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  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows hits Mac on March 20

    Assassin’s Creed Shadows hits Mac on March 20

    Apple shared exciting news today: Assassin’s Creed Shadows will launch on Mac on Thursday, March 20. The game will drop at the same time for Mac, PlayStation 5, Windows PCs, and Xbox, so no one gets left behind.

    Back in May 2024, Ubisoft revealed plans to bring this game to Mac, originally aiming for a November release. After a few delays, it’s finally set to arrive later this year. Fans can breathe easy knowing the wait is almost over.

    This action-packed roleplaying game takes place in 16th-century Japan and follows the main Assassin’s Creed storyline, coming after Assassin’s Creed Mirage. It dives into the clash between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order. Players can step into the shoes of two characters: Fujibayashi Naoe, a sneaky shinobi, or Yasuke, a tough samurai.

    Both characters bring something unique to the table. Naoe is all about staying hidden and moving quietly, while Yasuke shines in head-on fights. Each character has their skills, weapons, and growth paths, giving players different ways to enjoy the game.

    The world is huge and open, packed with stunning sights like busy castle towns, lively ports, calm countryside, and quiet shrines. The weather and seasons change as you play, making every moment feel fresh. Marc-Alexis Côté, Ubisoft’s executive producer, called Assassin’s Creed Shadows his team’s “biggest adventure yet.” They’ve poured a lot into it.

    To play on a Mac, you’ll need one with an Apple silicon chip. If you’ve got an M3 or M4 Mac, you’ll enjoy real-time ray tracing for extra-sharp visuals. Ubisoft is also bringing the game to iPads with M-series chips. Priced at $70, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is up for pre-order on the Mac App Store now, ahead of its March 20 debut. Get ready to explore Japan like never before!

  • New MacBook Air reveal could happen soon — Here’s When

    New MacBook Air reveal could happen soon — Here’s When

    Now that the iPhone 16e is out for customers, Apple seems ready to share its next big thing any day now.

    MacBook Air Gets a Boost

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple might unveil new MacBook Air models with the M4 chip as soon as this week.

    “I think the M4 MacBook Air will show up as early as this week,” Gurman posted on X today. “Stock is running low, and Apple’s gearing up for a Mac announcement soon.”

    He also mentioned this in his Power On newsletter today.

    Look out for the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs powered by the M4 chip, which has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple already added M4 chips to the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini last October, and tests show it’s up to 25% faster than the M3 chip for heavy tasks. Last fall, Apple bumped the base RAM in MacBook Airs from 8GB to 16 GB. The top RAM choice might jump to 32GB this time. Battery life should last longer, too.

    Cool Camera and Display Upgrades

    Following the MacBook Pro’s lead, the new MacBook Air will likely get a 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage. This keeps you in the frame during video calls, even if you move. It might also include Desk View, showing both your face and your desk from above. These features work in apps like FaceTime and Zoom and were once only on iPads or Macs with a Studio Display.

    The new models could have three Thunderbolt 4 ports (up from two Thunderbolt 3 ports) and support two external screens, even with the lid open. A nano-texture display, which cuts glare with a special coating, might come too—though Apple could save that for the MacBook Pro to keep them different. No big look changes are expected. The MacBook Air got a fresh design in 2022.

    When and How?

    If these MacBook Airs drop this week, expect a press release on Apple’s Newsroom site and maybe a YouTube video. There could be a surprise or two as well!

  • Siri’s big update might wait until iOS 18.5

    Siri’s big update might wait until iOS 18.5

    Last month, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman hinted that Apple could delay some of Siri’s exciting new Apple Intelligence features until iOS 18.5. His latest update suggests this is looking more and more likely.

    Siri’s Personal Touch in iOS 18

    Originally, Apple aimed to roll out these Siri improvements with iOS 18.4. But due to some hiccups and bugs, it seems the company has shifted gears to iOS 18.5 instead. The first test version of iOS 18.4, released recently, didn’t include any of these promised upgrades.

