James D’Arcy Joins Apple TV+ Series “Constellation”
James D’Arcy in “Agent Carter” - Image via IMDB
19 MAY 2022 - Howard Stark’s manservant is headed to Apple TV+. Well… the guy who played him is. Variety says James D’Arcy has signed on to the Cupertino-streamer’s series “Constellation.” The piece says:
The series follows Jo (Noomi Rapace), a woman who returns to Earth after a disaster in space — only to discover that key pieces of her life seem to be missing. The action-packed space adventure is an exploration of the dark edges of human psychology, one woman’s desperate quest to expose the truth about the hidden history of space travel and for her to recover all that she has lost.
D’Arcy may be best known for his time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having play Howard Stark’s butler Jarvis on the TV series “Agent Carter,” as well as in the movie Avengers: Endgame. Other credits include the films Dunkirk and Six Minutes to Midnight. He’ll play Jo’s husband Magnus in “Constellation.” No word on when the series will debut.
Apple and the Latest COVID Surge: Fewer Days Back and More Masks
18 MAY 2022 - Just when some thought it was safe to go back in the office, Apple seems to be tapping the brakes on its back-to-work-at-work plans. “Blaming a rise in coronavirus cases,” a piece from Apple Insider says the Cupertino-company “has told staff they will have to work from offices two days per week, instead of three.” The piece cites a report from Bloomberg. That cites an internal Apple memo that says the full three-days is being postponed “for the time being.”
Oh… and we’re gonna need to mask-up for those two days. The report says:
Staff based in at least Silicon Valley offices, possibly more, have also been told that they will again be required to wear face masks in common areas.
See also: About 100 Apple Stores in the U.S. iDownloadBlog had its eyes on Twitter. There, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman linked to the two-days-not-three story, adding in his Twitter post:
Apple is also reinstating its mask mandate at about 100 US retail stores today [Tuesday 17 May] — for employees.
Stressing that the mandate is employee-only indicates that visiting customers will not be required to mask up, according to the report.
Atlanta Apple Store Workers Accuse Company of “Union Busting”
Atlanta’s Apple Cumberland Mall - Image via Apple
18 MAY 2022 - Workers trying to form a union in Apple Cumberland Mall in Atlanta say Apple is actively trying to stop them. Specifically, a piece from 9 to 5 Mac says, “The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is accusing Apple of violating the National Labor Relations Act.” The CWA is the group with which Cumberland Mall employees are trying to unionize.
According to 9 to 5 Mac, Apple “has been reportedly holding captive audience meetings to counter an ongoing union drive at the Cumberland Mall store.” We heard about this last week when Motherboard posted a couple of pages of talking points store leaders were reportedly using to sew doubt around the idea of unionizing Apple locations. “According to The Verge," according to 9 to 5 Mac:
…captive audience meetings are a tactic where bosses require employees to attend meetings with anti-union messaging. It is generally allowed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) until the 24-hour period before a union election.
Not anymore, it seems. 9 to 5 Mac cites a recent memo from NLRB general counsel Jennifer Abruzzo who says such meetings violate the National Labor Relations Act. According to the memo:
This license to coerce is an anomaly in labor law, inconsistent with the Act’s protection of employees’ free choice. It is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of employers’ speech rights.
What a way to start the day, which is apparently when this is happening. “Employees start the day with a ‘daily download’ meeting to be updated on what’s new within the company and store,” according to the report. Lately, the piece says, “management has increasingly incorporated topics like culture, benefits, and anti-union messaging into these meetings.”
Expect such stories to pick up over the next few weeks at least. The Apple Cumberland Mall union vote is set to run from 2 June through 4 June.
Report: Some Users Missing Detailed Purchase Info in Apple Card and Apple Pay
18 MAY 2022 - If recent charges aren’t showing up on your Apple Card or in Apple Pay, you are not alone. Or maybe you are. Alone or in pairs, you’re not the only one that’s happening to. 9 to 5 Mac says this week’s iOS 15.5 update seems to have screwed something up with the payment part… or… not… “According to multiple reports on Reddit," says the piece:
…users have been unable to access their latest card transactions in the Wallet app since the iOS 15.5 update – although some users have also experienced a similar issue with iOS 15.4.1.
