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  • One cool update in the new M4 MacBook Air

    One cool update in the new M4 MacBook Air

    Apple is about to release the M4 MacBook Air, which might be the first new product they launch this year. There’s one big reason why you might want to upgrade from the M2 or even the M3 models: better support for extra screens.

    Screen Limits Have Been a Problem for MacBook Airs

    In the past, MacBook Airs with M1 and M2 chips could only connect to one extra screen, which was a bit of a bummer for many users who needed more space.

    Last Year’s M3 Model Made Some Improvements

    The M3 MacBook Air from last year allowed you to use two extra screens, but you had to keep the laptop closed. This was better than before but still not ideal if you wanted to use the laptop’s keyboard and touchpad.

    The M4 MacBook Air Changes Things Up

    The upcoming M4 MacBook Air will have the same chip as the basic MacBook Pro and is expected to let you use two external screens while keeping your laptop open.

    This means you could have three screens in total: two extra ones plus the laptop’s screen. This feature is already in the M4 MacBook Pro, so it makes sense for the M4 Air to have it too.

    Why This Matters

    For many, this could be a big enough reason to upgrade. If you’re still using an M3, M2, or M1 MacBook Air, being able to work with two extra monitors without closing your laptop is a game-changer. It lets you use the laptop’s keyboard and touchpad, saving you from buying additional gear, and gives you more screen space to work with.

    This upgrade could really make the M4 MacBook Air a top choice for those looking for an efficient and versatile laptop setup.

  • When will the new iPhone SE, iPad 11, and iPad Air come out?

    When will the new iPhone SE, iPad 11, and iPad Air come out?

    A leak has recently given us hints about when we might see the new iPhone SE 4, iPad 11, and iPad Air models.

    A private account on X (formerly Twitter) shared that these upcoming devices will come with iOS 18.3 or iPadOS 18.3 already installed when they hit the market. While we don’t know the exact release date, it looks like they’ll be announced sometime between March and April, before iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 roll out.

    The leak included the build numbers for these new software versions:

    • iOS 18.3 for iPhone SE (4th generation): 22D8062
    • iPadOS 18.3 for iPad 11 and iPad Air (2025): 22D2060, 22D2062

    The final test versions of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 were released this week, suggesting that the updates might be available for current devices next week.

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned that new MacBook Air models with the M4 chip might be announced before these iPads and iPhone, potentially making them Apple’s first big reveal of 2025.

    The new iPhone SE is expected to look like the iPhone 14 or iPhone 16 with a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, a USB-C port, and a single 48-megapixel camera. It might also have a new A-series chip, 8GB of RAM to support Apple’s AI features, and Apple’s own 5G modem.

    The iPad 11 is rumored to have an A17 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM, also supporting Apple’s AI features. For the iPad Air, there’s some confusion; some leaks suggest an M3 chip, while others hint at the M4 chip that’s in the latest iPad Pro.

    New Magic Keyboards are also on the way for these iPads.

    This information gives us a clearer picture of what to expect from Apple in the coming months.

    Source

  • When will the next iOS update come out?

    When will the next iOS update come out?

    Apple is almost done with the testing phase for iOS 18.3, which means the first beta version of iOS 18.4 might be coming very soon. Here’s when you can expect it:

    iOS 18.4 Beta 1 Should Come Out Soon After iOS 18.3’s Release

    Apple usually follows a pretty regular schedule for its software rollouts, with only small changes here and there.

    Looking back at how things have gone before:

    • In 2024, iOS 17.3 was released on a Monday, followed by iOS 17.4 beta 1 just three days later on Thursday.
    • Back in 2023, iOS 16.3 came out on a Monday, with iOS 16.4 beta 1 appearing three weeks later on a Thursday.
    • In 2022, iOS 15.3 was launched on a Wednesday, with iOS 15.4 beta 1 the very next day on Thursday.

    So, if iOS 18.3 goes public around Monday, January 27, we could see iOS 18.4 beta 1 as early as Tuesday, January 28, or later that week.

    Could There Be More Waiting for iOS 18.4?

    While it’s likely we’ll see the beta soon, there’s a chance it could be delayed. Apple has mentioned that iOS 18.4 will be available to everyone in April. Starting a beta in late January might seem a bit rushed.

