You can also set a passcode to lock these restrictions, preventing kids from changing them. However, if you forget your credentials or can’t access screen time for some reason, you’ll be locked in place. As someone who troubleshoots iPhones professionally, I know how frustrating this can be.

So, I’ve decided to explore and test the recommended solutions on Apple Community, Reddit, and online guides. Not all of them worked, unfortunately! But I’ve documented the ones that did below. So, follow my step-by-step guide on how to remove Screen Time on iPhone, if you’re stuck.

Understanding Screen Time

Apple’s Screen Time is a powerful tool that helps users get better control over their digital habits on their iPhones and iPads. At its core, Screen Time provides a detailed overview of how you spend your time on your Apple devices. It offers valuable insights into app usage, notifications, and overall screen time statistics.

In iOS 17, Screen Time includes the following sections:

• App and Website Activity: This section shows the daily average, with a detailed overview of your time on specific apps and websites.
• Downtime: Downtime allows you to set certain periods during which only essential apps and phone calls are accessible. It’s particularly useful for enforcing device-free times, such as during meals or bedtime.
• App Limits: With this feature, you can set daily time limits for specific app categories or individual apps. Once you reach the limit, the app becomes temporarily inaccessible.
• Always Allowed: A separate section for you to select apps that will be allowed to send notifications at all times.
• Screen Distance: A new addition where you can set alerts to hold your device with Face ID at a recommended distance (usually one hand away).
• Communication Limits: Set restrictions based on contacts in your phone. Only Emergency Numbers are allowed to send notifications always.
• Communication Safety: iOS detects sensitive photos and videos sent to kids’ devices and provides guidance and age-appropriate resources to help kids make safe choices.
• Content & Privacy Restrictions: Screen Time enables you to control and restrict access to certain content, apps, or features.

Reasons To Remove Screen Time

While Screen Time is an excellent tool for digital well-being, it can sometimes be too rigid. Everyone’s digital needs and circumstances are unique, so it’s important to maintain flexibility to adapt as needed.

Here are some situations where you might want to bypass Screen Time:

• Changing digital habits: Sometimes, you may find that your digital practices have evolved, and the constraints set by Screen Time are no longer necessary. For example, if you’ve successfully reduced your phone activities and feel confident in managing device usage, you might want to remove this feature.
• Strict restrictions: Screen Time can be a strict digital guardian, limiting access to apps and content. Some users may find these restrictions annoying and prefer a more open digital environment.
• Technical issues: In rare cases, you can encounter technical glitches or issues with Screen Time that disrupt the device’s performance.

How To Remove Screen Time on iPhone?

Screen time is built into iOS, meaning you can’t entirely remove it from your iPhone. However, you can disable it and remove all the data associated with the feature.

Screen Time works on a different passcode than your iPhone password, and you’ll need this code to change these settings. If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID credentials, there’s a way around that as well. I’ll show it to you below.

Scenario 1: You Know the Screen Time Passcode

If you know the appropriate passcode, turning off this feature is pretty straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down to find Screen Time. Tap on it.
3. Scroll down to the very bottom of the screen. You will find a button saying, “Turn Off App & Website Activity.” Tap on it.

4. You will be prompted to Enter your Screen Time passcode.
5. In the following pop-up prompt, select “Turn Off App & Website Activity” again.

And that’s it! I’ve successfully turned off Screen Time on my iPhone using this method, so it should work for you, too.

Scenario 2: You Don’t Know the Screen Time Passcode

Alternatively, you can reset it using your Apple ID credentials. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Screen Time.
2. Tap on Change Screen Time Passcode.
3. In the Change Passcode screen, tap on Forgot Passcode.

4. Next, enter your Apple ID credentials and verify.

5. Enter your new Screen Time passcode to reset the passcode.

Now, follow the steps in Scenario 1 to turn off the screen time.

Scenario 3: You Don’t Know Your Apple ID Credentials

Things can get a bit tricky if you don’t know your Apple ID credentials. In this case, you’re very likely to lose the data on your phone, so make sure that you back up anything important first.

Factory Reset

One solution is to factory reset your phone altogether and log in with a new Apple ID. To do so, follow these steps.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Go to General and scroll down all the way to the bottom.
3. Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.

4. Select “Erase All Content and Settings” and follow the on-screen instructions.

This will reset your phone and turn off Screen Time as well.

Use a third-party app

Alternatively, you can employ a third-party application to remove the screen time passcode without deleting all your data. I’ll show you an app called Tenorshare 4uKey, which worked for me.

• Get Tenorshare 4uKey

Once you’ve installed it, follow these simple steps:

1. First, you need to disable FindMy on your iPhone.
2. Launch the Tenorshare 4uKey app and choose Remove Screen Time Passcode.

3. Next, connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.

4. Once the app detects your iPhone, unlock your phone and select Trust this computer.

5. Now, simply click on the Start Remove button.

Note:Unlocking your iPhone will also remove all the third-party applications, so ensure your data is backed up.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Now you know how to remove Screen Time on iPhone even without a passcode. I hope my guide was helpful to you! Feel free to leave a comment below about which solution worked out and if you have any additional tips.

Source

The Pixel 8 launch event will be held on October 4 (Wednesday) and you can catch the Made By Google 2023 keynote on its YouTube channel and Google Store website. The official livestream will start in various regions at 10 am ET / 7 am PT / 7:30 pm IST / 3 pm BST / 11 pm HKT respectively.

During the event, Google will talk about its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. As per a previous report, the devices could be priced at $699 (Pixel and $899 (Pixel 8 Pro) respectively.

Talking about the Pixel 8, it is expected to pack Google's Tensor G3 SoC coupled with 8GB RAM and a 120Hz display. In the camera department, it could have a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and a 10.5 MP shooter on the front.

Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro is expected to pack 12GB RAM, Tensor G3, and a 120Hz display with variable refresh rate all the way down to 1Hz. Pixel 8 Pro could feature a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, a 48MP 5x telephoto camera, and a 10.5MP front camera.

Furthermore, a video uploaded to YouTube earlier this year showed a rear temperature sensor on the camera bar of an alleged Pixel 8 Pro unit. While the video was taken down after some time, it's worth noting that similar hardware is visible in Google's official marketing material.

Apart from that, Google will also launch the Pixel Watch 2 at its Made By Google event. As per previous leaks and rumors, the smartwatch is expected to arrive with a Snapdragon W5 SoC, Wear OS 4, and 2GB RAM onboard.

Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2 will be available for pre-order this week, starting October 4. While the search giant also teaseda Porcelain version of the Pixel Buds Pro, it's not known whether it's just a new colour variant or an upgraded version of the earbuds.

