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Apple finally lets ‘reader’ apps like Kindle, Netflix, and Spotify link to their own sites

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Apple finally lets ‘reader’ apps like Kindle, Netflix, and Spotify link to their own sites

Apple is making good on its promise to let some builders hyperlink out to their very own websites from inside their apps, in accordance with an announcement from the corporate on Wednesday. The brand new guidelines, which go into impact as we speak, let builders of “reader apps” (apps which are primarily meant to supply entry to digital content material, like Netflix, Kindle, or Spotify) hyperlink out to their websites for issues like account administration or creation.

This could assist enhance the traditionally unhealthy person expertise for a lot of these apps attributable to Apple’s earlier guidelines. Beforehand, in the event you downloaded the Netflix app however didn’t have an account, Netflix wasn’t allowed to provide you a hyperlink to enroll or let you know the place you could possibly go to create an account. That made apps irritating for customers who didn’t have accounts and compelled builders who didn’t wish to use Apple’s in-app cost system (and quit 30 p.c of their income) to make a worse expertise for potential clients. Now, builders ought to no less than be capable to make a button that takes you to their web site.

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An instance of the sorts of language builders had to make use of below the previous guidelines.

Builders can’t simply instantly add a sign-up hyperlink to their app’s residence display screen and be completed with it, although. In line with Apple’s developer help web page, you’ll should request an “entitlement” earlier than you’ll be allowed so as to add an exterior hyperlink. Apple has additionally mandated a selected stream — if a developer is linking a person to their web site, they should put up a display screen explaining that any purchases made received’t be completed via Apple. And so they’ll additionally should hyperlink to an Apple web page that explains the dangers related to giving your data to a third-party developer.

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Apple’s instance interstitial display screen.
Picture: Apple

Apple additionally has a listing of necessities that apply to the hyperlink itself. For instance:

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  • The hyperlink should open in a browser, not an in-app internet view.
  • No extra knowledge or parameters could be handed to the web site.
  • Your app can’t comprise textual content explaining how a lot issues in your web site will value (for instance, Netflix can’t say “faucet this button to enroll in Netflix, beginning at $9.99 a month”).

After all, Apple might be reviewing modifications to apps earlier than they go stay. If historical past is any indication, there’ll most likely be some rising pains the place builders assume their app is in compliance with Apple’s pointers, however App Assessment disagrees.

When it introduced this alteration was coming in September 2021, Apple stated that it will assist shut an antimonopoly investigation from Japanese regulators. On the time, the implementation particulars have been unclear — there have been questions on what Apple meant when it stated that builders might share “a single hyperlink.” Given the rules Apple launched as we speak, it appears you’ll be able to solely have a single URL you could level customers to (which may’t undergo redirects or to a touchdown web page). You’ll be able to, nonetheless, use that hyperlink “as soon as per app web page,” offered it exhibits “the identical message in every occasion.”

As we’ve talked about in earlier tales, this alteration is comparatively restricted in scope. Apple has a fairly lengthy record of necessities apps have to fulfill in the event that they wish to be eligible for the entitlement. So whereas this alteration received’t be a really robust argument for Apple towards, say, the EU, it ought to assist no less than make the sign-up expertise for some apps rather less ridiculous.

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Silo season 2 hits Apple TV Plus this November

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Silo season 2 hits Apple TV Plus this November

The end of the world just got a little closer. Apple confirmed that the much-anticipated second season of its postapocalyptic series Silo will start streaming on November 15th.

Based on the trilogy of novels by Hugh Howey, Silo is set in the distant future and follows the remains of humanity, who live in giant underground bunkers — the titular silos — to avoid the deadly world outside. The season 1 finale ended with a big twist that made it clear there’s a lot more going on than the show initially lets on. It also only covers part of the first book, so it’ll be interesting to see how much of the story the new season covers. Silo’s second season will see returning cast members like Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, and Common.

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How to connect your AirPods to your PC and Android devices

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How to connect your AirPods to your PC and Android devices

Just because Apple’s AirPods are designed for other Apple devices doesn’t mean they will only work on Apple devices. 

