Tag: apple

Apple Faces Lawsuit for Text Disruption Caused by their iMessage Service

Apple’s iMessage is a free messaging service. This service was announced in 2011, and it along with other free messaging apps have been blamed for the steady decline in the usage of SMS service. There was though a major flaw in iMessage that has got Apple another visit to the courthouse.

Apparently, Apple’s messaging followed the users even after they bid their iPhones goodbye. When an iMessage user used a different device with the same number, Apple’s system was still automatically converting messages from iPhone users. This led to non-delivery of messages. This is an important issue as essential or emergency messages could have been disrupted because of this bug.

Apple has fixed the issue now, but not before getting an invite to court. The company is now facing a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company failed to disclose the bug to the users. The court specifically alleged that Apple’s intentional acts have caused an ‘actual breach or disruption of the contractual relationship.

In response to the allegation, Apple has stated that they have not intentionally kept the bug a secret. They added that there is no incentive in curbing the SMS feature considering that it needs the carriers to sell its devices.

November 12, 2014
New Web Tool by Apple Allows Users to Deregister Phone Numbers from iMessage

Apple has released a new tool that let’s former iPhone users deregister their phone numbers instantly from Apple’s iMessage system. This allows switching between iOS and other smartphones hassle free. Many former iPhone users have reported for years that they were unable to receive text messages from friends.

The problem occurs as Apple continues to route texts through iMessage even after users have moved on to non Apple devices. Since iMessage is exclusive to the Apple platform, users who moved away from iOS but did not disable iMessage first, were unable to see messages sent from friends who used Apple devices. The only solution to this for users who were still facing this problem was to deregister entirely the old device from their Apple accounts.

With the recently released tool, all users need to do is enter the phone number they wish to deregister from Apple’s iMessage system. Apple will then send a code via SMS, which they need to type into the browser to deregister.

Apple received a lot of heat earlier this year over disappearing messages which irritated some users to the extent that they had to file a law suit over the matter.

November 10, 2014
‘WireLurker’ Malware Threatens to Attack Apple Devices

Apple’s loyal users have long thought themselves safe from all sorts of notorious malware and viruses. However, a new report from Palo Alto Networks has suggested that Apple devices are at risk of a virus described by researchers as ‘the biggest scale’ malware they have ever seen.

Dubbed WireLurker, the malware targets both Mac as well as phones and tablets running iOS, when connected using a USB cable. When a mobile device is connected to the infected Mac, the virus spreads and installs nasty apps.

According to a research conducted by Palo Alto Networks, “WireLurker monitors any iOS device connected via USB with an infected OS X computer and installs downloaded third-party applications or automatically generated malicious applications onto the device, regardless of whether it is jailbroken. This is the reason we call it “wire lurker”. Researchers have demonstrated similar methods to attack non-jailbroken devices before; however, this malware combines a number of techniques to successfully realise a new brand of threat to all iOS devices. WireLurker exhibits complex code structure, multiple component versions, file hiding, code obfuscation and customised encryption to thwart anti-reversing”

WireLurker is not the first malware developed for Apple devices, but it is the first of its kind in many respects and only the second-known malware family to attack iOS devices through Mac OS X via USB. The malware is currently contained in China, where it appears to have originated on a third-party Mac app store called Maiyadi. However, the malware is under active development, and anybody downloading any unlicensed apps on Mac or connecting iOS devices to an unknown computer could be vulnerable.

Apple said that it has begun blocking the malware. “We are aware of malicious software available from a download site aimed at users in China, and we’ve blocked the identified apps to prevent them from launching,” the company stated. “As always, we recommend that users download and install softwares from trusted sources.”

November 7, 2014
Google Challenges Apple’s HealthKit with New Google Fit

After overcoming a few hurdles along the way, Apple’s HealthKit is making its way into mainstream slowly. However, Apple is not the only one to tap on potential market of health related applications and hardware. Yesterday, Google released Google Fit, a standalone app and fitness platform designed to compete with Apple’s HealthKit, in the Google Play store.

