Facebook has infamously ripped off Snapchat’s Stories feature wholesale with auto-vanishing slideshows on Instagram and WhatsApp, in addition to the similar recently introduced feature on Messenger, called Messenger Day. The social networking behemoth was recently caught testing Snapchat-like Stories feature in its mobile app. According to TechCrunch, the company has now begun a staggered rollout of Facebook Stories to all users worldwide.
News
iPhone 8 may have (slightly) curved screen after all
Contradicting a recent report, Japanese outlet Nikkei Asian Review wrote Wednesday that Apple's rumored 5.8-inch iPhone will have a display based on active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) technology that's slightly curved on the sides, but not as curved as Samsung's Galaxy series.
A source familiar with the handset's design said the curve of the iPhone 8 screen will be “gentler” than the screen curvature of Samsung's Edge handsets because of the challenges of making curved glass covers to match screens.
Apple Park opens next month, watch the latest drone flyover video
Apple's upcoming 175-acre campus, called Apple Park, is opening next month when Tim Cook and other employees will begin moving in. Drone pilots Matthew Roberts and Duncan Sinfield posted their flyover footage of Apple Park earlier in the month.
Today, Sinfield posted a mid-March video update to his YouTube channel, running three minutes and fifty seconds long and highlighting construction progress at the site.
Apple and others join Google in resisting FBI warrant seeking emails stored outside US
Business Insider reports that Apple has joined Amazon, Microsoft and Cisco in filing a joint amicus brief in support of Google's opposition to a warrant by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seeking to extract emails stored on non-US servers.
In response to the FBI warrant, a court in Pennsylvania recently ruled that Google must hand over emails stored on non-US servers. The joint filing claims the warrant could set a troubling precedent and force Google to violate foreign data privacy laws.
Apple seeds beta 6 of watchos 3.2 and tvOS 10.2
Apple today seeded sixth betas of what would become the tvOS software update for the fourth-generation Apple TV and the watchOS 3.2 software update for Apple Watch with new features like Theater Mode, support for Siri in watchOS apps and other perks.
tvOS 10.2 beta 6 (build 14W5264a) can be deployed via the Software Update mechanism on any Apple TV with an appropriate configuration profile. watchOS 3.2 beta 6 (build 14V5245a) is available as an over-the-air download via your paired iPhone.
Apple hires iOS security researcher and former jailbreak developer Jonathan Zdziarski
Forensic data analysis expert, iOS security researcher and former jailbreak developer Jonathan Zdziarski has officially joined Apple. Zdziarski announced today he accepted a position with Apple's Security Engineering and Architecture team, but it's unclear when he might be starting work at Apple. Zdziarski, who at times could be critical of Apple's security efforts, says he's joined the iPhone maker because he's so passionate about protecting the security and privacy of others.
More evidence points to late 2017 launch for iPhone 8
Evidence continues to mount suggesting that Apple's AMOLED-based iPhone 8 flagship aka “iPhone Edition” may in fact launch later in the fourth quarter of 2017, unlike the refreshed LCD-based iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus that should hit store shelves shortly following an announcement in September.
Citing industry sources, DigiTimes reported Tuesday that touch panel maker TPK Holding won't begin churning out next-generation 3D Touch sensors for use in iPhone 8 before the fourth quarter of 2017.
Apple moves 10.5″ iPad Pro production to March ahead of rumored April event
Apple has reportedly moved ahead volume production for its bezel-less 10.5-inch iPad Pro to March and is expected to unveil the new tablet at an event in April to be held at the Steve Jobs Theater, DigiTimes reported Tuesday citing Taiwan-based supply chain makers. MacRumors said Apple could launch new gadgets next week.
Nintendo Switch vulnerable to iOS 9.3 WebKit exploit
A little over a week after the release of Nintendo's new console, the Switch, reputed iOS hacker Luca Todesco has posted an image of an adapted version of his WebKit exploit running on the device.
As explained in a detailed proof-of-concept created by LiveOverflow, It seems that the Switch shipped with a somewhat antiquated browser, one whose version of WebKit was still vulnerable to the same exploit utilised by Todesco's browser-based jailbreak for iOS 9.3.x.
Apple spotted testing new iPads
Potentially confirming KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s prediction of a planned iPad refresh due this spring, mobile marketing firm Fiksu (via TechCrunch) has spotted several new iPad models that are currently being tested in Cupertino and nearby locations.
According to unnamed but allegedly “reputable supply chain analysts” who spoke with MacRumors, Apple could announce new products between Monday, March 20 and Friday, March 24.
Analysts are expecting Apple product announcements as early as next week
According to reputable supply chain analysts who spoke with MacRumors on condition of anonymity, Apple could announce some new products later this month, most likely between Monday, March 20 and Friday, March 24.
We already know that Apple will be previewing major updates to iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS at its annual developers conference, which this year kicks off with a keynote on June 5. We also know that the Cupertino company usually saves the best and most important product upgrades for September (iPhones, iPads, Macs and major iOS and macOS software upgrades). So, what could Apple be unveiling at a March press event?