    In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman shared that iOS 18.5 will bring the real magic. He wrote:

    • The next update, iOS 18.5, is where the cool stuff lands. Expect a smarter Siri with AI powers, as shown last June, plus Apple Intelligence support for users in China.
    • Apple’s team has been quietly testing iOS 18.5 since early February, according to visitor logs spotted by MacRumors.

    When Can We Expect It?

    Gurman predicts that iOS 18.5 will hit devices in May, though testing might kick off earlier. He added:

    • This new Siri will show if Apple can bounce back strong. It’s set to launch in May, almost a year after its big reveal.
    • There’s still a slim chance some Siri tweaks could sneak into a later iOS 18.4 test version, but Gurman’s betting on iOS 18.5 for now.

    What’s Coming to Siri?

    The update promises neat tricks like noticing what’s on your screen, understanding your details, and giving you better control within apps. For instance, at WWDC 2024, Apple demoed Siri helping an iPhone user check their mom’s flight and lunch plans by pulling info from Mail and Messages.

    Which iPhones Get It?

    You’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model to enjoy Apple Intelligence.

  • Three features missing from the slim iPhone 17 Air

    Three features missing from the slim iPhone 17 Air

    Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is set to impress with its super-thin and lightweight look. However, this sleek design comes with a few trade-offs. Rumors suggest that this phone will miss out on three features many iPhone fans are used to: a bottom speaker, an ultra-wide camera, and a SIM card slot in some regions.

    Single Speaker Setup

    Last year, The Information shared that the iPhone 17 Air will likely have just one speaker, built into the earpiece at the top. Recent 3D images of the phone seem to back this up, showing only a few small openings at the bottom—probably for microphones, not a speaker.

    Camera Changes

    Similar to the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to come with a single 48-megapixel rear camera. This main camera will handle regular 1× shots and offer a 2× zoom that feels almost as good as optical quality. However, it won’t have the Ultra Wide camera for those wide 0.5× shots. The good news? Skipping this extra lens could mean more room inside for a bigger battery.

    No More SIM Slot

    Apple began dropping the physical SIM card slot in the U.S. starting with the iPhone 14 in 2022, switching to digital eSIMs instead. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to follow this trend in the U.S., and it might go even further. According to The Information, Apple could remove the SIM slot in more countries this year, meaning the iPhone 17 Air may rely on eSIMs worldwide.

    In short, the iPhone 17 Air’s slim design looks exciting, but it means letting go of a few familiar features. Fans of loudspeakers, ultra-wide photos, or physical SIM cards might need to adjust to these changes. Still, the trade-offs could pave the way for a fresh, lightweight iPhone experience.

  • New iPhone 17e might arrive next year in a yearly pattern

    New iPhone 17e might arrive next year in a yearly pattern

    Apple could roll out an iPhone 17e next year, possibly in February, according to a fresh consumer report. This lines up with a tip from a trusted leaker who says hints of this phone are already popping up in China’s supply chain.

    iPhone 16e Kicks Off a New Trend

    A report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) suggests the iPhone 16e is the start of a yearly lineup of budget-friendly “e” models in Apple’s main series. After launching the regular iPhone 17 in September, Apple might unveil the iPhone 17e in February 2026. The report explains:

    It looks like “e” phones could stick around. After the big iPhone 17 debut in September, we think Apple will bring out an iPhone 17e around this time next year. This is similar to how Google releases its “a” models a few months after its spring flagship launches.

    Meanwhile, a leaker on WeChat, Fixed Focus Digital, shared news of a “new project codename” spotted in Apple’s supply chain. They believe it’s likely tied to the iPhone 17e. This leaker was also the first to call the iPhone 16e by name last December, while others thought it’d just be another iPhone SE.

    Why This Matters

    Before these rumors, we guessed last week that an iPhone 17e might drop in early 2026, around February. A cheaper “e” model mid-year could shake up Apple’s lineup and spark more excitement than rereleasing the same phone in a new color, something Apple has done before. It’d also give buyers a clearer idea of when to expect a new budget option, unlike the unpredictable timing of past iPhone SE releases.

