SMS

20 'SMS' stories October 2011 - April 2016

How-To: Backup and restore SMS and iMessages on a clean iOS install

Jeff Benjamin Apr 9 2016 - 7:49 am PT

Have you noticed that virtually every aspect of the personal information on our iPhones can be restored individually via iCloud? Things like photos, mail, contacts, calendars, Safari bookmarks, and notes can all be individually recovered on a fresh install of iOS.

The one thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is text messages and iMessages. Sure, it’s possible to restore text messages if you’re willing to backup and restore the entire contents of your iPhone, but what if you wish to perform a fresh install of iOS and then restore messages?

Fortunately, backing up and restoring SMS texts and iMessages on an individual basis is possible, as long as you’re willing to take some time to follow our step-by-step guide.

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Judge dismisses lawsuit over iMessage bug that caused undelivered texts to Android switchers

Zac Hall Aug 5 2015 - 9:38 am PT

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U.S. District Judge Lucy H. Koh today decided to stop a group lawsuit against Apple over undelivered text messages caused by an iMessage bug, Bloomberg reports. The issue drew a lot of attention last year when the bug with Apple’s messaging system caused former iPhone users that switched to Android to discover text messages were not being properly delivered to their phone number. In dismissing the lawsuit, Judge Koh explained that while Apple’s iMessage system may have resulted in lost text messages, their was inadequate evidence that the group faced a “contractual breach or interference” from iMessage…
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You no longer need a Facebook account to use Messenger

Tom Maxwell Jun 24 2015 - 11:11 am PT

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Facebook Messenger is a beautifully designed messaging app available on both Android and iOS, and now you don’t even need to a Facebook account to use it.

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Apple to overhaul Genius Bar, changing appointments and using phones as pagers

Mark Gurman Feb 23 2015 - 7:22 pm PT

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Apple will soon make a significant change to retail store Genius Bar appointments to improve the customer experience, according to several sources briefed on the upcoming shift. During the week of March 9th, Apple’s United States stores will launch a new initiative called “The new Concierge” that replaces traditional walk-in Genius Bar appointments. Currently, a customer seeking Genius Bar assistance can walk into an Apple Retail Store, explain the issue to a check-in assistant, and get a specific time to return for an appointment…

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Yosemite & iOS 8 How-to: Set up and use SMS Relay

Sarah Guarino Oct 25 2014 - 9:00 am PT

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Now that iOS 8.1 is out, with iOS 8.1 running on your iPhone, you can set up SMS Relay. This is one of the features of Continuity, which further integrates and connects your Mac and iOS devices, running Yosemite and iOS 8.1. Continuity also includes Handoff, iPhone Cellular Calls, Instant Hotspot, and AirDrop.

With iMessage, when you are messaging people using Apple devices they appear in blue bubbles. Those messages sync onto all of your Apple devices so that way you can text someone from your Mac, iPad or iPod Touch. Previously, the people you texted in green bubbles were not using iMessage because they were not on Apple devices. Those conversations were not syncing over to your Mac, iPad or iPod Touch, which forced you to respond back to them only on your iPhone. Now with SMS Relay, your non-Apple using friends’ messages will sync to your Mac, iPad or iPod Touch while all connected to the same Wi-Fi Network, so you can respond from whichever device you prefer.

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A detailed look at the Messages app’s new features in iOS 8 (Video)

Dom Esposito Jun 2 2014 - 7:40 pm PT

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At first glance, you may not notice anything different about the Messages app in iOS 8, but there is definitely a lot more going on when compared to iOS 7. Within the Messages app, Apple added several features including Tap to Talk which allows you to quickly record an audio/video message to send and playback inline within the app and the ability to quick reply to incoming messges.

Along with that, there’s a new Details tab that contains several useful features like an attachment gallery, Do Not Disturb (per message thread), and location sharing abilities. Check out our hands-on video with the new Messages app to get a first look at all of new feature you can expect when iOS 8 is released later this year.

