Search results for: “Google Calendar”

  • Apple might be working on a smarter Calendar app

    Apple might be working on a smarter Calendar app

    Apple is considering a significant update for its Calendar app. Apple recently put out a software engineer job listing for the Calendar team on their website. It seems Apple could soon release new features or major updates for the app.

    According to the post, the engineer will focus on creating innovative new experiences and enhancing Apple Calendar for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro. Although Apple doesn’t reveal what they are developing, hiring new employees for the team suggests some new plans.

    For years, Calendar on Apple devices has held the same design and lacked many new additions. Some of Fantastical and Google Calendar’s rivals feature creating events with normal phrasing, improved reminders and easier sharing. Since Apple wants to compete effectively, adding similar smart tools would be a smart move.

    We may get new information about the Calendar improvements during the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10. Apple will likely introduce iOS 18 and other big software updates at this event.

    The posting makes it clear that Apple still has its eye on the Calendar app for now. For the first time in many years, it may have the attention that matters.

  • Apple’s new ‘Party Planner’ feature in Calendar app

    Apple’s new ‘Party Planner’ feature in Calendar app

    Apple is gearing up to introduce a new tool called ‘Party Planner’ with the upcoming iOS 18.3 update for the Calendar app. Here’s how it might stand out from other apps:

    What is ‘Party Planner’?

    This weekend, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg hinted that Apple could release ‘Party Planner’ very soon. He explained:

    The name suggests it’s a fun way to invite friends to hangouts, parties, and work meetings. Apple has wanted to freshen up its calendar app for a while, and this might just be the start of something big. Filipe Espósito, another writer, first spotted this feature in the iOS 18.3 code, hinting at an ‘Invites’ app. It seems Apple is almost ready to launch this new service, which will blend into the Calendar app and might even work with iMessage.

    Three Ways ‘Party Planner’ Could Be Better

    • No Cost, No Ads: Over the years, I’ve tried many scheduling tools, but none were both free and without ads. It makes sense because companies need to make money. For example, Fantastical has cool features, but you pay for them. Doodle is free, but has ads. Since Apple earns most of its money from selling devices, offering ‘Party Planner’ for free is a smart move.
      Easy Calendar Management: ‘Party Planner’ will work with the Calendar app’s ability to handle different calendars all in one place – like Google, Microsoft, or iCloud. This means you can use multiple calendars without switching apps, making life easier for anyone juggling various scheduling systems.
      Photo Sharing Made Simple: After events, sharing photos can be a hassle. People might use AirDrop or set up shared albums, but there’s no easy standard. ‘Party Planner’ could solve this by integrating with the Photos app, allowing event attendees to share pictures directly from the event in the calendar. Maybe there could even be reminders to share photos the day after an event.

    Wrapping Up

    Apple’s Calendar app has been pretty basic for a long time, but with ‘Party Planner’, things are looking up. This feature, combined with new looks and smart features in iOS 18, could make organizing events on your iPhone easier and more fun.

  • Apple Calendar app gets better with iOS 18.3

    Apple Calendar app gets better with iOS 18.3

    Apple’s Calendar app has been around forever on iPhones but hasn’t changed much over the years. However, recent updates have started to make it more useful. With iOS 18.3, there’s now another cool feature that makes using Apple’s own app even more appealing.

    Big Changes in iOS 18 for Calendar

    Apple hasn’t done much with its Calendar app for a long time, which is strange because there are so many other good calendar apps out there like Google Calendar and Fantastical. But with iOS 18, Apple finally made some changes that are quite noticeable, even if they’re not huge.

    One of the best new features is that now you can manage your reminders right in the Calendar app. You can add, change, or look at your reminders without needing to switch apps. It’s a nice touch, though it would be better if you could choose which reminder lists show up in Calendar.

    Also, iOS 18 brought a new look to the app with better text and layout, plus a new way to see your month’s events all at once.