The app, which connects to your existing Google account, functions as a central dashboard for tracking fitness and health goals. Like HealthKit, Google Fit taps into the sensors in your smartphone to keep tabs on daily activities like steps and active minutes. Users can also manually add exercise and other activities like biking and walking.

According to Google, the newly launched app includes your run-of-the-mill activity tracking features, supports third-party integrations and Android wear devices, and enables users to “set goals based on either duration or steps.”

To help enable third-party app integration, the company also rolled out full versions of its Google Fit APIs for developers. Google released a preview version of its software development kit for Google Fit earlier this year, and announced a series of early partners, including Nike, Runtastic, RunKeeper, who will be among the first developers to make their apps Google Fit-compatible.

Google Fit also has a web-based destination at Google.com/fit which doesn’t appear to be live just yet, and it’s likely we’ll see more features introduced to the app as developers begin to explore and work with the platform.

Although this fitness app follows Google’s new Material Design guidelines and was announced alongside Android L (now known as Lollipop), Google Fit is available to all users running Android 4.0 and newer. This is also another reminder that Android 5.0 Lollipop’s release is just around the corner, with the first consumer devices sporting the OS coming next week.

October 29, 2014
German Guy Finds an Awesome Use of His Retired Power Mac G5

If you ever had to deal with the pain of parting with an electronic device, then you must know how hard it is. Laptops and desktops are especially hard to say goodbye to. You spend a lot of time trying to figure out which device to buy and then you spend countless moments with it. But some people find it so hard to bid them farewell that it leads them to create something amazing.

Meet Klaus Geiger who gave a second life to his Power Mac G-5. It is so cool; you might ask why hasn’t this been done before. Klaus uses two shells of the Power Mac’s and lays classy wooden slabs on them.

If you think about it, it’s a great homage to the first 64-bit architecture. It is also a great way of taking care of the exponentially growing e-wastes. With the access to technology getting cheaper and the devices getting updated at a faster rate, discarding of old technology has also increased. For a cleaner planet, it is essential that we find effective solutions to dump the e-waste. What Klaus has done is one great example of fixing the new generation trash.

Check out the images here:

October 27, 2014
Apple Protects Chinese Citizens from the Government Attacking Their Security

Reports have been circulating about a massive piracy attack on iCloud. It is being alleged that hackers and Chinese authorities were deploying man-in-the-middle(MITM) attacks in order to compromise Apple ID’s from Chinese users that visited Apple’s iCloud website.

The latest report by the Wall Street Journal suggests that Apple has officially confirmed that it is aware of the organized attacks on its iCloud users, however their own servers have not been compromised.

“Apple is deeply committed to ‘protecting our customers privacy and security. We’re aware of intermittent organized network attacks using insecure certificates to obtain user information, and we take this very seriously. These attacks don’t compromise iCloud servers, and they don’t impact iCloud sign in on iOS devices or Macs running OS X Yosemite using the Safari browser”.

Apple has come out with a support document that clearly specifies the importance of digital certificates, advising users who come across an invalid certificate alert in their web browser while visiting iCloud. The company has also issued guidelines as to how users can verify that their web browser is connected to iCloud and not a fake third party MITM website.

Apple has asked its users to make sure the green lock icon is visible and see the following message “Safari is using an encrypted connection to www.iCloud.com” when the lock icon is clicked.

But the main problem lies in the fact that users are not using secure browsers to access their cloud storage. A report indicates that many users in China access the Internet via a popular Chinese browser named Qihoo. It does not alert users when a fake site is getting their information, it rather redirects Chinese users to a fake website identical to the iCloud website. Users who eventually log into the fake site inadverently give the attackers their login and passwords that can be used to access personal information.

Chinese authorities are suspected to be a part of this attack. According to CNBC, a spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry said that Beijing was “resolutely opposed” to hacking.

Chinese users are being advised to switch to secure browsers like Chrome or Firefox, or use a VPN to bypass the redirection and log in directly to iCloud. Two factor authentication is also required to be turned on as it restricts unauthorized users from logging into an iCloud account even when a username and password is compromised.

