By news@appleinsider.com (Andrew Orr) North Korean hackers have disguised malware in seemingly harmless macOS apps using sophisticated code to bypass security checks and target unsuspecting users.Malware apps continue to target Mac usersIn a recent discovery, researchers at Jamf Threat Labs uncovered malware embedded in macOS apps that look harmless on the surface. Using the popular app-building tool Flutter, cybercriminals made apps that slipped through typical security measures.Flutter, developed by Google, has become a favorite tool for creating apps that work seamlessly across macOS, iOS, and Android. Its codebase allows developers to build an app once and have it look consistent across all platforms. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (William Gallagher) The developer of an app dropped from the App Store in China has filed a lawsuit that challenges Apple’s overall practices, as well as damages of $420,000.China and the App StoreApple has consistently been bowing to pressures from China and dropping apps from the App Store in the region. In this case, it’s claimed an app called Bodyreader was pulled by Apple over reasons the developer believes are inconsistent.According to Bloomberg Beijing’s intellectual property court has accepted a complaint from Bodyreader’s developer. The publication describes this as an Epic Games-style lawsuit on account of its scope concerning Apple’s overall practices on the App Store. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Wesley Hilliard) An Apple supplier may have been tapped to build an Apple-designed smart home camera and future health-focused AirPods, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.Tapo smart cameras compatible with Apple HomeKitAfter Apple abandoned the decade-long Apple Car project, rumors suggested Apple would increase investments in the smart home and AI. While Apple Intelligence has been released to the public, there has been little evidence of Apple’s new commitment to the smart home beyond rumors of a smart monitor.A new supply chain-based rumor from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests an Apple supplier named Goertek has been tapped with orders for two products due in 2026. The first is a smart home camera, and the second is a set of AirPods with more health-focused features. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Marko Zivkovic) A newly-discovered iPhone 14 Pro prototype features one of the earliest known incarnations of Apple’s scrapped haptic button project.An iPhone 14 Pro featuring Apple’s Bongo design was recently discovered.Back in July of 2024, AppleInsider published exclusive imagery of a prototype iPhone 15 Pro Max equipped with Apple’s long-rumored haptic buttons. Developed under the codename Project Bongo, the haptic buttons were supposed to make their debut in 2023 but never ended up on mass-production units. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Marko Zivkovic) The third developer beta of iOS 18.2 is now available for all compatible iPhone models, as Apple Intelligence testing continues. Here’s everything you need to know about the update.iOS 18.2 developer beta 3 introduces enhancements to existing features.On Monday, Apple released iOS 18.2 developer beta 3, with build number 22C5131e, up from the previous 22C5125e. While the update is compatible with devices as old as the iPhone XS and iPhone XR, the software includes a variety of Apple Intelligence features that only work on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 range.The iOS 18.2 update introduces support for Image Playground, Genmoji, Visual Intelligence, and ChatGPT integration via Siri. There’s also a new FindMy feature that helps users locate lost luggage or AirTags. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Andrew Orr) Apple Musicis turning its “100 Best Albums” list into a luxurious collectible book, bringing iconic records from the screen to your shelf.Apple Music: 100 Best Albums. Image credit: AssoulineEarlier in 2024, Apple launched its “100 Best Albums” list directly in the Apple Music app, sparking plenty of lively debates among fans. Now, the company is releasing the list in a different medium.The Apple Music: 100 Best Albums book is a heavyweight in more ways than one. It weighs 8 pounds and has luxurious touches like a linen cover, gold page edges, and an acrylic slipcase. Each copy is hand-numbered, making it a unique piece of music history. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Malcolm Owen) Apple has released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, another software update for its personal audio devices.Apple’s fourth-generation AirPodsApple has been uncharacteristically frequent with its firmware updates for its AirPods product lines. The relatively high tempo of updates has continued with yet another AirPods firmware update.Rolled out on Monday, the latest firmware updates are for the AirPods Pro 2 with both Lightning and USB-C charging cases, as well as both of the AirPods 4 models. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Andrew Orr) Apple’s 2024 Mac mini stashes the power button underneath, a bold move that executives say aligns with user habits, even if it’s left some fans scratching their heads.The new 2024 Mac mini. Image credit: AppleThe company’s latest Mac mini is significantly downsized — about half the size of its predecessor. The overhaul makes it more compact and gave Apple’s designers challenges in laying out external features.Apple’s Vice Presidents, Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, and John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, explained to IThome. They emphasized that the compact form factor still makes it easy to access the button by tucking a finger underneath to press it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Malcolm Owen) The third round of developer betas for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 have arrived, alongside the second round builds of tvOS 18.2, and watchOS 11.2.Examples of Apple Intelligence at work. The third round of developer betas follows after the second, which for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2, arrived on November 4, while the first was on October 23. For tvOS 18.2 and watchOS 11.2, this is the second beta round.The third builds of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 are build number 22C5131e, replacing 22C5125e. The third macOS Sequoia 15.2 build is 24C5079e, up from 24C5073e. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Malcolm Owen) Proposed tariffs under the Trump administration could trigger considerable price increases for consumer electronics in the United States, though Apple may be able to weather the storm.Apple CEO Tim Cook [left] with Donald Trump [right]During his first time in office, President Donald Trump’s trade war with China resulted in price increases. While there were threats that Apple’s products would be dinged by tariffs, Tim Cook’s regular Trump talks helped Apple avoid being hurt by the import charges.For Trump’s second term in office, it seems that a similar situation could happen again, with Chinese imports being hit with high tariffs. However, this time Apple is in a much better position. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
