Why You Should Care About Four Apps from Apple That You Can’t Download Yet

Apple’s Four Apps Which Possibly Can’t be Downloaded Yet

Apple had recently released four apps which possibly cannot be downloaded yet and which are the first signal of a big shift in the core messaging product of the company. The apps are said to be four sticker packsfor iMessage from Apple which tends to feature various smiley, hands, hearts and some throwback Mac iconography which may bring joy to Mac fans especially children of the 1990s.

While the apps are available at the store presently, they are supported only for iOS 10 and greater and if one is aware, the iOS 10 is not out yet to anyone but Apple developers.This month, a public beta period is anticipated but has not yet begun, which means that Apple has released four apps which cannot be utilised yet by anyone.

This seems an odd decision but one could take it as an indication that the public beta is pending. The crazy sticker packs tend to represent a part of greater ambitions for messaging by Apple as a part of the tech world which is getting progressively competitive. Since Apple in the past has been clung for not jumping properly on the social networking trend, the wheel has turned in making a most important social force.

Apple – Developing Software for Latest Products

But beta operating system could be insecure, crash abruptly, act unpredictably and also probably reduce the phone as useless. However if one tends to have an older phone or laptop there are greater chances of something going wrong since Apple intends starting developing software for its latest products first and will be working back from there.

 Even if there are no bugs in the operating system of Apple, one could find that not all of the apps are compatible with iOS 10 still, since several developers seem to be working on the upgrading of their apps before the full launch this coming fall. Sam Williams of Quartz who had co-developed the iOS app has held back from downloading the latest operating system stating that `most developers are not installing it yet on their personal phones and if they are not willing to risk it, best if everyone else holds back’.

If one is willing to take a chance, they will have to register with Apple first as a public beta tester and the company would be sending instructions on how to install the software. The user would otherwise have to wait a couple of more months till the software seems to be ready.

Apple Keeping Pace with Other Innovators

Messaging is now something that Apple has done impeccably in its modest form. However it seems to need a little more style in competing with the other messaging apps and is unwilling to open Messages up to other apps and developers to be there. The sticker packs coming from Apple though are the first of several add-ons which can be made by any other developers. That changed the benefits of Apple as it tends to keep pace with the other innovators in the field like WeChat.

At its June developers’ conference, Apple had already announced that it would add a multitude of features to Messages inclusive of the ability to hand-write notes, to obscure parts of messages as well as to automatically erase them a la Snapchat. These in-house features tend to enhance Messages though the stickers together with the other app which tap into iMessage to take it from a product to a platform.

How to find out if your Mac is infected with Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor

Malware – Backdoor MAC Eleanor

Bitfender had recently announced that its researchers had found new malware which tends to target Macs. The malware is referred as Backdoor MAC Eleanor and has the potential of compromising your system completely. While the malware exists, attackers can steal files, execute code, and control the webcam and much more. Hackers regularly check for exploits with the slightest resistance and in several cases its users seem to be taken unaware.

It tends to come packaged inside what seems to be a legitimate file converter application known as EasyDoc Converter. But the application does not tend to work essentially.Once it is installed, it seems to run a malevolent script that installs a Tor hidden service enabling attackers to access remotely and control the infected machine.

The script tends to set up a web service giving attackers the capability of manipulating files, access a list of running processes and application, execute commands and scripts as well as send emails together with attachments. The malware also tends to utilise a tool known as `wacaw’ which enables an attacker to seize videos as well as images by utilising the built-in webcam.

Packaged in EasyDoc Converter Application

On utilising this software, Bitdefender cautions that an attacker could `lock you out of one’s laptop and threaten to blackmail in restoring your private files or transform your laptop into a botnet in order to attack other devices. Observing that the malware has only been discovered packaged in the EasyDoc Converter application the user needs to download the application, install and run it for the machine to have been affected by it.

An extra security measure by Macs known as Gatekeeper located in System Preferences under Security & Privacy could be helpful. It stops unsigned applications from unidentified developers by default, from running. If an unsigned application, outside the Mac App Store is downloaded and tried to run it, you would come across a prompt stating the application can’t be opened.

If you tend to download the application presuming that you do not have Gatekeeper disabled, a prompt would appear while attempting to run the application. In order to open the app, you will have to intentionally supersede the security settings for running the application the first time.

