Search results for: “Apple News”

  • Apple’s new ‘HomePad’ gets a cooking boost in iOS 18.4

    Apple’s new ‘HomePad’ gets a cooking boost in iOS 18.4

    The iOS 18.4 beta just dropped, and it’s got a cool surprise: a Food hub and cooking guide in Apple News. But here’s the real kicker—a new gadget I’m calling the ‘HomePad’ is on the way, and this cooking feature feels like it was made just for it.

    iOS 18.4 Brings a Fun Cooking Tool

    People thought iOS 18.4 would focus on making Siri smarter. That’s not in the first beta yet—maybe it’s coming in iOS 18.5. Instead, we got a shiny new food section that’s stealing the show. If you’ve got Apple News+, the News app now has a special Food area. It’s packed with recipes, restaurant details, and a handy cooking mode—perfect for food lovers.

    Apple’s press release explains it best:

    The Food feature lets you explore tons of recipes in a Recipe Catalog that grows daily. The layout is simple and pretty, showing ingredients and steps clearly. There’s a cook mode that zooms in on each step, and you can save recipes to use offline later.

    It’s a lot like how Apple Music shows lyrics or Podcasts display transcripts—a clean, bold look that highlights the text. The step you’re on glows, while others stay faded but readable. It works great on iPhones and iPads, but it’s going to shine on the HomePad when it arrives, probably this spring. Maybe it’ll even get its own Cook app!

    HomePad: Your Kitchen Buddy

    Mark Gurman says the HomePad will be super flexible for any room. It’ll come with parts you can swap—like wall mounts for a security panel vibe or bases with speakers for the kitchen or desk. Apple sees it helping with FaceTime calls while you cook or chat in work meetings.

    I bet there’ll be a fridge magnet option too, even if Gurman didn’t mention it.

    We’ve spotted clues in iOS 18.4’s code about this Home gadget, including something called ‘CookingKit’ that fits the HomePad perfectly. Picture this: a hands-free recipe guide where you just say, “Siri, next step,” and keep cooking.

    Cooking help is only one piece of the HomePad puzzle, but it already sounds like a fresh twist on Apple’s lineup.

  • Trump pushes Apple to drop diversity rules

    Trump pushes Apple to drop diversity rules

    In a loud, all-caps message on Truth Social today, President Donald Trump told Apple to completely stop its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) rules.

    “APPLE SHOULD DUMP DEI RULES, NOT JUST TWEAK THEM,” he posted.

    This comes right after Apple’s yearly shareholder meeting yesterday. At the meeting, most shareholders said no to a plan that would have asked Apple to get rid of its Inclusion & Diversity goals. The idea came from the National Center for Public Policy Research, a group that says it’s a fair, free-market, conservative think tank. They argued that DEI efforts could bring legal trouble, hurt the company’s image, and cost shareholders money.

    Apple told its shareholders to vote against the plan, calling it an attempt to control how the company runs. The tech giant said it already keeps an eye on its work to follow anti-discrimination laws. During the meeting, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, admitted that laws might force changes to DEI rules later on. But Trump thinks Apple should just drop them entirely. Still, Cook promised shareholders that Apple will always focus on making everyone feel welcome.

    “We work hard to build a place where everyone belongs and can do their best,” Apple shared in its meeting notice.

    Since coming back to the White House, Trump has been against DEI programs. Last month, he made a rule to end DEI in federal jobs. After that, some big tech names like Google have started cutting back on their own DEI plans. This topic stirs up a lot of opinions, so we’ve moved the conversation to our Political News forum. Anyone can read it, but only forum members with 100+ posts can join in.

  • Apple tackles funny iPhone voice typing glitch

    Apple tackles funny iPhone voice typing glitch

    Many iPhone users spotted a strange problem today with the phone’s voice typing feature. When they say “racist” to send a message, the word “Trump” pops up for a second before fixing itself to “racist.”

    This quirky glitch happens when people use the iPhone’s dictation tool. Sometimes, as they speak “racist,” the phone types “Trump” in the Messages app. Then, it quickly changes to the right word after figuring out what was said.

