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  • Apple Vision Pro gaming could grow big soon, say game makers

    Apple Vision Pro gaming could grow big soon, say game makers

    A recent survey shows that game developers are very interested in making games for the Apple Vision Pro. Here’s what we know:

    Game Developers Are Planning New Games for Vision Pro

    According to GamesBeat, a survey at the Game Developers Conference looked at how developers feel about Apple’s new spatial computing platform.

    The survey results suggest big growth is on the way:

    • Right now, only 8% of developers who make VR or AR games are working on games for Apple’s visionOS. There aren’t many games available yet for Vision Pro, so this number is quite promising.
    • About 18% of the developers said their next project will be on Vision Pro. This means we might see a lot more games soon.
    • A quarter of the developers are very interested in Apple’s VR headset. This interest is even higher than for PlayStation VR2, which is at 25%.

    The survey included responses from over 3,000 game developers, giving us a good idea of what’s happening in the gaming world. It looks like Apple Vision Pro might become a big name in gaming soon.

  • Apple Intelligence now turns on automatically

    Apple Intelligence now turns on automatically

    When you install the new updates for macOS Sequoia 15.3, iOS 18.3, or iPadOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will start up by itself on devices that can use it, according to Apple’s notes for developers.

    If you’re setting up a new iPhone with iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will be on right from the start. After you finish setting up, you can use Apple Intelligence right away. If you want to turn it off, go to the Apple Intelligence & Siri Settings menu and switch it off there. This will stop all Apple Intelligence features on your device.

    Before, with macOS Sequoia 15.1, 15.2, iOS 18.1, and 18.2, you had to turn on Apple Intelligence yourself to use it. Now, it’s on by default, so if you don’t want to use it, you’ll need to turn it off.

    Also, with macOS Sequoia 15.3, Mac users get something new called Genmoji, which lets you make your own emojis. All these updates also make notification summaries better, so you can see when a notification has AI-generated info in it.

    These updates are in testing now with developers and beta testers. They should be available to everyone next week.

  • Apple tests new updates for Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Vision Pro

    Apple tests new updates for Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Vision Pro

    Apple has just released test versions of new software updates for the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Vision Pro. These updates, known as release candidates (RC), are available for developers to try out. They were released a week after the third test version.

    These new updates include watchOS 11.3 for Apple Watch, tvOS 18.3 for Apple TV, and visionOS 2.3 for Vision Pro. Developers can download these updates from the settings on their devices.

    While there aren’t many new features in these updates, there’s some code that hints Apple might soon add support for robot vacuums in their Home app. This would allow these devices to work with Apple’s home automation system on all these platforms.

    Also, tvOS 18.3 will include a new message about buying movies and TV shows digitally.

    We expect these updates to be available to everyone around late January, along with updates for iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

  • New test versions of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 released by Apple

    New test versions of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 released by Apple

    Apple has just released test versions of the upcoming iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 updates for developers to check out. These versions came out a week after the third test builds were shared.

    To get these updates, you can go into the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, tap on General, and then go to Software Update. It’s that simple!

    In this update, Apple has made some tweaks to the Apple Intelligence Notification Summaries. They’ve decided to take out the news summaries for now.

    Also, there’s more cool stuff coming with Apple Intelligence and Siri in the next updates, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, which will come after 18.3. We’re looking forward to seeing these new updates roll out sometime at the end of January.

  • iPhone 17 design leak

    iPhone 17 design leak

    Apple’s iPhone 17 design seems to be confirmed, according to a recent post by Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) on X. The image shared shows what appears to be the back of the iPhone 17 models in packaging, hinting at a sleek, minimalist design with a centered Apple logo.

    The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to include four models: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a new iPhone 17 “Slim” or “Air”. The Air model is rumored to be the thinnest iPhone yet at around 6.25mm, featuring a titanium-aluminum frame for a balance of strength and lightness.

    A significant upgrade is the introduction of ProMotion technology with a 120Hz refresh rate across all models, enhancing the display experience with smoother visuals. Additionally, one model might feature an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, showcasing Apple’s move towards self-reliance in hardware.

