ExtraBITS for 23 February 2015
In this week’s collection of ExtraBITS, we learn that Apple is ending its support for AOL logins, the truth about AT&T’s “privacy fee,” and how Photoshop is trying to stay relevant after 25 years.
Apple Ending Support for AOL Logins — If you still use an AOL username to sign in to the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store, you must convert it to an Apple ID before 31 March 2015. As of that date, Apple will no longer support AOL usernames for logging in to those services.
The Lowdown on AT&T’s “Privacy Fee” — AT&T is planning to expand its GigaPower fiber Internet service in Kansas City. But unless you pay an extra $29 per month, AT&T will scan your Web traffic to provide you with targeted advertising. Gigaom’s Stacey Higginbotham investigated and found that AT&T’s privacy offer can actually cost up to $66 per month, depending on package. AT&T also makes the private plan difficult to find on its Web site.
Photoshop Turns 25 — Adobe’s seminal Photoshop app is now 25 years old, and Farhad Manjoo of the New York Times looks at how Adobe is trying to keep it relevant. Adobe’s switch from selling Photoshop to offering it as a monthly subscription is one way the company hopes to bring it to more people, though so far, it has led to lower revenues. Adobe is also planning to split Photoshop into a number of smaller apps. Regardless of how Adobe’s plans pan out, photographers will never return to the darkrooms that Photoshop
replaced. (Be sure to check out Adobe’s Photoshop Anniversary page too!)