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Category: News

  • Hidden court case on iCloud security sparks calls for openness

    Hidden court case on iCloud security sparks calls for openness

    A private court session about iCloud encryption started on Friday, and people in the UK and US are pushing for it to be made public. The UK government wants Apple to add a secret way into iCloud, not just for UK citizens but for everyone using it worldwide. Some iCloud info uses basic protection where Apple keeps a key and can share it with governments if ordered. Other data uses stronger protection, where only the user and their devices have the key.

    Apple offers a privacy tool called Advanced Data Protection (ADP), which locks nearly all iCloud data so tightly that even Apple can’t open it. If ADP is on, Apple can’t hand over data to governments. The UK’s demand would force Apple to unlock ADP. Instead of agreeing, Apple stopped offering ADP to UK users while it fights the rule.

    The Quiet Court Battle Over a Hidden Demand

    The UK law makes these orders secret, and any challenges to them happen behind closed doors. Apple found a smart workaround to hint at the issue. It couldn’t legally say the UK told it to unlock ADP, so it simply pulled ADP from the UK without saying why. The message was obvious: “We can’t admit the UK demanded this, or that we said no.”

    Apple also couldn’t say it was fighting the order, but somehow that news slipped out too. UK reporters showed up at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday but couldn’t enter the courtroom.

    Protests in the UK and US

    Many groups are upset. UK news outlets like the BBC, Reuters, and The Guardian, along with privacy groups like Big Brother Watch, have complained to the court, saying the case should be public. Privacy International and Liberty also teamed up to argue against the secret order.

    “This secret move by the UK to weaken security for everyone is unfair and too extreme,” said Caroline Wilson Palow from Privacy International. “People everywhere need strong protection to stay safe from threats.” In the US, five lawmakers from both parties, including Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Andy Biggs, demanded the court open up the case. They say hiding it makes no sense now that the order is widely known, especially since Apple already pulled ADP from the UK last month.

  • Apple’s first bendable iPhone might cost double the iPhone 16 Pro Max

    Apple’s first bendable iPhone might cost double the iPhone 16 Pro Max

    An expert named Tim Long from Barclays, a British bank, shared some exciting news today. He believes Apple’s first bendable iPhone could start at around $2,300 in the U.S. That would make it the priciest iPhone ever, almost twice the cost of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which begins at $1,199.

    Long came up with this price idea after a trip to Asia, where he talked to people who make phone parts. He heard more chatter about a bendable iPhone possibly hitting stores between late 2026 and early 2027. However, he thinks the high price might mean fewer people will buy it.

    Another tech insider, Ming-Chi Kuo, who knows a lot about Apple’s suppliers, agrees the price could land between $2,000 and $2,500. Even with the big cost, Kuo thinks people might still want it if it’s top-notch. For instance, if Apple makes a bendable phone with no noticeable line on the screen, that could be a game-changer.

    Kuo also shared some cool details. He says the bendable iPhone might have a 7.8-inch screen inside and a 5.5-inch one outside. It could come with two back cameras, one front camera, and a power button that unlocks with your fingerprint instead of your face.

    The battery would be extra strong, and the phone could be super slim—about 4.5mm when opened and 9mm to 9.5mm when closed. The outside might be made of titanium, with the folding part using both titanium and steel. Kuo predicts Apple will start making lots of these phones by the end of 2026. Since that’s still over a year away, these price guesses are just smart hunches for now.

  • Mac Studio’s M3 Ultra powers huge DeepSeek R1 AI model at home

    Mac Studio’s M3 Ultra powers huge DeepSeek R1 AI model at home

    YouTuber Dave Lee, known for his Dave2D channel, recently showed off how Apple’s latest Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra chip can run a massive DeepSeek R1 AI model right on the device. To pull this off, you need the top-tier version with 512GB of memory.

    Mac Studio 2025 Breakdown

    Lee’s tests revealed that this giant AI model, with 671 billion parameters, works smoothly on the Mac Studio. It gobbles up 404GB of storage and needs 448GB of virtual memory, which users set up manually using Terminal commands.

    The secret sauce is the M3 Ultra’s all-in-one memory setup. It handles a slimmed-down, 4-bit version of DeepSeek R1 without breaking a sweat. This tweak lowers accuracy a tiny bit but keeps all the important bits intact, churning out about 17-18 tokens per second—plenty fast for most tasks.

    Even better, the Mac Studio does this while sipping less than 200 watts of power. If you tried this on a regular PC, you’d need several graphics cards guzzling around ten times more energy.

    Why It Matters

    Running big AI models at home is a game-changer for privacy. Think of things like medical data crunching—keeping it local avoids the risks of sending sensitive info to the cloud.

    The Price Tag

    This power comes with a hefty cost. A Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra and 512GB of RAM starts at about $10,000. Go all out with 16TB of storage and a fully loaded M3 Ultra (32-core CPU, 80-core GPU, and 32-core Neural Engine), and you’re looking at $14,099. Still, for companies needing secure, local AI processing, it’s a solid deal compared to other options. Apple claims the M3 Ultra is its speediest chip yet, made by blending two M3 Max chips with its “UltraFusion” trick. That doubles the power, making it a beast for heavy-duty work.

  • Apple drops bigger iPhone 17 Air plan over bend worries

    Apple drops bigger iPhone 17 Air plan over bend worries

    Apple once tested a super-thin iPhone 17 Air with a big 6.9-inch screen but scrapped the idea. Why? They worried it might bend too easily, a problem they faced years ago. A new report spills the details.

    iPhone 17 Air’s Big Screen Scare

    Mark Gurman, a Bloomberg writer, shared this in his recent Power On newsletter:

    When Apple first worked on this phone, they tried a 6.9-inch screen—same size as the Pro Max. But they dropped it, fearing a slim phone with such a large display could bend. Back in 2014, Apple dealt with “Bendgate” when the iPhone 6 Plus warped in tight pockets. They didn’t want that headache again.

    A rumor from China earlier this month said the iPhone 17 Air matched the iPhone 17 Pro Max in size, just thinner. That might have come from this canceled test model.

    What’s Coming Instead

    The iPhone 17 Air hitting shelves in September will sport a 6.6-inch screen with smooth 120Hz ProMotion tech, a Dynamic Island, a speedy A19 chip, one 48-megapixel back camera, and Apple’s own C1 modem. Gurman hears it could cost around $899 in the U.S.—the same as the iPhone 16 Plus, which this slim phone seems set to replace in Apple’s lineup. Apple’s clearly playing it safe after past lessons, sticking with a size that’s big but not risky. Fans of giant screens might be bummed, but a sturdier phone could be worth it.

  • Audi’s new electric Wagon works with Apple’s Car Key, Porsche might be next

    Audi’s new electric Wagon works with Apple’s Car Key, Porsche might be next

    Audi has added a cool feature to its new A6 Avant e-tron, an electric wagon, letting it use Apple’s digital car key for the first time in Audi’s electric lineup (reported by Mac4Ever). With Apple Car Keys, you can unlock your car using an iPhone or Apple Watch that has NFC or Ultra Wideband tech. The key lives in the Wallet app on your device. To open the car, just hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the car’s NFC reader—simple as that.

    A quick tap on the door handle starts the unlock process. For safety, you can use Face ID to confirm it’s you, but there’s also an Express Mode that skips this step for a speedy unlock. The A6 e-tron is the second car built on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), a system Audi shares with Porsche. This hints that Porsche’s upcoming cars might also get this digital key feature soon.

    Last October, MacRumors spotted some updates in Apple’s Wallet app code, showing that Apple was getting ready to roll out digital car key support for certain Volvo, Polestar, and Audi models.
    Apple first launched its digital car key feature in 2022.

    Since then, a handful of car brands like BMW, BYD, Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, and RAM have jumped on board. If you’re curious about which cars work with this feature, Apple keeps an updated list on its CarPlay model webpage. This move by Audi makes driving a bit more high-tech and convenient, and it’s exciting to think Porsche might follow suit with its own electric models!