What the Wallet app is supposed to do is show how much a person pays for something, where it paid it, and when for payment methods tied to Apple Pay. Guess what it’s not doing for some.
I’m not sure why 9 to 5 Mac ties the issue to the recent 15.5 update. The person who wrote the article for 9 to 5 Mac says this was happening to them before this week’s update.
Indications in the piece are that the balance is correct, with the amount moving up and down based on payments and purchases. It’s the details that are missing. Apple had yet to acknowledge the issue as of Tuesday’s report.
Automatic Billing for Higher Priced Subscriptions Hits the App Store at Large
18 MAY 2022 - If you’re subscribed to anything through the App Store, keep an eye on your billing. Early last month we heard word that Apple was piloting tests to let developers “automatically charge users for subscription price increases.” Seems to have gone well for someone. A piece this week from Engadget indicates that the move has gone from pilot to practice. “Under the old policy,” says Engadget:
…[Apple] will ask users to opt in before they're charged for a subscription that has recently raised its price. Going forward, however, it will allow developers to automatically charge higher prices, so long as they meet a set of conditions. Apple will notify users of the price increase in advance via email and push notification, but it's up to them to unsubscribe before they're charged.
When I first heard about this, my immediate thought was, “it stinks.” Reading over the terms though, they’re not as bad as they could be. For example, when news of the pilot hit in early April, there was no mention of Apple letting subscribers know via email and push notification. Additionally, developers can’t raise the rates by too much and they can’t do it too often. If they want the price increases to happen automatically, the most developers can raise the rate is $5 at a time, and they can’t raise it higher than half of the current subscription cost. Also they can only do it once a year - again, if they want it to happen automatically. Variations would still require endusers to opt-in - at least as Engadget understands it.
Apple Releases Swift Playgrounds 4.1 for iPad and Mac
18 MAY 2022 - A day after a ton of Apple software updates, another Apple update. MacRumors says Apple on Tuesday released Swift Playgrounds 4.1 for iPad and Mac. Swift Playgrounds is Apple’s app that teaches folks to code and build applications. v4.1 comes with a number of helpful sounding features, including:
Letting users Build Mac apps with SwiftUI (as long as they’re using macOS 12.4 or later)
Guided walkthroughs for learning SwiftUI app building basics
Live updates in App Preview, so users can see changes in their apps as they make them
There’s lots of other stuff that I’m sure is helpful, but is also beyond my understanding. Though originally built for iPad, the Mac version sounds a bit more full-featured at this point. Anyway, the Mac update seems to offer more than its iPad counterpart. New features for both, though. The apps and the updates are free. They’re each available in their respective App Stores.
Apple Plans Major Accessibility Additions
18 MAY 2022 - Tuesday was Accessibility Awareness Day and Apple marked it with a press release announcing a lot of upcoming accessibility improvements. “Using advancements across hardware, software, and machine learning,” Apple’s press release said:
…people who are blind or low vision can use their iPhone and iPad to navigate the last few feet to their destination with Door Detection; users with physical and motor disabilities who may rely on assistive features like Voice Control and Switch Control can fully control Apple Watch from their iPhone with Apple Watch Mirroring; and the Deaf and hard of hearing community can follow Live Captions on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple is also expanding support for its industry-leading screen reader VoiceOver with over 20 new languages and locales. These features will be available later this year with software updates across Apple platforms.
While they’re all welcome improvements, Live Captions feels like one of those “we live in the future” features. According to Apple’s press release, with Live Captions enabled:
Users can follow along more easily with any audio content — whether they are on a phone or FaceTime call, using a video conferencing or social media app, streaming media content, or having a conversation with someone next to them.
Because we live in the future.
The press release is very in-depth, with illustrative videos and a lot more in the way of planned features. It is worth a trip to Apple’s online newsroom to check out.
Apple TV+ Takes Viewers “Home” for Second Season
18 MAY 2022 - second season, soon. The Cupertino-streamer issued a press release on Tuesday, announcing season two of “Home.” It’s a show about homes. Houses. Humble abodes, though I’m actually not sure “humble” belongs in the description. According to the release:
Each episode in the second season of “Home” unveils the boundary-pushing imagination of the visionaries who dared to dream and build them around the world, including the Netherlands, South Africa, Indonesia, Australia, Mexico, Iceland and more. Through these unique stories from the homeowners, their deep intention and unique vision is unveiled in the remarkable homes they’ve created, leaving an indelible impact on those around them.
