Alongside its security updates for watchOS, iOS, and iPadOS, Mac users are receiving a macOS Big Sur 11.6 update and one for macOS Catalina.
Andrew Orr
Since 2015 Andrew has been writing about Apple, privacy, security, and at one point even Android. You can find him most places online under the username @andrewornot.
Articles by Andrew Orr
Coinbase Adds Option for Two-Factor Authentication Security Keys
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase announced an important update to its mobile app. Users can now secure their accounts with a two-factor authentication security key.
Hardware security keys are encrypted USB devices that you can register with your Coinbase account as a strong form of physical 2FA. Once registered, you’ll be prompted for your security key when logging in. You then plug in the key, or tap via near field communication (NFC), to your mobile device to securely access your account.
Apple Releases Security Updates With iOS 14.8 Out Today
Apple released iOS | iPadOS 14.8 on Monday with security fixes, along with watchOS 7.6.2 for the Apple Watch Series 3 and later.
'GetHealth' Leaks Apple HealthKit Data With 61 Million Records
GetHealth, a health and wellness company in New York City, leaked data from a non-password protected database with over 61 million records.
NoSpyPhone Protests Planned at Apple Stores in Major Cities
On the eve of the 2021 Fall Apple Event on Tuesday, protests are being planned at various Apple stores to protest CSAM detection features.
VSCO Introduces a Healing Tool for Members Called 'Remove'
Remove lets you easily edit out unwanted objects from your photos in a few simple taps. Clear photobombers, background clutter, and more for cleaner, beautiful images when you start a 7-day free membership trial. I’ve been testing it so far and it’s not the greatest at removing things, but the feature is currently in beta and is sure to improve over time. Options: Determine the Brush size you want to use with the slider. Play with smaller Brush sizes and using a tapping motion, instead of a brushing motion, for more accurate editing. You can also pinch and zoom into different parts of your photo to focus on smaller details. While editing your image, make use of the back and forward arrows to compare edits and undo or redo your work. Tap the checkmark when you’re done.
Review: iRobot's Braava Jet M6 is a Thorough Creature
A few weeks ago Andrew bought iRobot’s Braava jet m6 robotic mopper. This is the company’s top-of-the-line model available for US$449.99.
Coinbase Adds Rari Governance Token (RGT) and XYO Network (XYO)
Starting today, Rari Governance Token (RGT) and XYO Network (XYO) are available on Coinbase.com and in the Coinbase Android and iOS apps.
Rari Governance Token (RGT) is an Ethereum token that powers Rari Capital, a decentralized protocol for lending and borrowing. The Rari Governance Token is used for fee discounts and protocol governance.
XYO Network (XYO) is an Ethereum token that powers XYO Network, a decentralized network of devices that anonymously collect and validate geospatial data. On the XYO World platform, XYO tokens can be traded for and staked against unique ERC-721 tokens representing real-world locations.
Epic v Apple: Judge Rules Apple Can't Stop Developers From Adding Payment Links
In the Epic v Apple case, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers issued a permanent injunction against Apple regarding App Store rules.
Get This iPhone 13 Accessory Bundle Before Launch Date
Totallee is offering an accessory bundle for iPhone 11 to iPhone 13. It has a clear case, a screen protector, and a fast wireless charger.
Update to 'Sensei' Brings a Monitoring Tool to Check Your Mac's Performance
Sensei Monitor is a new feature in Sensei that allows you to monitor your Mac performance in realtime, right from the menu bar. Create and customize panels and status bar items with different widgets to create the ultimate Mac menu bar system monitor, tailored just for you. Sensei Monitor has been in development for over a year, and features an advanced statistics engine as well as a design that fits in perfectly with modern versions of macOS. Developed using cutting-edge technology such as SwiftUI, it features an intuitive editor where the user can customize their monitoring using drag and drop. Here are the Mac features you can monitor: CPU, CPU Cores, GPU, RAM, Storage, Network, Temperature Sensors, Fan Speeds, Battery, Process Usage (CPU / RAM / Energy).
