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Aujourd’hui — 30 janvier 2025Flux principal

50 iPhone Features Apple Added to iOS 18 Since September

Par : Tim Hardwick
30 janvier 2025 à 11:41
Since iOS 18 was released in September 2024, Apple has introduced an unprecedented number of new features and improvements across several point updates. With iOS 18.1, 18.2, and 18.3, users have seen a host of tweaks and changes designed to enhance everything from the Mail app to Camera Control on the iPhone 16.


Below, we've listed 50 of the features and changes that have been rolled out through these recent updates. Keep reading to see if you picked up on them all. You can make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS 18.3 update by going to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update.

Reset Your Control Center


control center
With iOS 18, Apple made the Control Center thoroughly customizable, but there's no way to roll back your changes if things get messy. Fortunately, iOS 18.1 introduced a simple way to start fresh. In Settings ➝ Control Center, you'll find an option to reset your Control Center to its default layout. This feature is perfect if you've made too many customizations and want to return to a clean slate without manually rearranging everything.

Share AirTag Location With Trusted Friend or Airline



In iOS 18.2 and later, Find My has a new option to Share Item Location with an "airline or trusted person" that can help you locate something that you've misplaced. Choosing the Share Item Location option creates a link that lets someone view the location of a lost item when they open the link.

The link can be opened on a non-Apple device, so an iPhone or Mac is not required to provide someone with your item's location. Links expire after a week or when you're reunited with your lost item. More than 15 airlines offer the feature, which is integrated into each airline's customer service process for locating mishandled or delayed baggage, according to Apple. In addition to items equipped with an AirTag, the feature also works with third-party accessories and item trackers that support the Find My network.

Get Details About Places



On iPhone 16 models, Visual Intelligence became available as of iOS 18.2. If you're out somewhere and want to get more information about a restaurant or a retail store, click and hold Camera Control, and then click Camera Control again to take a photo or tap the name of the location at the top of the display. From there, you can see the hours when the business is open, place an oder for delivery at relevant locations, view the menu, view offered services, make a reservation, call the business, or visit the location's website.

More Control Center Buttons



Apple in iOS 18.1 introduced new individual toggles for Satellite and AirDrop in the Control Center, allowing users to add them as separate buttons to their Control Center configurations for the first time. Previously, both features were only available through the combined Connectivity control.

Require Screen On for Camera Control



On iPhone 16 models, under "Display & Brightness" in the Settings app, iOS 18.2 added a Camera Control toggle called Require Screen On. When enabled, this setting requires that your iPhone screen is illuminated before a press of the Camera Control button will open the Camera app or a compatible third-party camera app. It's a handy option if you find yourself pressing the button accidentally.

Add an Event to Calendar From a Poster or Flyer



For iPhone 16 models, iOS 18.3 added Visual Intelligence support for adding events to the Calendar app. After installing the software on an iPhone 16, long press the Camera Control button to activate ‌Visual Intelligence‌ when viewing a poster or a flyer, and you will be given the option to add an event to the Calendar app.

Take Selfies With Camera Control



Camera Control got a selfie upgrade in iOS 18.1. Now you can switch to the front-facing camera without touching your screen. Simply open the Camera app with a press of the Camera Control button, then swipe on the button to cycle through lens options. Look for the person icon at the top to activate the selfie camera, making it easier to capture that perfect self-portrait.

Lock Auto Exposure and Auto Focus



In iOS 18.2 and later, you can now lock the camera's auto focus and auto exposure settings by applying light pressure on the Camera Control button on iPhone 16 models. The lock remains active until you release your finger from the button. Enabling the feature involves navigating to Settings ➝ Camera ➝ Camera Control and toggling on the AE/AF Lock option.

Share ‌Apple Music‌ Songs on TikTok



In iOS 18.1 and later, Apple Music has an option to share ‌Apple Music‌ songs directly on TikTok. To do so, tap on Share Song and then choose TikTok from the list of apps.

Easily Identify Plants and Animals



For iPhone 16 models, Apple's iOS 18.3 update added a feature for easily identifying plants and animals with ‌Visual Intelligence‌. You may be familiar with a similar feature in the Photos app that provides insight into plants, animals, and insects when viewing additional image information. Well, with iOS 18.3 installed, you'll be able to reveal these details with Camera Control's Visual Intelligence option, but in real time.

View Video Fullscreen in Photos


photos
When iOS 18 was released in September, it brought a major redesign to the Photos app on the iPhone, but some of the updates received mixed feedback. After announcing iOS 18, Apple made adjustments to the app in its first two point updates. If you use it now, you'll see the video player has been updated to occupy more screen space, removing the thick borders seen in earlier iOS 18 versions. Now, videos display in full screen without needing a tap to expand them.

Sleep Apnea Detection



iOS 18.1 added support for sleep apnea detection and breathing disturbances readings on Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. You can enable sleep apnea alerts in the Health app by searching for Breathing Disturbances. Notifications won't be sent until the Apple Watch has gathered at least 10 days of data, with analysis occurring every 30 days. Note that data collection for sleep apnea and breathing disturbances only begins after the update is installed and alerts are activated.

iPhone Mirroring With Hotspot



With iOS 18.2, Apple changed the way iPhone Mirroring works so that you can use it even while your iPhone's hotspot connection is shared with your Mac. Previously, connecting your Mac through Personal Hotspot prevented the use of iPhone Mirroring.

Search Google for On-Camera Items



With Visual Intelligence introduced for iPhone 16 models in iOS 18.2, you can take a picture of any item that you see and tap on the "Search" option to use Google Image Search to find it on the web. Turns out it can be pretty useful for locating items that you might want to buy.

Proofread Your Text


notes
Embarrassing typos could be a thing of the past. Introduced in iOS 18.1, Apple's new Writing Tools feature includes a powerful proofreading function. It not only checks for spelling and grammar errors but also suggests improvements in word choice and sentence structure. You can accept all suggestions with a single tap or review them one by one, complete with explanations.

Track Safari Download Progress



iOS 18.2 introduced the ability to track your Safari downloads outside of the app, making the process of keeping tabs on a download more effortless and immediate. You can keep an eye on download progress right from your iPhone's Lock Screen. On iPhone 14 Pro models and newer, it also appears in the Dynamic Island.

Rewrite Your Text


notes
Need to change the tone of your message? The new Rewrite tool is capable of doing just that. Whether you want your text to sound more friendly, professional, or concise, this iOS 18.1 feature can adjust your writing style without altering the core content. It's like having a personal editor at your fingertips, helping you communicate more effectively in any situation.