    In our tests, saying “racist” didn’t always turn into “Trump” first, but it happened more often than other mix-ups. We also noticed “Rhett” or “Rouch” showing up briefly before the phone corrected it to “racist.”

    A video showing this odd bug has been making rounds on TikTok and other social media. An Apple spokesperson explained to The New York Times that the mix-up comes from the words sounding a bit alike. It’s unclear if this has been an issue for a while and only got noticed now, or if something changed recently to cause it. Apple assured us they’re working on a solution.

    John Burkey, who used to work on Apple’s Siri team, told The New York Times that there might be something in Apple’s system accidentally turning “racist” into “Trump.” He jokingly called it a “big prank” but wasn’t sure if it was added on purpose or slipped into the data Apple uses for its smart features.

    Note: Since this topic touches on political or social stuff, the chat about it is in our Political News forum. Everyone can read it, but only forum members with 100+ posts can join the conversation.

  • Apple blocks Russian developers from its special app program

    Apple blocks Russian developers from its special app program

    Apple has recently stopped Russian developers from using its Apple Developer Enterprise Program (ADEP). According to Russian tech insiders who spoke with RBC, this change happened on February 12. With this program now off-limits, developers in Russia can’t build or share custom iOS apps for private use without putting them on the App Store. A tech firm in St. Petersburg told the news outlet that all their ADEP data was wiped out, leaving the program useless for them.

    Before shutting it down, Apple seems to have given a heads-up to companies relying on Enterprise certificates. These certificates let developers approve and share apps internally, and Apple warned they’d stop working by mid-February. In Russia, ADEP was a big deal for testing apps without App Store approval. Big companies also used it to create tools like business apps, company chatbots, customer management systems, and delivery trackers for their teams.

    Even though Apple halted product sales and cut back services like Apple Pay in Russia after the Ukraine conflict started, the App Store itself is still running there. That said, Apple has followed Russian rules by pulling certain apps—like VPNs and some news platforms—when the government asked. This move shows Apple tightening its grip on what Russian developers can do, even as some services stay active.

    It’s a shift that’s likely to hit companies and tech teams hard, especially those who counted on ADEP for their day-to-day work. Want to dig deeper into this topic? Check out the discussion in the Political News forum on MSN, where this story was shared. Anyone can read it, but if you want to chime in, you’ll need to be a forum member with at least 100 posts.

  • Phil Schiller wasn’t sure about Apple’s 27% fee for outside purchases

    Phil Schiller wasn’t sure about Apple’s 27% fee for outside purchases

    Phil Schiller, a top Apple leader who helps run the App Store, told a court on Monday that he wasn’t thrilled about the 27% fee Apple now charges for purchases made outside its store. He worried it might upset developers and make Apple look like a bill collector, according to AP News.

    Schiller shared these thoughts during a three-hour talk in court as part of a legal fight with Epic Games. “I wasn’t happy about chasing developers for money,” he said. He feared it would strain Apple’s bond with app makers and change how the App Store works by forcing it to track down payments.

    Even with Schiller’s doubts, Apple’s big decision-makers—including CEO Tim Cook, the former money boss Luca Maestri, and the legal crew—went ahead with the plan. They settled on the 27% fee (a slight drop from the usual 30%) after a 2021 court case with Epic Games. The judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, said Apple wasn’t a monopoly but had to stop blocking developers from pointing users to other payment options outside the App Store.

    So, Apple made a system where developers can get permission to add links to outside payment sites. But there’s a catch—Apple still takes a 27% cut on sales made within a week of clicking those links. Smaller businesses pay 12% instead of 15%. Epic’s boss, Tim Sweeney, called this a sneaky way to dodge the court’s real goal of opening up competition.

    The court talks, set to wrap up by Wednesday, are digging into whether Apple’s following the rules from that earlier ruling. Judge Rogers isn’t thrilled, saying Apple’s team seems fuzzy on how they came up with the payment setup. Court papers show Apple studied how a clunkier outside payment process might push developers back to its own system. This whole clash started in 2020 when Epic pushed to break Apple’s control over in-app purchases, where Apple grabs 15% to 30% of the cash. It’s still a heated battle!