October 22, 2014
Apple’s iPhone 6 Goes Out of Stock in India Within Days

A feat that was thought to be only achievable by Xiaomi has been achieved by its papa bear, Apple. The technology superpower’s latest flagship smartphone, the iPhone 6 has gone out of stock in India just days after its official release. In the nation’s capital, Apple’s ardent fans had even lined up at midnight to be the first to buy the device.

Apple had brought in a stock of 55,000 devices for sale in India on the midnight of 16th October. The entire stock got sold in just 3 days. Now the company is planning to bring 25,000 new devices soon to quench the demand for the latest bestseller. It was said that there will be a delay of three days before the devices are available again.

55,000 devices flew of the shelves in just three days.

Apple’s new iOS based devices not only have bigger screens that make them more multimedia friendly, they also have seamless connectivity features with other Apple devices. This, for now, separates these devices from everything else in the market.

The reason for the clearing up of shelves, even at such high price tag, might be the current festive season. With Diwali right around the corner, everyone is trying to attract new customers and seems like Apple has clearly made its mark. It wouldn’t be long before we get a final tally who scored the most off this festive climate.

October 20, 2014
Apple Event Round Up : The 8 Most Important Things Apple Announced

On Thursday, Apple held its second product release event in six weeks. The 90-minute event at Apple’s headquarters here was a sombre affair compared to the mega-launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple Watch and Apple Pay. This time the news was expected, however, Apple plenty of new hardware and software during the event.

The company added to its product line the two new iPads, a 27-inch iMac with eye-popping Retina display, and OS X Yosemite, Apple’s latest desktop operating system. The iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 and the devices will go on sale later next week in 29 countries (India is not on the list) while pre-orders open online today.

We are listing the important highlights of the event that will take considerably less time than it will take you to re-watch the event:

1. The New iPad Air is Skinnier Than Ever

Apple has relied on its time-tested strategy for updating a offering – make them thinner. The new device is only 6.1 mm thick, thinner than the new iPhones by almost 1mm. As expected, it is powered by the new Intel A8x Chip, a 2nd gen 64 bit architecture, which is 12 times faster than the current one. Apple claims that graphics performance of the new iPad Air 2 is 180 times faster, which gives console like gaming experience on the iPad Air 2. The tablets will feature a fingerprint scanner similar to the one found in the latest iPhones. The sensor enables people to use a fingerprint instead of a passcode to unlock the device, also can be used to make purchases using Apple Pay.

The new iPad Air 2 houses the 8MP iSight camera on the back with a f/2.4 aperture and supports HD video recording. Along with that, there is a front camera which features a new face time HD camera, burst selfie, slo-mo and more. The iPad Air 2 runs on the latest iOS 8.1 and features a LCD layer on the display and an anti reflective coating, reducing reflection by upto 56 per cent. The iPads are priced starting $499 (16GB). The 64GB version is available for $599 and the 128GB for $699.

2. There added a iPad Mini too, with Touch ID

Apple confirmed the third generation iPad Mini featuring the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor during the event. iPad mini 3’s screen is at 7.9-inches with a 2048×1536 resolution at 326 pixels per inch (ppi). Apart from the Touch ID, it has the same Retina display with an aluminum coating at the back. It will be available in gold, gray and silver colour variants.

It features a 5 megapixel iSight camera and a FaceTime HD camera. The camera carries the iOS8 features such as time-lapse and panorama. This iPad features dual microphones, on the front and back. Instinctively, when you switch cameras from front to back (or vice versa), the microphones switch, too. The price starts at $399 (Rs. 24,574 approx.) for 16GB in Wi-Fi only, while the 128GB + LTE model will cost $729. Pre-orders start tomorrow and shipping starts by the end of next week.

3. Apple Pay Will go Live on Monday (Only in the USA)

Apple confirmed it will begin rolling out the service next week on 20th October i.e. on Monday. Apple’s payment system allows people to bump their phones to pay for items in the 220,000 stores that have NFC (near-field communication) readers, as well as pay for items in apps by using the fingerprint scanner on Apple’s newest mobile devices.

