Some iPhone 15 early adopters are turning to social media to report overheating issues that can drive the temperature of the handset to over 100°F, making it uncomfortable to handle.

So, what's happening?

9to5Mac's Ian Zelbo posted on X that his iPhone 15 Pro Max became "almost too hot to touch" while fast charging.

Tech reviewer Mohit Verma posted a video on X showing his iPhone hitting 42°C (107°F) after "just a 2-minute FaceTime call or when scrolling through reels for 8-10 minutes."

Alex Gear & Tech also posted a similar video.

Here is thermal imaging comparing the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. This suggests that the iPhone's lack of active cooling is concentrating the heat in a specific spot.

Then there's chip performance throttling. This test suggests that in two minutes of heavy loading, the iPhone lost 25% of its performance. This would point to a thermal management issue.

The common thread in many of these reports seems to be USB-C charging. Maybe there's a bug here that surfaces under certain conditions or with certain charging hardware. 

Another option is that the titanium chassis is more effective at dissipating the heat, and this in turn causes the handset to feel hot. But aluminum and stainless steel are also good conductors of heat, so I doubt that the material is the issue.

ZDNET has not come across this issue in our testing but there's no doubt that these measured temperatures are abnormally high.

Note that while 42°C/107°F is hot, it's within the safe "no injury" temperature range. In fact, ASTM C1055 (the Standard Guide for Heated System Surface Conditions that Produce Contact Burn Injuries) states that the average person can touch objects up to 60°C/140°F for up to five seconds without sustaining irreversible burn injuries.

Is this a bug?

This is quite possible. 

History shows that both new iPhones and new iOS releases are prone to bugs that are fixed by subsequent iOS updates.

While it's easy to point the finger at charging (but remember, all smartphones get warmer when charging -- that's just physics), the throttling of the chip points more to a thermal management issue. Apple is either dealing with a software bug or needs to improve the way the iPhone operates when running heavy workloads. 

This could also be something specific to certain handsets or a configurational issue resulting in an abnormally high level of background activity, such as machine learning or indexing.

How do I check my iPhone for overheating?

The first way is touch. Does it feel hot? 

If you want to get more specific, you could use an infrared thermometer or a thermal camera.

My iPhone is overheating! What should I do?

The fastest way to cool down an iPhone is to turn it off completely and let it come down to normal temperature naturally. Don't try to speed up the process by putting the iPhone into a refrigerator or ice box as this could also damage the battery.

As for your options as to how to prevent this, you could try different charging options -- different hardware or using wireless charging -- but if you remain concerned you should turn to Apple for support and advice.

Your next best option is to wait for Apple to acknowledge the issue and issue a patch. However, in the interim, I suggest you keep an eye on charging temperatures, and if you experience overheating, pull the plug on the charging.

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A new leak posted on X (formerly Twitter) has shed light on the pricing of the upcoming smartphones. According to Kamila Wojciechowska, Google Pixel 8 series will start at $699 while the Pixel 8 Pro will cost $899. From the leak, it looks like Google is bumping the price of the Pixel 8 by $100 while the Pro will retain the same price as the Pixel 7 Pro.

The leak also gives us a bird's eye view of the differences between the Pixel 7 series and the Pixel 8 series. Unsurprisingly, the Pixel 8 series will feature Google's all-new Tensor G3 chipset which will be paired with up to 12GB of RAM. The Pixel 8 will also get a 120Hz variable refresh rate display, bumping it from the 90Hz display on the Pixel 7 which should improve its battery life.

Both the phones will also feature macro focus, something that was missing on Pixel 7 series, and the Pixel 8 Pro will come with a 48MP 5x telephoto camera along with a 48MP ultrawide camera. This, of course will be paired with 50MP main camera on both devices. In terms of software features, Google will be bundling Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Face Unblur, Night Sight, Real Tone, and more to improve the camera experience.

For security, Google is offering its VPN service to the Pixel 8 series owners, which is usually reserved for Google One subscribers. Do remember that, Google VPN is available in only selected countries so not everyone may be able to take advantage of it. Google will also offer a Fingerprint scanner and Face Unlock as biometric security options. It's not clear if Google plans to use Ultrasonic or Optical fingerprint scanner on the Pixel 8 series.

While most of the information regarding the Pixel 8 series seems to have been leaked online, it will still be interesting to see what Google has in store for us at the event.

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This new UI can be accessed by swiping up on a small white bar below the shutter button. In this new menu, parameters such as ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, and focus can be manually controlled. These features were previously available for many years through the GCam modded apps, and now they're coming to the official app. Once a parameter is selected, a translucent slider may show up for adjustments, and a reset button to set it back to default.

The Pixel 8 series will also integrate a new AI-enabled feature in the photography experience. Magic Editor is a new feature coming to select Pixel phones to upgrade the Magic Eraser experience. It will have the capability to combine the best bits of different frames into one image. It also gives users the ability to move subjects around the photo frame, and even change the time of the day by replacing a mid-day sky with a sunset.

Google is allegedly bringing massive upgrades to the camera department. For the first time on any Google device, the Pixel 8 Pro will receive an autofocus front camera, 48 Megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, and 48 megapixel ultrawide camera with autofocus. Users can expect more consistency between the lenses when shooting photos or videos.

The leaked spec sheet above shows many new features coming to the Pixels. The Audio eraser is another AI feature that can isolate background noises from the subject of the video. You can learn more about the upcoming Pixel event here.

Source: 91mobiles

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While developers will be able to list their apps on the Indus AppStore without paying a fee, PhonePe will charge a “nominal” fee one year after the listing. In other words, developers will have to pay nothing to list their apps for one year. Luckily for developers, PhonePe will not charge a commission for in-app purchases until the rule changes. On the contrary, Goole levies a 15-30% commission on in-app purchases, which can significantly reduce developers’ revenue.

