Tag: technology news

  • Apple abandons electric car project, shifts focus to AI

    Apple abandons electric car project, shifts focus to AI

    In a surprising turn of events, Apple has officially terminated its ambitious electric car project, according to a reliable source informed about the matter.

    The decision, revealed on Tuesday, marks the end of a decade-long effort initiated by the tech giant to venture into the electric vehicle industry.

    The abandoned project aimed to propel Apple into a new sector, potentially mirroring the triumphs of its iconic iPhone.

    However, the venture faced challenges and inconsistent progress throughout its existence.

    The cancellation aligns with a broader trend in the automotive industry, where global players are scaling back investments in electric vehicles amid a substantial drop in demand.

    Reportedly, several team members previously engaged in the electric car project will be reassigned to Apple’s artificial intelligence (AI) division.

    This strategic move aligns with Apple’s commitment to bolstering its presence in AI, a domain where it has been comparatively reserved.

    Apple has refrained from significant AI initiatives, contrasting sharply with industry giants like Alphabet and Microsoft, which seized an early advantage in integrating this transformative technology.

    Concerns have arisen that Apple’s cautious approach may leave it lagging behind in infusing AI into its product lineup.

    Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies, commented, “If it is true, Apple will put more focus on GenAI, and that should give investors more optimism about the company’s efforts and ability to compete at a platform level on AI.”

    Last year, Apple experienced the smallest share gain among the so-called Magnificent Seven stocks, reflecting apprehensions about its stance on AI.

    Microsoft recently surpassed Apple as the world’s most valuable company, underscoring Apple’s struggle with weakening demand for its key products, particularly in significant markets like China.

    Simultaneously, the electric vehicle industry faces a slowdown in demand due to elevated interest rates, leading to job cuts and reduced production.

    Apple’s shift in focus to AI reflects a strategic pivot in response to market dynamics and underscores the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation.

    Apple has chosen to adapt its trajectory in a rapidly evolving landscape, signalling a nuanced strategy that aligns with emerging industry trends.

  • 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.

  • iPhone 15’s remarkable sales performance surpasses iPhone 14

    iPhone 15’s remarkable sales performance surpasses iPhone 14

    Apple announced a remarkable performance in its earnings for the September quarter, with a notable year-over-year increase in iPhone revenue, despite only a brief period of iPhone 15 sales factored into the results.

    However, other hardware divisions within the company experienced declines, leading to a fourth consecutive quarter of overall sales downturns. Apple generated $89.5 billion in revenue for the quarter.

    CEO Tim Cook expressed that the iPhone 15 lineup exhibited stronger early traction compared to the 14 series.

    He stated, “When you examine the performance of the iPhone 15 during that period and compare it to the iPhone 14 in the same timeframe last year, the iPhone 15 outperformed the iPhone 14.” Cook also noted that the Pro and Pro Max models were currently facing supply constraints.

    The Mac division encountered a substantial 34 per cent decline in revenue year over year, prompting Apple to hold its M3 event earlier in the week, where they introduced updated MacBook Pros and a refreshed iMac.

    Cook characterised the current PC consumer market as “challenging” and expressed optimism for a better quarter for the Mac in the upcoming December quarter, citing the presence of the M3 and new products.

    iPad revenue saw a 10 per cent decrease due to the absence of recent models, while wearables revenue experienced a more modest 3 per cent decline.

    Apple’s services unit continued to be a reliable source of revenue, with a 16 per cent year-over-year increase. Cook highlighted that “every main service achieved a record.”

    Looking ahead to the holiday shopping season, Apple’s CEO is optimistic about the company’s position, stating, “We now offer our most robust product lineup ever for the holiday season, including the iPhone 15 series and our first carbon-neutral Apple Watch models, a significant milestone in our commitment to making all Apple products carbon neutral by 2030.”

