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Daughter stunned by little-known iPhone feature after father's sudden death

Queensland woman Carrie Payne was unable to access her father's phone after he died unexpectedly last month due to Apple's policy. The policy is that devices locked with a passcode and therefore protected by passcode encryption, cannot be accessed without erasing the contents on the device. Apple has refused to create software to hack into the iPhone for security reasons, and for grieving families who don't have access to their loved one's phones, this could mean that hundreds of photos and memories could be lost. After losing her father unexpectedly from intracranial haemorrhage, Payne did not have access to his phone, which made it difficult for her to contact his friends and colleagues to inform them of his death. “We also then couldn’t use any of the family photos he may have had on there in his funeral service,” she said. “In the end, we are at peace with things now and haven’t pursued anything. We may still investigate this once we have all the legal documents to confirm his passing/the terms of his estate, but we are weighing this up with his right to privacy in death. The immediacy of needing access has gone, so we are instead focusing on remembering him.” While she has tried almost everything to gain access to the phone, she has had no luck, and now she wants to prevent the same thing from happening to someone else. Payne, an estate planning lawyer, shared the little-known iPhone feature, called a Legacy Contact. This can be set for your Apple ID on an iPhone (starting from iOS 15.2), iPad (iPadOS 15.2) and Mac (macOS 12.1). The Legacy Contact gets access to data stored in your Apple account after your death including iCloud photos, contacts, calendars, messages, mail, voice memos, notes, files stored in iCloud drive, apps you have downloaded and device backups. But, data like payment information and passwords remain off limits. To add a Legacy Contact on your iPhone or iPad, you go to settings, tap your name, tap sign-in & security, and then tap legacy contact. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, then system settings, then Apple ID, then sign-in & security, and legacy contact. After your death, your Legacy Contact will need the access key that you generate when you choose them as your contact and your death certificate. The Legacy Contact will have access to your data for three years from when the first legacy account request has been approved. In Australia, next of kin can request access to an account with the right legal documentation if they don't have a Legacy Contact access key. Images: Carrie Payne

Technology

"It's timeless": Apple Music reveals best albums of all time

Apple Music has compiled their list of the top 100 albums of all time, with the number one spot dividing music lovers. Said to be “a modern 21st-century ranking of the greatest records ever made,” the list was compiled by Apple Music’s team of experts “alongside a select group of artists, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals.” “The list is an editorial statement,” the streaming giant said in a press release, “fully independent of any streaming numbers on Apple Music - a love letter to the records that have shaped the world music lovers live and listen in.” Taking out the number one spot, which has divided music lovers, is Lauryn Hill’s 1998 magnum opus The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album beat out other iconic works such as Abbey Road by The Beatles and Thriller by Michael Jackson for the top spot, as well as newer records such as Back to Black by Amy Winehouse and Blonde by Frank Ocean. Following the big reveal, Apple Music’s global creative director, Zane Lowe, described Hill’s album as one that “has not dated, not even a fraction”. “In fact, it feels more fresh and more relevant the more you listen to it … There are a lot of young artists hearing it, and it’s becoming part of their artistic DNA,” he said. “It’s inspiring and influencing them … It’s timeless.” While The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is certainly popular after selling over 20 million copies and making it one of the best-selling albums of all time, not everyone was so sure it deserved top spot on the list. “Album is fire but no way this gets #1 of all albums,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, while another account declared simply: “BLASPHEMY.” “The most overrated album in history. I’m not saying it’s not good but come on,” a user wrote. Many people also insisted Jackson’s “Thriller” deserved to be number one. “That album had no miss, but Michael Jackson thriller is no 1,” an X user said. “I feel like Michael got snubbed,” another agreed. Check out the top 20 of the coveted list below. You can see the top 100 list in its entirety <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/best-albums-of-all-time-revealed/news-story/620abfb3fc0279559eff1cbbbb552b80" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. 20. Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys 19. The Chronic – Dr. Dre 18. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift 17. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye 16. Blue – Joni Mitchell 15. 21 – Adele 14. Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan 13. The Blueprint – Jay-Z 12. OK Computer – Radiohead 11. Rumours – Fleetwood Mac 10. Lemonade – Beyoncé 9. Nevermind – Nirvana 8. Back to Black – Amy Winehouse 7. good kid, m.A.A.d city (Deluxe Version) – Kendrick Lamar 6. Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder 5. Blonde – Frank Ocean 4. Purple Rain – Prince & The Revolution 3. Abbey Road - The Beatles 2. Thriller - Michael Jackson 1. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill Image credits: Ruffhouse Records / Apple Records / Epic Records

Music

Apple and pear strudel

This moist, delicious apple and pear strudel makes a warming winter dessert, and is a fantastic recipe to try in the kitchen with your grandchildren. Ingredients: <ul> <li>Granny smith apple</li> <li>Pear</li> <li>65g seedless raisins</li> <li>55g walnut halves</li> <li>1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon</li> <li>70g caster sugar</li> <li>5 sheets of filo pastry</li> <li>2 tablespoons vegetable oil</li> <li>Icing sugar, to dust</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>To begin, preheat oven to 220°C then prepare the fruit by peeling and coring the apple and pears, then coarsely chop them along with the seedless raisins and walnut halves.</li> <li>Combine the fruit and walnuts in a medium bowl with the cinnamon and caster sugar.</li> <li>Place the filo sheets on a clean work surface.</li> <li>Cover the filo sheets with a dry tea towel than a damp tea towel to prevent from drying out.</li> <li>Brush one of the filo sheets with a little oil, then top with another sheet and brush with oil.</li> <li>Continue this layering process with the remaining filo sheets.</li> <li>Spoon the fruit mixture on the short edge of the filo, leaving a 4cm border.</li> <li>Fold in the ends and roll up to enclose, then brush with oil and place on baking tray.</li> <li>Bake on top shelf of oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.</li> <li>Dust with icing sugar, cut into equal slices and serve.</li> </ol> Images: Shutterstock

