iOS 14: How to Set Google Chrome as the Default Browser on iPhone and iPad

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Apple made a change in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 that enables third-party browsers and email clients to be used as default apps, meaning users who don't get on with Safari or Apple's native Mail app can choose an alternative and it will be opened automatically whenever the system requires it.


The latest version of Google Chrome now supports this ability, so anyone on iOS 14 can set Google's app as their default browser and it will be used to automatically open web page links that are tapped in other apps.

Note that these steps will only work if you have iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 installed.

1. Download the latest version of Google Chrome from the App Store [Direct Link] or update the app if you already have it.
   
2. Launch the Settings app.
   
3. Scroll down and select Chrome.
   
4. Tap Default Browser App.
   
5. Tap Chrome.

After you've completed these steps, any app that tries to open a web page will launch Chrome instead of Safari. To change this behavior, simply repeat the steps and select Safari in the Default Browser Apps screen.

As of writing, no other third-party web browser provides an option to set it as the default browser for the iOS, but give it some time and the option will surely arrive for Firefox, Opera, and others.

Apple is expected to release iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 for all users later this month, and we could even see them announced next week at Apple's "Time Flies" event on Tuesday, September 15, where it is expected to announce the Apple Watch Series 6 and new iPads.

Related Roundups: iOS 14, iPadOS 14

Tag: Chrome

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Deals: Woot Discounting iPhone 8 Models From $229.99 in New Flash Sale

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Woot today is offering the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in refurbished condition. Prices start at $229.99 for the 64GB iPhone 8, and increase to $279.99 for the 256GB iPhone 8.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

If you're looking for the larger-screened iPhone 8 Plus, Woot is offering the 64GB model at $339.99. At the time of writing the 256GB iPhone 8 Plus models have sold out. In comparison to Apple's refurbished prices, you'll typically find the iPhone 8 for $339 to $469 and the iPhone 8 Plus for $379 to $509 on Apple's refurbished store.

Amazon Prime members get the usual free standard shipping on their Woot orders. These iPhones are expected to have a moderate level of wear and tear, but have been tested to be in full working condition.

They come with a 90-day Woot warranty, and only three can be purchased per customer. Head to Woot before the deal expires later today, and you can also check out Woot's flash sale on a refurbished 15-inch MacBook Pro from 2019.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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New Report Outlines Potential Successors to Apple's CEO Tim Cook and Other Senior Executives

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In a new report, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has laid out Apple's current succession planning for the company's senior leadership roles. The report explains that Apple is increasingly devoting attention to developing a "new generation of leaders" who will eventually take over senior roles in the company.



Amid increasing awareness that CEO Tim Cook and his management group of senior vice presidents are aging and nearing retirement age, Gurman's sources explained that Apple has undertaken substantial corporate planning to line up a younger generation of leaders. The report outlines several major features of the succession plan.

Most strikingly, the report claims that current Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams is primed to take over as CEO if ‌Tim Cook‌ were to retire imminently. Williams is "seen as the heir apparent" within the company, having run Apple's global operations under Cook's leadership. Previously, he spearheaded development of the Apple Watch and various health initiatives, and has recently begun oversight of hardware and software design.

Crucially, Williams is said to be seen as much like Cook in terms of "pragmatic" leadership style, as an "an operations-focused executive like Cook rather than a product visionary like Jobs or former design chief Jony Ive." Gurman has previously stressed the growing importance of Williams to the company.

Beyond the role of CEO, Gurman highlights how the "smart money" is on the newly appointed vice president of iPhone marketing, Kaiann Drance, taking over from Apple's current marketing chief executive Greg Joswiak, who took over from Phil Schiller in August.

Although the report cautions that Craig Federighi is still the youngest member of Apple's executive team and is likely to remain in his role for several more years, two individuals are lined up to fill his role. Sebastien Marineau-Mes, vice president of Intelligent Systems Experience, and Jon Andrews, who was named a vice president to lead CoreOS in 2019, are apparently seen as most likely to be promoted when necessary.

