Search results for: “Update”

  • How Apple fixed my main worry about the iPhone 17 Air

    How Apple fixed my main worry about the iPhone 17 Air

    Apple’s new iPhone 16e is pretty impressive, but it’s not the phone I’m most excited about. That honor goes to the iPhone 17 Air, coming this fall. Today’s news about the 16e has eased my biggest fear about the 17 Air: its battery life.

    This fall, Apple will likely roll out four new iPhones:

    • iPhone 17
    • iPhone 17 Air
    • iPhone 17 Pro
    • iPhone 17 Pro Max

    This lineup is mostly what we’re used to, except the “Plus” model is gone. Instead, we’re getting the iPhone 17 Air. The 17 Air will be super slim, just 5.5mm thick—the thinnest iPhone ever. It’s all about looking sleek, but that comes with some trade-offs. For example, it’ll have only one back camera instead of three and a regular A19 chip, not the fancier A19 Pro.

    For me, though, the real worry was the battery. Apple’s top phones, like the Pro and Pro Max, have amazing battery life now. I never even think about charging them. But with the 17 Air’s thin build, I was afraid the battery would suffer—until today’s update changed my mind.

    The C1 Modem Saves the Day

    Apple’s iPhone 16e launch showed off some cool stuff, including the new C1 modem. This 5G modem, built by Apple, has been in the works for years. We knew it might show up in the 16e, but its perks were a mystery until now.

    Here’s what Apple said in their announcement:

    The C1 modem is Apple’s first-ever modem. It’s the most power-saving modem ever in an iPhone, offering fast 5G while keeping your battery going strong. With Apple’s tech, a fresh design, and iOS 18’s smart power tricks, battery life is better than ever.

    The C1 really boosts battery life. In fact, the 16e lasts longer than the pricier iPhone 16, beating it in this one big way.

    Good News for the iPhone 17 Air

    Reports say the C1 modem will also be in the iPhone 17 Air. That’s Apple’s clever fix for the battery downsides of its slim design. It won’t match the Pro models, but if it’s close to the regular iPhone 17, I’ll be happy. Battery life matters a lot to iPhone fans. Thanks to the C1 modem, I’m now confident the iPhone 17 Air will keep up without running out of juice too fast.

  • Get Apple’s newest wallpaper without buying the iPhone 16e

    Get Apple’s newest wallpaper without buying the iPhone 16e

    A fresh iPhone launch always brings something exciting: brand-new wallpapers from Apple! The good news? You don’t have to rush out and grab the iPhone 16e just to enjoy its cool new design on your screen.

    Grab the iPhone 16e Wallpaper Today

    The iPhone 16e steps in to replace the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 in Apple’s family of phones. Along with it comes a special wallpaper made just for this device. Sure, the moving, lively version is only available if you own the phone, but anyone can download the still image below and use it to give their current phone a fresh, stylish update:

    [Click here to download the full-size image] or simply save it from this page.

    The new wallpaper has a look that’s very similar to the sneak peek shared by Apple’s boss, Tim Cook, on his post about today’s big reveal.

    With just a quick download, you can bring a little piece of the iPhone 16e vibe to your device—no purchase needed! Whether you’re an Apple fan or just love a good background, this is an easy way to switch things up and keep your phone feeling new.

  • When will Apple launch iOS 18.4?

    When will Apple launch iOS 18.4?

    After rolling out the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its websites for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. These updates give a clearer idea of when the next big releases are coming.

    What’s New with iOS 18

    The websites now say that fresh Apple Intelligence features and support for more languages will arrive in early April. This is a sharper timeline compared to the vague “April” hint Apple shared earlier. The upcoming updates—iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4—are the ones to watch for.

    Apple has big plans for these releases. They’ll bring Apple Intelligence to languages like Chinese (Simplified), English (India and Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. More languages, such as Vietnamese, will join the list later in 2025.

    So far, Apple hasn’t shared the first test versions (betas) of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or macOS Sequoia 15.4. But people expect them to drop soon—maybe any day now.