Zero-to-sixty quick on this one. This week’s release announced not only a second season, but also a trailer and a premier date. The date is just under a month from now - Friday 17 June. You can check out the trailer below.
Harry Styles Concert Kicks Off Apple Music Live
Harry Styles - Image via Apple Music on Twitter
18 MAY 2022 - “Apple Music Festival” is dead! Long live “Apple Music Live!”
Cult of Mac says Apple is bringing back a live music offering, rebranded as “Apple Music Live.” According to the piece, "The new concert series launches Friday with a live concert from Harry Styles performing his new album, Harry’s House.” Leading into the show, a seven-part video in which Apple Music presenter Zane Lowe interviews Styles. That’s available now on Apple Music “as part of the Apple Music Live promotion.”
As for what’s next for Apple Music Live - it’s the Harry Styles concert. Weren’t you listening? That happens live this Friday 20 May at 8 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. PDT. Past that, who knows? “After the first concert with Styles,” says Cult of Mac:
…we have no details about how the series will continue. It seems likely Apple will feature a new live show by a different artist on a regular basis, along with featured interviews.
Updates Abound for Apple Gear
17 MAY 2022 - Monday was fun-day this week, assuming your idea of fun is getting updates for almost all of your Apple stuff, because… yeah. Everything still supported by Apple except for AirTag and Apple Pencil seems to have been updated. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Apple Releases iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5
Starting with the phone, the phone without the phone, and the great big phone without the phone, Apple on Monday released iOS and iPadOS 15.5 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Apple’s notes aren’t overly descriptive. MacRumors has those saying:
iOS 15.5 includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
Wallet now enables Apple Cash customers to send and request money from their Apple Cash card
Apple Podcasts includes a new setting to limit episodes stored on your iPhone and automatically delete older ones
Fixes an issue where home automations, triggered by people arriving or leaving, may fail
The notes also say that “Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices,” (ain’t that the way). It also links to security fixes, which we’ll hit in a bit.
Communication Safety in Messages in More Countries
One can debate which of the few updates was the most important. History will likely be the ultimate judge. One of the ones in the running was not mentioned in Apple’s U.S. notes. That’s because the U.S. already had it. A piece from 9 to 5 Mac says the iOS 15.5 update fires up Communication Safety in Messages for four new regions. With that feature enabled, the piece says:
…the Messages app can detect if a child receives or is trying to send a photo with nudity. If the child receives an inappropriate photo, the app automatically blurs the image. Although the child can choose to view the photo, doing so will show guidance and age-appropriate resources to help them make a safe choice.
If that only sort of rings a bell, it’s because another bell was louder. Announced last fall as part of Apple’s “Expanded Protections for Children,” Communication Safety in Messages met with some public resistance, though not nearly the level of pushback seen around Apple’s CSAM detection plans, which are still very much a thing.
Until yesterday’s update, Communication Safety in Messages was only available in the U.S. With the arrival of iOS 15.5, the option has also turned up in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.K.
macOS 12.4 Graduates a Couple of Features
Moving now to Monterey - Another piece from MacRumors says Apple on Monday released macOS 12.4. Its release marks a sort of graduation day for a couple of features. First, the Monterey update adds support for Apple Studio Display’s 15.5 firmware. This should mark the last time that the two have to walk hand in hand. Apple indicated last week that with the release of macOS 12.4, Studio Display Firmware 15.5 would be available as its own update. A separate piece from MacRumors on the Studio Display update specifically has Apple indicating that “the firmware refines camera tuning, offering improved noise reduction, contrast, and framing.” Testing during the beta phase showed marked improvement from the Display’s initial release, according to the report.
Also seeing a graduation of sorts, the MacRumors piece says with the arrival of macOS 12.4 and iPadOS 15.5:
…Universal Control is no longer in beta. It is now an official feature that Apple has deemed issue-free, and the beta labeling has been removed.
Did Someone Call Security?