Apple's various services, such as Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud, and Apple Maps, are led by senior vice president Eddy Cue. Peter Stern, who joined Apple in 2016 from Time Warner Cable, is said to be the preferred replacement. Stern currently supervises Apple's original programming efforts, Apple News, Apple Books, ‌iCloud‌, and the company's advertising platforms. He also directly handled the development of the improved ‌Apple TV‌ app in 2019 and is reportedly "leading the charge" on the new "Apple One" subscription service bundles.

The report also pegs Priya Balasubramaniam to take over from Sabih Khan as senior vice president of operations, John Ternus to take over from Dan Riccio to run Apple's hardware engineering division, and Sribalan Santhanam to take over from Johny Srouji as head of hardware technologies.

While most senior roles now seem to have a successor attached, the report also highlights Apple's contingency options in the case that the preferred individual is unavailable.

As many of Apple's senior executives approach retirement age, and major figures such as Phil Schiller and Jony Ive depart their roles, it is interesting that Apple is conscientiously planning for a wave of similar exits in the immediate future.

Tags: Tim Cook, Jeff Williams, bloomberg.com, Craig Federighi, Greg Joswiak, Mark Gurman

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'Apple employee' predicts iPhone 12 next Tuesday

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New MacBook, AirPower, iPhone 12, but no cheap Apple Watch: in an 'Ask me anything' Reddit thread, leaker makes outlandish claims about the company's event next Tuesday

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Bose's AirPods Pro Rivaling QuietComfort Earbuds Now Available to Preorder

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Bose is now taking pre-orders for its new QuietComfort Earbuds, which are set to rival Apple's AirPods Pro in the premium true wireless ANC earphones market.


As the QuietComfort brand name suggests, Bose's latest earbuds feature active noise canceling combined with passive isolation, offering "all the noise cancelling performance of our best over-ear headphones — from a compact, truly wireless earbud."

Bose says its new StayHear Max silicone tips are designed to conform completely to the contours of the ear to create a gentle seal, while an array of internal and external microphones detect ambient noise and produce an opposite signal to cancel it out in a fraction of a millisecond.

Another thing Bose's earbuds have in common with ‌AirPods Pro‌ is a transparency feature, which allows the user to simultaneously listen to music while still hearing the environment around them – whether that's to hear traffic during a run or an important train announcement during the morning commute.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds offer 11 levels of transparency, allowing users to dial down the noise canceling to suit the situation. That contrasts with ‌AirPods Pro‌'s transparency mode, which is a binary on/off feature that can't be customized.

Bose's Earbuds respond to touch-based gestures to control content, while a microphone in the right earbud picks up the sound of the user's voice and rejects other noise during calls or when using a virtual assistant. Bose also promises a premium listening experience, thanks to the inclusion of "innovative" audio equalization technology:

The acoustic package inside these earbuds is capable of producing deep low notes and exciting, lifelike sound no matter how loud (or soft) you like to listen.

And that's no small feat. Because as you lower the volume on most earphones, the bass tends to disappear, leaving your music sounding tinny and small. We solved the problem with our Volume-optimized Active EQ technology. This innovation automatically boosts the lows and highs so the music, videos, and voices you're listening to remain consistently balanced — even as you change the volume.

The QC earbuds are IPX4-rated, making them sweat, rain and weather resistant, and offer up to six hours of battery life on a single charge, while two additional full charges are provided by the wireless charging case. There's also a quick charge mode that can provide two hours of listening time on a 15-minute charge.


Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds cost $279.99 and are available in Triple Black and Soapstone (black and white). Pre-orders are being taken on the Bose website with shipping scheduled to begin on September 29.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro

Tag: Bose

Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)

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Microsoft's Surface Duo Now Available, Starting From $1,399

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Microsoft has made its Surface Duo dual-screen Android phone available for purchase, with prices for the device starting at $1,399.

The Surface Duo combines two 4:3 OLED displays that are connected side by side with a hinge. The two 5.6-inch displays result in a 3:2 8.1-inch overall tablet-style screen size.


