Author

Mike Beasley

Australian Mac and iOS users find devices remotely locked, held for ransom (and how to keep yours safe)

Mike Beasley May 26 2014 - 10:03 pm PT

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that several Australian Mac, iPhone, and iPad users are finding that their devices have been locked remotely through Apple’s Find My iPhone service by someone using the name “Oleg Pliss.” The hacker (or hackers) then demand payments of around $50 to $100 to an anonymous PayPal account in order to restore the devices to their owners.

An active thread on Apple’s support forum was started yesterday as users started to discover that they had been targeted by the attack. According to that discussion, users are finding all of their devices locked at once rather than a single device per user. Based on that report and the fact that Find My iPhone is being used to hold the devices hostage, it seems likely that the perpetrator has gained access to these users’ iCloud accounts—possibly through password reuse by those users—rather than some device-specific malware or hack.

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KGI: Every new iOS device this year will be equipped with Touch ID, sensors to be more durable

Mike Beasley May 26 2014 - 7:35 pm PT

KGI research has published a new report that claims Apple will incorporate its Touch ID fingerprint sensor into all new iOS devices launched in 2014. This includes both new iPhone models, and the next versions of the full-size iPad an its ‘mini’ counterpart.

The note also states that Touch ID sensor shipments will increase by 233% this year, which would certainly make sense if the technology was going to be added to so many new devices. According to the report, these new sensors will be made more durable than the current version through the use of tin:

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Google-owned VirusTotal releases Mac-compatible version of malware detection app

Mike Beasley May 26 2014 - 4:25 pm PT

Google-owned VirusTotal today released a version of the VirusTotal uploader application (via The Next Web) compatible with Mac OS X. Previously the software was only available for Windows-based machines.

VirusTotal Uploader works in conjunction with the VirusTotal web service to check files and links for malware. Google hopes that the release of the software for the Mac will help users more easily detect attacks on Apple’s platform. From the VirusTotal blog:

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Rumor: Apple working on ARM-based Mac variants with larger trackpad built into keyboard

Mike Beasley May 25 2014 - 9:08 pm PT

MacBidouille is the source of an interesting new rumor [translation] that Apple is currently experimenting with new ARM-powered Mac variants that include a Magic trackpad built into the system’s keyboard. The company is also reportedly working on a new version of OS X that will be compatible with these ARM machines.

According to MacBidouille’s sources, Apple is developing three new machines with this configuration: the aforementioned iMac and Mac mini as well as a 13″ MacBook, presumably a MacBook Air. The iMac and notebook are both said to have “4 or 8” quad-core arm64 processors, while the Mac mini has only four.

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Tweetbot 2 and 3 for iOS get mandatory updates, previous versions will stop functioning soon

Mike Beasley May 23 2014 - 6:18 pm PT

Tapbots, the development team behind the popular Tweetbot Twitter client for Mac and iOS have issued a mandatory update for all users. According to a post on the Tapbots blog, all current mobile versions of the app will cease to function soon due to a change in the app requested by Twitter.

Updates for both iPhone versions of the app are rolling out now. Users on iOS 6 running Tweetbot 2 can look out for version 2.8.8, while users on the newer Tweetbot 3 can already find version 3.3.2 in the App Store. The Mac and iPad versions of the app aren’t mentioned in the post, so it’s possible they won’t need to be updated. (Update: The iPad version has been updated to version 2.8.8 as well.)

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Beats acquisition could be delayed for a variety for reasons, including Dre’s early ‘announcement’ video

Mike Beasley May 23 2014 - 6:06 pm PT

While it was previously reported that the Apple buyout of Beats Electronics was supposed to be announced this week, Billboard has compiled a list of five different reasons the deal isn’t yet finalized according to its own sources.

A few of these potential hold-ups include issues determining Beats’ valuation and issues with finding a place for Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine to fit into Apple’s corporate structure. According to one of Billboard’s sources, Apple’s executives were “freaked out” by the video that surfaced a few weeks ago of Dr. Dre and Tyrese Gibson (accidentally) confirmed that a deal was in the works.

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Apple now offering free shipping on all online purchases through May 29th

Mike Beasley May 23 2014 - 12:02 am PT

Apple has just launched a new special offer through its online store for Fathers Day offering free shipping on all purchases through Thursday, May 29th. While the company typically provides free shipping for orders $50 and up, this limited-time special covers everything that may not reach that price point, such as cases or other accessories.

Not only is this great offer just in time to help you get just the right gift for your dad, but it could also potentially help Apple clear out a little extra merchandise ahead of its WWDC conference early next month, where the company is expected to announce some new hardware alongside its redesigned OS X operating system and updated iOS mobile platform.

