iOS Archives - Exhibit Tech

iOS 17.4 has Arrived with new Features

Apple’s latest iOS update, version 17.4, comes with a range of enhancements and new features designed to improve the iPhone user experience. Although it’s not a major overhaul, this incremental update introduces several improvements that boost device functionality and user experience. Here are the key highlights of iOS 17.4:

New Emojis

iOS 17.4 adds new emojis to the collection, which enables users to express themselves in new and fun ways. Users now have a broader range of emoticons, from diverse symbols to new faces, making their communication more engaging and expressive.

Detailed Battery Health Information

With iOS 17.4, you can access more detailed information about your battery’s health to gain insights into its capacity and peak performance capability over time. With this information, you can confidently decide about your device usage and charging habits.

Send Messages with Siri in Multiple Languages

Siri has become more versatile than ever. Users can now send messages in different languages, which makes communication across linguistic contexts much easier. Whether you are talking to friends or colleagues from different parts of the world, Siri’s linguistic flexibility ensures that language barriers are no longer an obstacle.

New Digital Clock Widget

iOS 17.4 brings a new digital clock widget that allows users to customize their home screen further. This sleek and functional widget provides easy access to the time, and users can choose from various design options to create a personalized home screen that suits their aesthetic preferences and workflow.

Enhanced Stolen Device Protection

Protecting your iPhone from theft or loss is crucial for safeguarding valuable data and personal information. iOS 17.4 expands on existing security features with more stolen device protection options, such as remotely locking your device, tracking its location, or initiating a remote wipe. These features give greater control and peace of mind when securing iPhones.

Music Recognition Integration

iOS 17.4 integrates music recognition functionality, allowing users to quickly identify songs and add them to their library or playlists. Whether at a party, in a cafe, or simply exploring new music, this feature enhances your music discovery experience by enabling quick and effortless song identification and organization.

Biggest changes for users living in the EU

The biggest update of iOS has been designed to comply with the Digital Markets Act of the European Union. The update includes a feature that allows users to download apps from third-party app stores in Europe. However, Apple will still control which apps are allowed from these third-party stores. Additionally, with the new iOS 17.4, users can use alternative payment methods through Apple Pay and NFC. It is also worth noting that the region’s Progressive Web Apps (PWA) will not be disabled.

Although iOS 17.4 does not introduce groundbreaking changes globally, but Apple’s commitment to improving the iPhone user experience is evident. This update includes expanded emojis, improved battery health insights, and enhanced security features, catering to both practical and functional aspects of smartphone usage. As Apple continues to iterate and innovate, iOS 17.4 represents another step forward in providing a seamless, intuitive, and feature-rich mobile operating system for iPhone users worldwide.

Apple unleashed iOS 17.3 with Stolen Device Protection and a fresh wallpaper

Apple has rolled out the eagerly anticipated iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3, setting a new standard for mobile operating systems. True to their commitment to accessibility, these updates are universally accessible to eager users, with no staggered release drama reminiscent of the Google sphere.

A standout feature in the iOS 17.3 update is the groundbreaking Stolen Device Protection. Offering an extra layer of security, this feature becomes a guardian if your device falls into the wrong hands, along with your passcode. With Stolen Device Protection, accessing saved passwords demands the authentication of Face ID or Touch ID.

Meanwhile, altering crucial settings like your Apple ID password or device passcode undergoes a security delay, safeguarded by biometric authentication. This feature sparks a revelation—why has this not been a standard before? It’s a game-changer that makes absolute sense. As Apple users revel in this security upgrade, the hope is that Google and Android device manufacturers swiftly take inspiration to fortify their side of the technological fence.

Beyond the realm of security, the update introduces a fresh wallpaper, elevates the collaborative spirit on Apple Music by allowing friends to co-create playlists (complete with emoji reactions), and opens up a world of entertainment with hotel support on AirPlay, enabling direct streaming to the TV in select hotels. Notably, Crash detection has undergone optimisation, ensuring a seamless and secure user experience. Embrace the future with Apple’s latest, where security and innovation converge for an unparalleled mobile journey.

Elon Musk ideates an ‘Alternative Phone’ if Twitter is removed from Apple and Google stores

What happens when tech giants like Apple and Google decide to drop an application from their app stores? Besides the obvious lawsuits, the banned application or platform takes a major hit when it comes to revenue and adding new users. Something on similar lines was witnessed by Epic Games’ Fortnite when Apple and Google decided to drop the game from their platform. Now, Elon Musk has shared what his plans are for if and when Apple and Google drop Twitter from their respective stores.

Elon Musk’s ‘Alternative Phone’

Musk fanatics are quick to support the billionaire when it comes to almost anything. But, will they buy a phone to use Twitter and prove their loyalty to him? Musk surely thinks so as he recently hinted that he may have to create an alternative phone.

Both Apple and Google charge app developers a fee of 15-30% on all-app transactions. On the other hand, Twitter is all set to roll out the $8 Blue subscription yet again. Since it will be an in-app purchase, Twitter will have to adhere to the rules laid out by Apple/Google to pay up the 15-30% fee. It is not sure whether Musk will retaliate against this practice by the tech giants or simply go with it. Thus, when a known podcast host put forward the idea of Musk making his own smartphone device, the billionaire found it interesting.

Elon Musk tweeted that if it ever comes to the point where Apple and Google kick Twitter out of their respective app stores then he would be left with no other choice but to build his own alternative smartphone. Musk fanatics were quick to jump in and write that he has the potential to revolutionize the smartphone market. Is a Tesla phone in the works? We’ll see!

Android vs iOS. Who Outperforms Who?

At least once in your life, you have run into a conversation that poses a comparison between Android and iOS. While we are all aware that Google’s Android offers a more open platform, choice, versatility, and customization, there must be something that keeps the users hooked to the iOS devices. The fight between Android vs iOS will never have a real winner. However, we might help you find your pick.

The latest versions of both the operating systems – iOS 15 and Android 12, are pretty excellent but in different ways. Many of the features, such as swiping, and zooming in and out, overlap, but both have a different design, except for the basic touch-screen layout. You need to know the strength of both these operating systems to get a clear picture of which smartphone to invest in. Currently, the flagship smartphones of both these OS are Google Pixel 6 and iPhone 13.

Android 12 vs iOS 15

Both Android and iOS are unique, with similar features and layouts. We will list them all on some parameters, and the OS that ticks more boxes becomes the winner.

Personalization

With its design and layout, Google has taken this one right off the bat. From layout to wallpaper changes, Android 12 adapts to everything, from wallpaper changes to layout, and the notification panel, which can be customized to make the phone your own.

iOS, on the other hand, gets some degree of customizability but gets outperformed by Android 12. You can not have a blank home screen on an iPhone, and it’s a little disappointing.

I think Apple does excellently by giving notifications a needed facelift in iOS 15, with bigger app icons and contact photos for conversation notifications.

Fluidity

Both the operating systems are quite fluid and stable as far as the overall performance is concerned. With Android 12, the calculator looks updated with new angles, new Google apps, and standard apps like Settings, Privacy, and Games.

With iOS 15, the flagship browser Safari has been redesigned with the address bar at the bottom, closer to the keyboard, refined notifications, and App Library. All the apps have well-rounded corners and a pie-chart-like display of various stats. The apps on iOS 15 seem to work on a similar template and come with a certain level of polish.

Google is trying to catch up on a similar level of consistency with Android, but iOS wins the race for now.

Updates

Apple is known for its better update timeline since iOS rolls out updates on the same date for every device without discrimination. Whether it is the iPhone 6 or iPhone 13, all the phones will get the same update simultaneously.

On the contrary, Android smartphone makers schedule updates according to their priorities and do not sync with Google. This is because most smartphone brands put their flavours to the Android version and are tweaked for the next update.

While iOS 15 rolled the updates for all the devices at once, Android 12 makes you wait for the OEM to provide the update, and that can take months. iOS is a clear winner here.

Gaming

Android 12 has come up with some exciting features for gamers. The ‘play as you download’ feature lets the user play games while other assets are being downloaded in the background. Also, there are added features like quick toggles in its Game Dashboard that let you take screenshots and toggle DND. Android devices have a larger collection of games as compared to iOS.

On iOS 15, everything revolves around the App Store and Apple Arcade. You get a dedicated Focus Mode for games and a game centre for the multiplayer experience; however, there are no console-quality games despite the powerful chipset that iPhone comes with.

Bloatware

Apple has the upper hand because Google doesn’t decide on pre-loaded apps on every Android phone. While the Pixel lineup and a few other high-end smartphones have decent pre-loaded apps, it is not the same for every Android smartphone, for they are loaded with bloatware.

iOS 15 lets you delete whatever you want from your smartphone, but Android 12 wouldn’t let you do the same. Few apps can be a potential privacy threat to your data.

Conclusion

iOS and Android are the two most popular mobile operating systems around the world. What makes iOS different from Android is that you can get a lot of variations of Android depending upon the OEMs, but there’s only one version of iOS throughout every iPhone lineup. Apple excels in consistency.

It isn’t easy to judge both these operating systems and pick out the best but let’s say that while Android beats iOS in customizability, iOS covers the road of longevity more than Android.

Apple is said to be working on 9 New Macs with M2 Chip

We all know M-series chips for Mac computer systems and iPads have been pretty successful, and now Apple is reportedly working on the subsequent M-series chip, the Apple M2, to be launched later this year. Now, a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has stated that the agency is working on 9 new Mac computer systems as a way to feature the M2 chip. This comes after Apple introduced that the Apple M1 Ultra that powers the Mac Studio will be the last M1 chip from the organisation. At least 2 Mac products with an M2 chip are anticipated this year, while the rest of the Macs can also arrive in the subsequent year.

The M2 processor is expected to be the successor to the M1 and bring enhancements in terms of graphics handling. Bloomberg claims to have seen developer logs, corroborated by people aware of the improvement — Apple is trying out at least 9 Mac devices, powered by 4 distinctive M2-primarily based chips, with third-party apps in the App Store. This is part of the chip improvement technique to ensure the working device and the apps are compatible with the brand new chipset. It also suggests that the new machines can be prepared for launch soon.

The new devices being examined consist of:

1. A MacBook Air with an M2 chip codenamed J413. This Mac could have 8 CPU cores, the additives that manage the primary processing, and 10 cores for graphics. That’s up from 8 graphics cores in the present-day MacBook Air.

2. A Mac mini with an M2 chip codenamed J473. This device may have identical specs as the MacBook Air. In testing, there’s also an “M2 Pro” variation, codenamed J474.

3. An entry-level MacBook Pro with an M2 chip codenamed J493. This, too, could have identical specs as the MacBook Air.

4. A 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and “M2 Max” chips, codenamed J414. According to the logs, the M2 Max chip has 12 CPU cores and 38 graphics cores, up from 10 CPU cores and 32 graphics cores in the current model. It may even have 64 gigabytes of memory.

5. A 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips codenamed J416. The 16-inch MacBook Pro’s M2 Max could have identical specs because of the 14-inch MacBook Pro model.

6. A Mac Pro, codenamed J180. This device will consist of a successor to the M1 Ultra chip used in the Mac Studio computer.

7. Apple is also trying out a Mac mini with an M1 Pro chip, the same processor used in today’s entry-level 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. That device is codenamed J374. The company has also tested an M1 Max model of the Mac mini. However, the new Mac Studio can also additionally make these machines redundant.

iOS Users Can Now Transfer Their WhatsApp Chat History To Samsung Devices

People were and still are fascinated about buying an iPhone one day, and with more and more EMI options and discounts, the dream of getting an iPhone has become an easy ride now. However, at the same time, there are a considerable number of people who are moving from iPhones/iPads to Androids, or particularly to Samsung smartphones, and they’ve their reasons which we’re not going to discuss here.

If you’re one of those people who want to shift their primary device from iOS to Samsung but are worried about how to transfer your WhatsApp account information, profile photo, individual chats, group chats, and settings, then calm down, WhatsApp has unveiled plans in a blog post to support moving chat history from iOS to Samsung devices running Android 10 or 11, but you can only migrate your details during the initial setup of your new Samsung device.

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, and for the very first time, the Facebook-owned company has offered an option to transfer chats from one device to another even if they’re based on diverse operating systems. The recently added transfer feature has been live now, and the entire process is secured by end-to-end encryption by WhatsApp, which means your voice messages, photos, and videos stays completely secure.

There are certain things that you will need to transfer your WhatsApp chat history from iPhone to a Samsung phone. First, you must use the same phone number on the new device as the old device and secondly, you will need to have a USB-C to Lightning cable as the transfer process requires it.

Then, you should have an iPhone with WhatsApp iOS version 2.21.160.17 or greater and a Samsung device with WhatsApp version 2.21.16.20 or greater to transfer the chat history without any hassle. All the details you need to transfer WhatsApp chat history from iPhone to Samsung are here. According to WhatsApp, the transfer feature will soon be available for more Android devices.

Apple’s Tool to Tackle Child Sex Abuse Cases

Coincidences matter. Coincidences do occur. And, some coincidences happened recently. Just a few days before, the Cabinet decided to extend the timeline of POCSO fast track courts. And, now Apple has decided to bring more compliance in child sex abuse regulation. Child sex abuse is one of the burning topics which has increased in current times. Just file an RTI application from the Ministry of Women & Child Development or check the National Criminal Records Bureau portal to know how many child sex abuse cases get registered in a year. Figures are disturbing. But, with this update, Apple is displaying its firm intent to mitigate such instances. Let’s know more about this news in detail from this Exhibit blog.

Apple’s Tool for Child Sex Abuse

A report is out where there is information available that Apple is working to develop a tool that can scan child sex abuse images. This report thoroughly talks about how Apple is working towards child safety and other measures that can reduce the frequency in such cases. Apple will bring this tool with its flagship OS-based products, including iOS 15, watchOS 8, and macOS Monterey. Apple has also announced that they are enhancing the utility of their default message application to tackle this issue.

How will this tool work?

If it’s about the Message app, the essential element that will help to scan such incidents through rich libraries is NLP (Natural Language Processing). Whenever any message comes, it will try to detect keywords like ‘child,’ ‘sex,’ or something quite relevant to this domain and understand what the sender or receiver tries to express. Once understood, it will send the notification for the same to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, a regulatory agency in the USA. This apple tool will also scan images and comparing same with the large data set on child sex abuse. If your child thinks about seeing sensitive images, this tool has the power to send notifications to you.

Potential of Apple’s Tool

The new Apple tool has immense potential to reduce child sex instances to a greater extent. Apple should think about collaborating with other social media messaging apps to read messages or request those app-based companies to send a red alert by using the tool without storing it somewhere (hence, it will keep privacy intact). Even in India, both MoWCD and MHA should talk about this tool that can help their law enforcement agencies catch culprits.

Final Word

Apple has taken a giant step to bring betterment to society. It will be great to see other smartphone makers take the same type of measures by building such tools to make humanity feel safer, especially for your kids.