Source

This year, Samsung announced the Galaxy S23 FE smartphone, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ tablets, and for the first time the Galaxy Buds FE earbuds.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE smartphone

After skipping the Galaxy S22 phones, Samsung has returned with the Galaxy S23 FE, It will include a 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Inside there will be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, along with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB and 256GB.

It will have three rear cameras, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and an 8MP telephoto camera, along with a 10MP front-facing sensor.

The phone will have a 4,500 Ah battery, with support for wireless charging and will ship with Android 13 out of the box. It also has an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.

The phone will be available in several colours, including Mint, Cream, Graphite, Purple Indigo and Tangerine. The last two colours will only be available at Samsung.com.

The Galaxy S23 FE will go on sale on October 26, and will have a starting price of $599.99.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ tablets

The new FE tablets will include the Galaxy Tab S9 FE with a 10.9-inch screen. It will be sold with either 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It will also have an 8MP rear camera and a 12MP front-facing camera, along with an 8,000 mAh battery.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ will have a bigger 12.4-inch display and a bigger 10,090mAh battery. It will be sold with either 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. In addition to its 12MP front camera, it will have two 8MP ultra-wide rear cameras.

Both of the tablets will have an Exynos 1380 processor and both will be bundled with a Samsung S Pen stylus. They will ship with Android 13 out of the box and both will have an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ tablets will be sold at a starting price of $449.99beginning on October 10 in four colours: Mint, Silver, Gray and Lavender.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

The Galaxy Buds earbuds have joined the FE budget family. They will offer up to 8.5 hours of playback on a single charge on their own and up to 30 hours with both the earbuds and their case completely charged. Samsung says:

Its powerful bass offers deep and rich sound that allows you to enjoy music the way the artist intended, while the advanced three microphone system separates your voice from unwanted background noise for clearer calls. With Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound, Buds FE also enable you to hear more of what you love and less of what you don’t — with just a simple long-press on your Galaxy Buds FE.

They will go on sale October 10 for $99.99in white and black colours.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Source

Source

Source

The answer is technically no; it’s not safe. It is very possible for a cyber criminal to load malware into a charging station with a USB cord. This man-in-the-middle attack is referred to as juice jacking. The malware can then steal data, infect your phone with malware or totally disable your phone. It can happen at any public charging station — in the airport, mall, hotel or event venue. Another variety of juice jacking is plugging an infected cord into a charging station for someone to use.

While much of the publicity centers around iPhones, juice jacking can happen to any model phone, including Androids. In fact, any device that plugs into a charging station, including tablets and smartwatches, is also vulnerable. The issue isn’t the type of device but the fact that it uses a USB cord to plug into a charging station that a cyber criminal can tamper with and infect with malware.

However, neither I nor other journalists were able to find any recent documented cases of juice jacking. Yes, it’s been in the news a lot lately after the Denver FBI tweeted about juice jacking from a 2019 FCC warning. But it appears to be a general warning, not a heightened threat based on a rash of recent attacks. According to Slate, the FCC reported releasing the original statement four years ago due to customer complaints.

Prevent juice jacking

Because the stakes are high if you are a victim of juice jacking, many consumers and businesses take a few (easy) steps to prevent attacks. It’s much easier to take precautions than deal with the effects of an attack, which can be damaging.

Here are some ways to keep your phone and your data safe:

• Use a portable charger. The easiest way to prevent juice jacking is simply not to use a public charging station. Since low batteries strike at the least convenient times, consider keeping an emergency charging block with you, especially when traveling. Be sure that your portable charger is charged before leaving and that you have the correct cords for your devices.

• Carry your own USB cable and outlet plug. If you don’t have a portable charger with you, you can also bring your own cord and outlet to plug into a wall socket, which avoids the risk. If you can’t find an outlet, then in an emergency, you can use your own USB cord at a public charging station, which reduces some of the risk.

• Use a USB cable without a data wire. USB cables typically have one wire that transmits power and another that sends data. The juice jacking occurs through the data wire. You can purchase a USB port that does not have a data wire, which prevents juice jacking. However, there are many cases where you need a USB cable with data capabilities, such as backing up your devices to the cloud. Using this strategy means you need multiple cords and must keep track of which cord has data transfer capabilities.

• Use a data blocker. You can also plug a data blocker into the charging station and then plug your cord into the data blocker, creating a barrier between your device and the charging station. The data blocker disables the data pins in your USB cable so data cannot transmit. However, power still travels over the wire. Similar to cables without a data wire, the malware or data cannot transmit, which prevents juice jacking.

• Do not trust “the computer”. If you plug your device into a public charger and get a message asking if you “trust the computer” or accept “sharing data”, immediately unplug. iPhones have a mechanism that detects data being sent from a device. Getting this message indicates that something is amiss and juice jacking may be in process.

Juice jacking and corporate devices

While juice jacking can cause significant damage to personal devices and information, the risks are multiplied for corporate devices. In theory, a major data breach for a company could start from a juice-jacking incident. If an employee plugs a work device into a public charging station and is a victim of juice jacking, cyber criminals may have access to the employee’s corporate accounts.

Here are ways for employers to reduce the risk of juice jacking:

• Educate employees on juice jacking. As part of creating a culture of cybersecurity and cybersecurity training, discuss how juice jacking occurs. Many employees may not be aware of the risks and unknowingly plug into a charging station.

• Provide employees who travel with data blockers. By giving employees the equipment needed to safely use public charging stations, you can reduce the likelihood of them directly plugging a work device into an infected port.

• Require employees to report suspected juice jackings. If employees use a public charging station and suspect malware, they should immediately report the incident. IT can then remotely wipe the phone to reduce the risk of infection of other corporate apps and devices as well as data breaches. By explaining to employees the importance of reporting even though they broke a policy, you can prevent further damage.

It’s taking one of two extremes when learning about juice jacking — either thinking it’s happening all the time or assuming it will never happen to you. Instead, taking the middle ground is the smartest move. Because juice jacking is possible, it’s important to assume it may happen. By taking reasonable precautions, you can make sure that you and your employees have the ability to safely charge your devices.

Source

What is new in the September 2023 firmware update for the Surface Duo 2?

Here is the detailed information about the release:

As a reminder, Microsoft ended support for the original Surface Duo on September 10, 2023. Therefore, the Surface Duo 2 is now the only non-Windows Surface getting monthly firmware updates. Microsoft promises to continue supporting its dual-screen smartphone for one more year—the end of support for the Surface Duo 2 is scheduled on October 21, 2024.

Still, do not expect much from the remaining 12 months of support. According to the latest reports, Microsoft moved most of the Duo team to other projects within the company, and there are no plans to upgrade the smartphone past its current Android 12L version. Installing Android 13 or 14 on the first or second-gen Surface Duo will most likely be only possible using unofficial ROMs.

