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  • Siri’s big update might wait until iOS 18.5

    Siri’s big update might wait until iOS 18.5

    Last month, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman hinted that Apple could delay some of Siri’s exciting new Apple Intelligence features until iOS 18.5. His latest update suggests this is looking more and more likely.

    Siri’s Personal Touch in iOS 18

    Originally, Apple aimed to roll out these Siri improvements with iOS 18.4. But due to some hiccups and bugs, it seems the company has shifted gears to iOS 18.5 instead. The first test version of iOS 18.4, released recently, didn’t include any of these promised upgrades.

    In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman shared that iOS 18.5 will bring the real magic. He wrote:

    • The next update, iOS 18.5, is where the cool stuff lands. Expect a smarter Siri with AI powers, as shown last June, plus Apple Intelligence support for users in China.
    • Apple’s team has been quietly testing iOS 18.5 since early February, according to visitor logs spotted by MacRumors.

    When Can We Expect It?

    Gurman predicts that iOS 18.5 will hit devices in May, though testing might kick off earlier. He added:

    • This new Siri will show if Apple can bounce back strong. It’s set to launch in May, almost a year after its big reveal.
    • There’s still a slim chance some Siri tweaks could sneak into a later iOS 18.4 test version, but Gurman’s betting on iOS 18.5 for now.

    What’s Coming to Siri?

    The update promises neat tricks like noticing what’s on your screen, understanding your details, and giving you better control within apps. For instance, at WWDC 2024, Apple demoed Siri helping an iPhone user check their mom’s flight and lunch plans by pulling info from Mail and Messages.

    Which iPhones Get It?

    You’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model to enjoy Apple Intelligence.

  • What’s coming to your iPhone with iOS 19

    What’s coming to your iPhone with iOS 19

    The iOS 19 update is still a few months away, but exciting whispers about what’s next for your iPhone are already spreading. Here’s a simple rundown of what we’ve heard so far.

    A Fresh Look for the Camera App

    One big rumor is a brand-new Camera app. Back in January, Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech shared a YouTube video showing off what it might look like. The standout change? See-through menus for camera settings, inspired by the sleek style of visionOS, which runs Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

    This redesign lets you see more of the camera’s viewfinder than in iOS 18. The controls are split into Photo and Video sections at the bottom. You’ll find options like recording spatial videos, setting a photo timer, and tweaking video resolution or frame rate, which pop up at the top when needed. It’s unclear if this cool, visionOS-like style will spread to other parts of iOS 19, but it’s a possibility!

    A Smarter, Chatty Siri

    Siri is getting a major upgrade in iOS 19. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says it’ll be “more talkative” thanks to smarter tech, making it act more like ChatGPT. This means Siri could handle trickier questions and tasks. Apple might show off this new Siri when they announce iOS 19, but it won’t fully launch until spring 2026—likely with iOS 19.4. For now, iOS 18.2 brings ChatGPT to Siri, with Google Gemini joining later, plus other handy upgrades in iOS 18.4 or 18.5.

    Features Rolling Out Over Time

    Expect many of iOS 19’s goodies to arrive in stages, from iOS 19.1 to 19.4, rather than all at once.

    Which iPhones Will Work?

    According to iPhoneSoft.fr, iOS 19 should run on every iPhone that supports iOS 18. That includes models from the iPhone XS and XR (released in 2018) up to the iPhone 16 series. Some features might skip older phones, though.

    When’s It Coming?

    Apple will likely tease iOS 19 at WWDC in June 2025, with betas starting then and the full release hitting in September. Get ready for a fresh iPhone experience!

    Compatible iPhones

    • iPhone 16
    • iPhone 16 Plus
    • iPhone 16 Pro
    • iPhone 16 Pro Max
    • iPhone 15
    • iPhone 15 Plus
    • iPhone 15 Pro
    • iPhone 15 Pro Max
    • iPhone 14
    • iPhone 14 Plus
    • iPhone 14 Pro
    • iPhone 14 Pro Max
    • iPhone 13
    • iPhone 13 mini
    • iPhone 13 Pro
    • iPhone 13 Pro Max
    • iPhone 12
    • iPhone 12 mini
    • iPhone 12 Pro
    • iPhone 12 Pro Max
    • iPhone 11
    • iPhone 11 Pro
    • iPhone 11 Pro Max
    • iPhone XS
    • iPhone XS Max
    • iPhone XR
    • iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
  • Could Apple bring back its old Wi-Fi routers in a new way?

