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  • How does the iPhone 16e camera compare to its family?

    How does the iPhone 16e camera compare to its family?

    Every time a new iPhone launches, Sebastiaan de With, the brains behind the Halide camera app, takes a close look at its camera features. Recently, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, boasting a fresh 48-megapixel standalone camera. De With explored how it holds up against the cameras in Apple’s top-tier iPhone 16 lineup.

    iPhone 16e Camera Basics

    At first glance, the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro all seem to share the same 48-megapixel Fusion camera, capable of snapping 1x and 2x photos. But a closer peek reveals differences. The iPhone 16 Pro has a wider f/1.78 aperture, while the iPhone 16 and 16e use an f/1.6 aperture. Unlike the iPhone 16, the 16e misses out on sensor-shift stabilization, proving these cameras aren’t identical.

    De With explains that Apple paired the iPhone 16e’s modern A18 chip processing with an older, smaller camera part. With only one Wide lens, it skips extras like Macro mode, spatial photos or videos, Night mode for Portraits, and video perks like Cinematic or Action modes. Fancy options like ProRAW are also absent.

    Picture Quality Check

    In a side-by-side test with the iPhone 16 Pro, the 16e leaned toward warmer tones and showed a tighter view. Its smaller sensor grabbed fewer details, especially in dim light, where the difference stood out. The 2x shots looked rougher, with processing that didn’t impress de With.

    While the iPhone 16e doesn’t match the iPhone 16 Pro or even the iPhone 16, it’s closer to older non-Pro iPhones or the iPhone 14 Pro. The lack of sensor-shift stabilization hurts it the most, making low-light and night photos less sharp.

    Still, de With found charm in the 16e’s grainy, moody sensor—a fun contrast to the 16 Pro’s bigger, clearer one. “It’s got a cool feel, as the younger crowd might say,” he noted. For the full scoop and photo comparisons, check out de With’s detailed review on the Lux website.

  • New iPhone setting in iOS 18.4 — Not Everywhere Though

    New iPhone setting in iOS 18.4 — Not Everywhere Though

    The next iPhone update, iOS 18.4, brings a feature many people have been asking for, but it’s not available everywhere yet.

    Picking Your Favorite Navigation App

    With iOS 18.4, you can choose a navigation app other than Apple Maps to be your go-to. This is great news if you prefer apps like Google Maps or Waze. However, this option is only for people in the European Union (EU). To set it up, just go to the Settings app, tap Apps, then Default Apps, and pick your navigation app under Navigation. Apple added this because of a new EU rule called the Digital Markets Act. We wish this choice was available for everyone around the world!

    A Little Something for U.S. Users

    For those in the U.S., Apple didn’t leave you out completely. With iOS 18.4, you can pick a default translation app. So, if you like Google Translate better than Apple’s own Translate app, you can make it your main one. It’s not as big as the navigation change, but it’s a nice touch.

    When’s It Coming?

    Right now, iOS 18.4 is being tested in its beta version. Apple says it’ll be ready for everyone to download in early April. That’s according to their official website.
    This update shows that Apple is listening to what people want, even if some features are limited to certain places. Hopefully, more options like these will roll out globally soon!

  • Apple’s strongest Mac yet lacks one cool trick

    Apple’s strongest Mac yet lacks one cool trick

    Apple’s brand-new Mac Studio, powered by the M4 Max or M3 Ultra, is now out for everyone to grab. To go along with its release, Apple updated a help page that shows which power settings this Mac Studio can use—and which ones it skips. The result might catch you off guard.

    Yes, the Mac Studio has a Low Power Mode, but it’s missing High Power Mode. Early reviews say this Mac Studio is the most powerful Mac Apple has ever built. Whether you pick the M4 Max or M3 Ultra version, you’re getting a machine that’s a total beast.

    But what if you want to tone down all that strength sometimes?

    Apple’s updated help page about Power Modes (spotted by MacRumors) says the new Mac Studio lets you switch on Low Power Mode. Why would you bother? Apple explains it does two handy things: it keeps the fans quiet for jobs needing silence and cuts down on energy use if your Mac stays on all the time. These are solid perks for a feature you might think isn’t needed on a Mac Studio.

    Here’s the odd part, though: High Power Mode isn’t an option. Apple says High Power Mode lets the fans spin faster, giving extra cooling so the system can handle super heavy tasks better. When it’s on, you might notice more fan noise. It sounds like a great fit for a machine as strong as the Mac Studio, right?

