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The FBI wants Apple to break encryption for iPhone models that third-party companies can already unlock

iPhone 7 in black

There’s a lot of publicity right now about the FBI’s request for Apple to help them unlock two iPhones owned by a murder suspect who opened fire at a Florida navy base.

However, what has gone underreported is the fact that the two iPhones in question are actually old models, an iPhone 5 and an iPhone 7.

As noted by the Wall Street Journal today, these devices are so old that their security has already been compromised. Plenty of security firms on the gray/black market are available to unlock older iPhone models, so why does the FBI need Apple?


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Still using an iPhone 5? iOS 10.3.4 is required to keep your phone working

You may remember that, back in July, Apple released rare bug-fix updates for older versions of its operating system: iOS 10.3.4 and iOS 9.3.6. This was necessary to help keep older iPhones and iPads maintain accurate location functionality as the GPS network goes through a time rollover transition.

However, the problem is even more serious for iPhone 5. Apple is sending out alerts to iPhone 5 owners that their phones must be updated to iOS 10.3.4 before November 3. If the iPhone 5 is not updated in time, it will be unable to connect to the internet entirely, including web browsing in Safari, email, iCloud and App Store services.


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Apple adds iPhone 5 to list of ‘vintage and obsolete’ products, officially ending repair support

Update: Apple has launched a new vintage repair pilot program to fix aging iPhones including iPhone 5.

Apple this week has updated its list of vintage and obsolete products to make a notable addition. As of October 30th, the iPhone 5 is now categorized as vintage in the United States and obsolete in the rest of the world.


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9to5Toys Last Call: iPhone 5 w/ OtterBox (refurb) $100, Leather Apple Watch Band $100, iFixit Tool Kit $35, more

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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

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Cut the cord for good w/ the AmazonBasics Ultra Thin 50-mile HD Antenna for $32 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)

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iPhone 5 16GB refurb with OtterBox Defender case: $100 shipped

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Get Nomad’s premium Italian leather Apple Watch Strap for just $100 shipped (Reg. $150)

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iFixit 64-Bit Screwdriver Kit lets you open phones, tablets, laptops, games consoles, and more: $35 (Orig. $50, CA Tax only)

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Get a $50 iTunes Gift Card for $40 delivered via email from PayPal (20% savings)

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Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest version) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB $1,200 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest model) 2.7GHz/8GB/128GB: $1,040 (Reg. $1,299)

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App Store Free App of the Week: Camera Plus w/ AirSnap goes free for the first time in months (Reg. $2)

Call of Duty iOS titles matching all-time lows: Strike Team $2 (Reg. $7), Zombies $1 (Reg. $5), more

Grand Theft Auto iOS Sale: Liberty City Stories $3, China Town Wars $3, San Andreas $4, more

Star Wars Mac Games 50% off Sale: Jedi Academy $5, KOTOR $10, The Force Unleashed $10, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

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iPad Pro (9.7-inch) Case with Auto Wake/Sleep in two colors: $8 Prime shipped (Reg. $14)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

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iPhone 6/s/Plus, 5/s/SE & Android case sale in a variety of colors/styles from $2 shipped

OtterBox iPhone 6/6s Plus Symmetry Series Phone Case (Various Colors): $12 shipped

LifeProof iPhone 6/s FRĒ waterproof case (multiple colors): $40 Prime shipped (Orig. $80)

Charge your iPhone 6/s on-the-go w/ this RAVPower 3000mAh 2A MFi Battery Case for $24 Prime shipped (Reg. $36)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

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The Thin Ice wearable cools your body in hopes of burning an additional 1,000 calories per day

iPhone SE design ‘identical’ to 5s with matte edges, will include 12 MP camera & 4K video

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In January, we reported that Apple would be launching a new 4-inch iPhone in March with a design “nearly identical” to that of the iPhone 5s from 2013. Since then, several rumors and teases from various case makers have teased that the new 4-inch iPhone may have a design that looks a bit closer to the iPhone 6 in both shape and look. Checks with additional sources indicate that the iPhone SE, to be launched at Apple’s March 21st event next week, will look “almost exactly the same” as the iPhone 5s…


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Opinion: Apple’s rumored 4-inch iPhone 5se may well be worth seriously considering

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iPhone 5 one handI remarked on a recent episode of 9to5Mac’s Happy Hour podcast that the rumored 4-inch iPhone would absolutely need to take Live Photos for me to even consider giving it a serious test run. I’ve taken enough really good Live Photos — full resolution still images with brief motion and sound captured as well — on my iPhone 6s Plus that it’s one feature I wouldn’t trade.