    A New Feature in iOS 18.3 for Calendar

    If you have an iPhone 16 with Camera Control, iOS 18.3 gives you a handy tool. By holding down on the Camera Control, you unlock a feature called visual intelligence, which uses AI to understand what your camera is pointed at.

    This new update lets you do something pretty neat: if you see a flyer or poster with a date on it, you can point your camera at it, and your iPhone will ask if you want to add that event to your Calendar. It’s an easy way to keep your digital calendar up to date with what’s going on around you.

    The catch is, this feature only works with Apple’s Calendar app because you can’t set another app as the default for this purpose. This small but smart update gives you one more reason to use Apple’s Calendar instead of looking elsewhere.

  • Apple’s new AI ad highlights how it helps clean up your digital mess

    Apple’s new AI ad highlights how it helps clean up your digital mess

    Apple has shared a new ad focusing on how its AI features can help users stay organized. The video, called “Clean Up,” is part of the company’s new “Apple Intelligence” campaign and shows how artificial intelligence can help tidy up your digital life.

    In the ad, a man walks down a street filled with flying papers, tangled wires, noisy alarms, and other chaotic digital clutter, like too many unread emails, constant calendar reminders, and messy photos. Apple uses this scene to show how overwhelming digital life can feel.

    As the man taps on his iPhone, all the mess around him disappears. This moment is meant to show how Apple’s AI features can quickly clean things up and make your life easier. These smart tools can manage notifications, organize apps, sort emails, and even help edit photos.

    Apple has been putting more focus on AI lately, especially as other tech companies like Google and Microsoft continue to expand their own AI tools. The “Apple Intelligence” branding shows Apple’s push to keep its products smart and user-friendly.

    This ad gives a quick and creative look at how AI can help reduce stress and keep your digital world in order, just by using your iPhone.

  • Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple is busy working on AirPods that come with cameras, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. Don’t expect to see this in the AirPods Pro 3, which should launch this year. Instead, it’s a plan. Apple wants these earbuds to get smarter about the world around you—here’s why.

    Seeing the World with AirPods

    With the iPhone 16, Apple added a Camera Control button. It’s handy for snapping pictures or tweaking camera options, but it also brought something called Visual Intelligence. This feature helps you figure out what’s around you, like adding a flyer’s event to your calendar or asking Google or ChatGPT about something confusing.

    Gurman says Apple wants AirPods to do similar things. Imagine tiny cameras on your earbuds using artificial intelligence to “see” your surroundings and tell you about them. It’s like having smart glasses but without the glasses! You can ask Siri what’s nearby without even touching your iPhone.

    Better Sound Experience

    Ming-Chi Kuo, a supply chain expert, thinks these cameras could team up with other Apple gadgets, like the Vision Pro headset. They might improve how you hear sounds around you, especially with spatial audio. For example, if you’re watching a video with Vision Pro and turn your head, the sound could shift to match where you’re looking, making it feel more real. Kuo even suggests the cameras might let you control the AirPods with hand gestures in the air—pretty cool, though it sounds a bit unusual!

    When Can We Get Them?

    Bloomberg reports that these camera-equipped AirPods won’t arrive until at least 2027, possibly with the AirPods Pro 4. Apple might also launch smart glasses around then, similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans. The goal? To make use of the Visual Intelligence tech from Vision Pro, which scans your surroundings and gives helpful info.

    In short, Apple’s cooking up something exciting with AirPods. Cameras could make them smarter and more connected to your world, blending sound and sight in fresh ways. Stay tuned for more as 2027 gets closer!

  • Why Siri’s big upgrade needs to be amazing by 2027

    Why Siri’s big upgrade needs to be amazing by 2027

    Apple used to be a top player in smart assistants, but in just 14 years, it’s fallen behind. Back in 2011, Siri felt like the future. Now, in 2025, Apple Intelligence feels weak compared to what’s out there.

