Joe Rossignol

Joe joined MacRumors as an Editor in January 2015, based out of Toronto, Canada. He has been writing about Apple since 2008, with bylines at 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, and many other tech-focused publications.

Joe has been cited by major media outlets, including Bloomberg News, CBS, CNBC, CNN, NBC, Reuters, TechCrunch, and The Washington Post. Many of his headlines have been featured by tech news aggregator Techmeme.



Study Finds iPhone XS Max Users Experience More Than Twice as Fast LTE Speeds as iPhone 5s Users on Average

Friday February 15, 2019 11:41 am PST by Joe Rossignol
iPhone XS Max users experience more than two times faster real-world LTE data speeds as iPhone 5s users on average in the United States, according to OpenSignal, although there are caveats to consider. OpenSignal says it measured speeds on hundreds of thousands of iPhones across the United States from October 26, 2018 to January 24, 2019 and found that iPhone XS Max users experienced an average LTE download speed of 21.7 Mbps compared to just 10.2 Mbps for iPhone 5s users. iPhone XS users saw an average LTE download speed of 17.6 Mbps, while iPhone 6 through iPhone 8 Plus users posted average LTE download speeds of between 15.6 Mbps and 17.1 Mbps, as measured by OpenSignal. OpenSignal attributes the faster data speeds on newer iPhones to improved modems and antenna designs in those devices, such as 4x4 MIMO support in the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max compared to 2x2 MIMO on older iPhones, but the results are also likely influenced by socioeconomic factors. Someone who is still using an iPhone 5s in 2019 could be a price-conscious consumer who is unable to justify the cost of upgrading to a newer iPhone, for example, while relying on a discount carrier with inferior wireless coverage or capped data speeds compared to major carriers such as Verizon and AT&T. That said, while the results may be somewhat skewed, a newer iPhone should be able to achieve faster data speeds than an older iPhone, assuming it's connected to a cellular tower with the latest LTE
Read Full Article • 92 comments

Apple Extends iPhone XR and iPhone XS Trade-Up Promotion Until March 25 in China

Friday February 15, 2019 9:51 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In late November, Apple launched a limited time promotion that offers up to $100 in additional credit when trading in an iPhone 6 through iPhone 8 towards the purchase of a new iPhone XS or iPhone XR in the United States. Apple expanded the promotion to additional countries in late December. While no end date has been set in the United States, fine print on Apple's regional Chinese website reveals that the extra credit will be available through March 25, 2019 in China, an extension of the previous February 28 end date in Japan. March 25 happens to be the rumored date of Apple's next event, where it is expected to announce new subscription-based news and streaming video services — although March 25 in China is March 24 in the United States due to time zone differences. The promotion is available at Apple Stores in participating countries. It is also offered on Apple.com and with monthly payments in the United States. With the monthly payment option, customers can get a new iPhone XR for as low as $18.99 per month or a new iPhone XS for as low as $29.99 per month for 24 months. If paying in full, the iPhone XR and iPhone XS start at $449 and $699 respectively with the trade-in of an iPhone 7 Plus or iPhone 8 in the United States. Apple has been heavily promoting iPhone XR and iPhone XS trade-ins with a prominent banner on the homepage of its website, store signage, App Store editorials, emails to older iPhone users, and more since the smartphones launched last year. In a letter to shareholders last month, Apple said it saw fewer iPhone upgrades than it
Read Full Article • 13 comments

Samsung Leaks Upcoming AirPods Competitor 'Galaxy Buds'

Friday February 15, 2019 6:32 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Samsung has leaked its upcoming wearables lineup through its Galaxy Wearable app for Android ahead of its February 20 event. Image credit: SamCentralTech As spotted by Twitter account SamCentralTech, and reported by The Verge, the initial "pick your device" screen of the app reveals the names and marketing images for a new Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Fit fitness trackers, and Galaxy Buds. Galaxy Buds are the least known of the three products, serving as Samsung's latest AirPods competitor. They won't be Samsung's first pair of truly wireless earphones, succeeding the Gear IconX in 2016, but rumors suggest they'll be able to charge wirelessly on the back of the upcoming Galaxy S10. Image credit: The Verge As for the Galaxy Watch Active, the app reveals the bezel-less smartwatch will be available in a 40mm size in at least two colors. Samsung will be hosting a media event on Wednesday, February 20 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, where it is widely expected to unveil a trio of new Galaxy S10 smartphones alongside these
Read Full Article • 257 comments

