Lit Apple Mac, iPhone, iPad User Group

[sultrysandy]

Walmart starts preorders for iPad Air 4, delivers next Friday

A month after it was announced, you can now preorder the new iPad Air 4 …. at Walmart. The retailer has just opened up its order page for the new $599 iPad, with deliveries starting on Friday, 23rd October.

The new iPad Air brings the full-screen thin-bezel design of the 2018 Pro down to a much lower price point, featuring the latest A14 chip for speedy performance and Touch ID sensor integrated into the top button.

When Apple announced the new IPad Air last month, it simply said the device would be available in October. Even at Tuesday’s event, a firm release date for the iPad Air was not given.

However, it is pretty clear that the release date is indeed going to be the 23rd, following FCC approval earlier today.

Walmart has jumped the gun slightly by opening up its order page already. UK Apple authorized resellers are also confirming the 23rd date. We can expect that the Apple Store will allow customers to buy the new iPad Air starting tomorrow morning.
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[sultrysandy]

iPhone 12 preorders sold out in 45 mins for Taiwanese carrier

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Oh tomorrow could be interesting

iPhone 12 preorders haven’t yet opened on apple.com, but Taiwanese carriers started accepting them yesterday, and have reported extremely strong demand …

Digitimes reports that one sold its initial allocation in just 45 minutes.

Pre-sales for Apple’s just released iPhone 12 lineup have gotten off to a good start in the Taiwan market with telecom operators receiving handsome pre-orders, according to market sources.

Telecom operators, including Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) and Taiwan Mobile, all began taking pre-orders on October 14, with CHT saying it sold out its pre-sales quota within 45 minutes […]

FET said the volumes it received in the first day of pre-orders were three-fold higher than it received for the previous lineup launched a year earlier.

FET reported a 50/50 split in preorders between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, while CHT says that 65% of orders were for the cheaper non-Pro model.

Commentators worldwide are saying that while 5G is still in its infancy, Apple’s adoption of the faster mobile data standard will accelerate the rollout of the necessary infrastructure by creating significant additional demand.

One disappointment is that the faster mmWave 5G standard (what Apple calls Gigabit LTE) is only supported by American phones. Outside the US, 5G is limited to sub-6GHz 5G. This has far greater range, but isn’t dramatically faster than 4G/LTE. The primary benefits are far lower latency – making it more suitable for mobile gaming – and reduced contention, meaning more connections for each base station.

In the US, Apple opens preorders for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro – the two 6.1-inch models – tomorrow, while preorders for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini don’t open until November 6.

One surprise was that Apple didn’t show any leather cases for the new iPhones beyond the MagSafe wallet, but the small-print revealed that these will go on sale in November, likely on the same day that the remaining two iPhone 12 models go on sale.
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[sultrysandy]

Best iPhone 12 Pre-order Deals: Verizon, AT&T, Walmart, and more

Earlier this week, Apple took the virtual stage to unveil its latest lineup of updated hardware including the new iPhone 12. Pre-orders kick-off today as Apple brings the iPhone 12, and 12 Pro to market with various carriers and retailers offering notable discounts on day one. Below you’ll find all of the best iPhone 12 pre-order deals from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and a number of other providers.


iPhone 12 pre-orders start at 8AM ET

iPhone 12 pre-orders are set to launch at 8AM ET and 5AM PT, departing from the historical late night time slot. iPhone 12 Pro will also be available at this time, however, the larger Pro Max and smaller Mini will not be hitting online shelves until November. The first iPhone 12 devices are slated to arrive next week.

iPhone 12 arrives with a 6.1-inch display and a new flat edge design that is reminiscent of iPhone 4/5 and the most recent iPad Pro hardware. iPhone 12 Pro arrives with a similar display but upgraded internals and camera system.

Best iPhone 12 pre-order deals

Verizon

Verizon is rolling out an aggressive pre-order deal offering new customers a FREE iPhone 12 if you switch from another carrier. You’ll need to sign-up for Verizon’s unlimited plan and trade-in your existing device to take advantage of this promotion. Existing customers can get iPhone 12 for as low as $15 per month when signing up for a Verizon Device Payment plan with unlimited service, while trading in your previous iPhone 8 or newer.


AT&T

New and current AT&T customers can get iPhone 12 for FREE when trading in select smartphones and signing up for an unlimited plan. This will equate to as much as $800 in credits over the course of 3-months.


T-Mobile

T-Mobile is bundling two iPhone 12s with unlimited 5G data service for $100 per month as its lead pre-order offer. The reduced price comes way of bill credits over the course of a 30-month agreement. Again, you’ll need to trade-in an existing device and switch service to be able to take advantage of this offer. iPhone XS or newer receives the best trade-in value.


Xfinity Mobile

Xfinity Mobile is taking $250 off any iPhone and giving existing customers a $250 gift card if they trade-in an existing device and upgrade. While this is a particularly aggressive offer with few strings attached, keep in mind that Xfinity Mobile is currently limited to Xfinity home customers.


Walmart

This year, Walmart is serving up iPhone 12 pre-orders with up to $130 off depending on which carrier you sign-up with. Financing and a device payment play are required to cash-in on these savings, however, no trade-in is stipulated with this deal.

iPhone 12 Pro

Verizon

Verizon won’t quite be offering up a free iPhone 12 Pro at launch, but there is still a notable monthly discount available. You can lock-in the iPhone 12 Pro at $18.70 per month when you trade-in a device. That number jumps to $23.29 if you’re an existing customer. This promotion will require an unlimited plan in both instances.


AT&T

AT&T is being more aggressive than other carriers on the iPhone 12 Plus bringing the monthly cost down to $6.64 per month for new customer with an eligible trade-in. You’ll need to be on AT&T’s unlimited plan.


T-Mobile

T-Mobile is serving up the same $100 per month for two iPhone 12 Pro devices and 5G unlimited service via monthly credits. Much like the iPhone 12 deal referenced above, a trade-in is required and the promotion is spread out over 30-months.






I think that's more than enough for today


Have fun ordering Friday
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[sultrysandy]

T-Mobile and Sprint match AT&T and Verizon with $799 iPhone 12 pricing

Noted earlier this week that the $799 iPhone 12 actually costs $829. The $799 ‘from’ pricing announced by Apple during the keynote turned out to include a $30 discount available only from AT&T and Verizon.

T-Mobile and Sprint have now matched this discount …

The misleading pricing by Apple came as something of a surprise.

In an incredibly sneaky move, it turns out the iPhone 12 does not actually cost $799 as advertised. If you go to the website and look at the pricing for the iPhone 12, the SIM-free price is actually $829. The iPhone 12 mini is similarly $729, and not $699.

The top-line advertised prices actually include a $30 carrier discount, which is only available on AT&T and Verizon plans. That means if you are buying SIM-free unlocked or through T-Mobile or Sprint, the phone cost is $829. The same holds for the iPhone 12 mini.

The real price of the iPhone 12 mini is $729, unless you are eligible for the $30 discount through AT&T or Verizon.

This leaves the $829 pricing from Apple if you want a SIM-free phone.

