Month: July 2024

Apple launches new marketing highlighting Apple Watch for kids

CompuScoop Staff July 14, 2024 0

Last week, Apple launched a website showcasing how the Apple Watch can be a perfect fit for your kid. Ditch the phone, keep the connection! This handy wristwatch lets them call and text you easily, while you can see their location for peace of mind. Plus, it encourages healthy habits and a bit of independence – a win-win for both parents and kids!

The pitch is that a cellular-connected Apple Watch gives parents peace of mind when their kids are out and about. Apple’s new marketing focus coincides with an effort in some parts of the country to limit iPhones in schools.

“Easy to call and text. Know where they are. Great ways to keep them active. It’s independence for them. And peace of mind for you,” the message on the website says.

The software that lets parents track their child’s location and manage the device is called “Apple Watch For Your Kids.” It was previously called “Family Setup.”

Apple’s pitch is that a cellular-connected watch will give parents peace of mind when their kids are out and about by enabling them to call or text home. What Apple isn’t explicitly saying is that a watch offers safety and connectivity features minus all the distracting social media apps and games that come with a smartphone.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin issued an executive order on Tuesday directing the state to establish rules for cell phone-free schools. And public schools in New York City and Los Angeles are moving to limit cell phones. According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of high school teachers and 33% of all teachers say cell phones are a major problem in the classroom.

Apple introduced Family Setup in 2020, allowing parents to set up a kid’s Apple Watchfrom their phone and to control messaging options. The company has added features that parents can use to turn off notifications and distractions during school hours, and introduced a low-cost and colorful model called the Apple Watch SE.

Via: CNBC.com

Tim Cook shares how he uses the Apple Vision Pro daily

CompuScoop Staff July 13, 2024 0

I sat down with the tech titan to talk about the Apple Vision Pro headset as it finally launches in the UK – and he shared his favourite ways to use the premium headgear, including a futuristic TV habit.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun for the UK launch, Tim revealed what a “spatial computer” actually is – and why it’s important for you, me and everyone else.

“I began to use it to screen entertainment. I watched the third season of Ted Lasso on the Vision Pro,” Tim says, proudly. “I just screened a new show – that’s coming out this week – last night on Vision Pro.”

“And so the ability for me to get in the position that I want to get in – including lying flat and putting the screen on the ceiling – is an incredible kind of experience. And of course, it’s a 100ft screen. I mean, it’s amazing the level of entertainment that it delivers. And so I use it in that way. In terms of productivity, when you’re working in multiple screens, like so many of us do, the multitasking is so much more efficient on Vision Pro. Because you can take various windows and put them around your physical space. And so I use it in all aspects of my daily life now.”

The official line is that you’ve got the equivalent of a 4K TV for each eye.

I’ve tried it, and it certainly feels that way. Everything is crisp and clear and colourful. When fully immersed, you can even forget you’ve got a headset on.

It’s especially great for sports fans. Tim reckons it’s good enough that you’ll want to turn off the TV and put the headset on for the next big game.

Via: The Sun News

Apple and Major League Baseball announce August “Friday Night Baseball” schedule

Apple Inc July 12, 2024 0

Apple and Major League Baseball announce August “Friday Night Baseball” schedule

Apple and Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced the August game schedule for “Friday Night Baseball,” a weekly doubleheader available to Apple TV+ subscribers on Fridays throughout the 2024 regular season. Fans in 60 countries and regions can enjoy two marquee matchups over 26 weeks with no local broadcast restrictions.

“Friday Night Baseball” features an exceptional group of broadcast talent in the announcer booths, including Wayne Randazzo (play-by-play), Dontrelle Willis (analyst), Heidi Watney (sideline reporter), Alex Faust (play-by-play), Ryan Spilborghs (analyst), and Tricia Whitaker (sideline reporter). Ted Barrett, Brian Gorman, and Dale Scott — all former MLB umpires — break down rules and calls each week. Game assignments for announcers will be shared on a weekly basis.

Lauren Gardner hosts live pre- and postgame coverage, along with former MLB player and analyst Xavier Scruggs, and baseball journalist Russell Dorsey.

