Both iPhone and Pixel are voiced by their respective AI assistants in the commercials. The overall theme revolves around the narrative that the 14-year-old iPhone used to offer a top-of-the-line experience but now it craves the modern features of its friend Pixel.

Meanwhile, the Google-made smartphone tries to comfort iPhone by saying that it's "legendary" and it has still got blue bubbles. Pixel has been portrayed as a helpful friend that tries to have the iPhone's back all the time.

In the series of five commercials, the duo talks about various Pixel features like astrophotography, 30x zoom, and reverse wireless charging. "I'm actually jealous of your, your, AI," iPhone confesses to Pixel in one ad.

Google seems to take a dig at Apple in one commercial where the Pixel says that it comes with a built-in VPN. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I'm freaking out! Quick, get off the public WiFi. There are...hackers, in this place," iPhone cautions while the two are hanging out at a cafe.

In another commercial, iPhone and Pixel are chilling at a beach. Pixel suggests they should record some videos but realizes that iPhone already ran out of battery. "Don't you die on me!" Pixel says as it tries to revive the iPhone with its reverse wireless charging functionality.

Finally, the iPhone recalls various Pixel features in a wind-up commercial and wonders "if there's something bigger out there? Something, just totally new?" The iPhone faints almost instantly when Pixel shows off its foldable version.

Now, before you feel bad for iPhone, Apple has had its share of fun in the past. More than a decade ago the company launched the "Get a Mac" ad campaign targeting Microsoft. Not to mention, the giant billboard installed by Apple saying, "What happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone," in Las Vegas during CES 2019, although the company wasn't present in an official capacity.

Get a Mac was a series of commercials featuring a man in casual attire (played by Justin Long) identifying himself as an Apple Macintosh computer and another man in formal clothes (played by John Hodgman) who identified himself as a Windows PC.

The campaign that ran between 2006 and 2009 featured numerous ads comparing features between the two platforms. In addition to the US, these ads were also aired globally in various other countries, including UK and Japan where Apple recast popular actors.

Later in 2008, Microsoft responded with its own campaign titled "I'm a PC" which only featured representations of a Windows PC. It remains to be seen what Apple has in store for Google this time, if at all.

Source

The OnePlus V Fold is in the style of a Samsung Foldable.

OnLeaks x Smartprix

 

OnePlus is gearing up to release a foldable smartphone, and the reliable leaker, Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka OnLeaks), has given us our first look at the "OnePlus V Fold" at Smartprix. As always, this isn't an official image but a render produced by OnLeaks. Usually, these are based on CAD files that need to float around for accessory makers.

 

OnePlus is a subsidiary of BBK, and the previous vague expectation was that OnePlus would end up shipping a rebrand of an existing BBK foldable, like the Oppo Find N2. OnLeaks' render looks nothing like the nearly square Find N2, though. This device is more in line with the Samsung Galaxy Fold, a foldable in the mold of "two normal smartphone screens next to each other." Smartprix didn't publish exact dimensions, but it looks like a very slim device.

 

The rear camera bump is a big circle, just like other recent OnePlus phones. It has three cameras on the back, one of which is an optical-zoom periscope lens. The phone makes the curious decision to not put the LED flash in the camera bump, instead sticking it all the way in the upper-left corner of the phone. Isn't the purpose of a camera bump to make room for all that extra bulky camera hardware? I wonder if anything else is in that camera bump.

 

OnePlus has chosen a center hole-punch camera in the front display and a top-left hole-punch camera on the inner display, ruling out any funky under-display camera technology. There's a side fingerprint reader and what looks like speakers on the top and bottom edges.

 

This render shows a faux leather finish, but the Smartprix report says that "OnePlus may also introduce variants of the device that employ more traditional and premium materials such as metal or glass." As usual, one of the best parts of a OnePlus phone will be the charging situation, with the report promising a 4800 mAh battery with 100 W SuperVOOC charging.

 

The phone should launch sometime in Q3.

 

Source

Micron UFS 4.0 storage delivers the industry’s fastest performance1 for flagship smartphones with fast bootup, speedy video downloads, instant access to users’ photo galleries and rapid app launches.

Micron UFS 4.0 flash storage is custom-built on advanced 232-layer 3D NAND technology, low-power controller, available in capacities up to 1TB. Our best-in-class UFS 4.0 storage enables exceptional end user experiences in flagship smartphones.

Micron's UFS 4.0 chips use triple-level cells (TLC) with 100% write and 75% increased read bandwidth, resulting in up to 4,000MB/s sequential write and 4,300MB/s sequential read speeds. Micron boasts its new six-plane NAND architecture (memory cell arrays stacked in more layers) that boosts random read throughput, a critical spec for increasing the overall responsiveness and faster loading times. This architecture will be available on devices using 512GB and 1TB UFS 4.0 chips, as the 256GB configuration uses quad-plane NAND.

However, it is not all about speed. The new memory promises a 25% increase in energy efficiency, ensuring your smartphone is not draining its battery faster due to performance uplifts. Customers can expect 15% faster app launches, 20% faster bootup speeds, and 25% better power efficiency when compared with UFS 3.1 storage solutions. Also, Micron's UFS 4.0 storage delivers 10% better write latency when compared with what other manufacturers offer (likely Samsung's UFS 4.0 chips announced in 2022).

