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Apple May Acquire Music Recognition Service Shazam

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Apple may be planning to acquire music recognition service Shazam, reports TechCrunch, which would be one of the most high-profile acquisitions Apple has made since it purchased Beats in 2014.

Shazam is a well-known music service that uses machine learning techniques to identify short audio clips from songs, television shows, and more. Shazam operates a standalone app for iOS, macOS, and watchOS, but also has a close relationship with Apple.

shazam
Since iOS 8, Shazam has been integrated into Siri, and it's what powers the feature that lets Siri identify songs that are playing aloud. If, for example, there's a specific song on television and you ask Siri "What song is this?" Siri uses Shazam to identify it.

Shazam is integrated with Apple Music, and Apple Music subscribers who Shazam a song can then tap to play it directly in Apple Music and can add it to a Shazam playlist. Shazam also has an augmented reality feature that allows you to find content based on pictures captured with the Shazam app.

One of TechCrunch's sources said the deal could be worth nine figures, while another says Apple may shell out somewhere around $401 million. Both numbers are lower than the $1.02 billion valuation Shazam received during its last funding round in 2015.

Apple and Shazam could sign a deal as soon as this week, with an announcement planned for Monday.

Tags: Shazam, TechCrunch
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Apple Design Chief Jony Ive Retaking Direct Control of Design Team [Updated]

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jony iveApple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive is once again taking over management of the design team at Apple according to changes made to Apple's official "Apple Leadership" website.

The site was updated this morning to remove the profiles of Richard Howarth and Alan Dye, who were managing the day-to-day operations at Apple while Ive oversaw all of Apple's design projects, and Bloomberg has confirmed that Ive is once again in direct control of the team as shared by Mark Gurman.

Ive first stepped back from day-to-day management of Apple's design teams in 2015, when he took on the role of "Chief Design Officer." Alan Dye and Richard Howarth were elevated to vice president positions at that time, with Howarth responsible for industrial design and Dye responsible for user interface design.

For the last several years, Ive has been overseeing the design work at Apple Park and at Apple retail stores around the world, which have undergone a transformation under the leadership of Angela Ahrendts. With Apple Park now complete and the retail store design largely established, Ive now has the time to return to his original managerial duties.

Update: An Apple spokesperson has confirmed to Bloomberg that Jony Ive has returned to his management role following the completion of Apple Park: "With the completion of Apple Park, Apple’s design leaders and teams are again reporting directly to Jony Ive, who remains focused purely on design."

Tags: Alan Dye, Jonathan Ive, Richard Howarth
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Apple's Phil Schiller: Facial Recognition Techniques in Competing Smartphones 'All Stink'

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Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller recently sat down with Dutch website Bright.nl, where he covered topics like Face ID and augmented reality, which he's discussed several times in interviews over the past few months.

According to Schiller, one of Apple's goals with Face ID is to make security easy enough "that we all want to do it." Apple believes its implementation of Face ID is superior to the facial recognition techniques available in Android phones, which Schiller says "all stink."

iphone x truedepth system 2

"They don't work in all the ways we need Face ID to work. We're very aware that through the years the simple thing, this Home button, that started as the way you click to get to the Home screen, grew into doing so many things for us. We added Touch ID, it took you to the multitasking screen, paged Siri, activated Apple Pay. All through this one mechanical button.

So for Face ID we needed the best way we know of to enable us to easily unlock our device with our face, in a protected way with the Secure Enclave, and support all these other things. We had to solve all of that. Other things that people have tried with face haven't been anything like that. Face ID is a very unique implementation."

Schiller reiterated Apple's Face ID privacy policies, pointing out that developers have no third-party access to Face ID data. As with Touch ID, the facial scan and data points used to unlock your iPhone are stored in the Secure Enclave on the iPhone X. Developers do have access to facial map data through the TrueDepth camera for AR effects, but Schiller says "that's different than Face ID."

According to Schiller, Apple spent a lot of time studying augmented and virtual reality and the ultimate benefit to users. Schiller, like Apple CEO Tim Cook, says VR is a "great solution for specific use cases" while AR has "incredible broad mainstream applications."

Schiller also had a little bit to say about the HomePod delay. HomePod was originally set to launch in December, but in November, Apple said it would be delayed until 2018. "We feel bad we aren't able to deliver HomePod for the holidays," said Schiller. "We're going to take the time to do it right and make sure it's great when it comes out."

