Apple to Implement App-Specific Passwords for iCloud

Apple will have another form of protection for iCloud accounts and the company is scheduled to implement app specific password for third party programs to the cloud service. The company has offered a two-step verification of iCloud users with limited extra barrier in gaining access to the account where the change was initiated due to the celebrity photo leaks which occurred recently.

This unpleasant incident urged Apple to secure users iCloud accounts with both two-step verification as well as app specific passwords. The change for the need of app-specific passwords was put inplace recently.

For those who are unfamiliar with this concept, the app-specific passwords are used when app or service intending to sign into, does not support two-step verification. Instead of compelling to enter the account password, the user can create a single use app-specific password and eliminate any potential for account to be compromised.

Examples of when an app-specific password would be needed, is at the time of signing into iCloud account in Outlook with the help of email app on Android device or a third party calendar app.

Use Label/Name Easy to Identify App/Device

To create a certain password, the user needs to visit the My Apple ID website and opt for `Manage your Apple ID’ and thereafter sign into the iCloud account. Next the user can click on the `Password and Security’, option towards the left area of the page.

Towards the bottom of the security option, the user will come across a new section titled `Generate an app-specific password’, wherein the user can click on the link in order to create a specific password. When prompted to give the password a label or a name, the same should be used which would be easy to identify the app as well as the device on which it will be used.

For instance, if the app has been set up on new Moto X, the app’s name could be followed by `Moto X’, which would be easy to identify which app it is set on as well as the device. When the label has been saved, a password is presented which should be entered exactly as presented, inclusive of any dashes etc.; making note that it is case-sensitive.

Set Passcode Lock for Added Security

Once the first app-specific password is created, a `History’ link appears in the section used to create the password and on clicking on it, will provide a list of passwords, represented by the label name entered at the time of creating one as well as the date it was created.

Cancelling a password will sign the user out of the iCloud account on the respective device on which the password was used. The iCloud password is intended to protect the privacy of the information that is stored in iCloud as well as the ability to locate or remotely erase the device using `Find My iPhone’.

It is essential to change iCloud password regularly in order to protect private information. If iCloud is set up in iPhone, iPad or iPod, users should ensure to set up a passcode lock on the device for added security by following these options:Settings>General>Passcode Lock.

Apple’s iOS 8 – Download Free Bing App

Apple has made provision with the release of the iOS 8, an opportunity of enabling app developers to create extensions for apps. With this extension the user can share content from anywhere, with the capabilities of adding editing tools to the Photos app together with an update to the Bing app and translate websites directly in mobile Safari.

To download the free Bing app from the App Store, all that needs to be done, is to follow the given instructions: Install the app and once the app is installed, launch Safari and then tap on the share button, swipe left on the bottom row of icons and proceed to `More’.

Thereafter slide the switch next to `Bing Translate’ to `on position and tap `Done’. Google’s Chrome app installed on iPhone prior to the iOS8 was for the purpose of translating websites. With this extension users can visit website of any foreign site and tap on the share button and then on the new Bing Translate icon which will provide the user within seconds, the translated page in the native language.

The app by default uses the same language the iOS device has been set to use but the same can be adjusted by launching the desired Bing app.

The Bing Translator

Though users have been debating that Google Chrome tends to be a better browser, iPhone users seems to be loyal to Safari and the one features which gives Chrome advantage is its ability to recognize the language of any given page, with an option to translate it to a native language.

 Safari on the other hand does not work overtime with any options for translating services. On the contrary there is now an extension which can easily be added to Safari’s share sheet for the translations which is the same as the one that was demonstrated by Apple at the WWDC’14 recently – `The Bing Translator’.

It would have been an excellent option for Microsoft and Apple to come up with a deal in incorporating Big Translator directly into Safari, which seems doubtful and hence this extension is the only best option presently.

One of the appealing features of iOS 8 is that it has provided Safari with the capabilities of supporting extensions which means, third party developers now can add required features to one of the most popular web browsers of the world.

