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Facebook's Surprising List Of Security "Fixes"
Apple iPhone 8 (PRODUCT)RED Official: 1st Photos, Prices And All You Need To Know
Incipio Octane Case For Samsung Galaxy S9 Review

Facebook's Surprising List Of Security "Fixes"

Posted: 09 Apr 2018 06:51 AM PDT

Protesters with the group 'Raging Grannies' hold signs during a demonstration outside of Facebook headquarters on April 5, 2018 in Menlo Park, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Facebook left its doors and windows wide open and looked the other way when members' personal data was "scraped" (harvested) by an unknown number of people or companies. Facebook wasn't hacked. They let this happen.

"In total, we believe the Facebook information of up to 87 million people — mostly in the US — may have been improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica," said Facebook in a blog post.

But that's only counting what they now think Cambridge Analytica got ahold of and used for political purposes. That's not counting the data the Obama campaign had used from Facebook or what many others likely Web scraped and used and might still be using.

Mike Schroepfer, Facebook's chief technology officer, lists many ways Facebook is now tightening up access to data members provide.

"Here are the details of the nine most important changes we are making," wrote Schroepfer. "Events API: Until today, people could grant an app permission to get information about events they host or attend, including private events." This allowed third parties to access "information about people and conversations in groups" and more. Now "all third-party apps using the Groups API will need approval from Facebook and an admin to ensure they benefit the group," says Schroepfer.

Other security holes included the ability of "any app [to] use the Pages API to read posts or comments from any Page." This window has also been shut.

Schroepfer lists many other security upgrades. It's important that they're taking these steps. This will surely give Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg some good talking points when he appears before a congressional committee this week.

Protesters with the group 'Raging Grannies' hold signs during a demonstration outside of Facebook headquarters on April 5, 2018 in Menlo Park, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

"In total, we believe the Facebook information of up to 87 million people — mostly in the US — may have been improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica," said Facebook in a blog post.

But that's only counting what they now think Cambridge Analytica got ahold of and used for political purposes. That's not counting the data the Obama campaign had used from Facebook or what many others likely Web scraped and used and might still be using.

Mike Schroepfer, Facebook's chief technology officer, lists many ways Facebook is now tightening up access to data members provide.

"Here are the details of the nine most important changes we are making," wrote Schroepfer. "Events API: Until today, people could grant an app permission to get information about events they host or attend, including private events." This allowed third parties to access "information about people and conversations in groups" and more. Now "all third-party apps using the Groups API will need approval from Facebook and an admin to ensure they benefit the group," says Schroepfer.

Other security holes included the ability of "any app [to] use the Pages API to read posts or comments from any Page." This window has also been shut.

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Apple iPhone 8 (PRODUCT)RED Official: 1st Photos, Prices And All You Need To Know

Posted: 09 Apr 2018 06:19 AM PDT

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED with black frame.

Yesterday, a leak suggested that Apple was on the brink of announcing a (PRODUCT)RED finish for the latest generation of iPhones. Now, the leak has been confirmed in Apple's announcement.

It's just over a year since the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED special edition smartphones were revealed, reviewed here on Forbes. Those were the first (PRODUCT)RED phones from Apple. And now, the next contributors to the Global Fund which supports HIV/AIDS programs have been officially unveiled and, as predicted, they are (PRODUCT)RED versions of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

Apple iPhone 8 Plus in (PRODUCT)RED finish. Note the black frame around the display.

What does it look like?

A whole new iPhone design arrived last September with the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, which has meant the (PRODUCT)RED edition has required a new design approach, too, specifically because the latest iPhones have glass, not aluminum, backs.

As a result, the new iPhone has a strikingly different look. The aluminum edge band looks similar to the iPhone 7, but that's where the similarity ends. This time around, there's no antenna band visible at the phone's corners as that runs under the glass on the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Anodized aluminum is matte, but glass, of course, is not, making for a bright, eye-catching finish.

Apple iPhone 8 Plus in (PRODUCT)RED finish.

