Apple Inc. turns 40 on April 1, 2016.
For those who do not know, this is not an April Fools joke.
Apple “Let us loop you in.” Special Event
Apple “Let us loop you in.” Special Event is set to commence at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Monday, March 21, 2016. Apple will be providing live-stream of the event.
Major Obvious said that it is perfectly fine to expect Apple showing off iOS 9.3, watchOS 2.2, OS X El Capitan v10.11.4, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac stuff.
For sure Apple wants Apple Watch users to get their second or third units as iOS 9.3 allow multiple Apple Watches paired with a single iPhone. There are some new Apple Watch Loop too (pun intended).
Stay tuned for the live event from Apple Campus at 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014.
“For The Greater Good.”
The arguments between Apple and FBI in unlocking “just one” iPhone that was used by one shooter of the 2015 San Bernardino Attack has one single theme:
For the greater good.
The FBI believes that the greater good is to see the data contained in this iPhone 5c; which might provide crucial link of the shooters and the terrorist networks.
Apple believes that the court order requested by the FBI sets a dangerous precedent that undermine privacy of the people.
The American people are divided on this issue. Americans are against the terrorists. Americans also believe in liberty and privacy.
Unfortunately, Americans could agree on what “the greater good” is.
Apple, Security, Privacy, and the U.S. Government.
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.
The Trouble with Windows 8.1 Update
I could not believe how Windows 8.1 failed to install on a computer that has a factory-installed Windows 8.
I’d have to wipe the hard drive again and use the system-restore discs on this computer.
Going Back to Windows 8
For some odd reasons, Windows 10 would not activate after upgrading from Windows 8.1. I called Microsoft and they told me to reinstall Windows 8, then upgrade to Windows 8.1 and upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft also advised me to call HP and request Windows 8 Product Key should the process failed.
Seriously?
Apparently the “factory-installed” product key caused the error. The end user product key is said to be installed in the UEFI BIOS, encrypted.
I guess I’d have to spend a few more days on this project.
Installing Windows 10
Installing Windows 10 is a time-consuming affair. As a matter of fact it has been “checking for updates” for an hour by now.
UPDATE:
It is about 2:00 A.M. and finally it is “installing”. I gotta go to bed.
