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  • HomePod mini 2: Getting smarter with a networking boost?

    HomePod mini 2: Getting smarter with a networking boost?

    Apple’s popular smart speaker, the HomePod mini, is rumored to be getting a refresh next year. While details are scarce, whispers suggest a new in-house networking chip could be the highlight. This “Proxima” chip could bring Wi-Fi 6E to the table, potentially improving connection speeds and stability.  

    But the rumors get even more intriguing. There’s a chance this chip might enable the HomePod mini to double as a wireless access point, similar to the discontinued AirPort Express. This could be a game-changer, transforming the speaker into a mini Wi-Fi mesh network hub.

    Unfortunately, there’s no word yet on whether Apple will utilize this capability. Still, it’s an exciting possibility that could enhance the HomePod mini’s functionality.

    On the other hand, Apple Intelligence features, which leverage powerful processors for advanced Siri capabilities, might not be part of the upgrade. The current rumors suggest Apple is saving those for its upcoming smart home display, sometimes referred to as “HomePad.”

    This omission could be due to cost constraints. The HomePod mini currently uses an Apple Watch S5 chipset, which wouldn’t be powerful enough for demanding Apple Intelligence tasks. Implementing a more robust A-series chip might significantly increase the price tag.

    However, there’s always hope for alternative solutions. Integration with ChatGPT or leveraging Private Cloud Compute could be possibilities, potentially enhancing Siri’s capabilities without requiring a massive processing boost on the device itself.

    Only time will tell what Apple has in store for the HomePod mini 2. But one thing’s for sure: the next generation could be smarter, faster, and maybe even double as a Wi-Fi access point – a significant upgrade for a popular smart speaker.

    Is an “Apple Card Pro” on the Horizon?

    Apple Card recently celebrated its fifth birthday, sparking speculation about its future. With declining hardware sales and a focus on boosting service revenue, the time might be ripe for a premium credit card offering from Apple.

    The current Apple Card is a straightforward, no-fee option offering 2% cash back on Apple Pay purchases and an increased 3% back for Apple and select partner purchases. It’s decent, but not particularly exciting.

    Recent additions like ChargePoint and Booking.com partnerships with 3% cash back are encouraging, but Apple Card has reportedly cost its banking partner, Goldman Sachs, over a billion dollars. With Goldman Sachs exiting the partnership soon, an annual fee-based Apple Card focused on travel could be a strategic move.  

    There’s fierce competition in the travel credit card space, dominated by giants like Chase, American Express, Citi, and Capital One. These offerings often require juggling multiple cards to maximize benefits. Apple could simplify things by creating a single, powerful travel card.

    Imagine a card that combines the flexibility of earning 1x points with the physical card and 2x points on Apple Pay purchases, while offering 3x points on all travel and dining expenses. This could entice users to make the “Apple Card Pro” their primary credit card.

    A $299 annual fee might be an attractive price point, especially if Apple sweetens the deal with enticing perks like exclusive events and access to a network of over 1600 airport lounges through a Priority Pass partnership.

    Would it be easy? Absolutely not. Building a strong points ecosystem requires robust partnerships with hotels and airlines, a challenge some banks have struggled with. However, with Apple’s brand power and potential for exclusive deals, an “Apple Card Pro” could become a major player in the travel card market.

  • New iOS 26 features Apple hasn’t shared yet

    New iOS 26 features Apple hasn’t shared yet

    Apple has some exciting iOS 26 features in the works that weren’t revealed at WWDC, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. These additions, expected in future updates, aim to make your iPhone and AirPods experience even better. Here’s what’s coming.

    First, Apple is working on live translation through AirPods. This feature would let you talk with someone in another language and hear the translation in real time through your AirPods. It’s similar to other translation tools in iOS 26, making conversations across languages smoother and more natural.

    Second, Apple plans to simplify connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, like those at cafes or hotels. With this feature, once you log into a Wi-Fi network on one Apple device, all your other Apple devices will automatically connect without needing to sign in again. This saves time and makes using public Wi-Fi much easier across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

    Gurman notes that Apple held off announcing these features at WWDC because they aren’t fully ready yet. Unlike in the past, Apple now prefers to share details only when features are nearly complete, ensuring they work well when released.

    These updates could arrive in i подготовки к WWDC 2025. In terms of file size, the first macOS 26 developer beta will be just over 17 GB, while the September 2025 final release variant is expected to be around 2GB larger, at more than 19 GB.

