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OpenAI Launches o3-mini, a Cost-Efficient Reasoning Model Rivaling DeepSeek

Par : Juli Clover
OpenAI today released o3-mini, a new, more cost efficient model that's available for both ChatGPT and the OpenAI API starting today. OpenAI previewed o3-mini in December, but it is ready at a time when OpenAI is aiming to keep up with Chinese company DeepSeek.


According to OpenAI, o3-mini "advances the boundaries" of what's possible with smaller, more efficient models. o3-mini is designed for STEM capabilities, and OpenAI says that it has particular strength in science, math, and coding. o3-mini is search capable, and it can locate up-to-date answers with links to relevant web sources.

o3-mini is OpenAI's first small reasoning model that supports features like function calling, Structured Outputs, and developer messages. There are three reasoning effort options, including low, medium, and high, to optimize for different use cases that prioritize processing power for complex challenges or speed.

OpenAI is keeping o1 as its standard general knowledge reasoning model, but o3-mini is available for technical domains that require precision and speed. When used with ChatGPT, o3-mini uses medium reasoning effort for a balance between speed and accuracy, but o3-mini high is an option in the model picker.

ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users are able to use o3-mini starting today, and it will replace o1-mini in the model picker. The rate limit for Plus and Team users is now 150 messages per day, up from 50.

o3-mini is the first reasoning model that OpenAI is making available to free users. Those with the free plan can try o3-mini by selecting the "Reason" option in the message composer.
This article, "OpenAI Launches o3-mini, a Cost-Efficient Reasoning Model Rivaling DeepSeek" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Cancels Mac-Connected AR Smart Glasses

Par : Juli Clover
Apple is no longer developing augmented reality glasses designed to pair with the Mac, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple wanted to create smart glasses that looked like regular glasses, but had augmented reality capabilities.


Apple was developing AR glasses that connect to a Mac for power, because a chip powerful enough for AR applications would not fit in a device that's the size of standard glasses. Apple engineers determined that the AR glasses would need to provide the performance of an iPhone with a tenth of the power consumption, otherwise the chip would simply run too hot. Adding a battery to the glasses would also be problematic because of the weight.

At first, Apple wanted the glasses to connect to the ‌iPhone‌, but the ‌iPhone‌ didn't have the power or battery life to support them. Apple then transitioned to using the Mac as a power source, but Apple executives weren't convinced a Mac-connected device was a good solution, leading to the shutdown of the project.

The AR glasses that Apple worked on were lighter than the Vision Pro and did not require a head strap, nor was there a front-facing screen showing the wearer's eyes. Apple reportedly created lenses that could change tint based on what the wearer was doing, such as doing work, as a signal to people around them.

There have been rumors about Apple's work on AR glasses for almost 10 years now, and the Vision Pro headset is what Apple built because the technology doesn't yet exist for the kind of augmented reality glasses that Apple is aiming for.

Back in 2023, Gurman said that the AR glasses were a running joke on the AR/VR team because it was a "hopeless" device they worked on to keep Apple CEO Tim Cook happy. Back in 2017, Cook himself said that the technology to make AR smart glasses "in a quality way" simply didn't exist, and it appears that's still the case.

While Apple's work on augmented reality glasses has been paused, the company is still developing new versions of the Vision Pro, and when the technology exists, Apple executives want to revisit the possibility of a set of AR glasses.

Apple's smart glasses featured projectors able to display information like images and video to the wearer, and Apple is continuing to work on custom microLED displays that could one day be used in AR glasses.

Apple competitor Meta has already demonstrated its "Orion" augmented reality glasses that are in development, but the glasses are in a prototyping stage and cost over $10,000 to make. Meta is aiming to release the glasses by 2027, which is also when Apple was originally planning to debut its now-canceled smart glasses.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

This article, "Apple Cancels Mac-Connected AR Smart Glasses" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Wants to Help Google Defend Search Engine Deal Worth Billions

Par : Juli Clover
Apple wants to defend its multi-billion dollar search engine deal with Google, which is in danger because Google has been found guilty of violating antitrust law. Apple has asked the court handling Google's lawsuit with the U.S. government for an emergency stay [PDF], so that Apple has time to intervene and plead its case before a remedy is decided on.


