Search results for: “security”

For years in the 2000s and 2010s, Apple sold Wi-Fi routers called AirPort base stations. They came in three types: the basic AirPort Express, the fancier AirPort Extreme with extra networking tricks, and the AirPort Time Capsule, which also worked as a backup drive for Macs using Time Machine. Apple stopped making these routers in 2018, but there’s a chance they might come back in a surprising form.

In December, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared that Apple is working on a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. This chip will show up in updated Apple TV and HomePod mini devices later this year. He says it’s so powerful that it could turn these gadgets into Wi-Fi hotspots. But don’t get too excited yet—it’s not certain Apple will go that route.

Apple seems eager to grow in the smart home world. Rumors suggest they’re building a brand-new smart home hub for release this year. There’s also talk of a HomeKit smart camera that pairs with the hub, creating a simple home security setup. If future Apple TVs or HomePods could act as Wi-Fi routers, too, that’d be another win for Apple in the smart home game.

Gurman says this new chip will support Wi-Fi 6E, a step up from the Wi-Fi 5 in the last AirPort models. However, analyst Jeff Pu thinks it might even handle Wi-Fi 7, which is even faster. For now, it’s unclear if Apple TV and HomePod will turn into routers. Still, Apple is cooking up tech that could make it happen. Whether they bring back the AirPort idea in this fresh way, only time will tell.

In 2020, Apple rolled out privacy tags to show users what info an app might grab—like stuff tied to you or used to follow you around online. These tags were a game-changer, shining a light on apps that scoop up too much personal data. For example, you could see Signal barely touches your info, while Facebook Messenger slurps up everything it can for ads or upgrades. The goal? Help people pick apps wisely.

Lately, though, I’ve noticed folks wondering if these self-reported tags—tucked way down on an app’s App Store page—still sway anyone before they tap “Get.” Apple splits these “privacy nutrition tags” into three types:

• Data Tied to You: This is stuff like your name, address, email, exact location, or shopping history that’s linked to you, often for ads or tailoring the app. Developers have to spill it if it points back to you.
• Data Not Tied to You: Info collected but kept nameless, usually to tweak the app. Apple makes sure it can’t be traced back to you.
• Data That Tracks You: This follows you across apps and sites—like Google or Meta using your device ID for custom ads or selling it to data collectors.

People get loud about privacy when a hot new app, like Threads, sparks worry. Back then, users scratched their heads over why it listed “Health and Fitness” data with no clear reason. Yet Threads still shot to the top of social media downloads. So, do these tags really matter?

Here’s the catch: developers report this stuff themselves. Apple trusts them to be honest, which speeds up approvals but can blur the truth. For users, the tags are handy—if you dig for them and know what they mean. But just because they’re listed doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. As Apple pushes privacy hard, the real challenge is teaming up with developers to make things clearer, explain data use better, and keep overstating in check. So, do privacy tags sway your downloads? Maybe—if you’re paying attention.

Apple has added a handy new trick to iPhones with the “Critical Messages” feature in a recent iOS update. This lets apps send you super-important text messages (SMS) that stand out. It’s different from the Priority Notifications in iOS 18.4, which highlight alerts on your Lock Screen. Here’s the scoop on how it works.

A Special Text Feature with Strict Rules

In the last few months, Apple updated iPhones so app makers can send urgent SMS alerts. But don’t worry—this isn’t for random ads or junk. It’s only for really serious stuff. Apple explains it like this: the Critical Messaging tool lets apps send vital updates to specific phone numbers. For example, a company might use it to check on workers in risky or remote areas. If someone can’t unlock their phone or get a signal, the app can still send a safety update to a main office. Pretty cool, right?

To stop misuse, Apple has tough rules. Developers can’t send spam, phishing texts, or anything shady. The feature is locked down to keep your phone from buzzing with nonsense.
Don’t Expect Tons of These Texts

As a user, you probably won’t see these messages often. Like other critical alerts, they’re saved for rare, urgent moments—like a safety warning that can’t wait.
How to Turn It Off If You Want

Not a fan? You can stop these texts from apps you don’t like. Just head to your iPhone’s Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then find Critical Messages. You’ll see a list of apps that can send them. Switch off any you don’t trust—it’s that easy. This feature is all about keeping you safe or informed when it matters, without clogging your phone with junk. Simple, smart, and totally in your control!

Imagine a doorbell that knows it’s you just by looking at your face! A few months back, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg shared that Apple is working on a smart doorbell and lock combo that uses Face ID. It would connect wirelessly to a special lock you can control without cords.

Today, a tech insider named Kosutami dropped a hint on X about something extra Apple might add: MagSafe. You’ve probably seen MagSafe on newer iPhones—it’s a handy way to snap on chargers or accessories with magnets. If the doorbell gets this feature, it could mean you’d charge it without plugging anything in, likely because its battery can’t be taken out. We’re not sure yet if it’ll also have a USB-C cable option.

Wireless charging with MagSafe sounds neat and easy. Most smart doorbells only need a charge a few times a year anyway. We wondered if MagSafe could also let you pop the doorbell off a magnetic plate, but that might make it too easy for someone to swipe it—so maybe not!

Gurman thinks this doorbell won’t hit stores until 2026 at the soonest. More rumors should pop up to clear things up as time goes on. Apple’s main rival here would be Ring, owned by Amazon since 2018. Apple will probably brag about how safe and private its doorbell is. They already have a HomeKit Secure Video setup that keeps recordings locked tight in iCloud, and this doorbell might include a special security chip too.

Apple seems ready to dive deeper into smart home gadgets. Besides the doorbell, they’re rumored to be launching a home hub this year and even a camera to take on Logitech’s Circle View. Kosutami, the leaker, is known for collecting rare Apple gear and sometimes nails these predictions. They were right about the iPhone 16 Pro’s metal battery case months ahead and showed off an Apple Watch band made of FineWoven material early. But they’ve been off too—like saying AirPods Pro 3 were coming in August 2024, which didn’t happen.

The first iOS 18.4 beta is out now, and it’s available for public testers too. Among its updates, there’s a neat little improvement to the verification codes in Apple’s Passwords app. Here’s what you need to know.

A Timer Shows When Codes Will Refresh

Aaron Perris shared on X that the Passwords app has a helpful new twist in the iOS 18.4 beta. The verification codes—those short codes you use for extra security—now come with a countdown timer. This shows you exactly how much time is left before they run out and are replaced with new ones.

When you go to the Codes section in the app, you’ll notice a small ring in the top-right corner. This ring starts empty and slowly fills up with green as time passes. It’s an easy way to see how long your current codes will last. Once the ring turns fully green, the codes expire and refresh automatically.

You can also check this timer when looking at a specific password’s details. If that entry has a verification code, the countdown will appear right next to it. Perris pointed out that this update isn’t just for iPhones—it’s also in macOS Sequoia 15.4 and works in the Passwords Menu Bar app on Macs.

This might seem like a tiny addition, but it’s super useful. Before, there was no clear way to tell when a code was about to stop working. Now, with this simple timer, you can stay on top of your security codes without any guesswork. It’s a small step that makes a big difference for something so important.