Category: Gadged

Big tech continues to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, Apple released a new website and iOS app to allow for COVID-19 screening for coronavirus symptoms. 

The COVID-19 app and website were built in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the White House’s Coronavirus Task Force and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Coronavirus symptoms assessed via Apple app

The app and website both have up-to-date information on the coronavirus and tells people what to do if they’re experiencing symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, a fever or difficulty breathing. It also includes less well-known symptoms such as a sore throat, chills, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea.

SEE: Coronavirus: Critical IT policies and tools every business needs (TechRepublic Premium)   

The tools take the user through several pages of questions based on risk factors, recent exposure and symptoms for either themself or someone else. They are then directed to call their medical provider or 911 if there is a concern that they may have COVID-19 based on their responses.

The release of iOS 13 has not been without challenges. The fork of iPadOS into its own operating system to be used only on iPads made sense because iPads are capable of extra features given the additional, faster hardware they possess, so it makes sense to keep them separate.

But iOS 13 has also been arguably the buggiest release in Apple’s usually stellar history. It has been a growing concern since the initial release of version 13, and while Apple has done much to stem this in subsequent updates, it is telling that the company has adopted a performance-based approach to these newer updates, choosing to focus primarily on quality instead of pushing out as many new features as possible.

SEE: Apple iPad Pro 2020: Cheat sheet (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 are both prime examples of this mindset. There were six beta testing waves and a final gold master (GM) release before making the update available to everyone on March 24, 2020. This version of 13.4 has been vetted extensively,

Apple is now limiting the number of iPhones a customer can purchase online to prevent bulk ordering in the wake of reported supply constraints. In many countries, including the United States and China, Apple’s online retail store will not let you add more than two of the same model Phones to your shopping cart, as reported by Reuters on Friday.

SEE: Coronavirus having major effect on tech industry beyond supply chain delays (free PDF) (TechRepublic) 

With the online Apple Stores for the US, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore, the restriction applies to the iPhone 7, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, and iPhone 11 Pro. It also applies to the
new iPad Pro
released this week, but not to older iPad models and not to other devices such as MacBooks,

Learning to develop Apple apps for iOS devices and Macs can be incredibly lucrative. TechRepublic sister site CNET reported that developers building Apple apps bring in 64% more earnings than their Android developer counterparts.

If you want to try to squeeze more cash from your development time, these free PDF downloads from TechRepublic will help developers of any skill level learn the basics about building apps for Apple devices.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic closing stores and putting life on hiatus for many around the world, Apple has revealed a new MacBook Air model that’s sure to give Apple fans something to be excited about while waiting for the worst to pass. The new MacBook Air replaces last year’s model, and while it looks practically identical (the only difference is 0.02″ of added height in the 2020 model), the graphics, storage, and processor are all upgraded.

Those new hardware features pale in comparison to the biggest change introduced in the 2020 MacBook Air: An all new keyboard design. Those who have been holding out hope for a true MacBook keyboard redesign have finally had their wishes answered.

Here is what business users need to know about the MacBook Air 2020. This article will be updated as new information is available about this Apple device.

SEE: Apple Macbook Air 2020: Cheat sheet (Free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Disclosure: TechRepublic may earn a commission from some of the products featured on this page. TechRepublic and the author were not compensated for this independent review.

What is

In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, Apple gave us a break from all the bad news to offer a bit of possible cheer for consumers. The company has updated its MacBook Air and iPad Pro with new features designed to appeal to a range of customers, both personally and professionally. But whether or not you already own a MacBook Air or iPad Pro, are the 2020 flavors worth buying to take advantage of the latest features? Let’s take a look.

SEE: Mobile device security policy (TechRepublic Premium) 

2020 MacBook Air

Apple has tweaked the MacBook Air with a lower starting price, more storage, quicker performance, and faster graphics from the 2019 model. Now starting at $999, or $899 for educational users, the Air comes with 256GB of storage (upgradeable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB), the latest 10th-generation