    While macOS 26 is set to deliver plenty of new features, the difference in file size suggests some of them won’t be available at launch. The operating system itself won’t be available for all Macs, either. As we previously reported, macOS 26 is set to drop support for the 2017 iMac Pro, 2018 Mac mini, and all 2018 MacBook Pro models, among others. Separately, AppleInsider is also able to confirm that the operating system’s successor is in the early stages of development.

  • iOS 26 beta 2 improves control center look

    iOS 26 beta 2 improves control center look

    Apple has released the second beta of iOS 26 for developers, focusing on fixing issues with the Control Center’s design. The update tackles complaints about the “Liquid Glass” style, which some users found hard to read. Now, the Control Center has a darker blur effect, making icons and text clearer.

    A new “Alt 1” option also appears, though its purpose isn’t fully explained yet. This beta refines the overall look of iOS 26, keeping the transparent, glossy design but making it easier on the eyes. Other small tweaks improve how the interface feels, ensuring buttons and menus are more user-friendly.

    Apple is listening to feedback, aiming to balance style with practicality. The update also hints at new Wi-Fi features like Captive Assist and Wi-Fi Aware, which were spotted in the first beta’s code. These could make connecting to networks smoother, but they’re not active yet. Developers can test the beta on iPhone 15 and 16 models through the Settings app.

    A public beta is expected in July, with the full release set for September alongside new iPhones.
    This beta shows Apple’s effort to polish iOS 26’s bold design while keeping it functional. If you’re testing it, you’ll notice a cleaner, more readable Control Center that still looks modern and sleek.

  • Apple wins appeal in ongoing patent dispute with Optis

    Apple wins appeal in ongoing patent dispute with Optis

    Apple has won an important round in its long-running legal fight with Optis over wireless technology patents. The case, which has been going on for several years, centers on claims that Apple’s iPhones and other devices use technology covered by Optis’ patents without proper licensing.

    Recently, a U.S. appeals court decided in Apple’s favor, overturning a previous decision that had ordered Apple to pay $300 million to Optis. The court said that the earlier trial did not properly explain to the jury how to calculate damages for using standard-essential patents—these are patents needed for basic smartphone functions like connecting to 4G networks.

    With this new decision, the case will go back to a lower court for a new trial to determine if Apple owes any money, and if so, how much. Apple has argued that it already pays fair prices for the patents it uses and that Optis is asking for too much.

    This legal battle is just one example of the many patent disputes in the tech industry, where companies often fight over who owns the rights to important technologies. For now, Apple’s win means it does not have to pay the $300 million, but the fight is not over yet.

  • Apple TV gets new Thread 1.4 support in tvOS 26 beta

    Apple TV gets new Thread 1.4 support in tvOS 26 beta

    Apple has started testing tvOS 26, and one of the biggest updates is support for Thread 1.4, a new version of the smart home networking protocol. Thread 1.4 brings better security, easier device setup, and smoother connections between smart home gadgets. This means your Apple TV can now work even better as a hub for smart devices around your house.

    With Thread 1.4, Apple TV can connect to more types of smart home products, like lights, locks, and sensors, and help them talk to each other more reliably. The update also makes it easier to add new devices to your home network, so you can set up your smart home faster and with fewer problems.

    This change is important because Thread is a key part of Matter, the new universal smart home standard. By supporting Thread 1.4, Apple TV will work better with smart devices from many different brands, not just Apple. This should make it simpler for people to mix and match smart home gadgets and control them all from one place.

    The tvOS 26 beta is available now for developers, and the final version should come out later this year. If you use Apple TV as your smart home hub, this update will help your devices work together more smoothly and securely.

  • Apple to stop supporting Rosetta 2 and Airport time capsule in future macOS

    Apple to stop supporting Rosetta 2 and Airport time capsule in future macOS

    Apple is making some important changes in its upcoming macOS update. Soon, Macs will no longer support Rosetta 2, the tool that lets newer Apple Silicon Macs run apps made for older Intel-based Macs. Rosetta 2 was helpful for people switching from Intel to Apple’s own chips, but Apple is now moving forward and will remove this feature in a future macOS version. This means that some older apps that haven’t been updated for Apple Silicon may not work anymore.

    Along with this, Apple is also ending support for the AirPort Time Capsule in the next macOS update. The AirPort Time Capsule was a popular backup device that let users save their files wirelessly. However, Apple stopped selling it years ago, and now the new macOS will not work with it for backups. If you use a Time Capsule to back up your Mac, you’ll need to find another solution, like using an external hard drive or a different network backup device.

    These changes show that Apple is focusing on new technology and encouraging users to update their devices and software. If you rely on older apps or hardware, it’s a good idea to start planning for these updates now.