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Apple preparing expansion into new 290,000 square foot Sunnyvale campus

Mike Beasley May 21 2014 - 4:20 pm PT

Image via Mercury News

Image via Mercury News

A San Jose Mercury News report reveals that Apple is planning to expand its operations to a new Sunnyvale, CA campus. At 290,000 square feet, the Sunnyvale Crossing is a bit smaller than Apple’s previous 350,000 square foot Sunnyvale expansion (though it has one more building than the previous expansion).

Apple is currently in the process of constructing its new “spaceship” headquarters, which is expected to be completed by 2016 and will help alleviate some of the need for these external campuses and allow the company to bring more of its corporate team together in one place. However, the lease on this new space is reportedly somewhere between 7-10 years, so it’s likely that Apple plans to continue using the space for quite some time.

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Google overtakes Apple as ‘most valuable brand’ of 2014 in new study

Mike Beasley May 20 2014 - 7:25 pm PT

Millward Brown’s annual BrandZ study, which was released today, points to Apple as the second most valuable brand just below Google. This is a reversal from the previous study, which found Apple ranked just above Google.

In the study, Google’s brand value was calculated at $158,843,000, while Apple came in at only $147,880,000.

Of course, this study doesn’t actually point to which company is the most valuable. Instead, Millward Brown uses a combination of financial information—including projected future sales—and customer surveys to determine how much a brand is worth—or how much of the company’s value comes from customers’ views of that company. The entire process of determing a brand’s value is explained in detail on the Millward Brown website.

Essentially, information from customer surveys is used to determine a “brand contribution” number for each company. This number refers to how likely customers are to remain loyal to a company and other similar factors. This “brand contribution” is then multiplied by certain financial figures and the resulting figure is “brand value.”

This “brand value” represents how much of the company’s overall value comes from its brand. If it sounds a non-scientific, that’s probably because it is. Still, it’s interesting to see how consumers and firms like Millward Brown rank these companies.

Dutch appeals court upholds ban on Samsung Galaxy S II and Galaxy Ace

Mike Beasley May 20 2014 - 5:56 pm PT

A Dutch appeals court today upheld a 2011 decision that banned the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy S II and Galaxy Ace phones, as noted by Re/code. The devices in question were found to have infringed on Apple’s design in an earlier ruling and blocked from sale.

Apple’s original intent was to get an injunction against all Galaxy devices, but the company was forced to settle instead for just the two devices listed above.

Even though Apple and Google recently decided to settle their differences, thus halting the “thermonuclear warfare” instigated by former CEO Steve Jobs, there’s no indication that Apple plans to stop going after Samsung or other manufacturers directly any time soon. In fact, Samsung was recently found to have infringed on Apple’s design yet again with some of its newer devices and order to pay nearly $120 million in damages.

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Beats co-founder Steven Lamar brings royalty claim, reveals the company’s early Apple connection

Mike Beasley May 20 2014 - 4:34 pm PT

Steven Lamar, who helped create Beats headphones in 2006, has filed a complaint against Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine claiming he’s owed royalties on most of the company’s latest headphones, according to the Hollywood Reporter. In the complaint, Lamar recounts the earliest connection between Beats and Apple—and that the Cupertino company was almost the first Beats distributor.

Back in 2006, Lamar first hatched the idea for a line of celebrity-endorsed headphones. He took the idea to Interscope Records co-founder Jimmy Iovine and asked if Dr. Dre would be the celebrity sponsor. Lamar worked with a firm called Pentagram to create the first design for what would become Beats headphones.

That’s when Ivovine introduced Lamar to Apple retail VP Jerry McDougal. Lamar suggested to McDougal that Beats headphones should be sold in Apple retail stores, even going so far as to design the packaging around that very idea. McDougal introduced Lamar to Don Inmon, the man responsible for product placement in Apple’s retail stores.

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Facebook may try to take on Snapchat again with upcoming ‘Slingshot’ app

Mike Beasley May 18 2014 - 6:33 pm PT

If at first you don’t succeed…

Facebook may have recently pulled its Snapchat-like Poke app from the iOS App Store, but the social network is gearing up to take another swipe at the messaging giant later this month, according to a new claim by the Financial Times. Facebook’s new app, currently dubbed “Slingshot” interally, will enable users to send short video messages to one another.

In 2012, Facebook launched its own Snapchat rip-off called Poke, which borrowed its name from an entirely separate feature that had been available on Facebook’s website for years. When Poke failed to attract a significant number of users, Facebook forgot about it and let it sit idle for nearly three years before removing it from the App Store.

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Apple under fire from Italian antitrust regulator over freemium app sales model

Mike Beasley May 16 2014 - 10:15 pm PT

Italy’s Antitrust and Competition Authority says it is investigating “freemium” apps offered in Apple’s App Store along with similar stores operated by Google and Amazon, saying that customers could be misled by the “free” label, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

According to the regulatory group, users who download these apps for free could believe that the game is completely free and not know when downloading the app how much it will actually cost.

