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Search results for: “apps”

  • Apple wanted developers to build Vision Pro apps using Siri

    Apple wanted developers to build Vision Pro apps using Siri

    Apple had an interesting plan for how developers could make apps for the Vision Pro. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple once wanted to let developers use just their voice—and Siri—to create apps for the headset.

    This idea came from Apple’s internal project called “Project Greyhound,” which was about finding new ways to build apps without needing a traditional computer or code editor. The goal was to make it easy and fun, especially using voice commands through Siri.

    For example, a developer could just say something like, “Make a window that shows the latest weather,” and Siri would generate the code and design. Apple imagined this would make app development feel more creative and natural, more like “vibing” with the system than sitting down and typing lines of code.

    However, this idea didn’t fully work out. The tools weren’t good enough to turn voice commands into real apps. Developers still needed traditional tools like Xcode to make Vision Pro apps.

    Even though Apple dropped this approach for now, the company is still working on making app creation easier. AI could play a big role in this in the future. With recent updates to Siri and new AI plans, Apple might bring back some version of this idea down the road.

  • Meta blocks Apple’s AI features from working on Facebook and other apps

    Meta blocks Apple’s AI features from working on Facebook and other apps

    Meta has decided to block Apple’s new AI features, called Apple Intelligence, from working with its apps like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads on iPhones and iPads.

    According to Apple, developers have the choice to allow Apple Intelligence to use app data to help users with AI tasks. These tasks include writing, editing, and summarizing text across different apps. But Meta has chosen not to let Apple’s AI access data from any of its apps for now.

    When users try to use Apple Intelligence with Meta apps, a message will say that the app doesn’t support this feature. Meta hasn’t shared why it made this decision, but it might be a move to protect user data or to keep control over its own AI tools.

    This decision could impact how useful Apple’s AI feels to users, especially those who use Meta apps a lot. It also shows the growing tension between big tech companies, as they all try to develop their own AI systems while keeping users inside their own app ecosystems.

    Apple Intelligence is coming to iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia later this year, but it seems it won’t work fully with Meta apps—at least for now.

  • New look for iPhone apps coming in iOS 19

    New look for iPhone apps coming in iOS 19

    Apple is planning a fresh update for iPhone users with iOS 19, expected later this year. A big change is coming to app icons—they’ll look rounder and softer than before. This tweak aims to make your phone’s screen feel more modern and friendly, while still keeping things simple to use.

    The update will also bring better video features. One cool addition is a tool to record videos with a blurred background, perfect for focusing on people or objects. It’s like having a pro camera in your pocket! Plus, the video player might get a new design, making it easier to watch and control your clips.

    Sources say Apple has been testing these changes for a while. The rounder icons and video upgrades are part of a bigger plan to keep iPhones exciting and ahead of the game. Even small details, like smoother edges on icons, show Apple’s focus on making everything look sharp and polished.

    For anyone who loves personalizing their phone, this could be fun. Rounder icons might mix well with custom wallpapers and layouts. And if you enjoy shooting videos, the new blur effect could take your recordings to the next level.

    While no official date is set, iOS 19 is likely to drop in late 2025. Apple usually shares big updates like this at its yearly events, so fans are already buzzing with excitement. With these changes, the company wants to keep your iPhone feeling fresh and easy to love. What do you think—will rounder icons and better video tools make your iPhone experience even cooler?

  • Apple improves iWork apps with fresh features for iOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4

    Apple improves iWork apps with fresh features for iOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4

    Apple has recently upgraded its iWork apps—Keynote, Numbers, and Pages—bringing some exciting new tools that work with iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or macOS 15.4. These updates make it easier and more fun to use these apps on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

    One cool addition is the ability to edit text right inside your presentations, spreadsheets, or documents using Writing Tools. This feature needs Apple Intelligence, which works on devices like the iPhone 15 Pro, all iPhone 16 models, or any Mac or iPad with an M1 chip or newer. It’s perfect for fixing mistakes or polishing your work quickly.

    Another handy update lets you save your projects in different formats using the Shortcuts app. This means you can easily switch your file type—like from a Pages document to something else—without extra hassle. It’s a small change that saves time, especially if you share files a lot.

    Plus, the apps now play nicer with Freeform. Copying and pasting between them is smoother, making it simpler to move ideas or pictures from one app to another. This teamwork boost is great for anyone juggling creative projects.

    Each app also got a few extra tweaks that don’t need the latest software, though Apple didn’t spill all the details. The updates rolled out this week after weeks of testing, and you can grab them from the App Store for your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

    These changes show Apple’s effort to keep iWork useful and fresh. Whether you’re making slides, tracking numbers, or writing, these tools aim to make your work easier and better. Check them out and see how they fit into your daily tasks!

