Search results for: “Apple”

  • Trump picks Apple exec for road safety chief

    Trump picks Apple exec for road safety chief

    President Trump has chosen an executive from Apple to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Jonathan Morrison, who is not the well-known tech YouTuber, was previously the chief legal advisor for the NHTSA during Trump’s first term. He has been working at Apple since 2021.

    According to the Senate:

    Jonathan Morrison, from California, has been nominated to become the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, replacing Steven Scott Cliff who stepped down. The nomination was announced just yesterday and will be reviewed by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Although Morrison’s LinkedIn doesn’t reveal much about his specific role at Apple, it’s likely he was involved in policy matters linked to Apple’s now-abandoned self-driving car project. Before joining Apple, Morrison worked as a lobbyist for car dealerships, where he was instrumental in advancing automotive policy changes.

    Source

  • When will Apple’s new Robots hit the market?

    When will Apple’s new Robots hit the market?

    Apple is working on new types of robots for homes, according to an expert who studies Apple’s supply chain, Ming-Chi Kuo. These robots include both human-shaped and non-human-shaped designs. However, Kuo suggests we might have to wait a while for these robots to actually be made in large numbers, if they ever are.

    Right now, Apple’s robot projects are just at the early stages where they test if ideas can work. If Apple decides to go ahead, Kuo thinks they might not start making these robots in big amounts until 2028 or even later.

    This news follows after a group of Apple’s robotics experts created a robot that looks like a lamp but moves like a living thing. Last year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared that Apple was also working on a smaller robot with a screen like an iPad on a movable arm. He thought this robot might be announced in 2026 or 2027, but Kuo now believes it could be 2028 or beyond.

    Gurman explains that this smaller robot would be controlled by Siri and Apple’s smart tech. It could move its screen to look at you if you say “look at me,” especially handy during video calls. It would also know who’s talking to it by recognizing different voices.

    This robot might be a premium version of Apple’s upcoming smart home controller, which is expected to come out this year. Gurman guesses it might cost around $1,000, but this could change as plans develop.

  • Apple’s plan for super thin glass in new folding gadget

    Apple’s plan for super thin glass in new folding gadget

    Apple seems to be getting serious about making its first gadget that can fold. They’re looking at companies that can make very thin glass for this new device. Lens Technology, a company from China, is going to be the main maker of this ultra-thin glass (UTG) for Apple’s new projects, according to reports from The Elec and DigiTimes. They’re expected to get about 70% of the orders, while Corning from the US will probably supply the materials.

    Lens Technology is really good at making this glass because they have the right tools and money to do it. They’re especially skilled at making the glass strong and avoiding cracks when it’s cut. They also know how to etch glass well.

    They plan to increase how much UTG they can produce in 2025, right before Apple might show off its foldable device in late 2026. Apple wants the middle part of the glass to be very thin, but the rest of it can be a bit thicker to make it last longer.

    There are also two companies from South Korea, Dowoo Insys and UTI, who might help make this glass too. Interestingly, Dowoo Insys got patents in October 2024 for making the middle part of the glass thinner, which sounds a lot like what Apple patented around that time.

    Samsung Display might be the only one making the folding screens for this new Apple product, which could be a folding iPhone. Experts like Ming-Chi Kuo, Jeff Pu, and sources from The Information and The Wall Street Journal think we might see this new device towards the end of 2026 or the start of 2027.

    Source

  • Could Apple fix the biggest issue with its most exciting product soon?

    Could Apple fix the biggest issue with its most exciting product soon?

    With whispers of new Apple product reveals just around the corner, I’ve been thinking about what could be coming up this Friday. According to Mark Gurman, Apple is set to give the media an update on the Apple Vision Pro this Friday.

    Here are some guesses I had before:

    • New M5 Chip – No M5 products have been announced yet, but they’re apparently in production. Maybe Vision Pro will be the first to get it, like how the M4 came with the iPad Pro.
    • Apple Intelligence Support – Vision Pro has enough RAM for this, but maybe all the memory is already being used. They might increase the RAM.
    • PSVR Controller Support – Gurman says it’s happening, but it won’t shake things up much.

    Now, I’m thinking about another big change: a price cut. It would be a great piece of news to share on a Friday evening.

    Apple has always defended the $3,500 price tag by saying you’re buying into the future. But Susan Prescott’s recent statement – “for now, the price is what the price is” – hints that this might not be the final word.

    Apple doesn’t usually lower prices before new models come out, but the cost of Vision Pro has been its biggest barrier. There’s history here; they reduced the price of the first iPhone by $200 shortly after it came out.

    Would a price drop on the Vision Pro, which starts at $3,499, make a big impact? Maybe not a huge one, but any reduction helps. They could also offer more storage for the same price. However, since there’s no shortage of stock, even this seems up in the air. Still, my bet is that we’ll see some kind of price adjustment for the Apple Vision Pro this Friday. It’s speculative, but it’s something to think about.

  • What’s next for Apple’s AirPods after the Powerbeats Pro 2?

    What’s next for Apple’s AirPods after the Powerbeats Pro 2?

