Tag Archives: Apple iPad

Apple Quietly Releasing New iPad Models In October 2023?!

Is Apple about to quietly release new iPad models in October 2023?! Take a look at the new rumours!

Claim : Apple Is Releasing New iPad Models In October 2023!

The Internet is abuzz with rumours that Apple is about to quietly release new iPad models this week, in October 2023!

It started with a report by SuperCharged that “sources familiar with Apple’s media plans” told them that Apple will announce new iPad models “as soon as Tuesday, October 17”, and the new iPads will have these improvements:

iPad Air : upgraded with M2 chip, up from M1
iPad mini : upgraded with A16 Bionic chip
entry-level iPad : unknown, possibly A16 Bionic chip

Apple will announce updates to its iPad lineup this week, according to sources familiar with Apple’s media plans who spoke to Supercharged. Apple is planning briefings with select media personnel scheduled for later this week specifically focused on the iPad.

The sources added that the announcements could happen as soon as Tuesday, October 17.

The updates will feature minor spec bumps, bringing the models in line with faster and more efficient chips. The iPad Air will gain the M2 chip, an upgrade from the current M1 chip, while the upcoming iPad mini will feature the A16 Bionic chip.

The announcements will take place on Apple’s website and its YouTube channel and will not include a flashy hybrid event for significant product announcements.

This report was later corroborated by 9to5Mac, who spoke to their own sources:

Via Supercharged, Apple is set to announce new iPad updates this week, likely on Tuesday October 17. 9to5Mac has corroborated the report with our own sources.

The iPad Air, iPad mini and the base model iPad are expected to be refreshed. These updates will likely comprise smaller spec bump updates rather than significant design changes.

Doubts Apple Is Releasing New iPad Models In October 2023!

While that seems exciting news – finally we get updated iPads! – there are already doubts circulating around these rumours.

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, for example, is well-connected and quickly casted doubts on these rumours:

More often than not, the company debuts new laptops and iPads in October — about a month after the latest iPhone and watch get out the door.

And while I reported in July that Apple was planning such a release this year, the latest indications are that it won’t happen this month.

A new entry-level iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini are all in development with faster chips, but I don’t believe updates of any significance are imminent

Apple supply chain analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, also said last month that “new iPad models are unlikely before the year’s end“.

Recommended : How To Link Multiple Phones On WhatsApp!

Now, I’m no Mark Gurman or Ming-Chi Kuo, and Tech ARP is no 9to5Mac or SuperCharged, but I did break the news on Apple’s new MagSafe connector and the SD card reader’s return in the 2021 MacBook Pro.

I actually heard from a source a couple of weeks earlier that Apple will not release any new entry-level iPad models this year. Rather, the new entry-level iPad is slated to debut in April 2024.

This, of course, only addresses the entry-level iPad models. It is possible that Apple will announce updated iPad Air and iPad mini models this week, while leaving the entry-level iPad for April 2024.

However, my money is on Apple not releasing any new iPad models this year, and my source is correct about the April 2024 date. In fact, I literally bet my own money on my source’s information, by purchasing an iPad yesterday for my parents.

In any case, I don’t think Apple will wow anyone with the new entry-level iPad model. It’s all about incremental changes these days. In fact, Apple has already been shifting away from a yearly update cycle, as it gets harder to deliver any exciting updates for these tablets.

On top of that, the entry-level iPad was completely redesigned just a year ago – in October 2022. Most likely, the new entry-level iPad will feature the A16 Bionic chip, with maybe a new colour or two. Is that exciting? I don’t think so.

The truth is – even the 7th Generation iPad that I currently own is fast enough for most people. I personally don’t see a real need to upgrade to the 11th Generation iPad when it arrives, whether it’s this week, or in April 2024.

So yes, I think Apple will quietly update its iPad line-up through a simple and cheap press release and YouTube announcement. I just don’t think it’s this week, or even this year.

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Apple MFI plan to limit speed, power on USB-C leaked!

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Apple may be planning to limit data transfer and charging speed on USB-C ports used in its devices, by introducing MFI certification!

Earlier : Apple Forced To Adopt USB-C Port!

Apple has been hesitant about moving to the superior USB-C port for years, limiting it to Mac computers and iPad tablets.

The 12-inch MacBook was the first Mac computer to get USB-C in 2015, while the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablets made the switch from Lighting to USB-C in 2018. However, Apple stubbornly refused to migrate its iPhones to USB-C.

The choice to stick with their proprietary Lightning port was taken out of their hands on October 4, 2022, when the European Parliament voted decisively to adopt the USB-C (USB Type C) port as the new standard for all portable devices.

By the end of 2024, all portable devices sold in the EU must come with a USB-C charging port. This directive is more or less directed at Apple, which is the only brand that continues to use its own proprietary Lighting connector.

Apple MFI plan to limit speed, power on USB-C leaked!

Now that the EU is firmly forcing everyone to use USB-C, Apple will start using the USB Type C port in its upcoming iPhone 15 models.

