Apple

TouchID-iPhone5S-fingerprint-sensor-01

As noted by BusinessInsider, a number of security researchers and other hackers have come together to offer rewards to the first person that can “reliably and repeatedly break into an iPhone 5s” through bypassing the new TouchID fingerprint sensor feature. They aren’t looking for a software hack, however, but instead want hackers to break into the device by lifting prints, “like from a beer mug.”

It’s not exactly a legit contest, as the creators of the site are only claiming responsibility for their own bounty offers. Their bounties come out to around just $200 of the approximately $20k in pledges listed on the site.

In order to collect, you’ll have to have video proof of the process. The site’s creator explained in the “terms and conditions,” which is actually just a series of tweets:

All I ask is a video of the process from print, lift, reproduction and successful unlock with reproduced print. I’ll put money on this… Enroll print, Place it, lift it, reproduce it, use the reproduction to unlock the phone without being locked out… satisfactory video evidence of the print enrollment, lift, reproduction and successful application of the print without locking out will do.

While there’s no way of telling if most of those offering bounties will actually payout, the largest pledge comes from IOCapital for $10K:

https://twitter.com/Arturas/status/380748248589148161

Apple said at the introduction of the iPhone 5s that “all fingerprints will be encrypted, stored securely and never uploaded to iCloud or its own servers,” but there have been a few questions surrounding how Apple’s new TouchID fingerprint sensor works. Earlier this month Apple addressed security concerns and noted some features to prevent hacking of the fingerprint sensor:

Only that passcode (not a finger) can unlock the phone if the phone is rebooted or hasn’t been unlocked for 48 hours. This feature is meant to block hackers from stalling for time as they try to find a way to circumvent the fingerprint scanner.

You can check out all of the bounties being offered and learn more through the istouchidhackedyet.com site.

Logitech & ClamCase tease new MFi iOS game controllers

Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2013 - 2:43 pm PT

Above and below we might be getting a look at teasers for the first gaming controllers that will take advantage of Apple’s new MFi game controller frameworks. The first, above, comes to us from ClamCase. The company posted the teaser above for what appears to be a new controller, dubbed “GameCase”, that would attach to both an iPhone and an iPad (an iPad mini, at least). We spoke with the company who told us that the new controller would indeed follow Apple’s new MFi standards for game controllers.

The second teaser comes to us from Logitech (below). While we don’t actually see the controller in Logitech’s teaser, it appears to hinting at the controller that the company first showed off to developers during WWDC.
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San Francisco and New York Attorneys general: ‘After Months Of Pressure, Apple Responds With The World’s First Attempt To Implement A Technological Solution To The Global Smartphone Theft Epidemic’

9to5 Staff Sep 19 2013 - 11:34 am PT

Yep, these guys pressured Apple into this.

Secure Our Smartphones Coalition Statement On Release Of Apple’s iOS 7

Gascón & Schneiderman: After Months Of Pressure, Apple Responds With The World’s First Attempt To Implement A Technological Solution To The Global Smartphone Theft Epidemic

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released this joint statement following today’s deployment of Apple’s newest operating system, iOS 7:

“After months of pressure from a global coalition of elected officials and law enforcement agencies, we are pleased that Apple is set to release a new mobile operating system that includes a theft deterrent feature called Activation Lock. This is an important first step towards ending the global epidemic of smartphone theft.

“In the months ahead, it is our hope that Activation Lock will prove to be an effective deterrent to theft, and that the widespread use of this new system will end the victimization of iPhone users, as thieves learn that the devices have no value on the secondary market. We are particularly pleased that – because Activation Lock is a feature associated with Apple’s new operating system as opposed to a new device – it will be available to consumers with older phone models who download the free upgrade.

“While it is too early to tell if Activation Lock will be a comprehensive solution to the epidemic of ‘Apple Picking’ crimes that have victimized iPhone and iPad owners around the world, we believe it is a step forward and strongly urge iPhone users to download iOS 7, and most importantly, ensure they utilize both an Apple ID and Find My iPhone. We also encourage Apple to make Activation Lock a fully opt-out solution in order to guarantee widespread adoption, and strongly urge the other leading manufacturers of smartphones to quickly implement effective theft deterrents that protect their customers from violent crime.”

Gascón and Schneiderman also urge consumers to enable basic security features such as a password or the newly available fingerprint scanning technology on the iPhone 5S. While password and fingerprint scanning security features can help protect data on a device, they do not deter thieves from stealing smartphones. Theft deterrence for iPhone users will occur only if adoption of iOS 7, and the utilization of an Apple ID and Find My iPhone is widespread. Additionally, the success of Activation Lock is largely dependent on the failure of hackers’ rumored exploits.

