Since its initial introduction, Apple’s CarPlay platform has become ubiquitous. It’s available in the vast majority of new cars on the market today, and for good reason: it’s one of the top things people look for when buying a new car.

At WWDC in June 2022, Apple announced what it calls the “next generation of CarPlay.” This new CarPlay interface is set to debut in new cars this year, and it’s going to be a big change.

The first automakers signed on to support next-gen CarPlay? Porsche and Aston Martin. Here’s everything we know.

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Back in January, a fully intact iPhone was discovered along the side of the road after plummeting 16,000 feet when a door blew off an Alaska Airlines flight. At the time, we pointed out that it was pretty incredible the iPhone 14 Pro Max survived such a dramatic fall.

The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern, however, was determined to get more answers.

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Native Union has released its latest iPhone accessory today, the (Re)Classic Power Bank. The company is looking to set it apart from the competition with what it says is the slimmest design for a 5000mAh iPhone at just 8.6mm (0.34 inches), an Italian vegan leather, and more.

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404 Media: Apple has removed a number of AI image generation apps from the App Store after 404 Media found these apps advertised the ability to create nonconsensual nude images, a sign that app store operators are starting to take more action against these types of apps.

Overall, Apple removed three apps from the App Store, but only after we provided the company with links to the specific apps and their related ads, indicating the company was not able to find the apps that violated its policy itself.

Apple's action comes after we reported on Monday that Instagram advertises nonconsensual AI nude apps. By browsing Meta's Ad Library, which archives ads on its platform, when they ran, on what platforms, and who paid for them, we were able to find ads for five different apps, each with dozens of ads. Two of the ads were for web-based services, and three were for apps on the Apple App Store. Meta deleted the ads when we flagged them. Apple did not initially respond to a...

Apple’s struggles in China continue, according to new data from research firm Canalys. This data indicates that not only did Apple fall out of first place in China for smartphone shipments in Q1 2024, it fell all the way to fifth place.

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Macworld

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) just held its 2024 North America Technology Symposium, where it filled in attendees and investors on its technology roadmap for the future.

You may rightly ask: okay but what does this have to do with me, a user of Apple products? Well, TSMC is a chip fabrication company, and likely the most advanced one in the world. They’ve been Apple’s partner for nearly all of its chips major chips—the A series for iPhones and iPads, the M series for Macs, and more. And Apple is often first in line for new manufacturing processes from TSMC, paying a premium to be the first customer to get to use 5nm or 3nm technologies, for example.

Here’s a summary of the TSMC roadmap and what it might mean for future Apple silicon, and therefore future iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more.

What’s a nanometer?

Before we talk about TSMC’s future technologies, let’s have a quick reminder...

How To Fix an iPhone That Keeps Restarting After iOS 17.4.1

After updating to iOS 17.4.1, my iPhone started randomly restarting. What was initially a mild annoyance quickly made my phone nearly unusable. Although unexpected and alarming, it’s worth noting that this iOS update had its fair share of issues, from wonky features to poor battery performance. There’s a good chance this is a software problem […]

This post How To Fix an iPhone That Keeps Restarting After iOS 17.4.1 appeared first on The Mac Observer

TSMC’s next-generation Apple silicon chips are only going to get smaller and more powerful. The chipmaker on Thursday announced plans to create 1.6-nanometer chips that could be used in future generations of Apple silicon processors. TSMC yesterday unveiled a series of technologies, including the “A16” process, which is a 1.6nm node. The new technology significantly […]

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Macworld

Apple made its popular Apple Thunderbolt Display from 2011 to 2016–we still get questions about using the display eight years after it was discontinued. Even though the Thunderbolt Display used an older Thunderbolt standard, it remained compatible with Thunderbolt 3 when that newer standard was released, as well as with the even fresher Thunderbolt 4.

The Apple Thunderbolt Display offered a Thunderbolt 2 data connection via a jack that is identical in appearance to Mini DisplayPort. Thunderbolt 3 requires USB-C, a standard that can connect devices and computers using Thunderbolt 3/4, USB 3.1 and later, and USB4. USB-C is a specification for ports, jacks, and cables; Thunderbolt and USB’s numbered standards define what flows over those connections. (There were some tweaky elements of using Mini...

Verizon has another price increase on the way. In an email to customers on Thursday, the company revealed a $5 per month price increase affecting plans tied to Apple Watch and other connected smartwatches.

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Enlarge (credit: Getty Images)

In the world of AI, what might be called "small language models" have been growing in popularity recently because they can be run on a local device instead of requiring data center-grade computers in the cloud. On Wednesday, Apple introduced a set of tiny source-available AI language models called OpenELM that are small enough to run directly on a smartphone. They're mostly proof-of-concept research models for now, but they could form the basis of future on-device AI offerings from Apple.