However, Apple apparently isn’t going to give up its lucrative side gig of selling its users MFI (Made for iPhone) cables and accessories at exorbitant prices.

According to ShrimpApplePro, who accurately leaked on the iPhone 14, Apple will introduce MFI for its USB-C cables and accessories.

And even worse – cables that lack MFI certification will have their data and charging speeds limited.

Yeah usb-c with MFI is happening

Foxconn already in mass production accessories like EarPods and cables

Cables w no MFI will be software limited in data and charging speed

MFI-certified cables have a small authenticator chip to verify that they are “certified” to work with Apple devices. If you use cables that lack this authenticator chip, you will get the “This accessory is not supported” warning on your Apple device.

Apple gets paid for every authenticator chip, so MFI cables and accessories are priced at a premium, even if they work just as well as non-MFI cables and accessories.

Apple is already expected to limit the iPhone 15 base model, and iPhone 15 Plus, to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps (60 MB/s), while Pro models will get the much higher transfer rates of 20 Gbps (USB-C 3.2) or even 40 Gbps (Thunderbolt 3).

People may not bat an eye at Apple limiting data transfer speeds to differentiate their Pro models from the non-Pro models, but limiting battery recharging speeds for non-MFI cables should ruffle some feathers. After all, there is technically no good reason why Apple cannot allow their devices to benefit from faster charging using non-MFI cables.

Naturally, Apple benefits financially from introducing MFI for USB-C. It will force Apple users to pay the notorious “Apple tax” on top of the “Apple premium” they paid for their Apple devices.

Imagine if Apple introduces MFI for USB-C and phases that in for future Mac computers and iPad tablets, as well as the upcoming iPhone 15 smartphones. Even those who have been happily using regular, non-MFI USB-C cables will have to switch them to MFI cables, and for what?

There is really no discernible benefit for Apple users to use MFI-certified cables over regular USB-C cables. It’s not like they will give your Apple devices magical powers. If there is any reduction in transfer rate or charging speed, it will only happen because Apple intentionally chose to make it so.

Of course, this leak may turn out to be true, and Apple may not be quite so evil as to foist the MFI tax on its loyal users. But I fear that Apple believes its users are more loyal than discerning, and will yet again, quietly pay for MFI cables just because Apple said so.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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KartRider Drift : Get Free Lucci Coupon Code!

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The KartRider Drift team is giving away a free coupon code for 5,000 Lucci for a limited time!

Find out how to get it FREE, and make sure you TELL your friends!

Don’t forget to LIKE the Tech ARP Facebook page or Telegram channel to get these updates quickly!

KartRider Drift

KartRider: Drift is the only free-to-play, cross-platform kart racer with arcade thrills, and the fastest drift fueled skilled competition. With deep kart and character customization in stunning high-definition, fun and chaos awaits you on the track.

Challenge your friends across platforms with no barriers, no paywalls, and no pay-to-win elements preventing you from having a great time while topping the leaderboards. Created from the ground up for dynamic online gameplay, there are huge content updates every season.

Race together anytime and anywhere! KartRider: Drift is easy to pick up and play across PC, Xbox, PlayStation and mobile devices with no paywalls. With local play and online features, there’s always a way for you to play completely free with friends across the globe.

Take control by having the freedom to completely personalize your ride. Endlessly customize your character to fit your own unique personality and design the perfect kart to cross the finish line and top the leaderboards in style.

Elevate your game through the fastest and most competitive multiplayer sprints in kart racing, experiencing Speed Mode. Push yourself to the limit with Speed Mode’s precise controls, advanced drifting system, and highly skilled gameplay.

Or experience the chaotic and always surprising Item Mode. Take out your opponents with items such as rocket launchers, water bombs and even UFOs. Whichever mode you choose, first place is waiting for you!

More than any other kart racing title, KartRider: Drift is a living, online multiplayer game that is always adding new karts, characters, skins, tracks, and customization options plus huge seasonal content drops. Keep your garage stocked and your skills sharp as the game grows over time!

KartRider Drift : How To Get Free Lucci Coupon Code!

The KartRider Drift team is giving away a free coupon code for 5,000 Lucci, which can be redeemed in-game on any platform – PlayStation, Xbox, Android, PC (Windows) and iOS.

Make sure you follow these steps to get the 5,000 Lucci for FREE before May 11, 2023 at 12:00 AM UTC.

Install KartRider Drift (Steam), which is a free-to-play game.
On non-iOS devices, go to Settings > Manage Account > Apply Coupon.
On iOS devices, go to Web Coupon Page.
Key in this coupon code : F481NKBRIYS5

That’s it! You now have 5,000 Lucci in your KartRider Drift account!

Note : You can only redeem t his coupon code once per account.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Apple Limits AirDrop To Help China Prevent Protests!

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Find out how Apple has quietly limited AirDrop to help China prevent anti-government protests!

Protestors In China Use AirDrop To Organise + Bypass Censors!

China has been rocked by anti-government protests, that started at the in Zhengzhou, but later spread to at least seven cities.

