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  • 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.

  • How to stop your Mac from automatically waking up

    How to stop your Mac from automatically waking up

    Apple’s latest Macs with their own special chips are set up to automatically turn on when you open the lid or plug them in. But if you’re not a fan of this, there’s a way to stop it in macOS Sequoia.

    In a helpful guide, Apple explains how you can tweak your Mac so it doesn’t start up when you’d rather it stay off. Here’s what you need to do:

    • Check your macOS: Ensure your Mac with Apple’s chip is running macOS Sequoia or a newer version.
    • Open Terminal: Find the Terminal app in the Utilities folder under Applications.
    • Enter the Command: Type one of these commands into Terminal, then hit Enter:
      • To stop startup when opening the lid or plugging in: [sudo nvram BootPreference=%00](https://x.com/i/grok?text=sudo%20nvram%20BootPreference%3D%2500)
      • To stop startup just when opening the lid: [sudo nvram BootPreference=%01](https://x.com/i/grok?text=sudo%20nvram%20BootPreference%3D%2501)
      • To stop startup just when plugging in: [sudo nvram BootPreference=%02](https://x.com/i/grok?text=sudo%20nvram%20BootPreference%3D%2502)
    • Password Time: You’ll need to enter your admin password (you won’t see the characters as you type), then hit Enter again.

    If you decide you want your Mac to wake up automatically again, just open Terminal and type [sudo nvram -d BootPreference](https://x.com/i/grok?text=sudo%20nvram%20-d%20BootPreference) to undo the changes.

    This little trick lets you control when your Mac decides to come to life, keeping you in charge of your device’s power management.

  • Tim Cook believes iPhones have lots more innovation ahead

    Tim Cook believes iPhones have lots more innovation ahead

    During a recent financial discussion for the first quarter of 2025, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, was quizzed about future iPhone designs. The talk was sparked by whispers about the new “iPhone 17 Air.” Tim Cook usually keeps quiet about upcoming products on these calls, but this time he was upbeat. “We’ve got a lot more in store,” he shared, sounding very hopeful about what’s coming next.

    He confirmed that the iPhone still has plenty of room for new ideas. “There’s still so much we can do with smartphones,” Cook remarked. Word on the street is that Apple is working on an incredibly slim iPhone to take over from the “Plus” version. It’s rumored to be just 5 to 6 millimeters thick, making it the slimmest iPhone ever.

    When asked if the ultra-slim design of the 12.9-inch M4 iPad Pro was boosting iPad sales, Cook clarified that wasn’t the driver. Instead, the iPad Air and the standard iPad were the ones pushing the 15% sales increase over the holiday season.

    This isn’t shocking considering the high price tag on the iPad Pro. There’s mixed chatter about how much the new slim iPhone will cost, but it’s expected to be cheaper than the Pro models. Apple seems set on making it more about design, with plans to use a less powerful chip and only one camera lens.

    This focus on a sleek design while keeping costs down could make the “iPhone 17 Air” a popular choice, offering a new look without breaking the bank.

  • Apple’s Global Reach: Over 2.35 billion devices now active

    Apple’s Global Reach: Over 2.35 billion devices now active

    Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, announced during the latest earnings call that the company now boasts more than 2.35 billion active devices around the world. This update, which covers the first quarter of 2025, marks a new high for the tech giant.

    This impressive figure shows a growth from the last count in February 2024, when Apple reported 2.2 billion active devices. While specific numbers for each type of device weren’t shared, it’s known that Apple has consistently had over a billion iPhones in use globally.

    This growth underscores Apple’s strong presence in the market and its continued popularity among consumers. With products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Apple has managed to keep users engaged and expand its ecosystem significantly. The company’s ability to maintain and increase its active user base is a testament to its innovation and customer loyalty.

  • Apple’s record-breaking quarter in 2025: $124.3B revenue and more

    Apple’s record-breaking quarter in 2025: $124.3B revenue and more

    Apple recently shared its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, discussing performance details with CEO Tim Cook and new CFO Kevan Parekh. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key points from the call:

    iPhone Sales and Apple Intelligence

    While Apple’s services revenue increased, and they saw growth in Mac and iPad sales, iPhone sales dipped slightly. This quarter, iPhones brought in $69.1 billion, less than last year’s $69.7 billion. The new Apple Intelligence feature, introduced in iOS 18, has not yet sparked a big update trend. However, Cook noted that iPhone 16 models are selling better in places where Apple Intelligence is available.

    Cook believes that as more people upgrade to newer iPhones, which support Apple Intelligence, usage will grow. He also mentioned upcoming support for more languages in April, which should help. He finds the email summarization feature invaluable, receiving hundreds of emails daily.

    Best Quarter Ever

    Tim Cook announced that this was Apple’s best quarter yet, with a revenue of $124.3 billion, up by four percent from last year. Apple’s active device count hit a new high at over 2.35 billion worldwide. However, sales in China dropped to $18.5 billion from $20.8 billion last year.

