Tag: Apple

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Smart Watch

How Is The Apple Watch Ban Going To Impact You?

Apple is no longer allowed to sell Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States due to a patent infringement case related to the SpO2 sensor. The watches will disappear from the official website starting December 26 and here is how this ban will impact you.

Apple is in trouble as they are no longer allowed to sell their latest models of watch bands namely, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the USA because of the recent ban by the International Trade Commission. The sale has already halted from its website as of December 21st and its retail stores will also stop selling the two models by the 24th of December. This is a major setback to Apple, especially during the time of Christmas when Apple could make the biggest revenue hit.

So, let’s dive into the issue and figure out what are its consequences, and most importantly how is it going to impact you.

Why Is the Apple Watch Banned?
The US International Trade Commission recently imposed a ban on two of the latest models of Apple watch bands namely, the Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the USA. The decision was made in response to a patent battle with Masimo Corp., a health technology business, over a critical component of these watches: the blood oxygen measurement technology.

Masimo Corp. is a medical device company that sells its own health and wellness wearable products. It is mainly known for its Pulse Oximetry technology, a way of measuring oxygen levels in the blood. Apple Watch has used this feature since 2020 on the back of Apple Watches that help consumers know their blood oxygen levels.

Consequently, ITC, in January 2023 found out that Apple infringed the patent rights of Masimo by using the Pulse Oximetry technology, and as a result, these Apple Watch models were banned from being imported, which had a direct impact on Apple’s sales in the US market.

This is bad news for Apple as watch sales in the year 2022 hit $52 million. This decision affects not just Apple but also its global network of suppliers that produce and assemble its components as the Apple Watch is a massive player in the wearable market as a whole with Apple selling more watches than the entire Swiss Watch industry at over 15.4 million units.

Impact of the Ban
The ban does not only impact the sale of Apple Watches but it also has many other impacts that are a matter of concern for Apple Watch users. It includes preventing the repairing of other watch models, pulling out the online sale of the latest smartwatches, and financial implications on the markets of different countries.

Let us discuss all the major impacts in detail below.

1.Preventing Repairs of Out-of-Warranty models
This recent ban might affect the existing Apple Watch users. Apple stated in a memo sent this week to its customer support staff that it will no longer be fixing out-of-warranty Apple Watch Series 6 products. With the new modifications, Apple will no longer be able to repair older iPhones’ hardware; however, the company will still be able to assist customers with software-related concerns. This implies that you will not be able to get an Apple Watch with a blood oxygen sensor that is out of warranty — serviced, repaired, or replaced in any way. For example, Apple will not be able to assist you in any way if the screen on your Apple Watch Series 6 is broken.

Additionally, Apple won’t be able to exchange a watch that is purchased even before the ban. It can only be returned or refunded. This means that anyone who receives an Apple Watch for Christmas cannot exchange it for a new model if they need a different size or colour, which seems particularly disappointing for Apple and their customers.

2.Impact on the Online Sales of Apple
The ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 could have an impact on Apple’s product strategy, as both watches are crucial to the company. The ban may cause Apple to shift its focus to other products, such as the Apple Watch SE, which is unaffected by the ban. Concerns have been raised about the ban’s potential impact on iPhone sales. The ban might have an impact on Apple’s overall sales and profits, especially given the popularity of the impacted models.

3.Impact on the Consumers in USA
Consumers in the USA will be impacted the most as Apple has already suspended its sales and services in the country. To biggest downside is that people cannot gift the latest model of Apple Watches to their loved ones on Christmas. However, there are no restrictions on use for customers who purchased the impacted models before the ban’s adoption, and Apple’s warranty services continue to operate normally, ensuring that devices inside the warranty term can still undergo servicing.

Only the new users are going to suffer because of the unavailability of these products both online as well as offline. However, some third-party retailers like Target Corp., Walmart Inc., and Best Buy Co. can continue selling the smartphone despite the ITC restriction because it only affects Apple’s direct sales channels.

