Joe Rossignol

Facebook has announced that it will begin rolling out optional end-to-end encryption within its Messenger app for iOS and Android on a limited test basis, ahead of the option becoming more widely available through early September. Messenger users will be able to create one-to-one "Secret Conversations" in Messenger that will be end-to-end encrypted and which can only be read on one device of ...

A few years ago, a number of users in Australia were victimized by attackers remotely locking iPhones, iPads, and Macs using Find My iPhone on iCloud. Compromised devices typically displayed Russian ransom messages demanding payments of around $50 to $100 for the device to be unlocked. A ransom message targeting a Mac in 2014 with the common pseudonym "Oleg Pliss" At the time, IT security...

Apple and the University of Naples Federico II have jointly announced that the first-ever iOS Developer Academy will open in October 2016 at the university's new campus in San Giovanni a Teduccio, a coastal suburb east of Naples, Italy. The news was first reported by German website Macerkopf. The free academy will provide more than 200 students with "practical skills and training on...

Apple today updated its iOS feature availability page with 30 new Flyover locations around the world, including cities in the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Flyover is an Apple Maps feature that provides photo-realistic 3D views of primarily large cities and landmarks. In satellite view, users can zoom, pan, and rotate to get a closer look at...

Apple executive Bozoma Saint John, who serves as the Head of Global Consumer Marketing for Apple Music and iTunes, is auctioning the opportunity to sit down with her for a one-hour "power lunch" in Los Angeles, California within the next year. Bidding starts at $1,500 on Charitybuzz, the same platform where lunches with Apple CEO Tim Cook have raised nearly $1.7 million combined over the...

Apple launched a public beta of iOS 10 today through its Beta Software Program. It is identical to the second developer build and provides non-developers with a chance to test the upcoming software version for the first time. But given the nature of pre-release software, is it safe to install the iOS 10 public beta on your device? If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that you use as your daily...

Advertising analytics company Ace Metrix has published its latest list of the top breakthrough ads in the second quarter, and Apple's behind the scenes "Timer" ad starring iconic Sesame Street character Cookie Monster earned fifth place. "Timer - Behind The Scenes" has been viewed over 3 million times on YouTube since the video was uploaded in early April. In the 90-second spot, Cookie...

Apple Pay has launched in Switzerland today with support for MasterCard and Visa cards issued by Bonus Card, Cornèr Bank, and Swiss Bankers. Other banks and participating issuers will likely be added in the future. Eligible cards can be scanned or added manually to Apple Pay by tapping the "Add Credit or Debit Card" option in the Wallet app on iOS 8.1 or later. Apple Pay is compatible with...

Verizon has announced a series of changes to its monthly service plans effective July 7 and previewed a new version of its My Verizon app in tow. The biggest change is that Verizon's unlimited talk and text plans now offer at least 30 percent more data, albeit at higher price points. Old Plans - S: 1GB for $30/month - M: 3GB for $45/month - L: 6GB for $60/month - XL: 12GB for...

Snapchat has introduced a new feature called Memories, accessible by swiping up on the main camera screen, that serves as a personal collection of your favorite saved snaps and stories. Memories can be viewed personally, sent to your friends, or added to your Snapchat story. A snap taken more than 24 hours ago will appear with a frame around it in your story to indicate that it is older....

Internet security software company Bitdefender's research lab has disclosed new malware targeting Macs called Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor [PDF]. Learn more about the malware and how to keep your Mac protected against attackers. What is Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor? Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor is new OS X/macOS malware arising from a malicious third-party app called EasyDoc Converter, which poses as a...

With around three months remaining until Apple is expected to announce the tentatively named iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, detailed renders of the next-generation smartphones continue to surface on the web. The latest CAD renders, posted on Chinese social media and shared by French website NWE, provide a closer look at the possible design of the smartphones and paint a clearer picture of which...

In a wide-ranging commentary piece about why now is a bad time to buy a new iPhone, The Wall Street Journal has confirmed that the iPhone 7 will start with 32GB of storage, replacing the infamous 16GB base tier offered since the iPhone 3GS.The new iPhones are expected to have more storage for those photos. Instead of 16GB as a starting point for the entry-level iPhone, the new starting point will ...

BlackBerry has announced that it will no longer manufacture the BlackBerry Classic, meaning that the touchscreen smartphone will no longer be available once remaining stock is depleted through official sales channels.For many years, Classic (and its BBOS predecessors) has been in our portfolio. It has been an incredible workhorse device for customers, exceeding all expectations. But, the Classic...

Apple is demanding price cuts on components for the new iPhone from its overseas suppliers to maintain its high profit margins, despite a global slowdown in smartphone sales, according to Taiwanese website DigiTimes. The report claims several large Taiwan-based component suppliers such as Foxconn, Largan Precision, and Pegatron have already been affected, while strong competition in Greater...

Walmart has announced that its mobile payments solution Walmart Pay is now available in 19 more U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Last month, Walmart Pay widely expanded to Alabama, Georgia,...

Edward Majerczyk, a 28-year-old Chicago man who played a role in the phishing of celebrity iCloud accounts in 2014, has signed a plea agreement and agreed to plead guilty to a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, according to court documents made public on Friday. Majerczyk was charged in a Los Angeles, California district court, but will enter his guilty plea in the Northern...

Canadian music and TV personality George Stroumboulopoulos will kick off a Canadian "takeover" of Beats 1 with an hourlong segment on July 2 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, Apple has confirmed to the Financial Post. George Stroumboulopoulos, left, and Beats 1 host Zane Lowe (Financial Post) Part entertainment, part education, these hour-long sessions are a chance for local talent to shine a light...

Today marks the one year anniversary of Apple Music, which launched in 110 countries on June 30, 2015. The streaming music service was initially limited to the Mac and iOS devices, and it has since expanded to Apple TV and Android. Apple's streaming music service, an evolution of the Beats Music service it acquired in 2014, has steadily gained listeners over the past twelve months, reaching...

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has announced a new MFi Headset Development Kit, a reference platform that is designed to help "Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod" accessory makers quickly develop Lightning-based headphones. The development kit, available through Apple's MFi Program, includes a form factor reference design and other resources to help MFi licensees create Lightning-based headphones. A...