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Apple updates Siri to help those considering suicide to get help
GigaOM noticed that Apple quietly released an update to Siri that offers to put a user in contact with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, should he or she mention suicide. Should the person decline the offer, Siri then brings up area suicide prevention centers in a second attempt to provide resources. As GigaOM notes, Google has had this search since 2010. Apple noted in its customer privacy statement on Tuesday that among the most common requests from law enforcement are ones from police hoping to prevent suicide. There's a lot of useful and even more silly ways to take advantage of Siri, but having a proactive response to a serious issue is a wonderful thing to have in the program.
DevJuice: iOS/Android PortKit translates visual metaphors
The clever folk over at Kintek have posted a handy system-to-system guide for anyone working in the mobile development space. This metaphor overview quickly references how items like buttons, switches, one-of-n selection and other common interface items are expressed by default in the target arenas. You'll find items from Android, iOS 6 and iOS 7 listed side by side, so you can quickly review their visual presentation. Resource links take you to developer documentation. It's nicely done and well worth checking out. [Via Swiss Miss]
YouTube sees mobile ad sales triple after ad-free iOS version bites the dust
Last August Apple announced it had lost its license to include the iPhone-bundled YouTube app as a part of iOS 6. Google wanted to make its own app, one that had ads, unlike the one found in iOS 5. The move appears to have been a smart one. Bloomberg reports Google has tripled its mobile ad revenue in the last six months. So what happened six months ago? Why the debut of Google's new ad-enabled YouTube app for iOS! The Bloomberg report goes on to say that more than half of all US smartphone owners, at least 70 million people, have used a YouTube app of some sort, be it on an Apple or Android. With Apple's share of the US at 39.2 percent according to a ComScore report released this past Tuesday, it's safe to say YouTube probably made a wise choice in pulling their app from iOS 6 and replacing it with an ad-enabled cousin.
US Pentagon grants security clearance to iPad, iPhone
Earlier this month TUAW reported that iOS 6 had obtained FIPS 140-2 certification, "opening the door to more government use." It didn't take long for that door to swing wide open, as the Pentagon has now officially approved iPhones and iPads running a version of iOS 6 for use on secure government networks. Two weeks ago, Samsung devices running the Knox security layer and BlackBerry devices including the BlackBerry 10 smartphones and PlayBook tablets were given the nod by the US military. Adding Apple's iOS devices to the mix was part of the platform-agnostic plans of the Pentagon revealed in February. Those plans detailed adding wireless voice, video and data capabilities for classified and unclassified communications by October 2013. The approved devices will begin to be used more widely in the military and intelligence communities late in 2013 or in early 2014. iPhones and iPads already have a home in some parts of the government that don't require such strict security, but the new Pentagon certification should make for more widespread adoption of iOS. [via AppleInsider]
iOS 6 obtains FIPS 140-2 certification, opening door to more government use
Close on the heels of last week's announcement that US Department of Defense approval of iOS 6 devices was imminent comes word from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that a cryptographic module in iOS 6 has achieved FIPS 140-2 certification (Level 1). This has, to quote our tipster, "huge implications for government use of iOS (and eventually Macs)." Apple iOS CoreCrypto Kernel Module v3.0, when operated in FIPS mode, "generates cryptographic keys whose strengths are modified by available entropy." CoreCrypto is described as "a software cryptographic module running on a multi-chip standalone mobile device and provides services intended to protect data in transit and at rest." The module met Level 1 of FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard) 140-2. Level 1 provides the lowest level of security, as no physical security mechanisms are required beyond the basic requirement for production-grade components. CoreCrypto uses FIPS-approved algorithms including Triple-DES, AES, SHS and an additional alphabet soup of acronyms. The module was tested on an iPhone 4, an iPhone 4S and an iPad (single-user mode) running iOS 6.0. It is unknown if the certification is specific to these devices or if it also extends to newer devices like the iPhone 5. A tip of the hat to Allan for letting us know about the certification.
Parenting tip: How to exit out of Guided Access when it locks up
Guided Access is a handy feature in iOS 6 that lets you lock your child into a single app by disabling the hardware buttons on a device. It prevents your child from going hog wild through your iPhone or iPad when you hand it to them for some play time. Guided Access is great until it locks up and you can't exit from this mode. In general, iOS devices don't freeze very often, but some unknown glitch causes Guided Access to lock up occasionally. When this happens, you are stuck in the kids app and can't get back to the home screen. I've had it happen with enough frequency that I've bookmarked this handy tip from OS X Daily that shows you how to exit out of a frozen Guided Access device. When you are stuck in Guided Access mode, you are really stuck as the typical triple tap on the home button to quit out of Guided Access doesn't work. Even a force quit won't work because the power button and the home button are disabled. The only way to get out of Guided Access is to press the Home and Power button together for 15 seconds. This will turn off Guided Access by forcibly rebooting your device. Once your device is restarted, you can then go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access > and turn off Guided Access if needed. I usually keep Guided Access off by default and turn it on only when I am handing my iOS device to my children.
