Tech News Roundup for August 31, 2020
Somehow, it is the last day of August…. Here are a few of the stories that I found interesting over the weekend.
Apple terminates Epic Games developer account
This happened right after my Friday update was posted, but Apple has followed through on it’s pledge to terminate Epic Games developer account. This means that while iOS devices withEpic Games, err, games, installed can cointue to use and play them, it is now impossible to re-download them. It also blocks existing installs from utilizing Apple’s app store infrastructure, including in app purchases.
Ironically, this means that existing fortnite installs will be able to conduct in app purchases using Epic Games direct billing and not Apple’s in app purchases.
It is worth noting that this does not violate a court order protecting the Unreal Engine, as that software is maintained through a separate developer account that was not affected by this.
Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 732G for Smartphones
As high end smartphones have continued to get more expensive, the midrange has become more important, with more people paying attention to this space. Qualcomm has just announced the Snapdragon 732G, a minor update to the 730G found in the Pixel 4a smartphone, among others. This is not a revolutionary update by any stretch, but a minor update which should take what is a respectable mid range smartphone processor and improve on it. For most people, smartphones equipped with this class of processor is more than enough, and will be an important space going forward.
https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/08/31/qualcomms-732-chipset-improve-mid-range-gaming/
Starlink Satelites Are Causing Issues for Earth Observation Systems
While SpaceX charges ahead with the plan to deploy thousands of satellites for its Starlink internet network, astronomers are speaking out on the effect those satellites are having on Earth observations. Some of the images in the linked article show how timelapse photos pick up these satellites streaking across the night sky, which could have a severe impact on Earth observation systems like telescopes. And to put this into perspective, there are already issues with the roughly 600 Starlink Satellites SpaceX has launched, but there are plans for thousands more.
SpaceX is making efforts to reduce this impact. The last Starlink launch included satellites with “visors” meant to reduce the reflection of sunlight, as well as a different paint formula to make the satellites darker.
The good and the bad. Starlink will undoubtedly be a huge breakthrough in rural internet options, but it will come at a cost.
Apple Launches App Store Appeal Process
Apple has rolled out a new appeals process for developers that was promised at WWDC. Previously, a developer that had an app rejected by Apple had no recourse. A large enough developer could take to Twitter, or the media, in an attempt to get some attention on the issue, but smaller developers especially had few options. Apple promised to create an appeals process that allows developers to challenge Apple’s rejection.
It is unclear how much of an impact this will have. Apple still hears all the appeals, and how likely is it that the company that first rejected an app will say “no, we made a mistake”
Any change, no matter how small is welcome, but this feels more like window dressing from a company under intense pressure from both legal and regulatory agencies.