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Rajesh Pandey - page 28

MacBook Air vs. Surface Laptop 7: Time to ditch macOS for Windows?

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M3 MacBook Air vs. Surface Laptop 7
How does the Surface Laptop compare to the MacBook Air?
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Microsoft/Rajesh Pandey/CultofMac

In late 2020, the switch to Apple silicon introduced a major leap in the MacBook Air’s performance, efficiency and battery life. Almost four years later, Microsoft’s Surface Laptop lineup is undergoing a similar transition.

The latest Surface Laptop 7 uses Qualcomm’s newest Arm-based Snapdragon chips, which bring a major leap in performance and efficiency. Do these upgrades make the Surface Laptop 7 better than the M3 MacBook Air?

Apple could start assembling iPads in India soon

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M4 iPad Pro in hand
Foxconn wants to make iPads in India.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple manufacturer Foxconn wants to expand its operations in India and assemble iPads in the country, potentially at its Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu.

Currently, Apple contractors Foxconn, Pegatron and Tata Group only assemble iPhones in India.

WhatsApp surpasses 100 million monthly active users in the US

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WhatsApp logo
WhatsApp is becoming a viable iMessage alternative in the US.
Image: WhatsApp

WhatsApp announced today that it has reached 100 million monthly active users in the US. This comes just a few months after the messaging service revealed that it is seeing double-digit growth in the US.

Despite over two billion people using WhatsApp worldwide, it has a limited US presence. However, the Meta-owned company has been working on expanding its presence in the region.

Apple’s in-house 5G modem could finally debut on next year’s iPhones

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The iPhone 15 Series modem chip upgrade resulted in appropriately faster 5G downloads.
The iPhone 15 Series modem chip upgrade resulted in appropriately faster 5G downloads.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple could finally move away from Qualcomm modems as soon as 2025. The company reportedly plans to use its in-house 5G modem on two iPhones due to launch next year.

The company’s in-house baseband will debut on the iPhone SE 4, which rumors indicate should launch in Q1 2025. The iPhone 17 ‘Slim’ will follow suit in the third quarter of the year.

iPhone 17 camera could get DSLR-like variable aperture

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iPhone 17 leaks, specs and price
iPhone 17 could get a variable aperture system for the primary camera.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple could add a variable aperture to the iPhone 17’s primary camera. A variable aperture, commonly found in DSLRs and other high-end cameras, would allow the sensor to limit the light intake for higher-quality images.

It also would enable a better depth-of-field effect, with a nice background blur when taking close-up shots of a subject.

iOS 18: All the Safari improvements

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Safari app shortcut on iOS 18 dock
Safari is getting some big improvements in iOS 18.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple is updating Safari this year for a cleaner, faster web browsing experience on iPhones, iPads and Macs. While the enhanced Reader mode and Highlights stand out as key additions to Safari in iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, several other changes will come to Apple’s web browser as well.

Below we’ll look at all the improvements coming to Safari later this year.

Apple denies using YouTube videos for training Apple Intelligence

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Screenshot of Apple introducing Apple Intelligence during the WWDC24 keynote.
No, Apple Intelligence is not trained on YouTube videos.
Photo: Apple

Apple has rejected reports of training Apple Intelligence and its AI model on YouTube videos without the creators’ consent. The company says OpenELM, its open language model, does not power Apple Intelligence.

Instead, it created OpenELM as a way to contribute to the development of open source large language models.

Apple details products eligible for sales tax holiday in 8 states

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Apple sales tax free holiday in 2024
For a limited time, save on sales tax on certain Apple products.
Photo: Apple

With eight states running sales tax holidays in coming weeks, Apple specified on Wednesday which of its products will qualify for tax-exempt status and in which states. The sale dates vary depending on the state, with the tax waiver helping consumers potentially save hundreds of dollars on Macs, iPads and Apple accessories.

Find out which states offer the discounts, and on what products, below.

iOS 18’s Photos app will help recover corrupted pictures and videos

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iOS 18 Photos app with a full-screen “Today” group of images
The new Photos app in iOS 18 will scan for corrupted pictures and videos.
Photo: Apple

iOS 18’s redesigned Photos app will gain a Recovered album to help you restore damaged photos or videos. It will only show up when the app detects corrupted media not in your photo library.

The new Recovered album will appear under the Utilities section of the Photos app.

Apple sales in India soar 33% to hit a record high

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Apple BKC with Apple logo upfront.
Apple sales hit a new high in India.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s revenue in India hit an all-time high of nearly $8 billion in the last fiscal year. The company reported a 33% jump in revenues, up from $6 billion a year ago.

iPhones led the growth, accounting for over half of all Apple devices sold in India.

The first retro PC emulator for iPhone hits the App Store

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iPad running Windows XP.

Photo: Basic Apple Guy

The first PC emulator for iOS is now available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro. Free app UTM SE allows you to run “classic software and old-school games.”

Apple first rejected the developer’s submission in June, citing a violation of the App Store Review Guidelines. However, Apple appears to have changed its stance regarding PC emulators on the App Store since then.

Rumor: iPhone 16 Pro to use iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x telephoto camera

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The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera array, pictured in front of a green plant.
I just couldn't resist that 5x telephoto zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will seemingly use the same 5x tetraprism camera as the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This move will benefit the company’s current prisms supplier, Crystal-Optech.

