An innocuous file named "simpledoc.pdf" that is included as part of the Apple operating system MacOS contains a copy of the foundational text of Bitcoin, written by pseudonymous founder Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008, blogger Andy Baio has recently revealed.

The Bitcoin white paper has been discovered hidden deep inside Apple’s system files for machines running macOS Catalina or later.

Apple's entry into the metaverse has sparked discussions, and the programming and software development communities are in a wait-and-watch mode regarding the company's genuine ambitions for joining the virtual world. Rumors suggest that Apple may be sending goggles at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2023, which would allow content creators to participate in the creation of creative content using the newly introduced technology. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, has refrained from throwing any light on the Apple eyewear and has only mentioned his inclination towards technology. The strategy of Meta, formerly Facebook, is viewed as creating an all-encompassing, digitally formatted Facebook, while Apple's strategy first involves selling high-end, premium devices. Analysts believe that everyone is waiting and watching to see what Apple will do in the metaverse.

Requests for personal user data from global governments are on the rise, according to a study by Surfshark. The study, which focused on the period between 2013 to 2021, found that there was a year-over-year increase of 38% in 2020 and 25% in 2021. Meta had the most accounts of interest from authorities, with two out of five accounts hosted by Meta being requested over the study period. Apple had the fewest with just 416,000 requested accounts from global authorities. The US requested more than double the accounts per 100,000 users than all countries in the EU combined. The rate of disclosure of user data by tech companies has also increased by nearly 71%, with Apple leading the pack in disclosing such information. The study suggests that data requests are often related to criminal investigations or civil or administrative cases requiring digital data. The rise in data requests has prompted concerns from civil society organizations about encouraging surveillance techniques.

Apple today introduced Apple Pay Later in the U.S. Designed with users’ financial health in mind, Apple Pay Later allows users to split purchases into four payments, spread over six weeks with no interest and no fees. Users can easily track, manage, and repay their Apple Pay Later loans in one convenient location in Apple Wallet. 

Apple’s continued enforcement of in-app purchases to sell services remains a trade-off for NFT applications looking to tap into the convenience of streamlined in-app purchases for iPhone users and a massive user base around the world.

Steve Wozniak, the Apple cofounder, is not too pleased with the much talked about future of Metaverse, or rather the future in Metaverse!

Tech giants see huge opportunity in the metaverse—the name given to a future, more immersive vision of the internet with potential real-world ties. Facebook parent Meta has bet big on the prospect, as its rebrand suggests, while Microsoft has both teamed with Meta and tried acquiring a major game publisher (if the FTC approves) as it builds momentum in the space. The iPhone and Mac maker has famously taken a unique approach to hardware and software design, even incorporating its “Think Different” ethos into its marketing. As the metaverse takes shape through new hardware and online worlds—some of which will be built with interoperable Web3 tech like NFTs—Apple may again forge its own path. (Decrypt)

2022 has been a total clusterfuck for Zuckerberg and Meta. Hedging his entire company on the Metaverse concept was always going to be a gamble.

The former gaming director at Facebook, Owen O’Donoghue, is blaming Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) for the struggle crypto gaming faces in gaining traction. O’Donoghue served at Facebook’s gaming division for over 10 years and is about to roll out his crypto-based game. However, the former Facebook executive is facing some challenges and has Apple to blame.