CloudTalkin

razorpit said:

cgWerks said:

AppleInsider said:

When Apple announced iOS 13 earlier this year, they also opened up support for Sony's Dualshock 4 controllers and Microsoft's Wireless Xbox One controller. So if you already have these two controllers at home, you'll be able to connect these controllers to your Apple devices when Apple's new OS goes live in a couple of weeks.

I have to disagree some here, and advise to just buy a Sony DS4 or Xbox controller and wait a bit (unless you really, really just have to get playing now). While I do like my Nimbus, it isn't a DS4 (in feel, or possibly even quality). It's hard to describe, but it just isn't quite as responsive or ranges/engagement-zones aren't as well designed as the DS4.

So, instead of 'if you have already' I'd say you're more likely to just want to start there.

Agreed. I'm a PS4 player and plan to just repurpose a controller, with that said Xbox has routinely been praised as the standard of controllers. I think either of the two would be a better feel and function. A good follow up to this article would be to introduce these controllers to the 'AppleInsider Universe'.

I play on both consoles.  Both controllers are great.  the XB1 controller is a bit more comfortable - especially over longer sessions.  I have no proof but I think it's because it's fatter and spreads the players hands better.  Plus the offset joysticks seem -probably in my head- to lead to less cramping.  The good thing is regardless of which you choose, you really can't go wrong.  One thing though.  I think people with smaller hands would enjoy the PS4 controller better. 
 GeorgeBMac said:

cgWerks said:

AppleInsider said:

When Apple announced iOS 13 earlier this year, they also opened up support for Sony's Dualshock 4 controllers and Microsoft's Wireless Xbox One controller. So if you already have these two controllers at home, you'll be able to connect these controllers to your Apple devices when Apple's new OS goes live in a couple of weeks.

I have to disagree some here, and advise to just buy a Sony DS4 or Xbox controller and wait a bit (unless you really, really just have to get playing now). While I do like my Nimbus, it isn't a DS4 (in feel, or possibly even quality). It's hard to describe, but it just isn't quite as responsive or ranges/engagement-zones aren't as well designed as the DS4.

So, instead of 'if you have already' I'd say you're more likely to just want to start there.

I'm not a gamer, so my knowledge is limited.   But I thought that PS & X-Box controllers used some different type of communications protocol rather than bluetooth.   If that is correct, how would they connect to an Apple Device?

Used to.  Both are BT now.

If the details of the case are true, what we have here is a case of incompetence compounded by obstinance with a dab of laziness.  Not a good look.

crowley said:

fastasleep said:

OutdoorAppDeveloper said:

Dogperson said:

Not just this company, but ALL the personal info hacks - WHY IS NONE OF THIS INFORMATION ENCRYPTED???????

Great question. Why is none of your information encrypted on iCloud? We know it isn't because Apple can scan your photos for illegal images and then have humans review them before sending all your data unencrypted to the government.

You sure are wrong a lot: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202303

Data	Encryption		Notes
	In transit	On server
Backup	Yes	Yes	A minimum of 128-bit AES encryption
Safari History & Bookmarks	Yes	Yes
Calendars	Yes	Yes
Contacts	Yes	Yes
Find My (Devices & People)	Yes	Yes
iCloud Drive	Yes	Yes
Messages in iCloud	Yes	Yes
Notes	Yes	Yes
Photos	Yes	Yes
Reminders	Yes	Yes
Siri Shortcuts	Yes	Yes
Voice Memos	Yes	Yes
Wallet passes	Yes	Yes

I believe much or all of that is encrypted with keys that Apple have though, not with end to end user keys, so theoretically Apple could unencrypt it and share it with law enforcement.  A pretty compelling reason from a consumer standpoint to switch to full end to end encryption and shift any validation to on-device systems.

There's nothing theoretical about it. It's fact.  Apple, in exacting detail twice yearly, explains exactly what they share with governments.  Not only in the US, but governments around the world.  You are right that Apple holds the encryption keys to data.  There was a big "to do" a couple of years ago about Apple being required to store Chinese customer iCloud data in China on Chinese servers AND store the encryption keys there as well.  iCloud data is among a whole host of customer information subject to governmental warranted request.  Info detailed in the biannual Transparency Report: https://www.apple.com/legal/transparency/

tl;dr If it's stored in iCloud it's encrypted.  Apple holds the encryption keys so the data can be shared.  In 2020 Apple honored ~90% of US Government requests for user data.