Once third-party apps also use the Touch ID features, you can use this feature on other apps as well. As far as Apple Pay is concerned, it will be available only in the US and essentially allow users to replace their credit card with their device to make actual payments.

4. New iMacs come with the ‘World’s Highest Resolution Displays’

Along with Yosemite, Apple is bringing out the updated version of iOS. They’ve spent time and effort taking in user feedback and have updated the problem-prone update. iOS 8.1 brings the Camera Roll and iCloud Photo Library in beta, a feature that allows you to store all of your photos from all your devices in the cloud. The new iMac features a 27-inch display with 5210×2880 pixels resolution, which is 14.7 million pixels, which according to Apple, “is the world’s highest-resolution display”. Seven times more pixels than a Full HD TV, 67 per cent more pixels than 4k. The display is only 5mm thin at the edge.

The Oxide TF and a new low-power backlight helps it use 30% less energy despite the large display and heavy resolution. The base model runs on a 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics card, has 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB Fusion drive. The iMacs are priced starting $2499 (Rs. 1,53,913 approx).

5. Developers can Start Working on Apple Watch Apps Next Month.

Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook remained vague about when the company’s smartwatch will go on sale, saying only that it will be early next year. But the company is releasing WatchKit, software that will let developers start working on apps for the devices.

6. Yosemite is already available

Taking continuity to the next level. Apple definitely is the first company to benefit from this because of its enormous hardware ecosystem. OS X Yosemite is the upcoming eleventh major release of OS X, Apple Inc.’s desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers and it will be available from today. It can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for Free.

Yosemite gives you mirrored access across all Apple platforms for instant access. For example, the iPad recognizes what you’ve been working on and prompts you about it. You can stop working on the Mac, pick up your iPad and start working on your project right way without a second of lag. There is no need for third party apps. There is no need to open a cloud app and download the file, it’s always there.

7. iOS 8.1 Will Roll Out on Monday

Along with Yosemite, Apple is bring out the updated version of iOS. They’ve spent time and effort taking in user feedback and have updated the problem-prone update. iOS 8.1 brings the Camera Roll and iCloud Photo Library in beta, a feature that allows you to store all of your photos from all your devices in the cloud.

8. Apple SIM is a new iPad Air 2 hidden feature

Perhaps the most interesting news about Apple’s new iPad Air 2 tablet is buried at the bottom of one of its marketing pages: It will come pre-installed with a new “Apple SIM” card instead of one from a specific mobile operator.

Apple explains, “The Apple SIM gives you the flexibility to choose from a variety of short-term plans from select carriers in the U.S. and UK right on your iPad. So whenever you need it, you can choose the plan that works best for you—with no long-term commitments. And when you travel, you may also be able to choose a data plan from a local carrier for the duration of your trip.” So far, Apple lists three of the top four US operators—AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile—as partners. In the UK, there’s EE, a joint venture between T-Mobile and Orange. Apple says participating carriers may change.

October 17, 2014
Apple Brings Out the iPad Mini 3 with Touch ID for $399

Apple has confirmed the third generation iPad Mini featuring the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor during an event at its Cupertino headquarters. The device is identical to the latest 7.9-inch tablet and the iPad Mini with Retina Display that was unveiled last year. Apart from the Touch ID, it has the same Retina display with an aluminum coating at the back and will be available in gold, gray and silver colour variants.

It features a 5 megapixel iSight camera and a FaceTime HD camera and carries iOS 8 features such as time-lapse and panorama. This iPad features dual microphones, on the front and back. Instinctively, when you switch cameras from front to back (or vice versa), the microphones switch, too. iPad mini 3 promises lightning-quick Wi-Fi performance using its two antennas and MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) technology. With dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi and MIMO, download speeds can reach up to 300 Mbps.