Safari Website Data Options



With iOS 18.2, Apple added a new section to the Settings app for managing website data and history, with options for Clear History and Website Data. The Website Data section includes options for exporting data from Safari and importing data from another app into Safari. In iOS 18.2, Apple also added new background images for customizing the Safari start page.

Adjust Media Volume on Lock Screen



Prior to 2022, the volume slider was a familiar presence on the Lock Screen whenever media was playing. When Apple released iOS 16, however, it removed the control without explaining the reason, much to the dismay of many users.

Thankfully, Apple brought the control back as an option in iOS 18.2. You'll find a toggle in Settings ➝ Accessibility ➝ Audio & Visual, labeled "Always Show Volume Control". Enable the switch, and you'll be able to adjust volume from the Lock Screen without having to unlock your ‌iPhone‌ or use the physical volume buttons.

Summarize Long Emails


mail
If you frequently suffer from inbox overload, this should feature introduced in iOS 18.1 should be a welcome one. When you receive a lengthy email, you'll see a "Summarize" button that lets Apple Intelligence create a concise overview. Choose from options like a brief paragraph, key points, or even a bulleted list. This tool makes it easier to quickly grasp the essence of important messages without reading every word. Plus, your inbox displays a brief AI-generated summary instead of the first few lines of each email, helping you prioritize your responses more efficiently.

Reboot Security Feature Extended



With iOS 18, Apple introduced a feature that caused the iPhone to reboot every three days. "Inactivity Reboot" is designed to automatically reboot an iPhone if it remains locked and unused for a specified period, which makes it more difficult to break into with the forensic tools used by law enforcement and others, such as bad actors. A 7-day inactivity reboot functionality was initially introduced in ‌iOS 18‌, but the timer was shortened to three days with the launch of iOS 18.1.

Summarize and Read Text Aloud on Camera



With the addition of Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16 models, iOS 18.2 made it possible to take a photo of text and choose a "Summarize" option to get a summary of what's written. Whenever you take a Camera Control image of text, there's also an option to hear it read aloud. To use this, just tap the "Read Aloud" button at the bottom of the display, and Siri will read it out loud in your selected ‌Siri‌ voice.

Play Daily Sudoku Puzzles



With iOS 18.2, Apple News+ subscribers in the U.S. gained access to daily sudoku puzzles, offering easy, moderate, and challenging difficulty levels. A scoreboard keeps track of your sudoku statistics, including the total number of puzzles solved and your fastest completion times for each difficulty level. This addition is the fourth puzzle game available with an Apple News+ subscription, joining Crossword, Crossword Mini, and Quartiles.

Answer Apple Product Questions


siri
Your iPhone became a knowledgeable Apple expert from the moment you installed iOS 18.1. Siri can tap into a vast database of product information, helping you understand device features, locate settings, and even provide tutorials on how to complete tasks. It's like having Apple Support built right into your device, available whenever you need it.

Easily Manage Default Apps



iOS 18.2 added a new "Default Apps" section that can be found in the Settings app, which can be used to manage your default apps for the iPhone. This is a feature that Apple promised would be coming to the European Union, but later decided to make it available worldwide.

US users can access the Default App interface to choose their preferred Email, Call Filtering, Browser, and Passwords, and Keyboards. EU users should have more options for choosing non-Apple apps as their default, as they are able to delete core apps like Messages, App Store, Safari, Camera, and Photos.

Offer Smart Replies to Emails and Messages



Communication got a boost with Smart Reply, introduced in iOS 18.1. When you receive an email or message, your iPhone will analyze the content and suggest contextually relevant responses. These quick-tap options make it easy to reply promptly and appropriately, saving you time and effort in your daily correspondence.

Adjust Camera Control Double-Click Speed


settings
From iOS 18.2, a new option in Settings ➝ Accessibility ➝ Camera Control allows you to adjust the double-click speed for the Camera Control button. The available options are Default, Slow, and Slower. The settings are added alongside existing options to adjust the speed of the double light press and the force of the light press.

Summarize Multiple Message Notifications


messages
In iOS 18.1, Apple debuted notification summaries. The feature summarizes multiple message notifications on your Lock Screen, giving you a quick overview without the need to open the app. The feature aims to help you stay on top of conversations without getting overwhelmed by notification overload. After controversy over misleading summarized news headlines, Apple in iOS 18.3 rolled back the feature's support for apps in the News and Entertainment category. Apple also tweaked notification summaries so that they appear in italicized text, with the aim of making them easier to differentiate visually compared to regular notifications.

Categorize Emails in Mail



In iOS 18.2, Apple introduced an updated version of the Mail app for built-in categorization. Mail Categories effectively organize your incoming emails into distinct sections for easier navigation.

Important emails are grouped in a "Primary" category, while other types are categorized into three additional sections. The "Transactions" section streamlines access to receipts, orders, and shipping information, allowing you to quickly locate your purchases. Meanwhile, the "Updates" section gathers newsletters, appointment reminders, and various subscription emails, keeping you informed. Lastly, the "Promotions" category highlights special offers and promotional messages, to make sure you don’t miss out on any deals.

Manage Notification Summaries More Easily



Apple Intelligence‌‌ notification summaries are designed to group multiple notifications from the same app together, providing a one-sentence overview of the content. In iOS 18.3, Apple made it easier to manage individual app settings for notification summaries directly from your iPhone's Lock Screen. A quick swipe leftwards across a summarized notification reveals a new option to turn off summaries for the related app. You can reinstate summaries for the app in question anytime by toggling the associated switch in Settings ➝ Notifications ➝ Summarize Notifications.

Create Memory Movies From a Short Description



Relive your favorite moments with ease using the new Memory Movie feature that Apple debuted in iOS 18.1. Simply provide a description like "My cat in 2024" or "Orlando in the summer," and your iPhone will automatically select relevant photos and choose appropriate music. You can further customize the mood and add specific scenes, turning your memories into beautiful short films with minimal effort.

Generate Images Using Prompts



Image Playground was introduced with iOS 18.2 and is a totally new app designed to help you create images based on your ideas. Similar to ChatGPT, you can generate images by providing a prompt, and Apple offers suggested categories like themes, locations, and costumes to inspire your creativity. The app specializes in stylized content, meaning the generated images won't be realistic, but can choose from Animation and Illustration styles.

Additionally, you can include likenesses of friends and family by pulling images directly from your Photos app. While Image Playground functions as a standalone app, it can also be integrated into apps like Notes and Messages and added to third-party applications.

Remove Unwanted Objects From Photos



In iOS 18.1 and later, you can perfect your photos with Apple's Clean Up tool. This feature allows you to easily remove unwanted objects from your images. Whether it's a photobomber or a distracting element in the background, you can now tap, circle, or brush over the object to make it disappear. The tool is smart enough to preserve important elements, ensuring your main subjects remain intact.