Apple Releases 2018 Conflict Minerals Report, Remains 'Deeply Committed' to Responsible Sourcing

Friday February 15, 2019 5:29 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today filed its 2018 Conflict Minerals Report with the SEC as part of its commitment to supplier responsibility. Apple said it remains "deeply committed" to upholding human rights across its global network of suppliers and "works to safeguard the well-being of people involved in its supply chain and to protect the places where materials are sourced." Apple commits to use minerals in its products that do not directly or indirectly finance armed conflict or benefit armed groups.As of December 31, 2018—for the fourth straight year—100 percent of identified smelters and refiners in Apple's supply chain for all applicable products manufactured during calendar year 2018 participated in an independent third-party conflict minerals audit ("Third Party Audit") program for columbite-tantalite (coltan), cassiterite, gold, wolframite, or their derivatives, which presently are limited to tantalum, tin, and tungsten (collectively, "3TG"). In 2018, Apple directed its suppliers to remove from its supply chain five smelters and refiners not willing to participate in, or complete, a Third Party Audit or that did not otherwise meet Apple's requirements on the responsible sourcing of minerals. Of the 253 smelters and refiners of 3TG determined to be in Apple's supply chain as of December 31, 2018, Apple found no reasonable basis for concluding that any such smelter or refiner sourced 3TG that directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups.In 2017, The Enough Project said Apple was the "clear leader" among companies around the world at developing efforts to source
Read Full Article • 31 comments

Advertising Legend Behind Apple's Iconic '1984', 'Think Different', and Mac vs. PC Campaigns Retires

Thursday February 14, 2019 7:46 am PST by Joe Rossignol
The creative mastermind behind some of Apple's most iconic advertising campaigns announced his retirement today. Lee Clow Lee Clow, the Global Director of Media Arts at Apple's advertising agency partner TBWA, will move into an advisory role as Chairman Emeritus of TBWA\Media Arts Lab, a division of the agency he founded in 2006 to exclusively serve Apple. His iconic, award-winning career spanned five decades. Over a 30-plus-year partnership with Apple, Clow worked on some of the company's most famous campaigns, including its "1984" ad for the original Macintosh, "Get a Mac" series of Mac vs. PC ads, "Think Different" slogan after Steve Jobs returned in 1997, and colorful silhouette ads for the iPod and iTunes. Apple CEO Tim Cook reflected on Clow's legendary career:During his long partnership with Steve and Apple, Lee told powerful visual stories that elevated new technologies with the passion, creativity and ingenuity that define our own humanity. He helped Apple carry itself through times of challenge, and his work inspired audiences to look beyond the horizon as an exciting future came into view. Lee's body of work over five decades hums with cleverness, warmth and enthusiasm—and there is no doubt that it will inspire and motivate generations of 'Crazy Ones' still to come.A look back at some of those ads: TBWA\Media Arts Lab will continue to serve Apple around the world, led by executives Katrien De Bauw and Brent
Read Full Article • 72 comments

SEC Charges Former Apple Lawyer Gene Levoff With Insider Trading [Updated]

Wednesday February 13, 2019 9:17 am PST by Joe Rossignol
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Apple's former vice president of corporate law Gene Levoff with insider trading, according to a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey on Wednesday. The complaint alleges that Levoff had access to Apple's earnings results before they were publicly announced and used this information to buy Apple shares in advance of better-than-expected earnings results and to sell shares ahead of weaker-than-expected earnings results between 2011 and 2016. Through his illegal insider trading in 2015-2016, the complaint alleges that Levoff profited and avoided losses of approximately $382,000:For example, in July 2015 Levoff received material nonpublic financial data that showed Apple would miss analysts' third quarter estimates for iPhone unit sales. Between July 17 and the public release of Apple's quarterly earnings information on July 21, Levoff sold approximately $10 million dollars of Apple stock – virtually all of his Apple holdings – from his personal brokerage accounts. Apple's stock dropped more than four percent when it publicly disclosed its quarterly financial data.Levoff also served on Apple's Disclosure Committee from September 2008 to July 2018. In this position, he was ironically responsible for ensuring that other Apple employees were compliant with Apple's insider trading policies, including enforcement of "blackout periods" around the time of Apple's earnings reports. Levoff was also tasked with signing off on some Apple acquisitions in his role. He was terminated in September 2018,
Read Full Article • 75 comments