It starts at $399 (Rs. 24,574 approx.) for 16GB in Wi-Fi only, while the 128GB + LTE model will cost $729. Pre-orders start tomorrow and shipping starts by the end of next week. Meanwhile, the previous generation iPad mini with Retina display — now called the iPad Mini 2 has received a price cut and can now be bought for as low as $299.

October 17, 2014
It’s Official! The 27-inch iMac with ‘5K’ Retina Display is Here

At a mega event held in Cupertino Apple finally unveiled the long awaited its 27-inch Retina iMac. The event carried several announcements; the company announced the date of the Apple Pay launch, the revealed the new upgraded iPads and finally, then showcased the ‘World’s Highest Resolution Display.’

The Retina iMac features a 5K display, has new Operating System Yosemite, which includes aesthetic changes along with new functionality. This next generation Operating System has enhanced sync abilities with iOS devices.

The new iMac features a 27-inch display with 5210×2880 pixels resolution, which is 14.7 million pixels, which according to Apple, “Is the world’s highest-resolution display”. Seven times more pixels than a Full HD TV, 67 per cent more pixels than 4k. The display is only 5mm thin at the edge. The Oxide TF and a new low-power backlight helps it use 30% less energy despite the large display and heavy resolution.

The base model runs on a 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics card, has 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB Fusion drive. The iMacs are priced starting $2499 (Rs. 1,53,913 approx).

October 17, 2014
Apple Unveils the Super Skinny iPad Air 2

It has been a year since the launch of the iPad Air, and now Apple has finally pulled the curtains on the long awaited iPad Air 2 at an event tonight at its Cupertino headquarters.

The new refreshed Air is 18 per cent thinner with a thickness of just 6.1 mm. As expected, it is powered by the new Intel A8x Chip, a 2nd gen 64 bit architecture, which is 12 times faster than the current one. Apple claims that graphics performance of the new iPad Air 2 is 180 times faster, which gives console like gaming experience on the iPad Air 2.

The tablets will feature a fingerprint scanner similar to the one found in the latest iPhones. The sensor enables people to use a fingerprint instead of a passcode to unlock the device, and also can be used to make purchases using Apple Pay.

The new iPad Air 2 houses the 8MP iSight camera on the back with a f/2.4 aperture and supports HD video recording. Along with that there is a front camera which features a new face time HD cam, burst selfie, slo-mo and more. In terms of connectivity it offers faster WiFi, better LTE connectivity of upto 150 Mbps. It can provide a battery back-up of upto 10 hours once fully charged.

The iPad Air 2 runs on the latest iOS 8.1 and features a LCD layer on the display along with an anti reflective coating, reducing reflection by upto 56 per cent. The iPads are priced starting $499 (16GB). The 64GB version is available for $599 and the 128GB for $699.

October 16, 2014
Apple Pay to Launch on 20th October

Apple Pay, Apple’s NFC and Touch ID-based mobile payment solution, might arrive sooner than anyone expected. Apple had announced its first mobile payment system will launch this month. Today at the mega event, Apple confirmed it will begin rolling out the service next week on 20th October.

With the new iPhones, Apple introduces the NFC radio on their phones. With Apple Pay all you need to do for paying at stores is bring your phone near the payment sensor, and that’s it, your payment is done. Apple pay is available on both, the iPhone 6 as well as the iPhone 6 Plus. It uses the Touch id for secure payment.

The company has inducted a security chip called the Secure Elements on the phones. Not just that, with this new technology, even your name and purchase details remain hidden from the cashiers at the store. You simply pay by keeping your thumb on the touch ID sensor.

Apple has also take special care that your financial data such as Credit card and account details from falling into the wrong hands. All your credit cards are stored in the Passbook app that doesn’t store any physical data on the device like credit card number and the CVV number. Instead, what you get is a One Time Payment(OTP) number for every transaction that gets transferred to the bank, so neither Apple nor the merchant gets to know your details.

