It’s probably been a while since anyone thought about Apple’s router and network storage combo called Time Capsule. Released in 2008 and discontinued in 2018, the product has mostly receded into the sands of gadget time. So when independent security researcher Matthew Bryant recently bought a Time Capsule from the United Kingdom on eBay for $38 (plus more than $40 to ship it to the United States), he thought he would just be getting one of the stalwart white monoliths at the end of its earthly journey. Instead he stumbled on something he didn’t expect: a trove of data that appeared to be a copy of the main backup server for all European Apple Stores during the 2010s. The information included service tickets, employee bank account data, internal company documentation, and emails.
“It had everything you can possibly imagine,” Bryant tells WIRED. “Files had been deleted off the drive, but when I did the forensics on it, it was definitely not empty.”
Bryant hadn’t stumbled on the Time Capsule completely by accident. At the Defcon security conference in Las Vegas on Saturday, he’s presenting findings from a months-long project in which he scraped secondhand electronics listings from sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and China’s Xianyu, and then ran computer vision analysis on them in an attempt to detect devices that were once part of corporate IT fleets.
Bryant realized that the sellers hawking office devices, prototypes, and manufacturing equipment often weren’t aware of their products’ significance, so he couldn’t comb tags or descriptions to find enterprise gems. Instead, he devised an optical character recognition processing cluster by chaining together a dozen dilapidated second-generation iPhone SEs and harnessing Apple’s Live Text optical character-recognition feature to find possible inventory tags, barcodes, or other corporate labels in listing photos. The system monitored for new listings, and if it turned up a possible hit, Bryant would get an alert so he could assess the device photos himself.
In the case of the Time Capsule, the listing photos showed a label on the bottom of the device that said “Property of Apple Computer, Expensed Equipment.” After he evaluated the Time Capsule’s contents, Bryant notified Apple about his findings, and the company’s London security office eventually asked him to ship the Time Capsule back. Apple did not immediately return a request from WIRED for comment about Bryant’s research.
“The main company in the talk for proofs of concept is Apple, because I view them as the most mature hardware company out there. They have all their hardware specially counted, and they really care about the security of their operations quite a bit,” Bryant says. “But with any Fortune 500 company, it’s basically a guarantee that their stuff will end up on sites like eBay and other secondhand markets eventually. I can’t think of any company where I haven’t seen at least some piece of equipment and got an alert on it from my system.”
Another alert from his search system led Bryant to purchase a prototype iPhone 14 intended for developer use internally at Apple. Such iPhones are coveted by both bad actors and security researchers because they often run special versions of iOS that are less locked down than the consumer product and include debugging functionality that’s invaluable for gaining insight into the platform. Apple runs a program to give certain researchers access to similar devices, but the company only grants these special iPhones to a limited group, and researchers have told WIRED that they are typically outdated iPhone models. Bryant says he paid $165 for the developer-use iPhone 14.
TD Bank largely innovates based on customer feedback and lately it has discovered an opportunity for larger companies to use its Tap to Pay for iPhone offering. “There’s so much opportunity from a tap-to-pay solution perspective,” Paul Margarites, head of commercial digital platforms at TD Bank, told Bank Automation News. Apple launched Tap to […]
On the front, it does an excellent job of protecting the screen—so much so that I stopped using a screen protector. This wasn’t an easy decision. But I was tired of all the dust that would collect alongside the bezel and how unresponsive the display was sometimes. It was only shortly after I first got the case and removed the screen protector, that I dropped my phone outside on the sidewalk. My boyfriend and I looked at each other in horror as I picked up my phone from the concrete. Not only was the display perfectly intact, but the case was too—without a ding or dent in sight.
This hasn’t been my experience with other cases. Whenever I’ve dropped my phone in the past, the screen protector has either fully cracked or the case bore the brunt of the fall. I know that’s the point, but after enough damage, the case looks so awful that I have no choice but to replace it. I’ve dropped it multiple times since then with the Wildflower case on, and you would never be able to tell.
A Few Small Requests
I love Wildflower cases, but as with anything, there’s always room for improvement. For starters, I wish the cases had support for MagSafe. The charging technology has been out since 2020, and most brands have updated all of their cases to include it. So it’s a bummer that Wildflower doesn’t. The cases are thin enough that you can still attach certain MagSafe accessories to them—I can still stick the MagSafe iPhone wallet to the back of the iPhone 15 Pro securely. But this hack didn’t work with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, particularly when trying to attach it to a Casetify MagSafe car mount.
As a workaround, Wildflower offers MagSafe Magnetic Rings ($12 for a 3-pack). I bought these for when I was using the bigger iPhone. They work well and are just as strong as cases that come with built-in MagSafe support—the ring had strong grips on both the wallet and the car mount. I don’t find it the most aesthetically pleasing. But I do use a lot of MagSafe accessories, and it’s a lot more convenient than having to take the case on and off.
Speaking of aesthetics, my other request is that Wildflower change up the color of the bumpers to match the case design, especially since the bumpers are so prominent. As of now, it’s black across the board, which doesn’t look great against the fun prints. The bumpers are part of the brand’s signature look, but it would be nice to see the company have some fun with it.
My last plea is that Wildflower expand its cases to the world of Android phones too. The company offers cases across the entire Apple lineup, including iPhone, AirPods, iPads, and Airtags. But it would be nice to see the catalog expand, with more offerings across a bunch of different smartphone brands.
Regardless, I highly recommend these cases for those with an iPhone who are also wildly irresponsible when caring for their phones. If you (like me), too often watch your phone fly from your hands to the ground, then a Wildflower case is most definitely your best option—especially if you want to take fewer trips to the Apple Store.
Apple sells eight iPhone models, from the $429 iPhone SE (2022) to the $1,199 iPhone 15 Pro Max. In September, certain models will disappear in favor of the iPhone 16 lineup. I’m here to help you find the best iPhone, even if that means warning you that now is the worst time to buy a new Apple handset. But if you absolutely need a device right now, I separate the marketing slogans from reality—I’ve tested every iPhone model and outlined their strengths and weaknesses so you can get the best bang for your buck.
Updated August 2024: We’ve added rumors on the iPhone 16 and iPhone SE expected in 2025.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
But First, Sell That Old iPhone!
If you’re upgrading from an iPhone, you can trade it to Apple for a small discount. Before you do that, check whether you can sell it elsewhere for more money. iPhones hold their value incredibly well, particularly if they’re in mint or good condition. We have a guide that runs through a few websites you can use.
Apple Intelligence capabilities introduced during Apple’s WWDC2024 in Cupertino, Calif. on June 10th. 2024.
Source: Apple Inc.
