Author: Anna Galvez

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Netflix Discontinued In-App Subscriptions For iOS Users

Following the example of Spotify and other high-profile streaming services and apps, Netflix discontinued in-app subscriptions for iOS users. That means, now, the most popular streaming service at the moment, Netflix, will not anymore support sign-up from either new or returning customers who use iOS devices. iPhone and iPad users can only sign up on Netflix using the service’s website.

“We no longer support iTunes as a method of payment for new members. Existing members who currently use iTunes as a method of payment can continue to do so. From our mobile to TV experience, working with Apple helps us deliver great entertainment to members around the world, and they remain a valued partner,” said Netflix’s representatives for MobileSyrup, via email.

What Netflix was saying is that, from now on, iOS users who use in-app subscriptions but miss a payment won’t be able to return to the platform via the application. Otherwise, nothing is changed for them if they never miss a payment.

Netflix Discontinued In-App Subscriptions For iOS Users

Even though Netflix did not state why it adopted such a change, given the situation of Apple, it might be possible that Netflix, as well as the other streaming services, is not accepting anymore the high cost of using Apple’s in-app subscription program.

Currently, Apple charges Netflix and other apps with 30% out of all in-app subscriptions made on iPhone and iPad devices. However, that cut is reducing by half if an iOS user keeps its membership for at least 12 months. Nonetheless, the high cost of Apple’s in-app subscription program forced Spotify to give up on in-app subscriptions for its iOS apps.

On the other hand, this situation is similar to that of Google Play Store which has been ditched by Fortnite, the renowned Battle Royale title, also due to the high cost of the app taxes.

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OnePlus 5 and 5T Receive First Stable Android Pie Update With OxygenOS 9.0.0

OnePlus is renowned for being the most developer-friendly Android OEMs, and some users even reported that OxygenOS is a much better solution than Android stock version, as it comes out with many more features and performance enhancements. Now, OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T receive first stable Android Pie update with OxygenOS 9.0.0.

Until now, OnePlus launched a couple of open beta Android Pie updates for OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T. However, now, OnePlus launched the first stable Android Pie update covered with OxygenOS 9.0.0. The first impressive change the new Android Pie version boasts is the reimagined user interface which presents a lot of UI refinements.

OnePlus, however, brings even more UI changes over those already implemented by Google in the Android 9 Pie version, and all that thanks to OxygenOS 9.0.0 which added even more changes to the aesthetic side of the system. Besides, the OxygenOS 9.0.0 for the OnePlus 5 and 5T brings in the  December security patches and many performance enhancements.

OnePlus 5 and 5T Receive First Stable Android Pie Update With OxygenOS 9.0.0

Here is the full changelog of the first stable Android Pie update with OxygenOS 9.0.0 for OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T:

System

  • Updated system to Android Pie
  • Brand new UI for Android Pie
  • Brand new navigation gestures (Available for OnePlus 5T only)
  • Updated Android security patch to 2018.12
  • Other new features and system improvements

New Gaming mode 3.0

  • Added text notification mode
  • Added notification for 3rd party calls

Do Not Disturb mode

  • New Do Not Disturb (DND) mode with adjustable settings

Camera

  • Integrated Google Lens camera mode

As OnePlus usually does, the new update will be rolled out to a small number of OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T users, at first, to avoid the risk of sending an unstable build. In just a few days, however, the Chinese manufacturer will commence a broader release of the new update.

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New Google Chrome UI Is Disappointing, Upsetting Users

The new Google Chrome UI is disappointing, and we already know that as the new user interface rolled out in September with Chrome 69 update, and users have been complaining about it since then. Until now, Google allowed Chrome users to switch back to the old UI, but since the recently released Chrome 71 version, the Internet company removed that option, so we’re now stuck with the ugly, disappointing new Google Chrome UI.

The new Google Chrome user interface was designed by the Internet company with mobile devices in mind, so it looks like a forced mobile interface of the popular browser dragged to laptops and desktop PCs.

The rounded tabs are hard to distinguish when users open multiple tabs, while the homepage shortcuts are appearing rounded, small and only boast the favicon of the sites and not a thumbnail with the last page users visited on those websites.

