iPhone

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A Database of 500 iPhones Cops Tried to Unlock

Andrew Orr ·

Motherboard built a database of over 500 iPhones that law enforcement have tried to unlock. Many of them weren’t able to be unlocked at all.

Out of 516 analyzed cases, 295 were marked as executed. Officials from the FBI, DEA, DHS, Homeland Security and Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were able to extract data from iPhones in investigations ranging from arson, to child exploitation, to drug trafficking. And investigators executed warrants against modern iPhones, not just older models.

As mentioned, this provides useful data instead of the usual anecdotes. You can find the database here.

TMO Deals

Last Chance for iPhone 11 256GB + AirPods and Charging Pad Giveaway

Bryan Chaffin ·

Our iPhone 11 256GB + AirPods and Charging Pad Giveaway is coming to an end today. With this giveaway, you have a chance to win an iPhone 11 (256GB), a pair of AirPods, and a wireless charging pad. All you have to do is register on our deal site, if you aren’t already, and click the Enter to Win button. There’s a social media link you can use to try and get more entries, too. The giveaway ends at 11:59 PDT tonight (Monday night).

Podcast

PCMag Lead Mobile Analyst Sascha Segan - TMO Background Mode Interview

John Martellaro · · Add Comment

Sascha Segan is PCMag.com’s Lead Mobile Analyst. He has reviewed more than 1,100 smartphones, tablets and other gadgets in more than 15 years with PCMag. Sascha is also a multiple award-winning travel writer.

We chatted about how he got started in computing, and it was a familiar story. “…published the high school newspaper, literary magazine and foreign language magazine on an SE/30.” Along the way, Sascha discovered that he loved helping people and showing them how tech works. We talked about the future of foldable smartphones, how the butterfly MBP keyboard drove him to Windows, a (presumed) Apple iPhone/iPad event on March 31, and what’s in store for the 5G iPhone 12. Sascha understands 5G and phones deeply, and so this was a very informative show.

Link

Could iPhone 12’s Fast 802.11ay Wi-Fi Be For AR Glasses?

Andrew Orr ·

The iPhone 12 is rumored to get support for 802.11ay, a high speed and low latency Wi-Fi standard. Jason Cross posits that it could be used for Apple’s AR glasses.

The alternative is to make the headset a relatively dumb set of displays and cameras, with all the processing happening on some sort of base station—like your new iPhone 12. An ultra-high speed, super low-latency connection like that provided by 802.11ay is a necessity to make that work.

A popular thought is that Apple Glasses will be an iPhone accessory like Apple Watch is (or, started out) with most or all of the processing happening on the iPhone.

Cool Stuff Found

Native Union Releases Drop XL Watch Edition Charger

Andrew Orr ·

Native Union today announced the release of its newest product, the Drop XL Watch Edition. It’s a wireless charging pad for your Apple Watch, iPhone, and AirPods, and they can all be charged at the same time. The charging puck for the Apple Watch is detachable, so you can free up the device for an additional USB-A port if needed. The design looks a lot like Apple’s failed AirPower product, and it’s covered in a slate-colored fabric. It comes with AC Power Adapter and a 6.5ft / 2m USB-C to USB-A braided cable. You can order one today for US$149.99.

New Mophie Fast-Charge Battery Packs Available at Apple
Cool Stuff Found

New Mophie Fast-Charge Battery Packs Available at Apple

Andrew Orr ·

mophie recently announced three new fast-charge battery packs available at Apple.com and certain Apple retail stores. They are: powerstation, powerstation plus, and powerstation plus XL. They all feature 18W fast charge, Lighting input, and the ability to charge multiple Apple devices at the same time.

Suggested retail prices are as follows: powerstation US$59.95; powerstation plus US$79.95; powerstation plus XL US$99.95.

https://youtu.be/a1-ibIspYbs
Cool Stuff Found

New Video Shows off iPhone 11 Night Mode Capability

Andrew Orr ·

Set to “We Only Come Out At Night” by Smashing Pumpkins, Apple’s new video shows the capabilities of iPhone 11’s Night Mode feature. Whether your situation is low-light or no-light, Night Mode is a powerful camera feature that turns on automatically. Look for the Night Mode icon at the top of the camera, which looks like a crescent moon. It will turn yellow when it’s enabled. Your iPhone might take the shot instantly, or it will take several seconds. It depends on how dark your scene is.

TMO Deals

Relive 416+ Classic Arcade Games while Charging Your Phone: $29.99

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on the GAMECASE, a portable charger for your iPhone with a built-in classic gaming system. That includes a display and controls, with more than 416 classic games built into the device, including Super Contra, Super Mario Bros, Tetris, Pacman, F1 Race, and more. Plus, the battery has an 8,000mAh capacity. This device is $29.99 through our deal.

TMO Deals

CaseBoy Gamecase Retro Gaming Case: $18.99

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on the CaseBoy Gamecase Retro Gaming Case, in black. This iPhone case has game controllers and its own display built into the back of the case. It also comes with 36 emulated classic games built in, including Tetris, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Brothers, Pac Man, and more. It’s just $18.99 through our deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCuTrFFHVfg

Podcast

Tidbits Managing Editor Josh Centers (#6) - TMO Background Mode Interview

John Martellaro · · Add Comment

Josh Centers is the Managing Editor of Tidbits.com and has published many Take Control (TC) books. He’s the author of Take Control of Apple TV and Take Control of Home Automation. He’s been writing the Take Control books for iOS since version 8, and his latest book is Take Control iOS 13 and iPadOS 13.

In his sixth appearance on the show, Josh and I explored what’s in store for Apple in 2020. We started by looking at the iMac Pro and its possible fate. Then we turned to the mythical xMac, and continued with the MacBook Pro line. In part II of the show, we took a look at the HomePod. Is it a dead product? Then we looked at iPhone (2020) 5G wrinkles. We finished by wondering what new thing Apple might do in 2020.

TMO Deals

Luxitude Tablet and Phone Holder Stand: $33.99

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on Luxitude, a tablet and smartphone holder and stand, combined. It features adjustable arms that fit most tablets and phones from 4″ to 11″. It rotates 360° for the best viewing, and has suction cups that make it easy to pop off and fold up to move from surface to surface. A padded holder protects the device from scratching, falling, or slipping. It’s $33.99 through our deal.