Tag: iPhone

Posted on

Apple, Security, Privacy, and the U.S. Government.

Apple-February-16-2016

A message from Tim Cook, Apple CEO:

February 16, 2016 A Message to Our Customers

The United States government has demanded that Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers. We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand.

This moment calls for public discussion, and we want our customers and people around the country to understand what is at stake.

Apple is responding to the order issued by a Federal Magistrate to “hack” the iPhone used by the gunman of San Bernardino Terror Attack.

The San Bernardino Case

We were shocked and outraged by the deadly act of terrorism in San Bernardino last December. We mourn the loss of life and want justice for all those whose lives were affected. The FBI asked us for help in the days following the attack, and we have worked hard to support the government’s efforts to solve this horrible crime. We have no sympathy for terrorists.

Regarding Apple involvement in the investigations:

When the FBI has requested data that’s in our possession, we have provided it. Apple complies with valid subpoenas and search warrants, as we have in the San Bernardino case. We have also made Apple engineers available to advise the FBI, and we’ve offered our best ideas on a number of investigative options at their disposal.

Apple has been providing assistance to the FBI in  the investigation.

We have great respect for the professionals at the FBI, and we believe their intentions are good. Up to this point, we have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help them. But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone. (Emphasis mine)

A backdoor is the antithesis to security.

Opposing this order is not something we take lightly. We feel we must speak up in the face of what we see as an overreach by the U.S. government.

We are challenging the FBI’s demands with the deepest respect for American democracy and a love of our country. We believe it would be in the best interest of everyone to step back and consider the implications.

While we believe the FBI’s intentions are good, it would be wrong for the government to force us to build a backdoor into our products. And ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.

This is a polarizing issue, especially in the U.S. election year. Apple products, specifically the iPhone, are used in the United States by many people including the Government Officials. What would the Government Officials say should there be some kind of backdoor to their iPhones? They would be screaming bloody murder and blame Apple for such backdoor.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, indeed.

 

Posted on

Microsoft Universal Mobile Keyboard

Microsoft Universal Mobile Keyboard

My colleague was really looking forward to using Microsoft’s Universal Mobile Keyboard. It connects to iOS devices (i.e. iPhone and iPad), Android devices and Desktop PC via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the unit he received was defective as the battery was not holding any charges. It worked great when connected to a power source via micro-USB. The power cuts out as soon as the USB cable was unplugged. Amazon sent out replacement unit and it was delivered two days after. For some odd reasons, the replacement unit was also defective. Microsoft has yet to respond to the support request.

By the way, the rubberized surface attracts all kinds of dirts.

Microsoft Universal Mobile Keyboard attracts dirts

——-

Posted on

iOS 9: Ad-pocalypse Now

iOS 9 is coming

Apple is set to release iOS 9 on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. One of iOS 9 features that gained a lot of attention is what many calls as “Ad-Blocking”.

Apple calls it Content Blocking Safari Extensions.

Content Blocking gives your extensions a fast and efficient way to block cookies, images, resources, pop-ups, and other content.

This would be the beginning of “Ad-Pocalypse”. Publishers should have realized that there are ways to display ads without alienating the readers. Irrelevant and annoying ads would only drive readers away. Extended page-loading time paired with clickbait-ads are disservice to the readers. Promise of of targeted-advertising are nothing but privacy-invading tracking system. One would wonder why a site would have the need for 16 different trackers and analytics.

Take a look at one of The Macalope’s columns at Macworld. There’s the “Promoted Links by Taboola” which is one of the most irrelevant ad-networks on the Internet. Then there’s a “Dell Latitude 11 3000 Series Laptop” ad. A Dell advertisement on an Apple/Mac-oriented site! Don’t forget the Amazon Affiliate link on the top of the screenshot. Three different monetization scheme in 2048-pixel span. There are a lot more in the post. Shame on you, Macworld!

Macworld Ad-infested

Daring Fireball and The Loop are much smaller operations compared to others. What these two sites have done are good examples in presenting ads the right way. Remember that readers could easily walk away whenever they find sites being unfriendly.

Content-Blocking/Ad-Blocking will be the new gold rush in the Apple App Store. Watch for apps such as Crystal and Purify on the App Store,

The Ad-pocalypse is coming, at least to the iOS platform.

Posted on

Hey Siri, give us a hint already!

Hey Siri, give us a hint. Apple Event 20150909

It is Wednesday, September 9, 2015. Apple is set to hold the “Hey Siri, give us a hint.” special event at 10:00 a.m. from the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.

I spoke to firstnameatappledotcom on Labor Day for about an hour. Not a single thing that I could repeat without spoiling the surprise. On the other hand, Major Obvious says:

  • NO U2!

In keeping with the “9” theme (iOS 9, September 9), I was expecting some performance from a band with 9 members on the stage. Unfortunately they are not an-Apple-Special-Event-kind-of musical-guess.

Apple will be providing its own coverage of the event in the form of live stream and some kind of live blogging.

As usual, there will be sites covering the event live from the venue.

Live Coverage links:

Posted on

iOS 9 on the 9th of 9, 2015.

Hey Siri, give us a hint. Apple Event 20150909

Mark your calendar for Apple special event “Hey Siri, give us a hint.” on September 9, 2015. Apple will be providing live stream of the event.

Requirements: Live streaming uses Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology. HLS requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with Safari on iOS 7.0 or later, a Mac with Safari 6.0.5 or later on OS X v10.8.5 or later, or a PC with Edge on Windows 10. Streaming via Apple TV requires a second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 6.2 or later.

Edge on Windows 10, that’s interesting.

The event will take place at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco at 10:00 am.

The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is a 7000 capacity arena, as such it has several elevated tiers of seating around an open plan hall.

Now, who would be the musical guest for the event?

Alongside the new models of iPhone, Apple would be introducing expanded Siri functionality across multiple devices; at least that’s what firstnameatappledotcom hinted at.