The NSA wants to spy on the Internet of Things

We already know the National Security Agency is all up in our data, but the agency is reportedly looking into how it can gather even more foreign intelligence information from internet-connected devices ranging from thermostats to pacemakers. Speaking at a military technology conference in Washington D.C. on Friday, NSA deputy director Richard Ledgett said the agency is “looking at it sort of theoretically from a research point of view right now.” The Intercept reports Ledgett was quick to point out that there are easier ways to keep track of terrorists and spies than to tap into any medical devices they might have, but did confirm that it was an area of interest.

When asked whether the entire Internet of Things — that is, everything from a kid’s WiFi enabled toy to someone’s biomedical device — would be a boon for the NSA or just a whole lot of digital noise to sift through, Ledgett replied, “Both.”

“As my job is to penetrate other people’s networks, complexity is my friend,” he continued. “The first time you update the software, you introduce vulnerabilities, or variables rather. It’s a good place to be in a penetration point of view.”

Earlier this year, the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper also said during a Senate hearing that internet-connected devices could be useful for “identification, surveillance, monitoring, location tracking, and targeting for recruitment, or to gain access to networks or user credentials.” Clapper’s office did, however, follow up that statement with the caveat that, “information obtained from a refrigerator, a washing machine, or a child’s toy” is no substitute for access to terrorists’ actual communications.

WWDC 2016: MacRumors Readers’ OS X 10.12 Wishlists

At WWDC 2016 next week, Apple will unveil the next major versions of iOS and OS X. Based on Apple’s historic naming pattern, the operating systems are presumptively referred to as iOS 10 and OS X 10.12. However, there is evidence to suggest that Apple may instead rebrand OS X as macOS, in line with iOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

Ahead of the keynote, MacRumors readers have been sharing their iOS 10 and OS X 10.12 wishlists in our discussion forums. For OS X 10.12, some of the most popular feature requests include Siri integration, remote unlocking, Safari picture-in-picture capabilities, expanded Continuity and Handoff features, Mission Control and Notification Center improvements, a system-wide Dark Mode, and more.

Siri

Siri debuted in beta on the iPhone 4s in late 2011, and it has since expanded to iPad, iPod touch and, in a more restricted form, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Since then, Mac users have hoped that Apple will bring the virtual assistant to OS X, and the latest rumors suggest that may finally happen this year.

“This one is heavily rumoured for this year, and not without good reason,” writes MacRumors reader Joseph H. “It’s madness the personal assistant is not on Mac yet. There are tons of useful queries we could ask the assistant which could range from searching to launching and quitting apps to simply restarting the machine.”

We previously reported that Siri will have a menu bar icon on OS X 10.12, positioned next to the Notification Center toggle, along with a colorful dock icon. When either is clicked, a waveform will pop up to give users a visual cue that the virtual assistant is listening for commands, akin to holding down the Home button on iOS devices.

When a supported Mac is connected to a power source, users will be able to make hands-free “Hey Siri” voice commands, just like on the latest iPhones and iPads. OS X users will also be able to set a keyboard shortcut to activate Siri and configure other settings through System Preferences.

Many users also hope that Siri on Mac will have an option to provide feedback.

Remote Unlocking

A common item among OS X wishlists is the ability to unlock a Mac without typing a password, such as with Touch ID, facial recognition, or a trackpad pattern, and the functionality could be introduced as early as this year.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that Apple’s next-generation MacBook Pro will feature Touch ID, but he did not specify if the fingerprint reader will be integrated into the notebook as a hardware feature.

We previously reported that Apple is working on an auto unlock function that would allow an iPhone, and possibly Apple Watch, to unlock a Mac when in close proximity, alleviating the need to enter a password on a password-protected Mac.

The feature, which uses Bluetooth LE frameworks, would likely work hand-in-hand with rumored Apple Pay support for web browsers. Remote unlocking could be introduced as part of OS X 10.12, but there is a chance that the function could be shelved until a later date if internal development is not completed in time.

Other

• System-wide Dark Mode: Apple introduced Dark Mode on OS X Yosemite in 2014, but when enabled it only darkens the OS X menu bar and Dock. A true system-wide Dark Mode would extend to windowed apps like Finder and Safari and all other elements of the operating system.