Despite efforts by the CCP government to censor and block efforts to organise demonstrations, Chinese protestors were able to bypass the “Great Firewall” using the Apple AirDrop feature.

AirDrop is a proprietary feature that allows for the wireless transfers of files between Apple mobile devices and computers. It was used to great effect in 2019, when protestors in Hong Kong used it to bypass the China’s “Great Firewall” and organise their demonstrations.

Now, Chinese citizens are using the AirDrop feature of their iPhones to circulate information about planned demonstrations, or memes and messages opposing Chinese President Xi Jinping, or the Chinese government.

Since AirDrop communicates directly between Apple devices, it works even when the authorities shut down mobile communications and Internet connectivity.

How Apple Helps China Limit Protests Using AirDrop!

Unfortunately, Apple quietly introduced an update on November 9, 2022 to severely restrict the AirDrop feature on iPhones sold in China.

In the past, iPhone users in China could set AirDrop to accept files from Everyone without any time limit, allowing them to discreetly send and receive files from strangers.

The iOS 16.1.1 update introduced a 10 minute limit for AirDrop, making it impossible to receive files from strangers.

While it is still possible to receive files from strangers, users will have to repeatedly reset the setting to Everyone for 10 Minutes, which is not practical.

On top of that, the new time restriction on AirDrop affects all iPhones sold in China, regardless of which country your App Store account is based in. So foreigners who purchased their iPhones in China will be similarly affected.

It is not surprising that Apple would bend the knee to the CCP government. After all, China accounts for almost a fifth of Apple’s total sales!

In 2021, it was even reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook signed a secret $275 billion deal with China in 2016 to “solve” regulatory problems.

The relationship between Apple and the CCP government in China appears to be so strong that when Foxconn employees fled the massive iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, Beijing ordered military veterans and Communist Party members to fill in for the labour shortage!

It will now be up to the Chinese protestors to figure another way to bypass the Great Firewall. Jia you!

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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EU Orders All Brands To Use USB-C, Including Apple!

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It’s official – the EU has ordered all brands to standardise on the USB-C connector for all mobile chargers, including Apple!

EU Orders All Brands To Use USB-C, Including Apple!

On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the European Parliament voted decisively in favour of adopting the USB-C (USB Type C) port as the new standard for all portable devices.

The directive passed with an overwhelming vote of 602 MEPs in favour, and just 13 against (with 8 abstentions), and now heads to the EU Council for the formality of a final approval.

Once the Council signs off on the directive, it will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal. Member states will then have 12 months to transpose the new directive, and another 12 months after that transposition period, to apply the new rules.

Once these new rules are enforced, consumers will be able to use and share chargers since all portable devices use the same charging port.

The EU expects the directive to greatly reduce e-waste, and help consumers save up to €250 million a year on purchasing chargers of different standards.

In the EU, chargers alone account for about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste every year. So this directive will help to cut down on the environmental impact of disposing of so many old or unused chargers.

Details Of EU Directive On USB-C Standardisation

Here is my quick round-up of the new EU directive on standardising portable devices and laptops on the USB Type C charging port.

All Devices Must Come With USB-C Charging Port

What this means is that by the end of 2024, all portable devices sold in the EU must come with a USB Type C charging port.

Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

Small devices like smartwatches and health trackers that cannot fit a USB-C port are exempted from this requirement.

This directive is more or less directed at Apple which persists in using its own proprietary Lighting connector for its devices – everything from iPhone, iPad, AirPods and even its wireless keyboard and mouse.

The only way for Apple to get around this is to switch their new devices to wireless charging before the end of 2024.

All Devices Must Support USB-C Fast Charging Standards

Also important is the fact that the EU is going to force all brands to adopt USB-C fast charging standards.

While the legislation won’t stop manufacturers from implementing special fast charging capabilities, it will ensure that their chargers and devices support USB-C fast charging standards as a minimum.

All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.

USB-C Mandate To Extend To Laptops In 2026

On top of that, the directive also requires laptops to standardise on the USB Type C charging port by spring 2026.

This new directive will not please Apple MacBook users who just celebrated the return of the MagSafe connector, but it will be a great advantage for consumers.

Once enforced, everyone will be able to use their laptop’s USB-C charger to also recharge their other devices, because they all have the same USB Type port!

Dedicated Labels

The directive also requires brands to use dedicated labels to help consumers decide if their existing chargers will support their new devices, or if they need to purchase a new charger.

This will hopefully prevent consumers from being hoodwinked into purchasing a new charger with every new device, when their existing chargers will work just as well.

Dedicated labels will inform consumers about the charging characteristics of new devices, making it easier for them to see whether their existing chargers are compatible.

Buyers will also be able to make an informed choice about whether or not to purchase a new charging device with a new product.

Wireless Charging To Be Standardised Too

The directive also commanded the European Commission to tackle wireless charging interoperability by the end of 2024.

It highlighted the risk of brands using proprietary wireless charging technologies to “lock in” users, replicating what Apple did with its Lightning connector for wired charging.

