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Search results for: “active 2”

  • New AirPods Pro 3: Exciting updates coming soon

    New AirPods Pro 3: Exciting updates coming soon

    The wait is almost over for the next generation of Apple’s popular earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3, expected to hit the market this September with the iPhone 17. Here’s what we’re excited about.

    A Fresh H3 Chip

    The AirPods Pro 3 will feature a new H3 chip, which promises significant enhancements over its predecessor. The H2 chip in the AirPods Pro 2 brought notable improvements in sound quality and noise cancellation. With the H3, we can expect even better audio performance, possibly with longer battery life. The H2 chip’s success in providing rich bass and clear sound suggests the H3 could take these aspects to new heights.

    A New Look

    Rumors suggest that the AirPods Pro 3 will sport a new design, although details are sparse. The current design has been well-received, so any changes might be subtle, perhaps involving smaller stems or a better fit for comfort. These tweaks could make the earbuds even more appealing to users who prioritize style and comfort.

    Better Noise Cancellation

    The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in the AirPods Pro 2 was a game-changer, and the upcoming model aims to improve this even further. Powered by the new H3 chip, the ANC in AirPods Pro 3 is expected to be significantly better, offering a quieter listening experience in noisy environments.

    Health Features Might Be Included

    While not confirmed, there’s buzz about new health features possibly coming with the AirPods Pro 3. Heart rate monitoring, similar to that in the Apple Watch, could be one of them. There’s also talk about temperature sensors and other health metrics, which would turn these earbuds into a wellness tool as well as an audio device.

    In summary, the AirPods Pro 3 are shaping up to be an exciting update with potentially better sound, a refined design, superior noise cancellation, and new health functionalities. Even if you’re happy with your current AirPods Pro 2, the advancements in the next generation might make them an irresistible upgrade.

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  • TikTok back on Apple’s App Store

    TikTok back on Apple’s App Store

    TikTok is once again available for download on iPhones from the App Store. This update comes after a brief absence, allowing users to reinstall the app and keep it updated. According to Bloomberg, the return of TikTok was prompted by a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, though the details of this letter remain undisclosed.

    Apple had previously taken TikTok off the U.S. App Store on January 18, right before a new law banning the app took effect on January 19.

    This law, known as the Act to Protect Americans from Apps Controlled by Foreign Adversaries, was passed in April 2024. It gave TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, nine months to sell the app to a company outside of China. ByteDance argued that the law was against the U.S. Constitution and free speech rights, but the courts, including the Supreme Court, disagreed.

    President Donald Trump briefly paused the enforcement of this law for 90 days, but Apple didn’t bring TikTok back to the App Store during this period. Apple explained in a notice that they must comply with the laws of the countries they operate in.

    Even though the Department of Justice (DoJ) wasn’t actively enforcing the law, it was still in effect, and Apple likely worried about potential legal issues. However, recent assurances from the DoJ that Apple wouldn’t face repercussions for allowing TikTok downloads seem to have changed their stance.

    Despite being off the App Store for a month, TikTok continued to work for users who already had it installed.

    The Trump administration is now looking to arrange a sale of TikTok to an American company, with Vice President J.D. Vance leading the charge. However, the Chinese government has stated they will not permit the sale, adding complexity to the negotiations, especially with new tariffs on Chinese goods recently announced by Trump.

    Note: Given the political context of this topic, the discussion is hosted in our Political News forum. Everyone can read the thread, but only members with over 100 posts can contribute.

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  • Apple starts ads on X again

    Apple starts ads on X again

    Apple has begun advertising on X once again after a long break. They stopped advertising on the social media site back in November 2023 because of some controversial comments made by its owner, Elon Musk.

    For instance, the @Apple account is now promoting the privacy features of Safari with a new ad. This was first noticed by Aaron Perris, who writes for MacRumors. Also, the @AppleTV account has been posting ads about the TV show “Severance” from Apple TV+.

    Last month, there were talks that Apple might start advertising on X again, and it looks like they’ve made that decision, at least for the time being.

    Apple isn’t alone; other big companies like Disney, Coca-Cola, Sony, IBM, and Comcast have also taken breaks from advertising on X. However, like Apple, many of these companies have started to advertise on X again, though they’re doing so carefully.

    Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and changed its name to X the next year. Since he took over, there’s been less strict control over what people can post, leading to more extreme opinions being shared. Recently, the rapper Kanye West, who’s been in the news for the wrong reasons, posted some offensive content before he left the platform.

