RPRNA

Search results for: “s pen”

  • Apple and Meta avoid instant EU fines but could still face big penalties

    Apple and Meta avoid instant EU fines but could still face big penalties

    Apple and Meta fined for breaking EU digital rules

    In April 2025, the European Union fined Apple €500 million and Meta €200 million for not following the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law is meant to make digital markets fairer by giving users more choices and stopping big tech companies from limiting competition. Apple was punished for stopping app developers from telling users about cheaper deals outside the App Store, while Meta was fined for forcing users to either pay for ad-free services or agree to share their data for ads.

    No immediate new fines, but risks remain

    Both companies were given 60 days to fix their practices, with the deadline set for June 26, 2025. However, the EU has said that there will be no automatic new fines when this period ends. Instead, the Commission will first review what Apple and Meta have done and discuss their findings with the companies before deciding on any further penalties.

    Possible future penalties

    If Apple or Meta are still not following the rules after the review, they could face much bigger penalties. The EU could charge up to 5% of a company’s average daily worldwide revenue for each day they break the rules, and single fines could reach up to 10% of their yearly global revenue, or even double for repeat offenses.

    What’s next?

    For now, Apple and Meta do not have to pay more fines immediately, but they are still under pressure. The EU has not said when it will finish its review or if more penalties will come. Both companies have said they plan to challenge the fines and keep talking with EU officials.

  • Apple opens new store in forrest place, Perth

    Apple opens new store in forrest place, Perth

    Apple has opened a brand new store in Forrest Place, right in the heart of Perth, Australia. This is a big step for Apple, as it’s the first new Apple Store in Australia in eight years. The store is located in a busy area, making it easy for people to visit whether they live in Perth or are just passing through.

    The new store is designed with Apple’s modern style, featuring lots of glass and open spaces. Inside, customers can check out the latest Apple products, get help from the Genius Bar, and take part in free Today at Apple sessions to learn more about using their devices. The store also has special areas for people to try out Apple’s newest gadgets and accessories.

    Apple says they are excited to be part of the Perth community and hopes the new store will be a place where people can come together, learn new things, and get the support they need. The opening of this store also brings new jobs to the area, as Apple has hired a team of local staff to help customers.

    Overall, the new Apple Store in Forrest Place is more than just a shop—it’s a place for the community to connect and explore the world of Apple.

  • iPhone Ultra may finally happen, hints iOS 18 code

    iPhone Ultra may finally happen, hints iOS 18 code

    Apple is rumored to be planning an “iPhone Ultra” release and this time, the evidence is stronger than before. In the latest version of iOS 18, new code adds the identifier, “iPhone17,1” which does not correspond to any present-day iPhone. Many experts feel this new model could be the upcoming iPhone Ultra.

    Apple refers to its devices by internal names. In that case, the iPhone 15 Pro is called “iPhone16,1” and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is called “iPhone16,2”. Based on this jump, it’s clear that the iPhone 17 is either a significant upgrade or an all-new design.

    There have been rumors about an iPhone Ultra since last year. For a while, it was expected that Apple would include this in the iPhone 15 models, but this never happened. The new phone model hint came out just before the expected announcement of iOS 18, which happened at WWDC.

    If this happens, the iPhone Ultra might have better camera specs, be made of titanium, and have a bigger screen. It would occupy a top place in Apple’s lineup, with all its best features available to buyers. At this point, Apple hasn’t state anyway but the new iOS 18 data suggests that the iPhone Ultra may be arriving soon.

  • iOS 19 brings new bilingual keyboard and better apple pencil features

    iOS 19 brings new bilingual keyboard and better apple pencil features

    Thanks to iOS 19, Apple is equipping its iPhones with new features for the keyboard and Apple Pencil. Standing out is the fact that you can now use both English and Spanish when typing. Now, users have the ability to write in two languages at once using the current keyboard. Just as on iPadOS, the system will notice your language and recommend the appropriate words. Because of this, communicating or writing in several languages is faster and smoother.

    This update also includes great new features for those who use Apple Pencil. Apple Pencil is getting support for writing with a stylus across different iPhone apps. This means you have the option to write by hand in Notes, search bars and messaging apps as well. It supports people who rather write by hand with a stylus instead of using the on-screen touch keyboard.

    iOS 19 might come in September, when the new iPhones launch as well. Apple will present all its new features at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2025.

    These changes aim to improve the utility of the iPhone for people who use several languages and enjoy using the Apple Pencil. Apple is still working to enhance what both users and workers can do while also ensuring comfort.

  • iPhone 18 may be more expensive due to advanced chip technology

    iPhone 18 may be more expensive due to advanced chip technology

    Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 lineup could be more expensive, and the reason is a major change in its chip technology. According to a report from DigiTimes, the new A19 chip — expected to power the iPhone 18 — will use TSMC’s 2-nanometer (2nm) process, which is more advanced and costly than the current 3nm process used in the iPhone 15 Pro.

    TSMC, Apple’s chip supplier, is set to start making 2nm chips in the second half of 2025. This new chip process offers better performance and improved energy efficiency, but it also comes with a much higher production cost. That means Apple might raise the prices of the iPhone 18 models to balance the added cost.

    Apple usually introduces new chip technology in its Pro models first, so the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could be the first ones to get the 2nm A19 chip. The standard iPhone 18 models may still use an older chip, like the A18 or A17 Pro.

    In short, while the new chips could make iPhones faster and more power-efficient, buyers might have to pay more for those upgrades, especially in the Pro models of the iPhone 18 series. Apple hasn’t confirmed any of this yet, but more details should come out closer to the launch.

  • Hidden court case on iCloud security sparks calls for openness

    Hidden court case on iCloud security sparks calls for openness

    A private court session about iCloud encryption started on Friday, and people in the UK and US are pushing for it to be made public. The UK government wants Apple to add a secret way into iCloud, not just for UK citizens but for everyone using it worldwide. Some iCloud info uses basic protection where Apple keeps a key and can share it with governments if ordered. Other data uses stronger protection, where only the user and their devices have the key.

    Apple offers a privacy tool called Advanced Data Protection (ADP), which locks nearly all iCloud data so tightly that even Apple can’t open it. If ADP is on, Apple can’t hand over data to governments. The UK’s demand would force Apple to unlock ADP. Instead of agreeing, Apple stopped offering ADP to UK users while it fights the rule.

    The Quiet Court Battle Over a Hidden Demand

    The UK law makes these orders secret, and any challenges to them happen behind closed doors. Apple found a smart workaround to hint at the issue. It couldn’t legally say the UK told it to unlock ADP, so it simply pulled ADP from the UK without saying why. The message was obvious: “We can’t admit the UK demanded this, or that we said no.”

    Apple also couldn’t say it was fighting the order, but somehow that news slipped out too. UK reporters showed up at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday but couldn’t enter the courtroom.

    Protests in the UK and US

    Many groups are upset. UK news outlets like the BBC, Reuters, and The Guardian, along with privacy groups like Big Brother Watch, have complained to the court, saying the case should be public. Privacy International and Liberty also teamed up to argue against the secret order.

    “This secret move by the UK to weaken security for everyone is unfair and too extreme,” said Caroline Wilson Palow from Privacy International. “People everywhere need strong protection to stay safe from threats.” In the US, five lawmakers from both parties, including Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Andy Biggs, demanded the court open up the case. They say hiding it makes no sense now that the order is widely known, especially since Apple already pulled ADP from the UK last month.

  • 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.

  • New MacBook Air reveal could happen soon — Here’s When

    New MacBook Air reveal could happen soon — Here’s When

    Now that the iPhone 16e is out for customers, Apple seems ready to share its next big thing any day now.

    MacBook Air Gets a Boost

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple might unveil new MacBook Air models with the M4 chip as soon as this week.

    “I think the M4 MacBook Air will show up as early as this week,” Gurman posted on X today. “Stock is running low, and Apple’s gearing up for a Mac announcement soon.”

    He also mentioned this in his Power On newsletter today.

    Look out for the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs powered by the M4 chip, which has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple already added M4 chips to the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini last October, and tests show it’s up to 25% faster than the M3 chip for heavy tasks. Last fall, Apple bumped the base RAM in MacBook Airs from 8GB to 16 GB. The top RAM choice might jump to 32GB this time. Battery life should last longer, too.

    Cool Camera and Display Upgrades

    Following the MacBook Pro’s lead, the new MacBook Air will likely get a 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage. This keeps you in the frame during video calls, even if you move. It might also include Desk View, showing both your face and your desk from above. These features work in apps like FaceTime and Zoom and were once only on iPads or Macs with a Studio Display.

