Search results for: “image”

  • New iOS 18.4 update brings fresh image playground style

    New iOS 18.4 update brings fresh image playground style

    Apple has rolled out iOS 18.4, adding a cool new feature to the Image Playground app, part of its Apple Intelligence tools. This update introduces a “Sketch” style, letting users create fun, pencil-drawn images from simple text descriptions. It’s now available on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, making it easy to turn ideas into unique drawings.

    The Image Playground app first launched with iOS 18.2 in December, offering two styles: Animation and Illustration. Now, with the Sketch option in iOS 18.4, you get three choices to play with. Whether you’re using the standalone app or its built-in features in Messages or Notes, this update makes creating art even more exciting. Apple first showed off Sketch at WWDC last June, and fans have been waiting for it ever since.

    This update doesn’t stop at Sketch. iOS 18.4 also brings Apple Intelligence to more people, adding support for languages like French, German, Spanish, and more. Plus, iPhone and iPad users in the EU can finally enjoy these AI features. Another handy addition is Priority Notifications, which highlights important alerts so you don’t miss them.

    The Sketch style is perfect for anyone who loves a hand-drawn look. You can type a quick idea, and Apple Intelligence will whip up a sketch in seconds. It’s simple, fast, and works across apps like Pages or Keynote too. Want to try it? Just update to iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or macOS Sequoia 15.4. What do you think of this new style? Let us know! This update shows Apple’s push to make AI fun and useful for everyone. With more features and languages, iOS 18.4 is a big step forward.

  • Apple removes apps loaded with image-scanning malware

    Apple removes apps loaded with image-scanning malware

    Yesterday, cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky revealed details about a new type of malware called “SparkCat” that was found in a handful of iOS apps. Following this revelation, Apple swiftly removed these apps from its App Store.

    Among the apps affected were ComeCome, WeTink, and AnyGPT. In total, 11 apps were taken down, but Apple’s investigation led to the discovery of an additional 89 apps with similar malicious code, which had already been rejected or removed due to Apple’s strict anti-fraud rules. When Apple removes an app for such reasons, it also shuts down the developer’s account.

    According to Kaspersky, the malware included a harmful tool that could read text from images and screenshots on iPhones, particularly targeting recovery phrases for cryptocurrency wallets. The aim was to steal valuable information like bitcoin codes, but it could also grab other sensitive phrases like passwords.

    Apple’s default settings prevent apps from accessing your photos without your permission. However, if users granted these apps access to their photo library, the malware could scan for and transmit any matching key phrases to a server controlled by the attackers. The malware seemed to focus on iOS users in Europe and Asia.

    Since the release of iOS 14, Apple has improved how apps can access your photos, allowing users to permit only specific images rather than the whole album. It’s wise to be cautious with app permissions and avoid granting access to all your photos to apps that seem suspicious.

    Apple also offers an “App Privacy Report” feature, which you can find in the Privacy section of your iPhone’s Settings. This report shows when and how often apps access your sensitive data like your location, photos, camera, and microphone.

    It’s always good to keep an eye on these privacy settings to protect your personal information.

    Source

  • Possible new spot for Apple logo on iPhone 17 Pro

    Possible new spot for Apple logo on iPhone 17 Pro

    A recent leak suggests Apple might move the logo on its upcoming iPhone 17 Pro. According to leaker Majin Bu, the logo could shift to a new position on the back of the phone. This change hasn’t happened since the iPhone 11, when Apple centered the logo, and it’s stayed there for six years.

    The reason for the possible shift? The iPhone 17 Pro may feature a new camera bar across the top of the back. This design could make the usual logo spot tricky so that Apple might place it lower. Majin Bu also mentioned that case makers adjust MagSafe ring designs to show off the new logo placement.

    He shared an image to give a sense of how it might look. However, this rumor has some doubts. The new camera bar makes sense as a reason to move the logo, but it feels a bit unusual. Still, a similar leak about the iPhone 11’s logo came from case makers, so there’s some history here. If this is true, we’ll likely hear more soon.

  • New apps coming to iPadOS 26 and a watchOS 26 warning

    New apps coming to iPadOS 26 and a watchOS 26 warning

    Apple’s upcoming iPadOS 26 update will bring four new apps to all supported iPads: Phone, Preview, Journal, and Games. The Phone app lets you make and receive calls directly on your iPad, a feature many users have long wanted.

