As noted by TechCrunch, Apple has alerted developers in recent documentation that it is in the process of deprecating access to the uniqueidentifier alphanumeric string that is unique to each iOS device. Apple recommends developers create a UDID specific to apps. Obviously, UDIDs were a security threat as marketers and advertisers (and worse) could follow your usage patterns and gather data through different apps. Apple likely will continue to use the UDID for its iAds, GameCenter, subscriptions and other services it offers across iOS devices, or so one industry CEO thinks:

Apple officially expanded the reach of its services offerings today, bringing key content businesses to more countries. The expansion sees the App Store, Apple Arcade, Apple Podcasts, and iCloud launch in 20 new countries. Meanwhile, Apple Music debuts in a total of 72 new markets. Users signing up to the Apple Music free trial in 52 of the new countries will be able to use the service for free for six months, compared to the usual three-month trial offers....

Earlier today, Tim Cook opened Startup Fest in Amsterdam with an interview during which he made several comments about Apple’s ambitious goals in the health industry. Now, a new job listing has surfaced that reveals Apple is looking to hire a high-level lawyer who specializes in health privacy regulations. The job listing was initially posted yesterday (via Business Insider). According to the job listing, Apple is looking for a “privacy counsel” who will focus on HIPAA and how it affects Apple’s health efforts....

In 2019, Apple made a controversial change in its Maps and Weather apps to show the Crimean Peninsula as a region of Russia for those living there. At the same time, Crimea was displayed as an independent region to users from other parts of the world. Now Apple is once again saying that Crimea is part of Ukraine – except if you’re in Russia. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine started years ago....

Apple has already had quite a busy month, but it’s not over yet. Apple is holding an event on Monday, March 25th at Steve Jobs Theater with the tagline “It’s show time.” The event will focus on Apple’s upcoming services, including Apple News Magazines, original content and streaming video, App Store gaming, and much more. March Apple Event Apple invited the press to its March 25th event earlier this month, using the tagline “It’s show time” on the invite....

As we were expecting, Apple just officially announced its new iPhone 5S live on stage during its event taking place now on the company’s Cupertino campus. The new iPhone 5S largely retains the same glass and aluminum design as Apple’s previous generation iPhone, but it does include upgraded internals, and a new gold color option and fingerprint sensor that we previously reported. The new iPhone 5S comes alongside the announcement of Apple’s much rumored lower-cost, plastic iPhone 5C unveiled during the event earlier today....

Apple is once again said to be working on a larger iPad, this time according to a new report from The Information. According to the report, which cites a “person familiar with the project,” the new iPad could be released as soon as next year with a 16-inch display. “The device would further blur the line between the iPad and MacBook,” the report says. 16-inch iPad in the works As reported by The Information’s Wayne Ma:...

One of the biggest complaints from users of Apple’s new streaming music service is that the user interface is often confusing and hard to navigate. The radio service, promoted as a standout feature of Apple Music, hardly gets front billing in the app, and non-techy users are often perplexed about where Apple Music and the radio service start and their own music collection ends. And what user inputs effect personalization in the app and where?...

CNote is a women-led impact investment platform using technology to invest in diverse communities. Announced today, Apple is using the CNote platform to give back $25 million to underserved communities across the US. This is one of multiple efforts from the tech giant in tackling racial inequality throughout the country. The $25 million funding is also part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, aiming to combat systemic racism and expand capital opportunities for people of color....

Apple has released the first public beta versions of iOS 11.2 and tvOS 11.2. Developer versions were made available for testing earlier this week. iOS 11.2 beta includes a fix for the Calculator bug caused by slow animations, new wallpapers previously only on iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, the first signs of AirPlay 2 support, and more. iOS 11.2 also works with SiriKit for HomePod which allows select apps to work with the upcoming smart speaker using nearby iPhones and iPads....

Just days after its initial release, Apple has already prepared a software update for the new Apple TV. tvOS 9.0.1 is now available for the fourth-gen Apple TV as an over-the-air update through the Settings app. Most Apple TV users will have automatic updates enabled, but you can manually download the update by going to Settings, System, and Software Updates. Once you’ve downloaded the new software update to tvOS, Apple TV allows you to choose to install the update now or wait later....

Apple has shared four new short holidays ads for Apple Watch Series 3. All of the ads are titled The Gift of Go and each highlight a different sport or activity along with various Apple Watch features. The new collection of The Gift of Go ads include four different 15 second ads titled Swim, Soccer, Snowboard, and Workout. The tag line is “Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular. Give the Gift of Go....

Apple has released a new iOS 9.3.3 Developer Beta 1 for developer testing on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The update weighs in around 1.4GB and is available over-the-air for devices registered to test pre-release versions of iOS. Interestingly, the release notes specifically mention iOS 9.3.2 in addition to iOS 9.3.3: That could be a mistake, but it likely suggests iOS 9.3.3 resolves issues experienced by 9.7-inch iPad Pros when updating to iOS 9....

Update: Apple appears to have pulled this update. Apple previously pulled a Safari update when it accidentally released a beta to the general public, but this doesn’t seem to be the same type of situation. The security document for the update is still live. Apple has released a small patch for the three most recent versions of Safari running on OS X Yosemite, Mavericks, and Mountain Lion. The new versions are 8....

Apple has just released the second beta for tvOS 10 today to all current testers and developers. Users looking to update their devices can check through the Software Update section on the Apple TV, or grab the Configuration Profile from Apple’s Developer center if they’d like to install it for the first time. tvOS 10 Beta 2 tvOS 10 introduces Dark Mode, Single Sign-on, HomeKit, and YouTube search to the latest Apple TV....

Apple has today released watchOS 3.1 to the public, the newest operating system release for Apple Watch. watchOS 3.0 introduced many new features for the wearable, but sadly watchOS 3.1 is a much more subdued affair. watchOS 3.1 includes some small changes for Messages — you can now replay bubble and screen effects — as well as several issues related to Timer, Activity and Force Touch. The full release notes are included below....

New legislation in the EU is set to take effect on December 31 that will impact online purchases. Apple has given a heads up about how developers will be impacted and what to do to prepare for the changes. The European Union’s Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) legislation kicks in on December 31, 2020, and means developers who sell to users in Europe will need to check some settings/make some changes....

Following a full week of WWDC announcements, Apple today has officially announced the winners of the annual Apple Design Awards. The goal of these awards is to recognize developers for “outstanding app design, innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement. Apple has named eight app and game developers receiving an Apple Design Award this year. Usually, winning developers receive a hefty swag bag of Apple products, including the latest Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch hardware....

Apple is rolling out the sixth macOS 10.12.4 beta for developer testing. The upcoming version of macOS Sierra is the first to bring Night Shift to the Mac. macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta is currently only available to developers and public beta testers. Public beta versions usually come a few days after developer versions if not the same day. macOS 10.12.4 beta also includes changes to Siri, Dictation, and Apple’s PDF API:...

Samsung’s new $3.6 billion factory in Austin has now kicked manufacturing into full tilt and is dedicated almost entirely to producing Apple’s A5 chip shipping in the iPhone 4S and iPad 2. Reuters reports: The report also noted that Samsung started supplying Apple with A5 chips from the plant earlier in the year, but just hit full production this month. In September, there were reports claiming that Apple was moving to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company for manufacturing of the next-gen A6 chip....