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  • Try free Starlink service on your iPhone until summer

    Try free Starlink service on your iPhone until summer

    T-Mobile has launched a public beta for its Starlink satellite service, inviting everyone in the U.S. with a compatible iPhone or Android phone to join. This is great news even if you’re not with T-Mobile, as you can test this new way to stay connected without traditional cell service.

    How to Get Involved:

    • Free Beta Access: You can sign up to use Starlink for free until July, but there are only a few spots.

    Pricing After July:

    • T-Mobile’s Go5G Next plan users and those with other eligible plans will keep using it for free.
    • If you have another T-Mobile plan, you can add Starlink for $15 a month, per phone line.
    • Users on other carriers will pay $20 a month, per line.
    • Early Bird Discount: Sign up before February ends, and you’ll get the service for just $10 per month starting in July.

    Where It Works:

    • In areas outside the usual cell service range in the U.S., your phone will link up with one of Starlink’s many satellites to send and receive texts when you’re off the grid.

    Future Features:

    • While it currently supports messaging, T-Mobile plans to add voice calls and internet data soon.

    iPhone Users, Take Note:

    • Your iPhone will show “SAT” when using this satellite service.
    • To stop using it, go to Settings, find Cellular, select your carrier, and switch off Satellite.

    What You Need:

    • An iPhone 14, 15, or 16 model.
    • The newest iOS update.
    • A compatible carrier plan.

    This isn’t the first time iPhones have used satellites; Apple already has a deal with Globalstar for emergency messaging. However, Starlink’s network is much bigger, offering smoother, automatic connections without aiming your phone.

    Remember:

    • Apple’s satellite features are currently free, but this might change.
    • The service is available in the U.S., with varying availability elsewhere.

    Starlink’s wide reach could change how we think about staying connected, making it an exciting time for smartphone users looking to stay in touch no matter where they are.

  • Boost Your Savings: Enhanced Trade-In values for Macs now available

    Boost Your Savings: Enhanced Trade-In values for Macs now available

    Apple has just bumped up the trade-in values for several Mac models in the U.S., allowing you to save more when you decide to upgrade. Here’s a quick look at how much you could get back on your old Mac:

    • MacBook Pro – Now valued at up to $925, was $915
    • MacBook Air – Now up to $435, previously $425
    • MacBook – Increased to up to $140 from $90
    • iMac – You can get up to $315, it was $305 before
    • iMac Pro – Now up to $455, up from $405
    • Mac mini – Valued at up to $375, was $365
    • Mac Studio – Now up to $1,150, a slight increase from $1,140
    • Mac Pro – Up to $720, which was $670 before

    These boosted trade-in values are only available until April 2, so you have a limited time to take advantage of this offer. Whether you’re looking to buy a new Apple device right away or prefer to get an Apple gift card for future use, this is a great opportunity to get more for your old tech.

    You can trade in your Mac either online at Apple’s website or directly at an Apple Store. Once you trade in, the credit can be used towards purchasing a new Apple product or converted into an Apple gift card.

    For more information or to start your trade-in, head over to Apple’s trade-in page. Don’t miss out on these enhanced values to make your next upgrade more affordable!

  • iPhone SE 4 Launching Soon: 5 key features to look forward to

    iPhone SE 4 Launching Soon: 5 key features to look forward to

    While everyone is talking about the iPhone 17, Apple is quietly preparing another exciting release. The iPhone SE 4 is set to be a big upgrade for Apple’s budget-friendly phone, with a fresh look, USB-C charging, and more. Here are five things you can expect from the iPhone SE 4.

    iPhone SE 4: What’s New

    1. Modern Design with a Larger Screen

    • The iPhone SE 4 will look completely different from the current model. Right now, the iPhone SE has an older iPhone 8-style design with thick borders around a 4.7-inch screen and a Home button. The new version, however, will have a sleek, modern design similar to the iPhone 14.
    • Leaked details suggest it will have a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a small cutout at the top. It will also have flat edges instead of the rounded ones on the current model. The new phone is expected to be slightly bigger, measuring about 147.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm, compared to the current 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm.

    2. Face ID Instead of Touch ID

    • The current iPhone SE uses a Home button with Touch ID for unlocking, but the iPhone SE 4 will switch to Face ID. This is possible because of the new design with a cutout at the top of the screen, where the Face ID sensors will sit.

    3. Better Speed and Power

    • The current iPhone SE runs on the A15 Bionic chip, which is already fast for its price. The iPhone SE 4 will take this a step further with the newer A18 chip and 8GB of RAM. This means it will be able to handle Apple’s latest AI features without any trouble.

    4. USB-C Charging

    • The iPhone SE 4 will switch from the old Lightning port to USB-C for charging, just like the iPhone 16. This change is required by new rules in the European Union and makes charging more universal.

    5. Apple’s Own Modem

    • For the first time, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modem made by Apple instead of one from Qualcomm. This is a big step for Apple, but users likely won’t notice any difference. If everything works smoothly, it’s a success for Apple.

