Search results for: “Apple News”

  • A Simple Guide to Apple One: Why a student plan could work

    A Simple Guide to Apple One: Why a student plan could work

    Apple One, which came out in 2020, makes it easy for Apple lovers to sign up for several services at once with a good discount. Right now, there are three levels: Individual, Family, and Premier.

    Current Apple One Levels

    • Individual: For $19.95 each month, you get Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and 50GB of iCloud+ storage.
    • Family: At $26.95 a month, you get 200GB of iCloud+ storage, and you can share everything with your family.
    • Premier: For $37.95 monthly, this gives you Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and a big 2TB of iCloud+ storage.

    These options work well, but I think there’s a chance to do something even better by adding a tier for students.

    Why Students?

    Apple already offers a student discount for Apple Music, which is usually $10.99 but drops to $5.99 for students. Plus, students get Apple TV+ for free as long as they keep the student subscription. This shows Apple knows how to attract students with deals.

    The Idea: Apple One for Students

    We could imagine an Apple One Student plan. It would be like the Individual plan but cheaper. Students could enjoy iCloud+ for their files and photos, and Apple Arcade for some fun gaming, in addition to the music and TV they already get with their student perks.

    If we look at the 45% discount on Apple Music for students, an Apple One Student plan might be around $10.95 a month. This would be a great way for Apple to get more young users interested in their services.

    After students finish school or after five years (whichever comes first), they might keep using Apple One because they’re already used to the benefits. This could be a win-win situation for both Apple and the students.

    In summary, while Apple One is already a solid choice for many, adding a student tier could make it even better, helping Apple grow its user base among younger people while giving students great value for money.

  • Apple Intelligence adds support for more languages in April

    Apple Intelligence adds support for more languages in April

    Apple CEO Tim Cook shared some exciting news during the company’s latest earnings report. In April, Apple Intelligence will start supporting eight new languages: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese.

    This update, expected with iOS 18.4, will also include tailored English support for people in India and Singapore. Until now, Apple Intelligence has only been available in English-speaking countries like the United States, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.

    Cook highlighted how crucial these features are, saying, “Once you begin using them, it’s hard to go back.” He pointed out the email summary feature as a standout, noting that he uses it every day to sift through his numerous emails.

    Apple Intelligence has been rolling out new tools since iOS 18.1, but its language options have somewhat limited its worldwide use. This expansion aims to make these helpful features accessible to a broader audience, enhancing user experience across different regions.

  • Exciting updates in iOS 18.4: Seven new Apple Intelligence features

    Exciting updates in iOS 18.4: Seven new Apple Intelligence features

    Apple Intelligence has been making waves since its debut in iOS 18.1, and with the upcoming iOS 18.4, there’s even more to look forward to. Here are seven key features and changes that are on the horizon.

    Siri’s New Powers: Seeing What You See

    Imagine Siri understanding what’s on your screen just like the Vision Pro does. With iOS 18.4, Siri will gain this ability, making interactions much smoother. For instance, if you see a new address in a message, you could just tell Siri to add it to your contacts, and it would happen without any extra steps.

    Siri’s Expanded App Abilities

    With the new update, Siri will be able to do lots more without needing to open apps. It can perform actions like finding and editing a photo, then moving it to a specific folder in the Files app, all through voice commands.

    Siri Knows You Better

    Siri will now have a deeper understanding of you, similar to a personal assistant. You could ask Siri to find a recipe sent by a friend, and it would search through your emails, messages, and notes to find it. It can also retrieve personal details like your passport number or check your calendar.

    Smart Notification Prioritization

    Apple Intelligence will make your notifications smarter by highlighting the most urgent ones at the top of your list. This means you’ll catch the important stuff without sifting through less relevant alerts.

    Image Playground Gets Sketchy

    The Image Playground app will finally introduce the ‘Sketch’ style option that was promised but missing in earlier versions. This adds another creative way to produce images with AI.

    Apple Intelligence in Europe

    Good news for European users; Apple Intelligence features will expand to iPhones and iPads in the EU, starting with iOS 18.4 in April.

    More Languages for AI

    Apple is set to support more languages for its AI features, including Chinese, various forms of English, French, German, and several others, making Apple Intelligence more accessible globally.

    Once iOS 18.4 rolls out, we’ll see all the promised Apple Intelligence features from last year’s WWDC become a reality. With these updates, Apple continues to push the envelope on what AI can do for you, setting the stage for even more advancements in iOS 19.

  • Apple talks about ads on X again

    Apple talks about ads on X again

    The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has been in discussions with X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, about bringing their ads back to the site. These talks happened just recently.

    In the past, Apple decided to stop its advertising on X back in 2023 after Elon Musk, X’s owner, made some controversial remarks that were seen as antisemitic. There were also concerns because Apple’s ads were appearing next to posts that supported Hitler.

    The situation got more complicated when Musk did something at Donald Trump’s inauguration that many thought looked like a Nazi salute. This has made some people question if Apple should even think about advertising on X again.

    However, Musk is very close to Trump and has a big influence in his administration. This might make it easier for Apple to decide to advertise on X again since Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, gave a significant donation to Trump’s inauguration and was there in person. Other tech leaders have also been making financial moves to stay in good graces with the new administration.

    According to the Wall Street Journal, other big companies are also rethinking their advertising strategies on X. Amazon, for instance, is planning to increase its ad budget on the platform, which could help X manage its financial issues. Musk himself has admitted that X isn’t doing great; he’s said user numbers aren’t growing, and the site’s income isn’t much to brag about.

    Given the political and social aspects of this topic, we’ve placed the discussion in our Political News forum. Everyone can read the thread, but you need at least 100 posts to join in the conversation.

  • 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.