And T-Mobile iPhone 12 list price no longer $30 higher than its peers. pic.twitter.com/ntvgXzSXtz
remove the five spaces - https:// t . c o /ntvgXzSXtz

— Walter Piecyk (@WaltLightShed) October 16, 2020

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are now available for preorder, with the first customers taking delivery on October 23 – though delivery dates quickly slipped. Note that you no longer get headphones or a charging brick in the iPhone 12 box this year. You do still get a Lightning to USB-C cable.

Shipping times are starting to slip across the board, but especially for the pacific blue configurations. Many new buyers are now be quoted a November 3rd delivery for the pacific blue and certain other configurations.

If you’re after the iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max, you have a while to wait yet: preorders open on November 6, and will start shipping on November 13.
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[sultrysandy]

Apple Promotes iPhone 12 as 'Most Powerful iPhone Ever' in New Ad

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Following the launch of the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, Apple has begun marketing them through TV commercials, ads, billboards, and more. An ad uploaded to YouTube this afternoon promotes the new *iPhone 12* and 12 Pro as "the most powerful iPhone ever," highlighting the design, camera, 5G connectivity, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sXooi_y-MI&feature=youtu.be - 00:38

Hello 5G. iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are here. Learn more at https://www.apple.com/iphone/



The spot features the songs "Gopher" by Yma Sumac and "Drumdown Mambo" from Whethan. It shows off the *iPhone*'s design and then features a shockwave that's set off when the device is unlocked as a demonstration of its power.

Apple's *iPhone 12* and 12 Pro are available for pre-order as of today, with the first orders set to arrive to customers on Friday, October 23.
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[sultrysandy]

PSA: Verizon customers might need to change plans to use iPhone 12 with 5G

In the process of ordering an iPhone 12, I noticed what seemed like a strange alert that I needed to change my Verizon plan to be able to use 5G. That’s despite having what I thought was the carrier’s latest unlimited plan. Follow along for how to make sure you’ve got a 5G Verizon plan and what to look out for.

TL;DR: Even if you think you have a current unlimited plan with Verizon that includes 5G, you may need to update your plan which doesn’t cost more on face value, but may include different “perks.” These perks could save you money or cost you more when changing plans. Read on for all the details.



As part of the process of ordering the iPhone with Verizon, I got this alert:

Your device is 5G Ultra Wideband ready, but your plan isn’t. In order to take advantage of all that 5G UW has to offer, upgrade to a plan that includes this service. If you stay on your current plan, you’ll still have 4G LTE and 5G nationwide network access but you’ll miss out on this upgraded service.

There was an option to upgrade my plan but that threw me off since we have what I thought was a current Unlimited plan with Verizon (Do More Unlimited). So I decided to pause and do some research before changing plans.

Here’s what I found on Verizon’s website for plan details:

I thought this was weird, because, our current plan is the Do More Unlimited and what Verizon’s website showed was that it included 5G/4G LTE premium data (up to 50GB per month). I double-checked, and yeah we have the Do More Unlimited. So what’s up with the alert?

How to get a 5G Verizon plan

I called Verizon and talked with a nice and knowledgeable rep. Curious enough, even though the plans from 2019 are named the same as the 2020 ones (shown above) there are previous-gen and new-gen plans that don’t and do include 5G.

The pricing hasn’t changed, but what has changed in addition to 5G being included with the latest generation of Verizon Wireless unlimited plans is the perks that are included (which actually could change the price, for instance, if you have an Apple Watch on your plan).

When you go to change the plans yourself, you’ll see them differentiated with “5G UW” added at the end making things clear. The latest-gen plans aren’t more expensive, but the perks can change the overall value. Another important note, each line can have a different Unlimited plan.

The rep I talked to didn’t say that my plan would automatically update to a 5G plan when activating an iPhone 12 with Verizon (I did end up buying my iPhone 12 directly through Apple instead of Verizon, set to be activated with my existing Verizon number).

Here’s how the new perks stack up for the latest Play More, Do More and Get More Unlimited Plans from Verizon:

Left: Play More, Middle: Do more, Right, Get More



When changing your plan, pay attention to the perks that are available now compared to last year or earlier (or whenever you last changed plans). For example, if you want Disney+, Hulu, ESPN included, you need the Play More or Get More now.

But if you want 50% off Unlimited connected device plans like with a cellular Apple Watch, you need the Do More or Get More.

Only the Get More plan includes both of those perks plus Apple Music. So long story short, even though the new 5G plans aren’t more expensive, depending on the perks you want compared to the previous-gen unlimited plans’ perks, you could see your bill go up or down a bit.

For more on Verizon’s 5G coverage, check out the map here.
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[sultrysandy]

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants more scrutiny of Apple

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WSJ: Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg pressing lawmakers to scrutinize Apple

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg attempted to influence members of the US government into taking a closer look at Apple's business, a report examining the social network chief's political influence claims.

Zuckerberg was originally not one to discuss politics early in his tenure leading Facebook, but over time he has shifted his stance to becoming more political. In a look over how he moved into a role where he is taking a bigger interest in politics, it seems Zuckerberg's actions have also made some impact against its tech rivals.

People familiar with discussions between Zuckerberg and government officials speaking to the Wall Street Journal claim he has pushed for a greater scrutiny of both TikTok and Apple.

On the subject of Apple, Zuckerberg is said to have claimed to officials the iPhone maker doesn't seem to face as much scrutiny as the social network, despite it owning an operating system used by "a large percentage of Americans."

Apple has become the target of some investigations, such as copy-acquire-kill strategies, overbearing management of parental control apps, and its seeming monopoly power over the App Store.

However, it has been examined largely as part of a group of companies, which includes Facebook, Amazon, and Google. On Friday, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who has considerable experience dealing with antitrust issues, suggested each company should be examined on a case-by-case basis, instead of en masse.

Zuckerberg has also allegedly held talks with White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, separately, discussing TikTok and its presence in the United States. The subjects of discussions were not mentioned by the report sources.

"Any insinuation that [Mr Zuckerberg] encouraged the Administration to ban TikTok is false," a spokesperson for FaceBook told the report.

The article also covers Zuckerberg's repeated communications with Kushner via Whatsapp, as well as ongoing efforts to make the social network seem as non-partisan as possible. This includes recent attempts to limit the impact of political advertising after the upcoming US election, and efforts to limit the impact of political misinformation.

Restricting misinformation has become a bigger issue for Facebook, as on Wednesday, both the social network and Twitter limited the sharing of an allegedly unverified New York Post report. The article claimed to include a "smoking gun" email concerning Democratic presidential hopeful and former Vice President Joe Biden and son Hunter, which could have impacted the current election cycle.

The social networks stepped in to limit the sharing, citing a need to limit the spread of misinformation, with Twitter adding the material in the report violated policies due to broadcasting unredacted and supposedly hacked materials.

Both Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey are expected to testify to the State Commerce Committee on October 28, in a hearing about alleged bias on the social networks. It is highly probable that Post story's restrictions will be raised as part of that event.






things that make you go hmmm.... Facebook has become a vocal critic of new privacy changes in iOS 14 related to advertising and tracking.
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[sultrysandy]

Apple begins shipping first iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders -

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Apple starts shipping the iPhone 12 — but don't expect it to arrive early

The first iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders have started shipping out to early buyers. As usual, this doesn’t mean you should expect your iPhone 12 order to arrive any earlier than the October 23 release date.

