Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones News - Page 51
Your old iPhone is at risk from a security exploit, download iOS 15.7.4 ASAP
Owners of older iPhones that don't support iOS 16 should download a new update to make sure that they aren't at risk from an actively exploited security risk.
That new update is iOS 15.7.4 and it's available right now as a free download for anyone whose iPhone is a little long in the tooth and isn't supported by some of Apple's latest releases. That includes the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and the first-generation iPhone SE. There is also a version of iPadOS 15.7.4 that has been released for the iPad Air 2 and fourth-generation iPad mini. Amazingly, the seventh-generation iPod touch is also impacted.
Who remembers the iPod touch?
iOS 16.4 may stop iPhone 14's Crash Detection calling for help for no reason
Apple has released iOS 16.4 to the public after weeks of beta testing. The new update adds a number of features and fixes a few bugs, one of which Apple will hope is a problem that caused emergency services to receive unneeded calls.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro devices support something called Crash Detection. It's a feature that should call emergency services when a car crash is detected similar to the way Fall Detection works when someone takes a tumble. But since the phones went on sale in September 2022 emergency workers have reported that they get calls when they shouldn't. This update might fix that.
With the release of iOS 16.4, Apple hopes to have fixed the issue. The update's release notes don't specifically say that's what is going on, but they do say that the update includes Crash Detection optimizations for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models. With that in mind, it seems pretty clear what Apple is doing.
Your phone might not try to blind you as much with this new update
Have you ever turned on your Android phone and been immediately blinded because the screen brightness was set too high? We're willing to bet that you have, but now it looks like Google is working on a fix for that infuriating problem.
According to a new report, Google has a fix in the works via a future Android software update but it will be a while before you can actually install it on your phone.
The problem comes when you first wake your phone because it doesn't yet know how bright the room is. The ambient light sensor doesn't kick in until after that point, meaning it doesn't have time to turn the brightness down if you're in a dark room in the middle of the night, for example.
Continue reading: Your phone might not try to blind you as much with this new update (full post)
iPhone 15 Pro might get a controversial change to volume and mute buttons
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro could get a new design for its volume and mute buttons, and many folks aren't happy about it - though we should bear in mind, this is just a rumor at this stage.
The speculation comes from ShrimpApplePro on Twitter, a solid Apple source who has been right in the past (although the leaked CAD images of the purported new button design originate from the Chinese equivalent of TikTok).
Apple is apparently changing the iPhone 15 Pro's buttons (and Pro Max - but not the base iPhone 15 or Plus model) so they aren't physically pressed in any longer. Rather, they'll be flat and use haptic feedback (with two Taptic Engines inside the smartphone) to simulate the feeling of pressing the buttons.
Apple patent suggests foldable iPhone's may become a reality
A new patent application filed by Apple shows the company is looking for new ways to prevent iPhone screens from being damaged when the device is dropped.
The new patent application details a new self-retracting technology that would be capable of detecting when the device is dropped and immediately initiating the closure of the screen to protect it from any potential impact. This drop detection technology, paired with what the patent describes as a release mechanism that can "automatically retract the foldable display," would give iPhone users an increased chance at keeping their phone screen from being damaged as the screen wouldn't be exposed to any surface.
Apple releasing a foldable iPhone has been rumored for several years now, with swirling's of the unconfirmed product being first reported back in 2016. Since then, Apple enthusiasts have speculated that the company is inching closer to the release of its first foldable device, especially after Samsung proved there is demand for such devices in the mobile market with its now growing range of foldable smartphones.
Continue reading: Apple patent suggests foldable iPhone's may become a reality (full post)
Google Pixel 8 smartphone could fix blurred videos for you
When Google's Pixel 8 smartphone rolls around, it might just come with a feature that lets you unblur videos, which would be pretty nifty.
As you're likely aware, the ability to unblur photos is something Google has provided to buyers of its latest handsets, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
It's a logical step, then, that such a feature might be extended to cover video, despite that being a clearly more complex endeavor - and clues unearthed in a freshly released APK for Google Photos suggest this ability could be inbound.
Continue reading: Google Pixel 8 smartphone could fix blurred videos for you (full post)
iPhone 15 Pro rumor suggests Apple will hike the price - but by how much?
Apple could be preparing to increase the price tag of the iPhone 15 Pro, at least according to fresh news from the grapevine.
This comes from Jeff Pu, a tech analyst at Haitong International Securities, an investment firm in Hong Kong, who claimed in a research note that price hikes will be visited upon the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
As you may be aware, Apple's iPhone Pro models have stuck at the US$999 price point since the price tag was upped to that level with the iPhone X some six years ago. If Pu is correct, the iPhone 15 Pro will become the first Pro model to push above a grand - the question is, how far above?
Google Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold tipped for May unveiling as prices leak
Google will reportedly announce two new phones at its Google I/O event on 10 May. And we might even know how much they'll cost when it does it.
Everyone is waiting for Google to announce the Pixel Fold, the company's first foldable phone. That's now expected to get a Google I/O debut alongside the much cheaper Pixel 7a. New reports have the phones costing between $450 and $1500.
A new report by 9to5Google has Google announcing the Pixel Fold in Carbon and Porcelain colors, or black and white if you prefer. That's based on supposed retail listings for the product which also claim that there will be storage options of 256GB and 512GB, although the latter might be limited to the Carbon color.
Continue reading: Google Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold tipped for May unveiling as prices leak (full post)
Apple iPhone 15 Pro could be way faster than its predecessor
The iPhone 15 Pro could be a super-speedy smartphone if freshly leaked benchmarks prove to be correct.
The Geekbench 6 benchmarks come from Revegnus on Twitter, who notes that they unearthed them over at Chinese forum Weibo. (Sadly, there's no direct link to the purported results in the Geekbench database).
The benchmarks show the A17 Bionic chip, which will power the iPhone 15 Pro, hitting a score of 3,019 points in single-core and 7,860 for multi-core performance. That's incredibly fast for a smartphone, and if true, it'd be a massive leap in speed for the next-gen Apple handset.
Continue reading: Apple iPhone 15 Pro could be way faster than its predecessor (full post)
Google I/O kicks off on May 10, 2023 - Pixel 7a incoming?
Google I/O 2023 will kick off on May 10, the company has confirmed. The keynote will take place at Google's Mountain View, California HQ and will also be livestreamed for those who can't attend or just want to follow along at home.
While essentially a developer affair, Google I/O has historically also played host to new hardware launches and updates on the state of Android. We expect no different this time around and it's possible that we will see Google announce the Pixel 7a smartphone as well.
Those who can't attend will not only be able to see the keynote online. Google has said that it will also be making all of the sessions available to watch on-demand afterward as well. That's a good job as well, with only a 'limited live audience' set to be allowed into the event.
Continue reading: Google I/O kicks off on May 10, 2023 - Pixel 7a incoming? (full post)