iOS – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:37:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 iOS – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 Apple patches iOS zero-day that put crypto wallets at risk via malicious images https://earlybirdsinvest.com/apple-patches-ios-zero-day-that-put-crypto-wallets-at-risk-via-malicious-images/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/apple-patches-ios-zero-day-that-put-crypto-wallets-at-risk-via-malicious-images/#respond Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:37:00 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/apple-patches-ios-zero-day-that-put-crypto-wallets-at-risk-via-malicious-images/

Apple released iOS 18.6.2 and iPadOS 18.6.2 on Aug. 20, 2025, along with macOS Sequoia 15.6.1, Sonoma 14.7.8, and Ventura 13.7.8, to fix a zero-day in the ImageIO framework that was exploited in the wild.

Per Apple, processing a malicious image could corrupt memory, enabling code execution, and the company is aware of a report of use in an extremely sophisticated attack targeting specific individuals.

The flaw sits in ImageIO, the component that parses common image formats, which makes delivery via everyday channels, including messaging apps and web content, straightforward from an attacker’s perspective. As security outlets reported, the bug is tracked as CVE-2025-43300 and stems from an out-of-bounds write that Apple addressed with improved bounds checking.

The crypto angle is direct. Wallet owners often copy and paste recipient addresses, and many keep recovery phrases in screenshots or photo storage for convenience. Research this year documented families of mobile spyware and stealers that scan galleries using optical character recognition and exfiltrate images with seed phrases, as well as strains that monitor the clipboard to swap addresses during a transaction.

As Kaspersky reported, SparkCat and its successor SparkKitty used OCR to harvest seed phrases from photos on both iOS and Android, including samples observed on official app stores.

A compromise achieved through a booby-trapped image can, therefore, act as an initial foothold to enable gallery scraping for recovery phrases, surveillance of crypto app activity, and clipboard hijacking during on-chain transfers. Previous research on clipboard hijackers explains how address strings are silently replaced to redirect funds during copy-paste, a tactic long used by drainer operations.

The current incident also fits a pattern of high-value iOS exploit chains used against targeted users. In 2023, Citizen Lab documented a zero-click chain, dubbed Blastpass, used to deliver commercial spyware, demonstrating how image and message parsing bugs can be linked for device takeover without user interaction.

That historical baseline, coupled with Apple’s acknowledgment of real-world use in the present case, frames the risk for crypto users who rely on mobile devices as primary signing endpoints.

Impact spans recent iPhone models and iPads covered by iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, including iPhone XS and later, plus supported Macs on Sequoia, Sonoma, and Ventura. Users can verify protection by confirming iOS or iPadOS 18.6.2, macOS Sequoia 15.6.1, Sonoma 14.7.8, or Ventura 13.7.8 in Settings, then rebooting after installation.

Security outlets urged immediate updates following Apple’s release and disclosure.

For a crypto-savvy audience, the operational takeaway is to close exposure by updating and to reduce post-exploit blast radius by moving seed storage off photo libraries, reviewing app photo permissions, limiting clipboard access, and treating mobile wallets as hot environments with strict hygiene.

Apple’s notes state the root cause was an out-of-bounds write in ImageIO that is now mitigated with stricter bounds checks, and the company confirmed exploitation reports when shipping the patch.

Mentioned in this article
]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/apple-patches-ios-zero-day-that-put-crypto-wallets-at-risk-via-malicious-images/feed/ 0 54551 Apple Watch blood-oxygen feature returns in iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-feature-returns-in-ios-18-6-1-and-watchos-11-6-1/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-feature-returns-in-ios-18-6-1-and-watchos-11-6-1/#respond Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:31:35 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-feature-returns-in-ios-18-6-1-and-watchos-11-6-1/

Early last year, Apple made the bold, court-mandated decision to remove the blood-oxygen feature from the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the U.S. over a patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo. Since then, all new watches (including the Series 10, which launched several months later) have shipped with the sensor disabled, eliminating a feature available since the Series 6.