  • iPhone 17 Air looks super slim in new leaked photos

    iPhone 17 Air looks super slim in new leaked photos

    Last night, fresh pictures of iPhone 17 dummy models popped up, shared by Sonny Dickson. He’s a guy who’s been spot-on for years about leaking these fake phone versions that help case and accessory makers get ready for new iPhones. The photos match the designs we’ve seen lately, including a big camera bump stretching across the back, which Apple might add to all models except the basic iPhone 17.

    Dickson’s pictures show the dummies from every angle. The side views really stand out, showing how thin the iPhone 17 Air could be compared to the others. I never thought the current iPhones were bulky, but next to the Air, they look pretty hefty. Check it out:

    The iPhone 17 Air dummy looks sleek from the side, making other models seem thick. These dummy units seem to confirm whispers that the iPhone 17 Air will have a 6.6-inch screen. That size puts it right between this year’s 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro and the 6.9-inch 16 Pro Max.

    Mark Gurman from Bloomberg backed this up in his latest Power On newsletter. He says Apple thought about making it 6.9 inches but dropped the idea, worried a super-thin phone with a hugescreen might bend too easily.

    Gurman also mentions the Air will have slim edges like the 16 Pro, plus the Dynamic Island notch and a Camera Control button—details that line up with Dickson’s leaked shots. The iPhone 17 Air’s slim design is stealing the spotlight, and these photos give us a solid peek at what’s coming. It’s exciting to see how it stacks up against the rest of the lineup!

  • Beware: Police alert iPhone users about tricky text scam

    Beware: Police alert iPhone users about tricky text scam

    Police are warning iPhone owners about a sneaky text message that tries to trick people into sharing personal details. The Sheriff’s Office in Hampden County, Massachusetts, shared on Tuesday that many folks have gotten a strange text. It says an “investigation is almost done” about them and warns that if they don’t reply right away, they’ll face “more legal trouble.” The message even includes a fake case number, a phone number to call, and a link to hear a voice message.

    Sheriff Nick Cocchi explained that clicking the link could put harmful software on your phone, letting crooks steal your private info. “These tricksters want to frighten people into acting without thinking,” he said in a statement. The sheriff’s team also pointed out that even if the phone number looks real, it’s probably fake. Scammers use online tricks to make it seem legit. “Real police will never text, call, or email you asking for money or to fix a legal problem,” Cocchi added. His advice? Don’t reply—just delete the message and tell the police about it.

    This scam text pushes people to act fast out of fear, often asking for cash to avoid fake legal issues. It’s not the only scam hitting iPhone users lately. Earlier this month, some got texts telling them to approve a payment or call a shady support number—or else money would be taken from their account. Experts say if you get a text like this, don’t touch the link or talk to the sender. Stay safe by ignoring it completely. Scammers are counting on you to panic, so take a deep breath and report it instead.

  • Apple silently releases a new app to boost Apple Maps

    Apple silently releases a new app to boost Apple Maps

    Apple recently rolled out a fresh app called “Maps Surveyor” on Friday, designed for people eager to help make Apple Maps better. This app lets users gather info about their local areas—like snapping pictures—and send it straight to Apple. But it’s not open to everyone just yet.

    What’s the Deal with Maps Surveyor?

    The app’s description says, “Surveyor assists Apple in upgrading Maps by grabbing details like street sign photos and roadside sights while following a set path.” It’s free to download from the App Store, but it looks like Apple made it for a select group of users.

    Once you install it, the app asks you to open another app called Premise. This platform pays people small rewards for doing easy tasks, like answering questions, sharing personal details, or taking pictures of certain spots. In short, it’s a place where users earn cash for helping out.

    According to MacRumors, hints in the app’s code show that Apple plans to team up with Premise to invite folks to improve Maps and get rewards in return. Users will need to attach their iPhone to a mount sideways and use Maps Surveyor to snap photos along a planned route.

    A Quiet Start

    The list of companies that provide data for Apple Maps doesn’t include this new app yet—maybe because it’s brand new. Apple already uses its own cars to drive around cities worldwide, collecting info to polish up Maps. The Surveyor app seems like an extra way to get help from everyday users.

