iMac Pro Could Include Mobile Connectivity for 'Always On' Theft Protection

A new blog post over at Pike's Universum, a site known for digging deeper into Mac firmware files, claims to have found data relating to some form of mobile connectivity in the upcoming iMac Pro that could be used for "advanced theft protection" similar to Apple's Find my iPhone service.

imac pro white background

Even the cheapest iMac Pro costs $4999 and is thus far more expensive than any other iMac model that is now available, let alone the top of the line one with a price tag north of $15K, and it is so easy to walk away with a 27-inch computer, and that may be why Apple is going to introduce a new kind of “Find my iMac Pro” type of theft protection. One that phones home to report the exact GPS location. And there’s no way of switching it off…

The post goes on to suggest that the data could alternatively relate to a new feature in the iMac Pro that uses a SIM card to make phone calls. "Or perhaps the data that I found has to be a leftover from iOS for the iPhone," ends the post, qualifying the claims as speculation at this point.

No further details on the uncovered data in the iMac Pro firmware were forthcoming, but Pike's Universum has offered relevant information in the past. The site revealed some of the iMac Pro's tech specs back in April, two months prior to it being announced, including that it would have Xeon processors, ECC RAM, faster SSD storage, AMD graphics options, and Thunderbolt 3 ports, although some of the specific details were inaccurate.

Later, in June, the site claimed that files in a macOS High Sierra developer beta suggested the iMac Pro could be powered by Intel's next-generation server-grade Skylake-EX and Skylake-EP processors, which are based on a platform codenamed "Purley." The blog added that the new iMac Pro also appears to be coming with a Secure Enclave, suggesting it will have an ARM coprocessor like the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for added security.

Over the weekend, several developers discovered data in Apple's BridgeOS code that suggests the upcoming iMac Pro will feature an A10 Fusion chip with 512 MB of RAM. While the full functionality of the A10 chip isn't yet known, the chip will enable support for "Hey Siri" functionality, potentially even when the iMac Pro is turned off.

Unveiled at WWDC in June, the iMac Pro is scheduled to launch next month, but Apple has not yet provided a specific launch date for the high-end desktop.

Related Forum: iMac

Top Rated Comments

levitynyc Avatar
83 months ago
There’s absolutely no chance this launches next month.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
asiga Avatar
83 months ago
Do you believe Apple will actually release a new Mac Pro one day or is this iMac Pro all to ever come out?
I have the feeling that Apple will use the iMac Pro as a probe in order to check if it can silence the pro customers shouting (and, if affirmative, cancelling the promised "modular Mac Pro"). Obviously the current management doesn't enjoy releasing products that can last for a decade, so the "modular Mac Pro" is an undesired product to current management. OTOH, the iMac is cool for them: single component failure can be used for convincing the user buying a new machine; and the same applies when the user will want to update the hardware: new machine.

Somehow, I feel like the iMac Pro is like their last attempt before surrendering to the modular Mac Pro. Like if marketing said "the market didn't like the cylinder, they really want a modular Mac Pro", and then management replied "Ok, a modular Mac Pro, but first release the iMac Pro and we'll speak later, Ok?".

So, it's clear what's going to be my attitude regarding the iMac Pro. At least until they release the Mac Pro. No new Mac Pro, no love for the iMac Pro. As easy as that. Apple only learns that way nowadays.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MH01 Avatar
83 months ago
Build a proper Mac Pro - tower and you will not worry about it getting picked up and stolen .

Good luck carrying out a 2012 Mac Pro .... theft protection without gimmicks :p
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cool Pup Avatar
83 months ago
I feel like this price level of Mac should have Face ID for even more security and theft protection.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
grobik Avatar
83 months ago
DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS!!!!!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
83 months ago
I don't think iMac theft is all that rampant. Seems a lot of work to go through for something that will be of little use to very very few.

I'm sure we're going to see a ton of articles guessing at random functions that may be possible with an A10 chip in the iMac Pro. "Might allow cellphone calls!", "Might allow you to checkin at your desk on Foursquare!", "Might allow running iOS apps!", "Might allow backup internet connection through LTE!"
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18: What to Expect From 'Biggest' Update in iPhone's History

Wednesday March 27, 2024 11:10 am PDT by
At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. "The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone's software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade," wrote Gurman, in a r...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

Apple Releases Revised Versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 With Updated Build Number

Wednesday March 27, 2024 5:59 am PDT by
Apple on late Tuesday released revised versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 with an updated build number of 21E237, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The updates previously had a build number of 21E236. The revised updates are available for all iPhone and iPad models that are compatible with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, but they can only be installed via the Finder app on macOS...
applephilschiller

Apple's Phil Schiller Works 80 Hours a Week Overseeing App Store

Wednesday March 27, 2024 2:03 pm PDT by
With the App Store and app ecosystem undergoing major changes in the European Union, The Wall Street Journal today shared a profile on App Store chief Phil Schiller, who is responsible for the App Store. Though Schiller transitioned from marketing chief to "Apple Fellow" in 2020 to take a step back from Apple and spend more time on personal projects and friends, he is reportedly working...