Tech

Apple brass discussed disclosing 128-million iPhone hack, then decided not to

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) In September 2015, Apple managers had a dilemma on their hands: should, or should they not, notify 128 million iPhone users of what remains the worst mass iOS compromise on record? Ultimately, all evidence shows, they chose to keep quiet. The mass hack first came to light when researchers uncovered 40 […]

Tech

96% of US users opt out of app tracking in iOS 14.5, analytics find

Enlarge / The Facebook iPhone app asks for permission to track the user in this early mock-up of the prompt made by Apple. (credit: Apple) It seems that in the United States, at least, app developers and advertisers who rely on targeted mobile advertising for revenue are seeing their worst fears realized: Analytics data published […]

Tech

At trial, Epic and Apple squeeze Microsoft over Xbox, xCloud restrictions

The monkey wrench of the legal system. (credit: Aurich Lawson) Microsoft Vice President of Xbox Business Development Lori Wright took center stage at the Epic versus Apple trial today. The executive’s testimony served up some interesting comparisons and contrasts with Epic’s complaints and addressed questions about the Xbox consoles’ closed, iOS-style app market and the difficulties […]

Tech

iPhones’ Night Shift feature doesn’t help you sleep better, study finds

Enlarge / The 2020 iPhone lineup. From left to right: iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12, iPhone SE, and iPhone 12 mini. (credit: Samuel Axon) Researchers at Brigham Young University conducted a study to see how much blue-light-reducing features like Apple’s Night Shift improve sleep quality. Their conclusion? Night Shift doesn’t help […]

Tech

AirTag review: They work great—maybe a little too great

Apple’s AirTag. [credit: Samuel Axon ] Apple’s AirTag is not a revolutionary new product. Rather, it’s a significant refinement of an idea that, up until now, has been fairly niche. It works very, very well, but it works so well it seems to undermine Apple’s attempts to focus its products on privacy and security. We […]

Tech

Epic vs. Apple opening arguments suggest a bitter battle over iOS’ future

Enlarge / Artist’s conception of what Apple and Epic’s lawyers did to each other in the courtroom today. (credit: Epic Games) In leading off the opening arguments in Epic’s long-anticipated bench trial against Apple, the Fortnite studio noted that it was “not suing for damages” or a “special deal.” Instead, Epic’s counsel said, it was […]