Author: Richard

Senior Vision Pro Engineer Allegedly Passed Significant Volume of Secret Plans to Snap

Apple has initiated a legal action against Di Liu, a previous senior engineer for the Vision Pro, alleging that he purloined thousands of confidential documents prior to departing the company to take up a position at Snap, a competing entity. The suit asserts that Liu deceived Apple regarding his resignation, claiming he was leaving for health concerns while covertly orchestrating a transition to a similar position at Snap.

The accusations indicate that Liu retrieved a substantial amount of proprietary data merely three days ahead of his exit, utilizing his Apple credentials to move these documents into his personal cloud storage. This maneuver was reportedly enabled by Liu’s omission of his plans to join a rival, permitting him to maintain access to sensitive corporate information throughout the typical two-week notice timeframe.

Apple employs stringent internal security protocols aimed at detecting unusual access or downloading of documents, yet it appears these safeguards were ineffective in thwarting Liu’s endeavors. The company has a history of taking aggressive legal action against former staff suspected of stealing trade secrets. Past cases include lawsuits targeting former employees who transitioned to startups or competitors, with some facing harsh legal repercussions.

In this case, Apple is pursuing unspecified damages from Liu and demands the return of the appropriated information. The company is also asking for a court directive to inspect Liu’s devices to confirm compliance, as he reportedly tried to eliminate evidence of his misconduct.

At this point, Liu has not made any public statements regarding the lawsuit, and Snap has not been associated with any wrongdoing connected to the matter.

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Apple TV+ Subscribers Get 50% Off on MLS Season Pass

Beginning today, Apple TV+ is reducing the seasonal pricing for the MLS Season Pass. Supporters can subscribe for $49 to experience the remainder of the 2025 season, which represents a 50% discount from the original price of $99. Even more appealing, Apple TV+ subscribers can acquire the MLS Season Pass for only $39.

Major League Soccer is currently commemorating its 30th season. Fans can witness stars such as Lionel Messi, Diego Luna, Hany Mukhtar, Benja Cremaschi, Denis Bouanga, and Cavan Sullivan prior to the MLS All-Star game, the third annual Leagues Cup tournament against Liga MX, and the autumn playoffs.

As always, matches are available in both English and Spanish. To enhance the experience for soccer enthusiasts, they can tune into MLS 360, dubbed by Apple as the “match day whip-around show.” It’s offered in both English and Spanish and includes live look-ins and highlights from throughout the league, as well as pre-match coverage, post-match analysis, highlights, player profiles, interviews, club content, match replays, and more.

One of the advantages of the MLS Season Pass is Sunday Night Soccer. These matches come with improved production and specialized studio programming, and they’re available for streaming by Apple TV+ subscribers following MLS Countdown and MLS La Previa. This weekend’s game showcases the Seattle Sounders versus the Columbus Crew.

Supporters can access the MLS Season Pass via the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, or on the internet. Recently, Apple introduced the Apple TV app on Google Play, allowing millions of Android users to also benefit from this MLS Season Pass offer.

Apple Vision Pro users can enjoy the games alongside other applications in their physical environment, utilize Environments with a screen that appears 100 feet wide, and experience Spatial Audio for a more immersive viewing adventure.

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Important Announcement: Change Your Brother Printer Password Without Delay

**Security Flaws in Brother Printers: An Urgent Notification**

Recent investigations conducted by cybersecurity organization Rapid7 have uncovered that close to 700 Brother printer models, alongside numerous models from Fujifilm, Toshiba, Ricoh, and Konica Minolta, are vulnerable to significant security flaws. These weaknesses could permit attackers to gain access to other devices within the same network and jeopardize sensitive files.

### Summary of Vulnerabilities

The analysis revealed eight vulnerabilities impacting 689 Brother printers and 46 models from various manufacturers. The primary concern relates to the default password generation system, which relies on the printer’s serial number. This weakness makes it easy for attackers to figure out the default administrator password.

Among the most serious vulnerabilities discovered is the authentication bypass, assigned CVE-2024-51978. This flaw permits a remote, unauthenticated attacker to expose the serial number of the target device using different methods. After obtaining the serial number, the attacker can create the default password, providing them unauthorized access.

### Consequences of the Vulnerabilities

Brother has indicated that the default password generation flaw cannot be resolved via a firmware update, emphasizing the need for users to manually alter their printer passwords. The other vulnerabilities could be used to crash printers or, even more concerning, to access additional networked devices and services. In severe circumstances, attackers might retrieve stored passwords and confidential documents from cloud servers.

