watchOS 8

Apple delays rollout of its child safety features, including the CSAM detection system

Evan Selleck ∙ September 3, 2021

Back in August, with about as little fanfare as possible, Apple announced a trio of new features coming to iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS 12 Monterey, and watchOS 8. There are three in total, each of which fall under the company's new, concerted efforts to help protect against child abuse and sexual exploitation. And while the features were seen as a positive move in general, when it came to the specifics of one of the new features, there was a lot of pushback. And apparently it worked.

Apple seeds eighth betas of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, and watchOS 8 to developers [Update: public betas now available]

Evan Selleck ∙ Updated June 14, 2024

It's only been a few days since Apple last seeded a beta of its next major platform updates to developers. But here we are, marching towards the inevitable public launch, and Apple's working on refinements. Which is why, today, we're seeing yet another beta seeded to developers ahead of the wide release for the next major updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

Apple seeds seventh betas of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, and watchOS 8 to developers

Evan Selleck ∙ Updated June 7, 2023

With September marching ever closer, Apple's goal to release the next major software updates for its platforms also inches closer. Which means the company is seeding developer updates as readily as it can, preparing developers (and public beta testers) for the upcoming arrivals. And today is no different.

Check out Apple’s newest AirPods features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 23, 2023

Apple has plenty of new AirPods features ready for your enjoyment, all you need to do is install iOS 15 and other software updates on your Apple devices. Here are all of them in one place.

Apple offers another look at the security and privacy baked into CSAM photo scanning

Evan Selleck ∙ August 13, 2021

Earlier this month, Apple revealed new features baked into most of its major operating systems. Each of them, of which there are three, are designed to help protect children against sexual abuse and exploitation. And while these are hailed as good things, on a grand scale, it's the finer details in regards to one of the features in particular that has many people concerned.

Apple’s head of privacy addresses concerns regarding the new Expanded Protections for Children

Evan Selleck ∙ August 10, 2021

It should come as no surprise that Apple has had to go out of its way a bit to offer more context related to some of the newest features coming soon to its major platforms. With it being centered around child protections, but using some invasive efforts to get there, people are concerned the company might be overstepping. In an effort to assuage fears and concerns, Apple's tried to shine as much light on the new features as possible.

Apple isn’t ruling out expanding new child safety features to third-party apps

Evan Selleck ∙ August 9, 2021

Apple can make waves with all sorts of types of announcements. Take for example its recent unveiling of new Expanded Protections for Children. This is a suite of features, three in total, that are aimed at helping protect children from abuse and exploitation. It's also meant to give even more information and resources to those who might be at risk.

Apple issues new FAQ regarding photo scanning in its Expanded Protections for Children

Evan Selleck ∙ August 9, 2021

Early today, Apple released a dedicated frequently asked questions (FAQ) document regarding Expanded Protections for Children. This is the company's new initiative to help protect children against exploitation and abuse. While the intentions are good, it has ruffled a lot of feathers. Especially regarding one feature in the new protections.

How do you feel about Apple’s new Expanded Protections for Children?

Evan Selleck ∙ August 7, 2021

Every once in a while, Apple manages to do something that is Very Controversial. It doesn't happen all the time, and usually it's hardware related. Like the butterfly keyboard. Or the Touch Bar. Or how you charge a Magic Mouse 2. Things like that.

Internal memo from software VP at Apple talks iCloud Photo scanning, maintains ‘deep commitment to user privacy’

Evan Selleck ∙ August 6, 2021

Yesterday, Apple unveiled new child safety features that are going to be baked into iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS 12 Monterey, and watchOS 8. The goal is to help protect minors from being abused, seeing explicit material, and more. However, to reach that goal, the company has to implement some intrusive features.

Apple reveals new child safety features, including scanning user photo libraries for known abusive material

Evan Selleck ∙ August 5, 2021

User privacy and security is a major focal point for Apple. Safety, too. Making sure that a user is able to keep their data safe, for instance, is one of the selling points of iOS in general. So it makes sense that Apple would want to broaden that scope, especially as it relates to protecting children.

iOS 15 and watchOS 8 make it possible to download system updates even with minimal available storage

Evan Selleck ∙ Updated September 21, 2021

Now that the third betas of Apple's next big updates are out there in the wild, the details are still trickling in. There's quite a bit of new in the latest prerelease software beta. And now we know one more bit, which should be helpful to those who might be worried about available storage on their device(s) when the new update arrives.