These are the 10 most popular articles from the month of July.
iOS 12: “USB Restricted Mode” – now it’s over
With iOS 11.4.1, Apple introduced USB Restricted Mode. This is intended to make the work of tools such as GrayKey or similar tools for unlocking iPhones significantly more difficult.
After a security flaw in the function became known, Apple appears to have fixed it with the latest developer beta of iOS 12 - that's what developers report. Security researchers from Elcomsoft previously found a cost-effective way to circumvent the lock. The 60-minute countdown, which was supposed to ensure that the USB port was automatically deactivated for external devices after one hour from the last device sharing, could apparently be reset.
All you need is a 40 euro Lightning to USB 3 camera adapter from Apple.
Apple acts rigorously
Apple seems to have completely abolished the hour limit in iOS 12 Beta 4. If you now want to use hardware via the Lightning port, the iPhone must first be unlocked if the "USB Restricted Mode" is active. Only charging the battery is possible when the device is locked. If you want to use external devices without authorization, you can change this in the system settings.
Whether Apple will adopt this methodology in the final version of iOS 12 remains unclear for the time being.
The new MacBook Pro – a beast
Yesterday it was still treated as a rumor - today Apple is making it a reality. 32 GB RAM for the MacBook Pro and much more. On Thursday afternoon, Apple sent new MacBook Pro models into the race via press release.
MacBook Pro 15"
The new 15-inch model comes with an Intel Core i7 or Core i9 processor and works with Turbo Boost at up to 4.8 GHz. For the first time, these devices have up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM. Every configuration includes a Radeon Pro graphics card with 4 GB of video memory. Those who need more memory will not have to suffer. An SSD of up to 4 TB can be installed. Thanks to the True Tone screen, better color representation should be guaranteed. The T2 security chip known from the iMac Pro will also be included. This will also make it possible to use the "Hey Siri" function. You should have at least 2800 euros to spare for this.
MacBook Pro 13"
The equipment of the 13-inch model is also impressive. It leaves the factory with a Core i5 or Core i7. The graphics come from Intel, an Iris Plus 655 with 128 MB eDRAM.
If you need more storage, you can add 2 TB to the 13” MacBook Pro.
As with the 15” model, the little brother will also be True Tone capable and will have the T2 chip. The fun starts at 2000 euros.
According to Apple, they are not only faster, but also quieter - and this is due to the revised third-generation keyboard. The devices can be ordered from today. Professional users are very happy.
iPhones 2018: New leaks give a deep insight
Almost every new rumor suggests that Apple will probably introduce three new iPhones this year.
Now Ben Geskin, a self-proclaimed leak master and Apple analyst, has also confirmed the rumors on Twitter. On the short message platform, he posted three screen protectors to match the new addition.
The notch will be present on each of the iPhones. Two devices are expected to have OLED displays, 5.8" and 6.5", and the third device will have an LCD with a 6.1" diagonal. The interesting thing about the third iPhone are the edges. These seem to be thicker than previously expected. The reason for this is that, unlike OLED, LCD technology does not allow for such narrow edges. This is due to the current state of technology.
Analysts currently expect the LCD model to cost $700 plus taxes. That would be $300 less than the iPhone X, which will be available starting at $1,000. The price difference should be reason enough for many to accept thicker bezels.
More pictures of the new iPhones have surfaced
September is approaching and with it the new iPhones. Two OLED models and one LCD device.
Now new images of alleged dummy prototypes have appeared on Twitter and Slash Leaks. They are said to show the iPhone X Plus and the LCD model. The images were most likely taken in a Chinese factory.
The pictures show that the 6.1” device only has a single camera, while the iPhone X Plus is equipped with a dual camera.
The stainless steel frame known from the iPhone X remains in the 6.5” model. The cheaper LCD device comes with an aluminum frame. The frame also seems to be thicker in comparison to the LCD iPhone than in the OLED model.
The iPhone X Plus and iPhone X are not only expected to come in black and silver this year, but also in a new gold finish. The 6.1” LCD model will reportedly be available in orange, blue and more.
Apple will most likely introduce the three new iPhones in September, the iPhone X and iPhone X Plus are expected to hit the shelves in September, while the LCD model will not go on sale until October/November due to manufacturing problems.
WhatsApp: What's new
With the latest update, version 2.18.70, WhatsApp has significantly improved group moderation. Admins can now specify whether all participants or only they themselves can write messages in the group.
Here's how it works:
First, go to “Group information” and then tap on “Group settings”. Here, click on “Send messages” and then choose between “all participants” and “admins only”.
