The Week Unwrapped podcast: Autopilot security, Apple’s pivot and candid weddings

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

In this week’s episode, we discuss:

Autopilot security

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The US Department of Homeland Security warned this week that some automatic aircraft control systems are vulnerable to attack by hackers. The result would be that someone on the ground could interfere with the autopilot, in the worst case scenario taking full control of the plane. This alert is for small planes rather than big passenger airliners, but the concern is that aircraft could be turned into flying weapons - and security consultants have previously managed to hack into the onboard computer of a Boeing 757. As more automatic systems are introduced in aviation and beyond, these alerts are likely to become more commonplace.

Candid weddings

An exhibition by artist Ian Weldon in Bristol is showcasing wedding photographs with a twist. He has eschewed the traditional shots for more “candid” pictures of family members smoking, children having tantrums and guests lying face-down on the floor. As Weldon’s display questions the authenticity of the photographic portraits we value the most, is there a wider backlash against overly staged pictures in the age of technology?

Apple’s pivot

This week, Apple revealed that iPhones now constitute less than 50% of the company’s overall sales as demand for the smartphone wanes. Is it a sign that the Cupertino-based tech giant is losing its grip on the mobile market? Or must it expend beyond software and hardware sales to maintain its dominance?

You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get your podcasts. It is produced by Matt Hill and the music is by Tom Mawby.