Search results for: “ios”

  • Apple’s new C1 Modem: Where it’s headed next

    Apple’s new C1 Modem: Where it’s headed next

    Apple introduced its C1 modem with the iPhone 16e, bringing two big perks: better battery life and improved performance. This new tech is a step away from Qualcomm’s 5G modems, which Apple used before. The C1 saves power and works closely with iOS to make your phone feel faster by prioritizing important data.

    Apple made this modem to control more of its tech and cut costs, leading to a smoother experience for users. However, not all Apple devices are getting the C1 yet. Recent products like the M3 iPad Air, A16 iPad, and M4 MacBook Air don’t have it, sticking with Qualcomm’s modems.

    This fall, only one new device will feature the C1: the iPhone 17 Air. This super-thin iPhone, replacing the Plus model, will use the C1 to stay slim while keeping good battery life. Other models, like the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, will still use Qualcomm modems.

    Why is Apple rolling out the C1 slowly? It might be due to deals with Qualcomm, caution about possible connection issues, or just careful planning. For now, if you want the C1’s benefits, you’ll need an iPhone 16e or the upcoming iPhone 17 Air. Looking ahead, Apple’s full iPhone 18 lineup in 2026 is expected to use a new C2 modem.

  • New apps coming to iPadOS 26 and a watchOS 26 warning

    New apps coming to iPadOS 26 and a watchOS 26 warning

    Apple’s upcoming iPadOS 26 update will bring four new apps to all supported iPads: Phone, Preview, Journal, and Games. The Phone app lets you make and receive calls directly on your iPad, a feature many users have long wanted.

    Preview makes it easy to view and edit images or PDFs, similar to its Mac counterpart, making it perfect for quick tasks like cropping photos. The Journal app offers a simple way to write down thoughts and memories, while the Games app pulls together App Store and Apple Arcade titles with features like leaderboards and achievements.

    These additions make iPads more versatile, though some users feel the simplified iPad mode could use more multitasking options like split view. On the other hand, if you own a Hermès Apple Watch, be cautious with watchOS 26 beta 2.

    Apple warns that this update causes Hermès watches to overheat, crash repeatedly, and fail to charge, likely due to issues with the Hermès watch face. The problem also affects iOS 26 beta 2, where the Apple Watch app on iPhones won’t open if paired with a Hermès model.

    Unpairing the watch fixes the app issue, but re-pairing doesn’t work. Apple advises avoiding these betas until the next update, expected soon, resolves the crashes. Both updates are part of Apple’s 2025 software overhaul, with iPadOS 26 set to launch in September. Stay tuned for more details as public betas roll out in July.

  • New AirTag expected in September or later

    New AirTag expected in September or later

    Apple’s next AirTag, dubbed AirTag 2, might hit shelves in September or later this year, according to a recent 9to5Mac report citing trusted sources. The updated tracker could be revealed alongside the iPhone 17 during Apple’s big fall event, which is less than three months away.

    The report also mentions that iOS 18.6 beta code suggests compatibility with the new AirTag, hinting at its upcoming release. One key upgrade for the AirTag 2 is better battery alerts. The current model shows when the battery is low in the Find My app, but the new version will notify users at two levels: low and very low.

    There’s speculation from 9to5Mac that this could mean a rechargeable battery, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple will likely stick with a replaceable one, as noted in his November 2024 newsletter. Originally, Gurman predicted a mid-2025 launch, around June or July, but the timeline has shifted to later this year.

    The AirTag 2 is expected to track items up to three times farther than the current model, thanks to a new chip. It’ll also have a tougher-to-remove speaker to prevent misuse, like stalking, while keeping a similar look to the original, released in April 2021. That first AirTag launched with products like the M1 iMac and iPhone 12 in purple. With these upgrades, the AirTag 2 promises better tracking and safety features, making it a handy tool for keeping tabs on your belongings.