Now, Apple has re-enabled the blood oxygen feature for Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 users. In a press release titled, “An update on Blood Oxygen for Apple Watch in the U.S.,” Apple says, “Users with these models in the U.S. who currently do not have the Blood Oxygen feature will have access to the redesigned Blood Oxygen feature by updating their paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1.”

Apple says the update, which arrived Thursday, was enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling. To apply the update, open Settings on your iPhone and go to General > Software Updates and follow the prompts. After your iPhone has updates, open the Watch app on your iPhone and select General > Software Update, then follow the instructions to update your Apple Watch.

The new feature will now measure and calculate sensor data on the paired iPhone, and results can be viewed in the Respiratory section of the Health app. Previously, users could take a blood oxygen measurement at any time with the Blood Oxygen app as well as track occasional background measurements. It’s not clear whether this update will take away the ability to take instant readings on the watch.

Older watches that still have the blood-oxygen feature enabled will not be affected by the update, Apple says. 

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-feature-returns-in-ios-18-6-1-and-watchos-11-6-1/feed/ 0 53209 iOS 26 code suggests the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is getting a larger display https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-code-suggests-the-apple-watch-ultra-3-is-getting-a-larger-display/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-code-suggests-the-apple-watch-ultra-3-is-getting-a-larger-display/#respond Wed, 06 Aug 2025 19:31:34 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-code-suggests-the-apple-watch-ultra-3-is-getting-a-larger-display/

The Apple Watch is expected to be part of Apple’s iPhone announcement that could take place on September 9. While a new Apple Watch Ultra 3 could be part of the announcement, we haven’t heard much about its new features, but apparantly, the latest iOS 26 beta provides a sneak peek.

According to a MacRumors report, the iOS 26 beta 5 that was released to developers on Tuesday includes an image that suggests that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will have a screen resolution of 422-by-514 pixels. That’s a slight increase over the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s current 410-by-502 resolution.

The Apple Watch Ultra is already Apple’s largest watch at 49mm, so it’s likely that Apple will reduce the size of the screen’s bezels rather than increase the body of the watch in a meaningful way. This way, the watch can maintain its general size while offering more usable display space and still boasting a larger screen. Apple could also make the watch thinner, as it did with the Series 10, to make the watch feel smaller.

As for other new features, we have heard scant rumors about any new features or health sensors, other than the possibility of 5G cellular and satellite messaging. The upcoming watchOS 26 update will bring some Apple Intelligence features to the watch, and it’s also possible that Apple will add exclusive AI features to the Ultra 3 with a new chip. Learn more about the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch Series 11.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-code-suggests-the-apple-watch-ultra-3-is-getting-a-larger-display/feed/ 0 51833 iOS 26 beta 4 is released to developers, public beta coming soon https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-beta-4-is-released-to-developers-public-beta-coming-soon/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-beta-4-is-released-to-developers-public-beta-coming-soon/#respond Wed, 23 Jul 2025 01:35:59 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-beta-4-is-released-to-developers-public-beta-coming-soon/

As is tradition, Apple released beta versions of its new operating systems to developers on the first day of WWDC on June 9.

The first beta release of iOS 26 had everything Apple demonstrated in its WWDC keynote: Liquid Glass, the new Phone app and features, the new Camera and Photos experience, and more. Subsequent releases have made refinements to the interface and fixed bugs.

There are still plenty of bugs and unrefined areas, as you would expect with a major iOS update still weeks from release. Not everything is working as it should, and it is not advised to run this version of the OS unless you’re a developer or have a high tolerance for buggy or unoptimized software.

You can read all about all the new features in our iOS 26 superguide and find out the latest information about the iOS beta including when it will launch and how to install it in a separate story.

Update July 22: Apple has released iOS 26 beta 4. This is still a developers-only release, but we expect the Public Beta to be released as early as tomorrow, likely with the same build number.

