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Tag: Spring Loaded

  • REvil hacking group publishes purported Macbook schematics, demands $50 million ransom to prevent further leaks

    REvil hacking group publishes purported Macbook schematics, demands $50 million ransom to prevent further leaks

    This seems like a pretty good way to get sued into oblivion provided Apple catches you.

    On Tuesday, and apparently timed with Apple’s “Spring Loaded” media even, the hacking ground behind REvil ransomware claims to have secret device schematics hacked from Quanta Computer.

    Quanta Computer functions as a longtime supplier that assembles Apple products based on their design and schematics. The team posted a message on the dark web said that Quanta refused to pay the ransom demand to get the data back. Now the group is going after Apple.

    The group posted 21 screenshots that purport to show upcoming Macbook schematics and has threatened to publish new ones every day until either Apple or Quanta paid the ransom. A source said they asked for $50 million and provided this statement:

    Our team is negotiating the sale of large quantities of confidential drawings and gigabytes of personal data with several major brands. We recommend that Apple buy back the available data by May 1.

    At present, the screenshots don’t appear to contain sensitive or secret information beyond standard assembly instructions and other technical details.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and The Record

  • Apple posts “Spring Loaded” media event online

    Apple posts “Spring Loaded” media event online

    Apple kind of threw everything but the kitchen sink at its customers in terms of products and content (which included new Apple Silicon iMacs, AirTags, a new iPad Pro, a new Apple TV 4K, and other spiffy new wares) during Tuesday’s “Spring Loaded” media event, and if you’d like to rewatch it, it’s available via YouTube or Apple’s website.

    The entire event takes place over roughly 61 minutes, so sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy:

    Via The Mac Observer and Apple

  • Apple to release iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, macOS Big Sur 11.3 updates in final week of April

    Apple to release iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, macOS Big Sur 11.3 updates in final week of April

    As much as you’re hankering for the sizable system updates, you’ll have to wait a little while longer.

    Apple has announced that its iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 will become available to the public in the last week of April, ahead of the launch of new products announced Tuesday, including new iPad Pros and AirTag tracking accessories.

    The company revealed the updated release date for its operating system updates on Tuesday, as well as stated that its macOS Big Sur 11.3 update has reached the Release Candidate stage, and is available as a beta for its developer community.

    Per Apple, iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 will be the minimum software versions required for the recently announced AirTag tracking device.

    Additionally, a purple iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini debuted at Apple’s Tuesday “Spring Loaded” event will ship with iOS 14.5 preinstalled.

    iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 are expected to offer features such as the ability to use an Apple Watch as a secondary authentication method to Face ID, the App Tracking Transparency Privacy feature, and support for AirTags and third-party Items tracking in Find My.

    Additionally, there are also tweaks to Siri, Apple Maps, Apple News, and the Podcasts app, among other more minor features.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider

  • Apple announces updated Apple TV 4K, complete with redesigned Siri remote, A12 Bionic processor, and other new features

    Apple announces updated Apple TV 4K, complete with redesigned Siri remote, A12 Bionic processor, and other new features

    Over at the Apple “Spring Loaded” media event on Tuesday, the company unveiled a new Apple TV 4K, complete with a redesigned Siri Remote.

    The unit, which retails for $179, will go on sale on Friday, April 30,and be available in the second half of May in more than 30 counties and regions, including the U.S. The new Siri Remote costs US$59 by itself or $149 with an Apple TV HD.

    Where specs are concerned, the new Apple TV contains an A12 Bionic processor, which offers a boost in graphics performance, video decoding, and audio processing.

    Per Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing:

    Apple TV 4K is in a category of its own, leveraging a deep integration of Apple hardware, software, and services that deliver a massive upgrade to any TV for the very best cinematic experience. With the A12 Bionic and the all-new Siri Remote, Apple TV 4K lets customers enjoy their favorite shows, movies, and more in the highest quality, with simple and intuitive controls. And of course, Apple TV 4K offers easy access to Apple services, along with thousands of apps on the App Store for even more entertainment options.

    The new Apple TV 4K will support high frame rate HDR (High Dynamic Range) and Dolby Vision video. This allows for 60 frames per second (fps) content to play more smoothly and also means users can AirPlay HDR videos shot on an iPhone 12 Pro and play them to a new Apple TV 4K and play them back in full 60-fps Dolby Vision. Apple has stated that it is working with the likes of FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+ as they start to provide content in this fashion.

    The new Apple TV also offers a new color balance feature in which it uses an iPhone’s light sensor to register nearby light balances, then automatically tailors its video output to deliver much more accurate colors and improved contrast.

    The new Siri Remote functions as a clicked control with five-way navigation that is also touch-enabled. The outer ring of the clickpad now supports a circular gesture too so it can be used as a jog control. Its power button can also control a TV’s power, and there is another button mute for mute too, with the Siri button now on the side. Siri now works on Apple TV in Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand, alongside the existing 13 countries.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and Apple

  • Apple announces 2021 iPad Pro tablets, cites M1 processor, updated Thunderbolt port, 5G connectivity, Liquid Retina XDR display, other new features

    Apple announces 2021 iPad Pro tablets, cites M1 processor, updated Thunderbolt port, 5G connectivity, Liquid Retina XDR display, other new features

    As part of its “Spring Loaded” media event on Tuesday, Apple unveiled its 2021 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablets, each featuring the 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU M1 chip as well asx a new Thunderbolt connector (over the same USB-C port). The larger 12.9-inch model also sports a new mini-LED screen, which Apple calls ‘Liquid Retina XDR’.

    This marks the first time that the iPad Pro is available in a 2TB storage option as well as up to 16GB of RAM. The cellular iPad Pro model now supports 5G connectivity, with the 11-inch iPad Pro retaining its $799 entry point, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is now $100 more expensive, and starts at $1,099.

    Per Apple, the M1 processor found in the iPad Pro is up to 1,500x faster than the original 2010 iPad, and up to 50 percent faster than the 2020 iPad Pro.

    Apple also stated that the updated Thunderbolt port offers a range of new accessories, and now sports up to 4X faster bandwidth, allowing the iPad Pro to drive the Apple Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution.

    The new iPad Pro also features an upgraded camera system for photography and augmented reality purposes. The front-camera now features a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. For FaceTime calls, the new ultra-wide camera now automatically pans around to keep the person in frame as they move around the room.

    The new Liquid Retina XDR display offers a high dynamic range similar to that of the Apple Pro Display XDR, and has around 2500 local dimming zones, enabling a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 1600 nits peak brightness. 

    Alongside the new iPad Pro, Apple updated the Magic Keyboard accessory, which is available in a new white color option. 

    The new iPad Pro models can be pre-ordered as of April 30, and will ship in the second half of May.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and store.apple.com