The Out-of-Context Edition Thursday, November 28, 2019
iPhone Autocorrect Driving You Crazy Lately? You're Not Alone., by Peter Wells, Brisbane Times
Since the release of iOS 13 in September, many iPhone users are reporting more inaccuracies, random capitalisation of words and, most frustrating, the iPhone replacing a correctly spelt word with something completely out of context a few seconds later.
Contacts are often to blame for out of context changes, but sometimes the cause of the bug is simply unknown.
Right-to-Repair Groups Don't Buy Apple's Answers To Congress, by Lauren Goode, Wired
iFixit and US PIRG both contest some of Apple's responses, particularly around the ways in which Apple may or may not advise against non-authorized repairs. Another point they take issue with: Apple's use of the phrase "same unit repair," which is worth unpacking. Many key components within an iPhone or Mac can be repaired, Apple says in its response, but "same unit repairs" aren't possible for all products because of the challenges around disassembling and reassembling devices.
In other words, a customer might go into the Apple Store or another authorized repair shop for a fix, and the repair might be so complex that the product is effectively replaced. The topic of "repairs" not only becomes one of semantics, but also raises the question of whether Apple (and other electronics makers) could be slotting full replacement devices into a definition of repairs. Proctor, of US PIRG, says in his blog post that this is Apple attempting to "create a new category of repair."
Apple Retail Stores Around The World Now Featuring Red Logos For World AIDS Day, by Juli Clover, MacRumors
Ahead of World AIDS Day, which takes place on December 1, Apple has begun turning the Apple Store logos of many of its retail locations red. Apple's red logos are an annual tradition and mark one of the few times a year that Apple changes its logo colors.
Enhance Your Home Automations With Logic, by Rosemary Orchard, The Sweet Setup
iOS 13 brought many things — including automations in Shortcuts. These automations allow us to do lots of things, but they also added the ability to seriously enhance our home automations.
Steven Universe: Unleash The Light Game Comes To Apple Arcade, by Shelby Brown, CNET
In Steven Universe: Unleash the Light, a colorful platformer RPG, you can play as your favorite characters from the popular animated Cartoon Network series -- the Gems, Steven, Lapis Lazuli or Bismuth. Assemble a team to fight against two Prism-wielding Gems. Unlock new abilities, equip new costumes and change formation into Gem fusions like Sunstone or Rainbow Quartz 2.0.
Jony Ive Has Left Apple, by Thomas Ricker, The Verge
Famed designer Jony Ive has disappeared from Apple's Leadership page, signaling an end to his time in Cupertino. Ive joined Apple in 1992 and led the design team from 1996.
Apple will be a client of Ive's new design company, LoveFrom, which the designer started in collaboration with his long-time friend and collaborator Marc Newson. "Apple will continue to benefit from Jony's talents by working directly with him on exclusive projects, and through the ongoing work of the brilliant and passionate design team he has built," said Apple CEO Tim Cook at the time. Software and hardware design is now the responsibility of COO Jeff Williams.
Apple Changes Crimea Map To Meet Russian Demands, by BBC
The region is now displayed as Russian territory on Apple Maps and Weather, when viewed from inside Russia.
However, Apple Maps and Weather do not show Crimea as part of any country, when viewed outside Russia.
Apple Criticized By Ukraine For Labeling Crimea As Part Of Russia, by Ian Sherr, CNET
"IPhones are great products," Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, appeared to tweet from his verified Twitter account Wednesday. "Seriously, though, @Apple, please, please, stick to high-tech and entertainment. Global politics is not your strong side. #CrimeaIsUkraine"
And, thank you, for reading. Have a wonderful holiday.