Search results for: “iPhone”

  • Apple stops new iOS 18.4 and watchOS 11.4 test updates for some devices

    Apple stops new iOS 18.4 and watchOS 11.4 test updates for some devices

    Today, Apple halted the watchOS 11.4 beta 1 update for all Apple Watch Series 6 users, meaning they can’t try out this early version anymore. This info comes from Aaron Perris on X. Apple also paused iOS and iPadOS 18.4 beta 1 for certain iPhones and iPads.

    watchOS 11.4 Beta Removed

    Apple rolled out the watchOS 11.4 beta just yesterday, along with iOS 18.4 beta, visionOS 2.4 beta, and others. While those updates brought some cool new stuff, it’s not clear what was different about watchOS 11.4 beta.

    Two people on the r/watchOSbeta subreddit said their Apple Watches stopped working after installing it. One mentioned they had a Series 6, but the other didn’t say which model. Because of this, Apple likely decided to pull the update. Aaron says this affects all Series 6 versions: GPS (40mm and 44mm) and GPS + Cellular (40mm and 44mm).

    iOS and iPadOS 18.4 Beta Stopped Too

    Apple also blocked iOS 18.4 beta 1 for several devices, like most iPhone 12 models, some 2020 iPads, and the cellular versions of the latest iPad Air. People noticed their devices kept restarting after the update, though the exact problem isn’t clear. Here’s the list of affected devices:

    • iPhone 12 Pro
    • iPhone 12 Pro Max
    • iPhone 12 mini
    • iPad 8 (Cellular)
    • iPad Air 4 (Wi-Fi)
    • iPad Air 4 (Cellular)
    • iPad Air 11-inch (M2) (Cellular)
    • iPad Air 13-inch (M2) (Cellular)

    Hopefully, Apple will fix these issues and bring the betas back soon. It’s funny how most of the devices having trouble came out in 2020. For now, users with these gadgets will have to wait a bit longer for the next test versions.

  • What’s fresh in iOS 18.4 Beta 1

    What’s fresh in iOS 18.4 Beta 1

    Apple just dropped the first iOS 18.4 beta for developers to try out. It doesn’t have all the Apple Intelligence goodies we were expecting, but there are still some cool updates worth checking out.

    Priority Notifications

    There’s a new feature called Priority Notifications that puts your most urgent alerts at the top. It’s off by default, but you can switch it on in Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications. Once it’s active, Apple Intelligence will highlight key notifications on your Lock Screen.

    Image Playground Gets Sketchy

    Image Playground now has a Sketch style, adding to Animation and Illustration. It used to be just for Image Wand, but now you can pick it as a third option. Switch styles by hitting the “+” button in the app. Plus, the “Winter Holidays” theme is gone, replaced with a fresh “Spring” vibe.

    More Languages for Apple Intelligence

    New languages include French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese. There’s also local English for Singapore and India.

    Apple News+ Food Section

    For Apple News+ users, iOS 18.4 brings a Food section packed with recipes, restaurant stories, healthy eating tips, and kitchen must-haves. Big names like Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, and Serious Eats contribute content. You’ll find a Recipe Catalog that updates often, a cook mode with step-by-step help, and an option to save recipes offline.

    Chill with Ambient Music

    A new Ambient Music feature lets you add soothing sounds to Control Center. Choose from Sleep, Chill, Productivity, or Wellbeing. Tap one, and it plays random tunes from that vibe. Skip tracks or see what’s playing via Dynamic Island or the Now Playing widget.

    Mail Gets Organized on iPad

    iPadOS 18.4 upgrades the Mail app with categories. Important emails land in the Primary section, while others sort into deals, newsletters, orders, or social updates. This was already on iPhone with iOS 18.2.

    Privacy Dots Stand Out

    Those tiny dots showing camera or microphone use? They’re now on the left of the menu bar with a bold black background, making them easier to spot.

    Siri’s New Accents

    Siri gets two fresh Australian voices to mix things up.

    Genmoji Gets Clearer

    The Genmoji icon on the Emoji keyboard now says “Genmoji” instead of just a colorful smiley, so it’s simpler to find and use.

  • Updated Mail app with simple sorting hits Mac and iPad

    Updated Mail app with simple sorting hits Mac and iPad

    Apple rolled out the first iPadOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4 betas today, bringing the refreshed Mail app to iPad and Mac users for developers to try.

    What’s New in the Mail App on Mac

    The updated Mail app now sorts your emails automatically into neat groups. The most urgent messages land in the Primary category. Other emails get split into sections like shopping orders, newsletters, special offers, and social updates.