Apple‘s new artificial intelligence features will roll out in October, missing the initial launch of iPhone and iPad software updates, according to a Bloomberg report released on Monday.
The company split the Apple Intelligence features from the initial iOS launch due to concerns over their stability and need to run tests on a wider scale, the report said.
Apple previously said its AI features would be released in a beta version this fall, and they’re expected to help drive sales of Apple’s new iPhones. The features will only work on iPhone 15 Pro models and newer. Some of the promised Apple Intelligence features, such as ChatGPT integration and Siri improvements, are expected to be released later in the year.
Apple plans to give developers early access to Apple Intelligence as soon as this week in the iOS 18.1 beta, Bloomberg said.
The company first announced Apple Intelligence on June 10. The AI features, which will also be available on all Macs and iPads that run the M1 chip or newer, can proofread writing or re-write in a friendly or professional tone, create custom emojis, and summarize and transcribe phone calls.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The project, codenamed V68, is in early development and there’s no guarantee it will come to fruition, but the report says it has moved past the conceptual stage and suppliers are involved. This would be Apple’s first major design change to its flagship product since the iPhone X in 2017. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report of a folding iPhone.
Apple’s move comes at a time when the popularity of folding smartphones is soaring across the world. Analytics firm Counterpoint Research reports that the folding phone market grew by 49 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2024, its highest rate of increase in six quarters. Shipments of iPhones were down 13 percent in the first quarter year over year, so a folding iPhone just might be what Apple needs to boost sales.
But foldables aren’t just more popular—they’re more mature too. The latest models are far more refined and more durable than the clumsy early attempts. Samsung has spent the past six years publicly tweaking its folding smartphones—every year has brought small changes to the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series, improving the durability of the screen and the reliability of the hinge. These were the biggest failings of the form factor in the early days of foldables, but advances in glass technology and hinge engineering have brought 2024’s folding devices ever closer to a level of quality that matches what’s expected of a traditional smartphone. Samsung’s latest models have IP48 water- and dust-resistance ratings, and while it’s still not as dust-resistant as its nonfolding counterparts, it’s one step bringing it closer.
Samsung may have the longest track record, but competition is at the heels, with Huawei and Motorola lobbing off large chunks of Samsung’s market share, and new devices from OnePlus and Google vying for consumer’s attention. That means there’s more manufacturing capability to craft these folding phones, though they remain expensive—while Motorola offers a $700 folding flip phone, Samsung just raised the price of its handsets.
All this action in the market makes it the perfect time for Apple to join the folding fray.
Apple has reportedly tested products in two sizes, but this greenlit project is for a folding flip phone, much like the Razr from Motorola or Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip6. These kinds of flip phones allow you to enjoy a full-size smartphone, and then fold it in half to stuff it in a pocket or bag. You get the same smartphone experience but in a tiny package. There’s usually an external “cover screen,” and you can imagine Apple will likely create a way to access notifications, widgets, and even Siri (with its upcoming AI-infused improvements) there.
Music enriches our daily lives, providing extra relaxation and joy when commuting, exercising, doing housework, etc. Unsurprisingly, sometimes you might get your beloved music on your computer, and want to transfer music to your iPhone. We will offer 3 effective methods for effortless transfer in this blog post. Keep reading to discover how you can keep listening on the go with your iPhone.
Way 1. Import Music to iPhone from Computer via Data Transfer Tool
FonePaw iOS Transfer is a distinguished file manager that helps you transfer a variety of files including videos, contacts, SMS, etc. among iOS devices, Mac computers, and Windows computers. It works particularly efficiently for transferring music to your iPhone with the support of almost all audio formats like MP3, AAC, MP2, WAV, WMA, M4A, M4V, OGG, FLAC, and so on. What’s more, it has no limits on quantity. You can add as many tracks as you want at a time.
Let’s learn how these highlighted features make your music transfer a breeze.
Step 1. Download, install, and launch FonePaw iOS Transfer on your computer.
Step 2. Connect your computer and iPhone with a USB cable. Wait for a few minutes till a pop-up shows up to tell you they are connected.
Step 3. Click “Music” on the left column, all music on your computer will be displayed. Then click the “+” icon, select “Add Files(s)” or “Add Folder”, and tick all the tracks you want to transfer to your iPhone.
Way 2. Import Music to iPhone from Computer via iTunes
Seamlessly integrated with Apple’s ecosystem, iTunes is trusted by many for music transfer, though it has some drawbacks. Firstly, the transfer feature is not supported by a computer running Windows 7/8. Also, the syncing might be too complicated for a beginner. For example, you have to create a playlist in the iTunes library if you want to transfer selected songs. And if you delete music from the computer, syncing will overwrite existing music on the iPhone. Here are steps you can follow to import music to your iPhone with iTunes for free.
Step 1. Launch the latest version of iTunes on a Windows computer or open “Finder” on Mac (MacOS 10.15 or later).
Step 2. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.
Step 3. Import your music to iTunes first if it is not on iTunes. Click “File” and select “Add File to Library” (or “Add Folder to Library”). You can skip this and move to the next if the music is already on iTunes.
Step 4. Click the “Phone” icon, navigate to “Music”, and select “Entire music library“. You can also tick up “Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres” for the transfer. Finally, remember to click “Apply”, then the sync will start. After it finishes, you can enjoy the tunes on your iPhone.
Way 3. Import Music to iPhone from Computer via Cloud Service
Cloud services like iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. provide a seamless way to store and access files across multiple devices. It never requires a USB cable and can be used as a wireless way to import music to an iPhone.
However, it is also the riskiest aspect. Instead of a cable, it requires a stable and fast internet connection for uploading and downloading files. When the connection is unavailable, dealing with multiple songs is likely to be time-consuming. Taking Google Drive as an example, we will show you how to transfer music to an iPhone from your computer via cloud services.
Step 1. Launch Google Chrome on your PC, click the “Google apps” icon (next to “Google Account”) at the top-right corner, and select “Drive”.
Step 2. Click “New” on the upper-left. Select “File Upload” to upload music one by one, or you can put all music into one folder and select “Folder Upload”. Then browse to confirm the file/folder you want to transfer.
Step 3. Launch Google Drive and log in with the same account on your iPhone. Then navigate to the uploaded files, tick up the song you want to download, and right-click to find the “Download” button.
Conclusion
Importing music from your computer to your iPhone can be easy with a suitable tool. Developed by Apple, iTunes is the official software you can trust, though the process would be a bit complex for a beginner. Cloud services, which make wireless transfer come true, would be a perfect solution when a speedy and stable connection is guaranteed.
