Search results for: “ipad”

  • 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.

  • iOS 18.4 brings a smart way to sort notifications

    iOS 18.4 brings a smart way to sort notifications

    In the latest iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 beta updates, Apple has added a handy new tool called Priority Notifications. This feature helps you see your most important alerts right away by putting them at the top.

    Apple first talked about Priority Notifications back in June when they introduced Apple Intelligence, but it’s only now showing up in these updates. By default, the feature is turned off. If you want to use it, just head to Settings, tap Notifications, find the Prioritize Notifications option, and switch it on with a quick tap.

    Once it’s active, Apple Intelligence steps in to figure out which notifications matter most to you. These could be urgent messages, reminders, or updates you wouldn’t want to miss. The system then places them in a special spot on your Lock Screen, so you don’t have to dig through everything else to find what’s important.

    This simple addition makes it easier to stay on top of things without feeling overwhelmed by a flood of alerts. Whether it’s a text from a loved one or a work email that needs attention, Priority Notifications aims to save you time and keep you focused. It’s a small but smart change that shows how Apple is using its tech to make everyday tasks smoother.

    The feature is still in beta, so it might get even better by the time the full update rolls out. For now, it’s a promising step toward a less cluttered and more helpful notification system. If you’re testing the beta, give it a try and see how it works for you!

  • New food features coming to Apple News+ with iOS 18.4

    New food features coming to Apple News+ with iOS 18.4

    Apple is bringing exciting updates to its Apple News+ service with the release of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. Soon, subscribers will enjoy a fresh section called Apple News+ Food, packed with thousands of recipes, restaurant tales, healthy eating advice, kitchen must-haves, and more.

    The content will be sourced from popular food magazines and websites like Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Good Food, and Serious Eats. These well-known names will fill the section with tasty ideas and helpful tips.

    Apple News editors will handpick the best food stories to share with readers. Plus, there’ll be a special Recipe Catalog area where new dishes are added often. A handy cook mode will guide users through each step of a recipe, making it easy to follow along. Subscribers can also save their favorite recipes to use even without an internet connection.

    This delicious upgrade, Apple News+ Food, will roll out to all Apple News+ users when iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 launch in April. It’s a great way to explore new meals, get cooking inspiration, and learn more about food—all in one place!

  • 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.

  • Possible screen sizes revealed for Apple’s foldable iPhone

    Possible screen sizes revealed for Apple’s foldable iPhone

    Here’s some fresh buzz about Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone! For more than eight years, whispers about a phone that folds in half have floated around. These hints haven’t always matched up, but they show Apple’s been busy testing different designs. The toughest part? Perfecting the hinge. Apple wants the screen to stay smooth with no visible line when it’s unfolded, and they’re working hard to make that happen before selling it.

    Today’s news comes from a Weibo user called Digital Chat Station, who shared details about the screen sizes. They say the foldable iPhone has a 5.49-inch outer screen, a bit like the new Oppo Find N5, but shorter and wider. When you open it up, there’s a bigger 7.74-inch inner screen that spreads out like an iPad. Both screens supposedly have a unique shape that’s different from what we’ve seen before. The leaker claims this phone could hit stores next year or the year after, and a foldable iPad might show up around the same time.

    Should we believe this? Well, Digital Chat Station has been right before about things like the iPhone 12 mini’s screen, the iPhone 15’s better camera, and the iPhone 16 Pro’s size bump. Their guess about when this foldable might launch also lines up with what others are saying. Experts like Ming-Chi Kuo, and Jeff Pu, and reports from The Information and The Wall Street Journal point to late 2026 or early 2027 for Apple’s foldable debut. We’re excited to see if this rumor finally turns into something real! Want more details on Apple’s foldable plans? Check out our special guide for the latest updates.

  • iPhone 17 Air might come with a bigger 6.7-inch screen

    iPhone 17 Air might come with a bigger 6.7-inch screen

    Apple’s upcoming “iPhone 17 Air” could surprise fans with a slightly larger screen than first thought. On a recent episode of the Recycle Bin podcast, tech insider Jon Prosser shared that the iPhone 17 Air will likely have a 6.7-inch display. This is a small jump from earlier rumors pointing to a 6.6-inch screen. Last year, screen expert Ross Young predicted a 6.55-inch display, which rounds up to 6.6 inches. Now, it’s unclear whether the size will land at 6.6 or 6.7 inches—both seem possible.

    Prosser also mentioned that the iPhone 17 Air could be super slim, measuring about 5.64mm thick. That’s not counting the back camera bump, though. Another trusted source, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, had suggested it might be even thinner at 5.5mm. The two numbers are close, so either could turn out to be right.

    Jon Prosser, who runs the YouTube channel Front Page Tech, is a familiar name in the tech world. He’s had some wins and losses with Apple leaks. For example, he nailed the AirTag’s look in 2020, way before its launch, and shared spot-on details about the iPad mini 6. But he missed the mark when he said the Apple Watch Series 7 would have flat sides—something that didn’t happen, though Apple might have toyed with the idea.

    Lately, Prosser has been busy dropping hints about Apple goodies. He’s teased possible designs for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air, plus a rumor that iOS 19 might bring a fresh Camera app styled like visionOS. Fans won’t have to wait too long to find out. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 Air in September. For now, these details are just whispers, but they’re enough to get people excited about what’s next!

  • New iPhone tool helps American airlines find lost bags

    New iPhone tool helps American airlines find lost bags

    American Airlines has joined a handy iPhone feature that lets travelers share the location of their AirTag-tracked bags at airports, as reported by View from the Wing.

    AirTags Make Bag Tracking Simple

    With the iOS 18.2 update, the Find My app now includes a tool to share the location of an AirTag attached to your luggage with others, like airline staff. If your bags go missing or get delayed, this feature helps the airline find them faster—just pop an AirTag in your suitcase!

    American Airlines started using this tool this week, a spokesperson confirmed. Other airlines, such as Delta, United, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa, already support it too.

    Here’s what an American Airlines spokesperson shared with View from the Wing:

    “We’ve added a simple and safe way for customers to share the location of their AirTag or Find My accessory with us. If a bag is delayed on a trip to or from a U.S. airport, customers can create a link using Apple’s Share Item feature on iOS 18.2 or later and send it to us. At the baggage office, they scan a QR code to file a claim and add their details.”

    How the Share Item Tool Works

    If you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or macOS Sequoia 15.2 (or newer), you can make a “Share Item Location” link in the Find My app. Share it with someone, and they’ll see a webpage with a map showing where your item is. The map updates as the item moves. Apple teamed up with airlines to keep this private and secure. Only a few authorized staff can see the link, and they must log in with their Apple Account or work email to view it.

    When Sharing Stops

    The location sharing ends as soon as you get your bag back or after seven days—whichever comes first. Released in December, iOS 18.2 kicked off this feature, and Apple says more airlines will add it soon.

  • 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’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.