• Night Shift: Introduced on iOS 9.3, Night Shift is a feature that cuts down on the amount of blue light an iPhone or iPad is putting out during the evening hours by automatically shifting towards the warmer (yellower) colors in the spectrum. F.lux has provided similar functionality on Mac for several years, but many users are hopeful that Apple will introduce Night Shift as a stock OS X feature.
• Time Machine backups to iCloud: The application is currently only able to create physical backups of files.
• Dock: Right-click options for “New Window” and “New Private Window” even when Safari is closed. Ability to chose default behavior in System Preferences > Dock for folder clicks in Stacks, when using Grid and List view: to open the folder in Stacks or to go directly to Finder.
• Finder: A sorting option to have folders pinned to the top of file lists. Ability to view total size of multiple selected folders in “Get Info” menu.
• Notification Center: Display a notification badge in menu bar when new notifications are available. For example: Notifications (3). Set default Notification Center pane in System Preferences > Notifications.
• Mission Control: Close windows. View minimized windows. Switch to the Desktop by clicking on it in the background. Hide Safari’s Private Window contents.

• Continuity and Handoff: Transfer calls from iPhone to Mac.
• Window management: Change the green button to resize the window to the largest possible size with the Dock and Menu Bar visible. A separate button for full-screen view. Automatic window snapping. Native HyperDock functionality.
• Splitting up iTunes: Individual apps for Music, Videos, Podcasts, Books, and Sync.
• More stock apps: Apple News, Health, Phone, and Weather.
• Multi-display Dock: Make the Dock visible on all desktops for users with multiple displays.
• Text size options: A slider function to increase or decrease text sizing in apps such as Contacts and Mail.
• Systemwide support for more languages: Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and others
• Native Caffeine functionality
• Front Row app replacement
• Expanded codec support for QuickTime

Read more about the features people are hoping for in OS X in the dedicated OS X 10.12 wishlist thread on the forums.

The new version of OS X or macOS will be unveiled alongside iOS 10, and possibly new tvOS and watchOS versions, on Monday, June 13 at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote. The event is set to kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2016
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MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Philips Hue Starter Kit From Stringify

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with Internet of Things platform Stringify to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Philips Hue white and color ambiance starter kit to use with the free Stringify app. [Direct Link]

Stringify is a pretty popular home automation app that’s able to link together a long list of Internet-connected devices and apps, connecting products like the Nest Thermostat, Hue bulbs, and Fitbit with apps like Dropbox, Slack, Twitter, and Yelp.

Basically, Stringify is a centralized app for controlling all of your home products and automating a huge variety of actions. If you’ve ever used IFTTT, Stringify is similar to that, but it’s more powerful because it can connect to a lot more devices. It’s an app that tells your devices “when this happens, then do this.”

Most people are probably familiar with the Philips Hue at this point, but if you’re not, it’s a line of Wi-Fi connected bulbs that are linked together via a HomeKit-enabled hub. The starter kit we’re giving away includes a hub and three color bulbs, which can turn any color or any shade of white.

Stringify uses “flows” to link devices together to perform specific tasks. With Stringify and the Philips Hue, it’s possible to set up complex flows involving timers and location that aren’t available with the regular Hue app. Flows can also be used to get the Philips Hue to work with other connected home products, like the Nest. Some examples:

• On weekday evenings at 11 and location is at home, turn bedroom Hue lights on, set a timer, and fade off both lights.
• Every weekday between 5pm and 7pm, turn on Hue lights when leaving work.
• At 5:30 a.m. on weekdays, turn on Bedroom Hue lights, send a message with a weather report, and set the Nest thermostat to 62 degrees.

Creating flows between home products and apps is done through a simple drag and drop interface that makes it easy to set up the desired effect. With the Hue lights, there are a huge number of triggers that can be used for actions in Stringify, based on parameters like time, weather, location, and more.

Want to set a trigger to turn on the lights whenever a new story is posted on MacRumors? That’s possible. Want the lights to turn blue whenever rain is forecasted? That’s also possible. There are a near endless series of triggers and events you can set up with the Hue, and there’s even more you can do if you own multiple Stringify-compatible products.

