Rajesh Pandey - page 9

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.

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.

Apple and Meta reportedly discussed AI partnership for Apple Intelligence [Updated]

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Meta AI logo with iOS 18 logo
After talks broke down, it looks like Meta's AI won't come to iOS 18.
Photo/Graphics: Meta, Apple, Rajesh Pandey/CultofMac

In a move bound to raise eyebrows, Apple and Meta Platforms reportedly discussed integrating Meta’s generative AI model into Apple Intelligence. Besides Meta, AI startups Perplexity and Anthropic also reportedly talked with Apple about integrating their offerings into Apple Intelligence.

Update: The initial report of a possible partnership to bring Meta’s Llama large language model to Apple Intelligence made it sound like talks were ongoing. However, a new story published Monday said Apple rejected Meta’s LLM “months ago.”

These iOS 18 features won’t arrive until later this year

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Some iOS 18 features won't be ready for launch.
Some iOS 18 features won't be ready at launch.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

iOS 18 will bring lots of useful features, big and small. But when the new iPhone operating system launches later this fall, you won’t get to enjoy all its new additions on day one. Many headlining features won’t arrive until later in the year or early 2025. But which iOS 18 features will be delayed?

Here’s a roundup of iOS 18 features that won’t arrive on launch day. Note: Many of these delayed features also will come to iPads and Macs in iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. For the purposes of this article, we will talk in terms of iOS 18 only.

Apple’s cheaper Vision headset might require a tethered iPhone or Mac

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Vision Pro 2 in 2027?
Don't expect the Vision Pro 2 to launch anytime soon.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly wants to launch a cheaper AR/VR Vision headset, codenamed N107, as soon as late 2025. While the company set this plan even before the Vision Pro‘s launch, it might fail to meet the deadline.

The company’s engineers are struggling to reduce costs without affecting the headset’s key features.

Spotify introduces a cheaper Basic streaming plan

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Spotify logo on iPhone
Spotify has launched a cheaper Basic streaming tier.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Following a price hike in the US earlier this month, Spotify has unveiled a cheaper streaming music plan for its users. The new “Basic” streaming tier costs $10.99/month, $1 cheaper than the Premium plan.

Spotify charged the same price for its Premium plan before increasing it in early June. That was the company’s second price hike in less than a year.

When will iOS 18 public beta launch?

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iOS 18 public beta release date
You will have to wait for a few weeks for iOS 18 public beta.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple dropped the first iOS 18 developer beta right after the opening keynote of WWDC24. While the build packs several changes, many headline features are missing, and it is also buggy. But what about the iOS 18 public beta, which should bring even more features and offer better stability? When will it arrive?

The timing should be similar for the upcoming iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia public betas, too.

1Password adds recovery codes support for seamless account recovery

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1Password gains support for recovery codes.
You now have another way to reclaim access to your 1Password account.
Image: 1Password

1Password — a popular password manager for iPhone, Mac and other platforms — added support for recovery codes Thursday. This will make it easier to recover your account when you can’t remember your password.

Recovery codes also will help you get into your 1Password vault if you lose access to your Secret Key.

Apple Back to School deals on Mac and iPad get you up to $150 gift card

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Apple Back to School promo 2024
Apple's Back to School promo is live in the US.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple’s annual Back to School promotion went live Thursday in the United States. As a part of the deal, eligible students and faculty members will receive up to a $150 gift card on the purchase of select Macs and iPads. Apple also offers a 20% discount on AppleCare+, its premium support and repair service.

The back-to-school promo runs through September 30, so students and parents have ample time to take advantage of Apple’s discounts.

M4 MacBook Pro could launch before 2024 ends

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M4 MacBook Pros could debut before the end of 2024.
M4 MacBook Pros could debut before the end of 2024.
Photo: Apple

Apple could refresh its MacBook Pro lineup with M4 chips as soon as Q4 2024. Based on supply-chain checks, panel shipments for the 14-inch and 16-inch models will start in Q3 2024.

Typically, this indicates that Apple will start shipping new MacBook Pro models in the last quarter of the year.

Apple Watch Series 10 could get larger but thinner

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Apple Watch in black
Apple's smartwatch lineup might get a size bump this year.
Photo: Torsten Dettlaff/Pexels

The Apple Watch Series 10 might adopt a thinner design with a bigger display. Reportedly, Apple will bump the chassis size from 41mm and 45mm to 45mm and 49mm.

Disappointingly, the company apparently does not plan significant upgrades for the Apple Watch Ultra this year. It might get a new black color option, but that’s about it.

These cool new iOS 18 features won’t come to older Apple devices

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Is Your Device Too Old?
Your iPhone may run iOS 18, but may not get all the latest features.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia and watchOS 11 bring exciting new features, but some of them might not arrive on older iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches, even if you can run the new software. Which features won’t older devices get? We rounded up everything we can find that won’t make it to aging gear.

WhatsApp video calls are about to get much better

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WhatsApp gets much-needed calling improvements
WhatsApp video and voice calls get a quality boost.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp is introducing key improvements to video (and voice) calling on its platform for a better experience. As part of the upgrade, you can now share audio while screen sharing.

Another notable change is having group video calls with up to 32 participants on your phone or desktop. This is the same limit as FaceTime.

Apple won’t pay OpenAI to add ChatGPT to iOS 18

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An iPhone screen showing an iOS 18 popup that says
Apple and OpenAI's ChatGPT integration in iOS 18 is about more than money.
Photo: Apple

Apple is not paying OpenAI for ChatGPT access in iOS 18, according to a new report. Neither is OpenAI paying Apple for the privilege of integrating its chatbot into millions of iPhones later this year.

A news story sheds light on the high-profile arrangement between the two companies — and details how it is more than about money.