Source

The problems appear to stem from bugs in iOS 17 and recent updates to some third-party apps, including Instagram and Uber, that overload the A17 Pro chip. Apple said it is working directly with app developers like Instagram to roll out fixes.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, on the other hand, argues that Apple is compromising on cooling in its quest for a lighter iPhone 15 Pro. Also, some reports had speculated that the new titanium frame design of the iPhone 15 Pro could contribute to overheating. However, Apple claims the new materials allow for better heat dissipation than previous stainless steel iPhones.

We have identified a few conditions which can cause iPhone to run warmer than expected. The device may feel warmer during the first few days after setting up or restoring the device because of increased background activity.

We have also found a bug in iOS 17 that is impacting some users and will be addressed in a software update. Another issue involves some recent updates to third-party apps that are causing them to overload the system. We’re working with these app developers on fixes that are in the process of rolling out.

Apple stresses that overheating is not a safety issue, nor will it impact long-term performance. The company said it's normal for new iPhones to run hotter initially as the device indexes photos and other content in the background.

The bug is anticipated to be resolved in iOS 17.1, which is presently in beta and is scheduled for release in October. Alternatively, the next update, like iOS 17.0.3, could specifically target the bugs causing excess heat on the new models. Apple did not give an exact release date but said the fix is coming soon.

For now, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max owners can expect their devices to run warmer than usual under certain conditions.

Source: Forbes and 9to5Mac

Source

The feature is currently available to some beta testers and lets users quickly reply to images, videos, and GIFs in the messaging app. As of now, users running the stable version of WhatsApp can respond to texts and media by swiping right on the message.

As per the screenshot shared by the website, the reply bar shows up at the bottom of the screen when you open an image, video, or GIF in a WhatsApp conversation. It saves an extra tap as you don't need to go back to the chat screen to type your response.

WABetaInfo notes that the reply bar is compatible with WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.20.20. However, the feature might be available to some users running the previous 2.23.20.18 beta update.

Apart from that, WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.20.1.70 is also rolling out. The latest beta update brings AI stickers to some beta testers, allowing iOS users to create and share new stickers using Meta's AI. The feature isn't new as it was rolled out to testers on WhatsApp beta for Android last month.

To try AI stickers, go to any conversation in the WhatsApp app and open the stickers interface. If your account has received the feature, you'll see a "Create" button. After that, you can throw your desired text prompt at the AI which will then create a series of stickers based on the input.

The AI stickers feature is part of Meta's wider efforts to put more artificial intelligence into its social media apps. The company announced its Meta AI chatbot for Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger which is being built in partnership with Microsoft.

In recent news, Meta launched a new feature called Flows that gives business extra powers such as booking tickets and taking orders from users inside WhatsApp. A media report claimed WhatsApp was planning to bring ads to its platform but it was later refuted by WhatsApp's head Will Cathcart.

Source

Your iPhone screen is hiding a secret QR code.

A new report from The Information this week highlighted that Apple has hidden two small QR codes in the iPhone screen’s glass.

If you haven’t noticed them before don’t worry, when we said they were small we meant really small. One of the QR codes is reportedly the size of a grain of sad and can only be seen on the phone using special equipment. The other is a bit larger, roughly the size of the tip of a crayon, and is printed on the reverse side of the glass along the device’s blank border,

Both of the QR codes are placed on the glass by Apple during the manufacturing process as a way to track the glass as it moves through the manufacturing process and to reduce defects.

Your iPhone’s display isn’t the only thing on the phone with a QR code. Apple adds QR codes to a number of the internal components within the phone as a way to keep track of their origin.

The glass display on the iPhone has reportedly been getting QR codes since 2020 as a way to keep track of how many displays are being made as well as how many defective units might be thrown away during the manufacturing process.

The QR codes have been present on phones since the iPhone 12, where the code is located directly above the front speaker, and they’re having a positive effect on the manufacturing process.

Before the implementation of the QR codes, The Information notes that Apple was discarding 3 out of every 10 displays that were made, resulting in a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars each year. While there’s still some loss, the program has helped drop that number to 1 in 10 displays, helping to cut down considerably on the loss.

Source

Time for me to admit something, folks. Even though I'm a lifelong gamer, starting out with the humble Nintendo Game Boy and working my way through every major console before building myself an expensive gaming PC, these days I spend most of my time gaming… on my phone.

Mobile gaming has something of a shameful reputation among so-called 'real gamers', but it really shouldn't; the best phones have come a long way, and are now capable of playing the sort of games my teenage self would've been blown away to experience on a handheld console.

Heck, we've even got a list of the best gaming phones right here on TechRadar. If that isn't proof that the little rectangles in our pockets have become bonafide gaming devices, I don't know what is. And if – like me – you play a lot of games on your phone, then I'm going to let you in on a little secret.

Okay, it's not really a secret, but Google doesn't really do much to promote its Google Opinion Rewards program. It's a simple app (available on both Android and iOS phones via the Play Store and App Store respectively) that gives you periodic surveys to fill in – and rewards you with either PayPal or Google Play Store credit.

You don't get a lot; most surveys in my experience range between 10p and 30p (roughly between 12 and 37 cents) and you don't tend to get more than one or two per day. It adds up faster than you'd expect, though. I've already used my Play Store credit to buy a handful of premium games for my trusty Google Pixel 5, including both Monument Valley games, Crying Suns, and the Android port of the still-fantastic Slay The Spire.

Past Lives is superb, FYI. (Image credit: Google)

Points mean prizes

The surveys offered by the Opinion Rewards app aren't odious in the slightest; most can be completed in less than 10 seconds, and most just ask you simple questions based on your phone's user history. For instance, you might be asked for feedback about a YouTube video you recently watched, or about your recent travel history.

There's also a recently added 'receipt tasks' section, where the app prompts you to upload a photo of the receipt from a recent transaction. To be clear, this does mean you're handing over some of your personal data to Google, but consider this: our phones already actively track our movements, log our financial data, and listen in to our conversations for a mention of 'Hey Siri' or 'Okay Google'.

I'm not recommending being flippant with your personal data security, but let's be real here. In today's digital world, there are far bigger threats to my online safety than me admitting to Google's algorithm that I spent too much money on snacks when I did my weekly run for groceries.

So, if you're a mobile gamer – or you're just looking for a way to earn a few easy bucks – then give Google Opinion Rewards a look. 

Source

Widespread complaints about overheating of the new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max can be traced to several factors, including a software bug in iOS 17, Apple told CNET on Saturday. 

The company said the new phones' titanium frame and aluminum substructure aren't contributing to the issue, and that they dissipate heat better than the stainless steel used in prior Pro models.

