Search results for: “apple iphone”

  • New test software for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 released by Apple

    New test software for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 released by Apple

    Apple has just introduced new test versions of software updates for the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, including both types with Lightning and USB-C charging cases. This update, tagged with the number 7E5067b, is currently available only for developers.

    AirPods Pro Test Software

    It’s not yet known what new features or changes this test software brings, but we’ll keep you posted as soon as we learn more. For now, if you’re not a developer, your AirPods Pro 2 will stay on the current software version 7B21, and your AirPods 4 on version 7B20, until this test version goes public.

    How Updates Work

    You can’t manually start these software updates on your AirPods; they happen automatically. When your AirPods are in their charging case and connected to an iPhone or Mac, the update can install itself wirelessly.

  • Unlock two key benefits with your iPhone’s new thread radio

    Unlock two key benefits with your iPhone’s new thread radio

    Apple began introducing Thread radios into its devices towards the end of 2023, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. While Apple has been relatively quiet about this new feature, a recent interview sheds light on its benefits.

    Understanding the iPhone’s Thread Radio Advantages

    An insightful interview was published by The Verge, featuring three major contributors to Matter, the new standard for smart home devices. Among them was Vividh Siddha, who serves as both President of the Thread Group and Director at Apple.

    In the discussion, Siddha explained the purpose behind incorporating Thread radios into iPhones. He highlighted two main advantages:

    • Simplifying Smart Home Automation: For those new to smart homes, like someone buying a smart bulb or switch from a store, automating these devices can be tricky without additional equipment. The Thread radio in your iPhone allows for these automations directly, making life easier for early adopters.
    • Maintaining Access During Power Outages: If you lose power, and thus your Wi-Fi or other network systems are down, the Thread radio can still function. This means you can still use important smart devices like your front door lock, ensuring you can enter your home even in emergencies.

    Siddha’s dual roles give him a unique perspective on how Thread can revolutionize home automation, emphasizing these benefits are just the beginning.

    Thread Radios: A Step Forward for Apple’s Smart Home Vision

    The smart home landscape can be confusing, but with Matter, Apple aims to streamline this. Moreover, Apple’s recent push into smart home gadgets could change the game. In the coming months, expect new devices like the ‘HomePad’, followed by updates to the Apple TV 4K and a new HomePod mini. By 2026, Apple plans to launch smart doorbells and cameras.

    While the inclusion of Thread radios in the latest iPhones might not show immediate effects, over time, this technology is poised to enhance Apple’s smart home ecosystem significantly.

  • New Update for Luminar Photo Editor: Now works with RAW and iCloud on Apple devices

    New Update for Luminar Photo Editor: Now works with RAW and iCloud on Apple devices

    The Luminar Mobile app for photo editing has just added some cool new features. With the latest update, version 2.2, you can now edit RAW images right on your iPhone, iPad, or even the Apple Vision Pro. This is especially handy for Vision Pro users since the device doesn’t have its own photo editing tools in the Photos app. If you’re into editing photos, you’ll want to check this out.

    Here’s what’s new in Luminar Mobile 2.2:

    RAW Image Editing

    Now, you can edit photos from many big camera brands in RAW format. This means you get to use pro-level tools to adjust things like brightness, contrast, and color. You can make your pictures look just how you want with lots of detail.

    Keep Track of Your Changes

    Every edit you make is saved automatically. This way, you can go back to your work whenever you want. It’s like having a history book for your edits, so you can always see what you’ve changed and make further tweaks if needed.

    Sync Your Edits with iCloud

    If you use more than one Apple device, you’ll love this. Now, your edits will sync across your devices using iCloud. Start editing on your phone, and pick up right where you left off on your iPad or another device.

    Better App Design

    The app’s look and feel have been improved based on what users have said. It’s now easier to use, with a nicer layout. For those using an iPad, tools for adjusting color and adding effects are easier to find. There’s also a new button to go back to your original photo if you decide you want to start over.

    This update makes Luminar Mobile a great choice for anyone looking to do more with their photos on Apple devices.

  • What’s coming in the next iPhone software update?

    What’s coming in the next iPhone software update?

    Apple is set to roll out the new iOS 18.3 update next week after months of testing. Even though it’s not a huge update, it does bring some cool new features and fixes for iPhone users.

    Changes in Notifications

    Apple has decided to pause its AI-powered news summaries because they’ve been getting some details wrong. In iOS 18.3, you’ll see summarized notifications in italics so they’re easy to spot. Also, you can now tweak your notification summary settings right from your lock screen. Apple has promised to make these summaries better in future updates.

    New Visual Intelligence Features

    If you’ve got one of the iPhone 16 models, you can enjoy enhanced Visual Intelligence. This feature lets you get instant info about things around you by just holding down the Camera Control button. Now, you can add events to your calendar from posters you see in public, and it can even tell you about different animals or plants. Remember, these features are only for the latest iPhone models.

    Calculator App Gets a Boost

    A handy feature is back in the Calculator app with iOS 18.3. Now, when you hit the equals button twice, it repeats the last calculation, which is super useful for things like figuring out compound interest.

