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News - page 304

90+ organizations urge Tim Cook to drop Apple’s photo scanning plan

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Groups oppose Apple photo scanning
The largest campaign so far against Apple's new child safety features.
Photo: Benjamin Balázs

An international coalition of more than 90 policy and rights groups is urging Apple to drop plans to scan user photos for child abuse material (CSAM).

In an open letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook, published on Thursday, the coalition said it is concerned the feature “will be used to censor protected speech, threaten the privacy and security of people around the world, and have disastrous consequences for children.”

Coi Leray becomes first ‘contestant’ on Apple’s Play, Pause, Delete

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Coi Leray becomes first contestant on Apple’s ‘Play, Pause, Delete’
Apple premiered Play, Pause, Delete with rapper Coi Leray.
Screenshot: Apple

Rapper Coi Leray went on Apple’s Play, Pause, Delete to choose her favorite venues, her go-to sidekick, and the superpower she can’t wait to delete forever. That makes her the star of the first episode of what Apple calls a game show but is more of a talk show. It’s available to all on YouTube.

Netflix gets more immersive with Spatial Audio support

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Spatial audio for Apple TV in tvOS 15
Netflix beats Apple TV to the punch.
Photo: Apple

Netflix has begun rolling out Spatial Audio support. This lets the streaming service offer a surround sound-like experience but without all the speakers. Currently, it requires AirPods Pro or AirPods Max but that’ll change soon.

And Netflix beat out Apple TV in offering the feature.

‘Double agent’ sells iPhone secrets and then names names to Apple

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‘Double agent’ trades iPhone secrets and then names names to Apple
A mole inside the market for iPhone secrets revealed to Apple the names of others also sharing insider info.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Andrey Shumeyko was part of the market for iPhone prototypes and insider secrets. He was also giving Apple the names of other people who shared this type of information.

His hope was the company would pay him for the info. He was very disappointed.

New Carpool Karaoke season heads for Apple TV+

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Carpool Karaoke
Miss Piggy rides shotgun with Jason Sudeikis in the second season of Carpool Karaoke.
Photo: Apple

Carpool Karaoke: The Series is reportedly getting fifth season and is becoming part of Apple TV+. The Emmy-winning program by James Cordon debuted years before Apple’s streaming service was around but now the two are coming together.

Apple isn’t done fighting Corellium’s virtual iOS devices just yet

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Apple revises fight against Corellium
Despite Apple's claims it supports independent security research.
Photo: Corellium

Just when it looked like Apple’s lengthy legal battle with Corellium was finally over, Cupertino on Tuesday appealed a copyright case it previously lost in an effort to take down the firm’s iPhone virtualization platform.

The news is somewhat surprising after Apple last week settled other claims against Corellium, in what experts called a significant win for security research. And it contradicts Apple’s own stance on validation.

Last Chance! Win a wood-and-space themed iPhone case and charger bundle from Limited77 [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Limited77
Limited77 makes iPhone cases and accessories that are out of this world.
Photo: Limited77

This week we’re giving away a four-pack wood-and-space themed bundle from Limited77 that includes a Magsafe wireless charger, a bamboo charging stand, a wooden iPhone case and a NASA-themed shockproof iPhone case.

This sweet bundle will keep your iPhone looking good and fully charged. Keep them all to yourself or split up the bundle and share with a friend. Whatever you choose to do, make sure and enter this week’s giveaway.

Latest iOS 15 beta lets users move Safari Address Bar to the top of the screen

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Latest iOS 15 beta lets users move Safari Address Bar to the top of the screen
The latest iOS 15 beta gives users the option to have the Address Bar at the top of the screen or at the bottom.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple hoped to redesign the Safari web browser in iOS 15 by moving the Address bar to the bottom of the screen. But there was so much pushback from beta testers that the latest prerelease version includes the option to move the Address Bar back to the top. iPhone users can still keep it at the bottom, though.

And there’s also a much-requested design change for those who decide to keep the Address Bar at the bottom.