    But for some reason, it’s not included. You can use High Power Mode on certain MacBook Pros and even the M4 Mac mini, but can you use it on the new Mac Studio? Nope, it’s left out. This missing feature stands out since the Mac Studio is such a powerhouse. It’s a curious choice by Apple that’s got people scratching their heads!

  • Apple fixes a tricky security problem

    Apple fixes a tricky security problem

    Many people believe Apple devices are super safe compared to Android ones. They think this because Apple doesn’t let you install apps from outside its store or tweak things too much. But that’s not the full story. Recently, Apple released an update for iPhones and iPads, bumping them to version 18.3.2. This isn’t about cool new tricks—it’s a fix for a sneaky security issue that could’ve let hackers target some users.

    What Was the Problem?

    Apple explained that the trouble came from harmful web stuff sneaking out of a safe zone called the Web Content sandbox. They first tackled this in iOS 17.2, but the new update adds extra protection. Apple says some clever attackers might’ve used this gap in a “super tricky attack” aimed at specific people running older iOS versions before 17.2.

    Apple usually stays quiet about these weak spots until they’re fixed. So, we don’t know how long this issue has been around or how many people it has hit. The attack seems to have been aimed at certain individuals, not everyone. Even so, it’s smart to keep your device updated, whether you think you’re a target or not.

    Get the Update Now

    The iOS 18.3.2 and iPadOS 18.3.2 fix is ready for devices like the iPhone XS and newer, plus several iPads: iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation onward), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation onward), iPad Air (3rd generation onward), iPad (7th generation onward), and iPad mini (5th generation onward).

    If you haven’t updated yet, do it soon. Hackers are always hunting for weak points to sneak in. Apple works fast to plug these holes, but updating your device is the best way to stay safe. To grab the update, go to Settings > General > Software Update and look for the latest version. You probably won’t see big changes after installing it, but this fix quietly keeps your device and info protected from harm.

  • iPhone 17 to stay cool with new tech and slim iPhone 17 Air details

    iPhone 17 to stay cool with new tech and slim iPhone 17 Air details

    Fresh news about the iPhone 17 suggests at least one model will stay cooler with a fancy liquid cooling system called a vapor chamber. This is the third time we’ve heard this, but it’s still unclear which models will get it.

    Apple’s chips keep getting stronger every year, but they heat up when you push them hard—like when playing heavy games. When they get too hot, the phone slows down to avoid damage. This is called thermal throttling. It happens when the chip hits its heat limit, and the phone cuts back power until it cools off.

    Big devices like the MacBook Pro use fans to blow heat away, but iPhones rely on a simple metal or graphite block to soak up heat and pass it to the phone’s body. A vapor chamber is a smarter version of this. It has liquid inside that turns into vapor when part of the phone gets hot. The vapor moves to cooler areas, turns back into liquid, and lowers the temperature. It’s like how a wet towel cools your head when you’re sick.

    Who Said What About iPhone 17 Cooling?

    Last summer, Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo said only the iPhone 17 Pro Max would get this vapor chamber upgrade paired with graphite sheets. Other models would stick to just graphite. Then, the Chinese site MyDrivers claimed all iPhone 17 models would have it. Now, a trusted leaker, Instant Digital, says both Pro models—iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max—will use this cooling trick.

    iPhone 17 Air: Super Thin and Sleek

    Apple’s also swapping the “Plus” model for a new iPhone 17 Air, and everyone’s talking about how thin it’ll be. Reports vary: some say 6mm, others 5.5mm at its slimmest. Leaker Ice Universe adds that the camera bump is 4mm, making the thickest part 9.5mm. It’ll have one camera, a microphone, and a flash in a long bump, like on Google Pixel phones.

    Size and More

    The iPhone 17 Air might have a 6.6- or 6.7-inch screen—bigger than the iPhone 17 (6.3 inches) but smaller than the Pro Max (6.9 inches). Expect Apple to show off the whole iPhone 17 lineup around mid-September 2025.

  • iPhone 17 Pro to get a cool new trick for better speed

    iPhone 17 Pro to get a cool new trick for better speed

    Apple’s next iPhone 17 Pro models will come with a fancy cooling system called vapor chamber technology, says a Chinese tipster known as Instant Digital. This upgrade promises to keep the phone running smoothly by handling heat better.