  • Apple’s 2026 Foldable iPhone promises a smooth screen – No Crease!

    Apple’s 2026 Foldable iPhone promises a smooth screen – No Crease!

    Apple is working hard on its first-ever foldable iPhone, and exciting news says they’ve cracked a big problem: the annoying screen crease you see on most foldable phones. A fresh report hints that Apple has found a way to make the display look smooth and flawless when folded or unfolded.

    According to a Korean news site, ETNews, Apple is picking out the companies that will supply parts for this phone, and they’ll finish choosing by April. This means they’re getting ready to start making the phone soon, with parts production kicking off later this year.

    An insider shared with ETNews, “Apple wants the crease gone, no matter the cost, to make their foldable phone stand out from others.” They’ve created a special new material to hide the crease completely. This is a huge deal because other brands like Samsung and Huawei haven’t managed to erase that line on their foldable screens. If Apple pulls this off, they could leap ahead of the competition.

    The report says Samsung Display will be the only company making the OLED screens for Apple’s foldable iPhone. They’ve been working on it since last year, using their know-how from being the first to mass-make foldable screens. The phone might fold like a book, with super-thin glass from a US company called Corning covering the screen. Another US company, Amphenol, which has made hinges for MacBooks, is likely to supply the folding part.

    ETNews predicts the foldable iPhone will hit stores in late 2026, matching what Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and other experts like Ming-Chi Kuo have said. Rumors from a Chinese leaker, Digital Chat Station, suggest it’ll have a 5.49-inch outside screen and a 7.74-inch inside one when opened.

    Both screens might look wider and shorter than usual, different from something like Oppo’s new Find N5 phone. Apple’s foldable iPhone could change the game with its crease-free screen and cool design. Fans might have to wait until 2026, but it sounds like it’ll be worth it!

  • Apple and Indonesia agree to allow iPhone 16 sales again

    Apple and Indonesia agree to allow iPhone 16 sales again

    Apple and Indonesia have worked out a deal to end a five-month ban on selling the iPhone 16 in the country, according to insiders who shared the news with Bloomberg. The disagreement started in October when Indonesia blocked Apple’s newest iPhone because the company didn’t follow rules about making products locally. Now, that fight is over, and iPhones are coming back!

    As part of the deal, Apple promises to spend $1 billion in Indonesia—a huge jump from earlier offers of $10 million and $100 million, which the government turned down. They’ll sign an agreement soon, possibly this week, and the Industry Ministry will quickly approve permits so iPhone 16 sales can start again.

    Apple’s not just handing over money, though. They’ll also train Indonesians in tech skills like research and software design, helping locals create their own products. This was a big ask from Indonesia, which wanted Apple to set up research centers in the country.

    The plan includes building a factory on Batam island to make AirTags, those little trackers Apple sells. A company called Luxshare Precision Industry will run it, and it could handle 20% of all AirTags made worldwide. Plus, another factory in Bandung, a few hours from Jakarta, will churn out different accessories. Apple will also fund tech schools to teach students things like coding.

    Still, don’t expect iPhones to be built in Indonesia anytime soon—Apple’s keeping that part of its business elsewhere for now. This deal is a win for Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, who pushed for the $1 billion offer. Last month, the Industry Ministry surprised everyone by keeping the ban, hoping for a better deal—and it worked!

    Indonesia’s tough stance brought in big money and jobs, supporting their goal to grow local industries, not just be a place to sell stuff. For Apple, this opens the door to Indonesia’s 278 million people, many of them young and tech-loving. With sales slowing in China, this market could be a goldmine, even if Apple isn’t a top phone brand there yet.

  • Apple rolls out first test versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4

    Apple rolls out first test versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4

    Apple has just released the first public test versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, watchOS 11.4, and tvOS 15.4. These updates let everyday testers try out fresh features before they officially launch. This comes shortly after Apple shared the same updates with app developers.

    What’s New for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

    Anyone signed up for Apple’s public testing program can grab these updates from the Settings app on their devices. The latest software brings some handy additions. For instance, Priority Notifications, powered by Apple Intelligence, puts your most urgent alerts at the top. There’s also a fun Sketch option in Image Playground for creating cool designs.

