Tag: iPhone

The Path to Perfection – Apple’s iOS 17 Beta 2 is here to Amaze

Apple has unveiled the second beta update of iOS 17 to developers following its initial release at the WWDC 2023 event. This latest iteration introduces a host of enhancements and refinements to various core applications, including Messages, Phone, and FaceTime, offering users a more seamless and feature-rich experience. Let’s explore the exciting additions that accompany iOS 17 beta 2.

Enhanced Update Screen 

iOS 17 beta 2 brings forth noteworthy alterations to the update screen, presenting users with an enhanced interface that furnishes comprehensive information regarding the software. In addition to displaying details about joining beta programs, the update screen now prompts users to back up their data before proceeding with the installation. Notably, the Software Update settings page has been refreshed, accompanied by prominently displayed “Update Now” and “Update Tonight” buttons.

Intelligent Tips 

The focus on improving user interaction with Messages, Phone, and FaceTime apps remains at the forefront of iOS 17. The second beta introduces a helpful tip within the Messages app, suggesting users employ Siri’s voice commands instead of traditional typing for messaging purposes. Moreover, during AirDrop usage, individuals encountering difficulties in identifying nearby recipients will receive a prompt advising them to position their device in closer proximity to others.

Location Settings 

Refinements iOS 17 beta 2 introduces notable refinements to the Location Settings on iPhones. Among these refinements, users will now find a new “MicroLocation” option within the Location privacy settings, situated in the Systems Settings section. Additionally, the App Clips Location Confirmation and Standby Clock options have been removed from the available choices, streamlining the interface for improved user navigation.

Music Enhancements 

iOS 17 beta 2 introduces an expanded array of Apple Music‌ widgets, encompassing a variety of sizes to cater to individual preferences. Furthermore, new functionality has been incorporated, allowing users to toggle off notifications while in StandBy mode. Notably, critical notifications will still be delivered to users even when this feature is deactivated, ensuring crucial information is never missed.

Refined StandBy Experience 

In the latest beta update, iOS 17 introduces an option to disable notifications in StandBy mode, allowing users a more uninterrupted experience. However, it is essential to note that notifications classified as “Critical” will continue to be delivered, guaranteeing that urgent alerts are promptly received, even when this particular feature is deactivated.By incorporating these updates and refinements, Apple’s iOS 17 beta 2 empowers users with an enhanced and dynamic mobile operating system, delivering a seamless blend of productivity and innovation.

Apple’s folding iPhone may automatically shut to protect itself from drops

While every other major tech player like Samsung, Motorola and OPPO has already launched its foldable devices, Apple has been working on its version of the same for quite a while. However, it is expected that the wait for a foldable iPhone or iPad by Apple will be coming to an end as soon as 2025. Apple has been hard at work with the next-gen iPhone and iPad lineup with foldable capabilities and a recent patent for a new technology hints that the company is aiming to bring only the best product to the market. Reports suggest that the new technology patented could protect foldable iPhones and iPad from getting damaged even when dropped from a height.

New technology for foldable iPhone/iPad

Patently Apple was the first portal to spot the patent filed by Apple from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) which hints at new safety features for the screens of the iPhone and iPad units in the future. The patent is titled ‘Self-Retracting Display Device And Techniques For Protecting Screen Using Drop Detection’. This refers to a motorised folding device mechanism that could either partially or fully close a foldable device before it hits the ground in the event of a drop.

This is a crucial development in the foldable device arena as rollable and foldable displays are made out of ultra-thin glass which is vulnerable to falls. The new technology could help solve a major issue in foldable devices and protect them from unexpected drops.

The patent application read “Mobile devices with foldable and rollable displays can use a sensor to detect vertical acceleration (e.g., acceleration with respect to the ground) to determine if the mobile device has been dropped. If the sensor detects that the mobile device has been dropped… the foldable device can retract at least partially to afford protection from the fragile display from striking the ground”

Apple CEO Tim Cook takes a 40 percent pay cut for 2023

While we work our way in our mundane shifts to make a survivable income, tech giants around the world pay millions of dollars to their top hires. Be it Sundar Pichai or Tim Cook, the big tech players of the globe take home a fat slack of salaries. While the current atmosphere on social media has been anti-capitalist with a huge outcry over unfair wealth distribution, we all know the 1% is going to be there not just surviving but striving. But 2022 was different, we saw many tech giants around the world having to let go of their staff amidst uncertain economic situations and plummeting stock prices. it looks like the price cuts have now finally made their way to the higher end of the chain as Apple CEO Tim Cook is all set to receive a major pay cut for 2023.