Tim Cook Named to President Trump's American Workforce Policy Advisory Board

Wednesday February 13, 2019 8:29 am PST by Joe Rossignol
The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced the 25 members of the Trump administration's new American Workforce Policy Advisory Board, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and IBM CEO Ginni Rometty. The advisory board's recommendations will help guide the National Council for the American Worker's efforts to establish a strategy to ensure that American students and workers have access to "affordable, relevant, and innovative education and job training that will equip them to compete and win in the global economy." The board, co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, is expected to help address a "skills crisis" due to the rapidly increasing use of technology, automation, and artificial intelligence that is shaping many industries across the United States. The full list of members:Jay Box, President, Kentucky Community and Technical College System Walter Bumphus, President & CEO, American Association of Community Colleges Jim Clark, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America Tim Cook, CEO, Apple Tom Donohue, CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Juanita Duggan, President & CEO, National Federation for Independent Business Elizabeth Goettl, President & CEO, Cristo Rey Network Marillyn Hewson, Chairman, President, & CEO, Lockheed Martin Eric Holcomb, Governor, Indiana Barbara Humpton, CEO, Siemens USA Al Kelly, CEO, Visa Vi Lyles, Mayor, Charlotte, North Carolina Bill McDermott, CEO, SAP America Sean McGarvey, President, North America’s Building and Trades Unions Doug McMillon, President & CEO, Walmart Cra
Read Full Article • 117 comments

Apple Introduces Quicker Way to Manage Subscriptions via App Store

Wednesday February 13, 2019 6:36 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently introduced an easier way to manage subscriptions via the App Store, as spotted by MacStories editor-in-chief Federico Viticci. Apple recently made a change (seems iOS 12.1.4 and 12.2 beta) to make it easier to manage subscriptions for iOS apps.Now you just need to open the App Store, tap your profile, and choose 'Manage Subscriptions'. pic.twitter.com/4PtxvAQjTm— Federico Viticci (@viticci) February 13, 2019 iPhone and iPad users running iOS 12.1.4 or iOS 12.2 beta can now simply open the App Store, tap on their profile picture in the top-right corner, and tap on Manage Subscriptions to view and edit App Store, Apple Music, and Apple News subscriptions. We've confirmed this Manage Subscriptions shortcut is not in earlier iOS versions. iOS 12.1.2 Managing subscriptions previously required an extra step of tapping on the box with your Apple ID name and email address via the App Store or Settings. Apple will reportedly host a subscription-focused media event on Monday, March 25 at Steve Jobs Theater, where it is expected to announce its widely rumored subscription news service and perhaps its streaming movie and TV show service.
Read Full Article • 20 comments

Dozens of Adult Content and Gambling Apps Found Abusing Apple's Enterprise Certificate Program

Tuesday February 12, 2019 9:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Following last month's revelations that Facebook and Google were using Apple's enterprise developer program to bypass the App Store and collect analytics from participating users, TechCrunch now reports that dozens of pornography and gambling apps are abusing the program as well. TechCrunch's Josh Constine:TechCrunch was able to download and verify 12 pornography and 12 real-money gambling apps over the past week that were abusing Apple's Enterprise Certificate system to offer apps prohibited from the App Store. These apps either offered streaming or pay-per-view hardcore pornography, or allowed users to deposit, win, and withdraw real money — all of which would be prohibited if the apps were distributed through the App Store.The report notes that the problem starts with Apple's lax standards for accepting businesses into its enterprise program, which is solely intended for companies to allow employees to side-load apps for internal use.Developers simply have to fill out an online form and pay $299 to Apple, as detailed in this guide from Calvium. The form merely asks developers to pledge they're building an Enterprise Certificate app for internal employee-only use, that they have the legal authority to register the business, provide a D-U-N-S business ID number, and have an up to date Mac. You can easily Google a business’ address details and look up their D-U-N-S ID number with a tool Apple provides.Legitimate enterprise certificates are reportedly passed around on the black market too, particularly in China, and then used for prohibited purposes. Apple did not
Read Full Article • 81 comments

WWDC 2019 Dates Confirmed: June 3-7 in San Jose [Updated]

