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  • Why Apple avoids big iOS redesigns now

    Why Apple avoids big iOS redesigns now

    Remember when iOS updates used to bring huge changes? Think back to iOS 7. Those times seem to be fading away, and a recent app fiasco explains why.

    The Sonos App Mess as a Warning

    Sonos, if you’ve missed it, has been having a rough time. They changed their CEO after a disastrous app redesign in 2024. This new version of the Sonos app, launched in April, led to a year-long stream of customer complaints and negative publicity.

    This situation with the Sonos app is a clear lesson for why Apple might steer clear of massive iOS overhauls. If this had happened when Sonos had fewer, more tech-savvy users, perhaps the impact wouldn’t have been so severe. They could have fixed issues quickly, or users would have just adapted.

    The Risk of Overhauling iOS

    In the iPhone’s early days, Apple could manage big changes because fewer people used their devices. Now, with millions of users of all tech levels relying on iPhones, major changes are risky. Even if many like the new look, the sheer number of users means there’s bound to be significant opposition.

    Apple knows that iOS can’t stay the same forever, though. Instead of a whole system redesign, they’ve chosen to update parts of iOS one at a time. For instance, the Photos app in iOS 18 stirred up some trouble, but it was only one app, so the blowback was contained. Redesigning all of iOS at once would be a much bigger gamble.

    User Feedback and Iterative Updates

    A top comment on an article about this issue pointed out that comparing the Sonos app rebuild to an iOS redesign isn’t quite fair. Redesigning something like iOS 7 is just giving it a new look, not rebuilding it from the ground up like Sonos did. Apple’s approach would be more like painting over the existing structure, not rebuilding the house.

    For many iPhone users, the idea of another major redesign might sound daunting rather than exciting. The lesson from Sonos is clear: for companies with a huge user base, big changes can lead to big problems. Maybe we should all get used to seeing iOS evolve through smaller, less disruptive updates.

  • New iPhone 17 Pro: 7 exciting updates coming soon

    New iPhone 17 Pro: 7 exciting updates coming soon

    Get ready for an exciting year for iPhone fans! Alongside the new iPhone SE 4 in spring and the sleek iPhone 17 Air in autumn, Apple’s top-tier Pro models are set to dazzle with these seven new features coming this September:

    Better Selfie Camera

    The selfie camera is getting a major upgrade. Instead of the 12MP we’ve seen, the iPhone 17 Pro will sport a 24MP front camera, bringing selfie quality much closer to the prowess of its back cameras.

    New A19 Pro Chip

    Apple is keeping its tradition of upgrading the chip alive with the A19 Pro, reserved only for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. This means the best performance will be exclusive to these models, while the iPhone 17 Air gets the standard A19.

    More Memory with 12GB RAM

    With AI becoming more central to our devices, Apple’s upping the ante by doubling the RAM to 12GB for the Pro and Pro Max models, the highest ever in an iPhone. This jump from 8GB in the previous models ensures smoother AI operations.

    Homegrown Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Chip

    Apple has been working on its own chips, and now they’re ready. The iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a new combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. However, only the iPhone 17 Air will get Apple’s custom 5G modem, while Pro models continue with Qualcomm’s.

    Bigger Camera Bump

    The camera setup on the iPhone 17 Pro models will see a larger, rectangular bump, possibly for enhanced photography features. The design includes an aluminum top for strength and a glass bottom for wireless charging.

    Switch to Aluminum Frame

    Moving away from titanium, the iPhone 17 Pro will now feature an aluminum frame. This change from last year’s material choice is intriguing, and we’re eager to learn why Apple made this switch.

    Enhanced Cooling

    AI and high performance need good cooling, so Apple’s adding a vapor chamber and graphite sheet specifically to the iPhone 17 Pro Max to keep things cool under pressure.

    These updates make the choice tougher between sticking with the Pro for top features or going for the slim and stylish Air. Hardware might be peaking, but Apple seems determined to push the envelope further with these innovations.

  • Big changes coming with iOS 18.3 for Apple’s smart features

    Big changes coming with iOS 18.3 for Apple’s smart features

    Next week, iOS 18.3 will roll out. It doesn’t bring a lot of new stuff, but it’s a big deal for Apple’s smart features because of a daring move by Apple.

    Apple’s Smart Features Turned On by Default in iOS 18.3

    Apple has decided that with iOS 18.3, its smart features, which they call Apple Intelligence, will be turned on automatically for everyone with a compatible device.

    These smart features first appeared with iOS 18.1 back in October and got some cool updates in December with iOS 18.2. But until now, you had to choose to turn them on yourself. Now, Apple is saying, “We’re turning them on for you.”

