Category: Apple (Page 46 of 65)

      Eric Schmidt Resigns From Apple’s Board

      August 3, 2009 /

      Google CEO Eric Schmidt.Eric Schmidt stepped down from his position on Apple’s board today, amidst scrunity about the two companies’ internal dealings. In early July Schmidt said he would reconsider his position in light of the announcement of Google Chrome OS, which will directly compete in another Apple market.

      In a statement today, Apple CEO Steve Jobs had this to say:

      Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse himself from even larger portions of our meetings due to potential conflicts of interest.

      Jobs also said now was “the right time” for Schmidt to take his leave.

      Google’s CEO had some very polite words concerning his time at Apple. “I have very much enjoyed my time on the Apple Board,” he said. “It’s a fantastic company. But as Apple explained today, we’ve agreed it makes sense for me to step down now.”

      It’s always hard to watch a breakup, but even more difficult when it’s two parties who you thought were so good together. Maybe now Schmidt will feel like he has the freedom to push Apple to allow more of his apps on the iPhone. I would like that very much.

      Apple, iPhone, News

      The FCC Shows Concern Over Google Voice Debacle

      August 1, 2009 /

      GV Mobile app.The FCC is looking for additional information regarding Apple’s recent rejection of Google’s newest iPhone app, Google Voice. Everyone knows the FCC has been doing some digging with regard to wireless open access and carrier exclusivity. The information they seek from Google, Apple, and AT&T is meant to be a part of that discussion.

      A whole load of people are pretty pissed about Apple’s block against Google’s service, which could potentially allow people to use their iPhone as a dummy handset for voice calls. Personally, I’d love to get the voicemail transcription service. There are a host of services that people are after too, making the FCC decision to at least look into things intriguing.

      We’ll probably be waiting a while to see the outcome of this one. The FCC has been looking at wireless exclusivity for a bit now with nearly no word to the general public. The FCC’s specific request for information on the GV Mobile app should tell us why the app was removed and whether it was Apple acting alone or in accord with AT&T.

      Source: Reuters

      Apple, Apps, iPhone, Mobile

      iPhone SMS Vulnerability Patched With OS 3.0.1

      July 31, 2009 /

      Connect to iTunes.We made several cautionary posts about the iPhone’s SMS vulnerability over the past month, and it’s finally getting a fix. iPhone OS 3.0.1 is out today at a whopping 280MB.

      Apple was apparently highly pleased with themselves for the fix:

      We appreciate the information provided to us about SMS vulnerabilities which affect several mobile phone platforms. This morning, less than 24 hours after a demonstration of this exploit, we’ve issued a free software update that eliminates the vulnerability from the iPhone. Contrary to what’s been reported, no one has been able to take control of the iPhone to gain access to personal information using this exploit.

      Nice to hear that no one has actually used the exploit to devious ends, but “less than 24 hours after a demonstration of this exploit” is Bushian in its absurdity. The two dates, the update release and the demonstration, are pretty clearly unrelated. It’s not like Apple just threw this thing together over the last 24 hours. If they had, I probably wouldn’t bother installing it. They’ve known about the problem for at least a month. I know that because I’ve known about the problem for a month.

      Here’s to completely arbitrary horn-tooting!

      Apple, iPhone, Music

      Apple Adds 2TB Time Capsule

      July 30, 2009 /

      Apple's Time Capsule.Apple’s just announced a new Time Capsule, the company’s combination 802.11n router and NAS drive, bumping the storage capacity to a full 2TB. The new drive comes in at a whopping $499.

      The more interesting news is the price reduction Cupertino’s thrown to the 1TB version. You can pick up the lesser version for just $299, down from the new 2TB’s price of $499. That’s a massive reduction, and it certainly makes me wonder what kind of margin they were reaping on the device. Of course, storage is so cheap now you can imagine it was huge.

      The device hasn’t changed other than the storage capacity. What I’d really like to see is a RAID capable drive for the truly storage savvy among us. 2TB of offsite storage is great, but what of your backup’s backup? I suppose that’s how they’ll try to sell MobileMe.

      Apple, Storage

      Alert! The iPhone can be hacked via SMS

      July 30, 2009 /

      iPhone SMS hackIf you are an iPhone user, or even if you know an iPhone user, you should be aware of a security hole where your iPhone can be hacked via SMS. This is serious stuff and you should share this knowledge with everyone you know. This hole could enable the hackers to take total control over your phone. Here are the details according to wired.com’s Gadget Lab:

      Security researchers Charlie Miller and Collin Mulliner will publicize the exploit Thursday at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference, according to Forbes. The researchers said the hack involves sending a series of mostly invisible SMS bursts that effectively hijack an iPhone. From thereon, a hacker could control all the functions on the iPhone, such as e-mailing, dialing contacts — and, most alarmingly, sending more text messages to hijack even more iPhones.

      How can you know if you’re being SMS attacked? According to Miller, one giveaway is if you receive a text message containing a single square character. If that happens, he suggests you immediately turn off your iPhone.

      “This is serious,” Miller told Forbes. “The only thing you can do to prevent it is turn off your phone. Someone could pretty quickly take over every iPhone in the world with this.”

      So until you hear otherwise from Apple, do as it says and turn off your phone immediately if you get a strange square text message. I would suggest taking your phone into the Apple store before turning it back on. Hopefully Apple will release a new iPhone OS patch soon to take care of this issue.

      Apple, iPhone

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