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  • Apple Watch avoids import ban after winning legal fight against AliveCor

    Apple Watch avoids import ban after winning legal fight against AliveCor

    Apple recently won a big legal victory against AliveCor, a company that sued it in 2021. A federal appeals court agreed with a decision to cancel three patents AliveCor said Apple broke with its Apple Watch. This means the court also threw out a ruling from the International Trade Commission (ITC) that could have stopped Apple Watches from being brought into the U.S.

    In a message to MacRumors, Apple thanked the court and said it would keep working on new health tools for the Apple Watch. “We’re grateful to the Federal Circuit for their thoughtful review. Our teams have spent years creating top-notch health, wellness, and safety features that help people, and we’re excited to keep going,” Apple shared.

    The trouble started when AliveCor took Apple to court, claiming Apple misused its heart rate and ECG tech ideas. At first, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) said Apple was in the wrong. But after Apple asked the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board to take another look, the board decided those patents weren’t valid, hurting AliveCor’s case.

    Even so, the ITC had suggested banning some Apple Watch sales, which Apple fought since the patents were no longer valid. While both sides appealed, the ban was paused. Now, the appeals court has backed the decision to cancel the patents, so no import ban will happen in this case.

    AliveCor told MacRumors they’re upset with the ruling and feel the court ignored key details the ITC found convincing. “This won’t stop our business or our drive to keep creating for our millions of customers,” they said. They argue this fight is about protecting small companies and future ideas from big players like Apple. AliveCor plans to keep exploring legal steps to prove their patents are valid and that Apple crossed a line.

    Last year, AliveCor lost another lawsuit against Apple about unfair competition, and they’re appealing that too. Meanwhile, Apple’s facing a separate challenge with Masimo over blood oxygen tech, where an import ban still affects U.S. Apple Watch sales. For now, Apple has turned off that feature in watches sold here and is working to fix it.

  • Apple pushes back new Siri features to 2026

    Apple pushes back new Siri features to 2026

    Apple has decided to hold off on releasing some exciting Siri upgrades planned for iOS 18, according to a company spokesperson speaking to Daring Fireball. These changes, part of Apple Intelligence, will now come out later than planned.

    What’s New with Siri?

    Apple shared that making Siri more personal and helpful is taking extra time. They expect to launch these updates “sometime next year.”

    “Siri already makes life easier by finding info and finishing tasks fast,” the spokesperson said. “In the last six months, we’ve made Siri chattier, added options like typing to Siri, taught it about our products, and linked it with ChatGPT. Now, we’re working on a Siri that knows you better and can do more with your apps. It’s a big job, so it’ll take longer than we hoped.”

    These new Siri tricks were shown off at WWDC when iOS 18 was announced. They were supposed to arrive in an iOS 18 update, but now they’re delayed. Here’s what’s coming:

    Knowing You Better

    Siri will soon remember details from your emails, texts, files, and photos. This will help it assist you with things like:

    • “Show me the files Sarah sent last week.”
    • “Find the text where Sarah talked about hiking.”
    • “What’s the movie Sarah suggested?”
    • “Where’s that cookie recipe from, Sarah?”

    Seeing Your Screen

    Siri will also understand what’s on your screen and act on it. For example, if a friend texts you an address, you can say, “Add this to their contact.” Or if you’re viewing a picture, just tell Siri, “Send this to Mom.”

    Working Across Apps

    Siri will handle bigger tasks in and between apps. Think moving files, editing a photo and sending it, or even saying, “Get me home and tell Sarah when I’ll arrive.”

    When Will It Happen?

    Rumors hinted that these features might hit in iOS 18.4, but they weren’t ready for the early betas. Apple’s next update, iOS 18.5, might bring them, though it could stretch into 2026. For now, “next year” means sometime in the next 12 months. Siri’s already gotten a makeover with typing support, a fresh design, and better conversations in Apple Intelligence. More goodies are still on the way!

  • ChatGPT now works right inside Xcode and VS Code on Mac

    ChatGPT now works right inside Xcode and VS Code on Mac

    OpenAI has made its ChatGPT app for macOS even better by letting it edit code straight in popular tools like Xcode, VS Code, and JetBrains software. With this update, you don’t need to copy and paste code anymore. ChatGPT can now look at your code in these programs and change it right there. It’s simple and saves time.

    There’s also an “auto-apply” option. When turned on, ChatGPT makes the edits for you without extra steps. Alexander Embiricos, who works on OpenAI’s product team, showed how it works on social media. He said Windows users will get this feature soon, too.

    Right now, only people with ChatGPT Plus, Pro, or Team plans can use this if they update their macOS app. OpenAI says everyone else—Enterprise, Education, and free users—will get it next week.
    This new trick builds on something ChatGPT started testing last November.

    Back then, it could read code from these apps but couldn’t change it. Now, it can do both. This update puts ChatGPT up against other AI coding helpers like GitHub Copilot and Apple’s Swift Assist, which already let you edit code directly in similar ways.

  • Apple wins case over claims it copied a journalist’s book for “Tetris” film

    Apple wins case over claims it copied a journalist’s book for “Tetris” film

    Apple recently won a lawsuit that claimed its Apple TV+ movie Tetris copied a book by tech writer Dan Ackerman. According to Reuters, U.S. District Judge Katherine Failla ruled that the book and the film weren’t close enough to back up Ackerman’s accusations.

    Ackerman, who used to lead Gizmodo and now runs Micro Center, started the lawsuit in 2023. He said the “Tetris” film was very similar to his 2016 book, “The Tetris Effect.” He took legal action against Apple, the film’s writer, Noah Pink, Marv Studios, the Tetris Company, and others.

    Here’s what happened: Ackerman shared an early copy of his book with the Tetris Company in July 2016. But the company’s CEO, Maya Rogers, reportedly told her team not to let Ackerman use the Tetris name or image for any TV or movie projects. Later, the Tetris Company sent a warning letter to Ackerman’s agent, saying they’d sue if he kept trying to sell his book for a show or film.

    The lawsuit claimed the Tetris Company then began working on its movie, using Ackerman’s book as the foundation for the script. When the “Tetris” trailer came out in March 2023, Ackerman spotted big similarities to his work. He sent a letter demanding the movie be stopped until legal matters were cleared up. Even though Apple knew about the letter, they released the film on Apple TV+ a week later.

    Judge Failla, however, said Ackerman’s book was non-fiction, so the filmmakers could use its facts as long as they didn’t copy his way of telling the story. She ruled in Apple’s favor.
    You can read Judge Failla’s full decision online. The “Tetris” movie, out since 2023, has been a hit on Apple TV+, earning an 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Check it out on Apple TV+ if you haven’t already!

  • New iPhone ‘Fold’ idea feels smarter after latest news

    New iPhone ‘Fold’ idea feels smarter after latest news

    We’re still more than a year away from Apple’s first foldable iPhone hitting the shelves. Rumors have been swirling for a while, but a fresh report from an expert suggests we’ve been picturing it wrong. This new twist makes the iPhone ‘Fold’ sound way more exciting and practical than before.

    The Foldable iPhone Is Finally Taking Shape

    Talk about a foldable iPhone used to feel like a far-off dream, kind of like the Apple Car that never happened. For years, people guessed Apple would jump into the foldable game soon, but those claims didn’t hold up. Now, in the last year or so, things have changed. Trusted names like Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Ming-Chi Kuo, and The Information say it’s real—and Apple’s aiming for a fall 2026 release.

    From Flip Phone to Book-Style Design

    Last summer, the buzz was all about a flip-phone-style iPhone—one that folds top to bottom. It’d be tiny when closed and stretch into a taller screen when opened. But the latest news flips that idea completely. Ming-Chi Kuo, who’s great at digging up supply chain secrets, says the foldable iPhone will open like a book. Picture this: a smooth 7.8-inch screen inside and a 5.5-inch display outside. That’s a big shift from what we thought before, and it’s got me feeling relieved and curious. Why? Because this book-style setup just clicks better.

    A Handy Mix of iPhone and iPad Mini

    I’ve always loved the iPad Mini—it’s small but mighty. These days, I stick to my 13-inch iPad Pro for work, and juggling another device alongside my iPhone feels like too much of a hassle. But this foldable iPhone could be the best of both worlds. With a screen that unfolds to nearly 7.9 inches—super close to the iPad Mini’s size—it’d be a phone when I need it and a mini tablet when I want more.

    Why This Feels Like a Win

    A top-down fold seemed odd and not very useful to me. But a book-style iPhone? That’s a fresh take—combining pocket-friendly size with a bigger screen for real tasks. It’s not just Apple chasing a trend; it’s a smart new option. I’m already looking forward to hearing more about this 2026 surprise!

  • Why the iPhone 16e could be a gamble for Apple, according to a survey

    Why the iPhone 16e could be a gamble for Apple, according to a survey

    Apple’s iPhone 16e is fresh on the scene, but it’s not what many fans hoped for. It’s not called an iPhone SE, and its price isn’t budget-friendly either. A new survey about how Apple customers—and especially iPhone SE fans—shop for phones shows why this new model might be a tricky move for Apple.

    The survey from CIRP digs into what iPhone SE owners owned before their current phone. It turns out these folks don’t usually jump to fancy, high-end iPhones. This could make it tough for Apple to sell them on the iPhone 16e.

    Experts Michael Levin and Josh Lowitz point out that SE buyers tend to stick with simple, low-cost phones. They don’t often upgrade to pricier models. 26% of SE owners had an older SE before buying a new one. They didn’t see a need to get anything fancier—just the latest SE. Meanwhile, only 3% of people buying other iPhones came from an SE. Even more surprising? About 45% of SE buyers used to have a regular “number” iPhone (like an iPhone 12 or 14) but chose to switch to the cheaper SE instead.

    This shows that price matters a lot to SE fans. With the iPhone 16e starting at $599, way up from the SE’s $429, these shoppers might look elsewhere—like at Androids or used iPhones. Here’s the problem for SE owners ready for a new phone: They can either spend more on the 16e or hunt for a cheaper option.

    Apple’s betting they’ll pick the 16e, and phone company deals might sweeten the price. But SE fans often use smaller, budget carriers that don’t offer big discounts, making the jump to $599 feel steep. Dropping a true budget phone is a bold choice for Apple. It’s a risk that could push some loyal fans away, and only time will tell if it pays off.

  • Addigy Assist makes setting up Macs easier for IT crews and MSPs

    Addigy Assist makes setting up Macs easier for IT crews and MSPs

    Addigy, a company that helps manage Apple devices, just launched a new tool called Addigy Assist. It’s designed to make setting up Macs simpler for IT teams and managed service providers (MSPs). The tool comes with an Apple-style look, automatic steps, and live updates to smooth out the process.

    Setting up Macs has often been a hassle, with lots of hands-on work, problem-solving, and little info for users. Addigy Assist changes that by offering a fresh way to get new devices or new employees up and running, all tied into how macOS works.

    “Most tools for this job are either too tricky or too stiff, taking hours to get ready and fix issues. Users end up annoyed and keep calling IT for support,” said Tim Pearson from CreativeTech. “Addigy Assist fixes that. It took us under 10 minutes to set up once, and we were good to go. Employees now get a clear, easy start right away. We’re saving time, getting fewer complaints, and making new hires feel welcome.”

    The tool cuts down headaches for IT folks by handling boring, repeat tasks and showing setup progress as it happens. It’s also flexible, letting MSPs tweak it to fit different clients or rules they need to follow. “Addigy’s goal is to keep Apple device management simple and friendly. With Addigy Assist, we’re not just speeding up Mac setups—we’re making it feel like Apple built it,” said Jason Dettbarn, Addigy’s founder and CEO.

    Here’s what Addigy Assist brings:

    • Apple-like design: Matches macOS for an easy feel.
    • Multi-client support: This helps manage setups for different groups or places.
    • Live updates: Show users what’s happening during setup.
    • Auto-steps: Speeds things up by cutting manual work.
    • Smart fixes: Solves common hiccups like low power or Wi-Fi trouble.
    • Personal touch: Lets companies add their style to the process.

