Month: June 2020

Apple Arcade cancels some developer’s contracts in bid for more engaging games

CompuScoop Staff June 30, 2020 1

On calls in mid-April, an Apple Arcade creative producer told some developers that their upcoming games didn’t have the level of “engagement” Apple is seeking, the people said. Apple is increasingly interested in titles that will keep users hooked, so subscribers stay beyond the free trial of the service, according to the people.

Apple Arcade, which launched in September with a one-month free trial, charges $4.99 a month for unlimited access to a wide variety of games, including with some that support hardware controllers. Unlike many mobile games, Arcade titles eschew intrusive ads and don’t push players to pay extra to win or make progress. The approach won praise from video game critics.

“Apple Arcade has redefined what a gaming service can be, putting unlimited play at the fingertips of subscribers and their families across all their Apple devices,” Apple said in a statement. “We are proud to have launched the first-ever mobile game subscription service that now features more than 120 games, many of which are award-winning and widely celebrated for their artistry and gameplay. The vision has always been to grow and evolve the Apple Arcade catalog, and we can’t wait for our users to try the games developers are working on now.”

Apple added that it has always planned to make changes to its Arcade games lineup based on subscriber feedback.

Via: Bloomberg.com

Apple launches ‘Path to Apple Card’ program to help applicants with poor credit scores

CompuScoop Staff June 30, 2020 1

Declined Apple Card applicants may begin seeing notifications on their device later today that offer them the Path to Apple Card program.

Once a user opts in on their device, they get a once-a-month update on their progress on specific tasks that are personalized to their rating.

Examples include:

• Resolving past due balances.
• Making payments to secured and unsecured debt accounts on time.
• Lowering credit card and personal loan debt.

The updates also include specific steps to take to improve each of those markers.

Once a customer has completed the program, they are invited to reapply to Apple Card.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Ex-Windows chief Sinofsky: Apple silicon-powered Macs ‘will be the ultimate developer PC’

CompuScoop Staff June 29, 2020 1

“In two years, there is only Arm hardware and in four Intel will be ancient memory. The ecosystem will have rolled over. And Mac will be the ultimate developer PC. iPad will be used for more and more ‘work’,” he said in a Twitter post, sub-tweeting a comment about Arm-based Macs from well-known developer Steve Troughton-Smith.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Exxon and Mobil gas stations offering unlimited 3% cash back when you use Apple Card with Apple Pay

CompuScoop Staff June 29, 2020 1

Exxon and Mobil gas stations are now offering unlimited 3% Daily Cash Back when you use Apple Card with Apple Pay.

The unlimited 3% Daily Cash back deal at Exxon and Mobil stations includes fuel, convenience store, and car wash purchases. To get started at the pump, use Apple Pay in the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app.

Simply select your Apple Card with Apple Pay as payment method in the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app. (After downloading the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app, select “Account,” then swipe up to “Payment method.” Select “Add a new payment method” and choose “Apple Pay.” Be sure your Apple Card is set as your default card with Apple Pay in the Wallet app.)

Get 3% back on fuel using Apple Card with Apple Pay in the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app. Payments made with a physical card only receive 1% cash back, so it pays to use the app. By using your Apple Card with Apple Pay in the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app you’ll get 3% cash back and you’ll earn ExxonMobil Rewards+ points, which you can save to redeem against a future purchase.

Get unlimited 3% Daily Cash back; it goes straight to into your Apple Wallet app.

More info and download link for the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app via Apple’s App Store here.