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  • Microsoft Defender VPN for Mac and iPhone to end service soon

    Microsoft Defender VPN for Mac and iPhone to end service soon

    If you’re a Mac or iPhone user with a Microsoft 365 subscription, there’s some news you should know. Microsoft has announced that the Defender VPN service will stop working at the end of February 2025. According to a support document from Microsoft, they haven’t given a clear reason, but it looks like not many people were using this feature.

    The document states, “The privacy protection (VPN) feature within Defender will no longer be available after February 28, 2025. We regularly check how our features are used and how well they work. We’ve decided to stop this feature to focus on new areas that will better meet what our customers need.” This change was first noticed by the site Windows Latest.

    For those who don’t know, Microsoft Defender VPN was not widely known because it was only available to Microsoft 365 subscribers in the United Kingdom, the United States, and some US territories. It didn’t expand to other countries.

    Although it provided some privacy protection, it wasn’t helpful for those wanting to access content from different countries, like watching videos not available in their region. This is because, unlike other VPNs like NordVPN, you couldn’t pick which server to connect to; it automatically chose one near your location.

    Source

  • New Powerbeats Pro 2 Coming Soon: What to expect

    New Powerbeats Pro 2 Coming Soon: What to expect

    Apple is set to reveal the Powerbeats Pro 2 on February 11, according to reports. These new earbuds will hit the market for $250 in the U.S.

    The Powerbeats Pro 2 are designed for those who love fitness, offering a more secure fit with adjustable ear hooks, just like their predecessor. They’re expected to include the same H2 chip found in the AirPods Pro 2, which should make their noise cancellation better than before.

    In a sneak peek last year, baseball star Shohei Ohtani was seen sporting the Powerbeats Pro 2, showing off a sleeker and more vertical design compared to the original Powerbeats Pro, which was introduced back in 2019 but is no longer available.

    One of the exciting new features is the ability to monitor your heart rate while exercising. You’ll be able to link these earbuds to gym machines, like a treadmill, to keep an eye on your heart rate, with the info showing up in the iPhone’s Health app.

    We’ve also learned that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will come in fresh colors, with Electric Orange being one of them. This was confirmed by Mark Gurman in his latest newsletter.

    Looking at what Beats has been doing lately, we can expect the Powerbeats Pro 2 to have better sound, last longer on a single charge, and work more smoothly with Android devices, including features like finding lost earbuds. Plus, they’ll likely switch to a USB-C port for charging.

    Get ready for these new earbuds to hit the market soon with their blend of style, performance, and health features tailored for an active lifestyle.

    Source

  • Six Apple Products getting exciting updates in 2025

    Six Apple Products getting exciting updates in 2025

    This year is shaping up to be a big one for Apple, with several products that haven’t seen updates in years finally getting some love. Here’s what to look forward to:

    iPhone SE 4

    Last update: March 2022

    Apple’s next budget iPhone, the iPhone SE 4, is set to bring significant improvements. Expect to see the powerful A18 chip, support for Apple Intelligence, an OLED screen, Face ID, 8GB of RAM, a 48MP camera, USB-C port, and Apple’s first custom 5G modem. This model could be a game-changer when it launches in March.

    AirTag 2

    Last update: April 2021

    Four years after the original, AirTag 2 is on its way. It promises better tracking distance, an enhanced wireless chip, and privacy improvements. Look for it to hit the market mid-year.

    HomePod mini 2

    Last update: November 2020

    The HomePod mini, which has been without a hardware refresh for over four years, is gearing up for an update. While specifics are under wraps, there’s hope for Apple Intelligence support and better syncing with the new ‘HomePad’. Expect it toward the year’s end.

    AirPods Pro 3

    Last update: September 2022

    Although software updates have kept AirPods Pro fresh, a hardware update is due in September. The AirPods Pro 3 will likely feature a new look, the H3 chip, a heart rate sensor, and better noise cancellation.