The U.S. Department of Justice sued Google for anti-competitve behavior in the search market way back in 2020, and after a lengthy legal battle, the DoJ won. A main component of the lawsuit was Google's deal with Apple, which sees Google pay billions annually to be the default search engine for Safari. The court decided that the agreement between Apple and Google violated antitrust law, and is a major reason Google has been able to maintain its search engine monopoly.

The U.S. government asked the court to bar Google from entering into contracts with Apple, among other restrictions, and that will cost Apple a lot of money. In 2022, for example, Google paid Apple $20 billion. Apple already asked the court to allow it to be more involved in the case as remedies are decided on, and the court denied the request due to timing. Apple appealed the decision, and is asking for a stay while the appeal plays out.

Apple says that because its deal with Google is at stake, it deserves a right to participate, and without a stay, it will "suffer clear and substantial irreparable harm."
Apple will be unable to participate in discovery and develop evidence in the targeted fashion it has proposed as this litigation progresses toward a final judgment. If Apple's appeal is not resolved until during or after the remedies trial, Apple may well be forced to stand mute at trial, as a mere spectator, while the government pursues an extreme remedy that targets Apple by name and would prohibit any commercial arrangement between Apple and Google for a decade.

In addition to prohibiting deals between Apple and Google, the U.S. Department of Justice also has more extreme remedies in mind, including forcing Google to sell its Chrome browser and uncoupling Android from other products like Google Search and the Google Play Store. Google has a lot to defend against, and will prioritize Chrome over its deal with Apple.

When initially asking to take a larger role in the case, Apple said that Google "can no longer adequately represent Apple's interests" because of the wide scope of the case. Unsurprisingly, the DoJ does not want Apple involved in the remedies portion of the trial, which is set to start in April.

If the court decides that Google can't pay Apple to be the default search engine on Safari, Apple would still have to offer Google Search as an option in some capacity, but would not be able to continue to collect money for doing so.
This article, "Apple Wants to Help Google Defend Search Engine Deal Worth Billions" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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You Can Now Read 'The You You Are' Book From Apple TV+ Show Severance

Par : Juli Clover
Fans of the hit Apple TV+ show Severance are aware of the important role that self-help book "The You You Are" from Ricken Hale plays in the TV show, and now Apple has made a version of the book available to read or listen to.


The You You Are is available as a 39-page book or an hour-long audio book that's narrated by Michael Chernus, the actor who plays Ricken Hale on the show. In the foreword, Ricken Hale says that this is the first eight chapters of the book and the "first steps on the journey," suggesting Apple might debut additional chapters in the future.

Severance viewers who like to theorize about what's going on in the show will undoubtedly want to take a deep dive into the new book, which Apple is using to promote the show.

The second season of Severance debuted earlier this month, with Apple releasing new episodes on a weekly basis.
This article, "You Can Now Read 'The You You Are' Book From Apple TV+ Show Severance" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Arcade Getting PGA Tour Pro Golf Game

Par : Juli Clover
Popular game series PGA Tour is coming to Apple Arcade, with PGA Tour Pro Golf set to launch on the gaming service on February 6. This will be the first PGA Tour game on ‌Apple Arcade‌, and it will feature true-to-life PGA Tour locations.


Recreations of iconic golf courses at Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay, Latrobe Country Club, and more will be featured. According to Apple, players can expect real-time competitive gameplay where everyone plays simultaneously, without the need to wait for turns. "It's golf like you've never played before," reads the app's description.

There will be daily and multi-day tournaments to complete, with exclusive rewards offered. Players will earn coins and cash in all game modes, and that currency will be used to purchase new clubs and equipment.

Next week, ‌Apple Arcade‌ Vision Pro game Synth Riders is set to gain a new Kendrick Lamar experience that features moody spotlights shifting to the beat. The soundscape is designed to accompany Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX.

