AllYouCanTech

Tim Cook Announces Greater-than-Projected Demand for iPhone 17

During the recent quarterly earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared perspectives on the initial phases of iPhone 17 release, suggesting robust interest in both the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro variants. While Cook purposely refrained from addressing specific model performance, he signaled that supply limitations imply demand has surpassed Apple’s forecasts.

The earnings call occurred after Apple’s Q4 2025 financial report, which disclosed a revenue of $102.47 billion, marking an 8% rise compared to the same quarter from the previous year. Cook pointed out that the supply of the iPhone 17 remains limited, consistent with analyst insights indicating a strong early reception and heightened production requests for the iPhone 17 series.

In contrast, the iPhone Air garnered little focus during the call and has reportedly been shifted to an “end-of-cycle” production level, indicating it might not be performing as well as expected. Cook stated that Apple does not release sales figures by individual device but recognized constraints affecting both the premium and entry-level models, further suggesting potential underperformance of the iPhone Air.

Moreover, Cook reaffirmed that Apple encountered limitations with the iPhone 16 during the quarter, signifying ongoing demand even prior to the launch of the iPhone 17. He mentioned that Apple “could have sold more” units of the iPhone 16 during that timeframe.

The quarter in question concluded on September 27, encompassing just the early days of iPhone 17 availability, which may have played a role in the supply constraints highlighted by Cook.

Anticipated Modifications to App Store Pricing in Poland, Switzerland, and Türkiye Taking Effect on November 17

**Apple Modifies App and In-App Purchase Prices in Poland, Switzerland, and Türkiye**

Apple has revealed that beginning November 17, developers will experience modifications to app and In-App Purchase prices in Poland, Switzerland, and Türkiye. This adjustment is part of Apple’s continuous efforts to synchronize pricing with local market circumstances, including variations in exchange rates and tax regulations.

### Updated Pricing Structure

The App Store employs an automated pricing tier system that enables developers to establish prices without the need for manual adjustments for each of the 175 storefronts worldwide. This system aims to streamline the pricing procedure for developers, ensuring that their apps stay competitively priced across various regions.

With the forthcoming changes, developers who have not chosen one of the affected nations as the base storefront for their app or In-App Purchase will observe new prices represented in their offerings. However, it is crucial to recognize that apps utilizing manual pricing or subscription-based pricing frameworks will not be impacted by these modifications.

### Developer Resources

To aid developers in managing these updates, Apple has updated the Pricing and Availability section in App Store Connect. Developers can find comprehensive information regarding the pricing changes and their potential effects on their apps on the official Apple Developer website.

### Conclusion

This pricing adjustment is a tactical strategy by Apple to guarantee that app prices remain pertinent and competitive amid evolving economic conditions in Poland, Switzerland, and Türkiye. Developers are advised to examine the new pricing tiers and make any necessary modifications to their app offerings prior to the November 17 implementation date.

WhatsApp Starts Testing Companion Application for Apple Watch

**WhatsApp Updates: Passkey Feature and Apple Watch Application**

Today was a noteworthy day for WhatsApp users as the firm revealed two key enhancements: the launch of passkey support for chat backups and the debut of a new Apple Watch application through TestFlight.

### Passkey Feature for Backups

Meta has announced that WhatsApp will soon roll out passkey-encrypted backups for every user. This capability will enable users to protect their chat backups using biometric verification methods such as fingerprints, face recognition, or lock codes, removing the need to memorize complicated passwords or lengthy encryption keys. The implementation of this feature will take place gradually over the next several weeks and months.

As stated on the official WhatsApp blog, this update is designed to offer users the same degree of security for their backups as is presently available for personal chats and calls. Users can enable this functionality by going to Settings > Chats > Chat backup > End-to-end encrypted backup within the application.

### Launch of an Apple Watch Application

Alongside the passkey feature, WhatsApp has also launched a new application for Apple Watch users, according to WABetaInfo. This update resolves the previous limitations that Apple Watch users faced when handling WhatsApp notifications.

Although the new application is not standalone and still necessitates an iPhone for full operational capacity, it provides crucial messaging functionalities right on the wrist. Users can explore chats, send quick replies, and respond with emojis without the constant need to check their iPhones. The link between the iPhone and Apple Watch is automatic, negating the requirement for QR code scanning, assuming the devices are linked.

WABetaInfo pointed out that the application features an indicator to keep users informed about the syncing status and connection to the iPhone, ensuring an effortless messaging experience directly from the Apple Watch.

### Conclusion

While there is currently no official timeline for the broader release of the Apple Watch application or standalone support, these updates represent WhatsApp’s dedication to improving user experience across devices. Users can anticipate these features as they are rolled out in future versions.

Security Alert: Warning Recommended About Unreliable ChatGPT Imitations Reemerging in App Store Rankings

### The Surge of AI Chatbot Applications and Privacy Issues

In recent times, the surge of AI-driven applications, especially those leveraging the GPT-4 API from OpenAI, has reshaped the realm of mobile and desktop programs. With the increasing popularity of these applications, they have garnered millions of downloads, resulting in a rise of both creative and opportunistic products in the App Store. Nevertheless, this swift growth has also sparked considerable privacy issues, particularly concerning deceptive apps that mimic genuine services.

