JaDed
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Nvidea beating Apple seems like a momentary thing.
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Contact the PP Team
Are Apple products overrated?
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FBI warns iPhone, Android users against unencrypted text messages
The Federal Bureau of Investigation of the US has warned both iPhone and Android users against unencrypted text messages, according to media reports.
In a statement, the FBI has advised them to refrain from sending unencrypted text messages due to escalating cybersecurity concerns. The alert coincides with proposed new regulations and an intensified effort by US authorities to promote more secure communication methods.
While Apple’s recent embrace of Rich Communication Services appeared to herald a new chapter for secure messaging, a new complication has arisen. Messages exchanged between Android and iPhone users are not fully encrypted, although communications between devices of the same platform remain secure.
This comes as fears grow over cyberattacks, especially from hackers targeting US networks, with reports suggesting the scale of such attacks is more significant than previously believed.
In light of such threats, the FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have encouraged Americans to utilise encrypted messaging services and secure phone calls whenever possible.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation of the US has warned both iPhone and Android users against unencrypted text messages, according to media reports.
In a statement, the FBI has advised them to refrain from sending unencrypted text messages due to escalating cybersecurity concerns. The alert coincides with proposed new regulations and an intensified effort by US authorities to promote more secure communication methods.
While Apple’s recent embrace of Rich Communication Services appeared to herald a new chapter for secure messaging, a new complication has arisen. Messages exchanged between Android and iPhone users are not fully encrypted, although communications between devices of the same platform remain secure.
This comes as fears grow over cyberattacks, especially from hackers targeting US networks, with reports suggesting the scale of such attacks is more significant than previously believed.
In light of such threats, the FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have encouraged Americans to utilise encrypted messaging services and secure phone calls whenever possible.
FBI warns iPhone, Android users against unencrypted text messages
Alert coincides with proposed new regulations
english.aaj.tv
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After a busy 2024 with the launch of the Apple Vision Pro, iPhone 16 series, and Apple Intelligence, Apple is already preparing for an even bigger year ahead in 2025.
The tech giant is expected to release a slew of exciting products, ranging from new iPhones to innovative smart home devices.
Here's a look at what we can expect from Apple in 2025:
The regular iPhone 17 might feature a ProMotion display and a 24MP front camera, while the Pro Max could sport a sharper 48MP telephoto camera.
Powered by the A18 chip and offering a 48MP camera, this phone is set to impress at a budget-friendly price point.
These updates aim to enhance sound quality, noise cancellation, and health-tracking capabilities.
Source: Samaa News
The tech giant is expected to release a slew of exciting products, ranging from new iPhones to innovative smart home devices.
Here's a look at what we can expect from Apple in 2025:
iPhone 17 & iPhone 17 Air
Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is rumoured to include the iPhone 17 Air, which could be the thinnest iPhone ever. At just 0.24 inches, this model may replace the iPhone Plus, offering a 6.6-inch display.The regular iPhone 17 might feature a ProMotion display and a 24MP front camera, while the Pro Max could sport a sharper 48MP telephoto camera.
iPhone SE 4
The iPhone SE 4, expected to launch in March, will feature a full-screen design with a 6.1-inch OLED display and Face ID.Powered by the A18 chip and offering a 48MP camera, this phone is set to impress at a budget-friendly price point.
Apple Command Center / HomePad
Apple is reportedly working on a smart home device that could compete with Amazon and Google. The rumoured Command Center / HomePad will allow users to control smart devices, make FaceTime calls, and run apps like Safari and Music, all with an intuitive touch screen and voice commands.M4 MacBook Air
The M4 MacBook Air is expected to launch in 2025, featuring an upgraded M4 chip for improved performance, longer battery life, and better support for Apple Intelligence.AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 could arrive with a slimmer design, a new chip, and potentially new features like heart rate monitoring.These updates aim to enhance sound quality, noise cancellation, and health-tracking capabilities.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 may bring significant upgrades, including hypertension detection, satellite messages, and possibly even blood pressure tracking. A larger display option could also be in the works.Apple Intelligence
Apple continues improving its AI, with updates to Siri that include personal context and integration with third-party apps. These enhancements will allow for more personalized and intelligent responses.Source: Samaa News
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Apple to pay $95m to settle Siri 'listening' lawsuit
Apple has agreed to pay $95m (£77m) to settle a court case alleging some of its devices were listening to people without their permission.