    One Smart Feature Takes a Break

    It’s not all smooth sailing for AI at Apple. They’ve had some trouble with their smart summaries for notifications, which sometimes got the news wrong. So, in an interesting twist, while Apple is confident about turning on AI by default, they’re also being careful.

    In iOS 18.3, they’re going to temporarily turn off the smart summaries for apps in the News and Entertainment categories. It’s rare for an update to take away something that was there before, but Apple is doing this to work on making it better before bringing it back.

    Apple Still Cautious with AI

    Apple has always been careful with AI. During the early testing phases and even after making these features available to everyone with iOS 18.1, they made people wait to use them, ensuring everything worked right.

    One of Apple’s key promises is to design AI with care. They check everything from how they make the AI to how it’s used, working to avoid any misuse or problems. User feedback helps them keep improving.

    What’s Next for Apple Intelligence?

    With iOS 18.3, we see Apple sticking to those promises. They’ve had a long testing phase before making AI automatic. Yet, they’re still cautious, pausing one feature to get it right. Will people mind having these features turned on without asking? We’ll see. But for now, Apple seems to be doing it at the right time and in the right way.

  • Apple’s new Smart Home devices: upgrades that matter

    Apple’s new Smart Home devices: upgrades that matter

    Apple is bringing out three new devices for your home this year: the HomePad, a new Apple TV 4K, and the HomePod mini 2. These gadgets are set to make a big change in how smart homes work.

    A New Chip for Better Connections

    Mark Gurman has shared that the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2 will be released later this year. While we don’t know everything about these new gadgets yet, we do know they will have a special new chip. This chip, called “Proxima,” is made by Apple and handles Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

    Here’s why this is important:

    • Energy Efficiency: Apple wants to make its devices work better together while using less power.
    • Better Connectivity: This chip helps Apple gadgets connect to the internet and pair with other devices like headphones more easily.
    • Synchronization: With this chip, your Apple devices at home can share data faster and work more closely with each other.

    What This Means for Your Smart Home
    This chip is part of Apple’s big push into smart homes. It’s like when Apple added a new type of radio to their latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs. At first, it wasn’t clear why, but now we see it was preparing for a better smart home setup with technologies like Matter.

    Even though having a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip might not sound thrilling, it can make a lot of difference. It means all your Apple devices can work together more smoothly. HomeKit, Apple’s smart home system, sometimes has connection issues, and this new chip might help fix that.

    Looking Ahead

    Apple also plans to release its smart home gadgets like cameras and doorbells next year. For Apple to take the lead in smart homes, everything needs to work well together. This new chip is like a missing piece that could make everything work smoothly.

    I’m excited for Apple to step up its game in the smart home world, and it looks like we won’t have to wait long to see these changes.

  • How Samsung Galaxy S25 borrowed from Apple’s playbook

    How Samsung Galaxy S25 borrowed from Apple’s playbook

    Fans of both Apple and Samsung often argue about who copied whom. While Apple has faced legal challenges over design, Samsung has been quite open about taking inspiration from Apple, especially with the launch of the Galaxy S25.

    Smart Features Borrowed

    We all know Apple has been slow with its AI developments. While Samsung’s phones are packed with smart AI tools, Apple’s AI features are just starting to roll out and are pretty basic. Still, Samsung couldn’t help but notice Apple’s AI offerings.

    Apple’s AI system can work with ChatGPT and is planning to integrate with Google Gemini. Samsung followed suit, making its AI system work with external chatbots, starting with Google Gemini instead of its own Bixby.

    When you use Samsung’s Gemini, you see a text box with a bright border, much like Siri. It handles both text and voice inputs, and when you highlight text, it shows options very similar to Apple’s text editing tools, allowing you to check spelling or format as a table.

    Samsung also introduced call recording, transcription, and summarization in its phone app, features already familiar to iPhone users with iOS 18. Galaxy S25 users can now search for photos by describing them, summarize web articles, and even turn photos into drawings, much like Apple’s Image Playground.

    For privacy, Samsung’s AI can work offline, similar to Apple’s approach to limit cloud usage.

    User Interface Echoes

    During the Galaxy S25 reveal, Samsung introduced One UI 7. It features the Now Bar, which shows live updates like sports scores or timers, much like Apple’s Live Activities.

    Samsung’s camera updates mimic some iPhone features from months ago, including the ability to record in log format and tweak audio focus. They’ve also adopted a version of Apple’s Photographic Styles, giving users control over image filters and tones.

