Search results for: “iphone se 2”

  • Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple is busy working on AirPods that come with cameras, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. Don’t expect to see this in the AirPods Pro 3, which should launch this year. Instead, it’s a plan. Apple wants these earbuds to get smarter about the world around you—here’s why.

    Seeing the World with AirPods

    With the iPhone 16, Apple added a Camera Control button. It’s handy for snapping pictures or tweaking camera options, but it also brought something called Visual Intelligence. This feature helps you figure out what’s around you, like adding a flyer’s event to your calendar or asking Google or ChatGPT about something confusing.

    Gurman says Apple wants AirPods to do similar things. Imagine tiny cameras on your earbuds using artificial intelligence to “see” your surroundings and tell you about them. It’s like having smart glasses but without the glasses! You can ask Siri what’s nearby without even touching your iPhone.

    Better Sound Experience

    Ming-Chi Kuo, a supply chain expert, thinks these cameras could team up with other Apple gadgets, like the Vision Pro headset. They might improve how you hear sounds around you, especially with spatial audio. For example, if you’re watching a video with Vision Pro and turn your head, the sound could shift to match where you’re looking, making it feel more real. Kuo even suggests the cameras might let you control the AirPods with hand gestures in the air—pretty cool, though it sounds a bit unusual!

    When Can We Get Them?

    Bloomberg reports that these camera-equipped AirPods won’t arrive until at least 2027, possibly with the AirPods Pro 4. Apple might also launch smart glasses around then, similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans. The goal? To make use of the Visual Intelligence tech from Vision Pro, which scans your surroundings and gives helpful info.

    In short, Apple’s cooking up something exciting with AirPods. Cameras could make them smarter and more connected to your world, blending sound and sight in fresh ways. Stay tuned for more as 2027 gets closer!

  • 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).
  • Apple’s AI delays spark worry among leaders

    Apple’s AI delays spark worry among leaders

    Apple made big promises about its new AI features, called Apple Intelligence, when it launched the iPhone 16. However, those tools didn’t show up as planned. Months have passed, and the company keeps pushing back the release. Now, Apple’s top leaders, including Craig Federighi, are growing anxious.

    Recently, Apple shared that its upgraded Siri and other AI features won’t arrive until at least 2026—long after the iPhone 17 hits stores. This means the iPhone 16 won’t have the full experience Apple hyped up. Some tools, like summarizing notifications and editing photos, did launch, but they’re clunky and underwhelming. It seems Apple rushed them out to keep up with the AI trend, and the results have grabbed attention for all the wrong reasons.

    The company’s bosses aren’t happy. Craig Federighi, who leads Apple’s software team, and other executives are speaking up after the latest delay news. This mess has turned into a huge headache for Apple’s image. Fans and the media are frustrated—even loyal Apple users complain online, saying the iPhone 16 feels unfinished.

    Apple Intelligence was meant to transform how people use their iPhones and other devices. It promised to fetch info fast and organize your day like a smart buddy. Instead, users are stuck with weak tools that don’t stack up to competitors. Rumors are swirling that Apple might ditch its current AI plans and start over. If that’s true, the 2026 goal could slip even further.

    This isn’t just about broken promises—it’s about timing. By the time Apple gets its AI ready, other companies might be miles ahead. For now, iPhone 16 buyers are left waiting for features they expected while Apple scrambles to fix its AI stumble.

  • Two new Apple gadgets coming this spring

    Two new Apple gadgets coming this spring

    Apple just finished a busy week of showing off new stuff, but it’s not done yet! Two exciting products are set to arrive this spring. Let’s take a look at what’s on the way.

    AirTag 2: The Next Step for Apple’s Tracker

    The first AirTag came out nearly four years ago, back in early 2021. Over time, Apple has added better privacy features and small updates through software. But now, it’s time for a real upgrade with new hardware.

    The word is that AirTag 2 will show up around May or June. People say it’ll have three big improvements:

    • A stronger signal to find it from farther away
    • A fresh wireless chip
    • Better privacy protection

    We don’t know all the details yet, but one privacy boost stands out: Apple plans to make the speaker tougher to take out. This should stop people from using it in sneaky ways, like tracking someone without permission.

    ‘HomePad’: A Cool New Smart Screen for Your Home

    The product I’m most excited about in 2025 is Apple’s ‘HomePad’—a brand-new smart display. It was supposed to come out in March, but now it’s looking more like April or later. HomePad will fit right in with Apple TV 4K and HomePod, kicking off a fresh category for Apple’s home gadgets.

