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  • iOS 18.4 makes control center even cooler: Here’s What’s New

    iOS 18.4 makes control center even cooler: Here’s What’s New

    The Control Center in iOS 18 has been a big hit, and it’s not just a one-time facelift. Apple keeps making it better with every update, and iOS 18.4 brings some exciting new features that make it stand out.

    Fresh Ambient Music Options

    With iOS 18.4, you get a brand-new set of controls called Ambient Music. It includes four handy options:

    • Chill
    • Productivity
    • Sleep
    • Wellbeing

    Each one lets you play an Apple Music playlist that matches the vibe you’re going for. You can tweak these controls to start your favorite playlist—either one you pick yourself or a suggested one from Apple. Plus, you can adjust their size in Control Center to take up one, two, or four spaces and even link them to your iPhone’s Action Button or Lock Screen.

    Smarter Siri and Visual Tricks

    In the updated “Apple Intelligence and Siri” section, two new tools join the lineup alongside the “Type to Siri” switch. Now, you can add “Talk to Siri,” which wakes Siri up with your voice, just like pressing the side button. There’s also “Visual Intelligence,” a cool camera feature that used to be only for iPhone 16 but now works on iPhone 15 Pro and 16e too. It’s perfect for assigning to the Action Button!

    A Fresh Look for Control Center

    iOS 18.4 also spruces up the Control Center’s style. Here’s what’s new:

    • Focus control now has up and down arrows to flip through modes.
    • The brightness slider moves with fun animations depending on the level.
    • The volume slider gets lively animations, too.

    The arrows on the Focus control make it easy to see all your Focus options with a tap. Meanwhile, the brightness slider shows a sun that grows or shrinks as you adjust it—small and dim when low, big and bright when high.

    Wrapping Up iOS 18.4’s Control Center

    Control Center has evolved a lot over time, and this version might just be the best yet. With tons of ways to personalize it and a growing list of controls, iOS 18.4 keeps making it more fun and useful. Apple’s clearly on a roll!

  • Apple’s iOS 19: A fresh look is coming, here’s what we know

    Apple’s iOS 19: A fresh look is coming, here’s what we know

    Apple seems to be cooking up something big for iOS 19, possibly the largest update since iOS 7 hit back in 2013. While the company hasn’t spilled all the details yet, little hints have been popping up in their recent work. By peeking at new iPhone apps and designs, we can guess what’s in store for iOS 19. Let’s break it down.

    New Apps Drop Big Hints

    It’s been over a decade since Apple gave iOS a major makeover with iOS 7. Since then, changes have been small and steady, keeping the system familiar. But five recent apps—and one huge redesign—offer some exciting clues about iOS 19.

    Here’s the lineup of Apple’s latest apps built from scratch:

    • Journal
    • Apple Sports
    • Image Playground
    • Apple Invites
    • Apple Vision Pro (coming in iOS 18.4)

    These apps look different from each other, but they share some key features that point to iOS 19’s direction. One big clue? They’re ditching the classic iPhone tab bar.

    Goodbye, Tab Bars

    For years, tab bars have been a staple of iPhone apps, sitting at the bottom of the screen—like in the original Phone and Clock apps. They’re still around today, mostly unchanged. But Apple’s moving away from them. New apps like Journal, Sports, and Invites hide navigation in menus near the top instead of using tab bars. Even older apps, like Photos, got a makeover last year, swapping the tab bar for a smooth, single-page layout.

    What does this mean for iOS 19? Expect more apps to drop tab bars and switch to a simpler, one-page style. Apps like Music, App Store, Health, and News still use tab bars now, but iOS 19 might freshen them up with this new look.

    More Design Clues

    There’s more to spot in Apple’s recent apps. Parker Ortolani, a design expert, noticed that apps like Apple Sports and Invites feel different—almost like they belong on visionOS or watchOS. They’ve got bright backgrounds, glassy buttons, and bold, layered shapes. Apple Invites adds big cards and a focus on content. These touches hint at a lively, modern vibe for iOS 19. Reports say iOS 19 will borrow ideas from visionOS, and these app designs—think floating elements and colorful layers—back that up. It’s looking like a bold, fresh update is on the way!

  • AirPods to offer real-time language translation by late 2025

    AirPods to offer real-time language translation by late 2025

    Apple is developing an exciting feature for AirPods that will make chatting across languages much easier, according to Bloomberg. This new tool, tied to iOS 19, will roll out with an AirPods software update later this year. With this update, AirPods will help people who speak different languages talk smoothly. It’ll work alongside the iPhone’s Translate app. Imagine an English speaker wearing AirPods chatting with someone speaking Spanish.

    The iPhone will pick up the Spanish words, turn them into English, and send them to the AirPods wearer. Then, when the English speaker replies, the iPhone will translate their words into Spanish and say them out loud. The Translate app on iPhones already does this, but adding it to AirPods will make the whole process quicker and simpler.

    Apple also plans to upgrade the Translate app in iOS 19, though we don’t know the details yet. While new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds are coming in 2025, it seems this translation feature might work on older AirPods models, too. In recent years, Apple has been pairing AirPods updates with iOS releases.

    For example, with iOS 18, they added hearing health tools. These let AirPods check for hearing problems and even act as a hearing aid if needed. This shows how Apple keeps making AirPods more helpful with each iOS update. This translation feature could be a game-changer for travelers, friends, or anyone connecting across languages. By late 2025, AirPods might just break down language barriers like never before!

  • Apple knows its smart features aren’t wowing iPhone fans

    Apple knows its smart features aren’t wowing iPhone fans

    Apple’s new smart features, called Apple Intelligence, rolled out with iOS 18, but they’re not convincing people to buy new iPhones. That’s what analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said recently. He also thinks Siri’s recent flops will hurt iPhone sales in 2025, and the market is starting to agree.

    Back in July, Kuo warned that hopes for Apple Intelligence boosting iPhone upgrades were too high. By January, he was even blunter, saying the excitement around these features had dropped a lot. Why? There was a big gap between Apple showing them off in June and their launch starting in October.

    Kuo still feels the same, especially after Apple delayed some key Siri upgrades tied to Apple Intelligence. These were promised for iOS 18 but got pushed back. According to Kuo, Apple already knows these smart tools aren’t impressing anyone. Because of this, the company gave its suppliers cautious shipment numbers for iPhones.

    Lately, people in the market are growing unsure about iPhone sales and Apple Intelligence, especially Siri. This matches Kuo’s earlier guesses. He says Apple’s low shipment predictions to suppliers earlier this year show they saw the weak response coming.

    The delays with Siri are also turning people off. This could hurt sales of the iPhone 16 and even the iPhone 17 soon. Last week, Apple admitted that some Siri features, like understanding personal details and working better with apps, won’t arrive until next year. The company didn’t expect fans and tech experts to be so upset about it.

    For example, John Gruber, a well-known Apple writer, recently shared a detailed piece pointing out Siri’s problems. Many agree with him, feeling Apple has struggled to make Siri better for a long time. Others have chimed in too, upset about the big promises Apple made last year about its smart Siri features—followed by delays that make people doubt Apple can keep up with rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.

  • Why Apple’s iOS 19 makeover could be a bold win

    Why Apple’s iOS 19 makeover could be a bold win

    Apple is said to be working on a major iOS 19 update that could bring the biggest look change to the iPhone in over ten years. This is a daring step for Apple, and while it comes with some risks, it might just turn out to be a smart move.

    Why Changing iOS 19 Is a Big Deal

    The last time Apple gave the iPhone a huge software facelift was with iOS 7, back in 2013. That’s a long stretch 12 years without a major refresh. When iOS 7 came out, people were thrilled with its sleek, modern vibe. But not everyone loved it. Some felt the new style, led by designer Jony Ive, looked cool but wasn’t practical—think hard-to-read text or tricky buttons.

    Since then, Apple has played it safe, avoiding big redesigns. Why? Probably because so many people—billions now—use iPhones every day. With such a huge crowd depending on it, any misstep could upset users and hurt Apple’s image.

    Risks of a New Look

    Today, Apple is a giant compared to 2013, with way more iPhone fans worldwide. These users count on their phones for everything. So, if iOS 19 feels confusing or annoying, it could spell trouble for Apple’s reputation—and its profits. I’m excited about a fresh design, but I bet plenty of users might feel uneasy hearing about such a shake-up.

    Why It’s Worth a Shot

    Still, there are good reasons to take this chance. For one, a shiny new iOS could steal the spotlight from Apple’s struggles with Siri and AI tech. A bold redesign might grab attention—especially from younger users who care more about a cool look than fancy AI tools. Plus, there’s a bigger point: if Apple stops updating how iOS looks and works, it risks falling behind. Sure, they add new features yearly, but tweaking the core design is different.

    No system is flawless, and Apple needs to keep iOS fresh to stay ahead, even if it means a big leap. I used to think huge redesigns like iOS 7 were a thing of the past—small updates seemed safer. But if rumors are right, Apple’s ready to go all in with iOS 19. After years of the same old style, maybe it’s time for a change.

  • Apple Music Classical now available online

    Apple Music Classical now available online

    Apple Music Classical, which recently added support for CarPlay, is now reaching another exciting platform. As of today, you can enjoy Apple Music Classical right from your web browser for the first time.

    In a statement shared today, Anjali Malhotra, the Global Director of Apple Music Classical, explained:

    “Apple Music Classical keeps growing and finding new ways to connect amazing musicians and their work with fans everywhere, all in one place. With the web version now live, people who love listening on their computers can explore over 5 million songs and 50 million details about classical music.”

    Unlike the regular Apple Music service, Apple Music Classical is built just for classical music fans. It comes with special features, a smart design, and tools like expertly picked playlists, a search made for classical tunes, and more.

    With Apple Music Classical, it’s simple to find any piece in the world’s biggest classical music collection. The search lets you look up songs by composer, title, conductor, orchestra, instrument, or opus number. Plus, it offers top-notch sound quality with high-resolution lossless audio and immersive Spatial Audio, bringing your favorite classics to life in a fresh way.

    You’ll also find carefully chosen playlists, detailed composer stories, and over 50,000 booklets with deep notes and translations. It even has the only worldwide classical music chart, making it the go-to spot for classical music lovers. You can grab the Apple Music Classical app from the App Store. The service comes with a regular Apple Music subscription or as part of the Apple One package.

  • iPhone 17 Pro parts leak hints at big camera changes

    iPhone 17 Pro parts leak hints at big camera changes

    Apple’s next iPhone 17 Pro models might come with a fresh look, and a leaked photo from what seems to be a factory line backs up one of the biggest rumored updates. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are said to switch to a horizontal camera strip, similar to what Google uses on its Pixel phones. This strip would stretch across the back, holding three cameras in a triangle shape on the left, plus the flash, microphone, and LiDAR sensor on the right. Why Apple might go this way or what the extra space is for isn’t clear yet, but it keeps popping up in leaks.

    A picture shared on X by a leaker named Majin Bu shows metal parts—possibly aluminum or titanium—for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. These pieces, likely shaped by precise machines, match the rumored design. The big round holes in them could be for things like the MagSafe charger or battery inside. The parts look neatly stacked and freshly made, ready for the next step.

    Word is that Apple might drop titanium frames from past models like the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro and use aluminum instead. They could mix aluminum with glass for a tougher build. The glass part would keep wireless charging alive, while aluminum might make the phone less likely to break.

    There’s talk of a glass patch around the Apple logo, blended into a metal body. Those holes in the leak might tie into this—or maybe even a new feature like reverse wireless charging. Tests suggest the iPhone 17 Pro could send 7.5W of power wirelessly to gadgets like AirPods or an Apple Watch, a step up from the 4.5W it can do now via cable.

    The iPhone 17 Pro Max might also get a bit thicker—8.725mm compared to 8.25mm on the iPhone 16 Pro Max—possibly to fit a larger battery. The new camera style could also appear on the iPhone 17 Air, a slim model replacing the Plus version, though it’ll have just one lens. The regular iPhone 17, however, should stick to the current camera setup from the iPhone 16. Apple’s big reveal is expected next September. What do you think of these changes? Share your thoughts below!

  • UK watchdog points finger at Apple for limiting browser choices

    UK watchdog points finger at Apple for limiting browser choices

    The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) shared its final thoughts on Wednesday about the mobile browser market in the country. The group says Apple’s rules are the main reason why competition and new ideas are being held back.

    The CMA’s team found that Apple forces all browsers on iPhones and iPads to use its WebKit engine. This stops other browsers from adding special features or running better, even if they work well on other systems. It’s a big roadblock for companies trying to stand out.

    The report also highlights other Apple habits that cause trouble. For example, Safari gets special perks on iOS that other browsers don’t. Apple also limits how browsing works inside apps and makes Safari the go-to browser pre-installed on every iPhone.

    Google got some attention, too, for putting Chrome on Android phones from the start. But the CMA said Apple’s limits hurt competition more. They also pointed out a big money deal where Google pays Apple billions each year to stay the default search engine on iPhones. This setup makes it less likely for them to compete.

    Since the CMA’s early report last November, both companies have made some changes. Apple’s December update, for instance, made it a bit easier for users to pick a different browser. The CMA says these steps help a little but don’t fix everything.

    To solve the bigger problems, the CMA suggests ideas like letting other browser engines work on iOS, adding a screen during setup to pick a browser (like in the EU), and putting limits on the Google-Apple search deal. These aren’t rules yet—the CMA is still checking if Apple and Google should get a “strategic market status” label under a new UK law. That decision, due later this year, could let the CMA set tougher rules and fines up to 10% of the companies’ yearly earnings.

    The report also wrapped up a look at cloud gaming. After Apple tweaked its App Store rules, the CMA decided no more action was needed there. This comes as regulators in places like the European Union and the United States also dig into mobile browser fairness.

  • How does the iPhone 16e camera compare to its family?

    How does the iPhone 16e camera compare to its family?

    Every time a new iPhone launches, Sebastiaan de With, the brains behind the Halide camera app, takes a close look at its camera features. Recently, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, boasting a fresh 48-megapixel standalone camera. De With explored how it holds up against the cameras in Apple’s top-tier iPhone 16 lineup.

    iPhone 16e Camera Basics

    At first glance, the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro all seem to share the same 48-megapixel Fusion camera, capable of snapping 1x and 2x photos. But a closer peek reveals differences. The iPhone 16 Pro has a wider f/1.78 aperture, while the iPhone 16 and 16e use an f/1.6 aperture. Unlike the iPhone 16, the 16e misses out on sensor-shift stabilization, proving these cameras aren’t identical.

    De With explains that Apple paired the iPhone 16e’s modern A18 chip processing with an older, smaller camera part. With only one Wide lens, it skips extras like Macro mode, spatial photos or videos, Night mode for Portraits, and video perks like Cinematic or Action modes. Fancy options like ProRAW are also absent.

    Picture Quality Check

    In a side-by-side test with the iPhone 16 Pro, the 16e leaned toward warmer tones and showed a tighter view. Its smaller sensor grabbed fewer details, especially in dim light, where the difference stood out. The 2x shots looked rougher, with processing that didn’t impress de With.

    While the iPhone 16e doesn’t match the iPhone 16 Pro or even the iPhone 16, it’s closer to older non-Pro iPhones or the iPhone 14 Pro. The lack of sensor-shift stabilization hurts it the most, making low-light and night photos less sharp.

    Still, de With found charm in the 16e’s grainy, moody sensor—a fun contrast to the 16 Pro’s bigger, clearer one. “It’s got a cool feel, as the younger crowd might say,” he noted. For the full scoop and photo comparisons, check out de With’s detailed review on the Lux website.

  • Apple’s strongest Mac yet lacks one cool trick

    Apple’s strongest Mac yet lacks one cool trick

    Apple’s brand-new Mac Studio, powered by the M4 Max or M3 Ultra, is now out for everyone to grab. To go along with its release, Apple updated a help page that shows which power settings this Mac Studio can use—and which ones it skips. The result might catch you off guard.

    Yes, the Mac Studio has a Low Power Mode, but it’s missing High Power Mode. Early reviews say this Mac Studio is the most powerful Mac Apple has ever built. Whether you pick the M4 Max or M3 Ultra version, you’re getting a machine that’s a total beast.

    But what if you want to tone down all that strength sometimes?

    Apple’s updated help page about Power Modes (spotted by MacRumors) says the new Mac Studio lets you switch on Low Power Mode. Why would you bother? Apple explains it does two handy things: it keeps the fans quiet for jobs needing silence and cuts down on energy use if your Mac stays on all the time. These are solid perks for a feature you might think isn’t needed on a Mac Studio.

    Here’s the odd part, though: High Power Mode isn’t an option. Apple says High Power Mode lets the fans spin faster, giving extra cooling so the system can handle super heavy tasks better. When it’s on, you might notice more fan noise. It sounds like a great fit for a machine as strong as the Mac Studio, right?

    But for some reason, it’s not included. You can use High Power Mode on certain MacBook Pros and even the M4 Mac mini, but can you use it on the new Mac Studio? Nope, it’s left out. This missing feature stands out since the Mac Studio is such a powerhouse. It’s a curious choice by Apple that’s got people scratching their heads!