Search results for: “US”

  • Apple’s satellite plans face trouble after turning down Elon Musk’s offer

    Apple’s satellite plans face trouble after turning down Elon Musk’s offer

    Apple has run into difficulties in coding its satellite network. Recent news suggests Apple turned down an offer from SpaceX, meaning they would not have SpaceX’s help with their new satellite system. Apple has not yet specified how it plans to link iPhones and other devices directly with satellites.

    Apple has spent years researching a way for its devices to work with the internet without going through cell towers. The objective was to use satellites for remote coverage where regular network services fail. Because SpaceX’s Starlink network for satellites is a leader in the field, it offered to help Apple with its technology.

    Yet, Apple decided they weren’t interested in a partnership with SpaceX. The company decided that managing its satellite project by itself would keep the project secure. It seems that Apple made a risky choice, which can make it less competitive. Apple is finding out just how expensive and complicated it is to start a new satellite network and this has resulted in delays and stumbling blocks.

    Because companies like SpaceX are taking the lead, Apple may not be able to keep up in the market for worldwide satellite internet. If things do not change quickly, Apple’s plans for satellite-powered iPhones may be in trouble.

  • Tap to pay on iPhone expands to more countries and Apple says App Store rules save users money

    Tap to pay on iPhone expands to more countries and Apple says App Store rules save users money

    Apple is helping individuals all over the world use their iPhones to complete payments. The Tap to Pay feature is being introduced in 18 additional countries, the company revealed. This means businesses have the ability to accept transactions using just their iPhones.

    It is already offered in the US, UK and Australia and shortly, residents of Europe, Asia and similar regions will be able to try it too. By using just their iPhones, even small food and retail businesses can make sure all their payments are safe and easy.

    As one more point, Apple updated the community on its App Store. According to the company, its policies have played a big role in saving users billions. Every app is vetted by Apple before it is placed on the App Store to confirm that it is safe and not designed to get people to spend unwisely.

    Following these rules has stopped a lot of scams, keeping users from losing their hard-earned money, according to Apple. Over the last four years, the company has detected and blocked more than $7 billion worth of suspicious transactions, it says. Because more countries around the world now have Tap to Pay and the App Store protects users, Apple says it is dedicated to making its devices easy and secure for everyone to use.

    Source/Via

  • Apple cancels camera equipped watch and focuses on Smart Glasses for 2026

    Apple cancels camera equipped watch and focuses on Smart Glasses for 2026

    Apple is changing its plans for future wearable products. According to reliable sources, Apple has canceled a special Apple Watch project that was being developed with a built-in camera. This model, known as the “Watch X,” was supposed to let users take photos and make FaceTime video calls directly from their wrists. The camera would have been hidden in a pop-up design on the watch body.

    However, this idea faced many problems. Apple struggled with image quality, battery life, and making the camera system small and comfortable enough to wear. Because of these challenges, Apple decided to stop working on the project earlier this year.

    Instead, Apple is now focusing on something bigger—its first pair of smart glasses. These are expected to launch in 2026. Unlike the canceled Watch X, the smart glasses aim to give users an experience similar to AirPods, but with visual features. They might show notifications, provide navigation help, and even support some health tools.

    The smart glasses project is part of Apple’s long-term vision of building lighter, more everyday-friendly tech compared to the bulky Vision Pro headset. While the first version may not have AR features right away, future models could include full augmented reality.

    In short, Apple is moving away from cameras on the wrist and looking ahead to a future where glasses can do much more.

    Source/Via

  • Apple adds iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 Plus to vintage list

    Apple adds iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 Plus to vintage list

    Apple has announced that the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 7 Plus now count as vintage products. They went unsupported by Apple over five years ago, but it has been less than seven years since the company stopped making them. Vintage Apple products can still get serviced and repaired as long as necessary parts are available, according to the policy.

    The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were unveiled in the month of September 2017. At the same time as the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus had glass rear designs, supported wireless charging, and used the A11 Bionic chip. The new models have a home button and Touch ID, as some users still choose them over using Face ID.

    With the iPhone 7 Plus in 2016, Apple brought a dual-lens camera, allowing people to take close-ups and portrait shots of subjects. This iPhone also didn’t have a headphone jack,k which was a big subject of discussion at its release.

    Five years after Apple stops selling a product, it goes on the vintage list, and after seven years, it becomes obsolete. Support for the software on old Apple products has come to an end.

    If you’re using one of these phones, now might be the right time to switch to a newer model. They will probably keep working well today, but continued updates and fixes will grow less frequent in the future.

  • Fortnite is coming back to the iOS App Store in the US

    Fortnite is coming back to the iOS App Store in the US

    Epic Games will use the new Web Distribution feature from Apple to let Fortnite return to the iOS App Store in the U.S. this year. For now, only inside the European Union can developers make their apps available from their websites using this method. Still, Epic says it will return Fortnite to iPhones in the U.S. by 2025.

    After years of fighting in court, things have finally shifted between Apple and Epic. The problems started when Apple claimed that Epic introduced its own payment option to Fortnite against their rules in 2020. After Apple pulled the game from its store, the differences between the two companies were argued in court. While the court didn’t give either side a complete victory, it did ask Apple to provide developers with different payment methods.

    This summer, Epic hopes to start testing this feature in the U.S. and have it available by the end of next year. Fortnite was brought back to iOS by the EU’s Epic Games Store earlier this month due to the Digital Markets Act, which now allows alternative app stores on Apple’s phones.

    While Americans will have to be a bit patient, Fortnite’s return to iPhones helps give users and developers more power over how they use their phones. Epic Games is setting up its own marketplace in South Korea, Japa,n and Australia.