Apple rejecting iOS apps for "cookie tracking"
Apple is moving developers towards adopting the company's own iOS 6 tracking technology and not their homegrown methods. One of these alternative techniques is cookie tracking and, according to a report in TechCrunch, Apple may be rejecting apps that use this method. To understand how we got to the point where Apple is rejecting apps that use tracking cookies, we need to take a step back to iOS 5 and earlier. In previous versions of iOS, developers used a device's UDID to track users. The UDID is a 40-character unique identifier assigned to each iOS device that developers used to track game progress, check subscription status and monitor ads. Apple phased out UDID tracking in iOS 5 and added support in iOS 6 for its own tracking methods, advertisingID and identifierForVendor. Some apps are circumventing these approved APIs by using tracking cookies that work on mobile devices almost like they do on the desktop. Craig Palli, VP of Business Development at mobile app marketing firm Fiksu, explained to TechCrunch that, "Within local storage, an app developer can drop a token -- an ID, if you will -- and then retrieve it later. In this regard, it works like a cookie, so the industry frequently uses it and talks about it like it's a cookie." Palli claims the number of apps being rejected for using this tracking method has increased over the past few weeks. He hypothesizes that Apple is gently nudging developers towards its own tracking technology. You can read more about this form of tracking and Apple's app rejection in the TechCrunch article.
The Weekly Roundup for 02.11.2013
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 7 days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
The Daily Roundup for 02.14.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
iOS lock screen can be bypassed with some button mashing... again (video)
It seems that every time Apple introduces a new version of iOS, it creates some new method to get past the software's lock screen. A YouTube tutorial reveals the rather simple combination of button presses and fake emergency calls necessary to give you access to anyone's iDevice -- or more specifically to the iOS phone module, from where you can make calls, view and edit contacts, send email and perform any other linked function. You'll have to be quick-fingered, however, as you have to push the home button rapidly after getting into the iPhone's contact list. You can learn how to do it after the break, but until Cupertino issues an update, we'd suggest keeping your beloved fondlephone close by.
iOS 6.1 ready for download, improves iTunes Match, adds movie ticket purchsing via Siri and Fandango
iOS 6.1 has been a curious update. It offers a minor handful of API upgrades for developers but otherwise has been a way for Apple to tweak internals. First appearing November 1st, the beta has had occasional updates, most recently moving to the fifth beta last night before its final release to the public. Interestingly, the few API upgrades centered around Apple's troubled Maps API. In any case, it's been a heck of a long time coming, and it's good to see the release finally make it out to the public. Especially since a lot of devs were worried that the beta would expire before going gold. Other new features that are new to iOS 6.1: LTE support for more carriers, with a complete list of supported carriers at www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/. Purchase movie tickets through Fandango with Siri (US only). iTunes Match subscribers can now download individual songs from iCloud. New button to reset the Advertising Identifier. Full information is available at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222 Check your iOS Settings app for over-the-air updates or request the upgrade from iTunes. (Many thanks to Erica Sadun for providing information about the API upgrades) Show full PR text CUPERTINO, California-January 28, 2013-Apple® today updated iOS to version 6.1, adding LTE capabilities to 36 additional iPhone® carriers and 23 additional iPad® carriers around the world, so even more iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad* with Retina® display users can experience ultrafast wireless performance** to browse, download and stream content at blazing fast speeds. To date, iOS users have uploaded over nine billion photos to Photo Stream, sent over 450 billion iMessages and received over four trillion notifications. "iOS 6 is the world's most advanced mobile operating system, and with nearly 300 million iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices on iOS 6 in just five months, it may be the most popular new version of an OS in history," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "iOS 6.1 brings LTE support to more markets around the world, so even more users can enjoy ultrafast Safari browsing, FaceTime video calls, iCloud services, and iTunes and App Store downloads." iOS 6 features include Siri®, which supports more languages, easy access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings; Maps with Apple-designed cartography, turn-by-turn navigation and Flyover view; Facebook integration for Contacts and Calendar, with the ability to post directly from Notification Center, Siri and Facebook-enabled apps; Shared Photo Streams via iCloud®; and Passbook®, the simplest way to get all your passes in one place. Additional updates in iOS 6.1 include the ability to use Siri to purchase movie tickets in the US through Fandango, and iTunes Match℠ subscribers can download individual songs to their iOS devices from iCloud. The revolutionary App Store℠ offers more than 800,000 apps to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch® users, with more than 300,000 native iPad apps. App Store customers have downloaded over 40 billion apps, and Apple has paid over seven billion dollars to its incredible developer community. Customers can choose from apps in 23 categories, including newspapers and magazines offered in Newsstand, games, business, news, sports, health & fitness and travel. Availability iOS 6.1 is available as a free software update today. iOS 6.1 is compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad (third and fourth generation), iPad mini, iPad 2 and iPod touch (fourth and fifth generation). Some features may not be available on all products. For more information please visit www.apple.com. *LTE is available on iPhone 5, iPad mini and fourth generation iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular models through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks, check with your carrier for details. **Information about LTE carriers can be found at www.apple.com/iphone/LTE andwww.apple.com/ipad/LTE.
