iMac could become all-in-one champ
New iOS 14.5 feature gives more control of your data
The iMac might be the most visible all-in-one computer in the world, but it is not the best-selling one. That accolade goes to HP and its range of all-in-one desktops, but that might soon change according to DigiTimes. The outlet believes that, in the fourth quarter of 2020, HP sold 925,000 all-in-one computers, while Apple sold 860,000 iMacs. It predicts Apple will pull ahead in the next quarter, although this might be a temporary victory.
Interestingly, DigiTimes predicts this actually has much more to do with global chip shortages than anything Apple introduced with its iMac redesign. That is because the dearth of chips will likely see manufacturers focus limited stocks on their higher-end offerings. For Apple, that includes the iMac. For HP, it means pro and gaming systems rather than all-in-ones. With fewer chips for these computers, HP will likely have fewer of these models available, and will thus sell fewer.
Apple’s much-discussed App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature has finally arrived with the launch of iOS 14.5. The feature, which aims to provide more clarity about companies that track you across different apps and share your data with third parties, has caused an uproar among advertising firms but won plaudits from privacy groups.
Once you have updated to iOS 14.5, you will see a notification every time an app wants to track you across other apps. You can then choose to permit this or decline it. Additionally, you can disable this tracking altogether in the Settings app under Privacy > Tracking. Here, you need to disable the toggle next to 'Allow Apps to Request to Track'. When the news first emerged that Apple was working on ATT, Facebook – which makes billions from tracking and advertising – went on the attack, claiming Apple’s move would destroy small businesses. Ultimately, that publicity campaign failed after Apple refused to back down, forcing Facebook to concede and implement ATT in its apps.
It follows the introduction of privacy ‘nutrition labels’ on the App Store, which show how much personal data an app collects about you, and suggests Apple is making another major push to promote its privacy credentials.