    It’ll run on a new system called homeOS, blending handy tools like widgets, home controls, and apps such as Photos, Music, and Notes. You’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips around the house. There were big plans for Siri upgrades with HomePad, but Apple says those might wait. So, they could launch it first and add the fancy Siri stuff later.

    Wrapping Up Apple’s Spring Plans

    Apple’s already had a big year with the iPhone 16e, M4 MacBook Air, Mac Studio, M3 iPad Air, and A16 iPad. Now, AirTag 2 and HomePad will keep the excitement going this spring. After that, Apple’s fall lineup—like the iPhone 17 Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3—will take center stage. It’s shaping up to be a packed year!

  • Apple pushes new Siri features to iOS 19 after delay

    Apple pushes new Siri features to iOS 19 after delay

    Apple recently shared some news that has left fans waiting longer for exciting Siri upgrades. The company said it needs more time to finish some cool new features for Siri, part of its Apple Intelligence plans. It now looks like these updates won’t arrive until iOS 19, instead of the current iOS 18.

    In a short statement, Apple explained that Siri has already improved a lot in the last six months. It can chat better, answer questions about products, and even connect with ChatGPT. But the bigger changes—like making Siri smarter about your stuff and helping with tasks across apps—are taking longer to get right. Apple hinted these might roll out “in the coming year,” which could mean anytime in the next 12 months or as late as 2026.

    This vague timeline has sparked guesses. Some think “the coming year” ties to Apple’s big WWDC event in mid-2025, pointing to an iOS 19 launch in September 2025 with new iPhones. Others, including tech writer John Gruber, agree this sounds like a shift to iOS 19. News outlets like Reuters and CNBC even reported a 2026 delay, and Apple hasn’t corrected them, making the iOS 19 theory stronger.

    These delayed features were first shown at WWDC 2024, with hopes they’d hit iOS 18—maybe in updates like iOS 18.4. Now, it seems they’re set for iOS 19, or perhaps a later tweak like iOS 19.2. The upgrades promise a Siri that remembers your emails, photos, and more, plus better app control.

    Apple also pulled an ad for the iPhone 16 that showed off this unreleased Siri skill. In it, actor Bella Ramsey asked Siri to recall a name from a past meeting, and Siri nailed it fast. But with the delay confirmed, Apple quietly removed the ad from YouTube. Two other ads about email and photo features are still up, though.

    The wait might stretch further. Some insiders, like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, say these Siri tools could slip to 2026 or even get reworked entirely. For now, Apple’s keeping things flexible, but fans are eager for a smarter Siri—whenever it arrives.

  • What new Apple gadgets to look forward to this summer

    What new Apple gadgets to look forward to this summer

    Apple recently shared news about its budget-friendly iPhone 16e, along with fresh MacBook Air and Mac Studio models powered by M4 and M3 Ultra chips. With those out of the way, let’s take a peek at what else might pop up from Apple this summer.

    Apple’s Summer 2025 Highlights

    We’re crossing our fingers for updates in at least three product areas before summer ends. Nothing’s set in stone, but here’s what’s on our radar.

    Smart Home Hub

    Apple’s cooking up a new gadget to control your smart home, kind of like a central command station. Picture an iPad-style device that could hit shelves as early as 2025, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. That said, he’s hinted that delays might push it later into the year, tied to updates in iOS 18.4 or iOS 19. Another expert, Kuo, predicts a release between April and September 2025. Gurman added in February that it’s still a few months off.

    Mac Pro

    The Mac Pro is due for a summer 2025 refresh, per Gurman. Originally, folks thought it’d get the shiny new M4 Ultra chip, but the recent M3 Ultra launch in the Mac Studio has people second-guessing. Apple’s M4 Max chip doesn’t support a beefier Ultra version down the road, so the next Mac Pro might stick with the M3 Ultra—Apple’s fastest chip yet, they say.

    AirTag 2

    Apple’s planning a new AirTag for mid-2025, Gurman reports, though another source bets on May or June. This upgraded tracker will boast a better chip for pinpointing locations, possibly the second-gen Ultra Wideband chip from the iPhone 15. To tackle stalking concerns, the speaker will be harder to yank out. The look won’t change much, but its range might stretch further for sharper tracking.

    iOS 19

    Apple will show off iOS 19 at its June 2025 developer event, with a full rollout in September alongside the iPhone 17. The word is that iOS 18 work is slowing iOS 19 down, so new features might trickle out like they did this year. One rumor hints at a Camera app redo with a visionOS-inspired style—think see-through buttons and a focus on content. A smarter Siri is in the works, too, but it might not arrive until iOS 20, says Gurman.