    Right now, Maps Surveyor is only available in the United States. If you’ve got an Apple device and want to pitch in, you can still use the “Report an Issue” feature in Apple Maps to share your thoughts with the team. This quiet launch shows Apple’s ongoing effort to make its mapping tool sharper and more reliable, one photo at a time!

  • Apple should pause and polish its software

    Apple should pause and polish its software

    Things have been buzzing with Apple news lately. The company recently shared that the updated Siri won’t be ready anytime soon, and insiders say the cool features promised at last year’s WWDC are still far off. With all this happening, Apple could use a throwback moment—like a new Snow Leopard—to get its software back on track.

    If you’ve used a Mac for a while, say 16 years or more, you might recall Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Back then, Apple didn’t rush out a new Mac OS every year. When Snow Leopard launched, it wasn’t about flashy new tricks or looks. Instead, Apple worked hard to make the software steady and reliable. I started thinking about this after seeing an old WWDC 2009 clip where Bertrand Serlet, a big name at Apple back then, proudly said Snow Leopard had “no new features.” It’s wild to see how much Apple has shifted since those days.

    Apple’s never been quick to say “oops,” but it has owned up to slip-ups before. Think about Steve Jobs talking to the press about the iPhone 4 antenna mess or admitting MobileMe wasn’t great and promising to fix it. I miss that honesty. Today, it’s tough to picture Apple saying, “Hey, this update has nothing new,” or owning up to glitches in front of everyone.

    Fast forward to now—a Bloomberg report says Robby Walker, a Siri boss at Apple, called the delays “messy” and “awkward” in a team meeting. Last June, at WWDC 2024, Apple hyped up Apple Intelligence, but when iOS 18 and macOS 15 dropped, those features were nowhere to be found. Some trickled out later, but the new Siri—yep, the one in iPhone 16 ads—still hasn’t shown up.

    Online, people are grumbling about bugs in Apple’s latest updates, and it’s not hard to see why. Apple should hit pause. Announcing stuff that’s not ready (remember AirPower?) just sets everyone up for disappointment. Now that they’ve admitted Siri’s delay, I hope they focus on smoothing out the rough spots and delivering what they promised. We don’t need big updates every year—give the team time to fix things. A new Snow Leopard vibe could be just what Apple needs.

  • Siri’s late arrival saved Apple from a big mess

    Siri’s late arrival saved Apple from a big mess

    Apple’s decision to hold off on releasing new Siri features has sparked some tough headlines lately. It even led to a big team meeting where one boss called the situation “messy and awkward.” But here’s the thing—waiting might have kept Apple out of an even bigger problem.

    New Siri Features Weren’t Ready Yet

    Pushing back iOS updates doesn’t look good, especially when the news paints it in a harsh light. But what’s way worse? Releasing key features that flop. According to notes leaked from that meeting, that’s exactly what Apple dodged with Siri.

    Mark Gurman shared that an exec, Walker, explained the delay happened because the new tech wasn’t up to par. It worked decently only about two-thirds to 80% of the time. He said they’d rather keep improving it so people could actually trust it. Features that only work some of the time? That’s a no-go for Apple. Even 80% isn’t solid enough. Can you imagine them sending out something that shaky? I sure can’t.

    Why Siri’s Delay Was a Smart Move

    These Siri upgrades weren’t small tweaks—they were a big deal. Apple hyped them up last June, promising a smarter assistant that knows your texts, schedule, and more. If they’d rolled out nearly a year later and still messed up, it’d be a bad look. Worse, though, these features are meant to handle important stuff. If they failed even a little, it could cause real headaches.

    Take this example from John Gruber: Imagine asking Siri when your mom’s flight lands. It says, “4:30, on time,” so you head to the airport. But if it’s wrong and she lands at 7:30—or worse, 1:30—you’re either waiting forever or leaving her stranded. That’s the kind of trust Siri’s supposed to earn. If it shipped half-ready, it’d be a disaster for Apple.

    There’s an old saying from Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto: “A late game can turn out great, but a rushed one stays bad forever.” Games and phone updates aren’t identical, and some debate if he even said it. Still, it fits here. A delayed Siri could end up awesome. A rushed one? That’d hurt Apple and us for good.