This week, existing games like Jetpack Joyride 2, Temple Run: Legends, Wheel of Fortune Daily, and Stitch are receiving content updates.

Apple Arcade is a gaming service that's priced at $6.99 per month in the U.S., and it is also included in Apple One bundles. Games that are available through ‌Apple Arcade‌ do not include ads or in-app purchases.
This article, "Apple Arcade Getting PGA Tour Pro Golf Game" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Explains How to Keep Your Mac From Turning on When Opening Lid

Par : Juli Clover
Apple designed Macs with Apple silicon chips to automatically turn on and start up when the Mac's lid is opened or when the Mac is connected to power, but there is a workaround in macOS Sequoia if you don't like this behavior.


In a new support document, Apple provided separate instructions on how to prevent an Apple silicon Mac from turning on when the lid is opened or when it's connected to power. Both processes require the Terminal app. Apple's instructions:

1. Make sure that your Mac laptop with Apple silicon is using ‌macOS Sequoia‌ or later.
2. Open the Terminal app, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
3. Type one of these commands in Terminal, then press Return:
- To prevent startup when opening the lid or connecting to power: sudo nvram BootPreference=%00
- To prevent startup only when opening the lid: sudo nvram BootPreference=%01
- To prevent startup only when connecting to power: sudo nvram BootPreference=%02
4. Type your administrator password when prompted (Terminal doesn't show the password as it's typed), then press Return.

If you use these commands to change your Mac's behavior and want to undo it, you can open up Terminal and enter sudo nvram -d BootPreference.
This article, "Apple Explains How to Keep Your Mac From Turning on When Opening Lid" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's Q1 2025 Earnings Call Takeaways

Par : Juli Clover
Apple today held an earnings call to report results for the first fiscal quarter of 2025 (fourth calendar quarter of 2024), with Apple CEO Tim Cook and new Apple CFO Kevan Parekh providing insight into Apple's performance, holiday quarter product sales, and more.


We've highlighted the most interesting takeaways from the Q1 2025 earnings call.

iPhone Sales and Apple Intelligence


Services revenue was up, and there was an increase in Mac and iPad sales, but iPhone sales were down. ‌iPhone‌ revenue came in at $69.1 billion, down from $69.7 billion last year. Apple Intelligence, which debuted in updates to iOS 18, does not appear to have resulted in a major upgrade cycle.

Cook said that the iPhone 16 models are, however, selling better in markets where ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is available.

On ‌Apple Intelligence‌ adoption increasing over time, Cook said that since the feature set is limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models and the ‌iPhone 16‌ models in the ‌iPhone‌ lineup, growth will come as people upgrade to newer devices. Cook also said he expects to see some improvement when ‌Apple Intelligence‌ becomes available in additional languages in April.

"And I think I know from my own personal experience, once you start using the features you can't imagine not using them anymore," Cook said. "I know I get hundreds of emails a day, and the summarization function is so important."

In a separate answer, Cook said that new Siri ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features will be coming "over the next several months." ‌Siri‌ features were expected in iOS 18.4, and it's not yet clear if Apple's plans have changed or the "next several months" means April.

Best Quarter to Date


Apple CEO ‌Tim Cook‌ said that Q1 2025 was Apple's best quarter to date with revenue of $124.3 billion, a four percent increase year-over-year.

Apple's installed base of active devices reached a new all-time high across all products and geographic segments, and Apple now has over 2.35 billion active devices worldwide. Sales in China were down, however. China brought in $18.5 billion, down from $20.8 billion last year.

Services Revenue


Services revenue continues to see notable growth, and the category brought in $26.3 billion, up 14 percent from $23 billion in the year-ago quarter.

All-time records were set in the Americas, Europe, and the rest of Asia-Pacific.

Paid subscriptions grew double digits, and Apple has more than a billion subscriptions across its services.

Mac Sales


Mac sales saw significant year-over-year growth, with revenue at $9 billion, up from $7.8 billion last year. Cook said Mac growth was thanks to new M4 Mac models.

