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"Flappy Bird" was slated to relaunch in 2024 after more than ten years of absence from the App Store -- but there are signs that it's just a crypto Ponzi scheme.

Image generated with Bing Image Creator

On Thursday, a group of alleged "Flappy Bird fans" announced that they would revive the decade-dead global hit. While many were excited, an equal amount seemed skeptical.

And, as it turns out, there was a good reason for the skepticism. The relaunch appears designed to hock crypto.

Cyber-security researcher Varun Biniwale has uncovered hidden pages on the Flappy Bird website that shows heavy references to Web 3, micro-transactions, and the cryptocurrency Solana. Biniwale also uncovered a playable version of the game with a leaderboard filled with crypto-based usernames. The playable version references a $FLAP token.

As AppleInsider pointed out before, the creator of the original Flappy Bird took the game down in 2014, less than a year after it was created. Dong Nguyen, the creator, had feared the game had become too addictive.

Some may wonder if Nguyen finally gave up and sold the trademark for the game to another company for some quick cash. That doesn't appear to be the case.

According to Inverse, court documents showed that Gametech Holdings filed to take over the trademark in September 2023. The company argued that the trademark had been abandoned, showing that Nguyen had gone on record saying he'd no longer develop the game.

As a result, the court awarded Gametech Holdings the right to purchase it.

Afterward, Gametech Holdings sold the trademark to The Flappy Bird Foundation. And, as VideoGamer notes, game designer Michael Roberts heads up that company.

Roberts is studio head at 1208 Productions, a studio that touts itself as a "pioneer in the Web 3 space." Additionally, the company has its own NFT brand called "Deez."

So, for those hoping the return of Flappy Bird would harken back to the simpler times of 2013, that doesn't seem likely. Instead, the titular hero appears to have gone the way of the crypto bro.



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Apple has not announced a direct replacement for its unpopular FineWoven cases with the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch bands, but a very few remain on the Apple Store.

Apple's previous lineup of FineWoven cases for the iPhone

During the "It's Glowtime" launch of the iPhone 16 range and more, Apple did take some time to promote its new cases -- but they were not the expected FineWoven replacements. Rather than another wholesale ditching of a material in favor of a new one, Apple emphasized its Clear Case with MagSafe options.

FineWoven has not disappeared entirely, either. Currently the online Apple Store appears to have one FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe, an AirTag key ring, and one Apple Watch strap.

It was expected, and heavily leaked, that Apple would introduce non-FineWoven cases alongside the iPhone 16 launch. One purported leak, though, was quickly identified as a third-party knockoff rather than an official Apple release.

FineWoven may now be up there with the Butterfly keyboard in terms of having a bad reputation -- although AppleInsider readers have reported liking both. But it came from Apple's aim to completely remove the use of leather in its accessories.

Unfortunately, FineWoven was badly received -- and given a "don't buy" review by AppleInsider -- for many reasons. The material reportedly stained easily, and also scratched easily, plus it simply did not feel good to many buyers.

Amazon even added a "Frequently Returned" label to its listings for the FineWoven iPhone cases.

Consequently, it was assumed that Apple would drop the line, especially following reports that the company had cancelled orders. However, it was presumed that the firm would have a replacement -- especially since recent leaks also detailed what turned out to be an accurate description of a new Apple iPhone case.

We'll never know how long Apple spent developing FineWoven as a replacement for leather. But if the company hasn't given up on cases, it seems like it's taking more than a year to come up with a replacement for FineWoven.



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The Apple Watch Series 10 is expected to get a long-rumored sleep apnea tracking feature as part of Monday's launch, but hypertension detection won't be a new feature this time.

A render of the rear sensor of the Apple Watch Series 10

Apple is just a few days away from introducing a line of new products, starting with the iPhone 16 generation. Alongside the iPhones will be other connected hardware launches, with the Apple Watch Series 10 among them.

The focus on new features for the Apple Watch is usually on health and fitness upgrades. For the Apple Watch Series 10, that will include sleep apnea detection.

On Friday, Bloomberg reported sleep apnea detection will build on top of the existing sleep tracking functions of the wearable. The feature will monitor and determine whether the wearer has sleep apnea, notifying them and proposing they check with a medical professional.