    Apple and Beats recently introduced the eagerly awaited Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds. This new model brings features not yet seen in Apple’s AirPods. But what does this mean for the future of AirPods?

    Rumors About Upcoming AirPods

    One standout feature of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is its heart rate sensor. This marks the first time Apple has included such a health-focused tool in a product other than the Apple Watch. It suggests that future devices might also focus more on health monitoring. Although Powerbeats are designed for workouts, it’s notable that Apple chose to debut this technology in a Beats product.

    What About AirPods?

    Will AirPods follow suit with a heart rate sensor? It seems likely, as various sources confirm Apple is indeed developing AirPods with health sensors. The next big update, expected in the AirPods Pro 3, will likely include this sensor. Although we don’t have a specific release date, considering the AirPods Pro 2 came out in 2022, we might see the next version soon, perhaps even this year.

    Mark Gurman from Bloomberg mentioned last year that Apple is looking into sensors that could measure body temperature through the ear canal. There’s also talk about integrating camera sensors into AirPods, but these innovations won’t make it into the AirPods Pro 3.

    AirPods Pro 3 Expectations

    For the AirPods Pro 3, expect a new design, though details are scarce. The basic AirPods model got a recent update with a fresh look and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), so don’t expect another update soon. As for the AirPods Max, after last year’s update to include USB-C, there are no significant updates planned shortly.

    This glimpse into Apple’s strategy shows a clear direction toward enhancing personal health monitoring through their audio products, promising exciting developments for AirPods users.

  • Moving your digital stuff between Apple accounts just got easier

    Moving your digital stuff between Apple accounts just got easier

    If you’ve got digital content spread across two Apple accounts, there’s good news! Apple has introduced a feature allowing you to move all your digital purchases from one account to another, making it simpler to manage your collection.

    Apple recently updated its support page with easy-to-follow steps on how to transfer apps, music, books, TV shows, and movies from a secondary Apple account to your main one. This can be particularly handy if you’ve been juggling separate accounts for iCloud storage and media purchases.

    Here’s how you can do it:

    • Preparation: You’ll need the email addresses, phone numbers, and passwords for both accounts. Both must have two-factor authentication enabled, and neither should be shared with others. The account you use for iCloud will become your primary account, and the one for media purchases will be your secondary account.
    • Setup: On your iPhone or iPad, sign into one account for iCloud and another for purchases. Ensure both accounts are registered in the same country and check that the secondary account doesn’t have any remaining balance that needs to be used.
    • Migration Process: Navigate to the Settings app, go to ‘Media & Purchases’, click on ‘View Account’, and then select ‘Migrate Purchases’. This process will transfer all your content from the secondary to the primary account.

    After migration, you won’t be able to make purchases with the secondary account anymore; you’ll need to use your primary account on all your Apple devices. All payment methods and subscriptions from the secondary account will move over to the primary one, and any saved queues in Apple TV or podcast libraries will also switch over, potentially replacing existing content.

    Please note, this account migration feature isn’t available in the European Union, the United Kingdom, or India at this time.

    Before you start, it’s wise to review Apple’s guidelines on what happens during the migration and how to reverse it if needed. This way, you can ensure you’re making the best choice for managing your digital content.

  • Apple Watch Series 10: Some users report quiet speaker sounds

    Apple Watch Series 10: Some users report quiet speaker sounds

    If you find that sounds from your Apple Watch Series 10 speaker are getting softer over time, you’re not the only one facing this problem.

    The Apple Watch Series 10 in a sleek black color has been receiving feedback from users about its speaker not sounding as loud as it should. People are talking about this on various support forums and social media like Reddit. They mention that the sound gets quiet or muffled, even after using the feature that pushes water out of the speaker after swimming or other water-based activities.

    This issue seems to impact both calls and music playback. It’s not clear yet how common this problem is, or whether it’s because of a flaw in the hardware or a glitch in the software. Apple might offer free fixes if it turns out to be a widespread hardware issue. If it’s software-related, expect a fix in a future update to watchOS.

    The Apple Watch Series 10 came out in September 2024. I haven’t noticed the same issue with my watch, but I’ve only had it for a little over a month and I mostly use my AirPods Pro instead of the watch speaker.

  • Apple’s new software updates bring back Apple Intelligence features

    Apple’s new software updates bring back Apple Intelligence features

    Some people are noticing that Apple’s recent software updates are turning Apple Intelligence back on, even if they had turned it off before.

    If you’ve missed it, Apple released updates for macOS Sequoia 15.3.1, iOS 18.3.1, and iPadOS 18.3.1, which include important security updates everyone should install. However, after these updates, some users, including software developer Jeff Johnson, have reported that their devices, especially those showing a Welcome screen after the update, are automatically enabling Apple Intelligence again.

    In our tests, devices like the M4 Pro Mac mini, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and M4 iPad Pro showed different behaviors. The iPhones and iPad kept Apple Intelligence off, but the Mac mini re-enabled it after the update. It seems the key is whether you see a Welcome screen for Apple Intelligence, which doesn’t give you an option to set it up later, forcing you to enable it.