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Apple brings iOS SMS and phone calling to the Mac

Jordan Kahn Jun 2 2014 - 10:45 am PT

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In addition to announcing new integration between iOS and Mac OS X with AirDrop support and its new Handoff feature, Apple announced today that it’s bringing SMS and phone calls to the Mac. That means that you can now have your SMS text messages and phone calls from your iPhone arrive as notifications on your Mac. Users will be able to respond to messages and even use the Mac as a speaker phone in order to complete a phone call. Previously iOS users only had access to iMessage messages and FaceTime on the Mac.
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iPhone SMS notifications coming to Google Glass this week

Jordan Kahn Apr 21 2014 - 10:49 am PT

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An iMessage sent to Glass

Google announced today that it’s about to bring SMS for iPhone and a new Calendar Glassware to Google Glass users following an update to KitKat and the introduction of new features earlier this month. First up, iPhone users will now be able to receive text messages on Glass but, as Google points out, they “won’t be able to reply from Glass due to some limitations with iOS.”

SMS for iPhone – iOS fans, by popular demand you can now get texts from your friends on Glass. Get started by going to your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings and turning on “Show Notifications” for your paired Glass. When you receive a new text message, it will appear as a notification on Glass. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to reply from Glass due to some limitations with iOS. (Android fans, don’t feel left out – you’ve got SMS on Glass already.)

The support for SMS is a feature that Glass users have long had access to when paired to an Android device. You’ll begin receiving notifications as long as the “Show Notifications” option for your paired Glass is selected from Bluetooth settings.

Apple’s two-step verification for Apple IDs arrives in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, & Spain

Jordan Kahn Feb 20 2014 - 7:40 am PT

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Back in May of last year, a long list of readers in countries around the world reported having access to Apple’s two-step verification security feature for their Apple ID. Shortly after the news broke, the feature disappeared in many countries signaling it had been launched prematurely. The only officially supported countries listed on Apple’s website included the “U.S., UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.” However, today the feature has appeared in several new countries including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, & Spain. Apple has also updated its support pages for two-step verification here and here to list the new countries.

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Copy your Flipboard articles over to friends as iOS app goes social

Ben Lovejoy Dec 18 2013 - 4:10 am PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2d742jUo-M]

If you’ve grabbed a Flipboard article that you want to share with other Flipboarding friends, the latest version of the iOS app allows you to do it right from within the app.

Do you ever find something on Flipboard that you want to pass along? Now it’s easy to share the stories you enjoy with other people within in the app—give the gift of awesome reading this season.

– Share stories directly to your friends on Flipboard. Select the mail icon in the share menu and enter their name or email address. Your friends will be notified in Flipboard to see what you have shared with them.
– Receive notifications when other people on Flipboard share stories with you.
– Bug fixes and performance improvements.

Flipboard is a free download on iTunes. The app was last updated in November with a more iOS 7 style look and performance improvements.

Flipboard updated with new profile pages, ‘Friends’ category, SMS sharing, improved Google Reader navigation, more

Jordan Kahn May 13 2013 - 5:55 am PT

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A big update today for the Flipboard app for iPhone and iPad brings new profile pages that will allow content creators to get info on their “readership and curation activity,” a new Friends category in the Content Guide, improved sharing options including SMS, and the ability to save to your camera roll by tapping on an image.

The updated app, version 2.0.2, also includes “Improved navigation for Google Reader RSS folder,” making it easier for those making the switch from Google Reader to find their content.

What’s New in Version 2.0.2

-Get a window onto your readership and curation activity with new profile pages.
-Discover magazines by friends quickly in new Friends category in the Content Guide.
-Select a social network and access options more easily in the improved share menu.
-Share magazines and stories with friends and family via SMS text messaging.
-Save images directly to your device. Tap item’s share icon, then “Save to Camera Roll.”
-Improved navigation for Google Reader RSS folders

Apple’s two-step verification rolling out to additional countries: Canada, Argentina, Netherlands, Russia, Mexico, Poland, Brazil, more

Jordan Kahn May 10 2013 - 6:53 am PT

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Update 2: It looks like Apple prematurely rolled out the feature to many countries and quickly removed it. The only officially supported countries listed on Apple’s website include “U.S., UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.”