If you check your order status via Apple’s website, you’ll likely see that your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro is still “preparing to ship.” However, if you head to the UPS website, you can track the progress of your order with a few simple steps.

To do so, either enroll in the UPS My Choice platform or use the “Track by Reference Number” feature. The reference number is likely the phone number listed on your Apple order or your order number without the last two digits. Not all iPhones have been transferred to UPS just yet, however, so be sure to keep checking throughout the week.

As usual, Apple does not update the shipment status of new iPhone orders through its website until later in the week when we’re closer to the official release date. Finally, keep in mind that just because orders are already shipping doesn’t mean you should expect your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro to arrive early. Apple works closely with UPS to make sure that shipments arrive no earlier than Friday, October 23, regardless of what the estimated date shown in UPS indicates.



Only two models of iPhone have been put up for preorder so far, with the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max anticipated to be made available to order from November 6, with a launch date of November 13.

While iPhone orders are unlikely to arrive before Apple's street date, customers who also ordered accessories have started to receive their purchases. This includes the newly-announced MagSafe Charger, as well as cases for the new models.
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[sultrysandy]

iPhone price wars are back as carriers compete for 5G customers

The price Americans will pay for an iPhone 12 depends on what cell service they plan to use it with. The three U.S. carriers are actively competing for subscribers by discounting the new iPhone, which goes on sale next week, hoping to lock customers in for years on their wireless service.

It starts with a $30 discount. For people with AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon service, an iPhone 12 costs $799 before taxes and other fees. If you want one unlocked, without activating it on a carrier, it’s $829.

Customers can get even bigger discounts for the new devices if they are willing to commit to monthly payments for the next few years, if they get unlimited data plans, and if trade their old phone in. For example, AT&T customers can get as much as $800 off an iPhone 12, nearly covering the entire cost of the device.

“That is the largest promotion we have ever seen on an iPhone launch day, topping the $650 offers by all carriers back in 2016 and topping the $700 that Verizon offered to new subscribers last year,” LightShed analysts Walter Piecyk and Joe Galone wrote this week, saying it heralded the return of the “fat subsidy.”

Verizon and T-Mobile are also offering competing promotions.

For Apple, the wave of carrier promotions could boost iPhone sales in the United States by reducing the cost of a new phone. They could also help shorten Apple’s smartphone upgrade cycle by prompting users to upgrade to a new phone sooner. Apple says the typical life-cycle of an iPhone today is three years, and the company times its new releases accordingly, putting out a fairly major redesign every three years, interspersed with more minor updates.

For carriers, iPhone promotions represents an opportunity to shore up existing subscribers and potentially gain new ones, hoping to cover the cost of the devices over multi-year payment schedules.

The new iPhones also support 5G networks, which are still under construction in the United States. Locking customers into 30-month commitments means that some users won’t be able to switch if one carrier’s network suddenly looks better than the other two.

“We believe that Verizon likely sees this as a way to move customers to higher rate plans as well as a way to make sure deployed mmWave spectrum gets utilized,” Goldman Sachs analyst Rod Hall wrote this week. “We have long expected US carriers to help to drive Apple 5G sales though we believe the economic attraction outside the US is less clear given the lack of mmWave deployment.”


Slight differences

All of the carrier promotions in the U.S. have two things in common: Customers have to trade in an old device with some value — a phone from the last few years that isn’t busted — and they have to commit to monthly payments.

But they differ in how they are targeting new customers and how the mechanics of the deals work. The best deal for any given user depends on their current carrier.


Here’s how they break down:

• AT&T’s promotion applies both to new and existing customers. To get a free iPhone 12, AT&T requires a trade-in, and the customer must activate it on an unlimited plan that costs at least $65 per month for an individual. AT&T’s installment plan lasts 30 months. Piecyk estimates that AT&T is subsidizing new and existing customers to the tune of about $800.
  
  
• T-Mobile is offering as much as $850 in credit on iPhone 12 models spread out over 30 payments. Users have to sign up for T-Mobile service and trade in an old device, and the amount of the discount is tied directly to the value of the trade-in. It’s also offering deals for customers who buy multiple iPhones at the same time. The best deals are reserved for new subscribers, though, with lesser discounts for existing Sprint or T-Mobile subscribers.
  
  
• Verizon is offering a free iPhone 12 for new customers, but they have to trade in an old phone, sign onto an unlimited data plan that costs at least $80 per month for an individual, and stick with it for 24 months. Existing customers can get an iPhone 12 for $15 per month with a trade-in. Piecyk estimates that Verizon is effectively offering a $800 subsidy for new customers.

Back to the good old days

The wave of competing discounts from the three U.S. carriers is effectively a return to carrier subsidies, which was a major factor in the U.S. smartphone market in its early years.

Ten years ago, the price for a new iPhone was often listed at $199, because that’s how much the device cost when users bought it from a carrier with a two-year contract, usually with a hefty early cancellation fee. Those contracts also kept a swath of consumers on a two-year smartphone upgrade cycle.

Carriers started phasing out smartphone contracts in 2013, revealing to many consumers that the up-front price for a premium smartphone is $700 or more, and allowing them to cancel without incurring a big cost.

In the years since, carriers have effectively recreated the same customer lock-in using device payment plans — customers don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars up front for a new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, but they must commit to paying between $30 and $50 per month for at least two years with a lump sum payment if they cancel early.

Carriers found ways to entice new customers with promotions tied to their device upgrade plans, often by overvaluing a trade-in device. But in the past two years, aggressive promotions became less common and competing carriers often did not match them.

Now, with 5G hyped as a major growth cycle for the telecommunications industry, the three carriers are working to steal customers from the their rivals or lock them in for the next two years using the 5G iPhone.

In the meantime, Apple has boosted its own device upgrade installment plans in several different ways, although it does not offer subsidies like the carriers. People with the Goldman Sachs Apple Card can buy an iPhone and pay over 24 months without paying interest.

Apple also has an upgrade program that combines an iPhone paid in monthly installments with an extended warranty, doesn’t tie users to a single carrier and allows them to upgrade to the newest iPhone after a year.

“One of the things we are doing is trying to make it simpler and simpler for people to get on these sort of monthly financing kind of things,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said last December.
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[sultrysandy]

‘Infamous’ GravityRAT spyware now hits Macs as well as Windows

The notorious GravityRAT spyware, which initially targeted Windows PCs, now also enable attacks against Macs and Android devices.

Remote Access Trojans (RATs) are so-called because they masquerade as legitimate apps (the Trojan part) and then permit the compromised machine to be accessed remotely …

Cybersecurity company Kaspersky describes the GravityRAT malware as ‘infamous’ because it has been used in attacks against even military targets, and enables a huge amount of control.

Bleeping Computer reports on the capabilities of the spyware.

