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  • What we might see in iOS 19: simple rumors explained

    What we might see in iOS 19: simple rumors explained

    Apple’s next big update, iOS 19, is already sparking curiosity, even though iOS 18 just rolled out. People are guessing what cool stuff might show up in this future version. Based on whispers and early hints, here’s a rundown of what could be coming to your iPhone in 2025.

    First up, iOS 19 might bring smarter features to make your phone feel more helpful. Think of Siri getting a big boost—maybe it’ll understand you better and do more tasks without you asking twice. Some folks believe Apple will sprinkle more AI magic across apps, like suggesting replies in Messages or sorting your photos automatically.

    Another exciting idea is better home screen freedom. You might get to move icons anywhere you want or add fun new widgets to show off your style. Rumors also hint at a slicker design, with smoother animations and a fresh look for menus, making everything feel snappy and modern.

    Battery life could get some love too. People hope iOS 19 will tweak how power is used, so your iPhone lasts longer on a single charge. There’s talk of smarter tools to manage background apps, cutting down on sneaky battery drain.

    For those who love privacy, Apple might double down here. Expect tougher locks on your data, like new ways to keep apps from snooping. Some say Face ID could level up, working faster or even in trickier lighting.

    Lastly, gaming might shine brighter in iOS 19. With Apple’s push into fun, high-powered features, your iPhone could handle bigger games with sharper graphics. Think of it as turning your phone into a mini gaming machine.

    Of course, these are just guesses for now. Apple keeps its plans hush-hush until the big reveal, likely around mid-2025. Still, with iOS 18 setting the stage, iOS 19 could take things up a notch, blending smart tricks, cool looks, and handy upgrades. What do you hope to see? The wait’s on!

  • Audi’s new electric Wagon works with Apple’s Car Key, Porsche might be next

    Audi’s new electric Wagon works with Apple’s Car Key, Porsche might be next

    Audi has added a cool feature to its new A6 Avant e-tron, an electric wagon, letting it use Apple’s digital car key for the first time in Audi’s electric lineup (reported by Mac4Ever). With Apple Car Keys, you can unlock your car using an iPhone or Apple Watch that has NFC or Ultra Wideband tech. The key lives in the Wallet app on your device. To open the car, just hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the car’s NFC reader—simple as that.

    A quick tap on the door handle starts the unlock process. For safety, you can use Face ID to confirm it’s you, but there’s also an Express Mode that skips this step for a speedy unlock. The A6 e-tron is the second car built on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), a system Audi shares with Porsche. This hints that Porsche’s upcoming cars might also get this digital key feature soon.

    Last October, MacRumors spotted some updates in Apple’s Wallet app code, showing that Apple was getting ready to roll out digital car key support for certain Volvo, Polestar, and Audi models.
    Apple first launched its digital car key feature in 2022.

    Since then, a handful of car brands like BMW, BYD, Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, and RAM have jumped on board. If you’re curious about which cars work with this feature, Apple keeps an updated list on its CarPlay model webpage. This move by Audi makes driving a bit more high-tech and convenient, and it’s exciting to think Porsche might follow suit with its own electric models!

  • iOS 18.4 makes control center even cooler: Here’s What’s New

    iOS 18.4 makes control center even cooler: Here’s What’s New

    The Control Center in iOS 18 has been a big hit, and it’s not just a one-time facelift. Apple keeps making it better with every update, and iOS 18.4 brings some exciting new features that make it stand out.

    Fresh Ambient Music Options

    With iOS 18.4, you get a brand-new set of controls called Ambient Music. It includes four handy options:

    • Chill
    • Productivity
    • Sleep
    • Wellbeing

    Each one lets you play an Apple Music playlist that matches the vibe you’re going for. You can tweak these controls to start your favorite playlist—either one you pick yourself or a suggested one from Apple. Plus, you can adjust their size in Control Center to take up one, two, or four spaces and even link them to your iPhone’s Action Button or Lock Screen.

    Smarter Siri and Visual Tricks

    In the updated “Apple Intelligence and Siri” section, two new tools join the lineup alongside the “Type to Siri” switch. Now, you can add “Talk to Siri,” which wakes Siri up with your voice, just like pressing the side button. There’s also “Visual Intelligence,” a cool camera feature that used to be only for iPhone 16 but now works on iPhone 15 Pro and 16e too. It’s perfect for assigning to the Action Button!

