World News

Apple confirms a Screen Time bug is causing settings not to stick on July 31, 2023 at 1:16 pm

Published

1 year ago

July 31, 2023

Apple confirmed a Screen Time bug is impacting its devices, allowing children to go over the previously set time limits imposed by parents to continue to use their apps and games. The company acknowledged the bug in a comment published by The Wall Street Journal over the weekend, but didn’t offer a timeline for a fix.

Screen Time settings are a series of controls that allow parents and guardians to configure limits for their children’s use of Apple devices through Family Sharing. The adult family member can configure various controls, ranging from time spent on certain categories of apps, like games, to communication limits, to scheduled “downtime,” which only allows phone calls and apps the parent has approved. The latter is often used at the child’s bedtime so they’re not tempted to play games or check social media when they should be sleeping.

However, a bug with Apple’s Screen Time is causing parents’ settings not to be enforced, The WSJ reported.

“We are aware that some users may be experiencing an issue where Screen Time settings are unexpectedly reset,” an Apple spokeswoman told the paper. “We take these reports very seriously and we have been, and will continue, making updates to improve the situation.”

With the release of iOS 16.5, Apple said it had fixed a bug with Screen Time where “settings may have reset or not sync across all devices.” But the new report confirmed the bug is still causing problems in the public release of the iOS 17 beta.

The problem for parents, of course, is that kids won’t typically report that they have been given extra time on their devices. They’ll just happily continue to use the apps and games that were previously off-limits or that had only limited time allowances before. That means many parents aren’t even aware that the bug is impacting their family’s choices around device use.

Apple released its own Screen Time tools with the launch of iOS 12 in 2018, after first cracking down on third-party apps that provided a similar service. The company banned apps from its App Store, saying they relied on technologies that risked users’ privacy. Because iOS lacked any sort of system for Screen Time management, the apps had employed a variety of methods for managing screen time, including the use of background location, VPNs, and MDM-based solutions (mobile device management, a system designed to manage employee devices in the enterprise).

The company didn’t introduce a Screen Time API for developers of screen time apps to use by building on top of Apple’s tools until 2021, after many apps had already been put out of business.

The decreased competition in the Screen Time app ecosystem that resulted from Apple’s changes means parents who employ screen time management tools on their children’s devices are now often using Apple’s own tools to do so. So when that system breaks, it has a broader impact.

Meanwhile, the third-party apps that remain today are not free and often ship with additional tools for parents to use in order to justify their pricing. For instance, Qustodoio — an app mentioned in the Journal’s report — also includes a family locator. Meanwhile, another popular app, Bark, monitors the content children access across dozens of apps and social media platforms. Others aim to provide better alerting, more detailed reports, or simplified controls.

It’s not clear when the Screen Time bug will be fixed, but given the high-profile media coverage it has now received, we’d expect it to be prioritized in the near-term, perhaps with the public release of iOS 17 in the fall if not sooner.

Apple finally launches a Screen Time API for app developers

Politics

Donald Trump Named TIME’s 2024 Person of the Year

Published

2 weeks ago

December 15, 2024

Bolanle Media Staff

Donald Trump has been selected as TIME magazine’s Person of the Year for 2024, marking his second time receiving this distinction. The former president, who won a historic comeback victory in the 2024 election, was chosen for his significant impact on global affairs and American politics.

TIME editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs explained the decision, citing Trump’s “comeback of historic proportions,” his role in driving “a once-in-a-generation political realignment,” and his reshaping of both the American presidency and the country’s global role. This recognition comes after Trump’s unprecedented achievement of reclaiming the White House after losing reelection four years earlier.

The selection process involved an extensive interview with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November, covering a wide range of topics including the economy, foreign policy, and his plans for a second term. Notably, TIME took the unprecedented step of publishing a comprehensive fact-check alongside the interview transcript, examining 15 distinct assertions made by Trump.

Trump’s relationship with TIME has been tumultuous over the years. While he expressed honor at receiving the title in 2016, he has also criticized the magazine’s selections and even claimed he refused a potential Person of the Year offer in 2017. Despite this, Trump participated in the process this year, granting TIME access for an in-depth interview.

To commemorate the announcement, Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This event marked a significant moment in Trump’s career, as it was his first time participating in this Wall Street tradition.

Trump’s selection as Person of the Year reflects his continued influence on American politics and his ability to reshape the political landscape. As the country prepares for his return to the White House, all eyes will be on how Trump’s second term might further impact both domestic and international affairs.

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Film Industry

Jay-Z Denies Allegations Amid Lawsuit

Published

2 weeks ago

December 9, 2024

Bolanle Media Staff

Jay-Z, the renowned rapper and music mogul, faces serious allegations in a recently amended civil lawsuit. According to ABC News and NBC News, the suit accuses him and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000.

The lawsuit, initially filed in October 2024, was updated on Sunday to include Jay-Z as a defendant alongside Combs. The plaintiff, identified only as “Jane Doe,” claims she was assaulted after being driven to the party following the awards show.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, vehemently denies the allegations. He released a statement on X calling the lawsuit a “blackmail attempt” and questioning why it was filed as a civil case rather than a criminal one. The rapper expressed concern about the impact on his family, stating he and his wife Beyoncé would need to discuss the situation with their children.

Combs, who is currently in federal custody on separate charges, has also denied the accusations through his attorneys. The lawsuit alleges that an unidentified female celebrity was present during the incident but did not intervene.

The case has garnered significant media attention, with both artists’ reputations at stake. As the legal process unfolds, the music industry and public await further developments in this high-profile case.

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Business

David Sacks: The New White House AI and Crypto Czar

Published

3 weeks ago

December 6, 2024

Bolanle Media Staff

According to CNBC and NBC News, David Sacks, a prominent venture capitalist and former PayPal executive, has been appointed as the White House AI and Crypto Czar by President-elect Donald Trump. This newly created position underscores the incoming administration’s focus on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency as critical areas for American competitiveness.

Role and Responsibilities

Sacks will be tasked with several key responsibilities in his new role:

Guiding policy for the administration in AI and cryptocurrency
Establishing a legal and regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency industry
Safeguarding free speech online, and steering away from Big Tech bias and censorship
Leading the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology

Trump emphasized that Sacks will focus on making America the clear global leader in both AI and cryptocurrency.

Background and Qualifications

David Sacks brings a wealth of experience to his new position:

Former Chief Operating Officer of PayPal
Founder of Yammer, which was sold to Microsoft for $1.2 billion in 2012
Co-founder of Craft Ventures, a venture capital firm
Investor in major tech companies including SpaceX, Palantir, Uber, and Airbnb

Sacks is also known for his close associations with tech entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, being part of the “PayPal Mafia“.

Political Involvement

Sacks has been a vocal supporter of Trump during his campaign:

Hosted a fundraiser for Trump at his San Francisco estate, with tickets priced at $50,000 each and a more exclusive $300,000 tier
Delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July 2024
Wrote a detailed essay on X explaining his reasons for supporting Trump

Implications for AI and Crypto Industries

The appointment of Sacks signals a potential shift towards more crypto-friendly policies and regulatory clarity for the digital asset industry. This move, along with Trump’s nomination of crypto advocate Paul Atkins to head the Securities and Exchange Commission, marks a departure from the stricter oversight approach seen under the previous administration.

As the White House AI and Crypto Czar, Sacks is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of these rapidly evolving technologies in the United States, potentially influencing their development and adoption on a global scale.