Food & Wine

Screwed over: how Apple and others are making it impossible to get a cheap and easy phone repair

If Apple and other tech companies have their way, it will only become harder to have our phones and other devices repaired by third-party businesses. Smartphones and many other tech devices are increasingly being designed in ways that make it challenging to repair or replace individual components. This might involve soldering the processor and flash memory to the motherboard, gluing components together unnecessarily, or using non-standard <a href="https://www.ifixit.com/News/14279/apples-diabolical-plan-to-screw-your-iphone">pentalobe screws</a> which make replacements problematic. Many submissions to an Australian “right to repair” <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/repair/submissions#initial">inquiry</a> have called on tech manufacturers to provide a fair and competitive market for repairs, and produce products that are easily repairable. The <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/repair/issues/repair-issues.pdf">right to repair</a> refers to consumers’ ability to have their products repaired at a competitive price. This includes being able to choose a repairer, rather than being forced by default to use the device manufacturer’s services. But it seems Apple doesn’t want its customers to fix their <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/evmeya/apple-iphone-right-to-repair-california">iPhones</a>or <a href="https://www.inputmag.com/culture/apples-repair-policies-are-utterly-shameful-and-shouldnt-be-allowed-e-waste-recycling-macbooks-t2">Macbooks</a> themselves. The company has <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/nz85y7/apple-is-lobbying-against-your-right-to-repair-iphones-new-york-state-records-confirm">lobbied against</a> the right to repair in the United States and has <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/11/18/936268845/apple-agrees-to-pay-113-million-to-settle-batterygate-case-over-iphone-slowdowns">been accused of deliberately slowing down</a> iPhones with older batteries. <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2019/10/16/tech-giants-fight-digital-right-to-repair-bills">Opposition</a> against the right to repair from tech companies is to be expected. Cornering consumers into using their service centres increases their revenue and extends their market domination. In its defence, Apple has said <a href="https://time.com/4828099/farmers-and-apple-fight-over-the-toolbox/">third-party repairers</a> could use lower quality parts and also make devices vulnerable to hackers. It also defended its <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2019/08/14/apple-defends-iphone-unauthorized-battery-warning-as-a-safety-feature/">battery warning indication</a> as a “safety” feature, wherein it started to alert users if their phone’s replacement battery hadn’t come from a certified Apple repairer. In the US, Apple’s <a href="https://support.apple.com/irp-program">independent repair provider program</a> grants certain providers access to the parts and resources needed to fix its devices. Independent repair shops in <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/07/apple-expands-iphone-repair-services-to-hundreds-of-new-locations-across-the-us/">32 countries</a> can now apply, but the scheme has yet to extend outside the US. <h2>Impact on users</h2> With the iPhone 12 — the latest iPhone offering — Apple has <a href="https://www.ifixit.com/News/45921/is-this-the-end-of-the-repairable-iphone">made it even harder</a> for third-party repairers to fix the device, thereby increasing users’ reliance on its own services. Apple has hiked its <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-au/iphone/repair/service/screen-replacement">repair charges</a> for iPhone 12 by more than 40%, compared with the iPhone 11. It is <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-au/iphone/repair/service/screen-replacement">charging</a> more than A$359 to fix an iPhone 12 screen outside of warranty and A$109 to replace the battery. Historically, third-party repairers have been a cheaper option. But using a third-party repairer for an iPhone 12 could render some phone features, such as the camera, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/30/21542242/apple-iphone-12-third-party-repairs-ifixit-camera-module-replacement">almost inoperable</a>. According to reports, fixing the iPhone 12’s camera requires <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2020/10/30/iphone-12-camera-repair/">Apple’s proprietary</a> system configuration app, available only to the company’s own authorised technicians. It’s not just Apple, either. <a href="https://www.techradar.com/au/news/samsungs-galaxy-s20-ultra-is-unsurprisingly-difficult-to-repair">Samsung’s</a> flagship phones are also quite tricky for third-party repairers to fix. <h2>Impact on environment</h2> When certain parts for repairs aren’t available, manufacturers will produce new phones instead, consuming <a href="https://www.envirotech-online.com/news/environmental-laboratory/7/breaking-news/how-do-smartphones-affect-the-environment/48339">more energy and resources</a>. In fact, manufacturing one smartphone <a href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.cqu.edu.au/science/article/pii/S095965261733233X">consumes</a> as much energy as using it for ten years. As smartphones become harder to repair, electronic waste will grow. Apple and Samsung both cited environmental benefits when they announced they would no longer ship <a href="https://theconversation.com/apples-iphone-12-comes-without-a-charger-a-smart-waste-reduction-move-or-clever-cash-grab-148189">chargers</a> with their phones. Yet, they’ve turned a blind eye to the environmental damage that would arise from completely cornering the repair market. The average Australian home has <a href="https://thinktv.com.au/facts-and-stats/australian-homes-are-experiencing-a-screen-explosion/">6.7 devices</a>, including televisions, personal computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. With diminishing opportunities for repair, the environmental burden from disposing of these devices will increase. <h2>What is being done?</h2> Phone giants make it tough for third-party repairers to do their job in a variety of ways. This includes constantly changing designs, adding hurdles to the repair process, and restricting access to parts, diagnostic software and repair documentation. Meanwhile, consumers are left with broken phones and huge repair bills — and repairers are left with less business. The fight to remove barriers to repair is gaining momentum outside Australia, too, in countries including <a href="https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/monitor/when-will-canadians-have-right-repair">Canada</a>, the <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/right-to-repair-means-spare-parts-for-household-appliances-mr5gmkjxr">United Kingdom</a> and the <a href="https://www.repair.org/legislation">United States</a>. Legislative reforms have been introduced in the <a href="https://repair.eu/news/european-parliament-calls-for-ambitious-right-to-repair/">European Union</a> and <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/93wy8v/newly-passed-right-to-repair-law-will-fundamentally-change-tesla-repair">Massachusetts</a>. France has introduced a <a href="https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/indice-reparabilite">Repairability Index</a> requiring electrical and electronic equipment companies to inform consumers about their products’ repairability on a scale of one to ten. This takes into account the ease of repairability, availability and price of spare parts and availability of technical repair documents. <h2>The path moving forward</h2> Until the push for right to repair legislative reform gathers pace globally, consumers will have little choice but to pay up to big companies to access their authorised repair services. If they don’t, they may risk losing their warranty, ending up with a non-functional device and even <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e449c8c3ef68d752f3e70dc/t/5ea8a6d93b485d0feb9b5d6b/1588111098207/Report_RightToRepair_HanleyKellowayVaheesan-1.pdf">infringing</a> upon the manufacturers’ software copyrights. Ideally, phone companies (and others) would assist users with the repair process by providing replacement parts, repair documentation and diagnostic tools to third-party repairers. This would also help <a href="https://www.apple.com/au/newsroom/2020/07/apple-commits-to-be-100-percent-carbon-neutral-for-its-supply-chain-and-products-by-2030/">Apple</a> and <a href="https://www.samsung.com/us/aboutsamsung/sustainability/environment/">Samsung</a> reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their environmental goals. Although the way things are going, it’s unlikely tech companies will be able to escape their self-inflicted repair obligations. In the past, Apple CEO Jeff Williams has <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/08/apple-offers-customers-even-more-options-for-safe-reliable-repairs/">said, "</a>we believe the safest and most reliable repair is one handled by a trained technician using genuine parts that have been properly engineered and rigorously tested." But with only so much workforce available even to Apple, sharing the load with smaller repairers will help. And for consumers’ benefit, the right to repair legislation must be taken seriously, with consistent repairability scores developed across the globe. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/screwed-over-how-apple-and-others-are-making-it-impossible-to-get-a-cheap-and-easy-phone-repair-156871" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Technology