    Could Apple bring back its old Wi-Fi routers in a new way?

    For years in the 2000s and 2010s, Apple sold Wi-Fi routers called AirPort base stations. They came in three types: the basic AirPort Express, the fancier AirPort Extreme with extra networking tricks, and the AirPort Time Capsule, which also worked as a backup drive for Macs using Time Machine. Apple stopped making these routers in 2018, but there’s a chance they might come back in a surprising form.

    In December, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared that Apple is working on a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. This chip will show up in updated Apple TV and HomePod mini devices later this year. He says it’s so powerful that it could turn these gadgets into Wi-Fi hotspots. But don’t get too excited yet—it’s not certain Apple will go that route.

    Apple seems eager to grow in the smart home world. Rumors suggest they’re building a brand-new smart home hub for release this year. There’s also talk of a HomeKit smart camera that pairs with the hub, creating a simple home security setup. If future Apple TVs or HomePods could act as Wi-Fi routers, too, that’d be another win for Apple in the smart home game.

    Gurman says this new chip will support Wi-Fi 6E, a step up from the Wi-Fi 5 in the last AirPort models. However, analyst Jeff Pu thinks it might even handle Wi-Fi 7, which is even faster. For now, it’s unclear if Apple TV and HomePod will turn into routers. Still, Apple is cooking up tech that could make it happen. Whether they bring back the AirPort idea in this fresh way, only time will tell.

  • Three features missing from the slim iPhone 17 Air

    Three features missing from the slim iPhone 17 Air

    Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is set to impress with its super-thin and lightweight look. However, this sleek design comes with a few trade-offs. Rumors suggest that this phone will miss out on three features many iPhone fans are used to: a bottom speaker, an ultra-wide camera, and a SIM card slot in some regions.

    Single Speaker Setup

    Last year, The Information shared that the iPhone 17 Air will likely have just one speaker, built into the earpiece at the top. Recent 3D images of the phone seem to back this up, showing only a few small openings at the bottom—probably for microphones, not a speaker.

    Camera Changes

    Similar to the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to come with a single 48-megapixel rear camera. This main camera will handle regular 1× shots and offer a 2× zoom that feels almost as good as optical quality. However, it won’t have the Ultra Wide camera for those wide 0.5× shots. The good news? Skipping this extra lens could mean more room inside for a bigger battery.

    No More SIM Slot

    Apple began dropping the physical SIM card slot in the U.S. starting with the iPhone 14 in 2022, switching to digital eSIMs instead. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to follow this trend in the U.S., and it might go even further. According to The Information, Apple could remove the SIM slot in more countries this year, meaning the iPhone 17 Air may rely on eSIMs worldwide.

    In short, the iPhone 17 Air’s slim design looks exciting, but it means letting go of a few familiar features. Fans of loudspeakers, ultra-wide photos, or physical SIM cards might need to adjust to these changes. Still, the trade-offs could pave the way for a fresh, lightweight iPhone experience.

  • A strange iMessage problem Apple needs to solve

    A strange iMessage problem Apple needs to solve

    For the last couple of years, I’ve noticed something odd with Apple’s Messages app, especially when it comes to pictures. I keep hoping Apple will fix it, but so far, they haven’t done anything about it. Here’s the issue: if you send an AVIF picture through iMessage, it doesn’t show up right. AVIF is a type of image that’s getting more popular, so this glitch is kind of frustrating.

    But that’s not the whole story. It’d be fine if Apple just didn’t work with AVIF files at all. Instead, for some strange reason, the image pops up in a tiny box on your screen. There’s no way to make it bigger, so you’re stuck squinting at a super small picture you can’t see.

    This happens on both iPhones and Macs. The funny thing is, before you send the AVIF picture, it looks perfectly fine in the preview. You’d never guess there’d be a problem until after you hit send. It’s not like Apple doesn’t know how to handle AVIF. They added support for it in Safari with iOS 16, which was over two years ago. So, they’re halfway there—they just haven’t updated iMessage to keep up. The files show up, but you can’t view them properly.

    This whole thing feels off. Since AVIF works in Safari and the Photos app, people naturally send these images through iMessage. But when they don’t display correctly, it’s a letdown. You’re left with a useless picture.

