Unexpected Side Effects: Apple’s Invite App and the Problem of Third-Party Pornography
Apple’s Week: Invites App and a Pornography App Controversy
Apple had a busy week, marked by both a new app launch and a controversy surrounding a third-party app store. Let’s break down each event.
Apple Invites: A New Event Planning App
Apple launched “Invites,” a new iPhone app designed to simplify event planning and social interaction. This app allows users to host an unlimited number of events, each accommodating up to 100 participants. A surprising feature is the ability to include non-iPhone users in these events.
The app boasts features like customizable invitations using personal photos or backgrounds and the integration of Apple Music for creating collaborative playlists. There’s even an “Image Playground” tool to generate event images when suitable photos are lacking.
However, there are some limitations. Only paid iCloud subscribers can create events within the app, starting at 99 cents per month. This contrasts with free basic options offered by competing event planning apps like Evite or Partiful. Additionally, the web experience for non-iPhone users isn’t very user-friendly at this time.
The AltStore and the “Hot Tub” App Controversy
A third-party app store, AltStore PAL, made headlines for offering a pornographic app called “Hot Tub” to iOS users in the European Union. While it was described as the “first Apple-approved porn app,” this is likely an inaccurate claim.
While it appears to be the first time a porn app has been made available directly on iPhones, Apple expressed serious concerns about the potential safety risks associated with such apps, particularly for children in the EU.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the situation, Epic Games, a long-time critic of Apple’s App Store policies, provided AltStore with a grant last year. This grant was intended to help cover “core technology fees” that third-party app stores must pay to Apple. However, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney publicly clarified that their company had no involvement with the “Hot Tub” app.
Oura Ring 4: Still the Smart Ring to Beat?
Despite new competitors entering the market, the Oura Ring 4 maintains its position as a leading smart ring. This device comprehensively tracks sleep, activity, and stress levels, all while remaining comfortable to wear and appearing like a regular ring. Its battery life is also commendable, lasting up to seven days.
The Oura Ring 4 offers features like 24/7 heart rate tracking and temperature monitoring, but interestingly, accessing these features requires a monthly subscription. This subscription cost is a significant consideration given the ring’s $349 price tag.
A Look Back: Deep Blue’s Historic Chess Victory
Twenty-nine years ago, in February 1996, IBM’s Deep Blue chess computer achieved a monumental milestone by defeating reigning world chess champion Garry Kasparov. This marked the first instance of a computer beating a top-ranked human chess player in a match. While Kasparov ultimately won the series against Deep Blue, this victory remains an important moment in the history of artificial intelligence.
This comprehensive look at Apple’s recent activities, the continued dominance of the Oura Ring 4, a historical perspective on AI’s progress, and the return of the Engadget Q&A session, provides readers with a range of tech news and insights.
