IT Support - Mac Chatter – Mac related news and views | Mac Chatter – Mac related news and views

Apple Involve Police In iPhone Mystery

Posted on April 26, 2010 by sophieparker

The incident of the ?lost iPhone will have been the first major leak from Apple in a long time. If indeed that is the case. There has been allot of speculation about how exactly the phone made it?s way into Gizmodo?s hands. Considering there was supposedly a large amount of money involved, it entirely possible that the whole thing wasn?t exactly legal.

CNET has reported that Apple have been speaking with local police, and that action id being taken by a "computer crime task force." Gizmodo haven?t yet stated exactly how they came by the phone. Instead opting just to give information on the engineer who lost the phone. The whole thing has been finely picked over by the tech community, but Gizmodo staff have kept quiet.

It seems perfectly reasonable for Apple to want to file charges, Gizmodo had the Iphone for over a week before posting a blog about it. They could have contacted Apple and had it sent back to them long before then. Californian law is in Apple?s favour. This isn?t just a lost phone but a valuable prototype that?s found it way into the hands of the press months before the release of the final product. If I were Steve Jobs I don?t think I?d be best pleased, and if i were Gizmodo I don?t think I?d be too happy about a possible legal battle with Apple. Watch this space.

Ridiculous Survey About Men, Women And iPhones

Posted on April 23, 2010 by sophieparker

A survey that was originally said to have been conducted by Phones 4U, wasn?t. It was apparently issued in error under the TechCrunch name by a PR firm via a third party. Here?s what Phone 4U have said about the survey:

"StickyEyes conducted research via a third party, again without prior consent from Phones 4u and issued a press release detailing its findings without Phones 4u?s knowledge.

To confirm, Phones 4u had no knowledge of any said survey, nor did Phones 4u consent to or approve of the press release StickyEyes issued to PR Newswire and the information provided within the said release is factually incorrect."

And here?s why they said this?

The survey was taken in regard to how attractive women find men who posses an iPhone. 1,500 women apparently took part in the survey, and their responses will astound!

Apparently: "54% of women stated that they would be more likely to date a man if he owns an iPhone. One respondent suggested ‘if he has an iPhone then he’s obviously intelligent and well-off.’?

Not only that, 37% of women according to this survey, said that men with iPhones seem more reliable and worth a second date. One woman was quoted as saying:

"If he’s got the cash for an iPhone then he must be very good at his job, too."

Indeed. So there you have it, if you?ve been wondering where you?ve been going wrong with women you now have the key. Get you?re self an iPhone! But don?t be surprised if she ditches you for another man who has an iPhone HD. Women are fickle like that?

Gizmodo Have Mystery Phone, Apple Want It Back

Posted on April 22, 2010 by sophieparker

Since the Mystery Phone was reported, there has been allot of speculation about it?s origins and authenticity. Is it the next gen iPhone or not?

Gizmodo are currently in possession of the phone and have revealed the identity of the Apple Engineer said to have lost it. Gray Powell is a 27 year old graduate from NC State, who suposedly works/worked on the iPhone Baseband Software. Said to have lost the iPhone over a month ago on march 18th. The rumour mill grinds on?

It?s also been reported that Gizmodo paid around $5,000 for the phone from their source who found it. The phone was bricked the day after discovery through Mobileme. And Gizmodo have been getting allot of hits on their site since then. Gawker Media posted a very interesting little hit chart fro Gizmodo.

Gizmodo have been inundated with calls about the device, and then they received a call from Apple. Apple requested that they return the device, Gizmodo requested a that in writing. Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Bruce Sewell promptly sent:

?It has come to our attention that GIZMODO is currently in possession of a device that belongs to Apple. This letter constitutes a formal request that you return the device to Apple. Please let me know where to pick up the unit.?

So we still don?t know for sure if this is the nest gen iPhone, but it?s clear that it is a prototype of some sort.

Backdoor Malware On Mac OS X

Posted on April 20, 2010 by sophieparker

Itego released a report this week on a new bit of malware named OSX/HellRTS.D. Yes, it?s a? Mac virus! Once it has found it?s way onto a computer, it opens a backdoor to remote control and further malware infections.

The new variant of malware is based on one that discovered back in 2004. the malware can affect Intel based Macs and Power PC if installed and leave it open to attack. as Intego reports:

“It sets up its own server and configures a server port and password. It duplicates itself, using the names of different applications, adding the new version to a user?s login items, to ensure that it starts up at login. (These different names can make it hard to detect, not only in login items, but also in Activity Monitor.) It can send e-mail with its own mail server, contact a remote server, and provide direct access to an infected Mac. It can also perform a number of operations such as providing remote screen-sharing access, shutting down or restarting a Mac, accessing an infected Mac?s clipboard, and much more.”

A very talented infection it would seem. But despite all this Intego has still rated it as low as no Macs have been reported with the infection. The malware cannot be installed remotely and requires physical access to a computer. Intego?s VirusBarrier X6 can detect and remove the malware.