Irish apple cake

This delightfully old-fashioned Irish apple cake is not only easy to make but tastes delicious served with custard. Serves: 8 Ingredients: <ol> <li>1 ¼ cup plain flour</li> <li>1 teaspoon baking powder</li> <li>¾ cup caster sugar</li> <li>¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon</li> <li>75g butter, plus extra for greasing</li> <li>3 apples, peeled, cored, cut into slices </li> <li>1 egg</li> <li>¼ cup milk</li> <li>Salt and pepper, to season</li> <li>Custard, to serve</li> </ol> Method: <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 180°C Grease a 20cm round tin with melted butter.</li> <li>Place flour, baking powder, sugar and cinnamon into a large bowl. Cut the butter into flour and use fingers to mix into flour until it resembles fine crumbs. Add apples and toss to combine.</li> <li>In a separate mixing bowl, beat eggs and milk together. Add to the apples and flour mix, using a spatula to combine. Batter will be thick.</li> <li>Pour into cake tin. Flatten the top with back of spatula. Sprinkle extra sugar over the cake. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden. Serve with custard. </li> </ol> Images: Shutterstock

Food & Wine

Rhubarb and apple tarts

These individual tarts are heavenly, and go perfectly with cream, or are just as good by themselves. Try them and see. Makes: 6 tarts Ingredients: <ul> <li>500g shortcrust pastry (store-bought or your favourite recipe)</li> <li>1 tablespoon plain flour</li> <li>¼ cup caster sugar</li> <li>2 apples, peeled and sliced</li> <li>300g rhubarb cut into 2cm pieces</li> <li>2 teaspoons ground cinnamon</li> <li>¼ teaspoon ground cardamom</li> <li>1 egg, beaten</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Preheat your oven to 200°C and put a large baking tray on the middle rack to warm up.</li> <li>Roll out your pastry and cut out six circles approximately 15cm and put them in the fridge to stay chilled.</li> <li>Toss the apples and rhubarb slices with the flour, caster sugar, cinnamon and cardamom.</li> <li>Lay a large piece of baking paper on the counter and place the chilled pastry on top. Fill the centre of each pastry with the apple and rhubarb mixture.</li> <li>Fold the edges of the pastry up and over the sides of the filling, pressing it together.</li> <li>Brush the pastry with a little of the beaten egg and sprinkle a little extra caster sugar on top.</li> <li>Slide the tarts onto the hot tray and cook for 35 minutes or until the pastry is golden and crisp.</li> </ol> Images: Shutterstock