Bing Nifty Widget – Trending Stories & Image

This could be advantageous to the users since they can add updated functions which can make their browsing on the web more convenient on their iPhone as well as the iPads.

A new feature which can be added to mobile Safari with the iOS 8 extensions is the capabilities of translating any web page into English which by default, Safari does not have the translate feature.

Hence iOS 8 users need to depend on Google Chrome for this function though one can translate any web page in Safari with the extension which is offered by Microsoft’s Bing Search app. Besides, Bing also comes with a Nifty Widget which does not translate languages, but offers trending stories and image of the day. All support and guidance has been provided on `how to add widgets on iOS 8’, at the site.

Apple and Google Criticized Over Encrypted Smartphones

Apple and Google’s policy to encrypt their smartphones will be making the rescuing of kidnapping victims as well as foil the terror plots difficult, according to US with the FBI warning them of their decision which would not be helpful in kidnapping cases and terror plots. James Comey, FBI Director, criticized Apple and Google recently for developing smartphone encryption so secure, that it has become difficult for police to access easily on information stored on the devices even in times of search warrants.

The ability to search photos, messages as well as Web history on smartphones would help in solving various serious crimes right from murder to child pornography to attempted terrorist attacks. He also commented that someday it would matter a great deal to people and help them tremendously when they would be able to gain access to such devices when faced with these situations.

Comey further added that the FBI officials had already contacted the two companies who had announced their new smartphones encryption initiatives the previous week. His comment was that `he could not understand why companies marketed something expressly to allow people to place themselves beyond the law’.

New Encryption System of Privacy Concern

Comey remarked that Apple’s latest entry of mobile operating system, iOS 8 had been so thoroughly encrypted that it had been impossible to unlock iPhone or iPads for police while Google has been moving to an automatic type of encryption for its latest version of the Android operating system which has also been unable to unlock though it would be taking longer for the updated feature to reach its users.

The two tech giants have now decided to add new encryption systems of privacy concerns which have been sparked out by Edwards Snowden’s revelation of mass government surveillance.With Google and Apple, criticized for handing over reams of customer data over to the National Security Agency – NSA, they are now offering encryption software as a form of default on smartphones stating that it would now be impossible to comply with US government searches.

Quick Access to Phone Data – Save Lives in Emergency

Apple comments were that it was not technically feasible for them to respond to government warrants for the purpose of extraction of data from devices, the announcement of which has disturbed the American law enforcement with Comey adding his criticism to the issue.

He cited two examples of situations where the quick access by authorities to phone data could save lives in emergency. He also informed reporters at FBI headquarters that the officials of US were in talks with the giant tech companies, accusing them of placing people in a position where they would be beyond the reach of law.

Law enforcement does have the capabilities of intercepting telephone conversation if they have a wiretap warrant from court, however the new encryption system would block any access to call data, photos, contacts and even emails that may have been stored on the phone.

The former assistant director of FBI Criminal Investigative Division, Ronald Hosko, stated that the encryption would be protecting thousands of criminals who intend to do great harm, to people, both physically and financially.

Apple’s Patent – Next Generation iOS Remote App System

Apple’s patent published recently reveals a next generation iOS remote app system which will be capable of translating the Apple TV’s UI to smaller format iPhone and iPad screens at the time of streaming back the external content such as movie from some of the same devices.

Apple’s patent application, as filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for `Browsing remote content using a native user interface’, specifies what amounts to advanced Apple TV remote control app which interprets media content as well as semantic information in reproducing graphical user interface native to an iPhone or iPad display.

The patent application for next generation remote app was first filed for in March 2013 with credits to Nickolas James Paulson, Thomas Alsina and Lucas C. Newman as its inventors. The proposed iteration, unlike the Current Remote app of Apple, that employs a bespoke UI tailored especially for iPhone or iPad would size down dramatically, an Apple TV’s GUI based on semantic cues that may be sent to the client device from an Apple TV source or a Mac running iTunes.

