Apple has brought its hardware microphone disconnect security feature to its latest iPads. From a report: The microphone disconnect security feature aims to make it far more difficult for hackers to use malware or a malicious app to eavesdrop on a device’s surroundings. The feature was first introduced to Macs by way of Apple’s T2 security chip last year. The security…
Tag: iPads
Apple Releases iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, macOS 10.15.4, tvOS 13.4, and watchOS 6.2
Apple today officially released versions 13.4 of iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS to the public, alongside macOS 10.15.4 and watchOS 6.2. While many of their improvements are minor, there are a few standout features across the updates. From a report: One of the most noteworthy additions is a dramatic expansion of iPadOS 13’s prior trackpad and mouse support, which was limited solely…
Flaw in Billions of Wi-Fi Devices Left Communications Open To Eavesdropping
Billions of devices — many of them already patched — are affected by a Wi-Fi vulnerability that allows nearby attackers to decrypt sensitive data sent over the air, researchers said on Wednesday at the RSA security conference. From a report: The vulnerability exists in Wi-Fi chips made by Cypress Semiconductor and Broadcom, the latter a chipmaker Cypress acquired in 2016. The…
Apple Weighs Letting Users Switch Default iPhone Apps To Rivals
Apple is considering giving rival apps more prominence on iPhones and iPads and opening its HomePod speaker to third-party music services after criticism the company provides an unfair advantage to its in-house products. From a report: The technology giant is discussing whether to let users choose third-party web browser and mail applications as their default options on Apple’s mobile devices, replacing…
Nevada Democrats To Use iPads Loaded With Google Forms To Track Caucus
An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNET: Nevada’s Democratic Party said Thursday it plans to use iPads loaded with survey app Google Forms to calculate voting results in next week’s caucuses. The system is an effort to avoid a repeat of the Iowa caucus chaos. The app will be loaded onto 2,000 iPads purchased by the party and distributed to…
iPad Launch Blindsided Windows Team, Reveals Former Microsoft Executive
The launch of the iPad ten years ago was a big surprise to everyone in the industry — including to Microsoft executives. Steven Sinofsky, the former President of the Windows Division at Microsoft, shares Microsoft’s perspective as well as those of the other industry figures and press on the iPad: The announcement 10 years ago today of the “magical” iPad was…
Apple Lawsuit Tests If An Employee Can Plan Rival Startup While On Payroll
Attorneys for a former Apple executive will try to convince a skeptical judge that employees can plan a competing venture while still in a job. Reuters reports: Apple filed the lawsuit in Santa Clara County Superior Court against Gerard Williams III, who left the company last year after more than nine years as chief architect for the custom processors that power…
Annual Global PC Shipments Grow For the First Time in 8 Years
Annual global PC shipments rose for the first time in eight years, according to data released by industry tracking firms late Monday. New submitter mimil writes: International Data Group said late Monday that global PC shipments rose 2.7% year-over-year to 266.7 million units, the first annual gain since 2011, when PC shipments rose 1.7%. “This past year was a wild one…
Apple May Use Carbon-Free Aluminum In New iPhones
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: Apple is taking delivery this month of the first batch of carbon-free aluminum produced by a Montreal-based venture, helping move the iPhone maker closer to its greenhouse-gas reduction goal. Elysis, a joint venture between Rio Tinto Group and Alcoa Corp. backed by Apple, uses new technology that emits pure oxygen when producing aluminum….
Apple’s Activation Lock Will Make It Very Difficult To Refurbish Macs
Apple’s Activation Lock is an anti-theft feature built into iOS, watchOS, and macOS Catalina that prevents people from restoring your Apple devices without your permission. “With the release of macOS Catalina earlier this fall, any Mac that’s equipped with Apple’s new T2 security chip now comes with Activation Lock,” writes iFixit’s Craig Lloyd. What this means is that there will likely…