  • 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.
  • Apple updates macOS to version 15.3 with fun emoji features

    Apple updates macOS to version 15.3 with fun emoji features

    Apple has just rolled out macOS 15.3, the latest big update for its macOS Sequoia system which came out back in September. This new update follows macOS 15.2, which was released about six weeks ago.

    You can get this update by going to the Software Update part of your Mac’s System Settings. It’s free for anyone whose Mac can handle macOS 15. Apple has also pushed out updates macOS 14.7.3 and macOS 13.7.3, which focus on making older Macs safer with security fixes.

    The highlight of macOS 15.3 is the addition of Genmoji, a cool feature where you can make your emojis right in the Messages app, but only if your Mac supports Apple Intelligence.

    Here’s what’s new in this update:

    • You can now create your own emojis in Messages and other apps.
    • If you use the Calculator app, you can repeat the last calculation by hitting the equals sign again.
    • Managing how you get notification summaries from the Lock Screen is now easier (only for Macs with Apple silicon).
    • The look of summarized notifications has been tweaked to make them stand out more, using italics and special symbols (again, for Macs with Apple silicon).
    • For now, notification summaries from news and entertainment apps are paused, but they’ll be back once Apple sorts them out (for Macs with Apple silicon).

    Keep in mind, that some of these features might not be available everywhere or on every Apple device.

    For details on how this update keeps your Mac secure, check out Apple’s support page at: Apple Support.

  • Apple’s new plan for easy-to-wear smart glasses

    Apple’s new plan for easy-to-wear smart glasses

    Apple is working on a new version of its visionOS software, which currently powers the Apple Vision Pro, to make it work with smart glasses. This move is part of their plan to offer more popular augmented reality (AR) products that are less bulky than their current headset.

    Apple’s Vision Pro Challenges

    The Apple Vision Pro, which costs $3,500, hasn’t been as successful as hoped. Many people have found it too heavy to wear for long periods, too pricey, and it also tends to get hot. Since it was released, interest has dropped, and sales haven’t met Apple’s goals.

    In his newsletter, tech journalist Mark Gurman shared that Apple’s Vision Products Group is now focusing on something lighter and more like the smart glasses Meta made with Ray-Ban. However, it might take at least three years before these glasses are ready, as there’s still a lot of research needed.

    User Studies and Software Development

    Apple is actively testing how people react to different features and interfaces for these glasses at their offices. They’ve named this project “Atlas,” which is being managed by the Product Systems Quality team. This team is part of Apple’s hardware division.

    The research is happening in a secretive spot in Santa Clara, not far from their main office in Cupertino. Last year, Apple let go of some workers there, but those left are focusing on AR tech. They also have a place to test new screen technologies.

    Future Plans for Vision Pro

    Apple is not giving up on the Vision Pro entirely. They’re planning to make a cheaper version with simpler parts, hoping to sell it for about the price of their top-end iPhone, around $1,600. They wanted to launch this model by late 2024, but they’re still perfecting the design.

    Gaming Collaboration

    Additionally, Apple is teaming up with Sony to add support for PlayStation VR2 hand controllers to the Vision Pro, aiming to make it better for gaming. This partnership has been going on for a few months now.

    By focusing on these new, more accessible AR products, Apple hopes to expand its reach in the tech market and make AR part of everyday life.

  • Celebrating Black History Month: Apple’s new unity collection

    Celebrating Black History Month: Apple’s new unity collection

    For Black History Month this February, Apple has introduced a special Unity Collection, featuring a unique Unity Sport Band for the Apple Watch, a new Unity Dance watch face, and matching wallpapers for both iPhone and iPad.

    Apple’s 2025 Unity Collection

    The Unity Sport Band is now available for purchase, while the new watch face and wallpapers will come with the latest software updates, iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and watchOS 11.3, which are set to roll out this week after extensive testing.

    According to Apple, this collection celebrates the spirit of togetherness, with contributions from Black artists and supporters within the company.

    “The Unity Collection, named Unity Dance, beautifully incorporates the colors of the Pan-African flag – black, green, and red,” explains Apple’s announcement. “The Unity Sport Band is designed with a special pattern where the loops change color, showing green on one side and red on the other.”

    The Unity Dance watch face is innovative, displaying numbers made from threads of red, green, and yellow that morph from abstract art into clear time digits when you lift your wrist. The wallpapers for iPhone and iPad also echo this theme, using the same unique typography to spell out “Unity.”

    Note: Discussions about this topic are hosted in our Political News section. All can read, but only members with 100 or more posts can contribute to the conversation.

  • Apple may bring AirPods with tiny cameras soon

    Apple may bring AirPods with tiny cameras soon

    Apple is reportedly considering adding small cameras to future AirPods, as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned. In his recent Power On newsletter, Gurman briefly touched on the idea of AirPods featuring tiny cameras, highlighting Apple’s growing focus on wearable technology. However, he didn’t elaborate on how these cameras might be used.

    Rather than capturing photos, these cameras are expected to function as infrared sensors. Apple supply chain expert Ming-Chi Kuo shared in June 2024 that Apple could begin mass-producing AirPods with infrared cameras by 2026. These sensors would work similarly to the Face ID receiver on iPhones.

    According to Kuo, these advanced AirPods are designed to enhance spatial audio, especially when paired with the Apple Vision Pro headset. For instance, if someone wearing these AirPods and the Vision Pro turns their head in a particular direction while watching a video, the audio in that direction could become more prominent, offering a richer, more immersive experience.

    Another exciting possibility is “in-air gesture control,” where the infrared cameras might allow users to interact with devices through hand movements, further integrating AirPods into Apple’s ecosystem of innovative controls.

    If the production schedule remains on track, these futuristic AirPods could hit the market around 2026 or 2027, potentially marking a big step forward in wearable tech.

    Source