Search results for: “change”

  • Apple now sells used M4 Macs at lower prices

    Apple now sells used M4 Macs at lower prices

    Apple has recently started selling refurbished MacBook Pro and Mac mini models with M4 chips in several countries including the United States, Canada, the UK, and Ireland. This is the first time these models have been available in Apple’s refurbished store since they were released in October 2024.

    M4 Mac mini with a Blue Light

    In addition, you can find some refurbished MacBook Pro models with M4 chips in Europe, in countries like Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and a few others. These refurbished Macs are cheaper, about 15% less than buying them new from Apple’s website. However, the stock changes a lot, and sometimes you might see the “buy” button isn’t working for certain models in some places. If you want a specific model, you’ll need to check back regularly.

    Apple hasn’t started selling refurbished iMacs with M4 chips yet in any country. Every refurbished Mac comes with all the usual stuff in the box. For the MacBook Pro, you get a USB-C charger and a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable. The Mac mini includes its power cord. Apple claims they test each refurbished Mac completely, clean it thoroughly, and check it carefully. They also come with Apple’s one-year warranty, and you can buy extra protection with AppleCare+.

    From what we’ve seen, these refurbished Macs from Apple look and work almost the same as new ones, offering a great chance to save money while still buying from Apple. However, if you’re looking for even bigger savings, checking out sellers like Amazon might give you better deals on Macs.

  • iPhone owners are upgrading their phones sooner

    iPhone owners are upgrading their phones sooner

    People with iPhones are starting to get new ones a bit quicker than before, according to a report by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).

    In the last three months of 2024, CIRP found that more iPhone buyers were replacing their phones earlier than in past years. About 36% of new iPhone owners had their old phone for two years or less, which is up from 31% the year before. On the other hand, the number of people keeping their phones for three years or more dropped to 33%.

    This change is the first big shift in how often people upgrade their iPhones since CIRP started keeping track in 2014. Even though people generally kept their phones longer over time, something seems to be pushing some users to upgrade sooner. The percentage of people upgrading after just two years is back to where it was in 2020.

    CIRP thinks several things are causing this. One big reason might be deals from phone companies that make it cheaper or easier to get a new phone. Another could be Apple’s new AI features, which might make people want to switch to the latest model to use them.

    This trend in upgrade habits comes at a time when Apple’s iPhone sales have not been as strong. CIRP guesses that the people upgrading now are the most active Apple fans, more eager to get the newest tech. Meanwhile, those who upgrade less often might be holding out for something really special before they decide to buy a new phone.

  • 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

  • Trump picks Apple exec for road safety chief

    Trump picks Apple exec for road safety chief

    President Trump has chosen an executive from Apple to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Jonathan Morrison, who is not the well-known tech YouTuber, was previously the chief legal advisor for the NHTSA during Trump’s first term. He has been working at Apple since 2021.

    According to the Senate:

    Jonathan Morrison, from California, has been nominated to become the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, replacing Steven Scott Cliff who stepped down. The nomination was announced just yesterday and will be reviewed by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Although Morrison’s LinkedIn doesn’t reveal much about his specific role at Apple, it’s likely he was involved in policy matters linked to Apple’s now-abandoned self-driving car project. Before joining Apple, Morrison worked as a lobbyist for car dealerships, where he was instrumental in advancing automotive policy changes.

    Source

  • When will Apple’s new Robots hit the market?

    When will Apple’s new Robots hit the market?

    Apple is working on new types of robots for homes, according to an expert who studies Apple’s supply chain, Ming-Chi Kuo. These robots include both human-shaped and non-human-shaped designs. However, Kuo suggests we might have to wait a while for these robots to actually be made in large numbers, if they ever are.

    Right now, Apple’s robot projects are just at the early stages where they test if ideas can work. If Apple decides to go ahead, Kuo thinks they might not start making these robots in big amounts until 2028 or even later.

    This news follows after a group of Apple’s robotics experts created a robot that looks like a lamp but moves like a living thing. Last year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared that Apple was also working on a smaller robot with a screen like an iPad on a movable arm. He thought this robot might be announced in 2026 or 2027, but Kuo now believes it could be 2028 or beyond.

    Gurman explains that this smaller robot would be controlled by Siri and Apple’s smart tech. It could move its screen to look at you if you say “look at me,” especially handy during video calls. It would also know who’s talking to it by recognizing different voices.

    This robot might be a premium version of Apple’s upcoming smart home controller, which is expected to come out this year. Gurman guesses it might cost around $1,000, but this could change as plans develop.

  • Could Apple fix the biggest issue with its most exciting product soon?

    Could Apple fix the biggest issue with its most exciting product soon?

    With whispers of new Apple product reveals just around the corner, I’ve been thinking about what could be coming up this Friday. According to Mark Gurman, Apple is set to give the media an update on the Apple Vision Pro this Friday.

    Here are some guesses I had before:

    • New M5 Chip – No M5 products have been announced yet, but they’re apparently in production. Maybe Vision Pro will be the first to get it, like how the M4 came with the iPad Pro.
    • Apple Intelligence Support – Vision Pro has enough RAM for this, but maybe all the memory is already being used. They might increase the RAM.
    • PSVR Controller Support – Gurman says it’s happening, but it won’t shake things up much.

    Now, I’m thinking about another big change: a price cut. It would be a great piece of news to share on a Friday evening.

    Apple has always defended the $3,500 price tag by saying you’re buying into the future. But Susan Prescott’s recent statement – “for now, the price is what the price is” – hints that this might not be the final word.