Food & Wine

How a smartphone app may help boost memory recall

A new study from researchers at the University of Toronto has introduced a smartphone app that can reinforce memories of life events. The app, Hippocampus, is designed to benefit people with memory impairment by imitating the function of the Hippocampus as it helps consolidate memories, working by recording life events and replaying them to lock them in as memories. Our ability to remember life events declines with age, particularly with those with diseases like Alzheimer’s. According to the study, some people were able to successfully reinforce their memories through the app. Research found that people who used it for two weeks experienced a 56% increase in their ability to recall the details of events recorded with HippoCamera. People who used it for 70 consecutive days saw an 84% increase. No one wants to forget their life experiences, and according to the study lead author Dr Chris Martin, a cognitive neuroscientist at Florida State University, “You can better recall a specific moment from your recent past, you will have a stronger mental bridge between your present and past self.” So, start brain training and download Hippocampus to improve memory and recall. Image credit: Getty

Mind

7 ways your iPhone could save your life

Your iPhone can do many amazing things, including save your life. Here are seven ways how it could help you in an emergency. 1. Use voice-activated Siri A news story earlier this year reported on a man who was trapped under a lorry with his phone in his back pocket. He managed to save himself by using Hey Siri to call emergency services. To use voice-activated Siri to your phone, go to Settings > General > Siri >Allow Hey Siri 2. Add a medical ID Adding a medical ID means anyone can access the emergency details and medical history on your phone (but only the medical ID). 3. Donwload a medical app There are various apps around from St John Ambulance Australia to the Blood Pressure Companion that can help save your life in an unexpected situation. 4. Use a location service app <a href="https://www.life360.com/family-locator/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">These apps</a> track your location and let your chosen users known exactly where you are all the time. It can be an invasion of privacy so can be turned on and off. 5. Add an ICE (in case of emergency) to your contact list It’s always useful to have indicate an ICE contact on your phone. 6. Use the Apple health app The new health app on iPhones lets you add blood pressure, body measurements, and other vital information. It’s not only easier for you to keep track of your vitals but means it’s easier for others to know your medical requirements if they ever need too. To activate, go Health > Health Data > Vitals > Add Data Point 7. Turn on the flashlight The flashlight is handy to have in lots of situations. Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen and tap on the flashlight icon. Image: Getty Images

Technology

Spiced apple and fig jam

Add the delicious flavour of figs, apple and cinnamon to your breakfast with this tasty homemade spiced jam. Makes: 8 cups Ingredients: <ul> <li>2 peeled and finely chopped green apples</li> <li>2 cups of water</li> <li>16 fresh figs, chopped</li> <li>½ cup of fresh orange juice</li> <li>¾ cups of sugar per each cup of fruit mix (see step 4)</li> <li>3 star anise</li> <li>1 halved cinnamon stick</li> <li>2 halved vanilla beans</li> </ul> Method: 1. In a large saucepan, add apples and water and bring to a boil. 2. Reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes, covered. 3. Add figs and juice and continue to cook for another 10 minutes. 4. Measure fruit mix. Measure three-quarter cup of sugar per each cup of fruit. Return fruit to saucepan. 5. Add sugar, star anise, cinnamon and vanilla to the saucepan and stir until sugar dissolves. 6. Boil uncovered for 45 minutes or until jam is gelled. 7. Pour jam into jars and seal. Image: Getty

Food & Wine

Long-awaited feature FINALLY available for iPhones

iPhone users rejoice! The latest iOS update has brought with it a long-awaited feature: editing and unsending text messages. The new iOS 16 update, available for iPhone released after 2017, now allows users to unsend and edit iMessages, but there are some caveats. A message can only be unsent within two minutes of it being sent, while editing can occur within 15 minutes. How to unsend To unsend a message, open the Messages app, press and hold down the text you want to unsend. This will bring up the Tapback reactions and a quick action menu, which includes the option to undo send or edit, and then tap Undo Send. The text will then disappear from both your phone and from the recipient’s, though it will be replaced by a notification saying that a message has been unsent. But, this function won’t work if the recipient doesn’t have the new update, even if your phone says it has unsent the message. How to edit If you’ve sent an unfortunate typo or some other details, editing messages is now a simple affair. To edit, simply open the Messages app, go into any thread that is using iMessage (also known as blue text), and hold down the message you want to edit. When the reactions and menu appear, tap on Edit. This will allow you to delete the entire message, fix mistakes or add more text. Once you’re happy, tap the blue checkmark on the right side to save your edits. A single message can only be edited a maximum of five times, and an “edited” button will appear under your text, which the recipient can tap on to view previous versions. Image: Getty Images

Technology

Stunning winners of 2022 iPhone Photography awards

The winners of the 2022 iPhone Photography Awards have been announced, with these talented photographers showing how the Apple smartphone can be used to the best of its ability. The annual awards, which is in its 15th year, received "thousands of submissions from all over the world", with many of this year’s winning photographs depicting "beauty rising out of isolation" and honouring "photography’s ability to build bridges across lost connections", according to the judges. Awards were given out in several categories, including abstract, animals, architecture, children, city life, environment, landscape, lifestyle, nature, other, people, portrait, series, still life, sunset and travel. The overall winner of the competition was Italian photographer Antonio Denti, who captured a poignant picture of a child and a solider in Iraq, described as a "moment of tenderness in the dusty rubble of war". Commenting on the winners, jury member Whitney Van Nes says, "With images that appreciate the sublime and the beautiful, this year’s winning photographers share a strength of spirit in the face of our unnerving world." "Congratulations to all the winners and your awareness in the moment that life is happening." All image credits: iPhone Photography Awards

