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

Tuesday November 21, 2017 2:58 am PST by Tim Hardwick
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.

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 Roundup: iMac Pro
Tag: Pike's Universum
Buyer's Guide: iMac Pro (Neutral)
[ 66 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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levitynyc
8 months ago
There’s absolutely no chance this launches next month.
Rating: 23 Votes
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asiga
8 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.
Rating: 11 Votes
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MH01
8 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
Rating: 9 Votes
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Cool Pup
8 months ago
I feel like this price level of Mac should have Face ID for even more security and theft protection.
Rating: 7 Votes
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grobik
8 months ago
DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS!!!!!
Rating: 6 Votes
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riverfreak
8 months ago

There’s absolutely no chance this launches next month.

Oh, it’ll launch in December. With preorders starting in March and shipping in June.
Rating: 5 Votes
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OldSchoolMacGuy
8 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!"
Rating: 5 Votes
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ISanych
8 months ago

They should add this to the iPhone...

They did it many years ago, it called find my phone.
Rating: 5 Votes
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MartinAppleGuy
8 months ago
I have always wondered why this is missing from their MacBook lineup. Its one of the main selling points to an LTE iPad.
[doublepost=1511265773][/doublepost]

I don't think iMac theft is all that rampant.

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.


I'm thinking realtime native running of iOS apps for development purposes. Also lets them test the waters to see if they can get a licence to run X86 code on their custom SoCs.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Davmeister
8 months ago
Hehe. I remember when my iMac G5 came with 512Mb RAM - as all it came with. This thing might have that just as a spare/for lols. Incredible.
Rating: 4 Votes

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