According to a report from TechCrunch, PhonePe partnered with several phone makers to distribute the app store. It’ll also be available in 12 Indian languages to attract people who don’t understand English. To address developers’ issues promptly, an India-based team will provide support.

This is not the first time an Indian company has launched an alternative to challenge Google’s monopoly in distributing apps through its Google Play Store. Paytm launched a mini app store alliance with similar objectives. However, Paytm’s Play Store alternative hasn’t seen much success since its launch. But with PhonePe promising better app discovery and consumer engagement and aiming to build a “credible” alternative to the Play Store, it’ll be interesting to see if the company manages to taste success.

Earlier this year, the Indian government forced Google to allow third-party app stores in the country, paving the way for the likes of PhonePe to launch Play Store alternatives. Only time will tell if the government’s decision truly helps Indian companies develop a successful app store that is more focused on addressing issues faced by local developers.

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Last week, Apple’s iPhone 12 was banned by a French regulatory body. The charge? The phone emits too much radiation.

If you browse the German or UK versions of Amazon, you’ll find plenty of iPhone 12s. But on the French branch you’ll see a black hole surrounded by iPhone 11s and iPhone 13s, among other generations.

This case raises a host of further questions. Why is the iPhone 12 being tested now, just as Apple is discontinuing it? Are these devices not tested thoroughly elsewhere? Is the iPhone 12 dangerous? And what kind of radiation are these phones emitting, anyway?

Why Has iPhone 12 Been Banned in France?

The iPhone 12 has been pulled off shelves in France following testing by the ANFR, the Agence Nationale des Fréquences.

The agency says its representatives can stop by phone retailers and commandeer samples for testing. If those units comply with ANFR standards after being tested, they will be returned to the store.

“[An ANFR card] authorizes us, when presented to store managers, to take samples of mobile phones from shops. It is done randomly because we have to represent the entire possible market,” an ANFR rep says in one of the agency’s instructional videos.

The iPhone 12 in question failed ANFR’s testing, which took place at a lab called CTC Advanced in Saarbruecken, Germany. Two days after notice of the results were published online, on September 12, the ANFR demanded the “temporary withdrawal of the iPhone 12” from the French market.

It was one of 141 tested phones, according to the agency. WIRED has repeatedly asked when the ANFR plans to test the iPhone 14 and new iPhone 15 families, but we have yet to receive a clear answer from the agency.

Exactly What Radiation Does a Phone Emit?

All phones, including iPhones, emit a category of electromagnetic radiation called RF, radio frequency.

It’s the same kind of radiation used to transmit FM and DAB radio, and it refers to electromagnetic waves with a frequency between 20 kHz and 300 GHz. RF radiation is everywhere, and it only becomes a potential problem when someone is exposed to an unusually high amount of it.

How Much Radiation Does the iPhone 12 Emit?

The ANFR tested the iPhone 12 in two scenarios. “Limb” testing emulates the phone being held in the hand, while “trunk” testing emulates a phone stored in a jacket pocket.

One crucial difference between the two is how far the iPhone is from a person’s tissue. It’s directly on the body for limb testing, 5 mm away for trunk testing. The iPhone 12 failed the 0-mm distance limb testing, but not the test at 5 mm.

In each case, the test estimates how much a person’s hand, head, or leg is heated up from the radiation emitted by the phone, measured in watts per kilogram (W/kg).

The limit for the 0-mm test is 4 W/kg, per the ANFR standards. The limit for the 5-mm distance testing is 2 W/kg. The ANFR’s 0-mm testing on the Apple device registered 5.74 W/kg, 43 percent above the permitted maximum. By this measure, the iPhone 12 has a big problem.

How Is a Phone’s RF Radiation Tested?

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is the standard for RF compliance testing and refers to the amount of energy transferred to the tissue of, say, your head or hand. It’s measured by looking for changes in temperature.

A robot hand places the phone in positions that emulate “real-world use.” But in place of an actual person, SAR testing uses a fibreglass mannequin filled with goop that can heat up from exposure to the RF radiation at the same rate as human flesh.

ANFR’s documentation even tells you how to make your own. It’s a mix of water, mineral oil, emulsifiers, and salt.

Changes in this liquid are measured via a probe stuck into the liquid, while the phone being tested cycles through its available wireless communication frequencies at maximum transmission power.

This may not make sense if you’re picturing the virtual person as a department store mannequin. In reality, it looks more like a tiny swimming pool, with each end shaped like half of a person’s head. The probe is then stuck into this gooey swimming pool. You can see a video of the process here.

Did the ANFR Test Other Phones?

The ANFR regularly tests phones. You can look through the results over at the regulator’s website. Its database currently holds results for iPhone models up to the iPhone 13, although the results for the offending iPhone 12 are, somewhat oddly, not currently accessible.

There is a write-up of iPhone 12 testing from December 2021, and those results are within normal limits. However, that report omits the 0-mm distance testing that got the iPhone 12 into trouble in this latest round.

Have Other Phones Failed France’s Testing?

Yes. Some 50 phones are listed on the ANFR database as having failed the regulator’s testing to date. Some fail the test at a 5-mm distance, others at 0 mm.

Some of the biggest names include the Motorola Edge, which failed the 5-mm test, and the Xiaomi Poco X3, which managed to fail both. Samsung has failed twice—with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus and the Galaxy Z Flip 5G.

The ANFR published a press release in July 2022 announcing the test failures of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, Hisense Infinity H30, and Gigaset GX290. But this was as much a recognition of the manufacturers agreeing to make software updates to the phones as it was an acknowledgement of their respective RF level failures.

