big Apple silicon-bearing iMac.
Obscura 3 ⇢
Apple’s built-in camera app meets the needs for most people, but for those of us who want more, Obscura has been a long-time favorite. Today, Ben McCarthy has launched version 3 of the app.
The new build comes with a new design that is more intuitive deign built around five modes: Photo, Pro Photo, Depth, Live Photo, and Video. There’s also a Watch app for controlling an iPhone that may be mounted in a tripod or is otherwise inaccessible.
Obscura 3 is a new app, for sale now in the App Store for $9.99. After that, there are no in-app purchases to unlock additional features or filters. I’ve been really impressed with Obscura 3 during its beta process, and if you want more out of your iPhone’s camera, go check it out.
Connected #385: Federico Viticci and the Multiverse of Madness ⇢
This week on Connected, things get philosophical with conversations of Apple Music on Android, the future of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and some non-Apple hardware we love.