Get an iPhone Charge Time Estimate



In iOS 18.2 and later, you can get notified about how long it will take your iPhone to reach a specific charge level. This builds upon iOS 18's existing battery health capabilities, which include options to limit maximum charging to 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% to help preserve long-term battery health. iOS 18 also alerts users when their iPhone is being charged with a slower-than-optimal charger.

Summarize Your Audio Transcripts


notes
Turn long recordings into digestible content with the transcription feature added in iOS 18.1. When you record audio in apps like Notes, your iPhone can provide a transcript along with a summary. This is particularly useful for capturing and distilling information from lectures, meetings, or interviews, making it easier to review and share key points.

Create Custom Emoji Characters



Genmoji are akin to traditional emojis but offer enhanced functionality. With the feature enabled in iOS 18.2, you can create virtually any emoji you desire, freeing you from the limitations of the standard emoji set.

While they function like emojis on Apple devices, they are not encoded characters from the Unicode Consortium. Instead, Apple developed a unique API for Genmoji, ensuring they display correctly in any application that supports rich text. You can generate a Genmoji by providing a description of your desired design, and you even have the option to create Genmoji that resemble individuals from your Photos library.

Reduce Your Interruptions


notifications
Take control of your notifications with the new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode. This intelligent feature, added in iOS 18.1, filters your alerts and shows you only the most important notifications that require immediate attention. It should come in handy for when you need to concentrate but don't want to miss crucial information.

Query ChatGPT via Siri



Apple has collaborated with OpenAI to incorporate ChatGPT into the iPhone. Introduced in iOS 18.2, the partnership allows Siri to handle complex requests by referring them to ChatGPT, such as generating images or creating text from scratch. With the Writing Tools feature, ChatGPT can produce and illustrate original content, expanding its capabilities beyond what Siri can currently offer.

For instance, you can open a lengthy PDF and ask Siri to summarize information on a specific topic; Siri can then pass this request to ChatGPT to generate a comprehensive summary. Apple envisions Siri as a facilitator for AI models and tools, optimizing available resources to provide you with answers without the need to switch between multiple apps.

Record Your Phone Calls



iOS 18.1 introduced Phone call recording. During a call, you'll see a record button in the upper left corner of the display. Tap it, and after notifying all participants, the call will be recorded. These recordings are stored in the Notes app, where you can access transcripts and AI-generated summaries, making it easy to review important conversations.

View ChatGPT Limits



As part of Apple's collab with OpenAI, iPhone users running iOS 18.2 and later can access ChatGPT for free but are limited to a small number of requests using the latest ChatGPT-4 turbo engine and a limited number of DALL-E 3 image generations. To that extent, the Apple Intelligence & Siri section in Settings displays ChatGPT limits for free users, but it also provides an option to upgrade to the paid ChatGPT Plus plan. Once these limits are reached, access reverts to a more basic version of ChatGPT, which is less costly for OpenAI to maintain. Full access requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription, priced at $19.99 per month.

Summarize Web Articles



Getting the gist of a long article is easier with this iOS 18.1 Safari improvement. When using Reader Mode, you can tap a button to have Apple Intelligence summarize the article for you. This feature quickly distills the main points, allowing you to grasp the essence of the content without reading every word.

Generate Apple Intelligence Reports



If you're curious about how Apple Intelligence is working on your device, iOS 18.1 added transparency through the Apple Intelligence Report. Found in the Privacy & Security section of the Settings app, this feature allows you to export your Apple Intelligence data. It requires Face ID authentication, ensuring your privacy is protected while providing insight into how AI is enhancing your iPhone experience.

More Options in Writing Tools


notes
With successive point updates, Apple upgraded the Writing Tools feature to include options for more open-ended modifications. In iOS 18.1, Writing Tools can only adjust the tone to friendly, professional, or a simplified version. However, in iOS 18.2, users can specify the desired tone or content changes, such as incorporating more action words or transforming an email into a poem.

Search Apple Music and Apple TV in Natural Language



Apple in iOS 18.2 introduced a natural language search feature for Apple Music and Apple TV, making it easier to find what you're looking for. In the Apple TV app, you can use casual phrases to search for movies and shows. For example, you can type "family-friendly movies," "thrillers set in space," "movies starring Ryan Gosling," or "feel-good comedies" to get tailored results.

The Apple Music app offers similar functionality, letting you search for songs and playlists by mood, genre, or activity. Try searches like "upbeat workout songs," "romantic ballads," "90s pop hits," or "songs to dance to" to quickly discover music that fits your vibe.

Test Your Hearing With AirPods Pro



iOS 18.2 and later brought the AirPods Pro 2 hearing test feature to several more countries, including Cyprus, Czechia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. This feature initially launched in the U.S. and just a few other countries with iOS 18.1.

The hearing test takes about five minutes and helps adults determine if they might have hearing loss by assessing their ability to hear various sound frequencies. Once the test is complete, users receive a classification of their hearing and suggestions for next steps. For more details, Apple provides a support document explaining the feature in depth.

Send Screen Content to ChatGPT


notes
In iOS 18.2 and later, you can ask ChatGPT a question about something on your screen, and Siri will offer to send a screenshot of it to ChatGPT or the full content as a file if it's a long document. You can use the Copy button at the top-right of the scrollable response window to copy the output to your clipboard. Alternatively, you can save useful responses by invoking Siri and saying "Save this to my notes," which gives you a searchable archive of your conversations in Notes that persists after they end. This is especially useful if you aren't logged into ChatGPT and can't refer back to your account to see your chat history.

Perform Repeating Operations in Calculator



Apple used its iOS 18.3 update as a chance to bring repeating operations back to the Calculator app. When you tap the equals sign twice, the app will now repeat the last mathematical operation. For example, if you tap in 10x10 and tap the equals sign to get a 100 result, if you hit equals again, it will multiply 100x10, and will continue multiplying by 10 every time you tap the equals symbol. It's a small but meaningful change that should make it easier to calculate compound interest.

Limit iPhone's Speaker Volume



A feature introduced in iOS 18.2 lets you cap the maximum volume of your device's built-in speaker. It should be particularly useful if you're a parent or guardian and share your device with children, but it's also handy if you frequently find yourself in situations where sudden loud audio could be disruptive. The new "Limit Maximum Volume" option can be found in the Sound & Haptics section of the Settings app, under the "Volume Limit" section.

