Apple ID Two-Step Verification Now Available in 59 Countries [iOS Blog]

Apple today expanded its two-step verification feature for Apple IDs to 48 additional countries, bringing the total number of countries able to access two-step authentication to 59.

Initially noticed by 9to5Mac new countries receiving the feature include China, France, India, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Thailand, Switzerland, and many more across Asia, South America, and Europe.

First launched in March of 2013, two-step verification is designed to provide Apple users with an extra layer of protection through the use of a trusted device and a security code for their Apple IDs. Two-step verification was initially limited to users in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, and expanded to several additional countries later in 2013.

Two-step verification may also be applied to iCloud.com in the future, in addition to Apple IDs. Apple’s two-step verification support page has a full list of countries that are able to access the feature.

Construction on Apple Campus 2 Progressing Rapidly, Walls Continue Taking Shape

Construction at Apple’s Spaceship campus is continuing at a rapid pace, according to new images posted to Twitter by KCBS news and traffic reporter Ron Cervi. Cervi has been taking aerial shots of the campus to track construction progress for the last several months.

In the most recent set of images, the perimeter walls that will house the foundation of the building appears to be growing closer to completion, indicating a significant amount of construction has taken place since June, when the wall first started going up. Cervi also mentions “underground tunnels” in one tweet, referring to deep furrows in the dirt.

The new #Apple #spaceship HQ is getting closer to launch! #applesnewhq http://t.co/MRudPxa8t3 pic.twitter.com/IduUDeXIOG

— Ron (@Sky1Ron) July 17, 2014

Pruneridge Avenue, the road that runs through the campus, has remained closed since last month, and traffic in Cupertino around the campus continues to be somewhat congested. Apple has closed off several sidewalks in the area and a large green privacy fence keeps the entire area hidden from view at street level.

The completed Apple campus 2, located in close proximity to the company’s existing Infinite Loop campus, will feature the famous 2.8 million square foot ring-shaped main building, an underground parking facility able to accommodate 2,400 cars, a 100,000 square foot fitness center, and a 120,000 square foot auditorium.

Said to be the “most energy efficient building of its kind,” Apple’s new campus will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy and populated with more than 7,000 trees.

Apple hopes to finish the first phase of construction on the campus in 2016.

Blizzard’s ‘Hearthstone’ Expansion ‘Curse of Naxxramas’ Launching July 22 for Mac/iOS [iOS Blog]

Curse of Naxxramas, the first expansion for Blizzard’s popular Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft free-to-play collectible card game, is set to launch on Tuesday, July 22. It will be released simultaneously on Macs, PCs, and iPads.

Much like Naxxramas in World of Warcraft, Curse of Naxxramas in Hearthstone is a floating necropolis organized into different wings — Arachnid Quarter, Plague Quarter, Military Quarter, Construct Quarter, and Frostwyrm Lair — and a new wing will open each week during the launch event. The launch event is set to last for approximately one month, and each wing contains a set of bosses that must be defeated.

Successfully eliminating bosses will add new cards to a user’s collection and unlock a Heroic mode. Defeating all of the bosses in Naxxramas on Heroic mode will unlock a new card back.

According to Blizzard, the expansion can be purchased via in-game gold or through real money, with each wing costing $6.99 or 700 gold. During the launch event, the first wing, Arachnid Quarter, will be available for free, and users can purchase the remaining four wings for $19.99. After the launch event, purchasing the full expansion will cost $24.99. Various packages are also available for users who want to use a combination of in-game gold and money.

Players who begin their adventures in Naxxramas during the launch event will gain free access to the first wing: the Arachnid Quarter. The launch event will last roughly a month or so, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to get your foot in the door–we’ll have more details to share about that later on. The web-choked corridors of the Arachnid Quarter are home to the bosses Anub’Rekhan, Grand Widow Faerlina, and Maexxna. Defeating these bosses will add new cards to your collection and give you a taste of the dangers that await you deeper inside Naxxramas.

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft for the iPad can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft for Mac can be downloaded from Blizzard’s website for free.

BlackRock’s Susan Wagner Joins Apple’s Board of Directors, Replacing Bill Campbell

Apple today issued a press release announcing that Susan Wagner, founding partner and director of BlackRock has joined its board of directors. BlackRock, which owns 2.82 percent of Apple, is a well-known investment management corporation, co-founded by Wagner in 1988.

Wagner will replace Bill Campbell, who has served on Apple’s Board of Directors for 17 years.

“Sue is a pioneer in the financial industry and we are excited to welcome her to Apple’s board of directors,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We believe her strong experience, especially in M&A and building a global business across both developed and emerging markets, will be extremely valuable as Apple continues to grow around the world.”

Wagner has been recognized as one of Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and has also been honored by the National Council for Research on Women. She supports the Women’s Initiative Network at BlackRock, which is designed to “foster the full potential of women” within the company.

Earlier this month, a report from The Wall Street Journal suggested Apple CEO Tim Cook was looking to add new members to Apple’s Board of Directors, as several members of the existing board are older than 63 and have served for more than a decade.

Apple has faced criticism over its lack of female leadership, which Cook has been aiming to remedy. Wagner will join high-profile hire Angela Ahrendts and Avon CEO Andrea Jung, who has served on Apple’s board since 2008.

Art Levinson, Apple’s chairman, said in the company’s press release that the board “conducted an exhaustive search” for someone who could strengthen the board’s “breadth of talent and background.” Wagner herself says she’s always admired Apple and is “honored to be joining [the] board.”

(Image courtesy of TIME)