4.Impact on the Consumers in India
The impact of the ban in India is minimal. ITC only bans the sale of these models in the USA. In India, Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are available and continue to remain on sale. However, it might affect the import of some Apple Watch models, including the Series 6, 7, 8, and Ultra models, as well as the current Series 9 and Ultra 2, which possess the blood oxygen feature. However, the major impacts of the ban on other countries except the USA are yet to be determined. But most likely if the issue is not resolved in a few weeks then this ban would result in suspending sales of these two Apple Watches in India as well.

What can Apple do now?
To prevent the ban on the Apple Watch, Apple is taking several measures. The Biden administration is “tracking” the US Trade Representative’s potential veto over the decision to ban almost all Apple Watch sales in the US owing to the patent issue. However, the ban is scheduled to take effect on December 26, 2023, and the White House has not yet stepped in.

To resolve the matter, Apple is looking into several options, including possible settlements and licencing deals with Masimo. If possible, the corporation is also thinking about changing the software to get around the ban. Given the popularity of the impacted models, it is anticipated that the ban will have some effect on Apple’s overall sales if it does go into force.

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Smartphone

All iPhone 16 Models Could Have This Chipset

Apple is already working on the iPhone 16 series, and the upcoming iPhones are likely to be an incremental refresh. Furthermore, a new report suggests the Cupertino Giant will use the same chipset across all models this year.

This means that unlike the current iPhone 15 lineup, where the Pro models have the A17 Pro processor and the base variants have the A16 chipset, all models in the iPhone 16 series will have the same chipset.

iPhone 16 Series To Have A18 Chipset Across All Models

According to a report by MacRumors, all Apple iPhone 16 models will use the A18 chipsets. This means that Apple won’t differentiate between the vanilla and Pro models by opting for different processors.

The report claims it has found references to iOS 18 and unreleased hardware with the codename D47- Apple iPhone 16, D48, Apple iPhone 16 Plus, D93- Apple iPhone 16 Pro and D94- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

All four iPhones are running on the operating system “Crystal”, which is likely to be iOS 18. Furthermore, the report says there is no evidence of an “iPhone Ultra”, contrary to previous rumours.

If such a device exists, then it will have a separate model number, D95 or D94a. Moreover, all four iPhone 16 models will have the same chipset, which is t8410 with the codename Tahiti.

This chipset is likely to be the A18 and will be used on the Apple iPhone 16, Apple iPhone 16 Plus, Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, there is a chance that Apple could differentiate between the chipset by naming them the A18 and A18 Pro.

The report also claims the upcoming iPhones will use Broadcom Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules but mentions no other details. With a year left to go for the iPhone 16 series launch, many things may change before the release.

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Smartphone

iPhone 16 To Get New Capture Button For This Dedicated Purpose

Apple introduced the Action button with the Apple iPhone 15 Pro series, which replaced the mute switch. Users can map this customizable action button to a wide range of features, such as launching a specific app, turning on the camera or toggling the flashlight.

Apple now wants to bring another button with the iPhone 16 series called the Capture button. Here is everything you need to know about the new Capture Button.

iPhone 16 To Arrive With New Capture Button For Taking Videos
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone 16 will retain the same design as the iPhone 15 series with iterative upgrades.

Furthermore, Apple will also bring the Action button to the Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 16 Plus, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro series will get a new capture button. This dedicated button will allow users to record a video, claims Gurman.

Although he does not disclose the name of the button, it is likely to be called the Capture Button. Moreover, the Cupertino Giant could also bring new video features with the iPhone 16 Pro series that will justify the addition of the capture button.

There is no information on whether users will be able to customize the button to perform other camera features, such as taking a selfie or capturing a portrait photo.

He also claims the iPhone 16 Pro series will increase in screen size compared to the current models. According to rumours, the iPhone 16 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max will have screen sizes of 6.2 inches and 6.8 inches, respectively.

Other Changes And Upgrades In iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 series is likely to debut in 2024 with new AI features in iOS 18. These AI features will work similarly to the ones in the Google Pixel series, with Siri using a dedicated LLM (Language Learning Model) to perform tasks.

The Pro models will get a new Snapdragon X75 modem for faster connectivity apart from Wi-Fi 7 support. These phones will use the new Apple A18 Bionic chipset based on a 3nm architecture, while the base models will get the A17 processor, which will be a toned-down version of the A17 Pro.

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Smartphone

Apple Rolls Out iOS 17.2 Update With Plenty Of New Features

Apple is rolling out the iOS 17.2 update for its iPhones with many new changes, features and security fixes. The update adds the new Journal app and enables Spatial Video recording on the iPhone 15 Pro series.

Furthermore, the update enables support for Qi2 wireless charging on the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 14 series. Here are all the changes and features in the new iOS 17.2 update.

iOS 17.2 Release Date: Update Rolling Out With Major Upgrades
The iOS 17.2 update is now available to all compatible iPhones, and the company has also released the iPad OS 17.2, macOS 14.2 Sonoma and Watch OS 10.2 updates.

The major highlight of the update is the much-awaited Journal app on iPhones, which allows users to record their thoughts and daily activities. The Cupertino Giant announced the feature at its annual WWDC event in June this year.

Moreover, users can protect the Journal app with Touch ID or FaceID on their iPhones and apply different filters to find their saved journals. There is also an option to receive notifications reminding you to write a new journal, all syncing to your iCloud ID.

Apple is also adding the spatial video feature to the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max with the new iOS 17.2 update. This allows users to record a 3D video, which they can later view on their Apple Vision Pro headset.

Other Changes In The Latest iOS Update
Furthermore, the new update also improves the telephoto capabilities of the latest iPhones with faster-focusing speed and accuracy. In addition, the Action button on the iPhone is getting a translate feature, allowing users to translate a phrase or conversation into another language quickly.

The new iOS 17.2 update also brings new weather widgets, a digital clock widget, a favourite songs playlist in Apple Music, a new sticker in the context menu, improvements to AirDrop and changes to Memoji.

Apple is also adding Contact Key Verification to iMessage for better security and a new catch-up button to show the latest unread message. Moreover, you can now ask Siri to access data from the Health app.

This new update enables Qi-2 Wireless charging on the Apple iPhone 13 and Apple iPhone 14 models. Furthermore, there is support for eight Saimi languages in the keyboard app and better AutoFill apart from Sensitive Content Warning in iMessage.

How To Download iOS 17.2
In order to download the latest iOS update, go to Settings->General->Software Update, and you will see the option to download iOS 17.2. Make sure that your iPhone has at least 60-70 per cent battery before you install the update.

Furthermore, the update has a download size of around 1.2 GB, so you need to have enough storage space on your device. The update size will likely vary based on the current iOS version, especially if you are using an older version.

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Tablet

Apple Might Launch Affordable iPad 11-Gen In 2024, Reports Claim!

A new model of the affordable Apple iPad‌ 11th-generation is expected to be released around next year, according to a news source. The entry-level model, likely the 11th-generation “iPad,” is expected to launch in late 2024. What does this mean if you’re considering buying an Apple tablet? Should you wait for the 11th-generation iPad, or will it take a long time? What you should know so far about iPad 2024 It’s all here.

What Is The Actual News About Affordable iPad 11-Generation?
According to media sources, technical verification for the prototype of the new iPad model will begin around mid-February next year. The affordable Apple iPad‌ 11th-generation is going to launch in mid-2024 as per the report.

The iPad 11 is likely to have the same design as the current model. This is because Apple iPad 10 introduced a new design with slimmer edges and Touch ID on the power button instead of the home button. Therefore, it is very likely that the company will stick with the same design for a few more years.

This year, the company may improve the camera sensor and internals of the device. Since the iPad 10 refresh increased the display size from 10.2 inches to 10.9 inches. So, we believe this is unlikely to change.

What is more likely is support for Apple Pencil (2nd generation), as the iPad 10 only supports the first version of Apple Pencil and may be discontinued. If there’s one standout upgrade that makes people’s lives easier, it’s storage.

Apple continues to market the iPad as a laptop replacement, but the base model has a weak storage capacity of just 64 GB. You may see Apple expansion in its entry-level tablets to 128GB. A USB-C charging port can be added as well. So it wouldn’t be too surprising if that happens when the iPad 11 finally launches.

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Smartphone

What Is Vintage iPhone? Here’s Everything To Know!

Are you wondering what is vintage iPhone? If yes, this article is for you. Apple has recently stamped its iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S as Vintage. This device has been one of the most loved iPhones ever. And if you have ever used any of these phones, you will surely get the nostalgia back.

There was a time when vintage words were used for fashion and watches. Or maybe even cars. We all remember those vintage-looking telephones, right? Well, the same is happening with iPhones now!

What is Vintage iPhone?
A vintage iPhone is something that Apple doesn’t make any more or supports updates on it. There are chances that Apple may not even repair it because of the time it has since its availability in the market. So basically, the product has reached the end of its product life cycle, and hence, it will be termed as Vintage or Obsolete.

In this case, it’s the iPhone 5 and 5S that Apple is now calling them vintage. People love collecting old iPhones as part of a unique and rare connection to show their love for the iPhones. If you are someone who does that, then these iPhones are sure to have a place in your heart.

Why does Apple call the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S vintage iPhones?
Now that we are clear about what the Vintage iPhone is, it’s time to understand why Apple is calling the iPhone 5 and 5S Vintage! For that, we have to delve into the history of these iPhones. You see, iPhone 5 was first released in 2012, that’s 11 years now! Gosh, I feel old.

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Tips and Guidelines

An Update Rolled Out In iOS, And macOS For Security Vulnerabilities

Apple took urgent action and released iOS 17.1.2 and macOS Sonoma 14.1.2 with security updates to address two critical security vulnerabilities. These are also called zero-day vulnerabilities, which are actively exploited in attacks. These important security updates are also available for iPhone, Mac, and iPad starting today. The iPhone maker said the first bug used web processing to “disclose sensitive information,” and the second bug used web processing to allow arbitrary code execution.

Apple is also working on iOS 17.2, which is about to release within the next month. This update adds a new Journal app and makes some major improvements to the Music app.

What Is WebKit And Reason Behind The Update
These particular bugs were discovered in a web browser engine called WebKit used in Apple’s devices. By tricking a user into visiting a malicious website, an attacker could access sensitive information or execute malicious code on a vulnerable device. Apple acknowledges that this issue may have been exploited in iOS versions prior to iOS 16.7.1.

To address these security issues, Apple has released an emergency update for devices running iOS 17.1.2, macOS Sonoma 14.1.2, Safari 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17. 1.2,. Apple updates are now available for iPhone, iPad, and macOS. These updates contain patches for critical vulnerabilities, so it’s important to update affected devices as soon as possible.

However, there are no new features in these security updates. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap the Start button to immediately update your iPhone or iPad. On Mac, go to System Preferences > General > Software Update and repeat this process.

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Tablet

Apple iPad Mini Will Get A Major Display Upgrade Next Year

The Apple iPad mini is one of the few compact tablets available in the market, and the company is planning a significant refresh for it. According to a new leak, the Cupertino Giant will bring an LTPS OLED display on the upcoming iPad mini and the iPad Air. It will also increase the screen size of the smaller tablet for a more immersive experience.

Apple iPad Mini To Get An OLED Display Upgrade
A report by ETNews claims that Apple will introduce an LTPS OLED display to the iPad mini and the iPad Air. Furthermore, the company will also increase the size of the iPad mini to 8.7-inch from the current 8.3-inch.

Apple is also planning to switch to OLED across its iPad and Mac linup starting next year.The transition will begin with the iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch models.

These Pro models will get LTPO panels .Furthermore, the company will switch to Mini-LED screen on the MacBook Pro lineup.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro will get the upgrade in 2025 while the 13 and 14-inch variants will need to wait till 2026.

iPad Mini Screen Size To Increase To 8.7-Inches
The iPad mini is likely to get a LTPS screen instead of LTPO.Furthermore, the company will also increase the size of the iPad mini to 8.7-inch from the current 8.3-inch.

Although the company is unlikely to add Pro-Motion support meaning it won’t get 120Hz refresh rate like its Pro counterparts.Similarly the iPad Air will also get the LTPS treatment with the OLED screen.The iPad Air will retain its 10.9-inch screen size.

Apple updated the iPad Mini in 2021 with new design and the A15 Bionic chipset.It launched in India with features like USB-C and 5G for a price of Rs.46,900

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Tips and Guidelines

Apple Magic Accessories To Launch With USB-C Soon

Apple plans to add a USB-C port to its Magic accessories lineup soon. These include the Apple Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and the Magic Keyboard. The company is transitioning all its products with lightning ports to USB-C after the launch of the Apple iPhone 15 series.

USB-C Apple Magic Accessories To Arrive Soon

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Apple 2023 product lineup is an iterative upgrade until the company offers better USB-C integration across all products. Gurman claims these interim products will have modest upgrades to keep customers loyal to the Apple ecosystem.

The new Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard will arrive with the USB-C port next month. It will launch along with the iMac next month. The company also plans to launch the standard AirPods with USB-C port next year. Apple has already released the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen with a USB-C port.

Adding the USB-C to the Magic lineup could be an interesting change, as the current models have been criticized for having a lightning port at the bottom. However, there is no information on whether Apple will change the position of the port or not.

Gurman further predicts the AirPods Max will also transition to the USB-C port but does not provide the exact timeline. He also claims accessories like the MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo will return with the USB-C port.

The company is also working on the 10th anniversary Apple Watch, dubbed the “Series X”, with new features and design. It will be the most significant overhaul to the Apple Watch series, with a thinner case and a new way to attach bands. Furthermore, it will also have a blood pressure monitor and AI health coaching service.

Next year, Apple is also planning new iPads with OLED displays, an M3 processor for the MacBook lineup, bigger iPhones, and an Apple GPT AI model. Apple is expected to generate 123.5 billion dollars of revenue during the holiday season.

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Tips and Guidelines

Apple iPhone 16 To Be A Minor Upgrade, Will Rely On iOS Magic

Apple recently launched the Apple iPhone 15 series in September, and the company now seems to be working on its next generation of iPhones. The Apple iPhone 16 series will bring new features and ship with new iOS 18 software. Although a new report suggests the iPhone 16 will likely be a minor upgrade, Apple will rely more on software tricks than hardware to sell its new iPhones.

iPhone 16 To Be An Iterative Upgrade With AI Features
According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the upcoming Apple iPhone 16 will be an iterative upgrade and won’t have “any major advances next year”. The company is reportedly banking on its new software tricks to boost the sales of its next iPhones.

The Apple iPhone 16 will have new exclusive AI features with the iOS 18 update. The next iOS update will bring significant changes with new features, design and performance boosts.

iOS 18 could be “relatively groundbreaking” and bring new AI features similar to Microsoft’s Copilot and Samsung’s Galaxy AI. Siri could get a massive boost with Apple’s new Language Learning Models (LLM), which will power apps like Pages, Keynotes, Numbers and Apple Music.

Apple is also testing a prototype of the iPhone 16 series with a punch-hole cutout, although it is unlikely to make it to the release. This is because the company has invested a lot of resources in promoting the Dynamic Island introduced with the Apple iPhone 14 Pro series.

Apple Is Working Hard To Fix Bugs In iOS 16
Apple’s head of software, Craig Federighi, froze the development of iOS 18 last month because “the quality of initial versions missed the mark”. Gurman claims this break helped the company fix bugs and improve the update’s performance.

The engineers spent a week “focused exclusively on rooting out glitches” in the software. Moreover, the iOS 18 update has reached its first milestone, with the company completing its first internal version with all new features.

It is now heading to its next milestone, M2, where the debugging process will begin. Furthermore, Gurman claims there are four milestones for each iOS update, lasting six weeks after WWDC in June. Four of these milestones are related to adding new features, while the other two focus on fixing bugs.

The company plans to deliver a polished software experience with fewer bugs and glitches. Given the long list of devices the new iOS 16 update will support, it seems to be a daunting task for Apple engineers.