Good morning! ☀️ *Tim Cook voice*

Apple’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

📊 Poll

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

Here were some of my favorite replies:

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

📲 Quick Tip

Save $$ on Subscriptions

I strongly dislike App devs who are deceptive with their subscription pricing. Here’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 “see all plans”

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

🗣️ Apple + Google = ??

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

• AirTag-like “unwanted tracking” 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 don’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

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

🚨 Security Threats

If I had to sum this week up in one word it would be: security. Here’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 wasn’t all - AirPods were affected also.

• AirPods & Beats were vulnerable to a bug that would allow hackers to “gain access to your headphones”

• 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

• It’s designed to steal iCloud keychain passwords, credit card info, crypto, and documents

• Here’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

To protect yourself:

• Only permit the installation of files from trusted sources that allow ‘App Store’ or ‘App Store and identified developers’

• Use biometric authentication whenever possible

• Avoid opening questionable links in emails

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

It’s just important to know that macOS is not invincible from malware or spyware. Stay safe out there.

🥸 The USB-C Debacle Deepens

The EU is already threatening Apple, and they haven’t even released the new iPhone 15 yet! Here’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 “unacceptable”

• 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!

💵 Apple Earnings

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 “last resort” and that it’s “not currently being talked about.”

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

🚗 There’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.

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

📰 Quick News Bites

• 15-Inch MacBook Air Stockpiled by Suppliers Ahead of Rumored WWDC Launch

• Apple invents Eye-Gaze based Biofeedback to determine & correct a user's attentive state

• Apple Launches 20 New Games on Apple Arcade

• Apple Increases Trade-In Values for Select iPhones, iPads

• Harris Teeter Begins Accepting Apple Pay

• Apple Adding Thunderbolt Display and Original iPad Air to Obsolete Products List

🎨 Set Wallpaper

Click the image to download the full res file.

🎶 Now Playing

Podcasts:

• The Moth - Walking The Walk

• Hidden Brain - Success 2.0: Taking the Leap

• The Human Drive To Connect - And Divide

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)

🫶 Reader Love

🙌 Want To Support?

Just reading these newsletters and giving feedback is already enough support for me. But if you want to support my work directly, you can now buy me a coffee.

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Until next week, ✌️

- Brandon