Stringify can be downloaded immediately and used with the products you already own, but Stringify also has a Philips Hue Starter Kit to give to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize.

You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page. Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (June 10) at 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time on June 17. The winner will be chosen randomly on June 17 and will be contacted by email. The winner has 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

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WWDC 2016 Decorations Going Up at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Ahead of Monday’s Keynote Event

Apple today began decorating the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, which is where the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote will be held on Monday. Crews have started putting up window decorations, and rainbow-colored flags, and as the weekend progresses, we should see additional banners and signage.

This year’s Worldwide Developers Conference website, app, and media invites have all featured a simple but colorful dark theme, and it’s likely signs and banners will adopt the same aesthetic.

Image via Instagram
Decorations have not yet started going up at the Moscone Center, where the rest of the conference will take place. Apple typically starts decorating Moscone West on Tuesday or Wednesday during the week ahead of WWDC, but an event that took place at the venue through Thursday may delay decorations until later today.

A photo posted by thaiboe1 (@thaiboe1) on Jun 10, 2016 at 12:04pm PDT

This year’s keynote event will feature the debut of iOS 10 and OS X 10.12, along with new versions of watchOS and tvOS. We may hear more details on Apple’s App Store changes, and we could see updates to some services, like Apple Pay. For full details on what to expect, make sure to check out our WWDC roundup.

Apple will provide a live stream of the WWDC keynote on the Apple TV and on iOS and Mac devices through its website. MacRumors will also provide live coverage of the event for those unable to watch, both on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumors Live Twitter account.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2016
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What to Expect at WWDC 2016

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off on Monday, June 13 with a keynote event at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where Apple is expected to show off the latest versions of its iOS, OS X, tvOS, and watchOS operating systems and perhaps debut new features for services like Apple Pay and iCloud.

Ahead of the conference, we’ve compiled all of the rumors that we’ve heard about features that could potentially debut at the event to give MacRumors readers an idea of what to expect.

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iOS 10

Apple’s operating system for iPhones and iPads has gone largely without design changes since iOS 7, so it’s reasonable to assume iOS 10 may feature some design tweaks to update the look of the OS. A dark mode is one possibility that’s been circulating based on the look of Apple’s WWDC app and site, but there’s no evidence suggesting such a feature will be implemented.

Image via iHelpBR
Information on iOS 10 is limited, but we’ve heard some tantalizing details about the update. Apple is expected to introduce a Siri SDK, allowing Siri to interact with third-party apps in new ways. Developers will be able to build Siri integration into their apps, allowing Siri to access data and perform tasks within apps. Third-party app access has the potential to greatly expand what Siri is capable of and could put the personal assistant on par with more robust solutions like Google Now.

In 2015, rumors indicated Apple was working on an “iCloud Voicemail” service able to allow Siri to answer missed calls and record and transcribe messages for users to read as text at a later time. The service, which could come in iOS 10, is also said to be capable of relaying location information and delivering details on why a user can’t answer a phone call.

Siri may also be improved with new capabilities Apple has made through acquisitions like VocalIQ. VocalIQ is able to retain the semantic context between conversations and recall user preferences. Apple has made other AI-related purchases over the past year that could have been purchased to improve Siri. Perceptio, for example, is a startup designed to allow for the creation of advanced artificial intelligence systems while limiting the amount of data stored in the cloud, functionality that could allow Apple to bridge the gap between its desire to introduce deeper Siri functionality with its unwavering focus on privacy.

iOS 10 is rumored to include a redesigned Music app featuring a more intuitive user interface for Apple Music. It’s said to use a “bolder, yet simpler” design that emphasizes black and white backgrounds and text to put more focus on album art.

Apple is planning to replace the “New” tab in Apple Music with a “Browse” option that includes better organizational tools for discovering new content, and it will also feature a simplified “For You” section. Connect and Beats 1 will remain unchanged, but Apple may remove the Connect tab from the Apple Music interface.

New 3D Touch shortcut previews will be added, sharing features will be emphasized, and there will be more of a focus on song lyrics, making them easier to access within the app.