    Preview makes it easy to view and edit images or PDFs, similar to its Mac counterpart, making it perfect for quick tasks like cropping photos. The Journal app offers a simple way to write down thoughts and memories, while the Games app pulls together App Store and Apple Arcade titles with features like leaderboards and achievements.

    These additions make iPads more versatile, though some users feel the simplified iPad mode could use more multitasking options like split view. On the other hand, if you own a Hermès Apple Watch, be cautious with watchOS 26 beta 2.

    Apple warns that this update causes Hermès watches to overheat, crash repeatedly, and fail to charge, likely due to issues with the Hermès watch face. The problem also affects iOS 26 beta 2, where the Apple Watch app on iPhones won’t open if paired with a Hermès model.

    Unpairing the watch fixes the app issue, but re-pairing doesn’t work. Apple advises avoiding these betas until the next update, expected soon, resolves the crashes. Both updates are part of Apple’s 2025 software overhaul, with iPadOS 26 set to launch in September. Stay tuned for more details as public betas roll out in July.

  • New features in iOS 26 and AirTag 2 clues

    New features in iOS 26 and AirTag 2 clues

    Apple’s iOS 26 brings exciting updates, especially for its Image Playground app and hints of a new AirTag. The Image Playground app, first launched with iOS 18, now creates more lifelike cartoon-style images. Faces look more natural, with better eyes and hair that flows realistically.

    You can type simple phrases to make images in three styles: Animation, Sketch, or Illustration. iOS 26 improves details like facial expressions, hair variety, and backgrounds, making images feel more real. You can also add friends or family from your Photos app or use new styles like anime, powered by ChatGPT, for fun, creative results.

    When sharing, images are marked as AI-generated for clarity. Meanwhile, iOS 18.6 code reveals Apple is preparing for AirTag 2. The new tracker will work with iOS 18.6, not requiring iOS 26, which is great for users. It’s expected to have a tamper-proof speaker to prevent misuse, like stalking, and a stronger Ultra Wideband chip for tracking up to three times farther.

    There’s also talk of better battery alerts, possibly hinting at a rechargeable battery instead of the current coin cell. Apple might announce AirTag 2 in September 2025, likely alongside the iPhone event. These updates show Apple’s focus on creativity and safety, keeping users excited for what’s next.

  • Apple’s iCloud hiccup and Invites App update

    Apple’s iCloud hiccup and Invites App update

    Apple faced a hiccup with its iCloud services, causing trouble for some users. According to Apple’s System Status page, services like iCloud Mail, Photos, iWork, and account sign-ins were affected, starting around 2:36 p.m. Eastern Time. Users reported issues like being unable to access files or photos or facing slow syncing.

    The Find My service was briefly down but fixed by 6:41 p.m. Eastern Time. However, other services continued to have problems, leaving some users frustrated as they couldn’t access their data smoothly. Apple is working to resolve these issues, but no clear reason for the outage has been shared yet.

    In brighter news, Apple updated its Invites app to version 1.3, adding a bunch of new background options for event planning. The app, launched earlier in 2025, helps users organize events like pool parties or game nights with custom invitations.

    The new backgrounds make invites more fun and fitting for different occasions, from casual hangouts to big celebrations. While the app supports creating AI-generated backgrounds with Image Playground, these new built-in options are especially helpful for users with older iPhones that don’t support Apple Intelligence.

    You need an iCloud+ subscription, starting at $0.99 per month, to create events, but anyone can RSVP, even without an iPhone, using a web browser. The update makes event planning more colorful and user-friendly.

  • New features in iOS 18 and AirPods Pro 3 release update

    New features in iOS 18 and AirPods Pro 3 release update

    Apple is making big changes with iOS 18, bringing a new feature called Visual Intelligence. This tool uses advanced AI to help your iPhone understand and work with photos, videos, and text in smarter ways. For example, Visual Intelligence can quickly find certain pictures in your gallery, pull important details from images, and even help you organize your files better. It also lets you copy text from photos and search for objects or people in your pictures, making it easier to find what you need.

    Another upgrade in iOS 18 is better privacy controls. You can now lock or hide certain apps, so your private information stays safe if someone else uses your phone. These updates are designed to make your iPhone more helpful and secure.

