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  • 76% of recent iPhones now have iOS 18

    76% of recent iPhones now have iOS 18

    The latest numbers show that iOS 18 is doing just as well as iOS 17 did last year. According to Apple, 76% of iPhones released in the past four years have iOS 18 installed, and 63% of iPads from the same period are now using iPadOS 18.

    Looking at all iPhones, 68% are running iOS 18, while 53% of iPads have iPadOS 18. However, there are still 19% of iPhones on iOS 17, and 13% on even older versions. On the iPad side, 28% are still on iPadOS 17, with 19% on older software.

    This is the first time Apple has shared these stats for iOS 18 since it came out last September. For comparison, by February 5 of the previous year, 76% of iPhones released in the last four years had iOS 17, with 66% of all iPhones updated. Meanwhile, 61% of recent iPads and 53% of all iPads were running iPadOS 17.

    The adoption rate for iOS 18 is similar to iOS 17, but Apple released these figures a bit sooner this year. With updates like iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 coming next week, more people might choose to update their devices.

    Also, expect some big Siri updates in the iOS 18.4 update coming in April, which could boost the number of users even more. iOS 18 supports iPhones up to six years old, starting from the iPhone XS/XR. However, the fancy new Apple Intelligence features are only for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16, which might make some people with older phones think twice about upgrading.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Samsung’s New Galaxy S25: Borrowing over a dozen iPhone traits, claims Macworld

    Samsung’s New Galaxy S25: Borrowing over a dozen iPhone traits, claims Macworld

    Macworld argues that Samsung’s latest Galaxy S25 has taken inspiration from over a dozen iPhone features. From the phone’s sleek, straight-edged design to how its AI assistant displays, Samsung seems to have borrowed quite a bit from Apple.

    Macworld’s Mahmoud Itani highlights this, starting with the AI features. The Galaxy S25 has integrated AI similar to Apple’s, allowing users to connect with third-party chatbots like Google Gemini, just as Apple does with ChatGPT in its system. When activating Gemini on the Galaxy S25, users see a text box with a colorful, glowing border, which looks a lot like Siri’s interface on iPhones. Additionally, the text selection tool in Samsung’s phone mimics Apple’s Writing Tools, offering options to proofread or transform text into tables.

    Itani goes on to mention other features like the ability to record and summarize calls, perform natural language searches in the photo gallery, and a photo editing tool that resembles Apple’s Image Playground. There’s also a new feature similar to Apple’s Live Activities, called the Now Bar, and enhanced audio features for video recording akin to Apple’s cinematic audio.

    9to5Mac’s Viewpoint
    It’s clear that Samsung often looks to Apple for inspiration. Their strategy seems to involve quickly bringing to market features similar to those rumored or leaked for upcoming iPhones, aiming to beat Apple to the punch. However, Apple isn’t innocent of copying either, as both companies tend to adopt similar technologies once they’re mainstream.

    Ultimately, this mutual borrowing is beneficial. The competitive pressure drives each company to innovate and perfect their offerings, leading to better products for consumers.

  • 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.

  • Secure your new M4 Mac Mini with this $69 lock

    Secure your new M4 Mac Mini with this $69 lock

    Need to keep your brand new M4 Mac mini safe? Apple has introduced a new item in its online store just for that.

    Don’t worry, it’s not something scary like from a horror film. It’s actually a Kensington Security Mount made specifically for the M4 Mac mini. This accessory comes with two parts: a mounting bracket and a lock set that you can use by themselves or together.

    The Kensington Security Mount for Mac mini is perfect for securing your computer. You can use it to mount your Mac, lock it, or do both. It’s specially made to fit perfectly, giving you easy access to the power button and all the ports on your Mac mini.

    Made from strong steel, this mount can be attached to, under, or next to any firm surface. It also works with the NanoSaver™ lock that comes with it.

    With a five-year warranty, you can feel safe knowing Kensington, a top name in security solutions, has got you covered.

    Check out more pictures here:

    The Kensington Security Mount for Mac mini is priced at $69.95 and you can order it right now from Apple. They promise to deliver it as early as next week.

  • 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.

  • New updates coming to iPhone screen recording

    New updates coming to iPhone screen recording

    The iPhone’s screen recording tool is about to get even better with three cool new features. It’s great for making quick videos of your screen, like when you’re showing someone how to do something on their phone. I talk about these updates in my latest “iPhone Secrets” episode.

    What Does Screen Recording Do Now?

    Screen recording on your iPhone lets you capture whatever is on your screen and save it in your Photos. You can also stream it live! To do more, just hold down the Screen Record button in the Control Center. This lets you turn on your microphone or choose where to send your live video, like to Zoom or Instagram.

    What’s New?

    • Stereo Sound Recording: Right now, when you record your screen, the sound is only in one channel (mono). But soon, you’ll be able to record in stereo using the iPhone’s multiple microphones for a richer sound experience.
    • HDR Screen Capture: Currently, if you record your screen while watching high-quality (HDR) video, it all goes back to standard quality (SDR). In the next update, you’ll keep the high quality, making your recordings look just as good as what you’re watching.
    • Live Camera Overlay: Imagine recording your screen and adding a live video of yourself in a small window. This is coming soon! It’s like having a mini TV of you in the corner of your screen recording, perfect for tutorials or explaining things hands-free.

    Here’s what the new screen recording menu might look like, with a camera icon next to the microphone icon, allowing you to turn your camera on while recording.

    These changes might not excite everyone, but for people who use screen recording a lot, they’re big improvements. Especially the camera overlay, which can make your videos much more engaging.

    What do you think about these updates? For more details, check out the latest “iPhone Secrets” episode where I go over these features and more coming to iOS 18.3.

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