Like with wired charging, the EU wants wireless charging to be interoperable as well.

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Exasperated Apple Shifts Some iPad Production Out Of China!

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Apple has gotten so exasperated that they shifted some iPad production out of China for the first time!

Here is what we know so far…

Exasperated Apple Shifts Some iPad Production Out Of China!

Apple has reportedly shifted some of its iPad production out of China, over the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Shanghai.

Strict lockdowns in and around Shanghai after a surge in COVID-19 cases have led to months of supply chain disruptions for Apple, even though their factories operated in a closed loop.

Apple built production lines in Vietnam with the help of China’s BYD, and will “soon start to produce” some iPads there.

Apple had asked Foxconn to move iPad and MacBook Pro production from China to Vietnam in 2020, with plans to manufacture a significant proportion of iPads there. However, a COVID-19 surge in 2021 delayed those plans.

Even though China has started to lift their Zero COVID restrictions in Shanghai, Apple is unlikely to reverse these plans to shift production to Vietnam.

This will be the second major production line to shift to Vietnam. Apple shifted almost 30% of AirPods production to Vietnam in the second quarter of 2020.

Apple Also Asked Suppliers To Build Up Inventories

Apple also asked multiple component suppliers to build up their inventories, to prevent supply chain disruptions from affecting production.

One of the people with direct knowledge of this issue said :

For example, component supplier X has a 40% share of Apple’s business in Jiangsu Province, which is a risky region of supply chain disruption, and supplier Y in another city accounts for the remaining 60% share.

Apple would want supplier Y to build enough additional components to match supplier X’s 40% share in the coming months in case production in Jiangsu is shut down again.

If China continues with its Zero COVID policy, it is likely that Apple and other companies will seriously look at shifting more of their production to other countries.

Supplies of electronics from China’s factories have been severely impacted by their strict COVID-19 lockdowns, even though some factories are allowed to use a closed loop system.

There is also worker welfare to consider – there is only so much they can tolerate the closed loop system, where workers are restricted to factory campuses for weeks on end.

In early May, workers at the Quanta factory producing MacBook laptops in Shanghai rioted over the closed loop system, and fled the factory.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Why Was Touch ‘n Go eWallet Removed From App Store?!

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The Touch ‘n Go eWallet app was just removed from the Apple App Store!

Here is what we know so far…

Touch ‘n Go eWallet Removed From Apple App Store!

Apple quietly removed the Touch ‘n Go eWallet (TNG eWallet) from the App Store a few days ago.

The TNG eWallet download page now states “App Not Available – The app is currently not available in your country or region“.

It was also removed from the App Store search listing. The Boost eWallet now appears, instead of the TNG eWallet.

Interestingly, the download page in the official Touch ‘n Go eWallet website is also not functioning, with a 404 error – Page not found.

It is however still available in the Google Play Store, so Android users can still download it just fine.

Even though the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app is no longer available in the Apple App Store, you can continue to use it if you had already installed it earlier.

The TNG Digital team stated that they are working to resolve the issue with Apple, and confirmed that the app that is installed in your iPhone will continue to work with all features fully-functioning.

This does not mean the removal is to be taken lightly. Until the app is restored to the App Store, you will no longer be able to update the app.

Over time, you may lose out on new features. But more importantly, you will no longer receive security and fixes.

Why Was Touch ‘n Go eWallet Removed From App Store?!

Neither Apple nor Touch ‘n Go eWallet stated why the TNG eWallet app was removed from the App Store.

However, I believe Apple removed it because of the recently-added NFC top-up feature for physical Touch ‘n Go cards.

That’s because Apple Pay is the only mobile wallet / eWallet allowed to use the iPhone and iPad’s NFC capabilities for contactless payments.

That limitation has resulted in an antitrust charge by the European Union :

The European Commission has informed Apple of its preliminary view that it abused its dominant position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS devices. By limiting access to a standard technology used for contactless payments with mobile devices in stores (‘Near-Field Communication (NFC)’ or ‘tap and go’), Apple restricts competition in the mobile wallets market on iOS.

The Commission takes issue with the decision by Apple to prevent mobile wallets app developers, from accessing the necessary hardware and software (‘NFC input’) on its devices, to the benefit of its own solution, Apple Pay.

If this was the reason for the TNG eWallet app’s removal, it will be yet another example of Apple’s egregious anti-competitive nature, and yet another strike against their walled garden.

If they continue to lock down the NFC feature on the iPhone / iPad to force the use of Apple Pay, they will invite more anti-trust actions, and possibly turn people to the Android platform.

Unfortunately, there’s really nothing much Apple users can do.

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Apple Education Discount Now Requires UNiDAYS Verification!

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The little loophole is now closed – Apple education discount now requires UNiDAYS verification!

Here is what you need to know…

Apple Education Discount : Formerly Based On Trust + Audit

For many years now, savvy parents and techies have counted on the Apple education discount to get some financial relief on Mac computers and iPad tablets.

