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Search results for: “apple iphone”

  • Apple’s new budget iPhone could boost sales with AI features

    Apple’s new budget iPhone could boost sales with AI features

    Apple is gearing up to launch a new budget-friendly iPhone next week that could significantly increase its popularity, thanks to the inclusion of Apple Intelligence. According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this new model, potentially succeeding the iPhone SE 3, is expected to ship around 22 million units this year, outpacing previous entry-level iPhone sales.

    Kuo highlights several advantages for Apple with this new release. Firstly, launching an affordable iPhone between its flagship releases helps maintain sales momentum during typically slower periods. Secondly, by adding Apple Intelligence to a phone that’s cheaper than the premium iPhone 15 Pro and the upcoming iPhone 16 series, Apple can broaden the reach of its AI features. Thirdly, this model will debut Apple’s first self-developed modem, which will first be tested in this less high-stakes environment.

    This move to in-house modems still involves paying licensing fees to Qualcomm, due to their extensive patent holdings. The design of the new budget iPhone is rumored to mimic the iPhone 14, featuring a modern, flat-sided look, Face ID instead of Touch ID, and smaller bezels, though it will likely retain a single back camera.

    Apple has noted that areas where Apple Intelligence is available have seen increased iPhone sales, suggesting that consumers are eager for AI integration. However, regions without these features, like China, have not seen the same growth. Apple Intelligence is set to expand to more markets by this summer.

    The week’s big reveal will occur on Wednesday at Apple’s product launch event, where we might also see the iPad 11 with Apple Intelligence and the MacBook Air with the new M4 chip. This strategic move by Apple could reshape the market dynamics for budget smartphones, making advanced technology more accessible to a broader audience.

    Source

  • 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

  • A simple trick to make Apple’s Calendar app better on iPhone

    A simple trick to make Apple’s Calendar app better on iPhone

    Apple’s Calendar app has gotten a lot better with the new iOS update. This update, iOS 18, has made the app more interesting by adding new features, like working better with Apple Reminders and giving the app a fresh look. But there’s one cool trick with the Month view that you might not know about, which makes using the calendar on your iPhone even easier.

    The Month View Now Has a Secret Zoom Feature

    When iOS 18 came out, it brought a bunch of updates to the Calendar app. One of the changes was to the Month view. Before, this view just showed dates with little colored dots for days with events, but you couldn’t see what those events were.

    Now, with iOS 18, you can choose how you want to see your month:

    • Compact Mode: This is like the old view, just dots for events.
    • Stacked Mode: You see little colored bars for events from different calendars when you zoom in a bit.
    • Details Mode: Zoom in more, and you’ll see the names of your events.
    • Even More Details: Zoom further, and you’ll see both event names and times.
    • Full Day View: Zoom in, and each day has plenty of space for all your events.

    You change these views by simply pinching the screen to zoom in or out. This means you can adjust the Month view to show just the amount of detail you need right on your iPhone screen.

    Why This Matters

    Before, the Month view wasn’t very useful on iPhones because of the small screen. But now, with this new zoom feature, you can make it work for you whether you have a busy schedule with lots of appointments or a lighter one where you just need to see a few key events at a glance.

    Playing around with this feature lets you find just the right setup. For example, if you’re always on the go, you might prefer zooming in to see just a week or two with all the details. If your life is a bit less scheduled, you might zoom out to see more weeks but still catch the important stuff.

    The ability to zoom and customize the Month view in Apple’s Calendar app makes it one of the best tools for managing your time on an iPhone.

  • Apple might switch iPhone screen makers due to quality problems

    Apple might switch iPhone screen makers due to quality problems

    Apple is thinking about changing who makes the screens for its iPhones because one of its current suppliers, BOE, is having trouble making good-quality displays. This information comes from sources in Korea, as reported by OLED-info.

    BOE, a company from China, has been having a hard time making the LTPS AMOLED screens that Apple wants for the iPhone 14, 15, and 16. Since the start of 2024, they’ve only been able to provide about 7-8 million screens to Apple, way less than the 40 million they were supposed to make.

    It’s going to take around six weeks to fix these quality issues. In the meantime, people in the industry think that Samsung Display will get most of the new screen orders because LG Display is busy making a different type of screen for the iPhone “Pro” models.

    This isn’t the first time BOE has had problems. Last year, they had issues with the screens around the camera cutout, which they call the Dynamic Island, for the iPhone 15, and Apple cut back on orders because of it. This situation shows how tough it can be to keep up with Apple’s high standards for their iPhone screens.

    Source

  • Apple increases monthly AppleCare+ fees for iPhones

    Apple increases monthly AppleCare+ fees for iPhones

    Apple has recently decided to adjust the monthly fees for AppleCare+ subscriptions for all iPhone models in the U.S., bumping them up by 50 cents.

