Apple

Everything new in iOS 10 beta 5

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 14, 2017

Somewhat unexpectedly, Apple this morning issued new developer-only betas of iOS 10, macOS Sierra, tvOS 10 and watchOS 3—a mere week after posting their respective fourth beta. While Apple's release notes for iOS 10 beta 5 (build number “14A5335b”) mention no new features as we inch closer to a Gold Master, there are a few tidbits and tweaks to wet your appetite.

Aside from other changes, for instance, iOS 10 beta packs in a new lock sound and lets you download apps from the App Store after a reboot without needing to re-authorize Touch ID purchase with your Apple ID password.

Unencrypted iOS 10 kernel poses no risk to platform security or user data

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 9, 2016

Apple's unexpected decision to leave certain parts of the iOS 10 kernel unencrypted didn't sit well with some privacy advocates over fears that the move could aid nefarious users to look for security weaknesses in the iOS software. But as it turns out, we now know that an unencrypted kernel allows iOS 10 to run faster: Ivan Krstić, Apple's head of Security Engineering and Architecture, explained at the Black Hat security conference that the unencrypted iOS 10 kernel has absolutely no impact on platform security nor does it decrease security of encrypted user data.

Apple issues fifth betas of tvOS 10 and watchOS 3

Cody Lee ∙ August 9, 2016

Following iOS 10 and macOS Sierra releases, Apple on Tuesday issued beta 5 of both tvOS 10 and watchOS 3. Registered developers with updated profiles can install the over-the-air updates via the Watch app in iOS 10, or the Update mechanism in tvOS 10.

The updates come just a week after Apple sent out fourth betas to developers, suggesting we are now in the finishing touches stage ahead of their expected fall releases. Both tvOS 10 and watchOS 3 have been in beta since they were introduced in June.

macOS Sierra beta 5 now available to developers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

Continuing with its releases, Apple issued beta 5 of macOS Sierra to developers on Tuesday. The update is available for registered Mac developers in either the Updates tab of the Mac App Store, or in Apple’s Dev center.

Today’s fifth beta comes just one week after Apple issued beta 4, and nearly two months after the original developer beta was made available. The software, of course, was first introduced during Apple’s WWDC keynote.

Apple seeds iOS 10 beta 5 to developers

Cody Lee ∙ August 9, 2016

Apple on Tuesday seeded the fifth beta of iOS 10 to developers. Registered developers running the latest betas can access the update via the OTA mechanism in iOS, or as a standalone download via Apple's developer center.

Beta 5 comes just one week after the fourth beta, suggesting Apple has entered the fine-tuning stage as it prepares for a public release next month. Beta 4 added new emoji, new keyboard sounds and several other minor tweaks.

Small Korean firm rumored to co-develop advanced hollow batteries for Project Titan

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 9, 2016

Apple's rumored electric (autonomous?) vehicle, internally referred to as Project Titan, should use custom-designed batteries developed by engineers that Apple poached from A123 Systems, the makers of advanced batteries. According to a new report Tuesday, Apple has now tapped scientists and engineers from a small, unnamed South Korean firm to help co-develop hollow battery packs for Project Titan.

Report alleges fierce competition forced Apple to ditch single-lens iPhone 7 model

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 9, 2016

Based on leaked components, supply chain chatter and analyst reports, it's fairly safe to conclude that Apple will release two iPhone models come this fall—a 4.7-inch iPhone 7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus. For a while, word on the street was that a third, premium iPhone 7 model was in the works as well, referred to in press reports as 'iPhone 7 Pro'.

The logic was, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus would have regular cameras while the Pro model would come outfitted with a dual-lens system.

As alleged by a Japanese outlet, Apple has killed off the iPhone 7 Pro for good earlier in the summer after experiencing soft iPhone demand amid increased competition.

Foxconn reportedly developing OLED displays and glass casings for 10th Anniversary iPhone in 2017

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 9, 2016

The rumor-mill has been adamant that a 2017 iPhone model—dubbed by the press a Tenth Anniversary iPhone because the original iPhone was announced and released in 2007—will adopt power-saving organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology and feature an all-new industrial design.

Japanese outlet Nikkei is now reporting that iPhone contract manufacturer Foxconn is developing both OLED displays (Foxconn bought Sharp earlier this year) and glass casings to secure orders for the Tenth Anniversary iPhone in 2017.

Cisco’s software that optimizes iOS devices and apps for enterprise due next month

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 9, 2016

The New York Times article headlined “Once Taunted by Steve Jobs, Companies Are Now Big Customers of Apple” contains an interesting side-note which claims that network giant Cisco is currently testing an upcoming software “that gives priority to mobile devices or apps” ahead of its unveiling next month.

The forthcoming software solution is clearly born out of a partnership that Apple and Cisco struck last year to optimize iOS devices and apps for enterprise users.

Nearly half of all iPads are now being bought by corporations and governments

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 9, 2016

iPad sales fell another nine percent in the June quarter down to 9.95 million units, but that drop would have been deeper had it not been for big corporations and governments, which are now buying nearly half of all iPads, according to a Forrester research quoted in a New York Times article titled “Once Taunted by Steve Jobs, Companies Are Now Big Customers of Apple”.

“In the primordial days of computing, IBM machines were so common inside corporations that there was a running joke in the industry: Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM,” reads the report. “These days, the same could be said about Apple. Even IBM is promoting Apple gear.”

Rumor: new health-tracking Apple hardware in the works for 2017 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 11, 2017

Taiwan's Economic Daily News is reporting that Apple is developing a brand new health-tracking hardware product that will be released in 2017. Although the report sheds little light on the matter, a machine-translated version of the story suggests that the device, described as a “killer new” gadget, will be a first-generation product so we can rule out a second-generation Apple Watch.

It's also unclear if the rumored product will be worn on one's body and whether it will operate standalone or require an iPhone, like the Apple Watch.

Hyundai issues a software update bringing CarPlay to Azera and Veloster models

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 10, 2017

South Korean automobile maker Hyundai today announced a firmware update bringing Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto infotainment systems to additional vehicles, namely the latest Azera and Veloster models. The new firmware follows a firmware update in December 2015 that brought support for CarPlay to the 2016 Sonata and a few other 2015 and 2016 models.

Last week, the company said that CarPlay integration will be offered as a standard feature on the 2017 Sonata and limited-edition Tucson models.