Search results for: “region”

  • Some iOS 26 features won’t be available in the EU

    Some iOS 26 features won’t be available in the EU

    Apple recently announced that iOS 26, its latest iPhone software update, will not include all planned features for users in the European Union due to regulatory challenges. The company is working to follow the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to ensure fair competition, but this has led to some features being delayed.

    One key feature affected is the “visited places” tool in Apple Maps, which tracks and saves locations users have been to. Apple says this feature, along with others, won’t be available in the EU when iOS 26 launches this fall. The company explained that the DMA’s rules create complexities that could impact user privacy and security, making it harder to roll out certain tools.

    While Apple is committed to bringing these features to EU users eventually, no specific timeline was shared. This means EU iPhone users will get a version of iOS 26 with fewer capabilities compared to other regions, at least for now.

    The decision reflects Apple’s efforts to balance innovation with compliance in the face of strict regulations. This news has sparked discussions among users, with some expressing disappointment over missing out on new features. Apple’s focus remains on delivering a smooth and secure experience, but the regulatory landscape in the EU is shaping what’s possible for iPhone users in the region.

     

  • New iPhone will charge faster and App Store helps developers worldwide

    New iPhone will charge faster and App Store helps developers worldwide

    The iPhone 17, under development by Apple, is expected to have support for up to 50 watts of MagSafe wireless charging. Currently, it tops out at 15 watts, but this could change.

    Other parts of Apple’s world are the App Store and developers everywhere. Recently, a study found that the app store lets people from all regions access apps from developers in various countries. This helps both small and large companies expand their business. The study also highlighted the security and safety Apple offers for everyone.

    Apple keeps progressing by making its gadgets better, also giving people around the globe a helping hand. For example, the iPhone 17 might allow quicker charging, while the App Store enables developers to introduce their ideas to a large group of people.

  • Tap to pay on iPhone expands to more countries and Apple says App Store rules save users money

    Tap to pay on iPhone expands to more countries and Apple says App Store rules save users money

    Apple is helping individuals all over the world use their iPhones to complete payments. The Tap to Pay feature is being introduced in 18 additional countries, the company revealed. This means businesses have the ability to accept transactions using just their iPhones.

    It is already offered in the US, UK and Australia and shortly, residents of Europe, Asia and similar regions will be able to try it too. By using just their iPhones, even small food and retail businesses can make sure all their payments are safe and easy.

    As one more point, Apple updated the community on its App Store. According to the company, its policies have played a big role in saving users billions. Every app is vetted by Apple before it is placed on the App Store to confirm that it is safe and not designed to get people to spend unwisely.

    Following these rules has stopped a lot of scams, keeping users from losing their hard-earned money, according to Apple. Over the last four years, the company has detected and blocked more than $7 billion worth of suspicious transactions, it says. Because more countries around the world now have Tap to Pay and the App Store protects users, Apple says it is dedicated to making its devices easy and secure for everyone to use.

    Source/Via

  • iPhone sales in China drop to lowest level since 2014

    iPhone sales in China drop to lowest level since 2014

    Many Chinese are shifting away from Apple’s iPhone. The numbers for the first three months of 2025 reveal that shipments of iPhones in the country dropped by 19%. Apple’s downward trend in China figures marks a record low since 2014.

    According to Counterpoint Research, Apple currently occupies the fifth position in China’s phone market. More and more, Huawei, Honor and Xiaomi are becoming popular among customers in this region. Moreover, thanks to the Mate 60 Pro 5G, Huawei has easily outpaced other devices and regained first place. Huawei’s sales rose by 70% compared to how it was doing last year.

    While Apple’s share dropped, brands such as Honor and Xiaomi grew. While other companies saw sales increase in China, Apple alone suffered large losses this quarter.

    Many experts believe that Chinese people prefer local phones mainly due to feeling proud of their own products and because of new technology. At the same time, the latest iPhone 15 was not widely appealing in China, and Apple’s old phones didn’t improve the situation.

    The company is hoping that its plans for the iPhone 15 Pro Max and AI in iOS 18 will lead to a rise in sales. At the same time, rising competition at home and problems with China make it difficult for Apple in its third-largest market.

  • Apple says Fortnite can return to iPhone outside the EU

    Apple says Fortnite can return to iPhone outside the EU

    Epic said that its iOS developer account became inaccessible in certain countries outside of the EU. Apple disputes Epic’s statement by claiming it’s incorrect.

    Apple says that Epic has been using the “Epic Games Sweden AB” account to release new apps in regions around the world. So Epic can use its account to roll out its game store and Fortnite in countries outside the EU, such as the United States.

    The issue emerged after Epic alleged that Apple had barred its account from being used in regions outside the EU. Apple stated that Epic is authorized to upload content to its platform globally. So far, Epic hasn’t released a non-EU version of Fortnite or its game store, even though its account can operate globally.

    At the same time, Epic and Apple are still fighting disputes in the courts and over policies. The EU’s recent Digital Markets Act requires Apple to give developers the ability to set up an alternative to its store in that region. Outside the EU, Apple still manages applications on iPhones, but there is a growing movement in the US and other countries for similar reforms.

    In other words, Fortnite isn’t banned in regions beyond the E,U but the game hasn’t yet become available again for these regions.

  • Apple may bring AI review summaries and major design changes with iOS 19

    Apple may bring AI review summaries and major design changes with iOS 19

    Apple is working on adding AI-powered features to the App Store, starting with a tool that creates short summaries of app reviews. This feature will highlight key points from many user reviews, helping people understand what others think about an app without reading everything. It will launch first in the U.S. and English, with more regions and languages coming later.