Micron promises to start mass-producing its new UFS 4.0 storage chips in the second half of 2023, giving smartphone makers three storage configurations: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. In addition to flagship phones, Micron's new storage will make it to cars, computing systems, and other devices that require low-power memory with high performance and consistent reliability. You can learn more about the new UFS 4.0 storage from Micron on the manufacturer's official website.

Source

However, one important thing to note is that Vision Pro is also a part of the Apple ecosystem. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in his latest report the iPhone-maker will "aggressively upgrade hardware specifications" to create a more "competitive" ecosystem around Vision Pro.

Kuo said that iPhone 15 is likely to have an upgraded Ultra Wide Band (UWB) chip onboard. Apple will bump the manufacturing process from 16nm to more advanced 7nm to achieve improved performance or power consumption for nearby interactions.

"The ecosystem is one of the key success factors for Vision Pro, including the integration with other Apple hardware products, and related main hardware specifications are Wi-Fi and UWB," Kuo said. The analyst added in another tweet that JCET is the backend SiP supplier. Based out of China, JCET is an integrated circuit manufacturer with two R&D centers in China and Korea, and six manufacturing locations in China, Korea, and Singapore.

Kuo suggested that such an upgrade could improve the profit margin of the back-end process by more than 10-20%. Furthermore, there are chances that the iPhone 16 which is expected to release in the second half of 2024 will feature WiFi 7. According to the analyst, the upgrade will provide a better ecosystem experience for the Apple hardware running on the same network.

Apple's tight-knit ecosystem is among the major reasons many users stick to the brand for a longer period. The company is offering developers the tools and frameworks to port their existing apps to visionOS, the operating system that powers Vision Pro.

The headset will have an all-new App Store where users can find "hundreds of thousands of familiar iPhone and iPad apps that run great and automatically work with the new input system for Vision Pro," Apple said at the time of its announcement. It was reported last month that there might be a version of Final Cut Pro for Apple's AR/VR headset as well.

Apple introduced the headset in its full glory and allowed some reviewers and the press to try it out. But the company didn't allow anyone to shoot videos while wearing the headset. It appears that's something it reserved for the controlled demos and commercials. Because even senior Apple executives, including Tim Cook, didn't wear the headset during the keynote event. Nonetheless, all users can do for now is wait for the official launch of the headset and guess what are its probable use cases.

Source

In the latest Bing blog post, Microsoft announced that a new Bing Chat widget is now available for iOS device owners. They can now launch the chat directly from their Apple iPhone or iPad home screen. You can find out how to add the Bing Chat widget, or any iOS widget, at Apple's support page.

Microsoft has also added a ton of new languages for Bing Chat's text-to-speech feature on the desktop that was officially launched last week. Here's the list:

•  Arabic
•  Bulgarian
•  Catalan
•  Croatian
•  Czech
•  Danish
•  Dutch
•  Estonian
•  Filipino
•  Finnish
•  Greek
•  Gujrati
•  Hebrew
•  Hindi
•  Hungarian
•  Icelandic
•  Indonesian
•  Irish
•  Italian
•  Korean
•  Latvian
•  Lithuanian
•  Maltese
•  Marathi
•  Norsk Bokmål
•  Polish
•  Portuguese
•  Romanian
•  Russian
•  Slovak
•  Spanish
•  Swedish
•  Tamil
•  Telugu

•  Thai
•  Turkish
•  Ukrainian
•  Urdu

Finally, the blog post mentions that the Bing Chat mobile apps should have some new performance improvements:

We’ve improved the performance of the voice input button on the Bing mobile app for iOS and Android. It should now indicate it’s listening instantly once you tap it.

We are still waiting to see if Microsoft will officially launch support for third-party web browsers like Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari on the desktop. Mikhail Parakhin, Microsoft’s head of Advertising and Web Services, confirmed earlier in June that experimental support for third party browsers was being tested by a few users but there's no word on when that support will expand to all Bing Chat users.

We are also still waiting for Microsoft to pull the trigger on third-party plugin support for Bing Chat. The company released a long list of companies during Build 2023 that plan to offer plug-in support for the chatbot sometime in 2023.

Source

Redmi 12 is 8.17mm thick and features a premium glass back and an infinite camera design. The smartphone can withstand dust and splashes as it has an IP53 rating. The IP53 rating measures the ability of a device to stay protected from limited dust ingress and water spray at less than 60 degrees from vertical.

Here is an overview of the specs:

• 8.17mm thick
• IP53 rating
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• 18W Type-C fast charging port
• 5,000mAh battery
• Three variants: 4GB+128GB, 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, or the 4GB+128GB, 1TB expandable storage
• Screen resolution of 2460x1080, 6.79” FHD+ DotDisplay screen with 90Hz Adaptive Sync
• Triple camera system: 50 MP main camera, 8 MP ultrawide camera, and 2MP macro camera
• Three colours: Midnight Black, Sky Blue, and Polar Silver

The company blog post mentions that the latest smartphone comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack and an 18W Type-C fast charging port. Redmi12 also encompasses a 5,000mAh battery and can offer 23 days of standby time, 26 hours of online reading time, 133 hours of music playback, or 16 hours of watching videos.

While this seems a lot, it is essential to note that the actual battery consumption can depend on factors like usage patterns and network environments.

Redmi 12 can be purchased in three colours, Midnight Black, Sky Blue, and Polar Silver. Users can also choose from the three variants: 4GB+128GB, 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, or 4GB+128GB.

Talking about the display, the company mentions the smartphone is equipped with a 6.79” FHD+ DotDisplay screen with 90Hz Adaptive Sync. Redmi 12 has a screen resolution of 2460x1080, and thus has the largest display so far among smartphones in the Redmi series.

Furthermore, the phone is SGS Low Blue Light certified and comprises of a Reading mode 3.0. This means that users can view content for longer time periods without putting a lot of strain on their eyes.

Xiaomi’s Redmi 12 has a triple camera system with a 50-megapixel main camera, while the other two cameras are an 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro respectively. Redmi 12 users can also get seven popular filmCamera filters that enhance the photography experience by enabling pixel-level calculations and real-time previews.

Moreover, the smartphone comprises a MediaTek Helio G88 processor and comes with memory extension, which uses some of the storage as RAM. There is also a 1TB expandable storage available to users.

The entry-level smartphone also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and can operate as an IR remote to control devices at home. Users can purchase the latest device at a price of $149 starting today.

Xiaomi launches Redmi 12 with a large screen display, tri-camera system, and more for $149

Reddit is Fun (RIF) is a popular third-party Reddit client for Android which touts over five million downloads on its Google Play store page. The developer has since taken to Reddit to announce that it will be shutting down in direct response to the API changes. The key statement that /u/talklittle shared highlighted that Reddit have shown "unwillingness to compromise" during discussions.

The three key points that the Reddit is Fun developer highlighted during these discussions are:

1. The Reddit API will cost money, and the pricing announced today will cost apps like Apollo $20 million per year to run. RIF may differ but it would be in the same ballpark. And no, RIF does not earn anywhere remotely near this number.
2. As part of this they are blocking ads in third-party apps, which make up the majority of RIF's revenue. So they want to force a paid subscription model onto RIF's users. Meanwhile Reddit's official app still continues to make the vast majority of its money from ads.
3. Removal of sexually explicit material from third-party apps while keeping said content in the official app. Some people have speculated that NSFW is going to leave Reddit entirely, but then why would Reddit Inc have recently expanded NSFW upload support on their desktop site?

Reddit has yet to comment on the planned blackout of subreddits across the site for 48 hours by its users, who run and maintain most of these popular communities, as well as the recent announcements by leading developers to shutter their applications.

Following in Apollo's footsteps, Reddit is Fun will be shutting down on June 30

In a long message posted, ironically, on Reddit, Selig goes into a ton of detail about this decision, including denying accusations that he threatened to "blackmail" Reddit. He does offer a $10 a year Apollo Pro subscription which he says has 50,000 subscribers. He stated that some people felt he could raise the price of that subscription but he says that would not be enough:

Even if I added 12,000 new subscribers at $5/month (an enormous feat given the short notice), after Apple's fees that would just be enough to break even. Going from a free API for 8 years to suddenly incurring massive costs is not something I can feasibly make work with only 30 days. That's a lot of users to migrate, plans to create, things to test, and to get through app review, and it's just not economically feasible. It's much cheaper for me to simply shut down.

Selig does say that he will be fine financially as he recently launched a second app called Pixel Pals which he says is bringing in revenue.

The increase in Reddit's API prices has already caused some popular subreddits to organize a protest. Many of them plan to go "dark" for 48 hours starting on Monday, June 12. That means regular users will be able to access those forums, but others will not be able to read them.

While Reddit apparently plans to stick with its price hikes for most developers, it did announce earlier this week it will allow some developers of non-commercial accessibility apps to access its APIs for free.

Popular Reddit iOS third party app Apollo will shut down on June 30 due to API price hikes

As the name says, the offline maps feature will allow users to select an area on the map and download it on their device. Users will then be able to find places and use turn-by-turn navigation for driving, walking, transit, and cycling without WiFi or a cellular connection.

You can try out the offline maps feature by installing the iOS 17 developer beta if you own one of the supported devices. The offline maps downloaded on an iPhone can also be used to navigate and view detailed place cards on an Apple Watch. For that, the paired iPhone should be within the range of the Apple Watch.

iPhone users aren't strangers to offline navigation as rival apps like Google Maps have offered the feature for quite some time now. But being the latest addition to Apple Maps, offline navigation is now a native feature users can expect on their devices without installing a third-party app.

Apple Maps' initial ride wasn't a smooth one as the app was loaded with inaccuracies and hiccups. Those were big enough that Apple CEO Tim Cook made an official apology and recommended some alternatives instead.

In addition to offline maps, Apple Maps will be able to display the real-time availability of EV charging stations sorted by plug type and charging network. Apple already offers a similar feature called EV Routing. The feature works via CarPlay and allows Apple Maps to track vehicle charging stats and suggest a route that includes the nearest compatible charging station. For now, it's only available on select cars including the Porsche Taycan.

Apple also said that the Maps app will make it easier to find thousands of trails in parks with place cards including detailed information such as trail length and type, difficulty, and elevation gain. However, the feature will only be available in the US at the time of launch.

Apple is finally bringing offline navigation to iPhone after a decade

The new iOS 17 default wallpaper is vague, with gradients in various colours. These colours include red, orange, pink, and blue. Apple has also decided to design two different wallpapers, a light, and a dark version. Last year, the company only had one version, and it was light. This year, we will also get an extra darker version of the same design.

Moreover, these aren't the only options that you can pick from. Apple has also included dynamic versions of wallpapers in iOS 17. They will be available once the OS finally rolls out. Unfortunately, you won't find the animated versions in this article, as we can only upload the regular ones.

The new iOS 17 wallpaper is available in full quality for download below. Click the images and download them from the tab to get the best resolution and the full image. These are best for ?phone 14 Pro Max, but you can adjust them according to your phone and preferences. Here are the iOS 17 wallpapers:

Light

Dark

iOS 17 wallpapers aren't the only newcomers

iOS 17 wallpapers are new, but they are not the only thing that Apple announced with its new OS. As Apple unveiled the brilliant iOS 17 Check In function, iOS 17 represents a huge milestone in highlighting user safety. When an iPhone user arrives at their location, a notice is sent to their specified contacts, indicating a successful arrival. This real-time communication ensures that loved ones are kept up to date and that any concerns they may have had throughout the waiting period are alleviated.

You may currently only test the developer beta; the public beta will be available in July. It is because Apple still has various issues to work out, and they will seek feedback from developers before releasing it to the general public. As a result, the corporation will have more time to test and address big issues, allowing the public to test a cleaner version with fewer bugs, mistakes, and difficulties.

Here are the new iOS 17 wallpapers

iPadOS 17 finally supports external USB webcams and cameras

iPadOS 17 focuses on customization, introducing interactive widgets, Lock Screen widgets, and a revamped wallpaper interface. Additionally, the Health app makes its debut on the iPad, emphasizing Apple's commitment to health and well-being.

One of the most significant improvements in iPadOS 17 is the introduction of interactive widgets. Users will no longer need to open individual apps to perform certain actions. These widgets provide quick access to app functions and information like iPhone's iOS 17.

iPadOS 17 introduces a revamped wallpaper interface. This new interface makes it easier than ever to change wallpapers on the fly, giving users more options to personalize their iPad's appearance. With a wide range of wallpapers to choose from, users can refresh the look of their device to suit their preferences.

Another notable addition in iPadOS 17 is the introduction of Live Activities and support for multiple timers. Live Activities bring a dynamic element to the iPad, providing real-time information and updates on various tasks and activities.

This feature enables users to stay organized and informed, ensuring a seamless workflow. Additionally, the ability to set multiple timers simultaneously enhances productivity, allowing users to manage their time efficiently.

With the arrival of the Health app on the iPad, Apple extends its focus on health and well-being to its tablet lineup. The Health app synchronizes health data between the iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch, providing users with a holistic view of their well-being.

Also, the inclusion of full support for HealthKit enables users to integrate third-party health and fitness apps, further enhancing the iPad's capabilities as a health-tracking device.

And finally, iPadOS 17 brings exciting enhancements to the Apple Notes app, including PDF support and Apple Pencil annotations. Users can now annotate PDFs directly within the Notes app using the Apple Pencil, making it a powerful tool for productivity and collaboration.

iPadOS 17 announced at WWDC, coming with interactive widgets and more

With Contact Posters, you get a full-screen graphic of the person calling you. This will help users work out who's calling them so they can decide if they want to answer. Contact Posters were shown using pictures of people and their Memoji.

“With iOS 17, we’ve made iPhone more personal and intuitive by deeply considering the features we all rely on every day,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.

“Phone, FaceTime, and Messages are central to how we communicate, and this release is packed with updates we think our users are going to love. We’ve also reimagined AirDrop with new ways to share, autocorrect gets even better, and we’re introducing all-new experiences with Journal and StandBy, plus so much more. We can’t wait for everyone to try it.”

During the keynote, Apple also showed off NameDrop, you just hold your iPhones near each other and you'll be able to share contact details such as your phone number, email address, and Contact Poster. This seems like a much more elegant way of exchanging details than rifling through your phone looking for your phone number.

You can also send photos and files to other users like this and if the file is larger, iOS now lets you move away from the other phone and the transfer will continue.

For those of you out there who like writing stuff down, Apple has introduced a new app with iOS 17 called Journal. With Journal, you can save various types of rich content including contacts, locations, music, photos, podcasts, and workouts.

As an example, if you went for a walk at the beach with your earbuds in, you could store a journal entry with the pictures you took and the songs you listened to so that you can relive the experience. Apple said that these Journal entries are end-to-end encrypted too, you they will remain private.

Other features include Live Stickers, Live Voicemail, better autocorrect and StandBy which displays information while the phone is docked and charging.

Apple unveils iOS 17 at WWDC 2023, here are the new features

There are also new watch faces to choose from including one featuring Snoopy and Woodstock. With this watch face, the two characters interact and play on the watch hands and react to local weather conditions.

While Apple Watch is known for its usefulness in physical workouts, the company wanted to help with maintaining your mental health too.

According to research, Apple found that reflecting on your state of mind can build emotional awareness and resilience. With the Mindfulness app in watchOS 10, users can log their momentary emotions and daily moods.

watchOS 10 also focuses on vision health. Apple said that children need up to two hours outdoors. With this update, Apple Watch can track how long you've been in sunlight and for children this information can be relayed back to their parent's iPhone or iPad via the Health app.

“watchOS is the world’s most advanced wearable operating system, and it has redefined how people all over the world think of what a watch can do,” said Kevin Lynch, Apple’s vice president of Technology.

“watchOS 10 is a major milestone and an energizing new approach for Apple Watch, introducing a fresh new design for quickly viewing information, delightful new watch faces, new features for cyclists and hikers, and important tools for health.”

Apple said that watchOS 10 is available as a developer beta today and that it'll arrive as a free software update in the fall.

Apple shows off watchOS 10 at annual developer conference WWDC 2023

Once iOS 17 is announced at WWDC, Apple will waste no time and immediately release a beta version of the update for developers. Following that, in July, a public beta will be made available for all iPhone users to try out and provide valuable feedback.

Finally, in September, iOS 17 will be released to the general public, coinciding with the launch of the highly anticipated new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro lineups.

New iOS 17 features are expected to be announced at WWDC 2023 - Image: Apple

What are the new iOS 17 features?

While hardware product leaks are common, software leaks are relatively rare, as Apple tightly controls information disclosure. Nevertheless, rumors suggest that iOS 17 will bring a relatively modest update in terms of new features, with a focus on incorporating "nice to have" changes.

Bloomberg reports that iOS 17, along with Apple's other software platforms, is taking a backseat as the company dedicates its resources to the development of its AR/VR headset, which may also be announced at WWDC.

Revamped control center

One of the anticipated features in iOS 17 is a significant redesign of the Control Center. The Control Center, which provides quick access to settings and the "Now Playing" interface, has seen minimal changes since its introduction in iOS 11. However, rumors suggest that iOS 17 will introduce "major changes" to enhance its functionality and user experience, catering to users' long-standing requests.

In addition to the Control Center revamp reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate that iOS 17 will introduce a brand new journaling app. This app is expected to integrate data from various Apple apps, including Find My Device, and incorporate location-based capabilities to distinguish between personal and professional contacts, improving networking experiences.

Furthermore, iOS 17 is rumored to bring updates to the Find My and Wallet apps. The Find My app is set to gain location-based capabilities, acting as an extension of Apple's existing Find My service, while the Wallet app will receive user interface tweaks and enhancements, refining the management of digital cards and transactions.

Health app updates

Enhancements in the Health app are also on the horizon with iOS 17. Mood and emotion tracking capabilities will be introduced, allowing users to log their moods, answer questions about their day, and observe changes over time. Apple has ambitious plans to utilize algorithms to determine users' moods based on speech patterns, typed words, and other device data.

The Health app is also expected to support managing vision conditions and will make its debut on the iPad, expanding beyond its current availability on the iPhone.

Health app will get enhancements wth the iOS 17 update - Image: Apple

iOS 17's sideloading side quest

Responding to the Digital Markets Act, iOS 17 will reportedly introduce side-loading and access to third-party app stores for iPhones in the European Union. While this move aims to comply with regulatory requirements, Apple is expected to implement measures that make accessing third-party app stores more involved.

These features will be exclusive to the EU, with no plans to extend them to the United States or other countries. This one is surely the most exciting one among the new iOS 17 features.

Changes in the smart display

Expanding on the Always-On display features of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 17 will introduce a "smart display" interface that activates when the device is in landscape orientation and charging. This interface will showcase useful information such as calendar appointments, weather updates, and notifications, resembling the functionality of a smart-home display.

Lastly, iOS 17 will bring updates to SharePlay, allowing enhanced simultaneous streaming of TV shows, movies, and other content among iPhone and iPad users. Apple has also engaged in discussions with hotels and other establishments to make AirPlay more accessible, enabling users to effortlessly beam video and audio to devices they don't own.

Enhancements to Shareplay are coming up with the new iOS 17 features - Image: Apple

Supported devices for iOS 17

Reports suggest conflicting rumors regarding the devices that will support iOS 17. One claim states that iOS 17 will drop support for certain devices, including:

• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPad (5th generation)
• 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)

However, another source suggests that all devices currently supported by iOS 16 will continue to receive support in iOS 17, citing an anonymous member of Apple's iOS development team.

As the countdown to WWDC begins, more leaks and rumors may emerge, shedding further light on what iOS 17 has in store for Apple users. While Apple excels at keeping its developments under wraps until the official unveiling, expectations are high for this major software update.

Here are the expected new iOS 17 features

Google Wallet for Android now supports digital IDs

Google's decision to scrap the second foldable Pixel highlights the company's dedication to quality and innovation. Ross expressed pride in the team's discipline and determination to wait until they could create something "good enough or better than what was out there already."

Rumors have been circulating that Google was working on a foldable phone with a clamshell design, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series. Although it is unclear whether the canceled and rumored devices are the same, Ross's confirmation suggests that Google explored alternative form factors for its foldable devices.

While Google's intentions regarding the clamshell design remain uncertain, it seems probable that the company could eventually release a flip-style foldable phone.

A folding Pixel in a clamshell design would have filled a notable gap in Google's product lineup. With the Pixel Fold priced at $1,799 and the upcoming Pixel 8 series expected to top at $1,000, there currently needs to be a mid-range option for a stock Android experience on a foldable phone.

Ross's revelation of Google's plans for a potential clamshell foldable underscores the possibility of future competition between Google and Samsung in this segment. Google's decision not to launch the second foldable device likely came as a relief for Samsung, especially considering the incremental upgrades expected in its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5.

The canceled second foldable Pixel phone may never see the light of day. However, confirming its existence provides an intriguing glimpse into Google's ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of smartphone design.

Source: Made by Google Podcast

Google's head of hardware design confimed a second foldable Pixel was canceled

Multiple sources have indicated that the iPhone 16 Pro displays will be slightly larger than their predecessors, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. Gurman suggests that the screens will grow by "a couple of tenths of an inch diagonally," indicating a subtle increase.

Also, leaker "Uredditor" tweeted the Pro and Pro Max models would have sizes of 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. A well-known analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, supported this claim, stating that the models would be slightly larger.

On the other hand, Apple's upcoming flagship iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models were expected to feature solid-state buttons for volume and power. However, a fresh survey by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple will go for regular buttons instead due to "unresolved technical issues before mass production."

And the leaker said that iPhone 15 Pro will use a combination of the Power button + Action button to turn off the device or force restart it. The iPhone 15 series is due for release in the second half of 2023. Among various features, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to have the thinnest bezels of all phones and a thinner camera bump.

Apple's revenue was $94.836 billion for 2023 fiscal second-quarter financial results. That was down compared to the $97.278 billion it got from the same period a year ago, but it still beat financial analysts' expectations. Net income was $24.160 billion, again down from the $25.010 billion in revenue from a year ago.

Sources: Mark Gurman, Ming-Chi Kuo (Chinese)

iPhone 16 Pro screen sizes will be the largest ever, says analyst

Google recently took to the Android Beta Program subreddit to announce the massive changelog of the latest Android 14 Beta 2.1 update with the build number UPB2.230407.019. Being an X.1 build, the update primarily aims to iron out a long list of issues with Beta 2.

Foremost, Android 14 Beta 2.1 patches the bug that prevented users from exiting Android 14 beta testing. The update adds the May 2023 security patches to specific models, including the Pixel 6 series and Pixel 6a on Verizon.

Next, the update fixes a bug that previously hid the actual battery percentage and showed 0% instead. It also patches issues with the phones' audio and rubs out what was causing several apps, including Google Photos, to crash.

Additionally, the update fixes problems with Always-On Display, including scenarios with missing Google Messages notifications or jitter when using Android Auto. Lastly, it also patches the issue that made the Google TV app disappear in picture-in-picture mode when gesture navigation was turned on.

If you are already registered as an Android beta tester, you can check for the update under Settings > System > System Update if it hasn't already popped up in the notifications. But if you aren't part of the beta yet and would like to test it, you can enroll for Android 14 Beta on your Pixel phone(s) by going to the dedicated portal and selecting the suitable device.

However, before you enroll to receive Android 14 Beta updates on your phone, remember that it may still not be free of bugs as we are still a few months away from receiving a release candidate. Besides a buggy performance, beta updates may also break functionality for crucial apps, especially for banking and payments. Returning from the beta to a stable Android 13 version will require you to factory reset your smartphone, so ensure you weigh the prospects before making the leap.

With Android 14, Google pegs many features around AI, such as lockscreen customizations, emoji-based and AI-generated wallpapers, a major update to Find My Device, contextual back gesture, and much more announced at Google I/O 2023. However, a lot of these features have yet to make it to the available builds and can be expected to be added in the weeks leading to the final release (tentatively in August or September based on previous releases).

We, thus, recommend you wait for a few months and avoid enrolling in Android 14 if you are especially looking to try out these new features.

Android 14 Beta 2.1 update for Pixel phones fixes multiple bugs from the previous update

Play Store is one of the most popular apps on Android phones, as users need it to download apps on their devices. Google is aware that there are millions of users going into the app to look for updates or new apps and try different ways to increase its revenues. Recently, the company has added more ads to Google Play Store.

As reported by Android Police, the Play Store experience is getting "less pleasing" for users. The application already had an ad section on the main page, but now it has been expanded. Google added a new line of ads and also increased the sizes of application banners. 

Ads that appear in the "Suggested for you" portion of an app listing typically take the form of three basic icons that are displayed at once, allowing you to swipe through them to view additional recommendations. These "recommendations," actually ads, are now changing a little.

Users are now provided with two rows of apps instead of just one, and the app's image has been increased to take up more screen space. Naturally, the Play Store is now pushing recommended apps much lower by adding another row of adverts, compelling consumers to expend more time and effort when exploring the Play Store.

Credit: Android Police

Play Store's "Ad"venture

Recently, Google added more ads to the Play Store, and many users criticized the decision. The company told customers that these were proactive suggestions for apps that they might enjoy rather than advertisements.

The most recent advertisements stood out sharply from the guidelines that were introduced in November. Each recommendation had a distinct "Ad" badge that was shown next to proactive suggestions. Ads may only be seen to those whose accounts have the proactive recommendations function activated.

Google's ad policy has received criticism before, but the company has no intentions of stopping. 

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Nothing is getting ready to reveal its second smartphone; looks like the company wanted to be as simple as possible as they named the upcoming smartphone Nothing Phone (2). In an interview with Forbes, the company CEO Carl Pei gave a couple of pieces of information regarding the smartphone's release date and its strategies. Nothing is getting ready to release its second smartphone globally in June 2023.

The initial Nothing smartphone model came to the United States months after its launch, but this time, Pei said that they will follow a different path and launch the second phone globally.

When discussing his intentions for the Phone (2), Pei stated that the U.S. market is crucial to the company's development and that he anticipates the future product to provide consumers all around the country with a real alternative to the iPhone. "With the U.S. being a very Apple-dominated market with no real option for people looking for an alternative, it represents a good opportunity for Phone (2)," he said, speaking to Forbes' David Phelan.

Previously, Pei also disclosed that the device's processor will be a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, putting it a step above the mid-range Nothing Phone (1) but below the flagships of 2023 that will use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

GSM Arena says that the Android phone will have a 4,700 mAh battery. That's 200 mAh more than the one in the Nothing Phone (1), but it falls short of the current benchmark of 5,000 mAh.

Nothing Phone (2)

Nothing always had an impressive design

Nothing's phones and other devices have always got the attention of users thanks to their designs. The company focuses on a transparent-looking theme on its products, and it creates a "futuristic" or just a "cool" vibe that gets the attention of people from around the world.

As seen in the image above, the company wants to continue its distinct design with Nothing Phone (2).

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However, the most significant addition to the platform is a comprehensive range of physical keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts have been discovered by Android expert Mishaal Rahman and are exclusively available on large-screen devices running Android 14.

Revamped Android 14 keyboard shortcuts

In Android 14 Beta 2, Google has introduced an overhauled keyboard shortcuts menu that replaces the previous list of shortcuts found in Android 13. The redesigned menu provides a seamless user experience and offers improved accessibility.

To access this menu, users of Android 14 need to navigate to Settings -> System -> Keyboard -> Physical Keyboard, instead of the previous location at Settings -> System -> Languages & Input -> Physical Keyboard.

The newly introduced Android 14 Beta 2 brings forth an impressive collection of 29 keyboard shortcut combinations. These shortcuts streamline various actions and tasks, allowing users to navigate their devices with greater ease and efficiency.

Here are all the keyboard shortcuts available on Android 14 so far:

1. Access notification shade: Search + N
2. Take a full screenshot: Search + Ctrl + S
3. Access list of shortcuts: Search + /
4. Back button: Search + ~ | Search + Backspace | Search + Left Arrow
5. Access home screen: Search + H | Search + Return
6. Overview of open apps: Search + Tab
7. Cycle through recent apps (forward): Alt + Tab
8. Cycle through recent apps (back): Alt + Shift + Tab
9. Launcher search: Search
10. Hide and show taskbar: Search + T
11. Access system settings: Search + I
12. Access Google Assistant: Search + A
13. Lock screen: Search + L
14. Pull up Notes for quick memo: Search + Ctrl + N
15. Split screen with current app on right: Search + Ctrl + Right Arrow
16. Split screen with current app on left: Search + Ctrl + Left Arrow
17. Switch from split screen to full screen: Search + Ctrl + Up Arrow
18. Move split screen app: Search + Ctrl + Down Arrow
19. Switch input language (next): Ctrl + Space | Search + Space
20. Switch input language (previous): Ctrl + Shift + Space | Ctrl + Search + Space
21. Open assist app: Search + A
22. Open browser app: Search + B
23. Open calculator app: Search + U
24. Open calendar app: Search + K
25. Open contacts app: Search + C
26. Open email app: Search + E
27. Open maps app: Search + M
28. Open music app: Search + P
29. Open SMS app: Search + S

These shortcuts empower users to perform a range of actions effortlessly. Whether accessing the notification shade, capturing screenshots, navigating between apps, or managing multitasking through split-screen mode, these shortcuts enhance productivity and user convenience.

How to join the Android 14 beta program?

While the official release of Android 14 is scheduled for August, users can get an early glimpse of the upcoming Google mobile operating system by joining the Android 14 Beta program. To enroll in the program, simply visit google.com/android/beta. Being a part of the beta program grants users the opportunity to explore the latest features and improvements offered by Android 14 ahead of its official launch.

Android 14 comes with 29 new keyboard shortcuts

Broadcom is a technology and advanced manufacturing firm based in the United States that will develop wireless chips and 5G radio frequency components like Film Bulk Acoustic Resonato (FBAR) filters,among other 5G items. These bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filters have superior performance with steeper rejection curves compared to surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters. They will be manufactured in Broadcom’s manufacturing hubs in America such as that in Fort Collins, colourado.

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, commended that all of the technology behind Apple’s products has been designed and manufactured in American facilities, which makes the company a great contributor to the country’s economy. He added:

“We’re thrilled to make commitments that harness the ingenuity, creativity, and innovative spirit of American manufacturing. All of Apple’s products depend on technology engineered and built here in the United States, and we’ll continue to deepen our investments in the U.S. economy because we have an unshakable belief in America’s future.”

Additionally, Apple mentioned that it helps to sustain more than 1,100 jobs in Broadcom’s FBAR manufacturing hub present in Fort Collins. It elaborated that the deal will boost investment in “critical automation projects” and would make technicians and engineers more skilled.

Moreover, the Cupertino-based company reminded that the agreement comes as a part of the company’s goal announced in 2021 where it plans to invest $430 billion in the U.S. economy within five years. It added that the company is on pace with its targets with investments.

The collaboration of these leading firms in the world of technology is not something new. In 2020, they announced two multi-year pacts that could earn billions in revenue. According to these agreements, Apple would receive Broadcom-manufactured components such as wireless chips and modules for its devices that would be released towards the middle of 2023.

Apple secures supply of 5G components as it signs new multibillion-dollar deal with Broadcom

Apple Lightning to USB 3 adapters are not working with iOS 16.5

The issue came to light when users on reddit and Apple's support forums raised their voices to complain that they were unable to use their Apple Lightning to USB 3 adapters with their iPhones, after they had updated their mobile to iOS 16.5. The issue also affects iPadOS 16.5. The dongle in question is sold by Apple, which is rather ironical.

As 9to5Mac notes, the USB adapter is advertised as a "camera adapter accessory", but many iPhone and iPad users connect it to other devices that have a USB-A port, such as external hard drives, Digital Audio Converters (DAC), Ethernet adapters, microphones, etc. The description for the product does state that it can be used to connect with USB peripherals such as Hubs, Ethernet adapters, etc.

Macrumors' blog post says that reports from users indicate that they were unable to use the USB adapter to charge their devices, or to connect to their car's stereo. One user had reported that the accessory which they used to connect to a controller was working on another iPhone that they hadn't updated, but wouldn't work on the mobile that they had installed the update on. Many other users have said that they are experiencing similar issues with their USB dongle.

Some users who were affected by the issue claim that when they contacted Apple Support for help, the company's representatives had denied that they were aware of such issues. It's rather strange that the bug wasn't caught in iOS 16.5 beta or RC versions, considering that they were being tested for several weeks.

While there is no official confirmation about the problem, we think that it is just a bug in the software. A speculation from a user suggests that Apple may have patched a vulnerability to prevent a physical attack vector (hackers plugging into a phone), and that the changes made to secure the device may have unintentionally broken compatibility with the USB adapters completely.

I should mention that the bug only seems to affect USB 3 adapters, other dongles such as the lightning to 3.5 mm headphone adapter are working fine with iOS 16.5.

You could skip the iOS 16.5 update to avoid the bug, but is that a good idea? Please be aware that the update ships with fixes for several vulnerabilities, including security fixes for three actively exploited issues. So, it's up to you to decide whether you should skip the update if you want to use your USB accessory, or install the update to stay secure.

Since the issue has been reported by many users, it is possible that Apple could release a hotfix to patch the USB 3 adapter compatibility in the coming days. It is unclear whether the iOS 16.6 beta that was released recently fixes the issue.

Have you experienced the bug on your iPhone or iPad?

iOS 16.5 update prevents Apple's Lightning to USB 3 adapters from working

The current phase of Android 14's development is undeniably captivating as Google dedicates its efforts to the addition and testing of new functionalities. This dynamic period, stretching at least until June, allows ample space for further growth and refinement in this regard. However, there will come a pivotal juncture when priorities shift towards ensuring the reliability and stability of the system. At that juncture, the spotlight on new features will gradually diminish, as the primary objective becomes delivering an impeccably polished operating system to users in a timely manner.

Subsequent beta releases will provide us with a comprehensive glimpse, if not the entirety, of what Android 14 has in store and the array of offerings it will bring. However, until that time arrives, we will continue to rely on previews and leaks disseminated through third-party sources. This information channel has become integral in the tech industry, offering insights that are highly sought after by enthusiasts. It is worth noting that while this channel proves invaluable, there are instances where it can present challenges and dilemmas for the companies involved, although it's important to clarify that such complications are not applicable in the current context.

Exciting news awaits us in the forthcoming version of Android, as revealed in a recent preview shared by Mishaal Rahman, a knowledgeable freelance journalist focusing on the Android platform. Android 14 is set to introduce enhanced control over screen recordings, a feature that has seen a surge in usage due to its versatility. This functionality empowers users by enabling them to effortlessly share instructional guides, capture memorable moments from video calls, and explore numerous other possibilities. The added flexibility and convenience offered by improved screen recording capabilities are bound to enhance the overall user experience on Android devices.

Limit screen recording to a specific app

Currently, Android provides options to disable sound and hide touch gestures during screen recordings. However, the existing drawback is that all on-screen content, including notifications, is captured, potentially compromising privacy when sharing videos.

Thankfully, Android 14 brings a significant improvement in this aspect.

Image source: Unsplash

The upcoming version will introduce the ability to limit screen recording to a specific app. This means that if a screen recording is in progress and a notification pops up, it will not be included in the recorded video. This advancement eliminates the need to restart the recording consciously or accidentally if an unwanted notification appears. The inclusion of this feature undoubtedly marks a notable stride forward in terms of safeguarding privacy during screen recordings.

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