Malwarebytes/Sophos – Detect Backdoor MAC Eleanor

Your Mac will not be infected with the Backdoor MAC Eleanor malware, if you have not downloaded the application or did not bypass the Gatekeeper setting in order to run it. On the contrary, if you did it either, your Mac could have likely been infected. If one still has access to your Mac, there is Malwarebytes and Sophos which have already been updated in detecting Backdoor MAC Eleanor and any anti-virus software which tends to scan for malware would soon come up.

 In order to free your Mac of the malware, you could download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware application for Mac or Sophos Home and run a scan instantly, deleting any related files. To evade such situations in the future, one should ensure that Gatekeeper settings are set only to permit applications from Mac App Store and identified developers. If it is essential to install an application from an unidentified developer, ensure that it is from a trusted source.

Apple to Encourage Organ Donation with Health App

Apple’s Attempt on Easy Procedure of Organ Donation

Apple has been making attempts in making organ donation an easy procedure. The company had mentioned recently that the updated Health app, will be made available as part of iOS 10 and would be providing latest option which would enable users to sign up to donors of organ. Apple wants to motivate millions of iPhone users to register as organ donors through its software update which will add an easy sign up button to the health information app that is installed on every smartphone made by the company.

The app’s Medical ID feature that tends to keep track of the medical and health information includes the capability of registering as a donor of organs, eyes and tissues. The registrations which are sent in via your iPhone or iPad would be forwarded to the National Donate Life Registry, which is an organization handled by Donate Life America. The Health app introduced with iOS 8 in 2014 is Apple’s way of assisting in keeping tabs on one’s health and fitness and is more than just about keeping track of your daily stats. With the combination of a huge selection of data, the app can be time consuming.

One Donor – Saves Life of As Many As Eight

With a feature which is quick and easy it portrays how the app can extend its utility without getting too difficult. The Associated Press explained that if one desires to volunteer as an organ donor, you need to tap the registrations button in the Health app.

This adds yours status as a donor to an `emergency information’ screen which can appear even when the phone tends to be locked. On tapping another button would provide the information on organ donation. According to Apple, presently over 120,000 Americans are waiting for a transplant and every 10 minute, addition of new person is added to the waiting list. Donate Life America President and CEO; David Fleming had stated the demand for organs is greater than the supply which leads to the death of the person in need of a transplant, every hour in the US.He added that one donor could save the life of as many as eight lives.

Easing a Critical & Longstanding Shortage of Donors

The new feature is said to be presently available in the developers’ beta of iOS 10 though it will be more universal when the public beta of the new iOS version tends to roll out. The iOS 10 will be launched for all the mobile device users of Apple, this fall. Tim Cook hopes that the new software would help in easing a critical and longstanding shortage of donors.

 He stated that the issue made an impact when his friend and former boss, the co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs had endured agonizing wait for a liver transplant in 2009. He informed The Associated Press that `watching and seeing him every day waiting and not knowing, it stuck with me and left an impression that I’ll never forget’.

He was very much concerned that he offered to donate part of his own liver though Jobs had refused. Jobs had died of complications from pancreatic cancer in 2011, two years after receiving a liver transplant in Tennessee which had attributed in extending his life span. He had enrolled in that state’s registry when doctors had advised him the lengthy waiting list in California. This meant that he would not live long to get one in his home state.

Apple Patents Technology for Deactivating iPhone Cameras at Live Concerts

Apple’s Patent – Block Camera Feature of iPhone

Now recording plays on phones would soon be a thing of the past since Apple has patented a technology that tends to block the camera feature of the iPhone. The invention of the company enables venues to utilise infrared beam to disable photography on devices, avoiding users from taking photos and videos. The California-based US firm company had been awarded the patent recently in the midst of mounting hindrance which intimates live events being ruined in various screens as the visitors record videos for the purpose of sharing them on social media.

A recent request had been made by actor Benedict Cumberbatch to fans to stop filming while he performed in Hamlet and Adele a pop singer had informed a female fan filming on her mobile at a concert in Italy to enjoy the same in real life instead of the camera. The patent of Apple explains how the iPhone would be temporarily disabled at the time of the rock event and would need an infrared transmitter to be installed during shows.