    Final Thoughts

    • After more than a year of rumors, the iPhone SE 4 might finally be announced soon, possibly next week, according to Bloomberg. Instead of a big event, Apple is expected to share the news through a simple press release on its website.

    What do you think about the iPhone SE 4? Does it fit well in Apple’s lineup, or should Apple rethink its strategy for budget phones?

  • New iOS Update Coming Soon: iOS 18.4 Beta 1

    New iOS Update Coming Soon: iOS 18.4 Beta 1

    We might see the first beta version of Apple’s next big update, iOS 18.4, as early as next week. This news comes from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg.

    What to Expect Next Week

    Next week will be action-packed with the release of Apple’s new Powerbeats with heart rate sensors and the iPhone SE 4. Despite this busy schedule, the iOS 18.4 beta could still appear on February 12 or 13. If Apple decides to wait, the update might come out on February 18, since February 17 is Presidents’ Day, a holiday in the U.S.

    Release Schedule

    Usually, Apple rolls out new betas after software updates, but there’s been a bit of a wait since iOS 18.3, which was released 11 days ago on January 27. We’ll reach the two-week mark on February 10, but Apple sometimes takes longer between updates, especially when they’re packed with new features.

    What’s New in iOS 18.4?

    Rumors are swirling that iOS 18.4 will introduce significant updates to Siri, focusing on what Apple calls “Apple Intelligence”. This includes making Siri more aware of what’s on your screen, understanding your personal context, and improving how it works within and across different apps. Given Siri’s past challenges with performance and accuracy, Apple is likely taking extra care with these enhancements.

    More Features

    Besides Siri improvements, the update might include new emojis, changes to default apps in the European Union, and the expansion of Apple Intelligence features to more languages and countries. Apple has already mentioned plans to broaden Apple Intelligence to additional countries in an April update, so we expect iOS 18.4 to be in beta testing until March, setting the stage for a full launch in April.

    This update promises to be a significant step forward for Apple’s mobile operating system, enhancing user interaction and expanding its global reach.

    Source

  • Security issues in DeepSeek app for iPhones

    Security issues in DeepSeek app for iPhones

    The DeepSeek app, which quickly became one of the top downloads on the Apple App Store, has been found to have several serious security issues.

    Past Concerns with DeepSeek

    DeepSeek caught everyone’s attention when it suddenly became the most downloaded app for iPhones. AI experts were amazed because it worked well even on phones with less powerful hardware. This led to a drop in stock prices for some big AI companies in the U.S.

    However, soon after, questions about privacy and security started to come up. Privacy regulators in Italy and Ireland began to question if the app followed European privacy laws, while U.S. officials looked into possible security risks. A major slip-up was when DeepSeek left a database unprotected, spilling over a million lines of user data, including private chats and secret codes.

    New Security Flaws in DeepSeek App

    NowSecure, a company that checks mobile app security, found that DeepSeek has turned off a key security feature on iPhones. This feature, called App Transport Security (ATS), makes sure that private information is sent safely. With ATS off, the app sends data without protection, which could be seen by anyone.

    The data might not look dangerous by itself, but when you put a lot of these pieces together, you can figure out who people are. This was shown in another case with Gravy Analytics where similar data was used to identify millions of people.

    Also, the app uses an old and weak method of hiding data, known as 3DES, which isn’t good enough to keep information secret anymore.

    Espionage Risks

    The app collects lots of little bits of information which, if combined with data from other apps, can be used to pinpoint specific users. For example, if someone is using DeepSeek on an iPad connected to a special network used by emergency services, they might become a target for spying.

    The report from NowSecure strongly suggests that the DeepSeek app for iPhones isn’t safe to use, and it warns that the version for Android phones might be even worse.

  • Mac app store issues for older Mac systems

    Mac app store issues for older Mac systems

    Mac users with older macOS versions are facing problems when trying to use the Mac App Store. Specifically, those with macOS Mojave (10.14) and older are having trouble.

    Reports started coming in around January 24, 2025, suggesting that something went wrong when Apple updated how receipts work in the App Store. Users are seeing error messages like “Something went wrong while logging in” or “We couldn’t read the data because it’s not in the right format.”

    The experience varies depending on which macOS version you’re using. If you’re on Catalina (10.15) or newer, everything works fine. But if you’re still using Mojave (10.14), you can look around the store, but you can’t buy new apps or download ones you’ve already bought once your session ends. For those on High Sierra (10.13), parts of the store’s interface might not show up, and signing in can be tricky. Users on Sierra (10.12) are seeing messages that stop them from even getting into the store.

    It looks like these problems might have something to do with Apple’s new way of handling receipts, but we’re not sure yet. For those stuck with these issues, Apple offers other ways to get macOS updates. Also, many apps can still be downloaded directly from the developers’ own websites, outside of the App Store.

    This situation leaves older Mac users in a bit of a bind, hoping for a quick fix from Apple to restore full functionality to the Mac App Store on their systems.

    Source

  • New iPhone update coming soon: iOS 18.3.1

    New iPhone update coming soon: iOS 18.3.1

    Apple is quietly working on a new update for iPhones called iOS 18.3.1. We know this thanks to our website’s tracking, which has proven to be a good sign of what updates are coming next. You can expect this update to roll out in the coming weeks.