    Maybe Something for Black Unity

    There’s a hint in the tvOS update code about a possible “UNITY25” campaign, suggesting Apple might celebrate Black Unity again this year with new watch bands, faces, or iPhone wallpapers. Nothing’s confirmed yet, but we might hear something soon.

    Bug Fixes and More

    iOS 18.3 also fixes some annoying bugs. For instance, Siri won’t make your keyboard vanish when you try to type a request, and Apple Music will stop playing when you close the app, not after the song ends. There’s also talk about adding support for robot vacuums in the Home app, but that seems to be pushed to a later update.

    This update is shaping up to make your iPhone experience smoother and more useful, especially if you’ve got the latest model. Keep an eye out for the official release next week.

  • iPhones with TikTok app sell for big bucks on eBay

    iPhones with TikTok app sell for big bucks on eBay

    People are selling old iPhones with TikTok already on them for lots of money on eBay. Some are even asking for up to $50,000! For example, someone listed an unlocked iPhone 12 Pro Max with TikTok for $50,000.

    Even though President Trump said companies wouldn’t get in trouble for not following the TikTok ban, big companies like Apple and Google are still not allowing TikTok in their app stores in the US.

    A Quick Update

    The US Supreme Court said yes to banning TikTok last Friday, and the ban started on January 19. TikTok was taken off the app stores on Sunday. Apple had to say they would follow the law. But then, Trump posted on social media that he would stop the ban when he became president again the next day, and he said companies could ignore the law without getting into trouble. So, TikTok came back online thanks to Bytedance, with Oracle, a US company, trusting Trump’s word.

    Trump then made an official statement saying the ban wouldn’t be enforced for 75 days, but lawyers said this might not be legal, meaning companies could still face huge fines of up to $850 billion. They also said Trump could change his mind if he didn’t like a company.

    eBay Listings for TikTok iPhones

    Wired noticed that some sellers on eBay are trying to make money by selling old phones with TikTok on them for much more than they are really worth.

    If you look up “TikTok phone” on eBay, you’ll find over 9,000 listings for phones from brands like Apple and Samsung, all with TikTok installed. Some listings are asking for $50,000, while many others are between $2,000 and $5,000.

    Luckily, it seems like most people aren’t paying these crazy prices. The phones with very high prices aren’t selling, and when they do sell, it’s often because buyers can offer a lower price through eBay’s “best offer” option.

    Here’s an interesting thing about these iPhones: if one user downloads apps using their Apple ID and then another user signs in with their own ID, the apps stay on the phone. But, if you ever reset your phone using your own iCloud backup, you’ll lose those apps.

    Source

  • UK Watchdog probes iPhone App Store dominance

    UK Watchdog probes iPhone App Store dominance

    The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has kicked off a thorough investigation into how mobile app stores operate, focusing on iPhone and Android systems.

    The study aims to look at whether Apple has too much control over the market and if they might be using this power in unfair ways. They’re checking how apps are sold to consumers and the rules developers have to follow to get their apps on the iPhone’s App Store.

    This investigation sounds a lot like what’s happening in the European Union, where they have rules to keep big tech companies in check.

    The CMA will look into how much competition exists between Apple and Google, including how hard it is for new companies to break into the market. They’ll check if Apple and Google are using their big influence over mobile operating systems to favor their own apps or limit choices in browsers. They’re also looking at the conditions app makers must agree to for their apps to appear in these stores.

    The investigation is set to wrap up by October 22, 2025. After that, we’ll know more about what might happen next. Possible outcomes could include penalties or changes in how these companies do business.

    In Europe, Apple was made to allow other app stores, let apps be downloaded from the internet, and give users more browser options. However, Apple also changed how they charge developers, which some big companies like Epic Games and Spotify say is still not fair. While the EU case continues, it’s likely Apple might use similar tactics when dealing with the CMA in the UK.

    Source

  • New updates coming to iPhone screen recording

    New updates coming to iPhone screen recording

    The iPhone’s screen recording tool is about to get even better with three cool new features. It’s great for making quick videos of your screen, like when you’re showing someone how to do something on their phone. I talk about these updates in my latest “iPhone Secrets” episode.

    What Does Screen Recording Do Now?

    Screen recording on your iPhone lets you capture whatever is on your screen and save it in your Photos. You can also stream it live! To do more, just hold down the Screen Record button in the Control Center. This lets you turn on your microphone or choose where to send your live video, like to Zoom or Instagram.

    What’s New?

    • Stereo Sound Recording: Right now, when you record your screen, the sound is only in one channel (mono). But soon, you’ll be able to record in stereo using the iPhone’s multiple microphones for a richer sound experience.
    • HDR Screen Capture: Currently, if you record your screen while watching high-quality (HDR) video, it all goes back to standard quality (SDR). In the next update, you’ll keep the high quality, making your recordings look just as good as what you’re watching.
    • Live Camera Overlay: Imagine recording your screen and adding a live video of yourself in a small window. This is coming soon! It’s like having a mini TV of you in the corner of your screen recording, perfect for tutorials or explaining things hands-free.

