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  • Apple still aiming for standalone AR Glasses, but it will take time

    Apple still aiming for standalone AR Glasses, but it will take time

    Apple has decided to put on hold its project for AR glasses that needed to be connected to a Mac, but don’t worry, they haven’t given up on the idea of standalone AR glasses. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is still very much committed to creating these futuristic glasses; they’re just taking a bit more time to perfect them.

    Last month, it was reported that Apple had canceled its plan for AR glasses that would have looked like regular glasses but needed a Mac to work. This news was initially alarming, but it’s not the end of the AR dream. The glasses in question were akin to the RayNeo Air 2S, which I had the chance to review, but with a higher price tag and quality.

    Apple’s hardware leader, John Ternus, is cautious about launching another product that doesn’t meet expectations. Therefore, the focus is now shifting towards developing a standalone version of these glasses, similar to the expensive prototypes Meta showcased last year.

    The team at Apple, particularly the Vision Products Group, is busy working on all the essential technologies needed for these glasses. They’re focusing on improving screens and chips to make this vision a reality. However, we’re looking at a wait of at least three to five years before these glasses might hit the market.

    The groundwork laid by visionOS suggests Apple is on the right track. Here’s hoping that when the time comes, Apple will bring something truly innovative to the world of AR.

  • Apple Might Add Cameras to AirPods: What does this mean for us?

    Apple Might Add Cameras to AirPods: What does this mean for us?

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed that Apple is working on a new type of AirPods that include cameras. Don’t expect to see this in the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, but the tech is definitely on the way. The big question is, what’s the purpose?

    Exploring Visual Intelligence

    With the iPhone 16, Apple introduced a feature called Camera Control, which not only helps in taking photos but also brings something called Visual Intelligence. This allows your phone to understand and interact with the world around you. For example, you could scan an event poster and add the details to your calendar or use AI to learn about something new.

    Apple seems to want to extend this capability to AirPods. Imagine being able to ask Siri about your surroundings without even touching your phone. This move is part of Apple’s strategy to stay competitive in the AI technology race.

    Enhancing Audio Experience

    Ming Chi Kuo, a known tech analyst, suggests these cameras could also improve how we experience spatial audio, especially when used with devices like the Apple Vision Pro. If you’re watching a video and turn your head, the audio could shift to match your new perspective, making the experience more immersive.

    There’s also a wild card idea from Kuo about “in-air gesture control” for AirPods, which sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie.

    When Will We See Them?

    According to Gurman, don’t hold your breath for these camera-equipped AirPods until at least 2027, possibly with the AirPods Pro 4. Apple’s vision includes not just these AirPods but also smart glasses, aiming to make use of the costly technology developed for the Vision Pro. This would help in understanding and interacting with the environment around the user.

    In summary, Apple’s exploration into adding cameras to AirPods might revolutionize how we interact with our devices, enhancing both utility and entertainment through smarter, more contextual technology.

  • New iPhone tool helps find lost luggage at more airports

    New iPhone tool helps find lost luggage at more airports

    A new tool on iPhones is making it simpler for travelers to locate their lost or delayed bags at airports, and now more airlines are using it.

    Tracking Luggage with AirTags

    With the latest update to iOS 18.2, the Find My app now lets you share the location of your luggage if it has an AirTag attached. This means if your bag gets lost, airport staff from participating airlines can help find it more easily.

    This week, airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings started supporting this feature. Before this, airlines like Delta, United, Air Canada, and Air New Zealand were already on board.

    Sharing the Location

    If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or macOS Sequoia 15.2 or newer, you can link the Find My app to share your luggage’s location. Anyone with this link can check a webpage that shows where the luggage is on a map, which updates as the bag moves. Apple has ensured that sharing these links is both private and secure. Only a few airport workers can see the link, and they need to log in with an Apple Account or a partner email to access it.

    The sharing stops as soon as you get your bag back, or it automatically ends after one week.

    Expansion Plans

    Apple released iOS 18.2 in December, and they’re planning to work with more airlines in the coming months to expand this helpful feature. This tool is a game-changer for travelers, making the stress of lost luggage a thing of the past.