    Siri’s 14-Year Journey

    I still remember the iPhone 4S launch when Siri stole the show. It wasn’t even Apple’s idea at first—it started as an app someone else made. Steve Jobs saw its potential, bought it, and put it into the iPhone. That move made smart assistants a must-have for phones. But after 14 years, Siri should be incredible by now.

    It’s not. In 2015, I wished Siri could work with my apps. It’s only starting to do that now, a whole decade later! Worse, in 2018, I listed simple things Siri couldn’t handle—and it still can’t do some of them. Today, Siri feels basic while tools like ChatGPT shine.

    Why Apple’s Behind

    Apple has reasons for lagging. One is reliability. Other companies like OpenAI raced ahead, even if their AI sometimes messed up big time—like ChatGPT inventing fake facts or Google’s Bard flopping in a demo. Siri’s spoken answers can’t afford those mistakes—it’d be risky to hear wrong info without a warning.

    Another reason is privacy. Siri sticks to two rules: process stuff on your phone when it can, and keep your identity hidden when it uses Apple’s servers. That’s safer but less powerful than rivals who use big data centers and know tons about you.

    The Privacy Win

    Last year, I said waiting for a smarter Siri would pay off because of privacy. Our phones hold so much—calendar, messages, health info—and soon, Siri can tap into apps we pick, all without leaving our device. That could make Siri as good as the competition, but safer. I want an assistant who knows me well but stays private. That’s what Apple’s aiming for.

    A Longer Wait

    We thought this new Siri would hit in 2026. Now, the word is it’s delayed to 2027—or later. That’s tough, but if it’s great, we’ll forget the wait. Still, by 2027, other AI like ChatGPT or Amazon’s Alexa will be miles ahead. Siri has to be spectacular to catch up. Apple’s got a big challenge, but I’m hopeful it’ll be worth it.

  • Apple doesn’t have a Graveyard of apps

    Apple doesn’t have a Graveyard of apps

    A week ago, Apple surprised everyone by launching a new app and service named “Invites.” However, this launch has led to some unfair criticism about Apple’s approach to apps, suggesting they operate like Google does with its apps.

    Google is well-known for starting new apps and services but then either shutting them down or merging them into something else. A good example is Google Podcasts, which didn’t last long. There’s practically a “graveyard” of Google apps that didn’t make it.

    After the launch of Invites, some people started to think Apple does the same thing with its apps. But is that really true?

    Not Dead Yet

    Take the Apple Sports app, for example. It’s been around for a year now, and it keeps getting better. People love it so much they’re asking for a widget for their phones. It’s clear this app isn’t just left to die; it’s growing in popularity.

    Then there’s the Journal app, which first appeared with iOS 17.2 in December 2023. By the time iOS 18 rolled out, the app had a significant update to version 2.0, bringing new features like search, sort options, audio transcripts, and more. The only thing missing is an iPad version, not updates.

    Apple Music Classical, initially iPhone-only, expanded to include an iPad app and added features like album booklets. It even got a CarPlay app and Siri support.

    Music Memos’ Legacy

    Music Memos was an app for musicians to record their tunes. It lasted for five years before Apple decided to enhance the built-in Voice Memos app instead. Now, Voice Memos can record two tracks at once, which is great for songwriters who use voice and guitar.

    Clips in the Classroom

    Apple Clips isn’t dead either. It’s thriving in educational settings with features like royalty-free music and templates that teachers can use in their lessons. Instead of abandoning it, maybe Apple should focus on making a simpler video editing app like CapCut, but without the ByteDance connection.

    Looking Ahead for Invites

    The future of the Invites app might include tight integration with the Calendar app and could come pre-installed on new iPhones. Its success will depend on turning users into iCloud+ subscribers and having a strong advocate within Apple, similar to how Apple Sports has been championed.

    In summary, Apple’s so-called “hobby apps” aren’t just side projects; they’re part of a broader strategy where apps are nurtured, updated, and sometimes transformed to better serve users.