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  • New Apple screen with Mini-LEDs coming soon

    New Apple screen with Mini-LEDs coming soon

    Apple is reportedly developing a new 27-inch screen with mini-LED technology, which might hit the market by late 2025. This could be an upgrade from the Studio Display that Apple launched back in 2022. The existing model uses a 5K LED screen, but this new one would switch to mini-LED for better performance.

    According to display expert Ross Young, this screen will use mini-LEDs made by Epistar, with LG Display providing the panels. There was talk back in 2023 about Apple working on something called the Studio Display Pro, which would have had ProMotion technology, but that project seems to have been dropped. While Young once said Apple wasn’t planning another 27-inch screen, another well-known Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, insists that Apple is indeed planning to release a new display in 2025.

    Apple has already embraced mini-LED technology in its MacBook Pro, where it significantly improves the screen’s brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. The MacBook Pro’s display uses over 10,000 mini-LEDs, which help in displaying darker blacks, more detailed shadows, and brighter highlights.

    Adding to the buzz, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has also heard about this new 27-inch mini-LED display, though he thinks it might not arrive until 2026. This new screen could be a big step up for Apple’s display tech, offering users a much richer viewing experience.

    Source

  • iOS game closes down due to strange purchase problem

    iOS game closes down due to strange purchase problem

    Square Enix has decided to close down the iOS version of “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles” because of a tricky bug linked to in-app buying changes.

    Game No Longer on iPhones

    “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles” is no longer on the App Store for iPhone users, as reported by The Verge.

    Here’s what Square Enix had to say:

    From January 24, 2025, we’ve noticed that players can’t use the extra content they’ve paid for in the iOS version of “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.” This problem also affects the full version of the game, which lets you explore all the dungeons.

    This trouble comes from some new changes in how in-app purchases work. After looking into it, we found out that we can’t fix this bug completely or apply the new changes. Sadly, this means we have to stop supporting the iOS version of “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.”

    If you’ve bought things in the game since January, you can get your money back by talking to Apple Support.

    This issue only affects the game on iPhones; you can still play it on other devices.

    Source

  • Apple Event coming up next week

    Apple Event coming up next week

    Next Wednesday, on February 19, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a hint on social media about an exciting “launch.”

    “Get ready to welcome a new addition to our lineup,” he posted, accompanied by the hashtag #AppleLaunch.

    While Tim didn’t specify when exactly this launch would happen or give any concrete details, the post has sparked curiosity. Tech journalist Mark Gurman from Bloomberg thinks this could be the reveal of a new iPhone SE. He had earlier mentioned that we might see this phone by next week, boasting features like an A18 chip, a bigger 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, a USB-C port, and support for Apple Intelligence.

    Apart from the iPhone, there’s buzz about other gadgets. People are talking about new MacBook Air, iPad Air, and basic iPad models coming out soon. There’s also chatter about new products like an updated AirTag and a fresh smart home hub expected later this year.

    Since Cook’s message feels more like a teaser than an event announcement, any new product news will likely come through press releases on the Apple Newsroom site. But, we might also see announcement videos on YouTube, similar to how Apple introduced new iMacs, Mac minis, and MacBook Pros with M4 chips last October.

    We’ll know more in just six days!

  • Apple faces privacy double standards in Germany

    Apple faces privacy double standards in Germany

    Apple has been under scrutiny in Germany for three years because of its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature. This feature lets iPhone users choose not to have their activities tracked across different apps.

    The German competition authority, Bundeskartellamt, has now shared its initial thoughts, suggesting that Apple’s ATT rules might not be fair. They say that while third-party apps must follow these strict rules, Apple’s own apps do not have to.

    In their latest statement, the Bundeskartellamt pointed out that since ATT was introduced in April 2021, app makers in the iOS App Store need special permission from users to use their data for ads. However, these same strict rules don’t apply to Apple’s apps.

    According to the Bundeskartellamt, this could be against German competition laws for big tech companies and even broader European Union competition rules. They argue that Apple is applying different privacy standards to itself compared to other app developers.

    Apple has now been allowed to reply to these concerns raised by the German authority.

