Tag: iPhone

  • Apple to unveil extensive home screen customisation options in iOS 18

    Apple to unveil extensive home screen customisation options in iOS 18

    In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, tech analyst Mark Gurman has revealed exciting details about the forthcoming iOS 18 update.

    According to Gurman, Apple is set to revolutionise the iPhone user experience by introducing extensive customisation options for the home screen, a departure from the current fixed aligned grid system.

    One of the key highlights of iOS 18 will be the newfound ability for users to freely arrange icons on their home screens, breaking away from the constraints of the existing rigid layout.

    Additionally, Apple will be introducing native support for customising app icons, marking a significant departure from the previous reliance on third-party solutions.

    Gurman’s insights suggest that iOS 18 will empower users to personalise their device like never before, with the ability to alter the color of app icons to suit their preferences.

    For example, users could opt to unify all social networking apps under a distinctive blue hue, while assigning a different color scheme to finance-related applications.

    Although rudimentary home screen customisation has been achievable through workarounds such as creating single-action shortcuts, these methods have often been cumbersome and time-consuming.

    With the imminent release of iOS 18, Apple aims to streamline this experience by integrating robust customisation features directly into the operating system.

    However, the extent of icon customisation remains somewhat ambiguous. While it’s clear that users will have the option to adjust colors, the specifics regarding the potential for entirely new icon designs or limited palette changes have yet to be clarified.

    The eagerly anticipated iOS 18 is scheduled to be officially unveiled at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10.

    Alongside this announcement, Apple is expected to showcase a range of innovative features, with a particular emphasis on advancements in artificial intelligence technology.

  • Apple explores making personal robots: report

    Apple explores making personal robots: report

    Apple engineers are working on making personal robots, a report said on Wednesday, just weeks after the iPhone-maker abandoned its efforts to develop an electric car.

    The tech titan has people working on a robot that would follow people around at home and be helpful, according to Bloomberg that cited unnamed people familiar with the situation.

    The project was in a nascent stage and it was unclear whether it would lead to a product sold by Apple, the report indicated.

    Apple did not reply to a request for comment.

    The California-based company has been looking for new ways to make money beyond its iPhones and the digital content and services it sells to users.

    Apple recently abandoned its ambitions to produce an electric car, according to US media reports, ending a struggling decade-long project.

    It has never publicly disclosed its EV plans, despite a steady drip of media leaks over the years.

    Apple is reported to have transferred employees from the shuttered car division to generative artificial intelligence projects.

    The robot project is being overseen by Apple’s hardware engineering division and its AI and machine learning group, Bloomberg reported.

    The report came as analysts are keen to hear what progress Apple is making with AI at the company’s annual WWDC developers gathering at its Silicon Valley campus in June.

    Around the world, major tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon are rapidly pursuing the development and deployment of AI products.

  • Apple’s iPhone sales decline by 24% in China, while Huawei’s sales surge

    Apple’s iPhone sales decline by 24% in China, while Huawei’s sales surge

    In the first six weeks of 2024, Apple experienced a significant downturn in iPhone sales in China, facing a 24 per cent year-on-year decrease, according to a report by research firm Counterpoint.

    The decline was attributed to heightened competition from local rivals, notably Huawei, which witnessed a remarkable 64 per cent increase in unit sales during the same period.

    Apple, once holding the second position in the Chinese smartphone market in 2023 with a 19 per cent market share, now finds itself in fourth place with a reduced share of 15.7 per cent.

    On the other hand, Huawei climbed to second place, expanding its market share from 9.4 per cent to 16.5 per cent year-over-year.

    Counterpoint’s senior analyst, Mengmeng Zhang, explained the dynamics, stating that Apple faced formidable competition from a resurgent Huawei at the high end while also encountering pricing pressures from domestic brands like OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi in the middle segment.

    To counteract the decline, Apple initiated measures such as subsidising certain iPhone models by up to 1,300 yuan ($180.68) through flagship stores on Tmall, Alibaba’s major marketplace platform.

    Earlier, the company had offered discounts of up to 500 yuan on its official sites.

    Huawei’s resurgence in premium smartphone sales was attributed to the successful release of its Mate 60 series in August.