Outside of the graduating class, the piece says the Podcasts app for macOS got the same storage management update that the iOS and iPadOS apps got. And I mentioned security fixes earlier - a lot of those for computers of various form factors. Apple’s security site lists 27 security issues addressed for the iOS and iPadOS updates. The macOS Monterey update brings 53 or 54 security fixes (sorry, I lost count).
As it often does, the Cupertino-company also addressed vulnerabilities for machines that cannot or will not move to Monterey. A stroll through Apple’s security site indicates 40 security issues hit for macOS Big Sur 11.6.6 and 32 issues squished in Security Update 2022-004 Catalina - both of which were also released on Monday.
Keeping Watch on Your Corazón
Not much new in watchOS 8.6. As had been expected, a piece from MacRumors says the latest OS for Apple’s chronometer activates the ECG app in Mexico for Apple Watch Series 4 or later. It also adds support for irregular heart rhythm notifications on the same watches in the same country.
In addition, Apple lists 18 security fixes for the update. I’m not sure whether it’s a good sign or a bad sign, but a security update for a watch is definitely a sign of the future.
Sound + Vision Updates
What’s new in tvOS 15.5? Poke through and see for yourself, which is a mildly impolite way of saying “no one seems to know.” A piece on MacRumors says updates for Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K:
…are typically more minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes, performance updates, and small tweaks rather than major outward-facing changes.
There are no detailed release notes, though there are security fixes. Apple’s security page for the update shows 20 issues addressed in the tvOS 15.5 update.
There’s even less info on HomePod Software 15.5 than there is on its tvOS counterpart. While one assumes it does something, it also features no detailed release notes. And since it’s sort of lumped in with the iOS/iPadOS updates, there are no separate security notes.
Where and How (Much)?
It goes without saying, but say it I will: All of the updates are free. Each is available through settings on their respective machines except for the HomePod update. HomePods should update automatically, though if patience is not your thing, you can force the update in the Home app on an associated iOS or iPadOS device.
Fourth-Gen iPad Air Lands in Apple Refurbished Store
Image via Apple’s Refurbished Store
17 MAY 2022 - Something new in Apple’s refurbished store. Yes, that’s kind of oxymoronic, but still. iDownloadBlog says 2020’s fourth-generation iPad Air has turned up among Apple’s “like new” offerings.
As of the site’s writing, there were several color options available, including Blue, Rose Gold, Silver, Sky Blue, and Space Gray. Both 64GB and 256GB capacities were available. About the only choice one couldn’t make was Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular. Offerings on introduction were Wi-Fi-only.
As with the rest of the Apple refurbs, the piece says the 4th-gen iPad Airs come with new outer casings, a new battery, “genuine Apple part replacements (if necessary),” and a one-year warranty. Plus, they’ll throw in a thorough cleaning at no additional cost. Actually, the cost is less. iDownloadBlog says buyers can save between $80 and $100, depending on the model purchased. You can get a gander at apple.com/shop/refurbished.
Apple TV+ Annoucnes Kid’s Series “Eva the Owlet”
“Eva the Owlet” is the latest series in the Apple TV+ kids’ changemakers initiative. (Via Apple)
17 MAY 2022 - Still more kids stuff coming for Apple TV+. After the slate of children’s shows about which I told you yesterday, news of yet another. Apple TV+ issued a press release Monday announcing the kids and family animated series “Eva the Owlet.” Based on the children’s book series “Owl Diaries,” the release says:
“Eva the Owlet” stars Eva, a creative, cheeky owlet who lives next door to her best friend Lucy in the woodland world of Treetopington. With big ideas and an even bigger personality, Eva goes on high-flying adventures, expressing herself in her journal along the way!
Billed by Apple as part of its changemakers initiative, “creating inspiring and enriching kids original series,” no word in the release on when the series will debut.
Apple TV+ Outs Teaser Trailer for Animated Feature “Luck”
Bob (voiced by Simon Pegg) and Sam Greenfield (voiced by Eva Noblezada) in “Luck,” premiering globally on Apple TV+ on August 5, 2022.
17 MAY 2022 - A highly anticipated Apple TV+ film has gotten a bit of a tease. According to a piece from The Mac Observer, the Cupertino-streamer released a teaser trailer for the Skydance Animation film Luck late last week. A past description of the film said:
Luck (…) centers around the unluckiest girl in the world, who after stumbling upon the never-before-seen world of good and bad luck, must join together with magical creatures to uncover a force more powerful than even luck itself.
