The malware impacts version 2.90 of the Bit Torrent app Transmission. Worth reading the post, just to learn how this happened.
Apple
The man who shaped Steve Jobs’ love of fonts died at 83
A teacher at the very root of the Apple story. RIP Reverend Robert Palladino.
Breaking into an iPhone using external hardware
Quartz, writing about a black box you connect to a cracked open iPhone:
The hacking equipment is called IP Box, and can be found on eBay for about $200. It’s a black box that connects to an iPhone and systematically runs through every possible PIN combination to unlock it.
Can this be used to break into the San Bernardino iPhone 5c? It is running iOS 8.1.2. Jury still out on whether this technique will work on that particular version of iOS. Fascinating stuff.
Oculus VR founder: will consider Mac support if Apple ‘ever releases a good computer’
Oculus VR founder slams Apple GPUs with a poor choice of words. Interesting read. VR is a huge wave coming.
U.N. Human Rights Chief: force unlocking gunman’s iPhone a gift to authoritarian regimes
Strong words of support for Apple from the statement released this morning by the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
Apple’s app review process needs big improvements
Graham Spencer, writing for MacStories:
Earlier this year we set out to get a better understanding of what developers think about App Review. We wanted to hear about their positive and negative experiences with App Review, and find out how App Review could be improved. It is hard to ignore from the results we got, from a survey of 172 developers, that beneath the surface there is a simmering frustration relating to numerous aspects of App Review.
Great, long read.
Apple adds new @AppleSupport Twitter account
Follow Apple’s @AppleSupport account on Twitter. It’s full of tips!
Life and death in the App Store
A well written exploration of the stratification that’s come to the App Store. It’s tougher than ever to make a living building apps.
Two gorgeous luxury cars feature Apple CarPlay
The Verge:
Android Auto is typically a second option quietly thrown in after CarPlay. Google’s software is an afterthought. Apple’s software is a major highlight on the car about to grace the cover of the next Forza racing game.
How to reset a forgotten OS X password
The linked article will both show you how to reset your Mac’s password if you’ve forgotten it and, at the same time, demonstrate how easy it is for someone else to do this to your Mac if they get their hands on it. Unless you have FileVault enabled, which you should.
Fiat Chrysler chief: “Apple should not try making a car on its own”
Fascinating comment from Fiat-Chrysler chief and video of Steve Jobs rolling out a product that was the result of similar thinking.
Apple gets tech industry backing, despite some hand wringing
A remarkable turn of events.
Apple lawyer: “There is no middle ground”
Tedd Olson, a partner at Gibson, Dunn, and Crutcher, a primary outside counsel in Apple’s battle with the FBI, spoke with Bloomberg Business about the hearings and comments made by the ex-head of the NSA. A fascinating take.
An open letter to Tim Cook
Solid words from THoughtWorks chairman Roy Singham, nicely put.
The iCloud loophole
Walt Mossberg, writing for Re/code:
Unlike with the iPhone hardware itself, Apple does retain the ability to decrypt most of what’s in these backups. And the company does on occasion turn their contents over to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies when a proper legal warrant or court order is presented.
Of all the data
Stephen Hackett finds an egregious typo in Disk Utility. Yes, it’s just a typo, but this sort of thing is highly unusual in a released Apple product. At least in my experience.
Mark Cuban: Why Apple must win vs the FBI
Mark Cuban brings up a novel point about planted evidence.
PlayStation 4 remote play coming soon to the Mac
From Sony’s PlayStation blog:
We’re bringing PS4 Remote Play to Windows PC and Mac. This feature won’t be available to test in the beta, but you can look forward to it soon.
France could fine Apple €1m unless it hacks smartphones
The Local France:
On Monday, French Socialist MP Yann Galut proposed an amendment to French law that – if passed – would see the US companies punished if they didn’t give French officials backdoor access to terrorists’ phones.
They miss the point. Read the post.
Yesterday’s hearing: Apple’s new best buds
My long, ramblings about yesterday’s Judiciary Committee hearing. Lots to process, all of it interesting (at least to me).
Connection failed
Dave Wiskus eviscerates Apple Music Connect:
Opening up the Connect tab of iTunes makes me sad.
Apple should take a look at SoundShare.
How to set up minimal iTunes for music only
Find the iTunes interface on your Mac just too busy? Kirk McElhearn walks you through the process of walking through the setting and trimming iTunes down to its minimalistic best.
New Google Maps adds 3D Touch for directions right from the icon
Great add. This is an existing Apple Maps feature I really like.
Members of Judiciary Committee said to be considering filing brief weighing in on Apple court case
Reuters:
Members of the House Judiciary Committee are considering filing a “friend of the court” brief in Apple Inc’s encryption dispute with the U.S. government to argue that the case should be decided by Congress and not the courts, five sources familiar with the matter said.
Read the post for an explainer on this.
Many Siris
Terrific article, well worth reading. Some thoughtful insights on Siri’s potential.
Apple’s opening remarks in today’s Congressional hearing
Today is a big day for Apple. Today at 1p ET (10a PT), Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Bruce Sewell, will testify in from of the House Judiciary Committee, alongside FBI Director James Comey.
Congressman Darrell Issa: Forcing Apple to hack that iPhone sets a dangerous precedent
Congressman Darrell Issa, serving his district since 2001, wrote an op-ed piece for Wired, siding with Apple.
How to use iTunes Home Sharing to share music from your Mac to your iPhone
If you are on the same network as your Mac and want to save space on your phone, this is an easy way to use your Mac as a music server.
Inside the Secure Enclave
The Secure Enclave is a mechanism inside your iPhone and Apple Watch, walled off from the rest of iOS, that holds the key to verifying your identity. Read the post for a short explanation of this mechanism by Apple and a link to an excellent, more detailed explanation from Mike Ash.
Two witnesses, 1p ET tomorrow
FBI Director James Comey and Apple Senior VP and General Counsel Bruce Sewell will be testifying Tuesday at 1p ET. You can watch it live, if you have access to C-SPAN.