    Overcoming years of challenges posed by US restrictions on key component exports, Huawei managed to reclaim its position in the market.

    Additionally, Honour, the smartphone brand that separated from Huawei in 2020, witnessed a 2 per cent increase in unit sales, making it the only other top-five brand to experience growth in the first six weeks of the year.

    Contrastingly, Chinese brands Vivo, Xiaomi, and Oppo faced declines of 15 per cent, 7 per cent, and 29 per cent, respectively, highlighting the fiercely competitive landscape in the Chinese smartphone market.

    Overall, the report indicates a 7 per cent shrinkage in the country’s smartphone market during this period.

  • Watch: An iPhone stealing monkey in India

    Watch: An iPhone stealing monkey in India

    A video of a monkey snatching an iPhone and running away has gone viral in India.

    Human encounters with monkeys incidents are common in India as a large number of the primates roam free in many states. While most incidents are peaceful, sometimes they bite humans or run away after snatching things from them.

    According to Indian media, a similar incident took place outside a temple in the city of Vrindavan in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the video of which is also going viral on social media.

    In the viral video, it can be seen that two monkeys are sitting in the temple premises and one of them is holding an iPhone stolen from a person who came to the temple. A group of people can be seen trying to take the iPhone from the monkey, throwing things at the it so that it throws the phone away.

    The hard work of the people paid off and the monkey threw away the iPhone, on which the people clapped.

  • iPhone found undamaged after 16,000-foot drop from Alaska Airlines

    iPhone found undamaged after 16,000-foot drop from Alaska Airlines

    An iPhone was found undamaged after a staggering 16,000- foot drop from Alaska Airlines flight 1282 on Sunday, January 7.

    A person posted on X that ge discovered the phone and documented their findings with a set of images.

    “Found an iPhone on the side of the road… Still in airplane mode with half a battery and open to a baggage claim for #AlaskaAirlines ASA1282 Survived a 16,000-foot drop perfectly intact! When I called it in, Zoe at @NTSB said it was the second phone to be found. No door yet”.

    According to a report published by Verge, the phone remained intact because the ground absorbed most of the impact.

  • Apple resolves iPhone slowdown controversy: Users receive $92.17 settlement

    Apple resolves iPhone slowdown controversy: Users receive $92.17 settlement

    In a resolution to the 2017 controversy surrounding Apple’s deliberate slowing down of iPhones with older batteries, recent reports indicate that affected users are now receiving settlements. 

    According to MacRumors, individuals impacted by this matter are finding deposits of $92.17 in their bank accounts, as confirmed by the website and corroborated by embedded posts from readers. 

    The settlement website, updated in December, indicated that payments were scheduled for this month, effectively bringing closure to the issue.

    The “batterygate” incident originated in 2017 when a developer exposed iOS 10 updates slowing down the performance of older iPhone models like the 6S and 7, with Apple initially withholding the purpose of this slowdown. 

    Subsequently, the company revealed that it aimed to prevent spontaneous shutdowns as the battery degraded. 

    This led to multiple class action lawsuits, alleging that Apple’s actions forced premature phone upgrades rather than allowing users to replace their batteries.

    In 2020, Apple reached a settlement, and by August of that year, legal hurdles were cleared, paving the way for impending payouts. 

    While initially expected to be around $65 for approved claims filed by October 6th, 2020, recent reports suggest the actual payments are higher, averaging $92.17, as reported by The Verge. 

    Noteworthy is the inclusion of the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and the original iPhone SE in the list of affected models. If you fall into this category, monitor your bank account for the settlement deposit.

  • Iphones lost, bags stolen at Narendra Modi Stadium during Pakistan-India match

    The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a high-octane World Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on Saturday. The world’s biggest cricket stadium was filled to capacity as more than one lakh spectators came to watch the most anticipated match of the year.

    But while the majority of the fans got what they wished for and went back home with smiles on their faces after India’s resounding victory, a section of the crowd was left wondering who stole their mobile phones.

    Bollywood actress Urvashi Rutela couldn’t see Naseem Shah bowl due to his recent injury and unfortunately lost her phone during the match too.

    “Lost my 24 carat real gold i phone at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad! If anyone comes across it, please help. Contact me ASAP! Tag someone who can help,” Urvashi tweeted on Sunday.