Layer Voice Memo Recordings



iOS 18.2 added layered Voice Memos recordings to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, making it easier for musicians to flesh out song ideas and experiment with new ideas. Users can layer a vocal track on top of an existing instrumental recording, with no headphones needed. Instrumental compositions can be played through the iPhone's speaker while vocals are recorded at the same time using the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ microphones. Apple says that this feature is powered by the A18 Pro chip and uses advanced processing and machine learning to isolate the vocal recording.

Battery Health Support for Third-Party Batteries



In iOS 18.1, Apple began allowing iPhones to display battery health information for non-Apple batteries. Previously, when a third-party battery was installed, users would encounter a message indicating that the battery’s authenticity couldn't be verified, and the Battery Health feature would be disabled. But in iOS 18.1 and later, iPhones now provide battery health metrics for aftermarket batteries, accompanied by a notification stating that the data may not be entirely accurate due to the use of a non-genuine battery.
This article, "50 iPhone Features Apple Added to iOS 18 Since September" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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TSMC Founder Reveals Why Apple Chose Them Over Intel as Custom Chip Supplier

Par : Tim Hardwick
30 janvier 2025 à 10:54
TSMC founder Morris Chang has revealed that Apple CEO Tim Cook rejected Intel as an iPhone chip manufacturing partner in 2011, and told him that "Intel just does not know how to be a foundry."


In a new YouTube interview with Acquired, Chang recounts how Apple briefly paused discussions with TSMC in February 2011 when Intel's CEO approached Cook about manufacturing Apple's iPhone chips. At the time, Intel was already supplying processors for Apple's Mac lineup.

Despite the existing relationship, Cook ultimately chose TSMC over Intel after just two months of consideration. According to Chang, Cook's decisive comment about Intel's foundry capabilities came during a private meeting at Apple's headquarters in March 2011.

"I wasn't too worried," Chang said, explaining that TSMC had advantages over Intel in manufacturing capabilities and customer trust. "I knew a lot of Intel's customers in Taiwan, and none of them liked Intel. Intel always acted like they were the only guy for microprocessors."

Chang said that TSMC's success was built on its responsive approach to customer needs. "When the customer asks a lot of things, we have learned to respond to every request," he explained. "Some of them were crazy, some of them were irrational, but we respond to each request courteously. Intel has never done that."

The decision proved pivotal for both companies. TSMC went on to become Apple's exclusive chip manufacturer, producing all Apple silicon chips, including those for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Meanwhile, Intel's foundry business struggled for years to gain traction with external customers. Only recently did the company revamp its manufacturing strategy with the establishment of Intel Foundry, set up to produce integrated circuits for external clients. In September 2024, for example, Intel's foundry business secured Amazon’s AWS cloud services unit as a customer for custom AI chips.
Tags: Intel, TSMC

This article, "TSMC Founder Reveals Why Apple Chose Them Over Intel as Custom Chip Supplier" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Windows 11 Now Lets You Access Your iPhone from the Start Menu

Par : Tim Hardwick
30 janvier 2025 à 10:21
Microsoft has announced an update to Windows 11 that allows iPhone users to access their devices directly from the Start menu, bringing feature parity with its existing Android phone integration.


The new functionality lets you view your device's battery status, cellular connectivity, and recent activities without leaving the Windows environment. You can also access messages, calls, and file sharing capabilities directly from the Start menu interface.

Setting up the integration is straightforward. Just open the Start menu and select "iPhone" from the right-side pane, then follow the on-screen instructions to establish the connection between your iPhone and PC.

The feature is currently rolling out to Windows Insiders in both Dev and Beta channels. To access the new functionality, you must be running Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 4805 or higher in the Beta Channel, or Build 26120.3000 or higher in the Dev Channel. Additional requirements include Phone Link version 1.24121.30.0 or higher and a PC with Bluetooth LE capability.

Note that not all Windows 11 users will have immediate access to the feature. Microsoft says the integration is not supported on PCs running Windows 11 Pro Education or Education SKUs.
This article, "Windows 11 Now Lets You Access Your iPhone from the Start Menu" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Hier — 29 janvier 2025Flux principal

OpenAI Alleges DeepSeek Used Its Models for AI Training

Par : Tim Hardwick
29 janvier 2025 à 13:28
OpenAI says it has uncovered evidence that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek used its proprietary models to train a competing open-source model, potentially violating the company's terms of service.


The discovery centers around a technique called "distillation," where developers use outputs from larger AI models to train smaller ones. The practice is common in AI development, but OpenAI claims DeepSeek crossed a line by using it to build a rival model.

"The issue is when you take it out of the platform and are doing it to create your own model for your own purposes," a source close to OpenAI told the Financial Times.

DeepSeek's R1 reasoning model has attracted widespread attention in the tech industry for achieving comparable results to leading US models at a remarkably low cost. The company claims it spent just $5.6 million on development, which is a fraction of what companies like OpenAI and Google typically invest. The app this week reached the number one position on Apple's App Store free charts in multiple countries, including the US.

Asked about OpenAI's allegations in an interview with Fox News, White House AI czar David Sacks didn't mince his words.

"There's substantial evidence that what DeepSeek did here is they distilled knowledge out of OpenAI models, and I don't think OpenAI is very happy about this," he said.

The controversy has already had market implications. Nvidia saw its shares drop 17% on Monday, wiping a one-day record $589 billion off its market value, as investors questioned whether expensive AI hardware investments might be unnecessary if companies can achieve similar results with fewer resources.

According to Bloomberg, OpenAI and Microsoft reportedly investigated and blocked accounts in August for suspected terms of service violations, and they now believe these accounts were associated with DeepSeek. Both companies have declined to provide specific details about their evidence.
Tags: China, OpenAI

This article, "OpenAI Alleges DeepSeek Used Its Models for AI Training" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iPhone 17 Air Design, Specs, and More: All the Rumors So Far

Par : Tim Hardwick
29 janvier 2025 à 13:00
This year, Apple is expected to discontinue the iPhone "Plus" device in its iPhone 17 lineup to make way for an iPhone "Air," so-called because of its thin profile.


Below is a compilation of every rumor and leak we have registered from reputable sources thus far about Apple's new entry in its flagship smartphone lineup.

iPhone 17 "Air"?

About the Name

There has been some uncertainty about Apple's strategy for the new slimmer iPhone model and its position in the lineup. YouTuber Jon Prosser was first to suggest that the device could be positioned as an "‌iPhone‌ Air." Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has since come out in agreement about the naming, which Apple could use to boost sales.

Replacing the iPhone "Plus," which, like the "mini" models before it, has not sold well, the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air will represent a new approach in Apple's iPhone lineup, offering a device with a substantially thinner design that sits between the ‌iPhone 17‌ and ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro.

