As we close out one week and kick off another, let’s take a moment to look back at the attention-grabbing headlines from the past seven days (February 24 – March 2). Some of the news you may recall, some may be new to you, but all the topics below are worthy of a mention.
Apple to soon expand iPhone trade-in program to Canada
Apple launched its iPhone trade-in program called “iPhone Reuse and Recycling Program,” in the US last year in August, and expanded the program to UK and Germany a few months later. It looks like the program will soon be coming to Canada.
Apple’s ‘Gotofail’ SSL bug also affects Mail, Messages, FaceTime and other Mac apps
Over the weekend, Apple acknowledged that the serious SSL bug fixed in iOS 6.1.6 and iOS 7.0,6, also exists in OS X, and has promised to release a software fix as soon as possible.
However, the situation seems to be a lot worse as private security researcher, Ashkan Soltani has found that the bug also affects other Mac applications such as Mail, FaceTime, Messages, Calendar etc., and not just Apple’s Safari browser.
Samsung Galaxy S5 vs iPhone 5s: Tech Specs Shootout
Samsung today launched its flagship Galaxy smartphone — the Samsung Galaxy S5 with a fingerprint sensor, a heart-rate monitor, water and dust resistant body, and more. The device comes with powerful specs, as you’d expect from Samsung, with a 2.5GHz quad-code processor, 2GB or RAM, a 16MP camera and more.
So how does the Galaxy S5 stack against the iPhone 5s in terms of specs? Here’s a spec-by-spec comparison of the flagship smartphones from two of the most successful smartphone companies in the world.
Apple releases OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 with SSL bug fix, FaceTime Audio, contact blocking and more
As expected, Apple has released OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 with a number of new features like FaceTime Audio, contact blocking, but most importantly, a fix for a critical security flaw that could let an attacker sniff and modify your data on secure HTTPS connections.
Updated Apple security document details Touch ID and A7′s Secure Enclave
Following the release of a critical security update for iOS, Apple also posted an updated security document for iOS on its website. In this document, Apple provides additional information on its Touch ID sensor and Secure Enclave system.
Apple is the ‘Most Admired’ company for the seventh straight year
Apple has successfully retained its title of being the ‘Most Admired’ company in the U.S., followed by the likes of Amazon, Google and Berkshire Hathaway. This is the company’s seventh consecutive title, so there’s a lot to celebrate for the folks at Cupertino. This list is published annually by Fortune and Apple’s inclusion for the seventh straight year is no surprise given the company’s resurgence over the years despite severe competition in the industry.
Moov fitness tracker and personal trainer device improves performance, prevents injury
Moov is an upcoming wearable device that is part fitness tracker, part personal trainer. It uses 9-axis sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, to track both your motion and your form (posture) while you exercise or play one of the supported sports. Moov can be worn on various parts of the body depending on the sport or exercise that is being monitored.
California Appeals Court rules that using mobile maps while driving isn’t illegal
In what appears to be a very crucial ruling, the California Appeals Court has claimed that using of smartphone guided maps or navigation while driving cannot be classified under ‘distracted driving’. This comes after a user named Steven Spriggs was booked and given a $165 ticket for using his iPhone 4 to look for an alternative route while stuck in a busy traffic jam.
Apple bundling a $25 iTunes Gift Card with the Apple TV; sparks off speculation of next-gen Apple TV
In what is claimed to be a stock clearance drive, Apple is offering a $25 gift card with every purchase of its current gen Apple TV. Rumors of Apple preparing to launch a refresh to this home media device have been floating around the internet for quite a while now, so this new move doesn’t surprise us.
Glucose Sensing unlikely to be included in first generation iWatch
The iWatch, Apple’s long rumored smartwatch, will reportedly feature a plethora of biomedical sensors to keep track of your health, and help you stay fit. A report from Network World claims that a glucose sensing, originally rumored to be included in the iWatch, is unlikely to find its way in the first version of the smartwatch.
Apple planning to release software update to fix Touch ID fading issue
Are you having problems with your iPhone 5s’ Touch ID? Apple is preparing to release an update to improve the performance of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, according to AppleInsider.
Google’s Sundar Pichai: Android was not designed to be safe, it was designed to give more freedom
The Mobile Threat report from Cisco last month revealed that 99% of all mobile malwares targeted Android devices last year.
When Sundar Pichai, the Senior Vice President at Google, who overseas Android was asked about the malware situation on the Android platform, he gave a surprisingly frank answer.
Apple TV no longer a hobby as hardware and content sales reach $1 billion
Apple’s set-top box business may be a small in comparison to the iPad and iPhone, but it is still generating money for the company. According to Reuters, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed during the company’s annual shareholder meeting that Apple TV hardware and content generated more than $1 billion in sales during FY 2013. The $1 billion amount was accrued during the company’s fiscal year 2013 which started September 29, 2012 and ended September 28, 2013.
