Search results for: “App”

  • Apple plans to fix security holes in Safari and Chrome for new devices

    Apple plans to fix security holes in Safari and Chrome for new devices

    Students from Georgia Tech have found two new security problems in Apple’s latest chips. These issues, called SLAP and FLOP, could let someone peek into your private internet activities like browsing history, credit card details, emails, and even where you are, just by using a bad website. You don’t need to touch the device to make this happen; a harmful webpage can do the trick by getting around Apple’s safeguards.

    These flaws affect several of Apple’s newer chips:

    • Mac laptops from 2022 onwards
    • Mac desktops from 2023 onwards
    • iPads made since 2021
    • iPhones from 2021 models onwards

    These vulnerabilities were reported to Apple back in May and September of last year, but they haven’t been fixed yet. Apple has promised to patch these security issues soon.

    Apple has shared with Bleeping Computer that they haven’t fixed these problems yet, saying, “We appreciate the researchers’ teamwork as this test improves our knowledge of these risks. We think this doesn’t present an immediate threat to our users.”

    SLAP only affects the Safari browser, while FLOP can hit both Safari and Chrome. They haven’t checked if other browsers like Firefox might have the same problem. There’s no sign yet that these attacks have happened out there in the real world. For more information on how these attacks work, you can check out the dedicated website that explains everything about SLAP and FLOP.

  • Apple Calendar app gets better with iOS 18.3

    Apple Calendar app gets better with iOS 18.3

    Apple’s Calendar app has been around forever on iPhones but hasn’t changed much over the years. However, recent updates have started to make it more useful. With iOS 18.3, there’s now another cool feature that makes using Apple’s own app even more appealing.

    Big Changes in iOS 18 for Calendar

    Apple hasn’t done much with its Calendar app for a long time, which is strange because there are so many other good calendar apps out there like Google Calendar and Fantastical. But with iOS 18, Apple finally made some changes that are quite noticeable, even if they’re not huge.

    One of the best new features is that now you can manage your reminders right in the Calendar app. You can add, change, or look at your reminders without needing to switch apps. It’s a nice touch, though it would be better if you could choose which reminder lists show up in Calendar.

    Also, iOS 18 brought a new look to the app with better text and layout, plus a new way to see your month’s events all at once.

    A New Feature in iOS 18.3 for Calendar

    If you have an iPhone 16 with Camera Control, iOS 18.3 gives you a handy tool. By holding down on the Camera Control, you unlock a feature called visual intelligence, which uses AI to understand what your camera is pointed at.

    This new update lets you do something pretty neat: if you see a flyer or poster with a date on it, you can point your camera at it, and your iPhone will ask if you want to add that event to your Calendar. It’s an easy way to keep your digital calendar up to date with what’s going on around you.

    The catch is, this feature only works with Apple’s Calendar app because you can’t set another app as the default for this purpose. This small but smart update gives you one more reason to use Apple’s Calendar instead of looking elsewhere.

  • MacBook Pro ruined in car crash, AppleCare+ claim rejected

    MacBook Pro ruined in car crash, AppleCare+ claim rejected

    A MacBook Pro owner shared a frustrating experience on Reddit after his laptop was wrecked in a car accident. Despite having an AppleCare+ plan for accidental damage, Apple declined to replace or repair the device.

    The user explained on the platform that his MacBook was severely damaged in the crash. He was shocked to learn that Apple wouldn’t cover the repair or replacement because the damage was considered too extensive.

    “I thought I was safe with AppleCare+ for accidents,” he lamented. “But they won’t replace my MacBook because it’s too broken. It feels like my money was spent for nothing.”

    Apple’s AppleCare+ policy clearly states that it covers accidental damage from handling, which includes unexpected events like drops or spills. The policy specifies that Apple can either repair the damage using genuine parts or replace the device with one that meets their standards.

    However, the policy also lists several exclusions. Two might apply here:

    • Natural Disasters: The policy does not cover damages from events like fire, floods, or earthquakes. Interestingly, it also mentions “similar external causes,” which might be interpreted to include a car crash, although this seems like a stretch.
    • Reckless Behavior: Damage resulting from reckless, abusive, or intentional actions is also not covered. Since the driver admitted the crash was his fault, one could argue that his driving might qualify as reckless, though this interpretation seems harsh.