– get information about the system
– search for files on the computer and removable disks with the extensions .doc, .docx, .ppt, .pptx, .xls, .xlsx, .pdf, .odt, .odp, and .ods, and upload them to the server
– get a list of running processes
– intercept keystrokes
– take screenshots
– execute arbitrary shell commands
– record audio (not implemented in this version)
– scan ports

Kaspersky has long suspected that the tool has been used against other platforms too, and has now found proof of this.

The identified module is further proof of this change, and there are a number of reasons why it doesn’t look like a typical piece of Android spyware. For one, a specific application has to be selected to carry out malicious purposes, and the malicious code – as is often the case – is not based on the code of previously known spyware applications. This motivated Kaspersky researchers to compare the module with already known APT families.

Analysis of the command and control (C&C) addresses module used revealed several additional malicious modules, also related to the actor behind GravityRAT. Overall, more than 10 versions of GravityRAT were found, being distributed under the guise of legitimate applications, such as secure file sharing applications that would help protect users’ devices from encrypting Trojans, or media players. Used together, these modules enabled the group to tap into Windows OS, MacOS, and Android.

Macs are relatively well protected against trojans because Apple vets apps allowed into the Mac App Store, and by default won’t allow software from other sources to be installed. If a user overrides the default protection, macOS still checks to see whether the app is signed by a legitimate developer.

However, BleepingComputer reports that the group behind GravityRAT uses stolen developer signatures to make the apps appear legitimate.

It isn’t possible to list the infected apps, as GravityRAT mimics a variety of legitimate apps. The best protection is to ensure you only install apps from the Mac App Store or directly from developers you trust. Similarly, don’t plug in cables or devices to your Mac unless you know their provenance.
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[sultrysandy]

Apple releases iOS 14.1 and iPadOS 14.1 with bug fixes & iPhone 12 support

Just as the iPhone 12 is shipping to customers, Apple released the iOS 14.1 and iPadOS 14.1 updates with support for the latest devices and some bug fixes.

The updates can be installed on the iPhone and iPad via the usual update processes. While it can be set to run automatically, a manual update can be performed on the iPhone and iPad by opening the Settings app, selecting General, then Software Update.

This release comes a month after the official release of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14.

Bug fixes include:

• Adds support for 10-bit HDR video playback and edit in Photos for iPhone 8 and later Addresses an issue where some widgets, folders, and icons were showing up in reduced size on the Home Screen
  
  
• Addresses an issue where dragging widgets on the Home Screen could remove apps from folders Fixes an issue where some emails in Mail were sent from an incorrect alias
  
  
• Fixes an issue that could prevent incoming calls from displaying region information
  
  
• Fixes an issue on some devices where selecting zoomed display mode and an alphanumeric passcode could result in the Lock Screen emergency call button overlapping with the text input box
  
  
• Addresses an issue where some users were occasionally unable to download or add songs to their library while viewing an album or playlist
  
  
• Fixes an issue that could prevent zeroes from appearing in Calculator
  
  
• Resolves an issue where streaming video resolution could temporarily be reduced at the start of playback
  
  
• Fixes an issue that prevented setting up a family member's Apple Watch for some users
  
  
• Resolves an issue where the Apple Watch case material was displayed incorrectly in the Apple Watch app
  
  
• Addresses an issue in the Files app that could cause some MDM-managed cloud service providers to incorrectly display content as unavailable
  
  
• Improves compatibility with Ubiquiti wireless access points

iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 made changes including refreshing the Home screen and app interface, Messages and Safari, made major changes to Siri, added elements to Maps, introduced Sound Recognition alerts, and CarKey support, among other changes. The next-generation tvOS 14 brings better picture-in-picture support, HomeKit Doorbell alerts and camera feeds, UI customization and more to Apple's set-top streamer.

Apple is also testing out updates for iOS 14.2, iPadOS 14.2, watchOS 7.1, and tvOS 14.2 with developers, issuing the first beta on September 17, one day after the release of the milestone versions. So far, the first beta for iOS 14.2 has consisted of cosmetic updates to Control Center and a new Watch app icon, among other improvements.
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[sultrysandy]

iPhone 12 battery test shows 2-hour hit when using 5G

An iPhone 12 battery test shows that the new models take a huge hit to their battery-life when using 5G data.

The standard model iPhone 12 lost almost exactly two hours of battery-life when using 5G compared to 4G, and things were even worse with the iPhone 12 Pro …

Tom’s Guide put the two new models through its standard battery-life test.

Here’s how the Tom’s Guide battery test works. It surfs the web continuously at 150 nits of screen brightness, launching a new site every 30 seconds until the battery drains.

But this time, it added in an additional element.

For the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, we ran this test over 5G and 4G, and the difference was pretty dramatic.

The iPhone 12 managed 10h 23m on 4G, but that fell to 8h 25m on 5G – a drop of 1h 58m.

The iPhone 12 Pro dropped even further, from 11h 24m to 9h 6m – a fall of 2h 18m.

The site also compared to Android 5G smartphones, and the comparisons mostly weren’t good.

Samsung’s Galaxy phones generally last longer on a charge over 5G, though they lose a lot of juice when their screens are set to the faster 120Hz refresh rate. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S20 lasted 9:31 on 5G but that dipped down to 8:04 at 120Hz.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus lasted 10:31 over 5G, which is nearly 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 Pro. The runtime of Samsung’s phone dropped to 8:55 at 120Hz, which is slightly worse than the iPhone 12 Pro over 5G.

The OnePlus 8T is another Android phone that outlasts the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. It turned in a runtime of 10:49 at 60Hz and 9:58 on 120Hz, both over 5G.

Google’s Pixel 5 was nearly an hour better than the iPhone 12 at 9:56; it dropped to 9:29 with the screen set to a faster 90Hz refresh rate. Both of those times are well ahead of the iPhone 12’s 8:25 result over 5G.

Apple is clearly aware of the issue, as it added an iOS feature to intelligently switch between the slower and faster data speeds.

Apple said it optimized iOS to take advantage of 5G speeds whilst maintaining power efficiency. The iPhone 12 includes a Smart Data mode that switches between 4G and 5G data speeds intelligently. In ideal conditions, Apple says customers will see 3.5Gbps download speeds.

However, Tom’s Guide says that you may still need to switch manually.

When you’re not surfing the web, the iPhone 12’s Smart Data mode can automatically switch to 4G to help save battery life. But this only kicks in during certain scenarios, such as when you’re streaming music with the screen turned off.

Overall, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro battery life is a bummer over 5G, at least when surfing the web. So you may want to manually switch to 4G in some cases to save extra juice.

The site does acknowledge that the iPhone 12 battery test is a relatively demanding one, so you may fare better, but it still provides a good basis for comparison between 4G and 5G, and against competitor models.

Early reviews of the iPhone 12 mostly reported that 5G support is not the headline news with the new models: the new design and camera upgrades are the bigger draw.
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[sultrysandy]

iOS 14 still can’t remember your default email and browser choices despite support

One of the anticipated features of iOS 14 and a first for Apple was opening up iPhone and iPad to allow third-parties to be set as the default Mail and browser. However, at launch, there was a bug where they would reset to Apple’s Mail and Safari apps after rebooting. Now another flaw has been found that brings the same result…

Apple fixed the original glitch with default mail and browser apps after power cycling iPhone and iPad about a week after iOS 14 launched with iOS 14.0.1. Since then we’ve even got iOS 14.1 this week with widget bug fixes and support for iPhone 12. But for those using third-party apps for the default for Mail and their browser another bug exists (via The Verge).