Apple plans to use a larger tetraprism sensor with 48MP resolution on the iPhone 17 Pro lineup in 2025.

Apple expects Apple Intelligence to boost iPhone 16 demand in 2024

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iPhone 16 rumors
Apple wants to ship 90 million iPhone 16s this year.
Photo: Sonny Dickson/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly wants to ship 90 million iPhone 16 units in 2024. The company hopes Apple Intelligence and other AI features will fuel the demand for its new iPhones.

For comparison, Apple shipped about 81 million iPhone 15 units in H2 2023.

How to reset AirPods Pro

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How to Reset AirPods Pro
Discover the difference between soft and hard resets.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Are your Apple earbuds acting weird? Sometimes you need to reset your AirPods Pro, AirPods Max or regular AirPods to eliminate connection problems and other minor glitches. You have two possible courses of action: a hard reset and a soft reset.

Follow this guide to learn the difference between those two options, plus how to reset, unpair and remove the earbuds from the Find My network.

iOS 18’s smarter Siri won’t arrive until 2025

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Upgraded Siri experience in iOS 18.
You will have to wait to enjoy some of Siri's best upgrades in iOS 18.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly will make us wait until next year for the smarter Siri the company showcased during June’s WWDC24 keynote. According to a new report, the updated voice assistant won’t enter developer beta testing until January, with a public release slated for next spring in iOS 18.4.

Apple Watch Series 10 could lack advanced new health features

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Apple Watch Series 9 with Mulberry Sport Band on desk
Don't expect blood pressure monitoring on Apple Watch Series 10.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 could sport a thinner design with a bigger display, but it sounds like new health sensors won’t arrive this year. Apple also plans to use a faster processor on its next-gen wearable, possibly laying the groundwork for new AI features.

Google wants iPhone users to stop using Safari for web search

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Google search on iPhone
Google wants iPhone users to move away from Safari for web search.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

A new report details that Google wants to reduce its reliance on Apple for search revenue. Despite being the leader in search, Google pays Apple billions of dollars yearly to remain the iPhone’s default search engine.

iPhone searchers comprise about 36% of Google’s total search revenue.

Sonos Ace vs. AirPods Max comparison: Which high-end headphones are better?

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Sonos Ace vs. AirPods Max comparison
Sonos Ace or AirPods Max?
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Sonos/Rajesh Pandey/CultofMac

The Sonos Ace is the first pair of wireless headphones from the company renowned for its room-pounding wireless speakers. With premium features and a fat price tag to match, the Sonos headphones compete with Apple’s over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max. But in a Sonos Ace versus AirPods Max comparison, which pair of high-end headphones comes out on top?

If you have the money to spend, check out the specs, pros and cons of each model in our hands-on comparison.

Vision Pro’s App Store gains support for alternative payment methods in EU

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Vision Pro on display at an Apple retail store.
Pay for Vision Pro apps through third-party payment methods in the EU.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cut of Mac

Apple has added support for alternative payment methods to the visionOS App Store. This move comes following the release of visionOS 1.2 in early June.

The Vision Pro’s App Store will support alternative payment methods only in the EU, where the headset launches on July 12.

Future AirPods could use IR cameras for in-air gesture control

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AirPods Pro in an open case ... an early Black Friday deal drops price
The IR cameras can help improve the spatial computing experience.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple could equip a future AirPods variant with camera modules. The earbuds may incorporate an IR camera, like the one Apple uses for iPhone’s Face ID.

This will apparently help the AirPods Pro to better integrate with the Vision Pro and improve the spatial computing experience.

Vision Pro might not get Apple Intelligence until 2025

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Vision Pro on display at an Apple retail store.
Apple Intelligence could take a while to come to the Vision Pro.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple will reportedly bring Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro. The AI-powered features will not arrive alongside iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, but will eventually come to Apple’s AR/VR headset.

Many Apple Intelligence features would greatly benefit visionOS and help speed up its existing workflows.

Apple’s new tech could make iPhone battery replacement easier

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iOS update does not deliver promised iPhone battery improvement
A new tech from Apple could make iPhone battery replacement easier.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple could use electrically induced adhesive debonding to make battery removal easier on future iPhones. The company reportedly might use this technology in at least one iPhone 16 model this year.

The move could help Apple make iPhones more repair-friendly — and help Apple comply with upcoming EU laws.

Your iPhone will soon work better with third-party displays and batteries

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Self repair components and tools for iPhone with the necessary tools from Apple.
True Tone on third-party iPhone displays? Yes, please!
Photo: Apple

Apple will improve support for third-party iPhone displays and batteries later this year. The company revealed this in a new whitepaper published on June 26.

Titled “Longevity, by Design,” Apple detailed approach to longevity in the whitepaper.

Leaked Apple Watch Series 10 renders reveal bigger display

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Apple Watch Series 10 leaked CAD render
Are you ready for a bigger Apple Watch?
Render/Graphics: 91Mobiles/Rajesh Pandey

Supposed CAD renders of the Apple Watch Series 10 leaked online Wednesday, revealing a device with a bigger display than its predecessors. The renders show Apple’s upcoming smartwatch with a 2-inch display.

Despite the bigger screen, the Apple Watch Series 10 will seemingly be smaller than the Apple Watch Ultra 2.