Gurman believes that the design of the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air will "just be a step toward something better" since Apple will eventually want to "squeeze the power of a Pro model into this smaller design." However, he does not expect this to occur before 2027 at the earliest.

Device Thickness Rumors

Thinner Than iPhone 6

According to The Information, Apple's all-new iPhone 17 model will have a "significantly thinner" design with an aluminum chassis, rather than a titanium casing like Apple's Pro models.

There have been mixed rumors on just how thin Apple will be able to make it. Rumors have hovered around 6mm, however in a recent report, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expects the ‌iPhone‌ to measure in at about 5.5mm at its thinnest point. At 5.5mm, the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air would be the thinnest ‌iPhone‌ to date – thinner than the 6.9mm ‌iPhone‌ 6 that came out in 2014. 5.5mm would be approximately 30% thinner than the iPhone 16, which measures in at 7.8mm thick, and 33% thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro models, which are 8.25mm thick.

The device is said to have only a single speaker, in the earpiece, as there is apparently not enough room for a second speaker on the bottom edge. The Information also claims that the device will feature a narrower Dynamic Island, though this specific claim has since been contested. Internally code-named D23, the device's redesign has been described as a major one equivalent to the iPhone X.

Display Size

Smaller Than Plus Model

The first details about the size of the device's display arrived courtesy of Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu, who said it would be 6.6 inches. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has since corroborated Pu's claim.

However, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young, it will feature a 6.55-inch display. For comparison, the iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7-inch display. Apple is still said to be testing different designs for the slimmer phone, so the display size could always change between now and the device's launch.

Always-On Display

ProMotion Support

Apple intends to expand ProMotion to the entire lineup in 2025, including the iPhone 17 "Air," allowing all iPhone 17 models to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when necessary.

Previously, only "Pro" models in Apple's iPhone lineup have supported ProMotion. Notably, ProMotion would also enable the display on the iPhone 17 "Air" to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate as low as 1Hz, allowing for an always-on display that can show the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device is locked.

Camera Redesign

Relocated Lens

The Information claimed that the iPhone 17 Air will have cameras in locations we haven't seen before on an iPhone. According to a May report, the rear cameras could be moved to the "top center" of the device. Some Android phones like Google's Pixel 9 Pro have rear cameras in a top-center position, or in a runway-style horizontal bar, but Apple's iPhone camera system has occupied the top-left corner ever since the 2007 model.

Adding to the intrigue, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that the device will have only one camera, as opposed to two or three.

More Durable Screen

Anti-Reflective Coating

All iPhone 17 models will feature an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple's Ceramic Shield found on iPhone 15 models, according to Chinese Weibo leaker Instant Digital.

The outer glass on the iPhone 17 series is said to have a "super-hard anti-reflective layer" that is "more scratch-resistant." It's not clear whether Apple is planning to adopt the Gorilla Glass Armor that Samsung uses in its Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the description of Corning's latest technology matches the rumor.

Improved Front Camera

Better Selfies

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the entire iPhone 17 lineup will feature a 24-megapixel front-facing camera with a six-element lens. The iPhone 14 and 15 feature a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with five plastic lens elements, and the iPhone 16 lineup features the same hardware.

The upgraded resolution on the iPhone 17 will allow photos to maintain their quality even when cropped or zoomed in, while the larger number of pixels will capture finer details. The upgrade to a six-element lens should also slightly enhance image quality.

More RAM

Apple Intelligence

Haitong analyst Jeff Pu claims the iPhone 17 Air will feature 8GB of RAM, compared to 6GB of RAM on the iPhone 15 Plus. It's worth noting that all iPhone 16 models are fitted with 8GB of RAM – a hardware requirement of on-device Apple Intelligence – so it's almost a surety that the slim device will follow suit.

Next-Gen Processor

Better Performance

According to The Information and Haitong International analyst Jeff Pu, the device will be equipped with Apple's A19 chip, which is likely to be based on an optimized version of TSMC's 3nm process, possibly N3P or N3X. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to include an A19 Pro chip. Compared to earlier versions of 3nm chips, the N3P chips offer increased performance efficiency and increased transistor density.

In-House Components

Custom 5G Modem and Wi-Fi Chip

The slim device may also be one of the first iPhones to use an Apple-made 5G modem, second only to the forthcoming iPhone SE 4. Apple's new modem could bring enhancements, such as improved speed, better energy efficiency.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, at least one iPhone 17 model will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, and Kuo also expects Apple's 5G modem to be used in the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 model.

eSIM Worldwide

No SIM Card Slot

The slim device will lack a physical SIM card slot, and instead rely entirely on digital eSIM technology, according to Ming-Chi Kuo. In the U.S., all iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models lack a physical SIM card tray already, but all iPhones sold in other countries still have one for now.

The lack of a SIM card slot in all forthcoming iPhone 17 models worldwide has been previously reported, but it is not clear how the devices would be sold in the Chinese market, where the use of eSIMs in smartphones is not currently authorized.

Pricing Rumors

Premium or Affordable?

The Information reported that the slimmer iPhone 17 could have a higher price tag than the Pro Max model, which currently starts at $1,199, despite suggestions that it will not be as feature-rich as Apple's top-tier Max.

However, Haitong International analyst Jeff Pu believes the device will be a mid-tier iPhone that replaces the Plus model. Additionally, a report out of China has claimed that the ultra-thin iPhone 17's price will be similar to that of the iPhone 16 Plus, which starts at $899 in the United States.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17

This article, "iPhone 17 Air Design, Specs, and More: All the Rumors So Far" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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WhatsApp Critical Privacy Bug Fixed in Latest iOS Update

Par : Tim Hardwick
29 janvier 2025 à 11:29
WhatsApp has released version 25.2.3 for iOS devices to patch a significant privacy vulnerability that affected its "View Once" feature. The bug allowed users to access photos and videos that were meant to disappear after a single viewing.


The security flaw, which only impacted iPhone users, allowed anyone to view supposedly ephemeral content by navigating to Settings ➝ Storage and Data ➝ Manage Storage and sorting media by "Newest." This completely bypassed the privacy protection that View Once was designed to provide.

Security researcher Ramshath first documented the vulnerability in a Medium post, prompting WhatsApp to acknowledge the issue and develop a fix. This isn't the first time View Once has faced security challenges – a similar bug was discovered and patched on WhatsApp Web last December.

The latest update also introduces several new features, including the ability to make calls without saving phone numbers first and enhanced group calling capabilities.