Technology

Strawberry and Apple Crumble

All it takes is just one bite of this fruity delight and it'll instantly become a cereal favourite. <h4 dir="ltr">Ingredients</h4> 600g apples, peeled, cored, thinly sliced 2 Tbsp water 2 tsp CSR LoGiCane Sugar 300g pkt frozen strawberries <h4 dir="ltr">Oat and pistachio crumble</h4> 50g (½ cup) rolled oats 40g (1 cup) Special K cereal, roughly crushed 2 Tbsp unsalted pistachio kernels, finely chopped ¼ tsp ground cardamom 1 Tbsp honey 1 eggwhite (from 50g egg), lightly whisked <h3 dir="ltr">Method</h3> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Put apple, water and sugar in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 7 minutes or until apple is almost tender. Remove pan from heat and set aside, covered, for 5 minutes or until apple is tender. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Meanwhile, to make oat and pistachio crumble, put rolled oats, cereal, pistachios and cardamom in a small bowl. Add honey and eggwhite, and stir until well combined. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Preheat oven to 170°C (fan-forced). Put a 2L (8-cup) ovenproof dish on an oven tray. Add apple mixture to the dish. Sprinkle strawberries over apple mixture. Sprinkle crumble over strawberries. Bake for 15 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Serve immediately. </li> </ol> <h4 dir="ltr">Nutrition Info PER SERVE</h4> 750kJ, protein 4.5g, total fat 3.5g (sat. fat 0.5g), carbs 30g, fibre 4.8g, sodium 47mg. Carb exchanges 2. GI estimate low.

Food & Wine

Finally! Long-awaited features coming to iPhones

Apple has announced a new suite of features will be introduced to iPhones in the latest update, including some that have been highly anticipated by iPhone owners. The tech giant broke the news at its Worldwide Developers Conference at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, in early June, which corresponded to a jump in the value of Apple’s shares by 0.2 percent according to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/apple-unveils-major-changes-to-iphone-at-wwdc/news-story/5c1758ec73128d842d3cf4b2a822ba4e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. Apple revealed that the new iOS 16 operating system would include one of the company’s most highly-requested changes: the ability to edit and un-send iMessages. A total overhaul of the phone’s lockscreen will also be included in the new operating system, with users gaining the ability to create their own using custom fonts and widgets for a host of different apps. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/Apple-WWDC22-iOS16-3up-hero-220606.jpg" alt="" width="1960" height="1102" /> The new lockscreen was announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference Image: Apple Apple said that notifications will also “roll in” through a compact bar at the bottom of the screen rather than dominating the whole display. “We have re-imagined how the Lock Screen looks and works with exciting new features that make it more personal and helpful, introduced iCloud Shared Photo Library for families, streamlined communication through new capabilities in Messages and Mail, and harnessed enhanced intelligence with updates to Live Text and Visual Look Up,” Craig Thompson, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, said in a press release. The news comes as Apple will be forced to use the same charger for smartphones, tablets and laptops sold in the European Union, under a landmark deal that will see a single charger be able to charge any device sold in the EU from late 2024, per <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/mobile-phones/apple-forced-to-use-the-same-usbc-charger-for-all-products-after-landmark-eu-agreement/news-story/cd3a71bf9fa5a100bd8a2cbfc2e20015" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. “This is a rule which will apply to everyone,” said Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Alex Agius Saliba, who led the negotiations. “If Apple ... or anyone wants to market their product, sell their products within our internal market, they have to abide by our rules and their device has to be USB-C,” he said. Image: Getty Images

Technology

Buy now, pay later: Apple will now lend you money to keep you spending and expand its empire

