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  • Apple introduces ‘C1’ – its first custom 5G modem for iPhones

    Apple introduces ‘C1’ – its first custom 5G modem for iPhones

    Apple has just revealed its debut custom 5G modem, named “C1”, which will first appear in the brand-new iPhone 16e. The C1 modem plays a key role in enhancing the iPhone 16e’s battery life, making it last longer than any other iPhone with a similar 6.1-inch screen, like the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16.

    By integrating the advantages of Apple’s own silicon technology, the C1 modem stands out as both the first modem Apple made itself and the most energy-saving modem ever used in an iPhone, providing swift and dependable 5G service. The combination of Apple’s silicon, including the C1, the iPhone’s new internal layout, and the smart energy management of iOS 18, leads to an impressive battery performance.

    It’s worth noting that the C1 modem is exclusive to the iPhone 16e; other iPhones still rely on modems from Qualcomm. This step is similar to when Apple switched from Intel processors to its own chips, showing Apple’s strategy to lessen its dependence on external suppliers like Qualcomm for crucial components.

  • Apple stops selling older iPhones, no more small screens or home buttons

    Apple stops selling older iPhones, no more small screens or home buttons

    Apple has made some big changes to its iPhone lineup. They’ve decided to stop selling the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, which were introduced back in 2022. These phones were known for their good value, with the iPhone 14 starting at $599 and the Plus at $699 after price drops from their original costs.

    The iPhone 14 models came with a 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen respectively, offering a choice for those who wanted a larger screen without going for the Pro versions. They ran on the A15 Bionic chip, had new safety features like Crash Detection, and enhanced cameras with the Photonic Engine for better photos in low light.

    In another move, Apple has discontinued the iPhone SE. This was the last iPhone with a Home button, making it unique. With the SE gone, Apple no longer offers phones with Touch ID, an LCD screen, or smaller than 6 inches. All current models now use Face ID and have bigger displays.

    Here’s what the lineup looks like now:

    iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 15, and iPhone 15 Plus.

    Interestingly, the iPhone 16e comes with a bit of an old-school look with its notch but is powered by the latest A18 chip and supports Apple Intelligence. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 models have the newer Dynamic Island but are equipped with the older A16 chip without Apple Intelligence support.

    This shift in product strategy suggests that Apple might be focusing on larger screens and newer technologies, as they’re expected to discontinue the iPhone 15 models with the upcoming release of the iPhone 17 series in September.

    With these changes, Apple has officially moved away from smaller screen sizes, with the smallest screen now being 6.1 inches on several models. This means if you’re looking for a compact phone, you’ll need to look at older models or other brands, as Apple seems to have left the small-screen market behind.

  • Apple unveils affordable iPhone 16E with new A18 chip, starting at $599

    Apple unveils affordable iPhone 16E with new A18 chip, starting at $599

    Apple has just launched the iPhone 16e, aimed at being an affordable option for smartphone users. This new model takes over from the discontinued third-generation iPhone SE. The iPhone 16e boasts a bigger 6.1-inch OLED screen, a step up from the 4.7-inch LCD of its predecessor. It now sports a notch for Face ID, signaling the end of the Touch ID era for Apple’s phones.

    Under the hood, the phone runs on the brand-new A18 chip, which not only speeds up the device but also supports Apple’s smart features like summarizing notifications and creating personalized emojis. Another highlight is the custom 5G modem, dubbed C1, that Apple developed in-house. This modem is said to be so energy-efficient that it gives the iPhone 16e the best battery life among all 6.1-inch iPhones.

    For photography, there’s a single 48-megapixel camera on the back, which Apple claims can offer a 2x zoom with optical-quality results. Design-wise, the iPhone 16e introduces an Action button where the traditional Ring/Silent switch used to be, and it has moved to a USB-C port, leaving behind the Lightning connector. However, it does not include the Camera Control button seen in other iPhone 16 models.

    Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e begin on February 21. It’s priced at $599 in the U.S., and you can choose between white or black, with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. This new iPhone aims to blend advanced technology with affordability, providing an entry point into Apple’s ecosystem for those looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.

    iPhone 16E
    iPhone 16E
  • New tariffs increase US laptop prices, but Apple keeps prices steady

    New tariffs increase US laptop prices, but Apple keeps prices steady

    The recent 10% tariff on goods from China, introduced by President Trump, is beginning to impact prices in the United States. This tax has to be paid by American businesses or passed on to consumers, forcing companies to decide whether to increase product prices or reduce their profits.

    Acer, a major player in the laptop market, has decided to raise its prices by 10%. Jason Chen, the company’s CEO, explained that the price hike is an unavoidable response to the new import tax. This change will affect laptops made in China, with the new prices set to take effect next month. “We must adjust the price for consumers to reflect this tariff,” Chen stated, indicating that a 10% increase is likely.

