apple

Michael Tsai

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Apple ID disabled after failed $500 gift card redemption. User lost access to 25 years of data, including family photos and vital digital services. Apple support unhelpful; only suggestion is to create a new account, which leads to loss of data and purchases. Recommended precautions: separate personal and developer Apple IDs, avoid discounted gift cards, back up data locally. User is a long-time Apple developer, heightening concerns over system failures in account management.

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2025/12/13/locked-out-of-apple-account-due-to-gift-card/

Apple Departures Point to Challenges for iPhone’s Dominance

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Apple is undergoing major leadership turnover, with several top executives retiring and many others leaving for rival companies like Meta and OpenAI. These departures come as rivals try to challenge Apple’s lead in devices and AI by hiring former Apple talent and developing new competing products. While Apple’s dominance remains intact for now because of strong user loyalty and no decisive AI breakthrough by competitors, its unclear AI strategy is seen as a potential weakness. CEO Tim Cook remains firmly in control and is seen as vital to the company’s ongoing success, with his handling of future AI developments likely to shape both his legacy and Apple’s direction.

https://www.wsj.com/tech/apple-departures-point-to-challenges-for-iphones-dominance-32d7cdf7?st=gRFqtH

Exploring, in Detail, Apple’s Compliance With the EU’s DMA Mandate Regarding Apple Watch, Third-Party Accessories, and the Syncing of Saved Wi-Fi Networks From iPhones to Which They’re Paired

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Apple is changing how Wi-Fi network syncing between iPhones and Apple Watches works in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Currently, Apple Watches get the complete list of saved Wi-Fi networks from an iPhone during setup. Starting with iOS and WatchOS 26.2, new EU Apple Watches will only sync networks that the iPhone joins after the watch is paired. Apple is also launching a new API for third-party accessories in the EU to enable similar, but limited, Wi-Fi syncing. These steps aim to balance user privacy with regulatory requirements without granting third-party devices broad access to user data. Most existing Apple Watch users in the EU won’t notice significant changes. The move illustrates Apple’s approach to regulatory compliance, prioritizing privacy and product control over developer access.

https://daringfireball.net/2025/11/apple_eu_dma_iphone_accessories_wi-fi_sync

Time to Start de-Appling

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Apple is withdrawing its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature from the UK due to the Investigatory Powers Act, affecting user data encryption in iCloud. Users must manually disable ADP or risk losing iCloud access. Those relying on end-to-end encryption should move their data off iCloud immediately, exploring secure alternatives like Proton or Standard Notes. This situation highlights broader concerns about privacy and surveillance, particularly for UK citizens, amidst governmental overreach.

https://heatherburns.tech/2025/11/10/time-to-start-de-appling/

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