Apple goes green with renewable energy

Apple is moving to shrink its carbon footprint, building the nation’s largest privately owned solar farm to run its data center. NBC chief environmental correspondent Anne Thompson reports.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Learn more https://www.apple.com/environment/

Apple Rolls Out CarPlay Giving Drivers a Smarter, Safer & More Fun Way to Use iPhone in the Car

CarPlay Premieres with Leading Auto Manufacturers at the Geneva International Motor Show

GENEVA―March 3, 2014―Apple® today announced that leading auto manufacturers are rolling out CarPlay, the smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone® in the car. CarPlay gives iPhone users an incredibly intuitive way to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch. Users can easily control CarPlay from the car’s native interface or just push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri® without distraction. Vehicles from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will premiere CarPlay to their drivers this week, while additional auto manufacturers bringing CarPlay to their drivers down the road include BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp. 

“CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing. “iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction. We have an amazing lineup of auto partners rolling out CarPlay, and we’re thrilled it will make its debut this week in Geneva.”

Apple has led consumer technology integration in the car for more than a decade. CarPlay brings your car and iPhone together for a thoughtful experience that lets drivers focus on driving, while also tapping into everything they want to do with their iPhone. 

Once iPhone is connected to a vehicle with CarPlay integration, Siri helps you easily access your contacts, make calls, return missed calls or listen to voicemails. When incoming messages or notifications arrive, Siri provides an eyes-free experience by responding to requests through voice commands, by reading drivers’ messages and letting them dictate responses or simply make a call.

CarPlay makes driving directions more intuitive by working with Maps to anticipate destinations based on recent trips via contacts, emails or texts, and provides routing instructions, traffic conditions and ETA. You can also simply ask Siri and receive spoken turn-by-turn directions, along with Maps, which will appear on your car’s built-in display. 

CarPlay gives drivers access to all of their music, podcasts, audiobooks and iTunes Radio℠ with easy navigation through listening choices from the car’s built-in controls or simply by asking Siri to pull up what you’d like to hear. CarPlay also supports select third-party audio apps including Spotify and iHeartRadio, so you can listen to your favorite radio services or sports broadcast apps while driving.

Pricing & Availability
Apple CarPlay is available as an update to iOS 7 and works with Lightning-enabled iPhones, including iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5. CarPlay will be available in select cars shipping in 2014.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Press Contacts: 
Christine Monaghan
Apple
cmonaghan@apple.com
+1 (408) 974-8850

Adam Howorth
Apple
adamh@apple.com
+44 207 184 1202

Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iPhone, Siri and iTunes Radio are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2014/03/03Apple-Rolls-Out-CarPlay-Giving-Drivers-a-Smarter-Safer-More-Fun-Way-to-Use-iPhone-in-the-Car.html

Everything We Know About The Huge Security Flaw That Affects (Nearly) All iPhones, iPads, And Apple Computers

 "A software bug called "Gotofail" currently affects every single Apple device, whether it's an iPhone, iPad, or desktop or laptop computer. If you have not updated your machine in the last few days, your Apple device is currently vulnerable.

Apple revealed that the security flaw in its iOS operating system for iPhone and iPad affects encryption. That's how data gets sent over the Internet without you having to worry about people reading your emails or stealing your credit card number when you buy something from Amazon. 
The name "Gotofail" is a reference to the "goto" computer command.

A fix recently went out to iOS customers that renders this bug a non-issue, so if you haven't updated your iPhone or iPad's software recently, be sure to do so. There's a full guide right here, but you'll want to plug your phone in as if you're charging it, open the Settings app, select "General," then "Software Update," and follow the instructions that appear.

OS X users are still waiting for a fix. Official word from Apple is that it will come "very soon."
"

Continue reading the Business Insider Story by Dylan Love

Apple iPhone 5s review by StuffTv

Proof That The Fingerprint Sensor On The iPhone 5S Isn't Just A Gimmick

By Steve Kovach and William Wei



Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-5s-fingerprint-sensor-setup-2013-9#ixzz2fiBZEF82

Secure Our Smartphones Coalition Statement On Release Of Apple's iOS 7 

Gascón & Schneiderman: After Months Of Pressure, Apple Responds With The World's First Attempt To Implement A Technological Solution To The Global Smartphone Theft Epidemic

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released this joint statement following today's deployment of Apple's newest operating system, iOS 7:

"After months of pressure from a global coalition of elected officials and law enforcement agencies, we are pleased that Apple is set to release a new mobile operating system that includes a theft deterrent feature called Activation Lock. This is an important first step towards ending the global epidemic of smartphone theft.