    For instance, the basic AppleCare+ plan for the latest iPhone models now costs $10.49 each month, an increase from the previous $9.99. This change affects all iPhone models currently available, including both the regular plan and the one that covers theft and loss.

    However, the price for a two-year AppleCare+ subscription remains the same, as do the costs for service fees and deductibles. The new pricing only applies if you choose to pay for AppleCare+ on a month-to-month basis.

    This price adjustment does not extend to AppleCare+ subscriptions for iPads, Macs, or Apple Watches, which remain unchanged.

    Apple is also moving towards a subscription model for AppleCare+. Starting this week, in-store purchases will only offer AppleCare+ as a recurring subscription, either monthly or yearly, ensuring continuous coverage and providing Apple with a steady income stream beyond the initial two-year period.

    However, for those who still prefer a traditional one-time payment for AppleCare+, this option will continue to be available through Apple’s online store. This means you can still choose a plan that ends after two years without automatic renewal if you shop online.

  • Why new iPhone owners love Apple’s AI

    Why new iPhone owners love Apple’s AI

    Apple announced the iPhone 16 as the first model designed specifically for Apple’s AI features. But until they shared how many phones they sold, we weren’t sure if people would care. Now, it’s pretty clear they do.

    iPhone 16 is Doing Great with AI

    Last week, Apple reported their biggest earnings ever, with revenues hitting $124.3 billion. When you look closer, you see that their main products – iPhone, iPad, and Mac – are selling well. iPads and Macs did particularly well, maybe because of AI, or maybe not. The iPhone 16 didn’t sell as much as last year’s model but still did quite well.

    Here’s why it’s good news:

    Tim Cook said that the iPhone 16 is selling better than the iPhone 15. This is a big deal. What’s even more telling is that the iPhone 16 sells better in places where Apple’s AI features are available. Right now, these features aren’t available in Europe or China. And China is where the iPhone isn’t doing as well, showing that AI might be a key factor.

    What Does This All Mean?

    It looks like Apple’s AI story is hitting the mark, at least for now. Apple can celebrate the iPhone’s success, but making their AI even better is the next big challenge.

    Is Apple Intelligence Really That Good?

    Even if you’re not sure if Apple’s AI features are impressive, people are paying more to get the AI-focused iPhone 16 than they did for previous models. The places where AI isn’t available are facing temporary sales issues, which could mean big opportunities for Apple in the future. So, it’s a win for Apple’s AI, a win for iPhone sales, but the next big question is: will people keep loving the AI once they start using it?

    How will customers feel about it?

    We’ll get some answers with the updates coming in iOS 18.4, but the real test will be with the launch of iOS 19 in June.

  • India gives Apple a tax break to boost iPhone manufacturing

    India gives Apple a tax break to boost iPhone manufacturing

    Apple is now enjoying a significant tax benefit in India, making it less expensive to put together iPhones right there in the country. This news came from the government just this past weekend.

    India, a Growing Hub for Apple

    India has become the second biggest place where Apple makes its iPhones, only behind China. There have been big plans talked about, suggesting that by 2027, half of all iPhones might be made in India. However, things haven’t moved as quickly as hoped.

    Last year marked a big change, though. According to Bloomberg, one out of every seven iPhones was made in India by April. The production of newer, high-end models was slower because they needed very specialized equipment. But with the iPhone 16, things got better as production in India started not long after the phone was first introduced.

    New Tax Benefits

    The Indian government has been slowly lowering the taxes on importing parts needed to make electronics in India. They’ve now made this even better by announcing more reductions. Reuters mentions that one of these changes is setting the tax rate to zero for printed circuit boards, which are crucial for phones like the iPhone.

    During the annual budget presentation on Saturday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shared that they’ve removed taxes on several parts needed for making mobile phones. This includes the assembly of printed circuit boards, parts for camera modules, and USB cables, which used to have a 2.5% tax.

    This tax cut is expected to reduce the cost of making iPhones in India, hoping that Apple will choose to do more of its manufacturing there.

    Source

  • Apple tried Intel for iPhone chips, but Tim Cook wasn’t impressed, says TSMC Founder

    Apple tried Intel for iPhone chips, but Tim Cook wasn’t impressed, says TSMC Founder

    TSMC, a big partner for Apple, makes chips for millions of their devices each year. But, according to their founder, there was a time when Intel tried to make chips for the iPhone but didn’t do well enough to impress Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook.

    TSMC Founder Wasn’t Worried About Intel Competition for iPhone Chips

    In a recent conversation on the Acquired podcast, Morris Chang, the founder of TSMC, talked about the history of working with Apple. One key point was back in February 2011 when Intel was considered for producing iPhone chips.

    At that time, Intel already made chips for Apple’s Macs. However, their attempt at iPhone chip production didn’t go as planned. Chang mentions a talk with Jeff Williams, who said, “We need to take a break from our talks for a couple of months because Intel’s top people have approached Tim Cook to discuss making chips for the iPhone.”