Bright.nl asked Schiller if Apple's "Think Different" motto still applies to Apple today, and Schiller took the opportunity to highlight the AirPods, which are a product that have been lauded as one of Apple's best.

They're really two separate computers that you put in your ear. That's quintessential Apple. We tapped into an eternal truth for Apple. It's about as core to the DNA of Apple as you can get. Think Different should stay very close to true for a long time."

Phil Schiller's interview, which goes into more detail on Face ID and HomePod and delves deeper into Apple's core philosophies, can be read in its entirety over at Bright.nl.

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MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Slate Color or Pilot LapDesk for Your MacBook From iSkelter

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For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with iSkelter to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win either a Pilot LapDesk or a Slate Color LapDesk, both of which are designed to be mobile workspaces that can hold an iPad, MacBook, iPhone, and more.

Priced at $100, the Pilot LapDesk is made from either a light bamboo or a darker walnut bamboo, and it's roomy enough to hold up to a 15-inch MacBook Pro while also providing additional workspace.

pilotlapdesk
On one side of the Pilot LapDesk, there's a whiteboard and a cutout that can hold an iPhone or an iPad as big as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, while the middle area features a cutout for ventilation along with a grip to keep your MacBook secured on the surface. The other side of the Pilot has a built-in mousepad and a second slot to hold another iOS device.

The Pilot LapDesk, which can be configured with the whiteboard and mousepad on whichever side you prefer, is able to rest hands-free on the arm of a chair, on a lap, or on a bed.

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iSkelter's Slate Color LapDesk, also priced at $100, is more compact than the Pilot LapDesk, but it's still able to hold a MacBook Pro up to 15 inches in size and a 12.9-inch iPad Pro or smaller.

slatecolor
Most of the Slate Color, which is made from a light wood with a colored accent area, features a series of ventilation holes to dissipate heat from your laptop. At the right side, there's a flat workspace for writing or using a mouse, which can be customized in walnut, blue, green, orange, or pink. The cutout across the top holds your iOS devices.

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The Slate Color and Pilot LapDesks can be purchased from the iSkelter website, but we also have four to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The contest will run from today (December 8) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 15. The winners will be chosen randomly on December 15 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Tags: Giveaway, iSkelter
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Incipio and Incase Offering 15% Off Sitewide Sales on iPhone X Cases, Qi Mats, MacBook Sleeves, and More

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Accessory makers Incipio and Incase are offering 15 percent off sales across each of their respective online storefronts, so if you're still on the hunt for holiday tech gifts this could be the right time to make a purchase. Incipio and Incase offer a variety of items, including iPhone X and iPhone 8 cases, wireless chargers, battery packs, MacBook bags and sleeves, Apple Watch bands, and more.

On both sites, enter the promo code AFF151 during checkout to apply the discount to your order. Incipio is offering free USPS shipping on all orders placed within the United States, and Incase has a similar holiday offer with free shipping and returns on all U.S. orders.

We've listed a few ideas below, all of which represent the best prices for each accessory when compared to retailers like Amazon. For many other accessories, Incipio's and Incase's Amazon stores typically have solid deals that could beat out the 15 percent off discount price, depending on the product.

Incipio

incipio 1217 saleNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

iPhone X Cases

Accessories

Incase

incase 1217 sale
iPhone X Cases

Accessories

If you're planning on spending a lot on Apple accessories for the holidays, Pad & Quill has a deal going on through December 17 where you can get gift codes to use on the site after you first make a purchase of over $125. Specifically, purchases over $125 get a $25 special gift code; purchases over $250 get a $50 code; and purchases over $400 get a $100 code. Pad & Quill will automatically email a code to you if your order qualifies for the promotion, and all codes must be redeemed before January 31, 2018.

For those keeping track of ongoing iTunes gift card discounts, the latest is a $50 card for $42.50 over at Amazon. One card is available per customer, and they will be delivered via email -- simply enter the promo code ITUNES during the checkout process. Amazon had a similar deal yesterday, but that one was for the physical version of Apple's App Store & iTunes gift card.

For more on the latest sales, be sure to visit our Deals Roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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Beats 1 Charity Auction Offers Behind the Scenes Studio Tour With Zane Lowe

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Apple's Beats 1 Radio division is teaming up with auction site Charitybuzz to raise money for MusiCares through an auction that offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the Beats 1 studio in Los Angeles with Beats 1 DJ Zane Lowe.