Using a dedicated data transfer tool like FonePaw iOS Transfer also offers significant benefits. As a professional tool, its concise user-friendly interface ensures simple operation. You can transfer iOS files to iPhone/iPad/Windows PC/Mac effortlessly in no time. Besides, you can also preview, move, add, or delete the music directly on the computer. Can’t wait to experience how effortlessly you can manage and transfer your music collections to an iPhone? Download FonePaw iOS Transfer now!
New data shows that Resident Evil 7, which was recently ported to iOS devices, was purchased and downloaded by less than 2,000 players, yet another example of big games failing to succeed on Apple’s powerful portable devices.
Kotaku Goes Hands-On At The Apple Developer Showcase
Capcom’s fantastic survival horror sequel Resident Evil 7—originally released in 2017—launched on iOS earlier this month for $20. It’s the latest big console game to arrive on iOS devices as part of Apple’s ongoing push to get more AAA titles running natively on iPhones and iPads. Last year, Resident Evil Village and the Resident Evil 4 remake arrived on iOS. While they were playable and impressive, they were pretty awful ways to play such great games due to poor performance and crappy touch controls. And it seems players agree that these aren’t great versions of these games, as data shows that these ports are likely flopping hard on iOS.
As reported on July 16 by MobileGamer.biz, data seems to indicate that RE7′s iOS port, which launched on July 2, has only made Capcom around $28,000 via 2,000 people paying for the full game after downloading the free demo.
Other AAA iPhone ports have also failed to find much success on the App Store. As previously reported by the outlet in June, data indicates that after a month only 3,000 people had purchased Assassin’s Creed Mirage, even though its free trial version had been downloaded over 120,000 times.
2023’s Resident Evil 4 remake did a bit better after six months on the market. It was downloaded 357,000 times with data indicating that around 7,000 people paid the $30 to unlock the full game. Resident Evil Village, on the other hand, did horribly on iOS. In about the same amount of time, only around 5,700 people paid $15 to play Village on their iPhone or iPad.
Why AAA games are flopping on iPhone
So what’s happening here? Well, I think the higher price points for these AAA ports are scaring away a lot of mobile players who are used to free games. But I think the bigger issue is that these aren’t the kind of games people want to play on their phones in 2024. I love Assassin’s Creed Mirage. It’s a wonderful return to the stealth-focused gameplay and smaller worlds of older AC games, while still feeling modern and fun to play. Good shit! But I have zero desire to play that game on a tiny iPhone with a cumbersome controller attached or via terrible touchscreen buttons.
Capcom / TapGameplay
These AAA games were designed to be played for hours and hours, often in a comfy chair or couch, with a controller or keyboard and a big screen. And that’s just not the experience you get with a phone. The best mobile games are pick-up-and-play. Things you can open up, have a bit of fun with, and then drop a few seconds later because your bus arrived or your game finished installing on Xbox.
iPhones will for sure get more powerful and be able to run even more AAA games at high framerates and resolutions in the future. That’s a fact. But I’m not sold on any of these games finding success on the App Store because they just aren’t what most people want to play on their mobile devices.
So now the question is, with Capcom and other publishers not making money on these ports, how long before Apple stops (probably, this hasn’t been confirmed) funding them and all these AAA games stop arriving on iOS? How long before Apple tosses in the towel on gaming once more? We shall see…
Apple entered the AI game last month with Apple Intelligence, a suite of new features designed to bring AI straight to iPhone, iPad, and Mac screens. Apple’s AI has a catch though: it only works on the newest iPhones and it could be the reason why millions of iPhone users with older models seriously think about upgrading, say Morgan Stanley analysts.
Morgan Stanley analysts named Apple a top-pick stock on Monday, after which Apple shares jumped to an all-time high, per Bloomberg. Apple Intelligence is a “clear catalyst” for iPhone upgrades and will enable Apple to sell nearly half a billion iPhones in the next two years, analyst Eric Woodring stated.
Apple Intelligence is expected to come out this fall for the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max — older iPhones will not have access to Apple’s AI. The update offers AI-generated emojis, a smarter Siri, and direct access to ChatGPT, though some anticipated Siri AI upgrades may arrive next year.
“We believe that there is record level of pent-up demand entering the iPhone 16 cycle later this year,” Woodring noted, adding that Apple Intelligence delivers “unique-to-the-Apple-ecosystem” value.
Morgan Stanley previously forecasted that Apple would sell around 230 million iPhones in the same time frame, making the new prediction more than double the previous one.
Apple is also uniquely positioned to be the AI “base camp” for its customers, “just as it has done for digital content (iPod) and social media (iPhone),” wrote Morgan Stanley analyst Ananda Baruah.
Apple CEO Tim Cook waves to customers before they enter Apple’s 5th Avenue store. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Other analysts at different firms have made similar predictions. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives told Reuters in June that more than 15% of existing iPhone users could buy the new iPhone Apple is expected to release this fall.
Ives estimated that 270 million iPhone users have not bought a new model in the past four years.
More than half of Apple’s overall revenue in the second quarter of 2024 came from iPhones; Apple has the majority of the market share for smartphones in the U.S.
The idea is you’ll be able to speak more naturally with Siri. Ask and the assistant will be able to understand context better than ever before. You can say, “Play the podcast my wife sent me the other day,” and Siri will be able to pull it up. That kind of thing.
Siri can also help explain how to do certain functions on your phone if you’re not sure (maybe Samsung was onto something with Bixby). And if you make a mistake mid-sentence, there’s no need to start all over again. Siri will be able to understand your slip-up, and it also understands the context of your previous query, so you won’t need to repeat things over and over again.
Much like how Google’s Gemini is drawing on context based on what’s happening on the screen, Siri can now understand what is on the screen when you activate it, so if someone texts you an address, you can activate Siri and ask it to add the address to the person’s contact card. All of this is expected to work in first- and third-party apps.
ChatGPT Integration
Photograph: Apple
Apple Intelligence apparently still needs a boost for some occasions, and so Apple has tapped OpenAI’s ChatGPT to power them. The company says it’s using the GPT-4o model, and you are in control of when Siri uses ChatGPT. This powers features such as when you ask about the subject of a photo or a document (like scanning a hundred-page PDF), and Compose, which lets you generate original images and text from a query.
All of these GPT features are free with no account required, though if you already are a subscriber, you can link your account and access paid features.
New Features in iOS 18
OK, onto the more traditional software features. I’ve collected the top features in iOS 18 below, but there are tons of smaller changes. You can view the full list directly from Apple.
Get Rid of the App Grid
Customize the app icons’ style, color, and arrangement.
Photograph: Apple
For the first time, you can arrange your apps and widgets however you’d like (just like on Android). Say goodbye to the fixed list of grids Apple has forced on us for nearly two decades. You can make further personalization to the app icons as well, tuning them to a specific color to match or complement your wallpaper, and even convert them to dark mode. You can make these apps and widgets look larger too.
