Search results for: “iphone se”

  • Apple’s iCloud hiccup and Invites App update

    Apple’s iCloud hiccup and Invites App update

    Apple faced a hiccup with its iCloud services, causing trouble for some users. According to Apple’s System Status page, services like iCloud Mail, Photos, iWork, and account sign-ins were affected, starting around 2:36 p.m. Eastern Time. Users reported issues like being unable to access files or photos or facing slow syncing.

    The Find My service was briefly down but fixed by 6:41 p.m. Eastern Time. However, other services continued to have problems, leaving some users frustrated as they couldn’t access their data smoothly. Apple is working to resolve these issues, but no clear reason for the outage has been shared yet.

    In brighter news, Apple updated its Invites app to version 1.3, adding a bunch of new background options for event planning. The app, launched earlier in 2025, helps users organize events like pool parties or game nights with custom invitations.

    The new backgrounds make invites more fun and fitting for different occasions, from casual hangouts to big celebrations. While the app supports creating AI-generated backgrounds with Image Playground, these new built-in options are especially helpful for users with older iPhones that don’t support Apple Intelligence.

    You need an iCloud+ subscription, starting at $0.99 per month, to create events, but anyone can RSVP, even without an iPhone, using a web browser. The update makes event planning more colorful and user-friendly.

  • New iOS 26 tool hints at AirPods Pro 3 with cameras

    New iOS 26 tool hints at AirPods Pro 3 with cameras

    Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 update brings a cool feature that might show AirPods Pro 3 could have cameras. The new tool, called Camera Remote, allows you to use AirPods to take photos or record videos on your iPhone. You just tap or hold the AirPods stem to control the camera, much like the Apple Watch’s camera app.

    This feature stands out because it’s tucked into a new iOS 26 settings menu labeled “Camera Control,” with no other options yet. This makes it seem like Apple is planning something big, possibly for AirPods Pro 3. Rumors suggest these earbuds, expected in 2025 or 2026, might include cameras. Analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo say they could have infrared cameras, while Mark Gurman hints at AI-powered features to understand your surroundings.

    With cameras, AirPods Pro 3 could let you capture your environment by tapping the stem, then use AI to give you info through your earbuds. If Apple adds full photo features, tapping once might take a picture, while holding could activate smart visual tools, similar to the iPhone’s Camera Control button. The Camera Remote tool in iOS 26 feels like a clue that Apple is getting ready for AirPods Pro 3 with cameras.

  • Apple’s Latest Updates: macOS Tahoe, iOS 26, and China subsidy program

    Apple’s Latest Updates: macOS Tahoe, iOS 26, and China subsidy program

    Apple recently rolled out exciting updates for its users. The second beta of macOS Tahoe, released on June 24, 2025, now lets developers test AirPods firmware updates directly on a Mac. To try it, connect your AirPods, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, select your AirPods, and toggle on beta updates.

    This feature, already available on iPhone and iPad with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, will open to public beta testers in July, making it easier to explore new AirPods features like better call audio and studio-quality recording. Meanwhile, iOS 26’s beta introduces a fresh Clock app design with a bigger time display and larger Stop and Snooze buttons.

    However, this redesign might make it easier to accidentally tap Stop instead of Snooze when you’re groggy, going against earlier Apple research that favored different-sized buttons to avoid mistakes. Users can now customize snooze times from 1 to 15 minutes, a handy tweak from the fixed nine-minute snooze.

    In other news, Apple has joined China’s subsidy program to boost iPhone sales. By offering discounts through platforms like JD.com and Tmall, Apple aims to compete better in the world’s largest smartphone market, where local brands like Huawei are strong. This move follows a 40% sales drop in early 2025, showing Apple’s push to stay competitive with price cuts and trade-in offers.
    These updates show Apple’s focus on improving user experience and staying competitive globally.

  • Apple’s chip switch and digital id in Japan

    Apple’s chip switch and digital id in Japan

    Five years ago, Apple shared big news at its 2020 WWDC event: it would start using its chips, called Apple silicon, in Macs, moving away from Intel processors. This change began with the M1 chip, which brought better speed and battery life to devices like the MacBook Air and Mac mini.