Days after the iPhone 15 series went on sale, people started to share stories about how their new phones overheated or felt excessively hot. Some users couldn't comfortably hold their phone. Others shared pictures of infrared thermometers showing the temperature of their iPhone hitting more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

While spending time with the phones for my iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max review, I didn't have trouble with either one overheating. The 15 Pro Max did become noticeably hot after I used my MacBook Pro's 140W power adapter to charge it. It also got quite warm after I played Resident Evil Village for 30 minutes.

"We have identified a few conditions which can cause iPhone to run warmer than expected," Apple said in a statement to CNET. "The device may feel warmer during the first few days after setting up or restoring the device because of increased background activity. We have also found a bug in iOS 17 that is impacting some users and will be addressed in a software update. Another issue involves some recent updates to third-party apps that are causing them to overload the system. We're working with these app developers on fixes that are in the process of rolling out."

Tech reviewer Faruk Korkmaz published a video earlier this week documenting his iPhone 15 Pro Max's temperature climbing to 98 degrees within minutes after he opened the Instagram app. The same thing occurred on his iPhone 14 Pro Max running iOS 17.

Apple explained that recent updates to some third-party apps on iOS 17, like Instagram, Asphalt 9 and Uber, overload the A17 Pro chip's CPU, causing the iPhone to get warmer than normal. The company is working with third-party developers to implement fixes. As a result, Instagram released an updated version of its app on Sept. 27.

Neither Instagram, Uber nor Asphalt 9 developer Gameloft immediately responded to requests for comment.

There's no word when the software update that addresses the iOS 17 bug will come out, but Apple did explain that the fix won't reduce the iPhone's performance.

In terms of charging, Apple said the 15 Pro and Pro Max support any USB-C adapter that's compliant with the USB-C standard, including USB Power Delivery. The company said the iPhone regulates itself to cap charging to a max 27W and that if you're using a 20W or higher charger, the phone can temporarily get warmer as a result.

Some people have noticed the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max getting uncomfortably hot while it charges.
James Martin/CNET

Apple's support page notes that the iPhone may feel warm when you first set it up, restore it from a backup, or wirelessly charge it. That's been my experience with a number of previous iPhone models and Android phones.

If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max and are experiencing overheating, there are a few things you can try until Apple releases the iOS 17 update.

Turn on Low Power Mode from the Control Center or in the Battery section of the Settings app. This will kill any background tasks, temporarily limit the display's refresh rate to 60Hz and reduce the brightness. Don't keep your phone in direct sunlight or in an extremely hot environment for prolonged periods. And if, like Korkmaz, you suspect an app might be the issue, disable background refresh for that app under the General section in the Settings app.

Source

If there’s one job I’d like AI to take from me, it’s my daily email deleting ritual. 

 

Every morning at 8:30AM, Google Calendar pings me with a reminder containing just one word: EMAILS. Thus, my formal workday begins as I speed-delete nearly every email that landed in my inbox overnight. They are largely useless and clog up the space between legitimate emails that I need to read and respond to. 

 

Imagine for a minute, though, if you could just tell an AI assistant to show you your most important emails and delete all the rest. I asked Google Assistant on a Pixel 7 Pro to do this, and it just wordlessly escorted me to my inbox so I could deal with it myself. Thanks a bunch.

 

Google, like almost every other tech company in the world, is all about AI right now. The company showcased a lot of new ideas for generative AI at I/O earlier this year — tools to help you compose a new message in Gmail, write a job description in Google Docs, and build a template for your dog walking business in Google Sheets. 

 

They’re hit or miss. Sometimes they’re useful: I asked it to expand a bullet point list of notes into some care instructions for my houseplants, and it added some helpful context about how often to water them. But often, the answers it gives you are obvious, like the weekly meal plan I asked Google Sheets to build for me. When prompted to come up with healthy meal and snack ideas, it had some good suggestions but left me to fend for myself in the snack column with “fruits, vegetables, nuts, or yogurt” in every cell. 

 

A Bard-style upgrade for Google Assistant could be awfully handy.

Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge

 

Then there’s Bard — the AI chatbot that Google seemingly rushed out the door to compete with Bing earlier this year. It wasn’t very impressive in its early state, though it’s gotten more useful throughout the year. With a recent update, you can give Bard access to your Gmail and Google Docs and ask it questions about them. It’s actually pretty useful. I asked it to find any important emails in my personal Gmail, and it returned one about fresh hop week at a local taproom. You know me too well, Google.

 

We’re now in the thick of Techtember, and Google’s fall hardware event is fast approaching. We’ll see the Pixel 8 (that’s no surprise — Google already told us in like 20 different ways), and what I’m most interested to see is how it starts bringing together the company’s various ideas about AI and its usefulness in our daily lives. 

 

Right now, Apple is allergic to saying AI, and Microsoft has some computers to sell you but nothing shaped like a phone. If AI is truly going to take the pain out of our daily chores like every tech company wants us to believe, then the Pixel ought to be the device that shows us how that works. I’m not all that interested in having generative AI write emails for me regularly when I’m sitting at my computer, but I can think of a bunch of things I’d like an AI assistant to be able to do for me on my phone. 

 

Giving me a rundown of those important emails and interpreting them into reminders or to-do list items would be a good one, for a start. I’d listen to Google Bard Assistant do that while I make my morning coffee. Maybe if I asked it to find a good time to go for a run, it could cross-reference my calendar and the hourly precipitation forecast, make a suggestion, and remind me 10 minutes before it’s time to head out the door. For all its strengths, Google’s current Assistant is still mostly a tiny repeating machine. It can tell me when my next meeting is or the likelihood of rain today, but it can’t put these two concepts together and make a suggestion.

 

Realistically, these kinds of features are still a ways off. One of the major barriers to letting AI run wild on your phone is processing power. AI needs a lot of it, and Google — like other companies — offloads the heavy lifting to the cloud when you ask Bard to summarize a document or write up a meal plan. Consequently, it takes a while — much longer than most of us would tolerate from an on-device assistant.

 

Google’s custom Tensor chips are supposedly designed with the goal of doing more of this processing locally, but is its third-generation chipset up to the task? Given how common overheating complaints are about Pixel 7 phones, it seems unlikely that Tensor G3 will suddenly be ready to run a lot more complicated processes on-device. Still, even with Tensor’s current limitations, the Pixel 8 should offer us a glimpse of what AI can actually do for us.

 

Realistically, a full Bard-on-your-phone assistant is probably still cooking. Google has also taken a cautious approach to implementing generative AI, for better or worse, and the features announced at I/O are largely in beta. There was a report earlier this year that Google was shaking up the Assistant team and aiming to make the product more Bard-like, and my guess is that we’ll see plenty of flavors of this future in next week’s announcement.

 

Source

Mozilla even considered ending support for extensions altogether, which would have moved it closer to Chrome and Chromium-based browsers, which for the most part do not support extensions on mobile.

