Search results for: “one ui 2”

  • Mac app store issues for older Mac systems

    Mac app store issues for older Mac systems

    Mac users with older macOS versions are facing problems when trying to use the Mac App Store. Specifically, those with macOS Mojave (10.14) and older are having trouble.

    Reports started coming in around January 24, 2025, suggesting that something went wrong when Apple updated how receipts work in the App Store. Users are seeing error messages like “Something went wrong while logging in” or “We couldn’t read the data because it’s not in the right format.”

    The experience varies depending on which macOS version you’re using. If you’re on Catalina (10.15) or newer, everything works fine. But if you’re still using Mojave (10.14), you can look around the store, but you can’t buy new apps or download ones you’ve already bought once your session ends. For those on High Sierra (10.13), parts of the store’s interface might not show up, and signing in can be tricky. Users on Sierra (10.12) are seeing messages that stop them from even getting into the store.

    It looks like these problems might have something to do with Apple’s new way of handling receipts, but we’re not sure yet. For those stuck with these issues, Apple offers other ways to get macOS updates. Also, many apps can still be downloaded directly from the developers’ own websites, outside of the App Store.

    This situation leaves older Mac users in a bit of a bind, hoping for a quick fix from Apple to restore full functionality to the Mac App Store on their systems.

    Source

  • UK demands Apple create Global encryption backdoor

    UK demands Apple create Global encryption backdoor

    The British government has quietly asked Apple to give it full access to every user’s encrypted data stored in the cloud, according to The Washington Post. This secret directive reportedly came last month, compelling Apple to design a backdoor allowing UK security agencies to access encrypted user data around the world. This is a demand that has never been made in any other democratic nation.

    The order was delivered via a “technical capability notice” under the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), which critics call the “Snooper’s Charter.” This law allows law enforcement to force companies to assist in gathering evidence.

    Apple has not commented on this issue. The law makes it illegal for Apple to even acknowledge such a demand from the government. Similarly, the Home Office declined to confirm or deny the existence of such notices, stating it does not discuss operational details.

    A consultant who advises the US on encryption issues said Apple would not be able to inform users that their encryption is no longer secure. A former White House security advisor verified the UK’s order.

    Apple Might Stop UK iCloud Services Over Privacy Concerns

    There’s talk that Apple might pull its encrypted storage service from the UK rather than weaken the privacy promises it made to its users. However, this wouldn’t stop the UK from accessing the service in other countries. Apple has hinted before that it might withdraw services like FaceTime and iMessage from the UK if privacy is compromised. Apple’s Advanced Data Protection, introduced in 2022, allows users to encrypt additional data categories like Photos and Notes, keeping them private even from Apple.

    Google, on the other hand, has made encryption standard for Android backups since 2018. When asked if any government had asked for a backdoor, Google responded that they can’t access encrypted backup data, even with a legal order.

    How to Secure Your iCloud Data

    The IPA was revised in 2023 to let the Home Office potentially ban certain encrypted services. Apple criticized these changes as excessive government control, suggesting they could prevent new security features from being offered globally.

    Apple CEO Tim Cook has always argued against providing backdoors, stating it would invite criminals to access user data. Cybersecurity experts agree, warning that any backdoor could be exploited. Apple’s resistance was notable in 2016 when they fought and won against a US order to unlock an iPhone.

    With increasing cyber threats from state actors, like those from China, US officials are now more focused on cybersecurity than ever, promoting encryption to protect communications. Privacy advocates, like Big Brother Watch, argue that such measures won’t make the UK safer and will instead undermine basic rights and freedoms.

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  • Exciting upgrades coming to Apple Vision Pro this year

    Exciting upgrades coming to Apple Vision Pro this year

    The Apple Vision Pro has now been on the market for a year, and it’s time for some exciting updates. Here are three major improvements we can look forward to in the coming months, plus a special offer for military members.

    Smarter Siri

    Siri on the Vision Pro is set to get smarter with the introduction of Apple Intelligence. This upgrade, expected in visionOS 3, will make Siri more powerful than ever. With better AI, Siri will be more helpful, especially for voice-based tasks, making your experience with the Vision Pro smoother and more intuitive.

    More Games, More Fun

    Apple has been keen on making its devices great for gaming, but the Vision Pro didn’t start with much in this area. Good news is on the horizon though; support for PlayStation VR2 controllers is coming, and there’s a buzz about more games being developed for the Vision Pro. This could make it a top choice for VR gamers if Apple plays its cards right.

    Lots More Immersive Videos

    Immersive Video has been one of the standout features of the Vision Pro, but there hasn’t been enough content to satisfy users. That’s changing with Apple planning to release more immersive videos. This could turn the Vision Pro into a powerhouse for entertainment, offering experiences like no other.

    Special Offer for Veterans and Military

    Apple has now included the Vision Pro in its Veterans and Military Purchase Program, offering a 10% discount. This means you can get the Vision Pro for a starting price of about $3,149 instead of $3,499. Accessories like extra batteries and travel cases also get a discount, although you can’t use Apple Card Monthly Installments for this offer. This is Apple’s way of thanking those who serve by making their cutting-edge tech more accessible.

    With these upgrades, the Vision Pro is shaping up to be not just a tech marvel but a versatile platform for work and play. Whether it becomes a must-have productivity tool remains to be seen, but as an entertainment device, it’s certainly on its way to becoming unbeatable.

  • Apple’s new ‘Smart Hub’ could be the home control center we’ve waited for

    Apple’s new ‘Smart Hub’ could be the home control center we’ve waited for

    Apple is rolling out three new home devices this year, and the first one is particularly thrilling. I’m dubbing it the ‘Smart Hub’, and it promises to fill a crucial gap in Apple’s smart home setup.

    Apple Home Gets Its First Real Control Center

    Apple has always backed the idea of a ‘home hub’ with its gadgets. According to their support documents, you could use a HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV, or an iPad as your ‘home hub.’ But what does that mean? It just allows you to manage your smart devices from afar, set up automation, and gain a few connectivity perks.

    However, this new Smart Hub will redefine what a ‘home hub’ means by acting as the main control center for your smart home gadgets.

    A New Era for Apple’s Home App

    The original HomePod aimed to be this kind of device, but its reliance on Siri for control has been a limitation. Siri’s performance can be hit or miss, and relying solely on voice commands isn’t ideal for everyone.

    Enter the Smart Hub. This device will not only let you use Siri but also gives you a touch screen to interact with all your smart home gadgets directly. While you can already control your home with various Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, none of these are dedicated solely to home control.

    Making Smart Home Control Easy for Everyone

    The Smart Hub will come with a 7-inch square screen, perfect for placing on your kitchen counter, attaching to your fridge, or setting on a console table. It’s designed specifically for managing your smart home, running an operating system tailored for this purpose.

    While some people are comfortable using just Siri for home control, many, especially those less tech-savvy, will appreciate having a physical, visible way to manage their devices. If Apple prices the Smart Hub reasonably, you could have several around your home, providing easy access to your smart home controls wherever you are.

    A Long-Awaited Feature for Apple Home Users

    While Amazon and Google have offered display-equipped home hubs for a while, Apple users have been missing this feature. The Smart Hub might just be the answer they’ve been looking for, bringing a new level of convenience and interaction to Apple’s smart home ecosystem.

    Source

  • Beware of sneaky software thieves on your Mac

    Beware of sneaky software thieves on your Mac

    Mac computers are facing a growing problem with a type of harmful software known as “stealers.” A recent report from 2025 by Malwarebytes, a company that specializes in malware defense, highlights this trend.

    Traditionally, Mac users have mostly dealt with annoying adware or browser hijackers like VSearch or Genieo. However, 2024 marked a shift with a rise in more dangerous malware, specifically information stealers.

    These stealers are crafted to hunt down valuable data such as credit card details, login cookies, cryptocurrency, and passwords. This information is gold for cybercriminals looking to profit from their theft.

    Often, these malicious programs sneak onto your Mac when you’re looking to download legitimate software. Criminals use deceptive ads on search engines like Google or Bing, where you might click on what seems like a real download link but ends up installing malware instead. They target users by customizing ads based on your location, what software you’re looking for, and even your operating system.

    One notorious stealer, called Atomic Stealer or AMOS, first appeared in 2023. Its variant, Poseidon, has become quite popular among hackers. Poseidon claims it can swipe cryptocurrency from over 160 different digital wallets, plus steal passwords from various browsers and some password managers. It disguises itself as popular Mac apps, like the Arc Browser, to fool users into downloading it.

    Malwarebytes warns that with stealers like Poseidon, attackers can not only steal your information but also use it to craft sophisticated scams.

    To protect yourself, always check the source of your downloads. Make sure you’re getting software from trusted developers and not from questionable websites that mimic real ones. This vigilance can help keep your Mac safe from these sneaky thieves.

    Source

  • Apple now sells parts for easy home repairs on new M4 Macs

    Apple now sells parts for easy home repairs on new M4 Macs

    Apple has recently started selling parts for its latest M4 Macs right in their self-service repair shop across the U.S. and several European countries. This new addition includes parts for MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini that come with M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max chips.

    Since opening its doors in 2022, Apple’s repair program has allowed people to buy the exact parts, tools, and guides that Apple’s technicians use. Now, with the M4 series, you can find repair guides on Apple’s official site.

    What can you fix? Well, for the M4 Macs, you can get screens, mainboards, speakers, touchpads, top cases that include keyboards and batteries, storage drives, USB-C ports, cooling fans, Wi-Fi parts, and more.

    The self-repair store doesn’t stop at Macs; it also has parts for different iPhone models and the Studio Display, plus new batteries for the Beats Pill speaker. Apple makes it clear that these repairs are best for folks who know their way around electronics, providing detailed safety guidelines in their repair manuals.

    This move by Apple makes it easier for tech-savvy individuals to keep their devices running smoothly without needing professional help, enhancing the DIY repair culture.

  • Apple starts making its new M5 Chip

    Apple starts making its new M5 Chip

    Apple has kicked off the production of its latest M5 chip, according to reports from South Korean sources. This new chip could show up in devices as early as this year.

    The process of putting together the M5 chip began last month, as noted by ET News. This final step, called packaging, comes after the chip is made and involves protecting it and connecting it to other parts of a device.

    Apple works with a company called TSMC to make the chips on special silicon discs. After that, other companies, like Taiwan’s ASE Group, America’s Amkor, and China’s JCET, handle the packaging. Reports say ASE started first, with the others set to follow one by one.

    Right now, the focus is on making the basic M5 chip, not the more powerful versions like the M5 Pro, M5 Max, or M5 Ultra. The companies involved are also building new facilities to help produce these higher-end models later.

    The M5 chip is expected to have a better design based on ARM technology and is being made using TSMC’s advanced 3-nanometer method. Apple chose not to use an even newer 2-nanometer process, likely to keep costs down. However, the more advanced M5 versions will still be a big step up from the current M4 chips, thanks to a special stacking technique called System on Integrated Chip (SoIC).

    This stacking method layers the chips on top of each other, which helps manage heat better and reduces power loss compared to flat designs. Apple is also teaming up with TSMC on a new version of this stacking that uses a mix of materials, including carbon fiber, for even better results.

    The first device to get the M5 chip is likely to be a new iPad Pro, expected to start production in the second half of next year, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Here’s when other devices might get the M5:

    • iPad Pro: Late 2025 or early to mid-2026
    • MacBook Pro: Late 2025
    • MacBook Air: Early 2026
    • Apple Vision Pro: Fall 2025 to Spring 2026

    Hints of the M5 chip have already been found in Apple’s official code. Reports also suggest the chip’s design will help power both regular devices and Apple’s AI servers, boosting performance for both everyday users and cloud services.

    Source

  • Apple’s iPad App Letdown: Three misses in a row

    Apple’s iPad App Letdown: Three misses in a row

    Apple has been knocking it out of the park with new iPhone apps, but when it comes to supporting the iPad, they’ve been striking out.

    First in line was the Journal app, which only came out for iPhone users when iOS 17.2 was released. Even with the update to iOS and iPadOS 18, while the iPhone app got plenty of enhancements, iPad users were left out in the cold.

    Next up was Apple Sports, which made its debut on the iPhone a year ago. It’s improved a lot since then, but there’s still no iPad version. We’re all waiting to see if an iPad app or at least a widget will show up soon.

    Then there’s Apple’s new Invites app, which lets you send out invites to any device. However, if you’re using an iPad, you won’t find a dedicated app for it yet.

    On a brighter note, the iPhone versions of Sports and Invites do work on iPads, providing some relief for iPad users.

    The lack of a Journal app for iPad is particularly frustrating because, unlike other apps, it’s built into the system. This means iPad users can’t even use the iPhone version in a workaround like Stage Manager mode.

    Many thought Apple had moved past the days of iPhone-only apps, especially after finally bringing apps like Weather and Calculator to the iPad. But these new, exciting apps are still iPhone-exclusive.

    Apple’s pitching some great new apps, but when it comes to hitting home runs with iPad versions, they might need to call in a pinch hitter.

  • How China rescued Apple but now controls its future

    How China rescued Apple but now controls its future

    A new book titled “Apple’s Chinese Dilemma” is set to reveal how a clever decision made back in 1996 has now put the tech giant at the mercy of an authoritarian government. Subtitled “How the World’s Leading Company Got Caught,” this book compiles insights from over 200 former Apple executives and engineers. It serves both as a history lesson and a warning to others…

    We’ve been talking about how Apple’s relationship with China has become more complicated:

    First, there’s the danger of relying too much on one country. For example, the start of the COVID-19 crisis in China showed how quickly manufacturing can be affected. Events like natural disasters or political changes can disrupt business, so it’s smart to spread out manufacturing. Second, the relationship between the U.S. and China has always been rocky. The trade battles during the Trump era were especially bad, but even now, there’s always a chance that trade could be disrupted.

    Third, being closely tied to China is hurting Apple’s image because of human rights issues there. Apple has to follow local laws, which can go against what the company stands for. Written by a journalist from the Financial Times, “Apple’s Chinese Dilemma” is due out from Simon & Schuster in May. It gives an insider’s look at how Apple helped make China a powerhouse in electronics but ended up trapped by its own success.

    Apple is not just any brand; it’s the world’s most valuable company, known for the iPhone that changed how we live, work, and connect. Yet, Apple is now in a tricky spot between two superpowers. When Apple was nearly broke in 1996, it decided to move its manufacturing overseas. After trying out eight countries, China’s offer of cheap, plentiful labor drew nearly all of Apple’s production there. As the iPod and iPhone took off, this relationship with China grew deep, helping Chinese manufacturers learn skills that are now used against Western companies.

    “Apple’s Chinese Dilemma” traces how a company that once celebrated “rebels” and “troublemakers” has become silent and compliant under increasing control from China.

    Early reviews of the book have been glowing:

    • “A fantastic story, brilliantly shared” – Peter Frankopan, Oxford’s Global History Professor and author of “Silk Roads”
    • “More than just a page-turner; it’s an essential read.” – Robert D. Kaplan, author of “The Revenge of Geography”
    • “A deep dive that’s both unsettling and illuminating.” – Chris Miller, author of “Chip War”
    • “McGee illustrates how Apple’s chase for profit in China might undermine its own future and America’s tech leadership.” – Rana Foroohar, author of “Makers and Takers”
    • “A vivid account of how Apple won China but lost its essence.” – Isaac Stone Fish, author of “America Second”
    • “A must-read for every iPhone user, but a risky one for Apple staff.” – Geoffrey Cain, author of “Samsung Rising” and “The Perfect Police State”

    “Apple’s Chinese Dilemma” will hit the shelves on May 13 and is available for pre-order now.

  • New Apple Notes feature makes switching between notes easier

    New Apple Notes feature makes switching between notes easier

    Apple Notes received some exciting updates with iOS 18 last year, including features like sections that can be folded away, highlighting in different colors, and even recording audio with text transcripts. But there’s one new feature that I’ve been wishing for, which has made a difference for those who use Notes a lot.

    Quick Note Switching in iOS 18

    I’ve got over 2,500 notes stored in Apple Notes. As someone who uses this app daily, I’ve always found one issue annoying: moving from one note to another.

    Usually, it’s not a big deal, but when I need to toggle between a couple of notes quickly, things can get a bit slow. With all those notes, my app is organized into lots of folders and sub-folders, making the task of jumping from one note to another quite a hassle.

    Thankfully, iOS 18 brought a fix for this problem, especially handy for avid Notes users.

    The Recent Notes Feature in Apple Notes

    There’s now a new option in the top-right corner of the Notes app under a three-dot menu, named ‘Recent Notes’. This menu lists the last 10 notes you’ve looked at on your device. You can simply tap on any note in this list to switch to it without having to dig through your folders. This simple addition has transformed how I move between notes, making it much faster and less frustrating.

    While I would appreciate if Apple could make this process even quicker, maybe with one less tap, the change in iOS 18 is certainly a step in the right direction. It’s made my experience with Apple Notes significantly better.