Apple's iMessage and Facetime now more secure

Apple continues to expand the range of offerings covered by its two-step verification scheme, with security-conscious users now able to count iMessage and FaceTime among those features protected by the service.

Beginning today, those who have opted in to the two-step verification program will be asked to provide a one-time security code the next time they configure iMessage or FaceTime on a device. The change was first noted by The Guardian.

Existing two-step verification users who are already signed into FaceTime or iMessage on their devices do not need to take any additional steps. Two-step verification is automatically enabled, and will be triggered if users log out and log back in or sign in to their Apple ID on another device.

Apple introduced two-step verification as an opt-in feature in 2013. After enrolling and nominating at least one SMS-capable phone number, users will be asked to enter a one-time passcode whenever they attempt to sign in with their Apple ID on a new device. 

Apple expanded two-step verification to iCloud.com last year, and has made it available in 59 countries as of Feb. 5.

Via Appleinsider

The next iOS 8.3 update: Wireless support to CarPlay and improved emoji

The forthcoming release of iOS 8.3 will enable wireless CarPlay support, removing the requirement for iPhones to be connected to head units through a Lightning cable. It also includes a revised emoji keyboard that allows users to scroll and browse more easily.

The first pre-release beta of iOS 8.3 was released to developers on Monday. Perhaps the biggest change is a new CarPlay menu that can be found in the General category of the Settings application.

From there, Apple shows a diagram with instructions for using wireless CarPlay. Users can configure it by holding the voice control button on their steering wheel to start CarPlay setup.

The iOS 8.3 update gives no indication as to what current CarPlay head units will offer wireless support.

Also in the first beta of iOS 8.3 is a newly redesigned emoji keyboard. Upon accessing the keyboard, developers can see a new, semi-transparent background and a changed look and feel.

Apple has also made it possible to scroll through the emojis more easily, automatically switching to the next parent menu without the need to tap the buttons at the bottom of the screen.

The parent menus themselves have also been updated with new logos and categories. They appear to include people, nature, food, festive emoji, motion, buildings/vehicles, and symbols.

Finally, iOS 8.3 also includes support for Google's two-step verification when adding a Google account to an iOS device. Users simply enter the verification code generated by their mobile application to securely verify.

Courtesy: Appleinsider

Rumor: iPhone 6 could get a 2.0 GHz processor

Android's flagships have been breaking the 2 GHz CPU barrier for a while now, but even Apple's most advanced 64-bit A7 chipset is still lounging at the 1.3-1.4 GHz range. This, however, is about to change with the eventual A8, if a new supply chain report is to be believed.

Apple's upcoming chipset, that is expected to make a cameo in the iPhone 6 and the iPad Air 2, is said to feature cores with the maximum clock of 2 GHz for the first time in the franchise history. Previously we've heard that Apple's new chipset will sports cores clocked as high as 2.6 GHz, but that might be the A8 version for the iPad Air 2, which is always more powerful than the model which goes into Apple's iPhone. The A8 chipset is expected to be 64-bit again (of course), and sports two cores again, while there are a bunch of Android handsets with four, six, and even octa-core silicon. The amount of cores is in no way representative of a chipset's overall speed and productivity, though, so it doesn't serve as more than bragging rights for theoretical mights. 

Apple's A8 silicon is allegedly hammered out by the TSMC foundry, gradually replacing Samsung as a supplier, and will sport a new 20nm process, which would mean a theoretical increase in performance with a simultaneous decrease in power consumption, compared to the 28nm method that most current chipsets are built with.

-PhoneArena

Still the reigning champion in market sales. iPhone 5S followed by Galaxy S5

According to Counterpoint, a Hong Kong-based market research firm, Apple’s iPhone 5s was the best selling smartphone in the world throughout the month of May, maintaining its lead since late 2013. Reportedly, Samsung’s Galaxy S5 - which is available worldwide since April - was a “distant number two.” 

But Samsung is still the winner overall, as it has four other smartphones in top 10 May sales: Galaxy S4 (3rd place), Galaxy Note 3 (4th), Galaxy S4 mini (8th), and Galaxy Grand 2 (10th). Apple’s iPhone 5c and iPhone 4S took the 5th and 6th places, respectively. There’s only one other company that made it to top 10, and that’s Xiaomi, which continues to sell its affordable Mi3 and Hongmi Redrice smartphones at a fast pace. 

Apparently, Sony’s Xperia Z1 almost made it to top 10, too, but it was ultimately included in a top 20, alongside the Motorola Moto G, Huawei Honor 3C, LG G2, and other unnamed smartphones. 

Counterpoint’s report is based on info gathered from 35 countries, and includes devices that have been sold, not just shipped. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t provide exact sales numbers, just the handsets’ top positions. Are you surprised by this top? Let us know in the comments section below.

Via Counterpoint & Phonearena