AppleExposed said:

nadriel said:

melgross said:

Apple claims (and they have a fair number of OLED patents), that while their screens are made by Samsung, they include Apple technology. I don’t know exactly what that means, but it’s somewhat different than Samsung’s screens they use for themselves, and presumably from those they sell to others, rather than to Apple.

I’d guess the panel is as said Samsung made but the display processor that communicates with gpu is apple made processing unit. It handles all the color, brightness etc adjustments. 

Samsung isn't involved in iPhone development. They just own plants that fulfill orders. That's it. Anyone else (LG, Japan Display, etc.) could do this if they were capable of fulfilling the large orders Apple demands. Right now only Samsungs plant can fulfill these large orders, They have absolutely nothing to do with iPhone development. Heck, they don't even develop Samsung displays, they just fulfill orders.

Apple isn't a parts manufacturer so it would be stupid for them to open a manufacturing plant just to shut up iKnockoff trolls. The screens would also be 100% identical.

Neither @nadriel ; nor @coolfactor ; were arguing that Samsung is involved in iPhone development.  No one made that argument.  It's your strawman.  And you're also wrong about LG and Japan Display being able to do it if they were capable of fulfilling large orders.  First, it's a specious argument.  "They could do it if they didn't have to do it completely.  Derp.  They can't do the 2nd most important part: Volume. So they can't do it. Second, even if they could do the volume, there's no guarantee they could deliver on the most important part: Quality.  Anecdotal evidence says that the quality part is the biggest stumbling block for both LG and JDI... well the whole thing is the problem for JDI, but that's a discussion for another time.  

hexclock said:

omasou said:

Wish the cord used a USB-C interface to connect to the battery. Then third-party batteries or multiple Apple batteries could be use.

Or perhaps that's the point, maybe the battery has to meet certain specs?

Either way seems strange to have a fixed cord length...yeah it may reach my pocket but can I put it on the desk? Actually, the more I think about it this would be a good use case for the magsafe charging connector on the battery side.

I wonder if they thought that using MagSafe or a usb-c connection might make the unit prone to too many unwanted disconnects, since the cord could easily be snagged on something if the user was moving around. Or maybe placing a magnetic coil right where your brain is located wasn’t a good idea. 

We stick electromagnets in our ears every time we put in AirPods or any other buds.  The cord can be snagged now and with a permanently connected cable, the chances are greater the cord or the batter can be damaged.  As it stands now, if the cord or the battery battery get damgaged the entire unit has to be replaced.  Since this is pre-release hardware, I'm hoping the final product will have a USB-C connection allowing 3rd party power. It would also make it better for replacing potentially damaged cords or batteries.

foregoneconclusion said:

Not sure what the point is supposed to be. Apple has to follow the same App Tracking Transparency rules as well, correct? So they're equally limited by that feature. 

In this instance, no they don't.  Apple gets to circumvent App Tracking because -this is pretty clever imo, shady as hell, but clever nonetheless- Apple's ads wouldn't be associated with apps.  Apple's new ads would be tied to the App Store and broadcast directly in the Suggested Apps section.  

This would allow two ads to be surfaced. One ad related to what ever you search for in the App Store (this is already standard) and the new rumored ad would surface in a separate slot.  The second ad wouldn't be tied to a search, simply paid placement.

People keep conflating Apple's promotion of App Tracking Transparency (a privacy focused project) with an incorrect assumption that Apple has an aversion to ads.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Apple likes ad revenue just as much as the other guys.  They've just never really been able to capitalize on it as well as the other guys... 'til now if this rumor comes to fruition.

larryjw said:

foregoneconclusion said:

Not sure what the point is supposed to be. Apple has to follow the same App Tracking Transparency rules as well, correct? So they're equally limited by that feature. 

Perhaps Apple will show the industry how to advertise without violating privacy. 