Apple has joined the thriving “buy now, pay later” industry, with a customised service called <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2022/06/06/apple-announces-buy-now-pay-later-program-called-apple-pay-later.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Pay Later</a>. The service was announced earlier this week at the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference, and will initially be launched in the United States later <a href="https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/07/apple-pay-later-purchases-installment-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this year</a>. Pay Later will be built into the Apple Wallet and eligible for use on any purchase made through Apple Pay. Customers will be able to split the cost of a purchase into four equal payments, with zero interest and fees, spread over a period of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jun/06/apple-redesigns-the-iphone-lock-screen-in-ios-16-at-wwdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four months</a>. To qualify, however, Apple will first do a <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/finance/banking/wwdc-2022-buy-now-pay-later-with-apples-new-wallet-feature/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">soft credit check</a> on users wanting to use the service. The technology behemoth <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/06/apple-unveils-new-ways-to-share-and-communicate-in-ios-16/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claims</a> it has designed the feature with “users’ financial health in mind”. It’s likely Apple is trying to consolidate its foothold in the world of consumer finance, and increase its profitability. And consumers should be aware of the risks of using such a service. Apple: the consumer darling With the launch of Pay Later, Apple will be competing with many other similar fin-tech companies including PayPal, Block, Klarna and AfterPay – some of which saw their share prices <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-13/apple-goldman-plan-buy-now-pay-later-service-to-rival-paypal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fall</a> following Apple’s announcement. Apple will benefit from its huge market and brand power, with the capability to attract millions to its products and services. And with an acute focus on customer experience, Apple has managed to foster a community of evangelists. There’s no doubt the company is a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinemoorman/2018/01/12/why-apple-is-still-a-great-marketer-and-what-you-can-learn/?sh=55e3c32c15bd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">consumer darling</a>. Moreover, Apple has established an ever-growing ecosystem in which users are encouraged to tap into Apple products and services as much, and as often, as possible – such as by making payments through their iPhone instead of a bank card. The tech giant provides ways to integrate once-separate computing capabilities into a phone or wristwatch – while keeping the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinemoorman/2018/01/12/why-apple-is-still-a-great-marketer-and-what-you-can-learn/?sh=7c61018615bd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">consumer’s experience</a> in focus. Pay Later enhances this customer-centric experience further. It’s one more way users can integrate the tools they need within a single ecosystem. What’s in it for Apple? Apple stands to make financial gains through Pay Later, thereby adding to its bottom line. Currently its reach in the retail world is evident, with iPhone-based payment services <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-13/apple-goldman-plan-buy-now-pay-later-service-to-rival-paypal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accepted by 85% of US retailers</a>. One 2021 survey found that about 26% of <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275393/australia-share-of-consumers-using-bnpl-by-purchase-category/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">regular online shoppers</a> in Australia used buy now, pay later services. As Apple’s customers increasingly start to use the Pay Later service, it will gain from merchant fees. These are fees which retailers pay Apple in exchange for being able to offer customers Apple Pay. In addition, Apple will also gain valuable insight into consumers’ purchase behaviours, which will allow the company to predict future consumption and spending behaviour. To deliver the buy now, pay later service, Apple has <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-13/apple-goldman-plan-buy-now-pay-later-service-to-rival-paypal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">joined forces with Goldman Sachs</a>, who will finance the loans. This relationship has been in place since 2019, with Goldman Sachs also acting as a partner for the Apple credit card (although Pay Later is not tied to the Apple credit card). This strategic partnership has helped Apple gain strong footing in the world of consumer finance. Challenges for consumers The reality is that the world of <a href="https://www.holmanwebb.com.au/blog/655/buy-now-pay-later-bnpl-update-how-to-seek-and-keep-code-compliance-accreditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unregulated finance</a>, which includes buy now, pay later, does not bode well <a href="https://ndh.org.au/debt-problems/buy-now-pay-later/risks-of-using-buy-now-pay-later/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">for all customers</a>. Younger <a href="https://www.emarketer.com/content/almost-75-of-bnpl-users-us-gen-z-millennials" target="_blank" rel="noopener">demographics</a> (such as Gen Z and Millenials) and low-income <a href="https://thefintechtimes.com/one-in-four-bnpl-users-are-financially-vulnerable/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">households</a> can be <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/07/why-millennials-and-gen-zs-are-jumping-on-the-buy-now-pay-later-trend.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more vulnerable</a> to the risks associated with using these services – and can rack up debt as a result. Purchases through buy now, pay later schemes may also be driven by a desire to own the latest <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/16/chinas-buy-now-pay-later-market-to-grow-challenges-ahead-experts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gadgets and luxury goods</a> – a message pushed onto consumers through slick marketing. They can condition consumers to make purchases without feeling the pain of parting with cold, hard cash. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/467674/original/file-20220608-24-ict1mh.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/467674/original/file-20220608-24-ict1mh.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/467674/original/file-20220608-24-ict1mh.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/467674/original/file-20220608-24-ict1mh.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/467674/original/file-20220608-24-ict1mh.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/467674/original/file-20220608-24-ict1mh.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/467674/original/file-20220608-24-ict1mh.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/467674/original/file-20220608-24-ict1mh.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="An indoor shopping arcade is lined with luxury stores on either side" /></a><figcaption>Buy now, pay later schemes can give consumers the satisfaction of buying expensive products – without feeling like they’re splitting from cold, hard cash. Shutterstock</figcaption></figure> From a consumer psychology perspective, these services encourages immediate gratification and put younger people on the consumption treadmill. In other words, they may continually spend more money on purchases than they can actually afford. Missing payments on Pay Later would negatively impact an individual’s <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/finance/banking/wwdc-2022-buy-now-pay-later-with-apples-new-wallet-feature/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">credit rating</a>, which can then have adverse outcomes such as <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/select/side-effects-of-bad-credit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not qualifying</a> for traditional loans or credit cards. A focus on consumerist behaviour can also trigger an “<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-psychology-deciding/202201/if-i-own-it-it-must-be-good-what-is-the-ownership-effect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ownership effect</a>”. This is when people become attached to their purchases and are unlikely to return them, even if they can’t afford them. Apple’s technology-driven and consumer-centric marketing gives it an edge over other buy now, pay later schemes. It claims the service is designed with consumers’ financial health in mind. But as is the case with any of these services, consumers ought to be aware of the risks and manage them carefully. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/184550/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rajat-roy-1227884" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rajat Roy</a>, Associate Professor, Bond Business School, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bond University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/buy-now-pay-later-apple-will-now-lend-you-money-to-keep-you-spending-and-expand-its-empire-184550" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

