Apple’s transparency report reveals doubling in controversial National Security Letter data requests
Apple has posted its latest transparency report on government requests for the company to disclose personal data belonging to customers, and it reveals that the number of FISA/National Security Letters it received roughly doubled in the second half of last year. These are classified requests for data, in which companies are not even allowed to report that they have received the orders.
CNET notes that FISA and NSL requests have been strongly criticised by privacy campaigners.
Critics of National Security Letters, like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, say they ‘allow the FBI to secretly demand data about ordinary American citizens’ private communications and Internet activity without any meaningful oversight or prior judicial review’ …
Apple launches new Swift app development curriculum for free on iBooks, offered at six community colleges this fall
Apple has today announced that is launching a new app development curriculum designed to teach students how to start using Swift to create fully functional iPhone apps. The course will be available for free on iBooks (not yet visible in the iBookstore) for anyone to download.
This fall, Apple says six American community colleges will teach the curriculum as well as ‘select high schools’. Apple wants to help more people learn to code and enter the app economy.
Apple’s re-launched 32 GB iPhone 6 now on sale in the UK
Over the last few months, Apple has quietly relaunched the iPhone 6 in a ‘new’ 32 GB configuration around the world. The company has opted not to sell the product directly, instead distributing the device via carrier partners.
The 32 GB iPhone 6 originally debuted in emerging markets, presumably as a lower cost option, but has more recently appeared in the US — and now it has hit the UK too …
iPhone 8 dummy unit shown off in hands-on video
Last month we saw what may be the closest thing so far to the iPhone 8 design expected to be introduced later this year, and today what appears to be the same dummy unit has surfaced again in a hands-on video. The dummy unit shows off the edge-to-edge 5.8-inch display and taller body rumored for the iPhone 8, although this particular unit appears to have a little heft to it too.
Apple releases second iTunes 12.6.1 update with new build number
Apple has released an updated version of iTunes through the Mac App Store, although the version number and release notes appear the same.
How to remove a Windows Boot Camp installation from your Mac [Video]
In a previous tutorial we showed you how to create a macOS Boot Camp partition for installing Windows 10 on a MacBook Pro. The process, while not difficult, can be slightly time consuming, especially if you have a slow Internet connection for downloading Windows 10.
Outside of the time it takes, another downside associated with creating a Boot Camp partition is that it can take up a significant amount of space on your primary drive. Since some Macs are fairly limited when it comes to internal storage space, having a large Boot Camp partition can make it tricky to manage storage space in macOS.
In this follow-up tutorial, we show you how to remove the Boot Camp partition from your Mac, which allows your primary macOS partition to reclaim its space. Unlike the Boot Camp creation + Windows 10 installation process, removing a Boot Camp partition couldn’t be easier. Watch our hands-on video walkthrough for the details. more…
Which iPhone upgrade program is the best?
While Apple has a relatively small number of iPhone variants to choose from compared to many smartphone manufacturers, the amount of ways to buy an iPhone can be overwhelming. With most carriers in the U.S. moving away from two-year contracts and subsidized devices, full-price or installment plans are the primary ways to purchase an iPhone.
Since all installment plans or iPhone upgrade programs from the major U.S. carriers and Apple offer 0% interest, these options can be a good fit for a lot of consumers. While many of these plans are relatively similar, they all have their differences. Follow along for a detailed breakdown to find out which iPhone upgrade program is best for you.
1Password adding new Travel Mode security feature for leaving sensitive information behind
1Password is launching a new feature for members called Travel Mode that makes it easier to remove sensitive information from the app. The idea behind Travel Mode is to give users the ability to flip a switch and instantly delete information from 1Password on your iPhone to prevent sharing sensitive information in the event of a mandatory search.
Apple testing ‘millimeter wave’ 5G wireless technology, experimental license shows
Apple appears to be testing next-generation 5G data speeds, Business Insider reports. The specific wireless technology is called millimeter wave which could ultimately improve cellular performance for iPhones and other connected devices.
Feature Request: iPad Workouts Dashboard for Apple Watch exercises
I sometimes use my iPad at the gym to watch videos or read iBooks to pass time while exercising with the elliptical or treadmill. The tablet form factor is sleek and doesn’t draw attention to itself, and the iPad usually lays over whatever screen the gym equipment offers.
This works well because I usually ignore the heart rate trackers and progress indicators on exercise equipment and just rely on my Apple Watch for workout data. I glance at my wrist to check my progress and view metrics while using the iPad for entertainment.
Over the weekend I used a hotel gym that offered exercise machines with large screens and an easy-to-use interface, however, that made me think of how the iPad could be used for more…