Tuesday February 12, 2019 6:57 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has yet to announce the dates for its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2019, but MacRumors has uncovered evidence that confirms the event will take place June 3-7 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. WWDC took place June 4-8 in 2018 and June 5-9 in 2017 at McEnery, so it would be natural if WWDC 2019 were scheduled for the same week of June. The weeklong conference has been hosted in the first half of June every year since 2007 and at McEnery specifically since 2017. While we were already confident the WWDC 2019 dates would fall on June 3-7, we confirmed with a source that a large annual event of some kind will be taking place during that week at McEnery. Meanwhile, the second and fourth weeks of June are ruled out due to the already-announced O'Reilly Velocity conference on June 10-13 and the Sensors Expo on June 25-27 at McEnery. In our continued research, we discovered that San Jose requires permitting for large public events such as Apple's WWDC Bash, which took place at the Discovery Meadow park next to McEnery in 2018. Following that thread, we unearthed a 2019 events calendar from the City of San Jose's Office of Cultural Affairs that lists this year's WWDC Bash at Discovery Meadow on the evening of Thursday, June 6. The event is named "Team San Jose 2019 WWDC" and is organized by "Apple." An identical WWDC entry was listed in the Office of Cultural Affairs' 2018 events calendar for the actual WWDC 2018 Bash. Last February, MacRumors accurately revealed that WWDC 2018 would be held June 4-8. Apple officially announced
Read Full Article • 77 comments

Apple's Health Records Feature Will Be Available Soon to U.S. Veterans

Monday February 11, 2019 7:56 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today announced that its Health Records feature on iPhone will be available soon to military veterans across the United States. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, American veterans receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration will be able to view their aggregated health records directly in the Health app on their iPhone. Apple CEO Tim Cook:We have great admiration for veterans, and we're proud to bring a solution like Health Records on iPhone to the veteran community. It's truly an honor to contribute to the improved healthcare of America's heroes.Apple introduced the Health Records feature in iOS 11.3 in March 2018, allowing patients to view their medical records from multiple participating hospitals and clinics directly in the Health app on the iPhone, including allergies, vital signs, conditions, immunizations, lab results, medications, and procedures. More than 100 institutions in the U.S. support Apple Health Records, including Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. UC San Diego Health recently conducted a survey about Apple Health Records and found that 78 percent of patients were "satisfied with using the feature", according to the Journal of the American Medical
Read Full Article • 34 comments

Apple Forced to Add Notice About iPhone Slowdown Saga on Italian Homepage

Monday February 11, 2019 6:45 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, the Italian Competition Authority hit Apple with a 10 million euro fine over "dishonest commercial practices" related to an iPhone performance management system it introduced in iOS 10.2.1 without informing customers. The antitrust watchdog said the update was a form of planned obsolescence. As a result of the investigation, Apple has been forced to add a consumer protection notice about these "incorrect" practices on its Italian homepage. The notice, loosely translated below, was spotted by setteBIT on Twitter.Apple, Apple Distribution International, Apple Italia, and Apple Retail Italia have led consumers in possession of an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, or iPhone 6s Plus to install iOS 10 and subsequent updates without providing adequate information about the impact of that choice on the performance of the smartphones and without offering (in a timely manner) any means of restoring the original functionality of the devices in the event of a proven decrease in performance following the update (such as downgrading or a battery replacement at reasonable costs). This practice was assessed incorrect, pursuant to Articles 20, 21, 22, and 24 of Legislative Decree No. 206 of the Italian Consumer Code by the Italian Competition Authority.For those who need a refresher about the iPhone slowdown saga, read our lengthy FAQ. Here's a key excerpt:Why is Apple slowing down some older iPhone models? iPhones, like many other consumer electronics, are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which have a limited lifespan. As the battery in your iPhone ages, its
Read Full Article • 74 comments

2019 iPhones Said to Keep Lightning Connector With Same Old 5W Charger and EarPods in Box

Monday February 11, 2019 5:34 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While it was recently reported that Apple has at least considered switching to USB-C on the iPhone, Japanese blog Mac Otakara believes that 2019 models will stick with the Lightning connector as a cost-saving measure. Based on its conversations with various accessory manufacturers, the blog also predicts that 2019 iPhones will continue to be bundled with the same old 5W power adapter, forcing customers to spend extra if they want a faster charger like the 18W USB-C version that ships with the latest iPad Pro models. Likewise, the blog predicts that 2019 iPhones will continue to ship with a Lightning to USB-A cable and Lightning-based
Read Full Article • 255 comments

New iPads Expected in First Half of 2019, Including iPad Mini 5 With Similar Design as iPad Mini 4