Apple rejects Samsung request to see iOS 6 source code
In the never-ending global legal battle between Apple and Samsung, the Korean electronics firm has been rebuffed by Apple in an attempt to see the source code for iOS 6. According to The Korea Times, Samsung argues that unless they have access to the source code, they won't know if iOS 6 infringes on its technology patents. Apple's legal representatives apparently called the demand "insane," with a Seoul Central District Court representative recalling an Apple lawyer as saying, "It doesn't make any sense. Samsung is saying that we should give up protecting our most important data." What Samsung is most interested in looking at is whether Apple infringed on its patents when iOS acquired Notification Center. As iOS users are aware, Notification Center lets users check status of things like messages, schedules and weather information by swiping down from the top of a screen. Samsung says they originally patented that feature in November of 2006, and put the feature into Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets before Apple did. The court hasn't yet decided whether to accept Samsung's request to see the source code.
Delta introduces Fly Delta app for iPad, iOS 6 Passbook integration
Not only has Delta been eagerly embracing WiFi onboard its flights, the company's also been rolling out a digital makeover. Joining upgrades to its website, the airline has introduced a new iPad app, simply called Fly Delta. The free app lets you do the usual stuff like checking-in and booking flights, but it also goes a few miles further. Aside from serving as a light travel guide, offering up info on your destination, the app will also serve inflight needs, like purchasing WiFi and other onboard amenities. What's more, "Glass Bottom Jet" offers an interactive live-map view of the world below you with social networking integration. Best of all, Delta's iOS 6 iPhone App Passbook integration is now live, so you can leave that paper boarding pass at home. Full press release and video demos just past the break.
iOS 6 JavaScript bug could affect mobile Safari users
If you've used Safari on your iOS 6 device lately, you've probably noticed the new app banners that pop up on several sites whenever that site has a related app. But as AppleInsider reports, it looks like the new banners have the ability to meddle with your user settings without your consent by re-enabling JavaScript even if you've manually shut it off on your device. Lisa Myers of security firm Intego told AppleInsider that the issue isn't necessarily troubling -- at least not yet. "At the moment it doesn't pose a threat, but we'll continue to monitor it to make sure it doesn't become more exploitable," she explains. "There's also the fact that few people actually disable JavaScript completely as it can partially, or totally, disable the majority of websites." Obviously the simple act of re-enabling JavaScript isn't an Earth-shaking privacy issue, so there's little reason to be concerned from that standpoint. However, tweaking device settings without at least informing the user that the change was made is a perplexing choice, even a bit annoying.
iOS 6 spike last weekend due to China, not Google Maps
Earlier this week, mobile ad exchange company MoPub released a report showing a 26 percent increase in iOS 6 adoption over the weekend. The company attributed this jump to the launch of Google Maps. According to a TechCrunch report, rival mobile ad company Chitika claims it is China and not Google Maps that is responsible for this spike. Mobile ad company Chitika says its data shows that iOS 6 impressions remained flat during the six days following the launch of Google Maps, which contradicts the report from MoPub. Chitika, though, only measures data in the US and Canada, while MoPub's ad network is global. MoPub includes numbers from China, which launched the iPhone 5 on December 17 and sold 2 million devices during its launch weekend. Chitika claims the spike recorded by MoPub is more likely due to the rollout of the iPhone 5 and other iOS devices over the weekend and not Google Maps.
