We’re celebrating our 26th anniversary in this issue of TidBITS, and Adam Engst marks the occasion by reflecting on how Apple has changed in the Tim Cook era. Smile has altered course on its plans for a subscription-based TextExpander, lowering pricing and promising to continue developing the standalone version. The Siri Remote included with the fourth-generation Apple TV is an impressive piece of tech, but it’s also fragile and hard to hold; “Take Control of Apple TV” author Josh Centers lists some products and tips that will make your Siri Remote more manageable. For guitarists, recording musician Geoff Duncan joins us this week to review IK Multimedia’s iRig Acoustic, which lets you connect your acoustic guitar to an iOS device — be sure to check out the audio version of his article! Finally, for TidBITS members, we have the latest chapter of Glenn Fleishman’s “Take Control of Slack Basics,” which focuses on direct message conversations. Notable software releases this week include Fantastical 2.2.1, Retrospect 13.01, LaunchBar 6.6.2, and Delicious Library 3.5.1.
In response to customer feedback, Smile has adjusted its approach with TextExpander, promising to maintain the standalone versions of the text-expansion utility and lowering the price of the individual subscription plan.
On our 26th anniversary, TidBITS Publisher Adam Engst muses about the kind of company into which Apple has evolved. It’s not the Apple of Steve Jobs anymore.
Slack channels are great for holding messages on particular topics, but what about when you just want to have a quick chat with a few people? That’s what direct message conversations are for. In this week’s chapter, Glenn Fleishman explains how conversations work.
The $79 Siri Remote bundled with the fourth-generation Apple TV is packed with technology, but it’s also easy to break or lose. “Take Control of Apple TV” author Josh Centers offers some ways to work around the Siri Remote’s drawbacks.
IK Multimedia’s iRig Acoustic is an inexpensive, highly portable way to record an acoustic guitar on your iOS device — just be careful you don’t drag your iPhone or iPad onto the floor!
Notable software releases this week include Fantastical 2.2.1, Retrospect 13.01, LaunchBar 6.6.2, and Delicious Library 3.5.1.
In ExtraBITS this week, it turns out that the FBI hired hackers in the San Bernardino iPhone case, a new authentication protocol has been proposed to make USB-C safer, and AirPlay comes to Android on the new HTC 10 smartphone. Amazon has announced a new high-end e-reader, the Kindle Oasis, and is adding monthly payment options for its Amazon Prime service. Finally, in Apple news, the company has ended its iTunes Allowances program and its App Store reviewers have been feuding with developers of Reddit clients.