Tag: app-subdomain-redirection:ios-17

The Notes app from Apple is on its way to becoming an even more essential tool within the brand’s device ecosystem. The next major update of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 18, would introduce two important improvements to this iconic app.

According to AppleInsider, there are at least two standout features in development for the Notes app. First, there is expected to be an implementation of audio recordings directly within the app, similar to the functionality of Voice Memos but with better integration.

This will allow iOS 18 users to record, play and save audio directly in their notes, making it easier to create multimedia content and digital albums. In addition, they will be able to add text and images along with the recordings, as well as detailed descriptions or contextual entries.

The user interface of the Notes app will be visually similar to that of Voice Memos, with graphical representations of the captured audio. These audio note recordings will be available on all devices connected to iCloud running at least iOS 18 or macOS 15.

In addition to this audio recording feature, iOS 18 is expected to introduce a new feature called “Math Notes”, which will allow the Notes app to interact with Apple’s Calculator app, being able to perform calculations as users enter them. This feature is scheduled to debut alongside the redesign of the Calculator app for macOS.

Initially, these new improvements to the Notes app would only be the beginning of a series of new features that will transform its usefulness and versatility. Although specific details about how the math notes function will work have not yet been revealed, it is expected that users will be able to activate it from the Calculator app through a designated option.

With these updates, Apple aims to strengthen the position of the Notes app as an essential tool for both creatives and everyday users, providing new ways to capture, organize, and utilize information on their Apple devices.

iOS 18 will likely be presented during the 2024 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which will begin on June 8, so we won’t have to wait long to learn more about the company’s new operating system.

Apple released yesterday the updates iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1. These new versions come after the release of iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, which introduced specific changes for the European Union, new emojis, improvements in the Podcasts app, several security improvements and other novelties. New versions that bring us more security improvements and also bug fixes.

A minor update, but equally important

Updates are available for download on our iPhone and iPad, as always, in Settings > General > Software Update. In addition, for those users who have not yet updated their devices to iOS 17, Apple has also released a security update in the form of iOS 16.7.7. According to the release notes, these updates focus on implementing “important security updates and bug fixes”.

As reported by MacRumors, in iPadOS 17.4.1, a bug that affected certain models of iPad and could prevent the Camera app from scanning QR codes has been fixed. The affected models include the 6th and 7th generation iPad, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and the second generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Apple recommends affected users to update to iPadOS 17.4.1 to fix the bug.

Although the release notes do not specifically mention the fix for this issue, it is likely that it has been included along with other unspecified improvements and security updates. A minor update, yes, but one that paves the way for the arrival of the next ones.

Apple has released version 17.3.1 of iOS and iPadOS, as well as minor updates for watchOS and macOS Sonoma. These updates come after the release of significant new features in previous versions, such as the Anti-Theft Protection of iOS 17.3, for example, and focus on fixing some bugs and improving the performance of our devices.

A minor, but interesting update

The iOS and iPadOS version 17.3.1, available for iPhone and iPad, focuses on fixing a bug that could cause text to duplicate or overlap unexpectedly while typing. An error that, although it may seem minor, could greatly affect the usability and efficiency of writing. The same error, in fact, that macOS Sonoma 14.3.1 solves, where the text could be replaced by random characters while typing.

Meanwhile, Apple has updated watchOS to version 10.3.1, introducing improvements and bug fixes that are not specified in the release notes. However, Apple recommends installing the update on all watches compatible with watchOS 10.

Despite the few updates, Apple urges us to update our devices to the latest available versions through the Software Update section in the General section of the Settings app on our devices. This ensures access to the latest improvements and bug fixes and makes our iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch work as best as possible.

In a time where artificial intelligence (AI) has become a fundamental pillar for technological advancement, Apple has taken another step forward by introducing an innovation that, although it has not captured headlines massively, promises to revolutionize the way we interact with our images. It is “MGIE” (MLLM-Guided Image Editing), an open-source AI model capable of editing images based on natural language instructions. A tool, developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, that represents a very significant advance in the field of image editing, allowing pixel-level manipulations based on our requests.