Technology

Gwyneth Paltrow’s tribute to her daughter on her 18th birthday

Gwyneth Paltrow has shared a heartwarming photo of her daughter Apple on her 18th birthday. The actress took to Instagram to share the incredible milestone and expressed her love for her daughter. The photo shows Apple checking her birthday outfit in the mirror along with the beautiful caption that left the star “lost for words”. “18. I’m a bit of a loss for words this morning,” Gwyneth’s post reads. “I could not be more proud of the woman you are. You are everything I could have dreamed of and so much more. “Proud doesn’t cover it, my heart swells with feelings I can’t put in to words. You are deeply extraordinary in every way. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdi0dNDLjQ7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdi0dNDLjQ7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Gwyneth Paltrow (@gwynethpaltrow)</a> </div> </blockquote> “Happy birthday my darling girl. I hope you know how special you are, and how much light you have brought to all who are lucky enough to know you. Especially me. “I say it all the time and I will never stop… in the words of auntie Drew, I was born the day you were born. I love you. Mama.” Gwyneth shares Moses, 16, and Apple, 18, with her ex-husband Chris Martin. In a previous Instagram story, she revealed that it was her Chris who actually came up with Apple’s name. “Her dad came up with the name and I fell in love with it. I thought it was original and cool. I can’t imagine her being called anything else.” Images: Instagram

Beauty & Style

Gwyneth Paltrow’s phone “traumatises” kids

Gwyneth Paltrow’s kids have been left embarrassed after seeing her phone screensaver. Paltrow’s kids, Moses, 16, and Apple, 17, who she shares with her ex-husband Chris Martin came across their mother’s phone and were “traumatised” at what they saw. The 49-year-old wrote in her Goop newsletter saying her kids immediately changed her phone background which is a shirtless photo of her current husband Brad Falchuk. "My lock screen was a picture of Brad without his shirt on. And my kids were so traumatized that they picked up the phone and took this selfie," she wrote. She also shared the adorable snap her kids replaced the photo with which showed the pair staring at the camera and Apple doing the “rock on” sign. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-20-at-12.22.06-pm.png" alt="" width="616" height="1170" /> Paltrow and Falchuk have been married since 2018 and she is the stepmother of his teenage son Brody and daughter Isabella. The Goop founder regularly shares posts of her children to her Instagram and recently shared a post in honour of Moses’s 16th birthday. “@mosesmartin you are 16 today. I’m not sure how I’m writing that number,” she wrote along with a photo of Moses surrounded by colourful balloons. “Since you came into the world on that perfectly New York spring morning, you have made the world a better place. “With every thought, action and intuition you have, you make people feel seen, heard and valued. “You are deeply special to all who know you. I am so lucky to be your mama. I’m savoring every minute as you grow and change into this amazing man. “What a true blessing to have you, your wisdom, your kindness, and your beautiful singing voice ringing through our halls. You mean the world to me, my boy. Happy birthday.” On International Women’s Day, Paltrow shared a photo of Apple, thanking her for making her the woman she is today. Image: Getty

Family & Pets

Little known iPhone feature saved this man’s life

A New Zealand man has shared how a feature on his iPhone saved his life after he fell through a five-metre crevasse while snowboarding alone. Tim Blakey fell down the hole while snowboarding in Switzerland, with nobody seeing him disappear. Taking to Instagram to share his story, Mr Blakey said he would never snowboard alone again after the incident. “No matter how experienced you think you are, it is no joke,” he wrote. “I was lured into a false sense of security which also led me to be very blasé about researching the areas I snowboard.” Though his iPhone had just three percent of its battery left and he had very little reception, Mr Blakey was able to signal for help using a feature found on recent models. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcBT6ApIr1O/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcBT6ApIr1O/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tim Blakey (@mrtimblakey)</a> </div> </blockquote> By clicking the side button five times, Mr Blakey was able to activate the phone’s emergency function which makes an emergency call, alerts the owner’s emergency contacts, and sends them the location of the phone and its user. “It very likely saved my life,” Mr Blakey said. “Eight out of ten people I tell this story to aren’t aware it exists.” The emergency alert resulted in Mr Blakey being tracked down and taken to safety by Swiss Rescue. “The alternative to this has been keeping me up at night to say the least,” he said. “To walk/hobble away from this relatively unharmed & make my flight back to London that evening is quite the headf***.” <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbmrP3CIDQY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbmrP3CIDQY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tim Blakey (@mrtimblakey)</a> </div> </blockquote> He later shared a photo of himself with one of his rescuers and of the crevasse he was trapped in, along with a message of gratitude and caution for others to not make the same mistake he did. “Michael and his team quite literally saved my life. I am still clueless as to how I will ever repay him and Swiss Rescue services,” Mr Blakey wrote. “But I assure you I am working on it. Perhaps the first step is bringing awareness to the amazing job these guys do on the mountain and awareness to others to not be as careless as I was. “17 years snowboarding, and the majority of those times spending a lot of time solo and off-piste. Never solo again.” Image: @mrtimblakey (Instagram)

Technology

Apple to update AirTags amid claims of stalking and theft

Apple has announced it will add <a href="https://7news.com.au/technology/apple-plans-airtag-security-updates-to-curb-unwanted-tracking-c-5654390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more safeguards</a> to AirTags, a tracking device used to find keys and other personal items, amid reports of the devices being used to stalk people and steal cars.The tech giant said in a <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/02/an-update-on-airtag-and-unwanted-tracking/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blog post</a> that it had worked with safety groups and law enforcement agencies to identify more ways of improving its AirTag safety warnings.These new measures include alerting people sooner if the tracker is suspected to be tracking someone, as current notifications that the tracker has been separated from its owner can take hours.Other updates will include adjusting the tone sequence of the tracker so it is louder and easier to find and allowing someone to see the distance and direction of an AirTag, which are expected to be introduced later this year.Apple will also add warnings during the setup process, informing users that tracking people without their consent is a crime.Stories of people realising they are being tracked using the Apple devices have increased in recent months, including the case where a Melbourne student was notified through her iPhone that someone had been tracking her for three hours while she was out with friends.Her mother Sue, who spoke to <a href="https://7news.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a> on condition of anonymity, said her daughter had found the AirTag in her handbag before destroying it in a panic.Other stories have emerged online of people, especially young women, discovering the devices hidden in their vehicles.“We’ve become aware that individuals can receive unwanted tracking alerts for benign reasons, such as when borrowing someone’s keys with an AirTag attached, or when travelling in a car with a family member’s AirPods left inside,” Apple said in a statement.“We also have seen reports of bad actors attempting to misuse AirTags for malicious or criminal purposes.“We condemn in the strongest possible terms any malicious use of our products,” the company said.Image: Getty Images