Finally, they noted that simply downloading iOS 7 and enabling Activation Lock through the use of an Apple ID and Find My iPhone does not mean consumers are safe from potential theft. Even if Activation Lock proves effective, thieves will not react overnight. Accordingly, it is vital that consumers beare aware of their surroundings at all times, especially when using their smartphones in public places.

The Secure Our Smartphones (SOS) Initiative coalition is a groundbreaking coalition of state Attorneys General, major city Mayors, District Attorneys, major city Police Chiefs, state and city Comptrollers, public safety activists and consumer advocates from around the world. This initiative is working to encourage the industry to implement meaningful solutions that will end the national epidemic of violent thefts of mobile communications devices such as smartphones and tablets.

For more information on efforts by District Attorney Gascón and Attorney General Schneiderman to combat “Apple Picking,” visit the San Francisco District Attorney’s website and the New York State Attorney General’s website.

iPhone 5s sales go live, with 7-10 day shipping estimates in Australia, Chinese Apple Store quoting October delivery

Benjamin Mayo Sep 19 2013 - 9:22 am PT

Update:

In the UK, the iPhone 5s has just gone on sale. Shipping estimates stand at 7-10 days. At the time of writing, all models are expected to be delivered in the first week of October.

The iPhone 5s has just gone on sale in Australia. However, as has been noted several times, supply of the 5s is extremely constrained. As a result, Apple is already quoting 7-10 day shipping estimates for the device. The prolonged availability applies to all models and all colors. 5s cases are similarly low in supply, to a similar extent, quoting 3-5 day shipping times.

Supply issues seem to apply to all countries. In the UK, O2 has announced that they will have no 5s’ in stock, but will order it for when it becomes available. Via CZ on Twitter, for the Apple Store in Hong Kong, the 5s has already lapsed into October for shipping.

@markgurman if you check HK apple online store. 5s available to ship in October

— CZ (@CSZhang) September 19, 2013

The iPhone 5s becomes available in the US at 12.01 Pacific Time tonight.

Thanks Sonny Dickson.

iPhone 5s & 5c get first teardowns revealing fingerprint sensor assembly & new components

Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2013 - 9:08 am PT

1 Comment

With Australia, alongside other countries in Asia included in the initial September 20 iPhone launch, the first to get their hands on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, a repair company in the country has just posted the first teardown of the two new iPhones. The iExperts Team out of Australia has taken apart both devices, revealing new components but not yet giving us a look at what we expect will be a Samsung made A7 chip.

The first thing noticed in the teardown was a new connector for the TouchID fingerprint sensor assembly. Lining up with leaks leading up to the launch of the iPhones, it also found a 5.92Whr battery in the 5s (up from 5.45Whr in the iPhone 5), and a 5.73Whr battery in the iPhone 5c. Internal layouts for the two new iPhones also seem to line up with part leaks we seen in recent months. Interestingly, the site notes that the batteries are stamped with “Apple Japan.”

Many of the teardown shots below also include an iPhone 5 next to the 5s and 5c for comparison.

iExperts notes that Apple has fixed an issue from previous generation devices by adding an extra coating to switches “that should help hold them together to prevent the failures prevalent in the other models.”

We don’t learn much more from the teardown, which is likely still in progress as the site analyzes new internal components, but we’ll be learning a lot more as others pry into their new iPhones in the hours ahead. The teardown also gives us a good look at Apple’s new home button/fingerprint assembly:
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Even cats can unlock the iPhone 5s with the TouchID sensor [video]

9to5 Staff Sep 19 2013 - 8:39 am PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OFW6Va1m5k]

Amusing little tidbit from TechCrunch:

I tested a colleague’s hypothesis that you could register the identifying skin segments of your favorite furry friends for Touch ID, too.

The cat’s paw worked, and while it encountered more frequent failures than did a fingerprint, it was able to unlock the phone again repeatedly when positioned correctly on the sensor. Note that no other paw pads would unlock the device, and that cats essentially have unique “fingerprints” just like people, so this doesn’t make the Touch ID sensor any less secure.

I wonder if a rabbit’s foot would work?