    Apple Watch SE 3

    Last update: September 2022

    The budget-friendly Apple Watch SE is due for an update, possibly bringing new chips and health sensors. We might see it in spring or with the new iPhones in September.

    New Apple TV 4K

    Last update: November 2022

    Known for its irregular updates, the Apple TV 4K is finally getting a refresh. It’s expected to include a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip and a faster processor, with a possible release in late fall.

    Conclusion

    Not all Apple products get yearly updates, but when they do, they’re significant. These updates are eagerly awaited, promising to bring new features and performance improvements to Apple’s lineup. Here’s to hoping Apple delivers on these exciting promises.

  • Discover the new iPhone 17 Air: Six exciting features coming soon

    Discover the new iPhone 17 Air: Six exciting features coming soon

    This autumn, Apple is introducing a new member to its iPhone family: the iPhone 17 Air. Instead of the usual Plus model, Apple is bringing something fresh that might even win over Pro users. Here’s what you can look forward to with the iPhone 17 Air.

    Super Slim Design

    Inspired by the incredibly thin M4 iPad Pro, the iPhone 17 Air is set to be one of the slimmest iPhones yet. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests it could be as thin as 5.5mm at its narrowest, making it a lot thinner than the current iPhone models, which are around 8.25mm for the Pro and 7.8mm for the standard and Plus versions.

    New 6.6-inch Screen

    The iPhone 17 Air will feature a middle-ground screen size of 6.6 inches, fitting just between the Pro and Pro Max models. This could be the perfect size for anyone who finds the Pro a bit small but the Pro Max a tad too large.

    Always On and Smooth Display

    For the first time, both the base iPhone 17 and the Air are expected to have an Always On display and a high refresh rate. While there’s talk about a possible 90Hz screen, the 17 Air might keep the full 120Hz ProMotion for that extra smooth feel.

    A19 Chip

    The iPhone 17 Air will run on Apple’s new A19 chip, which will also power the base iPhone 17. Although not as advanced as the A19 Pro in the Pro models, it’s still expected to handle everyday tasks, AI, and gaming with ease.

    Single 48MP Back Camera

    The 17 Air will stand out with just one rear camera, a 48MP lens, featuring a unique ‘bar’ design. This design might bring unexpected advantages, but specifics are still under wraps.

    Upgraded 24MP Front Camera

    Moving from 12MP to 24MP, the front camera on the iPhone 17 Air should offer much better selfies and video calls, narrowing the quality gap with the back cameras.

    Apple’s Own 5G Modem

    Exclusively for the iPhone 17 Air, Apple is introducing its own 5G modem. While it might not outpace Qualcomm’s current offerings in speed, Apple’s integrated approach could bring unique connectivity perks.

    The iPhone 17 Air looks set to redefine what we expect from Apple’s lineup, offering a mix of thin design, new tech, and user-friendly features. This fall’s iPhone launch is shaping up to be a highlight.

  • Apple stops making AR Glasses for Mac

    Apple stops making AR Glasses for Mac

    Apple has decided to stop working on augmented reality (AR) glasses that were meant to work with the Mac, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The idea was to make glasses that look normal but could show AR images.

    Apple wanted these AR glasses to be powered by the Mac because the glasses themselves couldn’t hold the big chip needed for AR without getting too hot or heavy. The goal was to have the glasses perform like an iPhone but use much less power. But, they found out that connecting the glasses to an iPhone wasn’t practical due to battery life issues, so they tried using the Mac instead. However, Apple’s leaders didn’t think this was a good long-term plan, so they ended the project.

    These AR glasses were lighter than Apple’s Vision Pro headset, didn’t need a head strap, and didn’t show the wearer’s eyes on the front. They also had lenses that could change color depending on what the user was doing, like signaling to others whether they were busy.

    Apple has been talking about AR glasses for nearly ten years, but the technology isn’t there yet for the kind of glasses they want. Back in 2023, Gurman mentioned that the AR glasses were somewhat of a running gag among the team, working on it just to keep CEO Tim Cook satisfied. In 2017, Cook admitted that the tech for good-quality AR glasses didn’t exist, and it seems that’s still true.