    A video by Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta is currently going viral on social media, wherein he disclosed incidents of mobile phone and purse thefts during the Pakistan-India match in Ahmedabad.

    Gupta stated, “While entering the ground, my friend’s mobile phone was stolen from his pocket, and several other spectators also reported incidents of mobile and purse theft.” Criticizing security officials, he highlighted the possibility of mismanagement and security issues in handling such a massive crowd. He emphasized that thefts taking place in the ground surpass the concerns of mismanagement and security glitches.

    Many other people lost their phones that day.

    Meanwhile, there was one fan who even got his iPhone back as a security guard managed to catch the thief.

    Another X user, @tricatrio also lost her phone. She wrote, “Lost my iphone 15 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad!”

    User @shizmaite wrote, “Chaos at the gates & no one to handle the crowd. A good day ended on a bad note! #indvpak”

  • iPhone users perturbed by mysterious shut down issue

    iPhone users perturbed by mysterious shut down issue

    iPhone users are reporting a mysterious glitch causing their phones to unexpectedly shut down at night.

    The issue isn’t limited to the latest iPhone 15 models, it affects a wider range of devices which implies that this issue is not linked to a beta version. Most affected users were using iOS 17.0.3 extending beyond iPhone 15 models to older devices like the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Mini, affecting users worldwide.

    Face ID remained inactive until the code was entered. Checking their battery statistics, users noticed a blank period between 3 and 7 AM, suggesting the phone had powered down and rebooted.

    Among many theories, one plausible reason could be a kernel panic or overheating, ranging from software bugs to battery management issues causing a reboot and subsequent boot loop. However, absence of battery statistics during the “off” period raises questions.

    A response from Apple remains awaited.

  • Customs successfully hampers smuggling of Phones worth more than Rs20 million

    Customs successfully hampers smuggling of Phones worth more than Rs20 million

    In a bid to thwart the smuggling of expensive phones in the country, Pakistan Customs Department has arrested a family at the Jinnah International Airport terminal who reached Karachi after performing Umrah via a connecting flight from Dubai, PA-417.

    Acting vigilantly on the tip-off, the collectorate stopped some of the passengers and scanned their luggage which had empty boxes of cell phones. The passengers could not provide any satisfactory answers and this led to a body search. Police then found 51 expensive iPhones they had tied around their waist and legs near the ankles. The recovered iPhones include 25 units of 15 ProMax 12 units of 14 ProMax, 14 units of 11 Promax and 12 units of ProMax. The value of these mobile sets is estimated to be around Rs27.6 million. Taxes of Rs8.8 million could be evaded by smuggling the phones into the country.

    The collector informed the media that smugglers have now started to take advantage of the facility of faster airport arrival services for Umrah pilgrims. These groups entice pilgrims to bring up to 10 iPhones for which they are offered cheap tickets and money.

    Remand was obtained for the family of three and a case has been registered against them under the Customs Act .

  • Want a phone on instalments? The govt has good news for you

    Want a phone on instalments? The govt has good news for you

    The Caretaker Federal Minister for IT, Dr. Umar Saif, has said in a conversation with Samaa that by January 2024, people will be able to buy Pakistani-made mobile phones in installments.

    Dr. Saif pointed out that Pakistan has the fifth largest population and the seventh largest telecom industry in the world; 33 national companies have made 57 million low-cost mobile phones, of which one crore 20 lakhs have been exported.

    Made-in-Pakistan phones will be less expensive and will cost an average of 15 thousand rupees.

    He added that having 1.5 million cell phone users in the country is a big deal; and despite the lack of foreign exchange, most mobile phones are imported, asserting that there is no reason why mobile phones cannot be assembled and manufactured within the country.

    He questioned that if India can manufacture iPhones, why can’t Pakistan too. According to Dr. Saif, Pakistan’s IT exports are 2.6 billion dollars while India’s is 150 billion dollars because there is a lack of trained manpower since only 120 thousand people are available here.

    He asserted there is a need to train students in universities and he aims to upskill two lakh people as well as establish e-employment centres for five lakh freelancers in the next two years.

    The caretaker IT minister is also determined to take IT exports to 10 billion dollars.