App Store makes it easier for parents to find apps for their children with new Kids Category in iOS 7

Sarah Guarino Sep 19 2013 - 8:17 am PT

In iOS 7, Apple has made it easier for parents to find great age-appropriate, kid-friendly educational apps by gathering them all in one location. It’s currently being featured on the Featured page. Also you can find it by pressing on the blue word Categories in the upper left hand corner of the screen and then scroll down until you see Kids or click here. (ages 5 & under, ages 6-8 and ages 9-11).

By pressing on the Kids category the apps are split up based off the kids age. They have sections for ages 5 & under, ages 6-8 and ages 9-11.

There are even categories that cover key learning concepts like creating, shapes, colors, discovering the world, reading, music, and interactive books. To see them all, just swipe right to left on the boxes to view them all.

So parents, the next time you give your device to your children, you can now have them play with apps that are truly developed with them in mind and that are educational!

Apple Stores in Asia/Oceania go down ahead of iPhone 5s launch, 5c shipping times slip again

Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2013 - 7:20 am PT

Ahead of the iPhone 5s launch tomorrow morning in Apple Stores around the world at 8AM local time, Apple appears to be preparing for online orders with its websites for China, Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore currently experiencing downtime. Orders from Apple’s online store are about to kick off in the coming hours in Australia, while China and Hong Kong opened up reservations for the device earlier this week and also plan 8am retail launches. In the U.S. and most other countries online orders will start at 12am (PST in the US) and local time in other locations. Word has it the iPhone 5s will be in short supply at launch, but it’s taken Apple’s iPhone 5c over a week before experiencing any significant shipping delays.

Shipping times for certain models of the iPhone 5c began slipping over the last week, but most models in the initial launch countries remained available for delivery by the expected September 20 launch date. Today that has started to change with many more models of the iPhone 5c experiencing delays in several countries.

In the U.S. and Canada, all models of the device are currently listed as shipping in 1-3 business days, while France and Germany are now listing “5 working days” for most models and “7-10 working days” for others. Of course, shipping times could easily change again tomorrow when the iPhone 5c officially hits Apple retail stores alongside the 5s. We’ll keep you updated if they do.

iOS 7 adoption hits 30 percent in first 16 hours (9to5Mac readers are at 80% though)

Ben Lovejoy Sep 19 2013 - 7:04 am PT

9 Comments

30 percent of iOS users upgraded to iOS 7 in the first 16 hours, according to data from tracking company Mixpanel. As we fanboys love to do, compare with the Carrier-controlled Android ecosystem where you have to go back to last year’s Android 4.1 to find numbers close to that:

9to5Mac readers were of course way ahead of the game …
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iOS 7 How-To: Use Apple’s new (and free) iTunes Radio streaming music service

Sarah Guarino Sep 19 2013 - 6:03 am PT

38 Comments

With iOS 7, Apple has debuted iTunes Radio, its answer to streaming music services like Rdio, Spotify, and Pandora. It is a free service with some occasional ads. So far the ads have been about advertising cars and iTunes Festival. If you do not want any ads, you can pay twenty-five dollars a year for iTunes Match…

Opening weekend iPhone sales estimated at 6-8 million units, reiterates 5s supply constraints

Benjamin Mayo Sep 19 2013 - 5:29 am PT

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KGI analyst Mingchi Kuo has released his estimates for iPhone sales over the launch weekend. The forecast is set at between 6 – 8 million units, accounting for both the 5c and the 5s. Apple opted not to report preorder sales figures for the 5c, leading some to speculate that demand for the device is weak. Kuo’s guidance does not seem to reflect this as an issue, however.

In 2012, the iPhone 5 shipped 5 million units across its launch weekend. If Apple hit the upper limit of Kuo’s forecast, 8 million units, that would result in sales growth of about 60%.

However, Kuo warns that supply is likely going to be a limiting factor in the near term. Kuo expects the available supply to skew heavily in the 5c’s favour, with only about a third of total supply in the launch period being 5s units. For the holiday quarter, Kuo says supply constraints will loosen to enable Apple to report record shipments of 55 million iPhones in fiscal Q4.

iOS 7 now blocking some third-party Lightning cables after earlier warning shot

Ben Lovejoy Sep 19 2013 - 5:08 am PT

51 Comments

As we suspected when Apple added a warning to a pre-release version of iOS 7 that non-certified cables may not work reliably with iPhones, the launch version is actually blocking some of them from charging the phone. Certified cables contain a chip that allows them to authenticate.