If Apple is found to have misled customers, the company could be fined as much as €5 million. It’s not likely to put a big dent in Apple’s cash reserve, but the Italian antitrust committee has previously convinced Apple to change its policy regarding AppleCare marketing.

Community

iOS 8 now available… for Android

Mike Beasley May 14 2014 - 9:55 pm PT

Apparently some people just can’t wait until WWDC to get a look at iOS 8. For example, check out this…

Beats buyout may take a little longer than expected, could be finalized next week

Mike Beasley May 14 2014 - 8:52 pm PT

Last week it was reported that Apple was in final talks to acquire Beats Electronics for over $3 billion, and that the buyout would be completed by this week. Now a new report from Re/code indicates that the deal may take a little longer than initially expected. According to Re/code’s sources, the deal may not be finalized until next week.

Beats cofounders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine are expected to join Apple’s executive team after the acquisition and will reportedly appear onstage at WWDC next month. While Apple hasn’t given any indication of why it’s interested in buying the company, it’s not hard to conclude that its iconic headphones and new music streaming service both have big potential as part of Apple’s future. Dre and Iovine both also have connections to the music industry that could benefit Apple greatly.

It seems we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out exactly what Apple plans to do with its latest acquisition.

CARROT Fit updated with new workout module involving dragons and Justin Bieber

Mike Beasley May 14 2014 - 3:46 pm PT

Meatbags rejoice! Or, perhaps more accurately, cower in fear. CARROT, the “fun”-loving AI construct who just wants to hurt you in ways you can’t even imagine, has returned with a brand new CARROT Fit update.

In this update, you’ll find a new 7-minute workout module that’s just a little different from the rest. That’s because this one involves punching Justin Bieber in the face and performing a dragon mating dance, among other, equally-ridiculous activities.

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Coda 2.5 won’t be coming to the Mac App Store, but there’s no need to panic

Mike Beasley May 14 2014 - 2:39 pm PT

Mac and iOS development team Panic announced today in a company blog post that the next major version of its Coda web development tool would not be coming to the Mac App Store. The reason? App Store apps need to be sandboxed (a security feature in OS X that doesn’t let apps modify data outside of their designated “sandboxes”), and Coda 2.5 simply doesn’t work as a sandboxed app.

According to Panic, Apple worked with the developers as much as possible to provide temporary exemptions and workarounds that could help alleviate some of the issues encoutered, but ultimately the decision was made to only release the update through the Panic website.

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Columbia University students create software allowing native iOS apps to run on Android devices

Mike Beasley May 13 2014 - 8:20 pm PT

Photo: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

For some time now, iOS users have cited the quality and quantity of third-party software available for the platform as an important factor in their choice of mobile devices. Over the years Android has amassed its own collection of apps and users have continued butting heads over which system had the better selection.

Now, six Columbia University students have bridged the gap between the two platforms with something called Cider (via The Next Web). Not to be confused with the other Cider software (for OS X), the Android version of Cider essentially fools iOS applications into believing they’re running on an actual iPhone or iPad.

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Logic Pro X updated with improvements for 12-core Mac Pros, bug fixes, and more

Mike Beasley May 13 2014 - 12:36 pm PT

Logic Pro X has been updated today with a number of bug fixes and improvements. First on the list of changes is better support for 12-core Mac Pros, which can now utilize up to 24 threads at once. Fixes to step sequencer issues when using Low Latency Mode and alignment guides have been implemented, and several XML import and export bugs have been taken care of.

A few extra enhancements also appear in this update: You can now copy automation data and paste it to any location using the Marquee tool; MIDI devices with volume and pan controls can now be set to control the software instrument rather than the channel strip the instrument is recorded on; and volume, pan, and effect send values can now be inserted into the automation track at the current playhead position.

There are also upgrades to the app’s accessiblity features. You can grab the update for free if you already own Logic Pro X. The app is $199.99 for new users on the App Store.

What’s New in Version 10.0.7

• Now supports 24 processing threads on 12-core Mac Pro models
• The current volume, pan, and send values for all selected tracks can now be inserted at the playhead position
• Enabling Low Latency Mode no longer creates sync issues for Drummer, Ultrabeat, Native Instruments Machine and other plug-ins with integrated step sequencers
• Automation can now be copied and pasted to any location using the Marquee tool
• Adds an option for MIDI volume and pan data to control the instrument plug-in instead of the channel strip
• Resolves several snap and alignment guide issues
• Various fixes that improve XML import and export with Final Cut Pro X
• Contains multiple enhancements to Accessibility

Google Search for iOS 4.0 adds new voice search options, more relevant results, and more

Mike Beasley May 13 2014 - 12:12 pm PT

Google has updated its iOS search app to version 4.0, which introduces a variety of new and useful changes. The app now recognizes new voice search cues and conversational input similar to the way Siri works. For example, Google says you can ask the app “What’s the weather like?” and follow up with “How about this weekend?” to get results relevant to the weekend rather than the current day.