    Chang wasn’t too concerned because, in 2011, Intel didn’t have the same strong reputation it once did:

    “Jeff was talking about the iPhone,” Chang said. “I wasn’t too worried because Intel wasn’t the big deal anymore. I had to agree to Jeff’s request, but I wasn’t really concerned.”
    Later, Cook met with Chang over lunch at Apple’s headquarters, where he reassured Chang by saying, “There’s nothing to worry about,” explaining that Intel didn’t have the right know-how to be a chip foundry. Chang found this response brief but reassuring.

    Chang also shared insights on Intel’s customer relations:

    “Before Apple became our customer, I knew many of Intel’s customers in Taiwan, like all the PC makers. None of them were fans of Intel. Intel often acted like they were the only game in town.”
    He added that these customers “all wished there was another supplier.”

    You can view the complete interview for more insights into the tech industry’s past.

  • When will we see Apple’s new budget iPhone?

    When will we see Apple’s new budget iPhone?

    Apple introduced its high-end iPhone 16 series last fall, bringing lots of new technology, including Apple Intelligence. But soon, there’s going to be a new, cheaper iPhone with similar cool features. Here’s when you can expect the iPhone SE 4 to come out.

    When Will the New iPhone SE Come Out?

    Rumors suggest that Apple is planning to release the iPhone SE 4 in early 2025. Specifically, March 2025 seems to be the most likely month.

    Apple doesn’t usually launch big products in January or February, except for the Vision Pro last year. However, they often have new product announcements in March or April. Given what we know about how they’re making the iPhone SE 4, March looks like the best guess.

    Here’s when past iPhone SE models were released:

    • iPhone SE 3: March 18, 2022
    • iPhone SE 2: April 24, 2020
    • iPhone SE: March 24, 2017

    The only time Apple released an SE in April was during the global health crisis, hinting that March might be more typical for these launches.

    What’s New with the iPhone SE 4?

    The upcoming iPhone SE 4 is set to be a major step up from the current model. Here’s what you might see:

    • A screen that goes from edge to edge, with Face ID instead of a Home button, and a notch at the top
    • Powered by the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16
    • 8GB of memory
    • Support for Apple Intelligence
    • A 48MP camera matching the iPhone 16’s quality
    • A USB-C port for charging
    • Apple’s first self-made 5G chip

    While this new model won’t have every fancy feature of the pricier iPhone 16, it’s expected to offer great value. The current iPhone SE starts at $429, but the new one might start a bit higher, perhaps at $499 or less, and definitely with more storage space.

    The iPhone SE 4 is shaping up to be an excellent choice for anyone looking for a lot of features without spending a fortune.

  • Apple’s AI will boost iPhone sales, but not right away

    Apple’s AI will boost iPhone sales, but not right away

    Apple is gearing up to share its holiday sales figures, and everyone’s curious if its new AI features will spike iPhone sales. Here’s the deal: while the AI boost isn’t here yet, it’s definitely on its way.

    The iPhone 16 is Doing Well, But AI’s Big Moment is Coming

    Back in June, when Apple rolled out its AI features, experts predicted a boom in iPhone sales. They thought AI would push people to upgrade their phones faster than usual.

    When Apple last announced its earnings, the iPhone 16 had just hit the market, and the AI features weren’t fully live yet. Sales went up by 5%, which is good but not the massive jump some were hoping for.

    This Week’s Earnings Will Give Us a Better Look

    This week, we’ll get a clearer picture of how AI might be influencing sales. While Apple is set to report a solid quarter, iPhone sales are expected to be good but not groundbreaking. Remember, the iPhone is Apple’s star product. However, what investors really want to see is growth, and it might be a while before AI truly drives that.

    Hardware Upgrades Are Setting the Stage for AI

    Apple’s AI features need strong hardware to work well. Here’s what Apple has been doing:

    • All iPhone 16 models now come with 8GB of RAM, a feature once only in Pro models.
    • The next iPhone SE will have an AI-friendly chip and more RAM.
    • All new Macs now start with 16GB of RAM, likely due to AI demands.
    • Even the cheapest iPads are getting chips that support AI.

    Rumors are swirling about even better hardware for the iPhone 17, including 12GB of RAM and enhanced cooling systems. The upcoming A19 chip will probably bring some significant AI enhancements.

    Looking Forward to a Supercycle

    Right now, the current AI features aren’t pushing a massive wave of upgrades. But give it 2-3 years, and AI will likely be a major reason for people to switch to newer models. The advantages of Apple’s AI will become too compelling to ignore.

    In short, while we’re not seeing an AI-driven supercycle yet, it’s brewing. The combination of new hardware and software will soon make older iPhones feel outdated, setting the stage for a big sales surge.

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