Apple’s initial response may not have been deferential enough, which is what could have led to the ANFR’s more dramatic reaction and order to pull the iPhone 12 from shops, but the agency did not respond to our queries on this.

WIRED also asked Apple France for further comment on the 12 failing French testing requirements and its update plans, but we got no reply. Apple did, however, release this statement: “We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France. This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern.”

What Generates RF Radiation in Phones?

The radiation generated by phones is RF, radio frequency. It is emitted by the wireless communication antennae found in every phone. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, the call signal, 5G mobile internet—they all rely on RF because it’s what carries the relevant information.

The Bluetooth-streamed music sent to your headphones, the YouTube video you stream over 5G, the thank-you call to your grandma over traditional mobile phone signal … all relayed over RF. When you break it down a level further, RF is a form of electromagnetic energy, just like light.

The amount of RF transmitted by a phone is not consistent, though. It will typically be at its worst in a poor signal area, where its radio antennae end up constantly searching for a stronger signal. If you’ve felt your phone get strangely hot or seen the battery drop faster than usual when driving in the middle of nowhere, that’s why.

Several key components in an iPhone 12 are part of this RF generation. These include the Qualcomm X55 5G modem, Apple’s custom Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip, the wireless charging tech, and Apple’s U1 ultra-wideband location-tracking chip.

RF radiation isn’t just normal, it’s a currency of modern electronics. And the iPhone 12 uses components found in other phones. The Qualcomm X55 5G modem was part of the highly popular Snapdragon 865 system on chip (SoC), as used in the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, the OnePlus 8 Pro, the Xiaomi Mi 10, and the LG V60 ThinQ, among others.

Why Do Some Phones Generate More Radiation Than Others?

Around the time of the iPhone 12 launch, 5G tech seemed even more consolidated than it is today. Qualcomm was only on its second-gen 5G modem and MediaTek had yet to announce its first-gen one, leaving Qualcomm and Samsung Exynos as the key 5G providers for phones.

However, according to ANFR’s own database of results, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra with shared components produces significantly less RF radiation. It recorded 1.162 W/kg and 2.493 W/kg in the same categories.

Other factors are involved too. For example, as part of the 5G wireless layout in today’s phones, you’ll see RF “frontend” chips, as well as the core 5G modem. These include power amplifiers that control how much “juice” is put through the transmitter.

Then there’s the software, which governs how the phone behaves when signal strength is limited. Crucially, too-high levels of RF can be altered with a software update.

You might imagine that other phones in the iPhone 12 family would have similar results. But ANFR tested the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro and found that they were within acceptable limits.

Is France’s Testing Different From Everyone Else’s?

Each country, region, or group of countries, like the EU, has their own set of RF standards, but a couple of key standards are found across the world.

In the US, Canada, and South Korea, the standard is 1.6 W/kg, measured across 1 g of virtual tissue. In Australia, Europe, and most of the rest of the world, the standard is 2 W/kg, measured across 10 g.

The standard in the US and Canada is significantly stricter. It’s not just about the lower acceptable ceiling of RF; the smaller sample size of 1 g means peak figures can’t be spread out as much.

But France uses one of the most demanding tests—putting the phone at a 0-mm distance from the virtual body. The United State’s FCC website doesn’t actually specify required distance, but 5 mm is the standard—and those few millimeters matter in the world of RF testing, thanks to the way RF dissipates.

In all cases, the reading you see on one of these SAR reports is the maximum recorded from all of the phones’ wireless frequency bands.

There’s another thing to consider. You might assume that all phones are tested by official bodies in their respective countries. That’s the FCC in the US, Ofcom in the UK, the Bundesnetzagentur in Germany, and so on.

In reality, Apple and other manufacturers organize testing at independent laboratories to ensure that they meet the required standards and have the documentation to prove it.

The ANFR’s testing is more like a secret shopper operation, performing additional testing to check manufacturers’ homework. Three years after the fact, Apple was found wanting.

Is Mobile Phone Radiation Dangerous?

RF is one of the least dangerous forms of radiation. These are low-energy waves with longer wavelengths than visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays.

They are in non-ionising electromagnetic territory, which means they don’t have sufficient energy to cause major damage by breaking chemical bonds or removing electrons from atoms. That interaction is what can make higher-energy types of electromagnetic waves, like gamma rays, cause cancer.

The situation is muddied by the damage light can cause, however. Most forms of ultraviolet light are non-ionising, and yet we all know that too much exposure to them can cause skin cancer. So what’s going on there?

Skin damage from higher-energy UV light waves can cause an increase in free radicals, which are unstable molecules created by the body in response to “environmental insults,” as Harvard puts it.

The simplistic view offered by certain lifestyle blogs is that free radicals are bad but can be countered with antioxidants. However, more recent research has actually found that some antioxidants can help speed up cancer growth. On this point, we’re out of our depth.

The specific research done into the effects of RF radiation from phones is also inconclusive. The World Health Organization stated in 2014 that, after a large number of studies, “no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.”

A meta-analysis published in 2020 found that the results of studies appeared to vary based on the group enacting them, but it suggested that there is “significant evidence linking cellular phone use to increased tumor risk, especially among cell phone users with cumulative cell phone use of 1,000 or more hours in their lifetime.”

Still, a reaction to that meta-analysis by members of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency suggested that the authors of the original analysis had unfairly maligned studies that suggested the opposite. To further muddy the waters, many of the studies in the original research are ancient in tech terms. More than 60 percent were published in 2010 or earlier, none after 2015. The fundamentals of RF may not have changed since then, but the hardware we use and the ways we typically interact with it certainly have.