Then on Friday we had Mark Gurman’s reporting that Apple was planning Live Photos, an iPhone 6s feature, for the expected 4-inch iPhone 5se (which likely won’t be called 6c). Today that reporting was followed up with the possibility that the iPhone 5se could have the same processor and co-processor as the iPhone 6s, albeit with fewer pixels to push with a smaller display.

Suddenly the iPhone 5se is sounding less like last year’s hardware recycled and more like a serious 4-inch phone to consider. But who is the iPhone 5se for and is it really worth considering if you’re like me and run to the latest and greatest hardware? I’m still thinking through this prospect myself, and I have a few thoughts worth considering before the device is officially unveiled …


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iPhone 5se leak? 4-inch iPhone with rounded edges pictured next to iPhone 5

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4-inch iPhone 6 style model

On Friday Mark Gurman reported that a 4-inch iPhone called the iPhone 5se, not 6c, is in the cards with an expected Apple event coming up around March, and over the weekend an interesting photo (above) has surfaced online that claims to show the forthcoming 4-inch iPhone. The image appears to show what could be the updated smaller iPhone with rounded edges and Touch ID as we reported next to an iPhone 5 for scale. The source where the image was first shared, on One More Thing forums, has credibility with surfacing leaked hardware after showing the thinner iPad Air 2 display two years ago as well as the iPad Air design (on what appears to be the same table under the same lamp as the iPhone leak) the year before.


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Apple’s iPhone continues to top Flickr’s most popular camera list in 2015

iPhone 6 iSight camera

Flickr today released their list of most popular cameras and brands used for photos shared on their site this year, and it’s no surprise that Apple’s iPhone continues to top the list. The iPhone 6 alone tops the list of most popular camera on Flickr in 2015, accounting for 5% of all photographers on the photo sharing site this year. Various models of the iPhone from 2015 and earlier still in use take 8 out of the 20 slots on the top camera list this year. In total, Apple-branded cameras made up 18.52% of ones used on the service this year.


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Video suggests Nexus 6P bends easier than iPhone 6 Plus, scratches like an iPhone 5

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There’s nothing like a little controversy when a new smartphone is launched to get people debating online. Remember ‘#scratchgate’ when the iPhone 5’s slate blue anodized finished scratched off really easily? Or last year’s iPhone 6 Plus, which some said bent really easily? Put those two hashtag-gates together and you apparently have the latest flagship Android phone. The Nexus 6P is the newest pure Android phone from Google, and is about to come under some new scrutiny from prospective buyers thanks to a video from Jerry Rig Everything on YouTube


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Will iOS 9 slow down my iPhone 4s or iPhone 5/5s? Perhaps a little (Video)

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When Apple releases a new version of iOS, owners of previous generation devices are always a tad hesitant to upgrade, worried that the added features will bog down their device and make it run slower than it originally did. While iOS 9 has been the quickest adopted version of Apple’s operating system yet, there are likely still some holdouts worried about device performance. YouTuber iAppleBytes has this evening shared videos comparing the performance of iOS 9.0.1 to iOS 8.4.1 on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and iPhone 5S…


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Prominent leaker claims iPhone 6C release next month as others predict 2016

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While there’s little question that Apple will release an iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus next month, analysts and supply chain rumors have been all over the map as to when Apple will introduce a so-called iPhone 6C. Prominent leaker Evan Blass chimed in today with a tweet countering the general consensus, writing: “Sounds like iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and 6c will all arrive concurrently.” Given Blass’s track record of accurately revealing details of unreleased smartphones under the @evleaks Twitter account, it’s worth considering that Apple could indeed release a new iPhone 6C alongside the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus at next month’s expected event.
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Apple Stores boost trade-in values for older iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S this month

