Global News: Apple Wants You to Keep Your Macs Safe

December 22, 2022

December 22, 2022. Christmas is only three days away! As such, we want to let you know this'll be the last "normal" Tech Today of the year as we prepare for some much needed time off. Don't worry, though, we have a special, shorter variant that'll occupy your inboxes while we're gone. Cool? See you in 2023!

⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds

Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to):

403 articles, 14 podcasts, 18 press releases, 441 tweets, and 29 YouTube videos

1. Apple Adds Support for Mac Desktops to Its Self-Repair Program

Ever broken your fancy, expensive M1 Mac? We hope not, of course, but if you have recently, know that Apple has now added it and others to its self-repair program. Alongside the M1 Mac, you can now request replacement parts for the M1 Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Apple Studio Display. Nice.

2. The Banning of TikTok on Government Devices Continues

If you have a government job, it's likely you've had to part ways with TikTok, as two more states have banned the app on government-managed devices, bringing the total to around 19. At least it's not your personal devices, right? So you can still spend way too much time in the bathroom watching TikToks.

3. Delta May Provide Free Wi-Fi to Passengers in 2023

Frequent Delta fliers may be happy to know the airline will reportedly offer free Wi-Fi to its passengers in 2023. About time. You may need a SkyMiles loyalty number to fully take advantage of it, but hey, free Wi-Fi! Let's just hope it's good enough to handle hundreds of concurrent Netflix and Spotify streams.

🦑 Go Deeper

Apple is touting the ability of some iPhones to send satellite messages as a game-changer, and according to Sascha Brodsky, some experts are inclined to agree. We'll see Apple. We'll see.

🎱 By the Numbers

For some people, it's TikTok over Vox

Data: Pew Research

You can get your news from anywhere now, but for some people, their preferred source in TikTok. Yes, that TikTok. Why? We can only imagine it's because of the quick video format, and maybe some TikTok creators are just more entertaining than news anchors.

🔥 Today's Hot Deal

Portable speakers are always nice to have, and if you need a new one, check out the Altec Lansing HydraMotion Bluetooth Speaker. It's down to $19.99 at Target for a limited time—for a price that low, how could we not highlight it?

Don't Miss This Deal

🤓 Nerd Out

"Everything, everywhere, but not really." —Molly McLaughlin, Senior Content Strategist

Media streaming's still great, right? Sure, but not like it used to be. The Verge noticed this, too, and now claims the distribution's golden age is in the past. Bummer. (Share on Twitter)

💎 You Know You Want It

Modern flushing

Image: Kohler

It's time to upgrade your bathroom... with a smart toilet. Hear us out; the Numi 2.0 has everything you need from a regular toilet, but now you can personalize settings like the heated seats, built-in audio speaker system, and hands-free opening and closing. Now, if only it was self-cleaning, too, then it'd be perfect.

🎮 Up-Down-A-B-Start

Still stressful, though

Despite what some people may tell you, FromSoftware's Elden Ring isn't nearly as terror-inducing as 2009's Demon's Souls. Join Matthew Weise as they explore what changed between the two games separated by a decade.