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Tag: Server

  • Analyst points out that Apple’s deal with Google could be short-term, allowing the company to buy itself development time in the AI marketplace

    Analyst points out that Apple’s deal with Google could be short-term, allowing the company to buy itself development time in the AI marketplace

    Following up on Apple’s announcement that the company will use Google’s Gemini AI for its next-generation version of Siri as well as handle a large amount of its Apple Intelligence tasks, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has stated that this may be a short-term partnership intended to buy soe time.

    In a post on X, Kuo noted that Apple is preparing to mass-produce its own AI-focused server chips in the second half of 2026, and that the company is facing mounting short-term pressure in AI that’s shaping its current strategy.

    Kuo explained that Apple has encountered two immediate challenges in its in-house AI development that have effectively pushed it toward partnering with Google. The first is the need for a credible AI showing at WWDC later this year after previously announcing Apple Intelligence and significant Siri upgrades that have yet to materialize. The second is the rapid pace of improvement in cloud-based AI systems, which has raised expectations to a level where simply delivering on earlier promises may no longer be enough.

    Kuo argued that as AI capabilities have advanced, so have user perceptions of what constitutes a competitive assistant or system-level AI. As such, even a fully delivered version of Apple Intelligence, as it had been previously presented, would have a hard time standing out, particularly without access to more powerful large-scale models. This has apparently driven an urgent need for Apple to supplement its current approach with more capable AI models from other companies.

    Kuo went on to describe Apple’s AI deal with Google as a way to ease short-term pressure, rather than a long-term strategic shift. He said that while on-device AI is unlikely to drive hardware sales in the near term, the partnership with Google buys Apple time to manage expectations across its platform while continuing its own AI development. Kuo stated that AI is expected to become central to hardware differentiation, operating system design, and the overall user experience, making ownership of core AI technologies increasingly important.

    Kuo concluded that Apple’s in-house server chips are expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2026, and that Apple-operated data centers will coexist online in 2027, allowing for the company to service both on-device and hybrid AI workloads via its server-side computing and infrastructure.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and @mingchikuo

  • Apple Intelligence issue on iPhone 17 models resolved via server-side fix

    Apple Intelligence issue on iPhone 17 models resolved via server-side fix

    If you were having issues with Apple Intelligence and your new iPhone 17, Apple may have fixed the issue.

    Per MacRumors, Apple appears to have implemented a server-side fix for an issue that prevented a limited number of iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max users from downloading on-device Apple Intelligence models.

    The mighty Aaron Perris and others who were affected by the issue reported that they are now able to download the models and use Apple Intelligence features. The issue, which seemed to be based on the server end, appears to have been fixed, and the fix itself applies automatically.

    On the iPhone 15 Pro and newer, you can check if Apple Intelligence is enabled in Settings → Apple Intelligence.

    Apple didn’t publicly comment on the issue, and the underlying cause is unknown.

    Via MacRumors, @aaronp613, and @tutti_creeper

  • Mac-specific FrigidStealer malware surfaces in the wild, uses fake web browser update scam to trick users

    Mac-specific FrigidStealer malware surfaces in the wild, uses fake web browser update scam to trick users

    There’s no avoiding it: There’s malware out there for the Mac, and you have to be careful.

    That being said, groups of hackers have begun using fake software updates to distribute malware. Researchers have identified two new threat actors, TA2726 and TA2727, who are using web injection campaigns to deliver malware. The updates are often designed as web browser updates and include a newly discovered macOS malware called FrigidStealer.

    According to Proofpoint, the team behind the discovery, FrigidStealer malwareFrigidStealer is a new information-stealing malware specifically aimed at macOS. The malware is delivered through compromised websites, which present fake browser update prompts to visitors. If a Mac user clicks the “Update” button, they unknowingly download a malicious DMG file. Code snippet for macOS operations involving Safari, file paths, and desktop file management with specific extensions and conditions.

    Once installed, FrigidStealer uses both AppleScript and osascript elements to collect sensitive data, including browser cookies, cryptocurrency-related files, and even Apple Notes. Although locked notes in Apple Notes are end-to-end encrypted, any unlocked notes or those stored as plain files in the Desktop or Documents folders might be vulnerable. The stolen data is then relayed to a command-and-control server at askforupdate[.]org and TA2726’s TDS redirects them to a malicious domain controlled by TA2727.