Mozilla limited extensions support significantly in Firefox for Android however. Stable versions of Firefox support only 22 different extensions up to this date. Still 22 more than most other browsers support, but not much compared to the thousands of extensions that desktop Firefox users may install.

Mozilla announced in August that it made the decision to enable full extensions support in Firefox for Android.  Tests started soon thereafter and they have now include Firefox Beta, which was updated to version 119 recently.

Firefox Beta 119 users may open Menu > Add-ons in the mobile browser to display the small list of supported extensions that all Firefox for Android versions support. Users who scroll to the bottom of the page find a new button, "find more add-ons", which, when activated, opens a dedicated extensions page for Firefox for Android on Mozilla's website.

Users find more than 250 extensions there that they may install in the mobile browser right away. The list of supported extensions is growing. While it will never match the more than 30000 desktop extensions, it unlocks support for extensions in general.

Developers will create dedicated extensions for Firefox for Android in the future or make their desktop extensions compatible with the mobile browser as well.

Firefox Stable 119 won't receive the unlocked extensions support, as tests will go on for some time. Sören Hentzschel found out that Mozilla plans to unlock extensions support in Firefox Stable for Android in December 2023. The change will likely roll out with the  final Firefox for Android release of 2023, which is Firefox 121. The release date for the browser is December 19, 2023.

Closing Words

What took you so long, Mozilla? This is likely on the minds of many veteran Firefox users. Unrestricted support for browser extensions in Firefox for Android is a major change and one of the few distinguishing factors between Firefox and Chromium-based browsers such as Google Chrome.

Additional extensions will become available in the coming months, so that Firefox for Android users will find a good list of extensions in the store in December.

Now You: which extensions would you like to see supported in Firefox for Android?

Source

In its blog post, Google stated:

While Workspace encrypts data at rest and in transit by using secure-by-design cryptographic libraries, client-side encryption ensures that you have sole control over encryption keys and access to your data. Client-side encryption ensures sensitive data in the email body and attachments are indecipherable to Google servers — you retain control over encryption keys and the identity service to access those keys.

The feature is available to the users of Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard. Client-side encryption is not supported on other Workspace editions such as Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard Plus, etc. Also, it is not available to users with personal Google accounts.

Google said that the feature allows "users to work with your most sensitive data from anywhere on their mobile devices while adhering to compliance and regulatory requirements." It does so by using the S/MIME protocol to encrypt and digitally sign emails before sending them to Google servers.

While composing their email on Gmail for Android or iOS, eligible users can turn on client-side encryption by tapping on the blue lock icon present in the subject field. However, the feature is disabled by default and admins will have to enable access through the CSE admin interface.

In recent news, the search giant turned 25 this week and allowed teens aged 13 (and above) to get their hands on its generative search experience. It also announced a new tool called Google-Extended that lets website admins control whether Google can access their content to train its Bard AI.

Google is also pulling the plug on the basic HTML version of Gmail that was meant to support legacy browsers or help users with slow connections. Starting early next year, the basic Gmail will be out of the picture and the Standard view will load by default.

Source

SUMMARY

• The smartphone market in North America is facing a sharp 12% decline in phone purchases from 2022 to 2023, with overall sales at the lowest in over a decade.

• Phone companies, including Samsung, Google, and Apple, are focusing on premium phone options ($1,000 and above) to compensate for the decline in overall sales.

• Google is the only brand to have experienced an increase in total units sold in Q2 2023, and it is hoping to capitalize on this positive momentum with upcoming releases and ad campaigns.

It’s a weird time to run a smartphone brand in North America. We’re in an extremely volatile period in which we don’t exactly know what will and won’t sell with certainty. That has led to fewer people buying phones from every company except for Google when comparing Q2 2022 shipments to those from Q2 2023. While that’s definitely a good sign for Google, the entire market has been heading towards investments in premium smartphones, as people just aren’t replacing their devices as often as they used to.

The latest report from Canalys looks into the number of phones being purchased in Q2 2023 as well as in both recent years and estimates of future years. It does not look into how much profit companies are making through these sales, but it does discuss how much each sale directly costs the consumers. In general, the smartphone market’s outlook is bleak in quantity. The change in the number of phones that have been and will be purchased by people in the North American market is estimated to be a sharp 12% decline from what it was in 2022, Canalys forecasts.

Source: Canalys

That’s a big decline, and the number of phones being purchased in Q2 2023 was the lowest in over a decade. Canalys expects that number to rise marginally over the next few years, however, getting back to over 150 million units being sold per year in 2027. Phone companies (Samsung, Google, Apple, etc.) are beginning to develop strategies involving premium phone ($1,000 and above) options now to capitalize on the dwindling number of overall sales and keep revenue levels where they need to be. While overall individual unit sales are down, premium phone sales are beginning to take up more and more of that space, as budget phone ($200 and below) sales are beginning to disappear.

Source: Canalys

Of course, the second quarter of any year, which consists of the months of April, May and June, is one of the slowest times of the year anyway for tech brands. Phones and other smart devices generally get released heading into late Q3 (July, August, and September) or early Q4 (October, November, and December) to capitalize on the holiday market. So while there were fewer sales expected during Q2 than in previous quarters, the overall trend lends itself to the slightly dim numbers.

Lastly, to touch on Google’s achievement of being the only smartphone brand with a rise in total units sold from Q2 2022 to Q2 2023, it’s a great sign for the company. It sold approximately 800,000 phones in Q2 2022, and it sold 1.2 million in Q2 2023. It still ranks fifth on the list, however, in overall market share percentage at 4%, as Apple (54%) Samsung (24%) Motorola (8%) and TCL (5%) all beat Google out. With the upcoming Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro coming out soon, new devices like the Google Pixel Watch 2 impressing in early teasers, and some fun ad campaigns, Google is hoping to capitalize on this positive momentum over the coming years.

The market is always changing, and the market's needs must be analyzed and met to beat other brands. Consumer patterns have indicated that premium smartphone options are the way forward. Only time will tell if that’s the right strategy to pump some life back into the North American smartphone industry’s heart.

Source

iPhone 15 Pro Max tops out at 25.49W, even with Apple’s 140W charger connected to it

Apple has, once again, limited the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s maximum charging speeds to 25.5W, according to the data gathered by ChargerLAB. This maximum supported wattage is identical to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is perplexing to see, as the inclusion of a USB-C port typically means that manufacturers would have greater flexibility in increasing the maximum charge throughput. It is possible the company is limiting the iPhone 15 Pro Max to 25.5W because it wants the battery to degrade at a slower rate.

With the latest iPhone 15 models, the company has also added three new battery features; Optimized Battery Charging, 80% limit, and None, which should help reduce battery wear for an even longer time, though that all depends on which setting you choose. The tests revealed that a multitude of official Apple chargers were used, starting from the 20W power brick right down to the 140W one used to top up a MacBook Pro’s battery. Even though the iPhone 15 Pro Max was compatible with all of them, its charge limit peaked at 25.5W.

