iPhone's new Lockdown Mode

Apple is fighting back against state-sponsored mercenary spyware companies in a big way with a new Lockdown Mode for iPhone users.

It's for people who suspect they may be targeted by software like Pegasus, the tricky spyware developed by NSO Group.

Coming this fall with iOS 16, Lockdown Mode does what it says: It locks down the user's iPhone and disables common functions that make it susceptible to attack, like previewing links in Messages or running remote code in Safari.

In addition, Apple said it'll pay up to $2 million to hackers who find ways to bypass Lockdown Mode -- the biggest bounties in the industry.

The company is also donating $10 million -- plus any damages it may be awarded when its NSO Group lawsuit is decided -- to an antispyware group.

Although the number of iPhone users targeted by Pegasus and other spyware is small, the move shows Apple's commitment to protecting targeted journalists, dissidents and activists.

-- Leander Kahney, EIC.

Apple unveiled a new Lockdown Mode intended to protect the iPhones and other computers of journalists, politicians and activists who face “highly targeted cyberattacks from private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware.” The new security measure is only for extreme cases because it blocks commonly used features of messaging and web browsing.

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Going forward, Apple might make its latest and greatest A-series chips exclusive to high-end iPhone models, according to a reputable analyst. Apple previously did not differentiate between Pro and “regular” iPhones when it came to processors. But that could change with this year’s iPhone 14 lineup.

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If you want to work smoothly with PDF files, you need a capable tool like Kdan's PDF Reader, which can really boost your workflow.

Slip the KYY 15.6-inch 1080P USB-C Portable Monitor in the same bag as your laptop and you can always count on having more screen space to work. M1 iPad users looking forward to external display support should think about this screen, too. Or attach it to your Nintendo Switch for more fun on the run.

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On July 6, 1997, Apple board member Edgar S. Woolard Jr. calls CEO Gil Amelio and informs him that he needs to step down as Apple leader.

Most of the time, when we talk about home automation, we’re talking about Apple’s HomeKit system. But today’s featured computer setup, which relies on a formidable M1 Max MacBook Pro and dual displays, goes another route. The homeowner runs a Raspberry Pi with open-source software to achieve about 50 automations, including Siri integration.

Tweets o' the day

One more thing ...

"The organization is clean and simple to understand, and very accountable. Everything just got simpler. That's been one of my mantras -- focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains." -- Steve Jobs

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