David Clarke demonstrated the problem on Twitter this morning, where the custom Mail or browser chosen will revert back to Apple’s Mail or Safari after updating a third-party app that was being used as a system default through the App Store.

David also mentioned the bug remains in iOS 14.1

Video evidence. pic.twitter.com/wCwmahEnDE
remove the five spaces for the Lit edited URL above - https:// t . c o /wCwmahEnDE

— David Clarke (@DCOneFourSeven) October 21, 2020

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[sultrysandy]

Apple discontinues Apple TV 'Remote' app

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Apple removes its ‘TV Remote’ app from the App Store as iOS now has an integrated Remote

Apple has silently removed its “Apple TV Remote” app from the App Store, which lets users control the Apple TV from an iPhone or iPad simulating a real Remote. The app is no longer available for download from the App Store and Apple has likely discontinued it, which means that it will no longer get any updates.

That doesn’t come as a surprise since Apple has added the Remote feature built into the Control Center in iOS 12, so Apple TV users can have access to all the controls on Siri Remote without having to download any app.

Apple has also removed almost all references to the Apple TV Remote app, suggesting that the company has in fact discontinued it. Apple support was asked about the app, but not even the support agent could explain what happened.

If you visit the Apple Support website, the article about using Apple TV Remote on your iPhone or iPad only suggests that you add the Remote option to the iOS Control Center.

It’s worth mentioning that the Apple TV Remote app is different from the iTunes Remote app, which lets users remotely play songs and videos on an Apple TV or Mac — and this app is still available on the App Store for free.
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[sultrysandy]

Apple Introduces Option to Download iOS Updates Over 5G on iPhone 12 Models

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iPhone 12 supports iOS updates over 5G, but users might need to manually activate feature

An Apple support document published this week notes iPhone 12 series handsets support 5G downloads of iOS updates, though some users might need to manually enable the feature.

Apple outlined the capabilities of iPhone 12 series 5G data modes in a support document published Tuesday. Along with all-5G, all-LTE and a so-called "Smart Data Mode," which automatically toggles cellular connectivity between 5G and LTE depending on network speeds, iOS provides three data throughput settings for iPhone 12 devices: Allow More Data on 5G, Standard, and Low Data Mode.

Users benefit from high-quality FaceTime calls, high-definition video and audio, and iOS updates over cellular with Allow More Data. In addition, third-party apps are unleashed to use more cellular data for "enhanced experiences." This setting is automatically selected as iPhone's default with certain unlimited-data plans on a carrier-by-barrier basis.

Apple states that the Standard data mode, which enables automatic updates and background tasks over cellular, is "generally" the default selection for most carriers. The middle-of-the-road mode drops FaceTime and video and audio quality settings to "standard" levels. Low Data Mode reduces both Wi-Fi and cellular data usage by pausing automatic updates and background tasks, Apple says.



To download iOS updates over 5G, users will have to enable the "Allow More Data on 5G" mode in the Settings app under Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode. Apple says this mode also enables higher-quality video and FaceTime calls, and allows third-party apps to use more cellular data for enhanced experiences, when connected to 5G networks.
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[sultrysandy]

How to stop AirPods from connecting to other Apple devices

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How to stop your AirPods from automatically connecting to your other Apple devices

Apple’s new software can automatically switch your AirPods earbuds between devices as you move between them.

For example, if you’re listening to music on your iPhone, then walk to the living room and pick up your iPad to watch a video, the AirPods can automatically switch to the iPad without making you do anything.

At least that’s the way it’s supposed to work. But it can be a little finicky.

Sometimes when I’m sitting at my desk, for example, my AirPods randomly switch over from my iPhone, where I’m playing music, to a nearby iPad, which isn’t playing anything.

So I’ve found I prefer to just use the old method of manually choosing my AirPods when I switch devices. If you’re having similar issues, here’s how to turn off the auto-switch and go back to the old method.

• Connect your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad as you normally would.
  
  
• Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
  
  
• Choose Bluetooth.
  
  
• Tap the “i” (information) button next to the name of your AirPods.
  
  
• Scroll down to “Connect to this iPhone’” and tap it.
  
  
• Change the option from “Automatically” to “When Last Connected to This iPhone.”
  
  
• Repeat these instructions on your other devices.

That’s it. Now your AirPods should stay connected to the last device you used. But you’ll have to open Bluetooth and tap your AirPods to manually connect them each time you change gadgets.
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[sultrysandy]

Apple Card stops working on Amazon for some, being auto removed as payment method

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Apple Cards Not Currently Working as Amazon Payment Methods Due to 'Technical Issue'



Apple Card owners who had their Apple Cards stored in Amazon as a saved payment option this morning started noticing that the *Apple Card* has disappeared from the payment list.

Apple Cards are missing from the Amazon website and app and attempting to re-add one pops out an error message that credit card information is unable to be saved.

A Redditor describes the problem:

Has this happened to anyone else? My *Apple Card* was removed from my amazon payment options, despite having made numerous purchases with it in the past. When I tried to re-add it, I got an error message that they are unable to save the card info and to use another form of payment. When I finally got someone from amazon on the phone, I was told that it was because their systems are starting to recognize the card number as Apple Pay, and amazon does not accept *Apple Pay*.

This appears to be a widespread problem and most *Apple Card* owners are no longer seeing their cards appear in Amazon as a saved payment option. As noted above, one person was told by Amazon's support says that it's an Apple Pay-related issue, but that's inaccurate because *Apple Card* works like a normal credit card.

Another person was told that the *Apple Card* is "not allowed on your account," which is curious as the *Apple Card* is a Mastercard that should be accepted where Mastercard is accepted. A third person was told that the issue was on Apple's end, so it appears that Amazon's support staff has no insight what's going on at this time.

Update: In a statement an Amazon spokesperson said the following: "We are aware of this technical issue and are actively working to resolve it as soon as possible."
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[sultrysandy]

Some Mac users being warned that Amazon Music app and HP drivers are malware

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it's hitting the fan. even have more than enough to post through the weekend.

Some users are reporting that they can no longer print to HP printers, or can't continue playing Amazon Music through the dedicated app, because of a macOS error that claims the software is malware.

AppleInsider has been contacted by users reporting that their Macs are suddenly claiming their HP printers contain malware and "will damage your computer." Separately, other users are reporting the same issue, but to do with the Amazon Music app.

In each case, attempting to launch the app or to just use the Mac, brings up a dialog box. It reports that there is malware, says it will damage the Mac, and advises users to move a particular file to the trash.

That file can be the Amazon Music app, or it can be the HP printer driver called "HP Device Monitoring.framework." Users have the option to click Move to Trash or Cancel, but if they cancel, the error keeps reoccurring.

Computer Question: I didn't update my drivers or OS or anything... but all of a sudden, my (old HP Laserjet) printer stopped working yesterday.