“In the months ahead, it is our hope that Activation Lock will prove to be an effective deterrent to theft, and that the widespread use of this new system will end the victimization of iPhone users, as thieves learn that the devices have no value on the secondary market. We are particularly pleased that – because Activation Lock is a feature associated with Apple's new operating system as opposed to a new device – it will be available to consumers with older phone models who download the free upgrade.

“While it is too early to tell if Activation Lock will be a comprehensive solution to the epidemic of ‘Apple Picking’ crimes that have victimized iPhone and iPad owners around the world, we believe it is a step forward and strongly urge iPhone users to download iOS 7, and most importantly, ensure they utilize both an Apple ID and Find My iPhone. We also encourage Apple to make Activation Lock a fully opt-out solution in order to guarantee widespread adoption, and strongly urge the other leading manufacturers of smartphones to quickly implement effective theft deterrents that protect their customers from violent crime.”

Gascón and Schneiderman also urge consumers to enable basic security features such as a password or the newly available fingerprint scanning technology on the iPhone 5S. While password and fingerprint scanning security features can help protect data on a device, they do not deter thieves from stealing smartphones. Theft deterrence for iPhone users will occur only if adoption of iOS 7, and the utilization of an Apple ID and Find My iPhone is widespread. Additionally, the success of Activation Lock is largely dependent on the failure of hackers' rumored exploits.

Finally, they noted that simply downloading iOS 7 and enabling Activation Lock through the use of an Apple ID and Find My iPhone does not mean consumers are safe from potential theft. Even if Activation Lock proves effective, thieves will not react overnight. Accordingly, it is vital that consumers beare aware of their surroundings at all times, especially when using their smartphones in public places.

The Secure Our Smartphones (SOS) Initiative coalition is a groundbreaking coalition of state Attorneys General, major city Mayors, District Attorneys, major city Police Chiefs, state and city Comptrollers, public safety activists and consumer advocates from around the world. This initiative is working to encourage the industry to implement meaningful solutions that will end the national epidemic of violent thefts of mobile communications devices such as smartphones and tablets.
For more information on efforts by District Attorney Gascón and Attorney General Schneiderman to combat “Apple Picking,” visit the San Francisco District Attorney’s website and the New York State Attorney General’s website.

 http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/secure-our-smartphones-coalition-statement-release-apples-ios-7

iCloud: Find My iPhone Activation Lock in iOS 7

Overview and frequently asked questions

With iOS 7, Find My iPhone includes a new feature called Activation Lock, which makes it more difficult for anyone else to use or sell your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if you ever lose it. It starts working the moment you turn on Find My iPhone in iOS 7. With Activation Lock, your Apple ID and password will be required before anyone can:

• Turn off Find My iPhone on your device
• Erase your device
• Reactivate and use your device

This can help you keep your device secure, even if it is in the wrong hands, and can improve your chances of recovering it. Even if you erase your device remotely, Activation Lock can continue to deter anyone from reactivating your device without your permission. All you need to do is keep Find My iPhone turned on, and remember your Apple ID and password.
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Find My iPhone Activation Lock.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5818

 

 

There's Basically No Way To Get A Gold iPhone On Friday Unless You Stand In Line

Apple is releasing its highly-anticipated iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C this Friday.

But the big question on a lot of people's mind is probably, "How can I get it as fast and as painless as possible?"

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/buying-iphone-5s-on-friday-2013-9#ixzz2fLbDgE7t

TIM COOK ON APPLE VS. ANDROID: 'We're Not In The Junk Business'

By just about every statistic Apple's mobile software, iOS is beating Google's software, Android.

In profit share, Apple leads all other Android manufacturers combined. In web traffic, iOS has 55% of the market, according to NetMarketShare. 

The iPhone has been the top rated smartphone in consumer satisfaction in nine consecutive studies by JD Power and Associates. 

In less concrete statistics, iOS is generally still the first choice for developers. Reader interest at our site, and at others, is off the charts for iOS, but just so-so for Android. 

Apple's also the company that rivals compare themselves against. Microsoft, Samsung, and even Motorola all make fun of the iPhone in their ads. They wouldn't do that if Apple wasn't the real leader. 

