Report: Apple is working on a Face ID powered smart doorbell and lock
Apple looks ready to continue its foray into the smart home market with a new doorbell to rival Amazon’s Ring. Driven by Face ID, Apple’s upcoming device is set to be more than just a doorbell -- facial recognition will be used to unlock the door as well.
But if you are looking for a smart doorbell right now, Apple may not be the choice for you. The company’s work is said to be in the preliminary stages, with products unlikely to emerge until at least the tail end of 2025, but likely some time in 2026.
Apple's approach to MDM and what we can learn from it [Q&A]
The rise of hybrid and remote working has put added emphasis on the need for mobile device management (MDM).
We spoke to Weldon Dodd, SVP of global solutions at cloud-based automation and device management specialist Kandji, to find out more about Apple's approach to MDM and the broader lessons businesses can apply from this in order to solve complex IT challenges.
Microsoft’s answer to Apple Intelligence may be Windows Intelligence
Branding is important, and this is something we’ve already seen with digital assistants like Siri. Moving into the artificial intelligence era, companies have been falling over themselves to get their own stamp on their version of AI.
Apple has opted for the reasonably predictable “Apple Intelligence”, while Microsoft’s approach has been a little more haphazard. But now there are clues that suggest the company has finally come to understand the importance of giving people an overarching term to cover all of its AI-related offerings. Say hello to Windows Intelligence.
Apple Find My can now share AirTag locations with airlines and third parties
Apple has launched a beta feature called Share Item Location in iOS 18.2, allowing users to share the location of an AirTag or Find My network accessory with third parties. This update is designed to simplify the process of locating misplaced items, particularly when traveling. Users can generate a secure link in the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which can then be shared. The recipient can access an interactive map that shows the item’s location and updates automatically. The shared link expires after seven days or when the item is recovered, maintaining privacy and security.
“Find My is an essential tool for users around the world to keep track of and find their belongings,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “The Find My network and AirTag have proven to be a powerful combination for users while traveling, providing invaluable location information when bags have been misplaced or mishandled. With Share Item Location, we’re excited to give users a new way to easily share this information directly with third parties like airlines, all while protecting their privacy.”
Enterprises increase use of Apple products driven by security and user preference
A new report from Apple endpoint management specialist Kandji shows that 73 percent of organizations report that their number of Apple products has increased over the last year, driven primarily by employee preference (76 percent), security (50 percent), and reliability (43 percent).
Commissioned by Kandji and conducted by Dimensional Research, the global survey gathered insights from more than 300 IT professionals with responsibility for the management and delivery of Apple products to employees at a company with more than 1,000 employees and more than 500 end-user devices.
Apple's new MacBook Pro with M4 chips brings more power and AI smarts
Apple has introduced its latest MacBook Pro lineup, featuring new M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips that aim to boost performance while bringing a fresh focus on AI through “Apple Intelligence.” The new 14-inch and 16-inch models now feature Thunderbolt 5 on Pro and Max models, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and an optional nano-texture display for glare reduction.
Starting at $1,599 for the 14-inch M4 model, the MacBook Pro’s new entry-level device includes 16GB of memory and three Thunderbolt 4 ports. The more powerful M4 Pro and M4 Max models, starting at $1,999 and $2,499, come equipped with Thunderbolt 5, which is claimed to offer faster transfer speeds for users who need high-speed connectivity.
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Apple launches iPhone 16 with advanced A18 chip, enhanced camera features and Apple Intelligence
Apple today took the wraps off its new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 16 series, powered by an all-new A18 chip, offers a number of improvements over its predecessors, including new camera functionalities and an improved battery life. The new Camera Control system allows for intuitive interactions with the camera settings and incorporates a tactile switch for quick access, a force sensor for precise adjustments, and a capacitive sensor for easy interaction.
Both models are equipped with a 48MP main camera that combines two optical qualities in one unit, offering both wide and Telephoto options. Additionally, the introduction of a new 12MP Ultra Wide camera supports macro photography and improves low-light performance by capturing more light.
Apple CFO stepping down
Apple has announced that its Chief Financial Officer, Luca Maestri, will step down from his role on January 1, 2025. Although Maestri will no longer serve as CFO, he will continue to lead several key departments at Apple, including information systems and technology, information security, and real estate and development, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook.
As part of a planned succession, Kevan Parekh, currently Apple’s Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, will take over as CFO and join the executive team. Parekh has been with Apple for 11 years, holding various roles in finance, including leadership in Financial Planning and Analysis, Investor Relations, and Market Research. Before joining Apple, Parekh held senior positions at Thomson Reuters and General Motors.
Devs beware: Apple announces Gatekeeper security enhancements in macOS Sequoia
Working much like Microsoft's Smart App Control tool that is part of Windows, Apple has Gatekeeper for macOS. It is a security feature which is designed to ensure that only trusted software runs on a user's Mac.
In the upcoming macOS Sequoia, Gatekeeper is being updated to help boost security. While this runtime protection change may be welcomed by many, the approach Apple has taken is also likely to irritate some users as it makes it more awkward to run unsigned software.
You could finally be about to get a payout from Apple for your dodgy MacBook butterfly keyboard
The saga of Apple's notoriously unreliable MacBook butterfly keyboards could be drawing to a close after almost a decade.
The company has finally started to issue compensatory payments to people who bought a MacBook between 2015 and 2019 only to be plagued by sticky and unresponsive keys. With payouts nudging towards $400, this is a significant sum that should not be sniffed at.
Watch Windows XP running on Apple Vision Pro
For years, Apple famously prevented emulators from appearing in the App Store, but recently it has begun allowing them there. If you’ve ever wanted to play classic games on an iPhone, well, now you can.
Although most people will want to use emulators to play games it’s also possible to use them to run operating systems for one computer inside another.
Security teams failing to manage Apple devices effectively
It's often accepted without question that Apple devices are more secure. But analysis by Picus Security of 136 million simulated cyberattacks shows that macOS could only protect against 23 percent of them because of how poorly most security teams manage Apple devices.
The research highlights that macOS endpoints are far more likely to be misconfigured or allowed to operate without Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). Consequently macOS endpoints only prevented 23 percent of simulated attacks, compared to 62 percent and 65 percent for Windows and Linux respectively.
Transferring photos and videos from Google Photos to Apple iCloud Photos is now a whole lot easier
Interoperability between rival platforms, including the ability to easily transfer data from one to another, is something that only really benefits users. There is little, if anything, positive to stem from one company making it easy to move to a competitor.
But when it comes to cloud storage for photos and videos, migrating from Google to Apple is being simplified. While transferring Google Photos to iCloud has been possible for a while, the process has been an uphill struggle. Now this is changing.
Lenovo outpaces Apple in shocking PC market surge
The PC market is making a remarkable recovery, showcasing a 3 percent growth in the second quarter of 2024. This is quite impressive after a series of declines, with worldwide shipments of traditional PCs hitting 64.9 million units. Despite challenges in China, growth outside this region exceeded 5 percent, according to the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.
This resurgence is significantly fueled by the excitement around AI-enhanced PCs and a vital commercial refresh cycle. "Navigating through market maturity and various challenges, the back-to-back quarters of growth reflect a vibrant and changing landscape," commented Ryan Reith, Group Vice President at IDC.
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