eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
Today’s topics include Apple’s disclosure that it’s looking into reports of unresponsive iPad Pros, the FCC chairman’s praise for T-Mobile’s Binge On video streaming, the launch of IBM’s identity mixer to protect consumer privacy and how Starwood Hotels fell victim to data breaches at 54 locations.
Apple says it trying to figure out what is making its new iPad Pro tablet unresponsive to user inputs after the devices have been charged. The company’s support Website noted the devices display a black screen and won’t function after being unplugged.
Apple indicates it’s unsure what is causing the problem. In the meantime, users have to do a hard restart of their tablets by pressing and holding both the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
Earlier this month, T-Mobile announced its Binge On streaming services for customers of its Simple Choice mobile plans. This service allows users to stream as much entertainment as they desire without it counting against their monthly data allotments.
Tom Wheeler, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, praised the move as good for consumers and said that it demonstrates the type of innovation that the FCC was hoping for when it adopted net neutrality rules earlier in the year that are now facing legal challenges in court.
In a move to enhance security, IBM announced the Identity Mixer, which is a cloud-based tool that eliminates the need for users to share personal information with apps.
Based on years of cryptography research, this tool is available on IBM Cloud, the company says the service can reduce the incidence of identity theft. The IBM Research scientists who developed the technology noted this security tool authenticates users by asking them to provide a public key.
Each user has a single secret key that corresponds with multiple public keys, or identities, meaning less information has to be shared by users to authenticate their identities.
And speaking of cyber-security, Starwood Hotels and Resorts is currently investigating data breaches that occurred at 54 of its locations. The cyber-attackers gained access to credit card information, including names, numbers, security codes and expiration dates.
The attacks include such famous resorts as the Walt Disney World Dolphin, Sheraton Hotel, as well as other Sheraton locations. Additionally, these attacks did not happen all at once but took place between March and June of this year.