Update: Mexico, Germany Netherlands, Russia, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Portugal, Italy & Poland too. Let us know in the comments if the feature is now available in your country.

Apple appears to have recently started rolling out its new two-step verification feature for Apple IDs to users in additional countries. When Apple first launched the service in late March, it was initially only available to users in U.S., UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Today we’ve confirmed that Canadian users now have access to the feature, while we’ve also received tips from users in Argentina & Pakistan signalling that the feature is beginning to roll out in other countries as well.
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Take calls over the ocean, in the Congo or Outback with Thuraya’s SatSleeve satellite case for iPhone

Jordan Kahn Mar 20 2013 - 1:07 pm PT

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTEDgc2vu44

Thuraya, a mobile satellite operator and telecommunications company providing coverage in more than 140 countries across Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East and Europe, announced on Wednesday the launch of its SatSleeve product to enable satellite connectivity on the iPhone. It also builds in a 3.7V Li-ion, 2400 mAh battery pack to extend your iPhone’s battery life, an emergency call button, and its own microphone and speaker. The iPhone case and combo satellite/battery dock come together to allow access to SMS and phone calls on Thuraya’s satellite network.

Thuraya provides services to a number of sectors, including energy, military, and aviation, and it provides roaming services in the United States through a deal with T-Mobile USA.

While iPhones are typically supported by terrestrial networks, Thuraya SatSleeve enables users to enjoy ubiquitous coverage even in the most remote environments. The Thuraya SatSleeve also serves as an important mobile communications tool for corporate users, especially enterprises operating in remote locations, explorers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts — ideal for prolonged expeditions that take these users deep into uncharted areas that are not served by terrestrial mobile networks.

The product appears to be available for 30-pin devices only, and there are no details on pricing, but you can contact Thuraya through its website to purchase SatSleeve. You can check out Thuraya’s coverage map.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGh09z-IUY8

Apple updates OS X malware definitions for new fake-installer/SMS trojan

Jordan Kahn Dec 13 2012 - 7:58 am PT

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MacRumors noted today that Apple is utilizing the automatic daily checks for malware definitions it implemented last year to block an OS X trojan horse discovered earlier this week. The trojan was originally detailed in a blog post on Dr. Web. Known as “TrojanSMSSend.3666”, Apple has now updated its “Xprotect.plist” blacklist to allow OS X to detect and alert the user if downloaded:

Apple has moved quickly to address the threat, adding definitions for the malware to its “Xprotect.plist” blacklist, which is part of the basic anti-malware tools Apple launched with OS X Snow Leopard in 2009. In its original incarnation, users were required to update definitions manually, but as malware threats against OS X grew, Apple last year instituted automatic daily checks to keep users’ systems updated.

Apple responds to SMS vulnerability by reminding us that iMessage works better than SMS

Seth Weintraub Aug 18 2012 - 10:34 am PT

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Engadget got a statement from Apple regarding the latest SMS iOS flaw that affects iPhone users:

Apple takes security very seriously. When using iMessage instead of SMS, addresses are verified which protects against these kinds of spoofing attacks. One of the limitations of SMS is that it allows messages to be sent with spoofed addresses to any phone, so we urge customers to be extremely careful if they’re directed to an unknown website or address over SMS.

Interesting statement from Apple that seems to throw the blame for the SMS vulnerability over to the SMS protocol. That actually might be the case, but Pod2G’s assessment is that Apple could fix it in an upcoming release.

iMessage, though it sometimes goes down for days at a time, is a good means of communication between your Apple-using buddies. However, with Apple not even at a quarter of total phone penetration, SMS is unfortunately something that still needs to be used.

Other ways to avoid the built-in SMS app vulnerabilities are to use third-party SMS applications like Google Voice.