    Since then, Apple has rolled out newer chips, like the M4 and M5, making its computers faster and more efficient. The switch has been a game-changer, letting Apple control both the hardware and software for smoother performance.

    By June 2025, all new Macs will use Apple silicon, and older Intel-based Macs will stop getting full macOS updates after macOS Tahoe, though security updates will continue for a few years. In another update, Apple announced that Japan’s My Number Card can now be added to the Wallet app on iPhones running iOS 18.5 or later, starting with the iPhone XS.

    This digital ID lets users verify their identity or age at places like airports or stores without a physical card. It’s a step toward making life easier with contactless options, similar to how some U.S. states let residents add driver’s licenses to the Wallet app. This feature is rolling out slowly but shows Apple’s push to make the iPhone a one-stop tool for everyday needs. Both changes highlight Apple’s focus on improving its devices and making them more useful in daily life, whether through powerful chips or handy digital IDs.

  • New features in iOS 26 beta 2

    New features in iOS 26 beta 2

    Apple’s iOS 26 beta 2 brings exciting updates for iPhone users, making the experience smoother and more user-friendly. The Safari browser gets a fix for a design issue from the first beta, moving the new tab icon to a better spot for easier navigation. This change makes browsing more intuitive and less frustrating.

    The update hints at the iPhone 17 Air, a possible new model with a unique display size, expected to launch this fall. This suggests Apple is preparing for a big reveal alongside the iOS 26 public release in September. The Wallet app now fully supports order tracking, a feature announced at WWDC.

    Siri can scan your emails to track orders from any retailer, not just those using Apple Pay. This makes it easier to keep tabs on your purchases right from your iPhone. A fresh ringtone, “Alt 1” for the Reflection sound, is available in the Settings app under Sounds & Haptics.

    It’s a new take on the classic iPhone ringtone, offering a modern vibe. The Control Center also gets a tweak, with a darker look for better visibility, making controls easier to see in different lighting.
    Other neat additions include a Live Radio widget for Apple Music and an Accessibility section in the App Store, where developers can highlight their app’s accessibility features. These updates show Apple’s focus on improving usability and personalization for all users.

  • iOS 26 beta 2 improves control center look

    iOS 26 beta 2 improves control center look

    Apple has released the second beta of iOS 26 for developers, focusing on fixing issues with the Control Center’s design. The update tackles complaints about the “Liquid Glass” style, which some users found hard to read. Now, the Control Center has a darker blur effect, making icons and text clearer.

    A new “Alt 1” option also appears, though its purpose isn’t fully explained yet. This beta refines the overall look of iOS 26, keeping the transparent, glossy design but making it easier on the eyes. Other small tweaks improve how the interface feels, ensuring buttons and menus are more user-friendly.

    Apple is listening to feedback, aiming to balance style with practicality. The update also hints at new Wi-Fi features like Captive Assist and Wi-Fi Aware, which were spotted in the first beta’s code. These could make connecting to networks smoother, but they’re not active yet. Developers can test the beta on iPhone 15 and 16 models through the Settings app.

    A public beta is expected in July, with the full release set for September alongside new iPhones.
    This beta shows Apple’s effort to polish iOS 26’s bold design while keeping it functional. If you’re testing it, you’ll notice a cleaner, more readable Control Center that still looks modern and sleek.

  • What’s new for CarPlay in iOS 26

    What’s new for CarPlay in iOS 26

    Apple’s iOS 26 brings a fresh and exciting update to CarPlay, making it the biggest change in years. Here’s what you can look forward to this fall when you update your iPhone.
    CarPlay gets a sleek new design called “Liquid Glass” look. This gives app icons and menus a modern, smooth appearance.

    You can pick from Light, Dark, or Clear styles to match your vibe, with the Clear option offering a few extra tweaks. Want to see the designs? Check out the gallery on Apple’s website. Widgets are finally coming to standard CarPlay, not just the premium CarPlay Ultra.

    These handy tools let you see quick info at a glance. Plus, you can now use Live Activities to track updates like food deliveries without leaving your map. Your favorite apps are getting car-friendly improvements. In Messages, you can use Tapbacks to reply with a quick emoji and pin important chats.

