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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.

    Source

  • New Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds now in Apple Stores with cool features

    New Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds now in Apple Stores with cool features

    The Powerbeats Pro 2 were introduced by Apple earlier this week, and now they’re available for you to pick up directly from Apple’s retail outlets. These earbuds also started reaching customers who ordered them online.

    Powerbeats Pro 2 Orange

    The Powerbeats Pro 2 come equipped with the same H2 chip found in the AirPods Pro 2, which brings features like Active Noise Cancellation, something the first Powerbeats Pro didn’t have. Another exciting addition is the heart rate monitor built into each earbud. They use LED optical sensors that flash more than 100 times a second to check your heart rate through blood flow. This can connect with apps like Peloton and Nike Run Club, enhancing your workout experience.

    You can find the Powerbeats Pro 2 in various colors like Electric Orange, Hyper Purple, Jet Black, and Quick Sand on Apple’s website. They’re priced at $249 in the U.S., matching the cost of both the AirPods Pro 2 and the original Powerbeats Pro.

    Whether you’re looking to upgrade your workout gear or just want excellent sound quality with noise cancellation, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are now easily accessible at Apple stores.

  • What’s coming up at Apple’s big reveal next week?

    What’s coming up at Apple’s big reveal next week?

    Apple hasn’t released any new gadgets this year, but that might change soon. Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has hinted at something big coming on Wednesday, February 19.

    “Get ready to meet the newest member of the family,” Cook announced on social media, accompanied by a video showing an animated Apple logo in a circle. No further details were shared, leaving us to speculate on what might be unveiled.

    Here’s what could be on the table:

    New Budget iPhone or iPhone 16E

    Rumors are swirling that we might see a new, affordable iPhone SE. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has been quite vocal about it, suggesting that a new iPhone SE with a bigger screen, a USB-C port, and enhanced features might be just around the corner. There’s also talk of this model possibly being called the iPhone 16E, hinting at its integration into the broader iPhone 16 lineup.

    Updated MacBook Air and iPads

    Gurman also mentioned new versions of the MacBook Air, iPad Air, and the basic iPad might be coming, although not necessarily next week. These updates could include new chips like the M4 for the MacBook Air, M3 for the iPad Air, and possibly the A16 or A17 Pro for the iPad, with no major redesigns expected.

    Home Control Center

    While Apple’s smart home hub isn’t slated for mass production until later this year, there’s a chance we could get a sneak peek next week. This device, likened to a HomePod with a screen, might feature a 6 or 7-inch display, an A18 chip, and smart home management capabilities.

    AirTag 2?

    The circular logo in Cook’s teaser has sparked AirTag 2 rumors due to the current AirTag’s round design. However, Gurman remains skeptical about an announcement this soon, suggesting that while a new AirTag is expected this year, it’s unlikely to be the star of next week’s show. Expected upgrades include better anti-stalking features and enhanced tracking with a new Ultra Wideband chip.

    Apple enthusiasts should mark their calendars for next Wednesday to see if these speculations hold true. Stay tuned for what could be an exciting addition to Apple’s product family.

  • New Apple screen with Mini-LEDs coming soon

    New Apple screen with Mini-LEDs coming soon

    Apple is reportedly developing a new 27-inch screen with mini-LED technology, which might hit the market by late 2025. This could be an upgrade from the Studio Display that Apple launched back in 2022. The existing model uses a 5K LED screen, but this new one would switch to mini-LED for better performance.

    According to display expert Ross Young, this screen will use mini-LEDs made by Epistar, with LG Display providing the panels. There was talk back in 2023 about Apple working on something called the Studio Display Pro, which would have had ProMotion technology, but that project seems to have been dropped. While Young once said Apple wasn’t planning another 27-inch screen, another well-known Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, insists that Apple is indeed planning to release a new display in 2025.

    Apple has already embraced mini-LED technology in its MacBook Pro, where it significantly improves the screen’s brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. The MacBook Pro’s display uses over 10,000 mini-LEDs, which help in displaying darker blacks, more detailed shadows, and brighter highlights.

    Adding to the buzz, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has also heard about this new 27-inch mini-LED display, though he thinks it might not arrive until 2026. This new screen could be a big step up for Apple’s display tech, offering users a much richer viewing experience.

    Source

  • Apple Event coming up next week

    Apple Event coming up next week

    Next Wednesday, on February 19, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a hint on social media about an exciting “launch.”

    “Get ready to welcome a new addition to our lineup,” he posted, accompanied by the hashtag #AppleLaunch.

    While Tim didn’t specify when exactly this launch would happen or give any concrete details, the post has sparked curiosity. Tech journalist Mark Gurman from Bloomberg thinks this could be the reveal of a new iPhone SE. He had earlier mentioned that we might see this phone by next week, boasting features like an A18 chip, a bigger 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, a USB-C port, and support for Apple Intelligence.

    Apart from the iPhone, there’s buzz about other gadgets. People are talking about new MacBook Air, iPad Air, and basic iPad models coming out soon. There’s also chatter about new products like an updated AirTag and a fresh smart home hub expected later this year.

    Since Cook’s message feels more like a teaser than an event announcement, any new product news will likely come through press releases on the Apple Newsroom site. But, we might also see announcement videos on YouTube, similar to how Apple introduced new iMacs, Mac minis, and MacBook Pros with M4 chips last October.