The tests also showed that the 6.7-inch handset is compatible with almost all third-party USB-PD chargers, with the Lenovo thinkplus 65W power brick recording the highest wattage delivered to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which is 26.2W. Three more chargers managed to take that charge level above the 26W threshold, but irrespective of which accessory is used, there is little wiggle room to go beyond this level. You can check out ChargerLAB’s in-depth tests in the video below and let us know if you think Apple should have increased the maximum wattage level.

News Source: ChargerLAB

Source

Voice assistants like Alexa and Siri were all the rage when they arrived on the scene about a decade ago. However, the rise of generative AI models has created a demand for smarter voice assistants. With this quick iPhone hack, you can make the upgrade from Siri to ChatGPT. 

Last week, Amazon and OpenAI announced two significant releases that upped the ante for voice assistants. First, Amazon supercharged Alexa with a new LLM, intended to make her function like a hands-free ChatGPT.  

Then, OpenAI released an update to ChatGPT that could make it "see, hear, and speak" by accepting voice and image inputs and responding with voice answers.  

Having voice chats with ChatGPT elevates the chatbot to the status of a voice assistant like Siri, and it can replace Siri on your iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone Pro Max by leveraging the new Action button. 

The new Action button, which replaces the side slider, allows users to use the button to perform a series of personalized actions depending on the users' needs, such as accessing the camera, flashlight, Voice Memos, and even ChatGPT.

If you would like to quickly access ChatGPT with a tap of a button on your new iPhone, we have quick instructions to do so efficiently below. 

How to access ChatGPT quickly on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max

1. Download the ChatGPT app from the app store

The Action button can be customized to open apps, so to have it open ChatGPT, you first need to download the app for free from the App Store. 

Make sure to download the app by OpenAI that looks like the one in the photo above because there are plenty of ChatGPT copycats on the App Store. 

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

2. Set the ChatGPT app to the Action Button

Then, it's time to assign ChatGPT as an Action Button. To do so, all you have to do is click on  Settings > Action Button > Shortcut. When the visual of the side button comes up, swipe to the Shortcut option, click on "Choose a feature," and select the ChatGPT app. 

3. Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus if you want the voice feature

If you want this shortcut to replace Siri's voice assistant features, upgrading to ChatGPT Plus is a must since ChatGPT's listening and talking features are limited to ChatGPT Plus users at $20 per month. 

The upgrade comes with other cool features, like the ability for ChatGPT to browse the internet and provide citations, which are major game-changers for the chatbot. 

f you don't want to shell out the cost for the membership, you can still use the shortcut to rapidly access the chatbot's interface, making it easier to ask questions and get responses on the go. 

Lastly, you can always use the shortcut for the Bing Chat app instead. It is free, supported by GPT-4, connected to the internet, and supports voice prompts and answers.

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

4. Tap the side button whenever you want quick ChatGPT access

Now, you are all set up! Whenever you want to access ChatGPT, all you have to do is click the Action button. 

June Wan/ZDNET

Source

Based on the renders shared by SmartPrix, Samsung is opting for a flat frame on the Galaxy S24. However, the edges seemingly remain rounded. The rear panel of the smartphone looks the same as the current Galaxy S23, featuring three protruded rings for the camera sensors.

What's worth noting is the cutout on the phone's right side. The report claims it houses the Ultra Wideband (UWB) antenna. For those unaware, UWB support is already available on the Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 Ultra, but it is missing on the vanilla S23. If the SmartPrix report holds any water, it would be the first time Samsung includes support for UWB connectivity on the standard S series flagship.

As for other specifications, Samsung reportedly plans to use the Exynos 2400 processor in Asia, Africa, and Europe. While Canada, China, and the US are rumored to get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 variant of the Galaxy S24. The handset might feature up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

The display on the device is also said to get some major improvements. Although there are no specific details available for standard Galaxy S24, a report revealed the Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to come with a huge 6.8-inch screen with 3120x1440 resolution and a particularly extreme peak brightness of 2500nit.

In the camera department, you could see the Galaxy S24 series feature up to a 200MP primary unit, paired with a telephoto and an ultra-wide lens. Since these are all early rumors, it's best you take them with a pinch of salt.

Source

AirDrop Transfer over Wi-Fi and Cellular

One of the features that was highlighted during the iOS 17 announcement was an improved AirDrop Transfer system, which allowed file sharing to complete over the internet via Wi-Fi networks, when you move out of range of the device that you are sharing the content with. This feature however didn't make the cut in iOS 17, and Apple had said it would arrive later this year.

The new AirDrop system is available in iOS 17.1 beta. Interestingly, Apple's announcement had said that the feature would work over Wi-Fi, but it turns out that AirDrop transfers can be completed over a cellular connection too. iOS 17.1 has a toggle for Out of Range under the AirDrop settings, which, when enabled, will allow your iPhone to use mobile data to send and receive content when a Wi-Fi network is not available.

(image via MacRumors)

Apple removes new Ringtones and Text Tones from iOS 17

Users can now set custom tones for the Mail and Messages app again. As you may know, the stable version of iOS 17 has over 20 new ringtones and text tones that you can use. MacRumors reports that Apple has removed these sounds from iOS 17.1. It is unclear why the new sounds were removed, but hopefully they will be re-added in a future update.

Favorites and Smarter Playlists in Apple Music

The Apple Music app in iOS 17.1 lets you mark albums, artists, tracks and playlists as favorites, to add them to your library. This is essentially similar to the "heart" button that is available in the stable version of the Music app. The new favorites feature uses a star symbol for albums, and a dot symbol for most played tracks. The favorites system reportedly improves music recommendations.  Playlists in the Apple Music app will display songs that are similar to the current playing track.

Other notable changes

iOS 17.1 beta adds a new functionality to the Dynamic Island on iPhone 15 series and iPhone 14 Pro series models. The Dynamic Island now displays a notification when your flashlight is on, you can tap on it to turn off the light. Apple Books' Reading Now section is now called "Read Now". The Wallet app now supports UK Bank accounts, and lets users check their account balance, payments, purchases, deposits, etc. The build number of iOS 17.1 beta and iPadOS 17.1 beta is 21B5045h.

No Journal app yet

iPhone users are eagerly waiting for the Journal app which was announced at WWDC 2023, it was not part of the iOS 17 release, and there are still no signs of it in the latest beta version.

watchOS 10.1 beta ships with NameDrop and Double Tap

watchOS 10.1 beta has been released. NameDrop, which is the new contact information sharing feature which debuted in iOS 17, is now supported on Apple Watch. The double tap feature which the Cupertino company showed off during the launch of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, is now available in watchOS 10.1 beta.