    However, for major updates involving AI, like the new features for Siri in iOS 18.4, Apple often likes to have lots of testing time. So, even with the possibility of a delay, I think we’ll still see the beta sooner rather than later. The more feedback Apple gets on the new Siri, the better they can make it before the final release.

  • New Apple Store in Miami features a rooftop garden

    New Apple Store in Miami features a rooftop garden

    Apple has just given us a sneak peek of their brand-new store at the Miami Worldcenter, which will open its doors this Friday at 10 a.m.

    Apple’s New Miami Store: This store has been designed with the environment in mind, aiming to blend nature with shopping. Right on the roof, there’s a beautiful green space full of plants that match the local palm trees and bushes.

    “Apple Miami Worldcenter has a design that connects people with nature,” Apple explains. “When you walk in, you’ll see lots of plants inspired by Miami’s rich Latin American culture.”

    Eco-Friendly Building: They used materials from around the area to build the store, which helps in lowering the amount of carbon produced during construction.

    Services at the Store: Inside, there’s a special area where you can get help with your gadgets and pick up things you’ve bought online, all at the same spot. They’ve also set up a place where you can try out the Apple Vision Pro.

    Accessibility for Everyone: The store thinks about everyone’s needs, with different table heights, spaces for wheelchairs, and even a device to help people with hearing aids.

    Fun Activities: You can join free workshops called “Today at Apple,” where they’ll teach you creative stuff and show off how the store cares for the environment.

    This new store is not just a place to buy things; it’s a spot where nature and technology come together in Miami.

    Source

  • Big Changes in iPhone 16 Sales: One model up, another down

    Big Changes in iPhone 16 Sales: One model up, another down

    Next week, Apple will share how well the iPhone 16 sold over the holiday season. But right now, a new report gives us a sneak peek at which iPhone 16 models are doing well or not so well.

    CIRP Report on iPhone 16 Sales

    CIRP, which looks at consumer buying trends, just released a report. It doesn’t tell us exact numbers but shows which iPhone 16 models people are buying more or less.

    The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still the top choice, but there’s a big twist with two other models:

    • Base iPhone 16: This model has seen a big jump, now making up 21% of sales. That’s up from 15% last year, matching the popularity of older base models.
    • iPhone 16 Pro Max: Despite being the bestseller, it’s not as popular as before. It now accounts for 23% of sales, down from 26% last year.

    What Does This Mean?

    The base iPhone 16 has done better because Apple made some nice improvements. It looks like people who might have bought the iPhone 15 chose the new base model instead.

    Even though the Pro Max isn’t selling as much as last year, it’s still the favorite. However, together with the Pro model, they make up the smallest share of sales in five years during December.

    Looking Ahead

    It’ll be exciting to see what happens with the next iPhone 17 series. There’s talk of a new iPhone 17 Air and a strong update for the iPhone SE. These could mix things up even more in Apple’s lineup.

    This mix of sales shows how people’s choices are changing, even for a popular brand like Apple.

  • Truecaller now blocks spam calls on iPhones with iOS 18.2 update

    Truecaller now blocks spam calls on iPhones with iOS 18.2 update

    Truecaller has always been good at spotting spam and scam calls on Android phones, but it didn’t work as well on iPhones because of privacy rules. Now, with the new iOS 18.2 update, iPhones can do what Androids have been doing for a while.

    The old problem with Truecaller on iPhones:

    On Android, Truecaller would look at the caller’s number and match it with a list of known spam numbers. If it found a match, it would warn you or even block the call. But on iPhones, Apple’s privacy rules meant Truecaller couldn’t send the number to its servers like on Android. Instead, it used a local database which wasn’t as good.

    How iOS 18.2 fixes this:

    Apple introduced a new feature called Live Caller ID Lookup API in iOS 18.2. This makes your phone number safe by encrypting it before sending it to Truecaller’s server. The server sends back an encrypted reply which your iPhone then decodes. This method keeps your privacy safe but allows Truecaller to use its big, real-time database to spot spam calls.

    This update also lets Truecaller on iPhones do something users have wanted for ages – automatically block spam calls. Plus, you can now find out who called you from up to 2,000 past numbers in your call history.

    What you need to do:

    • Make sure you have Truecaller version 14.0 or newer on your iPhone.
    • Go to your iPhone’s Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.
    • Turn on all the Truecaller options and restart the app.

