Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones News - Page 4

The latest and most important Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones news - Page 4.

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Parents can block EU iPhone-owning kids from installing third-party app stores

Oliver Haslam | Mar 6, 2024 9:00 AM CST

Apple's new iOS 17.4 software update brings with it a number of new features, but if you're in the European Union there's one that undoubtedly stands out more than the rest - support for third-party app stores. We're still learning more about how they work but it's now been confirmed that parents who are worried that their kids could install third-party app stores without their knowledge can prevent that from happening.

Parents can block EU iPhone-owning kids from installing third-party app stores

Apple has long offered parental controls that allow parents to be required to approve the downloading of apps from the App Store, but with the addition of third-party app marketplaces, there were concerns that kids might be able to bypass the need to get approval. However, 9to5Mac notes that Apple has added a feature that will give parents more control.

9to5Mac reports that parents will be able to choose to prevent the installation of third-party apps and app stores using the Screen Time protections that they're familiar with. Parents can also set an age rating rather than blocking all third-party app stores if they prefer, with Apple still requiring that apps installed via third-party marketplaces have age ratings attached to them.

Continue reading: Parents can block EU iPhone-owning kids from installing third-party app stores (full post)

EU third-party iPhone app store users have a limited 'grace period' when traveling

Oliver Haslam | Mar 6, 2024 8:45 AM CST

When Apple released the iOS 17.4 software update to the public this week it added support for third-party app stores, a first for the iPhone. But the new feature is only available to those in the European Union thanks to the new Digital Markets Act and the requirements it places on companies like Apple. However, Apple has added complications to its support for third-party app stores, and they're starting to become clear.

EU third-party iPhone app store users have a limited 'grace period' when traveling

They're becoming clear after MacRumors spotted a new support document on Apple's website that details a so-called grace period after which such app stores will become unavailable should users leave the EU for a length of time. Unfortunately, we don't know what that length of time actually is.

The support document warns users that, should they leave the European Union for short-term travel, they'll continue to have access to third-party app stores for a grace period. If they're gone for too long, Apple warns, they'll lose access to some features including the new alternative app marketplaces. Apps installed via those app marketplaces will continue to work, but users won't be able to update them or download new marketplaces.

Continue reading: EU third-party iPhone app store users have a limited 'grace period' when traveling (full post)

Samsung sent four S24 Ultra's to space on balloons to snap 150+ photos of Earth

Jak Connor | Mar 6, 2024 1:03 AM CST

Samsung has informed PetaPixel that it strapped four Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones to a balloon that was then sent to space to capture photographs of Earth using the smartphone cameras.

Samsung sent four S24 Ultra's to space on balloons to snap 150+ photos of Earth

This very well could be one of the most epic camera demonstrations a smartphone company has attempted, as Samsung has informed the publication that four carbon fiber skeletons, each designed around a flight computer and a Galaxy S24 Ultra, were floated into space using a stratospheric balloon canopy filled with hydrogen. Each of these balloons reached heights of more than 120,000 feet, and in total, Samsung was able to capture more than 150 images of Earth from space.

As the balloons reached the desired height, each of the smartphones began periodically snapping high-resolution images of Earth, and the results were truly impressive, especially considering the images came from a smartphone. It should be noted that technically speaking, the stratosphere isn't space, but it is 23 miles (121,440 feet) above the surface of Earth, which is far higher than the flying height of commercial airplanes (31,000 feet to 42,000 feet).

Continue reading: Samsung sent four S24 Ultra's to space on balloons to snap 150+ photos of Earth (full post)

New Apple Pencil tipped for launch this month

Oliver Haslam | Mar 5, 2024 1:30 PM CST

There have been intermittent rumors of Apple potentially getting ready to launch a new Apple Pencil in recent months, and now a new report claims that the company is almost set. If the report is accurate, Apple will release a new Apple Pencil this month.

New Apple Pencil tipped for launch this month

The report comes via Weibo user Instant Digital, a user who has a relatively strong track record with these things. The report was spotted by MacRumors and notes that Apple is ready to refresh the second-generation Apple Pencil specifically and that it will happen this month. This follows a similar report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman which suggested that a new Apple Pencil could debut within the next few weeks.

Solid information about what the new Apple Pencil might have to offer is hard to come by right now, but there have been rumors that the stylus will feature a shorter design that uses interchangeable tips to allow for more precise work where needed. Those tips could attech to the Apple Pencil body using magnets, while there is also a suggestion of color-detection technology that could sense a color and then replicate it.

Continue reading: New Apple Pencil tipped for launch this month (full post)

Apple releases iOS 17.4 with new EU app store tweaks and more

Oliver Haslam | Mar 5, 2024 12:45 PM CST

Apple has today released the iOS 17.4 software update to the public, bringing with it support for a number of new features. The update is available for download via the usual Software Update mechanism and is free for all compatible iPhones.

Apple releases iOS 17.4 with new EU app store tweaks and more

The new update's list of features starts with changes specific to those who use an iPhone in the European Union. There, the new software update allows people to install apps from third-party app stores while web browsers can also use their own browsing engines rather than WebKit for the first time. There is also support for alternative payment options, allowing developers to use different payment methods for in-app purchases rather than the App Store's. Apple is also adding support for allowing third-party wallet apps to access the iPhone's NFC chip to make payments in a similar manner to Apple Pay.

For those using iOS 17.4 globally, there are a number of changes for them to enjoy including a number of new emojis including a mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads. 18 people and mody emoji have also been given the option to face in either direction, Apple's release notes say.

Continue reading: Apple releases iOS 17.4 with new EU app store tweaks and more (full post)

New renders might show us the Apple iPhone SE 4 ahead of its release

Oliver Haslam | Mar 4, 2024 1:30 PM CST

The iPhone SE is very much overdue right now and there have long been rumors of the iPhone SE 4 being in development. That iPhone is thought to be based on the iPhone 14 shape but so far Apple is yet to confirm its existence. Now, newly-shared CAD renders appear to have corroborated previous reports and show a device that will be very familiar indeed.

New renders might show us the Apple iPhone SE 4 ahead of its release

The renders show a 6.1-inch display with Face ID and a notch which will look very similar to the iPhone 14 that was released in 2022. There are flat sides while the bottom of the device shows a USB-C port, replacing the Lightning that previous iPhone SE models used for charging and data transfer.

Previous iPhone SE models had smaller 4.7-inch displays and a Home button with Touch ID, so the new model is clearly a much more modern design and one that will be a big upgrade for those who buy iPhone SE models. The leaked dimensions of 147mm tall, 71.5mm wide, and 7.7mm thick are almost identical to those of the iPhone 14 which measures 146.7mm tall, 71.5mm wide, and 7.8mm thick. It's possible that iPhone 14 cases will fit without too many problems, depending on which case it is and how snug it was on the older iPhone.

Continue reading: New renders might show us the Apple iPhone SE 4 ahead of its release (full post)

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup could finally get the screen everybody needs

Jak Connor | Mar 1, 2024 8:47 AM CST

A new report has claimed Apple is preparing to implement its latest display technology called ProMotion, which enables a 120Hz refresh rate, in its non-Pro iPhone lineup.

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup could finally get the screen everybody needs

ProMotion display technology was introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro series in 2022. Since then, it has been exclusive to the Apple Pro lineup of smartphones. Still, now, according to a new report from The Elec, the company is planning on rolling out the technology across its non-Pro iPhone lineup, beginning with 2025's iPhone 17. So, why is this important? ProMotion technology enables the display to change the refresh rate of the screen dynamically from 1Hz all the way up to 120Hz.

Not only does the display refresh faster for a much smoother user experience, but the dynamic nature of the technology means better battery life as the screen isn't constantly running at a flat refresh rate. At the moment, Apple has reserved this technology for its higher-end product offerings as the company needs to push buyers toward devices that Apple makes more profit on.

Continue reading: Apple's iPhone 17 lineup could finally get the screen everybody needs (full post)

Apple's upcoming iOS 18 AI software updates could reignite interest in the iPhone in China

Oliver Haslam | Feb 27, 2024 1:15 PM CST

While we don't know an awful lot about what the upcoming iOS 18 software update will bring in terms of new features or redesigned interface, we do know that there is a lot of noise surrounding Apple's ongoing work in the world of AI. The company is thought to be leaning heavily on AI for its upcoming software updates, including iOS 18, but it isn't clear what that will actually mean. The smart money is in improvements to the ailing Siri digital assistant, and a new report claims that AI features could well be enough to get Chinese buyers excited about the iPhone once again.

Apple's upcoming iOS 18 AI software updates could reignite interest in the iPhone in China

A paywalled DigiTimes report, picked up by MacRumors, says that even though the Chinese smartphone market has started to lean in on high-end models with price tags to match, sales of iPhones have struggled so far this year. Local Chinese brands have started to offer new AI-powered features and that has been enough to cause people to choose not to buy Apple's phones, but iOS 18 could arrest that.

It's reported that Apple's iPhone sales declined 13% in December 2023 alone and it's thought that things have only gotten worse as 2024 has rolled in. But with AI claims being made, people could choose to give the iPhone another try - assuming those AI improvements do come to the iPhone.

Continue reading: Apple's upcoming iOS 18 AI software updates could reignite interest in the iPhone in China (full post)

Apple's 'Unreleased Products' document updated ahead of rumored iPad and Mac launches

Oliver Haslam | Feb 27, 2024 1:00 PM CST

Apple has long been rumored to have plans to announce new iPad tablets and portable Mac laptops within the next few weeks and even though the company has yet to confirm that, it has taken steps to get ready. According to a new report, Apple has updated an internal document about "unannounced or unreleased products". The move comes amid the new product rumors, although it's also important to note that there is no guarantee that the two things are related.

Apple's 'Unreleased Products' document updated ahead of rumored iPad and Mac launches

The document, reported by MacRumors, is designed to tell Apple support teams how to respond when customers have questions about future devices that have yet to be announced. According to the report, apple has today restructured and optimized the document although it isn't yet clear what that actually means - this si simply what the changelog says so it isn't known which changes were made specifically although the timing does seem suspect.

Apple is rumored to be readying updated tablets and laptops for a launch in the final weeks of March or early April.

Continue reading: Apple's 'Unreleased Products' document updated ahead of rumored iPad and Mac launches (full post)

These are the iPhones likely to be supported by the big iOS 18 software update this fall

Oliver Haslam | Feb 27, 2024 12:15 PM CST

There are many advantages to buying an iPhone but one of those is regular software updates that continue for years after the device was bought new, and with iOS 18 set to be announced within the next few months it appears that pattern is set to continue. While Apple is yet to officially confirm when the software will be announced or when it will arrive, a new report claims to know which iPhones will be supported when iOS 18 ships.

These are the iPhones likely to be supported by the big iOS 18 software update this fall

The report, which came via a post on X by a protected account that has since deleted it, claims that Apple's iOS 18 update will be compatible with the iPhone XR which means that the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max will also be included by way of using the same A12 Bionic chip. This account has a good track record of sharing details about upcoming Apple software updates and the post was reported on by MacRumors after it was deleted.

While the account did delete the post, it has done that with posts in the past and it has also proven to be accurate in the past which suggests the deletion shouldn't color our expectations. If the post is indeed accurate, the iOS 18 software update will support all of the same models that were supported by the iOS 17 update that arrived last year.

Continue reading: These are the iPhones likely to be supported by the big iOS 18 software update this fall (full post)