Described as a one-day internship, the auction provides one winner with a full day at Beats 1, as well as access to a few members of the Beats 1 team. In addition to spending time in studio with Zane Lowe, the auction winner will also get to attend a mentoring lunch with Beats 1 Global Operations Manager and LA Chapter Grammy Governer Julie Pilat.

beats1charityauction
Several other benefits are included as well, like a free pair of Studio3 headphones and the chance to play a song on the Beats 1 radio. A full list of benefits:

- One (1) day at Apple Music's live station, Beats 1, which broadcasts to over 100 countries

- Time in studio with Zane Lowe during his flagship show, which broadcasts Mondays to Thursdays from 9-11am LA time.

- Music Business Mentoring lunch with Beats 1's Global Operations Manager & LA Chapter GRAMMY(R) Governor Julie Pilat.

- Attend a Music Meeting and discuss the Beats 1 List with the head of Beats 1's Music Team. You'll get to discover the most exciting new music in the world.

- Choose a song and play it, live on the radio, during Beats 1 Request.

- Hear your voice on Beats 1! Record a voiceover demo with their Production team.

- Go home and listen to Beats 1 with a pair of Beats Studio3 Headphones (colors may vary).

The person who wins the auction must visit Beats 1 in LA before December 20, 2018. The auction is valid for one person and the winning bidder must personally utilize the award. Transportation and accommodations are not included in the purchase price.


Proceeds from the auction, which has an estimated value of $5,000, will go to MusiCares, a foundation run by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. MusiCares provides resources for musicians in times of need, helping them out in financial, medical, and personal emergencies.

Apple has worked with Charitybuzz many times in the past, auctioning off lunches with iTunes chief Eddy Cue and Apple CEO Tim Cook to raise money for charities that include the RFK Center, Autism Movement Therapy, and the National Association of Basketball Coaches Foundation.

Tags: Apple Music Guide, Beats 1, Charitybuzz, Zane Lowe
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Skype, Tidal, VLC, Feedly and Other Apps Optimized for iPhone X

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A handful of popular apps have been optimized for the iPhone X over the past few days. We've rounded up some of the notable ones below.

iphone x skype tidal line viber vlc feedly
Each of these apps now support the iPhone X's new screen size, rather than having a letterboxed design with black bars at the top and bottom.

  • Skype

  • VLC

  • Tidal

  • Feedly

  • LINE

  • Viber

  • PlayStation Vue

  • Bank of America

If you have an iPhone X and use any of these apps, check the App Store's Updates tab to ensure you have the latest version installed.

Tags: Bank of America, Feedly, Skype, Tidal, Viber, VLC
Related Forum: iPhone
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Apple's 'TV' App Starts Showing Up for Users in the UK, France, and Germany

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Apple's official TV app today started showing up for some fourth- and fifth-generation Apple TV owners in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, almost a year after Apple originally announced the service in the U.S.

apple tv app
The TV app is billed as an easy way to watch your favorite movies and TV shows in a single place. It offers a unified experience for accessing TV shows and movies across multiple video apps, and aims to help users discover new TV and movie content by offering recommendations based on what they've previously watched. The service syncs content in the cloud so users can pick up where they left off on other devices via the accompanying iOS TV app, which has also been appearing on devices across the pond.

More than 60 services are supported by the U.S. version of the TV app, but with the expansion to new countries, Apple is adding support for additional local content, such as ITV, Channel 5, and BBC iPlayer in the U.K.


Apple's TV app has been available in the United States since December of 2016. In September, Apple released the Apple TV app in Canada and Australia, and announced that it would be bringing the app to France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the U.K. by the end of the year.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater
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BBC iPlayer Update Hints at Imminent Release of Apple's TV App in the UK

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IMG E8AB6D91667E 1BBC's iPlayer app received an update this morning that is fueling speculation online that Apple's TV app will hit U.K. shores imminently.

iPlayer's changelog for version 4.35.0 of the app simply lists "support for the new Apple TV app, available to users with devices running iOS 11.2 and above".

Apple's TV app – billed as an easy way to watch your favorite movies and TV shows in a single place – has been available in the United States since December of 2016, but remains absent from Apple TVs and iOS devices in the United Kingdom and across the rest of Europe.

In September, Apple released the Apple TV app in Canada and Australia, and announced that it would be bringing the app to France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the U.K. by the end of the year.

Screen Shot 4
The BBC's mention is just the latest indication that the TV app should make an appearance very soon, in the U.K. at least.