We first spotted this in a Reddit post, and have since confirmed. The warning message itself is unchanged, but it’s no longer an empty threat – though as seen in comments, some non-certified cables are still working. Possibly ones that use cracked chips. The good news is that there is a workaround for others, but it’s not pretty …
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Farewell Windows Safari, as Apple excludes its homegrown browser from iCloud bookmark sync

Ben Lovejoy Sep 19 2013 - 5:08 am PT

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We knew that Apple’s attempt to expand Safari’s reach into the Windows population was at an end when the company stopped updating the Windows version a year ago, but the browser has now been erased from history as Apple’s bookmark sync tool drops support for it. iCloud Control Panel 3.0 for Windows, released yesterday, supports only Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome.

iCloud keeps mail, contacts, and calendars up to date between your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Windows PC, and lets you share calendars and task lists.

iCloud also keeps your Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Google Chrome bookmarks on Windows in sync with your Safari bookmarks on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

On OS X, however, Apple is keep to ensure we don’t use anything else. The iCloud Bookmarks extension for Chrome, allowing bookmark syncing with Safari, works only on the Windows version of Chrome. C’mon, Apple, make us want to use your software by making it better than anyone else’s, not by this kind of move …

In tandem with iTunes Radio launch, Apple starts using @iTunes Twitter account

Michael Steeber Sep 18 2013 - 2:17 pm PT

Alongside the official launches of both iTunes Radio and iOS 7 today, Apple has begun using the @iTunes Twitter account. While the account only has two tweets at the time of this writing, it appear that the page will be used for general purpose, iTunes related announcements.

https://twitter.com/iTunes/status/380400209110392833

iOS 7 downloads causing network outages at several school campuses, activation server failures

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 1:44 pm PT

30 Comments

As noticed by BusinessInsider, Apple’s release of iOS 7 today is causing havoc for the networks of several college campuses and other schools where a large number of iOS device users are attempting to download the new OS. Some schools, including Ohio University, is even urging students to delay upgrading to iOS 7 as the network experiences network problems due to the high amount of traffic.

Others having WiFi issues today include New York University, Michigan University, and Western Connecticut State University. Those three schools haven’t confirmed iOS 7 is the cause of network outages today, but students on Twitter have noted that iOS 7 is likely the culprit…
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Report: Apple could use sapphire crystal for home button on new iPads, cover glass on 2014 iPhones

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 1:06 pm PT

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With Apple utilizing a new laser cut sapphire crystal in its redesigned home button that now includes a capacitive fingerprint touch sensor on the iPhone 5s, it’s not that surprising that rumors of a sapphire home button on future iPads are starting to pop up. We’re certainly not taking this one as fact, as it comes to us from the not-so-reliable DigiTimes, but a new report from the publication says new models of Apple’s full-sized iPad and iPad mini will also utilize the hard sapphire crystal material. The rumor apparently comes from “Taiwan-based sapphire makers.”

The report adds that Apple could also be looking to utilize the material for entire touch screen covers for new iPhones coming in 2014, but that price could be a factor, as sapphire crystal is reportedly still around 5 times more expensive than alternative materials.

In it’s latest promotional video for the new iPhone 5s home button and TouchID feature (below), Apple says the Sapphire crystal button protects the the new touch sensor and also “acts as a lens to precisely focus it on your finger.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJkmc8-eyvE

Facebook updates iOS app with new look for iOS 7

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 12:47 pm PT

9 Comments

Facebook announced on its blog today that it’s rolling out a new update for iOS 7 (alongside just about every other developer today) that brings a brand new iOS 7 style design to the app. On top of a lighter color palette and the new iOS 7 translucent top bar, you’ll also now be able to “swipe from left to right to get back to News Feed” after tapping a story.

There are some other tweaks included in the update as well. The iPhone app, for example, now includes a new tab style menu along the bottom of the screen. The new menu design is something Facebook has actually been testing with many users in recent months, although not with the new iOS 7 design included in today’s update. Facebook is hoping the new menu makes it “easier to switch from News Feed to your friend requests, messages or notifications.”

The new Facebook app for iOS has begun rolling out to the App Store. A video of the new design in action is below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnXggjgWC3U&feature=youtu.be

Direct download links for iOS 7 & 7.0.1

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 12:39 pm PT

30 Comments

Following Apple’s release of iOS 7 earlier today as an almost 1GB OTA update, direct download links have now made their way online. iOS 7.0 (build 11A465) is available now for your iPhone 4, 4S, 5, and iPad 2 and up, but Apple also has iOS 7.0.1 (build 11A470a) available for the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C as we noted earlier today. If you are having trouble with the over the air update, or just want to do a completely fresh install, you’ll be able to use the direct download links above to do so.