Ostensibly limited to teachers and staff of educational facilities, as well as college and university students, the Apple education discount programme was based on trust.

Anyone can go to the Apple Education page, and order a Mac computer or iPad tablet with (usually) a 10% discount. Apple doesn’t even ask you to prove your qualification for the education discount.

Instead, Apple performs random audits. If you cannot prove that you are an educator, or a college/university student, then they have the right to charge your credit card for the education discount you (illegally) received earlier.

Apple Education Discount Now Requires UNiDAYS Verification!

Sadly, it appears that Apple is moving away from the trust system, and is requiring verification through UNiDAYS in certain countries.

France
Germany
India
Italy
South Korea
Spain
Malaysia : Started on 15 December 2021
United Kingdom

Unlike the earlier Apple education discount programme, UNiDAYS verification greatly limits those who qualify for discounted Apple Mac computers and iPad tablets :

Students who are 16 years and above
Must be currently enrolled in the Sixth Form, a college or a university
Must have a personal institution email address (.edu email, for example), or a credit card-style student ID, issued by the school / college / university

The Good

Signing up for UNiDAYS has some advantages. It gives you access to discount programmes for other companies.

And students who sign up for UNiDAYS will get a free Apple Music student subscription in certain countries, which may even include Apple TV+ access!

The Bad

Parents cannot sign up and purchase for their children. Each student must sign up for their own UNiDAYS account.

If UNiDAYS cannot automatically verify your student credentials, it has a manual process but that could mean several days of delay to verify your account.

The Ugly

The UNiDAYS verification process blocks parents of younger students from getting the education discount.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are forced to purchase tablets and laptops for their children’s online classes. While not entirely legit, the Apple education discount has helped many parents alleviate the high cost of providing each child with a tablet or computer.

While this verification process will help Apple cut down on fraud, I wish they would take the opportunity to open up the education discount programme to younger students.

That would really be a win-win situation – parents get a small but much appreciated discount, and Apple gets a head start on developing the next-generation of Apple users.

Until then, parents of younger children can “work around” this limitation, by asking a college / university student to help them make the purchase.

Countries Where Apple Education Discount Do Not Require UNiDAYS!

This switch to UNiDAYS verification for the Apple Education Discount programme appears to be a gradual process.

For now, these countries still do not require UNiDAYS verification :

Australia
Brazil
Canada
China
Hong Kong
Ireland
Japan
Mexico
New Zealand
Philippines
Russia
Singapore
Taiwan
Thailand
United States

So parents of younger children in those countries can still get the Apple Education discount, without jumping through the UNiDAYS hoop.

Pro Tip : When purchasing any Mac computer or iPad with the Apple Education discount, make sure you grab all the accessories you need at the same time, to get the discount as well.

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Safari CVE-2021-1844 Bug : Fix It Now!

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Apple just rushed out macOS Big Sur 11.2.3, iOS 14.4.1, iPadOS 14.4.1 and Safari 14.0.3 to patch a critical security bug.

Find out what they fix, and why you need to update your MacBook, iPhone and iPad right away!

Apple Rushes Out macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Safari Critical Bug Fixes!

Released on 8 March 2021, macOS Big Sur 11.2.3 patches only one bug, which may mislead users into thinking that it’s not very important.

WebKit

Available for: macOS Big Sur

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation.

CVE-2021-1844: Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group, Alison Huffman of Microsoft Browser Vulnerability Research

On the same day, Apple also released iOS 14.4.1 and iPadOS 14.4.1 – both patching the same CVE-2021-1844 vulnerability.

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation.

CVE-2021-1844: Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group, Alison Huffman of Microsoft Browser Vulnerability Research

Apple also released Safari 14.0.3, which patches the same vulnerability for macOS Catalina and macOS Mojave :

WebKit

Available for: macOS Catalina and macOS Mojave

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation.

CVE-2021-1844: Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group, Alison Huffman of Microsoft Browser Vulnerability Research

Why Install These macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Safari Bug Fixes ASAP?

While they appear to only patch WebKit in macOS Big Sur, iOS, iPadOS and Safari, they are CRITICAL bug fixes that you need to install right away.

They patch the new CVE-2021-1844 vulnerability, which was discovered by Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group and Alison Huffman of Microsoft Browser Vulnerability Research.

This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to trigger a buffer overflow when the victim opens a specially-crafted web page, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

It is not known if this vulnerability has been exploited yet, but it is critical to install the new updates to prevent that from happening.

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FREE Dell Mobile Connect for iOS Coming Soon!

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Apple fans will soon be able to download the iOS version of Dell Mobile Connect for FREE!

This will give Apple users the same capabilities that Android users have enjoyed since 2018!

FREE Dell Mobile Connect for iOS Coming Soon!

Dell Mobile Connect was introduced in CES 2018 for Android devices, giving them the ability to make calls, send texts, get notifications and even mirror their displays on their Dell laptops and PCs!

Since it was released two years ago, Dell reported that over a million Mobile Connect users have sent or received over 150 MILLION phone calls and texts sing their free app.

