The implications of the FBI forcing Apple to create a compromised version of iOS to break into an iPhone could be profound, argues Lavabit – an encrypted email company that closed its service rather than comply with an FBI demand to hand over its encryption key. Company founder Ladar Levison (above) was found to be in contempt of court when he refused to hand over the key in 2013.

Lavabit is the latest of more than 40 companies and organizations to file an amicus brief in support of Apple, reports TechCrunch.

It warns that iPhone and iPad users may reject future iOS updates, which would leave security holes unplugged.

If the government is successful, however, many consumers may not be as trustful of these updates because of a fear (actual or imagined) that the updates will contain malware to provide a backdoor into the data on their iPhones. The result is that fewer people will automatically accept the automatic updates and the overall security of iPhones across the country will suffer.

But the effects of a ruling against Apple could go even further, the company suggests …

more…

Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS Devices Tagged: Apple Inc, California, Encryption, FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal government of the United States, iOS, Lavabit, privacy, San Bernardino

Not long after Apple fixed one 1970-related iPhone glitch, a second one appears to be at work. A number of iPhone and iPad owners are tweeting screengrabs of ghost emails arriving from 1st January 1970. The emails have no sender, subject or content, and cannot be deleted, reports the Telegraph.

The good news is that this glitch doesn’t do any harm. The date is simply the Unix equivalent of zero, so the iOS Mail app would default to this if for some reason the correct date and time were missing, as one Reddit user explained …

more…

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: 1970, 1970 email bug, 1970 email glitch, 1970 emails, email, iOS, iPad, iPhone, Unix time

The battle between the FBI and Apple continues to be played out in the media. On the same day that Apple SVP Craig Federighi said that the FBI wanted to create a weakness that could be used by hackers and criminals, NYPD’s head of counter-terrorism weighed in during a radio interview. The Daily News quotes John Miller accusing Apple of providing aid to murderers, among other things.

I still don’t know what made [Apple] change their minds and decide to actually design a system that made them not able to aid the police. You are actually providing aid to the kidnappers, robbers and murderers.

He cited the same quote used by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance during the Congressional hearing to support this contention, that a criminal described iOS 8 as ‘a gift from God’ …

more…

Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS Devices Tagged: Apple Inc, California, Encryption, FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, iPhone, John Miller, New York, NY, NYPD, privacy, San Bernardino

As part of Apple’s continuing quest to raise support for its side of the Apple/FBI iPhone encryption backdoor debate, Craig Federighi has written an opinion piece in The Washington Post. Unsurprisingly, the Apple executive repeats much of the arguments Apple has already made, indicating that hampering security efforts in technology is counterproductive:

To get around Apple’s safeguards, the FBI wants us to create a backdoor in the form of special software that bypasses passcode protections, intentionally creating a vulnerability that would let the government force its way into an iPhone. Once created, this software — which law enforcement has conceded it wants to apply to many iPhones — would become a weakness that hackers and criminals could use to wreak havoc on the privacy and personal safety of us all.

more…

Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: Apple, FBI, Federighi, security encryption

OS X users have today been hit with the first known case of Mac ‘ransomware’ malware, found in the Transmission BitTorrent client released last week. Infected versions of the app include ‘KeyRanger’ malware that will maliciously encrypt the user’s hard drive after three days of being installed. The malware then asks for payment to allow the user to decrypt the disk and access their data — the ‘ransom’.

more…

Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS, iOS Devices, Mac Tagged: keyranger, Mac, money, OS X, ransom, ransomware, scary, Transmission, virus, welfare

Let’s face it, after using your Apple products all day long, chances are they will get dirty, be it from finger prints being left on iOS devices and laptops or grease marks left on the keyboard. In this how-to article we will discuss how to clean your Apple products.

more…

Filed under:
How-To Tagged: Apple watch, clean, how to, iPad, iPhone, Mac

If you have the YouTube app installed on your phone, then you’ve likely ran into the dreaded ‘Open this page in “YouTube”?’ message when visiting YouTube in Safari. While it’s understandable that Google would like you to view content via its official app, it starts to get annoying after encountering the message for the umpteenth time.

One surefire way to eliminate the prompt is to uninstall the YouTube app altogether, but that’s a bit on the extreme side of things. Fortunately, there is a way to easily bypass the request, as we’ll show you inside. more…

Filed under:
How-To Tagged: Google, how to, Safari, tutorial, YouTube, YouTube app

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in on the state of iPhone and iPad controllers, but I have seen some improvements since we first covered some of the shortcomings with the early batch of game controllers that came out under Apple’s Made-for-iPhone licensing program. Today I’m taking a look at the new Tt eSports Contour MFi controller, a new $65 option that includes a classic Xbox-style design and a built-in stand to hold your iPhone and turn it into a true handheld game console.

more…

Filed under: Reviews Tagged: Apple TV, controller, Game controller, iPad, iPod, made for iPhone, MFi, review, Tt eSports Contour

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Aukey 20000mAh USB Power Bank and flashlight w/Lightning and MicroUSB inputs: $25

Anker SoundCore Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker w/ 24-hour battery life: $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)

Dr. Seuss Birthday iOS/Android App Sale from $1 ea: The Lorax, One Fish Two Fish, more

App Store Free App of the Week: Toca Kitchen 2 goes free for the first time ($2 value)

The highly rated LIMBO puzzle-platformer for iOS drops to just $1 (Reg. $5)

13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest) 2.9GHz/8GB/512GB $1,500 (Reg. $1,799)