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A man holds a new Apple iPhone 5S next to his iPhone 5 at an Apple Store at Tokyo's Ginza shopping district

For the month of June, Apple is giving a small boost to its trade-in price values for the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and iPhone 5S, according to Apple Store sources. Using the Reuse and Recycle program, a customer can bring in an older iPhone model and receive gift card credit toward the purchase of a newer iPhone. Likely in order to spur some new iPhone sales this month, Apple is offering the following improvements to its trade-in pricing:


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Apple launches iPhone and iPad trade-in program in China Apple Stores

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Apple today officially launched a version of its Apple Store iPhone trade-in program for China, as noted on the individual store pages for China’s Apple Retail Stores.

As is the case in the United States and several other countries with Apple Stores, the program allows a user to bring in an older iPhone model and trade in that device for gift card credit toward the purchase of a new iPhone; the program will most likely not allow a customer to trade in an iPhone toward the purchase of an Apple Watch. But as contrasted with the U.S., France, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Italy, the new China program is limited to iPhones and iPads, and will not support non-Apple smartphones.


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Apple Pay setup by two-thirds of iPhone 6 owners, nearly half only used once says survey

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Apple Pay iPhone 6

Research shared by Phoenix Marketing International offers new data for Apple Pay‘s adoption and performance since it launched in the United States in October last year. The survey polled just over 3,000 credit cardholders to conclude that “11% of all credit card-owning households” and two out of three iPhone 6 users have used Apple Pay. Aside from a high adoption rate for the mobile payment service, the survey also highlights that almost half of those Apple Pay users have used the service just one time.
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Review: PowerSkin’s PoP’n 3 sticks a 4000mAh Lightning battery on your iPhone 6 / Plus as needed

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Yesterday, I reviewed PowerSkin’s Spare, a semi-protective battery case designed specifically for the iPhone 6. While Spare didn’t strike me as a great value for its asking price, PowerSkin also sells a more powerful alternative called PoP’n 3 that can work with multiple iPhones, including the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and earlier iPhone 5 models. And despite having nearly twice as much power as Spare — enough power to fully recharge any iPhone — it sells for only $50-$55, depending on the color you prefer.

PoP’n 3 isn’t a typical USB battery pack, even though it looks like one. Made mostly from metallic plastic that matches the space gray, silver, or gold colors of recent iPhones, it has a Lightning cable built into the bottom for easy connection to bare or encased devices. Suction cups on one side let it attach or detach from your iPhone on an as-desired basis, and unlike iPhone-specific battery cases, enable it to function as a just-in-case power source for iPads, too…


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Wired video abuses ultra-protective iPhone cases, two withstand slams, one even survives falling safe

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Most cases will protect your iPhone during regular use, and many can handle accidental drops and a little abuse, but very few can withstand deliberate punishment. An amusing new Battle Damage video from Wired uses abusive tests to crown the “toughest iPhone case ever” from four different ultra-protective models: Griffin’s $50 Survivor,* LifeProof’s $80 Fre, Lunatik’s $125 Taktik Extreme, and Otterbox’s $50 Defender. The iPhone 5 units inside the Griffin Survivor and LifeProof Fre don’t make it through the first test, a hard smash of the encased iPhone on a hard floor, but Lunatik’s Extreme and Otterbox’s Defender go onto a second test: attempting to withstand a 50-pound safe while standing in a completely vertical position.

Unless you’re planning to drop a safe on your upright iPhone, the smaller and more affordable Defender seems like a smarter choice. But only Lunatik’s metal-reinforced Extreme survived the safe-dropping test; an iPhone 6 version hasn’t yet been released. Most people will do just fine with regular iPhone cases (or great iPhone battery cases), but if you want something that can protect against Looney Tunes-like antics, check out the video for some nice camera work and screen-shattering fun.

[* Note: Wired claims that the Griffin Survivor case shown in the video is Survivor Slim, but it looks more likely to be Survivor + Catalyst, a now-discontinued $80 model that was marketed as waterproof. Thanks, Nick!]