If you have an older Apple Watch, you can use a similar accessibility feature that you can enable under the Accessibility > Assistive Touch.

On a side note, Apple has also released macOS 14.1 beta to testers, it patches an issue with remote widgets rendering blank on mismatched iOS and macOS releases.

Source

Apple pledged to update the software to defuse a row over radiation levels from iPhone 12 handsets, after France suspended sales of the phones earlier this month following tests it said found breaches of radiation exposure limits.

French authorities have received a software update from Apple for its iPhone 12 and are reviewing it as a fix for a radiation issue, a source at the French digital ministry told Reuters on Tuesday.

Apple pledged to update the software to defuse a row over radiation levels from iPhone 12 handsets, after France suspended sales of the phones earlier this month following tests it said found breaches of radiation exposure limits.

France had threatened to seek a product recall if Apple had refused to do a software update.

Apple had earlier contested the French findings, saying the iPhone 12 was certified by multiple international bodies as compliant with global standards, but said on Sept.15 it would issue a software update to accommodate the testing methods used in France.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

The move by Paris to suspend sales of the iPhone 12 handsets had prompted concerns in other European countries, including Belgium, which has also asked for the software upgrade.

But the software update was limited to France, Belgian industry regulator told Reuters in an emailed statement.

The Belgian regulator also said it expected more steps at a European level after the French authorities inform their peers about the fix and the fact that is not available widely in the European Union.

French regulator Agence Nationale des Frequences did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Dutch digital watchdog also did not respond to a request for comment.

Italian authorities will wait for French deliberations over the Apple update before taking any decision, an Italian government source said.

Researchers have conducted multiple studies over the last two decades to assess the health risks of mobile phones. According to the World Health Organisation, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by them.

The radiation warning in France was based on results of tests that differ from those carried out in other countries.

Industry experts said there were no safety risks as regulatory limits, based on the risk of burns or heatstroke from the phone's radiation, were set well below levels where scientists have found evidence of harm.

Apple launched the iPhone 15 earlier this month and the iPhone 12 is not available to buy from Apple directly. It can, however, be bought from third parties that have inventory, or trade old phones.

Apple routinely provides software updates for its phones and computers, mostly to fix a security issue. They can be focused on a particular model or a region, and sometimes Apple issues several updates in a month.

The iPhone 12 update is set to be similar to any of these regular software fixes. Apple pings iPhones for eligible software updates and users install them.

Source

In case you missed it, I reviewed the TestFlight version of the app when the first beta was released.

Vivaldi for iOS

Initial set up

When you run it for the first time, Vivaldi will ask you to choose whether you would like the app to block trackers and ads. The browser blocks trackers by default, but it does not block ads. You need to set it to block both during the initial set up, or later from the Settings. Next, you will need to choose the Tab style, there are two options that you may choose from: a simplified tab switcher, and a Tab Bar. We'll take a look at these options in a minute.

Start Page

The Start Page aka the New Tab page in Vivaldi has a speed dial with sponsored shortcuts for various websites and services. You can remove these, and replace them with shortcuts for your favorite websites.

To customize the experience further, head to the Settings and tap on Start Page Layout. It has 4 styles that you may choose from: Large, Medium, Small and List. The default option is small, and displays small favicons. The Medium and Large options display a larger tile, while the List setting displays the favicon and URL for each site.

Main interface

Vivaldi has a toolbar at the bottom of the screen. It has 4 buttons: Panels, Back/Forward, Search and a Tab Switcher.

Panels

The Panels button allows quick access to the Bookmarks, Reading List, History, and Notes. The browser's bookmarks manager is easy to use, and helps you organize shortcuts to your favorite sites, web pages, etc. The Reading List is a very useful feature that allows you to save pages to read at a later time. It is also a good way to declutter your tabs, while saving the links. The History section can be useful to dig through pages that you have visited. The Notes tool is handy to jot down ideas, save links, text content from web articles and more.

Tap on the Tab Switcher to view all your tabs, and to jump between different tabs.

Desktop Tabs

Vivaldi for iOS has an optional Tab bar that you can enable from the Settings. It gives you a desktop-like experience, with a tab bar at the top of the screen, with horizontal scrolling to switch between tabs. Here is a comparison of the Desktop Tabs vs Tab Switcher UI, along with the tabs view in the latter.

The Tab bar looks nice, but it is not exactly easy to reach the top of the phone's screen occasionally, just to change tabs. The Tabs button on the bottom is easier to access with one hand. However, if you have an iPad and use it to browse in landscape mode, the Tab bar is definitely the way to go.

Address Bar

The address bar is located at the top, regardless of whether you are using it on an iPhone or an iPad. As I mentioned above, UI elements such as the tab switcher and address bar on the bottom are much more convenient to use. It's all about reachability. The Android version of the browser has it, so why doesn't the iOS app have the same. This isn't an issue that is specific to Vivaldi. Chrome, DuckDuckGo, and Microsoft Edge follow the same design, and it's just not good at all. This is one area where Safari, Firefox and Brave outshine the rest of the competition.

Search

The default search engine in Vivaldi for iOS, is Microsoft Bing. You can change it from the app's settings, it supports the following services: Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, Startpage, Google and Wikipedia. There are no options to add custom search engines to the app.

Long-press menu

Vivaldi's long-press menu for text has iOS' standard options including Copy, Lookup, Translate, Search Web and Share, but there are some unique options such as "Copy to Note" and "Search with Vivaldi". The context-menu for links lets you open the URL in a new tab, or in Private browsing mode, or to copy the URL. You can also save a link directly to the reading list.

Pull To Refresh

Vivaldi supports the pull to refresh gesture, but you can trigger 2 more actions from this gesture. Tap on the X button that appears to close the tab, or hit the + button to open a new tab.

Ad Blocking and Tracker Blocking

Vivaldi's ad blocker is decent, but has occasional hiccups. It blocks ad banners on web pages, and video ads on sites like YouTube.  You can look at the shield icon near the address bar to tell if ads and trackers are being blocked.

Tap on the icon to disable or enable the blocking behavior. Occasionally, a website may detect the ad blocker and ask you to disable it. The good news is that you can customize Vivaldi's Ad and Tracker Blockers, by subscribing to filter lists from around the web. The app lists several popular options that you can choose, and you can also add a filter manually by pasting its URL in the importer tool.

For example, if you were to subscribe to the EasyList or one of AdGuard's Annoyance filters, you can bypass the anti ad blocking scripts that prevent you from accessing a website.

Note: Vivaldi allows some ads from some sources, you can disable these from the Settings > Ad and Tracker Blocker > Manage Ad Blocking Service > and disable the option that says "Allow ads from our partners".

The tracker blocker relies on DuckDuckGo Tracker Radar as the primary source, though you can add more filters.