While the teaser only sets the premise, TMO says it does give viewers their first real look at the movie’s animation style. It also hints at the film’s sense of humor.
Voice talent to include Eva Noblezada, Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Fonda, and Simon Pegg - Luck hits Apple TV+ on Friday 5 August. You can catch the teaser below.
John Cho Joins “The Afterparty”
John Cho - Image via IMDB (background modified)
17 MAY 2022 - There’s another big name headed to “The Afterparty.” Deadline says John Cho is joining the show’s second season. A sort of off kilter “whodunit,” “the Afterparty” features a detective (played by Tiffany Haddish) taking statements from suspects in a murder, with each of their tellings presented in the styles of various film genres. Season one was set after a high school reunion. Season two will be set after a wedding.
Cho you may know from the “Harold and Kumar” movies, the Netflix live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop, and the most recent “Star Trek” films. Regarding his Apple gig, Deadline says:
Cho, who has been tapped as a series regular, joins fellow new cast members Elizabeth Perkins, Zach Woods, Paul Walter Hauser, Poppy Liu, Anna Konkle, Jack Whitehall, Ken Jeong and Vivian Wu, as well as returning stars Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson and Zoë Chao.
We know nothing about Cho’s character, except that his name is Ulysses. The rest is a mystery, which works great for a mystery. No word on when season two will hit Apple TV+.
Apple TV+ Outs “For All Mankind” Season Three Trailer Ahead of 10 June Premier
Image via Apple
17 MAY 2022 - Apple TV+ has released a trailer for “For All Mankind,” season three. Set in an alternate history where the Soviet Union won the space race, TechCrunch says the show’s third-season takes viewers to the early 1990’s, as Russia and the U.S. target manned missions to Mars.
Apple TV+ viewers can see the season three premier on Friday 10 June. Between now and then, you can catch the trailer below.
Reports: iPhone May Go USB-C in 2023
Image via Apple
16 MAY 2022 - TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo seems to have set tongues a waggin’ and keyboards a clackin’ around Apple and its future port plays. A couple of pieces from MacRumors point to a few Twitter messages from the well connected industry analyst. The first was from mid-week last week. It had Young-MC saying in the first of two Twitter posts:
(1/2) My latest survey indicates that 2H23 new iPhone will abandon Lightning port and switch to USB-C port. USB-C could improve iPhone's transfer and charging speed in hardware designs, but the final spec details still depend on iOS support.
The second Twitter message had the analyst saying that investor focus will likely shift to the companies currently in Apple’s USB-C supply chain, since they are going to get so many orders from Apple once it shifts to that tech for iPhone “and accessories…”
Somehow, and accessories was missed last week. Or the analyst simply wanted to reiterate. On Sunday, another piece from MacRumors had Ming-Chi Kuo doing that, as well as addressing the mythical “portless” iPhone for which some have been waiting. In yet another Twitter post a few days later the analyst said:
Portless iPhone may cause more problems due to current limitations of wireless technologies & the immature MagSafe ecosystem.
Other Lightning port products (e.g., AirPods, Magic Keyboard/Trackpad/Mouse, MagSafe Battery) would also switch to USB-C in the foreseeable future.
Makes sense. As iPhone goes, so goes the ecosystem.
The speculation seems sound for at least a couple of reasons. First, there are the tech advantages pointed out by the TF International analyst. The second has to do with proposed legislation in the European Union. MacRumors points out that the EU is working on laws “that would require Apple to use USB-C technology across its product lineup, on iPhones, iPads, and AirPods.” “One port to rule them all” seems to be the EU’s wish. Seems likely that Apple would simply choose to move everyone along, rather than making special editions for EU countries.
Worth noting: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says he has confirmed talk of the move to USB-C for iPhone in 2023. That said, he does not seem to have commented on the accessories. If it happens, expect a new ear of the dongle. According to MacRumors:
If Apple does transition to USB-C, Gurman says that the company will come out with an adapter that would let USB-C iPhones connect to accessories that have Lightning ports.
Which you can keep plugging your 3.5-mm headphones into, I suppose.