Apple plans to hold back SharePlay from initial OS 15 releases

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The FaceTime feature SharePlay won't be coming out with the initial OS 15 releases.
The FaceTime feature SharePlay won't be coming out with the initial OS 15 releases.
Photo: Apple

The anticipated SharePlay feature in FaceTime syncs up TV shows, movies, music and more across devices so people can experience them together. But the features in upcoming beta releases and the major official OS 15 updates this fall won’t include it, Apple told developers today.

Apple picks 15 Black- and Brown-owned businesses for new environmental Impact Accelerator

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Apple Store
Apple pushes for 'a greener and more equitable future for all people.'
Photo: Apple

Apple on Tuesday confirmed it has chosen 15 Black- and Brown-owned businesses for a first-of-its kind Impact Accelerator to support equity and opportunity in the environmental sector.

The move is part of Cupertino’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, aimed at combatting systematic barriers to opportunity, while also advancing innovative solutions for communities most impacted by climate change.

Why I don’t want new health sensors in Apple Watch Series 7

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Does Apple Watch need more health sensors?
Does Apple Watch need more health sensors?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Since Apple Watch gets a hardware update like clockwork every fall, it’s a safe bet we’ll see a Series 7 model next month alongside the iPhone 13. There are plenty of rumors about what to expect, including a better display and a new flat-edged design, both of which sound great to me.

But I’m less keen on the prospect that Apple Watch Series 7 might come with additional health sensors. Here’s why.

FlickType gives up on accessible iPhone keyboard after ‘abuse’ from Apple

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FlickType gives up on iPhone keyboard
That's the end of FlickType as we know it.
Photo: FlickType

FlickType, maker of the accessible iPhone keyboard that has become popular among those with vision impairment, has confirmed it is discontinuing its app after years of obstacles and “abuse” from Apple’s App Store approval team.

The announcement comes after FlickType last week submitted an update to fix bugs related to iOS 15 and got “incorrectly” rejected by Apple. The team says Apple has ignored repeated requests for clarification and support.

iPhone 13 could drop in late September with 1TB storage option, LiDAR for all

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Look inside the LiDAR scanner in the 2020 iPad Pro
It's about time LiDAR expanded its reach.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s next-generation iPhone 13 lineup could launch during the third week of September with up to 1TB of storage, according to a new research report. It is also claimed that all models, from iPhone 13 mini to Pro Max, will feature a LiDAR Scanner for greater augmented reality and improved autofocus.

Corellium will support security testing of Apple CSAM scanning feature

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Corellium Apple CSAM scanning
It is offering funding and free access to its iPhone virtualization platform.
Photo: Corellium

Security research firm Corellium on Monday revealed its new Open Security Initiative, which will support independent research into the privacy and security of mobile apps and devices. Its first target is Apple’s controversial CSAM scanning feature, set to roll out to iPhone users later this year.

Corellium said it applauds Apple’s commitment to holding itself accountable, and it believes its platform of virtual iOS devices is best for supporting any testing efforts. It hopes that researchers will use it to uncover “errors in any component” of Apple’s feature, which could be used to “subvert the system as a whole, and consequently violate iPhone users’ privacy and security.”

Yik Yak is back: anonymous, local social app returns to iOS

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The anonymous, local Yik Yak social media app is resurrected.
The anonymous, local Yik Yak social media app is resurrected.
Photo: Yik Yak

When the social media app Yik Yak debuted in late 2013, it was a hit at colleges. Users remained anonymous and only posts in their immediate area showed up for them. But then the app lost what made it unique and the company disbanded. Now the app is back with new ownership and something like the original formula.

Dashlane re-embraces the Mac, releases native Catalyst app

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Dashlane password manager re-embraces the Mac, releases Catalyst app
A new Mac version of the Dashlane password manager was built with Catalyst so it was ported from the iPad one.
Photo: Dashlane

Dashlane released a new macOS version of its password manager on Monday. This is a surprise because its developer announced last year that the Mac app was being replaced with web access.

And the iPhone version was updated with smarter search and other improvements.