That’s right, you can use your AirPods on your PC or Android-running mobile device. It isn’t as simple as setting up AirPods with an iPhone or Mac, but it’s also not too complicated. 

Follow these steps to connect your AirPods to a Windows PC or Android.

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AirPods and an Android  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to connect AirPods to a PC

  • Insert the AirPods into their charging case, ensuring they’re at least partially charged.
  • Open the top of your AirPod charging case, but do not remove the AirPods from the case yet.
  • Tap and hold the circular button on the rear side of the AirPod charging case for a couple of seconds until the light inside the case blinks white.

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airpods connect 2

The circular button on the back of the AirPod case  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Now, open your PC’s Bluetooth settings by clicking the Bluetooth icon in the system tray (bottom right of the taskbar) or by searching for “Bluetooth” in your taskbar and selecting Bluetooth and other device settings.
  • Click “Add Bluetooth or other devices” at the top of the settings screen.
  • On the “Add a device” page, click the top option for Bluetooth.
airpods connect 3

Bluetooth and device settings on a PC  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Click the AirPods option from the list of all Bluetooth discoverable devices.
  • Wait around 30 seconds, and you should see a connection confirmation screen once your AirPods and PC are paired and connected.

ASK KURT: WHY IS MY BLUETOOTH CONNECTION ALWAYS SO SPOTTY?

Troubleshooting a failed connection

When you take your AirPods out of their charging case, they should automatically connect to your PC. If your AirPods are having trouble connecting to your PC, don’t panic. Close your AirPods case and your PC’s Bluetooth settings and simply repeat the pairing process outlined above. Your AirPods should automatically connect to your PC after a few seconds every time you remove them from the charging case. If, for any reason, they don’t, follow these steps:

  • Open your PC’s Bluetooth settings by clicking on the Bluetooth icon in the bottom-right system tray of your taskbar. Alternatively, you can search for “Bluetooth” in your taskbar and select “Bluetooth and other device settings” when it appears.
  • Scroll down to the Audio section under your Bluetooth list and click on the AirPods listing.
  • This should reestablish the Bluetooth connection between your PC and AirPods.

Remember that Siri is Apple-only, so you won’t be able to use the voice assistant while your AirPods are connected to your PC.

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Pair AirPods with your Android phone

Connecting AirPods to an Android device is similar to connecting to a PC. Before doing anything, you’ll want to ensure that your AirPods are charged and housed in their case.

  • Swipe down from the top of the screen on your Android device
  • Touch and hold the Bluetooth icon
  • Turn on Bluetooth
  • Tap Pair new device
airpods connect 4

AirPods and an Android  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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  • Open the lid of your AirPod case, but don’t remove the AirPods from the case.
  • On your AirPod case, press and hold the button on the rear of the case until the case flashes a white light.
  • Your AirPods should show up in your Bluetooth devices list.

If you can’t find your AirPods in your Android Bluetooth devices list, check for them under “Available Devices” in your Bluetooth settings. You can also refresh the Bluetooth list by clicking More and then “Refresh.”

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN USE APPLE AIRTAGS WITH YOUR ANDROID PHONE?

Kurt’s key takeaways

And there you have it. Now, you can easily connect your AirPods to your Windows PC or Android device. Remember, if your AirPods don’t appear in your PC or Android’s Bluetooth device list, simply restart the Bluetooth pairing process. Also, note that Apple-specific features like Siri won’t be available with your AirPods if you use them from a PC or Android device.

What other Apple accessories or devices would you like to see become more compatible with non-Apple platforms and why? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Marvel is bringing the Russo Bros. back to direct the next two Avengers films

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Marvel is bringing the Russo Bros. back to direct the next two Avengers films

During Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, the studio announced that the Russo brothers have signed on to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars — the former of which will see Robert Downey Jr, return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. Doomsday is due out in May 2026, while Secret Wars will follow in May 2027.

Doctor Doom showing up just as the Fantastic Four are about to arrive makes it seem like Marvel’s been cooking up a plan to send its beleaguered Multiverse Saga off with a bang — one that’s probably going to be orchestrated by a guy who looks just like Iron Man.

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