Last year's iPhone (PRODUCT)RED handsets looked significantly classier in the flesh than they did in photos and it may be the same this time. It's clear that the glass back has a rich, sultry shade and the absence of the antenna band around the top and bottom (seen in the iPhone 7 images from last year further down the page) is a definite improvement, too. I'll reserve final judgement until I see the real thing, and will report back then, but these images are certainly a promising start.

Apple iPhone 8 and Apple iPhone 8 Plus in (PRODUCT)RED finish.

What about the Touch ID button?

Good question. Last year, Apple decided that though the edge and rear of the iPhone 7 (PRODUCT)RED would be decidedly, well, red, the ring around the Touch ID button wouldn't. It was the same silver color as on the silver iPhone 7. Similarly, the Apple logo on the rear of the phone, which is made of stainless steel rather than aluminum, was uncolored, unlike on the regular iPhone 7 models where the logo was color-matched to the aluminum around it.

This year, Apple has taken a whole new approach and, specifically, responded to those critics last year who said the (PRODUCT)RED phone would look better with a black instead of a white frame around the display. The frame is now black and the TouchID button is black to match.

David Phelan

Last year: Apple iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED with bright logo

Last year, the logo really jumped out at you because it was a contrasting shade. And Apple has gone down the same route this year, too, so that logo is still an attention-grabber.

What, no iPhone X (PRODUCT)RED?

No, that's right. The reason for this hasn't been addressed by Apple but it may be because the stainless steel band that edges the iPhone X isn't as conducive to tinting red as the aluminum on the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Note that the colors of the iPhone X are already subtly different from the 8 and 8 Plus, with the silver iPhone 8 noticeably paler than the silver iPhone X.

Or maybe it's because the rumors of an upcoming iPhone X in gold are correct and that Apple will announce such a new color in due course. If so, I'd guess that won't be for a while.

David Phelan

Last year's models: Apple iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED next to the jet black version

Will it save lives?

When I spoke to Apple CEO Tim Cook for World AIDS DAY, December 1 2016, he said: 'Ten years ago there were 1,200 babies being born a day with HIV, and that's now dropped to 400. So there's been a lot of progress but we still have work to do to get to an AIDS-free generation by 2020, though we are on target, it's within our sights.'

Today, Apple said, 'Since partnering with (RED) in 2006, Apple has donated more than $160 million to the Global Fund, serving as the organization's largest corporate donor.'

Deborah Dugan, CEO of (RED), added, 'The more than $160 million Apple has donated in the last 11 years today equates to more than 800 million days of lifesaving ARV medication that prevents the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies.'

Although Apple doesn't specify how much from each sale goes to the charity, it says that, 'All (PRODUCT)RED Purchases Help Provide Testing, Counselling and Treatment for Tens of Millions of People Living with HIV/AIDS'. And when I spoke to Cook previously, $130 million had been donated by Apple, meaning that another $30 million has been raised in the last 18 months or so.

When does it go on sale?

Pre-orders online start at 5.30AM PDT on Tuesday, April 10 and the (PRODUCT)RED iPhones are instore from Friday, April 13.

David Phelan

This year's iPhone 8 in silver, next to last year's iPhone 7 (PRODUCT)RED.

Is there a price premium for (PRODUCT)RED?

That's one of the coolest things about Apple's collaboration, the price of the (PRODUCT)RED versions are identical to the regular colors. In other words, for customers it's a cost-free way of doing good. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are available in two storage capacities, 64GB and 256GB, and the (PRODUCT)RED edition iPhone 8 costs $699 and $849 (£699 or £849 in the UK) for the 64GB and 256GB models respectively and (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8 Plus is priced at $799 (£799 in the UK) for 64GB capacity and $949 (£949 in the UK) for the 256GB capacity.

It's worth noting that last year's (PRODUCT)RED special editions were only available in the higher-capacity iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. So although it didn't cost more than the other colored versions, you did have to make a bigger financial commitment. The fact that Apple has made (PRODUCT)RED available in both sizes of iPhone storage is a big step forward in terms of the potential figures that can be raised for charity.