This method enables a much enhanced user experience which moves beyond the prevailing digital reproduction of remote control hardware.

Full TV Interface/Icon Matrix

The app for instance can display a full TV interface or an icon matrix, remotely, which includes media description, ratings, posters purchasing options etc.

Moreover code for interpreting semantics boards which are sent by the host device can be kept on client board iPhone or the programming could be tapped from an off-sit server like iCloud. With semantics translation kept in the cloud, enables greater flexibility with older devices which are not usually supported by modern app.

Possibilities of two embodiments have been outlined by Apple for remote app, one of which is active and the other passive. The active version enables users to interact with an Apple TV or any other host device in real time such as any selections that are made on the iOS device tend to reflect immediately on the larger television screen.

Active/Passive Operation 

The document deals with active mode but a mention has been made of passive operation whereby a client device stores up user input and pushes the date to the host device when prompted to do so. For instance passive mode enables one user to browse through a host’s media catalog without disturbing other users.

One important feature is that it involves content collected to augment media that is played or streamed by the host Apple TV like a user starting a movie through the iOS device and then leaves the remote app to search for trivia on the web. Whatever information is gathered outside the remote control app can be sent to the host device for display irrespective of it being an overlay, other means of presentation or a sidebar.

Besides the operational enhancements, Apple has also been aware of the client devices that can be paired with an Apple TV through proximity sensor technology with support for iBeacon. With Apple TV software, the updated version 6.1 that had been launched in March, the set top streamer can scan for compatible devices through Bluetooth.

Apple Launch Soon – PayPal Split from eBay

With the launch of Apple Pay this month and PayPal’s likely split from eBay, a conflict is heading towards mobile payments. Since PayPal has been the mobile payment pioneer in late 1990, Apple Pay has to put in a great deal of efforts in convincing users to do away with their credit cards in favour of digital wallet.

PayPal’s complete break away from eBay is likely to take place late 2015 and this move will enable both the companies to be more competitive as well as focused in their own respective areas. PayPal’s app is made available for Apple, Android and Windows devices and presently only iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users could take advantage of Apple Pay and probably PayPal could work well with Apple Pay.

The CEO of PayPal parent eBay, John Donahoe, at an investor conference held recently, commented that he wants PayPal to be a presence however consumers would want to pay, indicating his willingness to work with Apple’s forthcoming mobile payments feature.

He stated `that the future of payments would be where people will have multiple ways to pay and would want PayPal to be present in every environment’.

Apple Pay – Potential Competitor for PayPal

He was in discussion about eBay’s plans to split PayPal into a separate business in the second half of 2015 enabling mobile payments businesses as well as online auction house to stress on different priorities.

Carl Icahn, an activist investor who motivated this move is keen in making the two businesses more effective and able to react to the changing dynamics of both the areas and the rapidly changing area is payments where PayPal tends to face Apple Pay, as a potential competitor.

As PayPal is gradually making its presence in mobile payments, Apple on the other hand could make an appearance and shake up the category with Apple Pay turning the iPhone into a mobile wallet with potentials of paying at the cash register.

Apple Pay is expected to go in service very soon. Apple has the advantage of good customer base together with the reputation to draw users on to mobile payment which PayPal as well as the other companies may have struggled to achieve.

Apple Pay Good for Payment Ecosystem

In early September after Apple had shortly unveiled its payment product, PayPal had taken a series of full page print advertisement in many major newspapers criticizing the company for its weaknesses in software security.

The service which is expected in the coming weeks has the technology industry trying to profit from a future where apps can use the option of replacing cash, credit cards and checks. According to Mr Collision, co-founder and president of Stripe, he states that Apple Pay could be good for all in the payment ecosystem since it increased the amount of transaction which is occurring in mobile.

 Apple Pay is expected to be available within a month, people can now pay online or in person using their iPhone’s fingerprint sensor to check out and get an experience of faster and safe mode of payment from its predecessors with several major retail chains and restaurants signing up to accept payment through Apple Pay.