New “SabPub” Mac OS X malware discovered, could be worse than Flashback

Just days after Apple released an update to Mac OS X's built-in Java software to address the "Flashback" trojan affecting 600,000 Macs worldwide, a new vulnerability has been discovered. The new trojan, dubbed "SabPub" or "Backdoor.OSX.SabPub.a," is making its way through email when users click on download links that lead to malicious downloads.

Due to the way that the SabPub trojan is spread across computers, it's certainly possible that, at its peak, it will affect more Macs than Flashback ever did. Apple has yet to comment on this new malware, but many are expecting yet another update to Java in the near future to patch this exploit.

Apple planning to sell mini iPad sometime later this year

According to a report from NetEase (translated by Kotaku), Apple is planning to begin building six (6) million smaller iPads that will be on sale sometime in the third quarter of this year. The miniature tablet is expected to cost around $249-299, and should sport a display somewhere around 7.86 inches (as oppose to the current 9.7-inch display iPad).

This isn't the first time a rumor about a smaller iPad has made rounds across the Internet. In the months leading up to the introduction of "the new iPad" earlier this year, reports suggested that Apple would be introducing a smaller version of the iPad as a competitor to the Amazon Kindle Fire, but such as tablet has yet to come to fruition.

The new iPad launches in 12 countries this Friday

Apple announced this morning that the new iPad will be launching in twelve (12) countries this Friday, April 20, 2012. South Korea and Venezuela are among the new launch locations, which also includes:

• Brunei
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Malaysia
• Panama
• St Maarten
• Uruguay

In addition, the new iPad will be launching in the following countries on Friday, April 27:

• Colombia
• Estonia
• India
• Israel
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Montenegro
• South Africa
• Thailand

French designer claims he has been working with Apple on a “revolutionary” product

According to Mac4Ever, French designer Philippe Starck said on a radio talk show yesterday that he has been working with Apple on a "revolutionary" new product that is set to debut to the public sometime in the next eight (8) months. It's not clear exactly what that product may be, but initial speculation obviously led to Apple's long-rumored television that could be released sometime later this year.

Apple was quick to release a statement to AllThingsD, denying that it is working with Starck on any project:

Reached for comment, an Apple spokeswoman said the company is not working on a new product or project with Starck. And while she declined to speculate about what the designer might have been referring to when he told France Info Radio that he and Apple “have a big project together that will be out in eight months,” there’s a good explanation for the remark.

Apple releases standalone tool to remove Flashback malware from OS X Lion computers without Java

Following the release of a Java update to OS X Lion users that aimed to address recent concerns about the Flashback malware affecting 600,000 Macs worldwide, Apple released a standalone tool yesterday that allows users without Java installed on their Mac to remove the malware. The "Flashback malware removal tool" is available for download from Apple's Support website, and requires an OS X Lion install without Java.

Full release notes:

This Flashback malware removal tool that will remove the most common variants of the Flashback malware.

If the Flashback malware is found, a dialog will be presented notifying the user that malware was removed.

In some cases, the Flashback malware removal tool may need to restart your computer in order to completely remove the Flashback malware.

This update is recommended for all OS X Lion users without Java installed.

Apple: Department of Justice’s complaint about e-book pricing is “simply not true”

All Things D has posted Apple's first official response to the United States Department of Justice's lawsuit filed against it and several book publishers earlier this week. Apple says that the DoJ's claim that it took part in illegal activity by lowering the e-book pricing on the iBookstore and raising book prices on competitors' electronic book stores is "simply not true."

Apple's statement:

The DOJ’s accusation of collusion against Apple is simply not true. The launch of the iBookstore in 2010 fostered innovation and competition, breaking Amazon’s monopolistic grip on the publishing industry. Since then customers have benefited from eBooks that are more interactive and engaging. Just as we’ve allowed developers to set prices on the App Store, publishers set prices on the iBookstore.

Apple releases Java update to address Flashback trojan

Today, Apple released the Java for OS X Lion 2012-003 software update that aims to address recent concerns about the Flashback trojan, which said to infect up to 600,000 Mac computes worldwide at its peak. The update is available via Software Update for affected machines.

Apple released two Java updates before this most recent one as part of patching the Flashback trojan exploit, but it appears as though this patch is primarily for removing the trojan from affected machines.

Full release notes:

This Java security update removes the most common variants of the Flashback malware.

This update also configures the Java web plug-in to disable the automatic execution of Java applets. Users may re-enable automatic execution of Java applets using the Java Preferences application. If the Java web plug-in detects that no applets have been run for an extended period of time it will again disable Java applets.

