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  • New Apple Store in Miami features a rooftop garden

    New Apple Store in Miami features a rooftop garden

    Apple has just given us a sneak peek of their brand-new store at the Miami Worldcenter, which will open its doors this Friday at 10 a.m.

    Apple’s New Miami Store: This store has been designed with the environment in mind, aiming to blend nature with shopping. Right on the roof, there’s a beautiful green space full of plants that match the local palm trees and bushes.

    “Apple Miami Worldcenter has a design that connects people with nature,” Apple explains. “When you walk in, you’ll see lots of plants inspired by Miami’s rich Latin American culture.”

    Eco-Friendly Building: They used materials from around the area to build the store, which helps in lowering the amount of carbon produced during construction.

    Services at the Store: Inside, there’s a special area where you can get help with your gadgets and pick up things you’ve bought online, all at the same spot. They’ve also set up a place where you can try out the Apple Vision Pro.

    Accessibility for Everyone: The store thinks about everyone’s needs, with different table heights, spaces for wheelchairs, and even a device to help people with hearing aids.

    Fun Activities: You can join free workshops called “Today at Apple,” where they’ll teach you creative stuff and show off how the store cares for the environment.

    This new store is not just a place to buy things; it’s a spot where nature and technology come together in Miami.

    Source

  • Big Changes in iPhone 16 Sales: One model up, another down

    Big Changes in iPhone 16 Sales: One model up, another down

    Next week, Apple will share how well the iPhone 16 sold over the holiday season. But right now, a new report gives us a sneak peek at which iPhone 16 models are doing well or not so well.

    CIRP Report on iPhone 16 Sales

    CIRP, which looks at consumer buying trends, just released a report. It doesn’t tell us exact numbers but shows which iPhone 16 models people are buying more or less.

    The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still the top choice, but there’s a big twist with two other models:

    • Base iPhone 16: This model has seen a big jump, now making up 21% of sales. That’s up from 15% last year, matching the popularity of older base models.
    • iPhone 16 Pro Max: Despite being the bestseller, it’s not as popular as before. It now accounts for 23% of sales, down from 26% last year.

    What Does This Mean?

    The base iPhone 16 has done better because Apple made some nice improvements. It looks like people who might have bought the iPhone 15 chose the new base model instead.

    Even though the Pro Max isn’t selling as much as last year, it’s still the favorite. However, together with the Pro model, they make up the smallest share of sales in five years during December.

    Looking Ahead

    It’ll be exciting to see what happens with the next iPhone 17 series. There’s talk of a new iPhone 17 Air and a strong update for the iPhone SE. These could mix things up even more in Apple’s lineup.

    This mix of sales shows how people’s choices are changing, even for a popular brand like Apple.

  • Truecaller now blocks spam calls on iPhones with iOS 18.2 update

    Truecaller now blocks spam calls on iPhones with iOS 18.2 update

    Truecaller has always been good at spotting spam and scam calls on Android phones, but it didn’t work as well on iPhones because of privacy rules. Now, with the new iOS 18.2 update, iPhones can do what Androids have been doing for a while.

    The old problem with Truecaller on iPhones:

    On Android, Truecaller would look at the caller’s number and match it with a list of known spam numbers. If it found a match, it would warn you or even block the call. But on iPhones, Apple’s privacy rules meant Truecaller couldn’t send the number to its servers like on Android. Instead, it used a local database which wasn’t as good.

    How iOS 18.2 fixes this:

    Apple introduced a new feature called Live Caller ID Lookup API in iOS 18.2. This makes your phone number safe by encrypting it before sending it to Truecaller’s server. The server sends back an encrypted reply which your iPhone then decodes. This method keeps your privacy safe but allows Truecaller to use its big, real-time database to spot spam calls.

    This update also lets Truecaller on iPhones do something users have wanted for ages – automatically block spam calls. Plus, you can now find out who called you from up to 2,000 past numbers in your call history.

    What you need to do:

    • Make sure you have Truecaller version 14.0 or newer on your iPhone.
    • Go to your iPhone’s Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.
    • Turn on all the Truecaller options and restart the app.

    Truecaller’s CEO, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, shared that they’re thrilled to bring these features to iPhones, matching what Android users get while still keeping calls private.

    The basic app can identify business calls for free, but to use all these new features, you’ll need a paid subscription. It costs $9.99 a month or $74.99 a year, or you can get a family plan for $14.99 a month or $99 a year which covers up to five people. This update is starting to roll out around the world now.

  • Apple might soon sell iPhone 16 in Indonesia again

    Apple might soon sell iPhone 16 in Indonesia again

    Apple is getting close to making a deal with Indonesia that could let them start selling the iPhone 16 again. According to Bloomberg, this deal involves Apple investing more money in the country.

    Back in October, Indonesia stopped the sale of the iPhone 16 because Apple wasn’t making enough of the phone parts there, needing at least 35% of the materials to be local. Apple has now promised to invest $1 billion, which includes setting up a factory for AirTags. This is much more than their earlier offers of $10 million and $100 million, which Indonesia turned down.

    “I strongly believe it will resolve very, very soon,” said Rosan Roeslani, Indonesia’s investment minister, in a Bloomberg TV interview in Davos. He hopes the issue will be sorted out in “one or two weeks.” He mentioned that there was some confusion about how the local content rules are calculated but thinks they’ve found a way around it.

    Indonesia is a big market for Apple, with over 280 million people using around 354 million phones. Apple has been running developer academies there since 2018, but so far, there’s no Apple factory in the country.

    Source

  • iOS update brings back simple math trick

    iOS update brings back simple math trick

    The latest update, iOS 18.3, has made a small but handy change to the Calculator app on your iPhone. They’ve brought back a feature where you can repeat calculations easily.

    Here’s how it works: If you do a calculation like 5 times 5 and hit equals, you get 25. Now, if you tap the equals sign again, it will do 25 times 5. Every time you press equals after that, it will keep multiplying the result by 5.

    This repeat function was available in older versions of iOS but was taken out with iOS 18. Now, with the 18.3 update, it’s back for those who missed it. It’s especially good for things like figuring out compound interest.

    Also, if you use a Mac, this feature was gone in macOS 15 too, but it’s coming back with the macOS 15.3 update. So, whether you’re on an iPhone or a Mac, you’ll find this update makes math a bit easier.

  • UK launches app for digital IDs and driving licenses

    UK launches app for digital IDs and driving licenses

    The UK government has just announced a new app that will store your driving license digitally. This app, coming soon to iPhones, isn’t confirmed to work with Apple Wallet yet, but you’ll be able to use it through a special government app.

    This digital driving license will help you prove your age for buying things like alcohol or cigarettes and show you’re allowed to drive. Your personal info will be safe because you’ll need to use Face ID or Touch ID to access it, even if you lose your phone.

    Later on, this app will also hold veteran cards, background check certificates, and other government documents, but you can still use the old paper versions if you prefer.

    Alongside this, the UK government is rolling out an app with a chatbot named “GOV.UK Chat”, developed with OpenAI. This chatbot is already in testing and will help you pay for services, remind you about important dates, and notify you about government updates.

    In the U.S., Apple has teamed up with various states to put driving licenses and IDs into the iPhone and Apple Watch Wallet app. So far, nine states and Puerto Rico offer this service, with six more states planning to join in.

  • New macOS update coming soon: What to Expect

    New macOS update coming soon: What to Expect

    Apple has just released the test version of macOS Sequoia 15.3, and if everything goes smoothly, this will be the version that everyone can use soon.
    What’s New in macOS Sequoia 15.3?
    This update brings some exciting features and fixes:
    • Genmoji: Now you can create these fun emojis in Messages and other apps, thanks to Apple’s smart tech.
    • Calculator Improvements: Click the equals sign again, and it will do the last calculation you made again.
    • Notification Management: If you have a newer Mac, you can now manage your notification settings right from the lock screen. Also, the look of summarized notifications has changed to use italics and a special icon, making them stand out from others.
    • News & Entertainment Notifications: These are on hold for now, but they’ll be back for those who want them once the feature is ready again.
    Please note, not all features will work everywhere or on every Apple device.
    For more on how Apple keeps your device safe with updates, check this out: Apple Support Security Updates.
    Most of these changes aren’t just for Macs; you’ll see similar updates in iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 too.
    We’re looking forward to seeing macOS Sequoia 15.3, along with iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, go live next week.
  • New update for iPhone 16 brings cool visual features

    New update for iPhone 16 brings cool visual features

    Apple’s latest update, iOS 18.3, introduces new visual tools for the iPhone 16. This update lets you add events to your calendar just by looking at posters or flyers with the new Camera Control feature.

    Adding Events to Calendar: When you see a poster with a date on it, this update lets you add that event to your calendar. Just point your camera at the poster, and a prompt will appear. Tap on the date, and it’s added to your calendar.

    Identifying Plants and Animals: Now, identifying plants and animals is easier. The Camera Control will show you real-time information about what you’re looking at. If you see a plant or an animal, a bubble will appear with its name. Tap on it to learn more about it.

    Camera Control for Visual Intelligence: This feature is only for iPhone 16 users. To use it, just hold down the Camera Control button on your phone. It’s like having a smart helper right in your camera, making your iPhone even more useful.

  • Apple Vision Pro gaming could grow big soon, say game makers

    Apple Vision Pro gaming could grow big soon, say game makers

    A recent survey shows that game developers are very interested in making games for the Apple Vision Pro. Here’s what we know:

    Game Developers Are Planning New Games for Vision Pro

    According to GamesBeat, a survey at the Game Developers Conference looked at how developers feel about Apple’s new spatial computing platform.

    The survey results suggest big growth is on the way:

    • Right now, only 8% of developers who make VR or AR games are working on games for Apple’s visionOS. There aren’t many games available yet for Vision Pro, so this number is quite promising.
    • About 18% of the developers said their next project will be on Vision Pro. This means we might see a lot more games soon.
    • A quarter of the developers are very interested in Apple’s VR headset. This interest is even higher than for PlayStation VR2, which is at 25%.

    The survey included responses from over 3,000 game developers, giving us a good idea of what’s happening in the gaming world. It looks like Apple Vision Pro might become a big name in gaming soon.

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3: Three exciting upgrades coming soon

    Apple Watch Ultra 3: Three exciting upgrades coming soon

    The Apple Watch Ultra hasn’t seen big changes since 2023, but that’s about to change with the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3. Here’s what’s new:

    High Blood Pressure Alert

    One of the key health features coming to the Ultra 3 is high blood pressure detection. This won’t give you exact numbers but will alert you if your blood pressure might be high, similar to how it detects sleep apnea. This feature has been in development for years, and it’s set to launch this year.

    Send Messages from Anywhere

    For those who love adventure, the Ultra 3 will let you send messages even without a phone nearby. Thanks to satellite technology, you can text when there’s no cell or Wi-Fi signal around. This means explorers can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about staying in touch.

    Faster Internet with 5G

    For the first time, the Apple Watch Ultra will support 5G. This isn’t the full-speed 5G you get on your phone but a version called 5G Redcap, which is kinder to battery life yet still improves connectivity over the old 4G.

    While we wait for its fall release, these features suggest that Apple is making the Ultra 3 the go-to watch for those who like to explore. There’s still time for more surprises, like better battery life, which would be a big plus for many users.