    Even though they’ve stopped the glasses project, Apple is still working on new versions of the Vision Pro, hoping to return to the AR glasses idea when the tech catches up. The glasses were supposed to use tiny projectors to show images and videos to the wearer, and Apple continues to develop special microLED screens that could be used in future AR glasses.

    Meanwhile, Apple’s competitor, Meta, is making its own AR glasses called “Orion,” which are still in the early stages and very expensive to produce. They’re planning to launch them by 2027, the same year Apple had originally aimed for its now-canceled glasses.

  • Apple hits new high in device users, but growth slows down

    Apple hits new high in device users, but growth slows down

    Apple announced today that it now has more people using its devices worldwide than ever before. However, the speed at which new users are joining has decreased from last year.

    Currently, there are 2.35 billion Apple devices in active use around the globe. This number shows growth from last year when Apple reported 2.2 billion devices in February 2024. This year, the growth was 6.8%, which means Apple added 150 million more devices.

    Back in January 2023, Apple celebrated having over 2 billion active devices for the first time. Between 2023 and 2024, they managed to increase this by 200 million devices, which was a 10% growth.

    Apple is looking forward to more growth, especially with the introduction of Apple Intelligence in China. This is planned for April, when the new iOS 18.4 update will support Simplified Chinese and other languages.

    Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, mentioned that the sales of the iPhone 16 have been better than those of the iPhone 15 in places where Apple Intelligence is already available. This shows that new features are still attracting customers, even if the overall growth rate has slowed down.

  • Tim Cook believes iPhones have lots more innovation ahead

    Tim Cook believes iPhones have lots more innovation ahead

    During a recent financial discussion for the first quarter of 2025, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, was quizzed about future iPhone designs. The talk was sparked by whispers about the new “iPhone 17 Air.” Tim Cook usually keeps quiet about upcoming products on these calls, but this time he was upbeat. “We’ve got a lot more in store,” he shared, sounding very hopeful about what’s coming next.

    He confirmed that the iPhone still has plenty of room for new ideas. “There’s still so much we can do with smartphones,” Cook remarked. Word on the street is that Apple is working on an incredibly slim iPhone to take over from the “Plus” version. It’s rumored to be just 5 to 6 millimeters thick, making it the slimmest iPhone ever.

    When asked if the ultra-slim design of the 12.9-inch M4 iPad Pro was boosting iPad sales, Cook clarified that wasn’t the driver. Instead, the iPad Air and the standard iPad were the ones pushing the 15% sales increase over the holiday season.

    This isn’t shocking considering the high price tag on the iPad Pro. There’s mixed chatter about how much the new slim iPhone will cost, but it’s expected to be cheaper than the Pro models. Apple seems set on making it more about design, with plans to use a less powerful chip and only one camera lens.

    This focus on a sleek design while keeping costs down could make the “iPhone 17 Air” a popular choice, offering a new look without breaking the bank.

  • Apple’s Global Reach: Over 2.35 billion devices now active

    Apple’s Global Reach: Over 2.35 billion devices now active

    Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, announced during the latest earnings call that the company now boasts more than 2.35 billion active devices around the world. This update, which covers the first quarter of 2025, marks a new high for the tech giant.

    This impressive figure shows a growth from the last count in February 2024, when Apple reported 2.2 billion active devices. While specific numbers for each type of device weren’t shared, it’s known that Apple has consistently had over a billion iPhones in use globally.

    This growth underscores Apple’s strong presence in the market and its continued popularity among consumers. With products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Apple has managed to keep users engaged and expand its ecosystem significantly. The company’s ability to maintain and increase its active user base is a testament to its innovation and customer loyalty.