  • Apple’s satellite plans face trouble after turning down Elon Musk’s offer

    Apple’s satellite plans face trouble after turning down Elon Musk’s offer

    Apple has run into difficulties in coding its satellite network. Recent news suggests Apple turned down an offer from SpaceX, meaning they would not have SpaceX’s help with their new satellite system. Apple has not yet specified how it plans to link iPhones and other devices directly with satellites.

    Apple has spent years researching a way for its devices to work with the internet without going through cell towers. The objective was to use satellites for remote coverage where regular network services fail. Because SpaceX’s Starlink network for satellites is a leader in the field, it offered to help Apple with its technology.

    Yet, Apple decided they weren’t interested in a partnership with SpaceX. The company decided that managing its satellite project by itself would keep the project secure. It seems that Apple made a risky choice, which can make it less competitive. Apple is finding out just how expensive and complicated it is to start a new satellite network and this has resulted in delays and stumbling blocks.

    Because companies like SpaceX are taking the lead, Apple may not be able to keep up in the market for worldwide satellite internet. If things do not change quickly, Apple’s plans for satellite-powered iPhones may be in trouble.

  • Apple fixes major iOS 18.5 bug and teases new AI battery upgrade for iOS 19

    Apple fixes major iOS 18.5 bug and teases new AI battery upgrade for iOS 19

    Apple just released iOS 18.5 Release Candidate 1 to developers and beta testers, and it comes with an important security fix. A major bug was found in previous beta versions of iOS 18.5, which made the device forget saved Wi-Fi passwords when switching between networks. This issue affected users who were constantly changing networks, like from home to office. Apple says this bug is now fixed, so Wi-Fi passwords should stay saved when switching connections.

    This update also hints at what’s coming next with iOS 19. Apple is working on smarter battery management using AI. A new feature called “Adaptive Power Mode” has been spotted in iOS 19 beta code. This mode is designed to turn on automatically when your iPhone’s battery gets low or when the phone predicts it needs to save power. Unlike the current Low Power Mode, which you have to switch on yourself, Adaptive Power Mode will run in the background without user action.

    The goal is to balance performance and battery life more intelligently. It will reduce power use but still keep your phone running smoothly. Right now, this feature is only found in the iOS 19 developer beta, so it’s not available to the public yet.

    In short, iOS 18.5 solves a Wi-Fi issue, and iOS 19 is gearing up to improve battery life using AI. More details are expected to be revealed at Apple’s WWDC event in June.

  • Seamless Wi-Fi access with iOS 19

    Seamless Wi-Fi access with iOS 19

    Apple is introducing a clever feature in iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 to simplify connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this update will allow your Apple devices to share login information for public Wi-Fi, such as those in cafés, airports, or libraries, so you only need to log in once.

    Currently, public Wi-Fi often requires you to enter details like your email or accept terms on a login page for each device. This can be tedious when switching between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The new feature will use iCloud to sync these login credentials across your devices. After signing in on one, your other devices can connect effortlessly without extra steps.

    While Apple has supported Wi-Fi password sharing since iOS 11, public networks with additional login requirements haven’t been covered. This update will bridge that gap, making it easier to get online wherever you are. It’s still unclear how the feature will handle networks with device limits or whether it will support sharing between different users.

    Set to be unveiled at Apple’s WWDC in June 2025, with a likely rollout in September, this feature promises to make public Wi-Fi connections smoother and more convenient for Apple users.

  • Tim Cook reveals C1 modem’s power in iPhones

    Tim Cook reveals C1 modem’s power in iPhones

    Apple’s shiny new C1 modem, debuted in the iPhone 16e, is turning heads, and CEO Tim Cook just dropped some juicy tidbits about it. In the past, Apple kept hush-hush about the C1’s perks, but now Cook’s singing its praises, saying it boosts iPhone performance, especially battery life—a win for everyone.

    This homegrown modem is Apple’s first, and it’s already holding its own against Qualcomm’s tech, which powers Apple’s high-end iPhone models. Apple stayed low-key during the C1’s launch, likely because Qualcomm modems are still in their top-tier iPhones, like the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Hyping the C1 too much could steal the spotlight from those.

    But during a recent earnings chat, Cook couldn’t hold back, hinting the C1 outshines Qualcomm in efficiency and more. Early tests back this up, showing the C1 delivers strong real-world results. Thanks to its tight connection with iOS, the C1 helps iPhones manage data smarter, especially in busy network zones, ensuring a seamless user experience. Apple’s playing it cool for now, but once their Qualcomm deal wraps up, expect them to roll out the C1 or its next version, the C2, across all iPhones.

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