Privacy and Security

Go to Vivaldi's Settings > Privacy and Security > to enable the "Always use HTTPS" option. It also has a setting to "Lock Private Tabs When You Close Vivaldi", which is sort of similar to what Apple Safari does in iOS 17. Vivaldi supports Handoff, which can be useful if you want to switch to another device and continue from where you left.

App Icons

Vivaldi ships with several colourful icons, which you can switch to from the Settings page. This is a much simpler way to change the icon on iOS, without having to use the Shortcuts app.

Vivaldi Sync

Vivaldi for iOS supports sync using the company's servers (located in Iceland). You may sign up for a free account to sync your bookmarks, speed dials, passwords, autofill data, notes and history between your devices, i.e. Vivaldi on Desktop, Android, and even in cars.

I think Vivaldi for iOS is pretty impressive, even though like all other third-party browsers, it is crippled by Apple WebKit's limitations for browsers and web apps. Things could change next year, as the European Union's Digital Markets Act comes into effect, when Apple will have to open the doors for side loading, third-party app stores, and custom browser engines.

That said, there are 2 issues with Vivaldi for iOS. Sometimes the app seemed to make my iPhone 13 very warm while browsing, and drained the battery very quickly. When this happened, I noticed that the ad-blocker did not work properly, some ads slip through the filters. Perhaps these issues are related to one another, i.e. the ads could be the reason why the device became warmer. Hopefully the developers can sort out these issues.

Download Vivaldi for iPhone and iPad from the App Store. It is compatible with devices running on iOS 15, iPadOS 15 or later.

Source

Apple's iPhone 15 series launched less than a week ago, but one feature that stuck out is a trend regarding the inclusion of its last couple of processors. The base iPhone 14 featured an A15 Bionic processor, while the Pro models were equipped with an A16. With the launch of the iPhone 15, the base model featured an A16, while the Pros were built with A17 Pro.

It's not hard to follow this trend and come to a conclusion about what the iPhone 16 will look like. We would have expected the base iPhone 16 to come with an A17, while the Pro models would have an A18 Pro. But a leak from Apple analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) suggests that this isn't the case, indicating that the base iPhone 16 models will also feature an A18 processor.

iPhone 16 exclusively running on A18 processors?

While this is a bit of a surprise, it may come down to a simple change in marketing. Apple launched a new series of processors with the iPhone 15 Pro series, introducing the world to its first "Pro" Bionic chip, the A17 Pro. 

Beforehand, it would simply repurpose the previous iPhone Pro's chip and use it for the next base model iPhone. Instead of continuing this pattern, this rumor is believable in that it calls for a simple separation between a base processor for base iPhones versus a Pro processor for the Pro iPhones.

(Image credit: Apple)

It makes sense, is easier to understand, and creates a clear distinction between where each processor belongs. The iPhone 16 will feature an A18, and the iPhone 16 Pros will have an A18 Pro. Whereas now, the iPhone 15 models have an A16, while the iPhone 15 Pros come with an A17 Pro. This new method would be significantly easier to digest.

There's also potential for A18 to be faster than we expect. Considering that no base A17 exists currently, it could just be an attempt at making the naming conventions more understandable, but if A18 does surpass our expectations, it'll be an exciting addition for base iPhone users.

This seems plausible as the rumor suggests that both A18 processors will feature the 3nm architecture of the A17 Pro, meaning every model of iPhone will benefit from the significantly longer battery life. This could be huge for the next standard iPhone and is one of the many reasons why I'm waiting for the iPhone 16 instead.

Source

For the unaware, there have been widespread reports of heating problems on the iPhone 15 Pro models. Some users claimed their phones get too hot to even hold without a case. Various reports concluded, including this investigation from Android Authority, that the heating is likely caused due to the new A17 Pro chip.

The Apple A17 Pro chip is manufactured on TSMC’s (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) 3nm process node. This also led to speculation that the new 3nm tech is to blame for overheating problems. However, popular analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests otherwise.

Kuo writes in his blog on Medium:

My survey indicates that the iPhone 15 Pro series overheating issues are unrelated to TSMC’s advanced 3nm node. The primary cause is more likely the compromises made in the thermal system design to achieve a lighter weight, such as the reduced heat dissipation area and the use of a titanium frame, which negatively impacts thermal efficiency.

Kuo says Apple will address the overheating problems of the iPhone 15 Pro through software updates. However, he warns the Cupertino company may struggle to make too many improvements without also compromising chip performance:

It’s expected that Apple will address this through software updates, but improvements may be limited unless Apple lowers processor performance. If Apple does not properly address this issue, it could negatively impact shipments over the product life cycle of the iPhone 15 Pro series.

It is yet to be known how Apple will deal with the heating issue on its phones. Is your new iPhone 15 also too hot to handle?

Source

What's new in iOS 17.0.2

In case you missed it, Apple had released the iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates last week, along with the macOS 13.6 update. The updates shipped with some patches to address 3 critical security issues in the operating systems. In our previous coverage, we had mentioned that iOS 17.0.2 had been released for the iPhone 15 series, and that it was not available for older phones at the time.

That changes today, as iOS 17.0.2 is now being seeded to the older models. According to the Apple Security Updates portal, iOS 17.0.2 does not contain any published CVE entries. What that means is that it does not ship with any new security fixes since the previous patch. The update does come with one important fix, it patches a bug that affects transferring data from one iPhone to another during the setup process.

Reports from iPhone 15 users had indicated that their devices were unable to restore the backup from their old iPhone, and hence they could not bring over the data. The update that the company had released for the iPhone 15 was said to fix this issue. The iOS 17.0.2 update patches the same problem on older devices. If you are facing a similar issue, i.e. if your iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo during the data transfer process, you should install the iOS 17.0.2 update, and then try to restore the backup on your new device.

The iOS 17.0.2 update is available for the iPhone XS and later. Since the iPhone 15 series received the update last week, there is no new patch for these devices. Speaking of which, the update for the iPhone 15 models had the build number 21A350, the build number of the new update is 21A351. Some users who had a bug with the Storage (under Settings) reporting incorrect numbers for the Phone app, System Data, etc., say that the update has resolved the bug.

Apple has released the iPadOS 17.0.2 update simultaneously, as the tablets had a similar bug that was affecting data transfers. The new version is compatible with the following device models: iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation and later, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 6th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later. Apple has also released the watchOS 10.0.2 update. This new update is only available for the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 model. The build number of the update is 21R371.

If you have not updated to iOS 17 yet, or if you have just installed the latest version and want to learn more about it, take a look at the top 10 features in it. iPad users may want to check our iPadOS 17 coverage to see the best features that the update brings to your tablet.

On a sidenote, macOS 14 Sonoma is now available for all users. Don't forget to read our article to check the new features that are available in the latest version of the operating system.

Source