It states that `an infrared emitter can be located in areas where picture or video capture is prohibited and the emitter can generate infrared signals with encoded data which includes commands to disable the recording functions of devices. An electronic device can then receive the infrared signals and temporarily disable the recording function of the device, depending on the command’.

When Switched on – Phone Displays `Recording Disabled’

The patent states that when switched on, the phone seems to simply display a `recording disabled’ message when the audience members try to take images or videos. On the other hand, a watermark or blur effect could be applied to disappoint people from sharing them.It is not certain if Apple plans to apply the technology to the iPhone since companies regularly patent innovations without utilising them.

However, securing down on recording would be appreciated by several artists and venues. Besides this, other advantages comprise of shining lasers on visitors who use mobile phones at the time of the performances which has become a well-known approach in cinema in China and also adopted recently by London’s Jermyn Street Theatre.

Should the technology of Apple be introduced, it could lead to uncertainties that it could be utilised by oppressive regimes as well as law enforcement in avoiding citizensin documenting oppression. It is not known whether Apple intends to put the patent in use and the company has not commented in response for comment.

Concern on Technology Stating to be Indiscreet

Actors and musicians have been regularly complaining that the increasing use of mobile phones and selfie tend to stick at live performances and sharing the content through media sites for millions who did not really pay for the tickets. Several civil liberty advocates have conveyed their concern on the technology stating it to be indiscreet. They claimed that the same technology could be utilised in blocking out the covering of live protest by the activists. Though the technology would be focused on preventing copyright infringement, it would also come with additional advantage of improving the experience of concert going.

Apple reveals ‘smarter’ Siri at WWDC conference in San Francisco

Apple’s Smarter Siri/Message App

At WWDC in San Francisco, Apple released a smarter Siri together with a Message app to take on Facebook Message and Snapchat’s filters in the wrap of latest features shown recently. Tom Cook CEO of Apple had started the WWDC keynote with a tribute to the victims of the Orlando shooting before beginning a list of the new software features which users would see later in the year. Apple launched the latest iOS 10; MacOS and an upgraded Siri at the event together with latest versions of Watch OS and tvOS.

 As expected, Siri seemed to be among the highlights with Apple introducing it up for third party app developers. Siri would also be available on macOS with the Sierra update. Apple supporters expecting new hardware were dissatisfied though there were main changes to the operating systems for Macintosh computers, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Apple Watch.

Cook had calculated up the significance of the development community to Apple. There were now two million apps in the App Store that have been downloaded around 130 times with US$50 billion which had been paid to the developers. Apple Watch app would eventually be more usable with new control centre, which will make it easy to switch between apps as well as a new way of opening app seven times quicker.

Siri Added to Mac – First Time

Apple’s voice-based virtual assistant, Siri, was added to the Mac for the first time with the ability to pay utilising Apple Pay. Option to use the payment facility would be appearing on the websites together with confirmation requests sent to a user’s phone wherein they could use their fingerprint to permit them.Mac users would be able to utilise their Apple Watch in unlocking a Mac when they tend to be in close proximity of their laptop.

Between Apple devices like iPhone’s Touch ID, there will be better incorporation for the purpose of online purchases with your Mac computer and copy and pasting from one device of Apple to another. Together with the software changes, Apple had also mentioned a free app in order to encourage children in learning programming. He had stated that they believe that technology should lift humanity.

Information regarding improvements on how the app seems to run on Apple Watch was also acknowledged by the audience of developers at WWDC in San Francisco with the potential of Apple Watch OS3 making apps to open faster by seven times.

New SOS Feature in Watch

One of the main figures behind Apple Watch, Kevin Lynch had announced a new SOS feature in the watch that tends to call an emergency number, sending a text message with the location to the emergency contacts, automatically. In order to activate the emergency call, you could hit and hold the button towards the side of the Watch.

Other developments to the operating system of the Watch comprise of a new control centre, a much simpler way of responding to text messages together with new Watch faces. The capability of swiping between open apps in the way identical to using apps on the iPhone seems to be the major modification to the Watch.

The fitness section of the Watch also tends to get a renovation under the latest operating system wherein you can compete with family and friends on number of steps taken, minutes of exercises and calories burnt. A new fitness app known as Breathe has been designed to encourage people to lessen stress by regular sessions of deep breathing. The latest version of Watch OS is said to be released in spring.