    The situation raises eyebrows about the application of these policy terms. Accidental damage insurance is supposed to protect against, well, accidents. Excluding coverage because the damage is “too severe” or interpreting a car accident as “reckless behavior” seems to miss the point of such insurance.

    In conclusion, this case illustrates a potential gap between consumer expectations and the fine print of insurance policies. It’s a reminder for all of us to read and understand the specifics of our coverage, especially when it comes to high-value items like electronics.

    Source

  • Old Apple Watches can’t get new software update

    Old Apple Watches can’t get new software update

    The latest watchOS 11.3 update has accidentally messed up updates for some older Apple Watches, according to what people are saying on social media.

    If you have an Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, or the first Apple Watch SE, you might run into a problem. These models can’t move to the new watchOS 11, and now, there’s a glitch that stops them from getting the last big update for watchOS 10, called watchOS 10.6.1.

    If your Apple Watch wasn’t on watchOS 10.6.1 before the new updates came out, you won’t be able to install it now. So, if you’re using one of these older watches with an older software version, you’re stuck. Also, some of these watches won’t connect to your iPhone if they’re on an older version of watchOS 10.

    This problem only affects the older models that can’t go beyond watchOS 10, specifically those not already updated to 10.6.1 from last August. Apple is expected to sort this out soon, so keep an eye out for a fix.

  • What’s new in iOS 18.3: Apple’s latest update details

    What’s new in iOS 18.3: Apple’s latest update details

    Apple has just released iOS 18.3 for everyone to download. We’ve already covered the new features, but here’s a simple breakdown of what’s new according to Apple’s official notes:

    Visual Intelligence with Camera Control (For all iPhone 16 models):

    • Add Events to Calendar: Now you can add an event to your Calendar just by snapping a picture of a poster or flyer.
    • Identify Plants and Animals: Your camera can now help you learn about nature by identifying different plants and animals.

    Notification Summaries (For iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max):

    • Manage Summaries Easily: You can now control your notification summary settings right from the lock screen.
    • New Look for Summaries: Notifications that are summarized now show up in italics and with a special icon, making them easy to spot.
    • Temporary Hold on Some Apps: Summaries for News and Entertainment apps are paused for now, but you can choose to get them back when they’re ready.

    Other Updates and Fixes:

    • Calculator: If you press equals again, it will repeat your last calculation, making quick math easier.
    • Siri: No more issues with the keyboard disappearing when you start typing a command.
    • Apple Music: Fixed a problem where music would keep playing even after you close the app.

    This update aims to make your iPhone experience smoother and more intuitive. Whether you’re organizing your schedule or just exploring the outdoors, iOS 18.3 has something to make daily tasks a bit easier.

  • How Apple gains from DeepSeek’s AI breakthrough

    How Apple gains from DeepSeek’s AI breakthrough

    DeepSeek is rapidly changing the AI scene in the U.S. Still, while many of Apple’s rivals face challenges, Apple seems to be gaining advantages from DeepSeek’s early achievements in three key areas.

    Becoming the Top Company Again

    Apple has long been in a race to be known as the world’s richest company by market value. Recently, it lost its crown to NVIDIA, thanks to the AI boom. However, with DeepSeek’s influence on the market, the stocks of many tech giants, including NVIDIA, have dropped, while Apple’s have gone up. Right now, Apple is once again the leading company worldwide, largely thanks to DeepSeek.

    Boost from App Store Popularity

    Over the weekend, DeepSeek’s app became the most downloaded on Apple’s iPhone App Store, a clear sign of its growing fame. This is significant, particularly for an app that was relatively unknown before. At a time when Apple is dealing with legal issues about its App Store, DeepSeek’s success shows how important the App Store rankings are in today’s culture.

    Steering Clear of AI Investment Pitfalls

    Apple is pouring money into AI development but isn’t suffering like its competitors from DeepSeek’s strategy of doing more with less. While others push for huge AI investments, DeepSeek proves that big budgets aren’t always necessary for success. Apple, with its quiet, internal development strategy, avoids the tough questions others face and strengthens its commitment to processing AI directly on devices, which they see as the future.