According to WhatsApp, the new group feature will be available to all users worldwide with the latest version. Groups with organizational content will certainly benefit from this.
phone number change
Another new feature is the ability to automatically inform your contacts about a phone number change via WhatsApp.
It works like this:
Settings -> Account -> Change number – once you have set a new phone number, you can now select whether and which contacts should be notified. Here you can now select individual people and/or entire groups.
Breaking News – HomePod: Apple announces an event for July 25th
This has never happened before. Apple announces a live chat event for the first time in history.
Questions for the experts
All users are invited to ask Apple employees questions about HomePod on the evening in question. The event will be held in English as a live chat on the Apple support page. To take part in this event, all participants must log in with their Apple ID.
The event will take place on July 25, 2018 and will run from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.
“USB Restricted Mode” – again not safe
With iOS 11.4.1, Apple introduced a feature that some people may not like.
We are talking about USB Restricted Mode, which is intended to make the work of tools such as GrayKey or similar tools for unlocking iPhones significantly more difficult.
These devices enable a brute-force attack on the iPhone and can crack the code within a short time if it only consists of four to six digits.
Apple officially confirmed the new protection some time ago. The company not only wants to protect its customers, but also prevent the spread of further such forms of attack.
Enable USB Restricted Mode
As soon as a device has been updated to iOS 11.4.1, this mode activates automatically. You can find it in the settings under “Touch ID & Passcode” (iPhone X “Face ID & Passcode”).
The switch is disabled by default, so the iPhone must be unlocked before USB accessories can connect if the iPhone has been locked for more than an hour. The battery can always be charged.
The protection was cracked
According to security researchers at Elcomsoft, there is a cost-effective way to bypass this protection.
The 60-minute countdown, which is supposed to ensure that the USB port is automatically deactivated for external devices after one hour, can apparently be reset. This is how it works:
If the attacker gets hold of an iPhone, he can connect a Lightning to USB 3 camera adapter from Apple directly. Authentication is not necessary. Simply plugging one in is enough and the countdown is immediately interrupted. For this to work, however, the iPhone must of course not have been locked for more than an hour. There is currently no other way to circumvent this.
Manually trigger Restricted Mode
USB Restricted Mode can also be triggered manually – all you have to do is activate the emergency SOS function on the iPhone. This will also temporarily block Touch ID or Face ID.
These emojis come with iOS 12
Some hate them, others love them – July 17th is World Emoji Day.
In keeping with this, Apple announces more than 70 new emojis.
Based on Unicode 11.0, there are emojis with red, gray and curly hair, as well as a bald head. The new faces will also be available in different variations, including a party smiley, a shaking emoji, another with a puppy dog look and a heartily laughing face.
food and animals
Do you like cupcakes? Show it with an emoji. Salad, mango and a Chinese moon cake are also included. On the animal level, a kangaroo, peacock, parrot and lobster will reinforce the zoo.
Other areas
As Apple announced, more emojis from the areas of sports and symbols will be released this year with an update for iOS, macOS and watchOS. A superhero is also included - namely Superman with female support.
iPad Pro 2018: Will Apple make the iPad a portrait device?
Rumors about new iPad Pro models are increasing. 12.9" and 10.5" devices are expected to be released this year.
The Japanese blog Macotacara claims to have new information about the upcoming iPad Pros. The home button will most likely be removed and Face ID will be introduced. The 3.5 mm headphone jack is also said to be history. The Smart Connector is said to be moved down to the Lightning port, which on the one hand points to new Smart Keyboards and on the other hand is also an indication that Face ID can only be used vertically. Macotakara also wants to know the dimensions. According to this, the 12.9" model is said to measure 280 mm x 215 mm x 6.4 mm and the 10.5" model is said to be 247.5 mm x 178.7 mm x 6 mm.
As always, these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt – it remains exciting.
MacBook Pro Retina 2012: The comeback
At the beginning of the month, Apple officially stopped supporting the device, which was released in mid-2012.
This means that users can no longer get repairs from Apple or authorized service providers. In the event of a problem, they must resort to independent service providers.
Now the turnaround. The step is rather unusual for Apple, but the company has granted the device with the first Retina display a reprieve and announced that the vintage status will not take effect until December 31, 2018. This means that hardware support and the supply of spare parts will continue. So if you still want to have something replaced, you can go to an authorized service provider or Apple. This series of MacBooks has Metal graphics chip support, which is why macOS 10.14 Mojave can still be installed on it, which is known to only run on devices with Metal compatibility. Perhaps this explains Apple's unusual step.
With a few exceptions, Apple's rule of thumb is to produce spare parts for devices for five years. Only then is the customer forced to look elsewhere for spare parts.
