Category: iOS

Apple Refreshes Privacy Controls

Apple Refreshes Privacy Controls

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Although Apple is known to have several cloud scandals in the past regarding sharing data, recently they have been stricter with protecting their consumers. The latest in their efforts to keep data safe is going through applications that share data with third parties. Apple has been removing those applications once they are found to have violations as well as informing developers that the app violates two parts of the App Store Review Guidelines.

Apple also explains that developers must remove any code, frameworks, or SDKs that relate to the violation before the app can be resubmitted to the App Store.

Apple is also bringing refreshed privacy controls for its devices and iCloud services in order to meet the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws, going into effect on May 25. The new privacy settings will also include a new web page for managing Apple IDs, with new features and capabilities as well as more transparency. The new site will also let users download a copy of all data stored within the company, along with being able to correct personal information, temporarily deactivate their account, and completely delete it. These new features will soon be available to the rest of the world.

For more information, click here.

Downloading Your Stored Apple Information

Downloading Your Stored Apple Information

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Did you know that you are able to view all of your old Apple downloads, such as books and music, as well as past devices you’ve purchased? What Apple doesn’t do is store your personal information such as emails and locations. Aside from downloads, a log is kept about customer support queries for each time you reach out to ask any questions about your device or other Apple products.

Apple’s privacy response explains why they do not store other personal information here:

“Apple has always placed a priority on protecting our customers’ personal data, and we don’t collect or maintain a mountain of personal details about our customers in the first place. There are certain categories of information which we do not provide to law enforcement or any other group because we choose not to retain it. For example, conversations which take place over iMessage and FaceTime are protected by end-to-end encryption so no one but the sender and receiver can see or read them. Apple cannot decrypt that data. Similarly, we do not store data related to customers’ location, Map searches or Siri requests in any identifiable form.”

How to Download Your Apple Archive:

  • Go to Apple’s Privacy Policy page (https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/)
  • Scroll down to the section titled “Access to Personal Information.” It’s worth reading and says explains that Apple will provide you with a copy of the information it holds if you request it.
  • Click the “Privacy Contact Form” link.
  • Choose your language.
  • Select “I have a question about privacy issues” from the drop-down box.
  • Fill in your first and last name, email, subject and comments. I noted that I was requesting a copy of my personal information in the comments field.
  • Click submit.

After this, you’ll need to wait for Apple’s privacy team to contact you to; they will request some of the same personal information above, in addition to your Apple ID, a registered product serial number and a previous AppleCare support case number in order to verify your identity.

“Do Not Disturb While Driving” Feature Helps Bad Habits

“Do Not Disturb While Driving” Feature Helps Bad Habits

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According to EverQuote’s Safe Driving Report, there are about 92% of US drivers that use their phone while driving, while about 88 seconds are spent on mobile devices during an average 21-minute ride.

To change this dangerous habit that almost every driver has, Apple created a new “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature, which had launched with its iOS 11 update in September 2017. From September to October, about 80% of drivers used this feature, although 27% of users disabled it after the initial use. This feature works by blocking all notifications from appearing onscreen while the user is driving, until they reach their destination. This way, drivers are less inclined to look at their phones because they cannot see their notifications.

Due to users taking advantage of this feature, the phone usage while driving decreased about 8%. Although it wasn’t a significant decrease, the iPhone feature is helping drivers stop their bad habits of checking their texts, email and social media, which decreases the number accidents caused by phone usage while driving.

Apple Watch vs. Wear OS

Apple Watch vs. Wear OS

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Wear OS, originally known as Android Wear, may be winning the battle of the smartwatch over Apple. Here are some differences between the two that can help you decide on which smartwatch to purchase:

  1. Compatibility – With the Apple Watch, only iPhone users are able to sport this smartwatch. Comparing it to a Wear OS watch, such as a Fossil Q smartwatch, both Android and iPhone users are able to connect their phones. This means no having to switch to an iPhone if you love your Android and want a smartwatch!
  2. Design – The Apple Watch’s design is consistent through each of their models, with a choice of a 38 mm or 42 mm case and different interchangeable straps. The main criticism of the Apple Watch’s design is that it is square, although some people don’t mind it. As far as a Wear OS watch, you’ll have the option to choose if you prefer either a circular or square case, although a majority of them now are circular. For band options, Apple Watch straps are sometimes more difficult to find than Wear OS bands; many watches will fit with any band of a certain width.
  3. Screen and battery life – Because designers have learned not everyone has the same size wrist, there are more screen size options when it comes to the Wear OS smartwatches, even from the same watch company. The Apple Watch, however, as mentioned above, is only available in a 38 mm and a 42 mm case, which still may be too big or too small for some wrist sizes. As far as battery life, both will have an expected one or two days, depending on usage.
  4. Tracking – With features such as Medical ID and ResearchKit, GPS and waterproofing, the Apple Watch is heavily pitched as a fitness device. Aside from Apple’s own tracking apps, users have the option download third-party running apps, such as Strava and Runkeeper. As far as Wear OS devices, users are able to track their fitness and sleep, however, heart rate monitoring is still in the works for many companies who carry Wear OS watches.

These are just some of the comparisons for the Apple Watch and Wear OS devices, but always do your own research before jumping into buying your new smartwatch so you get the watch that suits you best!

If you or someone you know is not satisfied with their Apple Watch and is looking to sell it, call us at 212.840.0415 or visit http://www.sellmymac.com/sell.

Take Your Medical Records With You – Everywhere

Take Your Medical Records With You – Everywhere

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With the upcoming release of Apple’s iOS update this spring, the Health app will now include health records, so patients can take information about their immunizations, medications, lab results and more with them on the go. The feature will first be available to patients of medical providers who partnered with Apple, including Johns Hopkins Medicine, OhioHealth, Ochsner Health System in Jefferson Parish, La., and Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles; Apple’s announcement says more medical facilities will offer this feature in the coming months.

With this added feature to the app, transferring information will be easier for patients who have to move or go to a specialist. Patients will be able to see records such as conditions, immunizations, visits and medication they’ve received in the past, which won’t allow them to make the mistake of taking something that hasn’t worked for them.

Because patients no longer have to enter or scan their own data, this makes it simpler to use, which will create a wide user base. The 21st Century Cures Act of 2016  also pushed federal agencies and providers to use electronic health records; now there is a data standard for personal health records, which wasn’t the case in 2011 when Google Health tried to use a similar health record service.

Apple’s New Business Chat in iOS 11.3 Update

Apple’s New Business Chat in iOS 11.3 Update

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In June 2017, Apple released the details of its new communication platform, Business Chat, that be launching this spring in its iOS 11.3 update. With Business Chat, any iOS 11.3 user will be able to start a thread with businesses they find through Siri, Maps, Safari, and Spotlight search. 

Aside from asking questions about services or products from that business, users will be able to make purchases directly within the chat with a merchant using Apple Pay or Apple Pay Cash. Now, it’ll be much easier for someone to book a doctor’s appointment or buy a plane ticket – all in iMessage! Convenient, huh? The best thing about using Business Chat for making purchases is that  Apple Pay Cash does not have a middle party that will be paid, therefore there are no extra fees for sending money through the chat.

 

 

iOS 11 – a tremendous improvement for iPad, a huge step for iPhone

iOS 11 – a tremendous improvement for iPad, a huge step for iPhone

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iOS 11 brings a new way for operating the mobile system, which makes better and more capable iPhones and iPads ever. The even more advanced mobile operating system enables the higher degree of augmented reality in the games and apps display where fantastic and fluid user experience can go far beyond the screen, which further enhances a more powerful and intelligent device ever.

With iOS 11 iPhone and iPad are the most powerful, personal, and intelligent devices they’ve ever been

iOS 11 brings more powerful capabilities to iPhones and iPads, which ensures the operation and gestures are much faster, more efficient and easier as well. For example, you can download and use a file wherever you upload and save it, whether in iCloud Drive, Box or Dropbox because the new iOS 11 makes the new files app more collaborative and easily browsed, searched and organized as well. The touch system, together with the new technologies like Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro, ensures all the operation are easily made by just a swipe, click or flick. The new iOS system also improved many other functions like multitasking, instant markup,  instant notes, inline drawing, scan, and sign.

The world’s most advanced mobile operating system, iOS 11 is continuing to improve and develop

Several Apple devices are improved with iOS 11 and the advanced system even makes the small and portable device like iPad and iPhone much smarter, more essential, more powerful and more capable. However, the capabilities and possibilities of iOS system to change the electronic world are endless