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  • Affordable new Magic Keyboard unveiled for iPad Air with cool upgrades

    Affordable new Magic Keyboard unveiled for iPad Air with cool upgrades

    Apple recently launched the M3 iPad Air and iPad 11, and now it’s introduced a neat new accessory to go with them. The Magic Keyboard for iPad Air has been updated with some awesome features borrowed from the M4 iPad Pro’s version. Let’s check out what’s new!

    iPad Air’s Magic Keyboard Gets a Fresh Look

    According to Apple:

    The redesigned Magic Keyboard for iPad Air makes it easier to get things done, all at a lower price. It has a bigger trackpad that’s super accurate for tricky tasks, plus a new row of 14 keys for quick controls like adjusting brightness or sound. It snaps on magnetically, and the Smart Connector instantly links it up for power and data—no Bluetooth needed. There’s also a sturdy aluminum hinge with a USB-C port for charging. Starting at just $269 for the 11-inch size and $319 for the 13-inch, this keyboard keeps its sleek floating style and comes in white. This updated Magic Keyboard for iPad Air picks up some of the best tricks from the M4 iPad Pro’s keyboard, which I adore.

    Here’s what they share:

    • A larger trackpad for easier use
    • A handy row of shortcut keys

    One small difference? The iPad Air version doesn’t have the fancy trackpad vibration feedback. It also skips the aluminum area near the trackpad. But overall, the two keyboards are pretty similar. Both come in 11-inch and 13-inch options. While it’d be cool to have just one Magic Keyboard for all iPads, the super-slim iPad Pro probably needs its special fit.

    Pricing and Which iPads Work with It

    The iPad Air’s Magic Keyboard is cheaper since it skips a couple of extras:

    • 11-inch: $269 (compared to $299 for iPad Pro’s)
    • 13-inch: $319 (compared to $349 for iPad Pro’s)

    It works with these iPads:

    • iPad Air 11-inch (M3, M2, 5th, and 4th gen)
    • iPad Air 13-inch (M3, M2)

    You can grab it now from Apple’s online store, with delivery by Wednesday, March 12.

  • Why Siri’s big upgrade needs to be amazing by 2027

    Why Siri’s big upgrade needs to be amazing by 2027

    Apple used to be a top player in smart assistants, but in just 14 years, it’s fallen behind. Back in 2011, Siri felt like the future. Now, in 2025, Apple Intelligence feels weak compared to what’s out there.

    Siri’s 14-Year Journey

    I still remember the iPhone 4S launch when Siri stole the show. It wasn’t even Apple’s idea at first—it started as an app someone else made. Steve Jobs saw its potential, bought it, and put it into the iPhone. That move made smart assistants a must-have for phones. But after 14 years, Siri should be incredible by now.

    It’s not. In 2015, I wished Siri could work with my apps. It’s only starting to do that now, a whole decade later! Worse, in 2018, I listed simple things Siri couldn’t handle—and it still can’t do some of them. Today, Siri feels basic while tools like ChatGPT shine.

    Why Apple’s Behind

    Apple has reasons for lagging. One is reliability. Other companies like OpenAI raced ahead, even if their AI sometimes messed up big time—like ChatGPT inventing fake facts or Google’s Bard flopping in a demo. Siri’s spoken answers can’t afford those mistakes—it’d be risky to hear wrong info without a warning.

    Another reason is privacy. Siri sticks to two rules: process stuff on your phone when it can, and keep your identity hidden when it uses Apple’s servers. That’s safer but less powerful than rivals who use big data centers and know tons about you.

    The Privacy Win

    Last year, I said waiting for a smarter Siri would pay off because of privacy. Our phones hold so much—calendar, messages, health info—and soon, Siri can tap into apps we pick, all without leaving our device. That could make Siri as good as the competition, but safer. I want an assistant who knows me well but stays private. That’s what Apple’s aiming for.

    A Longer Wait

    We thought this new Siri would hit in 2026. Now, the word is it’s delayed to 2027—or later. That’s tough, but if it’s great, we’ll forget the wait. Still, by 2027, other AI like ChatGPT or Amazon’s Alexa will be miles ahead. Siri has to be spectacular to catch up. Apple’s got a big challenge, but I’m hopeful it’ll be worth it.

  • iOS 18 brings a handy Calendar upgrade

    iOS 18 brings a handy Calendar upgrade

    Apple’s Calendar app stayed pretty much the same for years, but lately, it’s been getting better fast. With iOS 18, there’s one new feature I’ve wanted for a long time, and it’s turned out to be a game-changer: Reminders now work right inside the Calendar app.

    A Clear Daily Plan with Reminders Built In

    Before this update, the Calendar and Reminders apps on the iPhone didn’t talk to each other—they were totally separate. But now, iOS 18 mixes the basic features of Reminders into Calendar. For me, this is a big win because I can finally see my whole day in one spot. With this new setup, all my scheduled reminders show up next to my calendar events. I rely on reminders a lot to keep track of home chores and work tasks.

    In the past, figuring out my day meant flipping between two apps—Calendar and Reminders. Just checking Calendar wasn’t enough since I’d miss key tasks I’d set up. Now, though, everything’s together. My reminders line up in order with my events, so one quick look at the Calendar app tells me exactly what’s ahead.

    One Small Catch, But Still a Great Change

    There’s just one downside: you can’t pick and choose which Reminders lists show up in Calendar. It’s either all your scheduled reminders or none at all.

    Even with that little hiccup, blending Reminders into Calendar has been awesome. It’s made my daily planning so much smoother and easier. This upgrade might sound simple, but it’s honestly made a huge difference for me.

  • AirTag 2 set to arrive in May or June with cool upgrades

    AirTag 2 set to arrive in May or June with cool upgrades

    Apple is gearing up to release a new version of the AirTag around May or June this year, according to a tip from a leaker called Kosutami. This matches what Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman hinted at earlier, saying a fresh AirTag would drop sometime in mid-2025.

    Here’s a quick look at three exciting updates rumored for the AirTag 2:

    First, it’s said to come with a new Ultra Wideband chip, giving it a tracking range up to three times better than the current AirTag. This tech-first showed up in the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. On newer iPhones like the 15 and 16, there’s a handy feature called Precision Finding for People, which helps you spot friends in busy places from as far as 200 feet (about 60 meters) away.

    Next, the AirTag 2’s speaker might be tougher to mess with or take out, making it harder for anyone to misuse it and boosting safety. Finally, the word is it’ll work even better with the Apple Vision Pro, though details on that are still fuzzy. The first AirTag hit the scene at an Apple Event in April 2021. In the U.S., one costs $29, or you can grab four for $99.

    Kosutami is mostly known for collecting early Apple prototypes, but they’ve been right about some big reveals before. For instance, they nailed it when they said the iPhone 16 Pro would have a metal-wrapped battery way ahead of its launch.

    That said, their guess last August about the new AirPods Pro coming “soon” didn’t happen—AirPods Pro 3 is still a no-show. In a fresh update today, Kosutami hinted again at new AirPods Pro and some smart home goodies from Apple. The company’s expected to roll out a brand-new smart home hub this year, plus there’s talk of a Face ID doorbell and a home camera possibly coming in 2026 or beyond.

  • Apple might upgrade its top music subscription

    Apple might upgrade its top music subscription

    Apple could be planning to make its best music subscription even better, following in the footsteps of Spotify’s new strategy. According to reports from Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw, Spotify is crafting a higher-priced version of its music service. This new offering, tentatively named Music Pro, is set to include superior audio quality, concert ticket perks, and tools for subscribers to remix songs. The cost? About $6 more per month than the current subscription fee, bringing the total to around $17.

    Spotify’s move to introduce a premium tier isn’t new; they’ve been wanting to match Apple Music’s high-quality audio for some time now. However, since Apple Music already provides lossless audio without an extra charge, Spotify needs more than just better sound to justify the price hike.

    One idea they’re exploring is selling concert tickets directly through the app, a unique yet problematic market due to the complexities of ticket sales online. Additionally, the ability to remix or adjust songs like a DJ could be a significant draw for users.

    On the Apple side, they’ve been offering advanced audio features like lossless audio and Dolby Atmos without additional cost. However, there’s talk that Apple, along with Amazon, might be considering premium tiers for their apps, including music services. This would be a shift from Apple’s current approach of enhancing services without increasing prices.

    Apple has only raised the price of Apple Music once, from $9.99 to $10.99 a month back in 2022. If they decide to add more expensive tiers, they might include features like exclusive access to music stems for use in apps like GarageBand and Logic. Apple has already tested this concept in its creative workshops at retail stores but not as a take-home feature.

    While nothing is set in stone, the idea of Apple charging more for these advanced features could signal a new direction in how they monetize their streaming service. This could depend on what unique offerings they can bring to the table to make the extra cost worthwhile for subscribers.

    Source

  • New MacBook Pro with slim design coming in 2026, MacBook Air to get better screen before OLED upgrade

    New MacBook Pro with slim design coming in 2026, MacBook Air to get better screen before OLED upgrade

    Apple is gearing up to launch a new MacBook Pro with an OLED screen in 2026. This model is expected to be much thinner than the current ones, according to reports. Samsung Display is already testing these new OLED panels, which they started making in late 2024.

    The new MacBook Pro will use a special kind of OLED called hybrid OLED, similar to what you find in the newest iPad Pro. This type of screen gives better brightness, contrast, and uses less power compared to the mini-LED screens we see now. Samsung has put a lot of money into making these panels, around $3 billion, for laptop-sized screens. Another company, BOE from China, is also working on similar technology but can make both hybrid and bendy OLED screens.

    However, it’s not all about OLED yet; for 2025, it looks like the MacBook Pro will stick with mini-LED screens. Analysts predict only small improvements in performance next year, with new chips called M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max.