Is RF Radiation Radioactive?

Radio frequency radiation is not radioactive, and it cannot make other objects radioactive. Neither can much higher-energy, more dangerous waves, such as gamma rays.

Instead, radioactive elements can emit gamma rays, alongside alpha and beta particles. These particles have actual mass, unlike gamma rays, which are composed of weightless photons much like RF emissions. All of these, unlike RF, are pretty dangerous in most scenarios.

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Almost 20 years ago, in October 2003, four men named Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White founded a company called Android Inc. That company wanted to make an operating system for digital cameras and showed the same to investors several months later.

They later realized that the digital camera market was too small. This is when they decided to reorganize themselves and target Android as an alternative to mobile phone operating systems instead. A market that was dominated by Nokia’s own operating system and others at that time.

Two years later, after a lot of financial issues and negotiations with Samsung and others, Android Inc. was finally bought by Google for $50 million in what was later called as “the best deal ever”. The original developers too joined Google to continue working on the Linux-based Android mobile OS.

In 2007, after some promotion by Google, a consortium of companies was formed. The consortium, which was named the Open Handset Alliance, had Google, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Sprint and T-Mobile, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments in. This formation announcement was in conjunction with the release of the first pre-release version of Android.

However, on September 23, 2008, the first stable version of Android 1.0 was finally released to the public. This release changed mobile operating systems forever.

Android Turns 15

Originally, Android for mobile phones was not made with touchscreens in consideration – it was targeted for phones with keyboard buttons. This was visible in the pre-release versions, which were designed in a way that suggested the same.

It was only later during the development that Android had to go back to the drawing board as multiple rivals had announced or released phones with touchscreens in them. This meant that Android too had to be redesigned with touchscreens in consideration.

The very first phone to use the Android OS was the T-Mobile G1, which was announced on the day the first stable version of Android was released in 2008. The phone itself was available for purchase a month later.

A few months later, the phone was released on the international market as the HTC Dream. Both the versions had same specs and came with both a touchscreen and a sliding physical keyboard.

As for the Android OS software itself, the original Android 1.0 SDK source code can still be downloaded from the Internet Archive.

Growth Of Android

However, the biggest push for Android came more than a year later, when Google announced and released its Google Nexus series of Android phones in early January 2010, starting with the Nexus One.

Google was joined by another smartphone maker, who ensured that Android was here to stay. In June 2010, Samsung released the very first Galaxy S phone based on Android 2.1.

Anyone who follows the Android-based smartphone market knows really well how important a role both Google Nexus and Samsung Galaxy phones have played in ensuring Android’s growth.

While Google has replaced the Nexus series with Pixel phones. Samsung has added more versions in its line-up, in addition to the Galaxy S series. Samsung has released many variants, including the famous Galaxy A, Galaxy M and Galaxy F series, spawning hundreds if not thousands of models.

Android Names

One of the most iconic things about Android were its version names. Every major version of Android used to be named alphabetically after confectioneries. However, unlike popular belief, that naming didn’t start with the letters A or B.

The story goes that as the build numbers were getting too complicated, by the third build of the same version number, one of the Android developer decided that something was needed to be done to codename the build. This is when C was decided to be used, denoting the third build.

It was during the release of Android 1.5 that the Android version started getting named after confectioneries – at least openly. Hence, C became Android 1.5 Cupcake. Android 1.6 was named Donut. Similarly, Android 2.0 was named Eclair. This naming tradition continued until recent years. It’s still being named so internally but not openly advertised in public.

Modern Day Giant

Throughout the years, Android has grown to become the most popular mobile operating system out there, beating all its rivals. This is because Android has been backed by the fact that it’s open source at its base and it’s backed by some of the top names in the industry.

Speaking of numbers, as per StatCounter, Android had almost negligible marketshare in 2009. Later it grew and enjoyed a market share of 30% about a decade ago, which increased to 70% within a few years in 2017. It has been hovering around that mark since then.

To understand the scale of Android, one has to understand a few things about it. One, as per some estimates, Android is used by 3.6 billion users worldwide. Two, as per the official numbers, Android is used by over 1000+ mobile brands, with over 24,000 different models and has over 1 million apps on the Google Play app store. Some sources put that number to 3.5 million apps.

Another important thing that is the force behind Android is the fact that it has ensured that smartphones become available for the masses. Android phones are available for as little as $50 and also sell for as much as $1,800. This has ensured that Android has an option for anyone and everyone.

It must be mentioned that Android is not about smartphones alone. It’s heavily used in smartphones, tablets, media players, televisions, smartwatches, automobiles and many other devices. This has ensured that Android is almost omnipresent when it comes to technology.

Conclusion

Over the years, many brands using it have come and have stopped producing phones too, mostly due to competition in the smartphone market. But one thing has remained and that is Android. Android that Google and other developers keep updating and adding new features while keeping its look modern.

Is Android perfect? We don’t think so. It’s always up for improvements. What Android is about is that it’s about us – all the Android users in this world. Those users who are using an open, free and cheap mobile operating system. An operating system that has ensured that technology gets available to the remotest areas of the world.

So let’s celebrate Android’s 15th anniversary and let’s hope it keeps improving itself to stay the force behind all the mobile users in the world.

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One big announcement was the reveal of a new AI-powered camera filter feature for Switfkey users. You can quickly create creative and fun photos, videos, and even GIFs on your smartphone or tablet with over 250 tools and filters options. Some of those effects and lenses come from Snapchat, which is another example of Microsoft's continued partnership with Snap.

