These are the Mac products that can support macOS Catalina

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One of the great news from the transition into macOS Catalina is that there are a lot of devices that will support this new version. Plus, it brings a bunch of new features to Apple’s desktop platform. For one, iTunes is being split into dedicated apps: one for Apple Music, Apple Podcast, Apple Books, and Apple TV. Another is Project Catalyst, which will make it easier for developers to port iPad apps to macOS Catalina. Version 10.15 will also let you use the iPad as a second screen.

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Google launches site to make remote desktop access easier

While there is a Chrome app already that helps give you remote access to someone else’s PC, Google is making it easier for you to troubleshoot a friend/relative/co-worker’s computer issues. All you need to do is visit this site. One person will need to set up the tool and generate an access code that the other person will need to log in. Once that’s set up, then you’re ready to help out.

Source: Engadget

Concerns raised over the new ‘Sign in with Apple’ feature

At WWDC 2019, one of the new features introduced as part of iOS 13 is a privacy tool called “Sign in with Apple.” Like what Google and Facebook offer, you will be able to sign into third-party apps using your Apple account now. Unlike what the two tech companies offer, Apple will give you the option to share or hide your email address from the developer. If you choose to hide your email address, Apple will generate a single-use email address for you to use within the app. Any emails from the developer will be forwarded to you by Apple. Now, if you decide to deactivate to opt out of emails, the single-use email address can be deactivated. And as 9to5Mac points out, since Apple already knows what apps you’re using, so you aren’t passing on new information to anyone new.

It’s great for consumers, but it might make its developers a bit wary. A condition for the Sign in with Apple feature is that developers who offer other third-party sign-in (like those offered by Google and Facebook) will need to offer Apple’s version, too. And they would need to place Apple’s option before its rivals’. While the latter isn’t a formal requirement to get approval, a lot of developers believe one way to get approved on the App Store is to follow these “suggestions.” And with Apple currently under scrutiny for alleged anti-competitive practices, these do raise some questions. Once this feature does roll out, is it something you’ll find yourself using?

BMW and Jaguar Land Rover will develop electric vehicles together

A growing trend in the automotive space involves the automakers partnering to co-develop vehicles and technologies. The latest ones to join the fray are BMW and Jaguar Land Rover. The two companies are going to co-develop a new generation of motors for their respective electric vehicles. They will also work to use their combined size to make it cheaper to buy components. But BMW and Jaguar Land Rover will be building their own engines at their own plants in Germany and the UK, respectively.

Research and development will be done in Germany with both companies bringing in their engineers to improve on BMW’s fifth-generation electric engine. The motor, which has both the transmission and power electronics in the same shell, doesn’t use any rare earth materials. This makes it more environmentally-friendly and cheaper to make than other brushless motors of its class. Both companies have earned critical acclaim over their work in the space, so developing engines together has the potential to benefit all of us.

Source: Engadget