    Lots of top Android phones already use vapor chamber cooling. It spreads heat over a bigger area, stopping the phone from slowing down when it gets too hot. This is super helpful for slim devices like the iPhone that need to stay fast and reliable.

    Rumors about Apple adding this cooling tech to the iPhone 17 lineup aren’t new. Back in January, a Chinese tech site, MyDrivers, said all models—iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max—might get it. But Instant Digital thinks only the Pro and Pro Max versions, powered by the new A19 Pro chip, will have it. “With the A19 Pro and better heat control, these phones will stay fast even during tough tasks,” the tipster explained.

    In a separate update on Weibo, Instant Digital said not to expect big changes to the iPhone 17’s front. “This year’s upgrades are mostly inside and on the back. The front, like the notch and edges, will likely stay the same,” they noted.

    There’s some debate about the Dynamic Island, though. Last month, a rumor hinted that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might get a smaller one, thanks to a new Face ID lens. Analyst Jeff Pu, who’s often right about Apple, agrees. But another expert, Ming-Chi Kuo, says it’ll stay the same size. Apple first added the Dynamic Island with the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, and it’s on most newer models, unchanged so far.

    On the back, Apple’s shaking things up. The iPhone 17 Pro models will swap the old square camera bump for a sleek aluminum bar stretching across the phone. The new iPhone 17 Air, replacing the Plus model, will also get this horizontal bar but with just one camera. The regular iPhone 17, however, will stick to the iPhone 16’s camera style. Look out for these phones next September!

  • Apple updates website with note about delayed Siri features

    Apple updates website with note about delayed Siri features

    Apple is still dealing with the news from last week that some exciting Siri updates tied to Apple Intelligence won’t arrive as soon as hoped. These features have been pushed back with no set release date. Over the weekend, Apple even removed a YouTube ad showing off one of these features—personal context—on the iPhone 16.

    Now, the company has added a short note on its website wherever these upcoming Siri tools are mentioned, especially on pages promoting the iPhone. These Siri upgrades were meant to make life easier. They’d help users dig up details from chats with friends or family—like flight info or book suggestions—by searching through Messages, Mail, and other apps. Another perk, called on-screen awareness, would let Siri act on whatever you’re looking at, like asking it to “spruce up this picture” while viewing a photo.

    Last Friday, Apple confirmed the delay with a brief statement. It said, “We need more time than expected to get these features ready, and they’ll roll out sometime next year.”

    The note now on Apple’s website is simpler but still unclear. It says:

    Siri’s ability to understand personal context, work with what’s on your screen, and handle tasks in apps is still being built. These will come in a future update.

    You’ll spot this same message on pages for the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPad, and more—anywhere these features were hyped up before without a hint that they weren’t ready. Apple hasn’t shared an exact timeline, but we’re guessing this “future update” might tie in with iOS 19. The first test version of iOS 19 should show up at WWDC in June 2025. Still, an update to iOS 19 could land anytime between fall 2025 and summer 2026. So, don’t hold your breath waiting for it!

  • iPhone 17 Air: Seven cool features to look forward to this year

    iPhone 17 Air: Seven cool features to look forward to this year

    This fall, Apple is shaking things up with a new phone: the iPhone 17 Air. Instead of keeping the Plus model, they’re rolling out something fresh that might even catch the eye of Pro fans. Here are seven exciting things coming with the iPhone 17 Air.

    Super Slim Design

    The iPhone 17 Air will be incredibly thin, taking inspiration from Apple’s slim M4 iPad Pro. Experts guess it could be as thin as 5.5mm in most spots, except for the camera area. That’s a big drop from the iPhone 16 Pro (8.25mm) and the regular 16 (7.8mm). Even the super-thin iPhone 6 was 6.9mm!

    A New 6.6-Inch Screen

    The 17 Air will have a 6.6-inch display, sitting right between the 6.3-inch 17 Pro and the 6.9-inch Pro Max. Its slim body makes it feel compact for Pro users but roomy enough for those who love bigger screens.

    Always-On Screen and Smooth Scrolling

    For years, only Pro iPhones had an Always-On display and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. Now, the 17 Air (and base 17) will get these too! There’s talk of a 90Hz option instead of 120Hz, but either way, it’ll feel smooth and handy.

