Opinion: Why the FBI accessing the San Bernardino iPhone doesn’t mean it’s all over
The battle between the FBI and Apple over accessing a work phone used by one of the San Bernardino terrorists started as headline news and ended in a rather anti-climactic fashion.
The high-profile congressional hearing was due to be followed by a big showdown in court. Instead, the FBI asked that the hearing be vacated, and later quietly announced that it had, with help, managed to gain access to the phone. Nothing to see here, move along.
But while this particular case may be settled, it’s extremely unlikely that this will be the end of the matter – for two reasons …
Filed under: AAPL Company, Opinion Tagged: Apple Inc, Apple iPhone 5C, Encryption, FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, iPhone, privacy, San Bernardino, Secure Enclave, United States Department of Justice
SoundCloud launches $10/month ‘Go’ subscription service w/ ad-free & offline listening
Big changes are coming to the community-based music streaming service SoundCloud as the company today introduces a new subscription service for the first time.
The new feature, dubbed SoundCloud Go, will allow users to listen to SoundCloud music both offline and ad-free for $10/month:
Filed under: Apps, iOS Tagged: ad-free, Apple Music, download, go, offline, pricing, SoundCloud, subscription
How-To: Set up and use password-protected Notes on iOS 9.3 [Video]
Along with Night Shift mode, having the ability to password-protect notes in the default Notes app is one of the big new features in iOS 9.3. Individual notes within the Notes app can now be secured with a password, and Touch ID users can gain even faster access to password-protected notes.
Securing notes in iOS 9.3 is a simple exercise on the surface, but it’s not always entirely straightforward. Have a look at our full video walkthrough and tutorial for all of the details. more…
Filed under:
How-To, iOS Tagged: how to, iOS 9.3, notes app, Security, Touch ID, Touch ID Notes, video
Foxconn shares suspended due to “major announcement” expected to be Sharp acquisition
It looks like the on-off acquisition of display-maker Sharp by iPhone assembler Foxconn is back on. The WSJ reported earlier that the two companies have been discussing a significantly lower valuation for the company, and Reuters now reports that share trading in Foxconn has been suspended due to a “major announcement.”
Japan’s Sharp Corp and Taiwan’s Foxconn are set to sign a merger deal this week after repeated delays, with the two sides set to agree on a smaller bailout than originally planned for the troubled Japanese electronics maker, two sources familiar with the talks said.
The deal is expected to be finalised during board meetings by both companies tomorrow for around $2B less than originally discussed, after a rather stormy journey.
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Foxconn, iPhone, Sharp, Sharp Corporation
Nintendo’s first iOS game Miitomo will launch in US & other countries on March 31
The game is already available in Japan— that’s how Jeff managed to go hands-on in our first look video earlier this month— but today Nintendo confirmed that its first iOS game, Miitomo, will officially arrive in the US on March 31st.
The game isn’t exactly bringing over any of Nintendo’s very popular first party franchises to iPhones and iPads, but it does feature known Mii characters and, as we noted in our review, the release feels very much like a Nintendo title:
When you first start Miitomo, it’s immediately recognizable as a Nintendo title. It feels like someone took my Nintendo Wii and shrunk it down to fit inside of my iPhone 6s. The music and sound effects, most notably, are of the characteristic Nintendo style. The Miis themselves look just like the Miis on the game-maker’s handheld and home consoles. The writing — witty, with just a hint of corniness thrown in for good measure — is classic Nintendo.
Nintendo noted in its press release today that Miitomo was downloaded over a million times in the first three days after launch in Japan and it also managed to become the #1 most downloaded free app in both the App Store and Google Play.
While Nintendo didn’t mention other countries by name today, it did say that “several other countries” will receive the title on the 31st alongside users in the US.
Check out our review of the game from earlier this month to get a first look before it officially arrives in the US and other countries on the 31st.
Filed under: Apps Tagged: countries, download, hands-on, iPad, iPhone, March 31, Miitomo, Nintendo, release date, review, US, video
Apple patent reveals stackable Smart Connector plugs and possible MagSafe Lightning cable
The Smart Connector Apple introduced on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and used again on the latest 9.7-inch model, may become more capable over time. An Apple patent granted today reveals possible plans to allow multiple devices to be simultaneously connected to the port, using stacked connectors.
Interestingly, while the much-loved MagSafe power connector was removed in the 12-inch MacBook, it seems that Apple hasn’t altogether abandoned the idea, as the patent describes using magnetic retention to stack the plugs – with one drawing showing what looks very much like a MagSafe Lightning plug …
Filed under: iOS Devices
Government says it may not reveal to Apple the method used to access the San Bernardino iPhone
While the FBI has successfully accessed the data on the iPhone 5c in the San Bernardino shootings, and the court battle is over for now, the government says that it may not accede to Apple’s demand to be told the method used.
The White House said back in 2014 that the government would consider the pros and cons of disclosing vulnerabilities discovered by its various law enforcement agencies. ArsTechnica asked whether the FBI would reveal the method used in this case, and was told that it wasn’t saying one way or the other …
Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS Devices
Those giant displays in the new Ive-designed Apple Stores reportedly cost $1.5M each [Gallery]
The giant screens that form part of the new Apple Store design created by Jony Ive reportedly cost $1.5M each. We got out first look at the screens at the opening of the Brussels store in Belgium, as well as a tour of a mockup in December. We reported last September that Memphis would be one of […]
Apple acknowledges iOS 9 crashing bugs when tapping links, fix coming ‘soon’ with a software update
Since posting our original story, we have heard from a lot of readers that are affected by iOS 9 crashes or app hangs when tapping links, spanning multiple iOS versions (not just 9.3) and devices. In a statement, Apple has now confirmed that they are working on a fix for the problem, coming in a software update (presumably iOS 9.3.1).
“We are aware of this issue, and we will release a fix in a software update soon.”
Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: iOS, iPad, iPhone, links tapping
Apple schedules Q2 2016 earnings call livestream for April 25
Apple has announced this evening that its fiscal second quarter earnings call will take place on Monday, April 25th at the usual time 2PM PT/5PM ET, with the earnings release dropping roughly thirty minutes before that. The call will report earnings for the three-month period ending this month.
Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple, earnings, financial