The tech giant was accused of eavesdropping on its customers through its virtual assistant Siri.
The claimants also allege voice recordings were shared with advertisers.
Apple, which has not admitted any wrongdoing, has been approached for comment.
In the preliminary settlement, the tech firm denies any wrongdoing, as well as claims that it "recorded, disclosed to third parties, or failed to delete, conversations recorded as the result of a Siri activation" without consent.
Apple's lawyers also say they will confirm they have "permanently deleted individual Siri audio recordings collected by Apple prior to October 2019".
But the claimants say the tech firm recorded people who activated the virtual assistant unintentionally - without using the phrase "Hey, Siri" to wake it.
And they say advertisers who received the recordings could then look for keywords in them to better target ads.
Class action
Apple has proposed a decision date of 14 February in the court in Oakland, California.
Class action lawsuits work by a small number of people going to court on behalf of a larger group.
If they are successful, the money won is paid out across all claimants.
According to the court documents, each claimant - who has to be based in the US -could be paid up to $20 per Siri-enabled device they owned between 2014 and 2019.
In this case, the lawyers could take 30% of the fee plus expenses - which comes to just under $30m.
By settling, Apple not only denies wrongdoing, but it also avoids the risk of facing a court case which could potentially mean a much larger pay out.
The California company earned $94.9bn in the three months up to 28 September 2024.
Apple has been involved in a number of class action lawsuits in recent years,
In January 2024, it started paying out in a $500m lawsuit which claimed it deliberately slowed down iPhones in the US.
In March, it agreed to pay $490m in a class action led by Norfolk County Council in the UK.
And in November, consumer group Which? started a class action against Apple, accusing it of ripping off customers through its iCloud service.
BBC
Apple has agreed to pay $95m (£77m) to settle a court case alleging some of its devices were listening to people without their permission.
The tech giant was accused of eavesdropping on its customers through its virtual assistant Siri.
The claimants also allege voice recordings were shared with advertisers.
Apple, which has not admitted any wrongdoing, has been approached for comment.
In the preliminary settlement, the tech firm denies any wrongdoing, as well as claims that it "recorded, disclosed to third parties, or failed to delete, conversations recorded as the result of a Siri activation" without consent.
Apple's lawyers also say they will confirm they have "permanently deleted individual Siri audio recordings collected by Apple prior to October 2019".
But the claimants say the tech firm recorded people who activated the virtual assistant unintentionally - without using the phrase "Hey, Siri" to wake it.
And they say advertisers who received the recordings could then look for keywords in them to better target ads.
Class action
Apple has proposed a decision date of 14 February in the court in Oakland, California.
Class action lawsuits work by a small number of people going to court on behalf of a larger group.
If they are successful, the money won is paid out across all claimants.
According to the court documents, each claimant - who has to be based in the US -could be paid up to $20 per Siri-enabled device they owned between 2014 and 2019.
In this case, the lawyers could take 30% of the fee plus expenses - which comes to just under $30m.
By settling, Apple not only denies wrongdoing, but it also avoids the risk of facing a court case which could potentially mean a much larger pay out.
The California company earned $94.9bn in the three months up to 28 September 2024.
Apple has been involved in a number of class action lawsuits in recent years,
In January 2024, it started paying out in a $500m lawsuit which claimed it deliberately slowed down iPhones in the US.
In March, it agreed to pay $490m in a class action led by Norfolk County Council in the UK.
And in November, consumer group Which? started a class action against Apple, accusing it of ripping off customers through its iCloud service.
BBC
JaDed
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If anything the above article makes the devices not overrated but underrated to what extent they are good.
sweep_shot
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The fine is justified. Very unethical from Apple to spy on people like this.
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Apple halts AI news alerts after errors
Apple has suspended a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that drew criticism and complaints for making repeated mistakes in its summaries of news headlines.
The tech giant had been facing mounting pressure to withdraw the service, which sent notifications that appeared to come from within news organisations' apps.
"We are working on improvements and will make them available in a future software update," an Apple spokesperson said.