“Hey Siri, make the sky clear in this photo and add a Christmas tree next to the house”

Apple has already introduced several AI models of its own, without attracting much attention. And not because of their quality, but because of their limited promotion and their almost exclusive publication in academic media. New models that, if the rumors are true, will come with iOS 18 and can significantly change the landscape of artificial intelligence.

On this occasion, MGIE uses large multimodal language models (MLLMs) to interpret the requests we make and perform a wide range of edits, from global photo enhancements such as brightness, contrast, or sharpness adjustments, to the application of artistic effects such as hand drawing. In addition, it allows for local editing that can modify the shape, size, color, or texture of specific regions or objects in the image, and even perform Photoshop-style modifications, such as cropping, resizing, rotating, adding filters, changing backgrounds, and merging images.

A request as simple as asking to add some lightning to a landscape photo gives truly amazing results. The same if we ask it to convert a photo of chocolate donuts to strawberry donuts. As we can see in the examples above, the tool can perform global optimizations, such as “adding contrast to simulate more light”, or Photoshop-style modifications, such as removing people from the background of a photo to focus attention on the subject’s facial expression.

After the presentation of MGIE at the International Conference on Learning Representations, the model is now available on GitHub, including the code, data, and pre-trained models, so we can already test the system if we have the necessary equipment for it.

This release marks Apple’s second major breakthrough in AI research in just a few months, following the development of new techniques for deploying large language models (LLMs) on iPhones and other Apple devices with certain RAM specifications.

Although these advances have not captured media attention to the extent that other technological releases have, the potential impact of MGIE, in addition to the clues it gives us about the company’s AI projects, is something very noteworthy. The ability to edit images in an intuitive and precise way, along with the integration of generative AI in our devices, probably with iOS 18, will undoubtedly mark a before and after.

The adoption of iOS 17 on Apple devices has marked a slower pace compared to its predecessor, iOS 16, according to the latest statistics provided by Apple. To date, 76 percent of iPhones released in the last four years have installed iOS 17 since its release in September, a lower percentage than the 81 percent that iOS 16 had reached in the same period the previous year.

A lower fee than expected

Although iOS 17 has introduced several significant updates since its release, including three major updates and a fourth one coming in March, the adoption among users has not met previous expectations. Among all active iPhones, 66 percent are running iOS 17, while 20 percent are still operating under iOS 16 and 4 percent are using even older versions.

The situation is similar, although slightly better, in the field of iPads. 61 percent of iPads released in the last four years have iPadOS 17, showing a faster adoption compared to iPadOS 16 at the same point last year.

While it is easy to be amazed by this pace, especially considering the many new features that iOS 17 brought to our iPhones and iPads, the truth is that the situation can turn around soon. With the arrival of iOS 18 scheduled for September and its first beta in June, Apple has a golden opportunity to incentivize us to update. The update has already been described by Apple itself as “the biggest in the company’s history”.

The combination of a new Siri, along with the arrival of Apple’s AI to the operating system, can make iOS 18 something really great. In the meantime, there is still a way to go for iOS 17, in order to reach more devices. Starting with iOS 17.4, which brings very important changes and the rest of the updates in the meantime, with our eyes already set on WWDC 24, we await iOS 18.

Following a recent update, the iPhone NameDrop warning has become a topic of concern among law enforcement agencies, prompting them to advise iPhone users to exercise caution.

Notably, the Middletown Division of Police in Ohio took to Facebook to alert parents about the potential risks associated with the NameDrop feature that’s part of the iOS 17 update. This move highlights the need for awareness and vigilance among iPhone users regarding new features and their implications for privacy and security.

Where is NameDrop in iPhone settings?

The iPhone NameDrop warning concerns a feature that can be toggled on or off in the AirDrop settings. This function facilitates the effortless sharing of contact information between an iPhone or an Apple Watch simply by bringing the devices into close proximity.

Once the devices establish a connection, users have the option to either share their own information or receive details from the other device. Additionally, users can abort the transfer at any moment either by locking their phone or by moving the devices apart before the sharing process is complete, as explained by Apple.