    From there, the server will send the user fake prompts depending on the user’s device and web browser. For Mac users, the malware might appear as a legitimate Google Chrome or Safari update. When the “Update” button is clicked, the malicious DMG file is downloaded, and the installation process prompts the user to bypass macOS Gatekeeper security. FrigidStealer will then run a Mach-O executable built with WailsIO, which makes the fake installer appear authentic. The malware can then extract sensitive data, sending it to its server, and completing the attack.

    As always, the best way to stay safe is to avoid fake update scams and be wary of unexpected update prompts, especially if they surface while browsing the web. Avoid clicking on pop-ups and going directly to the official website or open the app’s built-in update function to ensure you get legitimate software. Finally, keeping your security software up to date to help detect and block potential threats.

    Be careful out there and stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and Proofpoint

  • Rumor: Apple, OpenAI may work to add ChapGPT functionality to iOS 18, other forthcoming operating systems

    Rumor: Apple, OpenAI may work to add ChapGPT functionality to iOS 18, other forthcoming operating systems

    Apple and OpenAI may have reached a deal to bring ChatGPT to iOS 18 and Apple’s forthcoming operating system updates in 2024.

    Per The Information, Apple has been looking to bring AI to its platforms, but in a way that opts for preserving privacy through an on-device method as opposed to the Large Language Models (LLMs) used by the company’s competitors. As such, Apple is said to have been seeking a partnership with Google or Microsoft to bring their LLMs to iPhones.

    It’s rumored that a deal has been reached between OpenAI and Apple. While the specifics of the deal are currently unknown, it’s thought that this could allow ChatGPT to be accessible by Apple users through programs like Siri.

    A deal with OpenAI doesn’t close out options with other AI industry players. One rumor suggested Apple was looking to create an AI App Store so that OpenAI could be one of several companies populating such a store.

    It’s also thought that corporate politics may be driving this, and according to a report shared by Apple’s Senior Vice President of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, John Giannandrea, “the last thing people needed was another chatbot.”

    Even if this proves true, Apple won’t be likely to announce an Apple-created LLM with which to replace Siri. Instead, it’s thought that Siri could use server-side products like ChapGPT to help answer questions.

    Whatever the case, Apple likely won’t be announcing an Apple-made LLM to replace Siri. Instead, it will use server-side products like ChatGPT to answer user questions.

    Apple is expected to announce further details as to its operating system and AI roadmap during the WWDC keynote on June 10.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and The Information

  • Details begin to surface as to Apple’s AI approach and confidential computing techniques

    Details begin to surface as to Apple’s AI approach and confidential computing techniques

    Apple may have found a way to process AI data while retaining a measure of user privacy.

    While the company will use WWDC to unveil its AI strategy within its operating systems, The Information has cited a method that Apple intends to employ confidential computing techniques, which will enable “black box processing”.

    Typically, cloud services encrypt data only on disk, when it is being stored. However, the data has to be decrypted into memory in order to be processed or transformed on the server.

    Per the article, Apple may have found a way to process user data in a way that allows the data to remain private throughout. Apple may have upscaled its Secure Enclave designs to enable such a programming model. Bloomberg previously mentioned the relationship between the Secure Enclave and the Apple Chips in Data Centers (ACDC) project.

    The article states that there could still be a potential weakness if hackers assumed physical access to Apple’s server hardware. Still, the approach seems to be far more secure than anything Apple’s rivals are doing in the AI space. In certain events, Apple may be able to tell law enforcement that it does not have access to the information, and won’t be able to provide any user data in the case of subpoenas or government inquiries.

    It’s thought that Apple’s work in this confidential computing initiative predates the current AI boom and that Apple may have been working on this for at least three years. The report also notes that in the future Apple could create lightweight wearable devices that don’t require powerful chips, as they could offload their processing to Apple’s backend.

    The exact details of this technology are still murky, and The Information has said it remains to be seen how Apple will be able to preserve the security model when a singular chip in a data center is running requests from many users simultaneously.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac, Bloomberg, and The Information