    A19 Chip Power

    The 17 Air will run on Apple’s new A19 chip, shared with the base 17 model. The Pro versions get an A19 Pro, but the A19 is still great for gaming, AI, and everyday use. It’s just a tiny bit less powerful than the Pro chip.

    One Big 48MP Camera

    Unlike the Pro’s three cameras or the base model’s two, the 17 Air will have just one 48MP rear camera in a cool “bar” design. Details are hush-hush, but it might surprise us with what it can do.

    Better 24MP Selfie Camera

    The front camera jumps from 12MP to 24MP across all iPhone 17 models, including the Air. It won’t match the back camera, but your selfies will look a lot sharper.

    Apple’s Own C1 Modem

    The 17 Air gets a special C1 modem, made by Apple, for better connectivity. It’s a feature only it and the iPhone 16e have so far.

    The iPhone 17 Air could be Apple’s most thrilling fourth model yet, blending style and tech in a way that hints at what’s next for iPhones. Get ready for an awesome launch this fall!

  • Four cool updates to Apple’s Photos app in iOS 18.4 and a key security fix in iOS 18.3.2

    Four cool updates to Apple’s Photos app in iOS 18.4 and a key security fix in iOS 18.3.2

    Apple’s iOS 18.4 is in testing mode right now, and it brings some neat updates to the Photos app that you might not notice at first. These changes make it easier to use and give you more control. Plus, there’s a small but important security update in iOS 18.3.2. Here’s what’s new!

    #1: Better Ways to Filter Your Photos

    When you’re looking at your pictures or videos, check the bottom-left corner. There’s an icon with two arrows pointing up and down. Tap it, and you’ll see options to sort or filter your stuff. In iOS 18.4, two new filters join the list:

    • Shared With You – Shows only things others sent you.
    • Not in an Album – Find photos or videos you haven’t organized yet.

    Also, if you go to the Albums tab and tap the three-dot button at the top-right, you can now filter to see just Albums or just Folders. It’s a simple way to tidy up what you’re looking at.

    #2: A Fresh Way to Sort Albums

    On the Albums screen, iOS 18.4 adds a new sorting trick. Besides sorting by name or your custom order, you can now pick:

    • Sort by Date Modified – This puts albums you’ve recently tweaked at the top.
    • There’s also a small tweak: “Grid” and “List” views are now called “List View” and “Key Photo.” It doesn’t change how things work, but the new names might feel a bit odd at first.

    #3: Hide Albums for Privacy

    The Photos app has some default albums like Recently Viewed and Recently Shared, which track what you’ve looked at or sent lately. If you’d rather keep those private, iOS 18.4 lets you turn them off. Just go to Settings > Apps > Photos, scroll down, and switch off “Show Recently Viewed & Shared.” Easy!

    #4: Clean Up Deleted Photos Fast

    Want to wipe out all your deleted photos for good? Or maybe bring them all back? In iOS 18.4, the Recently Deleted album has two new buttons: a trash can to erase everything forever and a “Recover All” option to restore them. Super handy!

    Quick Security Update in iOS 18.3.2

    Apple also rolled out iOS 18.3.2 with a fix for a WebKit issue. This bug could let sneaky web content escape its safe zone, but Apple patched it with better checks. It’s an old problem they fixed before in iOS 17.2, and this update just makes it even safer. No recent attacks are known, so you’re good!

  • Apple Wallet Cards now available in more places

    Apple Wallet Cards now available in more places

    Apple is making it easier for people in the UK, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Austria to use the Apple Account Card in the Wallet app, according to Nicolás Alvarez.

    The Apple Account Card feature first appeared in 2022, but until now, only a few countries could use it. This card shows the amount of Apple credit tied to a person’s Apple Account. You can use it to buy things at the Apple Store, shop online, or pay for apps, subscriptions, and other Apple services.

    Adding money to the Apple Account Card is simple with the “Add Money” option in the Wallet app. You just need a linked credit or debit card. Plus, if you have an Apple Store gift card, it will also boost your Apple Account balance.

    To set up the card, open the Wallet app, hit the “+” button, and pick it from the list of available cards. Once added, the Apple Account Card lets you see your balance and track what you’ve spent.
    According to Alvarez, this feature is either ready to use now or will be soon in these new countries. It’s a handy way to manage your Apple funds and shop with ease!