    Despite all this, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and other top executives like Greg Joswiak, who handles marketing, have stayed active on X. However, Phil Schiller, who used to be in charge of marketing for Apple, has chosen to leave X for other social media sites like Mastodon and Bluesky.

  • iPhone owners are upgrading their phones sooner

    iPhone owners are upgrading their phones sooner

    People with iPhones are starting to get new ones a bit quicker than before, according to a report by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).

    In the last three months of 2024, CIRP found that more iPhone buyers were replacing their phones earlier than in past years. About 36% of new iPhone owners had their old phone for two years or less, which is up from 31% the year before. On the other hand, the number of people keeping their phones for three years or more dropped to 33%.

    This change is the first big shift in how often people upgrade their iPhones since CIRP started keeping track in 2014. Even though people generally kept their phones longer over time, something seems to be pushing some users to upgrade sooner. The percentage of people upgrading after just two years is back to where it was in 2020.

    CIRP thinks several things are causing this. One big reason might be deals from phone companies that make it cheaper or easier to get a new phone. Another could be Apple’s new AI features, which might make people want to switch to the latest model to use them.

    This trend in upgrade habits comes at a time when Apple’s iPhone sales have not been as strong. CIRP guesses that the people upgrading now are the most active Apple fans, more eager to get the newest tech. Meanwhile, those who upgrade less often might be holding out for something really special before they decide to buy a new phone.

  • Apple launches new study on health with iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods

    Apple launches new study on health with iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods

    Apple has just started a new health study that you can join using the Apple Research app. If you’re in the U.S. and old enough, you can sign up by agreeing to the study’s terms.

    The Apple Health Study

    This study wants to see how gadgets like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods can help improve our physical and mental health, as well as our overall well-being. It’s going to look at how different parts of health are connected. For example, it will check if your mental state affects your heart rate or how your sleep might change how much you exercise.

    This project is the biggest health study Apple has done so far. It will check how tech affects lots of health areas like how active we are, aging, heart health, blood flow, thinking, hearing, women’s health, mental health, how our body uses food, how we move, brain health, breathing, and sleep.

    Building on Past Studies

    This new study follows on from other Apple studies like the one on women’s health, hearing, and heart and movement. Apple is working with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which is connected to Harvard Medical School, to run this study. The Apple Research app, where you can join the study, is available on the App Store for iPhone and Apple Watch. The app got an update today to include this new health study.

    Source

  • Easy guide to using the new Apple Events App

    Easy guide to using the new Apple Events App

    Apple just launched a new app called “Party Planner” for iPhone users. It’s all about making event planning fun and easy, but some cool features are only for specific users. Here’s who can enjoy what in this new app.

    Installing Party Planner

    Who can do it? iPhone users with the latest iOS update
    To use Party Planner, you need to have iOS 18 on your iPhone. This means if you’re still using an older version like iOS 17, you won’t be able to join the fun. Also, there’s no version for Android users.

    Making Your Own Event Invites

    Who can do it? iCloud+ or Apple One subscribers
    If you want to create your own event invites, you must subscribe to iCloud+. This service gives you extra storage space and some privacy features. Even the basic $0.99/month plan lets you make and send invites. Remember, if you’re on an Apple One plan, you already have access to both iCloud+ and Party Planner.

    Accepting Event Invites

    Who can do it? Anyone with an email address
    The good news is, you don’t need an Apple account or even an iPhone to accept an invite. All you need is an email address. You can easily accept or decline invites sent your way.

    Music Collaboration

    Who can do it? Apple Music subscribers
    With Party Planner, you can set up a shared playlist for your event where guests can add their favorite songs. But, both the event creator and the guests need to be subscribed to Apple Music to play around with the playlist.

    Sharing Photos in an Event Album

    Who can do it? Apple Account users
    One of the best parts of Party Planner is the shared photo album for events. It’s a place where everyone can upload and share photos from the event. You just need a free Apple Account to contribute, and you don’t even need an iPhone – you can upload photos right from the web at iCloud.com/party-planner.

    This app is designed to make your events more interactive and memorable, but remember, some of its features do require you to be part of the Apple ecosystem or subscribe to their services.

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  • Apple hits new high in device users, but growth slows down

    Apple hits new high in device users, but growth slows down

    Apple announced today that it now has more people using its devices worldwide than ever before. However, the speed at which new users are joining has decreased from last year.

