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Tag: Apple Watch SE

  • Apple provides background Secure Enclave updates to several older processors

    Apple provides background Secure Enclave updates to several older processors

    This should come in handy.

    Apple has silently made changes to its A12, A13, and S5 system-on-chips to alter the Secure Enclave in Fall 2020, to include a second-generation model of the Secure Enclave.

    The changes were apparently part of an update and were noted as updates to the Apple Platform Security pages spotted by Andrew Pantyukhin on Twitter. A PDF version of the guide includes a table showing the feature summaries of the Secure Enclave, with changes that occurred in fall 2020. The Secure Enclave is used to store highly sensitive details relating to security, such as Face ID or Touch ID data, instead of handing off that work to the application processor.

    Per AppleInsider:

    An illustration from Apple of the Secure Enclave’s role in iPhone security
    In the table, the A12, A14, and S5 SoCs all have two lines instead of one, covering “Apple devices released before Fall 2020” and after that time. For all three pre-Fall 2020 lines, Apple lists the SoCs as having “Secure Storage Component Gen 1,” while the later versions have “Secure Storage Component gen 2.”

    Based on the wording of the text, it seems that the change in the Secure Enclave only affects product lines released from fall 2020 onward, while existing devices using the chips continued to use the earlier variant. While it is feasible for Apple to apply the change to existing products using those chips beyond fall 2020, it seems unlikely for Apple to make such a change without first announcing it.

    It appears that the iPad, HomePod Mini, and Apple Watch SE are the only devices featuring older chip designs that have updated the Secure Enclave.

    Newer chips which were introduced during the fall of 2020, namely the A14 and S6 processors, all feature second-generation Secure Enclave systems. A-series chips from the A8 to A11, the S3, and the T2 are all listed as having “EEPROM” for their secure storage component.

    The sole exception to these processors is the S4, which is found in the Apple Watch Series 4, and uses “Secure Storage Component get 1” without any changes to bring it to “get 2.” It’s thought that Apple may have discontinued the Apple Watch Series 4, and the no other products use the S4 processor.

    In terms of what is actually different in the second-generation Secure Enclave, Apple describes it as including “counter lockboxes,” which stores a 128-bit salt, a 128-bit passcode verifier, an 8-bit counter, and an 8-bit maximum attempt value. It is likely this was introduced as a countermeasure for hardware such as GrayShift’s GrayKey or services offered by Cellebrite to unlock and extract files from iOS devices.

    Back in August 2020, a group of security researchers revealed a vulnerability in the Secure Enclave processor that attacked a memory controller, allowing attackers to alter how memory was used.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider, support.apple.com, @pandrewhk and MacRumors

  • Rumor: Apple evaluating possible ruggedized Apple Watch unit for high-impact users

    Rumor: Apple evaluating possible ruggedized Apple Watch unit for high-impact users

    After years of relying on third parties to make ruggedized cases and accessories for high-impact wearers, Apple is reportedly considering creating a ruggedized Apple Watch of its own.

    It’s thought that Apple would sell the unit in a similar fashion to how it sells the Apple Watch SE, and would incorporate hardware engineering choices like corner protection and more impact resistance than the existing model.

    Alongside the effort, Apple is also said to be working on improved swim tracking.

    Per a Bloomberg report on Friday, this marks “at least the second time” that Apple has put the idea of a ruggedized Apple Watch through its evaluation process.

    It’s unknown as to when the product would release, nor guesses as to its price point, and the report alleges that the internal discussions revolve around a 2021 or 2022 release “at the earliest.”

    As with most similar reports about future Apple products, there is the normal disclaimer that Apple’s plans may change, and the product may never see the light of day.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and Bloomberg

  • Disney Parks to roll out MagicMobile access to iOS-based devices first

    Disney Parks to roll out MagicMobile access to iOS-based devices first

    If you’re planning a vacation to a Disney theme park following the pandemic, you’ll like this.

    Disney Parks announced on Thursday that it will roll out its MagicMobile contactless access protocol to Apple devices first:

    Launching in phases starting later this year, Disney MagicMobile service is a convenient and contactless way to access MagicBand features like theme park entry through the power of your iPhone, Apple Watch or other smart device. Guests will be able to create a Disney MagicMobile pass through the My Disney Experience app and add it to their smart device’s digital wallet. It works like magic – most features will be available by just holding up your smart device near an access point, just like you do with a MagicBand. Disney MagicMobile service and its features will roll out first on Apple devices.

    If you have a chance to try this out this year, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via The Mac Observer and disneyparks.disney.go.com

  • iOS 14.5 beta code hints at feature that allows for Face ID use while wearing masks

    iOS 14.5 beta code hints at feature that allows for Face ID use while wearing masks

    This could be what you’ve been waiting for.

    In the wake of the pandemic and the need for wearing face masks in public, iPhone users have had to forego using Face ID to quickly unlock their iOS devices, and have needed to type in their number passcodes on the fly.

    This has been annoying.

    Recent iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 betas contain references to code that will allow iPhone users to unlock their iPhones while wearing a mask, albeit they’ll need to be synced to an Apple Watch to do so. The devices will need to be in close proximity, wherein the iPhone will automatically unlock and the Apple Watch will vibrate.

    Apple said users will need to opt into this feature, though it’s forthcoming and should come definitely come in handy.

    If you’ve had a chance to test this feature in your iOS beta, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via CNN

  • Apple posts Q1 2021 financial results, reports $111.4 billion in revenues, $33.5 billion net profit

    Apple posts Q1 2021 financial results, reports $111.4 billion in revenues, $33.5 billion net profit

    Apple couldn’t have asked for a better quarter.

    The company posted $111.4 billion in revenue and a net profit of $33.5 for the first quarter of 2021, showing double digit growth across all product categories. The results represent 21 percent growth on the $91.8 billion in revenue seen for Q1 2020.

    The gross margin of $44.3 billion is up from Q1 2020’s $35.2 billion, while operating expenses are up/down year-on-year to $10.8 billion from $9.6 billion. Net profit is $33.5 billion, an improvement from $25.6 billion one year prior. 

    The high revenue is partly due to the seasonally higher sales of the iPhone 12, which hit $65.6 billion, up from $56 billion the previous year. It’s also thought that Apple’s decision to ship the new iPhone models later in the year carrier revenues over to Q1, helping to inflate the figures.

    Revenue for the iPad grew to $8.4 billion for Q1 2020. The Mac also posted nearly 18 percent growth and was responsible for $8.7 billion for the latest quarter’s result.

    Income from services rose 41 percent year-on-year, with revenues of $8.4 billion posted. Finally, Wearables, Home, and Accessories continued to rise from $10.1 billion in Q1 2020 to $12.97 billion for Q1 2021. 

    Along with the iPhone 12 launch, Apple also saw product launches with the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, 2020 iPad, iPad Air, HomePod mini, M1 Mac mini, M1 MacBook Air, the AirPods Max, and the M1 13-inch MacBook Pro.

    Apple continued its trend of refusing to provide forecasts for the following quarter, something it has done since the beginning of the pandemic. In a cautious statement, CFO Luca Maestri said Apple expects revenue growth to accelerate year-over-year in the second quarter. 

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider