President Obama Isn’t Allowed To Use The iPhone Because It Isn’t Secure Enough

Apparently Apple’s security isn’t quite up to par. The Secret Service forbids Obama from using the premier smartphone, which he told people at an Affordable Care Act awareness event.

“I’m not allowed for security reasons to have an iPhone” Obama

He has been photographed using Macbooks and iPads in the past, so the ban does not extend to all Apple products. The President’s phone of choice is a 2007 Blackberry, a company much more trusted by Federal clandestine agencies.

The Reuters coverage of this story had a couple fascinating nuggets of information. Obama said that only about 10 people have his personal email address, but that is enough for him to need a smartphone.

Their report also shared that former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton both did not send any emails during their presidencies.

H/T: Reuters, Top Photo Credit: Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images

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Apple prepping iOS 7.0.3 for launch, says report

The next iOS iteration could reach users as early as next week, says blog site Boy Genius Report.

(Credit: CNET)

Apple pushed out iOS 7.0.2 last Thursday, but version 7.0.3 is already being tested for release, at least according to blog site Boy Genius Report.

Citing information from unidentified sources, BGR said on Tuesday that Apple has already seeded iOS 7.0.3 to employees and partners for final testing. The exact launch date is uncertain, but BGR said it believes the new version will roll out sometime next week.

After releasing iOS 7 on September 18, Apple deployed iOS 7.0.1 for the iPhone 5C and 5S and 7.0.2 for all iOS 7 devices. The latest version fixes a bug that allowed someone to circumvent the lock screen passcode.

What new features or fixes might iOS 7.0.3 offer? Well, there may still be bugs to squash.

Apple may then jump straight to iOS 7.1 when it unveils new iPads, which is expected to happen at a launch event sometime this month.A YouTube video posted on Sunday purports to show someone gaining access to the keypad on an iPhone running iOS 7.0.2 by tapping into the emergency call feature. Some iOS 7 users have also reported trouble sending or receiving SMS messages via iMessage, a problem that persists in version 7.0.2, according to AppleInsider.

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Walmart to sell iPhone 5C for $79, iPhone 5S for $189

With Apple's two new devices poised to hit stores, the retail chain unveils a discount with the standard two-year contract and will offer a trade-in deal for people looking to get rid of certain older smartphones.

The iPhone 5C.

(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)

Consumers looking to pick up either of the two new iPhones can save a bit of cash via Walmart.

The company announced Thursday that it will sell the 16GB iPhone 5C for $79, or $20 off the full retail price, and the 16GB iPhone 5S for $189, a savings of $10 off the full price. Those prices require the standard two-year contract with the carrier of your choice.

But existing smartphone owners who wait until Saturday, September 21, can save still more by trading in their current phone to Walmart for a 5C or 5S accompanied by the usual two-year agreement.Customers can preorder the 5C starting Friday at their local Walmart store. Preorders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and must be picked up by September 25. The 5C goes on sale Friday, September 20. Apple didn't make the iPhone 5S available for preorders, so customers will have to wait until September 20 for the chance to snag one.

Walmart is also treating Apple's older fleet of iPhones to a discount.

As of today, the 16GB iPhone 5 drops in price to $79 from $98. The 8GB and 16GB iPhone 4S now are priced at just 97 cents. And starting September 16, the iPhone 4 will cost you a dime and come with a $100 Walmart gift card. All of those prices naturally require a two-year agreement.

Buyers who prefer an unlocked iPhone can purchase the iPhone 5 for $549 and the iPhone 4 for $349 through Walmart's Straight Talk prepaid plan. Both represent a savings of $100 from the previous price and will be available to customers starting Saturday.

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Apple Officially Unveils the Budget iPhone 5c

Apple today introduced iPhone 5c, featuring an all-new design and available in five gorgeous colors—blue, green, pink, yellow and white. iPhone 5c features a 4-inch Retina display, performance of the A6 chip, and the 8 megapixel iSight camera. iPhone 5c comes with more LTE bands than any other smartphone in the world, a new FaceTime HD camera, and iOS 7.

iPhone 5c’s all-new design is crafted from a single, hard-coated polycarbonate body with a steel reinforced frame for a solid, sturdy feel. The steel frame holds the internal components and also doubles as the iPhone 5c’s multiband antenna. The enclosure is one continuous and seamless structure that is finished with a hard coat for a durable and glossy surface. To complement the all-new iPhone 5c design, Apple created soft, matte, microfiber-lined cases to contrast the glossy, hard coat finish. These sleek silicone cases with unique circular patterns let splashes of color show through, and with five iPhone 5c colors and six cases to choose from, you can mix and match.

iPhone 5c comes with iOS 7, featuring a stunning new user interface, completely redesigned with an elegant color palette, distinct, functional layers and subtle motion that make it feel more alive. iOS 7 has hundreds of new features, including Control Center, Notification Center, improved Multitasking, AirDrop, enhanced Photos, Safari, Siri and introduces iTunes Radio, a free Internet radio service based on the music you listen to on iTunes.

iPhone 5c will be available in the U.S. on September 20 for a suggested retail price of $99 USD for the 16GB model and $199 USD for the 32GB model. iPhone 5c will be available from the www.apple.com, Apple’s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and select Apple Authorized Resellers. You can pre-order iPhone 5c beginning Friday, September 13.

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iPhone 5S and 5C each gets a new nearly identical dock

Apple will soon begin selling new docks for the iPhone 5S and 5C.

The iPhone 5C fits snugly into its dock.

(Credit: Apple)

Along with its announcement today of two new phones and several differently colored new cases, Apple will soon begin selling a new dock for both the iPhone 5S and 5C.

Each dock behaves as docks are wont to do, allowing you to charge, sync, play music, as well as conduct speaker phone calls while your iPhone rests in its cradle.The docks appear to be identical in design, each with a Lightning-in and audio-out connections on the back, with an up-facing Lightning-in connector on front.

Both audio-out and Lightning connections grace the dock's backside.

(Credit: Apple)

According to Apple's site, the 5S dock is compatible with the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S, while the 5C's dock is only compatible with the 5C. Not too surprising, given each phone's small dimensional differences, but really? Couldn't Apple have been made a single dock, compatible with both new phones?

The docks will likely go on sale Friday, September 13; the same day the new iPhones hit the market. The docks will retail for $29.

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iPhone 5S and New Budget iPhone Expected to Launch on September 6

According to a “very credible” source, the much-anticipated iPhone 5S and the new, budget iPhone are expected to launch on Friday, September 6. If the rumors are true, the two phones would be released about two weeks earlier than the iPhone 5 was last year. Should the phones release on September 6, Apple would have to announce the devices on August 28 or 29 at the latest, in order to start taking pre-orders on August 30.

The latest rumors come just weeks after we came across what was rumored to be the budget iPhone in question.

UPDATE: According to AllThingsD the announcement of the new iPhone 5S and the “Budget” iPhone 5C will be made on September 10. It is possible for the next-generation iPads to make an appearance but it is more likely that Apple will hold a separate event to introduce them later this year.

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