The BBC was among the groups to complain, after an alert generated by Apple's AI falsely told some readers that Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself.
The feature had also inaccurately summarised headlines from the New York Times and the Washington Post, according to reports from journalists and others on social media.
Media outlets and press groups had pushed the company to pull back, warning that the feature was not ready and that AI-generated errors were adding to issues of misinformation and falling trust in news.
The BBC complained to Apple in December but it did not respond until January when it promised a software update that would clarify the role of AI in creating the summaries, which were optional and only available to readers with the latest iPhones.
That prompted a further wave of criticism that the tech giant was not going far enough.
Apple has now decided to disable the feature entirely for news and entertainment apps.
"With the latest beta software releases of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, Notification summaries for the News & Entertainment category will be temporarily unavailable," an Apple spokesperson said.
The company said that for other apps the AI-generated summaries of app alerts will appear using italicised text.
"We're pleased that Apple has listened to our concerns and is pausing the summarisation feature for news," a BBC spokesperson said.
"We look forward to working with them constructively on next steps. Our priority is the accuracy of the news we deliver to audiences which is essential to building and maintaining trust."
Apple had said the feature, which rolled out to users in the UK in December, was intended to make customers' lives more efficient.
It groups together and rewrites previews of multiple recent app notifications into a single alert on users' lock screens.
The decision comes as the company faces pressure to show its AI developments, which investors had been hoping would drive a new wave of demand for iPhones and other technology.
The company's shares fell more than 4% in trading on Thursday after reports sales were struggling in China.
BBC
Apple has suspended a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that drew criticism and complaints for making repeated mistakes in its summaries of news headlines.
The tech giant had been facing mounting pressure to withdraw the service, which sent notifications that appeared to come from within news organisations' apps.
"We are working on improvements and will make them available in a future software update," an Apple spokesperson said.
The BBC was among the groups to complain, after an alert generated by Apple's AI falsely told some readers that Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself.
The feature had also inaccurately summarised headlines from the New York Times and the Washington Post, according to reports from journalists and others on social media.
Media outlets and press groups had pushed the company to pull back, warning that the feature was not ready and that AI-generated errors were adding to issues of misinformation and falling trust in news.
The BBC complained to Apple in December but it did not respond until January when it promised a software update that would clarify the role of AI in creating the summaries, which were optional and only available to readers with the latest iPhones.
That prompted a further wave of criticism that the tech giant was not going far enough.
Apple has now decided to disable the feature entirely for news and entertainment apps.
"With the latest beta software releases of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, Notification summaries for the News & Entertainment category will be temporarily unavailable," an Apple spokesperson said.
The company said that for other apps the AI-generated summaries of app alerts will appear using italicised text.
"We're pleased that Apple has listened to our concerns and is pausing the summarisation feature for news," a BBC spokesperson said.
"We look forward to working with them constructively on next steps. Our priority is the accuracy of the news we deliver to audiences which is essential to building and maintaining trust."
Apple had said the feature, which rolled out to users in the UK in December, was intended to make customers' lives more efficient.
It groups together and rewrites previews of multiple recent app notifications into a single alert on users' lock screens.
The decision comes as the company faces pressure to show its AI developments, which investors had been hoping would drive a new wave of demand for iPhones and other technology.
The company's shares fell more than 4% in trading on Thursday after reports sales were struggling in China.
BBC
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Apple removes advanced data protection tool in face of UK government request
Apple has taken the unprecedented step of removing its strongest data security tool from customers in the UK, after the government demanded “backdoor” access to user data.
UK users will no longer have access to the advanced data protection (ADP) tool, which uses end-to-end encryption to allow only account holders to view items such as photos or documents they have stored online in the iCloud storage service.
Apple said it was “gravely disappointed” that it would no longer be able to offer the security feature to British customers, after the UK government asked for the right to see the data.
It said the removal of the tool would make users more vulnerable to data breaches from bad actors, and other threats to customer privacy. It would also mean all data was accessible by Apple, which could share it with law enforcement if they had a warrant.
Earlier this month the Home Office served Apple a request under the Investigatory Powers Act, which compels firms to provide information to law enforcement agencies, asking for the right to see users’ encrypted data, which currently not even Apple can access.