    In Conclusion

    It’s too soon to say how DeepSeek will shape the AI world in the long run. However, it’s currently stirring things up, causing unease among U.S. tech firms. Apple might be feeling this too, but for now, it’s also reaping the benefits of DeepSeek’s early triumphs.

  • New update for Apple TV: tvOS 18.3 now available

    New update for Apple TV: tvOS 18.3 now available

    Apple has just rolled out tvOS 18.3, the latest update for the tvOS 18 series which was first launched in September. This update comes about a month after the release of tvOS 18.2 and is compatible with both Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

    To install tvOS 18.3, go to the Settings app on your Apple TV. Navigate to System, then Software Update, and follow the prompts to download and install the update. If you have automatic updates turned on, your Apple TV will update to tvOS 18.3 without any extra steps from you.

    During the beta phase of tvOS 18.3, there weren’t any big new features added, but this update does include a new alert regarding the purchase of digital movies and TV shows.

    For detailed release notes, check out Apple’s support document for tvOS, which gets updated with each new version release.

    Additionally, Apple has released HomePod Software 18.3 for both the HomePod and HomePod mini. Since HomePod software shares its roots with tvOS, this update aligns with the tvOS update in terms of version numbering and some underlying system improvements.

  • Apple unveils new update for Apple Watch: watchOS 11.3

    Apple unveils new update for Apple Watch: watchOS 11.3

    Apple has just launched watchOS 11.3, a big update for the Apple Watch. This new version works with the Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models, all Apple Watch Ultra watches, and the Apple Watch SE 2.

    To get watchOS 11.3 on your watch, you’ll need an iPhone with iOS 18.3. Just open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to General, and then Software Update. Remember, your watch should have at least 50% battery and be on its charger before you start the update.

    A cool new feature in watchOS 11.3 is the Black Unity watch face. This face goes perfectly with a new band that Apple also released today. The idea behind both the watch face and the band is to celebrate diversity and unity, with designs made by Black artists and their friends at Apple.

    For more details on what else watchOS 11 brings to the table, check out our summary on watchOS 11.

  • Apple updates VisionOS to Version 2.3

    Apple updates VisionOS to Version 2.3

    Apple has just launched visionOS 2.3, marking the third update to the visionOS 2 software which was first introduced in September. This new version comes a little over a month after visionOS 2.2 and nearly a year since the Vision Pro headset was released.

    To update to visionOS 2.3, owners of the Vision Pro can go into the Settings menu on their device, click on General, and then select Software Update. When updating, you’ll need to take off your Vision Pro. There’s a handy progress bar on the front EyeSight display, so you can see how the update is going.

    Apple states that visionOS 2.3 brings important bug fixes and security enhancements. They recommend that everyone updates to this version for the best experience. For more details about the Vision Pro and the visionOS 2 updates, check out our detailed guide.

  • Apple releases iOS 18.3 with new features and fixes

    Apple releases iOS 18.3 with new features and fixes

    Apple has recently rolled out iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, bringing new features and improvements to iPhones and iPads. This update follows six weeks after the release of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2.

    Updating Your Device

    To get the new software, simply go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone or iPad. Apple also updated iPadOS to version 17.7.4 for older iPads that can’t handle the latest iPadOS 18.

    New Features for iPhone 16

    For those with iPhone 16 models, iOS 18.3 introduces Visual Intelligence. Now, you can add events to your Calendar just by taking a picture of a poster or flyer. Plus, it’s easier to identify plants and animals around you.

    Changes in Notifications

    This update also tweaks how notifications work. It makes notification summaries easier to manage from your Lock Screen and changes their appearance to stand out better by using italic text. However, for now, summaries for news and entertainment apps are paused to avoid sending out confusing alerts.

    Bug Fixes and Enhancements

    • The Calculator app now repeats your last calculation if you tap the equals sign again.
    • Fixed a problem where the keyboard might vanish when you start typing a request to Siri.
    • An issue where music keeps playing even after you’ve closed Apple Music has been sorted out.

    Note

    Some of these new features might not be available everywhere or on every Apple device. For more on security updates, check out Apple’s support page at:

    Apple Support

    Looking Ahead

    • We’re looking forward to iOS 18.4 beta, which is expected to bring new Apple Intelligence features for Siri, enhancing your interaction with your device even further.