This week on AI: March special event, Supreme Court rejects e-books appeal, ransomware strikes Mac, encryption debate & more

This week got off to an inauspicious start with the discovery of a Mac ransomware threat, followed by a Supreme Court snubbing of Apple's appeal of its $450 million e-books antitrust case. But the biggest news was Apple's confirmation of a special event on March 21, expected to feature a next-gen 4-inch iPhone model, revamped 9.7-inch iPad and more.

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Everything you need to know:

• Apple will 'loop you in' on new products at a special keynote event on March 21 > >
• Which is to be live streamed on Apple's website > >
• A new 4-inch iPhone model is expected to debut, as per the latest case leaks > > from China > >
• Including one for a 9.7-inch 'iPad Pro' with Smart Connector > >
• The Mac platform saw its first ransomware attack when Transmission was infiltrated by "KeRanger" > >
• But AppleInsider explained how to verify Mac checksums to keep your machine protected > >
• In legal news, Apple will have to pay $450 million for its e-book indiscretions after the Supreme Court denied an appeal > >
• Supporters chimed in on the Apple vs. FBI iPhone encryption case > >
• Like Apple execs Eddy Cue > > and Craig Federighi > >
• And a vitriolic response from federal prosecutors > >
• That was called a 'cheap shot' by Apple's top lawyer Bruce Sewell > >

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A roundup of all of our hottest stories this week:

Apple plans to 'loop you in' at March 21 event with expected new 4" iPhone, 9.7" iPad

'Let us loop you in' live: Apple's March 21 event will be streamed online

Photos of purported 'iPhone 7' case support rumors of no 3.5mm headphone jack

'iPhone 7,' 'iPhone SE' case photos proliferate from China based on alleged Apple designs

Chinese manufacturers start showing cases for rumored 9.7" iPad Pro with smart connector, 4 speakers

Malware-infected Transmission 2.9 app threatened OS X users, stopped by XProtect

Apple to pay $450M fine after US Supreme Court rejects e-book antitrust appeal

Proposed Senate bill penalizing resistance to decryption requests nears completion, could be introduced next week

Eddy Cue says FBI could force Apple to secretly activate iPhone camera, microphone if precedent is set

Government says Apple arguments in encryption case a 'diversion,' presents point-by-point rebuttal

Apple counsel Bruce Sewell calls DOJ filing 'cheap shot' that seeks to 'vilify'