But I've got an iPhone X. What can I do?

New (PRODUCT)RED Folio case on the iPhone X.

Well, you can still make a difference. From tomorrow, April 10, you can pick up a (PRODUCT)RED leather folio for the iPhone X for $99 (£99 in the UK). Silicone cases for iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are also newly available, together with cases for earlier iPhones and a Smart Battery case for iPhone 7. And every phone from the iPhone SE onwards now has a leather case in (PRODUCT)RED shade available now, including for the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

There are also straps and buckles for Apple Watch in (PRODUCT)RED finish. All but the new iPhone X folio are available now.

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iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED with black frame.

Yesterday, a leak suggested that Apple was on the brink of announcing a (PRODUCT)RED finish for the latest generation of iPhones. Now, the leak has been confirmed in Apple's announcement.

It's just over a year since the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED special edition smartphones were revealed, reviewed here on Forbes. Those were the first (PRODUCT)RED phones from Apple. And now, the next contributors to the Global Fund which supports HIV/AIDS programs have been officially unveiled and, as predicted, they are (PRODUCT)RED versions of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

Apple iPhone 8 Plus in (PRODUCT)RED finish. Note the black frame around the display.

What does it look like?

Apple iPhone 8 Plus in (PRODUCT)RED finish.

Last year's iPhone (PRODUCT)RED handsets looked significantly classier in the flesh than they did in photos and it may be the same this time. It's clear that the glass back has a rich, sultry shade and the absence of the antenna band around the top and bottom (seen in the iPhone 7 images from last year further down the page) is a definite improvement, too. I'll reserve final judgement until I see the real thing, and will report back then, but these images are certainly a promising start.

Apple iPhone 8 and Apple iPhone 8 Plus in (PRODUCT)RED finish.

What about the Touch ID button?

Good question. Last year, Apple decided that though the edge and rear of the iPhone 7 (PRODUCT)RED would be decidedly, well, red, the ring around the Touch ID button wouldn't. It was the same silver color as on the silver iPhone 7. Similarly, the Apple logo on the rear of the phone, which is made of stainless steel rather than aluminum, was uncolored, unlike on the regular iPhone 7 models where the logo was color-matched to the aluminum around it.

David Phelan

Last year: Apple iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED with bright logo

Last year, the logo really jumped out at you because it was a contrasting shade. And Apple has gone down the same route this year, too, so that logo is still an attention-grabber.

What, no iPhone X (PRODUCT)RED?

Or maybe it's because the rumors of an upcoming iPhone X in gold are correct and that Apple will announce such a new color in due course. If so, I'd guess that won't be for a while.

David Phelan

Last year's models: Apple iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED next to the jet black version

Will it save lives?

When I spoke to Apple CEO Tim Cook for World AIDS DAY, December 1 2016, he said: 'Ten years ago there were 1,200 babies being born a day with HIV, and that's now dropped to 400. So there's been a lot of progress but we still have work to do to get to an AIDS-free generation by 2020, though we are on target, it's within our sights.'

Today, Apple said, 'Since partnering with (RED) in 2006, Apple has donated more than $160 million to the Global Fund, serving as the organization's largest corporate donor.'

When does it go on sale?

Pre-orders online start at 5.30AM PDT on Tuesday, April 10 and the (PRODUCT)RED iPhones are instore from Friday, April 13.

David Phelan

This year's iPhone 8 in silver, next to last year's iPhone 7 (PRODUCT)RED.

Is there a price premium for (PRODUCT)RED?

That's one of the coolest things about Apple's collaboration, the price of the (PRODUCT)RED versions are identical to the regular colors. In other words, for customers it's a cost-free way of doing good. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are available in two storage capacities, 64GB and 256GB, and the (PRODUCT)RED edition iPhone 8 costs $699 and $849 (£699 or £849 in the UK) for the 64GB and 256GB models respectively and (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8 Plus is priced at $799 (£799 in the UK) for 64GB capacity and $949 (£949 in the UK) for the 256GB capacity.