    A Fresh Look for Control Center

    iOS 18.4 also spruces up the Control Center’s style. Here’s what’s new:

    • Focus control now has up and down arrows to flip through modes.
    • The brightness slider moves with fun animations depending on the level.
    • The volume slider gets lively animations, too.

    The arrows on the Focus control make it easy to see all your Focus options with a tap. Meanwhile, the brightness slider shows a sun that grows or shrinks as you adjust it—small and dim when low, big and bright when high.

    Wrapping Up iOS 18.4’s Control Center

    Control Center has evolved a lot over time, and this version might just be the best yet. With tons of ways to personalize it and a growing list of controls, iOS 18.4 keeps making it more fun and useful. Apple’s clearly on a roll!

  • Four cool updates to Apple’s Photos app in iOS 18.4 and a key security fix in iOS 18.3.2

    Four cool updates to Apple’s Photos app in iOS 18.4 and a key security fix in iOS 18.3.2

    Apple’s iOS 18.4 is in testing mode right now, and it brings some neat updates to the Photos app that you might not notice at first. These changes make it easier to use and give you more control. Plus, there’s a small but important security update in iOS 18.3.2. Here’s what’s new!

    #1: Better Ways to Filter Your Photos

    When you’re looking at your pictures or videos, check the bottom-left corner. There’s an icon with two arrows pointing up and down. Tap it, and you’ll see options to sort or filter your stuff. In iOS 18.4, two new filters join the list:

    • Shared With You – Shows only things others sent you.
    • Not in an Album – Find photos or videos you haven’t organized yet.

    Also, if you go to the Albums tab and tap the three-dot button at the top-right, you can now filter to see just Albums or just Folders. It’s a simple way to tidy up what you’re looking at.

    #2: A Fresh Way to Sort Albums

    On the Albums screen, iOS 18.4 adds a new sorting trick. Besides sorting by name or your custom order, you can now pick:

    • Sort by Date Modified – This puts albums you’ve recently tweaked at the top.
    • There’s also a small tweak: “Grid” and “List” views are now called “List View” and “Key Photo.” It doesn’t change how things work, but the new names might feel a bit odd at first.

    #3: Hide Albums for Privacy

    The Photos app has some default albums like Recently Viewed and Recently Shared, which track what you’ve looked at or sent lately. If you’d rather keep those private, iOS 18.4 lets you turn them off. Just go to Settings > Apps > Photos, scroll down, and switch off “Show Recently Viewed & Shared.” Easy!

    #4: Clean Up Deleted Photos Fast

    Want to wipe out all your deleted photos for good? Or maybe bring them all back? In iOS 18.4, the Recently Deleted album has two new buttons: a trash can to erase everything forever and a “Recover All” option to restore them. Super handy!

    Quick Security Update in iOS 18.3.2

    Apple also rolled out iOS 18.3.2 with a fix for a WebKit issue. This bug could let sneaky web content escape its safe zone, but Apple patched it with better checks. It’s an old problem they fixed before in iOS 17.2, and this update just makes it even safer. No recent attacks are known, so you’re good!

  • New iPads and Macs start reaching people worldwide

    New iPads and Macs start reaching people worldwide

    Last week, Apple unveiled fresh updates for the iPad, iPad Air, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio, promising to release them on March 12. Today is Wednesday, March 12 in places like New Zealand and Australia, so folks who ordered these gadgets ahead of time are now getting their hands on them.

    What’s New with the 13- and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air

    Apple’s latest upgrades mostly focus on boosting power with new chips while keeping other changes small. The MacBook Air now has an M4 chip and comes in a cool Sky Blue shade. Meanwhile, the Mac Studio steps up with Thunderbolt 5 ports and a choice between an M4 Max or M3 Ultra chip.

    The budget-friendly 11-inch iPad runs on an A16 chip (which doesn’t work with Apple Intelligence), and the iPad Air got a shiny new M3 chip, better than its old M2. The basic iPad starts at $349, while the iPad Air begins at $599. For laptops, the MacBook Air is Apple’s cheapest option at $999, and the Mac Studio kicks off at $1,999.

    If you didn’t pre-order, you can still head to an Apple Store to grab one of these new iPads or a standard MacBook Air or Mac Studio model. Apple seems to have plenty of the basic iPad and Mac options ready worldwide. Lucky customers in Australia get first dibs at buying them in stores.

    Where You Can Get Them

    Right now, the new iPads and Macs are up for grabs in Australia and New Zealand. Soon, they’ll roll out to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America.

