News - page 99

The wait for Apple Intelligence is over. iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 and iPadOS 18.1 can all be installed now, and they all include Apple’s AI-powered features.

“Apple Intelligence introduces a new era for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, delivering brand-new experiences and tools that will transform what our users can accomplish,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a press release Monday. “Apple Intelligence builds on years of innovation in AI and machine learning to put Apple’s generative models at the core of our devices, giving our users a personal intelligence system that is easy to use — all while protecting their privacy. Apple Intelligence is generative AI in a way that only Apple can deliver, and we’re incredibly excited about its ability to enrich our users’ lives.”

But that’s not everything coming out of Cupertino today. watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1 and visionOS 2.1 went out, too — alongside upgraded iMacs powered by Apple’s M4 chip.

Apple launched an upgraded iMac with an M4 chip and support for Apple Intelligence on Monday, calling it “the world’s best all-in-one for AI.” The new computer looks like the old iMac it replaces but packs major internal upgrades. Thanks to the M4 system-on-a-chip, the 2024 iMac brings a notable leap in performance over previous iMacs.

“With the incredible features of Apple Intelligence, and the powerful performance of Apple silicon, the new iMac changes the game once again,” said iMac product manager Sree Panuganty in a launch video released Monday.

Apple cannot sell the iPhone 16 in Indonesia following a government ban for failing to meet local investment requirements.

Apple’s Indonesian arm invested around $95 million, about $15 million less than its commitment of $108 million.

iFixit’s iPad mini 7 teardown reveals that Apple made almost no internal changes to the device. Its internal layout is also the same as that of the iPad mini 6.

Interestingly, rumors previously indicated Apple rotating the iPad mini 7’s display controller to fix the jelly scrolling issue. But that’s not the case.

iPad 11 might not make the list of products Apple launches during its upcoming week of announcements. A generally reliable source of Apple insider information says iPad 11 release date won‘t arrive until next year.

If true, Apple’s October product launch non-event will only include M4-powered Macs and related accessories.

Apple’s upcoming smart home display could feature an iMac-like base from a couple of decades ago. The smart home screen also could sport a display size similar to “two iPhones side by side.”

And a reasonable price tag could put it in range for many buyers.

Apple is secretly testing a new health app designed to help individuals with prediabetes manage their diet and lifestyle choices, according to a new report. The experimental app, tested with select employees earlier this year, focuses on helping users understand how different foods affect their blood sugar levels. That might help stave off Type 2 diabetes for some.

Some might use it just to marvel at how that cookie is spiking their blood sugar and choose an apple next time, instead.

With Apple Intelligence features coming out to much fanfare, it seems smartphone users don’t actually rank AI very high on their wishlists when considering smartphone upgrades, according to a new survey out Friday. With AI low on smartphone upgrade wishlists, what do they crave? Much higher among their hopes are longer battery life, more storage and better cameras. You know, the “classics.”

Billy Crystal has enjoyed a long career in comedy as a standup and in film and TV roles, but that’s not all he does. The unnerving trailer Apple TV+ dropped Tuesday for his new series Before, billed as a psychological thriller and a “supernatural mystery,” pushes a truckload of horror tropes fit to run you down in the dark of night. You weren’t sleeping anyway.

And Crystal not only stars but also executive produces the creepy-looking limited series, set to premiere October 25 on Apple TV+.

Update: Billy Crystal’s psycho-thriller limited series Before started streaming Friday on Apple TV+, so have at it. Reviews so far seem mixed, by the way. Some call Crystal “convincingly somber” and “spooky.” Others call the series “the year’s most disappointing show” and a “stagnant, repetitive mess.” Wow, tell us how you really feel.

In central London, thieves snatch an iPhone out of someone’s hand every 6 minutes, often via passing moped. The problem is so pervasive someone came up with a new line of comically intimidating iPhone cases as part of an awareness campaign called “The Unsnatchable.”

One case bristles with silver spikes. Another looks like an angry electric eel. A third conveys a curse within. And a fourth takes the form of a gauntlet you wear to clutch the handset in an iron grip.

A new AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid firmware update sets the soundstage for the new Apple Hearing Health features expected with Monday’s public release of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. Apple began rolling out the update Thursday. The new features are Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection.

Intended for both Lightning and USB-C versions of the earbuds, firmware version 7B19 updates from the previous version 7A305.

Prime Target, a new conspiracy thriller series involving a math genius, an NSA agent and probably a whole lot of paranoia, begins streaming January 25, Apple TV+ said Thursday. The eight-episode series starring SAG Award winner Leo Woodall, Quintessa Swindell and Stephen Rea, among others. It comes to us from writer Steve Thompson (Sherlock, Vienna Blood).

Apple let the world know Thursday that its much-anticipated October event won’t be a traditional one. Instead, it’ll be a week of announcements of new products via press releases.

What the PR blitz will bring is supposed to be a secret, of course. But we already know much of what’s likely coming: MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini, all running the M4 processor, plus the iPad 11.

iOS 18.2 beta 1, which went to developers on Wednesday, includes a new section in Settings that lets users specify which applications to set as their defaults for handling email, messages, phone calls and more. In some cases, setting this simply gets easier. In others, changing the default app previously wasn’t possible at all.

We already knew this change would happen in Europe, but Apple made it clear Wednesday that it’ll be available worldwide.

While some M4 Macs may arrive in the next week, Apple also gears up for a bigger expansion of its M4 chip rollout, including the M4 MacBook Air coming in early 2025, according to a new report. However, it may push back launch plans for the next Mac Studio desktop computer a few months into next year, amid other release plans next spring. Those include a redesigned iPhone SE and a new entry-level iPad (11th generation). If you’re curious about the Mac M4 lineup and its expected features, take a look at this in-depth coverage.

If you’re wondering when will iPhone SE 4 come out, speculation suggests a release could be just around the corner.

Apple seeded the initial beta of iOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2 and iPadOS 8.2 to developers on Wednesday, giving them their first opportunity to test the Image Playground app, Genmoji and more. Also on the list is perhaps the most controversial feature of Apple Intelligence: optional ChatGPT access.

Expect testing to end and the full launch before the end of the year.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) imposed nearly $90 million in combined penalties on Apple and Goldman Sachs, the agency said Wednesday. The fines punish widespread customer service failures and misleading practices affecting Apple Card users. And the Apple Card fines for Apple and Goldman Sachs add up to some serious bank, too.

The enforcement action comes after an investigation revealed “significant breakdowns” in dispute handling and deceptive marketing of interest-free payment plans, CFPB said. Apple and Goldman Sachs didn’t much like the findings but pledged compliance.

Soccer superstar Lionel Messi will take the field in his first MLS Cup playoff match on Friday, and it’ll be available free for anyone to watch via the Apple TV app.

He’ll lead Inter Miami CF against Atlanta United FC.

Apple reportedly might end production of the Vision Pro by the end of the year. That doesn’t mean the mixed-reality headset is about to be discontinued, however.

Still, Cupertino apparently now has its focus on the cheaper Vision version that could launch in 2025.

Fans of hit Apple TV+ series Severance — call it a surreal workplace thriller — would expect nothing less than to have their heads exploded by the season two trailer. And without too much exaggeration, that’s pretty much what they get with the video Apple TV+ dropped on YouTube Wednesday.

It leaves you with nothing but tantalizing questions. Like: What the hell are they doing? Well, whatever it is, we want in. The January 17 streaming date can’t come soon enough. Watch the teaser trailer below.

Apple’s new iPad mini with Apple Intelligence support is now on sale. Announced on October 15th, the iPad mini 7 sports an A17 Pro chip.

Despite Apple Intelligence being a key highlight, the new iPad mini will launch with iPadOS 18, meaning buyers must wait a few days to get the new AI-powered features.

When the iPad mini 7 reaches customers on Wednesday morning, they should expect to update to iPadOS 18.0.1 as part of setting up the tablet.

This update removes bugs in the operating system and became available for other iPad models several weeks ago.

A new rumor suggests Apple’s redesigned Mac mini with M4 chip might launch as soon as this week.

Apple has several M4-powered Macs in the pipeline, including the M4 iMac and MacBook Pros. They are all expected to debut by the end of October.

The Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad are the only accessories in Apple’s lineup that use a Lightning connector. But that seemingly won’t be the case for long.

The latest macOS Sequoia 15.1 RC contains references to Apple updating its Magic lineup of Mac accessories, possibly with USB-C.

Disney+ no longer accepts user subscriptions through the App Store. This change also applies to Hulu. Instead, Disney and Hulu redirect users to their respective websites to sign up for a subscription.

The move is about commission fees, not technology.