It's worth noting that last year's (PRODUCT)RED special editions were only available in the higher-capacity iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. So although it didn't cost more than the other colored versions, you did have to make a bigger financial commitment. The fact that Apple has made (PRODUCT)RED available in both sizes of iPhone storage is a big step forward in terms of the potential figures that can be raised for charity.

But I've got an iPhone X. What can I do?

New (PRODUCT)RED Folio case on the iPhone X.

Well, you can still make a difference. From tomorrow, April 10, you can pick up a (PRODUCT)RED leather folio for the iPhone X for $99 (£99 in the UK). Silicone cases for iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are also newly available, together with cases for earlier iPhones and a Smart Battery case for iPhone 7. And every phone from the iPhone SE onwards now has a leather case in (PRODUCT)RED shade available now, including for the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

There are also straps and buckles for Apple Watch in (PRODUCT)RED finish. All but the new iPhone X folio are available now.

If you enjoyed this story, you might also like these:

Apple AirPods 2 May Be Incoming Soon With Two Big Improvements

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Apple Watch watchOS 4.3 Is Here As A Great Feature Reappears. Should You Upgrade?

Inside The Smart Home Development Where Apple iPad, HomePod, Apple Watch And More Come As Standard

Apple WWDC 2018: New iPad Pro With Facial Recognition May Debut. When, Where And

Five Things Nobody Has Told You About The Samsung Galaxy S9

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Incipio Octane Case For Samsung Galaxy S9 Review

Posted: 09 Apr 2018 08:02 AM PDT

The Incipio Octane case is a co-molded case for the Galaxy S9, that not only looks good, but also protects the smartphone. This is a great case to pick up for those that want something that is relatively thin, but also something that will protect their smartphone. The Incipio Octane is available in four colors: black, electric pink, galactic green/gray and frost. These are all slightly translucent, so you do still have the ability to show off the design of the Galaxy S9, at least a little bit.

Incipio has a durable, rigid shell around the outside of the Octane case. This is to protect the Galaxy S9 from being dropped, since phones usually hit the sides and corners when they do drop. So adding a bit more impact resistance there is definitely helpful. The Octane will protect the Galaxy S9 from drops of up to six feet. So basically if it falls out of your hands while you're walking, it'll be fine. But don't drop it out of a window.

The Octane does also add some grip to the Galaxy S9. Given that the device is a glass-backed smartphone, this is important, as it is very slippery out of the box. The Octane is a plastic case, but it does add grip on the back and the sides, making it harder to fall out of your hands, which is definitely a good thing. Incipio does not have cut outs here for the buttons on the left and right sides, but they are rigid, so you can feel for them and press them. They are a bit stiff, out of the box, but after a couple of days of using the Octane case, you'll be able to press these buttons without any issues. And most importantly, you won't be pressing the Bixby button by mistake, which is also a great thing. Incipio does have a cut out on the back for the camera and fingerprint sensor, which also has chamfered edges, making it easier to get to the fingerprint sensor. We had no issues using the fingerprint sensor with the case on the Galaxy S9. Of course, there are also cut outs at the bottom for the speaker, headphone jack and USB-C port, as well as a microphone cut out at the top.

The Galaxy S9 looks great in the Octane case here, we have the black model and you can still see the color of the Galaxy S9 through the case. And that's because it is slightly translucent here. It does add on a bit of bulk to the Galaxy S9, but not too much to where it would be a problem. While some would rather have something a bit thinner, this one offers you the best of both worlds. Which is a somewhat thin case, along with plenty of protection for your smartphone. Since it does have impact resistance on the outer shell, which is going to keep it safe from drops. The Incipio Octane is available from Incipio's website for just $24.99, however, Amazon also has it for a slightly cheaper price of $15. You can grab it from either link below.

Buy the Incipio Octane Case (Incipio.com)Buy the Incipio Octane Case

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