    Design Similarities

    The Galaxy S25 Ultra looks strikingly similar to the iPhone 16 Pro with its flat edges and rounded corners, moving away from Samsung’s previous curved designs. The top models now use titanium, while cheaper models stick with aluminum.

    Samsung jumped the gun on Apple’s rumored slim iPhone 17 Air with their Galaxy S25 Edge, choosing style over some features like a third camera. The protective cases for the Galaxy are almost identical to Apple’s transparent MagSafe cases.

    Moreover, Samsung’s upcoming VR headset, Project Moohan, seems inspired by Apple’s Vision Pro, even in its interface design.

    Innovation or Imitation?

    While some might see this as copying, Samsung does bring its own twist to these features. Their version of Photographic Styles, for example, allows for more creative control over image composition. However, in the tech world, where both iOS and Android offer similar functionalities, it’s clear that each company builds upon the other’s ideas to enhance user experience.

    Still, perhaps Samsung could aim for a bit more originality next time around.

  • Apple unveils new tool for app purchases

    Apple unveils new tool for app purchases

    Apple recently introduced a new tool that makes it easier for app developers to manage purchases within the App Store. This tool, called the “Enhanced Buying API,” helps developers offer more options for buying things inside apps.

    What Can Developers Do With This Tool?

    • Large Content Libraries: Apps that have lots of items for sale, like books or lessons, can update their content more easily. This means users can buy new items without any hassle.
    • Creator Content: Apps where creators share their work can now let users buy subscriptions or one-time purchases directly linked to their favorite creators or collections.
    • Custom Subscriptions: For apps that offer subscriptions, developers can now add extra features or content, like special channels or local sports updates, which users can choose to add for an extra fee.

    These new features use Apple’s payment system, which handles everything from collecting payments to dealing with taxes, making it simpler for both developers and users.

    Why Now?

    Apple seems to be updating its app store rules, especially after some pushback from developers and regulators, particularly in Europe. This new API is particularly useful for apps that had unique ways of making money, like platforms where artists or writers get paid directly by fans. For example, in 2022, Apple asked Patreon, a site for creators to get paid by fans, to use Apple’s payment system for transactions within their app.

    This move by Apple aims to make the App Store more adaptable to different kinds of apps while keeping the payment process smooth and secure.

  • Siri’s super bowl slip-up: gives eagles 33 fake wins

    Siri’s super bowl slip-up: gives eagles 33 fake wins

    In a recent test, Siri showed it still has trouble with basic facts. One Foot Tsunami’s Paul Kafasis checked how well Siri knew Super Bowl history, and the results were not great. Siri only got it right 34% of the time, correctly naming just 20 winners out of 58 Super Bowls.

    The most surprising mistake was Siri saying the Philadelphia Eagles won 33 Super Bowls. In reality, the Eagles have only won one. Siri’s answers were all over the place, sometimes talking about the wrong Super Bowl or giving unrelated football info.

    Siri did okay for a little while, correctly answering for Super Bowls V to VII, but then it went off track, getting 15 answers wrong in a row from XVII to XXXII. When asked about Super Bowl XVI, Siri even suggested asking ChatGPT, which gave the right answer, showing Siri’s knowledge isn’t up to par.

    This test was done on iOS 18.2.1 with Apple’s new smart tech, and the same problems were seen on the latest iOS beta and macOS. Kafasis put all the results into a spreadsheet you can look at.

    Daring Fireball’s John Gruber also tested Siri with sports questions and found it did worse than other search engines and AI like ChatGPT, Kagi, DuckDuckGo, and Google. Interestingly, the old version of Siri was better at admitting when it didn’t know the answer by showing web links, which at least gave a chance at finding the right answer.

    Gruber was quite critical, saying:

    “New Siri, with Apple’s smart tech and ChatGPT help, gives answers that are completely but believably wrong, which is the worst kind of mistake. It’s also inconsistent in its errors — I asked the same thing four times and got four different wrong answers.”

    Siri’s performance has been criticized before, but these tests show how it can confidently give wrong information. Apple is working on a smarter Siri using advanced language models, hoping to make it as good as other chatbots like ChatGPT. They plan to show off this new Siri in 2025 but won’t release it until spring 2026 with iOS 19.

  • Apple Watch Bands are safe, says Apple, amid lawsuit

    Apple Watch Bands are safe, says Apple, amid lawsuit

    Apple has reassured consumers that its Apple Watch bands are “safe to wear,” following a lawsuit claiming some bands contain harmful “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS.

    Apple’s Statement:

    Apple Watch bands are completely safe for everyone to wear. We conduct our own tests and also involve independent labs to check our materials thoroughly, including those used in our watch bands.