    Apple doesn’t usually lower prices before new models come out, but the cost of Vision Pro has been its biggest barrier. There’s history here; they reduced the price of the first iPhone by $200 shortly after it came out.

    Would a price drop on the Vision Pro, which starts at $3,499, make a big impact? Maybe not a huge one, but any reduction helps. They could also offer more storage for the same price. However, since there’s no shortage of stock, even this seems up in the air. Still, my bet is that we’ll see some kind of price adjustment for the Apple Vision Pro this Friday. It’s speculative, but it’s something to think about.

  • New iPads and MacBooks coming soon

    New iPads and MacBooks coming soon

    Apple’s suppliers are getting ready for the release of new versions of the iPad Air, MacBook Air, and a basic iPad model.

    According to a report from DigiTimes, the supply chain started sending out these new devices in December. While we don’t know the exact date they’ll be available, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said these new gadgets will hit the market by March or April 2025, possibly even sooner. Gurman also mentioned that a new iPhone SE might be announced this week.

    A report from a Taiwanese publication, which requires a subscription to read, hinted that these new devices will switch to chips made by Apple. Since Apple already designs its own chips for Macs and iPads, this might mean they’re talking about a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. However, Gurman had previously mentioned that this change might not happen until 2026.

    Gurman also noted that Apple’s new Wi-Fi chip will support Wi-Fi 6E. It’s not clear yet if this will make much difference for users compared to the current Wi-Fi chips from Broadcom. The main advantage could be in how much battery it uses.

    The new MacBook Airs, coming in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, are expected to use the M4 chip. The iPad Air might get the M3 chip, and the basic iPad 11 could either have the A16 chip or the A17 Pro chip. Apart from these chip updates, there aren’t expected to be many other big changes to these devices.

    Source

  • Exciting new iPhones coming this year

    Exciting new iPhones coming this year

    Apple is set to release five new iPhone models this year, each bringing something unique to the table. Here’s what you can look forward to with each model:

    iPhone SE 4

    The budget-friendly iPhone SE is getting a major facelift. It’s moving away from the traditional home button to a modern, edge-to-edge screen with a notch. Here’s what else is new:

    • A18 chip: For better performance.
    • 8GB of RAM: More memory for smoother operation.
    • Apple Intelligence support: Enhanced software capabilities.
    • 48MP main camera: Better photos than before.
    • USB-C port: Replacing the Lightning port for universal charging.

    Apple is also introducing its first self-made 5G modem in this model, making it a standout choice for those looking to save without skimping on features.

    iPhone 17 Air

    This fall, the iPhone Plus is out, and the iPhone 17 Air is in. Focused on design, it will:

    • Use the A19 chip (not the Pro version) and 8GB of RAM.
    • Features an ultra-thin body, making it the slimmest iPhone yet.
    • Introduce a new screen size that’s just right between the Pro models.
    • Include Apple’s in-house 5G modem and a high-refresh display.

    The Air promises to be a visually stunning device that might challenge your usual iPhone choice.

    iPhone 17 Pro

    Even with the Air stealing some spotlight, the iPhone 17 Pro isn’t lagging:

    • Keeps the 6.3-inch display but with a new aluminum frame instead of titanium.
    • A larger, rectangular camera bump suggests significant camera upgrades.
    • A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM for unmatched power.
    • 24MP front camera upgrades for better selfies across the lineup.

    iPhone 17 Pro Max

    The Pro Max version will have all the Pro features but with:

    • Enhanced battery life thanks to its bigger size.
    • Possibly a smaller Dynamic Island, which could mean an innovative change in how Face ID works.

    iPhone 17

    The base model remains strong:

    • 24MP front camera like its siblings.
    • A19 chip and 8GB of RAM.
    • Retains the 6.1-inch display.

    It’s set to compete not only within the iPhone family but also with the newly upgraded iPhone SE.

    Wrapping Up

    From high-end to budget options, Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup looks promising, offering something for everyone, whether you’re after performance, design, or value.

  • 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.

  • Wait longer for Apple’s new home device

    Wait longer for Apple’s new home device

    Apple is set to introduce some new gadgets this week, but the one that’s got everyone buzzing, the new ‘HomePad’, isn’t coming out as soon as we hoped, according to Mark Gurman.

    HomePad Release Pushed Back

    Back in November, Gurman gave us a sneak peek at what Apple had in store with its upcoming home product, which I’ve nicknamed the HomePad. He initially hinted at a March release.

    However, his reports have since changed. In January, he suggested that the HomePad might take a bit longer due to some software updates needed for its features. Despite this, there was still hope for a not-too-distant launch.

    But as of this weekend, Gurman’s latest newsletter paints a different picture. He confirms that Apple isn’t rushing this one. They’ve dropped the idea of a March launch, and it now looks like we’ll be waiting for “months” before we see the HomePad on shelves.

    What Does This Mean?

    Firstly, forget about March; it’s not happening. Secondly, while April might still be on the cards, Gurman seems to think we might wait even longer than that.

    Perfect Timing with iOS 18.4

    I’m really looking forward to the HomePad more than any other Apple product this year. The wait might be worth it, especially since iOS 18.4 is due in April, bringing with it some cool new AI features. The HomePad could work great with these updates, especially with a smarter Siri.

    So, although we might have to wait a bit longer, an April launch would be a good match. But, as always with Apple, we’ll just have to see what they have up their sleeves.

    Source