    Services Revenue

    The services sector shone brightly, earning $26.3 billion, a 14 percent jump from the previous year’s $23 billion. They set new records in the Americas, Europe, and other parts of Asia-Pacific, with over a billion paid subscriptions now.

    Mac and iPad Sales

    Mac sales were up to $9 billion from $7.8 billion, thanks to the new M4 models. Both new users and upgraders contributed to this growth. iPads also did well, with a 15 percent sales increase, largely due to the iPad Air and the budget iPad models, with many sales going to first-time iPad buyers.

    Other Notes

    On the topic of DeepSeek and reducing computational costs, Cook sees efficiency-driving innovation positively. Regarding future iPhone designs, he hinted at more innovation to come. With potential tariffs on the horizon, Apple is keeping a close watch but had no further comments.

    Looking Ahead

    For the next quarter, Apple anticipates low to mid single-digit growth in revenue with a gross margin expected between 46.5 and 47.5 percent.

    This earnings call highlights Apple’s ongoing strength in the tech market, even with some challenges like in China, affirming their position as a leader in technology and innovation.

  • 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.

  • Apple’s new school year deal now live in Japan

    Apple’s new school year deal now live in Japan

    Apple has kicked off its yearly “Back to School” deal in Japan, following earlier launches in places like Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and South Korea. This year, instead of giving away free AirPods or Apple Pencils like in other countries, Japan’s promotion includes Apple Gift Cards when you buy certain Mac or iPad models.

    Here’s how it works:

    • Buy a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or an iMac, and you’ll get a 22,000 yen Apple Gift Card.
    • For those interested in iPads, picking up a new iPad Pro or iPad Air will net you a 15,000 yen Apple Gift Card.

    The offer runs from January 30 to April 9, specifically for students and educational staff. If you’re a student at a university, college, or vocational school, or if you work as a teacher or staff member at any educational level, you qualify. Just make sure to verify your status through UNiDAYS when you place your order.

    This promotion is a great way for students and educators to save on new tech for the upcoming school year, making it easier to get equipped with the latest Apple devices.

  • Apple tried Intel for iPhone chips, but Tim Cook wasn’t impressed, says TSMC Founder

    Apple tried Intel for iPhone chips, but Tim Cook wasn’t impressed, says TSMC Founder

    TSMC, a big partner for Apple, makes chips for millions of their devices each year. But, according to their founder, there was a time when Intel tried to make chips for the iPhone but didn’t do well enough to impress Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook.

    TSMC Founder Wasn’t Worried About Intel Competition for iPhone Chips

    In a recent conversation on the Acquired podcast, Morris Chang, the founder of TSMC, talked about the history of working with Apple. One key point was back in February 2011 when Intel was considered for producing iPhone chips.

    At that time, Intel already made chips for Apple’s Macs. However, their attempt at iPhone chip production didn’t go as planned. Chang mentions a talk with Jeff Williams, who said, “We need to take a break from our talks for a couple of months because Intel’s top people have approached Tim Cook to discuss making chips for the iPhone.”

    Chang wasn’t too concerned because, in 2011, Intel didn’t have the same strong reputation it once did:

    “Jeff was talking about the iPhone,” Chang said. “I wasn’t too worried because Intel wasn’t the big deal anymore. I had to agree to Jeff’s request, but I wasn’t really concerned.”
    Later, Cook met with Chang over lunch at Apple’s headquarters, where he reassured Chang by saying, “There’s nothing to worry about,” explaining that Intel didn’t have the right know-how to be a chip foundry. Chang found this response brief but reassuring.

    Chang also shared insights on Intel’s customer relations:

    “Before Apple became our customer, I knew many of Intel’s customers in Taiwan, like all the PC makers. None of them were fans of Intel. Intel often acted like they were the only game in town.”
    He added that these customers “all wished there was another supplier.”

    You can view the complete interview for more insights into the tech industry’s past.

  • Apple warns about noise levels during Super Bowl LIX

    Apple warns about noise levels during Super Bowl LIX

    Apple, in partnership with the University of Michigan, has shared new findings from the Apple Hearing Study, focusing on how noise levels spike during Super Bowl events. These insights come right before Super Bowl LIX, set to happen in New Orleans on February 9th.

    Using data from more than 115,000 Apple Watch users through the Noise app, the research shows that noise levels during the last four Super Bowls were 1.5 to 3 decibels higher than on typical Sundays. Although 3 decibels might seem small, this increase means the sound energy doubles, posing a risk to our hearing.

    The study found that noise was particularly loud in states hosting the Super Bowl or where teams playing were based. This suggests more people in these areas were watching the game in big, noisy groups.

    Apple also pointed out some of its tech designed to protect your ears. The Noise app on the Apple Watch can warn you when sounds around you get too loud. Plus, the AirPods Pro 2 have a feature that helps lower the noise when you’re in a loud place, protecting your hearing while you enjoy the event.

    This study reminds us to be careful with our hearing, especially during big celebrations like the Super Bowl.