Yet another new feature that's rolling out is AI-powered custom stickers in the Swiftkey app. You can use the keyboard to take a selfie, and then, using the power of Bing Image Creator, you can make new stickers based on your selfie that can be shared with others, including third-party apps like WhatsApp and Messenger.

If you use Swiftkey to text message others, the new Editor function could come in very handy. The AI-powered feature will let you highlight a message, and you can receive suggestions on how to improve your grammar or get spelling and punctuation corrections.

Finally, the Swiftkey app will let you access Bing Image Creator directly. Just select the Create feature, and then type in a text prompt to make a new AI-developed image or art piece. You can then quickly send it to your friends online. Bing Image Creator will soon add support for OpenAI's more advanced DALL-E 3 image generator.

Microsoft says these new AI-based Swiftkey features are rolling out now, although it may take a while for some of you to get full access to them.

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Now that the devices are in Apple’s physical stores, customers can try them out or buy them. If you need help picking the right devices, Apple Specialists will be in-store to help. Other services include trading in old devices, finding a carrier offer, and getting devices up and running.

Highlighting the new features of the iPhone models, Apple wrote:

‘The iPhone 15 lineup features a new design with a durable, colour-infused back glass and a new contoured edge, and with its aerospace-grade titanium design that’s strong yet lightweight, iPhone 15 Pro delivers Apple’s lightest Pro models ever and ushers in next-level performance and mobile gaming with A17 Pro.

The camera systems across the full lineup take portrait photography to the next level with improvements in low-light performance, and a new 5x Telephoto camera — available exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro Max — that’s great for close-ups, wildlife photos, and more.’

For anyone that was eyeing the iPhone Pro models, it was reported today that the titanium sometimes changes colour but that this can be rectified with a quick clean. If you think this might be too annoying for you, then selecting another model could be a necessity.

The new iPhone 15 starts at $799 and then increases in price based on how much storage space you want. All of the other iPhone models will set you back even more. If you’re not sure whether to upgrade, check out Neowin’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Specs Appeal posts to see how the latest devices stack up against the previous two generations.

Discussing the new watches, Apple said:

‘Apple Watch Series 9 is more powerful than ever with the new S9 SiP, and together with the new Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra 2 achieve a significant environmental milestone toward Apple 2030: Apple’s plan to be carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product lifecycle by 2030.

For the first time, customers can choose a carbon neutral option of any Apple Watch. All models introduce a groundbreaking new double tap gesture, and Ultra 2 has the same 36-hour battery life with regular use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.’

The release of the new devices comes just days after Apple released iOS 17, watchOS 10, and iPadOS 17. Unless you are desperate for an upgrade, it’s fine to keep your existing iPhone as they usually get about five years or more of software updates.

Source: Apple

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Since it was set up in 2009, Lava has become popular for the budget phones, which have a keypad but no high-end features.

The company will launch 4G feature phones in the effort to take its market share in the segment to 35% within a year, up from 26% now, said Sunil Raina, the president and business head of Lava International.

The firm wants to "come to a very dominant position" in this segment, he told Reuters in an interview.

Research firm Counterpoint estimates that Lava has a share of less than 1% in the world's second-biggest smartphone market, with 650 million such devices.

Despite Indians' growing use of smartphones, Counterpoint estimates roughly 290 million of the population still uses feature phones.

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's telecom arm recently launched a device in the category, offering services such as digital payments.

Lava also plans to boost its smartphone offerings in the budget segment. In the next two years, it aims to exceed a 10% share of the market for smartphones costing less than 30,000 rupees ($360), from about 1% to 2% now, Raina said.

All the firm's smartphones will be 5G, or next-generation, supported by next year, he added.

"We believe we can be quite a significant player in this (budget) segment," Raina said, adding that phones costing less than 30,000 rupees ($360) would still form more than 40% of an estimated $72 billion smartphone market in India by 2028.

"It does not mean that we don't want to go above 30K ... We are building our capabilities step by step".

Lava's strategic bet on the affordable category runs counter to moves by top players Samsung (005930.KS) and Xiaomi (1810.HK), which increasingly offer premium smartphones as Indians upgrade their devices.

In recent years, Lava has moved all its design and manufacturing operations to India from China.

While it shelved a plan for an initial public offer in 2021, Lava is eyeing a listing down the road as it builds out the smartphone business, Raina added.

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In its latest move, Google has released a new animated video ridiculing the outdated messaging experience on iPhones. Titled "Meet iPager," the new ad mocks the fact that iPhones still rely on SMS and MMS instead of RCS to chat with Android users.

The animated video presents a parody product announcement for an "iPager" device that mimics the old-fashioned messaging experience between iOS and Android. The video reflects Apple's iconic "Hello" introduction of the original Macintosh in 1984 and the 2007 iPhone launch ad. It also emphasizes that Apple still relies on legacy SMS protocols rather than adopting RCS.

Google blames Apple's lack of RCS support for ongoing issues like lack of encryption, broken group chats, and low-quality media sharing between iOS and Android users. The "Get the Message" campaign highlights these interoperability problems and pushes Apple to adopt RCS as the messaging standard.

However, Apple CEO Tim Cook said in September 2022 that RCS is not a priority for the company. Cook explained that "our users are not asking us to expend a lot of energy at this point."

By ramping up its PR tactics with attention-grabbing videos, Google appears committed to continuing pressure on Apple over messaging standards. But Apple shows no signs of bending yet, leaving messaging experiences fractured between iOS and Android.

It remains to be seen if public pressure from Google's campaign could eventually sway Apple's stance on modernizing its messaging protocols.

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Philip Paxson's family are suing the company over his death, alleging that Google negligently failed to show the bridge had fallen nine years earlier.