October 16, 2014
iPad Air 2 Tipped to be Apple’s Thinnest Tablet Yet

Just when we thought that the iPad couldn’t get any slimmer, a new set of photos leaked online indicate otherwise. Apple is expected to unveil the next generation of iPads this week. Apple’s latest tablet is reportedly just 7 mm thick, its thinnest model yet. Citing images from Vietnamese tech blog Tinhte.vn, the upcoming iPad is expected to include Touch ID and a fingerprint sensor.

It is said that the iPad Air 2 will be roughly the same thickness of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which clock in at 6.9 and 7.1 mm thick, respectively. Gadgets always seem to be getting thinner, so this isn’t exactly unexpected. It is also said that the slimmer chassis might lead to the sacrifice of the mute button in the right side.

Similarly, a Chinese blog has got its hands on the internal hardware of the forthcoming iPad Air. It says that we can expect it to come with a faster A8X processor and 2GB of Ram. According to Macrumors, Apple has traditionally used “X” versions of its main chips with enhanced graphics for its iPads, so we can expect better performance in games and other graphics-heavy apps and websites.

Also, there’s little change in the design, except for recessed volume buttons, which were first adopted in Apple’s latest iPhone 6 models. According to AppleInsider, the speaker grille has apparently changed from two rows to a single row of holes.

October 13, 2014
Apple Unveils New App for Easier One-Handed Typing on Big-Screen iPhone 6

Apple, the global technology giant, has introduced a new app called ‘One Handed Keyboard’ that allows iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users to type with one hand making it easier to handle the bigger screens.

The aptly titled app, One Handed Keyboard, displays what it claims to be the same size of keyboard iPhone users have grown accustomed to over the years. The keyboard is still on its initial stage, offering only a smaller keyboard that docks to either side of the screen, with extra controls to adjust the theme or color of the keys.

However, the auto-correct library is missing from the app, meaning that whatever you type is what’s displayed, the new iOS will not correct it for you. Though the App Store listing does mention that this is a feature coming in an update soon.

The California-based company has been appreciated for this as when it comes to entering text on the larger keyboards users are forced to give up one-handed use. Apple did its best to alleviate any issues for users switching to the bigger iPhone 6 and 6 Plus with its reachability feature.

October 13, 2014
Apple’s Sapphire Glass Supplier Files for Bankruptcy

Apple had a lot of problems this year. Be it production delays or #Bendgate, the company has been in news for all the wrong reasons this year. Now, things seem to be going from bad to worse. Apple’s sapphire glass supplier, GT Advanced Technology has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with plans to shut down two production plants and lay off 890 workers.

It has been reported that GT has requested permission from the bankruptcy court to close down the Arizona plant, even after the company stated that it planned to remain operational while it reorganized its finances. In addition to requesting approval to shut down that plant, GTAT has also asked that a New Hampshire bankruptcy court terminate its agreements with Apple, which it describes in a filing as “oppressive and burdensome.”

In the original statement announcing the Chapter 11 filing, GT CEO Tom Gutierrez said, “Today’s filing does not mean we are going out of business; rather, it provides us with the opportunity to continue to execute our business plan on a stronger footing, maintain operations of our diversified business, and improve our balance sheet. Only if GT winds down these operations will it be able to stop its mounting losses and re-focus its resources on the operation of its core business of selling sapphire furnaces and other products.” the company said on Friday.

GT’s Arizona Plant

Apple, in turn responded by pointing to its earlier statement that it remains committed to preserving jobs in Arizona and was consulting with state and local officials on its next steps. “We are proud of the jobs we’ve helped create in Arizona through Apple’s domestic manufacturing initiative and our state-of-the-art facility powered entirely by renewable energy sources. We are focused on preserving jobs in Arizona following GT’s surprising decision and we will continue to work with state and local officials as we consider our next steps.” Apple spokesperson said when asked about the matter.

Earlier, it was reported that GT had failed to meet technical milestones that Apple required in order to receive the final $139 million in advanced payment. GT Chief Financial Officer Raja Bal told investors that setting up production at the Arizona plant was more costly than the company had originally estimated. Within the past year, GT has been losing money with no solid success to back it up.

October 11, 2014