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News bites – the stories you may have missed

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Plenty of Apple, iPhone, and iPad news gets released every single day – but we know you’re busy, so we’ve got your back. Here, we’ve picked out some of the most important stories from the past week or so and summarized them for easy digestion. You’re welcome.

Let’s take a quickfire look at some of the most interesting recent headlines of late. As ever, click through to read the full stories if you want to know more!

YouTube blocks PiP in iOS 14

YouTube has taken to blocking iOS 14’s picture-in-picture function unless you stump up the cash for a Premium subscription. Apple’s new mobile OS lets you watch videos in a little window whilst doing other things with your device, but Google seems to have prevented its video app from playing nicely without a fee being paid.

Apple Watch Solo Loop may stretch over time

Apple has conceded that its new flexible Solo Loop band for Apple Watch may not retain its snug fit over the long haul. The company recently added a line of small print to one of its support documents stating that “Solo Loop may increase in length over time.” Perhaps to compensate for this, Apple has also amended its advice to recommend a tighter initial fitting.

Next iPad Pro rumored to pack Mini LED display

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will pack the next iPad Pro revision with a Mini-LED display sometime in Q4 of 2020. Mini-LED technology essentially closes the gap between LCD and OLED panel technology, providing improved color and contrast through more precise local dimming.

Amazon’s new game platform will work on iOS

Apple doesn’t allow alternate app stores or game-streaming platforms into the walled gardens of the App Store. But Amazon seems to have found a loophole, as Apple does support browser-based web apps. Delivering your service over Safari isn’t always ideal, but it does side-step the App Store’s rules and fees. That’s why Amazon’s newly announced cloud gaming platform “Luna” will come to iPhone, iPad, and Mac via a web browser. Will others soon follow suit?

Xbox game streaming could be headed to iPhone too

Microsoft has dropped a major hint that Xbox game streaming is on its way to iPhone. While something like the xCloud streaming service isn’t possible under Apple’s stringent rules (see above) Microsoft confirmed to The Verge that its new Xbox app would be coming to iOS, enabling remote streaming from an Xbox console to an iPhone over a shared network.