There was double digit growth in both upgraders and people new to the Mac.

iPad Sales


‌iPad‌ sales grew 15 percent, and Cook said it was largely driven by the iPad Air and the low-cost ‌iPad‌ rather than the iPad Pro. Over half of sales in the December quarter went to customers who were new to ‌iPad‌.

DeepSeek


Cook was asked about DeepSeek, and the perspective that Apple will benefit from lower cost on-device compute. Cook said that he believes that "innovation that drives efficiency is a good thing."

Upcoming Products


When Cook was asked if there was "a lot of room for form factor innovation" for future ‌iPhone‌ models, Cook said that "there's a lot more to come" and that "there's a lot of innovation left on the smartphone."

Tariffs


On the potential for tariffs, Cook said that Apple is "monitoring the situation" and doesn't have anything more to say.

Next Quarter


In the March quarter, Apple expects its overall revenue to grow low to mid single digits with gross margin between 46.5 and 47.5 percent.
This article, "Apple's Q1 2025 Earnings Call Takeaways" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple CEO Tim Cook: There's a 'Lot of Innovation' Left for Future iPhone Development

Par : Juli Clover
During today's earnings call covering the first fiscal quarter of 2025, Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked about whether he felt there was room for form factor innovation in future iPhone models, with the question hinting perhaps spurred by rumors of the upcoming
"iPhone 17 Air."


Cook often declines to provide insight into future products during earnings calls, but he did give an encouraging answer. "I think there's a lot more to come," Cook said. "I could not feel more optimistic about our product pipeline."

Cook went on to say that there is indeed room for change in the ‌iPhone‌ lineup. "I think there's a lot of innovation left on the smartphone," said Cook.

Rumors suggest that Apple is designing a super thin version of the ‌iPhone‌ that will replace the "Plus" model in the series. The device is expected to be between 5mm and 6mm thick, which would make it the thinnest ‌iPhone‌ to date.

In a separate question, Cook was asked whether the super thin design of the 12.9-inch M4 iPad Pro was driving iPad revenue, but Cook said that wasn't the case. It's the iPad Air and the ‌iPad‌ that were responsible for the 15 percent revenue growth the ‌iPad‌ category saw during the holiday quarter.

That's not a surprise given the high price of the ‌iPad Pro‌. Rumors have been split on how much Apple's super thin ‌iPhone‌ will cost, but it is expected to be less expensive than the Pro models. Apple will focus on design, with the device set to use a lower powered chip than the Pro models and a single-lens camera.
This article, "Apple CEO Tim Cook: There's a 'Lot of Innovation' Left for Future iPhone Development" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Now Has More Than 2.35 Billion Active Devices Worldwide

Par : Juli Clover
There are more than 2.35 billion active iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices worldwide, Apple CEO Tim Cook said today in the earnings call covering the first fiscal quarter of 2025.


2.35 billion active devices is a new record for Apple. Apple last shared its active install base numbers in February 2024, when the company had 2.2 billion active devices worldwide.

Apple did not provide numbers for individual devices, but Apple has long had more than a billion active iPhones worldwide.
This article, "Apple Now Has More Than 2.35 Billion Active Devices Worldwide" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Might Start Buying Ads on X Again

Par : Juli Clover
Apple held discussions with X (formerly Twitter) about once again showing ads on the social media site, reports The Wall Street Journal. The talks are said to have taken place "in recent weeks."


In an attempt to maintain a relationship with X, Apple was one of the companies that did not pause ad buying when Elon Musk took over the company, but Apple did stop its ad buying in 2023 after Musk made antisemitic comments and there was evidence that Apple ads were being shown alongside pro-Hitler content.

Given that Musk just recently made a hand gesture that was widely interpreted as a Nazi salute at Donald Trump's inauguration, Apple's decision to resume purchasing ads on X could be perceived as ill-advised.