    There’s a handy “Transactions” area that gathers receipts, order details, and delivery updates. This makes it super simple to track purchases and shipping info. Then, there’s an “Updates” section for things like newsletters, doctor appointment reminders, and subscription messages. Plus, a “Promotions” category holds emails about sales and deals.

    When you open the app after the update, this grouped view is what you’ll see first. But if you prefer the old-school style, just tap the top-right corner to switch to a basic list of all emails in order by date—no categories. If your device supports Apple Intelligence, the Primary inbox will highlight key emails so you can focus on what matters most. Time-sensitive messages from Transactions, Updates, or Promotions will also pop up in Primary.

    Apple already added this email-sorting feature to the iPhone with iOS 18.2. Now, it’s available on Mac and iPad too, making it easier to stay on top of your inbox across all your devices.

  • iOS 18.4 brings a cool background music tool

    iOS 18.4 brings a cool background music tool

    The latest iOS 18.4 update introduces a neat feature called Ambient Music, which you can add to your Control Center. It comes with four fun sound options: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.

    Each option can be placed in the Control Center on its own. When you tap one, it starts playing a mix of sounds or tunes from that group randomly.

    You can’t pick the exact sound or song right from the Control Center. But if you start playing one of these categories, you can tap the Dynamic Island at the top of your screen or check the Now Playing widget. From there, you can skip to the next track and see what’s playing.

    There isn’t a special app just for this feature. However, Apple has tucked away a hidden tool that lets you skip tracks and manage the music a bit more. This Ambient Music feature works on both iPhones and iPads running iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4. It’s a simple way to enjoy some background vibes, whether you’re relaxing, working, or winding down for the night.

  • What new Apple gadgets are coming this spring?

    What new Apple gadgets are coming this spring?

    Apple just revealed its budget-friendly iPhone 16e, and now everyone’s curious about what’s next. This spring, we’re expecting some exciting updates from Apple. Let’s dive into the products we’re pretty sure will get a refresh before the season ends. Plus, there’s a chance Apple might surprise us with something new!

    M4 MacBook Air

    The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air laptops are getting a boost with the speedy M4 chip. Don’t expect a new look—the focus is all about power. Tech insider Mark Gurman says these refreshed MacBook Airs are “almost here,” likely hitting stores later this spring. With stock running low in Apple stores, the launch could be super close!

    iPad Air

    The iPad Air is up for an upgrade, possibly with an M3 or M4 chip. It might also come with a cheaper Magic Keyboard made for affordable iPads. Rumors are mixed—some say it’ll get the M3 (a bit older than the iPad Pro’s M4), while Gurman hints it could jump to the M4. A trusted source from January backs the M3 idea. No big design changes are expected, and Gurman says it’s coming soon.

    Budget-Friendly iPad

    Apple’s working on an 11th-generation iPad with a faster chip and Wi-Fi 6E support. It’ll likely include the new C1 modem chip from the iPhone 16e. Gurman reports it’ll run on the A17 Pro chip—found in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPad mini 7. This chip powers Apple Intelligence, so the iPad should have at least 8GB of RAM to handle those cool AI features. Shipments reportedly started in December, so it’s on the way!

    Smart Home Hub

    Apple’s cooking up a gadget to control your smart home, like a central “Command Center.” This iPad-style device might launch as early as 2025, per Gurman. But he also warns it could slip to later in the year because it needs updates from iOS 18.4 or iOS 19. Analyst Kuo predicts a release in mid-to-late 2025. For now, Gurman says it’s still a few months off. Spring’s shaping up to be a big season for Apple fans—stay tuned!

  • When will Apple launch iOS 18.4?

    When will Apple launch iOS 18.4?

    After rolling out the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its websites for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. These updates give a clearer idea of when the next big releases are coming.

    What’s New with iOS 18

    The websites now say that fresh Apple Intelligence features and support for more languages will arrive in early April. This is a sharper timeline compared to the vague “April” hint Apple shared earlier. The upcoming updates—iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4—are the ones to watch for.

    Apple has big plans for these releases. They’ll bring Apple Intelligence to languages like Chinese (Simplified), English (India and Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. More languages, such as Vietnamese, will join the list later in 2025.

    So far, Apple hasn’t shared the first test versions (betas) of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or macOS Sequoia 15.4. But people expect them to drop soon—maybe any day now.