    The new models could have three Thunderbolt 4 ports (up from two Thunderbolt 3 ports) and support two external screens, even with the lid open. A nano-texture display, which cuts glare with a special coating, might come too—though Apple could save that for the MacBook Pro to keep them different. No big look changes are expected. The MacBook Air got a fresh design in 2022.

    When and How?

    If these MacBook Airs drop this week, expect a press release on Apple’s Newsroom site and maybe a YouTube video. There could be a surprise or two as well!

  • What’s happening with WWDC 2025? here’s the scoop

    What’s happening with WWDC 2025? here’s the scoop

    Apple fans, get ready—one of the biggest events of the year is coming soon! WWDC happens every June, and it’s when Apple shows off what’s new for its software, like iOS, watchOS, and macOS. In 2025, we’ll see iOS 19, watchOS 12, macOS 16, and more.

    When Will Apple Share WWDC 2025 Plans?

    Apple usually tells us about WWDC in March. Looking back, here’s when they’ve done it before:

    • 2017: February 16
    • 2018: March 13
    • 2019: March 14
    • 2020: March 13
    • 2021: March 30
    • 2022: April 5
    • 2023: March 29
    • 2024: March 26

    Since the timing has been pretty steady lately, I’d guess WWDC 2025 will be announced in late March.

    When Is WWDC 2025 Happening?

    WWDC usually takes place in early June. Here are some past dates:

    • 2017: June 5-9
    • 2018: June 4-8
    • 2019: June 3-7
    • 2020: June 22-26
    • 2021: June 7-11
    • 2022: June 6-10
    • 2023: June 5-9
    • 2024: June 10-14

    One thing to note: Apple’s been slow with some iOS 18 features from last year. Big Siri upgrades might not come until May or June 2025 with iOS 18.5. Could that push WWDC a bit later? It’s possible!

    What’s Coming at WWDC 2025?

    This year, Apple Intelligence will steal the show. Reports say iOS 19 will bring a smarter Siri that acts more human, powered by fancy tech like ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini. There’s also talk that iOS 19 might borrow some cool design ideas from visionOS, like a major update to the Camera app. Some iOS 18 features got delayed to spring 2026, so WWDC 2025 might tease a bunch of iOS 19 goodies that won’t arrive right away. Want more? Check our iOS 19 guide! Apple will also reveal:

    • iPadOS 19
    • visionOS 3
    • tvOS 19
    • macOS 16
    • watchOS 12

    Any New Gear?

    Hardware’s a maybe. The M4 MacBook Air could drop before WWDC, but the M4 Mac Studio and Mac Pro might show up at the event. Stay tuned!

  • Apple opens up Swift Build and tweaks Swift playground name

    Apple opens up Swift Build and tweaks Swift playground name

    This weekend, Apple announced that they are sharing Swift Build with the world, making it open source. This tool is used for creating software both in Xcode, which is where many apps for the App Store come from and for Apple’s own projects. Apple also gave a slight name change to Swift Playground, their app where you can learn to code in Swift on iPads and Macs…

    Apple Shares Swift Build with Everyone

    On Saturday, Apple shared some big news. As Swift grows, it’s important to have tools that work the same way no matter where you’re building your software.

    By opening up Swift Build, Apple is giving everyone access to a tool that’s both strong and adaptable for making Swift projects. This is the same tool used in Xcode, which has helped create millions of apps, and it’s also how Apple builds its systems. Apple explained that this move would clear up any mix-ups from having different building methods, opening the door for new features.

    Until now, building with Xcode was different from building with Swift Package Manager, which can confuse users. By sharing Xcode’s building tool and working on it openly with the community, Apple aims to fix these issues and make building software in Swift better for everyone. This step forward will allow for new improvements across all devices and tools, making everything run smoother and giving developers more options. You can now find Swift Build on GitHub.

    Swift Playground Gets a Name Update

    John Gruber noticed that Apple has also updated Swift Playground, changing it from plural to singular. A small but interesting change in Apple’s app for learning and playing with Swift: it’s now called Playground, not Playgrounds. This name change might not seem like a big deal, but it makes sense. The app itself is your playground for experimenting with Swift, not just a place to make more playgrounds.

More posts