iOS 'Power' Bug Disguised As Text Could Also Crash iPads, Macs, And Apple Watches

Tech Times ^ | 05/29/2015 | Rex Macadangdang

[SeekAndFind]

The bug that causes an iPhone to collapse when it accepts a text message with a specific string of characters also affects other Apple products, such as iMacs, MacBooks, iPads and Apple Watches.

A glitch within the central system common to all of Apple's iOS products that manages text messages causes the crash. When introduced with non-Latin special characters in a particular sequence, which includes Marathi, Arabic, and Chinese, the CoreText system chokes, pushing it to break down and terminate the whole operating system.

Apple had informed several media outlets that the company is aware of the iMessage glitch and expect a software update would be released to fix the bug.

However, the company has not made any announcement yet after 24 hours of the bug's detection and Apple did not specify a timeframe for the update to be released.

The 'effective power' bug, which was initially recognized as the root cause of crashes on iPhones, has recently been discovered to also make impact on the Apple Watch, forcing it to freeze when the device attempts to reply to the disturbing message through voice by means of the Siri software.

The text notification has also pushed iPads to break down, since it can receive iMessages just like an iPhone, and based on latest reports, it could affect Mac desktops and laptops too.

So far, the glitch through a few rarely used applications could be a cause of problem for Mac users. Experts have already tested sending the string via iMessages, but it did not prompt the operating system to end. However, people utilizing the Terminal app to access resources over the Internet should be careful that it could be impacted if left unprotected to the text string.

[Paladin2]

Unbelievable. Who’s in charge of allocating control over the micro?

[Swordmaker]

This article makes an absolutely FALSE claim that the iOS notifications bug that can cause iOS to reboot can also cause the same thing to occur in OS X Macs! Totally false! OS X runs apps in sandboxes and is notifications are not displayed in the same way as they are on iOS. There is no evidence for the claim the author of this article is making. . . Nor is there any evidence there is any security issue beyond the Denial of Service attack the original string does. The issue on iOS is easily avoided by turning off messaging notifications. The user can also either text a phot, or alternately, request SIRI to read all unread messages, either of which clears the offending message and allows the user to delete the offending conversation or comment. — PING!

Apple OS X FUD claimPing!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

I challenge the members of the Apple ping list to each donate at least $10 each to the latest Freepathon. I HAVE donated $100. Many members of the Apple Ping list are already rising to the challenge. Join them. Let's show the power of the Apple Ping list in supporting Freerepublic!

If you have ordered an Apple Watch,
MAKE A DONATION TO THE FREEPATHON!

[Swordmaker]

Unbelievable. Who’s in charge of allocating control over the micro?

There's no way this could effect the Mac in the same way. . . This is a FUD article. . . FUD SEASON is started as Apple's World Wide Developers Conference is in just a few weeks and Apple has also stated they will be making announcements on June 8th. Both events trigger FUD Season in the tech press, and you will see a flurry of Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt articles about Apple and Apple products over the three weeks of FUD Season.

[Swordmaker]

I assure you with all of the linked devices in the Apple ecosystem, were the claims in this article true, we’d have many reports of iPhone users who, like me, get their iMessages on all of their Apple devices, including their OS X Macs. I’ve tried the offending string and it did indeed shut down my iPhone. . . but it had no effect on my Mac. None. Zip.

[dayglored]

Once again the tech writers WHORES will do ANYTHING to put "Apple" in a "bad news" headline, even if it's pure bullsh*t.

I have not read anything about this bug affecting OS X or the other Apple devices. I agree, this smells like pure FUD.

I swear, there are times when it's embarrassing to be in the tech business, with these idiots making up the headlines.

[Swordmaker]

The 'effective power' bug, which was initially recognized as the root cause of crashes on iPhones, has recently been discovered to also make impact on the Apple Watch, forcing it to freeze when the device attempts to reply to the disturbing message through voice by means of the Siri software.

Sheesh!

Of COURSE the Apple Watch won't respond to a message via SIRI after the offending message has been received: the linked iPhone the watch is connected to was Shut down, moron!

It he Watch uses the iPhone for SIRI and to reply!

This is what makes this ignorant FUD aimed at non-Apple users.

[dayglored]

And of course all the copycat whores will second-source the story without checking it.

[dayglored]

I'm thinking of going into beet farming.

At least, I don't think the tech whores have started writing about beets.

Yet.

And BTW, I absolutely detest beets.

[House Atreides]

“I’m thinking of going into beet farming.

At least, I don’t think the tech whores have started writing about beets.
*****************************************************************************************************

Ahh...does Google own any Beet farms? If so you could be faced with a harvest of Beet FUD. :^)

[dayglored]

> Ahh...does Google own any Beet farms? If so you could be faced with a harvest of Beet FUD. :^)

"Beet FUD."

I can see I'll be having some really weird-ass nightmares tonight, thank you very much. ;-)

[W.]

[dayglored]

> "Cat FUD"

LOL!!! Yesssss!!

[W.]

FUD, FUD, everywhere! :)