Software : Apple says it couldn't read your iMessages even if it wanted to |
- Apple says it couldn't read your iMessages even if it wanted to
- Blip: Microsoft Remote Desktop app let's you access Windows PC from iOS or Android
- Microsoft says it's working on iBook equivalent, more on Reddit
- Sky Go users top 3 million, while fiver-a-month Sky Go Extra subs soar
- Twitter's direct messaging ambitions could go further than we thought
| Apple says it couldn't read your iMessages even if it wanted to Posted:  Research firms QuarksLab claimed on Thursday that Apple can theoretically intercept users' iMessages and read them or hand them over to authorities, but Apple responded that that's simply not true. "iMessage is not architected to allow Apple to read messages," an Apple spokesperson told AllThingsD. "The research discussed theoretical vulnerabilities that would require Apple to re-engineer the iMessage system to exploit it, and Apple has no plans or intentions to do so," the spokesperson continued. Just a theoryQuarksLab presented its findings at the Hack in the Box conference that took place this week in Malaysia. The group said that while Apple's end-to-end encryption is secure, Apple "can change a key any time they want, thus read [sic] the content of our iMessages." The security and hacking community so far has reportedly found few faults with QuarksLab's theory, which is apparently quite complex. However, the researchers emphasized that they're not claiming Apple does read your iMessages; only that it can if it chooses to. To iMessage or not to iMessageiMessages are messages sent between iOS devices that Apple has long claimed are more secure than standard SMS messaging. The iMessaging service supposedly even thwarts U.S. law enforcement agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration. Then again, the service clearly isn't foolproof. |
| Blip: Microsoft Remote Desktop app let's you access Windows PC from iOS or Android Posted:  Accompanying the release of Windows 8.1 is Microsoft's official Remote Desktop app for iOS and Android, meaning you can access your PC while running around town with your iPhone or iPad or droid device. Compatible with iOS 6 and up and Android 2.2 and up, the Remote Desktop grants PC access using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocols (the name doesn't fall far from the tree, it seems). The app offers support for any Windows PC with Remote Desktop turned on - an option you can finagle in the Control Panel. From there, enjoy the somewhat surreal and miniaturized experience of maneuvering around your Windows PC on your iDevice. As noted by The Verge in its rundown, the app doesn't automatically pick out PCs on a network. In order to access one, you'll need to know the PC's IP. More blips!Whether at home or on the go, blips are good no matter where you're reading them. |
| Microsoft says it's working on iBook equivalent, more on Reddit Posted:  The Windows 8.1 update is out today and Microsoft seems pretty pleased with the results. Windows engineers opened the floor to comments and questions submitted to a Reddit AMA earlier today to discuss 8.1's development, features, benefits and personal experiences during the revamp process, but a few answers caught our attention. There's been speculation that another Windows update will happen again next year or that a whole new OS will be released in 2015. A Reddit user asked about this but was simply met with: "... our goal is to continue to deliver updates on a regular basis to respond to customer feedback and improve and enrich the Windows experience." Meaning the company's remaining mum, for now. What's on the horizon?Fortunately, the Windows engineers were a bit more forthcoming about other topics. It seems like the team is trying to mesh the Storage Space function together with SkyDrive to enable an easier way to store your stuff. Microsoft is also working on a Windows equivalent to the Newsstand and iBooks apps found on iOS systems where presumably, users can purchase and read material through their Microsoft accounts. The software giant also confirmed previous reports that the Windows Phone team is definitely working with the Windows 8 people: "... there are a lot of great experiences across Windows and Phone - we're working together closely, more to come over time" - so, hopefully, we should see the fruits of their collaboration soon. Lastly, Zune's death ... and Katy Perry?It seems like a few people out there are still carrying a torch for Zune. In fact, one Redditor asked if the dead music service will make a comeback, and the reply was a resounding, "Um...no" - though the engineer referred the music lover to Xbox Music as Microsoft's new go-to tune source. An engineer also let out the little-known fact that Katy Perry's face was plastered across the conference rooms for a year because she was chosen to be the example for the company's SmartSeach design mock ups. Go figure. |
| Sky Go users top 3 million, while fiver-a-month Sky Go Extra subs soar Posted:  Sky TV customers are jumping on its online and mobile offerings at an ever-increasing rate, the broadcaster announced on Thursday. In its latest financial report, it revealed that Sky Go users on the web, mobile apps and Xbox 360, have now reached an impressive 3.3 million, with a four-fold increase in total on-demand usage. This year, the live streaming portal has been supplemented by the Sky Go Extra service, which gives users the opportunity to download shows to watch offline at their own convenience. That service is an extra £5 a month for Sky subscribers, but users haven't baulked at the extra expenditure with 219,000 new sign-ups in the last three months, bringing the total to 385,000. ConnectedElsewhere the company also announced its up to 5 million broadband customers, largely thanks to the 292,000 O2 customers who were brought over following the buyout earlier this year. The company is also pretty chuffed about the number of internet-connected television set-top boxes now in use. There are 3.351m Sky HD+ boxes hooked up to the internet, compared with 1.255m this time last year. |
| Twitter's direct messaging ambitions could go further than we thought Posted:  Twitter gets a lot of things right, but its private "direct messaging" service leaves much to be desired. That could change this year, according to AllThingsD, when the social network revamps DMs to bring them further into the forefront of the Twitter experience. Today, the site reported speaking with multiple sources who all agree that change is coming. Exactly what those changes are and when they'll arrive is less clear, but there are some hints to go off. Privatizing TwitterThe updates to direct messaging could reportedly encompass at least two major changes, one of which has already started to arrive. That's the ability to receive direct messages from anyone, even users who don't follow you, and it was reportedly in testing at Twitter for weeks before its gradual rollout began this week. More significantly, the company has reportedly also considered releasing a standalone DM app for those who want to send messages without the noise of a typical Twitter feed. Nipping at your heelsTwitter's standalone messaging app would be a response to the messaging apps that may be about to supplant traditional MMS applications on smartphones. These include WhatsApp, Snapchat and KakaoTalk, the last of which Twitter even mentioned in its recent IPO filing. AllThingsD's sources also mentioned that Twitter execs met with employees from the messaging app MessageMe earlier this year, though to what end is unclear. Interestingly, these changes might come after Twitter reportedly considered killing direct messages altogether and turning the social network into a public-only service. |
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