  • Apple’s chip switch and digital id in Japan

    Apple’s chip switch and digital id in Japan

    Five years ago, Apple shared big news at its 2020 WWDC event: it would start using its chips, called Apple silicon, in Macs, moving away from Intel processors. This change began with the M1 chip, which brought better speed and battery life to devices like the MacBook Air and Mac mini.

    Since then, Apple has rolled out newer chips, like the M4 and M5, making its computers faster and more efficient. The switch has been a game-changer, letting Apple control both the hardware and software for smoother performance.

    By June 2025, all new Macs will use Apple silicon, and older Intel-based Macs will stop getting full macOS updates after macOS Tahoe, though security updates will continue for a few years. In another update, Apple announced that Japan’s My Number Card can now be added to the Wallet app on iPhones running iOS 18.5 or later, starting with the iPhone XS.

    This digital ID lets users verify their identity or age at places like airports or stores without a physical card. It’s a step toward making life easier with contactless options, similar to how some U.S. states let residents add driver’s licenses to the Wallet app. This feature is rolling out slowly but shows Apple’s push to make the iPhone a one-stop tool for everyday needs. Both changes highlight Apple’s focus on improving its devices and making them more useful in daily life, whether through powerful chips or handy digital IDs.

  • Apple releases second watchOS 26 beta for developers

    Apple releases second watchOS 26 beta for developers

    Apple has rolled out the second developer beta of watchOS 26, along with tvOS 26 and visionOS 26 betas, two weeks after the first betas were shared. These updates, announced at WWDC 2025, bring a fresh look and smarter features to Apple’s devices.

    The watchOS 26 beta introduces a sleek new design called Liquid Glass, giving the Apple Watch a modern, transparent style. It also adds new watch faces and lets third-party apps work with the Control Center for quicker access. Developers can test these changes to make sure their apps run smoothly.

    To try the beta, developers need an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer, paired with an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26. The update can be downloaded through the Apple Watch app under Settings > General > Software Update, with a developer account linked. The watch must have at least 50% battery and be on a charger during installation.

    While these betas are for developers to test and tweak apps, Apple plans to release public betas in July. The full versions of watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 will launch for everyone in September 2025. Stay tuned for more updates as Apple refines these exciting new features.

  • New Apple Watch setting in watchOS 26

    New Apple Watch setting in watchOS 26

    Apple’s latest watchOS 26 update brings a handy new feature for Apple Watch users. You can now tweak the text size on your watch face, making it easier to read at a glance. This option, found in the Display & Brightness settings, lets you adjust the font size for complications—those little bits of info like weather or calendar events—on supported watch faces.

    This change is great for anyone who struggles to read small text or just wants a clearer view without squinting. It works on watch faces like Infograph and Modular, which show extra details. You can pick from different sizes, from small to large, to suit your needs. This makes the watch more user-friendly, especially for older users or those with vision challenges.

    The update also keeps things smooth for developers. Apps built for older watchOS versions will still work fine, but Apple suggests updating them for the new arm64 architecture to boost performance. This ensures your watch runs apps efficiently while supporting the new text size feature.

    watchOS 26 is currently in beta testing and will roll out to everyone later this year. It works with Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models, paired with an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26. This small but useful update shows Apple’s focus on making the watch more practical and accessible for all users.

  • Jetblue makes finding lost bags easier with AirTag support

    Jetblue makes finding lost bags easier with AirTag support

    JetBlue has introduced a new way to help travelers keep track of their luggage using Apple’s AirTag. With the latest iOS 18.2 update, iPhone users can now share the location of their AirTag-equipped bags with JetBlue’s baggage team if their luggage gets lost or delayed at the airport. This feature, added to the Find My app, lets customers create a secure link to share their bag’s location, making it easier for the airline to find and return it quickly.

    To use this feature, travelers can generate a “Share Item Location” link on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac through the Find My app. They can share this link with JetBlue by scanning a QR code at the baggage claim area or by working with a staff member at the airport’s Baggage Service Office. The shared location stops automatically once the bag is returned or after seven days for privacy.