    The Phone app now shows calls in a small pop-up, so your navigation stays clear. If your car has a touchscreen, Apple Maps lets you zoom and move around with pinch gestures for the first time. A cool feature called “Smart Display Zoom” adjusts your screen’s use of pace, fitting more on the display or keeping things big and easy to tap.

    You can also make the text size larger for better readability. This iOS 26 makes CarPlay more stylish, safer, and easier to use. Which feature are you most excited about? Let us know your thoughts!

  • Jetblue makes finding lost bags easier with AirTag support

    Jetblue makes finding lost bags easier with AirTag support

    JetBlue has introduced a new way to help travelers keep track of their luggage using Apple’s AirTag. With the latest iOS 18.2 update, iPhone users can now share the location of their AirTag-equipped bags with JetBlue’s baggage team if their luggage gets lost or delayed at the airport. This feature, added to the Find My app, lets customers create a secure link to share their bag’s location, making it easier for the airline to find and return it quickly.

    To use this feature, travelers can generate a “Share Item Location” link on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac through the Find My app. They can share this link with JetBlue by scanning a QR code at the baggage claim area or by working with a staff member at the airport’s Baggage Service Office. The shared location stops automatically once the bag is returned or after seven days for privacy.

    JetBlue also launched a mobile app update that gives real-time updates on checked bags, so customers can follow their luggage’s journey from check-in to arrival. This builds on JetBlue’s strong baggage handling record, ranked second in the U.S. in 2024 by the Department of Transportation. These tools aim to give travelers peace of mind and make the process of recovering lost bags faster and simpler.

  • New features in iOS 26 beta: Apple Intelligence outage and a hidden ringtone feature

    New features in iOS 26 beta: Apple Intelligence outage and a hidden ringtone feature

    Apple has started testing iOS 26 with its latest beta release, bringing some interesting updates for iPhone users. One of the main additions is the introduction of “Apple Intelligence,” Apple’s new artificial intelligence features. However, in this beta version, Apple Intelligence is not fully available yet. The menu for these AI tools appears in the settings, but users can’t use the features just yet. Apple is expected to unlock these tools in future updates, possibly later this year.

    Along with the AI preview, the iOS 26 beta also hides a new ringtone called “Journey.” This ringtone isn’t available by default, but some users have discovered it by digging into the system files. “Journey” is expected to be officially released when iOS 26 launches for everyone. Apple often adds new ringtones with major updates, so this is a nice touch for those who like to customize their phone sounds.

    To sum up, iOS 26 beta gives us a sneak peek at Apple’s upcoming AI features and a new ringtone. While these updates aren’t fully ready yet, they show that Apple is working on making iPhones smarter and more personal. If you’re interested in trying these features early, you can join the beta program, but remember that some tools might not work until the final version is out.

  • New tvOS 26 features only for newer Apple TV models

    New tvOS 26 features only for newer Apple TV models

    Apple’s new tvOS 26 update brings some cool features, but not all Apple TV users will get them. Some of these updates only work on the newer Apple TV 4K models. If you have an older Apple TV, you might miss out on a few things.

    What’s new for newer models?

    Enhanced Dialogue: With tvOS 26, Apple TV 4K (2021 or newer) can make voices in movies and shows clearer, even if there’s loud music or sound effects. This helps you hear what people are saying without turning up the volume too much.

    • Improved Audio Sharing: Now, you can connect two pairs of AirPods to your Apple TV 4K (2022 or newer) at the same time. This lets two people listen together with their own earbuds.
    • FaceTime Camera Improvements: If you use your iPhone or iPad as a camera for FaceTime on Apple TV, the newer models get better video quality and smoother calls.
    • Better Fitness+ Experience: The latest Apple TV 4K models offer improved Fitness+ workouts, with faster loading and smoother video.

    What about older Apple TVs?

    Older Apple TV models will still get the basic tvOS 26 update, but they won’t have these special features. If you want all the new improvements, you’ll need one of the latest Apple TV 4K devices.

    Summary

    tvOS 26 brings some great upgrades, but to enjoy everything, you’ll need a newer Apple TV 4K. Older models will work, but won’t get all the new features.