Musk is, however, a close Trump advisor and deeply involved with the Trump administration, so he could influence Trump's decisions concerning tech companies like Apple. Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration and also attended the event, and other tech CEOs and companies have been plying the administration with funds. Apple did not donate.

The Wall Street Journal says that several major companies are reevaluating their stance on advertising on X. Amazon plans to up its ad spending as well, and the boost in advertising could help X with some of its debt. In January, Musk said that user growth was stagnant, revenue was "unimpressive," and that the company was "barely breaking even."
This article, "Apple Might Start Buying Ads on X Again" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Eight Useful Mac Apps Worth Checking Out

Par : Juli Clover
Mac apps can often go under the radar, with apps for the iPhone and iPad receiving more attention. For that reason, we have a Mac-focused video series that highlights useful Mac apps we've come across. Our first picks of the year are largely simple, one-task apps that add utility to your Mac.



  • Ice Menu Bar Manager (Free) - Ice is a menu bar management tool that's an alternative to Bartender. Last year, Bartender was quietly acquired by a less than trustworthy company, and many no longer want to use it. Ice has a rich feature set. You can rearrange menu bar apps, change the look of the menu bar with colors, hide cruft, and more.

  • DropOver ($5.99)- DropOver is a simple macOS app that enhances the Mac's Drag and Drop functionality. You can grab multiple files and move them around without opening side-by-side windows. You activate DropOver with a shake of the cursor, add items to a "shelf" and then you can move to your destination folder and unload them.

  • Latest (Free) - Latest is a super simple app that checks to ensure that your apps are up to date. It supports apps that use the Mac App Store and those that use Sparkle for updates, which is a good deal of the Mac apps out there.

  • NotchNook ($25) - NotchNook turns your Mac's notch into a little Mac version of a Dynamic Island. You can click into it and get shortcuts like a media player, the Calendar, quick notes, and more, plus it has drag and drop functionality that makes it easy to move files and send them using AirDrop. It's $25, or $3 per month.

  • Shortwave (Free, but unlocking more features costs $7/month) - Shortwave is yet another email app, but it uses AI in a helpful way. It organizes your inbox to surface what's most important, it can create to-dos for you, add labels, archive unimportant email threads, search for content, alert you to emails that still need a response, and more. You can also use AI to summarize emails and get writing help, with the AI able to respond in your own voice based on past email correspondence. This is not a bare bones email app, so note that it can take some time to get used to. This is a subscription app and it starts at $7 per month, paid annually.

  • Local Send (Free) - If you need to share content between an iOS device or Mac and an Android device or a Windows PC, you can do so with Local Send. This is great if you're not entirely in the Apple ecosystem, because AirDrop doesn't work on non-Apple devices.

  • Hyperduck ($4) - With Hyperduck, you can share links between your Macs, iPhones, and iPads with more control than AirDrop. You can, for example, save a webpage on your ‌iPhone‌ and have it open up later on your Mac, even if your Mac isn't turned on when you first save the website.

  • Rocket (Free) - Rocket is another simple, one-function app that lets you add emojis in any app. Press on the colon key and then start typing in the emoji that you want. It's free to use, but a pro version adds options for adding GIFs and images.


Know of a great Mac app that we haven't highlighted yet? Let us know in the comments below and we might feature it in a future video. For more of our Mac app picks, check out our Mac apps archive.
This article, "Eight Useful Mac Apps Worth Checking Out" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Google's New 'Ask for Me' Search Feature Uses AI to Make Calls

Par : Juli Clover
Google today started rolling out a new experimental "Ask for Me" feature that's available as part of Search Labs. Google Search users can take advantage of AI to make calls to businesses for information like pricing and availability.


As of now, Google is testing the experimental feature with auto shops and nail salons, and it is designed to prevent users from having to place calls themselves. Businesses can opt out of the AI-based calls, and the feature does disclose that AI is being used at the beginning of a call.

To use Ask for Me, Google Search users can opt-in to Search Labs and then search for a phrase like "oil change near me" or "manicure near me" to test it out. There are capacity limits in place, so there could be a waitlist before a call can be placed.