With the upcoming iPhone 7 Plus expected to gain a dual-lens camera, Apple is building Photos improvements into iOS 10. Apple is expected to reintroduce some abilities that were initially found in iPhoto before it was discontinued and while we don’t know specifics, iPhoto previously had features like EXIF editing and touch-based brushes for adjusting brightness and other parameters on only specific parts of a photo.

A Skitch-like photo editing feature allowing users to draw on and mark up images could also be in the works, mirroring features that are available in the Mail app for marking up PDFs and photos.

Metadata keys added to App Store apps in April suggests Apple is potentially working on a much-desired feature to allow users to hide or delete unwanted stock apps. If such a feature is in the works, it could be included in iOS 10.

Check out our full iOS 10 roundup for more info.

OS X 10.12

OS X didn’t get a major update in 2015, but 2016 may more than make up for it. OS X 10.12 is expected to bring Siri to the Mac for the first time, allowing the personal assistant to be used on Mac devices like it’s used on iOS devices.

Siri will be enabled through an icon in the OS X menu bar, the dock, a user-specified keyboard shortcut, or through a hands-free “Hey Siri” command. In May, we shared an image of the full Siri dock icon, featuring a colorful Siri waveform.

Siri functionality on the Mac is likely to mirror much of the functionality on iOS, with Siri able to conduct searches, open apps, tweak system settings, answer simple queries, play music from iTunes, and more. Siri may also be able to interface with third-party Mac apps through the rumored Siri SDK.

Another key feature of OS X 10.12 may be expanded Continuity features. Apple is working on an auto unlock function that would allow an iPhone to unlock a Mac when in close proximity, alleviating the need to enter a password on a password-protected machine in OS X 10.12.

The feature, which uses Bluetooth LE frameworks, will presumably work similarly to the automatic unlocking feature on the Apple Watch, which allows an unlocked iPhone to bypass the passcode restriction on a connected Apple Watch. In this scenario, an iPhones Touch ID button would be used as a verification method for simpler logins.

The unlocking function could also potentially be tied to the rumor suggesting Apple Pay integration is coming to web browsers. Users could make purchases online using Safari, confirming the Apple Pay payment through an iPhone’s Touch ID when linked to a Mac.

Features rumored for iOS 10, such as Photos improvements and Apple Music tweaks, are also expected to be included in OS X 10.12. An updated version of iTunes that includes a redesigned Apple Music experience with a simpler, more intuitive interface is a possibility, and as for Photos, it could gain some features that were removed during the transition from iPhoto to Photos.

Beyond rumored features, there has been some speculation that Apple could rename OS X to MacOS to better match with iOS, watchOS, and tvOS, but whether or not Apple will actually introduce a change to its long-running Mac naming scheme remains to be seen.

Check out our full OS X 10.12 roundup for more info.

tvOS 2 and watchOS 3

Apple has said new versions of tvOS and watchOS 3 will be introduced at WWDC, but we have not heard any details on what new versions of these operating systems might include.

Drawing from what we expect for iOS 10 and OS X 10.12, the two operating systems could feature Siri improvements and design tweaks to match any design changes coming to iOS 10, but beyond that, we don’t have any insight into what to expect.

We do know that as of June 1, Apple is requiring new Apple Watch apps submitted to the App Store to be native apps, suggesting Apple has plans for deeper native app capabilities. At the very least, a push towards native apps is encouraging because it will result in Apple Watch apps that are able to open more quickly and work more smoothly in watchOS 3.

Services

Apple Pay:
Apple has several new Apple Pay features in the works that would be ideal to debut at the event. Apple is planning to bring Apple Pay to web browsers, allowing Apple Pay users to make Apple Pay purchases in online stores directly through Safari, and rumors suggest the feature will debut at WWDC.

As with standard transactions, payments would be approved on the iPhone through Touch ID. Using the expanded Continuity features allowing an iPhone to connect to a Mac, Apple Pay payments on Mac notebooks and desktop machines may also be verified through Touch ID.

Apple is also working on a person-to-person update for Apple Pay, allowing users to send money to one another much like Square Cash or Venmo. It is not exactly clear how such a feature would work, but there have been “whispers” suggesting Apple may let customers send money to one another through iMessages.

iCloud:
Following its conflict with the FBI, Apple is likely to introduce new security features in iOS 10 and OS X 10.12. One possibility is encrypted iCloud backups, something Apple has been hesitant to implement in the past because it makes the restoring process more difficult.