When I check the logs it says the legacy driver no longer works. HP doesn't have a new driver...

Any ideas?? pic.twitter.com/zGC4dxDluI
URL for above, remove the five spaces - https:// t . c o /zGC4dxDluI

— Still Jim (@CrazyJimP) October 23, 2020​

The problem would appear to be related to Apple's XProtect. This is part of Gatekeeper, Apple's security system that exists to identify and disable malware on Macs.

Most reported incidents are from consumers, and has been confirmed that the issue is affecting printing in enterprise as well. It appears to still be possible to successfully AirPrint from Mac to an affected HP printer, however.

Most users affected report that they have not recently updated either their HP printer drivers, or the Amazon Music app. The presumption is that it's therefore to do with a behind-the-scenes macOS malware definitions update, but has not been confirmed.

It's also not known how widespread the issue is.
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[sultrysandy]

PSA: What to do if 5G isn’t working on your iPhone 12

If you’ve just gotten your iPhone 12 and have noticed that 5G isn’t available after getting it set up, there are several factors to check out to troubleshoot what’s going on. These include your wireless plan, SIM card, iOS settings, and more. Let’s dive into what to do if your iPhone 12’s 5G is not working.

The entire iPhone 12 lineup features 5G support (including mmWave on all US models) and 5G is turned on by default as far as iOS 14 settings go with Smart Data mode (can be managed manually too). However, if you’ve gotten set up and activated with your carrier and your iPhone 12’s 5G is not working and you think it you should be, here’s what to check next…


iPhone 12 5G not working: troubleshooting

Your carrier plan

• Even if you think you have an up to date plan that includes 5G, it’s good to double-check what you’ve got and confirm it includes 5G service. For example, Verizon has a tricky situation where the new plans don’t have different names or different pricing, but some customers need to make a change to get 5G service.
  
  
• Meanwhile, AT&T is alerting customers that they also may need to upgrade their plans when logging in their accounts:

SIM card

• If you purchased your iPhone 12 through your carrier or with Apple including carrier activation you shouldn’t have an issue with your SIM card.
  
  
• But particularly if you bought a SIM-free model and are using your old SIM, you may need to get a new one or call your carrier to ask about having your existing SIM upgraded to support 5G.

• In the case of T-Mobile that supports what’s called Standalone 5G, a new SIM card may be required. Here’s how you can tell if you have the latest T-Mobile SIM.
  
  
• My colleague Chance used his iPhone 11 Pro Max AT&T SIM in a new iPhone 12 Pro and AT&T said he needs an updated SIM to get 5G service

iOS Settings

• Apple notes in a support document that if you head to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and don’t see a screen like the image below, try turning on Airplane mode then turning it off. If your iPhone 12’s 5G is not working still or not showing up in settings, contact your carrier.

iPhone 12 5G not working with Dual SIM mode

• In the same support document mentioned above, Apple shares that if you’re using Dual SIM mode with an iPhone 12, both lines will revert to 4G LTE.
  
  
• One caveat is, “In China, 5G data is supported while using two active lines in Dual SIM mode on the line that’s using cellular data. In China, while using Dual SIM with 5G, 5G Standalone isn’t available.”

iPhone 12 5G not working with Data Roaming

• 5G isn’t available yet when roaming. Apple says for now, the only option to get 5G outside of your carrier’s coverage is to pick up a local SIM card when traveling.

Carriers around the world are still working to deploy their 5G roaming support. If you turn on Data Roaming, you can get cellular data through 4G or LTE networks when you travel. You can also obtain a local SIM card or eSIM and use it as a single line with 5G where available.
Apple

5G carrier coverage

• If you’ve tried everything above, double-check your carrier’s 5G coverage map
  
  
• Note that the major US carriers’ coverage maps include both 4G and 5G so you’ll need to pay close attention to the colored legend and zoom in as close as possible for the most accurate picture

• AT&T 5G Map (enter your zip code for detailed coverage)
  
  
• T-Mobile 5G Map
  
  
• Verizon 5G Map
  
  
• Full list of carriers with 5G coverage worldwide

 

[sultrysandy]

iPhone 12: How to manually manage 5G to optimize for speed or battery life

Next-generation 5G cellular service is one of the key features of the new iPhone 12 lineup. Apple is using a “5G Auto” setting it refers to as “Smart Data mode” as the default to give users a balance between network speed and battery life. Follow along for how to turn 5G on/off on iPhone 12, including how to keep it on permanently or turn it off completely.

If you’re curious about what kind of 5G performance you’ll see with iPhone 12, that will vary depending on where you live and your carrier. In the US, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all have 5G available nationwide, but the most 5G coverage will be found in and around major cities to start

Keep in mind that there are several types of 5G, most notably mmWave which offers the fastest Gigabit speeds, but has a quite limited range, and Sub-6Ghz 5G which has better range but speeds closer to LTE (Mid-spectrum strikes a mix of range and speed between the two).

Don’t forget you may need to check in with your carrier to make sure your plan supports 5G or if you need to upgrade/change your plan and you may need a new SIM card if your current one isn’t working with 5G.

Ok, let’s look at how to turn 5G on/off manually with iPhone 12.
iPhone 12 default 5G setting

5G is on by default with the iPhone 12 lineup, but not permanently. It uses what Apple calls “Smart Data mode” that tries to automatically strike the best balance between 5G/LTE and battery life. Apple even says it takes into account your data plan:

The default settings for 5G on iPhone are optimized for battery life and data usage based on your data plan. You can customize these options for when to use 5G and how much data to use in some apps.

However, inside the cellular settings, you can choose to turn 5G on/off on iPhone 12 manually to optimize for speed or battery life.


How to turn 5G on/off on iPhone 12

1. Head to the Settings app on your iPhone 12
   
   
2. Tap Cellular
   
   
3. Choose Cellular Data Options
   
   
4. Tap Voice & Data
   
   
5. With 5G Auto as the default, you can choose 5G On to use it anytime it’s available
   
   
6. Alternatively, if you want to turn 5G off completely, tap LTE

You can also tap Data Mode in the cellular settings and pick Allow More Data on 5G for higher quality video for streaming and things like FaceTime. And the opposite, Low Data Mode for when you want to conserve.

Here’s how this looks:

Turn 5G on/off: what’s this icon?

With the different types of 5G service (sub-6Ghz, mid to high-spectrum, and mmWave) Apple is using three different icons in the iPhone 12 status bar to denote what you’re using (no matter if you turn 5G on/off manually or use the 5G Auto/Smart Data mode.

Verizon uses 5G UW to note mmWave and other high-frequency 5G connections, while AT&T uses 5G+. If you see “5G’ in your status bar, that’s signaling you’re on the lower spectrum (greater range, slower speeds comparatively).

Maximize hotspot compatibility

There also appears to be a new setting for Personal Hotspot called “Maximize Compatibility.” Apple says that “Internet performance may be reduced for devices connected to your hotspot when turned on.” But it sounds like connections may be more consistent and/or easier to achieve with your iPhone hotspot.