More Control in the Control Center
Control Center.
Photograph: Apple
New styles.
Photograph: Apple
Control Center, the hub that appears when you swipe down on the right edge of the iPhone, is now more customizable. There are now tabs within the Control Center, and you can scroll through them with one continuous swipe on the home screen. These include your favorites—the most important things you want accessible in the Control Center—media playback, and even smart home controls.
You can customize the size and layout of everything in Control Center, and this extends to the Lock Screen controls—you can switch out the two icons at the bottom of your iPhone’s lock screen to something more helpful. Expect new controls from third-party apps.
Lock and Hide Apps
Shhh! Hide apps you don’t want others to see that you have installed.
Photograph: Apple
You can finally hide apps to prevent anyone from snooping, or you can lock the app so that it asks for a passcode or biometric authentication every time it’s launched. The information from this app will be hidden throughout the system, even in notifications and searches. Google debuted a similar new feature called Private Space, which is coming to Android later this year.
Redesigned Photos App
Photos gets an organizational overhaul.
Photograph: Apple
Apple’s Photos app got a huge app redesign in iOS 18. Now, you have a photo grid at the top, and below, you can swipe through different collections, such as Recent Days, Trips, and People & Pets. This upgrade is tied with several other improvements powered by Apple Intelligence, like Clean Up, which can erase unwanted objects in the background of your photos, and the ability to find any image easily via search.
RCS and Satellite Messaging
Arguably one of the most anticipated announcements from Apple ended up as a tiny footnote amid the company’s announcements. RCS is Rich Communication Services, the texting standard that followed SMS/MMS. Android phones have supported RCS for several years, allowing for an upgraded texting experience that pulls features from instant messaging apps, like typing indicators, read receipts, and improved photo and video quality. However, none of this works when an Android user texts an iPhone (or vice versa) because Apple didn’t support RCS and used the older SMS standard.
That’s changing now, “RCS messages bring richer media and deliver and read receipts for those who don’t use iMessage,” according to Apple’s marketing materials. These texts will still appear green (instead of blue when you text fellow iPhone owners via iMessage), but it might finally spell the end of the broken texting experience that has caused so many people strife.
Apple will allow rival companies to operate wallet technology on its iPhones free-of-charge for a decade, European Union regulators said on Thursday, in the latest overhaul prompted by local rules.
Apple’s mobile wallet allows iPhone users to pay for products in-store and online using its own-brand Apple Pay. Until now, Apple has not made its near-field communication (NFC) technology, which allows phones to communicate with payment terminals, available to rival developers—causing the EU to warn in 2022 that restricting access to this technology qualifies as an abuse of market power.
Apple’s concession ends a two-year dispute between the Big Tech giant and the European Commission over the company’s payment technology. This change, first proposed by Apple in December, means the smartphone maker will avoid billions of dollars in fines and a formal declaration by Brussels that it has broken EU rules.
“[Apple’s commitment] opens up competition in this crucial sector, by preventing Apple from excluding other mobile wallets from the iPhone’s ecosystem,” EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.
“From now on, competitors will be able to effectively compete with Apple Pay for mobile payments with the iPhone in shops. So consumers will have a wider range of safe and innovative mobile wallets to choose from.” The changes will last for at least 10 years and apply only to users who live in the European Union, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
Apple’s decision to widen access to NFC will mean developers in Europe will be able to deploy the technology inside iOS apps for uses including car keys, corporate badges, hotel keys, and event tickets, Apple spokesperson Julien Trosdorf told WIRED.
“Apple Pay and Apple Wallet will continue to be available in the EEA for users and developers,” he added.
For years, Apple has kept a tight grip on the technology available to the millions of people using its devices. But intense scrutiny in the EU and new rules have caused the smartphone maker to make several significant changes to the way it operates.
In response to EU complaints, the company will now have to allow alternative app stores onto iPhones and iPads, creating competition for the Apple App Store for the first time. The company will also have to offer “choice screens” when users buy a new Apple device, giving them an option to install Apple’s own-brand apps or third-party alternatives. The company is also appealing an almost $2 billion fine which focuses on the rules and restrictions imposed on third-party developers building iOS apps.
A new cyberattack is targeting iPhone users, with criminals attempting to obtain individuals’ Apple IDs in a “phishing” campaign, security software company Symantec said in an alert Monday.
Cyber criminals are sending text messages to iPhone users in the U.S. that appear to be from Apple, but are in fact an attempt at stealing victims’ personal credentials.
“Phishing actors continue to target Apple IDs due to their widespread use, which offers access to a vast pool of potential victims,” Symantec said. “These credentials are highly valued, providing control over devices, access to personal and financial information, and potential revenue through unauthorized purchases.”
Consumers are also more likely to trust communications that appear to come from a trusted brand like Apple, warned Symantec, which is owned by Broadcom, a maker of semiconductors and infrastructure software.
The malicious SMS messages appear to come from Apple and encourage recipients to click a link and sign in to their iCloud accounts. For example, a phishing text could say: “Apple important request iCloud: Visit signin[.]authen-connexion[.]info/icloud to continue using your services.” Recipients are also asked to complete a CAPTCHA challenge in order to appear legitimate, before they’re directed to a fake iCloud login page.
Such cyberattacks are commonly referred to as “smishing” schemes in which criminals use fake text messages from purportedly reputable organizations, rather than email, to lure people into sharing personal information, such as account passwords and credit card data.
How to protect yourself
Be cautious about opening any text messages that appear to be sent from Apple. Always check the source of the message — if it’s from a random phone number, the iPhone maker is almost certainly not likely not to be the sender. iPhone users should also avoid clicking on links inviting people to access their iCloud account; instead, go to login pages directly.
“If you’re suspicious about an unexpected message, call, or request for personal information, such as your email address, phone number, password, security code, or money, it’s safer to presume that it’s a scam — contact that company directly if you need to,” Apple said in a post on avoiding scams.
Apple urges users to always enable two-factor authentication for Apple ID for extra security and to make it harder to access to your account from another device. It is “designed to make sure that you’re the only person who can access your account,” Apple said.
Apple adds that its own support representatives will neversend its users a link to a website and ask them to sign in, or to provide your password, device passcode, or two-factor authentication code.
“If someone claiming to be from Apple asks you for any of the above, they are a scammer engaging in a social engineering attack. Hang up the call or otherwise terminate contact with them,” the company said.
The Federal Trade Commission also recommends setting up your computer and mobile phone so that security software is updated automatically.
Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
Waste less time charging phones. During a special price drop that runs through 11:59 p.m. PT on July 21, this blue Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone is on sale for only $34.97 (reg. $119).
Having a dead iPhone can be a detriment to business and get in the way of costly opportunities during conversations, meetings, or even presentations. To avoid such scenarios and keep yourself or your team members connected as often as possible, consider grabbing a reliable, fast-working charger for the iPhone.
To save on faster charging for a while, consider jumping on this extraordinary price drop that runs through 11:59 p.m. PT on July 21, during which time this blue Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone is on sale for only $34.97 (reg. $119).
The wireless charger comes with a built-in magnetic plate designed to stick securely to your phone so that it stays on while charging. This can be great for use in a car or airplane where the surface might change during turns. It also comes with fast-charging capabilities, promising to get an iPhone up to full juice faster than its own typical charging accessory. It’s worth noting that the Speedy Mag is designed for use with iPhone models 12 and newer.
To learn more about this charger, you can check out its reviews in the Entrepreneur Store. One 4/5-star review there reads, “Works as expected, nice to have these in coat pockets or in my bag on the go so there’s always juice to top off the phone. Doesn’t last as long with the 15pro as other phones but gets job done.”
Don’t miss out on this special price drop that runs through 11:59 p.m. PT on July 21st, during which this blue Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone is on sale for only $34.97 (reg. $119).
If you have an iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch, congrats! You have the holy trinity of Apple products. But keeping all these gadgets powered up can be annoying, since they all have individual cables and proprietary charging solutions. Why deal with all that hassle when a single 3-in-1 wireless charger can accommodate everything? Our Best Wireless Chargers guide has a few recommendations, but many more great docking systems exist for Apple devices. After years of testing, these are our favorites.
Updated July 2024: We added chargers from Belkin, Twelve South, Mophie, Nomad, Anker, Woodie, Satechi, Raycon, and others, more details on specs and what is included, removed some older devices, and updated prices.
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A Quick Primer on MagSafe
Most of the wireless chargers in this guide are MagSafe wireless chargers. That means they take advantage of the magnets embedded in the back of the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 range. I cannot stress this enough: If you buy a case, ensure it is aMagSafe case. We have several third-party options in the linked case guides above. A normal iPhone case will weaken the pull of the magnets in the device and will not stick to MagSafe accessories well.
What’s the point of MagSafe? You don’t have to worry about misalignment with the wireless charger, meaning you won’t wake up to a dead iPhone. Technically, this perfect alignment means chargers can provide faster 15-watt charging, but Apple has restricted this perk to select products from a few brands. MagSafe is available in the AirPods charging case as well (depending on your model). Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro with the wireless charging case will work with nearly all of the standard Qi wireless charging pads on these chargers (as will many third-party wireless earbuds), but if you have AirPods with MagSafe, then you can hook it up to the magnetic mounts as well. If you don’t have a MagSafe iPhone, then your device won’t be able to attach to these chargers, though we do have some recommendations for older iPhones (and the iPhone SE).
Yet Google and its hardware partners argue privacy and security are a major focus of the Android AI approach. VP Justin Choi, head of the security team, mobile eXperience business at Samsung Electronics, says its hybrid AI offers users “control over their data and uncompromising privacy.”
Choi describes how features processed in the cloud are protected by servers governed by strict policies. “Our on-device AI features provide another element of security by performing tasks locally on the device with no reliance on cloud servers, neither storing data on the device nor uploading it to the cloud,” Choi says.
Google says its data centers are designed with robust security measures, including physical security, access controls, and data encryption. When processing AI requests in the cloud, the company says, data stays within secure Google data center architecture and the firm is not sending your information to third parties.
Meanwhile, Galaxy’s AI engines are not trained with user data from on-device features, says Choi. Samsung “clearly indicates” which AI functions run on the device with its Galaxy AI symbol, and the smartphone maker adds a watermark to show when content has used generative AI.
The firm has also introduced a new security and privacy option called Advanced Intelligence settings to give users the choice to disable cloud-based AI capabilities.
Google says it “has a long history of protecting user data privacy,” adding that this applies to its AI features powered on-device and in the cloud. “We utilize on-device models, where data never leaves the phone, for sensitive cases such as screening phone calls,” Suzanne Frey, vice president of product trust at Google, tells WIRED.
Frey describes how Google products rely on its cloud-based models, which she says ensures “consumer’s information, like sensitive information that you want to summarize, is never sent to a third party for processing.”
“We’ve remained committed to building AI-powered features that people can trust because they are secure by default and private by design, and most importantly, follow Google’s responsible AI principles that were first to be championed in the industry,” Frey says.
Apple Changes the Conversation
Rather than simply matching the “hybrid” approach to data processing, experts say Apple’s AI strategy has changed the nature of the conversation. “Everyone expected this on-device, privacy-first push, but what Apple actually did was say, it doesn’t matter what you do in AI—or where—it’s how you do it,” Doffman says. He thinks this “will likely define best practice across the smartphone AI space.”
Even so, Apple hasn’t won the AI privacy battle just yet: The deal with OpenAI—which sees Apple uncharacteristically opening up its iOS ecosystem to an outside vendor—could put a dent in its privacy claims.
Apple refutes Musk’s claims that the OpenAI partnership compromises iPhone security, with “privacy protections built in for users who access ChatGPT.” The company says you will be asked permission before your query is shared with ChatGPT, while IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI will not store requests—but ChatGPT’s data use policies still apply.
Partnering with another company is a “strange move” for Apple, but the decision “would not have been taken lightly,” says Jake Moore, global cybersecurity adviser at security firm ESET. While the exact privacy implications are not yet clear, he concedes that “some personal data may be collected on both sides and potentially analyzed by OpenAI.”
Three groundbreaking Apple devices — the iPhone X, HomePod, and original AirPods — are now considered vintage. And the clock is ticking on how long they will be eligible for repairs.
Apple added the three to its vintage product list on Monday, meaning that it stopped selling the products more than five, and less than seven, years ago.
Apple customers who use these devices are now facing a limited window when it comes to repairs. Apple Stores and authorized repair shops will only offer service for the iPhone X, HomePod, and original AirPods for up to two more years max, depending on the parts available.
The three products are all instantly recognizable as a major shift or addition to Apple’s product lineup.
The $999 iPhone X was the first Apple phone to switch from TouchID to FaceID, allowing users to unlock the iPhone X with a glance and swapping out a home button for an entirely touch-activated screen. Apple assured customers that it kept its facial scans out of the cloud to make the feature more secure.
Apple now has the majority of smartphone market share in the U.S., with about 53% of the market.
Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during the launch of the iPhone X on September 17, 2017. (Photo by Qi Heng/Visual China Group via Getty Images)
The $349 HomePod was Apple’s first smart speaker; some users have called it a “significant and risky investment.” Apple sold an estimated three million HomePods in the U.S. by 2018, according to a Consumer Intelligence Research Partners report.
Since the original HomePod’s release, Apple has expanded the product line with the 2020 HomePod mini and the 2023 HomePod 2nd Generation.
The $159 original AirPods were Apple’s way of “reinventing” wireless headphones, per the company’s 2016 press release.
Apple introduced an “innovative” charging case and a double-tap feature that allowed users to tap their AirPods to access Siri.
Devices on the vintage list end up in Apple’s “obsolete” category after they pass the seven-year mark. At that point, Apple withdraws hardware service and service stores can no longer order replacement parts.
Tired of looking like a pixelated blob on your Zoom calls? Why use that pesky, tiny, low-quality webcam embedded in your laptop when you have a seriously great smartphone camera in your pocket? It has become really easy to use your smartphone as a webcam these days, and some options don’t even require you to plug anything in. We’ve detailed how to do this whether you have an iPhone or Android, on Windows or Mac.
Updated June 2024: We’ve vetted every pick again, removed older methods, and added steps for Pixel and Motorola phones.
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How to Make a Video Call With Just Your Phone
Before converting your smartphone into a webcam for your computer, the obvious thing might be to try using your smartphone to run a video meeting. Services like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams generally have Android and iPhone apps available. All you need to do is install the app, log in, and use your phone’s selfie camera and microphone to participate in the meeting.
Whether you do this or follow our methods below, invest in a small tripod to prop your phone up so you don’t have to balance it against a pile of books. The Joby GripTight is a popular and affordable tripod with legs that can contort to stay stable on almost any surface, though a height-adjustable tripod like this might be a better option. Lume Cube’s Panel Mini is also a nice way to illuminate your face.
Ways to Use Your Phone as a Webcam
You can use a videoconferencing app on your phone if you quickly need to sit in on a meeting and chime in now and then, but you’ll need a better system if you’re presenting and have to share your screen. That’s where it could help to convert your smartphone into a webcam.
General tip: Make sure your preferred videoconferencing app is closed when installing a webcam client on your desktop PC or laptop. You may need to relaunch the app or restart your computer to get it all working.
How to Use Any Phone as a Webcam for Mac or Windows
The solution that works—whether you have an iPhone, Android, Mac, or Windows, in any combination—is a service called Reincubate Camo. It’s compatible with more than 40 video-calling apps, from Google Meet and Zoom to FaceTime and Discord. The steps below will work if you’re trying to connect an Android to a Mac, an iPhone to a Windows PC, or vice versa.
Photograph: Reincubate Camo
Steps to Set Up Camo:
Download the Camo app on your Mac or Windows machine. Then download the app on iOS or Android. Android phones need to be running version 7.0 and up, and iPhones need to be on iOS 12 or later. It’ll work with Windows 7 (64-bit) or newer, and macOS 10.13 or later. (Camo also works with iPads.)
Launch the app on your PC and smartphone. Camo supports wireless video transfer, so all you need to do is press the Wi-Fi icon in the Camo app on your phone (after permitting it to use your microphone and camera), and a QR code scanner should pop up. In the desktop client, click the drop-down menu under Device and choose Pair a Device. You should see a QR code. Scan it and your phone should connect immediately. Skip to step four if this is working.
If you don’t want to go the wireless route, plug in a cable from your phone to your computer—make sure it’s a data-supported cable (not all USB-C cables support data transfer). (If you have issues, try another cable.) For Android phones connecting to a Windows PC, you’ll need to enable USB debugging mode. To do this, head to Settings > About Phone and then tap Build Number seven times to enable Developer mode. Once turned on, you can find it in Settings > System > Developer Mode, though some of the navigation menus may differ based on your Android phone. Scroll down to find USB Debugging and toggle it on. You might see a pop-up asking whether you want to allow USB debugging. If it’s not working, unplug the cable and plug it back in. Connecting an Android to a Mac? Turn USB debugging off. If you never turned it on, you should be good to go, or head to Developer mode again and turn it off. iPhones connecting to Windows PCs or Macs shouldn’t require additional steps (press Trust if the pop-up appears on your phone).
You should now start seeing your rear camera’s feed on the Camo desktop app. If you don’t, and you’re connected via a cord, unplug the cable from your phone, then restart the Camo app on your computer and phone. Plug it back in and you should see the feed.
Go to your video conferencing app’s device settings and choose Camo as the video camera, and your phone camera’s feed should pop up. You can also change the default microphone to Camo if you want to use your phone as a mic.
You get quite a few options to choose from in the Camo desktop app to customize the video feed. That includes 720p video quality and zoom options, and you can remove the watermark. Much of this is free, but unfortunately, you’ll need to pay for Camo Pro for several nifty features, like 4K recording, the ability to switch lenses, and Portrait mode (iPhone owners are likely better off using Apple’s Continuity Camera, which we detail further below). Camo offers a few payment options: a lifetime license ($100), an annual subscription ($50), or a monthly subscription ($9).
How to Use iPhone as a Webcam for Mac With Continuity Camera
Apple’s Continuity Camera lets you use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac—no third-party software required. Your iPhone needs to be on iOS 16 or later, and your Mac needs to be on macOS 13 Ventura or later. (iOS 16 isn’t available for the iPhone 7 or older, so you’ll need to upgrade your device.)
When you open a video-calling app with your iPhone nearby, you’ll see a pop-up explaining that you can use your iPhone as a webcam. The first time I tried to switch the camera it didn’t work, but a restart of my phone and MacBook did the trick.
I regret to inform you that i can’t tyoe on thjdi thing yet.
The Clicks keyboard case has arrived, and it’s delightful, if not entirely practical for everyday use — at least, not without weeks of practice.
The new device, which adds a keyboard with physical buttons to the bottom of your iPhone, evokes a sense of nostalgia for the BlackBerry era, but in its current form, it’s awkward to use, particularly with heavier, taller devices like the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The main issue with Clicks is that iPhones aren’t shaped like BlackBerry devices, which were short, squat and wide. Instead, the weight of the iPhone pulls the case downward, so you’re always fighting against the force of gravity as you try to type. This leads the case to wobble slightly in your hands, making it harder to hit the right key.
To be fair, Clicks admits the case may be difficult to use at first.
On its help pages, the company suggests a proper holding technique to make Clicks more stable. It advises that users cradle the phone, with the bottom edge of the device resting on your pinky fingers while the back is supported by your middle and ring fingers. Your index fingers, meanwhile, can rest on the back or the sides of the case.