Given the privacy implications, WhatsApp users on iOS should update their app immediately through the App Store to ensure their View Once media remains ephemeral as intended. [Direct Link]
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iPhone 17 Camera Redesign Rumors Conflict on Spatial Video Support

Par : Tim Hardwick
28 janvier 2025 à 18:14
Rumors about Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series have so far sparked a good deal of discussion regarding a potential redesign of the rear camera module. Leaks suggest the cosmetic changes could be big, but whether they would impact the iPhone camera's existing capabilities is a question for which no-one has yet provided an adequate answer.


The Camera Redesign Rumor Problem


Several rumors suggest that for the iPhone 17 Pro models, Apple may transition from its traditional triangular lens arrangement to a horizontal, elongated bar or strip of lenses, similar to the one used on the Google Pixel 9. However, we've had conflicting information, with at least one source claiming that the iPhone 17 Pro models will retain the existing triangular configuration amidst broader material redesigns of the rear casing.


The major point of concern with adopting a horizontal camera layout is its potential impact on the device's ability to capture spatial video for Apple Vision Pro — a feature currently supported by iPhone 15 Pro devices and all iPhone 16 models.

What Is Spatial Video?


Spatial video is an immersive video format that provides a more three-dimensional experience by capturing content from multiple perspectives. The technology allows viewers wearing Apple Vision Pro to feel as if they're present in the environment being filmed, offering a significant enhancement over traditional 2D video formats.


The shooting mode requires two cameras to record footage simultaneously when the iPhone is held in a landscape orientation, where the horizontal separation between lenses is crucial for them to mimic the distance between human eyes and create depth perception. Unlike standard 3D video that presents a static perspective, spatial video in this way creates six degrees of freedom, so that if the viewer shifts their position, the perspective in the video footage also shifts accordingly.

On iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models, spatial video is achieved by using the vertically aligned main Wide/Fusion and Ultra Wide cameras to capture these differing perspectives. Similarly, Apple adopted a vertical alignment design for the dual-lens rear cameras on the standard iPhone 16 models as a strategic move to allow for spatial video capture.


Logic would therefore seem to dictate that if the iPhone 17 Pro models were to adopt the rumored elongated horizontal bar of lenses, they would no longer be capable of shooting spatial video in landscape orientation – in the process losing a core camera functionality that has been present in their predecessors for two generations. Conversely, were the non-Pro models to retain the vertical alignment of the two lenses currently used in the iPhone 16, spatial capture would become incongruously exclusive to Apple's more affordable flagship device.

On the other hand, if the standard iPhone 17 also adopted the elongated horizontal bar design, then no model in the series would be capable of spatial video. (Rumors suggest the same can already be said for the Plus-replacing "iPhone 17 Air," which allegedly features just a single camera lens).


Would Apple really be prepared to nix its spatial video capability from some, if not all, iPhone 17 models – a feature that it has spent so much research and development (not to mention marketing) in order to bring to iPhones? Many would suggest that none of these scenarios are likely.

Overcoming Spatial Technical Challenges


There is another possibility, however. Recent advancements in computational photography may have opened avenues for creating spatial videos without the existing strict hardware constraints. For example, Gaussian splatting, which was invented less than two years ago, can generate photorealistic 3D models using data from multiple camera angles, even when using non-traditional camera arrangements.


Niantic, a company with close ties to Google, has already been leveraging Gaussian splatting in its Scaniverse app to create photorealistic 3D models. Not only that, Niantic's WebXR app "Into the Scaniverse" for the Meta Quest headset allows users to step inside the splats they have captured in Scaniverse and walk around.

Could Apple be developing something akin to Guassian splatting for video – similar to its visionOS 2 feature that uses advanced machine learning to transform a 2D image into a spatial photo which then comes to life when viewed on Vision Pro?


Of course, whether or not Apple is adopting something similar is anyone's guess at this point. Equally, there's no reason to believe one way or the other that Apple has developed its own, alternative solution that accommodates a "runway" style camera module redesign. The only thing we do know is that we'll learn everything when Apple announces the iPhone 17 series around its usual mid-September time frame.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17

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Save 7GB Storage Per Device by Disabling Apple Intelligence

Par : Tim Hardwick
28 janvier 2025 à 14:01
Apple this week released iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, software updates that enable Apple Intelligence on supported devices by default. Whether you own an iPhone, iPad, Mac – or indeed all three – regardless of what you think about Apple Intelligence, there's one reason why you may want to disable Apple's AI features at the earliest opportunity: To reclaim storage.


Apple's marketing machine has made much of Apple Intelligence since its announcement at WWDC in June 2024. Apple brought the first features to compatible iPhones, iPads and Macs in October with a point update to iOS 18/iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, followed by a further update in December that brought a more fleshed-out set of AI-powered features, with the most recent update adding some much-needed refinements.

Despite the raft of updates, Apple Intelligence remains in beta, and in terms of the AI suite's current usefulness, opinions remain decidedly mixed. For some, however, when considering the relative worth of these features, the deciding factor will be their local storage overhead. According to Apple's support page, Apple Intelligence now requires 7GB of storage space. This number applies whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.


That might sound like a lot, but it's one way that Apple is able to tout the privacy credentials of Apple Intelligence. Many of these features run locally, and in order to do so, they must download AI models to your device(s), which currently requires 7GB of storage. This means if you have an iPhone, iPad, and a Mac, it effectively equates to 21GB of storage across your devices that is being taken up by AI models that you may never even use.

But don't assume that 7GB is any sort of hard cap. In April, Apple is expected to release iOS 18.4 featuring some broad enhancements to Siri's AI capabilities, which will likely hike the storage requirement further. And that's not even taking into consideration the storage demands that iOS 19 will bring later this year...

AI or No AI? Time to Decide


Here's the deal. After updating to iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, or macOS Sequoia 15.3, Apple Intelligence is an opt-out feature, not an opt-in feature. In other words, if you have updated – or plan to update – your devices to the new software, Apple Intelligence will be automatically enabled upon doing so.


Note that this still applies if you already disabled it in the previous point updates but then allowed the latest update welcome screens to steer you towards enabling Apple Intelligence again. If however you chose "Set Up Later" at the on-screen prompt, you have no action to take – these features will respect your prior decision and remain disabled. For everyone else, it's time to decide: Is Apple Intelligence really worth all those precious gigabytes?

Why Disabling Apple Intelligence Reclaims Storage


Apple Intelligence utilizes something called the MobileAsset framework to manage and deliver its machine learning models and related assets to your devices. This framework dynamically downloads and updates the necessary components, ensuring that your devices have access to the latest capabilities without requiring comprehensive system updates.

Thankfully, when you disable Apple Intelligence, the system identifies that the associated assets are no longer in use. The MobileAsset framework then purges these unused assets when additional space is required – optimizing and freeing up your local storage in the process. Here are the steps you need to take to ensure that happens.