This update is recommended for all Mac users with Java installed.

For details about this update see: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5242

United States Department of Justice files lawsuit against Apple and e-book publishers over pricing

The United States Department of Justice announced today that it has a filed a lawsuit against Apple and several e-book publishers over the pricing of the electronic books. The DoJ claims that Apple and publishers took part in illegal activity by lowering the prices of e-books for the iBookstore, but raising them for competition. The lawsuit involves the following publishers:

• Hachette
• HarperCollins
• Macmillan
• Penguin
• Simon & Schuster

Hachette, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster have all agreed on settlements and if approved, the companies would be forced to allow other retailers, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble, to reduce the prices of its e-books as well.

In addition, the companies will be prohibited for two years from placing constraints on retailers’ ability to offer discounts to consumers.   They will also be prohibited from conspiring or sharing competitively sensitive information with their competitors for five years.   And each is required to implement a strong antitrust compliance program.   These steps are appropriate – and essential in ensuring a competitive marketplace.

AT&T to begin unlocking off-contract iPhones tomorrow

According to Engadget, AT&T has confirmed that it will begin offering customers with off-contract iPhones and accounts in "good standing" the ability to unlock their iPhone for use on other carriers tomorrow, April 8, 2012. Once that happens, any carrier's micro-SIM card can be used in the iPhone, as long as the device supports the specific frequency.

Beginning Sunday, April 8, we will offer qualifying customers the ability to unlock their AT&T iPhones. The only requirements are that a customer's account must be in good standing, their device cannot be associated with a current and active term commitment on an AT&T customer account, and they need to have fulfilled their contract term, upgraded under one of our upgrade policies or paid an early termination fee.

Apple releases Java update for OS X to address Flashback Trojan

We brought you the news yesterday that a new trojan had been discovered on the Mac OS X environment that was affecting at least 600,000 Macs worldwide. The trojan, dubbed "Flashback," would allow hackers to intercept personal information such as usernames and passwords through an exploit in OS X's Java installation.

Apple today issued a Java update, "Java for OS X 2012-002," that apparently attempts to close the exploit and remove the trojan from affected computers. The update is available only for machines running Mac OS X Lion 10.7, since another patch was released earlier this week for Snow Leopard computers to address the same issue.

Flashback Trojan reportedly affecting 600,000 Macs worldwide

According to Ars Technica, a new variant of the well known "Flashback Trojan" has been making rounds across the world recently, and a new tally shows that it could already be affecting nearly 600,000 Macs. That number also includes 274 computers from "Cupertino," which presumably means that computers at Apple's own headquarters are affected as well.

According to Dr. Web, the 57 percent of the infected Macs are located in the US and 20 percent are in Canada. Like older versions of the malware, the latest Flashback variant searches an infected Mac for a number of antivirus applications before generating a list of botnet control servers and beginning the process of checking in with them.

Google CEO: Steve Jobs’s public hatred of Android was “for show”

Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page sat down for an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek yesterday, and addressed the topic of Apple and late Steve Jobs's very public hatred of the Android OS mobile platform. Page stated that the hatred is/was all "for show," and was only created by Apple to "rally" its employees.

Page states:

iOS and Android suffer losses in market share, while BlackBerry goes up in March

Today, analytics company Net Applications released statistical data for mobile operating system usage in the month of March, revealing a pretty interesting turn of events: both iOS and Android lost some market share, while Research in Motion's BlackBerry platform actually gained a little.

iOS' market share dipped down to 59.87% in March from the 60.59% it controlled in February. Android OS from 19.02% to 18.66% in the same time frame as well. On the other hand, BlackBerry OS went from 2.15% in February to 2.21% in March. While it's still far off from iOS and Android (and it was a very small gain), any gain certainly helps the struggling Research in Motion.

Fair Labor Association finds major violations at Foxconn facilities

Today, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) announced more of its findings during audits at Foxconn facilities in China. Apple asked the organization back in February to perform complete audits on nearly all Foxconn facilities to address concerns over working conditions and child labor.

The FLA revealed that it has found serious violations at the plants, which include illegal overtime and safety concerns. As a result of the findings, Foxconn as agreed to hire thousands of new works, improve living and working conditions for employees, ban illegal overtime, and more. Illegal overtime for employees included unpaid time as well.

Apple CEO Tim Cook visits Foxconn facility in China

Continuing on his trip across China, Apple CEO Tim Cook has been spotted visiting Foxconn's new iPhone manafacturing facility in Zhengzhou. This news comes amidst Apple trying to improve working conditions at several Foxconn over the past several months. The company has even asked the Fair Labor Association to do a complete audit on the facilities to see what areas need improvement.

Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook visited Foxconn Technology Group’s newly built manufacturing facility for the iPhone in Zhengzhou, China, as the U.S. company seeks to improve working conditions.

The iPhone production line is at the new Foxconn Zhengzhou Technology Park, which employs 120,000 people, Carolyn Wu, a Beijing-based Apple spokeswoman, said in an e-mail today. She didn’t provide other details on Cook’s visit or say how much longer he’ll be in China after having held high-level talks in Beijing earlier this week.

Free case settlement for iPhone 4 customers now in effect

Last month, it was announced that a lawsuit had been settled that would allow iPhone 4 users to request a free bumper case or $15 compensation for the antenna issues the device experienced shortly after launch. Apple was offering a similar free case program in the months after the launch of the iPhone 4 in 2010, but since then, the program has ended. Customers are still reporting, however, that they are able to request a case through AppleCare.

This settlement allows iPhone 4 users to request a bumper case or $15 if their device has antenna issues related to dropping calls.

To be eligible for the cash payment, you must have: (a) experienced antenna or reception issues; (b) been unable to return your iPhone 4 without incurring any costs; (c) been unwilling to use a case or free bumper for your iPhone 4; and (d) completed certain troubleshooting steps or are unable to complete the troubleshooting steps because you no longer own your iPhone.

A claim can be made at this website: https://www.iphone4settlement.com.

50% of U.S. homes own at least one Apple product

CNBC today published its study of how many homes in the United States own at least one Apple product. The numbers, while very large, don't come as a surprise to many - 50% of U.S. households own at least one Apple product. Adding onto that, one in every ten homes that doesn't currently own an iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, or other Apple product plans to purchase one in the next year.

Numbers break down as follows:

Our survey shows Apple buyers tend to be male, college-educated, and younger. They’re just as likely to own a home as not. Not surprisingly, the more money you earn, the more Apple products you’re likely to own.

Just 28 percent of those making less than $30,000 a year own at least one, compared with 77 percent of those making more than $75,000. Those on the higher end of the income scale own an average of about three Apple devices, compared with 0.6 for lower-income homes.

While growing up in the tech age makes a difference, the age gap isn’t as wide as you might think. In fact just as many Americans between ages 18 and 34 count themselves among Apple users, as those ages 35-to-49 (63 percent). The number drops to 50 percent when you get into the 50-to-64 age group, and down to just 26 percent among those 65 and older.

Samsung Mobile’s Vice President for Design discusses lawsuit with Apple

Reuters has posted an interview with Samsung Mobile's Vice President for Design, Lee Minhyouk, where the executive addresses the company's ongoing lawsuit with Apple, which claims that Samsung stole iOS device design ideas in the Galaxy lineup of tablets and smartphones. The initial lawsuit, which was filed by Apple back in April of last year, was just the beginning of what has now become a long battle between the two companies over patents and design ownerships. So far, Apple seems to have had the upper hand in court rulings, but Samsung has continued to appeal those decisions.

Minhyouk gave the following statement, where he denied the allegations:

"I've made thousands of sketches and hundreds of prototype products (for the Galaxy). Does that mean I was putting on a mock show for so long, pretending to be designing?"

"As a designer, there's an issue of dignity. (The Galaxy) is original from the beginning, and I'm the one who made it. It's a totally different product with a different design language and different technology infused."

Report: Next-generation iPhone coming later this year with 4G LTE, same 3.5-inch display

According to a report from iMore, Apple's next-generation iPhone will debut sometime later this year with support for 4G LTE network connectivity, and the same, "Retina" 3.5-inch display. Earlier this week, one report claimed that the next iPhone will actually sport a larger display, which has been rumored for a couple of years now, but it was quickly shot down.

So to sum up, iPhone 5,1 is on track for:

• Similar if not same sized screen (currently 3.5-inch but not set in stone)
• 4G LTE radio
• New “micro dock” connector
• Fall/October 2012 release

Trading of Apple stock temporarily suspended following sharp drop today

Earlier today, trading of Apple's stock (trading under the symbol "AAPL") was temporarily suspended following a sharp drop. The halt, which took place between 10:57 and 11:02 AM this morning, was a result of Apple's stock suddenly dropping 50 points, or 9%, in a matter of seconds, which certainly scared some stock traders.

While nothing has been confirmed, many reports point to the issue stemming from Bats Global Markets Inc.'s trade of 100 shares. The company's stock ended the day at $596.05, which is slightly less than what it has been going at this past week.