    JetBlue also launched a mobile app update that gives real-time updates on checked bags, so customers can follow their luggage’s journey from check-in to arrival. This builds on JetBlue’s strong baggage handling record, ranked second in the U.S. in 2024 by the Department of Transportation. These tools aim to give travelers peace of mind and make the process of recovering lost bags faster and simpler.

  • Apple may buy Perplexity AI and let other apps make their own Airdrop

    Apple may buy Perplexity AI and let other apps make their own Airdrop

    Apple is said to be in discussions to buy Perplexity AI, a company known for its work in artificial intelligence. If Apple goes ahead with this deal, it could use Perplexity’s technology to make its own AI features smarter and more helpful. This could mean better AI tools in Apple’s products, making things easier and faster for users.

    At the same time, Apple is planning a big update with iOS 26. This new update will let other app makers build their own versions of AirDrop, Apple’s popular tool for sharing files between devices. Right now, only Apple’s own AirDrop can be used, but soon, third-party apps will be able to make similar tools. This change will give users more choices for sharing files and could make file transfers more flexible and competitive.

    With these moves, Apple is showing that it wants to stay ahead in both artificial intelligence and user-friendly features. Buying Perplexity AI could boost Apple’s AI abilities, while opening up AirDrop alternatives will give users more ways to share files, making Apple’s devices even more useful.

  • Safari and CarPlay updates make iPhone easier to use

    Safari and CarPlay updates make iPhone easier to use

    Apple is making some helpful changes to Safari and CarPlay with the new iOS 26 update. These updates are designed to make browsing and messaging smoother for iPhone users.

    Safari gets a new look and better features

    Safari on iOS 26 will have a cleaner design. The address bar is now at the bottom of the screen, making it easier to reach with your thumb. Tabs are easier to organize, and you can group them to keep things tidy. There’s also a new way to search, with smarter suggestions that help you find what you need faster. Safari will also block more trackers, so your browsing stays private.

    CarPlay fixes a big messaging problem

    If you use CarPlay in your car, you’ll notice a big improvement with messages. Before, CarPlay would only show the most recent message in a conversation, which made it hard to keep up if you missed something. With iOS 26, CarPlay will now show the whole conversation, so you can easily read all your messages while driving. This makes it much simpler to stay connected and not miss important information.

    What does this mean for you

    These updates aim to make your iPhone experience better, whether you’re browsing the web or driving. Safari is now easier to use and more private, while CarPlay helps you keep up with messages safely on the road. Both changes show that Apple is listening to what users want and working to make their devices more helpful and user-friendly.

  • Apple’s new Smart Display hints and iCloud lawsuit update

    Apple’s new Smart Display hints and iCloud lawsuit update

    Apple’s smart display might be coming soon

    Recent updates in the iOS beta code have revealed new clues about Apple’s upcoming smart display for the home. This device, which has been rumored for a while, could work like a smart screen that shows important information and controls smart home devices. The code mentions “Accessory Setup” and “Home Display,” which suggests Apple is testing how the device will connect and work with other Apple products.

    The smart display might use the same software as the iPad, making it easy for users to interact with their smart home gadgets. While there is no official release date yet, these hints in the beta code show that Apple is getting closer to launching this new home product.

    Apple faces lawsuit over iCloud storage

    In other news, Apple is now facing a lawsuit about its iCloud storage service. A judge has ruled that Apple must answer claims that it misled customers about how much iCloud storage they actually get. The lawsuit says that Apple counts some files, like device backups, toward the iCloud storage limit, even though customers thought only certain types of files would be counted.

    This has caused some users to run out of space faster than they expected. The court’s decision means Apple will have to defend its iCloud storage policies in court, and customers could get refunds or other solutions if Apple is found at fault.

    These two updates show that Apple is both working on new products and dealing with challenges about how it treats its customers.