After the change at 3pm on Friday, new users had no access to the ADP tool and existing users would need to disable the security feature at a later date. Messaging services like iMessage and FaceTime would remain end-to-end encrypted by default.
Apple said: “We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy. Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before.
“Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in the future in the UK. As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will.”
Alan Woodward, from the University of Sussex, said Apple’s move was “quite an extraordinary development”. The cybersecurity professor said: “It was incredibly naive of the British government to think they could tell Apple what to do.
“Unpleasant a fact of life as it may be, you simply can’t tell a large US technology company what to do. You have to work with them, [practise] diplomacy – that’s what has been tried before and was working. Waving a UK law at them was not going to work.”
He said Apple was sending a message that “you cannot weaken encryption for your enemies without weakening it for your friends”, and that all the government could achieve would be to make its applications less secure for UK users, while obtaining no benefit for intelligence operations.
A cybersecurity expert, Peter Sommer, said technologists had unsuccessfully tried to develop a “foolproof backdoor” for the last 30 years.
“Instead of looking for a universal solution, the Home Office should be concentrating on targeted rather than bulk encryption breach”, given that this ensured “warrants are justified as proportionate and leave the innocent with their privacy”, he said.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices.”
SOURCE: https://www.theguardian.com/technol...s-advanced-data-protection-tool-uk-government
Apple has taken the unprecedented step of removing its strongest data security tool from customers in the UK, after the government demanded “backdoor” access to user data.
UK users will no longer have access to the advanced data protection (ADP) tool, which uses end-to-end encryption to allow only account holders to view items such as photos or documents they have stored online in the iCloud storage service.
Apple said it was “gravely disappointed” that it would no longer be able to offer the security feature to British customers, after the UK government asked for the right to see the data.
It said the removal of the tool would make users more vulnerable to data breaches from bad actors, and other threats to customer privacy. It would also mean all data was accessible by Apple, which could share it with law enforcement if they had a warrant.
Earlier this month the Home Office served Apple a request under the Investigatory Powers Act, which compels firms to provide information to law enforcement agencies, asking for the right to see users’ encrypted data, which currently not even Apple can access.
After the change at 3pm on Friday, new users had no access to the ADP tool and existing users would need to disable the security feature at a later date. Messaging services like iMessage and FaceTime would remain end-to-end encrypted by default.
Apple said: “We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy. Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before.
“Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in the future in the UK. As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will.”
Alan Woodward, from the University of Sussex, said Apple’s move was “quite an extraordinary development”. The cybersecurity professor said: “It was incredibly naive of the British government to think they could tell Apple what to do.
“Unpleasant a fact of life as it may be, you simply can’t tell a large US technology company what to do. You have to work with them, [practise] diplomacy – that’s what has been tried before and was working. Waving a UK law at them was not going to work.”
He said Apple was sending a message that “you cannot weaken encryption for your enemies without weakening it for your friends”, and that all the government could achieve would be to make its applications less secure for UK users, while obtaining no benefit for intelligence operations.
A cybersecurity expert, Peter Sommer, said technologists had unsuccessfully tried to develop a “foolproof backdoor” for the last 30 years.
“Instead of looking for a universal solution, the Home Office should be concentrating on targeted rather than bulk encryption breach”, given that this ensured “warrants are justified as proportionate and leave the innocent with their privacy”, he said.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices.”
SOURCE: https://www.theguardian.com/technol...s-advanced-data-protection-tool-uk-government
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Apple referred for possible criminal contempt investigation
A US district judge has found Apple wilfully violated her injunction in a case brought by Epic Games - and that a top Apple executive "outright lied" under oath.
The injunction was supposed to block Apple from anti-competitive conduct and pricing, opening the App Store up to outside payment options.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said she was referring the matter to the US Attorney for Northern District of California to investigate whether a criminal contempt proceeding is appropriate.
Apple responded to the ruling late on Wednesday.
"We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal," an Apple spokesperson said.
Wednesday's judgement refers to a 2021 case brought by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, one of the world's most popular games, which argued that third-party payment options should be available to customers.
It challenged the up-to-30% cut Apple takes from purchases - and argued that the App Store was monopolistic.