    Apple News+ fans will enjoy a new Food section packed with recipes, tasty stories, and healthy eating advice. Plus, a relaxing Ambient Music feature is now available right from the Control Center.

    Special Features Coming in iOS 18.4

    The iOS 18.4 update includes a Vision Pro app for owners of the headset. This app makes it simple to find and download new apps, games, and shows straight from your iPhone. It also lets you control Vision Pro’s Guest Mode from your iPhone or iPad, so friends can easily try out the headset.

    Updates for iPad and Mac

    The iPad and Mac updates bring Mail Categorization, a tool that sorts your emails neatly. Until now, this was only available on the iPhone.

    Want to Know More?

    These test versions give a sneak peek at what’s coming. For all the details on the new features, check out our full iOS 18.4 beta rundown.

    With these updates, Apple is making its devices smarter and more fun to use. If you’re a tester, dive in and see what’s new!

  • Apple’s smart features now available in the EU with iOS 18.4

    Apple’s smart features now available in the EU with iOS 18.4

    The latest iOS 18.4 update brings a bunch of exciting changes for iPhone users. For those in the EU, there’s one massive highlight in the first beta version: Apple’s smart features, called Apple Intelligence, are finally fully available.

    Apple Intelligence Arrives for EU Users with iOS 18.4 Beta

    When Apple first showed off Apple Intelligence at WWDC last June, excitement quickly turned to disappointment for EU users. The company said its AI tools wouldn’t work in the EU at launch due to some tricky local rules they had to figure out. This restriction only hit iPhones and iPads because of specific EU laws under the Digital Markets Act. Macs, however, weren’t affected.

    After a long wait, Apple shared some great news. Just as Apple Intelligence rolled out widely, the company promised EU iPhone users they’d get it too—in April through a software update. That update looks like it’s iOS 18.4. The first iOS 18.4 beta is out now, and EU beta testers can already enjoy Apple Intelligence ahead of the big April release. This update also adds support for more languages, which fits perfectly with the timing.

    No More Limits for EU Users

    Before this, EU iPhone and iPad owners couldn’t use Apple Intelligence at all. It didn’t matter how your device was set up—Apple blocked it based on where you were. Now, that’s history. For beta testers, the only place still missing out is China, but there’s hope that might change soon too.

    If you’re not on the beta, no worries—iOS 18.4 will hit all devices in early April, bringing Apple Intelligence to everyone in the EU. This update marks a big win for iPhone fans who’ve been patiently waiting to try out these clever new tools.

  • Apple plans to blend modems into its main chip by 2028

    Apple plans to blend modems into its main chip by 2028

    Apple has a big idea: it wants to combine the modem—the part that connects devices to the internet—into its main processor. This move would make its gadgets use less power and cost less to build, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

    In his Power On newsletter, Gurman predicts this change might happen by 2028 at the earliest. Interestingly, that’s also when Apple could start adding its own modem to MacBooks with cellular data, something he’s mentioned before. This time, though, he didn’t tie MacBooks into the modem talk.

    Years ago, Apple toyed with the idea of a MacBook Air that could connect to 3G networks. Back in 2008, Steve Jobs, the former CEO, nixed it because it would take up too much space. A combined chip design could fix that issue.

    Apple recently showed off its first homemade modem, called the C1, in the new iPhone 16e. Unveiled last week, this modem is the most energy-saving one ever in an iPhone. The iPhone 16e, with its 6.1-inch screen, boasts the longest battery life yet—up to 26 hours of video playback. Apple says the C1 is just the beginning.

    Gurman also revealed that Apple is already testing a C2 modem and even a C3, which could launch in 2027. By then, Apple hopes its tech will beat Qualcomm’s modems, a company it’s relied on for years. Word has it the C2 might appear in the iPhone 18 Pro next year.

    Since 2018, Apple has been crafting its own modem to ditch Qualcomm’s parts. The two companies have had a rocky past, but they’ve agreed to keep working together until March 2027. This gives Apple plenty of time to polish its own design. Moving away from Qualcomm makes sense as Apple pushes to control more of its tech and boost efficiency in its devices.