Tim Cook Pay Cut

As per a new regulatory filing, Apple CEO Tim Cook will receive a salary of $49 million in 2023. This would mark a 40% drop from Cook’s previously drawn salary of $84 million in 2022.

The changes to Cook’s salary are entirely from adjustments made to his equity award value. In 2022, the Apple CEO’s equity award was estimated to be worth $75 million which will now be dropped to $40 million. However, his base salary of $3 million and the annual cash incentive of $6 million will remain intact. But why would an ultra-successful company like Apple need to make pay cuts for its celebrated CEO anyways?

Apple has continued its winning strike in the tech market, however, its market cap has dropped $1 trillion from its peak a year ago while the company continues to face production challenges with its flagship seller, the iPhone. While it’s uncertain whether Apple will continue to face these challenges, a pay cut for Tim Cook surely hints at the changing landscape of the company.

iPad Mini to not be replaced by the foldable iPhone

Since the past year, the rumour mills have been churning out details about the much anticipated foldable iPhone. However, there haven’t been any concrete leaks around the same. The world of leaks is full of bluffs and it is easy to fall prey to leakers pulling stuff out of thin air but the past few weeks have been hot for iPhone 15, the upcoming iPad series, and the inevitable foldable iPhone leaks. Several reports doing the rounds on the internet claimed that Apple would be discontinuing the iPad Mini series to fit the foldable iPhone in the lineup. Now, a new report from popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has presented a different picture.

iPad Mini to be discontinued?

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a set of tweets has rubbished the rumours about Apple discontinuing its iPad Mini lineup. Recent reports had suggested that the iPad Mini lineup will be cut off by Apple to accommodate the foldable iPhone lineup in 2025. However, Kuo believes that the eventual foldable iPhone will not replace the Mini lineup as doing so is not reasonable. One can simply understand that iPads and iPhones have a different customer bases thus replacing one with another could create conflicts in the market. Whereas, Kuo also revealed that the price point at which the foldable iPhone launch will be much higher than that of the iPad Mini.

Ming-Chi revealed furthermore that Apple is currently working on a new iPad Mini with a new processor. According to the analyst, the new processor will be the selling point of the upcoming iPad Mini which could start shipping by the end of 2023 or the first half of 2024. On the other hand, reports are suggesting that Apple will be working with notable companies like Samsung and LG in order to build a foldable 20.25-inch display. It will be interesting to see if Apple surpasses the previous foldable devices launched by major tech players.

iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max shipments to take a hit due to Covid restrictions in China

It was back in October when news about a COVID-19 outbreak in the world’s largest iPhone manufacturing plant hit the internet. A surge in COVID-19 cases at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou, China site lead to a complete lockdown at the factory as a measure to curb the spread. As a result, several factory workers were seen fleeing the facility citing poor working conditions and a lack of basic resources. News outlets around the world also focussed on individual stories where workers from the factory shared their experience of being under the strict lockdown and finally making their way to the world. Foxconn’s Zhengzhou plant employs about 200,000 people and produces the maximum number of iPhones for Apple across the world. Thus it was expected that the production of iPhones will take a hit due to this outbreak. Now, California-based Apple has shared an official press release stating that people can expect a delay in the supply of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Check out Apple’s press release below –

Apple’s press release for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max supply delay

COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily impacted the primary iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly facility located in Zhengzhou, China. The facility is currently operating at significantly reduced capacity. As we have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prioritizing the health and safety of the workers in our supply chain.

We continue to see strong demand for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. However, we now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated and customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products.

We are working closely with our supplier to return to normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of every worker.

On the other hand, Foxconn recently said that it was working to resume full production of the plant as quickly as possible. It is currently in the process to implement new measures in order to curb the COVID-19 spread.

Apple to adopt USB-C port from iPhone 15

Being an iPhone user in India is not easy when it comes to juicing up the device. I am sure a lot of iPhone users had to go through the perils of charging their devices up but not finding any person with an Apple lightning cable. People with Android devices, on the other hand, can surely get their USB-C cables due to their universal availability. Well, it looks like Apple is finally solving this issue for iPhone users by adopting the USB Type-C port with the upcoming iPhone 15.

USB-C for iPhone 15

Apple may be switching to USB Type-C from the next lineup of iPhones which means that the iPhone 15 will finally bid goodbye to the lightning port. The tech giant is clearly not very fond of this decision as it is being forced to adopt Type-C to comply with the EU law which demands the company abandon the lightning port and opt for the universal Type-C port instead.

In a new law passed, EU has mandated all phones to have USB Type-C port by 2024. Apple is currently the only smartphone manufacturer around the world that has its unique charging port. There were rumors around the web that Apple was going to remove the charging port from iPhones altogether and rely on wireless charging to comply to the EU rule, but that luckily is not the case. The company is already facing online criticism on the removal of the SIM card slot on the iPhone on USA exclusive models, thus it won’t be the brightest idea to now go on and remove the Type-C port.

Apple’s senior Greg Joswiak was the first one to address the EU mandate issue stating, “Obviously, we’ll have to comply; we have no choice.” But he also expressed Apple’s displeasure on the new law stating that replacing the lightning port with Type-C will generate a lot of e-waste. As of now, it is unknown whether only iPhones launched in Europe will arrive with USB Type-C or other parts of the world will also see this change. if the USB-C change is only exclusive to EU then one can expect the sales of EU-imported iPhone 15s in the black market to go up marginally!

iPhone 5c to officially become outdated on November 1

Are you an iPhone fanatic who is still holding on to your beloved iPhone 5c? I can surely picture some Apple users holding back on the iPhone 5c to use it as an iPod replacement or straight up as their primary device even after nine years after its launch. Outlandish but possible! Well, it looks like now is the time to bid your iPhone 5c goodbye as Apple is all set to declare it as ‘obsolete’.

Goodbye iPhone 5c

Several reports suggest that the iPhone 5c will soon be declared obsolete by Apple. The device was previously declared ‘vintage’ by the company in 2020. By turning the device Apple obsolete, the company has basically concluded the iPhone 5c’s repairs and other services. This means, if your beloved 5c ends up with a cracked screen, Apple won’t fix it as it will no longer have hardware support for it. The budget iPhone 5c can now be put to rest!

The device was previously listed as vintage by Apple which meant that the company and its service providers could only provide certain repairs for the product, subject to availability. Apple’s official page about such products states, “Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago. Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, Service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products.” The iPhone 5c was the first offering from Apple to come in a colorful plastic form factor. It featured colors like blue, green, pink, and yellow which were new to iPhone back then! Besides this, the 2014 version of the 15-inch MacBook Pro is also reported to hit the vintage mark soon.

No TouchID for future flagship iPhones?

Apple stunned the world with its recent launch event introducing the new iPhone 14 series. While Apple’s flagship devices have washed their hands clean off the TouchID, there have been several reports in the past that suggest that it will be making its way back. Ever since Apple moved to FaceID with its flagship offerings, Apple fans have speculated that the company will be implementing an in-screen fingerprint sensor on its devices. Android devices have been sporting the feature for years so fans expecting the same from Apple is only natural. But it looks like Apple has no interest to introduce the in-display fingerprint sensor in iPhones.

TouchID abandoned?

If you ask me, back in the day Apple’s home button with TouchID was its identity. The classic design surely ruled over millions of hearts as it brought a sense of familiarity through years of design retention. It was back in 2017 when Apple decided to move away from the classic design for its flagship offering with the iPhone X which introduced Apple’s FaceID, and of course, the notch. The same year, Apple also introduced the iPhone 8/8 Plus which kept the classic design and home button with TouchID. Cut to 2022, when the tech giant introduced the iPhone 14 lineup, all equipped with notches and FaceID. it’s been half a decade since Apple introduced FaceID and in my opinion, it is time for a change. But the tech giant doesn’t feel the same!