In her 2021 judgement, Judge Gonzalez Rogers stated that Apple could no longer prohibit developers linking to their own purchasing mechanisms.
As well as game purchasing, another example of how this would work is a movie-streaming service being able to tell customers to subscribe via its own website, without using Apple's in-app purchasing mechanism.
In a contempt order issued Wednesday, Judge Gonzalez Rogers found that Apple nevertheless continued to interfere with competition with attempts that the court stated "will not be tolerated".
Judge Gonzalez Rogers added that internal company documents she reviewed showed Apple deliberately violated the injunction.
The documents reveal "that Apple knew exactly what it was doing and at every turn chose the most anticompetitive option", she wrote.
She said CEO Tim Cook ignored executive Phillip Schiller's urging to have Apple comply with the injunction and allowed CFO Luca Maestri to convince him not to.
"Cook chose poorly," she wrote.
She also said Apple's vice-president of finance Alex Roman "outright lied under oath".
The judge wrote that one example of Apple's attempts to evade the injunction included a decision to charge a 27% commission on off-app purchases, when it had previously charged nothing.
The company also imposed new barriers and requirements to discourage customers from using competing purchasing platforms, she said.
In a post on X, Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney said his company would return Fortnite to the US iOS App Store next week and offered an olive branch to his long-time rival.
"Epic puts forth a peace proposal: if Apple extends the court's friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we'll return 'Fortnite' to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic," Sweeney wrote.
In another post, he wrote: "NO FEES on web transactions. Game over for the Apple Tax. Apple's 15-30% junk fees are now just as dead here in the United States of America as they are in Europe under the Digital Markets Act. Unlawful here, unlawful there."
BBC
A US district judge has found Apple wilfully violated her injunction in a case brought by Epic Games - and that a top Apple executive "outright lied" under oath.
The injunction was supposed to block Apple from anti-competitive conduct and pricing, opening the App Store up to outside payment options.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said she was referring the matter to the US Attorney for Northern District of California to investigate whether a criminal contempt proceeding is appropriate.
Apple responded to the ruling late on Wednesday.
"We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal," an Apple spokesperson said.
Wednesday's judgement refers to a 2021 case brought by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, one of the world's most popular games, which argued that third-party payment options should be available to customers.
It challenged the up-to-30% cut Apple takes from purchases - and argued that the App Store was monopolistic.
In her 2021 judgement, Judge Gonzalez Rogers stated that Apple could no longer prohibit developers linking to their own purchasing mechanisms.
As well as game purchasing, another example of how this would work is a movie-streaming service being able to tell customers to subscribe via its own website, without using Apple's in-app purchasing mechanism.
In a contempt order issued Wednesday, Judge Gonzalez Rogers found that Apple nevertheless continued to interfere with competition with attempts that the court stated "will not be tolerated".
Judge Gonzalez Rogers added that internal company documents she reviewed showed Apple deliberately violated the injunction.
The documents reveal "that Apple knew exactly what it was doing and at every turn chose the most anticompetitive option", she wrote.
She said CEO Tim Cook ignored executive Phillip Schiller's urging to have Apple comply with the injunction and allowed CFO Luca Maestri to convince him not to.
"Cook chose poorly," she wrote.
She also said Apple's vice-president of finance Alex Roman "outright lied under oath".
The judge wrote that one example of Apple's attempts to evade the injunction included a decision to charge a 27% commission on off-app purchases, when it had previously charged nothing.
The company also imposed new barriers and requirements to discourage customers from using competing purchasing platforms, she said.
In a post on X, Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney said his company would return Fortnite to the US iOS App Store next week and offered an olive branch to his long-time rival.
"Epic puts forth a peace proposal: if Apple extends the court's friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we'll return 'Fortnite' to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic," Sweeney wrote.
In another post, he wrote: "NO FEES on web transactions. Game over for the Apple Tax. Apple's 15-30% junk fees are now just as dead here in the United States of America as they are in Europe under the Digital Markets Act. Unlawful here, unlawful there."
BBC
Hitman
Test Debutant
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- Feb 25, 2013
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6.4 years since I bought my iPhone Xs Max. Still buttery smooth, and runs like as if just taken out of the box. Just that the battery has fallen to 80%.
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