Rumors have suggested Apple is working on implementing stronger security measures “even it can’t hack” to protect iOS devices. These improvements are likely to be introduced through a mix of hardware and software improvements, and it’s quite possible we’ll see the first of Apple’s security enhancements in iOS 10.

iMessage:
One rumor says Apple is planning to announce iMessage for Android at the event, giving Android users access to one of the iPhone’s best features. It’s not clear how accurate this information is as it comes from a source without a reliable track record.

App Store:
Ahead of WWDC, Apple announced some major changes to the App Store, which we may hear more about at the event itself. Apple opened up app subscriptions to encompass all product categories and introduced a new subscription revenue split. After a customer maintains an in-app subscription for one year, developers will receive 85 percent of profits instead of 70 percent.

Apple is also adding ads to App Store search results for the first time, and going forward, the App Store’s “Featured” section will not display apps that are already installed. Apple is planning to bring back the Categories tab, and a Share sheet option is being added as a 3D Touch Quick action for all apps to make sharing easier. Search will also be improved.

Hardware

Ahead of WWDC there were rumors and speculation suggesting Apple could introduce products like an updated MacBook Pro or a new Thunderbolt Display, but it’s likely neither of these products are going to be ready for a June debut, instead coming later in 2016.

Leading up to WWDC, multiple Apple insiders have said the event will focus on software instead of hardware, and so we are not expecting hardware updates at the event. There’s a possibility Apple could surprise us with an announcement, but if there are plans for a hardware product debut, those plans have been kept under wraps.

Though we’re not expecting any Mac announcements at WWDC, one questionable rumor from Japanese site Mac Otakara suggests Apple is planning to introduce both new MacBook Air and new MacBook Pro models in the month of June, shipping the notebooks in August.

This is somewhat unlikely as Apple just bumped the RAM in the 13-inch MacBook Air up to 8GB in April. Previous rumors also indicate Apple may not be planning to introduce further MacBook Air updates, ending development on the machine in favor of the MacBook. As for the MacBook Pro, past information has said it will ship in 4Q 2016, conflicting with Mac Otakara’s rumor of a June debut.

Streaming Details and Release Date

Apple is will offer a live stream of the keynote event through its website and through a dedicated events app on the Apple TV. MacRumors will also provide live coverage, on MacRumors.com and on the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Following the conclusion of the keynote, Apple will likely provide iOS 10, OS X 10.12, watchOS 3, and tvOS 2 to developers, giving them time to adapt their apps to take advantage of new features. The operating systems are likely to be released to the public in the fall alongside new hardware.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2016
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Apple Rumored to Announce Apple Pay for Websites at WWDC

Earlier this year, rumors suggested Apple would expand Apple Pay to allow iOS users to make purchases from websites, and now Digital Trends says Apple will indeed introduce such a feature at WWDC.

Starting on Monday, Apple Pay will reportedly be able to be used to make purchases from select partner websites, serving as an alternative to PayPal. As with all Apple Pay transactions, purchases from websites will be confirmed using the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone.

It is not known if the feature will be limited to Safari and only available on iOS devices. We have heard rumors suggesting Apple plans to allow the iPhone to be used to unlock a password-protected Mac using Bluetooth, and if such a feature is implemented, it could also presumably be used to approve web-based purchases on a Mac.

Based on our source’s information, it’s unclear whether you will be able to use Apple Pay on the web from a device that does not have a fingerprint sensor, such as a MacBook or a PC. It’s also unknown whether a specific browser will be required to make purchases with Apple Pay online.

At the current time, Apple Pay can be used to make purchases in brick and mortar stores and in third-party apps that support the service. An expansion of Apple Pay to the Safari browser will alleviate the need for customers to download a store’s app to make a payment with Apple Pay, resulting in a payment service that is simpler to use and more accessible.

Apple Pay could potentially be a major focus at WWDC, with other rumors hinting at Apple Pay support in new countries and person-to-person Apple Pay payments.

Related Roundups: WWDC 2016, Apple Pay
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