DriveSavers, the worldwide leader in data recovery, eDiscovery and digital forensic solutions, today announced it is utilizing new proprietary technology to recover data from password-locked smart devices with any length passcode. The first-of-its-kind service is being offered exclusively to consumers who have forgotten device passwords, been locked out after too many incorrect attempts, and for those who need access to data stored on the device of a deceased family member.

Other companies offer a similar service only to law enforcement. DriveSavers is the first to offer a Passcode Lockout Data Recovery service to consumers. The DriveSavers service is not available for law enforcement and requires proof of ownership prior to unlocking a device.

According to its web site, they have a 100 percent success rate. DriveSavers is one of the most reputable companies I’ve ever dealt with, so this very interesting news.

My thanks to Bare Bones Software for sponsoring The Loop this week. Do you sling code or compose with words? Whether you’re an app developer, web developer, systems admin or just want a powerful writing tool that stays out of your way, BBEdit is worth checking out.

I’ve been using BBEdit since 1995, so I know first hand that it can handle any job I throw at it.

BBEdit is crafted in response to the needs of writers, web authors, and software developers, providing an abundance of high-performance features for editing, searching, and the manipulation of text.

BBEdit 12.5 is 64-bit ready. Download and try it today!

Apple’s iPhone XR is one of the most fascinating products I’ve seen from the company in quite a while. Being behind the iPhone XS and XS Max, you would think the XR would be a modest device, designed for people that want a less expensive iPhone and are willing to accept massive compromises. In my experience, it’s a full-featured phone packed with quality and few compromises.

There’s no indication from Apple what will be on sale, but you can mark your calendar and check on Friday.

My thanks to Bare Bones Software for sponsoring The Loop this week. Do you sling code or compose with words? Whether you’re an app developer, web developer, systems admin or just want a powerful writing tool that stays out of your way, BBEdit is worth checking out.

I’ve been using BBEdit since 1995, so I know first hand that it can handle any job I throw at it.

BBEdit is crafted in response to the needs of writers, web authors, and software developers, providing an abundance of high-performance features for editing, searching, and the manipulation of text.

BBEdit 12.5 is 64-bit ready. Download and try it today!

This is a great release from Universal Audio with plug-ins being released for all aspects of your workflow. The five new plug-ins are Lexicon 480L Digital Reverb and Effects, Softube Vocoder, AMS Neve DFC Channel Strip, Brainworx bx_masterdesk Classic, and the Suhr SE100 Amplifier.

There are videos of the plug-ins on the company’s web site.

Ampeg bass amps are so universally revered, it’s hard to imagine a time when they weren’t synonymous with electric bass amplifiers. But what started from a modest idea — literally, an “amplified peg” that would install into an upright bass — in Everett Hull’s modest shop in Midtown Manhattan in the 1930s, has become a towering name in the world of bass amplification.

This is a great article from Universal Audio. You can even hear how each amp sounds using the Brainworx developed plug-ins.

I love all of these older Rush songs.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to quickly copy any kind of media, document or file from any Mac or PC to iPhone and iPad in exactly 2 clicks? No iTunes syncs, without iCloud, and for free?

Well, today we’re announcing just that. It’s called Quick Transfer and it’s now available with no restrictions in the free version of iMazing.

This is a really versatile app.

When asked about changing the iPad Pro:

“I think your responsibility actually goes further back than that,” he says. “It starts with the determination not to fall into the trap of just making things different. Because when a product has been highly regarded there is often a desire from people to see it redesigned. I think one of the most important things is that you change something not to make it different but to make it better.”

Yes.

Justin O’Beirne did a fascinating post on the differences between Apple’s old map and the increased detail of the new map. He also compares Apple and Google side-by-side and does a comparison of the included detail.

Apple on Thursday posted its fourth quarter earnings, posting revenue of $62.9 billion. Apple CFO, Luca Maestri, said it’s was Apple’s best September quarter ever. […]

Apple had its special event in New York this morning focusing on Macs and the new iPad Pro. The focus of the event was clearly on the creative market with both product lines, but the most compelling for me was the iPad Pro. […]

Apple today gave Mac mini a massive increase in performance. Now with quad- and 6-core processors, up to 64GB of faster memory and blazing fast all-flash storage, the new Mac mini delivers an insane five times faster performance, making it the most powerful Mac mini ever made. And with Thunderbolt 3 ports, the Apple T2 Security Chip and a 10Gb Ethernet option, the new Mac mini is a faster and more capable desktop that can do so much more.