 

[sultrysandy]

How to force restart your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro may be high performance, but that won't stop the occasional need to force restart your mobile device. Here's the steps you need to reboot your iPhone 12 if a graceful shutdown isn't possible.

While it is entirely possible for some iPhone users to never need to turn off or restart their device at all, the vast majority of users will at some point need to do so. Maybe an app hung in such a way that iOS can't handle, or the iPhone stops responding to touches and individual button presses.

In such situations, the best course of action is to restart your iPhone, but even that may not be immediately possible, such as if the screen isn't responding to touch input, preventing you from performing the final swipe to power it off. Even in this scenario, you can still forcefully restart the device.



This guide will take you through the usual way of turning off your iPhone, and then to do the forced restart. It is usually advisable to go for the first method, but the second is also useful as it is a generally quicker process to reboot, and far more likely to work.

These methods cover practically all models that use Face ID as their biometric authentication system, from the iPhone X to modern models including the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. It can even be used on iPad models that use Face ID, such as the current-generation iPad Pro, with the force restart method even able to be used on the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

Most earlier models have different techniques to force a restart, typically relying on a press of the Home button. Its removal forced Apple to come up with a newer procedure for the iPhone X, which it has continued to use ever since.


How to turn the iPhone 12 off then on again

• Hold down both the volume up and side buttons at the same time for a few seconds.
  
  
• Press the on-screen power symbol at the top of the screen and slide it to the right.
  
  
• To turn it back on, hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

This method performs a graceful shutdown of the iPhone, followed by the standard turn-on procedure. This is the method you should be trying to accomplish first.

Turning iPhone 12 off



In the event that you cannot use the iPhone's touchscreen, step two of that list will not be possible to complete. This is why there is a method to forcefully restart the device.


How to force restart the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro

• Press and very quickly release the volume up button, followed by the volume down button.
  
  
• Press and hold down the side button.
  
  
• When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

While this method will attempt to restart your iPhone, it may not necessarily fix the problem. Apple's support pages offer further advice if the iPhone won't turn back on, including how to restore the device in more serious cases.

Forcing a restart on iPhone 12 Pro



As a word of warning, make sure to pay attention when you are restarting your iPhone, and follow all instructions properly. This is specifically the case if you confuse the two sets of instructions and end up holding down the volume up and side buttons for a prolonged period of time.

Doing so will start a five-second countdown for the Emergency SOS function, where it will count down from five and vibrate for each number, as the Emergency SOS slider fills up. On reaching 0 while still holding both buttons down, the iPhone will consider the bar full and dial the emergency services, which may prompt the police or an ambulance visit to your location.

Just remember to pay attention and to release the buttons if the vibration and countdown starts.
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[sultrysandy]

Over 2,000 law enforcement agencies have iPhone encryption-breaking tools

Law enforcement agencies across the United States have tools to access data stored on encrypted iPhones, a report claims, with at least 2,000 agencies in the country now having the means to gain access to further their criminal investigations.

The long-running encryption debate has always centered around the idea that members of law enforcement were not able to acquire evidence from devices and services due to the use of encryption, necessitating requests for backdoors to be put in place. In a new report, it seems that the calls for backdoor access may not be needed at all.

According to a report by Washington nonprofit Upturn seen by the New York Times, it is claimed that at least 2,000 law enforcement agencies across all 50 states have tools to be able to access locked and encrypted smartphones. The information was determined by analyzing years of public records relating to the agencies and their investigations.

It is thought that at least 49 out of the 50 largest police departments in the United States have the tools to gain access, as well as a number of smaller towns and counties. For areas that do not own the tools, they often turn the smartphones over to state or federal crime labs that typically do have them.

These tools can take the form of GrayShift's GrayKey, a small device capable of unlocking secured iPhones. Federal law enforcement and local police departments have been buying the tool for a few years, paying tens of thousands of dollars for the hardware.

In cases where the tools don't do the job, the devices can be sent to services such as Cellebrite for unlocking. Invoices reveal Cellebrite charges around $2,000 per device unlock, and sold a premium tool to the Dallas Police Department for $150,000.

The ease of access to the tools has also emboldened law enforcement's use of the equipment, ranging from major crimes such as homicides and rape to lesser crimes, including instances of shoplifting. Such minor cases include warrants to search phones in Fort Worth concerning marijuana valued at approximately $220, as well as a fight at a McDonald's in Coon Rapids, Minn. over $70.

It is reckoned hundreds of thousands of smartphones have been searched over the last five years.

Despite the number of agencies possessing the tools and actively using them, some still find the existence of tough encryption to be a problem. The expense and the time it takes to unlock a device are still issues to law enforcement, with Manhattan district attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr testifying to Congress in December 2019 "We may unlock it in a week, we may not unlock it for two years, or we may never unlock it."

The existence of the tools "have served as a kind of a safety valve for the encryption debate," Stanford University researcher Riana Pfefferkorn suggests, but it has changed what law enforcement demands. "Instead of saying 'We are unable to get into devices,' they now say 'we are unable to get into these devices expeditiously."

This need for speed of access has enabled law enforcement officials to continue calls for changes that would force companies like Apple and Google to add backdoors to their services, such as bills proposed in Congress to create such items.

In October, the US Department of Justice working with other "Five Eyes" nations issued a statement demanding the creation of backdoors, insisting they get created to "act against illegal content and activity effectively with no reduction in safety. In effect, the creation of a backdoor that only law enforcement could access that maintains security for everyone else.

Critics argue that the very creation of a backdoor weakens encryption as a whole, as bad actors would simply attack the backdoor as an easier point of access to the data.






Sandy note - "Such minor cases include warrants to search phones in Fort Worth concerning marijuana valued at approximately $220, as well as a fight at a McDonald's in Coon Rapids, Minn. over $70. " - Nah, law enforcement wouldn't search your iPhone for an for something as minuscule as an illegal left turn or tail light not working. And it's always for reasons of national security or welfare of the general public. Amd they don't have any ulterior motives that hey can support.



I enjoy doing this, want to piss off a police officer, don't blindly accept what they say, instead ask questions they can legally justify and support.

i.e.
Police Officer - "If you have nothing to hide then you have no reason or problem for me to look in your trunk or search your car".

Me - "If you have justifiable cause then you'll have no problem obtaining a search warrant".
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[sultrysandy]

Google Reportedly Pays Apple $8-12 Billion Per Year to be Default iOS Search Engine

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The United States Justice Department is targeting a lucrative deal between Apple and Google as part of one of the U.S. government's largest antitrust cases, reports The New York Times.


On Tuesday, the Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, claiming the Mountain View-based company used anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and advertising markets to maintain an unlawful monopoly.

In 2017, Apple updated an agreement to keep Google's search engine as the preselected option on Apple devices. The New York Times reports that Apple receives an estimated eight to 12 billion dollars per year in exchange for making Google the default search engine on its devices and services, including the iPhone and Siri. This is believed to be the single biggest payment Google makes to anyone, and it accounts for 14 to 21 percent of Apple's annual profits.

