Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones News - Page 2

The latest and most important Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones news - Page 2.

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Lenovo is bringing its Legion Tab Android gaming tablet to more markets

Kosta Andreadis | Mar 13, 2024 7:01 PM CDT

Designed for the "modern mobile gamer," the Lenovo Legion Tab is an 8.8-inch Android tablet for mobile gaming that the company is bringing to more regions. Originally available in China, the Lenovo Legion Tab will soon be available in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia) for €599 (including VAT).

Lenovo is bringing its Legion Tab Android gaming tablet to more markets

As far as tablets go, this one is powerful, thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4nm processor, 12Gb of LPDDR5X memory, 256GB of onboard storage, and 144 Hz QHD+ Lenovo PureSight display. Unlike the Lenovo Legion Go, a Windows 11 gaming handheld, the Legion Tab is designed to play Android-compatible games. Plus, cloud-based gaming with Xbox Game Pass and GeForce NOW.

Other notable features of the Lenovo Legion Tab are its support for USB Type-C display output (DisplayPort 1.4) so you can connect the device to an external display, the large 6550mAh battery for long gaming sessions, and the integrated haptics.

Continue reading: Lenovo is bringing its Legion Tab Android gaming tablet to more markets (full post)

Amid new iPhone SE 4 rumors new research suggests it might be a terrible investment

Oliver Haslam | Mar 13, 2024 12:30 PM CDT

Every so often we see a flurry of rumors that suggest Apple is getting ready to unveil a new iPhone SE model, with the current iPhone SE 3 starting to look a little too long in the tooth. It still has a Home button for example, and amid a lineup that is full of Face ID devices and edge-to-edge displays, the iPhone SE 3 is due to be replaced. The iPhone SE 4 is what's been heavily rumored, but you might not want to buy one.

Amid new iPhone SE 4 rumors new research suggests it might be a terrible investment

The iPhone SE 4 is tipped to be based on the iPhone 14 design, which is no bad thing. That will mean the use of a notch, but it's thought that rather than have a Face ID system it will instead have a Touch ID sensor built into the power button just like some of Apple's iPads. But a new report looking into how quickly Apple's iPhone SE models lose their value has added new color to the buying decision - and you might be better just buying a cheaper iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 instead.

That's because, as SellCell reports, the iPhone SE has historically lost its value much more quickly than any other model that Apple sells. As an example, the iPhone SE 3 went on sale in March 2022 but lost 42.6% of its value within the first month. After three months, it had lost 47.1%. After 18 months it was worth a fraction of its original $429-$579 asking price after losing a whopping 64.7%.

Continue reading: Amid new iPhone SE 4 rumors new research suggests it might be a terrible investment (full post)

Apple stopped signing iOS 17.3.1, leaving iOS 17.4 as the only option for iPhone owners

Oliver Haslam | Mar 13, 2024 5:30 AM CDT

If you're an iPhone owner who hasn't yet updated to iOS 17.3.1, you never will. That's because Apple has now decided to stop signing the update which means that it can no longer be installed, even if you have the IPSW file required to do so.

Apple stopped signing iOS 17.3.1, leaving iOS 17.4 as the only option for iPhone owners

Whenever an iPhone has its iOS operating system updated or downgraded, the phone phones home to Apple's servers to ensure that the software is valid. If Apple says that it is, the installation can continue. But if Apple says otherwise, the update will not install and there is no way to get around that. That's what has happened with iOS 17.3.1 which means that the only version of iOS currently available to iPhone owners is the latest iOS 17.4 release.

Apple regularly stops signing older versions of iOS in an attempt to ensure that as many people as possible are using the latest and greatest version of its software. There are a few reasons that it might want to do that.

Continue reading: Apple stopped signing iOS 17.3.1, leaving iOS 17.4 as the only option for iPhone owners (full post)

Buying a new 11-inch OLED iPad Pro might not be as easy as you'd think, analyst warns

Oliver Haslam | Mar 12, 2024 3:30 PM CDT

Apple has long been rumored to have plans to announce a new round of iPad Pro models with the end of March or the beginning of April now the most likely timeframe for that to happen. The company is expected to refresh both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions with a new display technology, new chip, and more - but those looking to buy the smaller model might find that getting one is harder than they expected.

Buying a new 11-inch OLED iPad Pro might not be as easy as you'd think, analyst warns

That's according to a new report that cites a paywalled post on the X social media website by Ross Young, a display analyst who has historically proven accurate when discussing such things.

According to Young, the 11-inch iPad Pro displays are currently being produced by Samsung Display while LG Display is also expected to begin producing the same displays later this month. LG Display is also producing displays for the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro. However, Young reports that he believes the 11-inch displays are behind schedule when compared to the 12.9-inch displays, something that could then have a knock-on effect and cause the smaller iPad Pro to be available in more limited quantities.

Continue reading: Buying a new 11-inch OLED iPad Pro might not be as easy as you'd think, analyst warns (full post)

Apple is working on a big new AI feature, but you might not like it

Oliver Haslam | Mar 12, 2024 1:30 PM CDT

Apple is strongly rumored to be working on bringing new AI features to the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and beyond in 2024 and expectations are high that these new features will be announced at WWDC in June. But the AI push is thought to be coming from an unexpected angle with a new report claiming that Apple is working on a new AI-powered ads platform.

Apple is working on a big new AI feature, but you might not like it

That report, courtesy of Business Insider, says that the AI tool that is currently being tested chooses where to place ads in the many App Store placement slots in order to try and maximize the performance of those ads. However, the report goes on to suggest that the AI technology could be used elsewhere as Apple seeks to expand its ad-supported services. One example of a potential place for that to pop up is Apple TV+ with Apple again recently rumored to be working on bringing a cheaper ad-supported tier to the streaming platform.

It's important to remember that Apple's plans can and do sometimes change which means that this news should be taken with a pinch of salt until more firm information is shared. Apple already allows developers tp pay to advertise in various corners of the App Store including the Today tab, at the top of search results, and even on the product pages of competing apps.

Continue reading: Apple is working on a big new AI feature, but you might not like it (full post)

Accessibility could be a key iOS 18 and macOS 15 focus for Apple's 2024 launches

Oliver Haslam | Mar 12, 2024 6:30 AM CDT

If Apple follows the release cadence that we're used to it will unveil the iOS 18 iPhone software and macOS 15 Mac software during an event in June before releasing them to the public this fall. And while Apple is yet to confirm anything about the new softwre releases, or indeed that they're even in the works, we're beginning to see leaks suggesting what iPhone and Mac owners should expect.

Accessibility could be a key iOS 18 and macOS 15 focus for Apple's 2024 launches

That report comes from MacRumors and cites industry sources when it says that Apple is working on a number of accessibility improvements as well as new fetures that should be part of the iOS 18 and macOS 15 software updates that are expected to be made available in or around September.

There are a number of improvements expected including Adaptive Voice Shortcuts. This feature allows users to map spoken phrases to an accessibility setting, including custom phrases. The idea is that people will be able to more easily toggle existing accessibility features on or off when neeed.

Continue reading: Accessibility could be a key iOS 18 and macOS 15 focus for Apple's 2024 launches (full post)

A version of iOS 18 is already being tested outside Apple Park, report claims

Oliver Haslam | Mar 12, 2024 6:00 AM CDT

Apple's iOS 18 iPhone software update is expected to be announced to the world at the WWDC event that's likely to be held in June, but it won't be made available to the wider public until September. A developer and public beta program will run from June until then, but a new report claims that an early version of the iOS 18 software is already in the hands of some.

A version of iOS 18 is already being tested outside Apple Park, report claims

According to a MacRumors report Apple recently began distributing internal builds of iOS 18 to factories and vendors. The information reportedly comes via a credible source who has proved to be accurate in the past. According to the source, the build that has been made available is called VendorUI, and access to it is highly controlled to ensure that information surrounding its features and capabilities are not leaked to the public.

MacRumors says that the VendorUI builds are sent out to factories for quality control testing every year, but because the software is in a preproduction state the interface isn't complete. In fact, it doesn't resemble the interface that Apple will announce in June. To ensure that leaks are kept to a minimum the report claims that the version of iOS 18 sent to vendors is limited in terms of the apps that are installed, ensuring that only those that are required for testing are available.

Continue reading: A version of iOS 18 is already being tested outside Apple Park, report claims (full post)

Another sealed 4GB iPhone is up for auction and it could sell for an incredible sum

Oliver Haslam | Mar 11, 2024 1:30 PM CDT

If you're walking around today with an iPhone 15 in your pocket, it's important to remember where that phone came from. The original iPhone shipped in 2007 with just 4GB of storage and it wasn't anywhere near as popular as you might think if you see how many modern iPhones are floating around today. But like so many things we only really appreciate the iPhone now that it's vintage, and if you want to buy one it's going to cost a small fortune - especially if you want an original 4G model that's sealed.

Another sealed 4GB iPhone is up for auction and it could sell for an incredible sum

Right now there's one of those 2007 4GB iPhones available for auction, and if it's anything like previous auctions of this kind, things are going to get messy. One of these iPhones selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars isn't beyond the realms of possibility - we've seen it happen before - so all eyes will be on LCG Auctions to see what happens here. The bidding is currently at $10,000 with another two weeks remaining.

This original iPhone is factory sealed as mentioned and there is apparently no sign of fading on the front of the box - where all the best artwork is. Seven of the eight corners are sharp and all edges are flawless, making this about as pristine of an example as you're likely to find. The deal is clean and the auction describes the overall looks described as having very light shelfwear. The iPhone inside is of course brand-new and has never been activated and it probably never will be - assuming such a thing is even possible in 2024.

Continue reading: Another sealed 4GB iPhone is up for auction and it could sell for an incredible sum (full post)

New iPad Pro, iPad Air models again tipped for 'end of March' or April launch

Oliver Haslam | Mar 11, 2024 12:45 PM CDT

There have been persistent rumors that Apple intends to launch a bevy of new iPads sooner rather than later and that has again been reiterated by the usually well-connected Mark Gurman. The Bloomberg'g journalist was writing in the weekly Power On newsletter when he again suggested that we should see new iPads launch soon.

New iPad Pro, iPad Air models again tipped for 'end of March' or April launch

If correct, there will be two new iPad Pro and two new iPad Air models for tablet lovers to pick up and they could debut as soon as the end of this month. If that doesn't happen we shouldn't have to wait too much longer, however, with Gurman saying that April will be the latest the new tablets will ship.

With Gurman now saying that the new iPads will debut either in late March or April we can put to bed any hopes that they will arrive this week.

Continue reading: New iPad Pro, iPad Air models again tipped for 'end of March' or April launch (full post)

iPhone owners could soon finally choose a default navigation app, but there's a catch

Oliver Haslam | Mar 11, 2024 10:30 AM CDT

Apple has been making big changes to the iPhone of late, not least with the arrival of iOS 17.4. That update allows for third-party app stores and browser engines in the European Union, among other things, but that isn't the end of Apple's new features. Those changes were made in order to allow Apple to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, and there are more changes afoot.

iPhone owners could soon finally choose a default navigation app, but there's a catch

Apple says that it will continue to make changes to iOS and the iPhone in order to better comply with DMA requirements, although they won't all need to be made any time soon. One of the changes that Apple has already confirmed is support for changing the default navigation app, but it won't arrive until March 2025 the company has confirmed.

9to5Mac spotted the reference in a new Apple document that outlines its plans to comply with the DMA. Apple says that it plans to introduce new default controls for users of navigation apps with the option set to live in the Settings app. However, Apple only aims to have that new option available by March 2025, which means we could be waiting almost a year for it to arrive.

Continue reading: iPhone owners could soon finally choose a default navigation app, but there's a catch (full post)