How to Disable Apple Intelligence


Disabling Apple Intelligence completely is simply a matter of flipping the associated switch on each supported device running the latest software. Compatible devices include any iPhone 16 model, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, any iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later, and any Mac with M1 or later.

Disable Apple Intelligence on iPhone and iPad


On iPhone and iPad, you can find it in Settings ➝ Apple Intelligence & Siri. Toggle off the switch next to Apple Intelligence.

settings

Disable Apple Intelligence on Mac


On Mac, open System Settings, select Apple Intelligence & Siri in the sidebar, then click the switch next to Apple Intelligence at the top of the menu window to toggle it off.

macos settings

What You Lose by Disabling Apple Intelligence


In iOS 18.2 or later, iPadOS 18.2 or later, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 or later, turning off Apple Intelligence will knock out the following features:

  • Genmoji

  • Image Playground

  • Image Wand in the Apple Pencil tool palette

  • Writing Tools

  • Clean Up in Photos

  • Create a Memory movie in Photos (not available in macOS)

  • Natural language search in Photos

  • Notification summaries

  • Reduce Interruptions Focus

  • Intelligent Breakthrough & Silencing in Focus

  • Priority messages in Mail

  • Smart Reply in Mail and Messages

  • Summaries in Mail and Messages

  • Siri enhancements, including product knowledge, more resilient request handling, new look and feel, more natural voice, the ability to type to Siri, and more

  • ChatGPT integration within Siri and Writing Tools


If you don't see any of the features listed above on your device, your specific model likely doesn't support Apple Intelligence, so you don't have anything to worry about.
This article, "Save 7GB Storage Per Device by Disabling Apple Intelligence" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 18.3: Use New Visual Intelligence Features on iPhone 16

Par : Tim Hardwick
27 janvier 2025 à 17:19
For ‌iPhone 16‌ models, Apple's iOS 18.3 software update adds new Visual Intelligence features to the Camera Control button. Keep reading to learn what you can do with the new capabilities and how to use them.


New Visual Intelligence Features


In iOS 18.2, Apple's previous point update, the company added Visual Intelligence functionality to its latest iPhone 16 models, allowing device owners to point the camera at the world around them and get details about places, summarize and translate text, go to website links, call phone numbers, and more.

In iOS 18.3, Apple adds new capabilities to Visual Intelligence, including an option to create a calendar event when viewing a poster or flyer, as well as the ability to easily identify plants, animals, and insects.


Bear in mind that ‌Visual Intelligence‌ is an Apple Intelligence feature that is exclusive to the ‌iPhone 16‌ models – if you have an older model, you won't have a Camera Control button below the Side button on the right-hand side of your device.

Activating Visual Intelligence


To activate Visual Intelligence, press and hold the Camera Control button for a few seconds. A regular press simply opens the camera with Camera Control, so the press-and-hold gesture is necessary. Ensure the Camera app isn't already active, as Visual Intelligence won't work if the camera is already in use.

The Visual Intelligence interface includes a camera view, a capture button, and "Ask" and "Search" options. The "Ask" button interacts with ChatGPT, while "Search" sends the captured image to Google Search.


To use Visual Intelligence, you must take a photo of the object or scene you're observing. Use the Camera Control button to snap a picture, then select your desired option. It doesn't support live camera views or previously saved photos.

Create a Calendar Event From a Poster


Using ‌Visual Intelligence‌ to add an event to Calendar was a promised function that Apple showed off when introducing Camera Control, and it will be usable in iOS 18.3.


To add an event, view a document such as a poster with a date, and then tap on the date when the feature pops up in the ‌Visual Intelligence‌ interface.

Identify Pets, Animals, and Insects


The Photos app is already able to provide insight into plants, animals, and insects when opting to view additional information in the editing interface, but Camera Control will now show these details in real-time.


When viewing an animal or a plant with ‌Visual Intelligence‌, you may see a tappable bubble at the top of the viewfinder that lets you know what you're looking at. Simply tap it to view more information. If the output is incorrect, you can use the thumbs up and thumbs down icons below the card to submit feedback to Apple.
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Apple Developing Version of visionOS for Future Smart Glasses

Par : Tim Hardwick
27 janvier 2025 à 14:38
Apple is reportedly developing a version of visionOS – its operating system for Apple Vision Pro – that will work with smart glasses, as part of continuing efforts to expand its AR product lineup beyond a cumbersome headset with something that has wider appeal.


According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the Vision Pro has so far been a flop. Many users find the $3,500 headset too heavy for extended use, expensive, and prone to overheating, relegating it to niche status. Interest in the device has reportedly waned since its launch, with sales falling short of Apple's expectations.

In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman reports that Apple's Vision Products Group is looking beyond the Vision Pro and considering launching smart glasses comparable to Meta's Ray-Ban collaboration. Executives involved in the effort reportedly don't think a product will be ready for three years or more, with plenty of research still to be done.

To that end, the company is currently conducting user studies at its offices "to gauge the appeal of features and interfaces," and is already working on a version of visionOS that will run on glasses, reports Gurman. Codenamed "Atlas," the studies are being led by Apple's Product Systems Quality team, part of the hardware engineering division.

The work continues at a secretive facility in Santa Clara, a town away from the company's home base in Cupertino. Apple laid off some employees from the site last year, while the remaining staff work on AR technology. Apple also has a manufacturing facility there to test future screens.

Apple still plans to revamp the Vision Pro headset to broaden its appeal, first by releasing a lower-end device with less expensive components. Apple is aiming to sell the more affordable model at the price of a high-end iPhone, which retails for up to $1,600. The aim was to release it at the end of 2024, but Apple is still working on a firm prototype.

Separately, Apple is also said to be working with Sony to bring support for PlayStation VR2 hand controllers to the Vision Pro for gaming purposes. The two have been collaborating for several months, and could bring VR controller support to the Vision Pro as an optional feature.
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WhatsApp to Let iPhone Users Sign Into Multiple Accounts on the Same Device

Par : Tim Hardwick
27 janvier 2025 à 13:53
WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow iOS users to log into the encrypted messaging platform through different accounts within the same app, reports WABetaInfo.


Previously, the multi-account ability was only available for beta testers on Android, but now TestFlight app users on iOS have access to the feature, which should make it possible to manage more than one personal or business account on the same device. Notably, the feature will eliminate the need for users to use the WhatsApp Business app to access a separate account.

Based on WhatsApp beta 25.2.10.70, users will be able to either set up the device as a primary account or by scanning a QR code to link the new account to an existing one as a "companion" account. Notifications, chats, backups, and settings will reportedly remain distinct for each account, and users will be able to seamlessly switch from one to the other without the need for separate devices.