    That said, this depends on the iPhone 16e doing well. If sales flop, the “e” line might fade away like the iPhone “mini” or the “Plus” model, which we don’t expect to see in the iPhone 17 family. The iPhone 16e’s sales numbers will likely clue us in on its future.

    iPhone 16e Hits Stores Soon

    The iPhone 16e comes with a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, an A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, a USB-C port, an Action button, and a 48-megapixel camera with 2x zoom. It also has Apple’s new 5G “C1” modem. It’ll be available starting February 28 in stores and for pre-order deliveries.

  • iPhone 16e modem performs well and saves power, early tests show

    iPhone 16e modem performs well and saves power, early tests show

    Early tests of the iPhone 16e’s cell signal strength reveal some exciting news. A Chinese tech site, Geekerwan, ran several 5G checks on the iPhone 16e using a fake cell tower set up in their lab. Overall, the iPhone 16e worked just as well as the iPhone 16 for staying connected, with similar speeds and dependability. Plus, Apple’s promise of better power use seems spot on. Geekerwan found that the new C1 modem in the iPhone 16e used much less energy than the Qualcomm modem in the iPhone 16.

    The best part? The iPhone 16e didn’t show any big surprises—it matched the iPhone 16’s performance nicely (though it doesn’t have mmWave support). They also tested both phones on a subway ride. Speeds went up and down, but all iPhone 16 models had about the same number of signal drops and connection quality.

    Looking at power use, the difference was clear. Apple says the C1 modem saves up to 25% more energy, and the numbers back that up. In strong signal areas, the iPhone 16 used 0.88 watts on 5G, while the 16e only needed 0.67 watts—that’s about 24% less. In weak signal spots, the 16 averaged 0.81 watts, and the 16e stayed at 0.67 watts, a 17% drop.

    For real-life battery tests, the iPhone 16e lasted 7 hours and 53 minutes streaming video on 5G. The iPhone 16 managed 7 hours, and the 16 Pro hit 6 hours and 54 minutes. So, the 16e outlasted them by nearly an hour. The bigger Plus and Pro Max models, with larger batteries, reached about 8.5 hours.

    Still, it’s tricky to know if the longer battery life comes from the C1 modem alone or the 16e’s bigger 3961mAH battery, which is 12% larger than the 16 Pro’s. It looks like Apple boosted the iPhone 16e’s staying power with both a smarter modem and a roomier battery.

  • New iPhone Mail trick solves a pesky problem

    New iPhone Mail trick solves a pesky problem

    For years, iPhone users have wanted Apple Mail to act differently when moving or deleting an email. Before the latest update, after you trashed or filed a message, the app would jump straight to the next email in your inbox. This was frustrating because it marked that next email as read, even if you didn’t mean to open it. People wished the app would just take them back to the inbox list instead. Good news—iOS 18.4 finally makes that happen!

    This automatic jump to another email after deleting one was odd. Most other email apps don’t do this, which is why some iPhone fans switched to options like Spark or Outlook. But Apple Mail keeps improving, especially with cool new features like email summaries and quick replies powered by Apple Intelligence. This small tweak in iOS 18.4 might just convince those users to return to Apple’s built-in app.

    In iOS 18.4, there’s a fresh setting called “Delete or Move Message Action.” By default, it’s set to “View Next Message,” keeping the old habit alive. But if you switch it to “Don’t Select a Message,” the app won’t leap to another email after you delete or move one. Instead, it takes you right back to your inbox list. From there, you can pick whichever email you want to tackle next and keep sorting through your messages your way.

    Want to try it? Open the Settings app, tap Apps, then Mail, and look for “Message List.” Under that, you’ll see “Delete or Move Message Action” to adjust how it works. This little change, which fans have been asking for, comes with iOS 18.4. It’s still being tested in developer and public betas, but it’ll roll out as a free update for all iPhone users around April. It’s a simple fix that makes a big difference in keeping your inbox under control!

  • iPhone 17 Pro to shine with better video tools

    iPhone 17 Pro to shine with better video tools

    The iPhone 17 series is still about seven months from hitting the shelves, but chatter about it is already buzzing. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who shared some insights in his weekend newsletter called Power On, Apple is set to highlight the iPhone 17 Pro’s upgraded video skills when it’s revealed later this year. He didn’t spill the beans on exact details, though.