    A Small Hiccup

    Originally, the April updates were set to include new Siri features powered by Apple Intelligence. However, Apple might push these back a bit. They’re still smoothing out some issues and want to make sure everything works just right. In short, early April is the time to mark on your calendar for these exciting updates. Apple’s working hard to bring smarter features and more language options to your devices!

  • 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.

  • Testing begins for iOS 18.5 as Siri’s new features might face delays

    Testing begins for iOS 18.5 as Siri’s new features might face delays

    Apple has started testing iOS 18.5 internally since early February, according to visitor logs from MacRumors. This news comes as a surprise because of recent reports about possible delays in Apple’s plans for Siri’s new smart features.

    Normally, spotting iOS 18.5 in testing wouldn’t stand out. However, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg recently shared that Apple might push back or limit some of Siri’s upcoming Apple Intelligence upgrades until iOS 18.5. The reason? Bugs and other technical challenges are slowing things down.

    These new Siri features were first expected to launch with iOS 18.4. They include things like understanding what’s on your screen, knowing more about your details, and giving better control within apps. For instance, at WWDC 2024, Apple showed how Siri could check a user’s mom’s flight details or lunch plans by pulling info from emails and texts.

    The first iOS 18.4 beta should come out this week. Gurman says some of Siri’s smart features might still make it into iOS 18.4, but they could be off by default. There’s also a chance Apple will add them in later beta versions to give developers more time to fix issues.

    Apple’s website hints that iOS 18.4 will be available in April after beta testing. However, with the reported bugs and possible delays in Siri’s upgrades, this timeline might change. Looking ahead, the first iOS 18.5 beta is expected in April, with a full release likely in May, following Apple’s usual update pattern. To use Apple Intelligence, you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model.

    Source

  • Apple’s Big 2025 Start: What’s coming this week?

    Apple’s Big 2025 Start: What’s coming this week?

    Apple is all set to reveal its first big product of 2025 this Wednesday. The company’s CEO, Tim Cook, shared the news on social media last week. Although we don’t have all the details yet, there’s a good chance it’s the new iPhone SE.

    New iPhone SE: What to Expect

    Based on what we’ve heard, the new iPhone SE might be the star of the show. Here’s what’s likely coming:

    • A larger 6.1-inch OLED screen
      A switch to USB-C for charging
    • A high-quality 48MP back camera
    • Face ID for unlocking your phone
    • And it might be the first iPhone with Apple’s own 5G modem

    There’s talk that Apple might give this iPhone SE a new name, calling it the iPhone 16E. Tim Cook hinted that “the newest member of the family” is on the way, which could mean this new naming might happen.

    Other Possible Reveals

    Apart from the iPhone, Apple could surprise us with:

    • A new MacBook Air with the latest M4 chip
    • An 11th generation iPad with the A17 Pro chip, bringing new smart features
    • An iPad Air with the M3 chip and a new Magic Keyboard

    These might not launch right away but could be part of the early-year announcements.

    Don’t Hold Your Breath For

    While Apple has lots planned for 2025, some products won’t make it to the early launch:

    • AirTag 2, expected around mid-2025, will offer better tracking
    • A new smart home hub, possibly named ‘HomePad’, might be delayed beyond March
    • High-end computers like the M4 Ultra Mac Studio and Mac Pro are slated for a summer reveal at WWDC.

    So, keep your eyes peeled for Wednesday’s event; it’s shaping up to be an exciting start to Apple’s 2025 product lineup.

  • New MacBook Air with M4 chip coming soon

    New MacBook Air with M4 chip coming soon

    Apple is gearing up to release new MacBook Air models equipped with the latest M4 chip by March, at the very latest, according to insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This timeline aligns with last year’s launch of the M3 MacBook Air.

    MacBook Air in Blue

    Gurman shared these details in his recent Power On newsletter, although he hasn’t pinned down the precise launch date for the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs. Just a week ago, he hinted that the new models would hit the market “within weeks.”

    There’s been buzz about these new MacBook Airs for some time. Initially, they were expected to be Apple’s first big reveal of the new year. However, the spotlight might now go to the iPhone SE 4, which is set to be unveiled this Wednesday.

    Apple actually gave us a sneak peek of these upcoming M4 MacBook Airs back in December. When they released the macOS Sequoia 15.2 update, it included references to new machines listed as “Mac16,12” and “Mac16,13.” These codes hinted at the “MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)” and “MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025).”

    Since that discovery, everyone’s been waiting for these new MacBook Airs to drop. Gurman also noted last week that supplies of the current M3 MacBook Airs are running low, which usually means new models are on their way.

    Source