COVID Lockdowns Cut Apple Supplier Pegatron’s Shanghai Production
16 MAY 2022 - Hey, maybe by the time iPhone adopts USB-C in 2023, problems in the supply chain will be behind us. Right now, we are still way in them. The South China Morning Post posted a piece on Friday saying iPhone supplier Pegatron has cut production in Shanghai. This as COVID-related lockdowns keep popping up.
The good news: Restrictions are expected to be loosened this Friday 20 May. That is when Shanghai expects to hit its “societal zero-Covid-19” goal. The piece says that refers to “a situation when new cases are limited only to people in quarantine.”
So, not exactly an “all clear” then. And who knows when things will get back to normal, assuming “normal” is a thing for which we’re still aiming. According to the report:
More than half of Apple’s 192 suppliers that manufacture on the mainland – including Foxconn Technology Group, Pegatron, Quanta Computer, Wistron Corp and Compal Electronics – have production facilities in lockdown-hit Shanghai and eastern Jiangsu province, according to calculations by the South China Morning Post.
The piece does say that Apple may be able to shift orders to Foxconn, which has largely kept running under a “closed loop” system. Of course, we heard indications last week that even Foxconn may fall prey to the same pandemic, supply chain, geopolitical, and inflationary concerns that have gummed up the works for other manufacturers.
Ohio Considers Law to Ban Stalking Via Electronics
16 MAY 2022 - Did you know that, in Ohio, it might be legal to use an AirTag stalk someone? Shouldn’t be for much longer, though. The website for Cleveland’s WKYC says bipartisan legislation has been proposed that would make that societal no-no an actually illegal thing. According to the site, the TV station’s investigation.
…uncovered loopholes in Ohio law that would allow stalkers to secretly track someone -- potentially without penalty -- if there has been no prior pattern of stalking behavior or domestic violence.
Now, a Democrat and a Republican have proposed HB 672. According to the piece:
The bill would amend section 2903.211 of the Revised Code to “generally prohibit a person from knowingly installing a tracking device or application on another person's property without the other person's consent.”
The station says “at least 19 states” have “specific laws against electronic tracking, but not Ohio.” It’s hard to know whether HB 672 will actually stop any stalkers. At least law enforcement will have a path to prosecution, should any get caught tracking via AirTag.
You can see WKYC’s full report on the issue below.
Kendrick Lamar’s Latest Sets New 2022 Record on Apple Music
Kendrick Lamar - Image via Apple Music on Twitter
16 MAY 2022 - Not sure what held the record for records before, but there’s a new record record for Apple Music this week. iMore had Apple Music Tweeting on Saturday that Kendrick Lamar's new album is now the one to beat. According to the post, Lamar’s “‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ had the most first-day streams for an album released so far in 2022.”
I’ve heard lots of good things about the album from people a little older and considerably younger than me. Apple Music seems impressed - not just by the number of impressions. Quoting parts of the streamer’s write-up of the album:
The project is split into two parts, each comprising nine songs, all of which serve to illuminate Lamar's continually evolving world view. Central to Lamar's thesis is accountability.
[…]
It's a dense and heavy listen. But just as sure as Kendrick Lamar is human like the rest of us, he's also a Pulitzer Prize winner, one of the most thoughtful MCs alive and someone whose honesty across Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers could help us understand why any of us are the way we are.
Season Five of “Carpool Karaoke” Gets a Premier Date, a Trailer, and a New Home
16 MAY 2022 - Season five of “Carpool Karaoke: The Series” has a release date, a trailer, and a new home, kind of. 9 to 5 Mac says the fifth season of the “Late, Late Show with James Corden” spin-off will hit in just under two-weeks. Among the participants: some of the stars of the HBO Max limited series “The White Lotus,” some of the stars of All Elite Wrestling, a bunch of people I’ve never heard of, and Zooey Deschanel.
As for the sort of new home, it’s apparently going behind a paywall. According to the report:
While “Carpool Karaoke: The Series” was already available on the Apple TV app, this is the first time Apple has promoted the show as an Apple TV+ exclusive, which means it will likely no longer be available for free.
Worth watching and/or paying for? The public at large can find out on Friday 27 May. Between now and then, you can catch the trailer below.