    Here’s what the new screen recording menu might look like, with a camera icon next to the microphone icon, allowing you to turn your camera on while recording.

    These changes might not excite everyone, but for people who use screen recording a lot, they’re big improvements. Especially the camera overlay, which can make your videos much more engaging.

    What do you think about these updates? For more details, check out the latest “iPhone Secrets” episode where I go over these features and more coming to iOS 18.3.

  • iPhone Update: A small feature pause for better results

    iPhone Update: A small feature pause for better results

    The new iOS 18.3 update is almost here, and it brings some new stuff like better camera controls, AI tweaks, and fixes for bugs. But, there’s one feature that won’t be around for a bit.

    One of the cool things from the Apple Intelligence update, which started with iOS 18.1 last October, was notification summaries. These summaries aim to make your notifications easier to understand. But sometimes, they’ve had mistakes, which isn’t great, especially since this feature is still being tested.

    So, with iOS 18.3, Apple is making some changes:

    • They’re making AI summaries stand out by putting them in italics.
    • You can now stop summaries for specific apps straight from your notifications. Just swipe left, tap ‘Options,’ then ‘Turn Off Summaries.’
    • There’s now a reminder that this feature is still in beta, meaning it might not always get things right.

    Also, Apple has decided to turn off summaries for News & Entertainment apps for now. If you check your settings under Notifications ⇾ Summarize Notifications, you’ll see that for these apps, it says ‘Temporarily Unavailable.’

    The plan is to bring these summaries back once they’ve fixed the accuracy issues. This makes sense to me because news notifications are already summaries, and summarizing them again can lead to errors.

    Overall, Apple is doing the right thing by pausing, tweaking, and aiming for better accuracy before reintroducing this feature. This will hopefully lead to a smoother and more reliable experience for everyone using an iPhone.

    Source

  • Samsung unveils super-thin Galaxy S25 Edge to compete with iPhone 17 Air

    Samsung unveils super-thin Galaxy S25 Edge to compete with iPhone 17 Air

    At the Unpacked 2025 event, Samsung announced the new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. But they saved a big surprise for last: they teased the Galaxy S25 Edge, a super thin phone.

    Galaxy S25 Edge vs. iPhone 17 Air

    Reporters from 9to5Google were at the event and saw the teaser for the Galaxy S25 Edge. We don’t know much yet – like when it will come out or what it can do. People guess it might be available in April or May. We only know for sure that it’s called the Galaxy S25 Edge.

    A recent report says the Galaxy S25 Edge might be about 6.4mm thick. On the other hand, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be even thinner, at around 5.5mm.

    Samsung began working on the S25 Edge right after hearing about the iPhone 17 Air rumors last May, according to one report.

    Leaked images from SmartPrix show the S25 Edge will have three cameras on the back. The iPhone 17 Air, however, is expected to have just one 48MP camera in a long, bar-shaped design.

    In a chat with Bloomberg, TM Roh, who leads Samsung’s phone business, talked about the new S25 Edge. He said, “We’re putting the best tech from our Ultra model into a much thinner phone. People want great performance, amazing cameras, and smart AI, but they also want a phone that looks cool and stands out.”

    Roh added, “We want to make this phone cheaper than our Ultra models so more people can buy it.”

    This sneak peek at the Galaxy S25 Edge has certainly got everyone talking about how Samsung and Apple are racing to make the slimmest, most feature-packed phones.

  • When will the new iPhone SE, iPad 11, and iPad Air come out?

    When will the new iPhone SE, iPad 11, and iPad Air come out?

    A leak has recently given us hints about when we might see the new iPhone SE 4, iPad 11, and iPad Air models.

    A private account on X (formerly Twitter) shared that these upcoming devices will come with iOS 18.3 or iPadOS 18.3 already installed when they hit the market. While we don’t know the exact release date, it looks like they’ll be announced sometime between March and April, before iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 roll out.

    The leak included the build numbers for these new software versions:

    • iOS 18.3 for iPhone SE (4th generation): 22D8062
    • iPadOS 18.3 for iPad 11 and iPad Air (2025): 22D2060, 22D2062

    The final test versions of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 were released this week, suggesting that the updates might be available for current devices next week.

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned that new MacBook Air models with the M4 chip might be announced before these iPads and iPhone, potentially making them Apple’s first big reveal of 2025.

    The new iPhone SE is expected to look like the iPhone 14 or iPhone 16 with a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, a USB-C port, and a single 48-megapixel camera. It might also have a new A-series chip, 8GB of RAM to support Apple’s AI features, and Apple’s own 5G modem.

    The iPad 11 is rumored to have an A17 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM, also supporting Apple’s AI features. For the iPad Air, there’s some confusion; some leaks suggest an M3 chip, while others hint at the M4 chip that’s in the latest iPad Pro.

    New Magic Keyboards are also on the way for these iPads.

    This information gives us a clearer picture of what to expect from Apple in the coming months.

    Source