The introduction of the feature has been rumored for a while, but users may still have to wait for the feature to arrive. It apparently won't be a day-one feature for the new models.

While sleep apnea sensing is on the way, one feature that won't appear will be hypertension detection. While Apple hoped to have the high blood pressure detection working on the Apple Watch, it is apparently being delayed and pushed to a future release down the road.

Another health element users will miss out on is blood oxygen sensing. Following Masimo's legal fight and the successful ban on Apple using the technology, Apple stripped it out of the Apple Watch.

However, as Apple CEO Tim Cook previously implied that Apple wouldn't license Masimo's patents, blood oxygen sensing won't be making a return anytime soon.

Friday's report also reiterates rumors about the Apple Watch Series 10 getting an updated look with larger size options and a thinner body. The Apple Watch Ultra and a new Apple Watch SE are also expected.

Rumor Score: Likely

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Recent changes to EU laws require Apple to allow third-party app stores in EU countries. Here's how to use AltStore to sideload iOS apps.

The AltStore app from Riley Testut.

The European Union recently passed the Digital Markets Act (DMA) - a new law that requires device vendors to allow open app ecosystems and allows users to download apps from alternative software marketplaces.

This law was passed after several European countries complained that Apple's proprietary closed App Store was a monopoly and restricted competition.

Under the DMA, device vendors must allow an open way to "sideload" apps onto mobile devices from third-party app stores. Sideloading is just another term used to describe installing apps from other locations than the device or OS manufacturers' own software stores.

For iOS devices, several of these "alt" app stores have already appeared. Most of them work in the same way as the Apple App Store or Google Play stores but with a few differences.

AltStore

One such third party app store for iOS devices is AltStore by Riley Testut - who also just happens to be the author of the popular Nintendo Game Boy iOS emulator Delta.

There are two versions of AltStore - one for users in EU countries (AltStore PAL), and one for everyone else (AltStore).

To use AltStore PAL, you'll need to physically be inside an EU country, not be using a VPN, be logged into an EU App Store account, and be running iOS 17.4 or later.

Most of the same restrictions apply to using AltStore outside the EU except you can use a VPN, and use any App Store account outside the EU.

To install AltStore on iOS devices outside EU countries you'll also need to have a Mac or Windows computer to run the AltServer app, which installs the iOS version of AltStore onto your iOS device.

There is no version of AltStore available on Apple's App Stores outside the EU.

One major limitation of AltStore is due to restrictions implemented by Apple. You can only have three sideloaded apps installed on a device at the same time.

This is a major inconvenience, but you can get around it by deactivating apps you don't use to free up room for more apps. You can reactivate apps as needed in order to use them.

Installation

To install the AltStore app on iOS devices inside the EU, follow the instructions on the AltStore PAL download page.

For AltStore outside EU countries, scroll to the bottom of the AltStore downloads page and click the button for either macOS or Windows installation instructions.

You'll need the Apple Music app installed on Mac or Windows. Also be sure your Apple device has the latest version of iOS installed.

You'll have to enable Developer Mode on your iOS device. To do this, open the iOS Settings app on your device, scroll to and tap Privacy & Security, then down to Developer Mode on the right.

Tap Developer Mode and turn the switch on.

iOS Developer Mode on iPad.

Developer Mode allows your iOS device to install built apps outside Apple's normal App Store ASN.1 receipt verification process. It requires only that an app be signed by a known registered Apple developer who built and signed the app in Xcode using authorized Apple code signing.

Next, plug your iOS device into your Mac via a USB cable, run Apple Music, then select your iOS device in the sidebar on the left-hand side of the Apple Music window:

Select your iOS device on the left in Apple Music.

Click the Open in Finder button on the right side of the Apple Music window, which will display a new Finder window with your iOS device in the sidebar on the left.

Click the iOS device in Finder, then make sure the Show this iPhone when on WiFi checkbox is turned on. This setting also works for iPad.

You can also enable this checkbox from inside the Apple Music app on macOS or Windows if you like.

Enable Show this iPhone when on WiFi in the Finder window.

When you do this, you'll be prompted to enter your Apple Account login and password. This info isn't read or saved by the developer and is only sent to Apple in order to configure your Apple Account to allow sideloading of apps.

Go ahead and enter your Apple Account email address and login password.

