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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

The FBI has moved to vacate a Tuesday hearing while it explores an option that may allow it to access the contents of a San Bernardino shooter's iPhone without cooperation from Apple [npr.org]. The FBI wants time to test the method so that it can be sure that it is viable and won't destroy the data:

The FBI says it may have found a way to crack into the San Bernardino terrorist's iPhone without Apple's help. While it explores this option, the government has filed a motion to vacate a hearing set for Tuesday that would be the next step toward settling the battle between Apple and the FBI. The FBI says that on Sunday, an "outside party" demonstrated to the FBI a "possible method for unlocking" Syed Rizwan Farook's iPhone.

Who is the "outside party"? Is there any such agency that could help?

At Apple's latest launch event, CEO Time Cook reiterated his commitment to privacy and security [cnet.com]:

Like the iPhone 5C, the new iPhone SE includes Apple's encryption technology, which jumbles up information stored in the phone so that it can only be viewed with a passcode. The phone's powered by Apple's iOS 9 software, which includes a feature that automatically wipes out data stored on the phone if someone incorrectly enters the wrong passcode 10 times.

This software, which Apple said is running on more than 80 percent of all the active iPhones and iPads in the world, is at the heart of Cook's battle with the government. And since this new phone uses some of Apple's latest and most powerful processors, customers will be able to upgrade and run new versions of iOS for the next several years. That means any new security precautions Apple puts in place can be added to this model.

"Many, many customers have asked for this, and I think they're going to love it," Cook, said during a media event [cnet.com] announcing the device at Apple's Cupertino, California, headquarters. He kicked off the event to applause by saying Apple never planned to face off with the government over its security, but that it isn't going to back down [cnet.com]. "This is an issue that impacts all of us, and we will not shrink from this responsibility."

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