Monday, May 4, 2020

Apple and Google Reveal How COVID-19 Exposure Notification Apps Will Function

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Apple and Google today are providing public health authorities around the world with new resources to help them make COVID-19 exposure notification apps, including sample user interfaces and sample code for iOS and Android.

iOS 13.5 will include a new menu in Settings > Health > COVID-19 Exposure Logging that indicates which public health authority app a user is using, in addition to showing the number of times that a user's exposure log has been checked in the past 14 days.


If a user is potentially exposed to COVID-19, they would receive a push notification from the public health authority's app.


Here's what the app could display when a user goes to report a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:


Apple and Google today also shared a list of requirements that all developers of apps that use their Exposure Notifications API must adhere to:
  • Apps must be created by or for a government public health authority and they can only be used for COVID-19 response efforts.

  • Apps must require users to consent before the app can use the API.

  • Apps must require users to consent before sharing a positive test result with the public health authority.

  • Apps should only collect the minimum amount of data necessary and can only use that data for COVID-19 response efforts. All other uses of user data, including targeting advertising, is not permitted.

  • Apps are prohibited from seeking permission to access Location Services.

  • Use of the API will be restricted to one app per country to promote high user adoption and avoid fragmentation. If a country has opted for a regional or state approach, Apple and Google are prepared to support those authorities.
Last week, Apple seeded the third beta of iOS 13.5 with the code needed to run apps built using the Exposure Notifications API, and it continues to target mid-May for a public release of the software update. Apple also released the first beta of Xcode 11.5 with a new version of the iOS SDK incorporating the API.

Apple and Google said their API is just one component of the broader efforts that public health authorities are undertaking worldwide to help curb the pandemic, including testing, traditional contact tracing, and containment.
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NFC-Based Digital Key Specification Released Ahead of Apple's Rumored CarKey Feature on iPhone

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Amid rumors that Apple is working on a "CarKey" feature for iPhone, the Car Connectivity Consortium today announced that its NFC-based Digital Key Release 2.0 specification has been finalized and made available to its members, which includes Apple.


The specification enables mobile devices to store, authenticate, and share digital keys for vehicles with end-to-end security and privacy. The specification includes support for a low-power mode, meaning that a vehicle can still be unlocked with a smartphone that recently ran out of battery, similar to Power Reserve mode for Apple Pay transit cards.

Moving forward, the consortium is developing a Digital Key 3.0 specification based on both Bluetooth LE and Ultra Wideband to enable passive, location-aware keyless access. This would allow you to leave your iPhone in your pocket or backpack when accessing or starting your vehicle. iPhone 11 models are equipped with an Apple-designed U1 chip with Ultra Wideband support, so Apple could choose to offer this functionality.

MacRumors recently discovered that Apple is developing a new "CarKey" feature that will allow an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, lock, and start an NFC-compatible vehicle. Just like credit cards and boarding passes, users will be able to add a digital car key to the Wallet app, eliminating the need to use a physical car key or key fob.

CarKey will allow users to approach their vehicle, hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near an NFC reader in the vehicle, authenticate with Face ID, and have the vehicle unlock automatically. Similar to Apple Pay at transit turnstiles, Express Mode would be an option, eliminating the need to authenticate with Face ID or a passcode.

Last month, screenshots of what appears to be the CarKey interface surfaced on Twitter, providing us with our first look at the upcoming feature.


As expected, a digital car key appears as a card in the Wallet app. Tapping on the card reveals info such as the car model, issuing automaker, a toggle switch for Express Mode, and an option to share a car key with other users. When sharing a car key, the primary user can provide others with three levels of access, including the ability to unlock the trunk only, unlock the vehicle, or unlock the vehicle and drive it.

Based on leaked iOS 14 code, it appears that BMW may be among the first automakers to support the CarKey feature. It is unclear when Apple plans to announce the feature, but it is expected to preview iOS 14 next month.
Tag: CarKey

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Deals: AirPods With Wireless Charging Case Return to Low Price of $149.98 on Amazon ($49 Off)

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Amazon has returned the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case to their lowest price of $149.98 today, down from Apple's price of $199.00. This accessory is the model that launched in 2019 and includes a Wireless Charging Case that is compatible with Qi-enabled mats.

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Amazon introduced this price point last month, and the sale has come and gone over the past few weeks. If you've been on the hunt for the AirPods in 2020, this is definitely the best entry price for a new version of Apple's AirPods with Wireless Charging Case.

$49 OFF
AirPods w/ Wireless Charging Case for $149.98


The same AirPods can be found for around $169-$179 at retailers like Adorama and Best Buy, so Amazon's sale is the best you'll find online this week. Sales have also hit the AirPods with Charging Case, priced at $135.99 at Verizon, down from $159.00.

At Verizon, the AirPods Pro also remain at their sale price of $224.99, down from $249.00. Although this discount is just about $24 off Apple's price tag, it remains the lowest we've ever tracked for a new version of the AirPods Pro, and the best online among trusted Apple resellers.

We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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LG Velvet Hands-on Images Leaked Ahead of May 7 Launch, Dual Screen Accessory and Specs Revealed


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Celebrate May the 4th with Rise of Skywalker on Disney+ on your Chromecast


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New 13-Inch MacBook Pro With Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports is Compatible With Apple's Pro Display XDR

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Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro models with four Thunderbolt 3 ports are compatible with its Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution, according to updated tech specs for the display. The base model with two Thunderbolt 3 ports remains incapable of this.


Apple's Pro Display XDR is a 32-inch 6K monitor with a P3 wide color gamut and true 10-bit color support, 1,600 nits of peak brightness, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a super-wide, off-axis viewing angle. It is also compatible with the 2018 and later 15-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, 2019 Mac Pro, 2019 iMac, and 2020 MacBook Air.

Apple updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro earlier today with a more reliable Magic Keyboard, up to 10th-generation Intel Core processor options, up to 32GB of RAM, up to 4TB of SSD storage, and more. Read our announcement coverage for more details.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)

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Vivo S1 vs Realme 6 vs Redmi Note 9 Pro: Price in India, Specifications and Features Compared


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