  • Payouts approved for iPhone owners who alleged that Apple intentionally slowed down older models

    Payouts approved for iPhone owners who alleged that Apple intentionally slowed down older models

    iPhone owners who were participants in a class action lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the company intentionally reduced the speed of their older iPhones to encourage them to upgrade to the latest model, are finally on the verge of receiving their compensation. Recently, a judge has given the green light for the payment process to proceed, as stated in a report from SiliconValley.com last week.

    The settlement obtained preliminary approval in March 2020. Although the opportunity to be included in the settlement has since expired, approximately 3 million claims were submitted, according to information from SiliconValley.com. These individuals are now anticipating the arrival of their $65 checks, over three years after the initial settlement.

    The distribution of payments faced delays due to objections raised by two iPhone owners who disagreed with certain aspects of the settlement. However, these objectors have now lost their appeal in the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, as detailed in the report.

    Apple encountered this lawsuit after confessing in 2017 that its iOS software intentionally slowed down the performance of older iPhones. During that period, the technology giant issued an apology, updated its software, and also offered replacement batteries.

  • iPhone 14 owners unhappy as battery health capacity drops to 90% in less than a year

    iPhone 14 owners unhappy as battery health capacity drops to 90% in less than a year

    Some iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro users are facing a familiar issue, similar to the “batterygate” problem of the past. They’re noticing their phones’ battery performance deteriorating faster than expected, even though they’ve only had the phones for less than a year.

    For instance, Sam Kohl from AppleTrack tweeted in July that his iPhone 14 Pro’s battery had already dropped to 90 per cent of its maximum capacity. This is much quicker than his previous iPhones. Many others are sharing similar experiences in the thread.

    Kohl even made a video recently talking about this problem. He finds it hard to recommend the phone, especially because it costs $999.

    According to Apple, iPhone batteries should still have around 80 per cent of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. There are rumours that the upcoming iPhone 15 series will have 10–18 per cent larger batteries compared to the current models.

    According to The Verge, other people are also facing similar battery issues. Joanna Stern, a tech columnist, mentioned in a recent newsletter that her iPhone 14 Pro’s battery capacity dropped to 88 per cent. Reports from the Verge community show mixed results, with some iPhone 14 Pros at 93 per cent, 91 per cent, and 97 per cent capacity. In the past, most phones didn’t see this kind of drop until they were at least two years old.

    On top of this, replacing the battery for an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro after the one-year warranty is more expensive. It used to cost $69, but now it’s $99. However, if you’re up for it, you can try a DIY approach or find a third-party repair shop.

    The battery health monitor for iPhones was added in the same update that allowed users to control performance throttling, which was a big part of the batterygate issue. Apple said this throttling was meant to protect the phones from ageing batteries, and it led to some legal actions.

  • iPhone 15 Pro expected to launch in September with 8GB RAM, A17 chip, and ultra-thin bezels

    iPhone 15 Pro expected to launch in September with 8GB RAM, A17 chip, and ultra-thin bezels

    Apple is preparing for the highly anticipated unveiling of its iPhone 15 lineup in September. The Pro models, as customary, are expected to introduce a range of exciting new features, aiming to enhance user experience and performance.

    Let’s delve into the rumoured features and changes expected for the iPhone 15 Pro models.

    A17 Bionic chip

    The iPhone 15 Pro models are speculated to be equipped with Apple’s latest A17 Bionic chip. This advanced chip will be manufactured based on TSMC’s 3nm process, offering improved performance and efficiency compared to its predecessor. The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models are likely to house the A16 Bionic chip.

    Titanium frame

    Taking a cue from the Apple Watch Ultra, the iPhone 15 Pro models are anticipated to feature a durable titanium frame instead of stainless steel. This shift in material will enhance the device’s robustness and aesthetics.

    Ultra-thin bezels

    Reports suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro will embrace ultra-thin curved bezels, similar to recent Apple Watch iterations. This design choice aims to maximise the display area, providing users with an immersive viewing experience.

