iPad & iPhone User 175

Months after patching the iOS vulnerability that led to the infamous Pegasus spyware, Apple has announced it is suing NSO Group, the organization reportedly behind the spyware, In addition to the suit, Apple is also seeking a permanent injunction to ban NSO Group from using any Apple software, services or devices. The Pegasus spyware came to light after a Washington Post report uncovered a global spyware operation targeting iPhones and Android phones. The investigations, which were conducted in conjunction with non-profit groups Citizen Lab, Forbidden Stories, Amnesty International and other human rights groups, found that military grade spyware was used to hack dozens of phones belonging to “journalists, human rights activists, business executives and two women close to murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi”. Though it was extremely unlikely that the spyware…

Apple has always encouraged the use of Apple devices at work, often pitching Macs and iPads as powerful productivity machines, but the company hasn’t really directed a lot of software and services specifically at the corporate interests. That’s changing with the new Apple Business Essentials service. Currently in beta with a full launch in the spring of 2022, Apple Business Essentials combines device management, iCloud storage, employee onboarding, and service/support into a single monthly subscription package. It’s aimed as business with up to 500 employees, and features a simplified set of three price tiers: Single device: $2.99 (£tbc)/month (per user), supports one device and provides 50GB of iCloud storage. Multi-device: $6.99 (£tbc)/month (per user), supports up to three devices and provides 200GB of iCloud storage. Multi-device, more storage: $12.99 (£tbc)/month (per user), supports up…

After backtracking on a move that would have made iPhone 13 screen repairs nearly impossible for all but the largest repair centres, Apple has announced a new programme that lets anyone repair their broken iPhone at home with Apple genuine parts and tools. The new Self Service Repair programme, which is launching early next year in the US and expanding to additional countries throughout 2022, will offer consumers access to Apple parts and repair manuals as well as recycling for the parts that are being replaced. Apple says the programme will initially focus on the most commonly serviced parts, such as the iPhone display, battery and camera, and expand to more technical repairs later in the year. The programme will offer more than 200 individual parts and tools via a dedicated…

If you’ve downloaded iOS 15, you might have noticed something different about your iCloud account. Apple is upgrading all paid iCloud accounts to something it calls iCloud+. It includes several interesting new features on top of the existing iCloud storage, sync, and cloud features, but the most interesting might be something Apple calls iCloud Private Relay. At first, it sounds like a VPN: your web browsing traffic is encrypted and sent through a relay to hide your exact location, IP or the contents of your browsing traffic. It’s not a VPN, though. Not quite. There are important differences, which we’ll describe here. But iCloud Private Relay may be enough for most people, giving the most obvious benefits of a VPN to millions of users who would never consider signing up…

As one of the biggest and most influential companies in the world, Apple is usually on board with the latest tech trends. But when it comes to cryptocurrency, the company is taking its time. During an interview as part of The New York Times’ DealBook Online Summit, Tim Cook offered his thoughts on the digital currency currently valued at over $60,000 per Bitcoin. For one, he’s an investor. He said cryptocurrency is “interesting” and thinks “it’s reasonable to own it as part of a diversified portfolio”. However, speaking as a CEO, he said Apple is “looking at” incorporating cryptocurrencies into Apple Pay but doesn’t have “immediate plans” to support the payment. Additionally, he “(isn’t) planning in the immediate future to take crypto for our products as a mean of tender”. Adding cryptocurrency as…

According to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is stepping up its car ambitions. The company now aims to launch a fully autonomous vehicle in four years, though that 2025 target date is fluid. Apple has been hiring engineers and automotive veterans for years under what is widely believed to be called Project Titan. In fact, the project has gone on so long that many of Apple’s original hires have since left the company. Notably, Apple poached Tesla veteran Doug Field for VP of Special Projects, but Field left earlier this year to serve as Chief Officer of Advanced Technology at Ford. Apple then handed the project over to Kevin Lynch, the software engineer responsible for the Apple Watch’s software. Under this new leadership, the report claims, Apple has settled…