Prosecutors claim that the deal is representative of illegal tactics used to protect Google's monopoly and stifle competition. According to the Justice Department, almost one half of Google's search traffic now comes from Apple devices, and the prospect of losing the agreement has been described as "terrifying" and a "code red" scenario within the company. Google's search traffic is integral to its business model due to its system of ads.

Apple is likewise coming under fire for facilitating anticompetitive behavior by acquiescing to the deal and extracting more money with regular renegotiations. Although the two companies are competitors in Silicon Valley, the agreement is said to be part of "an unlikely union of rivals."

The Justice Department's complaint cites a senior Apple employee's remark from 2018 which said that "our vision is that we work as if we are one company."

The legal intervention poses a threat to a significant chunk of Apple's revenue, but it is a bigger danger for Google, which would seemingly have no way to replace the traffic it would lose. The New York Times speculates that such a breakup could push Apple to acquire or build its own search engine, which could in turn pose an even greater threat to Google.
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[sultrysandy]

Facebook launches cloud games but says Apple won’t allow it on iOS

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Facebook announced on Monday the launch of cloud gaming on its desktop website and Android app but said it’s unable to bring the games to iOS due to Apple’s “arbitrary” policies.

Facebook’s web and Android users can try free-to-play games in seconds without leaving the social network. Users play a game that’s streamed from Facebook’s data centers without having to first download the game onto their devices. The idea is similar to services offered by Microsoft and Google, but without the console-quality games offered by those services.

The exclusion of Apple devices from Facebook cloud gaming is the latest shot fired in a long-running feud between the companies

The war of words dates to a comment by Apple CEO Tim Cook in March 2018, criticizing the social network’s handling of user privacy after the Cambridge Analytica scandal that resulted in the data of 87 million Facebook users being improperly accessed.

Since then, the companies have continued to duke it out, with Facebook recently calling into question Apple’s App Store policies as Washington lawmakers and regulators look into probes and hold antitrust hearings involving Big Tech, including the iPhone maker.

Apple’s guidelines, which the company uses to determine which apps it approves or rejects, doesn’t allow applications that act like third-party app stores. It prohibits apps that distribute software as the “main purpose” of the app and bars code that is offered “in a store or store-like interface.”

Last month, Apple adjusted its guidelines around gaming services, saying that apps could offer a subscription to multiple games, but each game needs to be approved by Apple and offered in its own app.

Facebook could bring cloud gaming to iOS if it enables the new product on the mobile web version of its service, but the company wants users to go to its apps instead, said Jason Rubin, Facebook’s vice president of special gaming initiatives.

“We don’t want people going to web Facebook 20 times a day. We have a great app,” Rubin said. “We would have to use Apple’s technology and browser on iOS, and that isn’t optimized to the benefit of cloud games.”

Facebook cloud gaming on iOS would allow iPhone and iPad users to find out what games their friends are playing, see lists that show top games on Facebook or play games with Facebook-unique features, Rubin said.

“In many ways, consumers are being hampered,” Rubin said.

Apple allows software developers to bring cloud games to iOS by submitting each game to the App Store as an individual app, Apple told CNBC. Developers can also deliver cloud gaming via the Safari browser, Apple said. Apple has continued to engage with Facebook to provide them with helpful feedback on how to get their apps to comply with the iOS App Store’s guidelines, Apple said.

Rubin responded on Twitter to Apple’s claims after this story ran.

“Apple claimed to offer us ‘helpful feedback’ in this story,” Rubin said. “Responding to multiple requests for approval of our iOS cloud concepts with ″this fails under policy’ is better than the radio silence we have experienced at times in the past, but that’s hardly ‘helpful feedback,’” he said.

The official Facebook Gaming account also took a jab at Apple on Twitter: “You’ll just need the Facebook app on Android. iOS won’t work for now. Because, Apple (sigh.).”

The games are not console quality or even on a par with cloud-gaming subscription services like Google Stadia, Amazon Luna or Microsoft’s xCloud. They’re versions of mobile games you can already download on a phone or tablet. They include titles like “Asphalt 9: Legends,” which is a 3D racer, and “PGA TOUR Golf Shootout,” a 3D golfing game. Users will be able to play the free games using their touchscreens or mouse and keyboards.

“We think this will expand very quickly because we’re not charging up front and you don’t need to have a controller,” Rubin said.

Facebook’s launch of cloud gaming comes less than a year after it spent a reported $78 million to acquire PlayGiga, a Spanish cloud-gaming start-up. An estimated 380 million monthly users already play simple HTML5 games on Facebook, but these cloud games will bolster the quality of the social network’s gaming catalog.

Cloud games should provide Facebook a two-fold benefit. Better games could drive more users to spend more time on Facebook, increasing the company’s average revenue per user — a key metric in the company’s quarterly earnings results.

Additionally, developers who add their games to Facebook will be able to advertise playable demos of those games. This allows developers to promote their games to a huge audience, allows users to play full games within advertisements and creates yet another ad product for Facebook, which relies on advertising for more than 98% of its revenue.

“With this new format, we can now support interactive demos from a game’s native code, blurring the line between games and ads,” the company said in a blog post.

Facebook will also make some money from in-game purchases. When Facebook users make a micro-purchase through a cloud game, 30% of revenue will go to Facebook and 70% will go to the game developers. For purchases made on Android, Facebook will not take a cut and instead its 30% will go to Google.

“We would be willing to give the 30% to Apple, that is not what’s holding us up,” Rubin said. “What’s holding us up is we’re not allowed to do the things that we’re doing on Android.”

Facebook cloud gaming will begin rolling out this week to users in California, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C. — all regions located near a Facebook data center, Rubin said. The company hopes to expand availability in the coming months.
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[sultrysandy]

Apple simulates space to demonstrate iPhone 12 camera in latest ‘Experiments’ video

Apple has a series on YouTube called ‘Experiments’ that routinely shows off iPhone camera capabilities. For the newly released iPhone 12, Apple is using space as the inspiration to demonstrate new iPhone fetures . The results are rather beautiful.

Apple commissioned a company called Incite to create the props for and film the video. When you initially watch it, you will see many scenes that are reminiscent of things you might see in outer space. Despite this, it was all filmed in a studio using things such as plasma and ferrofluid.

Due to the aspect ratio that the video was filmed in, you can clearly see that it was meant to be viewed on an iPhone, but it’s still enjoyable on any screen.

Experiments V: Dark Universe - 1:51
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8BDqgsHXNg






A big draw of this year’s iPhone camera is the new LiDAR sensor. The sensor allows users to do things such as taking 3D scans of real-world objects or measuring someone’s height.

While LiDAR may be new to the iPhone, it isn’t something new to the space community. LiDAR is currently used for many different purposes on many different space-faring vehicles. One of the more exciting uses of it will be in NASA’s Artemis program. LiDAR will be used in the program to aid in landing astronauts on the Moon in 2024. It will give the astronauts a much more detailed view of the terrain they are attempting to land on as opposed to radar such a landing would typically use.

As you can see, LiDAR can be used for something as simple as taking a better photo to something as complex as landing humans on the moon. That’s pretty amazing.

You can also see how the video was created below.

Behind the Scenes — Experiments V: Dark Universe - 5:14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7mB7BBWLcQ
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