Apple Keeps iPod Touch, Kills Nano, Shuffle

The iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle have played their final notes for Apple.

The company discontinued sales of the two music players yesterday (7-27-17) in a move reflecting the waning popularity of the devices in an era when most people store or stream their tunes on smartphones.

The iPod product line still remains alive, though. Apple plans to continue selling its internet-connected iPod Touch.

In a show of its commitment to the iPod Touch, Apple doubled the storage capacity of its top-of-line model to 128 gigabytes. That version costs $300. An iPod Touch with 32 gigabytes of storage sells for $200.

The Nano and Shuffle came out in 2005 as less expensive and smaller alternatives to the standard iPod. Apple stopped updating the Nano and Shuffle several years ago.

Apple has long predicted iPods would gradually fade away as more people bought iPhones or other smartphones capable of playing music.

The company's sales of iPods peaked in its fiscal year 2008 when the devices generated revenue of $9.2 billion. The then-nascent iPhone accounted for $1.8 billion in revenue that same year.

Last year, the iPhone generated revenue of nearly $136 billion. Sales of iPods have plunged by so much that Apple no longer provides specifics about the devices in its financial statements.

Credit: cbsnews.com

Only 64-bit Apps Will Work On iOS 11

Be sure to think twice before upgrading to iOS 11 when it's released this fall. The new operating system works only as 64-bit architecture and your installed 32-bit apps will no longer function after you upgrade until the apps have also been upgraded to work as 64-bit by their developer. Here's what Apple wrote to app developers.

64-bit Apps on iOS 11

June 28, 2017

App StoreAs a reminder, new iOS apps and updates submitted to the App Store must support 64-bit. Support for 32-bit apps is not available in iOS 11 and all 32-bit apps previously installed on a user’s device will not launch. If you haven’t updated your app on the App Store to support 64-bit, we recommend submitting an update so your users can continue to run your apps on iOS 11, which will be in the hands of hundreds of millions of customers this fall.

Two-Factor Authentication Required, iOS 11

Apple will automatically migrate iCloud users to two-factor authentication when they upgrade to iOS 11 or macOS High Sierra.

Apple says its “most advanced” account security is required to use some of the latest features of its operating systems, so it’s no longer optional if you plan on updating your devices.

Apple this week began notifying users who already use two-step verification that they will be migrated to two-factor authentication upon upgrading, MacRumors reports. Although the two systems are similar, two-factor authentication is even safer.

The two-step verification, launched in 2015, requires you to enter a six-digit code when signing into your iCloud account on a new device. That six-digit code is sent to another trusted device tied to your Apple ID and requires iOS 9, OS X El Capitan, watchOS 2, tvOS or later.

Two-step verification simply sent a four-digit code to any trusted device that could receive an SMS. What’s great about two-factor authentication is that it allows you to view the location of a new device attempting to access your iCloud account.

“If you install the iOS 11 or macOS High Sierra public betas this summer and meet the basic requirements, your Apple ID will be automatically updated to use two-factor authentication,” Apple explains in its email to users.

“This is our most advanced, easy-to-use account security, and it’s required to use some of the latest features of iOS, macOS, and iCloud.

“Once updated, you’ll get the same extra layer of security you enjoy with two-step verification today, but with an even better user experience. Verification codes will be displayed on your trusted devices automatically whenever you sign in, and you will no longer need to keep a printed recovery key to make sure you can reset a forgotten password.”

It’s not totally clear whether two-factor authentication will be required for all users who update to iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra — or whether it’s only necessary for those who already use two-step verification.

Some of the worries mentioned so far:
  • How will schools manage multiple student iPads?
  • What if you live in a country where Two-Factor Authentication is not available?
  • How will I admin my relative's iPad who lives overseas?
  • What if you only have one Apple device?

Credit: cultofmac.com
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