Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones News - Page 1

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

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Buying a new M4 iPad Pro or M2 iPad Air? You'll need new accessories and maybe a new SIM

Oliver Haslam | May 7, 2024 1:30 PM CDT

Apple today announced the new M4 iPad Pro and an updated M2 iPad Air, with both tablets now available for preorder. They'll both go on sale next week alongside the first Apple Pencil Pro and a refreshed Apple Magic Keyboard. And all of those things could make for an expensive upgrade.

Buying a new M4 iPad Pro or M2 iPad Air? You'll need new accessories and maybe a new SIM

Apple announced all of the new devices and accessories at the same time which should give you an idea of how intertwined they all are. And it turns out that buying a new iPad Pro or iPad Air could soon get expensive when you factor in that you could well need two new accessories. And then there's the matter of the SIM card you use in your old cellular iPad, too.

Starting with the accessories, new M4 iPad Pro buyers need to know that they won't be able to use their old Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil with their new tablet. Apple says that the older Apple Pencils won't work because of the change in charging and attachment mechanism required for the Apple Pencil Pro, so that's an extra $129 that buyers will have to fork out.

Continue reading: Buying a new M4 iPad Pro or M2 iPad Air? You'll need new accessories and maybe a new SIM (full post)

Apple slashed the price of its entry-level 10th-gen iPad and killed off the 9th-gen model

Oliver Haslam | May 7, 2024 1:00 PM CDT

Following Apple's Let Loose iPad event the company has confirmed that the 10th-generation entry-level iPad is no longer selling for the previous $449 asking price but has instead been reduced by $100. The new $349 price is much more befitting of a tablet at the lower-end of the iPad lineup, while Apple has had to cancel an older model to make space.

Apple slashed the price of its entry-level 10th-gen iPad and killed off the 9th-gen model

The previous-generation 9th-generation iPad was still being sold for $329 as a way to offer a cheaper option for iPad buyers. However, the price reduction of the 10th-generation model means that Apple has now discontinued the 9th-generation model, making way for the better tablet in the process.

The 10th-generation iPad comes with an A14 chip and has an all-screen design with Apple removing the Home button from the entry-level iPad for the first time. That move gave the model a new, more modern look when compared to the previous generation tablets and better matched that of the iPad Air and iPad Pro.

Continue reading: Apple slashed the price of its entry-level 10th-gen iPad and killed off the 9th-gen model (full post)

Apple just announced a new iPad Magic Keyboard and it might fix the old one's biggest problem

Oliver Haslam | May 7, 2024 12:30 PM CDT

Apple's big Let Loose iPad event has now come to an end and as expected, the company announced a number of new iPads as well as new accessories that will work with them. One of those accessories is the heavily rumored new Apple Pencil Pro, while the other is a revamped version of the Apple Magic Keyboard, and this new model is better than any of those that came before it - if only because the more rigid construction should stop it from flopping around so much.

Apple just announced a new iPad Magic Keyboard and it might fix the old one's biggest problem

Apple announced the keyboard by saying that it's a thinner and lighter option than those that came before it. The press release notes that it opens to a floating design that has already proven popular with customers while a new function row has been added to the top of the keyboard. That row adds support for things like display brightness adjustment keys as well as keys for adjusting the volume, among other things.

Other improvements include a new aluminum construction that should make the palm rest more rigid and less likely to bend, while the keyboard itself comes in both white and black color variants. Buyers will need to choose a different keyboard depending on the size of their tablet as has always been the case, with the 11-inch version selling for $299. Those who own a 13-inch iPad will have to pay a little extra, with Apple charging $349 for that version.

Continue reading: Apple just announced a new iPad Magic Keyboard and it might fix the old one's biggest problem (full post)

Apple announces the Apple Pencil Pro, its best stylus ever with a new gesture and more

Oliver Haslam | May 7, 2024 12:15 PM CDT

Apple has today announced a slew of new iPads as well as a couple of accessories to go with them and one of those accessories is an all-new stylus. Dubbed the Apple Pencil Pro, the new stylus is essentially a replacement for the Apple Pencil 2nd-generation but is exclusively compatible with the new M4 iPad Pro and revamped M2 iPad Air. That means that anyone who wants to be able to use one of these new Appel Pencil Pros will have to buy a new iPad to do it.

Apple announces the Apple Pencil Pro, its best stylus ever with a new gesture and more

The updated Apple Pencil was heavily rumored before today's Let Loose event, but it was expected that it would be called the Apple Pencil 3 initially. Then, a leak on the Japanese Apple website appeared to suggest that the stylus could carry the Apple Pencil Pro name and that's now been confirmed. As for whether the new features that it offers justify the name, that's another matter entirely.

That isn't to say that the new features aren't notable, because they are. The rumored squeeze gesture is present and correct and Apple says that it will allow people to quickly access the tool palette to switch tools, adjust line weights, and pick a new color without having to stop what they are doing. To go with the new squeeze gesture Apple says that it has also included a new haptic engine to allow the Apple Pencil to tap the user to provide confirmation when a squeeze has been registered.

Continue reading: Apple announces the Apple Pencil Pro, its best stylus ever with a new gesture and more (full post)

Apple's new M2 iPad Air is here in an all-new 13-inch size, refreshed 11-inch model

Oliver Haslam | May 7, 2024 12:00 PM CDT

Apple's big Let Loose iPad event has now come to a close and the company announced everything that we expected it to. In fact, surprises were very few and far between which means that we saw Apple unveil the new iPad Air, the best and most powerful tablet ever to carry that moniker. The new tablet is available for preorder today with prices starting from $599, and it'll ship to those who preorder next week.

Apple's new M2 iPad Air is here in an all-new 13-inch size, refreshed 11-inch model

The updated tablet doesn't feature a big industrial design change although there are new colors for buyers to choose from. Apple says that the tablet can be had in charcoal gray, light violet, denim, and age while all of those colors are options whether or not you choose the smaller 11-inch version of the larger 13-inch tablet.

Yes, you read that right, and the rumors were true - Apple today added an all-new 13-inch model to the popular iPad Air lineup. The existing 11-inch version is still present and has been updated accordingly, but it's the addition of a new 13-inch version of the iPad Air that will likely capture many people's attention. It's the same size as the new OLED M4 iPad Pro, for example, but costs considerably less. The 13-inch iPad Air starts at $799 while the iPad Pro starts at an eyewatering $1,299. It's important to note that the iPad Air comes with 128GB of storage and the iPad Pro comes with 256GB, but for those who just want a bigger screen, the iPad Air is a great option at this price.

Continue reading: Apple's new M2 iPad Air is here in an all-new 13-inch size, refreshed 11-inch model (full post)

Global smartphone brand exposed to dangerous security vulnerabilities

Jak Connor | May 7, 2024 2:01 AM CDT

A group of cybersecurity researchers has discovered multiple security vulnerabilities within a wide range of software running on devices.

Global smartphone brand exposed to dangerous security vulnerabilities

According to reports, the global smartphone brand is Xiaomi, and its security flaws are present within its own implementation of Google's Android operating system, which is a different system to the one present on Android devices in the US. Security researcher and founder of mobile security startup Oversecured, Sergey Toshin, said his team found twenty vulnerabilities throughout the Xiaomi devices, ranging from holes in the settings application to the Bluetooth software.

Toshin said the most egregious of these security vulnerabilities would have enabled hackers to gain "system privileges," which may have led to user passwords being stolen and access to social media accounts.

Continue reading: Global smartphone brand exposed to dangerous security vulnerabilities (full post)

Apple's first foldable might debut in next year, but it won't be an iPhone

Oliver Haslam | May 6, 2024 2:00 PM CDT

While there are plenty of foldable phones on the market right now Apple does not make any of them. The foldable iPhone is something that many have assumed that Apple has plans for but so far, there has been little to suggest that a launch is imminent. Now, a new report suggests that Apple is readying a foldable device for next year - but it won't be an iPhone,

Apple's first foldable might debut in next year, but it won't be an iPhone

That's according to Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu in a research note seen by 9to5Mac. According to Pu Apple will begin mass production of a 20.3-inch foldable device in 2025 followed by a foldable iPhone that is set to be ready for late 2026. There have long been rumors of Apple working on a foldable device of some sort with a display of around 20 inches, and it would seem that's the device that Pu is talking about here.

Previous claims have come from the well-connected supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo although he had said that the foldable MacBook would be ready for launch in 2027. Display supply chain analyst Ross Young had suggested a 2026 or 2027 launch was possible, but the suggestion that a 2025 launch could be in the cards is the most optimistic report we've seen to date.

Continue reading: Apple's first foldable might debut in next year, but it won't be an iPhone (full post)

Apple again hints at new Apple Pencil launch with revamped May 7 event teaser

Oliver Haslam | May 6, 2024 12:45 PM CDT

Apple has already confirmed that it intends to hold an online event tomorrow, May 7 and while the company hasn't yet confirmed what it will entail, there are strong rumors that it will unveil new iPads and accessories. Now, a new update to the company's website has given us another indication of what we can expect - and it strongly hints that there will be a new Apple Pencil as part of the big event.

Apple again hints at new Apple Pencil launch with revamped May 7 event teaser

Rumors have already suggested that an Apple Pencil 3 is set to be announced, while a more recent report suggests that we can expect that accessory to be called the Apple Pencil Pro. That came after a reference to an Apple Pencil Pro was found in the code of the Japanese Apple website, and now a change to the US website has again hinted at a new Apple Pencil announcement.

The change, reported by 9to5Mac, comes as Apple updated the teaser on its website that cycles between different illustrations of the Apple logo. However, those on an iPhone can use their finger to erase the currently displayed illustration while those on a Mac can use the mouse instead. When the logo has been fully erased a new animation replaces it.

Continue reading: Apple again hints at new Apple Pencil launch with revamped May 7 event teaser (full post)

Mystery iPhone 17 Slim again tipped for an all-new 6.55-inch display

Oliver Haslam | May 6, 2024 12:30 PM CDT

While Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models this year, the rumor mill never stops and attention is already starting to turn to the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro. Apple normally sticks to a tried and tested lineup and it was expected that the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max would be replaced by the iPhone 17, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. But recently some things have thrown that into doubt.

Mystery iPhone 17 Slim again tipped for an all-new 6.55-inch display

We recenetly told you about analyst Jeff Pu's belief that Apple will ditch the iPhone 17 Plus in favor of an iPhone 17 Slim, and now that appears to have been given more credence after the well-respectied supply chain analyst Ross Young shared news of an all-new display being in the works.

Pu had suggested that the iPhone 17 Slim would come with a smaller display of around 6.6 inches, and now Ross Young has shared that a mystery 5.55-inch display is in the works for a future iPhone.

Continue reading: Mystery iPhone 17 Slim again tipped for an all-new 6.55-inch display (full post)

Rumored iPhone under-display Face ID tech might miss iPhone 17 launch and debut with iPhone 18

Oliver Haslam | May 6, 2024 12:00 PM CDT

There have been rumors of a big change coming to the iPhone 17 Pro for some time, with display analyst Ross Young believing that the best phones of 2025 would feature an under-display Face ID setup for the first time. The move would mean that there would be no display cutouts for the Face ID technology, reducing the size of the Dynamic Island. However, the analyst says that things might have changed.

Rumored iPhone under-display Face ID tech might miss iPhone 17 launch and debut with iPhone 18

In a post on the X social network, Young noted that the under-display technology may have been delayed until the iPhone 18 Pro. This post came back in March but has only just come to the fore after it was spotted by AppleInsider.

However, more recently analyst Jeff Pu suggested that Apple intends to be able to shrink the Face ID technology for the iPhone 17 Pro Max specifically, suggesting that the iPhone 17 Pro will not have the same technology. Pu appeared to suggest that the smaller components will allow the Dynamic Island to be made smaller, but there was no mention of placing the camera under the display.

Continue reading: Rumored iPhone under-display Face ID tech might miss iPhone 17 launch and debut with iPhone 18 (full post)