Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones News - Page 7

The latest and most important Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones news - Page 7.

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Good news! The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro's batteries last longer than Apple expected

Oliver Haslam | Feb 20, 2024 3:00 PM CST

If you're the proud owner of one of the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro models you might find that your handset's battery lasts longer than you expected. In fact, it'll last longer than Apple had expected as well. That's according to a new 9to5Mac report which says that Apple has decided to update its battery cycle lifespan estimates for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.

Good news! The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro's batteries last longer than Apple expected

Apple had initially said that the iPhone 15's batteries would still offer up to 80% of their original capacity after 500 complete charge cycles, just like the older iPhones in its lineup. Now, it says that the iPhone 15 models can retain 80% of their capacity at double that figure - meaning that the 1,000 charge cycle count should arrive while the batteries still manage up to 80% of their original capacity.

Apple says that the change comes about after it improved the way its batteries are built as well as the power and battery management mechanisms that are part of the latest iPhones. To that end, this new 1,000 figure only applies to its latest models which means that those who buy an iPhone of any other vintage should still expect the batteries to last around 500 charge cycles before they start to really degrade.

Continue reading: Good news! The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro's batteries last longer than Apple expected (full post)

Apple's iOS 17.4 iPhone update will bring new CarPlay 'instrument cluster experience'

Oliver Haslam | Feb 20, 2024 2:45 PM CST

Apple has been beta testing the upcoming iOS 17.4 iPhone software update for a few weeks now and it today released the fourth beta to developers. The release means that developers can put the update through its paces, check it works, and ensure that their apps work with it before it is rolled out to the public. That's expected to happen within the next couple of weeks, but this specific beta release brings with it a new Apple CarPlay feature that hasn't been part of the iPhone's feature set to date.

Apple's iOS 17.4 iPhone update will bring new CarPlay 'instrument cluster experience'

The change was confirmed in the iOS 17.4 beta 4 release notes and was spotted by 9to5Mac. In those release notes Apple confirmed that, in supported CarPlay vehicles, Apple Maps will present a new instrument cluster experience with information about upcoming maneuvers. The users will also be able to wap the display type between the main instrument cluster screen by tapping the map configuration button on the screen, too.

Right now there are no actual details bout how this will work no which cars are supported, but it doesn't appear that this tweak is part of the next-gen CarPlay that is coming to some Aston Martin and Porsche vehicles later this year. However, it does require dual-screen Apple Maps support which is something that won't be available on the majority of cars that have the standard CarPlay implementation.

Continue reading: Apple's iOS 17.4 iPhone update will bring new CarPlay 'instrument cluster experience' (full post)

Apple's first foldable iPhone now tipped for 2026

Oliver Haslam | Feb 20, 2024 1:45 PM CST

Apple might have only had the iPhone 15 series of handsets on sale for a few months and rumors are already circulating in relation to the upcoming iPhone 16 models, but there are tons of people who are more interested in what the iPhone might be like if and when Apple finally folds it in half. The foldable iPhone has been rumored for years, and with competing companies like Google and Samsung already in the market, it's surely only a matter of time before a bendy iPhone arrives. but when?

Apple's first foldable iPhone now tipped for 2026

That's the question a new report by the Korean website Alpha Economy aims to answer with all eyes turning to a future release that isn't actually all that far off - at least not in the grand scheme of things.

That report suggests that Apple has decided that September 2026 will be the release window for its first foldable iPhone, and it's given the team working on making that happen a boost by a significant number of employees from the Apple Vision Pro team onto that project. The Apple Vision Pro has now shipped which means that it doesn't require quite as much work whereas the foldable phone project is very much in the middle of a key period.

Continue reading: Apple's first foldable iPhone now tipped for 2026 (full post)

iPhone 16 again tipped for new and upgraded microphones to make better use of a revamped Siri

Oliver Haslam | Feb 20, 2024 1:30 PM CST

Apple's widely expected to announce a slew of new iPhones this coming fall with September the likely release window for an iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. All four models are set to feature upgrades over the handsets that are on sale today, with a new report backing up previous claims that one particularly interesting upgrade is on the way.

iPhone 16 again tipped for new and upgraded microphones to make better use of a revamped Siri

While the iPhone's display and cameras are often some of its biggest features, this upgrade is related to something many of us take for granted - its microphones. According to reports Apple is set to upgrade the microphones used in these new models so as to make them more capable of hearing commands and requests made of the Siri digital assistant. This is all according to analyst Jeff Pu in a research note seen by MacRumors.

The reason for the upgrade is simple - Apple is working on some big AI-powered upgrades for Siri and it wants to ensure that the software is given the best chance possible. New microphones should make it easier for Siri to understand what has been said, giving it a leg up when it tries to use its AI technology to make sense of the spoken word.

Continue reading: iPhone 16 again tipped for new and upgraded microphones to make better use of a revamped Siri (full post)

iPhone 16 Pro buyers could get two new titanium colors to choose from

Oliver Haslam | Feb 19, 2024 1:45 PM CST

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max aren't expected to go on sale until September of this year, and the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have only been on sale for a few months. But that doesn't mean that there aren't already plenty of rumors about the upcoming iPhones to go around and the latest rumors surround which colors buyers could be choosing from come launch day this fall.

iPhone 16 Pro buyers could get two new titanium colors to choose from

With Apple set to continue to use the titanium construction that began with the iPhone 15 Pro models last year, a new report claims that there could be two new colors added to the lineup although it's possible that some will be removed to make way.

Posting on the X social network today the leaker Majin Bu shared that they have heard of two new colors being worked on. The first, Desert Yellow (Desert Titanium), is said to be similar to the gold of the iPhone 14 Pro but with a deeper hue. The second, Cement Gray (Titanium Gray), is thought to be a shade of space gray similar to that used on iPhone 6.

Continue reading: iPhone 16 Pro buyers could get two new titanium colors to choose from (full post)

New iPhone 16 case leak again hints at a major camera redesign

Oliver Haslam | Feb 19, 2024 1:18 PM CST

There have been a ton of stories over the last few weeks that suggest the upcoming iPhone 16 and iPHone 16 Plus will feature a pretty big design change. That change relates to the way the cameras are laid out on the back of the iPhone, and as time moves on we get ever closer to finding out whether these reports are accurate or not.

New iPhone 16 case leak again hints at a major camera redesign

But as that time rolls on we're starting to see more and more leaks adding fuel to the rumor fire and the latest comes in the form of photos of what are said to be iPHone 16 case molds. Posted on the X social network by leaker Majin Bu, the images do appear to match up with previous leaks relating to the iPhone camera situation. However, it's important to remember that this particular leaker has a mixed track record and that Apple could change its plans between now and the expected September launch - even if these images are legitimate.

The change in question is an interesting one and appears to be specifically related to the Apple Vision Pro and one of its key new features. That feature is spatial video, 3D videos that can currently only be captured by the headset itself as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Continue reading: New iPhone 16 case leak again hints at a major camera redesign (full post)

Apple's iPhones are getting RCS to appease China, report claims

Oliver Haslam | Feb 19, 2024 12:31 PM CST

Apple announced last year that it would be bringing RCS messaging to the iPhone in 2024 and tat's great news, but it turns out that the reason behind it might not be the reason that we had all assumed.

Apple's iPhones are getting RCS to appease China, report claims

RCS messaging is a rich messaging format that effectively replaces SMS and allows for iMessage-like read states, rich media, and more. It's also something that Androidd devices support and it was assumed that Apple's decision to add RCS support was an attempt to appears the European Commission and impending Digital Markets Act rules that might require iMessage be opened up to competing services. However, with the EC now confirming that iMessage won't be designated as a gatekeeper for DMA purposes, it appears that there was another reason for Apple to choose to bring RCS to the iPhone.

That reason, according to Apple watcher and well-connected blogger John Gruber, is China.

Continue reading: Apple's iPhones are getting RCS to appease China, report claims (full post)

Don't put your wet iPhone in rice, Apple warns owners

Oliver Haslam | Feb 19, 2024 12:14 PM CST

If you get your iPhone wet, whether that's by dropping it in the ocean or knocking over a bottle of soda, there has long been general wisdom that one of the best things that you can do is give it a could dry down with a cloth and then throw it into a bag of rice. The theory is that the rice will suck all of the moisture out of the sealed bag - including from within your iPhone - and then you'll be able to go about your life as if nothing had happened. Except, that might not be the best course of action after all.

Don't put your wet iPhone in rice, Apple warns owners

That's according to a source that should probably know as well. That source is Apple, and it's published a new support document that explains the situation. First spotted by Macworld, the support document explains that there are a few things that owners of wet iPhones should do - and three things in particular that they should not.

Starting with the things that people should do, Apple says that tapping the iPhone against a hand with the charging port facing down should ensure that most of the moisture falls out just fine. The iPhone should then be placed somewhere dry and left for 30 minutes before plugging it into power and crossing fingers.

Continue reading: Don't put your wet iPhone in rice, Apple warns owners (full post)

Apple reportedly halts foldable iPhone development over one big issue

Jak Connor | Feb 19, 2024 1:25 AM CST

Apple has reportedly stopped development of its rumored foldable iPhones, following reports of the company making two foldable iPhone prototypes with designs similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip.

Apple reportedly halts foldable iPhone development over one big issue

This rumor of foldable development purportedly stopping at Apple comes after reports surfaced of the company working on two foldable iPhones that would come with a severe thickness reduction compared to the current-gen iPhones we know today. The report from The Information stated these devices could have an exterior screen, and engineers are struggling with implementing the batteries.

Additionally, the report stated Apple engineers are also struggling with removing the crease that's currently present in every foldable device on the market. Apple's high standards for design likely mean the company won't release a foldable device until the crease problem is completely solved. Now, a new rumor from a source that doesn't have a track record but reported by Mac Rumors states Apple has paused development on the foldable devices due to concerns regarding the durability of the devices.

Continue reading: Apple reportedly halts foldable iPhone development over one big issue (full post)

This iPhone 16 leak suggests a big Apple Vision Pro-inspired camera change is coming

Oliver Haslam | Feb 17, 2024 11:22 AM CST

The Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are not expected to be announced until this coming September but there are already rumors about what the new handsets will have to offer and which features buyers can look forward to. The iPhone 15 and iPHone 15 Plus have only been on sale for a few months, but that was never going to stop the rumors from circulating

This iPhone 16 leak suggests a big Apple Vision Pro-inspired camera change is coming

One of those rumors suggested that Apple would choose to change the layout of the back of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to put its two cameras into a vertical orientation. The change would mean ditching the familiar diagonal setup, but it's a switch that is about more than aesthetics and a new leak appears to have confirmed the change is coming.

A new part leak by the X leaker Majin Bu appears to show the chassis that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus cameras will be mounted in and sure enough, they have a vertical orientation. But what makes that so important is the fact that it would put the two cameras in a horizontal orientation when the iPhone is turned on its side - just like the Pro iPhones.

Continue reading: This iPhone 16 leak suggests a big Apple Vision Pro-inspired camera change is coming (full post)