    Currently, there are 2.35 billion Apple devices in active use around the globe. This number shows growth from last year when Apple reported 2.2 billion devices in February 2024. This year, the growth was 6.8%, which means Apple added 150 million more devices.

    Back in January 2023, Apple celebrated having over 2 billion active devices for the first time. Between 2023 and 2024, they managed to increase this by 200 million devices, which was a 10% growth.

    Apple is looking forward to more growth, especially with the introduction of Apple Intelligence in China. This is planned for April, when the new iOS 18.4 update will support Simplified Chinese and other languages.

    Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, mentioned that the sales of the iPhone 16 have been better than those of the iPhone 15 in places where Apple Intelligence is already available. This shows that new features are still attracting customers, even if the overall growth rate has slowed down.

  • Apple’s new plan for easy-to-wear smart glasses

    Apple’s new plan for easy-to-wear smart glasses

    Apple is working on a new version of its visionOS software, which currently powers the Apple Vision Pro, to make it work with smart glasses. This move is part of their plan to offer more popular augmented reality (AR) products that are less bulky than their current headset.

    Apple’s Vision Pro Challenges

    The Apple Vision Pro, which costs $3,500, hasn’t been as successful as hoped. Many people have found it too heavy to wear for long periods, too pricey, and it also tends to get hot. Since it was released, interest has dropped, and sales haven’t met Apple’s goals.

    In his newsletter, tech journalist Mark Gurman shared that Apple’s Vision Products Group is now focusing on something lighter and more like the smart glasses Meta made with Ray-Ban. However, it might take at least three years before these glasses are ready, as there’s still a lot of research needed.

    User Studies and Software Development

    Apple is actively testing how people react to different features and interfaces for these glasses at their offices. They’ve named this project “Atlas,” which is being managed by the Product Systems Quality team. This team is part of Apple’s hardware division.

    The research is happening in a secretive spot in Santa Clara, not far from their main office in Cupertino. Last year, Apple let go of some workers there, but those left are focusing on AR tech. They also have a place to test new screen technologies.

    Future Plans for Vision Pro

    Apple is not giving up on the Vision Pro entirely. They’re planning to make a cheaper version with simpler parts, hoping to sell it for about the price of their top-end iPhone, around $1,600. They wanted to launch this model by late 2024, but they’re still perfecting the design.

    Gaming Collaboration

    Additionally, Apple is teaming up with Sony to add support for PlayStation VR2 hand controllers to the Vision Pro, aiming to make it better for gaming. This partnership has been going on for a few months now.

    By focusing on these new, more accessible AR products, Apple hopes to expand its reach in the tech market and make AR part of everyday life.

  • Apple Watch Bands are safe, says Apple, amid lawsuit

    Apple Watch Bands are safe, says Apple, amid lawsuit

    Apple has reassured consumers that its Apple Watch bands are “safe to wear,” following a lawsuit claiming some bands contain harmful “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS.

    Apple’s Statement:

    Apple Watch bands are completely safe for everyone to wear. We conduct our own tests and also involve independent labs to check our materials thoroughly, including those used in our watch bands.

    Apple also mentioned that they go beyond what the law requires to ensure their products and manufacturing processes are free from dangerous chemicals.

    Phasing Out PFAS:

    Despite confirming the safety of current bands, Apple is actively working to eliminate PFAS from all its products. In a statement from November 2022, Apple outlined their plan:

    We began by looking at the most common PFAS used in our products – fluoropolymers. Although our tests show these are safe for users, we’re expanding our efforts to include all manufacturing stages. We aim to eliminate all PFAS, understanding it’s a complex process that needs careful consideration to find effective, safe alternatives.

    This transition will take time as we catalog PFAS use, develop new materials that perform just as well, and ensure these alternatives are not harmful themselves.

    The Lawsuit:

    The lawsuit references a study which found high levels of PFAS in some smartwatch bands, suggesting these chemicals could be absorbed through the skin leading to health issues. This study included brands like Apple, Nike, Fitbit, and Google, though it didn’t name specific bands.

    When asked about which specific Apple Watch bands might contain PFAS, Apple did not provide an immediate response. The lawsuit aims to include anyone in the U.S. who bought a Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, or Ocean Band for an Apple Watch.

    The case awaits a judicial decision on whether it can proceed as a class action.

  • 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.

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