    If you’re thinking about waiting for the next big MacBook Pro update, here are some reasons:

    • Slimmer Design: The 2026 model aims to be one of the thinnest in tech.
    • Better Screen: OLED displays promise superior picture quality.
    • Energy Saving: OLED screens could improve battery life.
    • True Overhaul: The design and tech might see a significant refresh.
    • Future-Proof: OLED is the future of screen tech in laptops.

    Meanwhile, for MacBook Air users, there’s good news too. Apple plans to upgrade the display in 2027 with something called Oxide TFT technology. This is a step up from what’s currently used and should make screens sharper, smoother, and save more battery. Both Samsung and BOE are setting up to make these new screens, but we don’t know how many yet. However, the plan to switch MacBook Air to OLED has been pushed back to 2029 or later. So, if you’re looking for an OLED screen on your MacBook Air, you might need to wait a bit longer.

    Source/Via

  • 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 Home devices: upgrades that matter

    Apple’s new Smart Home devices: upgrades that matter

    Apple is bringing out three new devices for your home this year: the HomePad, a new Apple TV 4K, and the HomePod mini 2. These gadgets are set to make a big change in how smart homes work.

    A New Chip for Better Connections

    Mark Gurman has shared that the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2 will be released later this year. While we don’t know everything about these new gadgets yet, we do know they will have a special new chip. This chip, called “Proxima,” is made by Apple and handles Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

    Here’s why this is important:

    • Energy Efficiency: Apple wants to make its devices work better together while using less power.
    • Better Connectivity: This chip helps Apple gadgets connect to the internet and pair with other devices like headphones more easily.
    • Synchronization: With this chip, your Apple devices at home can share data faster and work more closely with each other.

    What This Means for Your Smart Home
    This chip is part of Apple’s big push into smart homes. It’s like when Apple added a new type of radio to their latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs. At first, it wasn’t clear why, but now we see it was preparing for a better smart home setup with technologies like Matter.

    Even though having a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip might not sound thrilling, it can make a lot of difference. It means all your Apple devices can work together more smoothly. HomeKit, Apple’s smart home system, sometimes has connection issues, and this new chip might help fix that.

    Looking Ahead

    Apple also plans to release its smart home gadgets like cameras and doorbells next year. For Apple to take the lead in smart homes, everything needs to work well together. This new chip is like a missing piece that could make everything work smoothly.

    I’m excited for Apple to step up its game in the smart home world, and it looks like we won’t have to wait long to see these changes.

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3: Three exciting upgrades coming soon

    Apple Watch Ultra 3: Three exciting upgrades coming soon

    The Apple Watch Ultra hasn’t seen big changes since 2023, but that’s about to change with the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3. Here’s what’s new:

    High Blood Pressure Alert

    One of the key health features coming to the Ultra 3 is high blood pressure detection. This won’t give you exact numbers but will alert you if your blood pressure might be high, similar to how it detects sleep apnea. This feature has been in development for years, and it’s set to launch this year.

    Send Messages from Anywhere

    For those who love adventure, the Ultra 3 will let you send messages even without a phone nearby. Thanks to satellite technology, you can text when there’s no cell or Wi-Fi signal around. This means explorers can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about staying in touch.

    Faster Internet with 5G

    For the first time, the Apple Watch Ultra will support 5G. This isn’t the full-speed 5G you get on your phone but a version called 5G Redcap, which is kinder to battery life yet still improves connectivity over the old 4G.

    While we wait for its fall release, these features suggest that Apple is making the Ultra 3 the go-to watch for those who like to explore. There’s still time for more surprises, like better battery life, which would be a big plus for many users.

  • New iPhone, iPad, and AirPods updates coming in 2025

    New iPhone, iPad, and AirPods updates coming in 2025

    Apple is planning some exciting changes for its devices in 2025. The iPhone 17 base model might get a bigger screen, possibly around 6.3 inches, compared to the 6.1-inch display on the iPhone 16. This change could make videos and games more enjoyable, though it’s still just a rumor from a leaker named Ice Universe.

    There’s no word yet on other features, but a larger display could mean a fresh look for the standard iPhone. The iPad Pro is also set for a makeover, with rumors pointing to even thinner bezels around the screen. This would give the device a sleeker design and more screen space for apps, drawing, or watching content.

    The next iPad Pro, expected to launch with an M5 chip in late 2025, might use new technology to shrink the borders around the display, making it look more modern. However, this upgrade may not be ready for the next release, according to some sources.

    Meanwhile, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 could be on the way, with hints found in a Bluetooth database. These new earbuds might launch alongside the iPhone 17 in September 2025 and could include better sound, improved noise cancellation, and new health features like heart-rate tracking.

    While details are scarce, the clues suggest Apple is working on a big update for its premium earbuds. These rumors show Apple’s focus on improving its devices with bigger screens, slimmer designs, and smarter features. Fans will have to wait until fall 2025 to see what’s real.

    Source/Via/Via

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