    I hope Apple tackles this soon. It’s a small but annoying issue that messes up the experience. With AVIF becoming more common, it’s time for iMessage to catch up and let us see those images the way they’re meant to be seen.

  • Do app privacy tags affect your download choices?

    Do app privacy tags affect your download choices?

    In 2020, Apple rolled out privacy tags to show users what info an app might grab—like stuff tied to you or used to follow you around online. These tags were a game-changer, shining a light on apps that scoop up too much personal data. For example, you could see Signal barely touches your info, while Facebook Messenger slurps up everything it can for ads or upgrades. The goal? Help people pick apps wisely.

    Lately, though, I’ve noticed folks wondering if these self-reported tags—tucked way down on an app’s App Store page—still sway anyone before they tap “Get.” Apple splits these “privacy nutrition tags” into three types:

    • Data Tied to You: This is stuff like your name, address, email, exact location, or shopping history that’s linked to you, often for ads or tailoring the app. Developers have to spill it if it points back to you.
    • Data Not Tied to You: Info collected but kept nameless, usually to tweak the app. Apple makes sure it can’t be traced back to you.
    • Data That Tracks You: This follows you across apps and sites—like Google or Meta using your device ID for custom ads or selling it to data collectors.

    People get loud about privacy when a hot new app, like Threads, sparks worry. Back then, users scratched their heads over why it listed “Health and Fitness” data with no clear reason. Yet Threads still shot to the top of social media downloads. So, do these tags really matter?

    Here’s the catch: developers report this stuff themselves. Apple trusts them to be honest, which speeds up approvals but can blur the truth. For users, the tags are handy—if you dig for them and know what they mean. But just because they’re listed doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. As Apple pushes privacy hard, the real challenge is teaming up with developers to make things clearer, explain data use better, and keep overstating in check. So, do privacy tags sway your downloads? Maybe—if you’re paying attention.

  • iPhone 16e teardown

    iPhone 16e teardown

    Apple kicked off the iPhone 16e launch with a bunch of fresh video ads on release day, March 01, 2025. They dropped six short clips and one main ad, all pushing a clear idea: this phone is perfect for everyday folks. The videos spotlight cool features and perks, making it a top pick for regular users.

    What’s Special About the iPhone 16e?

    The ads zoom in on a few standout points:

    • Toughness: Apple says people drop their phones about 208 times a year, so this one’s built to last.
    • Battery Power: It’s the longest-lasting battery ever in an iPhone this size.
    • Camera Magic: One ad claims its single camera does so much that you might not need more.
    • Smart Tools: Two clips show off Apple Intelligence tricks like Genmoji and Clean Up.
    • Ready for Tomorrow: A fun ad with a guy and his older self calls it “future-ready.”

    There’s also the big “Meet iPhone 16e” video, featuring a quirky blue inflatable figure dancing with the phone. It’s odd, but it grabs attention! These ads nail what most people want in a phone. The iPhone 16e feels like a smart choice for anyone planning to stick with one device for years.

    Inside the iPhone 16e

    A YouTube channel, REWA Technology, posted a teardown video today, giving us a peek inside. Apple’s launch video mentioned a new layout that fits a bigger battery. The iPhone 16e packs a 4,005 mAh battery, 12% more than the iPhone 16’s 3,561 mAh. In simpler terms, it’s 15.55 watt-hours versus 13.83 watt-hours for the iPhone 16.

    This battery also has a handy trick: special glue that loosens with a low zap from a 9V battery or USB-C charger. This started with last year’s iPhone 16 models and might spread to the iPhone 17 Pro soon. The teardown also shows the A18 chip and Apple’s own C1 modem, though repairs could be trickier this time. Plus, there’s no MagSafe for wireless charging. The iPhone 16e hit stores today after pre-orders, ready for anyone to grab at Apple locations. It’s a solid, user-friendly phone with a lot to offer!

  • iOS 18 brings a handy Calendar upgrade

    iOS 18 brings a handy Calendar upgrade

    Apple’s Calendar app stayed pretty much the same for years, but lately, it’s been getting better fast. With iOS 18, there’s one new feature I’ve wanted for a long time, and it’s turned out to be a game-changer: Reminders now work right inside the Calendar app.