Channel 5 was another British broadcaster Apple said it would be adding to its TV app, and last week the My5 app began appearing on Apple TVs. On Tuesday, ITV announced its ITV Hub was available on Apple TV, while Wednesday saw the global rollout of Amazon Prime Video on Apple TV, which also supports the native TV app.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater
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Component Demand for iPhone X Said to Be Weakening as Production Yield Rates Improve

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iphone x duoThe surge in component orders for the iPhone X over the last couple of months appears to be coming to an end, based on information coming out of the upstream supply chain. Component shipments for the iPhone X weakened in November, according to sources on Friday, following strong demand in September and October.

With demand for key component not growing as strong as expected, the sources are concerned that Apple may reduce its iPhone X shipment target for the first quarter of 2018. The sources pointed out that Apple's component orders for the iPhone X in November were around 30% lower than its earlier forecast.

The weakened component demand reflects improved yield rates for iPhone X production, which saw Apple's global shipping estimates continue to improve in November, dropping from between 3 and 4 weeks, to 1 and 2 weeks. In the United States and in Europe, iPhone X models ordered today arrive in around a week.

Apple suppliers such as Largan Precision and Catcher Technology have seen revenues slow or begin to decline month on month, respectively. Touch panel supplier General Interface Solution (GIS), which originally expected its sales momentum to continue into 2018, also suffered a sequential decline in November revenues.

Sources expect iPhone X shipments in January and February to be similar as that seen in November 2017, before declining sharply in March. Overall, shipments are expected to be down by around 30 percent sequentially in the first quarter of 2018 because of seasonality and fewer working days caused by the Lunar New Year holidays.

At the same time, DigiTimes' sources believe Apple's iPhone shipments in the first quarter of 2018 may still be better than those recorded in the same period of 2017.

Related Forum: iPhone
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Coinbase Reaches Top of the Free App Charts on the US App Store Amid Bitcoin Surge

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Bitcoin exchange Coinbase watched its iOS app surge to the top of the free apps chart in Apple's App Store yesterday, amid a speculative frenzy surrounding the blockchain cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin prices on Coinbase's GDAX exchange flew past $16,000 to almost $20,000 in around 90 minutes on Thursday, reported Bloomberg, extending its record-breaking run and causing the software to crash and the service's website to go down intermittently in the process. The digital currency fluctuated during a turbulent Asian session, before falling back to about $16,000.

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The rise and rise of bitcoin has brought it into the mainstream in the last few weeks, but many observers are warning that the cryptocurrency could be a bubble. Investors have also been reminded of the dangers of hackers, after bitcoin mining marketplace NiceHash lost $64 million in BTC following a "sophisticated and professional attack".

Apple has had its own problems with cryptocurrencies in the past. In August 2016, the tech giant had to remove several fake bitcoin wallets from the App Store after users of the digital currency were scammed out of thousands of dollars.

For anyone interested in observing the hourly fluctuations of bitcoin while maintaining a safe distance, free app CoinHub offers real-time quotes and up-to-date cryptocurrency news all within an impressive-looking dark-themed dashboard. [Direct Link]

Tag: Bitcoin
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2018 iPhone X Successor Could Feature Up to 10% More Powerful Battery With New 1-Cell Design

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Next year's version of the iPhone X could feature up to 10 percent more battery power if Apple and LG Chem are able to deploy a one-cell design for the device's L-shaped battery, as opposed to the two-cell battery used in the iPhone X, according to a report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that was obtained by MacRumors.

Kuo says the more space efficient one-cell design would allow Apple to boost battery capacity from 2716 mAh in the iPhone X to somewhere between 2900 and 3000 mAh for next year's 5.8-inch iPhone.

As he previously claimed, Kuo believes Apple will release three new iPhones with TrueDepth cameras next year: a larger 6.5-inch OLED model that can be thought of as an "iPhone X Plus", a 5.8-inch OLED successor to the iPhone X, and a 6.1-inch LCD model. Today's report says that Apple is likely to use a two-cell battery design in the 6.5-inch model, but the larger size of the device will still allow it to have a capacity in the range of 3300 to 3400 mAh.

kuo iphone batteries 2018

Two new 2H18 iPhone models could adopt L-shaped battery (6.5” & 5.8” OLED models), with capacity upgraded for all models. In order to extend battery life, we believe it is necessary to expand battery capacity because all three new 2H18 models will be equipped with TrueDepth Camera, which consumes more power. We think Apple (US) is developing a 1-cell L-shaped battery in collaboration with LGC (KR). If the new battery enters mass production on time, the 5.8” OLED iPhone model will come with a battery with larger capacity (2,900-3,000mAh with higher RFPCB ASP $2.1-2.4). For the 6.1” LCD model, we expect Apple to keep the rectangular battery design to keep a better cost structure, and we expect capacity could be larger than those of the iPhone 8 series.