  • Apple’s new ‘Smart Hub’ could be the home control center we’ve waited for

    Apple’s new ‘Smart Hub’ could be the home control center we’ve waited for

    Apple is rolling out three new home devices this year, and the first one is particularly thrilling. I’m dubbing it the ‘Smart Hub’, and it promises to fill a crucial gap in Apple’s smart home setup.

    Apple Home Gets Its First Real Control Center

    Apple has always backed the idea of a ‘home hub’ with its gadgets. According to their support documents, you could use a HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV, or an iPad as your ‘home hub.’ But what does that mean? It just allows you to manage your smart devices from afar, set up automation, and gain a few connectivity perks.

    However, this new Smart Hub will redefine what a ‘home hub’ means by acting as the main control center for your smart home gadgets.

    A New Era for Apple’s Home App

    The original HomePod aimed to be this kind of device, but its reliance on Siri for control has been a limitation. Siri’s performance can be hit or miss, and relying solely on voice commands isn’t ideal for everyone.

    Enter the Smart Hub. This device will not only let you use Siri but also gives you a touch screen to interact with all your smart home gadgets directly. While you can already control your home with various Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, none of these are dedicated solely to home control.

    Making Smart Home Control Easy for Everyone

    The Smart Hub will come with a 7-inch square screen, perfect for placing on your kitchen counter, attaching to your fridge, or setting on a console table. It’s designed specifically for managing your smart home, running an operating system tailored for this purpose.

    While some people are comfortable using just Siri for home control, many, especially those less tech-savvy, will appreciate having a physical, visible way to manage their devices. If Apple prices the Smart Hub reasonably, you could have several around your home, providing easy access to your smart home controls wherever you are.

    A Long-Awaited Feature for Apple Home Users

    While Amazon and Google have offered display-equipped home hubs for a while, Apple users have been missing this feature. The Smart Hub might just be the answer they’ve been looking for, bringing a new level of convenience and interaction to Apple’s smart home ecosystem.

    Source

  • Apple now sells parts for easy home repairs on new M4 Macs

    Apple now sells parts for easy home repairs on new M4 Macs

    Apple has recently started selling parts for its latest M4 Macs right in their self-service repair shop across the U.S. and several European countries. This new addition includes parts for MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini that come with M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max chips.

    Since opening its doors in 2022, Apple’s repair program has allowed people to buy the exact parts, tools, and guides that Apple’s technicians use. Now, with the M4 series, you can find repair guides on Apple’s official site.

    What can you fix? Well, for the M4 Macs, you can get screens, mainboards, speakers, touchpads, top cases that include keyboards and batteries, storage drives, USB-C ports, cooling fans, Wi-Fi parts, and more.

    The self-repair store doesn’t stop at Macs; it also has parts for different iPhone models and the Studio Display, plus new batteries for the Beats Pill speaker. Apple makes it clear that these repairs are best for folks who know their way around electronics, providing detailed safety guidelines in their repair manuals.

    This move by Apple makes it easier for tech-savvy individuals to keep their devices running smoothly without needing professional help, enhancing the DIY repair culture.

  • New feature in Outlook for Mac: Undo Your Sent Emails

    New feature in Outlook for Mac: Undo Your Sent Emails

    Microsoft is now adding a handy feature to Outlook for Mac that lets you take back emails you’ve sent, similar to a great feature Apple introduced for Mail. This update makes sure that the Mac version of Outlook matches up with what’s available on Windows and online. This new feature is called “Recall” – not to be confused with another Microsoft product of the same name. It works much like Apple’s “Undo Send” option, which was added to Mail back in 2022.

    The concept is simple: you’ve sent an email and then you spot a typo, or maybe you’ve said something you wish you hadn’t. You want to stop that email from being read. Apple’s method is pretty basic. It gives you a small window of time, a few seconds before the email leaves your outbox.

    Microsoft’s Recall, however, goes a bit further but with some restrictions. Here’s how it operates:

    • The recall only activates after you hit “Send”.
    • It only works if both you and the person you’re emailing use Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Exchange accounts within the same company.
    • If you’re sending to or from personal email services like Hotmail, Gmail, or live.com, you won’t be able to use this feature.

