Apple to present at Black Hat Security Conference for the first time

Black Hat Security Conference is underway at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas and Apple is planning to present for the first time in the event's fifteen-year history. Warming up to hackers, the iPhone maker dispatched Dallas De Atley, its Manager of the Platform Security team, to talk iOS security.

According to the conference agenda, De Atley will "discuss key security technologies in iOS" as "Apple designed the iOS platform with security at its core". Apple's decision to take part in the conference coincides with a few security breaches in its mobile and desktop operating systems that routinely make headlines in the press.

Some of the recent examples include the widely reported IAP exploit and Mac malware that prompted Apple to step up its game with the new Gatekeeper feature in OS X Mountain Lion, designed to only allow for approved, signed apps from the Mac App Store...

Apple’s generous offer to Samsung: half a cent per device

We told you yesterday that court-mediated talks between Apple CEO Tim Cook and his Samsung counterparts fell apart as the two frenemies are scheduled to duke it out in a high-profile U.S. lawsuit next Monday, July 30 that could easily have serious ramifications for both firms.

The two sides just couldn't agree on the value of each other's patents, it's been said. Patent expert Florian Müeller did some digging and discovered Apple's terms, including the money value the company put on Samsung's patents...

Viber for iOS updated with refreshed UI, all-new voice engine

Viber, an extremely popular VoIP app released last December by a small Israeli startup, got a huge update today, bringing a re-worked user interface with group messaging, profile photos and more, in addition to an all-new voice engine said to deliver improved voice quality.

Like Vonage and Skype, Viber lets you talk to people using your device's cellular or WiFi data connection, exchange instant messages and images, all the while bypassing the carriers' costly voice minutes and text/MMS messages.Unlike Skype, there’s no need to create an account with Viber...

AT&T activates 3.7M iPhones, more than 3 out of 4 smartphones sold in Q2

Carrier AT&T just posted its calendar 2012 second quarter earnings, hours ahead of Apple's conference call after the close of trading today at 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern. AT&T activated 3.7 million iPhones, 22 percent to new customers. The figure represents 77 percent of AT&T's total postpaid device sales and about 55 percent of its total phone sales to contract customers, but also a 14 percent quarter-over-quarter drop in iPhone sales...

Microsoft job listing suggests iOS Office apps in the works

Microsoft recently announced the latest version of its popular Office suite, Office 2013. And while there was no mention of whether or not the software would make it to iOS, the tech world seems pretty convinced it's coming.

A recently discovered job listing on Microsoft's website adds fuel to the fire, as it calls for a new software development engineer for the company's Office division to "be part of Microsoft's next move on the Mac and on iOS..."

Cellhelmet, an iPhone case that comes with a replacement guarantee

There are many, many cell phone case manufactures around the globe offering a plethora of iPhone protection, however, there may only be one company offering to replace your iPhone if damaged using their case. Enter CellPig's "Cellhelmet," a case manufactured in the USA.

A start-up in Pennsylvania tried many different types of iPhone cases that offer substantial protection but were troubled by the bulk of such a case. Putting their heads together, they decided on a trim, yet protective thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) unit that offered quality protection, but was guaranteed to do its job, or, the iPhone repair is on them!

New iPod touch said to feature a 4-inch display, A5 chip

Hot on the heels of last night's note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, comes a new report regarding the future of the iPod touch. If it holds true, the mp3 player could be getting quite the makeover this fall.

According to the new dispatch, the next-generation iPod touch will feature the same 4-inch display that the new iPhone is rumored to get, as well as an A5 processor and other internal upgrades...

Rumor: retooled iPad, iPad mini to closely follow new iPhone launch

Following up his bold predictions regarding the future of the iPod line, the often accurate Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has offered up his forecast for what will become of Apple's tablet line as well.

The analyst agrees that Apple is going to unveil an all-new, smaller slate this fall. But he also believes that the new tablet will launch alongside a tweaked version of the current third-generation iPad...

New report calls for revamped iPod touch and iPod nano this fall

It looks like the next-gen iPhone and smaller iPad aren't the only new products Apple is planning on unveiling this fall. This according to a new report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo has been known to be a credible source for information regarding future Apple products, and he believes that the Cupertino company has an all-new iPod touch and iPod nano in the works...

Apple airs new Siri TV ad with Martin Scorsese

Apparently the handful of class-action lawsuits haven't shaken Apple's marketing team. The company has just released a new television ad starring its often-criticized digital assistant.

The fourth in a string of celebrity spots, famed film director Martin Scorsese co-stars with Siri in this new iPhone 4S commercial set in what looks to be a New York City taxi cab...

Google has outspent Apple nearly 10 to 1 on lobbying this year

Wikipedia defines lobbying as the act of attempting to influence decisions made by government officials. A lot of companies do it to persuade members of regulatory agencies to act in their benefit.

You can actually tell a lot about a company by how much they spend on lobbying and what they lobby for. That's what makes the recently released congressional lobbying disclosure reports so interesting...

First Nexus 7 commercial is clever on many levels

Google's Nexus 7 tablet is admittedly off to a surprising start, with demand crushing expectations as the pricier $249 16GB model has been out of stock over at the Google Play Store for a couple days now. While the Internet giant is ramping up production, an inaugural advert for the device was posted today at the official Google Nexus channel on YouTube.

Though Google's advertising is becoming increasingly cheesy lately (and it's always been this way, cynics might add), this particular commercial is clever on many levels, I think. But you be the judge - it's included right after the break...