If you are going that route, you’ll want to make sure you are updated to the latest iTunes 11.1 released earlier today with iTunes Radio, Genius Shuffle, Podcast Stations, and, of course, support for iOS 7 devices.

iPad:

iPad2(wifi) (iPad2,1) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad2(at&t) (iPad2,2) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad2(vz) (iPad2,3) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad2,4 (iPad2,4) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad2,5 (iPad2,5) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad2,6 (iPad2,6) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad2,7 (iPad2,7) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad3,1 (iPad3,1) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad3,2 (iPad3,2) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad3,3 (iPad3,3) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad3,4 (iPad3,4) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad3,5 (iPad3,5) 7.0 (11A465)

iPad3,6 (iPad3,6) 7.0 (11A465)

iPhone:

iPhone4 (iPhone3,1) 7.0 (11A465)

iPhone3,2 (iPhone3,2) 7.0 (11A465)

iPhone4(vz) (iPhone3,3) 7.0 (11A465)

iPhone4S (iPhone4,1) 7.0 (11A465)

iPhone5,1 (iPhone5,1) 7.0 (11A465)

iPhone5,2 (iPhone5,2) 7.0 (11A465)

iPhone5,3 (iPhone5,3) 7.0.1 (11A470a)

iPhone5,4 (iPhone5,4) 7.0.1 (11A470a)

iPhone6,1 (iPhone6,1) 7.0.1 (11A470a)

iPhone6,2 (iPhone6,2) 7.0.1 (11A470a)

iPod touch:

iPodTouch(5G) (iPod5,1) 7.0 (11A465)

iOS 7 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch released; here’s our walkthrough

Mike Beasley Sep 18 2013 - 9:56 am PT

105 Comments

iOS 7, Apple’s brand-new take on their mobile operating system, has been released to the public and is now available as an over-the-air update or through iTunes.

Below you’ll find a full walkthrough of many of the new features and changes throughout the overhauled OS, including a look at the built-in apps that received the biggest changes.

Before you can dive into everything that iOS 7 has to offer, you’ll need to update your device. You can find full directions for updating in our how-to from yesterday. Once you’re updated, check out all of the shiny new additions to the OS:

Apple makes iOS 7 user guides available on the iBookstore

Benjamin Mayo Sep 18 2013 - 6:55 am PT

7 Comments

Ahead of iOS 7’s release later today, Apple has published iOS 7 user guides on the iBookstore. At the moment, guides are only available for the iPad and iPod touch but a book targeted at the iPhone will likely follow. As is to be expected, both books are offered as a free download.

In essence, they are ebook versions of Apple’s downloadable PDF manuals, featuring setup, troubleshooting and other instructions for the device and the OS. Apple has offered user guides on the iBookstore ever since its inception in 2010, starting with the original iPad.

Space Gray coming to an iPad Mini 2 near you? (Champagne too?)

Ben Lovejoy Sep 18 2013 - 5:54 am PT

8 Comments

French site NWE has a photo of what it believes to be a Space Gray casing for the iPad Mini expected to be announced next month – on 15th October, according to another French site.

NWE has a decent track-record in leaked parts, and it seems likely that Apple would adopt the same colors for the new iPads as for the iPhone 5s. If you were wondering what the iPad Mini might look like in Apple’s new champagne color, Martin Hajek has created some renders. I’m not taken with the look myself – let us know your thoughts in the comments.

More photos below …
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A decade at the top: Apple tops PC customer satisfaction ratings for the 10th year running

Ben Lovejoy Sep 18 2013 - 5:20 am PT

The American Customer Satisfaction Index saw Apple take the top spot in the personal computers category for the 10th year running, with its score of 87 a full eight points higher than the industry average. Apple, which scored one point higher than last year, has topped the ranking since 2004.

The ACSI includes tablets in its ‘PC’ category, so the scores reflect both Mac and iPad. Factors feeding into the scores include customer expectations pre-sale, perceived quality, perceived value, customer complaint incidents and customer loyalty.

The iPhone took the top slot in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey for the ninth consecutive time back in March, and both iPhone and iPad even managed to beat Samsung on its home turf of South Korea.

iPhone sales up 28% this quarter, forecasts Morgan Stanley

Ben Lovejoy Sep 18 2013 - 4:07 am PT