    A Small Hiccup

    Originally, the April updates were set to include new Siri features powered by Apple Intelligence. However, Apple might push these back a bit. They’re still smoothing out some issues and want to make sure everything works just right. In short, early April is the time to mark on your calendar for these exciting updates. Apple’s working hard to bring smarter features and more language options to your devices!

  • New iPhone SE 4 could keep its value better

    New iPhone SE 4 could keep its value better

    Apple might announce the new iPhone SE 4 very soon, and it could keep its worth better than before, according to SellCell’s research.

    iPhone SE 4 Single Camera Thumb 3

    Even though the iPhone SE is cheaper, it has not kept its resale value as well as Apple’s more expensive phones. SellCell’s study shows that past SE models lost their value quickly. For instance, the third iPhone SE model dropped by 42.6% in value in just one month and by 57.8% after six months. In contrast, the iPhone 15 series only lost 28.8% in the first month and 27.8% after six months.

    The same happened with the second iPhone SE, which saw a 50.8% decrease in value in six months, while the iPhone 14 series only went down by 31.1% in the same time. This might be because the SE starts at a lower price, looks older, and isn’t as popular in the used market.

    However, some smaller, cheaper iPhones have done better. The iPhone 13 mini, for example, only lost 19.2% of its value in the first month, compared to 42.6% for the third iPhone SE. After a year, it had depreciated by 46.1%, while the third iPhone SE lost 64.4%. Even after two years, the iPhone 13 mini was down by just 53%, more like the flagships than the SEs.

    The upcoming iPhone SE 4 might change this pattern. If it gets a modern look similar to the iPhone 14 and gets a better chip, camera, and supports Apple’s smart features, it could hold its value better. This would make it stay competitive for longer.

    Like other phones, the value of the iPhone SE drops more when a new model comes out. The second iPhone SE lost another 4% of its value 12 weeks after the third one was released. So, if you want to sell your SE, doing it soon after a new one comes out is smart.

    The price will also affect how well the iPhone SE 4 keeps its value. It might start at $499 in the US, which is a bit more than the $429 of the current model. This could make it a good choice for people watching their budget, but it also means people will expect better features for the extra cost.

    Apple took longer than usual to update the iPhone SE, which means there aren’t many affordable, new-tech options right now. This might make the new iPhone SE more popular when it comes out, especially if it’s much better than the old versions.

  • EU App Store removes non-compliant ‘Trader’ apps

    EU App Store removes non-compliant ‘Trader’ apps

    Apple has started removing apps from the App Store in the European Union that do not provide trader contact information. Developers were notified that apps missing this crucial data would be taken down by February 17, 2025, and that deadline has now passed.

    Under the new EU Digital Services Act (DSA), apps must list trader details like an address, phone number, and email for customers to see. This is to ensure transparency and accountability from app developers who earn money from sales or in-app purchases.

    Apple has been emphasizing this rule for some time, requiring all new apps and updates to include this trader information. This data needs to be verified by Apple before apps can return to the App Store. The process to add trader information is straightforward, done through App Store Connect.

    However, this requirement has caused some friction, especially among smaller developers or solo app creators who might not have formal business contact details. They argue that this could expose them to unwanted spam or complicate their operations.

    Despite the pushback, the DSA mandates that Apple must display these contact details on the app’s product page within the EU’s 27 member countries. This ensures that users can reach out with any concerns or issues they might have with the app or its developer.

    For more detailed guidance on how to comply with these new regulations, developers can visit Apple’s official website. This move signifies a growing trend towards more transparency in digital markets, although it does present new challenges for some in the development community.

  • Apple no longer allows downgrade to iOS 18.3

    Apple no longer allows downgrade to iOS 18.3

    Apple has ended the ability to install iOS 18.3 on iPhones, meaning those who updated to iOS 18.3.1 can’t go back to the previous version. The company rolled out iOS 18.3.1 about a week after the release of iOS 18.3.

    iOS Updates

    Apple tends to stop signing older iOS versions shortly after newer ones come out, typically within one to two weeks. Once an older version stops being signed, you can’t put it on your iPhone anymore because of a check that happens on Apple’s servers. This practice pushes people to keep their phones updated. By not letting users revert to older software, Apple makes sure everyone has the latest security fixes.

