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American-Made Apple Chips: A step closer to reality, alongside new security concerns

Published

2 years ago

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Apple

The landscape of technology manufacturing is shifting. A significant development in this shift is the near completion of the first US-based facility dedicated to producing A-series chips for Apple devices. This move, hailed as a victory for domestic production, comes alongside new security concerns regarding iPhone vulnerabilities and evolving scam tactics.

The journey towards “Made in America” Apple chips began in 2022, spurred by the US CHIPS Act. This government initiative aims to reduce American reliance on overseas chip production, particularly in China, and to stimulate domestic job creation. The plan involves establishing several TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) fabrication plants in Arizona, with some production lines specifically allocated for Apple’s processors, initially for older devices.

While initial projections aimed for mass production to commence in 2024, the project faced delays, pushing the timeline into the current year. Further, the production of more advanced 2nm chips has been postponed until 2028. Early concerns arose about the practicality of the initial plant, with worries that the output would need to be shipped back to Taiwan for the crucial “packaging” process, which integrates various circuit boards into a single chip. However, Apple later addressed this by announcing plans for a US-based packaging facility.

The construction of these plants has not been without controversy. TSMC’s hiring practices have drawn criticism, with a significant number of workers being brought in from Taiwan rather than being recruited locally in the US. While the company initially explained this as a temporary measure during the construction phase, the situation persisted, leading to accusations of “anti-American discrimination” and even a lawsuit.

Despite these challenges, a recent report suggests that the first plant is on the verge of commencing mass production. This implies that test production has already been successfully completed, with Apple now in the final stages of verifying the quality of the chips produced in Arizona. The first commercially mass-produced chips are anticipated as early as this quarter, pending the completion of final quality assurance checks. This marks a significant milestone in bringing chip production back to American soil.

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Security Vulnerabilities and Evolving Scams: A Double-Edged Sword

While the news of domestic chip production offers a positive outlook, recent discoveries have highlighted potential security vulnerabilities in iPhones. A security researcher, Thomas Roth, identified a vulnerability in the USB-C controller chip present in the iPhone 15 and 16 models. This vulnerability, in theory, could be exploited to compromise an iPhone.

The vulnerability lies within the ACE3 USB-C controller, a chip introduced in 2023, which manages power delivery and acts as a sophisticated microcontroller with access to critical internal systems. Roth’s team demonstrated the ability to gain code execution on the ACE3 chip by carefully measuring electromagnetic signals during the chip’s startup process and using electromagnetic fault injection to bypass firmware validation checks. This could, theoretically, grant an attacker complete control over the device.

However, exploiting this vulnerability is exceptionally complex and requires physical access to the device. Both Apple and Roth himself have concluded that it does not pose a realistic threat to users in real-world scenarios.

A more pressing security concern involves evolving tactics used by scammers exploiting iMessage. Scammers commonly use SMS and iMessage to distribute phishing links and attempt to install malware. To combat this, iPhones automatically disable links in messages received from unknown senders. These links appear as plain text and are not tappable.

However, scammers have devised a workaround. By enticing users to reply to their messages, even with a simple “STOP” command, they can bypass this protection. Replying to the message, even with a single character, signals to the iPhone that the user has interacted with the sender, thus legitimizing the message and re-enabling the links. This means users are tricked into making the links live themselves.

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This tactic has become increasingly prevalent, with numerous examples of fraudulent messages impersonating legitimate organizations like USPS or toll road companies. These messages often prompt users to reply with a single character, such as “Y,” to activate the malicious links.

Staying Safe in a Digital World

In light of these evolving threats, users must remain vigilant. The most effective way to protect oneself is to exercise extreme caution with links received in any form of electronic communication. Never click on links in emails, text messages, or other messages unless you are absolutely certain of their legitimacy.

A best practice is to rely on saved bookmarks or manually type URLs into your browser, especially for sensitive websites. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a message, contact the purported sender directly using known contact information to verify its legitimacy. These simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams and compromising your personal information.

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Android

Future phone switching could be way easier: Android and iPhone may soon share more data

Published

7 months ago

on

December 10, 2025

By

Google and Apple

Moving from an Android phone to an iPhone—or the other way around—can often feel like a big chore. Right now, when you get a new phone, moving all your important information over from the old phone can be a complicated mess. However, it seems that Google and Apple are working together to fix this, making the switch between the two types of phones much smoother.

We recently got a sneak peek into the future by looking closely at the code of Google’s Android Switch app. This app is what helps people move their data from an iPhone to a new Android device, like a Pixel. What we found inside the hidden code suggests that several new types of personal information might soon be able to transfer automatically.

Currently, when you switch phones, basic items like photos, videos, contacts, and calendar dates usually move over. But things that make your phone yours often get left behind.