    Apple also mentioned that they go beyond what the law requires to ensure their products and manufacturing processes are free from dangerous chemicals.

    Phasing Out PFAS:

    Despite confirming the safety of current bands, Apple is actively working to eliminate PFAS from all its products. In a statement from November 2022, Apple outlined their plan:

    We began by looking at the most common PFAS used in our products – fluoropolymers. Although our tests show these are safe for users, we’re expanding our efforts to include all manufacturing stages. We aim to eliminate all PFAS, understanding it’s a complex process that needs careful consideration to find effective, safe alternatives.

    This transition will take time as we catalog PFAS use, develop new materials that perform just as well, and ensure these alternatives are not harmful themselves.

    The Lawsuit:

    The lawsuit references a study which found high levels of PFAS in some smartwatch bands, suggesting these chemicals could be absorbed through the skin leading to health issues. This study included brands like Apple, Nike, Fitbit, and Google, though it didn’t name specific bands.

    When asked about which specific Apple Watch bands might contain PFAS, Apple did not provide an immediate response. The lawsuit aims to include anyone in the U.S. who bought a Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, or Ocean Band for an Apple Watch.

    The case awaits a judicial decision on whether it can proceed as a class action.

  • How much does your iPhone lose value each year?

    How much does your iPhone lose value each year?

    Buying a new smartphone, especially an iPhone, can be quite expensive. If you’re thinking about getting the newest model, trading in your old one can help lower the cost. But don’t wait too long before you trade it in because the value drops quickly.

    No Clear Pattern in Value Drop

    The data comes from Back Market, a site where you can sell your used devices or buy refurbished ones. According to their records, how much an iPhone loses value each year isn’t predictable. You might expect a steady decrease, but that’s not the case.

    For example, an iPhone from 2016 is now valued at $16, while the 2017 model, just a year newer, is worth $38. Some models lose value faster than others; the 2020 iPhone saw a 49% drop in value, compared to only a 25% drop for the 2019 model. This seems odd because the iPhone 12, released in 2020 with a new design, didn’t hold its value much better than the iPhone 11.

    On average, Back Market says an iPhone loses about 36% of its trade-in value after one year. If you’re eyeing the latest iPhone 17 series after using an iPhone 16 Pro Max, it’s wise to trade in soon rather than later.

    The Problem of Unused Devices

    When you upgrade your tech, what do you do with the old stuff? Trading in phones is straightforward, but not so much for other gadgets. Back Market found that 81% of people have at least one piece of tech they’re not using anymore, and 55% have three or more. Surprisingly, 72% of people have an old smartphone lying around.

    Not everyone knows how to go about trading in their old tech. Plus, there’s the issue of safety; stories of people getting robbed during meet-ups are common. Also, the trade-in values from companies might not seem fair compared to what you might get elsewhere. Still, it’s better than letting your devices sit unused, losing value every year.

  • Apple updates CarPlay information, removes 2024 launch date

    Apple updates CarPlay information, removes 2024 launch date

    Apple has recently updated its website, removing the previously mentioned “2024” launch date for the next version of CarPlay. Just over three weeks into 2025, this change hints at a delay without specifying a new launch window.

    The next version of CarPlay was initially teased to come with cars in 2024, but as that didn’t happen, Apple has quietly adjusted its information. The website still talks about the upcoming CarPlay, suggesting it hasn’t been scrapped, but there’s no new timeline for when we might see it.

    It’s not clear who’s behind the delay – Apple, the car companies, or both. We’ve asked Apple for more details.

    Back in 2022, at WWDC, Apple gave us a first look at this advanced CarPlay. It would work closely with the car’s own systems, showing up on multiple screens like the dashboard and control panel. Features include an FM radio app, personalized widgets, and controls for the car’s climate directly from CarPlay, all tailored to match the brand and model of the vehicle.

    Even though the launch has been pushed back, there are signs it might still happen. New code in the latest iOS beta mentions CarPlay, and Apple has recently added new images to an EU database.

    Aston Martin and Porsche had shown off what their instrument clusters might look like with this new CarPlay, but they haven’t put it into use yet. Apple had promised support from a list of car makers including Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, among others, though it’s uncertain if all are still on board.

    Apple’s recent statement reaffirms their commitment to the project:

    “The next CarPlay version is designed to blend Apple’s technology with each car maker’s unique style. We’re working with various car companies to make sure this happens, and they’ll share more when their new models are ready.”

    No new date was given for when we might see this updated CarPlay in action, keeping everyone guessing about its arrival.

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