  • Apple’s record-breaking quarter in 2025: $124.3B revenue and more

    Apple’s record-breaking quarter in 2025: $124.3B revenue and more

    Apple recently shared its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, discussing performance details with CEO Tim Cook and new CFO Kevan Parekh. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key points from the call:

    iPhone Sales and Apple Intelligence

    While Apple’s services revenue increased, and they saw growth in Mac and iPad sales, iPhone sales dipped slightly. This quarter, iPhones brought in $69.1 billion, less than last year’s $69.7 billion. The new Apple Intelligence feature, introduced in iOS 18, has not yet sparked a big update trend. However, Cook noted that iPhone 16 models are selling better in places where Apple Intelligence is available.

    Cook believes that as more people upgrade to newer iPhones, which support Apple Intelligence, usage will grow. He also mentioned upcoming support for more languages in April, which should help. He finds the email summarization feature invaluable, receiving hundreds of emails daily.

    Best Quarter Ever

    Tim Cook announced that this was Apple’s best quarter yet, with a revenue of $124.3 billion, up by four percent from last year. Apple’s active device count hit a new high at over 2.35 billion worldwide. However, sales in China dropped to $18.5 billion from $20.8 billion last year.

    Services Revenue

    The services sector shone brightly, earning $26.3 billion, a 14 percent jump from the previous year’s $23 billion. They set new records in the Americas, Europe, and other parts of Asia-Pacific, with over a billion paid subscriptions now.

    Mac and iPad Sales

    Mac sales were up to $9 billion from $7.8 billion, thanks to the new M4 models. Both new users and upgraders contributed to this growth. iPads also did well, with a 15 percent sales increase, largely due to the iPad Air and the budget iPad models, with many sales going to first-time iPad buyers.

    Other Notes

    On the topic of DeepSeek and reducing computational costs, Cook sees efficiency-driving innovation positively. Regarding future iPhone designs, he hinted at more innovation to come. With potential tariffs on the horizon, Apple is keeping a close watch but had no further comments.

    Looking Ahead

    For the next quarter, Apple anticipates low to mid single-digit growth in revenue with a gross margin expected between 46.5 and 47.5 percent.

    This earnings call highlights Apple’s ongoing strength in the tech market, even with some challenges like in China, affirming their position as a leader in technology and innovation.

  • Apple tried Intel for iPhone chips, but Tim Cook wasn’t impressed, says TSMC Founder

    Apple tried Intel for iPhone chips, but Tim Cook wasn’t impressed, says TSMC Founder

    TSMC, a big partner for Apple, makes chips for millions of their devices each year. But, according to their founder, there was a time when Intel tried to make chips for the iPhone but didn’t do well enough to impress Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook.

    TSMC Founder Wasn’t Worried About Intel Competition for iPhone Chips

    In a recent conversation on the Acquired podcast, Morris Chang, the founder of TSMC, talked about the history of working with Apple. One key point was back in February 2011 when Intel was considered for producing iPhone chips.

    At that time, Intel already made chips for Apple’s Macs. However, their attempt at iPhone chip production didn’t go as planned. Chang mentions a talk with Jeff Williams, who said, “We need to take a break from our talks for a couple of months because Intel’s top people have approached Tim Cook to discuss making chips for the iPhone.”

    Chang wasn’t too concerned because, in 2011, Intel didn’t have the same strong reputation it once did:

    “Jeff was talking about the iPhone,” Chang said. “I wasn’t too worried because Intel wasn’t the big deal anymore. I had to agree to Jeff’s request, but I wasn’t really concerned.”
    Later, Cook met with Chang over lunch at Apple’s headquarters, where he reassured Chang by saying, “There’s nothing to worry about,” explaining that Intel didn’t have the right know-how to be a chip foundry. Chang found this response brief but reassuring.

    Chang also shared insights on Intel’s customer relations:

    “Before Apple became our customer, I knew many of Intel’s customers in Taiwan, like all the PC makers. None of them were fans of Intel. Intel often acted like they were the only game in town.”
    He added that these customers “all wished there was another supplier.”

    You can view the complete interview for more insights into the tech industry’s past.

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