What’s new in the latest beta release

Here’s what’s new in the fourth beta of iOS 26:

  • The “liquid glass” interface effects have been further tweaked, now a little more glass-like than beta 3 but still more legible than earlier betas.
  • On first launch, you are asked which notifications you want summaries for. You can individually select from: News & Entertainment, Communication & Social, and All Other Apps.
  • There is a new Dynamic option for the iOS 26 wallpapers that cycles through them based on time of day.
  • Silence Unknown Callers has three options: Never, Ask Reason for Calling, and Silence. Silence functions as it did in previous versions of iOS, and Ask Reason for Calling is the new Call Screening feature.
  • The Camera app has a new splash screen to prepare you for the new simplified design.

iOS 26: How to install the public beta

The iOS 26 public beta test is expected to begin in July, but you can sign up now so you’re ready for it.

  1. Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
  2. Log in to the Beta Software Program.
  3. Click Enroll your iOS device.
  4. Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
  5. In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.

It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update.

iOS 26: How to install the developer beta

You’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer, but a free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app:

  1. Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store.
  2. Open the app.
  3. Tap on Account.
  4. Sign in using your usual Apple ID.

Find out everything you need to know about iOS 18 in our iOS 26 superguide.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-beta-4-is-released-to-developers-public-beta-coming-soon/feed/ 0 49132 Report: iOS 27 will have Apple’s first folding iPhone features https://earlybirdsinvest.com/report-ios-27-will-have-apples-first-folding-iphone-features/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/report-ios-27-will-have-apples-first-folding-iphone-features/#respond Mon, 21 Jul 2025 17:24:04 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/report-ios-27-will-have-apples-first-folding-iphone-features/

As the release date for iOS 26 approaches this fall, development for iOS 27 is set to begin. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Guman, iOS 27 will have a particular device in mind: the folding iPhone.

Reports have stated that Apple is planning to release the folding iPhone next year, and Gurman’s latest report indicates that it’s on track–committing iOS 27 development to the device indicates confidence that the company can reach its goal. Gurman does not offer specifics as to what iOS 27 can do to take advantage of a folding iPhone, but knowing that Apple is doing so is reassurance that this new iPhone will do more than simply fold and unfold.

Gurman does say, however, that the folding iPhone “won’t be the innovation breakthrough that we’re used to” from Apple. Gurman’s comment is based on the impact of Apple’s past successes and the current state of the seven-year-old folding phone market, in which Gurman reasons that Samsung has already done the hard work of establishing a market. But it still seems like an odd thing to say about a product that doesn’t exist yet and no one outside of Apple has seen.

It’s unclear how Apple will unveil the folding features. It typically announces new iOS features at WWDC in June followed by the new iPhone in September. However, Apple will likely hold back features related to the folding iPhone until its unveiling.

Last week, analyst Ming-Chi Ku reported that Apple solved the major issue it had with a folding iPhone: it figured out how to get rid of the fold crease. Keep track of the developments of the folding iPhone in our folding iPhone superguide.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/report-ios-27-will-have-apples-first-folding-iphone-features/feed/ 0 48911 Pudgy Party Set For Imminent Release on iOS and Android https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pudgy-party-set-for-imminent-release-on-ios-and-android/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pudgy-party-set-for-imminent-release-on-ios-and-android/#respond Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:42:24 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pudgy-party-set-for-imminent-release-on-ios-and-android/

Rumours have began to circulate on social media that Pudgy Party – the Fall Guys-esque title based on Pudgy Penguins, and developed by Mythical Games – is set for an imminent release.

Members of the Pudgy Penguins and Mythical Games teams, alongside beta testers, have been ramping up communication surrounding the game over the past week, with videos of gameplay hitting social feeds on a growing basis.

Pudgy Party is set to be a core component of the Pudgy Penguins gaming offering, with Telegram game Pengu Clash having arrived in May 2025, Polar Challenge game cabinets hitting arcades across the US, and further initiatives set to release across the rest of the year.

Key Insights

  • Rumours are circulating that Pudgy Party is set for an imminent release
  • Pudgy Party is an upcoming Fall Guys-esque game, developed by Mythical Games, and to be available on iOS and Android
  • The game will see players don a Pengu character and take on a number of challenges against other players
  • This is expected to be the second Pudgy Penguins game to release this year, following Pengu Clash in May 2025
  • Pudgy Party is expected to be a core component of the Pudgy Penguins gaming ecosystem
Pudgy Party Release - Mythical Games
Source: @playmythical on X

What is Pudgy Party?

