Andrew created a shortcut to get app screenshots from the App Store in a higher quality than what it defaults to when you download them.
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
It’s Time for Encrypted Messaging app Signal to go Mainstream
Signal creator Moxie Marlinspike is growing the Signal Foundation and adding new features to the app thanks to money from WhatsApp cofounder Brian Acton.
Since then, Marlinspike’s nonprofit has put Acton’s millions—and his experience building an app with billions of users—to work. After years of scraping by with just three overworked full-time staffers, the Signal Foundation now has 20 employees. For years a bare-bones texting and calling app, Signal has increasingly become a fully featured, mainstream communications platform. With its new coding muscle, it has rolled out features at a breakneck speed…
I wish I could use Signal but none of my friends use it.
YouTube TV Ends Support for App Store Subscription
YouTube sent emails to customers today saying that it will end support for App Store subscriptions for YouTube TV in March.
Apple Sells Certified Refurbished 16-Inch MacBook Pros
Apple now sells certified refurbished 16-inch MacBook Pros on its website, a model that was released in November 2019.
AR Quick Look Lets Retailers Sell Products in Augmented Reality
Apple is updating Quick Look, an AR feature to preview objects in the physical world. One feature could let retailers sell products.
‘Data Protection Act’ Could Create US Data Protection Agency
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) proposed a bill called the Data Protection Act that would create a federal U.S. data protection agency.
Man Who Refused to Decrypt Hard Drives Free After Four Years
Four years ago a federal judge held Francis Rawls in contempt when he refused to decrypt hard drives for police.
The practical result is that, at least in federal court, someone can only be imprisoned for 18 months for refusing to open an encrypted device. That’s probably a harsh-enough penalty to induce most people to comply with decryption orders. But suspects in child-pornography cases might be tempted to “forget” the passwords on their encrypted device if doing so could save them from a conviction and a much longer prison term.
What an interesting case, and I remember reading about it four years ago. I wonder if the court was trying to set a precedent for passwords and the Fifth Amendment.
Ransomware Hackers Now Want Your Nudes
Security researchers discover a new form of blackmail from ransomware hackers: They demand nudes instead of money.
While most ransomware strains require monetary compensation in return for a decryptor, Ransomwared is demanding a more unusual payment. Once a computer is infected, a pop up will appear and demand that the victim send the author pictures of “tits” in exchange for an “unlock code.”
Maybe this speaks to my cynicism or just the fact that the world is filled with bad people. But I’m honestly surprised I haven’t heard of this type of ransomware extortion sooner. You could just send random porn, they wouldn’t be able to know if they’re actually your nudes. But they might ask you to hold up a sign with the current date as proof that it’s you. However, what if you just searched online for a nude with a sign, then photoshopped the current date on it? Okay, I need to stop. This is why Charlotte worries about me.
Darkroom Photo Editor Latest to Go Subscription
Darkroom is the latest app to move to a subscription model. It affects new users only, and current users won’t lose their premium features they paid for.
For new users, Darkroom will cost $3.99 per month or $19.99 per year. And there is still a one-time purchase option at $49.99. Darkroom hopes that a switch to a subscription business model will increase its revenue and thus expand development of the app.
Subscriptions are annoying, but I don’t blame developers so much as Apple. This is exactly what they wanted because it means more money for them. I don’t Apple will ever add upgrade pricing to the App Store. That doesn’t benefit them. Subscriptions are part of Apple’s new Services business, whether the apps are Apple’s own or not.
Czech Authorities Investigate Avast Over Data Collection
Investigations are underway to examine Avast’s practice of collecting and selling its users’ browser histories.
Avast, which is based in the Czech Republic, claimed it was stripping away users’ personal details from the collected browser histories as a way to “de-identify” the data, and preserve their customers’ privacy. However, the joint investigation from PCMag and Motherboard found the contrary: The same data can actually be combined with other information to identify the web activities of individual Avast users, including their internet searches. As many as 100 million users had their data collected.
I’m glad there are investigations. As I found out last week, there are likely other companies participating in this data collection practice.
Apple’s Swift Playgrounds App Comes to macOS
Released for iPad in 2016, Apple is bringing the Swift Playgrounds app to macOS as another platform on which to code.
Siri Can Answer Your Questions About Elections
Along with Apple News’ 2020 coverage of the election, Apple added functionality to Siri so she can answer your election questions.