The device can be held horizontally or vertically, with the same app utilizing the two screens or different apps displayed on either screen. Alternately, it can be stood up like a tent to watch movies on one screen in landscape mode. The 360-degree hinge means it can also be folded up into a more traditional form factor with a screen on either side, or closed up altogether like a book.

"Join a Microsoft Teams meeting and see participants on one screen while you present your PowerPoint slides on another. Open the Amazon Kindle app and read a book like a book. Position Surface Duo's screen like a tent and watch a video hands-free. Use Surface Duo in Compose mode to quickly respond to an email, or tilt it into portrait for a more immersive way to scroll through web pages or photos. Pair your Surface Duo with a supported Bluetooth controller to play games on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or with Surface Earbuds, coming Sept. 10 in Graphite Grey, to listen to your favorite playlist or podcast. Or easily take notes with the Surface Slim Pen, sold separately.

The Surface Duo is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor and has 6GB of DRAM, up to 256GB of storage, an 11-megapixel f/2.0 camera, Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, USB-C 3.1, and a 3,577mAh battery that Microsoft says provides "all-day battery life."

The device supports LTE on T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon networks, but there is no support for 5G. The Duo works with Microsoft's Surface pens (sold separately) and comes with a protective bumper cover.

The Surface Duo runs a heavily skinned version of Android, and any Android app will run on it without modification. Developers can optimize the layout of their apps to take advantage of the dual displays. Microsoft is also using specifically-designed algorithms to instruct apps to open on the correct display depending on the user's needs.

The Surface Duo was unveiled in October 2019, alongside the larger Surface Neo. The release date and specific details of the Surface Neo remain unknown, but it's expected to run Windows 10X, a new custom software based on Windows 10 that's designed for dual display devices.


Check out the video embedded above for MacRumors' first look at the two devices at Microsoft's October event.

Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft Surface

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Fortnite keeps 'Sign in with Apple' access... for now

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Fortnite's developer account remains blocked, but "indefinite extension" could be first sign that Apple is relaxing its position

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Former Apple Engineer Introduces Native Gmail Client for Mac With Multi-Account Support, System Notifications, and More

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Neil Jhaveri, a former Apple engineer who worked on the company's default Mail app, has introduced a new Gmail client for macOS.

Available in beta, Mimestream is a native app written in Swift and designed with AppKit and SwiftUI for a clean, stock appearance. Jhaveri says the app is designed to be fast, lightweight, and use a minimal amount of disk space.


Mimestream uses the Gmail API rather than IMAP to support more Gmail-specific features, such as categorized inboxes, automatically synced aliases and signatures, full labels integration, and search operators. Jhaveri plans to add more features over time, including Google Drive support, server-side filter configuration, and G Suite directory autocomplete.

Mimestream's advantages over using the Gmail web interface include support for multiple Gmail accounts with a unified inbox, system-level notifications, system-level Dark Mode support, swipe gestures, tracking prevention, and more.

Jhaveri says Mimestream only makes direct connections to Gmail and does not use intermediary servers, adding that the app does not collect or sell users' emails.

Mimestream is free for a limited time while in beta and will eventually be a paid app distributed through the Mac App Store. macOS Catalina or later is required. Jhaveri says an iOS and iPadOS version of the app is planned for the future.

Tag: Gmail

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Apple Has 'Lost Sight of the Tech Industry's Founding Principles,' Says Epic Games CEO

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Following Apple's countersuit on Tuesday, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has now responded to Apple's new request for damages for breach of contract.



Sweeney says that Apple's claim that the legal dispute is "nothing more than a basic disagreement over money" is an indication that it has "lost sight of the tech industry's founding principles," although he does not explicitly state what these founding principles are. He also assumes that Apple is "posturing for the court."

Presumably they're just posturing for the court, but if Apple truly believes the fight over the App Store's distribution and payment monopoly is a "basic disagreement over money," then they've lost all sight of the tech industry's founding principles.https://t.co/349RHLqKYa

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 9, 2020

Sweeney went on to refer to Epic's "Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite" commercial, explaining that it was intended to show that Apple was now the "all-powerful corporation dictating the terms of users' access to their devices," displacing IBM, and that it is "using that position to exert control and extract money."