    This new feature is part of Apple’s bigger push into generative AI, which is expected to show up in iOS 18. It’s likely we’ll see more AI tools across Apple’s apps and services, like Safari and Messages.

    At the same time, a new rumor about iOS 19 is catching attention. According to a well-known Apple insider, iOS 19 might drop support for older iPhone models like the iPhone X and iPhone 8. While this might seem early, it could be linked to a new product — Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

    Reports suggest Apple is working on a foldable device that might arrive in late 2026. Removing older devices from the list could help Apple focus on designing iOS 19 to better fit foldable screens. The company is likely testing software that will support this new form factor.

    All signs point to Apple making big changes in the next two iOS versions, with iOS 18 introducing smart AI features, and iOS 19 possibly preparing for the future of foldable iPhones.

  • Apple rolls out second public beta for iOS 18.5, macOS 15.5, and more

    Apple rolls out second public beta for iOS 18.5, macOS 15.5, and more

    Apple has released the second public beta of iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, macOS 15.5, watchOS 11.5, and tvOS 18.5. This comes a day after the developer beta was made available. If you’re signed up for Apple’s public beta program, you can now try out these updates on your devices.

    iOS 18.5 doesn’t bring major new features, but there are a few small changes. The Apple Books app now lets users follow their favorite authors, helping them discover new books more easily. Apple News+ has added a new “Quartiles” game, continuing the trend of daily puzzles like Crossword and Mini Crossword. These features are only available in selected regions.

    These updates are likely being tested as Apple prepares for its next big software reveal at WWDC 2025 in June. iOS 19 and other next-gen platforms will be introduced then, with final releases expected in the fall. Until then, iOS 18.5 and similar updates focus on small improvements and bug fixes.

    The beta is free to download for anyone enrolled in Apple’s beta program. Just go to the Settings app, choose General, then tap Software Update. Make sure your device is backed up before installing, since beta versions can still have bugs.

    More updates and changes might appear in upcoming betas before the final release.

  • Apple launches priority alerts as smart features reach the EU

    Apple launches priority alerts as smart features reach the EU

    On March 31, 2025, Apple introduced a handy new tool called Priority Notifications. This feature is part of its growing Apple Intelligence system, which is now available in the European Union. It helps users spot important messages fast by marking urgent emails, texts, or app alerts with a special sign. For example, it can highlight a reminder about a doctor’s visit or a warning about a flight delay.

    The company says this update makes life easier by cutting through the noise of everyday notifications. Users can tweak settings to decide what counts as “urgent” based on their needs. Apple Intelligence uses smart tech to learn what matters most to each person, like key words or habits, without being too pushy.

    This rollout also marks a big step for Apple in the EU. After facing some rules and delays, the company is now bringing its full smart system to the region. Priority Notifications work across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, so people stay in the loop no matter which device they’re using. Early users say it’s a simple but powerful way to stay on top of things.

    Apple plans to keep improving its smart tools, with more updates coming later this year. For now, Priority Notifications are a win for anyone who wants to focus on what’s important without digging through a flood of pings and buzzes. It’s a small change that could make a big difference.

  • iOS 18.4: Developer Beta 2 arrives

    iOS 18.4: Developer Beta 2 arrives

    Apple recently rolled out the second beta of iOS 18.4 for developers. For folks in the USA, this update doesn’t pack big changes yet, but it’s a game-changer for users in other regions. Why? It finally unlocks all the Apple Intelligence features that were missing before. We’ve gathered the key updates for you to check out.

    In Beta 1, there were some cool additions, like better CarPlay features, support for robot vacuum cleaners through Matter, and smarter notification sorting. Now, with Beta 2, you can expect a bunch of fixes to smooth out the bugs from the first round.

    If there’s anything else sneaky or exciting hiding in this update, don’t worry—we’ll dig it up and let you know, just like always. This release keeps things moving forward for developers, giving them a chance to test and tweak their apps. For everyone else, it’s a peek at what’s coming when the final version drops. Stay tuned for more!

  • Three features missing from the slim iPhone 17 Air

    Three features missing from the slim iPhone 17 Air

    Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is set to impress with its super-thin and lightweight look. However, this sleek design comes with a few trade-offs. Rumors suggest that this phone will miss out on three features many iPhone fans are used to: a bottom speaker, an ultra-wide camera, and a SIM card slot in some regions.

    Single Speaker Setup

    Last year, The Information shared that the iPhone 17 Air will likely have just one speaker, built into the earpiece at the top. Recent 3D images of the phone seem to back this up, showing only a few small openings at the bottom—probably for microphones, not a speaker.

    Camera Changes

    Similar to the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to come with a single 48-megapixel rear camera. This main camera will handle regular 1× shots and offer a 2× zoom that feels almost as good as optical quality. However, it won’t have the Ultra Wide camera for those wide 0.5× shots. The good news? Skipping this extra lens could mean more room inside for a bigger battery.

    No More SIM Slot

    Apple began dropping the physical SIM card slot in the U.S. starting with the iPhone 14 in 2022, switching to digital eSIMs instead. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to follow this trend in the U.S., and it might go even further. According to The Information, Apple could remove the SIM slot in more countries this year, meaning the iPhone 17 Air may rely on eSIMs worldwide.

    In short, the iPhone 17 Air’s slim design looks exciting, but it means letting go of a few familiar features. Fans of loudspeakers, ultra-wide photos, or physical SIM cards might need to adjust to these changes. Still, the trade-offs could pave the way for a fresh, lightweight iPhone experience.