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Category: Entertainment

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 12 comments

Skip the Library Trip, Borrow Ebooks and More at Home

If you’re skittish about visiting a public library during a pandemic, ask about electronic borrowing you can do from home. Many US libraries provide digital versions of books, comics, and magazines, plus music downloads and streaming video options. Julio Ojeda-Zapata examines all the likely choices.

Josh Centers 1 comment

Apple Redubs Beats 1 as Apple Music 1, Adds New Stations

Five years after its launch, Beats 1 is being redubbed Apple Music 1, and Apple is adding two more radio stations for hits from the past and country music.

Josh Centers 3 comments

Apple Offers CBS All Access and Showtime Bundle for Apple TV+ Subscribers

If you subscribe to the Apple TV+ premium service, you can also now sign up for a special bundle of CBS All Access and Showtime for half of the usual price.

Adam Engst 33 comments

AirPods Versus AirPods Pro: Apple’s Earbuds Go Head-to-Head

Through a series of circumstances, Adam Engst ended up with both a pair of AirPods and a pair of AirPods Pro. When free to choose one or the other at any time, which did he pick? The answer—and what he recommends—might surprise you.

Adam Engst 7 comments

Kudoboard Offers a Virtual Alternative for Special Occasions

If you’re regretting not being able to hold an in-person celebration for a birthday, graduation, retirement, or other special occasion, check out the online service Kudoboard. It provides a multimedia version of the greeting card that’s passed around and signed by a group.

Adam Engst 4 comments

Apple Statements and Actions on #BlackLivesMatter

In response to and in support of the protests surrounding the killing of George Floyd, Apple dedicated the Apple Music user interface to a statement in solidarity with Black communities, curated a collection of movies addressing racism in Apple TV, and published an open letter from Tim Cook.

Adam Engst No comments

Spotify Removes 10,000 Track Limit

At long last, Spotify has removed the restriction that prevented subscribers from adding more than 10,000 tracks to their libraries. If Apple opens the HomePod up to third-party music apps in iOS 14, Adam Engst might take another look.

Josh Centers 3 comments

The Stratospheric Growth of the AirPods

Although they hit the market with little fanfare, Apple’s AirPods have become a stealth hit, now singlehandedly outpacing the annual revenue of many large tech companies.

Adam Engst 4 comments

AirPods Pro Firmware Problems

Many early adopters of the AirPods Pro say that Apple has released firmware updates that have reduced the efficacy of the noise-cancellation algorithm. Users are allowed no control over what firmware revisions their AirPods Pro get, and Apple has yet to comment on the situation.

Josh Centers 3 comments

You Can Now Make Purchases in the Amazon Prime Video iOS and Apple TV Apps

The Amazon Prime Video iOS and Apple TV apps now let you make purchases, a surprising development. But it turns out to be part of an Apple program that isn’t all that new.

Adam Engst 17 comments

Apple Releases macOS 10.15.4 Catalina, watchOS 6.2, tvOS 13.4, and iOS 13.4 for HomePod

Although Apple focused most of its operating system update work on iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4, the integration of the company’s platforms means that everything else received updates as well. Here’s the rundown.

Josh Centers 11 comments

How Hollywood Is Adapting to the Time of Coronavirus

SARS-CoV-2 is wreaking havoc on the world, and Hollywood is no exception. “Take Control of Apple TV” author Josh Centers explains how film distribution is changing.

Adam Engst 22 comments

#DeathToAutoPlay—Netflix Finally Lets Us Disable Auto-Play Previews

Will wonders never cease! Netflix actually listened to feedback from its customers about how much they hated auto-play previews and—a full year later—introduced an option to disable them. Hallelujah!

Josh Centers 11 comments

Why Is the Apple TV Constantly Advertising at Us?

The Apple TV app was advertised as a way to amalgamate all your streaming content into a single app, but it has turned into an advertising platform for Apple. “Take Control of Apple TV” author Josh Centers explains how to take a bit of control back.

Josh Centers 4 comments

Here’s How to Access Your Yearly Apple Music Replay Playlists

Apple has quietly added a year-in-review feature and playlist to Apple Music, but you won’t find it in iTunes or the Music app. Here’s the trick to accessing it.