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently shared his latest edition of the Power On newsletter where he shared that Apple has no plans of bringing back the TouchID anytime soon. According to Gurman, and leaks over the internet, Apple tested the under-screen TouchID in recent years. The resources utilized in testing the under-screen TouchID feature surely will not go to waste as Apple might implement it in the future. Will it happen with the iPhone 15 coming next year? Not at all! In fact, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has tweeted that the under-display fingerprint sensor will not make its way to the iPhone even in 2024. This means that we tentatively have over two generations of the iPhone to go before we can possibly see the feature.

But the question to ask here is whether we really need this feature. the answer for me is definitely yes! Android devices have been rocking the in-display fingerprint sensor for years now and it’s only about time that Apple brings this feature to iPhone! Technology moves at a fast pace and Apple has a lot of catching up to do. The company’s obsession to provide quality features at its own pace is commendable for sure but come on hurry up a little!

Everything Apple unveiled at the WWDC June 2022 event

The WWDC, or the Apple WorldWide Developers Conference, is an international conference held by Apple to announce upcoming significant software/hardware developments and updates. The WWDC is a well-known and well-awaited event generally hosted during June and July. The 33rd Apple Worldwide Developers Conference is another digital-only event. This event started on June 6 and will conclude by June 10. 

Apple Inc. introduced a software update (iOS 16) for its iPhones on June 6, a Buy Now Pay Later option and a MacBook Air with its newest M2 processor. During Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the firm’s second major annual event, the company also introduced a new automotive dashboard available in new Ford and Jaguar models and collaboration and data security capabilities. The following are the significant updates/announcements of the 33rd WWDC:

Latest macOS: Venture

Introduced a new framework called the stage manager, which makes it easier for you while having numerous windows open simultaneously. There were a few changes to the mail application, like Improved search functionality, reminders and the ability to schedule emails to send at a specific time. 

Buy Now Pay Later

Users will be able to pay with Apple Pay everywhere it is accepted, and they will be able to pay in four instalments over the course of six weeks without incurring any additional costs. 

M2 Chip

The new M2 CPU beats its predecessor (M1 Chip) by 18%, thanks to its 24 gigabytes of unified memory and ability to play multiple streams of 4K and 8K video.

New MacBook

The new Air is 11.3 inches thick, weighs 2.7 pounds, and has a 13.6-inch liquid Retina display with a Magsafe charging system. With the new M2 chip, the new MacBook Air shall be faster than ever. 

WatchOS 9

The upcoming WatchOS 9 will now have completely new watch aesthetics and workout analytics like exercise heart rate zones. 

Security update

Apple has also improved its security features. It introduced Safety Check in the settings app, allowing users to cancel access to personal data such as shared locations.

Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Rumours

Often, major tech releases are spoiled by endless leaks and rumours prior to their official introduction. Sometimes, this works well for the brand, and other times, it is chaotic. In a very recent leak, details of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max have been revealed. 

Apple usually includes four variants in its high-end lineup – iPhone Mini, iPhone, iPhone Pro, and iPhone Pro Max. We could witness a change in this year’s dropout. Apple can drop the iPhone Mini, and the gap between the Pro and non-Pro models can be widened. The two models can likely have a 6.1 and 6.7-inch screen. 

One of the exciting aspects of the leak is that it suggests that the two phones are rumoured to switch to a punch-hole and pill design. The two iPhone variants will also see a thicker camera bump due to the upgraded sensor. 

Talking about the processor, the regular iPhone 14 models are expected to retain the same A15 Bionic chipset from the iPhone 13, but the Pro models can see a boosted chipset that does not belong to the A-family. To know more about the processor, you will have to be updated with our articles since Apple can talk about the new chipset at the WWDC event today. 

iPhone 14 is expected to run on iOS 16 and can come with iOS 16.1 pre-installed. The software would be receiving software updates for many years to come. TrendForce also reports that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro will receive a massive 50% increase in RAM compared to their previous models. Based on this, Apple can market the product as having the ‘pro-level performance’ at an affordable price. 

This year’s lineup could support satellite communications for emergency communications. This will allow the users to reach out for help in no-service zones if any accident occurs.  

Apple has not confirmed the release date; however, the company has a habit of releasing its lineup during the fall. It typically reveals the smartphones during an event that takes place in September. We can expect the same for this one too. 

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