Another notable vulnerability, CVE-2024-51984, permits a remote authenticated attacker to uncover plaintext credentials for various configured external services, including LDAP or FTP. Exploiting this flaw could supply attackers with further credentials to penetrate a network, potentially resulting in the disclosure of sensitive information.

### Suggested Actions for Users

To lessen these threats, Brother recommends that users conduct firmware updates for seven of the eight identified vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, due to the nature of the default password generation flaw, users must change their printer passwords immediately if they have not yet done so.

### Final Thoughts

The security flaws uncovered in Brother printers underscore the necessity of upholding robust cybersecurity measures, particularly for devices linked to networks. Users should implement proactive steps to secure their devices, such as regular firmware updates and altering default passwords to protect against potential threats.

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Nintendo Switch 2 Anticipated to Experience Price Hike

When Nintendo finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 in early April, gamers were astonished to find the next-gen handheld console priced higher than anticipated. Most leaks and analysts indicated that $399 was the ideal price point, but Nintendo set the price $50 above that. A bundle including the Mario Kart World game was priced at $499.99. Switch 2 exclusives would also come at a higher cost than previously.

Then came the real surprise: Trump’s new tariffs. Nintendo promptly halted preorders for the North American market to evaluate the effects of the new tariffs. A few weeks later, the company declared a new preorder date for the US, maintaining the original prices for the Switch 2. However, certain accessories did see price increases.

Fast-forward to late June, and Nintendo reported a price rise for all Nintendo Switch 1 models sold in Canada. The brief statement mentioned that the Switch 2 price will remain unchanged for the time being. Nonetheless, fans globally have valid reasons to be concerned about potential future increases.

New Switch 1 prices

Nintendo released a statement regarding the impending price changes for Switch 1 products on August 1 in Canada:

Pricing for the original Nintendo Switch family of systems and products in Canada will be adjusted based on market conditions. This includes the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, and Nintendo Switch accessories. Other Nintendo products, such as amiibo and Nintendo Switch Online memberships, will also see price adjustments.

The company did not specify any new prices for Canada, so we will have to wait for another announcement in the upcoming weeks. Nintendo did mention that the Switch 2 system, accessories, and software would remain unaffected.

As Engadget highlights, prices for the Switch 1 models are already nearing those of the Switch 2:

– Nintendo Switch – CA$400,
– Nintendo Switch OLED – CA$450
– Nintendo Switch Lite – CA$269
– Nintendo Switch 2 – CA$630

Any price rise would make the Switch 1 less appealing compared to the newer Switch 2. On the other hand, acquiring the new console is challenging, with inventory depleting faster than Nintendo can restock.

Will the Switch 2 price increase?

Nintendo’s press release was succinct, but it made it clear that the Switch 2 would not be included in this wave of price increases. That being said, the price could potentially go up in the future, depending on how “market conditions” evolve.

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Report Uncovers Two Yet-to-be-Announced Features in iOS 26

In contrast to previous years, Apple has exhibited an unusually low profile following WWDC. Normally, right after the keynote presentation, we learn about several features in the upcoming iOS version that are anticipated to be available “later this year.” This year, however, the situation is different.

In fact, the company appears to be preparing all the functionalities revealed during the keynote for this fall. In this regard, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicates that at least two significant iOS 26 features were not disclosed during the keynote, yet they will still be accessible to iPhone users in the iOS 26 cycle, as he has reported previously.

“The company aimed to avoid a repeat of WWDC 2024, where it unveiled various features — including some flagship technologies — that ended up being postponed for months or are still not available,” Mark Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter. Nonetheless, Apple intends to introduce these two iOS 26 features: Live Translation of conversations via AirPods and syncing wireless network login details from several locations.

While Apple is already engaged in integrating Live Translation into the Messages, Phone, and FaceTime applications, the company aspires to enhance that technology further. As per the journalist, live translation of conversations using AirPods would link both devices, enabling users to converse with one another and hear the translation directly via their earbuds.

The second undisclosed iOS 26 feature allows for the synchronization of wireless network login information at hotels or gyms across devices. Presently, Apple is testing something akin to this with the iOS 26 beta; if I enter my credentials on my iPhone, an “Autofill” suggestion will pop up when I attempt to do the same on my iPad or Mac. Although it still requires user action, it is considerably more convenient than having to re-authenticate everything.

In addition to these two iOS 26 features, Apple is also working on a more intelligent Siri (potentially powered by ChatGPT or Claude). Currently, the upgrade for the personal assistant is anticipated to debut in the first half of 2026. Apple is cautious about setting high expectations for its users.

In the upcoming months, we can expect to see more iOS 26 features emerge. However, these may catch users off guard, as Apple is being prudent about not announcing any features prior to their readiness after a challenging past year.