Technology

Why ‘turning it off and on again’ actually works

Having problems with our phones, tablets, and other tech is an almost-universal experience, but one simple technique can fix almost every single one. Popularised by the British show The IT Crowd, turning a device on and off again can fix a range of problems <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/have-you-tried-turning-it-off-and-on-again-the-easiest-fix-for-tech-issues/news-story/5759759b1b1b9926527da81457a826a2" target="_blank">according to experts</a>. Restarting a device works because it wipes the current state of the software and restarts the system, meaning that any code that is stuck or misbehaving will be dumped too. In addition, scheduling regular reboots can even prevent issues from popping up in the first place. For phones and tablets, particularly Android and Apple devices, running non-stop can lead to issues such as slow performance, and connectivity issues. So if your issue is specific, such as a certain app or page not loading, restarting the phone should be your first step. But, that doesn’t mean you should be constantly restarting your devices, with experts recommending doing it about once every week or so for the best effect. How to restart Android devices The easiest method of restarting your device involves holding down the power button and pressing the ‘Restart’ option when it appears on your screen. If this doesn’t happen, you can just hold down the power button for 30 seconds to turn the device off, and start it again normally. Some phones also offer an option to schedule automatic reboots, even letting you choose the day and time. To do this on a Samsung Galaxy for instance, go to settings and search for auto-restart at set times, or go to settings, then battery and device care, tap the three dots and select automation. How to restart iPhones and iPads Restarting an Apple device can be done by holding down the power button and one of the volume buttons until a slider appears which says ‘Power off’. Once you press the power button, you can push it again to restart the device. Otherwise, you can try a force restart if the slider doesn’t appear. Desktops and laptops Though most modern computers prompt you when a restart is needed - such as after installing new software - it is recommended that computers have a full backup and restart at least once a year. To keep things running smoothly, it’s best to turn your computer off each night and switch it on when you need it again. How to restart Windows PCs A Windows PC can be restarted by clicking the start menu, clicking on power, and choosing the restart option. It’s recommended that Windows devices are restarted about once a week. How to restart Mac computers Unlike Windows, Apple recommends that you only restart your device when you encounter a problem. To restart, click the Apple icon in the top left corner and then select restart. What about Smart TVs? Similarly to Apple, Smart TV manufacturers recommend restarting only when a problem arises, such as apps refusing to load or if the interface is slow. The easiest way to restart a Smart TV is to turn it off, unplug it and wait for 30 seconds before plugging it back in and turning it on again. Image: Getty Images

Technology

Sports Illustrated model stalked with Apple AirTag

Supermodel Brooks Nader says she was stalked by a stranger using an AirTag, who followed her around New York City for five hours. The 26-year-old said she only realised she was being tracked when her iPhone alerted her to the fact that an “unknown accessory” was moving with her through the city. The AirTag, which was first released in April 2020, is a coin-shaped device that acts as a key tracker, with users connecting the small device to their smartphone to track lost items. Despite the AirTag’s innovative technology, there have been numerous reports that the $45 device has been used by stalkers and thieves, to track people and their belongings without their knowing. Brooks Nader appears to be the latest victim of this tracking, as she shared her terrifying ordeal with her online following of 827,000 people. “This ‘device’ followed me for the last five hours to every location and (it belonged to) no one in my ‘network.’ It also wasn’t a phone or tablet, it was an ‘item,’” she explained. The model subsequently shared a screenshot of an AirTag via Instagram Stories: “@Apple, did you take into consideration the danger and potentially fatal consequences this device has?” She added, “For those asking, it’s not my AirTag, it’s someone randoms, who must have slipped it into my belongings while out. Thank you all for checking in and sending helpful articles. I want this to be a PSA to all my ladies to please please check your belongings.” According to Apple, they have introduced a system to prevent stalking by notifying people if their smartphone detects an unregistered AirTag in their vicinity. “AirTag is designed to discourage unwanted tracking,” the tech company states on its website. “If someone else’s AirTag finds its way into your stuff, your iPhone will notice it’s travelling with you and send you an alert.” The alert is what tipped Nader off to the fact an AirTag was in her coat pocket. A spokesperson for Apple told <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/01/07/sports-illustrated-model-is-latest-victim-of-airtag-stalker/">The New York Post</a>, “We take customer safety very seriously and are committed to AirTag’s privacy and security. AirTag is designed with a set of proactive features to discourage unwanted tracking – a first in the industry – and the Find My network includes a smart, tunable system with deterrents that applies to AirTag, as well as third-party products as part of the Find My Network accessory program.” Due to the safety concerns of AirTags, several Aussie retailers including Big W, JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks have banned the sale of the devices. Image credits: Instagram @brooksnader

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