MacSurfer's Headline News™ - General Interest/Potpourri

General Interest/Potpourri

"Apple's Melbourne flagship site faces $40m buyback bid: Critics rally to prevent retailer from setting up shop." iTNews Australia 8:49 PM

"An Apple store salesman questioned my intelligence, says customer: Can it be that certain Apple store employees are a little pushy when it comes to selling Apple's services? One customer says yes. I thought I'd try to find out." ZDNet 7:42 AM

"Here's one Chinese company's crazy answer to the ugly iPhone notch" Business Insider 7:41 AM

"Former Genius Bar Expert Describes Apple's Aggressive Sales Policy For Older iPhone Owners" iPhone Hacks 7:37 AM

"Apple is offering an extended Apple Music trial during the Grammys for Shazam users" The Verge 10:26 AM

"Apple Music lures in Grammy watchers with extended trial for using Shazam: Continuing a recent Grammy-themed marketing campaign, Apple on Sunday offered new Apple Music subscribers an extended four-month trial for using Shazam during the night's ceremonies." AppleInsider 7:33 PM

"Fortnite has surpassed $500 million in iOS revenue in record time" TechSpot 3:39 PM

"No Apple Store in Stockholm: After three years of haggling, and after purchasing prime real estate in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, Apple will be pulling out of earlier plans to build an Apple Store." Rixstep 2/9

"What 8 of the world's most popular tech gadgets looked like when they were first released" Business Insider 2/9

Non-Apple News

"AP Exclusive: Undercover spy exposed in NYC was 1 of many/When mysterious operatives lured two cybersecurity researchers to meetings at luxury hotels over the past two months, it was an apparent bid to discredit their research about an Israeli company that makes smartphone hacking technology used by some governments to spy on their citizens. The Associated Press has now learned of similar undercover efforts targeting at least four other individuals who have raised questions about the use of the Israeli firm's spyware." Seattle Post-Intelligencer 8:12 PM

"This Texas Bill Would Forbid Wireless Carriers From Throttling Service During Disasters" HotHardware 5:22 PM

"Reddit Users Rally Against Chinese Censorship After the Site Receives a $150 Million Reported Investment" Time 12:48 PM

"Reddit, Which Is Blocked In China, Set To Get $150 Million From Chinese Firm That Helped Build Censorship Wall" The Inquisitr 12:27 PM

"Google Maps AR navigation coming first to Local Guides as UI detailed in first look" 9to5Google 12:10 PM

"Google Maps AR navigation is rolling out to a handful of users" Engadget 12:10 PM

"The National Enquirer vs. Jeff Bezos: Legal experts break down what's at stake in battle between the world's wealthiest man and a supermarket tabloid" Business Insider 7:37 AM

"Fitbit's latest tracker is only available through your work or insurance: The Inspire is meant to encourage healthy living among the rank and file." Engadget 2/9

"Xiaomi Patent Details Stunning Phone Design With 4-Sided Edge Display" HotHardware 2/9

"Google Pixel Is 'Fastest-Growing US Smartphone Brand' Says Report: Pixel 3 Vs. iPhone XS" Forbes 2/9

"Samsung Galaxy S10: News, Rumors, Release Date, Specs, and More! 2019 is going to be the year of Samsung." Android Central 2/9

"Activision Blizzard is reportedly planning hundreds of layoffs" VentureBeat 2/9

"Push notifications are the future of multi-factor authentication" The Next Web 2/9

Publications/Podcasts

"The CEO of App Annie, one of Silicon Valley's most popular app data platforms, explains how it completely revamped its culture as it prepares to be IPO-ready" Business Insider [Free/Paid Subscription] 7:39 AM

"Gene Steinberg meets Bryan Chaffin of The Mac Observer and cybersecurity guru Brett Johnson, this week on The Tech Night Owl LIVE!" The Tech Night Owl LIVE 7:23 AM

"Why iPad and MacBook Pro drive us nuts [Cult of Mac Magazine No. 282] Cult of Mac 2/9

"Podcast: Apple, 5G Vs. WiFi, Digital Privacy, Spotify" Tech.pinions [Free/Paid Registration Required] 2/9