    This automatic reactivation is a worry for those who want control over their device settings, especially since Apple Intelligence needs up to 7GB of storage to work. This space is used for keeping AI models on your device for privacy-focused processing. In previous updates, Apple made Apple Intelligence an opt-out feature, meaning it’s on by default.

    If you want to keep Apple Intelligence off, you should check your settings after updating. On your iPhone or iPad, look in Settings under “Apple Intelligence & Siri.” On a Mac, go to System Settings and check the same place. Have you updated recently? Share your experience in the comments.

    In other news, Apple reportedly decided not to partner with DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, for its Apple Intelligence features. DeepSeek made headlines for creating AI models that are less expensive and use less power, but privacy concerns led to bans on government devices in some countries. Apple needed a local partner for China, looked at several, but seems to be moving forward with Alibaba after initial talks with Baidu didn’t work out. They’ve even submitted a first batch of AI features to China’s regulators for approval.

    Apple also plans to add Chinese language support to Apple Intelligence in an upcoming April update, but this might only apply outside of China until they get the green light there.

    Source/Via

  • Apple doesn’t have a Graveyard of apps

    Apple doesn’t have a Graveyard of apps

    A week ago, Apple surprised everyone by launching a new app and service named “Invites.” However, this launch has led to some unfair criticism about Apple’s approach to apps, suggesting they operate like Google does with its apps.

    Google is well-known for starting new apps and services but then either shutting them down or merging them into something else. A good example is Google Podcasts, which didn’t last long. There’s practically a “graveyard” of Google apps that didn’t make it.

    After the launch of Invites, some people started to think Apple does the same thing with its apps. But is that really true?

    Not Dead Yet

    Take the Apple Sports app, for example. It’s been around for a year now, and it keeps getting better. People love it so much they’re asking for a widget for their phones. It’s clear this app isn’t just left to die; it’s growing in popularity.

    Then there’s the Journal app, which first appeared with iOS 17.2 in December 2023. By the time iOS 18 rolled out, the app had a significant update to version 2.0, bringing new features like search, sort options, audio transcripts, and more. The only thing missing is an iPad version, not updates.

    Apple Music Classical, initially iPhone-only, expanded to include an iPad app and added features like album booklets. It even got a CarPlay app and Siri support.

    Music Memos’ Legacy

    Music Memos was an app for musicians to record their tunes. It lasted for five years before Apple decided to enhance the built-in Voice Memos app instead. Now, Voice Memos can record two tracks at once, which is great for songwriters who use voice and guitar.

    Clips in the Classroom

    Apple Clips isn’t dead either. It’s thriving in educational settings with features like royalty-free music and templates that teachers can use in their lessons. Instead of abandoning it, maybe Apple should focus on making a simpler video editing app like CapCut, but without the ByteDance connection.

    Looking Ahead for Invites

    The future of the Invites app might include tight integration with the Calendar app and could come pre-installed on new iPhones. Its success will depend on turning users into iCloud+ subscribers and having a strong advocate within Apple, similar to how Apple Sports has been championed.

    In summary, Apple’s so-called “hobby apps” aren’t just side projects; they’re part of a broader strategy where apps are nurtured, updated, and sometimes transformed to better serve users.

  • A simple trick to make Apple’s Calendar app better on iPhone

    A simple trick to make Apple’s Calendar app better on iPhone

    Apple’s Calendar app has gotten a lot better with the new iOS update. This update, iOS 18, has made the app more interesting by adding new features, like working better with Apple Reminders and giving the app a fresh look. But there’s one cool trick with the Month view that you might not know about, which makes using the calendar on your iPhone even easier.

    The Month View Now Has a Secret Zoom Feature

    When iOS 18 came out, it brought a bunch of updates to the Calendar app. One of the changes was to the Month view. Before, this view just showed dates with little colored dots for days with events, but you couldn’t see what those events were.

    Now, with iOS 18, you can choose how you want to see your month:

    • Compact Mode: This is like the old view, just dots for events.
    • Stacked Mode: You see little colored bars for events from different calendars when you zoom in a bit.
    • Details Mode: Zoom in more, and you’ll see the names of your events.
    • Even More Details: Zoom further, and you’ll see both event names and times.
    • Full Day View: Zoom in, and each day has plenty of space for all your events.

    You change these views by simply pinching the screen to zoom in or out. This means you can adjust the Month view to show just the amount of detail you need right on your iPhone screen.

    Why This Matters

    Before, the Month view wasn’t very useful on iPhones because of the small screen. But now, with this new zoom feature, you can make it work for you whether you have a busy schedule with lots of appointments or a lighter one where you just need to see a few key events at a glance.

    Playing around with this feature lets you find just the right setup. For example, if you’re always on the go, you might prefer zooming in to see just a week or two with all the details. If your life is a bit less scheduled, you might zoom out to see more weeks but still catch the important stuff.

    The ability to zoom and customize the Month view in Apple’s Calendar app makes it one of the best tools for managing your time on an iPhone.