Apple is Getting Served

The iPhone 15 is already facing trouble, and it hasn't even been released yet.

Good morning! ā˜€ļø *Tim Cook voice*

Appleā€™s USB-C debacle takes a turn, major security threats to be aware of, Apple & Google partner up, and much more.

Estimated reading time: 4.2 minutes

šŸ“Š Poll

Last week, I asked how often you use Siri..

As bad as Siri is, I still use it daily for basic tasks

Here were some of my favorite replies:

ā€œSheā€™s so dumb itā€™s sad. I feel bad for Siri, thatā€™s why I talk to her.ā€ šŸ¤£

ā€œApple Music works very well with Siri and also to get the weather. And while Google Assistant is more capable, Siriā€™s voice synthesizers are very true to life, unlike Googleā€™s.ā€ I honestly havenā€™t used Google Assistant in years so I forgot what it sounds like. Give me ChatGPT over both of them, though.

ā€œI use it mostly to control my home devices, to set reminders & send messages. I donā€™t use it for any knowledge based requests because Siri is really bad for that kinda stuff.ā€ Yep. I find the main benefit of using Siri is related to system apps. Nothing more

This week: Do you prefer Lightning or USB-C for charging Apple products - and why? More on this subject later..

USB-C or Lightning?

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šŸ“² Quick Tip

Save $$ on Subscriptions

I strongly dislike App devs who are deceptive with their subscription pricing. Hereā€™s how to see the truth:

  • Go to Settings > Tap on Profile Pic to access iCloud settings

  • Go to Subscriptions

  • Tap on the app you have an active subscription for

  • Tap ā€œsee all plansā€

  • You will now see all plans, some of which were likely hidden when you were prompted to sign up

šŸ—£ļø Apple + Google = ??

Apple & Google have jointly submitted a new industry specification to help combat the misuse of AirTags and Bluetooth item trackers.

  • AirTag-like ā€œunwanted trackingā€ alerts will be coming to 3rd party item trackers in future versions of iOS and Android

  • Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee have expressed support for the feature

Speaking of Google, they also just announced support for Passkeys!

  • PassKeys were implemented in iOS 16 and provide a more secure way to access your accounts because you donā€™t actually use a password. You login with Face ID or Touch ID

  • Passkeys are resistant to attacks like phishing

  • Google just added this. Go to your Google account > Create a passkey

  • Passkeys on iOS and macOS sync with iCloud Keychain

Creating a Passkey for my Gmail account

Iā€™d recommend everyone with a Google account to set this up ASAP. It makes signing in much faster and increases security for your account. Letā€™s fully eliminate the password!

šŸšØ Security Threats

If I had to sum this week up in one word it would be: security. Hereā€™s why:

  • Apple released their first public Rapid Security Response Update for those running iOS 16.4.1

  • This patches security vulnerabilities without needing to install a full software update

But that wasnā€™t all - AirPods were affected also.

  • AirPods & Beats were vulnerable to a bug that would allow hackers to ā€œgain access to your headphonesā€

  • This was patched in the April AirPods firmware update, and for Beats, it was just patched this week

macOS got in on the action too.. in a much more nefarious way.

  • A new malware called Atomic is for sale on the black market

  • Itā€™s designed to steal iCloud keychain passwords, credit card info, crypto, and documents

  • Hereā€™s how it works: A .dmg file is used to get the malware on a victim's machine, and once the user installs it, a fake password prompt is displayed to obtain the system password

  • It then instantly starts accessing your sensitive information and sends it to a remote server

Fake password prompt

To protect yourself:

  • Only permit the installation of files from trusted sources that allow ā€˜App Storeā€™ or ā€˜App Store and identified developersā€™

  • Use biometric authentication whenever possible

  • Avoid opening questionable links in emails

  • Keep your Mac up-to-date with the latest updates & patches

Itā€™s just important to know that macOS is not invincible from malware or spyware. Stay safe out there.

šŸ„ø The USB-C Debacle Deepens

9to5Mac

The EU is already threatening Apple, and they havenā€™t even released the new iPhone 15 yet! Hereā€™s why:

  • Apple is expected to add USB-C accessories to its Made for iPhone program and will in turn restrict charging & data speeds for non-MFi cables.

  • A European Commissioner sent Apple a letter warning them that limiting the functionality of USB-C cables would not be permitted and would prevent iPhones from being sold in the EU

  • The commissioner called this restriction ā€œunacceptableā€

  • The law goes into effect in Dec. 2024, so technically Apple has 2 more iPhones that they can do whatever they want with (in theory)

So this is an ongoing battle and we will be hearing a lot more about this.

But I have to know.. do you think Apple should be allowed to do this? Vote below!

Should Apple Be Allowed to Restrict Charging Speeds?

(for non-MFi cables)

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šŸ’µ Apple Earnings

Apple earnings, graphed

Apple just this week announced their Q2 2023 earnings.

  • Revenue: $94.8B ($92.96B estimated)

  • iPhone sales: $51.33 billion ($48.84 billion estimated)

  • Mac: $7.17 billion ($7.80 billion estimated)

  • iPad: $6.67 billion ($6.69 billion estimated)

  • Wearables, Home, and Accessories: $8.76 billion ($8.43 billion estimated)

  • Services: $20.91 billion ($20.97 billion estimated)

As for mass layoffs, Tim Cook says no sir! Calling it a ā€œlast resortā€ and that itā€™s ā€œnot currently being talked about.ā€

Well done, Apple. Overall quarter revenue was only down 3% year over year, despite the difficult economy.

šŸš— Thereā€™s Still Hope for CarPlay

Last week, we discussed that GM was the latest auto maker to ditch CarPlay. And now, Ford has addressed their stance on CarPlay.

70% of our Ford customers in the U.S. are Apple customers. Why would I go to an Apple customer and say good luck?

Jim Farley, CEO of Ford

CarPlay users rejoice! Especially those who planned to purchase a Ford vehicle in the future.

šŸŽØ Set Wallpaper

Click the image to download the full res file.

šŸŽ¶ Now Playing

Podcasts:

Music:

  • ODESZA - All We Need (ODESZA VIP Remix) (electronic)

  • Labrinth - The Feels (pop)

  • Mike Dean x The Weeknd - Artificial Intelligence (no genre)

  • ILLENIUM - Nothing Ever After (with Motionless In White) (rock)

šŸ«¶ Reader Love

This made my day. Much appreciated Maxwell!

I lowkey hate reading also šŸ¤£

šŸ™Œ Want To Support?

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Until next week, āœŒļø

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