  • Apple brings back deleted apps and updates AirPods Max

    Apple brings back deleted apps and updates AirPods Max

    Apple has some exciting news for iPhone and AirPods Max users! With the new iOS 18.4 update, apps you accidentally deleted can now come back. This feature lets you recover those missing apps easily, so you don’t have to worry if you remove something by mistake. It’s a handy fix for anyone who’s ever lost an app they loved.

    On top of that, Apple released a fresh update for AirPods Max, but there’s a catch—it’s not available for everyone yet. The update promises better sound and performance, but only some users can get it right now. Apple hasn’t said why it’s limited or when everyone will get it, so fans are waiting for more details.

    Both updates show Apple’s focus on making things better for users. The iOS 18.4 change helps you restore apps without stress, while the AirPods Max tweak aims to boost your listening experience. Keep an eye out—these updates could make your devices even more fun to use! Whether it’s bringing back apps or upgrading your headphones, Apple’s got something cool in store.

  • iOS 19 to boost Apple Intelligence in more apps

    iOS 19 to boost Apple Intelligence in more apps

    Apple’s next big update, iOS 19, is coming soon, and it’s all about making the most of what Apple Intelligence already offers. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, instead of adding totally new tricks, Apple plans to spread its current smart features to more apps.

    This shift makes sense since Apple is still playing catch-up with its iOS 18 promises, especially for Siri. The company had hoped to roll out a chattier Siri with iOS 19, but that’s now been pushed back to iOS 20. For now, Siri’s big makeover is on hold.

    Beyond Siri, don’t expect huge AI surprises in iOS 19. Gurman says Apple will focus on sharing its existing tools—like summarizing text—across more parts of the iPhone experience. At the next WWDC event, Apple likely won’t drop jaw-dropping AI news. Instead, they’ll show how today’s features can work in new places.

    What does this look like? Maybe more apps will sum up long emails or articles for you. Perhaps Apple will let app makers tap into these tools with something like an API. It’s tricky to guess exactly what’s coming since Apple’s non-Siri AI is still pretty basic.

    So, iOS 19 feels like a year to steady the ship, not leap ahead. Apple is still working on a smarter Siri powered by new tech, set for iOS 19.4, but the talking part is delayed. Plus, some Siri updates promised for iOS 18.4 are slipping into next year—maybe even iOS 19. While iOS 19 polishes what’s already here, it’s clear Apple’s playing it safe for now. Still, small steps can add up!

    My Top iPhone Gear on Amazon:

    • ESR MagSafe Wallet with Kickstand, Grip, and Find My
    • Anker 2-in-1 MagSafe Charging Stand with Qi2
    • UGREEN 6.6ft USB-C Braided Cables (2-pack)
    • AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C).
  • Brazil gives Apple 90 days to open iOS to outside apps

    Brazil gives Apple 90 days to open iOS to outside apps

    After the European Union pushed Apple to make big changes to iOS and the App Store for users in Europe, other nations started looking into Apple’s rules too. Now, a court in Brazil has decided that Apple has just 90 days to let iPhone users in Brazil download apps from places other than the App Store, a process called sideloading.

    Apple Faces New Rules in Brazil

    According to the Brazilian newspaper Valor Econômico (mentioned by O Globo), a judge in Brazil said on Wednesday that Apple must allow apps from outside its store, just like it did in Europe. The judge believes Apple’s strict rules stop new companies from joining the market and competing fairly.

    Back in November 2024, Brazil’s competition watchdog, called Cade, told Apple it could no longer block app makers from selling digital items or sharing apps outside the App Store. Apple was given 20 days to follow the rules or face a fine of over $40,000 per day. Apple fought back, asking for more time, and a judge agreed, saying the changes weren’t urgent. Apple argued that quick changes could hurt its business. Last month, the company attended a public meeting in Brazil about this issue.

    Court Sets a Deadline

    Now, Judge Pablo Zuniga has made it clear: Apple has three months to update iOS in Brazil. He pointed out that Apple already follows similar rules in other countries without major problems, so it shouldn’t be a big deal here, either.

    The trouble started when Mercado Libre, a huge online shopping company in Latin America, complained that Apple forces app makers to use its payment system. Other businesses, like Match (which runs Tinder) and Epic Games, also told Brazil’s regulators they weren’t happy with Apple’s rules.

    An Apple spokesperson told Valor Econômico that the company loves “lively and fair markets” and competes hard everywhere it works. But Apple warns that these changes might make iOS less safe and private for users. The company plans to fight the decision in court.