    Interestingly, while ATT was initially seen as a headache for big advertising apps like those from Meta (formerly known as Facebook), it has turned out to be beneficial. Meta has managed to enhance its advertising strategies, using AI to target users more accurately without relying on broad third-party data tracking.

    This situation in Germany highlights ongoing debates about how tech giants manage user data and privacy, setting a precedent for how privacy policies might be enforced in the future.

    Source

  • Easier bike route planning with Apple Maps in the UK and Ireland

    Easier bike route planning with Apple Maps in the UK and Ireland

    Apple Maps has just made it easier for bike riders in the UK and Ireland to find their way around. A recent update spotted by a user on Reddit means that now, you can plan a bike trip from one end of the country to the other, like from the southern tip of England to the northernmost part of Scotland, if you feel like it.

    Before this update, the bike route feature wasn’t available everywhere in these countries. Now, Apple Maps gives you specific paths for cyclists, showing you where the bike lanes are, which paths are good for bikes, and warning you about steep hills, stairs, or other things that might get in your way.

    This feature has been part of Apple Maps since the iOS 14 update, and it’s not just in the UK and Ireland. Cyclists in the United States, Australia, China, France, Germany, and Japan, along with big cities like London, Barcelona, and Toronto, can also use it. Apple keeps an updated list on their website of all the places where this cycling feature works.

    This expansion is great news for anyone who loves to bike or just needs to get around on two wheels, making your journey safer and more enjoyable.

    Cycling Directions Released in Remainder of UK and Ireland
    byu/cmmncw inapplemaps

  • New iPhone 17 Pro Max might have a smaller notch, says insider

    New iPhone 17 Pro Max might have a smaller notch, says insider

    The latest buzz around Apple’s next big phone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, suggests it will come with a smaller notch. This comes from a tipster on Weibo known as Digital Chat Station.

    Smaller Notch with New Tech

    The insider has shared that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will use something called a “metalens” for its Face ID. This new tech combines the parts that send and receive light into one, making the whole setup thinner and smaller. This means the Dynamic Island, which is the name for the notch on newer iPhones, could be less noticeable. The same technology might also show up in the next iPad Pro and a rumored foldable iPad.

    How Metalens Differs

    Unlike the usual camera lenses in iPhones that use curved glass to focus light, a metalens is super thin and flat. It uses tiny structures to direct light to the camera’s sensor, which could make devices even slimmer.

    Mixed Messages from Experts

    However, this news conflicts with what was said earlier by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in January, who predicted no change in Dynamic Island’s size for the iPhone 17 lineup. On the flip side, analyst Jeff Pu had predicted last year that the iPhone 17 Pro Max would feature these metalens leading to a slimmer Dynamic Island. Pu has been right about Apple’s moves before, so his predictions carry some weight.

    Credibility Check

    Digital Chat Station has a history of getting things right. They correctly predicted details about the iPhone 15’s camera and the iPhone 12’s screen design, which adds some trust to their latest claim.

    Apple rolled out the Dynamic Island with the iPhone 14 Pro models back in 2022, and it has stayed the same size since then. We’re all waiting to see what Apple has in store when they reveal the iPhone 17 series, expected in September next year.

    Source

  • Apple and Alibaba join forces for AI in China

    Apple and Alibaba join forces for AI in China

    Apple has decided to team up with Alibaba to introduce AI features on iPhones in China, ending a period of guesswork about how Apple would handle AI in the Chinese market.

    iPhone 16 Apple intelligence

    Joe Tsai, Alibaba’s chairman, shared this news at the World Government Summit in Dubai. He said, “Apple looked at several companies in China. In the end, they decided to work with us. They want our AI to enhance their phones. We are thrilled to collaborate with a company like Apple.”

    Following this announcement, Alibaba’s shares jumped by as much as 8.6%. This was after a report from The Information confirmed that Apple was indeed teaming up with Alibaba to launch AI features in China. Due to local laws, Apple has not yet introduced all its AI capabilities in China without a local partner.

    Outside China, Apple devices utilize a mix of Apple’s own AI tech and OpenAI’s ChatGPT for their AI functions. Both companies have reportedly sent the necessary paperwork to Chinese authorities for the go-ahead.