Monday February 11, 2019 4:57 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple is set to launch new iPad models in the first half of 2019, according to Taiwanese supply chain website DigiTimes. One of those new models is expected to be the so-called iPad mini 5, but anyone hoping for a major redesign should lower their expectations, as Japanese blog Mac Otakara reports that the tablet will have a similar design as the iPad mini 4. The information comes from the blog's discussions with accessory makers. Mac Otakara claims the iPad mini 5 will have identical dimensions as the iPad mini 4, including a thickness of 6.1mm, suggesting that the tablet will have the same 7.9-inch display if bezel size remains unchanged. The blog also expects the tablet to retain a Lightning connector, Touch ID, and 3.5mm headphone jack. One design change expected is the repositioning of the rear microphone to a top-center position in line with the sixth-generation iPad. The report claims it is unclear whether the iPad mini 5 will have an A10 Fusion chip akin to the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and sixth-generation iPad, or an A10X Fusion chip in line with 2017 iPad Pro models and the Apple TV 4K. It's also unclear if the iPad mini 5 will support the original Apple Pencil, but second-generation Apple Pencil support seems to be ruled
Read Full Article • 89 comments

Apple Sued Over Not Letting Customers Disable Two-Factor Authentication After Two Weeks

Saturday February 9, 2019 11:06 am PST by Joe Rossignol
New York resident Jay Brodsky has filed a frivolous class action lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company's so-called "coercive" policy of not letting customers disable two-factor authentication beyond a two-week grace period is both inconvenient and violates a variety of California laws. The complaint alleges that Brodsky "and millions of similarly situated consumers across the nation have been and continue to suffer harm" and "economic losses" as a result of Apple's "interference with the use of their personal devices and waste of their personal time in using additional time for simple logging in." In a support document, Apple says it prevents customers from turning off two-factor authentication after two weeks because "certain features in the latest versions of iOS and macOS require this extra level of security":If you already use two-factor authentication, you can no longer turn it off. Certain features in the latest versions of iOS and macOS require this extra level of security, which is designed to protect your information. If you recently updated your account, you can unenroll for two weeks. Just open your enrollment confirmation email and click the link to return to your previous security settings. Keep in mind, this makes your account less secure and means that you can't use features that require higher security.The complaint is riddled with questionable allegations, however, including that Apple released a software update around September 2015 that enabled two-factor authentication on Brodsky's Apple ID without his knowledge or consent. Apple in
Read Full Article • 455 comments

Apple Expands Availability of Refurbished 2018 MacBook Air, Mac Mini to U.S. and Canada

Saturday February 9, 2019 9:49 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has begun selling certified refurbished 2018 MacBook Air and Mac mini models in the United States and Canada for the first time, following availability in several European countries starting Friday. In the United States, refurbished pricing starts at $1,019 for the base model MacBook Air, down from $1,199 brand new, and $679 for the base model Mac mini, down from $799 brand new. Various other custom configurations are available for each Mac with discounts up to 15 percent versus brand new prices. While the refurbished higher-end MacBook Air models may be worth considering, the base model is worth passing over, as authorized resellers such as Amazon and B&H are offering it brand new in box for $999 in the United States. Orders placed today are estimated for delivery by early next week. We recommend using Refurb Tracker to monitor inventory. Apple says certified refurbished MacBook Air and Mac mini models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged, with all manuals and cables included in the box. In our view, a refurbished Mac is virtually indistinguishable from a brand new one. They're also backed by Apple's standard one-year warranty. A refurbished Mac's warranty can be extended to three years from the refurbished purchase date with AppleCare+. (Thanks, Jason A!) Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon and B&H. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Read Full Article • 45 comments

Apple Reportedly Advised Technicians to Push iPhone Upgrades to Customers With Out-of-Warranty Devices

Friday February 8, 2019 12:09 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Last month, Apple lowered its revenue guidance for the first quarter of its 2019 fiscal year by up to $9 billion due to fewer iPhone upgrades than it anticipated, primarily due to economic weakness in the Greater China region. A few months prior to the announcement, Apple began heavily promoting iPhone XR and iPhone XS trade-ins with a limited time promotion, prominent banner on its website, emails to older iPhone users, store signage, App Store editorials, and other uncharacteristically aggressive tactics aimed at boosting sales. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple reassigned some of its marketing staff to focus on bolstering sales of its latest iPhone lineup in late October, around the time the iPhone XR launched. The report cited an unnamed source who described the efforts as a "fire drill." In a report this week about Deirdre O'Brien succeeding Angela Ahrendts as Apple's retail chief, Gurman elaborated a bit more on Apple's tactics to promote its latest iPhones, claiming that the company advised its technicians to "push iPhone upgrades to consumers with out-of-warranty devices." Senior retail staff were also tasked with making sure other employees were suggesting upgrades, according to Gurman:In December, as Apple executives worried about demand, the company asked retail employees to promote the new iPhones using methods not seen before. Technicians were told to push iPhone upgrades to consumers with out-of-warranty devices. Senior sales staff had to make sure other retail workers were suggesting upgrades, and easels offering generous
Read Full Article • 382 comments