Pudgy Party is an upcoming multiplayer party game, expected to be built on Mythos, and to be available on iOS and Android.

Developed by Mythical Games, and heavily-inspired by the popular title Fall Guys, players control their own Pengu to tackle a variety of gameshow-like challenges. By dodging obstacles, pushing your opponents off platforms and racing to the finish, you get one step closer to becoming the last Pengu standing – and earning a variety of rewards.

As with other games in this genre, customisation is expect to be a core feature of the game. Players are expected to be able to use a variety of accessories – such as hats, glasses, clothes and more – on their Pengus, with speculation that Pudgy Penguins NFT holders may be able to play as their assets in-game.

Pudgy Party Release - iOS Android Game
Source: Pudgy Party

How can I play Pudgy Party?

If rumours are to be believed, Pudgy Party is expected to release very soon on both iOS and Android.

The game is expected to be free-to-play on release, so wannabe players are encouraged to follow Pudgy Party on X for the latest information on a possible release date, and how to download and play the game.

According to the Pudgy Party team, the official word is that Pudgy Party is set to arrive in “summer 2025” – though with activity, noise and excitement ramping up across social media, expect to see Pudgy Party make its debut sooner rather than later.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/pudgy-party-set-for-imminent-release-on-ios-and-android/feed/ 0 45196 iOS 26 developer beta updated just days after initial release https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-developer-beta-updated-just-days-after-initial-release/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-developer-beta-updated-just-days-after-initial-release/#respond Sat, 14 Jun 2025 04:27:38 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-developer-beta-updated-just-days-after-initial-release/

As is tradition, Apple released beta versions of its new operating systems to developers on the first day of WWDC on June 9. Beta 1 is for developers only–the public beta will begin in July, probably after two or three developer-only betas.

Updated June 13: Apple updated beta 1 for developers today, though the version number has only changed the last letter (from 23A5260n to 23A5260u). This is still “beta 1” and there are likely no new features, just a critical bug or security flaw fixed.

What’s in the latest beta

The first beta release of iOS 26 has everything Apple demonstrated in its WWDC keynote: Liquid Glass, the new Phone app and features, the new Camera and Photos experience, and more.

You can read all about all the new features in our iOS 26 superguide.

There are plenty of bugs and unrefined areas, as you would expect with the first beta release of a major new operating system update. Not everything is working as it should, and it is not advised to run this version of the OS unless you’re a developer or have a high tolerance for buggy or unoptimized software.

iOS 26: How to install the public beta

The public beta is not yet available, but is expected to begin in July.

If you want to be among the first to test iOS 26, you can sign up for the public beta test.

  1. Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
  2. Log in to the Beta Software Program.
  3. Click Enroll your iOS device.
  4. Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
  5. In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.

It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update.

iOS 26: How to install the developer beta

You’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer. You don’t need to be in the $99 per year developer program to access the developer beta, a free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app:

  1. Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store.
  2. Open the app.
  3. Tap on Account.
  4. Sign in using your usual Apple ID.

Registered developers can choose to get the Public Beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta in the Software Update screen. It may take a little time after registering as a developer for the option to appear in Software Updates.

Find out everything you need to know about iOS 18 in our iOS 26 superguide.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ios-26-developer-beta-updated-just-days-after-initial-release/feed/ 0 41911 Web3 Football Title ‘FIFA Rivals’ Now Live on iOS and Android https://earlybirdsinvest.com/web3-football-title-fifa-rivals-now-live-on-ios-and-android/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/web3-football-title-fifa-rivals-now-live-on-ios-and-android/#respond Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:49:45 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/web3-football-title-fifa-rivals-now-live-on-ios-and-android/

Free-to-play web3 football game FIFA Rivals is now live on iOS and Android devices, allowing users to collect and exchange items such as player gear and other virtual assets.

According to Mythical Games, the response so far has been international in scope, with interest not only from major brands but also from national football bodies and telecom firms. The team believes the title could reach a player base far greater than NFL Rivals, due to football’s broader global footprint and the accessibility of mobile gaming.

