Updated September 13 with new details on iPhone 13 storage options; Article originally posted September 10.
Taking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes September launch event, Apple confirming iPhone line-up, new iPhone 13 features leak, MacBook Pro release dates, scary lightning cable hack, AirPods 3 details, impact of App Store changes, and how the Nintendo Switch might look a bit like an iPhone.
With less than a week to go, the final details of the iPhone 13 family are clicking into place, including the SKU details of the four handset flavors thanks to a leak from an online retailer. Curiously though, the longed for 1TB iPhone 13 Pro Max is not present; the assumption being that the worldwide chip shortage may have made this too much of a stretch on Apple’s inventory.
“According to the listings on a Ukrainian website, the iPhone 13 mini will come in six colour options – Black, Blue, Purple, Pink, White, and PRODUCT (Red). The mini will be available in 64GB and 128GB storage versions.
“The iPhone 13 will come in the same six colour options like the mini, while storage options are 128GB and 256GB. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will be available in Black, Silver, Gold, and Bronze colour options, according to the website. While the Pro model will be offered in 128GB and 256GB storage versions, the Pro Max will come in 256GB and 512GB storage variants.”
Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, writing in the day before the iPhone 13 family is launched, has confirmed that the 64 GB storage options that were available with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini will be depreciated; all of the iPhone 13 models will now start at 128 GB of storage. Not only is the lower tier going to start further up the storage charts, but Kuo believes that we will see the 1 TB option for those looking at the top-of-the-line iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Joe Rossignol reports:
“In a research note with investment firm TF International Securities, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said the iPhone 13 lineup will start with 128GB of storage, with no 64GB option for any models. Kuo added that the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will be available with up to 1TB of storage, which would be the largest capacity ever offered for an iPhone.”
What we could be looking at here is Apple’s decision on how to allocate supplies during the global chip shortage. Offering an iPhone 1TB of storage makes a strong statement around the platform, but there’s no requirement to offer the same SKUs around the world. Ukrainian iPhones may well be limited to 512 GB, while US consumers may have the 1TB option.
The ‘Surprise’ September Event Is Announced
Apple has announced the expected event for mid-September. Titled ‘ California Streaming’, it is set to take place on Tuesday 14th September. The usual Kremlinology is taking place on the short promotional clip, with the font on the date,, the floating Apple icon, the push through to a presumably virtual world, and the simple fact that it is a regular Apple event all getting discussed:
“Some people love to carefully examine Apple event invites as though each one serves as a crystal ball that can show the future. The one that went out Tuesday might have been crafted to suggest that the iPhone 13 will be better at taking pictures of stars. Or maybe it hints that Apple’s virtual-reality headset will be unveiled. On the other hand, it could be nothing more than a pretty picture.”
Pretty much everyone is ready for Apple to announce four iPhones; in fact a bigger surprise would be if Tim Cook left the stage without revealing the new iOS smartphones. In any case, the latest confirmation comes in the regulatory filings for the MagSafe charger with the FCC:
“Apple gave the game away in a new FCC filing for its MagSafe charger. The filing lists four new iPhone models and even goes so far as to describe all iPhone 12 models as “legacy” devices… These are the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Mini (despite relatively low sales of its predecessor) and they are expected to carry the model numbers A2628, A2634, A2640 and A2645 respectively. “
The other major launch many are waiting for is the MacBookPro. This is expected to be a separate event, leaving the iPhone room to shine, with late October/early November looking likely for the retail release according to the latest details from the supply chain, specifically around the deliveries of the new miniLED screen:
“…citing “industry sources,” that the suppliers of mini-LED chips and other related parts have expressed confidence their shipments are on track with the MacBook Pro production and launch later this year. Tech fans might have to wait for a few more weeks for the 2021 MacBook Pro announcement. DigiTimes’ sources claimed the new laptops would be announced in October or November.”
A new warning this week to be very careful of any lightning cables you are loaned. From the research by ‘MG’ comes an updated lightning to USB-C cable that will act as a keylogger, sending your Mac’s keypresses over Wifi to a nearby hacker:
“The OMG Cables, as they’re called, work by creating a Wi-Fi hotspot itself that a hacker can connect to from their own device. From here, an interface in an ordinary web browser lets the hacker start recording keystrokes. The malicious implant itself takes up around half the length of the plastic shell, MG said… He said that the Type C cables allow the same sort of attacks to be carried out against smartphones and tablets.”
Noted Apple tipster Max Weinbach has brough us details of the AirPods 3 – which should be launched next week alongside the iPhone 13 family. We can expect to see a number of changes to the case, including wireless charging as standard, and a larger battery for extended listening.
“How much extra battery life that actually translates to isn’t clear, but any improvements in this area would be very welcome. Saying that, we’ll be disappointed if the earbuds themselves aren’t given a longer battery life. Right now, you’ll get five hours of playtime on a single charge, which is pretty low compared to rivals like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus.”
Apple has been making a number of changes to its App Store policies, with the most recent addressing concerns raised in an anti-trust case in Japan. Morgan Stanley has been looking at the impact of the changes and they are not expected to have any serious impact.
“Assuming a worst case scenario in which Apple stopped collecting economics from all of the top 20 reader apps translates to downside risk of 4% of Services revenue, 1% of total company revenue, and about 2% of FY22 EPS forecast (3). In other words, we believe the recent App Store headlines are more attention grabbing than the ultimate financial impact to Apple’s revenue or profitability.”
Eagle eyed Ninetndo watchers have been looking at the new UI for Nintendo’s Switch gaming console, and wondering how it could be improved… there are a lot of opinions but one that is picking up acclaim in the community is Porcorousseauu’s UI concept, which looks rather familiar:
“…appears to draw at least some inspiration from the UI on Apple’s mobile and tablet operating system, iOS. As you can see there are transparent menus, curved edges, colourful backgrounds and folders, too. There’s even a makeover of the Switch eShop. While this obviously isn’t the first time we’ve seen Switch redesign, it’s certainly a unique take compared to a lot of previous mock-ups.”
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