Mr Paxson died in September 2022 after attempting to drive over the damaged bridge in Hickory, North Carolina.

A spokesperson for Google said the company was reviewing the allegations.

The case was filed in civil court in Wake County on Tuesday.

Mr Paxson, a father of two, was driving home from his daughter's ninth birthday party at a friend's house and was in an unfamiliar neighbourhood at the time of his death, according to the family's lawsuit.

His wife had driven his two daughters home earlier, and he stayed behind to help clean up.

"Unfamiliar with local roads, he relied on Google Maps, expecting it would safely direct him home to his wife and daughters," lawyers for the family said in a statement announcing the lawsuit.

"Tragically, as he drove cautiously in the darkness and rain, he unsuspectingly followed Google's outdated directions to what his family later learned for nearly a decade was called the 'Bridge to Nowhere,' crashing into Snow Creek, where he drowned."

Local residents had repeatedly contacted Google to have them change their online maps after the bridge collapsed in 2013, the suit claims.

The bridge collapsed nine years before the death

Barriers that were normally placed across the bridge entrance were missing due to vandalism, according to the Charlotte Observer.

The lawsuit is also suing three local companies, arguing they had a duty to maintain the bridge.

"Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and I'm at a loss for words they can understand because, as an adult, I still can't understand how those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have acted with so little regard for human life," his wife, Alicia Paxson, said in a statement.

"We have the deepest sympathies for the Paxson family," a spokesman for Google told AP News.

"Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps and we are reviewing this lawsuit."

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The latest iPhone software update is now available for a number of supported devices all the way back to the iPhone XR, released in 2018. It comes with a plethora of new features and changes such as Contact Posters, Check In, StandBy, Apple Maps offline mode, improved autocorrect, Live Stickers, audio/video messages in FaceTime, and more.

However, as per Apple's website, there are a few iOS 17 features that you won't be able to use right away after installing the update:

1. Journal app

The Journal app is one of the biggest highlights of iOS 17, which is yet to arrive on people's devices. As the name suggests, the app lets people journal and pen down their thoughts while practicing gratitude and reflecting on their life's moments.

It uses on-device machine learning to throw personalized suggestions based on recent activities such as workouts, places visited, people, photos, etc. Apple says it comes with features like end-to-end encryption and the ability to lock the app to ensure the user's entries remain private.

2. AirDrop over internet

If you're sharing content between two devices and you step out of the AirDrop range, the transfer will automatically continue over the internet. Moreover, the content you're sharing or receiving will be delivered in full quality.

This iOS 17 app will arrive sometime later this year, however, it will only work if both the sender and recipient are signed in to their respective iCloud accounts.

3. Collaborative Playlists

A new iOS 17 feature coming to the Apple Music app is known as Collaborative Playlists. You can invite your friends to join a playlist and add their favorite songs. They can also reorder or remove songs from the common playlist and use emoji to react to the songs in the Now Playing section.

4. Enhanced AutoFill

This upcoming iOS 17 feature can automatically pull information saved in contacts to quickly fill out PDFs and scanned documents. Later this year, the feature will also arrive on iPadOS 17, which is currently sharing the launchpad with iOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17 updates.

5. iMessage improvements

There will be a new catch-up arrow on the iMessage conversations page that will let you quickly jump to the first message you haven't seen in a conversation.

6. Sign in using nearby devices

Apple has tried to make the sign in process easier with the latest update. iOS 17 will let you sign in to your iPhone using a nearby device or any email address or phone number listed in your account.

These features will arrive later this year as part of incremental updates to iOS 17. However, as of now, there is no word on the specific release date for any of these above-mentioned features.

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Which iPad models support iPadOS 17?

iPadOS 17 ditches support for several iPad models. The original iPad Pro 12.9 and the fifth-generation iPad (also known as iPad 2017) are no longer supported. You can install iPadOS 17 on the following tablets:

• iPad Pro 12.9 (2nd generation and newer)
• iPad Pro 11
• iPad Pro 10.5
• iPad Air 3, Air 4, and Air 5
• iPad (6th generation and newer)
• iPad mini 5 and mini 6

What is new in iPadOS 17?

In addition to changes found in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 introduces the following iPad-specific features and improvements:

• Redesigned Lock Screen. You can customize multiple parts of your iPad's lock screen, add widgets, and use dynamic backgrounds, AI-based depth effects, and Live Photos. In addition, Apple has reworked notifications, which now appear at the bottom of the screen for better reachability.

  

• Health. iPadOS 17 now features a fully-fledged Health app, previously exclusive to iPhones. It is optimized for large screens, giving you rich details about your health and various metrics. The iPad version of the Health app supports all the new features available on the iPhone, such as mental and vision health.

  

• PDF improvements. iPadOS 17 uses machine learning to identify text input fields, letting you quickly add extra details, such as names, addresses, emails, and more. Note that this feature is coming later this year—it is unavailable in the initial release. You can also annotate and sketch on PDF documents in the Notes app with others.

  

• Freeform improvements. The Freeform app received new drawing tools, such as a watercolour brush, calligraphy pen, highlighter, variable-width pen, and ruler.

  

• Stage Manager is now more flexible, giving you more freedom to resize and reposition windows. It also works with cameras in external displays for FaceTime and calls in other applications.

  

How to install iPadOS 17?

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Navigate to General > Software Update and wait for your iPad to find iPadOS 17.
3. Tap iPadOS 17 and proceed with on-screen instructions. Note that you can stay on iPadOS 16 even on supported tablets. It is a great option for those wanting to wait until Apple irons out bugs and delivers a few maintenance updates for a better experience with fewer bugs.

Do you plan to update your iPad to iPadOS 17 today?

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Apple is now rolling out watchOS 10, the latest big feature upgrade for its smartwatches. Announced at the WWDC 2023 conference, watchOS 10 brings redesigned applications, new watch faces, and new health metrics.

What Apple Watch models support watchOS 10?

All Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 9 can upgrade to watchOS 10. Last year, Apple ditched the old and outdated Series 3 lineup. This time, the compatibility list is unchanged compared with the previous watchOS release. Here is the full list of supported smartwatches:

• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5
• Apple Watch Series 6
• Apple Watch Series 7
• Apple Watch Series 8
• Apple Watch SE (1st generation)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
• Apple Watch Ultra

Note that installing watchOS 10 requires a compatible iPhone running iOS 17 or newer. You cannot upgrade your Apple Watch using a device with iOS 16.

What is new in watchOS 10?

• Reworked stock applications. Apple claims watchOS 10 features inbox applications with "no corner untouched." The OS now uses the entire display to show more content in apps like Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, Messages, World Clock, Activity, and more.

  

• Widgets and Smart Stack. You can now get the necessary information on time from any watch face by turning the Digital Crown to display the Smart Stack with widgets. Apple says the Smart Stack lets you "enjoy a beautiful watch face, like Portraits, while still offering a way to quickly access information."

  

• New watch faces: Snoopy and Palette.

  

• Hiking improvements. The built-in compass app lets you see a three-dimensional elevation view with the ability to place waypoints with cellular reception or emergency calls. In the US, Apple Watch users with watchOS 10 can discover important details about nearby trails, such as length, time, elevation, difficulty, photos, and more. Finally, there is a new topographic maps view and elevation alerts.

  

• Cycling improvements. watchOS 10 brings several improvements for cyclists. It can now automatically connect to Bluetooth-enabled accessories to add more data to your workouts, such as cadence, speed, and power. The Apple Watch will estimate and start tracking your power zones upon detecting a power meter. There is also a new full-screen live activity display for cycling tracking from your iPhone.

  

• Mental Health Improvements. You can use the updated Mindfulness app to track your emotions and daily moods. The Health app on your iPhone will link your mood reports to other vital health metrics to help you identify what might be affecting your mental state.

  

• Vision Health. With watchOS 10, you can track how much time you spend in daylight. Apple says enough time outdoors can provide additional physical and mental health benefits for all ages. Note that this feature is not available on all watchOS 10-compatible Apple Watch models—it works on the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch Series 6 and newer.
• Workout APIs for new experiences. The updated motion sensors in the Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8 provide more information about rapid changes in direction and acceleration, allowing developers to create new experience for tracking additional activities, such as golf and tennis.

  

Other changes in watchOS 10 include enterprise improvements for MDM support, VPN support, offline maps, NameDrop for easy contact sharing, group FaceTime audio calls, video message playback, and follow-up medication reminders.

How to install watchOS 10?

If you own a compatible Apple Watch, update your iPhone to iOS 17 first, then launch the Watch app and navigate to General > Software Update.

Are you updating your Apple Watch today? What new feature or changes excites you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Which iPhone models support iOS 17?

Bad news for those owning an iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, or iPhone X—these smartphones are no longer supported. From now on, the most recent iOS releases require a second-generation iPhone SE, iPhone XS/XS Max, or iPhone XR. Here is the complete list of supported iPhone models:

• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation).
• iPhone XR.
• iPhone XS and XS Max.
• iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
• iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
• iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

What is new in iOS 17?

Redesigned Phone Experience. iOS 17 lets you create a personalized Contact Poster and express yourself with photos, memoji, and typography. Contact Posters are available in the standard Phone app and third-party calling applications.

Live Voicemail. You can see real-time transcription or pick up the phone when someone leaves a voicemail.

FaceTime Audio and Video Messages. If the person you are trying to reach via FaceTime is unavailable, you can leave a video or audio message. In addition, FaceTime is now available on Apple TV 4K, powered by Continuity Camera on your iPhone.

iMessage improvements. The "blue bubble" camp can now enjoy the latest advancements in iMessage, such as a new place for iMessage apps, auto check-in, a swipe-to-reply gesture, search filters, and audio message transcription.

StandBy. Turn your iPhone sideways when on charge to display useful information, such as date and time, music, photos, Live Activities, Siri results, and more. StandBy also works with third-party apps.

Interactive Widgets. You can now tick reminders, play music, interact with smart home items, and more, all from the Home screen without opening the corresponding apps.

NameDrop. You can exchange phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact-related data, including your Contact Poster, with other people by holding two iPhones together.

AirDrop improvements. iOS 17 makes sharing items via AirDrop much easier. Bring two iPhones together to initiate the transfer. Later this year, users will get the option to transfer files using AirDrop over the internet when not nearby.

Keyboard improvements. Apple has finally reworked its autocorrect logic, making it more convenient and less intrusive. iOS 17 will underline autocorrected words, allowing you to revert to the original with a single tap. In addition, you can use inline prediction and finish words or entire sentences by tapping the spacebar key.

Safari Upgrades. iOS' built-in browser lets you create dedicated spaces for work, personal browsing, and other activities with history, extensions, tab groups, cookies, and favorites separated from one another.

AirPods. With iOS 17, second-generation AirPods Pro get Adaptive Audio that dynamically blends Transparency mode and noise cancelation. You can also quickly mute or unmute yourself on a call by pressing the stem on your AirPods. Finally, Apple has made automatic switching easier, faster, and more reliable.

Health App. iOS 17 delivers plenty of upgrades for the Health app, allowing you to track even more health metrics, such as your emotions and sunlight exposure (with compatible Apple Watch models). The medication tracker can provide more reminders and give you charts, highlights, and overviews about when and how consistently you take your medications. Finally, your iPhone can warn you when you hold it too close to your eyes, potentially creating risks for your eyesight.

Siri improvements. Say goodbye to "Hey, Siri." With iOS 17, you can just say "Siri." Also, the digital assistant supports back-to-back requests.

And here are some other notable changes iOS 17 brings:

• Downloadable maps for offline use and real-time charging station monitoring for electric vehicles.
• Autofill verification codes received in Mail.
• Password sharing with trusted contacts.
• Communication Safety with additional protections for sensitive videos and photos received in messages, AirDrop, FaceTime, and more. iOS 17 can also blur sensitive images and videos before you view them.

How to download iOS 17?

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. Wait for your iPhone to detect the update, then tap iOS 17 at the bottom of the screen. Note that you can stay on iOS 16 and continue receiving updates for it, even if your iPhone supports a newer release.
4. Proceed with on-screen instructions.

Are you updating your iPhone today?

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What is new in the Surface Pro X September 2023 firmware update?

Surface Pro X (Wi-Fi):

• Improves Wireless stability and addresses security vulnerability.

• Improves device audio stability and performance.

• Addresses 3rd party application performance.

• Improves Fingerprint reader reliability.

   

Surface Pro X SQ2 and SQ1:

• Addresses 3rd party application performance.
• Improves Wi-Fi reliability.

Here is the list of new drivers (Surface Pro X Wi-Fi):

Surface Pro X SQ2 and SQ1:

Here is extra information about the release:

The Surface Pro X lineup with the Microsoft SQ1 and SQ2 chips will remain supported until August 10, 2025. As for the newer Surface Pro X (Wi-Fi), it will continue getting firmware updates for more than two years, with the end of servicing scheduled for October 5, 2025.

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Note: This update is not applicable to the Surface Pro 7+ and Surface Pro 7+ LTE. Those are different models with different hardware and separate firmware updates.

What is new in the Surface Pro 7 September 2023 firmware update?

• Addresses security vulnerability and improves system stability and performance.

• Improves device charging performance and stability.

• Resolves a device booting to Surface logo issue.

   

Here is the list of new drivers:

Here is extra information about the release:

The seventh-generation Surface Pro, the last Surface tablet with the old design, will remain supported until February 28, 2024. After that, Microsoft will stop releasing firmware updates and security patches. However, it is worth noting that firmware updates are separate from Windows updates, which means your Surface Pro 7 will continue getting Windows 10 and 11 updates for as long as those operating systems are supported.

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Those who have previously interacted with the @wallet bot will notice a new dedicated crypto wallet section within their Telegram menu.

The revelation came amidst the TOKEN2049 conference, where the TON Foundation and Telegram publicly announced their partnership.

At the conference, Telegram and TON Foundation committed to the following goals:

• The @wallet integration will provide a portal to approximately 800 million Telegram users worldwide, with the exception of the US. This expansive feature will see a full deployment starting this November.

• Telegram has committed to granting TON projects and their associated partners privileged access to its advertising platform as part of the partnership.

• Ambitiously, TON has set its sights on engaging with 30% of Telegram’s user base by 2028.

   

The formal announcement of this partnership at the TOKEN2049 conference drew considerable attention, with the presentation and event photographs further amplifying the buzz. By incorporating the @wallet directly within the app's menu, Telegram aims to democratise crypto access for its vast user base, barring those in the US.

This collaboration also signals Telegram's increasing collaboration with the TON Foundation.

Telegram's partnership with TON extends far beyond the realm of crypto wallet.

Notably, the company has prioritised TON projects on its advertising platform, highlighting the depth of their collaboration. TON's objective is to entice 30% of Telegram's active users within the next five years, and this partnership is poised to transform the integration of messaging platforms and cryptocurrency.

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Apple A17 Pro GPU, introduced alongside the iPhone 15 Pro, is a marvel of semiconductor engineering. Manufactured using a 3nm process, it represents a significant leap in miniaturization, packing more transistors than ever before into a single chip.

This technological feat translates to improved power efficiency and computational prowess.

Apple A17 Pro GPU offers stunning graphics

One of the standout features of the A17 Pro chip is its redesigned GPU. Apple has invested heavily in optimizing graphics performance, making it a game-changer for mobile gaming, augmented reality (AR), and content creation.

The GPU enhancements promise smoother gameplay, lifelike AR experiences, and faster rendering for video and images.

The specs of the Apple A17 Pro GPU are as follows:

• Architecture: 2x 3.78 GHz –4x 2.02 GHz
• Cores: 6
• Frequency: 3780 MHz
• Instruction set: ARMv9-A
• GPU frequency: 1398 MHz
• Memory type: LPDDR5
• Memory frequency: 3200 MHz
• Neural processor (NPU): Neural Engine
• Storage type: NVMe
• Download and upload speed: Up to 7500 Mbps/3500 Mbps

Beyond its GPU, the A17 Pro chip incorporates advanced AI capabilities. This means your device will be smarter than ever, offering features like real-time language translation, enhanced photography with scene recognition, and improved voice recognition for virtual assistants.

Battery efficiency at its finest

Despite its impressive power, the Apple A17 Pro GPU is designed with energy efficiency in mind. This translates to longer battery life, ensuring that your iPhone 15 Pro will last even longer on a single charge.

All Apple devices will take a share

The Apple A17 Pro GPU is not just about the iPhone 15 Pro. Its influence will extend to other Apple devices, including iPads and MacBooks, further blurring the lines between mobile and desktop computing.

This integration ensures a seamless user experience across the Apple ecosystem.

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