Vimeo Adds Support for Dolby Vision HDR on Apple Devices
On Friday video platform Vimeo announced a partnership with Dolby to bring hosting, sharing, and playback of videos created in Dolby Vision.
This iPhone 13 Case Disproves an Apple Rumor
The folks at totallee have sent Andrew samples of iPhone 13 cases, and it disproves a rumor about one of the models.
New App 'Nocturne' Promises to Help Enhance Your iPhone Astrophotography
With Nocturne by Unistellar, you can take breathtaking pictures of your nighttime adventures and show the world your nocturnal perspective – all in one app. Using Unistellar’s proprietary image processing algorithms, Nocturne brings to life your night scape photographies, allowing you to capture your scene under a showstopping starry sky, at the press of a button. Simply stabilize your iPhone (using a tripod or resting it on a solid surface) and start the capture. The app will generate and stack images to bring out all visible stars on the final photo.
Security Researchers are Fed Up With Apple's Bug Bounty Program
For five years Apple has invited ethical hackers to break into its products to look for flaws. But these security experts are tired of the program.
The best programs support open conversations between the hackers and the company. Apple, already known for being tight-lipped, limits communication and feedback on why it chooses to pay or not pay for a bug, according to security researchers who have submitted bugs to the bounty program and a former employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of a nondisclosure agreement.
iRobot Releases J7+ Robot Vacuum With Upgraded Smarts
Tomorrow I’ll be publishing a review of an iRobot robot mop that I bought a few weeks ago. But today the company announced a new product, the j7+ robot vacuum.
Dozens of gradual improvements have resulted in the current operating system, the iRobot Genius 3.0. This system brings never-before-seen levels of A.I. personalization and control to robot vacuums. The system utilizes your phone’s location services to begin cleaning when you leave home and stop when you come home, ensuring a clean floor at all times.
Norfolk State University to Give Students iPad Pros Fall 2021
This fall, Norfolk State University will provide students, faculty, and staff with Apple products and training for app development.
Lawyers Investigate M1 MacBook Screen Cracks
Migliaccio & Rathod LLP announced an investigation into Apple over reports from users that their M1 MacBook displays have cracked.
Verizon Brings 5G Ultra Wideband to 25 NFL Stadiums
Verizon and the NFL announced a 10-year partnership on Thursday to bring 5G Ultra Wideband to 25 NFL stadiums over the next decade.
Amazon Releases Fire TV Omni Series Television Line
Amazon has expanded its Fire TV platform with actual television sets with the Fire TV Omni Series and Fire TV 4-Series.
Microsoft President Brad Smith Says Government Agencies Need to Share Data
Microsoft President Brad Smith says intelligence agencies need to share information to better protect the nation against cyberattacks.
Repeatedly in late 2020 we found people in federal agencies asking us about information in other parts of the government, because it was easier to get it from us than directly from other federal employees. A culture of holding information tightly is so ingrained in the government that even its contracts with us forbid us from letting one part of the government know that another part has been attacked.
SEC Threatens to Sue Coinbase Over its USDC Lending Feature
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase announced that the SEC is threatening to sue if it launches Lend. Lend is the platform’s feature that would give users 4% APY for USD Coin.
We shared this view and the details of Lend with the SEC. After our initial meeting, we answered all of the SEC’s questions in writing and then again in person. But we didn’t get much of a response. The SEC told us they consider Lend to involve a security, but wouldn’t say why or how they’d reached that conclusion.
They also asked for the name and contact information of every single person on our Lend waitlist.
That second part is particularly gross. Update: I think this is a nice write-up from Bloomberg on the matter.
Twitter Experiments With 'Communities' Feature for Shared Interests
Twitter is experimenting with a feature called Communities. It would let people tweet directly to others who share the same interests.
Privacy Advocates Deliver 59,000 Petition Signatures to Apple Over CSAM Detection
Privacy advocates have delivered a petition to Apple over its plans to install a system on its devices to detect child sexual abuse material.