    Addigy Assist is out now for IT teams and MSPs who want an easier way to roll out Macs.

  • Apple’s big foldable phone: Coming Soon?

    Apple’s big foldable phone: Coming Soon?

    People who watch Apple closely are saying something interesting: Apple might be making a phone that folds open like a book. This isn’t just a rumor; a well-known analyst, someone who knows a lot about Apple’s plans, believes it’s happening.

    This foldable phone is expected to be big, like a small tablet, when you open it up. Imagine a regular phone, but you can unfold it to get a much larger screen! That’s the idea. Now, it’s not going to happen tomorrow. The people who know about this think we won’t see this foldable iPhone until 2025. That’s a while away, but it means Apple is working on something big.

    Why is this exciting? Well, foldable phones are a new type of gadget. They let you have a big screen in a smaller, easier-to-carry device. Apple is known for making things that are easy to use and look good, so if they make a foldable phone, it could be cool.

    Of course, things can change. Plans can change, and Apple might decide to do something different. But right now, it looks like a big foldable iPhone is on the way. What does this mean for us? It means we might have a new way to use our phones in the future.

    We might watch videos, read books, or play games on a big screen that fits in our pocket. And because it’s Apple, it’s likely to be something special. So, keep your eyes open. In a couple of years, we might see Apple’s version of a foldable phone, and it could change how we use our devices.

    Source

  • Apple’s latest updates and deals you should know about

    Apple’s latest updates and deals you should know about

    Big things are happening in the Apple world! Recently, Best Buy kicked off the first discount on the new M3 iPad Air. This tablet comes with a powerful chip, a sleek design, and now a lower price, making it a great time to grab one if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your tech.

    Meanwhile, Apple has decided to stop selling the older M2 and M3 MacBook Air models. They’re clearing the way for newer stuff, so if you loved those laptops, they won’t be around much longer. On the flip side, Apple just launched a fresh MacBook Air with the M4 chip and a cool sky-blue color. It’s fast, stylish, and perfect for anyone wanting a modern laptop.

    That’s not all—Apple also unveiled the M3 Ultra chip, a super-strong processor for heavy tasks like video editing or gaming. This new chip is powering the updated Mac Studio, which also offers an M4 Max option. These machines are built for people who need top performance, whether for work or creative projects.

    In other news, Qualcomm, a big tech company, bragged that its X85 modem beats Apple’s tech in speed and power. This could mean tougher competition for Apple’s devices down the road, especially for things like Internet speed on phones and tablets.

    From discounts to brand-new gadgets, Apple is keeping things exciting. Whether you’re after a deal on the M3 iPad Air or eyeing the shiny new MacBook Air in sky blue, there’s something for everyone. Plus, with the M3 Ultra and Mac Studio upgrades, power users have plenty to cheer about. Stay tuned—Apple’s not slowing down anytime soon!

  • Apple’s new Shazam update makes music syncing easier

    Apple’s new Shazam update makes music syncing easier

    Apple just launched a fresh update for Shazam, the popular music-finding app it picked up in 2018. This new version helps you save songs you tag from outside the app directly to your playlists on Apple Music and Spotify.

    Here’s what you’ll find in version 18.9:

    The update makes syncing your tagged songs to Apple Music and Spotify smoother than ever! Now, Shazam can add tracks you discover using Music Recognition in Control Center, Siri, or Shortcuts to your “My Shazam Tracks” playlist on either service.

    To get everything working, head to Shazam’s settings and switch “Sync your songs” off and then back on. This will refresh all the songs you’ve found before. If you’re using Spotify, you might need to close and reopen the app to see the updated playlist.

    Want to keep your Shazam History safe and available across all your devices? Just turn on iCloud sync in the app’s settings, and you’re good to go. You can grab the latest Shazam update from the App Store now. This simple tweak makes it easier to enjoy the music you love, no matter how you find it!