The only part of "tracking" Apple doesn't do when it comes to advertising is cross-site tracking - that's what ATT is all about.  But targeted advertising - tracking based on searches, purchases, apps, age, gender, location, etc.? They do that and have for the longest time.  Targeted advertising is on by default on Apple devices.  The user has to disable it, in more than one location too.  Most of us, generally speaking, don't want ads period.  From Apple or anyone else.

The battery is user-replaceable so they aren't discarded when the battery dies. The battery will also last over a year with regular use.

This is a killer feature that may get overlooked.  The product really doesn't support any use cases for me personally, but for those who will use them knowing they aren't disposable is a definite benefit.

sflocal said:

It's my understanding that even with Apple's battery-saving tech, charging batteries that fast tends to degrade them faster.  I don't understand the difficulty in just charing them with a humble 5-watt charger overnight while one is sleeping.  I have an external battery pack to charge my devices when traveling when there are minimal charging options.

All fast chargers charge at a variable rate.  They charge that way to mitigate battery degradation.  Apple is being ultra-ultra-ultra conservative with their fast charging.  They can afford to do so because their customer base is accepting of their pace of development of charging tech.  Also Apple's customer base primarily operates from a perspective of slow charging: 5W for years and years so any improvement seems like it's a big improvement.  

Fast charging will degrade a battery quicker than low power charging.  Just how much more degradation, and how quickly it would occur, is the real question.  Charging tech has come a loooong way outside of the garden.  Without getting too far into the weeds, here's an easy read look at fast charging that's not from Apple.  https://www.androidcentral.com/warp-charge

aderutter said:

This will have far reaching effects, so really hope Apple & Google simply pull the app-store from South Korea.
I

Imo, neither company is going to pull it's app store from SK.  That's silly.  SK is just the first in a line of countries that are probably going to pass similar legislation.  Neither Apple nor Google is going to leave those countries either.  Again, because it's silly.  Google has one issue (alternative pay system) and Apple has two (alternative pay system and alternative app stores).  The only thing that will have an impact on either store is the option of alternative pay systems.  Google has always lived with the specter of alt-stores and that threat has amounted to nothing of consequence.  Imo, it will be the same on the iOS side.  People are going to continue to go to the App Store just like they continue to go to the Play Store (even though there have been dozens of alt-stores since the beginning of Androids existence)

The alt-pay systems might have a small impact initially.  Might.  My guess is both companies will have an indicator on apps that use their pay systems so customers know when an app uses an alternative.  Dollars to doughnuts, the vast majority of people will gravitate towards what they know, Apple and Google.  

Forum people are all up in arms over what will amount to a nothing burger imo.  

crowley said:

AppleInsider said:

"This sort of tool can be a boon for finding child pornography in people's phones," he said. "But imagine what it could do in the hands of an authoritarian government?"

But it's not in the hands of an authoritarian government?  It's in the hands of Apple.  If an authoritarian government wanted to do something like this I have no doubt they'd be capable of doing it, I don't see how Apple going after child abusers is going to affect that.

Coupla few things. 
1. It's not in the hands of Apple.  It's not in the hands of anyone.  It's a, thus far, unsubstantiated rumor from a security researcher. 

2. If it comes to fruition that Apple does enable the AI feature, wouldn't they be bound by the law to report the info to authorities (idk, ianal).  If the offending data is stored in iCloud, then it would also be subject to worldwide government data requests.  Requests that Apple has honored ~80% of the time on average.  

3. Keeping in mind this is only a claim by a researcher,  and not Apple, the question would then have to be asked: What constitutes child pornography to the AI?  Is it reviewed by a human for higher level verification?  If so, Apple employee or 3rd party source (like the original voice recordings)?  What triggers reporting to authorities and who bears responsibility for errors?

A parent sending pics of the kids in bubble bath to grandparents.  Photo of a young looking 18 girl topless at a nude beach.  Scouts shirtless around a campfire.  
Would any one of those trigger the AI?  What if all three were on the same phone?  It's entirely possible and not far fetched.  

I can't stress enough this isn't Apple going after child abusers.  This is a researcher making a claim.  But if Apple were going to do so it would most definitely affect that "government access -authoritarian or otherwise- query made by the researcher, in myriad way not even addressed in my comment.