#### The Present Landscape of AI Chatbot Applications

Currently, the Mac App Store showcases a variety of AI chatbot applications, with one leading contender being the “AI Chat Bot.” This application has come under scrutiny for closely resembling OpenAI’s branding, from its logo to its interface design. Investigations indicate that it shares a developer with another analogous app, both of which feature the same characteristics and support pages. This situation raises doubts about the authenticity of app ratings and the efficacy of Apple’s review process.

Despite Apple’s attempts to eliminate numerous imitator applications, some have successfully evaded detection, achieving top rankings in the Business category. This scenario serves as a warning for users to be cautious when interacting with these applications, particularly concerning the disclosure of personal data.

#### Privacy Threats Linked to AI Chatbots

A recent study from Private Internet Access revealed troubling instances of poor transparency among personal productivity applications, including those that use AI technology. One specific AI assistant, which claimed to gather minimal user data, was discovered to collect extensive information, including names, email addresses, and usage statistics. Such data can be misused by data brokers or for malicious intentions, presenting significant threats to user privacy.

The serious risks associated with AI chatbot applications that harvest personal data are considerable. If a chatbot application associates user conversations with identifiable information, it establishes a vulnerable database that might be exploited. This situation raises concerns, particularly given the lack of accountability from developers who might misrepresent their data collection policies.

#### The Function of App Store Privacy Labels

Apple implemented privacy labels to educate users about the data collection practices of applications. However, these labels are based on self-disclosure by developers, which means there is no independent verification of the statements made. This dependence on developer integrity can result in contradictions between what users think they are agreeing to and the actual data collection practices being followed.

#### Conclusion

As the popularity of AI chatbot applications escalates, so do the related privacy risks. Users need to stay alert and knowledgeable about the potential threats associated with sharing personal data with these applications. The existence of deceptive applications in the App Store highlights the necessity of examining app permissions and comprehending the consequences of data collection. Remaining informed and cautious can help reduce the risks posed by these emerging technologies.

iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 Release Notes: Detailed Compilation of Essential Security Updates

# iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 Security Updates: An In-Depth Review

Apple has announced the release of iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, representing a major update since the launch last September. This update tackles a variety of vulnerabilities and security concerns, offering users strong incentives to refresh their devices. Below, we explore the principal security improvements and resolutions included in this update.

## Main Security Resolutions

### Accessibility
– **Impact**: An application may recognize other installed applications.
– **Description**: A permissions-related issue was resolved with enhanced restrictions.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43442

### Apple Account
– **Impact**: A harmful application may capture screenshots of confidential details.
– **Description**: A privacy concern was mitigated with better checks in place.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43455

### Apple Neural Engine
– **Impact**: An application may lead to unexpected system shutdowns or damage kernel memory.
– **Description**: This concern was rectified with enhanced memory management.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43447, CVE-2025-43462

### Apple TV Remote
– **Impact**: A harmful app may monitor users across installations.
– **Description**: The problem was tackled with improved cache management.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43449

### AppleMobileFileIntegrity
– **Impact**: An application may gain access to restricted user data.
– **Description**: This issue was remedied with enhanced symlink validation.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43379

### Assets
– **Impact**: An app may escape its sandbox environment.
– **Description**: This issue was fixed with refined entitlements.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43407

### Audio
– **Impact**: An attacker with physical access could view sensitive user information.
– **Description**: A logging issue was resolved with enhanced data redaction.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43423

### Camera
– **Impact**: An application may acquire data regarding the current camera view.
– **Description**: A logic-related concern was addressed with more stringent checks.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43450

### CloudKit
– **Impact**: An app may escape its sandbox environment.
– **Description**: This problem was resolved with better symlink validation.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43448

### Contacts
– **Impact**: An app may access sensitive user information.
– **Description**: A logging issue was dealt with through improved data redaction.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43426

### Control Center
– **Impact**: An attacker may access restricted materials from the lock screen.
– **Description**: A permissions-related issue was remedied with added restrictions.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43350

### CoreServices
– **Impact**: An application may enumerate a user’s installed applications.
– **Description**: A permissions issue was tackled with additional restrictions.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43436

### CoreText
– **Impact**: Working with harmful media files might result in unexpected termination of the app.
– **Description**: An out-of-bounds read was mitigated with enhanced input checks.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43445

### FileProvider
– **Impact**: An application may gain access to sensitive user information.
– **Description**: An authorization concern was rectified with improved state oversight.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43498

### Find My
– **Impact**: An app may track the user’s fingerprint.
– **Description**: A privacy issue was resolved by relocating sensitive information.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43507

### Installer
– **Impact**: An application may track the user’s fingerprint.
– **Description**: A permissions issue was addressed with additional limitations.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43444

### Kernel
– **Impact**: An app may instigate unexpected system shutdowns.
– **Description**: This issue was mitigated with enhanced memory management.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43398

### libxpc
– **Impact**: A sandboxed app might detect system-wide network activities.
– **Description**: An access concern was addressed with further sandbox restrictions.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43413

### Mail Drafts
– **Impact**: Remote content might load even when disabled.
– **Description**: The issue was resolved by