iOS 11 concept video shows how Apple could do dark mode, group FaceTime, iPhone split screen, more
Retrospect 14.0 backup software for Mac released with Backblaze B2 support
CIA has hacking unit devoted to iOS malware; has lost control of most of it – Wikileaks
Wikileaks claims that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has a specialized unit within its Center for Cyber Intelligence that is devoted to developing and obtaining zero-day exploits for iOS devices. A zero-day exploit is one unknown to Apple or security researchers, so cannot specifically be protected against.
Despite iPhone’s minority share (14.5%) of the global smart phone market in 2016, a specialized unit in the CIA’s Mobile Development Branch produces malware to infest, control and exfiltrate data from iPhones and other Apple products running iOS, such as iPads. CIA’s arsenal includes numerous local and remote “zero days” developed by CIA or obtained from GCHQ, NSA, FBI or purchased from cyber arms contractors such as Baitshop. The disproportionate focus on iOS may be explained by the popularity of the iPhone among social, political, diplomatic and business elites.
Wikileaks further claims that the CIA recently ‘lost control’ of the majority of the malware used to attack iPhones and iPads …
Filed under: Apple
Comment: iPhone’s bezel-free direction again makes me suspect the iPad mini is on the way out
I wrote an opinion piece last year speculating on Apple’s plans for its 2017 iPad line-up. A couple of factors led me to suspect that Apple may be planning to drop the iPad mini.
First, there was the fact that the starting price for the iPad mini 4 is exactly the same as for the iPad Air 2: $399. You’d already have to have a very strong preference for the smaller form-factor to want to shell out the same cash for the mini – especially given that you could combine phone and small tablet functionality by buying the Plus model iPhone.
Second, a KGI report suggesting that the 10.5-inch model would be the successor to the current 9.7-inch iPad Pro, while the new 9.7-inch model would be a low-cost model. That made it seem possible that Apple might be targeting an even lower price than $399, putting further pressure on the mini.
And now, consistent rumors of what we can expect from the iPhone 8 give a third reason to wonder whether the iPad mini has a future …
Filed under: Apple
Republican congressman says low-income Americans will have to decide between iPhones and healthcare
Even Porsche’s street-legal racecar, the 911 GT3, now comes with Apple CarPlay
Porsche has traditionally not emphasized creature comforts in its track-focused cars, even stripping out air-conditioning to keep the weight down. But the latest 911 GT3 – a model primarily aimed at track drivers who also want to drive the car to and from the circuit – now comes with CarPlay as standard …
Filed under: Apple
Nest users can now enable two-step authentication for improved security
Nest is getting a nice security improvement today with an update that brings two-step authentication for user accounts and all of the company’s products. We all know data security is a moving target. Technology keeps advancing, but so do the people who want to break into your email, your credit card or any other account […]
Fencing goes down, revealing new Apple Store in Cologne, Germany – opening this month
We’ve been hearing rumors about a second Apple Store in the Germany city of Cologne for years now, with apparent confirmation back in 2015. Apple made it official a few days ago, stating that the store would open on March 25, and Macerkopf took the above photo when the fencing finally came down.
The windows are still obscured, but the German site has a few more details …
Filed under: Apple
Report highlights growth for Apple devices in enterprise: 91% now using Mac, 99% iPhone & iPad
Jamf, makers of popular Apple device management software for businesses, today released its Annual Jamf Trends Survey measuring use of Apple products in the enterprise. The key takeaway: both iOS and Mac adoption grew among business users last year.
The report also offers additional insight into growth for Apple among enterprise users last year, collecting data from 300 IT professionals, managers and executives from commercial organizations of 50 to 10,000+ employees from around the world.
Some of the data highlights include:
Filed under: Apple
Honda Civic Type R finally coming to U.S. – with CarPlay support as standard
The Honda Civic Type R has long been one of the most iconic ‘hot hatches,’ offering sportcar performance in a body based on the company’s 5-door hatchback. It’s never before been on sale in the USA, but the company has announced that all that is changing with the 2017 model, which will be available from this spring.
The long-awaited Civic Type R, slated to go on sale in the U.S. in late spring with an MSRP in the mid-$30k range, is the first ever Type R-badged Honda to be sold on American soil.
“The fastest, most powerful Honda ever sold in America,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president & general manager of the Honda Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “We’re happy to inform our U.S. enthusiasts that the long wait for the forbidden fruit of Honda Type R performance is nearly over!”
Along with squeezing 306 horsepower into a 2-litre DOHC engine, the car will come with CarPlay support as standard …
Filed under: Apple