The new code hints that the following items could soon be included in the transfer process:

  • Accessibility Settings: These are the special settings people use to make their phone easier to operate, such as larger text sizes or specific display settings. Being able to transfer these means you won’t have to spend time setting up your phone just to be able to use it comfortably.
  • Music Playlists: If you have music lists on your iPhone, the updated system might allow them to move to a service like YouTube Music on your Android device.
  • Passwords and Passkeys: This is a big one. Right now, you usually have to sign back into every single app manually. Soon, the system could automatically bring over your saved login details and newer “Passkeys,” providing a truly seamless experience.
  • Wallet Cards: Moving credit and debit cards from one digital wallet (like Apple Wallet) to another (like Google Wallet) is not possible today, but the code suggests this convenience could be added.
  • Wi-Fi Credentials: While your phone might remember the name of your home Wi-Fi, it often doesn’t remember the password, forcing you to type it in again. The change suggests the actual Wi-Fi passwords will transfer over, making it so your new phone connects instantly.

It’s important to remember that this information comes from looking at code that hasn’t been released yet. So, while it shows what Google and Apple are planning, we need to wait for an official announcement to know exactly how and when these improvements will become available.

Since the two companies are working together, these features are likely to help users switch from Android to iPhone, too. Once these changes arrive, getting a new phone won’t mean starting from scratch anymore.

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Apple

New screen troubles for iPhone 17 give Samsung a major boost

Published

8 months ago

on

November 20, 2025

By

Samsung

A key screen supplier, BOE, is running into serious trouble providing the special display panels (OLED screens) for Apple’s newest phone lineup, the iPhone 17. Because of these technical setbacks, a main competitor, Samsung Display, is now expected to land a much bigger supply deal with Apple.

Sources familiar with the matter confirm that BOE has faced quality control and technical difficulties that it has not yet managed to fix. This means the company will be unable to deliver the display panels it was planning to ship this year. As a direct result, Samsung Display will likely be stepping in to cover the missing supply needed to build the phones.

The iPhone 17 is Apple’s current flagship model and is available in four versions: the standard, Air, Pro, and Pro Max. Apple is expecting to ship more than 90 million units of this new series throughout the year. The screens for these devices are usually provided mainly by Samsung Display and LG Display. At the moment, Samsung provides displays for all four models, while LG supplies three of the versions, not including the Pro.

BOE had originally planned to provide screens, specifically for the high-end iPhone 17 Pro models in the Chinese market. The main issue stems from Apple’s decision to use a more advanced screen feature called LTPO across the entire iPhone 17 series this year. This proved to be a major hurdle for BOE, which did not have prior experience making LTPO panels for Apple.

After many months of work, BOE finally received approval to start large-scale production in the early third quarter, to supply up to ten million panels. However, problems with reliability kept happening. By mid-November, these ongoing issues were still not solved. Due to these failures, BOE’s expected total shipments, which could have reached 40 million screens, will now be significantly lower.

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Samsung Display is currently bridging this gap. Its screen supply to Apple is expected to increase from an initial 80 million panels to roughly 90 million this year. This is a critical move that will ensure Apple can still meet its manufacturing targets for all four iPhone 17 models without delay.

With BOE struggling to deliver, Samsung Display is now set to further solidify its position as Apple’s most important partner for OLED screens. The company stands to gain more business and maintain its lead in the competitive iPhone screen market throughout 2025.

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Apple

Samsung kicks off Galaxy S25 FE updates while Galaxy A57 sneaks into sight for 2026

Published

10 months ago

on

September 26, 2025

By

Galaxy S25 FE

Samsung has been busy with its phone lineup lately. Just a short time after bringing out the Galaxy S25 FE, the company is already pushing its very first software fix to users. This mid-tier flagship is the last piece in the Galaxy S25 family puzzle, joining the regular trio and the slim Galaxy S25 Edge model.

The update is starting in Europe and should spread to other places soon. Folks with the Galaxy S25 FE won’t have to hold out for the newest software skin right away, since it came loaded with One UI 8 from day one – one of the rare Samsung phones to do so. This fresh patch carries the build number S731BXXU1AYIB.

It packs in the September 2025 security fix, along with tweaks for smoother running and better protection overall. The patch tackles a bunch of weak spots in the system that could let hackers in. Samsung has already sent this same September update to plenty of other phones worldwide.

Don’t look for any flashy new tricks here, though. Those are saved for the bigger One UI 8.5 jump, which early peeks suggest could bring some real changes. Shifting gears to what’s next, Samsung’s popular Galaxy A5x line keeps drawing crowds with its smart mix of features and wallet-friendly prices.

The Galaxy A56 only hit shelves a few months back, but word is already out on its follow-up, the Galaxy A57.Spotters caught the Galaxy A57 in the IMEI database, listed under the code SM-A576B/DS for the two-SIM version. It’s no big shock, as Samsung sticks to a yearly refresh for these hits.

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Rumors point to the Galaxy A57 running on the fresh Exynos 1680 processor. Test scores show it packs a revamped brain for tasks and a graphics part that’s twice as strong as the one in the A56’s Exynos 1580. That could mean smoother games and quicker everyday stuff. The camera side might get a boos, too, though details are still fuzzy. Based on past patterns, expect the Galaxy A57 to drop in the early months of 2026, keeping the mid-range magic alive.

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