    A Clear Daily Plan with Reminders Built In

    Before this update, the Calendar and Reminders apps on the iPhone didn’t talk to each other—they were totally separate. But now, iOS 18 mixes the basic features of Reminders into Calendar. For me, this is a big win because I can finally see my whole day in one spot. With this new setup, all my scheduled reminders show up next to my calendar events. I rely on reminders a lot to keep track of home chores and work tasks.

    In the past, figuring out my day meant flipping between two apps—Calendar and Reminders. Just checking Calendar wasn’t enough since I’d miss key tasks I’d set up. Now, though, everything’s together. My reminders line up in order with my events, so one quick look at the Calendar app tells me exactly what’s ahead.

    One Small Catch, But Still a Great Change

    There’s just one downside: you can’t pick and choose which Reminders lists show up in Calendar. It’s either all your scheduled reminders or none at all.

    Even with that little hiccup, blending Reminders into Calendar has been awesome. It’s made my daily planning so much smoother and easier. This upgrade might sound simple, but it’s honestly made a huge difference for me.

  • How quick is Apple’s first 5G Modem? the answers might surprise you

    How quick is Apple’s first 5G Modem? the answers might surprise you

    The iPhone 16e reviews are out, and Apple’s new C1 modem is stealing the spotlight. People thought it might lag behind Qualcomm modems, but the early results tell a different story—its speed is holding up pretty well! The C1 modem skips the super-fast mmWave 5G used in the U.S., but it still matches the 5G performance of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X71 modem, which powers the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Here’s what some tech reviewers found.

    Allison Johnson from The Verge said she barely noticed a difference between the C1 and X71. She tested the iPhone 16e for FaceTime calls, uploading big video files in busy spots, and streaming YouTube on a bus. She compared it to a regular iPhone 16 with a Qualcomm modem on Verizon, and both worked about the same.

    John Velasco from Tom’s Guide agreed. He tested the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 in New York City and found no big speed gaps. Only one test showed the 16e pulling ahead slightly. What about hard numbers? Andru Edwards, in a video review, clocked the iPhone 16e at 673 Mbps download speed in his suburban New York yard on AT&T. The iPhone 16 Pro Max hit 667 Mbps in the same spot—pretty close! In busy New York City, the 16e reached 127 Mbps, beating the Pro Max’s 75 Mbps, though the Pro Max uploaded faster (50 Mbps vs. 30 Mbps).

    YouTuber Dave Lee from Dave2D tested in Toronto on the Bell network. His iPhone 16e was 30-40 Mbps faster than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Meanwhile, the Chinese channel Geekerwan ran lab tests with an artificial 5G network. The iPhone 16e matched the iPhone 16 and other phones in speed and reliability.

    Apple claims the C1 is their most energy-saving modem yet—up to 25% more efficient than Qualcomm’s. Geekerwan’s tests back this up, showing the 16e using 0.67W compared to 0.88W for the iPhone 16. Overall, the C1 modem surprises everyone by keeping up with the best, while sipping less power, in both real life and lab settings.

  • How the Apple Watch helps NHL referees

    How the Apple Watch helps NHL referees

    The Apple Watch is making a big difference for referees in NHL hockey games. A special app called NHL Watch Comms was created just for NHL officials who work on the ice. This app will get its first outdoor test at tomorrow’s Stadium Series game in Ohio.

    The NHL announced this exciting update in a blog post recently. They said:

    For the first time in an outdoor match, referees will use the NHL Watch Comms App on their Apple Watches. This app, built by Presidio, sends live updates during the game to help officials stay on top of everything happening. Referees will feel small taps on their wrists to alert them about important moments, like how much time is left on the game clock, penalty timers, and even the jersey numbers of players sitting in the penalty box.

    This handy tool has been tested and improved over the past few seasons at indoor rinks. Now, it’s ready for its outdoor debut this Saturday. That’s when the Columbus Blue Jackets take on the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium, a famous football spot tied to The Ohio State University. Hockey games are loud and fast, which makes it tricky for referees to talk to each other. An outdoor game adds even more challenges, like wind or weather. That’s where the Apple Watch steps in to help.

    The app uses those wrist taps to keep referees in sync with the game clock—kind of like how fans might follow a live sports update on their own Apple Watches. But for refs, it’s all about doing their job better. Pretty neat, right?

    Here’s a peek at the NHL Watch Comms app, designed by Presidio for the NHL referees:

    This simple yet smart tool shows how tech can make a tough job a little easier, even in the middle of a thrilling hockey game.

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