Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones News - Page 1

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

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The Pixel 8 Pro's Tensor G3 specs just leaked ahead of imminent launch

Oliver Haslam | Oct 3, 2023 8:14 AM CDT

The Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro are both set to be announced at an event that will take place tomorrow, October 4. Now the latter phone has appeared in a new leak with the Tensor G3 chip getting an outing in new photos.

The Pixel 8 Pro's Tensor G3 specs just leaked ahead of imminent launch

Those photos show the Tensor G3 having its information displayed on-screen and were shared by M. Brandon Lee on X, the social network previously known to the world as Twitter. They give us a better indication of what the new chip will be set up like including the speeds of the cores that are being used.

Based on the leak we're seeing here, and assuming it's legitimate, the Tensor G3 will have a 1+4+4 layout which is different from the 1+2+4 layout of the previous two generations of Google chip, as noted by 9to5Google. The new Cortex-X3 chip will be the big core used this time out, with a 2.91GHz clock speed and a 4nm fabrication process being the key features.

Continue reading: The Pixel 8 Pro's Tensor G3 specs just leaked ahead of imminent launch (full post)

Getting help from Apple just got a whole lot harder

Oliver Haslam | Oct 3, 2023 4:15 AM CDT

Getting hold of Apple just got a bit harder than it used to be after Apple stopped providing human support via direct messages on X, the social network previously known as Twitter. The company has also stopped offering support via its YouTube channel's comments, too.

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The move was first spotted by MacRumors which reports that as of October 1, sending a direct message to the AppleSupport account on X will result in an automated reply with links to support avenues available via Apple's own website. Something similar will happen if you send a reply to AappleSupport, although you might get a link to Apple's support articles depending on the request.

This comes after a previous report that claimed Apple was ready to eliminate paid social media support roles across YouTube, X, and even Apple's own support forums. Instead, the company now wants people to get their help via the phone with support members being transitioned to those teams to help bolster their numbers.

Continue reading: Getting help from Apple just got a whole lot harder (full post)

The Apple Pencil 3 could be about to change the way people write, draw, and paint on iPads

Oliver Haslam | Oct 2, 2023 2:15 PM CDT

If you're a big Apple Pencil user you might be in for a treat when the next iteration is finally announced. It's long overdue - the last Apple Pencil release was in 2018 - and if a new leak is accurate the Apple Pencil 3 will come with something we haven't seen on an Apple stylus to date.

The Apple Pencil 3 could be about to change the way people write, draw, and paint on iPads

That leak comes via the X leaker Majin Bu and appears to claim that Apple will ship the new Apple Pencil with support for interchangeable tips that will be connected to the main body of the device via magnets. Apple uses magnets in a variety of its products and in all kinds of different ways, so this wouldn't be at all surprising.

The leaker claims that the new tips offered by Apple would be specifically designed for different things with tasks like drawing, writing, and painting all likely to get their own versions. The change would offer tips of different sizes and widths to suit their purpose, with the iPad also likely recognizing which tip is in use and then having apps change their behavior to match.

Continue reading: The Apple Pencil 3 could be about to change the way people write, draw, and paint on iPads (full post)

Apple finally responds to iPhone 15 overheating issues with a solution

Jak Connor | Oct 2, 2023 5:02 AM CDT

The iPhone 15 has been out for a few weeks now, and it seems many users are reporting overheating problems at odd times of use.

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Some buyers who were quick to pick up the iPhone 15 took to social media platforms to report that the smartphone temperatures were reaching levels that caused pain upon touch. These issues presented themselves when the phone was charging, during general use, updating, and even during setup. According to some reports online, some users saw their iPhone 15 reach temperatures as high as 48C (118F).

These extreme temperatures at odd times were attributed to the new SoC (A17 Pro) inside the iPhone 15, as well as its new design. However, hardware may not be the problem, as Apple has told Forbes that its identified a few problems with iOS 17 that are causing the phone to "run warmer than expected" and that these issues will be ironed out in a coming update. Additionally, Apple said that this update will not impact the performance of the iPhone 15.

Continue reading: Apple finally responds to iPhone 15 overheating issues with a solution (full post)

Apple Wallet's UK bank-linking feature could come to the United States soon

Oliver Haslam | Sep 30, 2023 9:45 AM CDT

With Apple releasing iOS 17.1 to developers earlier in the week we got our first look at a new Wallet feature that puts bank balances and transactions with into the app. The kicker was that the feature was only available in the UK thanks to its Open Banking API, but it now appears the same feature could be on the way to the United States as well.

Apple Wallet's UK bank-linking feature could come to the United States soon

The news comes after one software researcher noticed that the fine print of the setup process in the UK includes mention of Apple Payments Services Ltd (UK). But there was also a mention of the new Apple Processing LLC (US) as well, suggesting that the feature will appear on Apple's home turf as well.

Then, MacRumors took that information and found a reference to the same legal entity on Apple's website in relation to Connected Cards, the new feature that makes this Wallet magic happen. The document found on Apple's website again points to Apple Processing LLC being the entity through which the US banking system will funnel data into Wallet.

Continue reading: Apple Wallet's UK bank-linking feature could come to the United States soon (full post)

The latest iPhone 15 problem is CarPlay and whether or not your cable will work

Oliver Haslam | Sep 30, 2023 9:15 AM CDT

If you're a user of Apple CarPlay and either have a new iPhone 15 or have one on the way, you might want to start thinking about how you're going to plug it into your vehicle. Because it seems some people are finding that to be more problematic than you might think.

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MacRumors reports that there are a surprisingly large number of people experiencing issues when connecting their USB-C iPhone to their car, most notably whenever they have a car that doesn't have a USB-C port. That means that they have to use a USB-A to USB-C cable and that, it appears, is where things start to go awry.

The MacRumors piece linked below includes a number of examples of people finding that they can't get USB-A to USB-C cables to work when they try to use Apple CarPlay. It would appear that the cable will charge the iPhone as expected, but the CarPlay connection isn't being initiated.

Continue reading: The latest iPhone 15 problem is CarPlay and whether or not your cable will work (full post)

The First Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Render Leak Just Arrived

Oliver Haslam | Sep 29, 2023 12:42 PM CDT

If the latest rumors are true we can expect Samsung to unveil the entire Galaxy S24 lineup at an event in January of 2024, which is only a few months away. that lineup will of course include the range-topping Galaxy S24 Ultra, and a new leak appears to have shown us exactly what that phone will look like.

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The Galaxy S24 Ultra will be the best Android phone you can buy in a lot of ways, and now we can see what the new flagship offering will look like. Unfortunately, this leak shows the phone in a rather dull black color, but we can expect more interesting options once the phone is official.

As for what the new renders show, there isn't an awful lot changing beyond some tweaks here and there. Those tweaks begin with the Galaxy S24 Ultra's new, smaller bezels which will make for an overall more appealing look. The display will be a 6.8-inch WQHD+ affair, the Smartprix leak claims, while around the back we will find a quad camera setup. There will also be a place for the S Pen to live, too.

Continue reading: The First Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Render Leak Just Arrived (full post)

Some USB-C battery packs can't charge the new iPhone 15

Oliver Haslam | Sep 29, 2023 6:30 AM CDT

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro lineups both come with new USB-C ports as had been rumored for months, but while it's great to be able to charge everything with a single cable, the switch hasn't been without its issues. Including reports that some battery packs simply can't charge the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro models.

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The issue has been pointed out by a number of people on social media and then picked up by MacRumors, with the situation appearing to be related to the way the iPhone's USB-C port handles reverse charging. The iPhones can charge other devices that are plugged into its USB-C port, but in some instances that appears to be confusing some battery packs - including ones made by Anker.

As MacRumors notes, one customer contacted Anker about its PowerCode Slim 10K PD battery pack after they were unable to charge their new iPhone using the USB-C port on the battery itself. In a response, Anker reportedly told the owner to use the USB-A port for now, while Anker continues to investigate if the issue is being caused by its battery packs or the iPhone 15.

Continue reading: Some USB-C battery packs can't charge the new iPhone 15 (full post)

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro land in these 20 countries today

Oliver Haslam | Sep 29, 2023 5:30 AM CDT

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro went on sale last week in some lucky countries, but there are 20 new ones getting the handsets today. Apple's iPhones have proven popular in the countries where they have already gone on sale, and they're sure to follow suit in these new ones, too.

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The new countries that receive the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro today, September 29 include Brazil, Georgia, Macao, Malaysia, Turkey, and Vietnam but Apple hasn't yet confirmed a full list of all the countries involved. Pricing will also vary in different locations based on local exchange rates and inflation, too.

Alongside the new iPhones Apple is also releasing the much-maligned FineWoven iPhone cases and MagSafe Wallets, although we'd perhaps suggest that buyers should consider going with the silicone options or a third-party solution. Apple might not be making leather iPhone cases anymore but there are plenty of third-party companies that are, with tons available already.

Continue reading: The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro land in these 20 countries today (full post)

iOS 17.1 brings a surprising iPhone 15 Pro Dynamic Island feature to other models

Oliver Haslam | Sep 28, 2023 5:15 AM CDT

The iOS 17 update has only been around for a little while but Apple is already working on what comes next. The iOS 17.1 update is now available to developers and it'll likely go through a few weeks of beta before it rolls out to everyone who wants it. And they will indeed want it after it was discovered that the first iOS 17.1 beta includes a specific feature that is making the move from the iPhone 15 Pro.

iOS 17.1 brings a surprising iPhone 15 Pro Dynamic Island feature to other models

Why this specific feature is currently only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max isn't clear, but it's coming to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 Pro when iOS 17.1 arrives on public devices. The feature in question? A new icon which appears in the Dynamic Island when the flashlight is being used.

Seeing an icon in the Dynamic Island whenever you turn the flashlight on doesn't immediately seem like something that might be useful. But, how many times have you noticed that your flashlight is turned on without you realizing? Or you turn it on and then forget to turn it off, for example? It happens more often than we might realize so this new feature could well be something that we wind up using more than new realize.

Continue reading: iOS 17.1 brings a surprising iPhone 15 Pro Dynamic Island feature to other models (full post)