    The iPhone 17 Air is set to replace the “Plus” model, offering a larger 6.6-inch display but not matching the Pro Max in specs or price. This strategy reflects market trends favoring premium models, with potential price increases for the Pro and Air models.

    In a strategic shift, Apple has started the early manufacturing of the iPhone 17 base model in India, a first for the company, while keeping the production of Pro and Air models in China. This move could diversify Apple’s manufacturing base.

    The iPhone 17 series is anticipated to be announced in September 2025, with pre-orders starting soon after. This update promises to bring significant design and technology advancements to Apple’s iconic iPhone lineup, keeping fans and tech enthusiasts eagerly awaiting further details.

  • A new era for smart homes with Apple Intelligence

    A new era for smart homes with Apple Intelligence

    Apple Intelligence might just be the key to making our homes smart.

    Smart Homes Need Automation: Some say if your home isn’t automated, it’s not truly smart; it’s just a fancy light switch you can talk to. We think even setting lights with a voice command like “Living room relax” after work is smart. But, true smart home magic is in automation – making things happen without your input.

    HomeKit’s Automation Features: HomeKit already does some cool stuff. My blinds open a bit when it’s time to wake up, and all lights go off when we leave. We’ve set up eight daily automations, not counting the ones that turn lights on when we walk into a room and off when we leave.

    The Next Step in Automation: Right now, we have to tell my home what to do and when. What if it learned by itself? Imagine if your home knew to remind you about your gym bag when you leave for the gym, or if it noticed your cleaner arriving on the wrong day and started recording.

    Or maybe, it could see you walking to the kitchen at night and light the way for you. It could even pick up on patterns like turning on the news when you make coffee and do that automatically.

    Understanding Your Intent: Imagine if your home could guess what you want to do. If you say you’re going to nap, it might close the blinds without you asking. This would make your home feel like it knows you.

    Smart Homes for Everyone: We’ve been into smart home tech for years, but it still surprises others. Setting up scenes or automation can be daunting for most people. If homes could learn and set themselves up, then everyone could enjoy a smart home, not just tech enthusiasts.

    We might see this in a few years or maybe a decade, but we believe Apple could lead the way in making truly smart homes a reality for all.

  • Apple drops to third in China’s smartphone market due to declining sales

    Apple drops to third in China’s smartphone market due to declining sales

    Apple has seen a big drop in iPhone sales in China, moving from the top spot to third place in the last three months of 2024. According to a report from Counterpoint Research, iPhone sales in China decreased by 18.2% compared to the previous year in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    This left Apple with a 17.1% share of the market, behind Huawei with 18.1% and Xiaomi with 17.2%. Just a year before, Apple was leading with a 19% share. This is the first time since the U.S. banned Huawei that Apple has been outranked by a Chinese company.

    Several reasons explain Apple’s struggles in China. One is the tough competition from local brands, and another is that Apple’s new “Apple Intelligence” feature, launched with the iPhone 16 in September 2024 in the U.S., isn’t available in China because of local laws.

    Apple might work with Chinese companies to offer these features later. Meanwhile, Huawei has done well, growing by 15.5% thanks to AI in their Mate 70 and Nova 13 phones. The overall smartphone market in China also shrank by 3.2% in the same quarter, being the only period in 2024 with less growth.

    Despite this, Apple held onto third place, with sales figures close to Xiaomi’s.

  • Apple Unveils ‘HomePad’: A smart home hub with innovative features

    Apple Unveils ‘HomePad’: A smart home hub with innovative features

    Apple is set to revolutionize home tech with its upcoming ‘HomePad’, a new smart display designed to blend seamlessly into your living space. Here are the five core features that will define this device:

    1. 7-inch Square Display: Initially rumored to be a 6-inch screen, the HomePad has been upgraded to a 7-inch display. Its design resembles a square iPad, roughly the size of two iPhone 16 Pro Max models side by side, offering a compact yet functional interface.