Mac mini is a funny machine. I’m not surprised they released a new version, but then again, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they hadn’t. I think this is definitely a great upgrade though.

Apple today introduced an all-new MacBook Air, bringing a stunning 13-inch Retina display, Touch ID, the latest processors and an even more portable design to the world’s most loved notebook. Delivering the all-day battery life it’s known for, the new MacBook Air is available in three gorgeous finishes — gold, space gray and silver. The most affordable Retina-display Mac ever also includes an Apple-designed keyboard, a spacious Force Touch trackpad, faster SSDs, wide stereo sound, the Apple T2 Security Chip and Thunderbolt 3, making the new MacBook Air the perfect notebook to take with you everywhere you go.

I had several MacBook Airs over the years and loved the portability. If there was one thing missing, it was power and advanced technology, but not anymore.

Apple today introduced the new iPad Pro with all-screen design and next-generation performance, marking the biggest change to iPad ever. The all-new design pushes 11-inch and 12.9-inch Liquid Retina displays to the edges of iPad Pro and integrates Face ID to securely unlock iPad with just a glance. The A12X Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine in iPad Pro outperforms most PC laptops and offers a new USB-C connector, Gigabit-class LTE, and up to 1TB of storage to enable powerful new mobile workflows.

It is absolutely stunning how powerful these new iPad Pros are. We expected Face ID, but adding USB-C and the A12X Bionic really make these new devices something incredible.

When was a word first used in print? You may be surprised! Enter a date below to see the words first recorded on that year.

Okay, this was fun.

I usually write my review of the new iPhones about a week after I get one of the new devices, but this time around, I just kept using and trying out the different features of the iPhone. Now, I want to give you my thoughts on the iPhone XS and XS Max. […]

Mr. Allen, who in 1975 set up with Bill Gates the company that became known as Microsoft, died Monday from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Seattle, according to a statement from his family.

Very sad.

My thanks to Bare Bones Software for sponsoring The Loop this week. Do you sling code or compose with words? Whether you’re an app developer, web developer, systems admin or just want a powerful writing tool that stays out of your way, BBEdit is worth checking out.

I’ve been using BBEdit since 1995, so I know first hand that it can handle any job I throw at it.

BBEdit is crafted in response to the needs of writers, web authors, and software developers, providing an abundance of high-performance features for editing, searching, and the manipulation of text.

BBEdit 12 is 64-bit ready. Download and try it today!

The National goes undercover to investigate some of Apple’s controversial business practices including allegations of overpriced repair charges and the battery/slowdown scandal.

I understand why Apple wants genuine parts in its products—they want the customers to have a properly repaired device with the right parts. I also have never believed that Apple intentionally slowed down the iPhone to force people into buying a new device. Having said that, you should watch the video.

Over the years we’ve received feedback that people want to better understand how to control the data they choose to share with apps on Google+. So as part of Project Strobe, one of our first priorities was to closely review all the APIs associated with Google+.

This review crystallized what we’ve known for a while: that while our engineering teams have put a lot of effort and dedication into building Google+ over the years, it has not achieved broad consumer or developer adoption, and has seen limited user interaction with apps. The consumer version of Google+ currently has low usage and engagement: 90 percent of Google+ user sessions are less than five seconds.

Seriously, who didn’t see this coming… five years ago.

Founded in 1958 by Bill Putnam Sr., Universal Audio has been synonymous with innovative recording products since its inception. A favorite engineer of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and more, the late Bill Putnam Sr. was a passionate innovator who is widely regarded as the father of modern recording — with many of his legendary studio and equipment designs still in use today.

I have long praised Universal Audio as my favorite music company. They don’t just model a plug-in to sound “something like” the original EQ, amp, or compressor, it is an exact replication of the analog gear. I trust all of my music to Universal Audio and have for many years. There is a video and story on their web site that gives you a bit more information on the company’s history.