Apple This

Important announcement for any MobileMe users out there! Users of this Apple service were warned over the weekend that a new phishing scam has been detected exploiting Apple’s up and coming iCloud cloud computing service.

Sophos, a computer security firm, stated that emails that are claiming to be coming from “The Apple store Team” are asking prospective victims to sign up for the iCloud service and then click the “submit” button.

A section on a Sophos blog post had an example of what one of the fake emails could look like:

“Please sign up for iCloud and click the submit botton (sic), you’ll be able to keep your old email addresses and move your mail, contacts, calendars and bookmarks to the new service.”

Sophos did note that Apple is planning on shutting down its MobileMe service mid-2012, just in time for the new iCloud service. iCloud will be able to store all of an Apple user’s music, photos, calendars and documents in the cloud.

“Understandably, a lot of MobileMe users are interested in how they will migrate to iCloud and this is the issue that the phishing email uses as bait,” Sophos stated.

Sophos added that clicking on the link in the email will take users to a third-party site that is trying very hard to present itself as an actual, legitimate Apple website.

The site will ask the user for credit card numbers, addresses, social security numbers, full date of birth, mother’s maiden name and Apple ID credentials.

“Crumbs! Imagine the harm a fraudster could cause with all that information,” Sophos stated. “Make sure you have your eyes peeled for phishing attacks and be on your guard regarding unsolicited messages you receive in your inbox. It could be you who gets hit by a phishing attack next.”

Source: GMA News – Apple iCloud used as come-on for phishing bait

Not long after its release, Apple has already issued the first maintenance update to OS X Lion. The update, known as OS X Lion 10.7.1, is available now via Software Update and Apple’s download pages though you should be prompted by your Apple computer to update the next time you turn it on.

According to Apple, “The 10.7.1 update is recommended for all users running OS X Lion and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability and compatibility of your Mac.” Fixes to OS X Lion found in 10.7.1 include:

• Addresses an issue that may cause the system to become unresponsive when playing a video in Safari.
• Resolves an issue that may cause system audio to stop working when using HDMI or optical audio ouput.
• Improves the reliability of WiFi connections.
• Resolves an issue that prevents transfer of your data, settings and compatible applications to a new Mac running OS X Lion.

All the information on the OS X Lion update 10.7.1 can be found on the website http://support.apple.com/vb/HT4764 so you should head on over there if you have any questions or you want more information about the update itself.

In addition to that, Apple has also released a separate version of 10.7.1 that is specific to the most recent MacBook Air and Mac Mini. This update included the same features as the original 10.7.1 update but also adds specific fixes only designed for these devices. These new fixes include:

• Resolves an issue where MacBook Air may boot up when MagSafe Adapter is attached.
• Resolves an issue causing intermittent display flickering on MacBook Air.
• Resolves an issue that causes the SD card slot in Mac Mini to run at reduced speed with SD and SDHC media.

To top it all off, Apple has also released a separate OS X Lion Update 10.7.1 (Server) update for any system with Lion Server components installed. This fix improves the reliability of the Apple File Service. In addition to that, a unique OS X Lion 10.7.1 Update for Mac Mini 2011 (Server) update, including all of the OS X Lion 10.7.1, Lion Server and specific Mac Mini changes has also been released.

Source: Mac Rumors – Apple Releases OS X 10.7.1 with Fixes for Video in Safari, Audio Out, Wi-Fi and more

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In an ongoing investigation, even more local Chinese retailers have been found to be selling Apple computers and products under the Apple name, without the permission of Apple itself.

Reuters has reported that 22 more unauthorized Apple retailers have been identified by Chinese authorities in Kunming, located in the southwest region of China. As a result of the bust, the retailers have been forced to discontinue the use of any Apple branding in their stores, mimicking a similar effort that started earlier this week in Beijing.

These crackdowns come a little less than a month after a high-profile blog post on the phony shops, which featured a lookalike shop in Kunming, which led to the closing of two stores in the area. A Reuters story a few days later noted that the same investigation that led to those closures also found out that all of the five Apple stores in the area were selling Apple-made products purchased from third-party authorized resellers.

A report from China Day earlier in the week stated that officials in Beijing have taken steps to keep fake Apple retail stores in the area from duping customers, forcing them to cover up any Apple branding from the front of their stores.

While Apple has yet to comment on the fake stores, Reuters noted that the investigation that led to the identification of the 22 stores originated from Apple China targeting the stores for unfair competition and trademark violations.

Apple filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in the U.S. a couple of weeks ago which suggests that the company has been busy on a similar effort here in the states. The suit, which was filed in New York, takes aim at three companies and 52 individuals.

Source: CNET – Report: 22 more fake Apple stores found in China

Sales of Apple’s new Thunderbolt MacBook Air have resulted in some locations running out due to increasingly high demand. This seems to be due, in part, to consumers being quick to embrace the refreshed thin and light notebook.

Recent reports from multiple analysts have indicated that the new MacBook Air has seen a very strong demand in the U.S. Demand has been so high that analysts have reported stock-outages of certain models in different locations.

According to analyst Brian White of Ticonderoga Securities, “Overall, we sense a bit more of a preference for the higher-end 11-inch models but the 13-inch also seems to be popular. Netting this out, the MacBook Air has truly redefined the laptop computing market, in our view, and we expect this momentum to continue.”

Many of Apple’s own resellers do not have the MacBook Air in stock, which is just further evidence of the high demand. These new MacBook Airs, with the second generation Sandy Bridge processors and new high-speed Thunderbolt port, were released last month. Like older models, these new ones start at $999, however, the discontinuation of the white MacBook makes the 11.6-inch MacBook Air the only sub-$1,000 notebook.

White attributed a lot of the MacBook Air’s success to the timing of its release. He also noted that this device will keep Apple in the minds of consumers even without a new iPhone available at the moment. White also believes that Apple will have the best technical back-to-school lineup this season and for the holidays. “In our view, successful Apple launches are key in driving the halo effect that drives incremental demand for other Apple products.”

Even though the new MacBook Air has found immediate success, White expects adoption of the new Thunderbolt connector to take more time. The $49 price tag of the Thunderbolt connector cable combined with the lack of available accessories seem to be barriers to the adoption of the technology at the present time. However, White expects that to change over time.

Source: Apple Insider – Strong sales of Apple’s new Thunderbolt MacBook Airs result in stock-outs

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