    Why Update Matters

    The update to iOS 18.3.1 brought several bug corrections and security patches. Notably, it fixed a security hole that hackers were already using, which shows why keeping your iPhone’s software current is crucial.

  • Does low power mode make your iPhone slower?

    Does low power mode make your iPhone slower?

    Low Power Mode isn’t a new thing for iPhone users. It was first introduced with iOS 9 back in 2015. Now and then, I come across complaints online about new iPhones running slowly, and often, Low Power Mode is turned on. Let’s explore how this feature impacts your iPhone’s performance.

    How Does Low Power Mode Work?

    Low Power Mode is designed to help your iPhone last longer when you’re away from a charger. When you turn it on, it cuts down on power use by turning off or limiting various features.
    iOS will suggest turning on Low Power Mode when your battery hits 20%, but you can switch it on anytime you want.

    Here’s what Apple says about it:

    Low Power Mode helps your iPhone or iPad when the battery is low. It makes the battery last longer before you need to charge it, but some things might work slower or not update as quickly. Some tasks might not work until you turn off Low Power Mode or charge to 80% or more.

    You can see if Low Power Mode is active by checking if the battery icon in your Status Bar is yellow.

    What Changes When Low Power Mode is On?

    Apple has a list on its site detailing what changes:

    • Turns off or limits 5G use
    • Sets Auto-Lock to 30 seconds
    • Reduces screen brightness and limits refresh rate to 60Hz on ProMotion devices
    • Turns off Always-On Display for supported iPhones
    • Reduces visual effects
    • Stops background activities like downloads, iCloud syncing, backups, and email fetching

    Does It Slow Down Your iPhone?

    Yes, it does. Although not officially stated by Apple, Low Power Mode also reduces your iPhone’s speed. Your iPhone’s chip has performance and efficiency cores. Normally, it uses all cores, favoring performance cores for heavy tasks. But in Low Power Mode, it mostly uses the slower efficiency cores to save energy.

    For example, in a benchmark test with Low Power Mode off, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s A18 Pro chip scored:

    • Single-core: 3341
    • Multi-core: 8270

    With Low Power Mode on, the scores drop significantly:

    • Single-core: 1384
    • Multi-core: 4093

    This shows that your iPhone might run at about half speed with this mode active.

    Conclusion

    While Low Power Mode can extend your battery life, especially when your phone is idle, it’s less effective during active use. It’s best to use Low Power Mode only when necessary. Remember, this feature is also available on iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches.

  • New rumors about the next Apple Pro Display

    New rumors about the next Apple Pro Display

    Apple launched the Pro Display XDR back in 2019 for a hefty $4,999, with no stand included and an optional stand priced at $999. Since then, despite advancements in screen tech, Apple hasn’t updated this model. But whispers and leaks suggest they’re preparing something new.

    Apple’s Own Chip

    In 2022, Apple introduced the Studio Display, which stood out because it was powered by the A13 Bionic chip. This chip allowed for features like Center Stage and spatial audio. The original Pro Display XDR, being older, doesn’t have this advantage. However, there’s talk from Bloomberg that Apple’s next high-end monitor might include its own silicon, reducing its dependency on the connected computer for performance.

    If these rumors from 2022 are still on track, the upcoming Pro Display XDR 2 might boast an Apple Silicon chip, potentially adding features like a built-in camera and speakers.

    Quantum-Dot Tech

    Display expert Ross Young has hinted that Apple could shift to quantum-dot technology for the next Pro Display XDR, similar to what’s seen in the new MacBook Pro. Quantum-dot films could replace older tech in Apple products, enhancing color and brightness. It’s not confirmed if this means a switch to mini-LED, but it’s expected to improve the display’s quality.