Apple Hires Jeff Bronikowski From Warner Music Group
Apple recently hired Jeff Bronikowski from Warner Music Group as Apple’s global head of strategic music initiatives.
By 2025 Apple Pay Could Make up 10% of Global Transactions
By 2025 Apple Pay could account for 10% of global card transactions. Currently the service accounts for 5%.
US Reportedly Gave Allies Evidence of Huawei Backdoors
Although the U.S. hasn’t shared it publicly, it claims to have found actual evidence of Huawei backdoors.
The United States has long claimed that Huawei can secretly access networks through the networking gear it sells to telcos, but the goverment previously argued that it doesn’t need to show any proof. US officials still are not providing such evidence publicly but have begun sharing their intelligence with other countries.
The best part is that, according to The Wall Street Journal, the origin of this report, these backdoors were intentionally put into place for law enforcement. And yet, the DoJ wants Apple to put backdoors in iOS that they swear can only be accessed by law enforcement, and definitely not foreign state hacking groups.
Apple Card Supports OFX to Export Transactions
Apple Card now supports the ability to export financial transactions to Open Financial Exchange (OFX). This is what apps like Mint support.
Remember Neopets? It’s Being Turned Into a TV Show
Virtual pet website Neopets is being turned into a television show aimed at 8-12 year olds.
As part of the agreement, Singapore-based Beach House will develop new stories and characters, with Blue Ant’s Canadian studio providing animation services.
The show is still in the early stages of development and its format and style aren’t finalized, but Beach House plans to target the series at eight to 12s. The pair are seeking co-production and broadcast partners for the project.
I wish I still had my login information for Neopets.
A Curved Laptop Stand is Twelve South’s Newest Product
Twelve South just announced its newest product: A metal, one-piece curved laptop stand called Curve SE. It’s a white (or black), minimalist stand that matches well with Apple’s aesthetic. It has a fixed height of 6.5-inches, which the company says is an ergonomic standard.
Desktop accessories – especially MacBook stands – are inherently home decor. They should match your room, your style, your desk and complement (not copy) your MacBook. Our latest solution, while deceptively simple, is a beautiful matte white MacBook stand we call Curve SE.
You can buy the Curve SE stand for US$59.99.
Search Warrant Reveals Apple Scanning Emails for Child Abuse Images
Andrew wrote that Apple scans uploaded iCloud content for child abuse imagery, and a search warrant reveals it scans emails too.
Apple Joins FIDO Alliance, an Authentication Group
The FIDO Alliance is an industry group to develop authentication standards as an alternative to passwords. Apple recently joined the group.
We May Have a Sneak Peek of the iPhone 9
Case maker totallee is back with another prediction for the new affordable iPhone, and it’s not a design that matches the iPhone SE.
Snapchat’s ‘Here For You’ Promotes Mental Health
Snapchat has a new tool called Here For You. Whenever the app detects you’ve searched for topics like “depression” it will present Here For You with mental health content written by experts.
“Sometimes people come in and search for this kind of content, be it anxiety or depression,” says Jen Stout, vice president of global policy at Snap. “Instead of being served up maybe nothing, or meme accounts, or something like that, we’re looking for a healthy alternative to provide young people with tools that would be readily available in the app.”
It’s nice to hear about a company doing something good for a change. It seems like it happens all too rarely.
Chinese Military Charged With Equifax Data Breach
Four Chinese military hackers have been charged with breaking into Equifax’s network and stealing the data of tens of millions of Americans.
The accused hackers exploited a software vulnerability to gain access to Equifax’s computers, obtaining log-in credentials that they used to navigate databases and review records. The indictment also details efforts the hackers took to cover their tracks, including wiping log files on a daily basis and routing traffic through dozens of servers in nearly 20 countries.
Reminder that Equifax executives did insider trading based on the breach. They are criminals.
Edison Mail Uses Your Emails For Market Research
Popular Apple Mail alternative Edison Mail scans your emails for market research so companies can make “better investment decisions” among other uses.
On its website Edison says that it does “process” users’ emails, but some users did not know that when using the Edison app the company scrapes their inbox for profit. Motherboard has also obtained documentation that provides more specifics about how two other popular apps—Cleanfox and Slice—sell products based on users’ emails to corporate clients.
I did write about Edison Mail coming to the Mac last year, and noted that the company calls it “interesting research.”