Benjamin Mayo

A new demo from researchers at Mysk shines a light on the free, unrestricted, access all apps have to the iOS clipboard.

In the video, the developers create a dummy app that simply prints out the information gleaned from the clipboard. When the user copies an image, the app can immediately see the image content and the metadata like the location of where the photo was taken. This becomes a little more sinister when the demo shows that installed widgets can also silently collect all data copied to the clipboard, without user knowledge.

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Update: New iPads too. Although, given the breadth and number of listings now found, it is starting to feel more like guesswork on the part of Target rather than an insight into Apple hardware product plans.

We aren’t entirely sure what to make of this just yet but Target employees are noticing some interesting listings popping up on their inventory system, seemingly tipping the hat on soon-to-be-announced Apple hardware.

In addition to the ‘AirPods X generation’, 9to5Mac received images showing that there are also dummy entries for ‘Apple TV Gen X’ — a possible successor to the Apple TV 4K — and ‘Apple Watch Series X’ bands. There’s also listings for ‘Apple iPod Touch X Generation’.

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So we have AirPods, and we have AirPods Pro. Scattered track record Digitimes is continuing to report that it believes Apple will add another SKU to the AirPods lineup within the next six months, in what it calls AirPods Pro Lite.

In its latest report, Digitimes describes the AirPods Pro Lite as an entry-level truly wireless earphone set. Digitimes continues to be the only publication specifically describing such a product, although Ming-Chi Kuo did say that Apple would release new wireless headphones in the first half of 2020 — so maybe they are talking about the same thing.

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Apple is said to be discussing adding the ability for users to set third-party apps as defaults, overriding the built-in preference for Apple’s Safari and Mail. The news comes as Apple faces increasing scrutiny over how it operates the App Store whilst giving preferential treatment to its own apps and services.

In addition, Bloomberg says that Apple is considering opening up the HomePod to third-party music services like Spotify or Amazon Music. Right now, the HomePod can only natively interact with Apple Music.

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As shared in a research note, TF Securities Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple system-in-package partners to ramp up production of the ultra-wide band ‘AirTags’ in the second or third quarter of this year.

Kuo says that the supply chain will be producing tens of millions of units by the end of the year. Although not said explicitly, it suggests that Apple’s Tile-like trackers (referenced in code as ‘AirTags’) will be released this year.

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Last night, Apple released a statement warning investors that it would miss its quarterly revenue guidance, making it the second revenue warning in only two years. Apple said that business outside of China was strong, but production bottlenecks would affect worldwide supply and domestic Chinese demand was also down.

Bloomberg says that Apple has been readying the lower-cost ‘iPhone SE 2’, which will resemble an iPhone 8 with an A13 chip inside, despite coronavirus disruption to factories. The publication believes the device is still on track to launch in March.

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In a pair of Digitimes reports, the supply chain publication notes that the impacts of the coronavirus will cause disruption to the standard next-gen iPhone manufacturing schedule, but it is unlikely to mean Apple will need to delay the usual September launch timeframe for the iPhone 12 series.

Demand for the A14 chip is also said to be high, with orders more than 50% higher than the equivalent period for the A13 chips. Digitimes notes that this is a result of Apple’s aggressive moves into rolling out 5G on its phones.

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Apple has added a new toggle to the top of the Subscriptions page on iPhone and iPad. By toggling the switch, users can choose not to receive email notifications every time a recurring In-App Purchase is charged.

It’s a small feature addition, but may be welcomed by Apple users who have a lot of subscriptions.

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The Chinese authorities have told Foxconn that it cannot open its iPhone production factories on February 10, as reported by Nikkei.

Reuters previously said that any additional delays would have a significant impact on Apple’s iPhone sales. The company depends on Foxconn factories to assemble iPhones in the quantities it requires; if the company can’t make them, Apple can’t sell them.

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iOS 13.4 has reverted a bad design choice made with the iOS 13 Mail app, namely the actions toolbar the bottom of the screen. (Update: iOS 13.4 beta 2 has tweaked the toolbar again, making it even more similar to iOS 12).

The delete and reply buttons now sit at opposite ends of the toolbar, and Apple has added back the quick actions for flagging and moving folders.

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With the latest beta releases, Apple has added the ability for developers to create unified purchases across Mac and iOS.

This means that a developer can list an iPad app in the App Store and a Mac version in the Mac App Store. When the customer buys either version, it automatically unlocks for all platforms. Previously, developers could only offer separate independent purchases.

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Apple may be in a for bumpy ride when it comes to iPhone production, if the Chinese factory halt due to the coronavirus is extended another week. Almost all Foxconn production is currently shut down until February 10, in accordance with government rules, and the key Apple supply chain partner is waiting to hear if the date will be extended.

Reuters says that Foxconn shipments to Apple will be disrupted if that happens, according to a person familiar with the matter.

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Following up on a report from Macotakara before Christmas, the site has now got their hands on mockups of the expected iPhone 2020 range.

It’s still not clear how faithful these mockups are meant to be, but they at least offer a decent side-by-side physical comparison of the new iPhone screen sizes. It is highly possible they are essentially fan-made, rather than being based off leaked CAD schematics or anything more ‘official’.

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Apple announced this morning that it is closing all retail stores and corporate offices in mainland China as a precautionary measure due to current coronavirus situation.

In a statement to Bloomberg, Apple said its thoughts are with those affected and its decision to temporarily close stores is based on the latest advice from health experts.

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