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Wispr Flow: AI Transcription Straight from Your iPhone Keyboard

# Wispr Flow: An Innovative Dictation Keyboard

This article delves into the groundbreaking features and capabilities of Wispr Flow, a dictation keyboard that employs sophisticated Speech-to-Text AI technology. The experience of utilizing this tool, including its advantages and possible limitations, is thoroughly analyzed.

## Overview of Wispr Flow

Wispr Flow is a dictation keyboard crafted to improve the transcription experience by harnessing AI technology. The application enables users to dictate text effortlessly, capturing spoken words and translating them into written format without any manual typing. This article serves as a demonstration of its functionality, as the content was entirely dictated using Wispr Flow.

## Functionality

Wispr Flow functions through what the developers term “Flow Sessions.” Users can set these sessions to grant the app permission to access the microphone for specified time frames, from 5 minutes to 1 hour, or without time constraints.

To commence a Flow Session, users simply press the “Start Flow” button on the keyboard, redirecting them to the Wispr Flow app. Once initiated, users can begin dictating by pressing the microphone button. After finishing their dictation, they can conclude the session by pressing the check mark button or manually stop it using the menu button.

### Application Features

Within the Wispr Flow application, users can take advantage of several beneficial features:

– **Dictation History**: Users can review their entire dictation history for quick access.
– **Quick Notes**: A feature designed for recording quick thoughts or reminders.
– **Custom Dictionary**: Users can develop a custom dictionary to assist the app in recognizing particular words or phrases that are commonly used.

Furthermore, users can select their preferred languages, enabling multilingual dictation functionality.

## Privacy Issues

Privacy concerns are prevalent with AI applications. Wispr Flow tackles these issues by employing a mix of Meta’s Llama and OpenAI’s Whisper models. The company maintains a strict zero data retention policy, guaranteeing that personal typing data is neither stored nor shared with third parties unless users opt in.

The developers are also investigating new APIs to improve the app’s capabilities, with the possibility of integrating features such as shortcuts and action buttons in future updates.

## Efficiency and Accessibility

Wispr Flow has shown remarkable accuracy in converting spoken words into text. This positions it as an exceptional tool for individuals who depend on voice notes or need accessibility features. The app is compatible with MacOS and Windows, with future plans to extend compatibility to Android, Linux, and web platforms.

The app provides a free plan that permits up to 2000 words weekly, alongside Pro and Teams plans offering discounts for annual subscriptions. Custom enterprise plans are also on offer, accommodating different user requirements.

## Summary

Wispr Flow emerges as a notable dictation tool that merges AI technology with user-friendly features. Its capacity to produce precise transcriptions while emphasizing user privacy makes it a significant resource for individuals seeking to enhance their writing process. Whether for personal or professional use, Wispr Flow has the potential to revolutionize our interaction with text input. For more information, users can visit the

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9to5Mac Daily: June 30, 2025 – Anticipated Features in iOS 26 and MacBook Speculations

**9to5Mac Daily: Your Destination for Daily Apple News and Insights**

In the rapidly evolving realm of technology, staying informed about the latest developments is essential, particularly for Apple fans. 9to5Mac Daily acts as a dependable source for daily summaries of key stories associated with Apple and its environment. This podcast is tailored for those keen on staying connected to Apple news, product unveilings, software revisions, and industry perspectives.

### Podcast Access

9to5Mac Daily is available on multiple platforms, allowing listeners to engage from their chosen podcast application. You can locate it on:

– [iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts application](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-daily/id1331816080)
– [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/9to5mac-daily)
– [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/radio/9to5Mac-Daily-p1089524/)
– [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/I5d4dzs7dauazmfxvvrynyiuram?t=9to5Mac_Daily)
– [RSS feed for Overcast and other players](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily)

### Daily Broadcasts

New episodes of 9to5Mac Daily are produced every weekday, offering listeners timely news and discussions on the most recent events in the Apple universe. Subscribing guarantees that you receive new episodes instantly, ensuring you remain updated without any lag.

### Highlighted Topics

Each episode delves into a variety of subjects, including:

– Recent product unveilings
– Software updates and functionalities
– Insights into Apple’s corporate strategies
– Market trends and competitor assessments

Listeners can anticipate a blend of news, analysis, and commentary that appeals to both casual listeners and ardent Apple supporters.

### Support and Subscription

For those interested in supporting the podcast, 9to5Mac Daily provides a subscription plan known as 9to5Mac Daily Plus. Subscribers enjoy:

– Ad-free versions of each episode
– Exclusive content that explores particular topics in greater detail

### Engaging with the Audience

Listeners are invited to express their opinions and feedback. You can connect via email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or rate the podcast on platforms like [Apple Podcasts](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1331816080?at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) and

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All that We Understand About Season 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors

Apple TV+ has experienced an impressive year, with “Severance” playing a crucial role in its achievements alongside multiple other successful series. A highlight is Jon Hamm’s “Your Friends & Neighbors,” which has emerged as Apple’s most-watched new drama, prompting the announcement of a second season.

