Facebook told developers its ad targeting ability on iOS 14 will be impacted.

The social media giant Facebook told developers some of the company’s concerns about Apple’s latest mega software update on iOS-powered devices.

On August 27, Facebook CFO David Wehner acknowledged the concern. He stated a problem with the iOS 14, Apple’s latest operating system update. It could possibly affect the social media company’s ad targeting ability.

Apple’s Business

The newest update from Apple, expected to be released this year, could make it more difficult for app developers to target ads to users. The company announced iOS14 in June during its WorldWide Developers Conference. Apple said the new release gives users a chance to opt-out of being tracked by developers. This change could significantly affect targeted ads at users, as developers won’t be able to snoop around your mobile activity.

There is no specific date on when Apple will release its next major mobile software update. But the tech giant says on its website that iOS 14 will roll out later this year to supported mobile devices. Historically, Apple usually releases its annual major update to iOS every September, in time with the announcement of their new iPhones.

Moreover, the Tim Cook-led company has always advocated of providing privacy to users through its products and services.

Facebook’s Business

Facebook earlier admitted that the latest software update could hurt their business model built around targeting ads to users. iOS 14 will severely affect its Audience Network, and other advertising networks, the company noted. 

Facebook said that changes Apple made to its newest iPhone operating system will cripple the social-media giant’s ability to serve targeted ads to iPhone users while they are on other apps https://t.co/3AoVbGiAnk

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) August 26, 2020

In a blog post to developers, Facebook mentioned that including the Audience Network in iOS 14 will be pointless. The company wrote: “This is not a change we want to make, but unfortunately, Apple’s updates to iOS 14 have forced this decision.”

The social media giant also said it works with over 19,000 developers and publishers from different countries, per CNN. The Mark Zuckerberg-led firm noted it paid out billions of dollars in 2019 for advertising partnerships. With this new iOS feature, advertisers may be prevented from targetting ads and gauging their effectiveness, per a CNBC report.

Revenue Affected

Facebook said at the time it awaits further guidance from the iPhone company.

Chief financial Wehner said that the company is still “trying to understand what these changes look like and how they will impact us and the rest of the industries.” Wehner said that with the new changes in iOS 14, app developers might find it harder “to grow” through advertisements.

In a CNN report, Facebook indicated tests that suggest taking away ad targeting could drag the revenue from Audience Network by half.

The CFO also said that with the latest iOS update, the company’s revenue from advertising could be affected by the third quarter.

The post Apple’s Upcoming iOS 14 Could Affect Facebook’s Ad Targeting Ability first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

The streaming giant has announced a new widget for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, joining other apps who’ve taken advantage of the new feature.

Weeks have passed since iOS 14 came out, and numerous apps have taken advantage of its new widget features. Now, Spotify is joining them. The streaming titan has announced the launch of widgets for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14.  

Spotify’s iOS 14 Widget

The Verge says that Spotify’s iOS 14 widget is similar to Apple Music’s widget. Both widgets offer ways for users to go back to their music without opening the apps. For now, you can pick between the small and medium widget sizes. Spotify hasn’t rolled out the large-sized one yet.

In an email, a Spotify spokesperson said that the widget displays five of your recently played artists, playlists, albums, or podcasts. Just tap on their covers to dive right back into your music. If you get the small widget, you’ll see your latest played song or podcast while using the app.

How to Add the Spotify Widget to the Home Screen

Here’s how to add the Spotify widget to your Home Screen:

1.   Update the app to its latest version.
2.   Touch and app an empty section of the screen or an app.
3.   Look for the Add button (+) in the upper-left corner.
4.   Tap the button.
5.   Look for the Spotify widget in the list.
6.   Pick your widget size.
7.   Tap “Add Widget.”
8.   Place the widget on your screen.
9.   Tap “Done” to finish.

Other iOS 14 Widgets

You can also add more widgets from other apps, such as Dropbox and Otter. Just look at your widgets list and find one you like.

The post Spotify Announces New iOS 14 Widget first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

If you just updated to iOS 14, you might notice that something’s up with your battery. Several users have reported that their batteries kept draining with iOS 14. Apple says you can fix the battery drain, but it will take some time. 

Apple iOS 14 Battery Drain

Recently, several users began complaining about their iPhone batteries draining quickly after updating to iOS 14. Later, even Apple Watch users had issues after updating to watchOS 7. Both iOS 14 and watchOS 7 came out in September.

iOS 14 killing my battery dawg

— 𝓑 (@Danqzzz) October 2, 2020

According to MacRumors, Apple Watch users also reported that their watches did not record GPS data while doing activities.  

Apple Support

Amid the complaints, Apple released a support document this week. Apple admitted that users could face more issues with their devices, aside from excess battery drain. However, even the new iOS 14.0.1 update failed to fix the battery bug. The update simply allowed users to keep their chosen browser and mail apps. With iOS 14.0.1, users could also fix images in the News widget. 

What Can I Do with My iPhone?

Apple says that iPhone users may experience the following issues:

•     Missing workout route maps in the iPhone Fitness app
•     Health-related apps failing to launch on the Apple Watch
•     Both Fitness and Health apps failing to launch or load data on the iPhone
•     Inaccurate reports of data storage on the iPhone’s Health or Fitness apps
•     Inaccurate reports of data storage on the Apple Watch’s Activity app
•     Missing sound level data from Apple Watch on the iPhone’s health app
•     Massive battery drains on the iPhone and Apple Watch

For now, Apple’s advice is to unpair your watch and phone, make backups, erase all data, and then restore both gadgets with the backups. Learn more fixes here.

The post Users Report Excess Battery Drain with iOS 14 first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Apple’s new effort to protect user privacy has to wait a while. The tech company has decided to delay a new privacy feature. With the update, iOS developers would have to ask the user’s permission to track their data across Apple devices. 

The Privacy Feature in iOS 14

In a blog post, Apple announced the new privacy feature. Apple had included the feature in iOS 14. However, the company decided to give more time for developers to follow the rules. Several companies have said they worry about the new policy. Among these companies is Facebook. 

Apple delays privacy feature that would let iPhone owners keep ad tracking at bay https://t.co/9o779kID4S pic.twitter.com/6HpltCH9ek

— The Verge (@verge) September 4, 2020

Apple’s Privacy Efforts

Apple’s privacy feature for iOS is the company’s boldest policy change in years. The feature prompts users when apps request their IDFA codes. For users, the code stands for Identification for Advertisers. The codes tell companies if their ads work across devices, among others. 

For example, IDFA codes let companies know when you download an app through a Facebook ad. These codes also tell them when a product on Instagram redirects you to an online store.

Facebook has said that Apple’s update would harm the Facebook Network. However, the company did say they would stop using IDFA codes. Facebook noted that smaller companies might not be able to afford to do the same.  

More Apple Privacy Features

Apple also plans to roll out another new privacy policy. In the new policy, developers should specify how and where it collects and stores user data. This data includes health and fitness data, location data, and web browsing history. 

The post Apple Delays Privacy Feature Bundled with iOS 14 first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins