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  • Car makers still on board with Apple’s new CarPlay system

    Car makers still on board with Apple’s new CarPlay system

    Apple has recently announced that a number of car makers are still set to support the upcoming version of CarPlay in their upcoming car models. However, they didn’t specify when this would happen. Apple had earlier mentioned that this new CarPlay would be available in 2024, but that didn’t come to pass.

    Apple’s statement regarding the new CarPlay is:

    “The new CarPlay is designed based on our experience with the current system, offering an experience that combines the best of Apple’s technology with the car maker’s unique style. We are working closely with various car companies to help them display their brand’s unique look in the new CarPlay. Each car company will give more information as they get closer to announcing which cars will have this feature.”

    Apple also reaffirmed its dedication to the existing CarPlay system, noting that it’s now in more than 98% of new cars sold in the U.S. in recent times.

    Previously, Apple listed car makers like Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo as partners for the new CarPlay. In late 2023, Aston Martin and Porsche showed off their versions of this new system, but they haven’t released it yet. It’s not clear which companies are currently working with Apple on this project.

    This update follows closely after Apple changed its website to take out the 2024 timeline for the new CarPlay they had mentioned before. The system was first shown off by Apple at their Worldwide Developers Conference in 2022.

  • Unlock two key benefits with your iPhone’s new thread radio

    Unlock two key benefits with your iPhone’s new thread radio

    Apple began introducing Thread radios into its devices towards the end of 2023, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. While Apple has been relatively quiet about this new feature, a recent interview sheds light on its benefits.

    Understanding the iPhone’s Thread Radio Advantages

    An insightful interview was published by The Verge, featuring three major contributors to Matter, the new standard for smart home devices. Among them was Vividh Siddha, who serves as both President of the Thread Group and Director at Apple.

    In the discussion, Siddha explained the purpose behind incorporating Thread radios into iPhones. He highlighted two main advantages:

    • Simplifying Smart Home Automation: For those new to smart homes, like someone buying a smart bulb or switch from a store, automating these devices can be tricky without additional equipment. The Thread radio in your iPhone allows for these automations directly, making life easier for early adopters.
    • Maintaining Access During Power Outages: If you lose power, and thus your Wi-Fi or other network systems are down, the Thread radio can still function. This means you can still use important smart devices like your front door lock, ensuring you can enter your home even in emergencies.

    Siddha’s dual roles give him a unique perspective on how Thread can revolutionize home automation, emphasizing these benefits are just the beginning.

    Thread Radios: A Step Forward for Apple’s Smart Home Vision

    The smart home landscape can be confusing, but with Matter, Apple aims to streamline this. Moreover, Apple’s recent push into smart home gadgets could change the game. In the coming months, expect new devices like the ‘HomePad’, followed by updates to the Apple TV 4K and a new HomePod mini. By 2026, Apple plans to launch smart doorbells and cameras.

    While the inclusion of Thread radios in the latest iPhones might not show immediate effects, over time, this technology is poised to enhance Apple’s smart home ecosystem significantly.

  • Trump criticizes EU over fines on Apple and other US tech companies

    Trump criticizes EU over fines on Apple and other US tech companies

    Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump has voiced strong disapproval of the European Union (EU) for imposing hefty fines on American tech giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook.

    US President Labels EU Actions as “Taxation”

    Speaking virtually at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump accused the EU of unfairly targeting major US companies. He described the fines as a “form of taxation” against American businesses, expressing frustration with the EU’s regulatory measures.

    Trump stated, “They’ve taken $15 or $16 billion from Apple, billions from Google, and now they’re after Facebook for even more. These are American companies, and what the EU is doing is wrong. In my view, it’s just another way of taxing them. We have serious complaints about the EU.”

    The Apple case Trump referred to centers around a lengthy legal dispute over taxes in Ireland. The EU ruled that Apple’s tax arrangement with Ireland violated its laws, forcing the tech giant to pay significant back taxes.

    Trump’s Broader Criticism of the EU

    Beyond tech companies, Trump criticized the EU’s broader economic policies, highlighting trade imbalances. He remarked, “The EU treats the US very unfairly. We’re dealing with hundreds of billions in trade deficits with them. No one is happy about it, and we’re going to take action.”

    Reactions and Implications

    Critics, however, were quick to point out Trump’s inconsistent stance. While he condemned the EU for regulating American firms, his own policies often focused on tariffs and trade measures against foreign businesses.

    These remarks signal potential challenges ahead for US tech companies operating in Europe. As the EU continues to scrutinize firms like Apple, Google, and Facebook, the friction between American leadership and European regulators could intensify.

    Trump’s statements also raise questions about how his administration might approach issues like App Store regulations and other matters affecting US tech firms in global markets.

  • Apple’s new update for test browser improves speed and fixes issues

    Apple’s new update for test browser improves speed and fixes issues

    Apple has launched a fresh update for its test browser, known as Safari Technology Preview, which was introduced back in 2016. This browser lets people try out new features before they’re added to the regular Safari browser.

    Image of Safari Technology Preview Update

    The latest update, version 212, brings several improvements and fixes to various parts of the browser including:

    • User Verification
    • Drawing and Graphics
    • Styling with CSS
    • Web Forms
    • JavaScript
    • Page Loading
    • Network Connections
    • PDF Viewing
    • Visual Display
    • SVG Graphics
    • Text Handling
    • Web APIs
    • Developer Tools

    This version of the test browser works on computers with macOS Sonoma or the latest macOS version, macOS Sequoia.

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

    The purpose of Safari Technology Preview is to get input from both users and developers on how to make the browser better. You can use this test browser alongside your regular Safari without needing a special developer account. It’s a great way for anyone to help shape the future of web browsing.

  • New Update for Luminar Photo Editor: Now works with RAW and iCloud on Apple devices

    New Update for Luminar Photo Editor: Now works with RAW and iCloud on Apple devices

    The Luminar Mobile app for photo editing has just added some cool new features. With the latest update, version 2.2, you can now edit RAW images right on your iPhone, iPad, or even the Apple Vision Pro. This is especially handy for Vision Pro users since the device doesn’t have its own photo editing tools in the Photos app. If you’re into editing photos, you’ll want to check this out.

    Here’s what’s new in Luminar Mobile 2.2:

    RAW Image Editing

    Now, you can edit photos from many big camera brands in RAW format. This means you get to use pro-level tools to adjust things like brightness, contrast, and color. You can make your pictures look just how you want with lots of detail.

    Keep Track of Your Changes

    Every edit you make is saved automatically. This way, you can go back to your work whenever you want. It’s like having a history book for your edits, so you can always see what you’ve changed and make further tweaks if needed.

    Sync Your Edits with iCloud

    If you use more than one Apple device, you’ll love this. Now, your edits will sync across your devices using iCloud. Start editing on your phone, and pick up right where you left off on your iPad or another device.

    Better App Design

    The app’s look and feel have been improved based on what users have said. It’s now easier to use, with a nicer layout. For those using an iPad, tools for adjusting color and adding effects are easier to find. There’s also a new button to go back to your original photo if you decide you want to start over.

    This update makes Luminar Mobile a great choice for anyone looking to do more with their photos on Apple devices.

  • Music Streaming Services: How much do they pay artists?

    Music Streaming Services: How much do they pay artists?

    Not all music streaming platforms give the same amount of money to musicians, and a recent study shows just how different these payments can be. For example, Apple Music pays artists way more than Spotify does.

    The study, done by Duetti, looks at how much artists got paid in 2024 by different platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.

    One key thing they checked was how much money artists make for every 1,000 times their song is played. Here’s what they found for 2024:

    • Amazon paid $8.80 for 1,000 streams.
    • Apple Music paid $6.20.
    • YouTube paid $4.80.
    • Spotify only paid $3.00.

    This shows that Apple Music paid artists more than twice what Spotify did. One reason for Spotify’s lower payments is its free version which has lots of ads but doesn’t make much money for artists.

    While Spotify has ads like YouTube, YouTube still manages to pay artists more. Apple Music, on the other hand, only has paid subscriptions, which lets them give more money to artists.

    Another concerning point from the report is that even though Spotify has been increasing its prices, the money artists get from each stream has been going down. This is a bit troubling, especially since Spotify has been putting more effort into podcasts and audiobooks, possibly at the cost of music artists’ earnings.

  • What’s coming in the next iPhone software update?

    What’s coming in the next iPhone software update?

    Apple is set to roll out the new iOS 18.3 update next week after months of testing. Even though it’s not a huge update, it does bring some cool new features and fixes for iPhone users.

    Changes in Notifications

    Apple has decided to pause its AI-powered news summaries because they’ve been getting some details wrong. In iOS 18.3, you’ll see summarized notifications in italics so they’re easy to spot. Also, you can now tweak your notification summary settings right from your lock screen. Apple has promised to make these summaries better in future updates.

    New Visual Intelligence Features

    If you’ve got one of the iPhone 16 models, you can enjoy enhanced Visual Intelligence. This feature lets you get instant info about things around you by just holding down the Camera Control button. Now, you can add events to your calendar from posters you see in public, and it can even tell you about different animals or plants. Remember, these features are only for the latest iPhone models.

    Calculator App Gets a Boost

    A handy feature is back in the Calculator app with iOS 18.3. Now, when you hit the equals button twice, it repeats the last calculation, which is super useful for things like figuring out compound interest.

    Maybe Something for Black Unity

    There’s a hint in the tvOS update code about a possible “UNITY25” campaign, suggesting Apple might celebrate Black Unity again this year with new watch bands, faces, or iPhone wallpapers. Nothing’s confirmed yet, but we might hear something soon.

    Bug Fixes and More

    iOS 18.3 also fixes some annoying bugs. For instance, Siri won’t make your keyboard vanish when you try to type a request, and Apple Music will stop playing when you close the app, not after the song ends. There’s also talk about adding support for robot vacuums in the Home app, but that seems to be pushed to a later update.

    This update is shaping up to make your iPhone experience smoother and more useful, especially if you’ve got the latest model. Keep an eye out for the official release next week.

  • Apple’s First Laser Printer: The birth of desktop publishing

    Apple’s First Laser Printer: The birth of desktop publishing

    Forty years ago today, Apple changed the world of printing with the launch of the LaserWriter. This was not just any printer; it was the start of what we now know as desktop publishing.

    The LaserWriter was Apple’s debut into the laser printing scene, and it was one of the earliest printers to use Adobe’s PostScript technology. This technology was special because it allowed for detailed and scalable printing of text, designs, and images, moving away from the less precise dot-matrix printers of that era.

    Under the hood, the LaserWriter was powered by a Motorola 68000 microprocessor, the same as in the Macintosh computers. It had its memory, could run its programs, and its processor was faster than those in the Macs, making it the most powerful piece of hardware Apple had at that time.

    With a print quality of 300 dots per inch (dpi), the LaserWriter could produce documents that looked like they came from high-end professional printers. When it first came out, it cost $6,995, which would be about $24,000 today.

    Alongside the LaserWriter, Apple introduced the AppleTalk networking system. This was groundbreaking because it enabled multiple computers to connect to one printer, making office printing more efficient than ever before.

    When combined with the Macintosh and programs like Aldus PageMaker, the LaserWriter allowed people to create and print professional-looking materials like flyers, newsletters, and ads right from their desks. This meant that publishing tools, once only available to big companies, were now within reach for smaller businesses, schools, and individual creators.

    Over time, Apple expanded the LaserWriter line, offering everything from high-end models like the LaserWriter Pro to more budget-friendly options like the Personal LaserWriter. However, as competitors like HP and Canon entered the market with cheaper yet similar technology, and as more printers worked well with Apple’s systems, the LaserWriter’s unique position weakened. By the time Steve Jobs came back to Apple in 1997, the decision was made to stop producing the LaserWriter, as focus shifted away from peripherals like printers.

  • iPhones with TikTok app sell for big bucks on eBay

    iPhones with TikTok app sell for big bucks on eBay

    People are selling old iPhones with TikTok already on them for lots of money on eBay. Some are even asking for up to $50,000! For example, someone listed an unlocked iPhone 12 Pro Max with TikTok for $50,000.

    Even though President Trump said companies wouldn’t get in trouble for not following the TikTok ban, big companies like Apple and Google are still not allowing TikTok in their app stores in the US.

    A Quick Update

    The US Supreme Court said yes to banning TikTok last Friday, and the ban started on January 19. TikTok was taken off the app stores on Sunday. Apple had to say they would follow the law. But then, Trump posted on social media that he would stop the ban when he became president again the next day, and he said companies could ignore the law without getting into trouble. So, TikTok came back online thanks to Bytedance, with Oracle, a US company, trusting Trump’s word.

    Trump then made an official statement saying the ban wouldn’t be enforced for 75 days, but lawyers said this might not be legal, meaning companies could still face huge fines of up to $850 billion. They also said Trump could change his mind if he didn’t like a company.

    eBay Listings for TikTok iPhones

    Wired noticed that some sellers on eBay are trying to make money by selling old phones with TikTok on them for much more than they are really worth.

    If you look up “TikTok phone” on eBay, you’ll find over 9,000 listings for phones from brands like Apple and Samsung, all with TikTok installed. Some listings are asking for $50,000, while many others are between $2,000 and $5,000.

    Luckily, it seems like most people aren’t paying these crazy prices. The phones with very high prices aren’t selling, and when they do sell, it’s often because buyers can offer a lower price through eBay’s “best offer” option.

    Here’s an interesting thing about these iPhones: if one user downloads apps using their Apple ID and then another user signs in with their own ID, the apps stay on the phone. But, if you ever reset your phone using your own iCloud backup, you’ll lose those apps.

    Source

  • UK Watchdog probes iPhone App Store dominance

    UK Watchdog probes iPhone App Store dominance

    The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has kicked off a thorough investigation into how mobile app stores operate, focusing on iPhone and Android systems.

    The study aims to look at whether Apple has too much control over the market and if they might be using this power in unfair ways. They’re checking how apps are sold to consumers and the rules developers have to follow to get their apps on the iPhone’s App Store.

    This investigation sounds a lot like what’s happening in the European Union, where they have rules to keep big tech companies in check.

    The CMA will look into how much competition exists between Apple and Google, including how hard it is for new companies to break into the market. They’ll check if Apple and Google are using their big influence over mobile operating systems to favor their own apps or limit choices in browsers. They’re also looking at the conditions app makers must agree to for their apps to appear in these stores.

    The investigation is set to wrap up by October 22, 2025. After that, we’ll know more about what might happen next. Possible outcomes could include penalties or changes in how these companies do business.

    In Europe, Apple was made to allow other app stores, let apps be downloaded from the internet, and give users more browser options. However, Apple also changed how they charge developers, which some big companies like Epic Games and Spotify say is still not fair. While the EU case continues, it’s likely Apple might use similar tactics when dealing with the CMA in the UK.

    Source

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