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-on-apple-vs-android-were-not-in-the-junk-business-2013-9#ixzz2fLbv3S3J

Apple Has To Release A Bigger iPhone If It Wants To Have Any Chance In China, Says Mega Bull Brian White

Apple's iMessage encryption trips up feds' surveillance

Internal document from the Drug Enforcement Administration complains that messages sent with Apple's encrypted chat service are "impossible to intercept," even with a warrant.
  Read the full story at CNET

Apple’s Shares Have Outperformed Samsung’s for a Decade

"Even with its recent pullback, Apple has crushed Samsung over the last ten years.” Apple’s Shares Have Outperformed Samsung’s for a Decade

Apple users love their devices, Android users not so much

Yet more evidence proves the biggest difference between Apple [AAPL] iOS and Android users is that iPhone and iPad people actually use their devices, while the majority of Google-driven 'Droids don't seem to use them at all.



Read the full story: Apple users love their devices, Android users not so much

Apple's iWatch Could Be Super Profitable

Apple's Java sabotage is bad IT business

Apple's Java sabotage is bad IT business

Apple's handling of the Java vulnerability provides a textbook example of what not to do in a production environment

In case you weren't paying attention, last week Apple decided to disable all but the most recent Java browser plug-ins on just about every Macintosh everywhere, without telling anyone. The Java vulnerability that led to the decision is very real. It was coupled, though, with the assumption that its customers -- forgive me, its licensees -- lack the judgment necessary to make this decision for themselves.

To be fair, many of Apple's consumer licensees probably lack the expertise needed to make an informed decision. For many, that's why they bought Macs instead of some form of Windows PC in the first place.

But its enterprise licensees? That's a different matter altogether.

Continue Reading: Apple's Java sabotage is bad IT business

RUMOR: Apple Will Release THREE New iPhones This Year

"There's a report out of Asia tonight that Apple is working on three new iPhone models, two of which will be out by June.

The report comes from quite a chain of sources. The Commercial Times of Taiwan made the original report. It was then picked up by the China Times. Then the China Times report was translated by BrightWire, which says it scours and translates international news. From there, we saw it picked up on Apple blogs.

So, yeah. Treat this one lightly for now. Though, a lot of accurate information has come from Asian supply chain sources in the last few years.

According to the reports, Apple will release a 4-inch iPhone 5S and a 4.8-inch iPhone before the end of June. The report calls the 4.8-inch phone, the "iPhone Math," which is, um, odd. We can't imagine Apple is going to name its big iPhone the "Math."

(But, we also couldn't imagine Apple would name the iPad the iPad and it did! So anything's possible, we suppose.)

Later in the year, some time before Christmas another iPhone is coming with a 12 megapixel camera, according to the reports.

They also say Apple is going to release an Apple TV this year.

The report about a 4.8-inch phone is the most interesting. Apple is the only smartphone company not making a big phone. The bigger smartphones are very popular with consumers.

A bigger iPhone risks fragmenting the iOS market. Developers' apps will have to fit 3.5-inch screens, 4-inch screens, 7.8-inch screens, and 9.7-inch screens. Perhaps Apple will also roll out an elegant software solution to this problem.

What's interesting about this report is that it comes one week after the Wall Street Journal and the Nikkei reported Apple was cutting iPhone screen orders. When those reports rolled out Apple's stock was hit hard. So were the stocks of Apple's suppliers.

BrightWire says in its summation of the reports, "The shipments for components, including touchscreens and cameras, will start rising significantly in March, and iPhone manufacturers will begin production in late April. Hence, Apple's suppliers will see major growth in 2Q 2013."

We could be over thinking it, but it sure sounds like suppliers started leaking Apple's plans to let the market know that they are not totally hosed. Whether that makes this report more or less trustworthy is up to you.

However, this is not the first time we've heard about Apple reportedly developing a much larger iPhone. So, we wouldn't just cast the report aside.

Clearly, something is going on with Apple. The iPhone business as we've known it appears to be ready for a major shake up in 2013."

Read more from the Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/rumor-apple-will-release-three-new-iphones-this-year-2013-1#ixzz2IeZjQghA

If The Next iPhone Really Wants To Stand Out It Needs A...Fingerprint Sensor?

"Apple isn't doing too well right now. It's stock price is falling and there is wide speculation that the company is losing its edge.

A new iPhone release later this year could certainly help rally excitement, but what can Apple do to build on its seemingly perfect smartphone?

AppleInsider is reporting that this innovation could come in the form of a fingerprint sensor beneath the iPhone's home button.