Once all of that is done, unzip the AltServer app for macOS or Windows you downloaded from the website and run it. We'll use the Mac version as an example.

When you run the macOS version of AltServer, it will add a small icon to the upper right corner of your Mac's menubar. Clicking this icon gives you a popup menu - one menu item of which is Install AltStore...

Select Install AltStore... and you should see your connected iOS device in its submenu. Select your device.

You may get an "Untrusted Developer" alert on your iOS device at this point. This is because the app you are installing is outside Apple's App Store approval, so Apple can't judge whether it should trust it or not.

You may get an alert saying the app can't be installed because your device management settings don't allow apps from that developer. If so, go back to the Settings app, then tap General->VPN & Device management->DEVELOPER APP.

On the next pane, you'll see the AltStore app listed. Click Trust to verify the app.

Once the AltStore app is verified, your own Apple Account email address will be listed under it on the Device Management pane. This is normal and indicates the app was authorized for sideloading using your Apple Account login info.

This completes AltStore installation on your iOS device from your Mac.

Using AltStore

Back on the iOS Home Screen tap the AltStore app icon to run it. You'll get an alert asking if it's ok for AltStore to connect to devices on your local network. Tap Allow.

You'll get a similar alert next for Notifications. Also, tap Allow.

AltStore for iOS requires a network connection on your iOS device as well. Make sure WiFi is turned on and connected to a network.

Once you tap the allow notifications alert and dismiss it, AltStore should be running and ready to use. The app will pull a news feed from the developer's servers and display it:

AltStore running on iPadOS.

Next, you'll need to tap Settings in the tab bar at the bottom of the AltStore app on your iOS device, then log in to your Apple Account.

You can also browse AltStore apps and see which apps you have installed by tapping either of the two other buttons at the bottom of the AltStore app in the tab bar.

You're now ready to begin using sideloaded apps.

A few more issues

Be aware that apps installed from the AltStore expire in seven days. In the case of the EU version, there's a grace period after you leave the EU before the apps stop working.

If that happens you'll need to reactivate them when you return.

In the case of the non-EU version of AltStore, you also need to leave AltServer running on your computer to install, refresh, activate, or deactivate AltStore apps.

There's an AltServer troubleshooting guide if you run into problems.

The AltStore documentation is very well done, clean, and easy to understand. There's also a section on how to distribute your own apps on AltStore.

Overall, Testut has done a great job with AltStore and it's easy to use once you get it installed. You'll want to scan the documentation to understand all the nuances, but it's easy enough to use without the docs.

There's also an interesting Q&A discussion with Mr. Testut over on RevenueCat.

Apple has a Technote (118110) about alternative app distribution in the EU.

As the App Store ecosystem opens up to third-party stores, AltStore is a must-have for as long as it's available. More options will inevitably surface, giving consumers more choice about where to acquire apps for their devices.




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Addigy's new mobile device management controls empower IT administrators, giving them the capability to test and manage Apple's upcoming AI features, putting them in control of their systems.

IT admins can test Apple Intelligence features ahead of launch

The company has launched new Mobile Device Management (MDM) controls designed for Apple Intelligence. The release immediately aims to provide Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT administrators with the tools necessary to test and manage the upcoming AI features in Apple's latest operating systems before publicly releasing them.

Addigy's new controls are helpful for organizations that prepare for these AI integrations. By offering pre-zero-day testing, the company allows IT admins and MSPs to experiment with enabling and disabling Apple Intelligence.

"While Apple Intelligence is an exciting development, many organizations are rightly concerned about potential impacts, said Jason Dettbarn, CEO of Addigy. "Some don't allow AI on devices. Others want to fully understand its implications before deciding when, or even whether, to enable it - and they don't want to risk waiting until AI ships to try managing it."

AppleSeed for IT program

An integral part of the initiative is Apple's AppleSeed for IT program. It's a collaboration that gives enterprise customers early access to beta versions of Apple Intelligence.

Through the program, companies can test the AI features in a controlled environment.

For Addigy customers, the integration with AppleSeed for IT means they can use their existing MDM infrastructure to manage Apple Intelligence features.

The program includes testing controls on new iPhone, Mac, and iPad devices during Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) and managing AI settings on existing devices through restrictions profiles and login window keys.



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