Stay Focused

Dell Mobile Connect allows you to avoid splitting your attention between your PC and smartphone. You will be notified about phone calls, texts, instant messages and other app notifications right on your PC.

You can then decide to respond, or ignore. You can also decide which apps you would like to receive notifications from.

Stay Connected

You will never miss a single call or notification from SMS, WhatsApp, Uber, PayPal, Instagram, and other mobile apps.

Your larger PC keyboard, display and speakers will also allow for more enjoyable communications via text or calls.

Bring Your Mobile Apps To The Big Screen!

Dell Mobile Connect lets you have direct access to your mobile apps through its advanced mirroring feature.

You can directly view and access your mobile apps on your PC display, and control them with your keyboard, mouse and touch display!

Secure Wireless Connectivity

Dell Mobile Connect uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct technologies to keep your PC connected to your phone, so feel free to leave your phone in your bag or pocket!

The wireless connection is also secured and does not go through the Internet. All your phone’s data can only be accessed by the paired PC, and only when you are in wireless range.

Dell Mobile Connect for iOS Availability

It has taken Dell two years to do this, but finally, the iOS version of Mobile Connect is coming in March 2020!

Starting mid-March 2020, it will be available to download for free from the Microsoft Store.
Starting end-March 2020, it will come pre-installed in all Dell consumer PC systems.

Dell Mobile Connect, and all updates, are available for free on all Dell consumer PC systems that run on Windows 10 – XPS, Inspiron, Vostro and Alienware – as long as they come equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, and were purchased after January 2018.

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Apple iPad 7th Gen vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 : Who Wins?

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After a hiatus of 18 months, Apple finally launched the 7th Generation iPad – at around the same time Samsung released their Galaxy Tab S6.

So how do these two tablets compare against each other? Let’s pit the 7th Gen iPad against the Galaxy Tab S6 and find out!

Note : This is not a fair comparison because the 7th Gen iPad is a mid-range device, while the Galaxy Tab S6 is a flagship device. Yet, there are people who are actively considering these two options – this comparison is for them.

iPad 7th Gen vs Galaxy Tab S6 Compared!

Display : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

They both have similarly-sized display – the 7th Gen iPad has a 10.2-inch display, while the Galaxy Tab S6 has a slightly larger 10.5-inch display.

The 7th Gen iPad has a resolution of 1620 x 2160 pixels, with a pixel density of 264 ppi. The Galaxy Tab S6, on the other hand, has a wider display with a resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels and a slightly higher pixel density of 287 ppi.

But what won us over was the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6’s Super AMOLED display, which is certainly superior to the iPad’s IPS display.

Design : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

Design-wise, they are very similar – large slabs of glass and metal. However, the Galaxy Tab S6 has a far more refined design with narrow bezels, while Apple maintained the iPad’s classic large bezels.

This allows the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 to give you a larger display in a 11% smaller form factor than the 7th Gen iPad.

Performance : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8150 – a 2018 flagship mobile SoC (like the Kirin 980 used in the new HUAWEI MediaPad M6).

So it runs rings around the Apple A10 Fusion, which was introduced in September 2016, as these results show!

Benchmarks	Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	Apple iPad 7th Generation	Difference
AnTuTu	441,406	260,080	+69.7%
Ice Storm Unlimited	78,767	38,262	+105.9%
Sling Shot	7,051	3,464	+103.6%
Sling Shot Extreme	5,277	2,559	+106.2%

RAM + Storage : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 comes with a base configuration of 6 GB RAM + 128 GB of storage, with the option for 8 GB RAM + 256 GB of storage. It even comes with a microSD card slot, so you can add up to 1 TB of additional storage!

The Apple iPad 7th Gen tablet, in contrast, only comes with 3 GB of RAM, and either 32 GB or 128 GB of storage. Needless to say – the iPad does not come with any microSD card slot, or any other external storage option.

Cameras : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

Unbelievably, Apple continues to use the ancient 1.2 MP front camera in the 7th iteration of the iPad. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 has a far superior 8 MP front camera, with a brighter f/2.0 aperture.

In the back, Apple retained the old 8 MP camera with f/2.2 aperture. The Galaxy Tab S6 offers a dual-camera system – a 13 MP main camera, and a 5 MP ultra-wide camera.

This is an easy win for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 over the Apple iPad 7th Gen.

Stylus : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 and the Apple iPad 7th Gen support the use of a stylus.

Apple has repeatedly declined to reveal the pressure sensitivity of their Apple Pencil, even while Samsung proudly declares that their S Pen supports 4,096 pressure levels.

On top of that, the Galaxy Tab S6 ships with the S Pen included, while the iPad does not – you need to pay an extra $99 for the first-generation Apple Pencil.

Connectivity : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

Because it’s built around a newer platform, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8150, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 supports up to LTE Cat 20, WiFi-AC and Bluetooth 5.0.

The Apple iPad 7th Gen supports WiFi-AC as well, but falls short in LTE and Bluetooth connectivity – it only supports “Gigabit-class LTE”, and Bluetooth 4.2.