  • Apple will let developers use its own AI tools in their apps

    Apple will let developers use its own AI tools in their apps

    Apple is planning to let developers use its own AI models in their apps, starting with iOS 18. According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple’s main goal is to offer powerful AI tools that work fast and keep user data private.

    Developers will be able to access Apple’s on-device AI models through Xcode and other Apple development tools. These models can be used for different tasks, such as text generation, smart replies, or image editing. Because the AI runs directly on the device, it won’t need an internet connection to work, and personal data stays private.

    Apple’s approach is different from companies like OpenAI and Google, which mostly use cloud-based AI. While Apple may still use cloud processing for some advanced features, the focus will be on making on-device AI strong enough for everyday use.

    At WWDC 2024 in June, Apple is expected to share more details about its AI strategy. The update may include new features like AI-powered notifications, smart summaries, and improvements to Siri.

    By giving developers access to its AI, Apple is aiming to help create smarter and more useful apps while keeping user privacy a top priority. This move could make iPhones and iPads even more helpful in daily tasks, without depending too much on external servers.

  • Apple adds small but useful changes to iOS apps like Translate, Spotify, and Sports

    Apple adds small but useful changes to iOS apps like Translate, Spotify, and Sports

    With the update, iOS users will notice these apps are more user-friendly. Users can now make Google Translate the default app for translations on iOS. So, when you pick text and choose the Translate button, your iPhone will open the Google Translate app automatically. If your device has iOS 16 or a newer version, you can use this to translate in more ways than Apple’s tool allows.

    Spotify decided to make changes that comply with the rules of Apple’s App Store. Now, if you have Spotify on your iOS device, you can tap a link to discover how to purchase audiobooks. The app won’t help you make a purchase, but it will show you how to find the items for sale elsewhere. Apple made it possible for App Store apps in the EU to provide more information about purchases that take place outside the App Store.

    The Apple Sports app has added a daily newsletter and various other updates. Now, fans can quickly catch up on games and important updates from their favorite teams through the daily email. It also includes useful information before and during matches to help you track the action as it happens. Many of the major sports leagues such as NBA, MLB and MLS, are supported by it. By adding small updates to iOS apps, Apple tries to make the experience both seamless and more user-friendly.

  • Epic asks court to force Apple to approve Fortnite on App Store in the US

    Epic asks court to force Apple to approve Fortnite on App Store in the US

    Epic Games has filed a request with the U.S. court to let Apple include the Fortnite app in the App Store once again. This is due to Epic releasing a variant of Fortnite on Apple’s iPhone market through its Swedish developer account. Epic’s request was refused by Apple since Epic did not follow its rules.

    Epic claims the decision from Apple is in violation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the EU. According to Epic, Apple is looking for excuses to hold off the reintroduction of Fortnite and the Epic Games Store on iPhones.

    The company tried to get both the Epic Games Store and Fortnite reviewed for iOS. However, Apple turned down the submission, claiming Epic did not act honestly. Epic was blocked by Apple because of behavior seen in previous cases and criticisms made in public.

    Epic is trying to persuade the US District Court in California to coerce Apple into approving the Epic account and submitting the app to its store. They state that this needs to be resolved quickly since Apple is harming their company.

    This dispute is part of a series that began in 2020 when Fortnite was dropped from the App Store for using an illegal payment option. Epic is making an effort to provide users with more options and works on obtaining fairer app store policies in the EU.

  • iPhone 17 Air battery size leaked, US questions Apple’s AI deal with Alibaba

    iPhone 17 Air battery size leaked, US questions Apple’s AI deal with Alibaba

    There are rumors that the iPhone 17 Air will have a longer battery life. The leak indicates that the iPhone 17 Air will have a 2,461 mAh battery. The new battery is just a little larger than the one in the iPhone 15 Pro, but it’s significant since the iPhone 17 Air is likely to be thinner and lighter too. Apple may shrink the size and design of the Dynamic Island in the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, to make it look more refined.

    At the same time as preparing its new phone, Apple is responding to criticism regarding its collaboration with Alibaba for AI purposes. There is a report that Alibaba’s cloud services may be used by Apple to develop some of its AI products in China. Nonetheless, some members of Congress worry about the dangers to U.S. security if a company linked to China is involved.

    Lots of senators are pressuring Apple not to use Alibaba’s technology for features like Apple Intelligence or Siri. Many are concerned that sharing data in China might make it possible for the government to monitor user privacy. Apple is not commenting on the deal, but it is expected to provide more details about its AI plans during WWDC 2025 next month.

    Simply put, Apple is introducing new hardware and software and yet it faces important questions about privacy and security.

    Source/Via

  • Apple to let EU users choose voice Assistants and Apple plans to stop announcing features too early

    Apple to let EU users choose voice Assistants and Apple plans to stop announcing features too early

    Two important changes are being planned by Apple that will influence their digital assistants and announcements. Very soon, people in the European Union will be able to switch from Siri to another voice assistant. Once this feature is released, EU users who are setting up a new iPhone or do a factory reset will get a screen allowing them to choose their voice assistant.

    They may choose to use another assistant as the default when playing music, making calls, or sending messages. This move follows the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which prompts major tech firms like Apple to provide users with more options.

    Two, Apple is now revealing new features differently than it has in the past. In previous years, the company announced new features and tools earlier than expected, causing some to take longer or change. Apple intends to only provide information about new features as they get closer to being finished.

    This will assist in keeping on schedule and maintaining the trust of your customers. Earlier this year, iCloud Photos and Universal Control were introduced before being delayed. Apple is changing its style, now offering European customers more control and cautioning them about upcoming new features.

    Source/Via