### Season 2 was approved before Your Friends & Neighbors even debuted

In a distinct move for Apple, “Your Friends & Neighbors” was granted a second season before its inaugural season aired. This choice, made in November 2024—six months ahead of the show’s launch—reflected Apple’s belief in the series, which has been proven justified.

### What’s ahead for Jon Hamm’s ‘Coop’ and more

Jonathan Tropper, the mastermind behind “Your Friends & Neighbors,” has shared details about the future of Jon Hamm’s character, Coop, and the ensemble cast. In a discussion with *Variety*, Tropper stressed that Coop will not take on the role of a conventional criminal genius, declaring, “Coop is never gonna become a criminal kingpin.” Instead, the focus will be on Coop’s personal battles and his journey for self-discovery.

Tropper also teased significant changes for two major female characters, Sam and Mel. He mentioned that Season 2 will offer a more profound exploration of Sam’s character, presenting her with fresh challenges and a path of self-reinvention in the face of public judgment. At the same time, Mel’s narrative will explore her unresolved fury and the emotional reckoning she faces.

### Season 2 to utilize the ‘Empire Strikes Back’ approach

Tropper has compared his strategy for the second season to that of “The Empire Strikes Back,” indicating that the stakes will elevate, and the story will grow darker and more intricate. This thematic transition aims to enhance the audience’s connection with the characters and their arcs.

### When to anticipate Your Friends & Neighbors season 2 on Apple TV+

The first season of “Your Friends & Neighbors” wrapped up in late May 2025, with filming for Season 2 beginning while the first season was still airing. Considering the early renewal and prompt commencement of production, fans can expect the second season to debut in spring 2026, resulting in a relatively brief wait of about a year between seasons.

Apple TV+ is priced at $9.99 per month and offers a selection of award-winning shows and films, including “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” “Silo,” and “Shrinking.”

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iPhone 17 Pro Max versus Pro: Main Distinctions in Apple’s Model Segmentation

Apple’s iPhone 17 series is set to be revealed in early September, a little over two months away. Each year, a frequent question among shoppers pertains to the Pro models: what distinguishes them from each other? Here’s how Apple intends to highlight the differences between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 17 Pro this time around.

## Expectations from iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Pro

Occasionally, Apple sets apart its Pro models by introducing a unique camera feature. The Pro Max version sometimes receives a new camera function a year or more before its smaller counterpart. For instance, the iPhone 15 Pro Max had a 5x telephoto zoom, whereas the smaller Pro variant only had 3x until Apple updated it the following year with the iPhone 16 Pro.

As of now, there are no leaks suggesting an exclusive camera feature for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Initial speculations about a reduced Dynamic Island on the Pro Max seem to be less reliable. However, a major modification is on the horizon that will give the Pro Max a significant advantage in one crucial aspect: battery longevity.

## iPhone 17 Pro Max will enhance its dominance in providing superior battery life

In a distinctive move, this year the iPhone 17 Pro Max is alleged to become thicker to accommodate additional battery capacity. Leaked product measurements have validated this increase in thickness, which has been showcased in hands-on videos.

Here’s the comparison from year to year:
– **iPhone 16 Pro Max**: 8.25mm thickness
– **iPhone 17 Pro Max**: 8.725mm thickness

Conversely, the iPhone 17 Pro will maintain its current size. Aside from a larger camera ‘island’ layout on the rear, the updated Pro model will mirror the basic dimensions of last year’s iPhone 16 Pro. This means the Pro Max’s battery life lead—which was already considerable—is set to expand further.

Here are the latest Apple benchmarks:
– **iPhone 16 Pro Max**
– Up to **33 hours** of video playback
– Up to **29 hours** of streamed video playback
– Up to **105 hours** of audio playback

– **iPhone 16 Pro**
– Up to **27 hours** of video playback
– Up to **22 hours** of streamed video playback
– Up to **85 hours** of audio playback

Anticipate the iPhone 17 Pro Max to showcase even higher battery life estimates than any iPhone has achieved before. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro is likely to deliver roughly the same runtime as its predecessor. On a positive note, the iPhone 17 Pro should maintain significantly better battery performance than what is available in the sleek new iPhone 17 Air.

Will the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s battery advantage over the 17 Pro impact your choice? Share your thoughts in the comments.

### Top iPhone accessories

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