    Other Expectations

    Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in 2023 suggested Apple might launch a 27-inch mini LED display in 2025. While this might not directly relate to the Pro Display XDR due to size differences, it shows Apple’s interest in high-end displays. Additionally, there’s talk of a 7K resolution display, which could be a future option for the Pro Display.

    When Will It Come Out?

    Ross Young has speculated that the Pro Display XDR 2 could see the light of day towards the end of 2025 or early 2026. However, according to Mark Gurman’s newsletter, this isn’t a top priority for Apple, given the niche market for such a costly monitor.

    In conclusion, while the Pro Display XDR has been static for years, the future looks bright with potential upgrades in technology and features, though exact details and timelines remain under wraps.

    Source

  • Apple’s edge in the race for home Robots as Meta joins the game

    Apple’s edge in the race for home Robots as Meta joins the game

    A recent report hints that Apple and Meta might soon be rivals in the world of humanoid robots. Meta, known for social media, is reportedly pouring a lot of money into building robots that can help with tasks around the house. If Apple moves forward with its home robot plans, it could have a big upper hand over Meta.

    Apple’s Robot Dreams

    When most people hear “robot,” they picture a sci-fi helper that looks human and handles chores—a sort of robotic assistant. Apple is said to be working on something like this. Last year, Bloomberg called it a “skunk-works project,” meaning a small team is experimenting with it, separate from Apple’s usual products. I’ve said before that this kind of robot might take ten years or more to become real. A recent update suggests even a simple tabletop robot could be years away, despite cute designs like a table lamp.

    Meta’s Push into Humanoid Robots

    According to Bloomberg, Meta is excited about AI-driven humanoid robots and sees them as a major focus. The company is investing heavily in this area, aiming to create robots that act like humans and assist with physical tasks. Meta is starting with household chores and has already begun talks with robotics firms like Unitree Robotics and Figure AI. On Friday, Meta told its staff about the new robot team. Interestingly, the first robots might not carry Meta’s name. Instead, Meta wants to supply the AI brains for robots made by other companies, though Meta-branded robots could come later.

    Could Apple and Meta Clash?

    I still think fully capable home robots are a long way off. But if multiple companies start competing, things could speed up. Meta’s entry might push Apple to take its robot project more seriously, moving it from a side experiment to a bigger priority.

    Apple’s Big Advantage

    Having a humanoid robot at home might feel strange or even creepy for many people. It could be like having a stranger in your house—one with cameras everywhere. Apple’s strong focus on privacy and its trusted reputation could give it a major edge in winning over customers.

  • Testing begins for iOS 18.5 as Siri’s new features might face delays

    Testing begins for iOS 18.5 as Siri’s new features might face delays

    Apple has started testing iOS 18.5 internally since early February, according to visitor logs from MacRumors. This news comes as a surprise because of recent reports about possible delays in Apple’s plans for Siri’s new smart features.

    Normally, spotting iOS 18.5 in testing wouldn’t stand out. However, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg recently shared that Apple might push back or limit some of Siri’s upcoming Apple Intelligence upgrades until iOS 18.5. The reason? Bugs and other technical challenges are slowing things down.

    These new Siri features were first expected to launch with iOS 18.4. They include things like understanding what’s on your screen, knowing more about your details, and giving better control within apps. For instance, at WWDC 2024, Apple showed how Siri could check a user’s mom’s flight details or lunch plans by pulling info from emails and texts.

    The first iOS 18.4 beta should come out this week. Gurman says some of Siri’s smart features might still make it into iOS 18.4, but they could be off by default. There’s also a chance Apple will add them in later beta versions to give developers more time to fix issues.

    Apple’s website hints that iOS 18.4 will be available in April after beta testing. However, with the reported bugs and possible delays in Siri’s upgrades, this timeline might change. Looking ahead, the first iOS 18.5 beta is expected in April, with a full release likely in May, following Apple’s usual update pattern. To use Apple Intelligence, you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model.

    Source