Week 2–1, December 2021
“Innovation is this amazing intersection between someone’s imagination and the reality in which they live.” — Ron Johnson
1. Apple launches support for keys in Apple Wallet, starting with six Hyatt hotels
● Apple has launched one of the few outstanding iOS 15 features first demoed at WWDC. In partnership with Hyatt Hotels, Apple users will be able to use their iPhone, or Apple Watch, as their room key in the initial rollout of six hotels. You add your key to Wallet in much the same way as you might add a cinema ticket or DisneyWorld pass, using the hotelier’s app. As soon as you book your reservation, you can add your key to the Wallet app ready for when you arrive.
2. Apple Maps expands detailed coverage, Look Around, and other features to Australia
● Apple on Thursday announced a major update to Apple Maps for users in Australia. The company is now officially expanding its detailed coverage with better navigation, Look Around, and other features to the country.
3. iFixit shares x-ray wallpapers showing what’s inside the Apple Watch Series 7
● Well-known repair company iFixit already shared its traditional Apple Watch Series 7 teardown back in October, but now iFixit is back with x-ray wallpapers that show what’s inside the new Apple Watch.
● Apple is rolling out a new firmware version for AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. The update pushes Apple’s truly wireless earbuds to version 4C165 as well as its premium headphone. Head below for details on how to update and how to check your firmware version.
5. Instagram launches new ‘Playback’ year-in-review feature, here’s how it works
● As we approach the end of 2021, Instagram is getting in on the year-in-review fun. This time, the company is launching a new “Playback” feature that recaps up to 10 of your top stories for the year, giving you an easy way to reflect on 2021. Here’s how it works.
6. µBrowser is a new web browser for Apple Watch that’s surprisingly great
● One Apple app that’s been missing from the Apple Watch is Safari. It shouldn’t be too surprising that Apple has chosen to omit it from such a small device, but now that the displays are significantly larger, it’s time for them to reconsider. A few years ago, Apple added the ability for apps to show web views if a link was tapped. But there’s been little to no movement on expanding that functionality. µBrowser is a new app that attempts to change that.
7. Apple-backed Matter smart home standard also planning universal casting alternative to AirPlay
● Back in 2019, Apple announced that it was teaming up with Samsung, Amazon, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance to create a more open and secure standard for smart home accessories. The project was initially slated to launch in 2021 but was later delayed to 2022. A new report goes in-depth on another aspect of the Matter initiative: a new universal casting technology that could rival (or replace) AirPlay.
8. Ahead of Apple Wallet feature launch, Washington, DC, votes to allow digital ID cards
● Apple announced last month that it would be delaying support for storing your ID in the Wallet app until 2022. In the meantime, local states and cities in the United States continue to press ahead with legislation efforts needed to allow for digital IDs. Washington, DC’s city council has approved the use of digital driver’s licenses and IDs. This paves the way for IDs issued by Washington, DC, to be supported by the Apple Wallet application at some point in the future.
9. WhatsApp launches cryptocurrency payment in the US with Novi
● While WhatsApp Pay has seen a very slow rollout, as it’s just available in Brazil and India, the company has announced today another payment system option specifically for the US with the ability to transfer cryptocurrency using the app. As announced by WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart and Novi’s CEO Stephane Kasriel, WhatsApp now lets a small number of people in the US send and receive money using Novi on the messenger app.
10. Instagram says it’s working a new chronological feed option, could launch in early 2022
● Instagram might soon launch a feature that many users have been calling for it to add (back) for years. According to Adam Mosseri, who serves as the head of Instagram, the company is actively exploring adding a chronological feed option to the app.
11. Twitter testing new ways to add warning labels to tweets, redesigned TikTok-like Explore tab
● Twitter is rolling out new features for users to test. One of them is the ability to apply one-time warnings to photos and videos tweeted. According to Twitter’s Safety account, the app is testing “an option for some of you to add a one-time warning to photos and videos you Tweet out to help those who might want the warning.”
12. Microsoft tried to negotiate with Apple to release Xbox-exclusive games on App Store
● Microsoft last year had to discard its project to bring the xCloud game streaming platform to iOS as a native app due to App Store guidelines. Now private emails from Microsoft have revealed that the company tried to negotiate with Apple to bring Xbox-exclusive games to the iPhone and iPad.