Opinion: Understanding the extended period between the Apple Watch event and next month’s launch

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Christy Turlington Burns & Tim Cook

Apple has shown off the Apple Watch at a special event now on two occasions: first after the iPhone 6 last September, then after the new 12-inch MacBook last week. We know how the Apple Watch will look, how much it will cost, when we can buy it and for how much. Many developers are ready to ship apps for the Apple Watch, and we’re already seeing an accessory market for Apple’s wearable.

Since last week’s event, I’ve been thinking about why Apple might have chosen to have its second Apple Watch unveiling more than a month before people can actually buy the device. My conclusion? It’s complicated, but mostly necessary considering the complexity of actually buying the right watch.

Apple’s motivation is to ensure that you have an iPhone 5 or later before next month, and that you have the answer to a number of questions including how many millimeters your wrist measures if you plan to pre-order before trying on an Apple Watch. And because we know how major iPhone launches go with getting the exact model you want, pre-ordering will be the first opportunity to secure the Apple Watch of your choice or risk waiting even longer.
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iPhone 5 battery replacement program extended into January 2016

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When Apple launched its iPhone 5 battery replacement program last year, the company said that it would accept devices for replacement up to two years after purchase. Because the devices with the faulty batteries were sold between September 2012 and January 2013, two years from that date range would have given buyers until January 2015 (or March 1st, 2015, according to the page) to get their devices swapped.

However, as spotted by iPhone in Canada, Apple today updated the copy on the page to state that replacements would be accepted for an additional year. The page now says that users may return their defective units until three years after the date of purchase, pushing the end date for the program back to January 2016 for those who bought their phones near the end of the time when affected models were sold.

Since only certain phones were impacted by this problem, users will need to plug their iPhone’s serial number into Apple’s support page to find out if they qualify for a replacement.

New Apple Pay FAQ details fraud, fees & merchant policies ahead of Apple Watch

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Apple Pay iPhone 6

Ahead of likely Apple Watch and Apple Pay announcements on Monday during Apple’s ‘Spring forward’ event, Apple has spruced up the main Apple Pay site to further highlight the Watch’s compatibility with Apple Pay and clarify frequently asked questions about the service for merchants. Changes to the site include a dedicated page for finding out where to use Apple Pay, and a new FAQ support document to help merchants learn about Apple Pay and start accepting the mobile payment service.
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iPhone and Galaxy smartphones more reliable than current wearable fitness devices at measuring activity, finds study

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If you were thinking about buying a fitness band, a university study suggests you probably shouldn’t bother: it found that the iPhone 5s and Samsung Galaxy S4 measure activity more reliably than most current fitness bands.

The study by the University of Pennsylvania (via EurekAlert!) tested the ability of the phones to measure steps on a treadmill and compared the results to six dedicated fitness bands. The two smartphones had a margin of error of 12.9%, while the error rates of the fitness bands ranged up to 22.7%.

The study tested the iPhone 5s and Galaxy S4 against the Nike Fuelband, Jawbone UP24, Digi-Walker SW-200, Fitbit Flex, Fitbit One and Fitbit Zip. Only the FitBit One and Zip performed significantly better than the two smartphones. While the iPhone apps all delivered similar levels of accuracy, Health Mate out-performed the others.

Tim Cook took a dig at existing smartwatches at yesterday’s Goldman Sachs conference, saying that “there are several things that are called smartwatches, but I’m not sure you could name any.” The Apple Watch would, he said, “change the way people live their lives.”

Via Gizmodo

iPhone 6 Plus captured 41% of all US phablet sales; iPhone 6 best-selling iOS device – Kantar data

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Kantar data shows that the iPhone 6 Plus managed to take a 41% share of all US phablet sales for the August to October quarter, despite only being on sale for a little over one of those months and significant supply constraints.

Unsurprisingly, the smaller iPhone 6 also outsold the iPhone 5s in the same period, taking 33% of all iOS device sales against 26% for the 5s, 18% for the 5c and 10% for the 6 Plus. This is line with multiple sources suggesting a 3-to-1 ratio of iPhone 6 vs 6 Plus sales … 
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