We’re testing right now with auto shops and nail salons, to see how AI can help you connect with businesses and get things done. pic.twitter.com/inf5hhj1BS

— Rose Yao (@dozenrose) January 30, 2025

Google says that the feature uses some of the underlying technology used for making restaurant reservations through the Google Search and Google Maps apps.
Tag: Google

This article, "Google's New 'Ask for Me' Search Feature Uses AI to Make Calls" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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When Will Apple Release the iOS 18.4 Beta?

Par : Juli Clover
On January 27, Apple released iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, which means we're now ready for a new round of beta testing. The next betas are rumored to have important new Siri Apple Intelligence features, so when can we expect the software?


There are typically few pauses between beta updates, and Apple often seeds a new beta just a day or two after new software comes out. That's not always the case, though, and sometimes we're left waiting for a couple of weeks. With significant features coming in iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.4, there's a possibility that there could be a delay before the betas are introduced.

In past years, there have also been some .4 updates with key features, and historical release cycles can give us some insight into when we might see the .4 betas this year.

  • iOS 17.3 release to iOS 17.4 beta - 3 days

  • iOS 16.3 release to iOS 16.4 beta - 24 days

  • iOS 15.3 release to iOS 15.4 beta - 1 day

  • iOS 14.3 release to iOS 14.4 beta - 2 days

  • iOS 13.3 release to iOS 13.4 beta - 57 days


Expected iOS 18.4 Features


Given that we're still waiting on some of the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features that Apple announced at WWDC in June, and that Apple has already mentioned that some new capabilities will be coming in April, it's not too hard to figure out what could be included in iOS 18.4.

Apple Intelligence


Apple plans to add new functionality to ‌Siri‌, which should make ‌Siri‌ more capable.

‌Siri‌ Personal Context


‌Siri‌ will be able to keep track of your emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent.

  • Show me the files Eric sent me last week.

  • Find the email where Eric mentioned ice skating.

  • Find the books that Eric recommended to me.

  • Where's the recipe that Eric sent me?

  • What's my passport number?



‌Siri‌ Onscreen Awareness


‌Siri‌ will be able to tell what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, for example, you can tell ‌Siri‌ to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask ‌Siri‌ to do it for you.

This is separate from the feature where you can have ‌Siri‌ capture a screenshot and send it to ChatGPT.

Deeper App Integration with ‌Siri‌


‌Siri‌ will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what ‌Siri‌ will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect.

  • Moving files from one app to another.

  • Editing a photo and then sending it to someone.

  • Get directions and also sharing the ETA with someone at the same time.

  • Sending an email draft.


More Countries


Apple is planning to expand ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to additional countries, with the feature set to be available in languages that include English (India), English (Singapore), Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Emoji


Apple's .4 updates typically introduce new emoji characters. Right now, we're waiting on the Unicode 16 emoji, which includes face with bags under eyes, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter.



Digital Markets Act Changes in EU


iPhone users in the European Union may get the option to change their default navigation and translate apps as Apple is planning to add support for this functionality in spring 2025.

iOS 18.4 Release Date


After a beta testing period that spans through March, Apple will likely release iOS 18.4 in April. Previously, the company said that ‌Apple Intelligence‌ will be available in new languages in an update coming in April 2025, which aligns with the iOS 18.4 testing period and subsequent launch date.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

This article, "When Will Apple Release the iOS 18.4 Beta?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Pay Gains Support for Citi Monthly Payment Plans

Par : Juli Clover
Apple Pay now supports Citi Flex Pay, allowing U.S. Citi credit card holders to pay for ‌Apple Pay‌ purchases over time with the Flex Pay option.


Citi Flex Pay is available for ‌Apple Pay‌ purchases over $75. The default payback period is three months, but there are longer payback durations available with a monthly fee. Flex Pay can be used when making purchases on websites or in apps.

To use Citi Flex Pay, an eligible Citi credit card needs to be added to ‌Apple Pay‌. When making a purchase, select the Citi credit card and then tap on "Pay Later." From there, select a Citi Flex Pay option.