    So, whether you pre-ordered or plan to walk into a store, Apple’s latest gadgets are hitting shelves and homes, bringing faster tech to fans everywhere!

  • macOS 15.4 beta keeps Apple Intelligence storage a secret

    macOS 15.4 beta keeps Apple Intelligence storage a secret

    When Apple rolled out the second macOS 15.4 beta this month, it quietly tweaked something. Now, the System Settings won’t show how much space Apple Intelligence features are using on your Mac’s storage.

    In the earlier macOS Sequoia 15.3.1 version, anyone with an Apple silicon Mac could check this easily. They’d just go to System Settings, click General, then click Storage, and tap the little “i” button next to macOS to see the details. Simple, right?

    But with the macOS 15.4 beta 2 update, that’s changed. According to Aaron Perris from MacRumors, clicking the “i” button now shows nothing extra about the storage macOS is using. The details are gone.

    Here’s a twist, though—if you turn off System Integrity Protection (SIP), the info pops back up. SIP is a security feature that stops unapproved code from running, and you can only switch it off in Recovery Mode. It’s handy for app developers testing stuff, but for most people, it’s best left on.

    A developer named @b3lla_dev on iOS says Apple has locked down the Apple Intelligence files. Unless SIP is off, you can’t see them, and that’s messing with the System Settings’ ability to show their size. Apple Intelligence uses a tool called the MobileAsset framework. This system grabs and updates the bits it needs—like machine learning models—so your device stays current without big system overhauls. Apple’s support page says these files can take up to 7GB on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

    When storage is low, 7GB is a lot. It could sway people on whether to use Apple Intelligence. Did Apple hide this info on purpose? We don’t know, but users might guess. Perris told Apple about it in a feedback report. The issue’s still there in beta 3, so we’ll see if Apple fixes it. The full macOS Sequoia 15.4 update is set to drop in early April.

  • A fresh face for iOS 19 might outshine Siri’s upgrade

    A fresh face for iOS 19 might outshine Siri’s upgrade

    A report from Bloomberg hints that iOS 19 could bring a major makeover, the biggest since iOS 7 hit the scene in 2013. macOS 16 might get a similar bold update, too. While details are slim, it seems Apple might shake up the flat design we’ve known for over ten years.

    Back with iOS 7, Apple swapped out the old 3D and lifelike touches for a simpler, flat style that’s stuck around ever since. Now, the report suggests the new vibe will take some cues from visionOS, the software behind Vision Pro. Think round app icons, see-through menus, and a stronger sense of depth with shadows—features that stand out compared to today’s iOS and macOS. How much of this 3D flair will work on flat screens is anyone’s guess, but it sounds like our devices could feel fresh later this year.

    Our editor-in-chief, Chance Miller, jokingly said a big redesign might steal the spotlight from Siri’s slow progress. Honestly, though, I bet more Apple fans will notice a new look than care about Siri’s updates. Don’t get me wrong—I’d love a smarter Siri. I use voice commands a lot, from dictating messages to running my smart home with a quick shout to my HomePod. A sharper Siri that handles bigger tasks? Sign me up.

    I’ve been rooting for a truly clever Siri for years. In 2015, I dreamed of it working with apps so I could just say what I want, and my phone would figure it out. Apple finally promised that a decade later, but now it’s delayed even more. Here’s the tricky part: Siri started in 2011, and while it’s grown a bit, it’s not much smarter. People expect it to flop, so many have stopped bothering with it. With so few fans left, upgrades might not grab attention.

    A new look, though? That’s a game-changer. iOS 7’s shift sparked love and hate, but no one ignored it. A 3D twist for iOS 19—maybe even with modern, real-life vibes—will likely stir the same buzz. Some will cheer, and some will grumble, but it’ll hit harder than any Siri fix, now or later.

  • Ford drivers can now use Tesla chargers with Apple Maps

    Ford drivers can now use Tesla chargers with Apple Maps

    Ford has exciting news for Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners! If you use Apple Maps EV Routing through CarPlay, you can now find routes that include Tesla Superchargers and other chargers using the North American Charging Standard (NACS). This update makes charging on the go even easier.

    Before this change, Apple Maps EV Routing didn’t include Tesla’s Superchargers. Now, Ford drivers can enjoy this perk without needing a software update. All you need is an iPhone running iOS 17 or higher connected to CarPlay. To make it work, go to Apple Maps Settings and choose NACS chargers as your preferred network. You’ll also need a Fast Charging Adapter that works with NACS stations.

