iOS 14.5 to allow Apple Watch owners to unlock iPhones even with face masks on

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Apple iPhone users—especially those whose unit has no other biometric security option other than Face ID—have been left to key in their passcode when they open their devices while wearing masks. While it's a more tedious problem than anything else, it is still an inconvenience. Apple has a provisional solution coming out. The new iOS 14.5 beta update will let Apple iPhone users who also have an Apple Watch quickly authenticate and unlock their phones with the wearable.

This feature is already available on the Mac, but now iPhone users will get access to the function, too. It will require that you have wrist detection enabled on your Apple Watch because you need an unlocked Apple Watch nearby, "on your wrist, unlocked, and protected by a passcode."

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Google launches YouTube Music app on the Apple Watch

Source: Google

As Google is set to shut down Play Music later this month, the company makes sure those few YouTube Music subscribers on iOS can have access to its service. The YouTube Music app is available on the Apple Watch. It's mostly access to the essentials, turning your Apple Watch into a music remote. But you can do things like browsing your music collection, controlling playback, and "Like" tracks. 

There's a complication that adds playback controls to the watch face, but not all watch faces support this feature. It will also let you cast a song from your phone to a speaker and even get recommendations based on your listening habits. It works similar to how Spotify's Apple Watch app works. You'll need at least a Series 3 or above running on watchOS 6 or above to use the app. And yes, you need an active YouTube Premium or YouTube Premium Music subscription, too.

Source: Engadget

Apple sues GEEP Canada for allegedly reselling 100,000 iPhones, iPads, Watches meant for recycling

Source: Apple

Apple has filed a lawsuit against its former contractor GEEP Canada, alleging that the company is reselling over 100,000 iPhones, iPads, and Watches that were supposed to be dismantled and recycled. Apple discovered the issue after it audited over half a million devices sent to the recycling partner between 2015 and 2017. It found that 18% of the iPhones, iPads, and Watches were still accessing the internet through cellular networks. That totals 103,845 devices. It doesn't take into account the Wi-Fi only devices, meaning the figure can be higher.

 "At least 11,766 pounds of Apple devices left GEEP's premises without being destroyed - a fact that GEEP itself confirmed," reads a portion of Apple's complaint. The company seeks to obtain at least $31 million from GEEP, which is now part of Quantum Lifecycle Partners.

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Nike Run Club app update motivates you to run more

Nike Run Club encourages you to keep weekly running streaks with new interface

If keeping streaks helps motivate you, then you'll appreciate the latest update to the Nike Run Club app on the Apple Watch. It has a new interface that shows "streaks" for running for consecutive weeks. You'd only need to run once a week to keep the streak going, but perhaps that'll incentivize you to keep going. 

The app also has other new tweaks, including a new user interface that shows up mid-run. It'll now display your average pace and cadence to help improve your technique. 

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