“Friday Night Baseball” is produced by MLB Network’s Emmy Award-winning production team in partnership with Apple’s live sports production team, bringing viewers an unparalleled viewing experience. Each game features state-of-the-art cameras to present vivid live-action shots, along with immersive sound in 5.1 with Spatial Audio enabled. “Friday Night Baseball” utilizes drone cameras for beautiful aerial stadium shots, as well as player mics and field-level mics to immerse fans in the gameplay and stadium atmosphere. Fans in the U.S. and Canada have the option to listen to the audio of the home and away teams’ local radio broadcasts during “Friday Night Baseball” games.¹

In Apple Sports, fans can follow MLB and their favorite MLB teams to access full MLB stats and scores. Apple Sports is a new free app for iPhone that gives sports fans access to real-time scores, stats, and more.² Designed for speed and simplicity, the app’s personalized experience puts users’ favorite leagues and teams front and center, featuring an easy-to-use interface designed by Apple.

Fans in the U.S. can enjoy the MLB Big Inning whip-around show featuring live look-ins and in-game highlights every weeknight, and a full slate of MLB-related content on Apple TV+, including Countdown to First Pitch, MLB Daily Recap, and MLB This Week. Fans can also access additional MLB programming for free in the Apple TV app, including condensed game recaps after the completion of the live “Friday Night Baseball” broadcasts each week, classic games, highlights and interviews, and more.

This season, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS is again the exclusive national home of “Friday Night Baseball” for commercial establishments in the U.S. DIRECTV delivers all the action to its network of more than 300,000 restaurants, bars, hotel lounges, retail shops, and other venues throughout the regular season on existing satellite equipment.

In Apple News, fans can easily follow the league and their favorite teams in the MLB feed, and watch personalized MLB highlights right in the News app. Each Friday, fans can also access a curated group of the most exciting stories from around the league, and tap to watch “Friday Night Baseball” directly in the Apple TV app with a subscription to Apple TV+. In Apple Music, fans can find exclusive official playlists featuring the walk-up songs from each week’s teams, as well as a collection of classic songs celebrating baseball.

Apple TV+ subscribers can watch “Friday Night Baseball” on the Apple TV app, which comes preinstalled on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, as well as online at tv.apple.com. The Apple TV app is also available on select smart TVs, including Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sony, TCL, VIZIO, and others; Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices; PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles; Chromecast with Google TV; and set-top boxes, including Sky Q, SK Broadband, and Comcast Xfinity. More information is available at apple.com/apple-tv-app. Fans can follow the action of every game this MLB season right on their iPhone Lock Screen with Live Activities.³ And with the multiview feature on Apple TV 4K devices and iPad, fans can watch up to four simultaneous streams, including “Friday Night Baseball” games, Major League Soccer matches, and select MLS and MLB live shows.⁴

August “Friday Night Baseball” Schedule on Apple TV+

Friday, August 2
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers
6:30 p.m. ET

Milwaukee Brewers at Washington Nationals
6:30 p.m. ET

Friday, August 9
Cleveland Guardians at Minnesota Twins
8 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers
8 p.m. ET

Friday, August 16
Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago Cubs
2 p.m. ET

Seattle Mariners at Pittsburgh Pirates
6:30 p.m. ET

Friday, August 23
St. Louis Cardinals at Minnesota Twins
8 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates
6:30 p.m. ET

Friday, August 30
Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels
9:30 p.m. ET

San Diego Padres at Tampa Bay Rays
6:30 p.m. ET

Pricing and Availability

Apple TV+ is available for $9.99 (U.S.) per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, eligible customers who purchase and activate a new Apple device can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.

Apple gives tips on avoiding phishing scams amid new SMS scam

Dan Uff July 11, 2024 1

Apple has published a new support document outlining the steps that an iPhone user can take to combat the latest SMS Scam targeting the device (Called Social Engineering). More information is provided below:

Social engineering is a type of targeted attack that relies on impersonation, deception, and manipulation to gain access to your personal data. In this attack, scammers will pretend to be representatives of a trusted company or entity over the phone or through other communication methods. They will often use sophisticated tactics to persuade you to hand over personal details such as sign-in credentials, security codes, and financial information.

Phishing is one common tactic of social engineering that refers to fraudulent attempts to get personal information from you, usually by email. But scammers use any means they can to trick you into sharing information or giving them money, including:

• Fraudulent emails and other messages that look like they’re from legitimate companies, including Apple.
• Misleading pop-ups and ads that say your device has a security problem.
• Scam phone calls or voicemails that impersonate Apple Support, Apple partners, and other well known or trusted entities or individuals.
• Fake promotions that offer free products and prizes.
• Unwanted Calendar invitations and subscriptions.

If you’re suspicious about an unexpected message, call, or request for personal information, such as your email address, phone number, password, security code, or money, it’s safer to presume that it’s a scam — contact that company directly if you need to.