    Apple launched its EV Routing feature in 2023 to help electric vehicle drivers plan trips. However, it’s only available for a few models, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Porsche Taycan. Car companies must add support for it to function with their vehicles.

    This handy tool uses real-time info from your car to suggest the best route. It looks at things like hills on the road and your battery level to decide when you’ll need to stop and charge. If your battery runs low, Apple Maps will guide you to the closest compatible charger, so you’re never stuck.

    People first noticed hints of NACS support in iOS 18.4, but Ford says you don’t need to wait for that update. Apple made this change remotely, so it’s ready to use right now. With this update, Ford drivers can hit the road with more confidence, knowing they’ve got access to Tesla’s charging network alongside other options.

  • How Apple can improve its smart summary feature

    How Apple can improve its smart summary feature

    At WWDC24 last summer, Apple introduced a bunch of Apple Intelligence features, and one that’s been stirring up some debate is notification summaries. People have spotted mistakes in these summaries, which led Apple to tweak their look and even turn them off for news updates. While these summaries won’t ever be flawless, there’s a simple way Apple could make them better. I’d love to see this idea show up in iOS 19.

    What Notification Summaries Do

    The goal of notification summaries is to help you skim your alerts. The feature scans all the notifications in a group, sums them up, and does it all right on your device. Sounds handy, right? But there’s a big catch: Apple Intelligence can only work with what’s in the notification itself.

    This might seem obvious, but here’s the issue: Notifications are already super short. They’re designed to fit in a tiny bubble for quick reading. Plus, the system has to be small enough to run on a chip like the A17 Pro, so it doesn’t have much wiggle room to figure things out.

    Why Summaries Miss the Mark

    Take group chats in iMessage, for example. People often reply to different things at once in busy threads. That’s fun, but Apple Intelligence doesn’t get the full picture. It ends up mixing everything into one messy, wrong summary.

    Right now, it just sums up short notifications in the order they come in. That doesn’t always work well. Here’s my fix: let app makers give Apple’s system some extra info to work with. For iMessage, Apple could tell the system what a new message is replying to.

    My Hope for Apple’s Next Step

    If apps could share a bit more background info—stuff users wouldn’t see—it’d help Apple’s system make smarter summaries. Back in December, Apple Intelligence botched a BBC News summary about Luigi Mangione. It was way off, and Apple ended up turning off news summaries altogether.

    But imagine if the BBC could share the story’s opening paragraph as extra info. That’d give Apple Intelligence more to chew on, leading to better summaries. Big language models will always have quirks, especially ones tiny enough to run on a phone with just 8GB of RAM. Still, Apple can’t keep news summaries off forever. Adding background information from apps could be the answer they need.

  • Why Apple’s C1 chip skips super-fast 5G, according to Kuo

    Why Apple’s C1 chip skips super-fast 5G, according to Kuo

    Apple’s first homemade modem, the C1 chip, is missing one big feature: mmWave 5G, the super-speedy version of 5G. While some might not mind—since not many phone companies use it yet—there’s a clear reason behind this choice.

    Building the C1 chip took years. You’d think Apple, with its knack for making amazing Mac chips that outshine Intel’s, could whip up a modem easily. But it’s not that simple. Mobile data tech is a tricky puzzle for three main reasons.

    First, every country has its own rules for mobile data, and a chip meant for the world has to work with all of them. Second, even in one country, phone companies tweak these rules differently, and Apple has to match each one. Third, the chip must handle not just today’s standards, like 5G, but also older ones like 4G, switching smoothly if the signal drops. That means supporting every version of every standard, old and new, everywhere.

    That’s why the C1’s spec list is a long one, covering tons of 5G bands, 4G types, and even older tech like GSM, plus Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. It’s a lot to juggle! Apple had to make some tough calls with the C1. Rumors hinted at compromises, and they were right. The chip skips mmWave 5G and sticks to Wi-Fi 6 instead of jumping to Wi-Fi 7.

    Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the mmWave skip is about saving power. Apple brags that the C1 uses way less energy than the Qualcomm chips it replaces. Adding mmWave isn’t hard, but making it work well without draining the battery is a challenge. That’s why Apple left it out for now. The good news? Kuo says Apple is already working on a better C1 for next year. This updated version will tackle power use, boost speed, and finally add mmWave 5G support. So, faster 5G is coming—just not yet!

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