    Here’s what he mentioned:

    In previous years, Apple put more effort into boosting the camera’s photo-taking powers. This time, they’re switching gears to focus on video upgrades. The aim for the 2025 iPhone lineup is to pull in vloggers and video makers, encouraging them to ditch separate cameras and rely on the iPhone for more of their projects. Expect Apple to push these video features when the new phones launch in September.

    Over time, iPhones have already gained cool video tools like Action mode for steady shots, Cinematic mode for that blurry background effect, and other neat tricks. Several reports also suggest the iPhone 17 Pro will sport a fresh look for its rear cameras. A supposed sneak peek of the design showed a big rectangular camera strip with rounded edges on the back. Word is, it’ll pack three 48-megapixel cameras.

    Gurman also dropped a reminder that Apple’s first foldable iPhone is still on track for 2026. With these updates, it seems Apple’s cooking up something exciting for video fans and creators alike!

  • New iPhone surprises coming in 2026

    New iPhone surprises coming in 2026

    The iPhone 16e just hit the shelves, but Apple isn’t slowing down. This fall, they’re rolling out four more models, including the super-slim iPhone 17 Air. However, according to Mark Gurman, 2026 might steal the show with two exciting new iPhone styles: a foldable one and another fresh look that’s still a mystery.

    Big Changes Planned for Next Year’s iPhones

    In his recent Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman spilled the beans on Apple’s iPhone plans for this year and beyond. What he said about 2026 caught my attention.

    Writing for Bloomberg, Gurman shared:

    Apple is preparing a thinner iPhone for later this year and working hard to wrap up its first foldable phone by 2026. Plus, there’s another new iPhone style in progress for that year, from what I’ve heard.

    Two key points stand out:

    Apple’s foldable iPhone is on track for 2026 and is almost done being built.
    Another iPhone with a brand-new look is also coming that year.

    This is the first time we’ve heard about two new designs for 2026. It’s a bit of a shock, too, since Apple is already launching the sleek iPhone 17 Air this year, along with some cool updates to the iPhone 17 Pro models. Gurman didn’t spill more about this second “new iPhone style,” but it’s exciting to think about what Apple might have up its sleeve.

    More details will likely pop up later. Could this new design be for the basic iPhone 18? It’s possible since the regular model isn’t changing much in the iPhone 17 family. But Gurman’s hints make it sound like something bigger than just a small tweak. Though 2026 is still a while away, these whispers back up what Apple’s big bosses, Tim Cook and John Ternus, have been hinting at lately—an adventurous future for the iPhone. Fans are already buzzing about what’s next!

  • AirPods Pro 2 now helps with Hearing in the UK

    AirPods Pro 2 now helps with Hearing in the UK

    Apple has shared exciting news: the AirPods Pro 2 now comes with a special hearing aid feature that’s easy to use and available in the United Kingdom.

    AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Support

    Sumbul Desai, a top expert at Apple, said, “We’re thrilled to use technology to improve lives. Bringing this hearing aid option to the UK gives AirPods Pro 2 users a full hearing care experience.” She’s Apple’s vice president of Health.

    This new feature makes everyday sounds clearer for adults who feel they have mild to moderate hearing trouble. Apple says it’s free in countries where it’s offered, and it comes through simple software updates.

    The hearing aid works by using a personal hearing profile. This profile comes from a quick five-minute Hearing Test that checks how well someone hears different sound levels. After the test, users get a result showing their hearing ability and tips on what to do next. The profile also adjusts sound for music, movies, games, and calls on all connected devices.

    Apple first rolled out these hearing tools in the US and a few other places in late October with iOS 18.1. Then, in December, iOS 18.2 brought the Hearing Test to more countries like France, Italy, Spain, and the UK, plus the hearing aid feature to the United Arab Emirates. Now, UK users can enjoy both the test and the hearing aid feature.

    To use these hearing tools, AirPods Pro 2 need firmware version 7B19 or higher. The update happens on its own when the AirPods are charging and near an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with Wi-Fi. This update shows Apple’s focus on making life better with smart, simple tech. UK users can now hear the world around them more clearly, all thanks to their AirPods Pro 2.

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