    On the other hand, if you’re waiting for the new AirPods Pro 3, you’ll need to be patient. Apple is not planning to release the next version of AirPods Pro until sometime in 2026. This means there won’t be any new AirPods Pro model this year. The company is likely taking extra time to add new features and make sure the next AirPods Pro are a big improvement over the last version.

    In summary, iOS 18 is coming soon with smarter photo tools and better privacy, but the next AirPods Pro will not arrive until next year.

  • New features in Apple’s iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26 updates

    New features in Apple’s iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26 updates

    Apple’s latest software updates, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26, bring exciting changes for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users, unveiled at the 2025 WWDC. These updates introduce a fresh “Liquid Glass” design, making menus and buttons look sleek and translucent, inspired by visionOS.

    The design aims to create a smooth, modern look across Apple devices. For iPhone users, iOS 26 enhances the Weather app with severe weather alerts for travel destinations. It uses your Apple ID to predict where you’re going and shows weather widgets for those places.

    The Wallet app now tracks packages by scanning emails, even for non-Apple Pay purchases. Image Playground, Apple’s image creation tool, now includes ChatGPT to make anime-style images and mix emojis for custom Genmoji. Safari gets a visual upgrade with rounded corners and a glass-like look for better navigation.

    On iPadOS 26, the update removes Split View and Slide Over, replacing them with improved app windowing and a Mac-like menu bar for easier use with a Magic Keyboard. It supports newer iPad models like the iPad Pro (M4) and iPad Air (M2).

    For Apple Watch, watchOS 26 removes older watch faces like Fire/Water and Toy Story but adds a one-handed wrist-flick gesture to dismiss notifications on newer models. A new Workout Buddy feature offers personalized motivation during exercise. These updates, available for developer testing now, will roll out publicly in September 2025, with public betas starting in July.

  • Apple’s iOS 26 brings exciting communication and Music updates

    Apple’s iOS 26 brings exciting communication and Music updates

    At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced iOS 26, packed with fresh features to make communication and music more enjoyable. The Messages app now lets users add polls to group chats, making it easy to decide things like where to eat or plan events. You can also set custom background images for chats, which sync across all your Apple devices for a personal touch.

    The Phone and FaceTime apps get a big upgrade with Live Translation, which breaks down language barriers. It translates text in Messages, adds live captions to FaceTime calls, and even speaks translations during phone calls, all processed on-device for privacy. This makes talking to people worldwide seamless, like planning a trip with friends abroad.

    Apple Music now offers “Music Pins,” letting you pin favorite playlists, albums, or artists to the top of your library for quick access. A new AutoMix feature acts like a DJ, smoothly blending songs. Plus, lyrics translation and pronunciation guides help you enjoy music from different cultures, perfect for karaoke fans.

    CarPlay gets a sleek “Liquid Glass” design, matching iOS 26’s look. It includes a compact call view, so you can see who’s calling without losing directions. Widgets, Live Activities, and quick Tapbacks for Messages make driving smoother and safer.

    Finally, a new Games app replaces Game Center, offering a hub for Apple Arcade and third-party games. It includes leaderboards, achievements, and editorial content to boost gaming on your iPhone. These updates, launching this fall, make iOS 26 a game-changer for communication, music, and more.

  • Apple’s new AI features and design updates unveiled at WWDC 2025

    Apple’s new AI features and design updates unveiled at WWDC 2025

    At WWDC 2025, Apple shared exciting updates for its devices, focusing on smarter AI features and a fresh look for its software. The new Foundation Models framework lets app developers use Apple’s on-device AI to create clever, privacy-focused features without needing the internet. For example, students can build tools to summarize class notes or compare lecture recordings, all while keeping data secure on the device.

    Apple also introduced a sleek “Liquid Glass” design for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26, inspired by the translucent style of visionOS. This design brings a shiny, glass-like appearance to app icons and menus, making them feel modern and light.

    Siri’s personalized features, like understanding your emails or controlling apps, are delayed until 2026 due to development challenges. Meanwhile, Image Playground now works with ChatGPT, letting users create unique images with custom styles, like cartoons or oil paintings.

    For fitness fans, Apple Watch gets Workout Buddy, an AI-powered coach that uses your workout data to give real-time motivational tips through Bluetooth headphones. It supports activities like running, cycling, and strength training, with more languages coming later. These updates show Apple’s push to blend powerful AI with user privacy and a stylish new design, setting the stage for a smarter, more engaging experience across its devices.