He then reiterated some of the rationale behind why Epic Games began the campaign against Apple's ‌App Store‌ policies, stating that "creators have rights." Sweeney concluded by strongly disputing that the entire disagreement was about money, instead saying it is a more fundamental fight for change.

The rights of users and creators are the FOUNDATION of this dispute. Money is several layers removed, as the medium of exchange between users who choose to buy digital items, and the creators who made them. Epic isn't even seeking monetary damages. We are fighting for change!

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 9, 2020

Epic Games' developer account has now been terminated, and the company has filed for a preliminary injunction that would both allow Fortnite back on the ‌App Store‌ and restore access to its developer account. At the same time, Epic Games has refused to remove the direct payment option that is in direct violation of Apple's ‌‌App Store‌‌ policies‌. The preliminary injunction hearing will take place at the end of this month.

Tags: Epic Games, Fortnite, Epic Games vs. Apple

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Apple Releases Enhanced Sandbox Testing to Developers

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After being announced earlier this year at WWDC, Apple has now released enhanced sandbox testing to developers.



The feature will allow developers to test their in-app purchases for a wide range of scenarios, such as upgrades, downgrades, cancellations, introductory offers, and interrupted purchases.

The Apple sandbox environment lets you test in-app purchases on devices using product information set up in App Store Connect. You can now test upgrades, downgrades, and cancellations for subscriptions, as well as reset the introductory offer eligibility for a test account from Settings on devices running iOS 14 or later. You can also test your app's response to interrupted purchases on devices running ‌iOS 14‌ or later. And ‌App Store‌ Connect users with the Developer role can now create and manage sandbox tester accounts.

The enhanced sandbox environment will afford developers far greater ability to test the implementation of their purchases using Apple's StoreKit framework in Xcode and ‌iOS 14‌. Developers can now use a sandbox Apple ID to simulate all purchase situations exactly as their users will experience it.

Enhanced Sandbox Testing was first revealed at WWDC alongside other improvements to Xcode, "macOS Universal" apps, WebExtensions API support for Safari, and more transparent privacy information in the ‌App Store‌.

Tags: Xcode, Apple Developer Program

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Video Provides Walkthrough of Apple Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on Opening Day

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Apple today opened its new Marina Bay Sands retail store in Singapore, and YouTube channel Superadrianme TV has produced a video walkthrough, embedded below, that gives viewers a real sense of what it's like to visit the stunning one-of-a-kind construction.


The video includes Apple's traditional clapping welcome for customers at an official store opening, the 45-meter-long underwater entrance tunnel from Basement 2 of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and the long escalator ride to reach the top.

It also shows off the domed main floor, including the central oculus at the apex of the structure and the surrounding louvered blinds, which illuminate the interior while keeping customers protected from the scorching rays of the midday sun.


The store includes not only the usual product display areas and gigantic video wall anchoring The Forum, but also Apple's first underwater Boardroom for business meetings, training, and private events.

Apple Marina Bay Sands is the company's third retail store in Singapore, and opening-day visits were by reservation only, with reservations made through the store web page.

Tags: Singapore, Apple retail

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Future iPhone could spit water out of its ports

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New patent application shows Apple plans to give the iPhone the same water-repelling system as the Apple Watch

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Feral Releases Classic RTS 'Company of Heroes' on iPhone

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Feral Interactive today announced the release of World War II real-time strategy game "Company of Heroes" for iPhone.


Originally developed for Windows by Relic Entertainment, the critically-acclaimed RTS was recently designed and developed by Feral for the ‌iPad‌, which has now become a universal app.

The game sees players command two crack companies of American soldiers and direct an intense campaign in the European Theater of Operations starting with the D-Day Invasion of Normandy.

Feral has optimized the game for ‌iPhone‌, and it features the same sophisticated command wheel and command panel options seen on ‌iPad‌ that let players execute real-time tactics, adapt to constantly shifting environments, and do battle with the opposition to secure the liberation of France.