Some observers were surprised to see a two-cell battery inside the iPhone X when it was opened up by iFixit just after its launch, but there are technical challenges involved in producing non-rectangular battery cells, challenges Apple was unable to overcome in time for the iPhone X.

iphone x battery ifixit

iPhone X battery from iFixit's teardown

With device space at a premium and a number of power-hungry components like the TrueDepth camera, however, it's unsurprising that Apple and its supply chain partners are pushing forward to develop a one-cell design to provide more battery capacity within the same volume.

Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo
Related Forum: iPhone
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YouTube to Launch Music Subscription Service in March 2018

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Apple's streaming music service will soon face another major competitor, as YouTube prepares to launch a paid music service in March of 2018, reports Bloomberg.

YouTube has already inked a deal with Warner Music Group and is in talks with Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Merlin, a group of independent labels. The service will allow YouTube to better compete with Spotify and Apple Music, and it will provide more revenue to music labels that have been pushing for more money from the video site.

youtube logo 2017

Yet major record labels say the growth would be even more significant if not for YouTube, which they criticize for not compensating them enough, considering how much people use the site to listen to tunes. Music is one of the most popular genres of video on YouTube, which attracts more than a billion users a month.

YouTube is referring to its new service as "Remix" internally, and it is said to include Spotify-style on-demand streaming along with YouTube-only elements like video clips. YouTube has already been contacting artists for help promoting the service.

According to Bloomberg, YouTube will need to overcome "several hurdles" to meet its March 2018 launch date. YouTube has been stuck in negotiations with Universal and Sony for more than a year.

Tags: Apple Music Guide, YouTube
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Hilton Debuting 'Connected Rooms' Controlled via Smartphone Next Year

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Hilton today announced the upcoming debut of the "Connected Room," a high-tech guest room that will enable hotel guests to control the temperature, lighting, TV, window coverings, and more from their smartphones using the Hilton Honors app.

Guests will also be able to personalize their rooms using technology that loads popular streaming media and other accounts to their in-room TVs. Eventually, guests will also be able to use voice commands to access content and upload artwork and photos to display in their rooms.

hiltonconnectedroom
Hilton already allows guests to use the Hilton Honors app to check into their rooms and open their room doors using their smartphones, but with the Connected Room expansion, additional in-room controls will be available.

"At Hilton, almost all digital products are born out of necessity and shortcomings in the marketplace - and Connected Room is no exception," said Joshua Sloser, senior vice president of Digital Product, Hilton. "The technology we put in hotel rooms has to be intuitive, simple and quick to pick up because guests typically spend a limited amount of time in their rooms and we want them to spend that time enjoying the experience instead of adapting to new technology."

The Connected Room is live in one Hilton hotel and will deploy "in the coming weeks" to several more before rolling out on a wider scale in 2018.

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Apple Fixed iOS 11.2 Vulnerability That Allowed Unauthorized Access to HomeKit Devices

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A HomeKit vulnerability in iOS 11.2 that allowed unauthorized access to HomeKit accessories that included smart locks has been fixed by Apple, the company told 9to5Mac in a statement today.

homekit

"The issue affecting HomeKit users running iOS 11.2 has been fixed. The fix temporarily disables remote access to shared users, which will be restored in a software update early next week."

To patch the vulnerability, which was reportedly difficult to reproduce, Apple disabled remote access for shared users, something the company says will be reintroduced in a software update that's set to be released early next week.

Apple was able to address the vulnerability server side as it affected the HomeKit framework rather than individual HomeKit products. Though the vulnerability impacted all HomeKit devices, it is of particular interest to HomeKit users with smart locks and other HomeKit-enabled devices that allow access to the home, as someone able to exploit this kind of problem could gain entry to a dwelling without a physical key.

9to5Mac says that Apple was first informed about the security issue and other related HomeKit vulnerabilities in October. Some of the problems were addressed in iOS 11.2 and watchOS 4.2, while the rest were fixed server side. HomeKit setups with at least one connected iPhone or iPad running iOS 11.2 and signed into a HomeKit user's iCloud account were impacted.