    2. New Operating System – ‘homeOS’: The HomePad introduces a novel operating system, possibly named ‘homeOS’. This OS combines elements of the Apple Watch’s interface and the iPhone’s StandBy mode, dynamically adjusting the display based on the user’s proximity for an interactive experience.

    3. Widget Support: Following the trend set by StandBy mode, the HomePad will support widgets, allowing users to customize their home screen much like on an iPhone or iPad. While the inclusion of third-party widgets remains uncertain, Apple’s recent macOS updates suggest they might extend this functionality.

    4. Versatile Accessories: To adapt to various home environments, Apple is crafting multiple attachments for the HomePad. These include wall mounts for security panel aesthetics and bases with additional speakers for kitchen, bedroom, or office use, ensuring the device fits into your home’s aesthetic and functionality needs.

    5. Enhanced Siri with AI: Unlike current Apple home devices, the HomePad will feature an AI-enhanced Siri, thanks to integration with technologies like ChatGPT. This upgrade promises to handle a broader array of commands and understand user context better, aiming to reduce those all-too-common “I’m sorry” responses from Siri.

    The HomePad promises to be more than just a smart display; it’s envisioned as a central hub for smart home control, video calls, and more, making daily life more connected and intuitive.

  • TikTok’s Return to U.S. Screens: Navigating the new normal

    TikTok’s Return to U.S. Screens: Navigating the new normal

    In a rollercoaster of events, TikTok has made a comeback in the U.S., though not without its challenges. After going dark on Saturday night and being pulled from Apple’s App Store, the platform was up and running again by Sunday afternoon, following what TikTok called “necessary clarity” from President Trump.

    Here’s the scoop: despite its functionality being restored, TikTok isn’t back on the App Store. This means new users can’t download it, and existing users can’t update it. The ban, initiated by a law signed by President Biden in April 2024, required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest within nine months or face a ban. That deadline hit on January 19, leading to a brief blackout of the app.

    However, thanks to an assurance from Trump, service providers like Oracle have continued supporting TikTok, risking hefty fines, while tech giants like Apple and Google remain cautious, not re-listing the app.

    For existing iPhone users, this means you can still use TikTok if you have it installed, but no new downloads or updates are available through the App Store. The app’s core functionalities are intact, including TikTok Shop, but new in-app purchases are off-limits, although web purchases remain accessible.

    With Trump’s recent inauguration, he’s hinted at a 90-day delay in enforcing the ban and proposed U.S. ownership in TikTok, signaling potential changes on the horizon. How ByteDance responds to this proposition will shape TikTok’s future in the U.S. market.

  • iPhone SE 4: Dynamic Island feature spotted in latest leak

    iPhone SE 4: Dynamic Island feature spotted in latest leak

    The tech world is abuzz with the latest leak concerning Apple’s anticipated iPhone SE 4. Renowned leaker Evan Blass has seemingly confirmed the existence of the new model through a private social media post, showcasing what appears to be source code referencing an “iPhone SE (4th Gen)”. This revelation dims the prospects of the device being named “iPhone 16E” as previously speculated, though the code could still be a mere placeholder.

    One of the standout features from the leak is the inclusion of Dynamic Island, a design element first introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro and subsequently adopted by all iPhone 15 and 16 models. This move away from the traditional notch to the Dynamic Island suggests a significant update in design for the budget-friendly SE series, aligning it more closely with Apple’s premium offerings.

    Blass also shared an image suggesting that the iPhone SE 4 could borrow its design from the base iPhone 14 or the iPhone 16. Speculated features include a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, an advanced A-series chip, and a bump in RAM to 8GB to support Apple Intelligence capabilities. The device is also rumored to be the first to sport an Apple-designed 5G modem.

    Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts a release around March or April 2025, consistent with the launch pattern of its predecessors. The current iPhone SE model, reminiscent of the iPhone 8 with its Touch ID, Lightning port, and thick bezels, starts at $429. A price hike for the new SE might be on the horizon given the enhanced features.

    Moreover, the leak hints at new iterations of the iPad Air and the entry-level iPad 11, though without significant design alterations, expected to debut around the same timeframe.

    Source

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