13-inch MacBook Air (newest) 1.6GHz/4GB/256GB: $950 (Reg. $1,199)

13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB $1,200 (Reg. $1,499)

12-inch MacBook now $300 off: 256GB $1,000, 512GB $1,300 + extra $50 savings w/ .edu email

Apple Mac Pro 12-core Xeon/64GB/1TB: $8,799 (Reg. $9,599), more

Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $930 shipped (Reg. $1,079)

Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro 128GB Wi-Fi: $800 shipped (Reg. $949)

Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro 32GB Wi-Fi: $695 shipped (Reg. $799)

Giveaway: Outfit your Apple Watch with one of Throne’s handmade leather bands ($330 value)

This emergency flashlight can charge your phone, start your car, or help you break out of it: $80 shipped

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

iPhone 6s, iPad Air 2 and Galaxy S7/Edge cases in a variety of styles/colors from $4.50 shipped

tvOS App & Game Coding Bundle teaches development for Apple TV: $29 (Orig. $654)

• Manage your home theater w/ Logitech’s Harmony Control for $94 shipped (Reg. $135+)
• Games/Apps: Monster Hunter 4 on 3DS $20, amiibo from $10, freebies, more
• Sennheiser Headphones: CX475 In-Ear $20 (Reg. $30+), HD518 On-Ear $50, more
• Daily Deals: 2-pack Motorola HD Home Monitoring Cameras $115, more
• Free wireless charger with new Samsung Pay activation (up to $50 value)
• Sierra Trading Post Clearance up to 90% off: Trespass Qikpac Waterproof Jacket $30, more
• Save 50% on any movie rental including new releases: The Good Dinosaur, more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

HDTVs: Toshiba 49″ 1080P: $280 shipped, Changhong 49-inch 4K: $299, Roku 50″: $350

How-to: Save up to $10/month on your cable bill by buying this $40 DOCSIS 3.0 Modem

• Samsung 11.6-inch Chromebook 2 2.16GHz/4GB/16GB SSD: $199 shipped (Reg. $279)
• Logitech’s popular MX Mouse lineup is on sale today: Anywhere 2 $62 (Reg. $70+)
• Snag one of these discounted HDTV antennas, deals from $13 Prime shipped
• Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Studio Over-the-Ear Wired Headphones $150 shipped (Orig. $300)
• Macphun’s Intensify CK (Pro) image manipulation app for Mac: $40 (Reg. $60)
• Boost your productivity on the road w/ these Bluetooth keyboards from $14
• Amazon coupon: Get $25 back when you spend $50 on shaving supplies, more
• GreenWorks 13 Amp 21-inch Lawn Mower for $140 shipped (Orig. $240), more
• Save 25% on Anker’s 20000mAh PowerCore battery: $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)
• Trianium 3100mAh iPhone 6/s MFi Battery Case: $18 Prime shipped (Reg. $36)
• MFi Apple-Certified Lightning + microUSB Braided Cables: 6-foot $13.50, more
• SanDisk Mobile Storage: 200GB microSD card $80 (Reg. $100), more
• LG Smartwatches: Urbane w/ HRM in gold or silver $180 shipped (Reg. $230+), more
• Paracord Survival Bracelet/Knife/Fire Starter: $4 Prime shipped (Reg. $6)
• Media – HD downloads: Black Mass $10, Jurassic World $10
• $100 Toys R Us Gift Card for just $85 w/ email delivery from PayPal
• Kindle First eBook freebies for March: The Big Fear, more
• Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 5.5-inch (Unlocked) for $179 shipped (Reg. $249)
• LG 20W Bluetooth Speakers: P7 $55 (Reg. $115), more
• Free PS Plus Games for March: Broforce, Galak-Z, Super Stardust HD, more
• Free Xbox Live Gold Games for March: Borderlands, Lords of the Fallen, more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Amazon launches more affordable Echo Dot and Amazon Tap Bluetooth speaker

New Normal blends style and PowerBeats-like design for a new take on wireless earbuds

• Disney finally shares Blu-ray combo pack release details for Star Wars: The Force Awakens
• LEGO releases four new Minecraft sets
• This attractive Kickstarter timepiece blocks out your schedule on its watch face
• DJI’s Phantom 4 drone is coming later this month with a new obstacle avoidance system
• Grovemade’s new wooden MacBook Dock offers a Made in America home for your device
• Brooklyn’s own Grado Labs introduces its first Made for iPhone earbuds w/ Siri control
• Sony’s PlayStation Vue TV service adds two major networks, pricing slashed by $10
• Brita’s new Wi-Fi Infinity water pitcher automatically orders new filters from Amazon
• Raspberry Pi 3 hits with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth after four long years
• Review: Audioengine turns it up to 11 with its newest Bluetooth HD6 powered speakers
• Zepp partners with Old Hickory for a new smartphone-connected baseball bat

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: 9to5Toys, 9to5Toys Lunch Break, Amazon, Anker, Aukey, iOS

Final Cut Pro X has gone through a lot of changes since it first debuted as a reboot back in 2011. Since then, the app has grown up significantly, but it’s been able to retain its relatively low barrier to entry in the process. Final Cut Pro X is remarkably simple to learn, but it has a fairly high ceiling for growth.

In this initial tutorial, I’m going to cover some of the basics about one of the fundamental aspects of Final Cut Pro X: library management. Knowing how Libraries are created and what they contain is extremely important. It’s one of the first steps in really getting to know Final Cut Pro X. more…

Filed under:
How-To, Apps, Mac Tagged: Apple apps, Final Cut Pro X, guide, how to, tutorial, Video editing