Since its launch in 2014, HomeKit has seen many major improvements and its adoption has grown steadily. A wide range of manufacturers have embraced HomeKit, and there are HomeKit lights, outlets, switches, thermostats, window coverings, fans, sensors, cameras, locks, and garage door openers.

August, Friday, Koogeek, Kwikset, Schlage, and Yale all make HomeKit-enabled smart locks that can be controlled via Siri voice commands and HomeKit apps.

Tag: HomeKit Guide
Related Forum: iOS 11
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Apple to Switch From Dollars to Brazilian Reais for App Store Purchases in Brazil in 2018

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newappstorelogoStarting in early 2018, Apple users in Brazil will pay for purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, and iBooks Store using the Brazilian real instead of the dollar. The Brazilian real will also be used for Apple Music subscriptions and iCloud storage charges.

Apple began notifying users about the change in emails that were sent out today. Once the currency change happens, all new purchases and subscriptions will be charged in reais rather than dollars.

Since the iTunes Store became available in Brazil in 2011, customers have been required to pay in dollars using an international credit or debit card payment.

At one point, the Brazilian government looked into Apple's payment scheme, leading to speculation at the time that Apple was using dollars instead of reais to avoid software taxes that would negatively impact developers.

(Thanks, João!)

Tags: App Store, Brazil
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SiriusXM Launches New App for Apple TV

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SiriusXM today announced the launch of a new SiriusXM Radio app for the Apple TV, designed to allow SiriusXM subscribers to listen to more than 200 commercial-free radio channels.

The new app is available on the fourth-generation Apple TV and the Apple TV 4K with an interface that has been optimized for the two set-top boxes.

siriusxmappletvapp
SiriusXM Radio for Apple TV offers customizable music and comedy channels, access to a library of archived SiriusXM On Demand content, easy access to preferred channels and shows, and a syncing feature for resuming shows from SiriusXM On Demand across devices. There's also an integrated screen saver for viewing currently playing content.

"Apple TV is one of the leading and most innovative devices in the burgeoning world of in-home audio and video entertainment. We are excited to bring our extensive programming lineup into homes nationwide with Apple TV," said Jim Cady, SiriusXM's Executive Vice President of Products, Operations & Connected Vehicle.

The SiriusXM service offers access to a wide range of music genres, exclusive channels from Howard Stern, live games and events from professional and college sports, news broadcasts, comedy shows, and more.

Pricing for access to SiriusXM starts at $10.99 per month for a music package and goes up to $20.99 per month for an all access package that includes access to sports channels.

Tag: SiriusXM
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Best Buy Apple Event: Up to $150 Off iPad Pro, $200 Off MacBook and iMac, and BOGO 20% Off iTunes Cards

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Best Buy this week launched a new Apple sale event, running concurrently with the retailer's existing 20 Days of Doorbusters event this December. The new sale includes promotions and deals on iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Beats by Dre devices, Apple Pencil, and more. We've listed some of the best deals and promotions below, so be sure to check out anything you're interested in before the discounts end on Saturday, December 9 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

best buy apple event 1217Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

  • iPhone X - Trade in select iPhones towards the purchase of an iPhone X and get a Best Buy gift card worth up to $250

  • iPhone 8 and 8 Plus - Save up to $200 when buying and activating with a monthly installment plan

  • iPhone 6s - Save $150 when buying and activating with a monthly installment plan

  • 10.5-inch iPad Pro - Save $100 on 64GB, $125 on 256GB, and $150 on 512GB Wi-Fi models

  • iPad mini 4 - Save $125 on the 128GB model

  • MacBook - Save up to $200 on the latest models of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

  • iMac - Save up to $200 on the latest 27-inch and 21.5-inch models

  • iTunes Gift Cards - Buy one, get one 20 percent off

In other deals, Amazon's $50 iTunes gift card for $42.50 from this morning is still ongoing, but as of writing it has reached a 49 percent claim rate so it will be ending shortly. Also of note is Day 7 of Best Buy's 20 Days of Doorbusters event, with today's discount focusing on the WD easystore 8TB External USB 3.0 Hard Drive for $139.99, down from $299.99.

Head over to our Deals Roundup for more of the latest discounts, including savings of up to $850 on Vizio's SmartCast TV set and sound bar bundles.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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