    We’ll know more in just six days!

  • Apple faces privacy double standards in Germany

    Apple faces privacy double standards in Germany

    Apple has been under scrutiny in Germany for three years because of its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature. This feature lets iPhone users choose not to have their activities tracked across different apps.

    The German competition authority, Bundeskartellamt, has now shared its initial thoughts, suggesting that Apple’s ATT rules might not be fair. They say that while third-party apps must follow these strict rules, Apple’s own apps do not have to.

    In their latest statement, the Bundeskartellamt pointed out that since ATT was introduced in April 2021, app makers in the iOS App Store need special permission from users to use their data for ads. However, these same strict rules don’t apply to Apple’s apps.

    According to the Bundeskartellamt, this could be against German competition laws for big tech companies and even broader European Union competition rules. They argue that Apple is applying different privacy standards to itself compared to other app developers.

    Apple has now been allowed to reply to these concerns raised by the German authority.

    Interestingly, while ATT was initially seen as a headache for big advertising apps like those from Meta (formerly known as Facebook), it has turned out to be beneficial. Meta has managed to enhance its advertising strategies, using AI to target users more accurately without relying on broad third-party data tracking.

    This situation in Germany highlights ongoing debates about how tech giants manage user data and privacy, setting a precedent for how privacy policies might be enforced in the future.

    Source

  • Easier bike route planning with Apple Maps in the UK and Ireland

    Easier bike route planning with Apple Maps in the UK and Ireland

    Apple Maps has just made it easier for bike riders in the UK and Ireland to find their way around. A recent update spotted by a user on Reddit means that now, you can plan a bike trip from one end of the country to the other, like from the southern tip of England to the northernmost part of Scotland, if you feel like it.

    Before this update, the bike route feature wasn’t available everywhere in these countries. Now, Apple Maps gives you specific paths for cyclists, showing you where the bike lanes are, which paths are good for bikes, and warning you about steep hills, stairs, or other things that might get in your way.

    This feature has been part of Apple Maps since the iOS 14 update, and it’s not just in the UK and Ireland. Cyclists in the United States, Australia, China, France, Germany, and Japan, along with big cities like London, Barcelona, and Toronto, can also use it. Apple keeps an updated list on their website of all the places where this cycling feature works.

    This expansion is great news for anyone who loves to bike or just needs to get around on two wheels, making your journey safer and more enjoyable.

    Cycling Directions Released in Remainder of UK and Ireland
    byu/cmmncw inapplemaps

  • Apple and Alibaba join forces for AI in China

    Apple and Alibaba join forces for AI in China

    Apple has decided to team up with Alibaba to introduce AI features on iPhones in China, ending a period of guesswork about how Apple would handle AI in the Chinese market.

    iPhone 16 Apple intelligence

    Joe Tsai, Alibaba’s chairman, shared this news at the World Government Summit in Dubai. He said, “Apple looked at several companies in China. In the end, they decided to work with us. They want our AI to enhance their phones. We are thrilled to collaborate with a company like Apple.”

    Following this announcement, Alibaba’s shares jumped by as much as 8.6%. This was after a report from The Information confirmed that Apple was indeed teaming up with Alibaba to launch AI features in China. Due to local laws, Apple has not yet introduced all its AI capabilities in China without a local partner.

    Outside China, Apple devices utilize a mix of Apple’s own AI tech and OpenAI’s ChatGPT for their AI functions. Both companies have reportedly sent the necessary paperwork to Chinese authorities for the go-ahead.

    This partnership announcement comes after news that Apple had initially considered another Chinese AI firm, DeepSeek, but chose not to proceed. It was also revealed that Apple had looked at Baidu last year, but found their AI technology lacking for Apple’s standards.

    This move is significant for Apple, especially after facing a tough year in China in 2024 when it lost its spot as the leading smartphone seller. According to Canalys, Apple saw a 17% drop in shipments in China, allowing local brand Vivo to take the top spot. This partnership with Alibaba could be a strategic move to regain ground in this important market.

    Source

  • Apple updates Safari test browser with fixes and better performance

    Apple updates Safari test browser with fixes and better performance

    Apple has just released an update for its experimental browser, known as Safari Technology Preview, which first came out in March 2016. The purpose of this browser is to let people try out new features that might be added to regular Safari in the future.

    The latest version, Safari Technology Preview 213, brings several updates and fixes for different parts of the browser like CSS, editing tools, forms, HTML, JavaScript, media handling, networking, PDF viewing, rendering, storage, SVG images, tables, text, web animations, web APIs, extensions, the inspector tool, and WebRTC communication.

    This update works on computers with macOS Sonoma or macOS Sequoia, which is the latest macOS version.

    You can get this update through the Software Update in your System Preferences or System Settings if you’ve already downloaded the browser from Apple’s site. For more details on what’s new, check out the release notes on the Safari Technology Preview page.

    Apple’s goal with this preview browser is to get feedback from both developers and everyday users to help improve the Safari browser. You can use this test version alongside the standard Safari without needing a developer account, making it accessible for anyone interested in trying out new web technologies.

    Source

  • 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.

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