    This means you can retract an email well beyond the initial send buffer, but only if everyone involved uses Microsoft professional accounts within the same organization. It’s perfect for workplace communications where you might need to correct a message. Currently, Recall for Outlook on Mac is in its testing phase but will soon be available to all users.

    Source

  • Apple’s request to join Google lawsuit denied again

    Apple’s request to join Google lawsuit denied again

    Apple is trying hard to protect its big money deal with Google as Google faces legal action for breaking antitrust rules, but the court isn’t helping. Recently, Apple asked for an urgent pause in the case to join in, but the judge said no and decided to keep the case moving forward.

    Google Logo Feature Slack

    Back in November, Apple wanted a bigger say in how the case would proceed, arguing that Google shouldn’t keep breaking the law. The court turned them down, so Apple appealed, but appeals take time. While waiting, Apple asked for the case to stop, but the judge didn’t agree.

    The court believes Apple hasn’t shown it would be badly hurt without this pause, nor has it clearly stated why it needs to be more involved or what new information it could add. The judge also feels that there’s no clear error in the first decision to keep Apple out of the lawsuit. Plus, it’s important to keep moving to stop Google from continuing these illegal actions.

    The court’s ruling pointed out that this case has been going on for over four years now, and any delay would be significant. Moreover, the court found that Google broke the law by making deals with companies like Apple to keep its monopoly in search and ad markets. Allowing Apple’s request for a pause would just let this illegal activity go on, which isn’t good for the public.

    Last year, Google was found guilty of these antitrust violations, with its deal with Apple being a key issue. Google gives Apple billions yearly to be the default search in Safari, and this was deemed illegal. The U.S. government wants to stop Google from making such deals with Apple and others. If Google can’t continue these agreements, Apple could lose billions, yet would still need to offer Google as a search option.

    Google might also face tougher penalties like selling Chrome or separating Android from services like Google Search and the Google Play Store. Apple worries that Google will focus on protecting these assets over their search deal, which is why Apple wants to intervene.

    In their filing for a pause, Apple argued, “If we can’t resolve our appeal before or during the remedies trial, we might just have to watch as the government pushes for harsh changes that could stop us from working with Google for ten years.”

    Apple is now pushing to speed up its appeal to join the lawsuit against Google, with the next phase of the case due to start in April. If they can speed things up, their appeal might be heard before then.

    Source

  • Why new iPhone owners love Apple’s AI

    Why new iPhone owners love Apple’s AI

    Apple announced the iPhone 16 as the first model designed specifically for Apple’s AI features. But until they shared how many phones they sold, we weren’t sure if people would care. Now, it’s pretty clear they do.

    iPhone 16 is Doing Great with AI

    Last week, Apple reported their biggest earnings ever, with revenues hitting $124.3 billion. When you look closer, you see that their main products – iPhone, iPad, and Mac – are selling well. iPads and Macs did particularly well, maybe because of AI, or maybe not. The iPhone 16 didn’t sell as much as last year’s model but still did quite well.

    Here’s why it’s good news:

    Tim Cook said that the iPhone 16 is selling better than the iPhone 15. This is a big deal. What’s even more telling is that the iPhone 16 sells better in places where Apple’s AI features are available. Right now, these features aren’t available in Europe or China. And China is where the iPhone isn’t doing as well, showing that AI might be a key factor.

    What Does This All Mean?

    It looks like Apple’s AI story is hitting the mark, at least for now. Apple can celebrate the iPhone’s success, but making their AI even better is the next big challenge.

    Is Apple Intelligence Really That Good?

    Even if you’re not sure if Apple’s AI features are impressive, people are paying more to get the AI-focused iPhone 16 than they did for previous models. The places where AI isn’t available are facing temporary sales issues, which could mean big opportunities for Apple in the future. So, it’s a win for Apple’s AI, a win for iPhone sales, but the next big question is: will people keep loving the AI once they start using it?

    How will customers feel about it?

    We’ll get some answers with the updates coming in iOS 18.4, but the real test will be with the launch of iOS 19 in June.

  • Why Apple Vision Pro’s high price could be a bargain in medicine

    Why Apple Vision Pro’s high price could be a bargain in medicine

    Apple Watch is known for saving lives, but now, Apple Vision Pro is making its mark in healthcare, especially in surgery and medical training. Harry McCracken from Fast Company shares how this expensive device is becoming unexpectedly useful in medical settings.