  • 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.

  • Apple’s big foldable phone: Coming Soon?

    Apple’s big foldable phone: Coming Soon?

    People who watch Apple closely are saying something interesting: Apple might be making a phone that folds open like a book. This isn’t just a rumor; a well-known analyst, someone who knows a lot about Apple’s plans, believes it’s happening.

    This foldable phone is expected to be big, like a small tablet, when you open it up. Imagine a regular phone, but you can unfold it to get a much larger screen! That’s the idea. Now, it’s not going to happen tomorrow. The people who know about this think we won’t see this foldable iPhone until 2025. That’s a while away, but it means Apple is working on something big.

    Why is this exciting? Well, foldable phones are a new type of gadget. They let you have a big screen in a smaller, easier-to-carry device. Apple is known for making things that are easy to use and look good, so if they make a foldable phone, it could be cool.

    Of course, things can change. Plans can change, and Apple might decide to do something different. But right now, it looks like a big foldable iPhone is on the way. What does this mean for us? It means we might have a new way to use our phones in the future.

    We might watch videos, read books, or play games on a big screen that fits in our pocket. And because it’s Apple, it’s likely to be something special. So, keep your eyes open. In a couple of years, we might see Apple’s version of a foldable phone, and it could change how we use our devices.

    Source

  • SwitchBot introduces budget-friendly smart roller shades with Apple Home features

    SwitchBot introduces budget-friendly smart roller shades with Apple Home features

    SwitchBot, the company behind my go-to Find My wallet tracker, has just released an exciting new product: the SwitchBot Roller Shade. These smart blinds bring affordable and flexible window solutions to your home.

    The Roller Shade stands out as one of the lower-cost smart blinds you can buy. Plus, it comes with an adjustable bar that fits window widths from 22.8 to 72.8 inches. While you’ll need to trim the fabric, the shade’s box slides in and out for a perfect fit—no need to stress about exact measurements before buying.

    Want to refresh your room’s look? You can swap out the shade fabric easily to match your style. You might even reuse your existing curtains and just add the motor part to turn them into smart blinds.

    If you own a SwitchBot Hub 2, these shades connect to the Apple Home app through Matter support. (Note: The hub is a must—they don’t work with Matter on their own.) Once linked, you can use the Apple Home app or Siri on your iPhone, HomePod, or other Apple devices to control them. A handy slider lets you set how far the shade rolls down, and you can add them to automations—like raising them at sunrise or lowering them at night.

    The shades come with a built-in battery that lasts up to eight months per charge, making them fully wireless. Or, for a hands-off option, attach a solar panel to keep them powered without ever plugging in. Visit SwitchBot’s website for more details. Priced at $199, these shades are a steal in the smart home world, especially with a discount of over $70 available online right now. It’s a simple, budget-friendly way to upgrade your windows with smart tech!

  • Apple resists UK’s push for iCloud access

    Apple resists UK’s push for iCloud access

    Apple has taken a bold step by filing a legal challenge with the UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal. This move aims to block the UK government’s request for secret access to private iCloud data, according to the Financial Times.

    iCloud Privacy vs. UK Rules

    Earlier this year, the UK demanded that Apple create a hidden way—called a backdoor—to access encrypted information stored in iCloud by users around the world. The UK based this order on its Investigatory Powers Act. Apple, however, refused to follow through. Instead, it pulled a security feature called Advanced Data Protection from the UK. This tool gives iPhone, iPad, and Mac users strong encryption for their iCloud files, keeping them private.

    Apple is ready to stand firm against the UK to safeguard user privacy. The legal fight it started could be reviewed in court as early as this month. Due to strict UK laws, Apple can’t openly talk about the government’s order, so the case might happen quietly, out of the public eye.

    What’s at Stake?

    Apple has warned before that it would rather stop offering some iCloud services in the UK than weaken its security. For now, it’s only removed Advanced Data Protection, but other popular tools like FaceTime and iMessage could also disappear if the UK keeps pushing. The government says it needs this access to tackle terrorism and child abuse cases.

    Apple has a history of resisting such demands. Back in 2016, it fought the U.S. government when asked to unlock an iPhone tied to a shooting in San Bernardino, California. After a big legal clash, Apple held its ground. Interestingly, the U.S. now supports strong encryption to shield users from foreign cyber threats.

    A Bigger Picture

    The U.S. is also checking if the UK’s request breaks the CLOUD Act, a law that stops the UK from seeking data on American users—and the other way around. This could spark more tension between the two nations over privacy rules.