The blog says that this fingerprint sensor would be "an intuitive design that could be difficult for competing Android and Windows Phone devices to copy".

The fingerprint technology would come from one of Apple's recent acquisitions, AuthenTec.

The report continues:

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities believes that this fingerprint sensor would allow iPhone users to replace the use of usernames and passwords, allowing users to authenticate in a more efficient manner. He also expects that the fingerprint scanner will integrate with applications such as Passbook to enhance their functionality.

Kuo's track record is pretty solid, as he predicted Apple's entire Fall product line last year, but we're still taking this one with a grain of salt."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-5s-fingerprint-sensor-2013-1

Wait, Is This The REAL Reason Apple Cut Its iPhone 5 Orders?

The story of December for Apple was the monster drop in its stock price.

One of the main reasons the stock tanked was numerous reports from sell-side analysts about Apple severely cutting its iPhone 5 orders for the first quarter of 2013.

The initial read on this cut was that demand for the iPhone 5 was weak. Otherwise, why cut the orders?

But it looks like there might be an alternative explanation for the cuts.

First, Apple's manufacturing of the iPhone could have been better than expected.

Second, and much more importantly, Apple is apparently going to release a new iPhone in the May-June time frame, according to Topeka Capital analyst Brian White. His report is seconded by Peter Misek at Jefferies. (Misek has a June-July timeframe, White has May-June.)

Most analysts have been assuming Apple will sell the next iPhone in September or October since that's what it did for the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5.

But, if Apple is really shifting the release of the next iPhone 5, then it's likely that it's going to change production of the iPhone 5, cutting back its orders for the first quarter of the year. It won't want a big build of iPhones. It has also seen demand for iPhones drop as the rumor mill starts cranking about the next iPhone.

Two quarters before the iPhone 5 was announced, iPhone sales were worse than expected. Apple blamed the dip on rumors about the next iPhone. If a new iPhone is coming in June, then it might be anticipating a drop in the March quarter.

We're not sure if that makes investors feel much better, since it suggests it's going to miss numbers for the first quarter of this year. But, it's certainly better than weak iPhone 5 demand, which would be a problem with Apple's core business.

Apple reports earnings on January 23, so we'll find out the truth about iPhone demand during the holidays, as well as getting an idea about demand for this quarter through Apple's guidance.

 Read more from the source: http://www.businessinsider.com/

The iWatch Could Be The First Step In Apple's Plan To Kill The iPhone

Apple is reportedly exploring development of a watch-like product.

Small-minded people will scoff at the idea of Apple building a watch. After all, who needs watches when you have a smartphone. Further, Apple is a company with $200 billion in annual revenue. A $100 watch which will sell in limited quantity is barely going to move the needle.

While all of those are fair points, they're missing a much bigger picture.

There is a line of thinking that the smartphone era will perish almost as quickly as it began.

This is, after all, the natural way of technology. It's defined by creative destruction. Just as the smartphone killed the flip phone, and the iPad is killing the traditional PC, something is going to come along and kill the smartphone.

The early bet on what kills the smartphone is something like Google Glass. Wearable computers are widely believed to be the next computing fad.

For Apple, an iWatch could be a way to test the wearable computer market, says Gene Munster at Piper Jaffray. He says, "We believe that longer term (over the next 10+ years), wearable computers could eventually replace the iPhone and smartphones in general."

He continues, "We believe technology could progress to a point where consumers have a tablet plus wearable computers, like watches or glasses, that enable simple things like voice calls, texting, quick searches, navigation, etc. through voice control."

Much like the current Apple TV is a "hobby" for Apple that lays the groundwork for it to ultimately release a full-blown television, an iWatch could be the "hobby" that lets Apple explore wearable computing.

After all, just because some people think the smartphone will be consumed by wearable computers, doesn't actually make it so. This could give Apple a good testing device.

And, to be clear, we're not saying an iWatch kills the iPhone. We're saying the iWatch could be a peripheral gadget that complements the iPhone. And down the road, the evolution of the iWatch, or other wearable computers, could alter what we currently think of as a smartphone.

If an iWatch is real, it won't come out until 2014 or later, says Munster.

Read more from the source: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-iwatch-could-be-the-first-step-in-apples-plan-to-kill-the-iphone-2013-1

Why Apple's Mobile Leader Scott Forstall Is Out

MASSIVE SHAKEUP AT APPLE—SCOTT FORSTALL IS OUT

How Jony Ive Became The Most Important Executive At Apple