Pod2G’s assessment of the issue below:
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iPhone TV ad for Canada spotlights iCloud…and pulled book

Élyse Betters Aug 6 2012 - 12:01 am PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGqqrrvctHo&feature=youtu.be]

A Canadian TV advertisement for iCloud on the iPhone, titled “Melody,” surfaced recently. The 30-second video starts with a shot of Jonah Lehrer’s “Imagine: How Creativity Works” front cover (Whoops!). Lehrer acknowledged last month that he fabricated quotes attributed to Bob Dylan, and publisher Houghton Mifflin immediately recalled and stopped sales of the popular book’s electronic and physical versions. The remainder of Apple’s ad highlights iCloud in conjunction with iTunes, iTunes U, Camera, SMS, and more.

Check it out: Melody

It is worth noting that readers have spotted the ad airing internationally over the past few weeks:

@9to5mac Not really new. This TV ad is shown since a few weeks in Germany.

— call me haibao :D (@iRodknocker) August 6, 2012

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Apple online store adds text message notifications for order status updates

Jordan Kahn Jul 18 2012 - 7:22 am PT

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The Apple online store went down last night for a short while. It appears Apple made some minor tweaks, including the ability to receive text message notifications on orders. Apple is now displaying the following text in several sections of the online store in at least Canada and the United States: “Now get order status updates by text message.”

Apple explained on its website that the new feature is an option during the checkout process, and it is available to the following supported carriers: Alltel, AT&T, Boost Mobile, Cricket, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, and Virgin Mobile USA.

Apple Notifications is a text-message-based alerts service designed to keep you up-to-date on your shipment and/or pickup notification status. In addition to standard email notifications, you can also request text message updates when you’re in Checkout. The number of messages you’ll receive will vary depending on the orders you placed.

What to Expect

Once your order ships, or is available for pickup, we’ll send you a text message. The text message will include your order number and a link to online Order Status. Texts are sent between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in your time zone.

How to turn off text notifications:

To stop receiving text notifications, simply reply STOP to the text message. Texting HELP to 83372 will give you additional information.

(via CultofMac & AppleBitch)

Report: AT&T to start system for blocking stolen devices July 10

Élyse Betters Jul 6 2012 - 9:17 am PT

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Little bug in Windows Phone 7: An SMS message can crash the phone and break the messaging hub, more

Seth Weintraub Dec 12 2011 - 5:26 pm PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vnhzuKcDo6A]

According to Winrumors, you can take out a Windows Phone 7 device (they say various Windows Phone 7s on any carrier) with a single, solitary SMS message with a [redacted at request of Winrumors]. Worse (or better?) yet, it doesn’t have to be a text, it can be a Facebook message or Windows Live chat.

The flaw works simply by sending an SMS to a Windows Phone user. If the SMS contains a particular string of text then Windows Phone 7.5 devices will reboot and the messaging hub will not open despite repeat attempts. We have tested the attack on a range of Windows Phone devices, including HTC’s TITAN and Samsung’s Focus Flash. The attack is not device specific and appears to be an issue with the way the Windows Phone messaging hub handles particular characters. The bug is also triggered if a user sends a Facebook chat message or Windows Live Messenger message to a recipient.

And you don’t just get a reboot. When your phone comes hobbling back to life, the Messaging hub no longer works. And other parts of the OS are wonky.

If a user has pinned a friend as a live tile on their device and the friend posts a particular string of text on Facebook then the live tile will update and causes the device to lock up.

The fix? Hard reset of the device. Ouch.

In a totally unrelated note, the head of the Windows Phone 7 division was fired today.
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Siri tricks: Update Facebook, Twitter, Google+ through SMS, and more

Jordan Kahn Oct 20 2011 - 8:47 am PT

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Yesterday we posted a story about the possibility of new features being implemented in a future update to Siri. However, if you don’t feel like waiting, today the guys over at Techland have put together some tips and tricks for getting the most out of Siri and accomplishing tasks that aren’t currently built-in.

While text message charges will of course apply, here are a few tips for updating Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ by redirecting them through SMS. You can head over to Techland for many more Siri related tips and tricks including searching with Bing and Yahoo!, dictation tips, and how to “teach Siri hard-to-pronounce names”.

For Facebook:

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