The Middletown Division of Police took to Facebook, issuing an advisory specifically to parents. “PARENTS: Don’t forget to change these settings on your child’s phone to help keep them safe,” they cautioned in their post. This highlights the need for parents to be proactive in managing the settings on their children’s devices to ensure their safety.

Adding to the chorus of caution, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan also raised concerns about this feature. They pointed out that with the latest update, NameDrop is enabled by default, which might catch many users off guard.

The sheriff’s office noted, even though you can refuse to share your info, “many people do not check their settings and realize how their phone works.” This statement underlines a common oversight among users, emphasizing the importance of familiarizing oneself with new features and their default settings.

How to disable NameDrop in iOS 17?

To disable the NameDrop feature in iOS 17, follow these straightforward steps:

• Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
• Scroll down and tap on “General” to access general settings.
• In the General settings, find and click on “AirDrop.”
• Look for the “‘Bringing Devices Together” option within the AirDrop settings.
• Toggle this option to the off position to disable NameDrop.

By following these simple steps, you can easily turn off NameDrop, addressing concerns related to the iPhone NameDrop warning.

At Apple’s “Scary Fast” October event, there was more suspense in the air than in the latest blockbuster thriller. In a dramatic turn of events, as the curtain lifted on the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, the stage darkened for the 13-inch model, ushering it out of the spotlight for good.

For the urban wanderer who cherished a blend of compactness and stamina, the 13-inch MacBook Pro was the darling of the range. Its legendary 20-hour battery life stood out even when compared to its larger 18-hour siblings — and that wasn’t just marketing fluff.

Then, of course, was the keyboard’s unique Touch Bar feature. It was the jazz of tech features: while some tapped along, others missed the old rhythm of physical keys. With the OLED touchscreen replacing some of the beloved tactile buttons, reactions were mixed, to say the least.

So, as we bid adieu to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the tech world remains divided: while some may reminisce, others are eagerly looking ahead to what’s next.

From center stage to sidelines

Once the darling of Apple’s lineup, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, armed with the M2 chip, was the go-to for those who wanted Pro-level performance without breaking the bank. But as the tech world knows, competition isn’t always from outside – sometimes it’s in-house.

Enter the 2022 13-inch MacBook Air, also powered by the M2 chip. Not only was it lighter on the wallet by around $200, but it also boasted a crisper webcam, a more dazzling display, and a svelte build that seemed to almost float in hand. And then there’s the MagSafe 3 power port, a subtle game-changer, letting you juice up the Air while leaving both USB-C ports open for business – a perk the Pro couldn’t match.

While the Air skipped the Touch Bar party – a feature some critics playfully dubbed the tech world’s “magic trick without the magic” – it seemed to win over many with its streamlined approach.

Yet, the 13-inch MacBook Pro wasn’t without its merits. Its internal fans, a nod to those involved in heavyweight tasks like video editing, ensured that when things got hot, the laptop kept its cool. And from the perspective of battery life, as an expert who’s reviewed many a laptop, I’ve seen the 13-inch MacBook Pro outpace even the Air.

Despite its battery prowess, the Air’s overall feature set seemed to cast a longer shadow, making it the more tempting pick for many over the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Welcome, 14-inch contender!

Apple, always having a keen ear to the ground, seemed to sense the dwindling allure of its introductory Pro. So, in a move that feels like a tech relay race, the baton has been passed from the 13-inch MacBook Pro to its sprightly sibling, the 14-inch MacBook Pro armed with the fresh M3 chip.

And with this shift, the Touch Bar bids its adieu. A farewell that, candidly, many of us tech aficionados at Mashable (yours truly included) are raising a glass to.

While this new entry-level Pro doesn’t flex as much muscle as its M3 Pro and M3 Max counterparts, it’s by no means a slouch. It’s like trading up from a sports car to a supercar: you’re getting that extra rev in performance over the M2, and for a starting ticket of $1,599, it’s alluring.

So, as we turn the page, we tip our hats to the 13-inch MacBook Pro and its once-trendy Touch Bar. It’s the end of an era, but the dawn of another exciting chapter.