Apple previously had its own buy now, pay later service called ‌Apple Pay‌ Later, but it was discontinued last year. Apple now partners with third-party providers for pay over time options. Apple's other U.S. partners include Affirm, Klarna, and Synchrony.
Related Roundup: Apple Pay

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iOS 18.3 Adds Starlink Support to T-Mobile iPhones

Par : Juli Clover
As of iOS 18.3, T-Mobile subscribers with a compatible iPhone and Starlink beta access are able to connect to Starlink satellites, reports Bloomberg. Apple quietly worked with SpaceX and T-Mobile to add support for Starlink to its ‌iPhone‌ lineup, and T-Mobile's website confirms the new integration.


T-Mobile announced a partnership with Starlink in 2022, and in December 2024, the carrier opened up a beta program allowing subscribers to use Starlink satellites for texting in areas without cell towers. At the time, the T-Mobile Starlink beta program was limited to Samsung smartphones, and iPhones weren't supported.

Following the release of iOS 18.3, T-Mobile has invited a small number of ‌iPhone‌ users to take advantage of the Starlink beta, and those users have a new toggle to enable the satellite connectivity feature. T-Mobile customers who were selected received the following message:
You're in the T-Mobile Starlink beta. You can now stay connected with texting via satellite from virtually anywhere. To start experiencing coverage beyond, please update to iOS 18.3.

With Starlink integration, a T-Mobile ‌iPhone‌ without T-Mobile cellular service available will be able to pair automatically with Starlink satellites for connectivity. Starlink is limited to texting at the current time, but T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to support data and voice in the future.

Apple did not respond to Bloomberg's request for comment on the feature, but T-Mobile said that Starlink connectivity will eventually be available on the "vast majority of modern smartphones."

The iPhone 14 and later already support satellite connectivity for text messages through Apple's partnership with Globalstar, so ‌iPhone‌ users who are able to use Starlink can also opt to text with Apple's built-in satellite service. Both Apple's service and Starlink are only available when there is no nearby cellular network.

Starlink beta access is limited right now, but T-Mobile eventually plans to expand the beta test to additional subscribers. T-Mobile customers can sign up to join the beta on the T-Mobile website. Starlink is only available in the U.S., and it is free during T-Mobile's beta testing period.
This article, "iOS 18.3 Adds Starlink Support to T-Mobile iPhones" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iPhone SE 4 to Have Notch Instead of Dynamic Island

Par : Juli Clover
The upcoming iPhone SE 4 will feature a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, respected display analyst Ross Young said today. The device will have a "notch like the iPhone 14," according to Young, which contradicts a recent leak that depicted a ‌Dynamic Island‌.


Earlier this month, leaker Evan Blass shared images said to feature the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4's design, but those images featured an iPhone with a ‌Dynamic Island‌ rather than the notch that had been previously rumored for new low-cost ‌iPhone‌. A sketchy leak from February 2024 also suggested that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 would get the ‌Dynamic Island‌, but most other information has suggested that Apple will go with the notch design.

Multiple rumors have indicated that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 is modeled after the ‌iPhone 14‌, and will therefore have an ‌iPhone‌ 14-style design. The ‌iPhone 14‌ had a notch and not a ‌Dynamic Island‌, so the notch makes more sense if Apple is using an ‌iPhone 14‌ body for the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4. Alleged screen protectors for the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 also appear to have a design for a notch rather than the ‌Dynamic Island‌.

Image via Sonny Dickson

With the launch of the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4, Apple will sunset Touch ID in the ‌iPhone‌ lineup, and all iPhones will have Face ID. The ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 is also expected to feature a 6.1-inch display, a single-lens rear camera, 8GB RAM, and an A17 Pro chip capable of supporting Apple Intelligence.

Current rumors suggest that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 will be introduced in the spring, likely in April.
Related Roundup: iPhone SE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)
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This article, "iPhone SE 4 to Have Notch Instead of Dynamic Island" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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