Whilst FIFA Rivals is built on the Mythos Chain, FIFA itself is migrating its collectibles platform to a separate Avalanche-based network.

Web3 Football Title 'FIFA Rivals' Now Live on iOS and Android
Source: FIFA Rivals

What is FIFA Rivals?

FIFA Rivals is a free-to-play mobile football game that uses blockchain technology to support the creation, trading, and ownership of in-game digital assets. Built on the Mythos Chain, a network developed by Mythical Games, it allows players to acquire and exchange items such as gear and player collectibles.

The game features licensed content from FIFA and Adidas, including items linked to high-profile athletes like Lionel Messi. Players can compete in matches, collect items, and participate in seasonal updates.

Whilst blockchain runs in the background, the core experience is designed for mobile users familiar with sports gaming, with optional trading features for those interested in digital ownership.

Web3 Football Title 'FIFA Rivals' Now Live on iOS and Android
Source: FIFA Rivals

What can we expect from the game?

Based on the lessons learned from NFL Rivals, Mythical Games has focused on building what it calls a “living economy”—a system designed to keep both new and existing digital assets relevant across seasons. One key challenge the team faced with NFL Rivals was how to introduce new content without reducing the value of previous items and that experience has shaped the economic structure of FIFA Rivals.

The game’s development has also taken into account differences in user behaviour across regions. For example, European players tend to spend less money on games than their American counterparts, leading to a greater emphasis on skill-based progression rather than purely transactional systems.

Upcoming features include an AI sports agent designed to guide players through their in-game journey. Mythical Games also plans to introduce new game modes, esports competitions, and collaborations with football clubs later this year.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/web3-football-title-fifa-rivals-now-live-on-ios-and-android/feed/ 0 41833 AnyTrans® One-Stop Content Manager for iOS https://earlybirdsinvest.com/anytrans-one-stop-content-manager-for-ios/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/anytrans-one-stop-content-manager-for-ios/#respond Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:12:14 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/anytrans-one-stop-content-manager-for-ios/

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/anytrans-one-stop-content-manager-for-ios/feed/ 0 41402 WWDC’s iOS 26 launch is the first step toward the ‘Liquid Glass’ iPhone https://earlybirdsinvest.com/wwdcs-ios-26-launch-is-the-first-step-toward-the-liquid-glass-iphone/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/wwdcs-ios-26-launch-is-the-first-step-toward-the-liquid-glass-iphone/#respond Mon, 09 Jun 2025 12:02:38 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/wwdcs-ios-26-launch-is-the-first-step-toward-the-liquid-glass-iphone/

In just a few hours, Apple will take the wraps off the new version of iOS during the WWDC25 keynote, and it won’t just have a new name (iOS 26). It’ll also reportedly introduce a completely new design language that permeates the entire product line and sets the stage for the first truly new iPhone in over a decade.

Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, writing in his weekly Power On newsletter, reports that the new interface, dubbed Liquid Glass, will “have the sheen and see-through visuals of a glassy surface.” The new look will incorporate “transparency and shine effects” throughout toolbars, apps, and controls, while bringing a “cohesive” interface across all of Apple’s devices.

According to Gurman, the Liquid Glass interface will impact hardware, too, most notably with the 20th anniversary iPhone coming in 2027. The new model, internally called “Glasswing,” will have curved glass on all sides with “extraordinarily slim bezels and no cutout section in the screen.” 

The 20th anniversary phone will reportedly launch in the time frame of the iPhone 19, a decade after the iPhone X. It’s not clear how Apple will choose to name the new phone, but it has several options: iPhone XX, iPhone 19 Ultra, or iPhone 28 after the new iOS year-based naming convention.

But whatever Apple calls it, you can look for clues in today’s iOS 26 launch to see what Apple’s next big iPhone redesign will look like. Be sure to follow along live at 10am PT in our WWDC live blog.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/wwdcs-ios-26-launch-is-the-first-step-toward-the-liquid-glass-iphone/feed/ 0 41021