    About iOS 18.3.1

    This update isn’t going to be a big one. It’s mainly about fixing small problems and making sure your iPhone is safer by patching up security holes. One thing to note, the feature that gives you quick summaries of notifications for news and fun apps was turned off in the last update because it wasn’t working right. We don’t know yet if this will be fixed in iOS 18.3.1 or if we’ll have to wait for another update.

    Looking Ahead to iOS 18.4

    We’re also on the lookout for the first test version of iOS 18.4, which should come out this month. This update is set to bring some cool new stuff like better AI features for Siri, new emojis, and the option for people in the EU to choose their favorite map or translation apps by default. According to Apple’s site, we might see iOS 18.4 in April, after some testing.

    So, keep an eye out for these updates if you want your iPhone to run smoothly and securely!

  • New iPhone tool helps find lost luggage at more airports

    New iPhone tool helps find lost luggage at more airports

    A new tool on iPhones is making it simpler for travelers to locate their lost or delayed bags at airports, and now more airlines are using it.

    Tracking Luggage with AirTags

    With the latest update to iOS 18.2, the Find My app now lets you share the location of your luggage if it has an AirTag attached. This means if your bag gets lost, airport staff from participating airlines can help find it more easily.

    This week, airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings started supporting this feature. Before this, airlines like Delta, United, Air Canada, and Air New Zealand were already on board.

    Sharing the Location

    If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or macOS Sequoia 15.2 or newer, you can link the Find My app to share your luggage’s location. Anyone with this link can check a webpage that shows where the luggage is on a map, which updates as the bag moves. Apple has ensured that sharing these links is both private and secure. Only a few airport workers can see the link, and they need to log in with an Apple Account or a partner email to access it.

    The sharing stops as soon as you get your bag back, or it automatically ends after one week.

    Expansion Plans

    Apple released iOS 18.2 in December, and they’re planning to work with more airlines in the coming months to expand this helpful feature. This tool is a game-changer for travelers, making the stress of lost luggage a thing of the past.

  • Good News for Old iPhone 7 Users: You might get some money back

    Good News for Old iPhone 7 Users: You might get some money back

    If you owned an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus back in 2016 or 2017, you might be in for a treat. These phones were pretty great, but some had a problem called “Loop Disease.” This issue led to a class action lawsuit a few years back, which got the green light last year. Now, in 2025, those former owners are starting to see some cash.

    The payments are around $200 for each claim, which isn’t too shabby. This money comes from a $35 million settlement, with the lawyers who pushed the lawsuit getting the largest slice of the pie.

    The time to join the lawsuit was up last summer, so if you missed it, you’re out of luck. Apple didn’t admit they did anything wrong but agreed to settle anyway.

    “Loop Disease” supposedly came from pressing on a specific part of the phone, leading to bad sound during calls, especially on FaceTime. How much money you get depends if you had to pay for fixing the phone due to this issue. Those who didn’t pay for repairs will likely get less, with the highest possible payment being $350.

    This isn’t the first time Apple has settled over hardware issues. Last fall, MacBook users with problematic butterfly keyboards also started getting their share from a separate settlement.

    So, if you were one of those affected iPhone 7 users, check your mail or bank account; you might find a pleasant surprise waiting for you.

  • First ever malware with screen capture reading found in iPhone Apps

    First ever malware with screen capture reading found in iPhone Apps

    For the first time, a type of harmful software that can read what’s on your screen has been spotted in apps from the Apple App Store, according to a report by Kaspersky.

    This new malware, known as “SparkCat,” can look at screenshots on your iPhone to find private information. The main aim of these apps is to find the secret codes for cryptocurrency wallets, making it possible for thieves to steal your bitcoins and other digital money.

    The apps contain a sneaky part that uses a special tool from Google’s ML Kit to read text in pictures. If it sees an image of a crypto wallet, that image gets sent to a server where the attacker can grab it.

    SparkCat has been around since about March 2024. While similar malware was previously found on Android and computers, it’s now made its way to iPhones. Kaspersky found apps like ComeCome, WeTink, and AnyGPT in the App Store with this spying software. However, it’s not clear if these developers put the malware there on purpose or if it was added by someone else attacking the app’s supply chain.

    Once you download these apps, they’ll ask to see your photos. If you say yes, they’ll use their reading tool to scan through your pictures for important information. These apps are still in the App Store and seem to be focusing on people in Europe and Asia.

    While the primary target is crypto information, Kaspersky warns that this malware could also steal other screenshot data, like passwords. This issue isn’t just for iPhone users; similar threats have been seen on Android too, but iPhone users usually think their devices are safer from such threats.

    Apple usually checks all apps before they go into the App Store, so finding malware like this shows a slip in their review process. In this case, the harmful apps don’t show they’re bad, and the permissions they ask for look like they’re needed for the app to work.

    Kaspersky advises against keeping screenshots of important details like crypto wallet codes in your photo collection to protect yourself from such attacks. For more details on which apps are affected and more about this malware, you can visit Kaspersky’s website.

    Source

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