New Google Chrome UI Is Disappointing, Upsetting Users

Google Chrome users have reported their disappointment with the new Chrome UI since it came out with Google Chrome 69. However, the users could switch back to the old user interface. That until now, as, with the Google Chrome 71 installment, Google removed the option to go back to the former, and much better, interface.

Since the Chrome 71 update rolled out earlier this month, users have been complaining about the issues the new UI is boasting on either social media or directly to Google. The majority of those users even asked the giant Internet company to reactivate the Google flag option to allow users to switch back to the old Google Chrome UI.

Many users tackled the change by downgrading to Chrome 70. However, Google doesn’t recommend this solution.

“Please don’t do this. As a Chrome dev, we would really rather you use another browser than try to lock yourself on an old version of Chrome. There are serious consequences to this, and much like choosing not to be vaccinated, the choice affects other people besides just you,” said Google engineer Peter Kasting.

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Apple To Manufacture High-End iPhone Devices in India Starting From 2019

According to a source cited by Reuters, Apple will start manufacturing high-end iPhone smartphone in India in 2019, looking to move beyond China as a line of assembly for its devices. The Cupertino-based company wants to avoid the trade war between the United States and China.

Currently, Apple relies on Foxconn which is a Taiwanese manufacturer with factories in China, Malaysia, and other countries in the world. Foxconn’s Longhua Science and Technology Park in Shenzhen, China, is currently producing the majority of the iPhone devices for Apple.

However, as reported by an undisclosed source for Reuters, in 2019, Apple will start using Foxconn’s factory in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu to manufacture its high-end iPhone smartphones, such as iPhone X series, among others. At this moment, Apple is producing its iPhone SE and iPhone 6S series in India.

Apple To Manufacture High-End iPhone Devices in India Starting From 2019

“Apple Inc will begin assembling its top-end iPhones in India through the local unit of Foxconn as early as 2019, the first time the Taiwanese contract manufacturer will have made the product in the country, according to a source familiar with the matter,” Reuters reports.

According to Reuters, the Foxconn’s factory in India is currently producing Xiaomi phones, while the Cupertino-based company, Apple, is using the Taiwanese Wistron Corporation’s facilities in Bengaluru to assembly its low- and mid-range smartphones such as iPhone SE and iPhone 6S.

Apple’s decision to move out of China in order to manufacture its high-end devices in India is undoubtedly the Cupertino-based company’s measure to avoid the costs of producing its devices in China under the perspective of the growing trade war between the US and China. In this regard, Foxconn already informed that the financial conflict between the US and China make it impossible for Apple to continue its operations in the most-populated country in the world.

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iPad Mini 5 Case Leak Reveals Four speakers, Headphone Jack, And More

A new iPad Mini 5 case leak confirms that Apple will indeed roll out a new iPad Mini in 2019. The leak, presented by SlashLeaks, shows an allegedly iPad Mini 5 case with a transparent exterior. While we can’t be sure regarding the legitimacy of this leak, the images released via SlashLeaks are still interesting as they confirm the fact that the Cupertino-based company is working on a new iPad Mini.

As revealed by the leak, Apple might plan to implement many updates in the 2019 iPad Mini, including four speakers, a headphone jack, and a Smart Connector.

2019 iPad Mini Might Sport A Smart Connector

The iPad Mini 5 case reveals a cutout that would fit with an Apple’s Smart Connector port, indicating that the Cupertino-based company might plan to release a keyboard along with the 2019 iPad Mini. Also, that would be a premiere for the Apple’s Mini series of tablets which did not boast a Smart Connector until now.

iPad Mini 5 To Boast Four Speakers

Besides the Smart Connector cutout, the case leak revealed four other cutouts on the top and the bottom, suggesting that the allegedly iPad Mini 5 would come out with four speakers, two on the top of the device, while the other two would be placed on the bottom.

iPad Mini 5 Might Come Out With A 3.5-mm Headphone Jack

While Apple is firm on its decision to ditch the standard 3.5-mm headphone jack, the iPad Mini 5 case leak shows that the 2019 iPad Mini model might come out with a 3.5-mm jack. That information is also putting the legitimacy of the leaked images under scrutiny. Since Apple is removing the 3.5-mm jack from its other devices, it would be a strange decision to keep it on one of its future tablets, be it an iPad Mini one.

On the other hand, it’s about time for Apple to update its iPad Mini series which has not been upgraded since 2015.

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