Apple

It’s easy to create a fingerprint from smartphone photos of someone’s finger

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 29, 2014

Admittedly, Touch ID has popularized and mainstreamed biometric security on mobile devices using an impression made on a surface by the inner part of the top joint of a finger.

Having debuted on the iPhone 5s, Apple's in-house sensor built into the Home button is based on a sophisticated technology by Israeli smart sensor maker AuthenTec, which the Cupertino firm snapped up in July of 2012 for a reported $356 million.

However, existing fingerprint-based security solutions could be easily bypassed by generating a fingerprint image from a series of photos of someone's finger, no physical print necessary whatsoever, according to claims by Chaos Computer Club, Europe’s largest association of hackers.

As relayed by VentureBeat, the hackers have now successfully demonstrated a proof-of-concept by copying the thumbprint of German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.

They used a close-up photograph of von der Leyen’s thumb, obtained during a news conference in October, along with photographs taken from different angles, said Jan Krissler aka “Starbug” at the 31st annual Chaos Computer Club convention in Hamburg, Germany.

Apple names hilarious platformer Icycle: On Thin Ice its new Free App of the Week

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 29, 2014

Apple's promotion that makes hand-picked apps and games available at no cost for a week typically falls on Thursday.

Given the holiday iTunes freeze, which ended on Sunday, Apple's editors couldn't make changes to the App Store so they haven't gotten around cherry-picking another Free App of the Week until yesterday evening.

A cool adventure platformer called Icycle: On Thin Ice by UK-based published Chillingo, now a division of Electronic Arts, is available at no cost until next Thursday, normally a $2.99 value. Regardless of the fact that it includes optional In-App Purchases, Icycle scored some rather favorable reviews and it fits the holiday theme perfectly so you should give it a whirl.

iOS again beats out Android in Christmas Day mobile shopping

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 29, 2014

Just like last year, Apple's iPhone and iPad again dominated online shopping traffic and online mobile sales during Christmas Day, according to an IBM survey first shared by VentureBeat.

Based on data from IBM's real-time Digital Analytics Benchmark, which tracked approximately 800 retail websites in the United States, iOS devices were responsible for an average of $97.28 per order spent online versus $67.40 for Android users, a difference of 44.3 percent.

In other words, a commanding 57.1 percent of online shopping via mobile during Christmas Day was carried out using an iPhone or iPad, an increase of 8.3 percent versus the previous year.

Apple Pay reportedly to hit UK in first half of 2015, negotiations proving tricky

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Apple's NFC-powered mobile payments service Apple Pay is due to hit the UK market in the first half of 2015, after gaining some ground in the US at the end of this year, reports The Telegraph.

The British publication didn't name which banks specifically are in talks with Apple, but reported "at least one of the biggest banks" has been tricky in negotiating with the company.

Apple not running free 12 Days of Christmas promotion this year

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

For the last six years Apple has been running its "12 Days of Christmas" promotion in the UK, and did so last year in both the UK and US "12 Days of Gifts". It joyed customers by giving away iOS apps, music, films and books over the twelve days following Christmas Day. However as noticed first by MacWorld, it appears Apple is discontinuing its holiday tradition in 2014/2015.

We're now three days out of Christmas, and any type of promotion can't be found. MacWorld reports from a reliable source that we're definitely not seeing the "12 Days of Christmas" app this year.

Apple’s Beats Music reportedly wants to fuel engagement with exclusive album releases

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Apple's Beats Music, with Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre at the helm, is looking to form partnerships with artists for exclusive releases, mirroring success iTunes has had in the past, reports New York Post.

Specific artists haven't been named, however Beats Music has strong partnerships with artists already, from its promotion and endorsements of Beats headphones. Nicki Minaj frequently stars with Beats products in her music videos. Will.i.am, Pharrell, Kanye West and Gwen Stefani are said to be friends of Iovine and Beats lovers.

Developer gives ultimate Christmas present by paying off parents’ mortgage [Video]

Jake Smith ∙ December 27, 2014

Developer of iPhone video editing app Videoshop, Joe Riquelme, has my nomination for son of the year award. Riquelme surprised his parents with what may be one of the ultimate Christmas gifts - stopping them from ever having to deal with Bank of America again.

2K holiday sale: Sid Meier’s Pirates, Ace Patrol: Pacific Skies, BioShock and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 2, 2018

2K is having a holiday sale of a number of its premium iPhone and iPad games, including the high-seas adventure game Sid Meier’s Pirates, the WW2 strategy flight sim Sid Meier’s Ace Patrol: Pacific Skies, the award-winning first-person shooter BioShock and more.

If you're in the market, now's a good time to pick up these finely done games at a reduced price before the iTunes Connect holiday freeze window closes on December 29.

Apple Japan sets “Lucky Bag” New Year promotion for January 2nd

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

The Japan arm of Apple announced on Friday that it's once again bringing back its "Lucky Bags" promotion on January 2nd, 2015. A "Lucky Bag" is a Japanese New Year tradition, and also known as a Fukubukuro.

NYT: Sony wanted Apple to stream “The Interview” – Apple reportedly said no

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Another twist to "The Interview" movie: The New York Times reports Sony asked the White House for help in lining up a single technology partner to stream its movie "The Interview", and it wanted help from none other than Apple's iTunes.

The Cupertino-based Apple reportedly was not interested, "at least not on a speedy time table," the New York Times says. An Apple spokesman declined to provide official comment on the matter.

Heads Up and Facebook Messenger among most downloaded iOS apps in 2014

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Apple has shared some cumulative end-of-the-year lists for best performing iOS apps of 2014. The lists, which have been posted in the App Store, include top paid apps for iPhone and iPad, top free apps for iPhone and iPad, and the top grossing apps for iPhone and iPad.

There aren't too many surprises here, with familiar names like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat ranking high. Still, it's interesting to see which titles had major success this year, and which ones didn't. Below you'll find the top 10 apps from each of the categories.

Parking garage and event theater beginning to take shape on Campus 2

Cody Lee ∙ December 23, 2014

Apple's Campus 2 continues to take shape, as evidenced in the latest drone footage. The folks over at AppleInsider used their DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus to capture new video showing the continued progress of the construction site, which now has large amounts of concrete poured and several cranes moving about.

The earth-built ramps previously used to gain access to the site are now gone, and work on an underground channel access has begun. The plan is to connect the main employee entrance off of Wolfe Road to the garage underneath the main Campus 2 building, as well as the two above-ground parking garages.