    At UC San Diego Health, doctors use the headset to make operating rooms more efficient, reducing physical stress and enhancing work flow. Sharp HealthCare has also started a new center focused on spatial computing, and they’re hosting a big meeting where 300 experts are discussing how Vision Pro can be used in surgery, teaching, and more.

    Susan Prescott from Apple was surprised at how quickly the medical community has taken to the Vision Pro. One surprising benefit? Its high price. Prescott explains, “It’s an exciting time where we’re bringing healthcare leaders together not just to listen, but to share and inspire each other with how they’re using Vision Pro.”

    Even with its high cost, adoption in the medical field has been swift. UC San Diego Health’s surgeon, Ryan Broderick, describes how the Vision Pro helps in surgery:

    “For the best surgical view, the screen should be right in front of your face. But in many surgeries, you have to twist and turn, which can strain your neck and back over time. The Vision Pro fixes this by letting you place screens exactly where you need them.”

    The headset uses Apple’s M2 chip, like in their computers and tablets, and a special R1 chip to handle all the sensors. This setup helps prevent nausea and provides critical, real-time data during operations.

    With the Vision Pro, surgeons can see their environment while also having virtual screens positioned for comfort. Dr. Broderick’s team tested this by streaming live surgery feeds directly into the headset, improving ergonomics significantly. They’ve already done over 50 cases with promising results.

    Despite the $3,500 price tag, the value in healthcare is clear. Tommy Korn, an ophthalmologist at Sharp HealthCare, notes that typical operating room screens cost around $20,000 each. Here, Vision Pro not only offers ergonomic benefits but also seems like a cost-effective choice.

    So, while the Apple Vision Pro might seem pricey at first glance, in the medical field, it’s proving to be an investment worth considering. Check out the full story by Harry McCracken at Fast Company for more insights.

  • Discover the new iPhone 17 Air: Six exciting features coming soon

    Discover the new iPhone 17 Air: Six exciting features coming soon

    This autumn, Apple is introducing a new member to its iPhone family: the iPhone 17 Air. Instead of the usual Plus model, Apple is bringing something fresh that might even win over Pro users. Here’s what you can look forward to with the iPhone 17 Air.

    Super Slim Design

    Inspired by the incredibly thin M4 iPad Pro, the iPhone 17 Air is set to be one of the slimmest iPhones yet. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests it could be as thin as 5.5mm at its narrowest, making it a lot thinner than the current iPhone models, which are around 8.25mm for the Pro and 7.8mm for the standard and Plus versions.

    New 6.6-inch Screen

    The iPhone 17 Air will feature a middle-ground screen size of 6.6 inches, fitting just between the Pro and Pro Max models. This could be the perfect size for anyone who finds the Pro a bit small but the Pro Max a tad too large.

    Always On and Smooth Display

    For the first time, both the base iPhone 17 and the Air are expected to have an Always On display and a high refresh rate. While there’s talk about a possible 90Hz screen, the 17 Air might keep the full 120Hz ProMotion for that extra smooth feel.

    A19 Chip

    The iPhone 17 Air will run on Apple’s new A19 chip, which will also power the base iPhone 17. Although not as advanced as the A19 Pro in the Pro models, it’s still expected to handle everyday tasks, AI, and gaming with ease.

    Single 48MP Back Camera

    The 17 Air will stand out with just one rear camera, a 48MP lens, featuring a unique ‘bar’ design. This design might bring unexpected advantages, but specifics are still under wraps.

    Upgraded 24MP Front Camera

    Moving from 12MP to 24MP, the front camera on the iPhone 17 Air should offer much better selfies and video calls, narrowing the quality gap with the back cameras.

    Apple’s Own 5G Modem

    Exclusively for the iPhone 17 Air, Apple is introducing its own 5G modem. While it might not outpace Qualcomm’s current offerings in speed, Apple’s integrated approach could bring unique connectivity perks.

    The iPhone 17 Air looks set to redefine what we expect from Apple’s lineup, offering a mix of thin design, new tech, and user-friendly features. This fall’s iPhone launch is shaping up to be a highlight.

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