    This partnership announcement comes after news that Apple had initially considered another Chinese AI firm, DeepSeek, but chose not to proceed. It was also revealed that Apple had looked at Baidu last year, but found their AI technology lacking for Apple’s standards.

    This move is significant for Apple, especially after facing a tough year in China in 2024 when it lost its spot as the leading smartphone seller. According to Canalys, Apple saw a 17% drop in shipments in China, allowing local brand Vivo to take the top spot. This partnership with Alibaba could be a strategic move to regain ground in this important market.

    Source

  • Apple updates Safari test browser with fixes and better performance

    Apple updates Safari test browser with fixes and better performance

    Apple has just released an update for its experimental browser, known as Safari Technology Preview, which first came out in March 2016. The purpose of this browser is to let people try out new features that might be added to regular Safari in the future.

    The latest version, Safari Technology Preview 213, brings several updates and fixes for different parts of the browser like CSS, editing tools, forms, HTML, JavaScript, media handling, networking, PDF viewing, rendering, storage, SVG images, tables, text, web animations, web APIs, extensions, the inspector tool, and WebRTC communication.

    This update works on computers with macOS Sonoma or macOS Sequoia, which is the latest macOS version.

    You can get this update through the Software Update in your System Preferences or System Settings if you’ve already downloaded the browser from Apple’s site. For more details on what’s new, check out the release notes on the Safari Technology Preview page.

    Apple’s goal with this preview browser is to get feedback from both developers and everyday users to help improve the Safari browser. You can use this test version alongside the standard Safari without needing a developer account, making it accessible for anyone interested in trying out new web technologies.

    Source

  • Apple starts ads on X again

    Apple starts ads on X again

    Apple has begun advertising on X once again after a long break. They stopped advertising on the social media site back in November 2023 because of some controversial comments made by its owner, Elon Musk.

    For instance, the @Apple account is now promoting the privacy features of Safari with a new ad. This was first noticed by Aaron Perris, who writes for MacRumors. Also, the @AppleTV account has been posting ads about the TV show “Severance” from Apple TV+.

    Last month, there were talks that Apple might start advertising on X again, and it looks like they’ve made that decision, at least for the time being.

    Apple isn’t alone; other big companies like Disney, Coca-Cola, Sony, IBM, and Comcast have also taken breaks from advertising on X. However, like Apple, many of these companies have started to advertise on X again, though they’re doing so carefully.

    Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and changed its name to X the next year. Since he took over, there’s been less strict control over what people can post, leading to more extreme opinions being shared. Recently, the rapper Kanye West, who’s been in the news for the wrong reasons, posted some offensive content before he left the platform.

    Despite all this, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and other top executives like Greg Joswiak, who handles marketing, have stayed active on X. However, Phil Schiller, who used to be in charge of marketing for Apple, has chosen to leave X for other social media sites like Mastodon and Bluesky.

  • Apple now sells used M4 Macs at lower prices

    Apple now sells used M4 Macs at lower prices

    Apple has recently started selling refurbished MacBook Pro and Mac mini models with M4 chips in several countries including the United States, Canada, the UK, and Ireland. This is the first time these models have been available in Apple’s refurbished store since they were released in October 2024.

    M4 Mac mini with a Blue Light

    In addition, you can find some refurbished MacBook Pro models with M4 chips in Europe, in countries like Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and a few others. These refurbished Macs are cheaper, about 15% less than buying them new from Apple’s website. However, the stock changes a lot, and sometimes you might see the “buy” button isn’t working for certain models in some places. If you want a specific model, you’ll need to check back regularly.

    Apple hasn’t started selling refurbished iMacs with M4 chips yet in any country. Every refurbished Mac comes with all the usual stuff in the box. For the MacBook Pro, you get a USB-C charger and a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable. The Mac mini includes its power cord. Apple claims they test each refurbished Mac completely, clean it thoroughly, and check it carefully. They also come with Apple’s one-year warranty, and you can buy extra protection with AppleCare+.

    From what we’ve seen, these refurbished Macs from Apple look and work almost the same as new ones, offering a great chance to save money while still buying from Apple. However, if you’re looking for even bigger savings, checking out sellers like Amazon might give you better deals on Macs.