Audio : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 comes with a quad speaker system tuned by AKG, as well as support for Dolby Atmos. The Apple iPad, on the other hand, only comes with stereo speakers.

Fingerprint Sensor : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 has an optical fingerprint sensor placed under the display, while the 7th Gen iPad continues to use the same old Touch ID sensor that is integrated into the Home button.

Functionally, they are similar, but the more expensive optical in-display fingerprint sensor allows for a more compact form factor.

Battery : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 comes with a large 27.11 WHr battery, while the Apple iPad 7th Gen has a 19.5% larger 32.4 WHr battery.

But in our test, running full-screen YouTube through Wi-Fi with the display set to 50%, the Galaxy Tab S6 ended up with a longer battery life :

Battery Life	Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	Apple iPad 7th Generation	Difference
Full Screen YouTube	12.5 hours	10.7 hours	+16.8%

Weight : Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 weighs just 420 g, while the Apple iPad 7th Gen weighs 483 g (WiFi-only) or 493 g (LTE).

Price : Apple iPad 7th Gen

The biggest advantage the Apple iPad 7th Gen has over the Galaxy Tab S6 is its much lower price tag. Here’s a price comparison of the Wi-Fi only models of both tablets, with 128 GB of storage :

128 GB (Wi-Fi)	Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	Apple iPad 7th Generation	Difference
Malaysia	RM 3,099	RM 1,849	+67.6%
Singapore	S$908	S$649	+39.9%
United States	$649.99	$429	+51.5%
United Kingdom	£619	£449	+37.9%
Australia	A$1,099	A$689	+59.5%

Of course, the 7th Gen iPad does NOT come with an Apple Pencil, which adds RM 419 / S$138 / US$99 / £89 / A$145 to the price tag.

128 GB (Wi-Fi)	Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	Apple iPad 7th Generation + Apple Pencil	Difference
Malaysia	RM 3,099	RM 2,268	+36.6%
Singapore	S$908	S$787	+15.4%
United States	$649.99	$528	+23.1%
United Kingdom	£619	£538	+15.1%
Australia	A$1,099	A$834	+31.8%

iPad 7th Gen vs Galaxy Tab S6 : Which Should YOU Buy?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 was always going to win over the Apple iPad 7th Gen, in all aspects except price. After all, it is Samsung’s flagship tablet.

However, not everyone needs a Porsche like the Galaxy Tab S6. A minivan like the 7th Gen iPad may better suit your needs. So here is our advice :

If you want a powerful tablet, with the best possible performance, with the option to add storage through a microSD card, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is worth considering.
If you want a cheap tablet to view photos and videos, and play simple games, nothing beats the Apple iPad 7th Gen.

iPad 7th Gen vs Galaxy Tab S6 Specifications

Specifications	Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	Apple iPad 7th Generation
Operating System	Android Pie	iPadOS 13
Display	10.5-inch Super AMOLED	10.2-inch IPS
Display Resolution	1600 x 2560 pixels	1620 x 2160 pixels
Display Pixel Density	287 ppi	264 ppi
System Platform	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8150	Apple A10 Fusion
Memory	6 GB / 8 GB LPDDR4x	3 GB LPDDR4
Internal Storage	128 GB / 256 GB	32 GB / 128 GB
External Storage	microSD card (up to 1TB)	None
Front Camera	8 MP camera (f/2.0)	1.2 MP camera (f/2.2)
Rear Camera	13 MP main camera (f/2.0) 5 MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2)	8 MP camera (f/2.4)
Stylus	S Pen (Included)	Apple Pencil 1st Gen (Not Included)
LTE Network	LTE Cat20 – DL : 2.0 Gbps – UL : 150 Mbps	Gigabit-class
Wi-Fi	WiFi-AC (dual-band)	WiFi-AC (dual-band)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 4.2
Connector	USB 2.0 Type C	Apple Lightning
Speakers	Quad speakers – optimised by AKG – supports Dolby Atmos	Stereo speakers
3.5 mm Audio Jack	Yes	Yes
Fingerprint Sensor	Optical In-Display	Touch ID
Other Sensors	Pressure, Gyroscope, RGB light, Geomagnetic, Hall	Three-axis Gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Ambient light
Battery	27.11 Whr lithium-polymer battery	32.4 Whr lithium-polymer battery
Dimensions	159.5 mm wide 244.5 mm tall 5.7 mm thick	174.1 mm wide 250.6 mm tall 7.5 mm thick
Weight	420 g	483 – 493 g
Price (128 GB)	RM 3,099 (with S Pen) S$908 (with S Pen) $649.99 (with S Pen) £619 (with S Pen) A$1,099 (with S Pen)	RM 1,849 (w/o Pencil) S$649 (w/o Pencil) $429 (w/o Pencil) £449 (w/o Pencil) A$689 (w/o Pencil)

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Clock Share Bug In iOS Allows Access To Data

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While proving the SoFlo iPhone unlocking hoax, we stumbled upon a security bug in iOS 9.2.1. This security bug can be used to bypass the iOS device’s passcode or Touch ID. But it has to be done in a very specific way.