The app will now also alert you when you new articles on certain topics appear. The feature is powered by Google Now, which learns your favorite authors, blogs, and more to provide you with customized alerts.

Finally, a few other changes to the app include faster loading, cricket sports data for Google Now, and an updated images search page.

Google Search is available for free on the App Store. The full change log is below:

What’s New in Version 4.0.0

With today’s update, you can ask questions with your voice & get updates on topics you care about.

Have a smarter conversation with Google:
• Tap the microphone or say “Ok Google” to start
• Ask questions such as “What’s the weather like?”
• Then follow up with “How about this weekend?”

At Google, we know the web well. With Google Now, we’ll tell you when there’s an interesting article for:
• Your favorite topics
• Your upcoming trips
• Your favorite authors and blogs

Smaller updates include:
• Cricket sports cards in Google Now
• Faster loading of Google Search and Google Now
• More beautiful and fluid image results

Analyst: Apple has reached deal with China UnionPay, could include NFC in iPhone 6

Mike Beasley May 13 2014 - 12:03 am PT

According to Shanghai Mobile analyst Frank Hill, Apple has reached a deal with mobile payment provider China UnionPay that would enable the next iPhone to make purchases at millions of supported Chinese point-of-sale devices. This would work in conjunction with NFC hardware said to be included in the next iPhone model.

UnionPay works with many of China’s major banks, and is the only domestic mobile payment company operating in the country. Several banks have reportedly been invited by UnionPay to participate in the development of a new system that is compatible with iOS devices.

While rumors of NFC in the iPhone have been relatively rare compared to some previous upgrade cycles, this isn’t the first time this year we’ve seen mentions of the technology finally making its way into Apple’s smartphone. Last month a report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated that we’d see near-field communication in the upcoming device.

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Facebook Poke and Camera pulled from the App Store

Mike Beasley May 9 2014 - 2:49 pm PT

Even though Facebook seemingly wants to break as many of its functions out into separate apps as possible—see Messenger and Pages Manager, for example—it appears that not every function is worthy its own App Store listing. Earlier today the social network pulled two of its iOS apps from sale: Poke (a Snapchat-like photo messenger) and Camera (which is exactly what it sounds like).

Both apps launched in 2012 and didn’t see many big improvements after that. Camera got a few small updates, though they didn’t seem to be much of a priority for the company. At one point a bug left the app’s internal employee settings exposed to all users for several months before being fixed.

Poke, on the other hand, was virtually ignored by Facebook from the day it went live until it was removed from the store. Most of the Camera app’s features were eventually rolled back into the main Facebook app, but Poke was not so fortunate.

Facebook hasn’t provided any reason for pulling either app, but it’s safe to assume that neither was being used that much anymore. The company now seems more focused on its messaging platform, with the recent acquisition of WhatsApp for $19 billion and the announcement that soon messaging would be removed from the main Facebook client in favor of the free Messenger app.

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Mac Pro shipping times improve again, now only 2-3 weeks

Mike Beasley May 9 2014 - 12:02 am PT

Customers waiting to get their hands on the new Mac Pro will now be able to get their hands on the machine a little bit faster. The shipping times on the recently-revamped powerhouse recently improved from around a month to a more reasonable 2-3 weeks.

The Mac Pro has frequently suffered from poor shipping times since it launched in December, though it did manage to get down to 3-5 weeks near the end of last month. The Mac Pro is the only Mac in Apple’s current lineup that is assembled in the United States. It’s also the first major revamp of the Mac Pro, which helped contribute to higher demand that previous models.

Hopefully, as Apple’s suppy finally catches up with the increased demand, these shipping times will continue to drop.

4.7″ iPhone 6 could be available in August, 5.5″ model in September

Mike Beasley May 8 2014 - 11:19 pm PT

The newest reports from Taiwanese media indicate that the iPhone 6 could possibly be revealed in August, not September. According to these rumors, the smaller, 4.7-inch model could be available for purchase the same month, with the larger 5.5-inch version going on sale in September—the month in which most rumors had originally predicted the reveal.

As we’ve previously reported, the next iPhone will likely be available in two versions, each with a different size screen larger than the current 4-inch iPhone 5s. Both phones will feature sapphire displays, which Apple recently began manfucaturing in China using sapphire crystal processed at its new Mesa, AZ facility.

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