Apple Begins Selling Refurbished 2018 MacBook Air and Mac Mini Starting in Europe

Friday February 8, 2019 9:09 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today began selling refurbished 2018 models of the MacBook Air and Mac mini for the first time, although availability is currently limited to Europe. Listings for refurbished 2018 MacBook Air models have also gone live in the United States, but the purchase button does not work yet. In the UK, the base model MacBook Air is priced at £1,019, which is £180 off Apple's regular price of £1,199 brand new. The base model Mac mini is priced at £679, reflecting savings of £120 off £799 brand new. The refurbished MacBook Air models will start at $1,019 in the United States when they become available to order. That is a discount worth passing over, as authorized resellers such as Amazon and B&H are currently offering the 2018 MacBook Air brand new in box for $999, a savings of $200:Amazon: 1.6GHz Core i5 / 128GB SSD / 8GB RAM / Space Gray Amazon: 1.6GHz Core i5 / 128GB SSD / 8GB RAM / Silver B&H: 1.6GHz Core i5 / 128GB SSD / 8GB RAM / Space Gray B&H: 1.6GHz Core i5 / 128GB SSD / 8GB RAM / SilverMac mini deals are less common, so refurbished models could be worth considering. Orders placed today are estimated for delivery by early next week in the United Kingdom. We recommend using Refurb Tracker to monitor inventory. Apple says certified refurbished MacBook Air and Mac mini models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged, with all manuals and cables included in the box. In our view, a refurbished Mac is virtually indistinguishable from a brand new one, and is also backed by Apple's standard one-year warranty. A refurbished Mac's warranty can
Read Full Article • 71 comments

Apple Shares New Memoji Ads Featuring Ariana Grande, Khalid, and Florida Georgia Line

Friday February 8, 2019 6:11 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared a trio of new Memoji ads on its YouTube channel featuring Ariana Grande, Khalid, and Florida Georgia Line. The videos highlight today's release of Grande's full album "Thank U, Next," yesterday's release of Khalid's single "Talk," and the upcoming release of Florida Georgia Line's country album "Can't Say I Ain't Country" on February 15. All of the songs and albums can be streamed with Apple Music. Grande and Florida Georgia Line are nominees for the 61st GRAMMY Awards, airing this Sunday on CBS at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Grande and fellow nominees Shawn Mendes and Kacey Musgraves are featured on Memoji billboards in Los Angeles.
Read Full Article • 158 comments

Texas Software Engineer Daven Morris Also Reported FaceTime Bug to Apple One Day Before it Made Headlines

Friday February 8, 2019 5:30 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In a support document outlining the security content of iOS 12.1.4, Apple credited both 14-year-old Grant Thompson of Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Arizona and Daven Morris of Arlington, Texas with reporting a major Group FaceTime bug to the company that allowed users to eavesdrop on others. Thompson and his mother are widely known for being the first people to discover and report the bug to Apple, over a week before it made headlines on January 28, but nothing was known about Morris until now. The Wall Street Journal today shared a few details about Morris, noting he is a 27-year-old software engineer who reported the bug to Apple on January 27, several days after the Thompsons but one day before it made headlines. He apparently discovered the bug a week earlier while planning a group trip with friends. Apple on Thursday said it will compensate the Thompson family for finding and reporting the bug and make an additional gift toward Grant Thompson's education. Apple hasn't disclosed the exact sums of the donations. It's unclear if Morris will also be compensated by the company for reporting the bug. In a statement issued to MacRumors, Apple apologized for the bug a second time and assured customers that it has been fixed in iOS 12.1.4, as has a previously unreported vulnerability in the Live Photos feature of FaceTime:Today's software update fixes the security bug in Group FaceTime. We again apologize to our customers and we thank them for their patience. In addition to addressing the bug that was reported, our team conducted a thorough security
Read Full Article • 38 comments