According to MacRumors sister site TouchArcade, on first look the jump to ‌iPhone‌ is very impressive.

I played the game on an older iPad Pro for review and everything is more responsive on my iPhone 11. It runs at 60fps without battery saver mode turned on and loads much quicker than the ‌iPad Pro‌. I was a bit concerned with the interface but there are some new control options to try for interactions that help a lot.

"Company of Heroes" is officially supported on all iPhones released since the ‌iPhone‌ 6S, and is now available on the App Store for £13.99 / $13.99 / €14.99. Players that already own the game on ‌iPad‌ can install the ‌iPhone‌ version for free.

Tag: Feral

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Scotland Launches Contact Tracing App With Apple and Google API

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Scotland is the latest country to implement Apple's and Google's Exposure Notification API in their COVID-19 contact tracing app, now available on the App Store.


The Protect Scotland app was developed by NHS Scotland and is based on the exposure notification technology that was jointly developed by Google and Apple. Some other countries that have implemented or are committed to implementing the API include Italy, Latvia, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia.

Built into iOS 13.5 on the Apple side, the API allows iPhones and Android smartphones to interface with one another for contact tracing purposes. If and when you happen to be nearby someone who later tests positive for COVID-19, you can receive a notification and take the appropriate steps to self isolate and seek medical help if necessary.


Apple recently rolled out a new Exposure Notifications System that does not require an app to be downloaded for the feature to be turned on. After updating to iOS 13.7, a new ‌Exposure Notification‌ section appears in the Settings app where there's a toggle to "Turn on Exposure Notifications."

Activating Exposure Notifications lets you know if the feature is available in your country, state, or region through a contact tracing app. In areas that are participating in the Exposure Notifications Express program, users can turn on Exposure Notifications without the need to download an app.

Apple and Google have stressed the privacy of their Bluetooth-based solution, which must be enabled in the Settings app under Privacy > Health > COVID-19 Exposure Logging to function. Read our Exposure Notification guide for more details.

Tags: COVID-19 Coronavirus, Scotland

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Fortnite loses 'Sign in with Apple' privileges

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Since Epic Games' developer account is blocked, Fortnite users are losing access to some functions

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'A Monster's Expedition' Comes to Apple Arcade

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New puzzle game "A Monster's Expedition" has arrived on Apple Arcade. The title comes from Draknek, developers of "Cosmic Express," and offers players an "adorable" open-world adventure in which they must push over trees to create pathways and explore islands near and far.


The game includes hundreds of islands to visit – some right in front of you, others "well off the beaten track for true puzzle puzzle lovers." The game uses simple but deep mechanics providing several possibilities to discover and learn about "mythical humans" from the perspective of curious monsters.


"A Monster's Expedition" appeared on Windows and Mac earlier this year. The game is suitable for players of the age of four and above, and can be played on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV through the ‌Apple Arcade‌ subscription gaming service.

Tag: Apple Arcade

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Satechi Launches Quatro Wireless Power Bank For Charging iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch

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Satechi today announced the launch of its Quatro Wireless Power Bank, which offers wireless and portable charging options for the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch.


There's a small wireless charging pad to accommodate the ‌iPhone‌, ‌AirPods‌, or AirPods Pro, along with a built-in ‌Apple Watch‌ charging puck for charging the ‌Apple Watch‌. The charging pad offers up to 5W of charging power for Qi-based devices and 2.5W for the ‌Apple Watch‌.


The Quatro also includes a 12W USB-A port and a USB-C port that can be used to fast charge an ‌iPhone‌, an iPad Pro (it supports up to 18W), or charge the Quatro itself when it's out of power.

Satechi says that its 10,000mAh Power Bank was designed with an Apple aesthetic in mind, and it's meant to be compact to fit easily into a purse or backpack. LED indicator lights let you know what the charge level is at.


The Quatro Wireless Power Bank can be purchased from the Satechi website for $100 and shipments will start in mid-October, but customers who pre-order now can get a $20 discount using the promo code QUATRO when checking out on Satechi's website.

Tag: Satechi

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