    Truecaller’s CEO, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, shared that they’re thrilled to bring these features to iPhones, matching what Android users get while still keeping calls private.

    The basic app can identify business calls for free, but to use all these new features, you’ll need a paid subscription. It costs $9.99 a month or $74.99 a year, or you can get a family plan for $14.99 a month or $99 a year which covers up to five people. This update is starting to roll out around the world now.

  • Apple might soon sell iPhone 16 in Indonesia again

    Apple might soon sell iPhone 16 in Indonesia again

    Apple is getting close to making a deal with Indonesia that could let them start selling the iPhone 16 again. According to Bloomberg, this deal involves Apple investing more money in the country.

    Back in October, Indonesia stopped the sale of the iPhone 16 because Apple wasn’t making enough of the phone parts there, needing at least 35% of the materials to be local. Apple has now promised to invest $1 billion, which includes setting up a factory for AirTags. This is much more than their earlier offers of $10 million and $100 million, which Indonesia turned down.

    “I strongly believe it will resolve very, very soon,” said Rosan Roeslani, Indonesia’s investment minister, in a Bloomberg TV interview in Davos. He hopes the issue will be sorted out in “one or two weeks.” He mentioned that there was some confusion about how the local content rules are calculated but thinks they’ve found a way around it.

    Indonesia is a big market for Apple, with over 280 million people using around 354 million phones. Apple has been running developer academies there since 2018, but so far, there’s no Apple factory in the country.

    Source

  • iOS update brings back simple math trick

    iOS update brings back simple math trick

    The latest update, iOS 18.3, has made a small but handy change to the Calculator app on your iPhone. They’ve brought back a feature where you can repeat calculations easily.

    Here’s how it works: If you do a calculation like 5 times 5 and hit equals, you get 25. Now, if you tap the equals sign again, it will do 25 times 5. Every time you press equals after that, it will keep multiplying the result by 5.

    This repeat function was available in older versions of iOS but was taken out with iOS 18. Now, with the 18.3 update, it’s back for those who missed it. It’s especially good for things like figuring out compound interest.

    Also, if you use a Mac, this feature was gone in macOS 15 too, but it’s coming back with the macOS 15.3 update. So, whether you’re on an iPhone or a Mac, you’ll find this update makes math a bit easier.

  • UK launches app for digital IDs and driving licenses

    UK launches app for digital IDs and driving licenses

    The UK government has just announced a new app that will store your driving license digitally. This app, coming soon to iPhones, isn’t confirmed to work with Apple Wallet yet, but you’ll be able to use it through a special government app.

    This digital driving license will help you prove your age for buying things like alcohol or cigarettes and show you’re allowed to drive. Your personal info will be safe because you’ll need to use Face ID or Touch ID to access it, even if you lose your phone.

    Later on, this app will also hold veteran cards, background check certificates, and other government documents, but you can still use the old paper versions if you prefer.

    Alongside this, the UK government is rolling out an app with a chatbot named “GOV.UK Chat”, developed with OpenAI. This chatbot is already in testing and will help you pay for services, remind you about important dates, and notify you about government updates.

    In the U.S., Apple has teamed up with various states to put driving licenses and IDs into the iPhone and Apple Watch Wallet app. So far, nine states and Puerto Rico offer this service, with six more states planning to join in.

  • New macOS update coming soon: What to Expect

    New macOS update coming soon: What to Expect

    Apple has just released the test version of macOS Sequoia 15.3, and if everything goes smoothly, this will be the version that everyone can use soon.
    What’s New in macOS Sequoia 15.3?
    This update brings some exciting features and fixes:
    • Genmoji: Now you can create these fun emojis in Messages and other apps, thanks to Apple’s smart tech.
    • Calculator Improvements: Click the equals sign again, and it will do the last calculation you made again.
    • Notification Management: If you have a newer Mac, you can now manage your notification settings right from the lock screen. Also, the look of summarized notifications has changed to use italics and a special icon, making them stand out from others.
    • News & Entertainment Notifications: These are on hold for now, but they’ll be back for those who want them once the feature is ready again.
    Please note, not all features will work everywhere or on every Apple device.
    For more on how Apple keeps your device safe with updates, check this out: Apple Support Security Updates.
    Most of these changes aren’t just for Macs; you’ll see similar updates in iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 too.
    We’re looking forward to seeing macOS Sequoia 15.3, along with iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, go live next week.