If you grip the phone with both hands at the very bottom of the keyboard, you may find it feeling top-heavy, the website warns.
Image Credits: Clicks
However, your phone will feel top-heavy either way, though to what extent you’re able to properly balance the keyboard will depend on a number of factors, including your iPhone model and weight as well as the length and strength of your fingers. People with shorter, stubbier fingers may have more difficulty cradling the device than others with longer fingers, for example.
Clicks says it has added ballast to the bottom of the case to help it achieve the right balance, but early adopters say they’re considering upgrading to a smaller iPhone model to make Clicks easier to use — and that’s telling.
An iPhone 13 mini would probably be great to use with Clicks, but alas, it’s not supported.
Instead, the Clicks keyboard works with iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, the former only in the Pro and Pro Max models, while supporting the full range of models for the iPhone 15. For comparison, the weight of the iPhone can vary between devices, ranging from 6.02 ounces for the iPhone 15 to 7.09 ounces for the 15 Plus and 6.60 ounces for the 15 Pro model. The 15 Pro Max is the heaviest at 7.81 ounces. Though these are slight differences when using an iPhone with a traditional case, even the smallest bit of extra weight matters when it comes to using Clicks. The heavier the iPhone, the harder to hold, it seems.
Image Credits: Clicks
Clicks tries to account for the difficulty in balancing the phone in several ways. In addition to instructing users on the proper holding technique, the case also features a vegan leather grip pad on the lower back, making it less likely for your fingers to slip and reminding you of where to place them.
In addition, the case has a slightly textured surface, which aids in holding your iPhone upright.
Despite these accommodations, there’s another issue with using Clicks, and it’s a surprising one.
If Clicks appeals to you, then you may be of the age to remember what it felt like to be dashing off quick emails and texts on a BlackBerry, its physical keyboard’s buttons being a significant upgrade from T9 texting. But in the years since, you’ve likely adjusted to typing on a touchscreen. Returning to buttons, as it turns out, is not like riding a bike. There’s a bit of a learning curve here, especially with your now extra-long smartphone.
You may not immediately find Clicks as easy to use as you remember your old BlackBerry being, in other words. You will have to relearn how to type like this, and it may take some time to adjust. According to Clicks’ website, it will take you 20 minutes to learn Clicks, two hours to be comfortable with it, two days to master it, and two weeks to build up the muscle memory needed to really be comfortable with Clicks. (I suspect some people may end up needing longer. I have not spent weeks with Clicks yet so cannot weigh in there.)
The Clicks keyboard makes a satisfying “clickety” sound when you press the keys, hence the device’s name. But there is a reason many of us ultimately turn off the iPhone’s keyboard sounds: The tick tick tick of the keyboard’s clicks can get annoying after a while, and it could bother other people, too. The Clicks keyboard has a more muted, natural clicking sound, but it’s always going to make an audible noise that attracts attention.
Image Credits: Clicks
Of course, those buying the Clicks keyboard may like the attention — especially if you’re whipping out the bright banana yellow case or the new “Miami Heat” hot-pink case with the blue keys. These cases could make for a great icebreaker. I guarantee you that if you pull out the Clicks at a bar, someone will talk to you. (That alone could make it worth the price, for some!)
That said, the company says the more corporate-looking “London Sky” gray color has been the more popular option at launch, and it sold out of its first “Founders Edition” devices in under two weeks. At the Consumer Electronics Show this year, the company said if one out of every 1,000 iPhone customers were interested in Clicks, it could build a successful business. Based on the demand Clicks has seen so far, the company says the interest is “far stronger than that.”
Clicks, started by MrMobile (Michael Fisher) and CrackBerry Kevin (Kevin Michaluk), won’t disclose the number of sales to date, but it has already added the hot pink and “Royal Ink” blue cases to its lineup. The company is now in the process of raising a seed round to further expand the Clicks product portfolio.
Image Credits: TechCrunch
For those who plan to switch back and forth between Clicks and a traditional case (or no case), be warned: Be delicate with the Clicks’ USB-C or lightning port. The case includes a sticker that advises you to be careful when inserting or removing your phone. This is easier advice to follow upon insertion. But if you’re used to yanking off your iPhone case at any angle without much thought, be very careful; your $159 will go up in smoke just like that. Clicks’ warning says do not bend the phone upward from the port until it’s fullydisconnected and they’re not kidding. Even at a slight angle, you could easily damage the port. (Clicks says it hasn’t seen an issue with breakage yet. I say give it more time.)
For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend that, say, a company’s IT department buy Clicks for their older end users still lamenting the loss of their BlackBerrys. More than likely, a small portion of them will break the device or bend the port the first time they take the case off. Make it a holiday gift, not a corporate handout, if you must.
As for the keyboard, the buttons are well-spaced and appropriately clicky, if slightly small. There are also few clever touches. There’s a built-in microphone, Shift, CMD and “123” key you can press once for numbers and symbols or twice to lock. The “%+-” button can also be pressed to show and hide the iOS keyboard, where you can also easily access emoji. (Alternatively, you can add the emoji keyboard as an option that appears when you press the globe key on Clicks.)
Once you’ve mastered typing on the keyboard, there are several keyboard shortcuts you can learn to make it even easier to use. CMD + H will take you back to your Home Screen, for example, while CMD + spacebar will launch Search. When in the Safari or Chrome web browser, you can also use the spacebar to scroll through web pages. Many other popular iOS keyboard shortcuts are also supported, Clicks notes.
Image Credits: TechCrunch
But the size of the Clicks case cannot be overlooked as a deciding factor on whether to purchase.
Its odd, extra-long shape makes it more difficult to carry around in a pocket, where it will inevitably stick out of the top, stretching the fabric. The Clicks case won’t fit into small handbags where your iPhone previously fit comfortably. The Clicks was also too big for the top pocket on my SwissGear backpack used for travel, which is where I’ll often stash my phone in a hurry, like when readying my bags for a TSA screening. Your phone will also be heavier with the case, either by 62 or 65 grams, depending on your phone model.
The case also doesn’t support MagSafe accessories, so there’s no hope of using some sort of PopSocket to steady it. (It would also be placed too high to really help.)
Despite the challenges that come with Clicks, it’s hard to knock its sense of whimsy and cheerfulness. You certainly don’t need Clicks, but at $139 to $159, you can convince yourself you need to try it. It’s like the Chumby or the Rabbit: quirky, fun and designed for a niche market of enthusiasts. It’s not a product you buy for its functionality; it’s the type of art you support because you’re into technology.
As Apple eulogized its commitment to purportedly non-invasive AI during its annual developer conference, the iPhone maker neglected to disclose a critical update that’s coming to the next evolution of its Mac operating system — macOS Sequoia.