    Despite campaign promises from Trump that tariffs wouldn’t affect consumer prices, there’s now an acknowledgment that costs could indeed rise. For those looking to buy items from China, it might be wise to do so soon, as many companies still have stock bought before the tariff was implemented, which they can sell at current prices.

    In the U.S., nearly 80% of laptops come from China, and the Consumer Technology Association warns that these tariffs could add up to $143 billion to the cost for American consumers, potentially leading to lower sales. This association counts Apple as one of its key members.

    Acer is contemplating shifting some of its manufacturing out of China, though significant barriers make this challenging. There’s also talk of possibly manufacturing in the U.S., but this seems more like a political gesture since another Trump tariff could impose up to a 100% tax on imported components.

    Meanwhile, Apple has not yet adjusted its prices, choosing to absorb the tariff costs for the time being. This decision might not last, as they will eventually have to decide between increasing prices or accepting lower profit margins in the U.S. market.

  • Apple Store in Chicago mall to shut down permanently

    Apple Store in Chicago mall to shut down permanently

    Apple has announced that it will close its store at Northbrook Court, a mall in the Chicago area, for good. Though no specific closure date has been shared, the decision reflects changes happening at the mall. The Apple store at Northbrook first opened its doors back in 2005 and later expanded within the mall in 2017. Despite this closure, Apple assures that all employees from this location will remain with the company.

    “Apple is all about giving customers a great experience,” an Apple spokesperson stated. “With Northbrook Court Mall undergoing major changes and many stores leaving, we’ve decided it’s time to close our shop here. We’ve enjoyed being part of the Northbrook community for nearly two decades. Our team members will keep their jobs, and we invite our customers to visit any of our other eight stores in the Chicago area, or shop online through Apple.com or our app.”

    The announcement was initially covered by Crain’s Chicago Business. Northbrook Court has been struggling, evidenced by the exit of several big-name retailers, with Lululemon being the latest to leave just last month. This isn’t the first time Apple has shut down stores; last year, they closed locations in Infinite Loop and at the Royal Hawaiian.

    However, Apple continues to expand globally, having opened new stores in places like Miami Worldcenter, The Exchange TRX in Malaysia, and they’re preparing to open a new store in Downtown Detroit soon. This closure marks another shift in Apple’s retail strategy, balancing between closing underperforming locations and expanding into new markets or revitalized areas.

  • Apple might call new iPhone ‘iPhone 16E’ not ‘iPhone SE 4’

    Apple might call new iPhone ‘iPhone 16E’ not ‘iPhone SE 4’

    Apple is rumored to unveil a new budget-friendly iPhone tomorrow, and hints are strong that it could be named iPhone 16E rather than iPhone SE 4. Initially, many speculated this new model would be another iPhone SE, following the previous generations. However, recent leaks suggest otherwise, leaning towards the name iPhone 16E.

    The name iPhone 16E first popped up in December, mentioned by Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, a popular social media site in China. Not long after, a leaker named Majin Bu on X (formerly Twitter) echoed these sentiments, suggesting the next iPhone SE might be dubbed iPhone 16E.

    Just today, Majin Bu shared another clue, stating they’ve seen a box labeled “iPhone 16E”. Adding fuel to this rumor, Bloomberg’s tech journalist Mark Gurman commented on a recent post by Apple CEO Tim Cook, hinting at a “new family member” announcement, which might refer to this newly named device. Also, there are several new case listings on Amazon tagged for the iPhone 16E, although this could just be speculation.

    Amazon iPhone 16E

    The expected features for this new phone include a bigger 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID for security, a powerful A18 processor, a USB-C port, compatibility with Apple’s AI features, and a custom 5G modem. We’ll find out the official price and when it’s coming out tomorrow.

  • Apple’s App Store faces public hearing in Brazil over competition rules

    Apple’s App Store faces public hearing in Brazil over competition rules

    Next week, Apple will have to explain its App Store practices in Brazil due to an ongoing antitrust investigation. The Brazilian competition authority, known as Cade, has been looking into whether Apple’s rules for the App Store are fair to other companies.

    Antitrust Scrutiny in Brazil

    Cade is holding a public hearing to talk about competition issues in the world of mobile apps, especially on iOS devices. Google will also be there since it’s under similar scrutiny for its Android platform.

    According to local news sources, the hearing is meant to address the increasing complaints about unfair business practices in digital markets, focusing on how mobile devices and their operating systems operate.

    Complaints and Investigations

    Companies like Match, which runs Tinder, and Epic Games, famous for their battle with Apple over Fortnite, have made complaints to Cade about both Apple and Google. These firms argue that Apple and Google have rules that hurt competition. Representatives from these companies are expected at the hearing.

    Cade’s investigation into Apple started when Mercado Libre, a big e-commerce player in Latin America, claimed that Apple forces developers to use its payment system for digital goods, which could stifle competition. There’s also a concern about “tying,” where Apple links the use of one product to another, potentially anti-competitive practice.

