Cody Fink

1547 posts on MacStories since January 2010

Former MacStories contributor.

[email protected]

Apple New World Leader in Software Insecurity?

We’ve read about various vulnerabilities and security issues related to Apple and the software they push out before, and yesterday Ars Technica reported that Apple has become the new world leader in software insecurity. While it’s mentioned that OS X itself isn’t the most insecure in practice, the various pieces of software you use like iTunes, Quicktime, and Safari, all display gaping security flaws that aren’t being addressed.

To illustrate this point, the report includes cumulative figures for the number of vulnerabilities found on a Windows PC with the 50 most widely-used programs. Five years ago, there were more first-party flaws (in Windows and Microsoft’s other software) than third-party. Since about 2007, the balance shifted towards third-party programs. This year, third-party flaws are predicted to outnumber first-party flaws by two-to-one.

There is a valid point to be made: yes, third party software can introduce vulnerabilities to the OS. But what bothers me about the article is two things. The first is that while Apple is known to have plentiful vulnerabilities in their software that should be fixed (quicktime vulnerabilities have been complained about for years now), it’s never addressed how these vulnerabilities affect OS X – Windows is mentioned as the only OS affected by Apple’s software. The second issue I have: it’s not mentioned specifically what vulnerabilities are being exposed and what ill-effects are had on the user. It seems unlike Ars Technica to throw out an article like this without further explaining potential risks for users. Instead, it’s mentioned that third party software is harder to update and Microsoft does a better job of applying patches.

[via Ars Technica]

Apple Appoints Senior VP of Operations Jeff Williams to Address Product Quality

Now joining Tim Cook (Chief Operating Officer), Jeff Williams has been promoted to join Apple’s executive team in order to oversee and ensure product quality. According to AppleInsider, Jeff Williams has previously been responsible managing the company’s supply chain and securing components for the production of the iPod. He also a big player in the success of the iPhone, and will continue to oversea world-wide operations and supply management.

AppleInsider writes,

It’s believed Apple is grooming Williams to take on Cook’s role as chief operation officer in the event that Cook takes over Steve Jobs’ role as the company’s chief executive. Cook has been profiled as the most likely successor to Jobs when Apple’s iconic chief chooses to step down.

[via AppleInsider]

AirSketch Showcases Wireless Doodles. Review and Giveaway!

So you’re giving a presentation on stage. iPad in hand, you swipe through your presentation images, conveying different ideas. At the end, a quick Q&A question presents you with a scenario you couldn’t predict. “How would your website do this?” Quickly, you bring up AirSketch, and in front of an audience of dozens, begin sketching your plans. But whether it’s for presentations or fun, AirSketch is a seriously cool sketchpad for the iPad that allows you to wirelessly share your masterpieces via your local network.

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Can Apple Sustain Their Impressive Growth?

Apple is already really huge, but can they sustain their impressive growth? Gene Munster thinks so.

“While Apple had yet another stellar quarter, investors will wonder if the pace of growth is sustainable,” Piper Jaffray Senior Research Analyst, Gene Munster, said in a note to clients on Wednesday. “We believe it is, given Apple has small market share in large, growing markets.”

“While many investors have been concerned that iPad would cannibalize Mac sales, we are seeing no signs of cannibalization,” said Munster. “In fact, the halo effect of Apple’s growing device user base (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch) appears to be driving Mac sales, particularly internationally.”

Apple is going to have their ups and downs. This year happens to be a particularly huge year for Apple between the iPad, and iPhone 4, and their success will continue as they update iPods and introduce new product. Can they sustain their growth? I don’t see why not.

[via The Loop]

Will the MacBook Air be the First to Embrace a new Design Concept?

Apple’s flagship products consist of their Macs and MacBooks, but nobody really thinks of the MacBook Air as a machine that would showcase new concepts which in turn could be later introduced into the rest of Apple’s product-line. Though I have my own thoughts about why a MacBook Air totally shouldn’t be replaced by an iPad (it’s an amazing machine), Cupertino might be prepping to blow our minds with its next vital update. It’ll no longer be a product that says, “Look what we can do!” Rather, it’ll be a product that implements new technologies and reveals where Apple is planning to take their entire MacBook line.

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