How To Exploit This Bug In iOS

Here is how you can exploit the bug in iOS 9.2.1 to gain access to every photo, video and contact stored in the iOS device, whether it is an iPhone, an iPad or an iPod touch.

Log into the iOS device using the passcode / Touch ID.
Open the Clock app and go to World Clock, and add a new Clock.
Type a random word in the Search bar.
Select the random word and tap to Share as a Message.

Once the New Message screen opens, turn off the iOS device.
Call Siri (without logging in using Touch ID / passcode) and ask for the time
Click on the Clock after Siri tells you the time.
Siri will not open up the World Clock, but will take you straight into New Message.
Now add a random word to “To:” bar, and press Return.
Double tap on the random word (now green in colour). It will bring you to the Info screen.
Tap on Create New Contact.
Tap on Add Photo. This will allow you to access the Photos app and EVERY photo and video in the iOS device.
You can also tap on Add to Existing Contact to access the entire Contact List.

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Don’t Worry… Too Much

As you can tell by now, this security bug is very hard for a hacker to exploit. It requires prior access to the iOS device to “set up” the exploit.

The hacker will have to trick the owner into granting access to the iOS device. Then the hacker can follow the steps above up to no. 5. This will allow the hacker to exploit the bug (at a later time) to gain access to the iOS device’s photos, videos and contacts.

While this is a remote possibility, we nevertheless reported the security bug to Apple :

We then tested to see if the exploit would work on iOS 9.3 beta, and discovered something interesting.

It appears that Apple finally decided that it was superfluous to offer a Share option in the Clock app. How is that functionality useful to the user? It’s practically useless. So they removed the Share option completely.

In other words, even if you are logged into the iOS device, you can no longer go to the Clock app, key in a random word and Share it. The option is gone. As far as we can tell, it was gone as early as iOS 9.3 beta 5. We confirmed this in iOS 9.3 beta 6 as well (naturally).

So don’t worry too much. The coming iOS 9.3 update will fix this security bug in iOS 9.2.1 once and for all. In the meantime, just be careful who you lend your iOS device to!

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Transcend JetDrive Go 300 Flash Drive For Apple Devices Launched

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March 15, 2016 – Transcend Information, Inc. today announced the release of the JetDrive Go 300 Flash Drive specifically designed for Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod.

With Lightning connector and USB 3.1 Gen 1 connector on each end of the drive, Transcend JetDrive Go 300 allows transferring data among Apple handheld devices and computers with ease, whether it’s for audio entertainment, instant photo sharing or business document preview.

Powered by Transcend exclusive JetDrive Go App featuring efficient file management, easy backup and all-in-one browser, the JetDrive Go 300 provides ultimate convenience when freeing up iPhone/iPad/iPod storage space without neither cables nor Internet connections.

Extended Lightning Connector for Easy Insertion

Transcend JetDrive Go 300 is available in black and silver colors with an aluminum body to ensure light weight and durability, and two caps to protect both connectors from being accidentally broken. The extended Lightning connector is a considerate design for iPhone, iPad and iPod with oversized protective bumper cases that could block the JetDrive Go 300 from being perfectly inserted. Additionally, Transcend JetDrive Go 300 features lower power consumption, draining a very little battery power on users’ iOS devices.

Lightning/USB 3.1 Interface for Unparalleled Transfer Speeds

The JetDrive Go 300 combines a Lightning connector and a regular USB 3.1 (Gen 1) into a flash drive. The Lightning connector can reach up to 20MB/s transfer speeds, whilst the USB 3.1 Gen 1 connector offers incredible transfer speeds of up to 130MB/s, allowing users to transfer an entire 4GB HD movie in only 28 seconds.

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Exclusive JetDrive Go App for Quick Backup

Transcend exclusive JetDrive Go App that is free to download from App Store features intuitive user interface for quick backup and synchronization with the Camera Roll without cables, Internet connections or bandwidth limitations. JetDrive Go App has all the browsers needed to view images, audio files and documents including Microsoft Office, Apple iWork and Adobe PDF. The app will automatically classify files into folders, photos, videos and documents, making it easier for users to manage their files and promptly locate the one they want.

Apple MFi Certified to Guarantee Compatibility

MFi (Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad) is a licensing program of Apple to encompass third-party hardware accessories that are intended for iPhone, iPad and iPod. Transcend JetDrive Go 300 has gone through a rigorous approval process to be Apple MFi certified to not only present a sleek and stylish exterior design, but also packed with full practical features.

Transcend JetDrive Go 300 series are available in black and silver colors with each color providing 32GB and 64GB capacities, and are backed by Transcend’s Two-year Limited Warranty.

JetDrive Go 300 Supported Apple devices

iPhone– iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5
iPad– iPad (4th generation), iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2, iPad mini
iPod– iPod touch (5th generation), iPod touch (6th generation)

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