Instagram, also owned by Meta, already lets users switch between multiple accounts within the same app, so this addition to WhatsApp will bring more feature parity across the platforms. It's still unclear when multi-account support for WhatsApp will roll out to the public, but its appearance in beta suggests we shouldn't have to wait too long. There's still no sign of an iPad app, mind.

Separately, Meta recently announced that it added WhatsApp to Accounts Center, the company's hub for managing how user information is used across its platforms. The option means users can now adjust their settings from one place and share their status updates across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
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Oppo Teases 'World's Thinnest Foldable' With Apple Device Comparisons

Par : Tim Hardwick
27 janvier 2025 à 13:22
If you still need convincing about the tech industry's current obsession with thinness, check out these images from Oppo's recent social media marketing spree, which has been busy hyping up the slimness of its upcoming Find N5 foldable by comparing it to Apple devices, including an iPhone 16 Pro Max and an M4 iPad Pro.

Oppo Find N5 (left) compared to iPhone 16 Pro Max

The latest images shared by the Chinese company suggest that when opened up, the Find N5 is about half as thick as an iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is 8.25mm thick. The image makes the device look barely thicker than its USB-C port. Indeed, Find series product manager Zhou Yibao has suggested that the obstacle to making it any thinner is now "the limit of the charging port."

That would seem to back up Oppo's claim that the Find N5 is the "world's thinnest foldable" – a title currently held by the Honor Magic V3, which is 4.35mm thick when unfolded. Reports suggest the Find N5 is around 4mm thick. For reference a USB-C port is 2.6mm at minimum. The company has previously compared the Find N5 to two Chinese yuan coins and a stack of four ID cards. Recently surfaced images also show that the device will have a cut-down camera bump on the back.

Oppo Find N5 (left) compared to iPhone 16 Pro Max

If you've been following our coverage, you've probably heard that for the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, Apple is expected to replace the standard iPhone "Plus" model with an iPhone "Air," so-called because of its purported thinness.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17 Air will be about two millimeters thinner than the current iPhone 16 Pro, putting it at around 6.25mm, which would make it Apple's thinnest iPhone to date. Analyst Jeff Pu has also suggested that the upcoming iPhone will be around 6mm thick, but The Information has said it will be between 5mm and 6mm thick.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the iPhone 17 Air will be 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point, which likely means that it will have a 5.5mm chassis with a thicker rear camera bump area.

The thinnest iPhone we've seen so far was the iPhone 6, which measured in at 6.9mm. iPhones got thicker with the iPhone X and beyond, as Apple increased thickness to provide more space for the battery, camera lenses, Face ID hardware, and more.

Oppo Find N5 compared to Apple's "thinnest product ever"

Oppo has not officially specified the launch date for the Find N5, which is expected to be re-branded as the OnePlus Open 2 for its US release, but it is set to be released sometime in February. Apple's "iPhone 17 Air" will likely launch alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 series around Apple's typical mid-September time frame.
Tag: Oppo

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Budget AI Model DeepSeek Overtakes ChatGPT on App Store

Par : Tim Hardwick
27 janvier 2025 à 12:10
A new China-based AI chatbot challenger called DeepSeek has reached the number one position on Apple's App Store free charts in multiple countries, including the US, raising questions about Silicon Valley's perceived leadership in artificial intelligence development.


Released last week, the iOS app has garnered attention for its ability to match or exceed the performance of leading AI models like ChatGPT, while requiring only a fraction of the development costs, based on a research paper released on Monday.

DeepSeek has not raised money from outside funds or made significant moves to monetize its R1 model, which the company claims is on par with GPT-4o and Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet. The Chinese AI startup behind the model was founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, who claims they used just 2,048 Nvidia H800s and $5.6 million to train R1 with 671 billion parameters, a fraction of what OpenAI and Google spent to train comparably sized models. For example, Microsoft and Meta alone have committed over $65 billion each this year largely to AI infrastructure. Just last week, OpenAI said it was creating a joint venture with Japan's SoftBank, dubbed Stargate, with plans to spend at least $100 billion on AI infrastructure in the US.

Investor Marc Andreessen is already calling DeepSeek "one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs" for its ability to show its work and reasoning as it addresses a user's written query or prompt. DeepSeek has also taken an open-source approach, allowing developers to freely inspect and build upon its technology.

What's particularly notable is that DeepSeek apparently achieved this breakthrough despite US export restrictions on advanced AI chips to China. The company's success suggests Chinese developers have found ways to create more efficient AI models with limited computing resources, potentially challenging the assumption that cutting-edge AI development requires massive computing infrastructure investments.

The emergence of DeepSeek has already sparked debate in Silicon Valley. While some view it as a concerning development for US technological leadership, others, like Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, suggest it could benefit the entire AI industry by making model training more accessible and accelerating real-world AI applications.

The app's success has already impacted financial markets, with some AI-related stocks experiencing volatility as investors reconsider the necessity of extensive capital expenditure for AI development. Shares of Nvidia for example slid 10% in premarket trading on Monday on the news of DeepSeek's popularity.
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Latest iPhone SE 4 Dummy Units Reveal Three Missing Rumored Features

Par : Tim Hardwick
27 janvier 2025 à 11:05
With Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE launch inching ever closer, new alleged dummy models have emerged online that give us further clarification on some of the details of the device.


Leaker Majin Bu shared these images on X (Twitter), along with a short video showing off the mockups, which are non-functional devices that case makers create based on information that leaks out of Apple's partner factories.

There have been conflicting rumors about whether the next iPhone SE will have a Dynamic Island or a notch, but the latter is looking increasingly likely. Despite the Island claims, the black and white mockups depicted show the older notch design with the selfie camera just left of center, backing up rumors that the device is largely based on the iPhone 14. There's also a single-lens camera on the back, as expected, along with a glass back and a aluminum band.

Here's what the iPhone SE 4 looks like pic.twitter.com/pEyIAJ34VR

— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) January 25, 2025

Suggestions that the iPhone SE 4 could get an Action Button or Camera Control button also appear off the mark, based on these mockups, which are very similar to images previously shared by leaker Sonny Dickson.

Along with the visible features from the dummy model, the ‌iPhone SE 4‌ is expected to include a faster A18 chip, an Apple-designed modem chip, and 8GB RAM – the minimum amount of memory required for Apple Intelligence. The camera is expected to be the same 48-megapixel Wide camera used in the current ‌iPhone 16‌.


Apple is expected to debut the next ‌iPhone SE‌ sometime in March or April, and it will continue to be the company's lowest-cost device. It could go up in price slightly, but Apple is said to be aiming to keep it below $500.
Related Roundup: iPhone SE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPhone

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