The New M3-Powered iMacs Are Triggering Serious Deja Vu
As 9to5Mac first reported, Apple last updated the Chess app a dozen years ago, back when it still named its Mac operating system releases after big cats. With OS X Mountain Lion, Apple added Game Center support to Chess, along with a glossy background and some other small additions laid out in an ancient AppleInsider post. The app’s 2012 upgrade looked like this, per AppleInsider.
Screenshot: AppleInsider
The following year, Apple said it ran out of big cats and started naming Mac updates after “inspiring” places in California. In the years since, Apple kept its built-in Chess app around but neglected to update it until now.
Screenshot: 9to5Mac
The latest version of Chess for Mac features shinier and more realistic-looking pieces as well as a textured, gradient background. However, 9to5Mac reports that the revamped game includes fewer themes. The update specifically punts a rather gritty-looking grass theme option, though it’s technically possible that Apple has other changes coming to the app before macOS Sequoia exits beta and sees a wider release.
Apple’s new Apple Intelligence system is designed to infuse generative AI into the core of iOS. The system offers users a host of new services, including text and image generation as well as organizational and scheduling features. Yet while the system provides impressive new capabilities, it also brings complications. For one thing, the AI system relies on a huge amount of iPhone users’ data, presenting potential privacy risks. At the same time, the AI system’s substantial need for increased computational power means that Apple will have to rely increasingly on its cloud system to fulfill users’ requests.
Apple Unveils Its iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9
Apple has historically offered iPhone customers unparalleled privacy; it’s a big part of the company’s brand. Part of those privacy assurances has been the option to choose when mobile data is stored locally and when it’s stored in the cloud. While an increased reliance on the cloud might ring some privacy alarm bells, Apple has anticipated these concerns and created a startling new system that it calls its Private Cloud Compute, or PCC. This is really a cloud security system designed to keep users’ data away from prying eyes while it’s being used to help fulfill AI-related requests.
On paper, Apple’s new privacy system sounds really impressive. The company claims to have created “the most advanced security architecture ever deployed for cloud AI compute at scale.” But what looks like a massive achievement on paper could ultimately cause broader issues for user privacy down the road. And it’s unclear, at least at this juncture, whether Apple will be able to live up to its lofty promises.
How Apple’s Private Cloud Compute Is Supposed to Work
In many ways, cloud systems are just giant databases. If a bad actor gets into that system/database, they can look at the data contained within. However, Apple’s Private Cloud Compute (PCC) brings a number of unique safeguards that are designed to prevent that kind of access.
Apple says it has implemented its security system at both the software and hardware levels. The company created custom servers that will house the new cloud system, and those servers go through a rigorous process of screening during manufacturing to ensure they are secure. “We inventory and perform high-resolution imaging of the components of the PCC node,” the company claims. The servers are also being outfitted with physical security mechanisms such as a tamper-proof seal. iPhone users’ devices can only connect to servers that have been certified as part of the protected system, and those connections are end-to-end encrypted, meaning that the data being transmitted is pretty much untouchable while in transit.
Once the data reaches Apple’s servers, there are more protections to ensure that it stays private. Apple says its cloud is leveraging stateless computing to create a system where user data isn’t retained past the point at which it is used to fulfill an AI service request. So, according to Apple, your data won’t have a significant lifespan in its system. The data will travel from your phone to the cloud, interact with Apple’s high-octane AI algorithms—thus fulfilling whatever random question or request you’ve submitted (“draw me a picture of the Eiffel Tower on Mars”)—and then the data (again, according to Apple) will be deleted.
Apple has instituted an array of other security and privacy protections that can be read about in more detail on the company’s blog. These defenses, while diverse, all seem designed to do one thing: prevent any breach of the company’s new cloud system.
But Is This Really Legit?
Companies make big cybersecurity promises all the time and it’s usually impossible to verify whether they’re telling the truth or not. FTX, the failed crypto exchange, once claimed it kept users’ digital assets in air-gapped servers. Later investigation showed that was pure bullshit. But Apple is different, of course. To prove to outside observers that it’s really securing its cloud, the company says it will launch something called a “transparency log” that involves full production software images (basically copies of the code being used by the system). It plans to publish these logs regularly so that outside researchers can verify that the cloud is operating just as Apple says.
What People Are Saying About the PCC
Apple’s new privacy system has notably polarized the tech community. While the sizable effort and unparalleled transparency that characterize the project have impressed many, some are wary of the broader impacts it may have on mobile privacy in general. Most notably—aka loudly—Elon Musk immediately began proclaiming that Apple had betrayed its customers.
Simon Willison, a web developer and programmer, told Gizmodo that the “scale of ambition” of the new cloud system impressed him.
“They are addressing multiple extremely hard problems in the field of privacy engineering, all at once,” he said. “The most impressive part I think is the auditability—the bit where they will publish images for review in a transparency log which devices can use to ensure they are only talking to a server running software that has been made public. Apple employs some of the best privacy engineers in the business, but even by their standards this is a formidable piece of work.”
But not everybody is so enthused. Matthew Green, a cryptography professor at Johns Hopkins University, expressed skepticism about Apple’s new system and the promises that went along with it.
“I don’t love it,” said Green with a sigh. “My big concern is that it’s going to centralize a lot more user data in a data center, whereas right now most of that is on people’s actual phones.”
Historically, Apple has made local data storage a mainstay of its mobile design, because cloud systems are known for their privacy deficiencies.
“Cloud servers are not secure, so Apple has always had this approach,” Green said. “The problem is that, with all this AI stuff that’s going on, Apple’s internal chips are not powerful enough to do the stuff that they want it to do. So they need to send the data to servers and they’re trying to build these super protected servers that nobody can hack into.”
He understands why Apple is making this move, but doesn’t necessarily agree with it, since it means a higher reliance on the cloud.
Green says Apple also hasn’t made it clear whether it will explain to users what data remains local and what data will be shared with the cloud. This means that users may not know what data is being exported from their phones. At the same time, Apple hasn’t made it clear whether iPhone users will be able to opt out of the new PCC system. If users are forced to share a certain percentage of their data with Apple’s cloud, it may signal less autonomy for the average user, not more. Gizmodo reached out to Apple for clarification on both of these points and will update this story if the company responds.
To Green, Apple’s new PCC system signals a shift in the phone industry to a more cloud-reliant posture. This could lead to a less secure privacy environment overall, he says.
“I have very mixed feelings about it,” Green said. “I think enough companies are going to be deploying very sophisticated AI [to the point] where no company is going to want to be left behind. I think consumers will probably punish companies that don’t have great AI features.”
