Jan 11, 2022

The great $13 million App Store scam

Apple makes a big deal about the safety of its App Store.

But as developer Kosta Eleftheriou shows, there are plenty of scams that slip through the cracks.

Take AmpMe, a “free” app that has raked in more than $13 million, thanks largely to hundreds of obviously fake reviews – and multiple promotions on the App Store from Apple itself.

It’s a scandal.

– Leander Kahney, EIC.

App Store scam pulls in $13 million with the help of fake reviews

It seems it’s not that difficult to make millions of dollars on the App Store if you’re willing to charge people for a “free” service and you have money to spend on blatantly fake but seemingly effective reviews. That’s how one developer, which offers an app that claims to make your music louder, has collected a cool $13 million — and somehow been featured by Apple multiple times in various countries — in less than four years.

Apple’s first headset could be 3 years ahead of rivals in computing power

Apple’s mixed-reality headset will ship with the same 96W power adapter that you get with some 14-inch MacBook Pro models, according to an analyst, who says that’s proof the device will pack plenty of computing power.

Lenses in Apple AR glasses might adjust to wearer’s eye prescription

Apple is preparing for a future where you put on a pair of glasses and they automatically adjust themselves to your eyes. It received a patent Tuesday for a system to handle this process.

Take the show wherever you go with Samsung’s new Freestyle projector

The company says the portable screen and entertainment device is the first of its kind. It’s a small projector and smart speaker that works with iOS and Android devices to stream video or sync audio to ambient lighting.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CULT OF MAC DEALS TEAM

Get 2 awesome quadcopter drones for the price of 1

The Alpha Z Pro 4K and Flying Fox 4K wide-angle, dual-camera drones are advanced quadcopters capable of capturing high-def imagery. In this package deal, you can get them both for less than the price of a single drone. And that price is only $174.99 (regularly $398). Why settle for one drone when you can get two?

This beefy leather AirTag keychain will sucker you in [Review]

WaterField Design’s AirTag key fob is more substantial than most competitors. If minimalism is your game, this isn’t for you. However, if you like leather, and you don’t mind a bit of bulk on the end of your keys, this AirTag keychain should sucker you in.

Adonit Neo Duo stylus works wonders on iPhone as well as iPad

Whether you’re using an iPad, iPad Pro or iPhone, the just-released Adonit Neo Duo stylus is compatible. Its small writing tip mimics a pen, and the accessory clings magnetically to several iPad models.

'Suspicion' trailer gives us a peek at new Uma Thurman thriller for Apple TV+

The first trailer sets up the series’ intriguing storyline. Watch it now!

Tweet o' the day

Tim Cook Parody

@TimothyCookothy

We’re going to put that USB-C port you’ve all been begging for in the pill-shaped cutout. https://t.co/4LDVD2deQM

5:22 AM - 11 Jan 2022

One more thing ...

“A lot of people in our industry haven’t had very diverse experiences. So they don’t have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective on the problem. The broader one’s understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have.” – Steve Jobs

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