    Faster USB-C port

    Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has indicated that the iPhone 15 Pro models will incorporate a USB-C port with support for USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3. This upgrade promises significantly faster data transfer speeds when connected via cable, surpassing the capabilities of previous Lightning-based iPhones. However, it’s worth noting that the standard iPhone 15 models will likely retain the USB 2.0 speed limitation.

    Wi-Fi 6E

    Aligning with the latest Macs and iPad Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro is expected to support Wi-Fi 6E. This technology advancement will enable faster wireless speeds, ensuring seamless connectivity in diverse network environments.

    Increased RAM

    The iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to receive a memory boost, with 8GB of RAM according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce. In comparison, the standard models are expected to maintain the current 6GB configuration. The additional RAM will empower resource-intensive apps like Safari to retain more content in the background, preventing unnecessary content reloads upon reopening.

    Action button

    Speculation suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro models will introduce a customisable Action button, similar to the Apple Watch Ultra. This button is anticipated to replace the long-standing Ring/Silent switch present in every iPhone since its inception. Users will likely have the flexibility to assign various system functions, including Ring/Silent, Do Not Disturb, Flashlight, Low Power Mode, and more, to this button.

    Increased optical zoom for iPhone 15 Pro Max

    Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will incorporate a periscope telephoto lens, providing a potential optical zoom range of 5x-6x. This improvement surpasses the 3x optical zoom capability found in the iPhone 14 Pro models.

    Ultra-wideband improvements

    It is rumored that the iPhone 15 models will feature an enhanced Ultra-Wideband chip, known as the U1 chip. This upgrade aims to improve integration with Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro headset. Additionally, the new chip could enhance performance and reduce power consumption for location-based functions such as AirDrop and Precision Finding in the Find My app.

    LiDAR scanner improvements

    The iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to incorporate a more power-efficient LiDAR Scanner supplied by Sony. This advancement could enhance 3D depth scanning performance for augmented reality (AR) applications and Night mode photography.

    New dark red color

    According to reports, a new dark red color option will be available for the iPhone 15 Pro models. This addition to the color palette provides users with a fresh choice to suit their personal style.

    eSIM-only variants

    In France, it is speculated that the iPhone 15 Pro models will be compatible with eSIMs exclusively, as reported by MacGeneration. Following last year’s removal of the physical SIM card tray in the US for the iPhone 14 models, this potential expansion indicates Apple’s continued embrace of eSIM technology.

  • Apple may cut off iPhone X and older iPad models from iOS 17 compatibility list

    Apple may cut off iPhone X and older iPad models from iOS 17 compatibility list

    According to French tech website iPhoneSoft, Apple’s upcoming operating system iPadOS 17 will no longer support the first-generation 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, as well as the fifth-generation iPad. This news corroborates earlier reports from a source with a reliable track record for predicting upcoming software updates. If the information is accurate, only the following devices will be compatible with iPadOS 17 when it is released in the fall: iPad Pro (2017 and later), iPad Air (third generation and later), iPad (sixth generation and later), and iPad mini (fifth generation and later).

    It’s important to note, however, that being on Apple’s compatibility list doesn’t guarantee that the device will fully support all features of the software. For instance, iOS 15 is compatible with all devices that can run iOS 14, but not all features will be available on older iPhones.

    In terms of iPhone compatibility, there are conflicting reports. The same source that leaked information about the iPad models that will be dropped from iPadOS 17 claimed that iOS 17 will also drop support for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. However, another anonymous leaker, who has shared accurate information in the past, disputed this claim. According to this second source, all iPhones that support iOS 16 will also support iOS 17, including devices powered by A11 chipsets like the iPhone X and iPhone 8/8 Plus.

    Last year, iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 discontinued support for several devices, including the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, original iPhone SE, final iPod touch, second-generation iPad Air, and fourth-generation iPad mini. Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 during its WWDC keynote on June 5th.