    Previous Rulings and Appeals

    Last year, Cade decided that Apple couldn’t stop developers from selling apps outside the App Store in Brazil. Apple was supposed to follow this rule within 20 days or face daily fines of over $40,000. However, after Apple appealed, a judge decided they didn’t need to change right away, giving them more time to argue their case.

    The outcome of this case could mean big changes for how Apple’s App Store operates in Brazil if Apple doesn’t win the appeal.

    Looking Ahead

    The Brazilian government is also planning to look into how other big tech firms like Meta and Amazon do business, showing that this hearing might just be the start of broader regulatory actions. All this comes at a time when international trade tensions, like those hinted at by former US President Trump’s tariff threats, could influence tech policy globally.

    Source

  • Apple’s M5 Chip to fix unpopular M4 choice, report says

    Apple’s M5 Chip to fix unpopular M4 choice, report says

    Apple hasn’t finished rolling out the M4 chip yet, but there’s already buzz about the next big thing: the M5 chip. Expected to launch this autumn, the M5 chip will reportedly address a decision from the M4 rollout that didn’t sit well with many users.

    M5 Chip Coming to Macs First, Not iPads

    Over the weekend, tech journalist Mark Gurman shared insights on which devices will first get the M5 chip. This time, the strategy is different from what we saw with the M4.

    According to Gurman’s report on Bloomberg:

    • The M5 chip will start with new MacBook Pro models this fall.
    • An M5 iPad Pro won’t come until the first half of 2026.

    This switch means that, unlike the M4, which debuted in an iPad Pro, the M5 will first appear in Macs. Last year, Apple surprised everyone by introducing the M4 chip in the iPad Pro before any Mac got it, leading to a six-month wait for Mac users.

    Why the Change?

    The decision to launch the M4 in the iPad Pro first was not popular among Mac users. The long wait for the M4 MacBooks was particularly frustrating. With the M5, Apple seems to be returning to its traditional approach, prioritizing Macs for new chip introductions.

    What to Expect with M5

    Since the MacBook Pro will be the first to get the M5, we can anticipate seeing not just the basic M5 chip, but also the M5 Pro and M5 Max versions. This mirrors the strategy used with the M3 series in 2023, ensuring a broad spectrum of performance options right from the start. In summary, Apple’s move to bring the M5 to Macs before iPads could be seen as a response to feedback from the M4 rollout, aiming to keep Mac users happy with timely upgrades.

  • Special Apple TV patches for all 30 MLS teams in 2025

    Special Apple TV patches for all 30 MLS teams in 2025

    The 30th season of Major League Soccer kicks off this weekend, with every team playing matches on both Saturday and Sunday.

    New Apple TV Jersey Patches

    To mark this special milestone, Apple has introduced unique Apple TV patches for each of the 30 MLS clubs. These patches will be displayed on the left sleeve of every team’s jersey throughout the season. Each patch is designed to reflect the unique logo, colors, and identity of each club.

    Here’s an example of what the new patch looks like for Inter Miami CF:

    Tech expert Jacob Krol from TechRadar gave us more insights into these patches. He also interviewed Emeka Ofodile, who leads Apple’s sports marketing globally. Previously, MLS jerseys featured a simple black or white Apple TV logo. But for 2025, each team gets its special design.

    Apple and MLS Partnership

    2025 is the third year of a decade-long collaboration between Apple and MLS. Fans can watch all the games by subscribing to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. In the U.S., this service costs $14.99 monthly or $99 for the entire season. Apple TV+ subscribers enjoy a discount, paying $12.99 monthly or $79 for the season.

    A new highlight this year is that Apple TV+ subscribers can watch one MLS game every Sunday night without needing an MLS Season Pass subscription. The first game of this series will feature San Diego FC, the newest team, playing against the current champions, LA Galaxy, at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

    Apple TV App Now on Android

    In other news, last week saw the Apple TV app becoming available on Android phones, including access to the MLS Season Pass.

    This blend of tech and sports continues to bring fans closer to the action in exciting new ways.

    Source

  • Apple no longer allows downgrade to iOS 18.3

    Apple no longer allows downgrade to iOS 18.3

    Apple has ended the ability to install iOS 18.3 on iPhones, meaning those who updated to iOS 18.3.1 can’t go back to the previous version. The company rolled out iOS 18.3.1 about a week after the release of iOS 18.3.

    iOS Updates

    Apple tends to stop signing older iOS versions shortly after newer ones come out, typically within one to two weeks. Once an older version stops being signed, you can’t put it on your iPhone anymore because of a check that happens on Apple’s servers. This practice pushes people to keep their phones updated. By not letting users revert to older software, Apple makes sure everyone has the latest security fixes.

    Why Update Matters

    The update to iOS 18.3.1 brought several bug corrections and security patches. Notably, it fixed a security hole that hackers were already using, which shows why keeping your iPhone’s software current is crucial.

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