Google Maps bumps iOS 6 adoption by just 0.2%
As the shortcomings of Apple Maps became more apparent, a vocal sect of iPhone owners refused to update to the new version of iOS. So, when Google Maps popped up in the App Store today, all those remaining holdouts finally jumped on board, right? Well, not quite. As TechCrunch reports, mobile ad network Chitika's figures show that iOS 6 adoption has gone up just 0.2% since Google Maps made its triumphant return. That doesn't mean people aren't snapping up Google Maps like hotcakes; the app jetted straight to the top of the Free Apps list almost as soon as it was available. Unfortunately for Apple, it doesn't appear that the return of Google's navigation tool has done much in the way of boosting iOS 6's user base.
Australian town relocated into desolate parkland, per iOS 6 Maps (Update: fixed)
Update: Per The Guardian & Cult of Mac, this geocoding error has been quietly remedied by Apple. Australians may now safely drive just as they did before. The town of Mildura in the Australian state of Victoria is home to some 30,000 people and is known for its agricultural bounty, particularly when it comes to wine grapes. Unfortunately, if you take iOS 6 Maps at its word, the town is missing. Maps searches for Mildura resolve to a point some 70 kilometers away, in the Murray-Sunset National Park. The Herald Sun newspaper reports that local police are quite concerned about this, given that the park is semi-arid, quite remote and there's no water available. MacRumors points to an ABC Australia report citing six individuals rescued from the park in the last two months, with at least five vehicles stranded. The constabulary is encouraging motorists not to use Apple's Maps app for guidance until this issue is resolved -- and to use common sense when dealing with any GPS application. "It should have been reasonably obvious to most people that things weren't what they should be," said police inspector Simon Clemence. "If you're driving from a capital city to a major rural town you would think there would be bitumen under your feet all the way and I think a lot of people realise that and come out, but some people just rely on the technology so my advice is you can't put your faith in technology. If it doesn't look right, if it doesn't smell right, it's probably not right." I'm curious how many drivers are literally entering the town itself as a destination rather than a particular intersection or address, and whether or not that might result in more accurate routing. But in any event, a glaring Maps error of this sort is likely to be prioritized for rapid correction by Apple's team of geocoders. Thanks Billy C.
iPad-native YouTube app arrives from Google
The departure of the Apple-bundled YouTube app in iOS 6 has riled up many unsuspecting upgraders, like my wife. "What do you mean, 'there's no more iPad YouTube app'?" she said, eyeing her recently-updated iPad. The alternatives (using the iPhone-sized app, or sticking with the mobile web version) were unwelcome. For one thing, the video quality of the iPhone-sized videos did not hold up well when expanded to the full iPad screen size. Those days of postage-stamp video are gone, however, as the iPad YouTube app was introduced today, supporting full-screen video that looks great. The new app, free in the App Store, is sporting the same refined look as the new Gmail 2.0 app. You can get more details about the app features on the YouTube blog. Thanks Adam!
Apple's Eddy Cue reportedly fires Richard Williamson, who oversaw the iOS 6 Maps team
We aren't apt to ever hear this in official fashion, but Bloomberg has it on good authority that Apple's newly-promoted Eddy Cue has just fired the guy who was unfortunately leading the Maps team at the time of iOS 6's release. If you'll recall, Cue was placed in charge of both Siri and Maps during an executive shakeup back in October, and it seems that he's clearing the runway in order to make things better in the months to come. The report also mentions that Cue is "seeking advice from outside mapping-technology experts and prodding digital maps provider TomTom to fix landmark and navigation data it shares with Apple." It's assumed that the goal here is to install a new leadership team within the Maps group, but it's unclear if it'll happen prior to Google's own standalone iOS app becoming available. For those curious as to why such a drastic move had to be made, head over to Apple's Cupertino campus and use iOS 6's Maps app to search for "convenience store." Evidently, the closest one is some 1.5 hours north in San Francisco. True story.
Apple Maps finally gets turn-by-turn navigation in Australia
According to a report in 9to5 Mac (confirmed by Australian Twitter user Beau Giles), turn-by-turn navigation in Apple maps is now live in the land down under. Unlike the US and UK, which launched with turn-by-turn, Australia did not have turn-by-turn navigation when iOS 6 was released earlier this year. Then iOS head Scott Forstall told an Australian customer in September that Apple needed "to make sure our data is exceptional and qualified before turning on turn-by-turn." Apple's Map availability website showed that turn-by-turn was originally slated to debut in October, but that launch was unexpectedly pushed back to November. Judging from the reports coming out of Twitter, this latest launch date was accurate.