Mystery iPhone Proof Of Authenticity

Posted on April 19, 2010 by sophieparker

Sites reporting on the iPhone found in San Jose, have been claiming it to be fake. It has been reported to be a clone from Japan. An update on the Applesfera site roughly translated, said the following:

“Update: Our reader Ivan Meneses has contacted us to tell us that this supposed new iPhone could actually be a Japanese clone, which he is due to a relative who brought it from Japan.”

It was speculated originally that the phone could be a prototype. Josh Topolsky of Engadget has come up with some pretty compelling evidence to confirm original speculation. He has posted a photo that was leaked from the iPad launch. As you can see in the top left hand corner is a familiar looking device, and you have the 3G iPhone in the bottom right to compare size with.

Pictures have also been posted on the MacRumours forum. These show the inner hardware of the next iPhone, and show that it will be similar in form the the one found in San Jose. The second one in from the left being the most significant. Either way the whole thing makes for some excellent publicity.

iPhone 4G Found In Bar

Posted on April 19, 2010 by sophieparker

An iPhone has been found on the floor of a bar in san Jose. The iPhone looks like a 3G from the outside but is suspected to be a 4g/HD. It is also sporting a new look and is suspected of being a prototype/modified model.

The iPhone running OS 4.0 SDK, was in working order when found. The device has 80GB of storage, the largest amount of storage on previous models is 32GB.

The found phone has a front facing camera and volume toggle/silence buttons. The back of the phone includes all the usual markings, including ?Designed by Apple California?. There is an Apple office in Cupertino, which is right next to San Jose. So it is possible that this phone is some sort of prototype or custom device. Which is very eyebrow raising to say the least!

iPhone OS 4 To Be Announced June 22nd

Posted on April 15, 2010 by sophieparker

It?s been reported that the iPhone OS 4 will be announced by Apple on the 22nd of June.

The latest iPhones always seem to be revealed at Apple?s World Wide Developers Conference, held each summer. Rumour has it that Apple have already booked the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts in San Francisco. And the conference is to be held on the 22nd of June.

The rumour mill also says that the new iPhone will be called ?iPhone HD?, with a GSM and CDMA version. The specs are said to include include an Apple A4 SoC, a 960×640 resolution display, and a front-facing camera fro video chat. Developers have found support for iChat AV in the SDK of the iPhone OS 4 Beta.

You may have already read our blog on multitasking in the OS 4, other bits include iBooks, Folders, iAds and Game centre. Only a beta version at present, the full and final version should be available to consumers around late June?If the rumours are true that is.

Is Adobe Going To Sue Apple?

Posted on April 14, 2010 by sophieparker

It been reported that Adobe are planning to sue Apple over the recent SDK agreement fiasco.

Computerworld blogger Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols, wrote: "Usually I write about security here, but Apple’s iron-bound determination to keep Adobe Flash out of any iWhatever device is about to blow up in Apple’s face. Sources close to Adobe tell me that Adobe will be suing Apple within a few weeks."

Apple have banned the use of intermediate computability layers and alternative languages for it?s apps. They altered section 3.3.1 of the developer agreement with the release of iPhone OS 4 beta. The basically means that Adobe?s CS5 flash-to-phone complier is now pointless. Adobe had been hyping it up before the agreement was altered.

Of course it not yet known if this is true, and if so on what ground Adobe will base the suit. There may be more fun times ahead for Apple.

New MacBook Pro Line Up On Apple Store

Posted on April 13, 2010 by sophieparker

Apple?s online store was taken offline this morning for a short time in order to introduce a new line up of MacBook pros.

The whole range has been updated with 1.4GHz to 2.66GFHz Intel Core processors. The 15 and 16 inch models also have options for glossy, high res glossy and high res glossy with anti-glare displays. There is also an option for a 512Gb SSD across the range. But that will cost you over a grand extra on the price of all the MacBook Pros. The 15 and 17 inch versions have the options of i5 and i7 Intel processors. Which also give the upgraded graphics capabilities for the NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M. 13? versions have seen upgrades to the graphics card. Now sporting the NVIDIA GeForce 320M, and also Intel Core 2 Duo processors and a 10 hour battery.

Palm Is Looking For A Buyer

Posted on April 12, 2010 by sophieparker

Palm has been struggling for months with financial and company issues, and is reported to have gone up for sale. Palm saw a fall in profits after the release of it Smartphone the Pre, which has proved to be the final blow for Palm, they?re looking for a buyer.

It?s reported that Palm have been to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Qatalyst Partners to find a potential buyer. Dell have been rumoured to be interested but then backed out. It?s not known at the moment if any other businesses have shown an interest. HTC would seem a likely candidate, having palm would certainly help them in the market battle against Apple. Not forgetting that HTC are currently in a software patent legal battle with Apple.

Consumers who bought the Pre, stood buy it. But it just hasn’t been that popular, not to generate enough sales. This is probably due to that fact that it never became widely available in global terms, and has some extremely strong competition in Apple and Google. It may be a bit of a risk to take the company on, but I?m sure the right buyer could turn Palm?s fortunes around. It would be a shame to see them go.

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