AppleInsider Podcast talks about Consumer Reports, Verizon's idea of security, and Apple's handling of iCloud data in China

This week on the AppleInsider podcast, Victor and Mike talk about Consumer Reports scoring cameras, the carriers in the US and the FCC, the end of Best Buy Mobile, Apple's handling of iCloud user data in China, and iPods.

AppleInsider editor Victor Marks and Mike Wuerthele discuss:

• Consumer Reports says iPhone X and iPhone 8 Plus are the best phone cameras. Victor asks what's best really mean, anyway?
• Victor starts discussing Tim Cook's definition of innovation
• Pour one out for Best Buy Mobile - they're done
• AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile reveal a plan to secure users' phones based on their phone numbers, and also require app approval through them. Victor doesn't think this goes anywhere, at least not as described so far.
• Victor talks about Verizon's attempt to lock the iPhone in violation of the letter of their agreement with the FCC when they purchased the C block of the 700mhz spectrum.
• Dan wrote a piece about how Apple leverages their custom silicon to be able to build HomePod, and he's right - this is something they wouldn't have been able to do with an off the shelf processor nearly as well.
• Apple has moved all Chinese users' iCloud data to a Chinese cloud host with ties to the Chinese government. Mike explores what this means for other governments.
• Mike talks about the prospect of Mac going 64-bit only and how to see which apps are 32-bit only.
• Victor talks about Amazon buying Ring, the video doorbell, HomeKit, and just what Amazon is trying to do here, anyway.
• Mike bangs on for a bit about his distaste for M. Night Shyamalan's work, given the reports that Apple has hired him to make a series for their forthcoming content play.
• Victor talks a little about reviving old iPods and moving iTunes libraries to a home server.

The show is available on iTunes and your favorite podcast apps by searching for "AppleInsider." Click here to listen, subscribe, and don't forget to rate our show.

Listen to the embedded SoundCloud feed below:

Show note links:

• Consumer Reports pegs Apple's iPhone X & 8 Plus as having best smartphone cameras
• Paul Kedrosky's tweet on Tim Cook's innovation matrix
• Best Buy to shutter mobile phone stores as customers flock to wireless carriers, Apple stores
• AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon reveal plan for new phone-number based app authentication
• Verizon says it's locking its phones down to combat theft
• 47 CFR 27.16 - Network access requirements for Block C in the 746-757 and 776-787 MHz bands. - the rules that Verizon intends to break by locking handsets
• How HomePod leverages Apple's silicon expertise to deliver advanced audio performance
• Apple makes Chinese transfer of iCloud data official, raising privacy concerns
• Apple to move Chinese iCloud keys to China servers, opens door to government data requests
• How to see which applications on your Mac are 32-bit and won't be supported in the future
• Amazon acquires smart doorbell manufacturer Ring, HomeKit still on the way
• Apple places order for psychological thriller produced by M. Night Shyamalan
• How to upgrade an iPod for 2018 with flash memory and a new battery

Follow our hosts on Twitter: @vmarks and @mike_wuerthele.

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