Apple's AirDrop tool, which allows OS X users to share files between computers quickly and efficiently, is on its way to the company's mobile platform, a new report claims. Apple is currently in the process of testing AirDrop on iOS 7, 9to5Mac is reporting, citing people who claim to have knowledge of its plans.
A full-size iPad that gets closer to the lean design of the iPad Mini may finally be on the way. Production of the fifth-generation iPad is slated to begin in July, according to a report from Taipei-based Digitimes. The new 9.7-inch iPad will be 25 percent to 33 percent lighter than the iPad 4, Digitimes said. Specifically, the 2,048x1,536 pixel-density Retina display (same pixel density as the iPad 4) will have thinner glass - achieved by using new touch sensor technology - and, most importantly, a less bulky backlight apparatus, according to them.
The same hacker who found a passcode workaround after Apple's iOS update last month has found another way to access the photos and contacts of a password-protected iPhone. YouTube user "VideosdeBarraquito" uploaded a video today showing how to access the files using the voice command feature on the phone. He gives a voices command to dial a number and while the number is dialing, he uses a paperclip to eject the phone's SIM card. After the card ejects, the phone ends the call and he is able to go into the locked phone's address book and photos.
Apple today launched iOS version 6.1.3 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch users.The latest update fixes a security flaw that allowed someone to gain access to an iPhone by getting past the lock screen.By following a specific series of steps, including making an emergency call, a person could get around the passcode and make phone calls, listen to voice mail, or check contact photos.
In the latest set of security updates for OS X, Apple has included a new version of Safari for users still running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. The last official release of Safari for Snow Leopard was version 5.1.7, which addressed several bugs in the WebKit framework that could allow maliciously crafted Web sites to execute code locally on a system. Since then there had been no updates for Safari 5; however, if you are using Snow Leopard and have installed the latest update you will see Safari is now at version 5.1.8.
Apple and its manufacturing partner are readying the next-generation processor expected to land in future iPhones and iPads. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC, is expected to tape out - one of the final steps before manufacturing - Apple's A7 chip this month, according to a report in Digitimes.
Apple has put out a supplemental update to iOS 6.1 for iPhone 4S owners following issues with cellular performance. iOS 6.1.1, which was released to developers last Wednesday, went out to iPhone 4S owners as a free update this afternoon. In the release notes, Apple says the update fixes an issue that could impact cellular performance and reliability for iPhone 4S. The update did not go out to owners on other iOS devices, including newer versions of the iPhone, or cellular-enabled models of the iPad.
After five beta test versions, Apple released iOS 6.1, the first major update to iOS 6 since September. The software, which went out as an over-the-air update as well as a download through iTunes, brings a few new minor features, along with bug fixes. Chief among the new features is 4G LTE support for more carriers, along with a feature that lets users purchase movie tickets from Fandango after finding showtimes using Siri.
A zero-day vulnerability discovered in Java last week prompted separate warnings from the US government, Apple, and Mozilla advising users not to use the software. Apple took the rare step of disabling the Java 7 plug-in on Macs where it is installed by updating its Xprotect.plist blacklist, part of the anti-malware built into OS X. Oracle released a patch for the vulnerability on Sunday and Apple released Java 7 update 11 which addresses the vulnerability.
Nvidia has unveiled a new handheld gaming system called Project Shield. Project Shield is powered by the Tegra 4 processor and can play console-quality games while still providing a mobile experience. The processor is capable of pushing 4K resolution video over HDMI to external displays. It includes advanced sound processing that Nvidia said rivals Beats Audio-equipped laptops, and a 33Wh battery that provides five to ten hours of play time or 24 hours of HD video playback.