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  • Apple shifts Siri leadership as smart features face delays

    Apple shifts Siri leadership as smart features face delays

    Apple is making big changes to how it manages Siri, its voice assistant. The company recently put a new person in charge, someone who helped create the Vision Pro, a high-tech headset. This shake-up comes as Apple struggles to roll out its new “Apple Intelligence” features, which were meant to make Siri smarter and more helpful.

    Back in June 2024, Apple announced plans to upgrade Siri with advanced abilities, like better understanding of conversations and integration with apps. These improvements were tied to Apple Intelligence, a system designed to bring more artificial intelligence into iPhones, iPads, and Macs. But things haven’t gone smoothly. The rollout has been slower than expected, and some features are still missing or not working as hoped. This has left many users and fans disappointed.

    The new leader stepping in is a familiar face at Apple. He played a key role in building the Vision Pro, a device that mixes virtual and real worlds. Now, his job is to fix Siri and get Apple Intelligence back on track. Insiders say he’s known for solving tough problems and pushing teams to think creatively. Apple hopes his skills will help turn things around.

    For now, Apple is testing parts of Apple Intelligence with a small group of users. The company wants to make sure everything works well before releasing it to everyone. Some reports suggest the full launch might not happen until later in 2025 or even 2026. That’s a delay from what Apple originally promised, and it’s caused frustration among people eager for a smarter Siri.

    This leadership switch shows Apple is serious about fixing the issues. Siri has lagged behind competitors like Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa in recent years, and Apple knows it needs to catch up. With a fresh face leading the charge, the company is betting on a turnaround. Fans are now waiting to see if these changes will finally make Siri the helpful assistant they’ve been hoping for.

  • Apple TV losing big money yearly and SpyX leak hits iPhone users hard

    Apple TV losing big money yearly and SpyX leak hits iPhone users hard

    Apple TV is bleeding cash, dropping around $1 billion each year, according to a recent report. The streaming service, meant to compete with giants like Netflix and Amazon, just isn’t pulling in enough viewers or profits. Experts say Apple keeps pouring money into big-name shows and movies, but the audience isn’t growing fast enough to make up for it.

    Even with popular titles, the costs are piling up way faster than the cash coming in. This has sparked chatter about whether Apple needs to rethink its game plan—maybe tweak pricing, push more ads, or find cheaper ways to create content. For now, the company’s deep pockets are keeping it afloat, but how long can that last?

    Meanwhile, a massive data leak from SpyX, a sneaky stalkerware app, has put millions of iPhone users at risk. This nasty software lets people secretly track others—think call logs, texts, and even locations—without them knowing. The breach spilled personal info from tons of victims, leaving them open to scams or worse.

    Reports say SpyX was sneaky enough to slip past Apple’s tight security, raising big questions about how safe iPhones are. Users are now being told to watch for weird phone behavior and update their devices fast. This mess has sparked a firestorm, with people demanding Apple step up and crack down harder on shady apps like this.

    Both stories show how tricky the tech world can be. Apple’s burning cash to keep its TV dream alive, while iPhone fans are dealing with a creepy privacy scare. The company’s got a lot on its plate—figuring out how to make streaming pay off and keeping users safe from leaks. For now, Apple TV’s losses and the SpyX disaster are tough reminders that even the biggest names can stumble. Fans are left wondering: can Apple bounce back from these hits, or are more bumps ahead? Only time will tell, but it’s clear the pressure’s on.

  • Big updates coming to iOS 19 and iOS 20 for EU users

    Big updates coming to iOS 19 and iOS 20 for EU users

    Apple is gearing up for some major changes to its iPhone software, thanks to new rules from the European Union (EU). The European Commission has set deadlines for Apple to roll out updates in iOS 19 and iOS 20, making the iPhone work better with other devices and apps. These changes will give users more freedom and options, especially in Europe.

    By the end of 2025, likely with iOS 19.2, third-party smartwatches will be able to show and handle iPhone notifications. This means you won’t need an Apple Watch to stay connected. Then, by mid-2026, around iOS 19.4, Apple will let third-party headphones use its cool audio-switching trick—something AirPods already do when hopping between your iPhone and Mac.

    Also by mid-2026, iOS will support alternatives to AirDrop, letting other apps share files just as easily. Finally, by the time iOS 20 rolls out in late 2026, third-party apps will get a shot at matching AirPlay’s streaming magic. These updates aim to make your iPhone play nicer with non-Apple gear.

    Meanwhile, iOS 18.4, coming in April 2025, brings a small but handy tweak to Safari. When you open a new tab and tap the search bar, it’ll now show your recent searches right away. This could save time if you often look up the same things, but it might feel less private—anyone peeking at your screen could see what you’ve been searching for.

    If you don’t like it, you can switch to Private Browsing or clear your history often. Apple might add an off switch for this feature later, based on what users say during testing. These updates show Apple balancing new features with EU demands. iOS 19 will kick off at WWDC 2025 in June, hitting phones in September, while iOS 20 will follow in 2026. From better device support to a smarter Safari, your iPhone experience is about to get a big boost—especially if you’re in the EU.

  • Apple’s Foldable iPhone sounds real, Plus iPhone 18 Pro rumors bring exciting updates

    Apple’s Foldable iPhone sounds real, Plus iPhone 18 Pro rumors bring exciting updates

    Talk about a foldable iPhone has been around forever, but now it’s starting to feel like it might actually happen soon. Reliable sources like analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu, along with a Weibo user called Digital Chat Station, say Apple’s first foldable iPhone will have a big 7.8-inch screen when opened and a smaller 5.5-inch screen on the outside. Since these sizes keep popping up in leaks, it seems Apple has locked in some details. Kuo says it’ll open like a book, not flip like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip.

    Jeff Pu also mentioned that Foxconn, the company making it, has started early work on the foldable iPhone. Both he and Kuo think it’ll hit full production by late 2026, so we might see it in small numbers next year—though 2027 feels more realistic. Funny enough, it still feels two years away!

    Analyst Tim Long from Barclays predicts it’ll cost about $2,299 in the U.S., almost double the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s $1,199 price. Kuo adds it’ll have two back cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID button instead of Face ID, and a strong battery. It’ll be super thin—4.5mm open, 9-9.5mm folded—with a titanium body and a hinge mixing titanium and steel.

    Now, let’s peek at the iPhone 18 Pro, still over a year away. Here’s what’s buzzing so far:

    Hidden Face ID

    Analyst Ross Young says Face ID might hide under the screen in 2026, meaning the iPhone 18 Pro could get it. The Dynamic Island might shrink or turn into a tiny camera hole, like on Android phones. It’s too soon to say for sure.

    Adjustable Camera

    Ming-Chi Kuo claims the iPhone 18 Pro’s 48-megapixel main camera will let you tweak how much light it takes in. Unlike older models stuck at a wide-open setting, this could help you blur backgrounds better—though iPhones’ small sensors might limit the wow factor.

    Better Samsung Sensor

    Rumor has it Samsung’s new stacked sensor will boost the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera with clearer, more vibrant photos. This could shake things up since Sony’s been Apple’s go-to sensor maker forever. Exciting times ahead!

  • Apple faces new App Store rules after losing appeal in Germany

    Apple faces new App Store rules after losing appeal in Germany

    Apple has hit a roadblock in Germany after losing its latest appeal in an ongoing antitrust battle. A new law has put the tech giant under tougher scrutiny, and now it must follow fresh rules for its App Store. Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, known as the Bundeskartellamt, has been pushing to gain the power to tell Apple how to manage its App Store. A court recently agreed, giving the regulators the green light to step in.

    How U.S. and European Laws Differ

    The way antitrust issues are handled varies between the U.S. and Europe. In both places, regulators must first show that a company is blocking fair competition. But in the U.S., they also have to prove that this behavior has directly hurt consumers—like showing people are paying more because of it.

    In Europe, it’s simpler. Regulators just need to prove that a company’s actions could harm consumers down the line. This lets them act early to stop problems before they grow. The Bundeskartellamt said Apple’s App Store setup could potentially hurt users, giving them the right to demand changes. Apple fought back, saying it doesn’t control the app market enough to be targeted by this law.

    Appeal Fails for Apple

    According to Reuters, Apple’s appeal was rejected on Tuesday. The Federal Court of Justice in Germany upheld the cartel office’s 2023 ruling, which labeled Apple as a major player that affects competition across markets. The decision ends years of back-and-forth about Apple’s power in the app world.

    Now, Germany can enforce new rules on how Apple sells iPhone apps. This loss is a big moment for the company, as it faces growing pressure to loosen its grip on the App Store. With this ruling, regulators aim to keep the app market fair and open, ensuring Apple’s policies don’t limit choices or hurt users in the long run.

  • Apple makes storage info clear again in macOS 15.4 and fixes iCloud Mail trouble with iOS 18.3.2

    Apple makes storage info clear again in macOS 15.4 and fixes iCloud Mail trouble with iOS 18.3.2

    Apple recently updated macOS 15.4, and in its second beta version released this month, they hid how much space Apple Intelligence uses on a Mac. This change happened in the System Settings, making it tough for users to see the details.

    After some people thought Apple was trying to keep the storage size of Apple Intelligence a secret, the company quickly fixed it. With the fourth beta of macOS 15.4 out now, Apple brought back an easy way to check this info. You can find it by going to System Settings > General > Storage, then clicking the info button next to the macOS entry. A little window pops up showing the macOS version and how much space Apple Intelligence takes. This is the same setup as in the current macOS Sequoia 15.3.2.

    Some think the missing storage info in the earlier beta was just a mistake. Users who turned off System Integrity Protection (SIP)—a security feature that stops unsafe code from running—could still see the details. SIP is usually on for most people and can only be switched off in Recovery Mode, something developers do more often. Since Apple brought the info back for everyone, it might’ve been an accident, but we’re not sure.

    Apple says Apple Intelligence can use up to 7GB of space on a Mac, though some users notice it takes even more in macOS Sequoia 15.4. It needs this space to store special files that let it work on your device without always needing the internet. If you don’t want it using space, you can turn off Apple Intelligence.

    Meanwhile, the iOS 18.3.2 update from last week has caused problems for some iCloud Mail users. People on Reddit and forums like MacRumors say new emails aren’t showing up on their iPhones automatically after the update. Even with the right settings, they have to refresh the Mail app manually to see new messages. One Reddit user shared, “Since updating to iOS 18.3.2, my iCloud emails don’t come through on their own. I have to refresh, even though it worked fine before on 18.3.1.”

    Normally, iCloud Mail uses Push to send emails to your phone instantly. If that’s not working, it should switch to Fetch, checking for new mail every so often. But for some, neither option is doing the job. Other email services like Microsoft seem fine, so this glitch is just with iCloud Mail. Apple likely knows about it, and a fix should come soon.

  • Apple’s first bendable iPhone might cost double the iPhone 16 Pro Max

    Apple’s first bendable iPhone might cost double the iPhone 16 Pro Max

    An expert named Tim Long from Barclays, a British bank, shared some exciting news today. He believes Apple’s first bendable iPhone could start at around $2,300 in the U.S. That would make it the priciest iPhone ever, almost twice the cost of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which begins at $1,199.

    Long came up with this price idea after a trip to Asia, where he talked to people who make phone parts. He heard more chatter about a bendable iPhone possibly hitting stores between late 2026 and early 2027. However, he thinks the high price might mean fewer people will buy it.

    Another tech insider, Ming-Chi Kuo, who knows a lot about Apple’s suppliers, agrees the price could land between $2,000 and $2,500. Even with the big cost, Kuo thinks people might still want it if it’s top-notch. For instance, if Apple makes a bendable phone with no noticeable line on the screen, that could be a game-changer.

    Kuo also shared some cool details. He says the bendable iPhone might have a 7.8-inch screen inside and a 5.5-inch one outside. It could come with two back cameras, one front camera, and a power button that unlocks with your fingerprint instead of your face.

    The battery would be extra strong, and the phone could be super slim—about 4.5mm when opened and 9mm to 9.5mm when closed. The outside might be made of titanium, with the folding part using both titanium and steel. Kuo predicts Apple will start making lots of these phones by the end of 2026. Since that’s still over a year away, these price guesses are just smart hunches for now.

  • Audi’s new electric Wagon works with Apple’s Car Key, Porsche might be next

    Audi’s new electric Wagon works with Apple’s Car Key, Porsche might be next

    Audi has added a cool feature to its new A6 Avant e-tron, an electric wagon, letting it use Apple’s digital car key for the first time in Audi’s electric lineup (reported by Mac4Ever). With Apple Car Keys, you can unlock your car using an iPhone or Apple Watch that has NFC or Ultra Wideband tech. The key lives in the Wallet app on your device. To open the car, just hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the car’s NFC reader—simple as that.

    A quick tap on the door handle starts the unlock process. For safety, you can use Face ID to confirm it’s you, but there’s also an Express Mode that skips this step for a speedy unlock. The A6 e-tron is the second car built on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), a system Audi shares with Porsche. This hints that Porsche’s upcoming cars might also get this digital key feature soon.

    Last October, MacRumors spotted some updates in Apple’s Wallet app code, showing that Apple was getting ready to roll out digital car key support for certain Volvo, Polestar, and Audi models.
    Apple first launched its digital car key feature in 2022.

    Since then, a handful of car brands like BMW, BYD, Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, and RAM have jumped on board. If you’re curious about which cars work with this feature, Apple keeps an updated list on its CarPlay model webpage. This move by Audi makes driving a bit more high-tech and convenient, and it’s exciting to think Porsche might follow suit with its own electric models!

  • Apple silently releases a new app to boost Apple Maps

    Apple silently releases a new app to boost Apple Maps

    Apple recently rolled out a fresh app called “Maps Surveyor” on Friday, designed for people eager to help make Apple Maps better. This app lets users gather info about their local areas—like snapping pictures—and send it straight to Apple. But it’s not open to everyone just yet.

    What’s the Deal with Maps Surveyor?

    The app’s description says, “Surveyor assists Apple in upgrading Maps by grabbing details like street sign photos and roadside sights while following a set path.” It’s free to download from the App Store, but it looks like Apple made it for a select group of users.

    Once you install it, the app asks you to open another app called Premise. This platform pays people small rewards for doing easy tasks, like answering questions, sharing personal details, or taking pictures of certain spots. In short, it’s a place where users earn cash for helping out.

    According to MacRumors, hints in the app’s code show that Apple plans to team up with Premise to invite folks to improve Maps and get rewards in return. Users will need to attach their iPhone to a mount sideways and use Maps Surveyor to snap photos along a planned route.

    A Quiet Start

    The list of companies that provide data for Apple Maps doesn’t include this new app yet—maybe because it’s brand new. Apple already uses its own cars to drive around cities worldwide, collecting info to polish up Maps. The Surveyor app seems like an extra way to get help from everyday users.

    Right now, Maps Surveyor is only available in the United States. If you’ve got an Apple device and want to pitch in, you can still use the “Report an Issue” feature in Apple Maps to share your thoughts with the team. This quiet launch shows Apple’s ongoing effort to make its mapping tool sharper and more reliable, one photo at a time!

  • Apple should pause and polish its software

    Apple should pause and polish its software

    Things have been buzzing with Apple news lately. The company recently shared that the updated Siri won’t be ready anytime soon, and insiders say the cool features promised at last year’s WWDC are still far off. With all this happening, Apple could use a throwback moment—like a new Snow Leopard—to get its software back on track.

    If you’ve used a Mac for a while, say 16 years or more, you might recall Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Back then, Apple didn’t rush out a new Mac OS every year. When Snow Leopard launched, it wasn’t about flashy new tricks or looks. Instead, Apple worked hard to make the software steady and reliable. I started thinking about this after seeing an old WWDC 2009 clip where Bertrand Serlet, a big name at Apple back then, proudly said Snow Leopard had “no new features.” It’s wild to see how much Apple has shifted since those days.

    Apple’s never been quick to say “oops,” but it has owned up to slip-ups before. Think about Steve Jobs talking to the press about the iPhone 4 antenna mess or admitting MobileMe wasn’t great and promising to fix it. I miss that honesty. Today, it’s tough to picture Apple saying, “Hey, this update has nothing new,” or owning up to glitches in front of everyone.

    Fast forward to now—a Bloomberg report says Robby Walker, a Siri boss at Apple, called the delays “messy” and “awkward” in a team meeting. Last June, at WWDC 2024, Apple hyped up Apple Intelligence, but when iOS 18 and macOS 15 dropped, those features were nowhere to be found. Some trickled out later, but the new Siri—yep, the one in iPhone 16 ads—still hasn’t shown up.

    Online, people are grumbling about bugs in Apple’s latest updates, and it’s not hard to see why. Apple should hit pause. Announcing stuff that’s not ready (remember AirPower?) just sets everyone up for disappointment. Now that they’ve admitted Siri’s delay, I hope they focus on smoothing out the rough spots and delivering what they promised. We don’t need big updates every year—give the team time to fix things. A new Snow Leopard vibe could be just what Apple needs.

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