  • Your iPhone can now get urgent texts from apps

    Your iPhone can now get urgent texts from apps

    Apple has added a handy new trick to iPhones with the “Critical Messages” feature in a recent iOS update. This lets apps send you super-important text messages (SMS) that stand out. It’s different from the Priority Notifications in iOS 18.4, which highlight alerts on your Lock Screen. Here’s the scoop on how it works.

    A Special Text Feature with Strict Rules

    In the last few months, Apple updated iPhones so app makers can send urgent SMS alerts. But don’t worry—this isn’t for random ads or junk. It’s only for really serious stuff. Apple explains it like this: the Critical Messaging tool lets apps send vital updates to specific phone numbers. For example, a company might use it to check on workers in risky or remote areas. If someone can’t unlock their phone or get a signal, the app can still send a safety update to a main office. Pretty cool, right?

    To stop misuse, Apple has tough rules. Developers can’t send spam, phishing texts, or anything shady. The feature is locked down to keep your phone from buzzing with nonsense.
    Don’t Expect Tons of These Texts

    As a user, you probably won’t see these messages often. Like other critical alerts, they’re saved for rare, urgent moments—like a safety warning that can’t wait.
    How to Turn It Off If You Want

    Not a fan? You can stop these texts from apps you don’t like. Just head to your iPhone’s Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then find Critical Messages. You’ll see a list of apps that can send them. Switch off any you don’t trust—it’s that easy. This feature is all about keeping you safe or informed when it matters, without clogging your phone with junk. Simple, smart, and totally in your control!

  • EU App Store removes non-compliant ‘Trader’ apps

    EU App Store removes non-compliant ‘Trader’ apps

    Apple has started removing apps from the App Store in the European Union that do not provide trader contact information. Developers were notified that apps missing this crucial data would be taken down by February 17, 2025, and that deadline has now passed.

    Under the new EU Digital Services Act (DSA), apps must list trader details like an address, phone number, and email for customers to see. This is to ensure transparency and accountability from app developers who earn money from sales or in-app purchases.

    Apple has been emphasizing this rule for some time, requiring all new apps and updates to include this trader information. This data needs to be verified by Apple before apps can return to the App Store. The process to add trader information is straightforward, done through App Store Connect.

    However, this requirement has caused some friction, especially among smaller developers or solo app creators who might not have formal business contact details. They argue that this could expose them to unwanted spam or complicate their operations.

    Despite the pushback, the DSA mandates that Apple must display these contact details on the app’s product page within the EU’s 27 member countries. This ensures that users can reach out with any concerns or issues they might have with the app or its developer.

    For more detailed guidance on how to comply with these new regulations, developers can visit Apple’s official website. This move signifies a growing trend towards more transparency in digital markets, although it does present new challenges for some in the development community.

  • Apple doesn’t have a Graveyard of apps

    Apple doesn’t have a Graveyard of apps

    A week ago, Apple surprised everyone by launching a new app and service named “Invites.” However, this launch has led to some unfair criticism about Apple’s approach to apps, suggesting they operate like Google does with its apps.

    Google is well-known for starting new apps and services but then either shutting them down or merging them into something else. A good example is Google Podcasts, which didn’t last long. There’s practically a “graveyard” of Google apps that didn’t make it.

    After the launch of Invites, some people started to think Apple does the same thing with its apps. But is that really true?

    Not Dead Yet

    Take the Apple Sports app, for example. It’s been around for a year now, and it keeps getting better. People love it so much they’re asking for a widget for their phones. It’s clear this app isn’t just left to die; it’s growing in popularity.

    Then there’s the Journal app, which first appeared with iOS 17.2 in December 2023. By the time iOS 18 rolled out, the app had a significant update to version 2.0, bringing new features like search, sort options, audio transcripts, and more. The only thing missing is an iPad version, not updates.

    Apple Music Classical, initially iPhone-only, expanded to include an iPad app and added features like album booklets. It even got a CarPlay app and Siri support.

    Music Memos’ Legacy

    Music Memos was an app for musicians to record their tunes. It lasted for five years before Apple decided to enhance the built-in Voice Memos app instead. Now, Voice Memos can record two tracks at once, which is great for songwriters who use voice and guitar.

    Clips in the Classroom

    Apple Clips isn’t dead either. It’s thriving in educational settings with features like royalty-free music and templates that teachers can use in their lessons. Instead of abandoning it, maybe Apple should focus on making a simpler video editing app like CapCut, but without the ByteDance connection.

    Looking Ahead for Invites

    The future of the Invites app might include tight integration with the Calendar app and could come pre-installed on new iPhones. Its success will depend on turning users into iCloud+ subscribers and having a strong advocate within Apple, similar to how Apple Sports has been championed.

    In summary, Apple’s so-called “hobby apps” aren’t just side projects; they’re part of a broader strategy where apps are nurtured, updated, and sometimes transformed to better serve users.

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