Reported by Pam Snell
Even though they are the largest company in the world, valued at 2.05 Trillion dollars (According to Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway. March 31, 2021) Apple still has problems!
First, we want to address ANOTHER Apple operating system update:
The updates contained in iOS / iPadOS 14.5.1, macOS 11.3.1, and watchOS 7.4.1 are meant to fix arbitrary code execution exploits present in WebKit, Apple’s framework that renders most of the web content you see on your device (unless you’re using, say, Chrome or Firefox on Mac). In normal language, the updates patch a hole that lets malicious websites run unchecked code on your device, so it’s not the type of update you want to put off.
If you have an older device, such as an iPhone 5 or 6, iPad Air or Mini 2 and 3, Apple also released iOS 12.5.3, which addresses WebKit flaws.
If this story sounds a little familiar, it’s because there have been two recent updates, iOS 14.4 and 14.4.2, that closed similar security holes. Even if you don’t think you should update because you use an alternative web browser on your Mac, or don’t browse the web on your Apple Watch (for obvious reasons), it’s still worth updating any devices you may have — WebKit can be used in unexpected places, and it’s never good to have security holes open on your devices, especially ones that may have been exploited.
Older iPhones are also affected so be sure to update now!
Thanks to Mitchell Clark of TheVerge.com for this info
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Apple in a Fight in Court!
Epic, the maker of the popular video game “Fortnite,” is facing off against Apple at trial Monday in a case that could change Apple’s business model and the course of U.S. antitrust law. Epic brought the suit after Apple kicked “Fortnite” off the App Store for purposely bypassing Apple’s payment processing system and its 30 percent commission.
The court will tackle a couple of central questions. First, is Apple a monopoly? Apple says iOS, its mobile operating system, has loads of competition, from Google’s Android and from game consoles like Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox. But Epic says iOS is a market unto itself, and that Apple controls it and keeps customers locked in by getting them hooked on products like iMessage, Apple’s proprietary messaging service that’s not available on Android.
The other big question the court must answer is whether Apple, if it’s a monopoly, is abusing its power. The only way to distribute software on iOS is through the App Store. And the only payment processing system allowed on iOS is Apple’s, which collects a 15 to 30 percent cut. Apple says iOS is simply a great service that software developers and customers love. But Epic says Apple shouldn’t be allowed to force developers to distribute iOS apps through Apple’s App Store and simultaneously use its payment processing system, which Epic argues is a violation of an antitrust law that prohibits tying one product or service to the sale of another.
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Even More Trouble –
The EU has accused Apple of antitrust practices for its App Store policies. The max potential fine is $27B.
~ From Monday, May 3, 2021’s TheHustle.co, daily news delivered to your inbox.
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On the “Good News” side” reported by TechRadar.com
Blood sugar and alcohol levels tracking could be coming to the Apple Watch
The Apple Watch continues to get more capable with each passing year, and the latest speculation is that it will eventually be able to track blood sugar, blood pressure, and alcohol levels – though probably not in time for the Apple Watch 7.