Apple's new AI models, collectively named OpenELM for "Open-source Efficient Language Models," are currently available on the Hugging Face under an...

Pretty much every tech company has been investing in generative AI for the past two years, and Apple is rumored to finally bring new AI-based tools to iPhone users soon with iOS 18. However, the costs of operating such tools are quite high, and Meta has just confirmed that it will take years for the company to make money from AI.

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If you’re looking to take your desk setup to the next level, this is the guide for you. Head below for some of my favorite products that can improve your working setup, ranging from accessories to decorations and more. All the things on this list are things I’ve personally used and can vouch for.

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I was recently lucky enough to go on a great vacation where we spent eight days traveling across Europe. One of the things I noticed was just how helpful my iPhone was throughout this experience. Yes, we all know that we can use maps to help us navigate new cities and geographies. But did you know that you could convert currencies directly in the Notes or iMessage apps? Or that you could create a shared library so everyone on the trip can see all the pictures you took. I found over 25 iOS features that are specifically built into iOS to enhance and make your travels easier.

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Apple Card has shared its latest promotion for customers – 10% Daily Cash up to $50 back on purchases at Nike. Here are the details…

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Satechi is out with its first CES announcements today. The new SM1 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac, iPad, iPhone, Windows, and more is available now. And coming soon Satechi has a foldable 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 Qi2 charger stand.

Update 4/25/24: The 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand and the 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Stand are now available direct from Satechi priced at $129.99 and $79.99, respectively.

...

Macworld

Apple makes very good keyboards, but some users don’t like the feel of the keys–that’s important, especially if you spend most of your day working at your Mac. Many people like the clicky feel of a mechanical keyboard, and you can get a discount on some clicky goodness on Amazon.

Amazon is selling the Logitech MX Mechanical Mini for Mac keyboard for 26 percent off the regular price–it’s $111.51, down from the regular price of $150, the best price we’ve ever seen. It’s a mini keyboard, so it doesn’t have a number pad, but it has low-profile keys and a backlight that automatically adjusts to your room’s lighting. It connects via Bluetooth, charges through USB-C, and is available in a classy pale grey and white combo. Logitech also...

Apple has rejected Spotify's new version of its iOS app with in-app pricing information for users in the European Union, the audio streaming firm said on Thursday. Reuters: The Swedish company submitted a new version of its app to Apple with basic pricing and website information, which is a minimum requirement under the European Commission's ruling in its music streaming case, it said in a post on X on Wednesday. Spotify said the Cupertino, California based-Apple rejected its update in a response directly sent to the company.

"Apple has once again defied the European Commission's decision, rejecting our update for attempting to communicate with customers about our prices unless we pay Apple a new tax. Their disregard for consumers and developers is matched only by their disdain for the law," a spokesperson for Spotify said in a statement. In March, Brussels fined Apple with 1.84 billion euros ($1.97 billion) for thwarting competition from music streaming rivals via...

Verizon is out with an update for its Home Device Protect plan that repairs or replaces an unlimited number of devices from computers, game consoles, smart home devices, TVs, and now robot vacuums, healthcare devices, and more. The service also now covers a 2nd residence, 24/7 tech support, in-home expert visits, and more.

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Yesterday we learned that Spotify decided to pass on Apple’s new EU terms that would allow it to use alternative payment methods due to the Core Technology Fee. Instead, it submitted an app update with pricing info and details on how to subscribe outside of the App Store without giving users a link. Now Spotify says Apple has unjustly blocked the update and again “defied the European Commission”.

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Macworld

I don’t need to have a new iPhone every year, just the procedure of changing over with various authentications is sometimes a bit annoying. What’s more, the iPhone has matured to such an extent that there are only evolutionary changes from year to year, rarely an innovation that really knocks my socks off.

A new device every three to four years, possibly a replacement battery in between—that’s quite enough. After three to four years, a new iPhone really does feel revolutionary compared to the old one.

But now I’m in the situation of having to change every year for professional reasons. Because even if the innovations from generation to generation are rather sparse, iI need to be familiar with each annual upgrade to make sure I give our valued readers the best possible information. But which model is best for me?

Deciding on a downgrade

In recent years, I have had a red...

Setting up a VPN on your Apple TV 4K allows you to avoid geographic region restrictions and access services not normally available to you. With tvOS 17, VPN apps can now be installed on the Apple TV directly.

VPN apps available now for Apple TV include NordVPN, PureVPN, IPVanish, ExpressVPN, and more. Here’s all the best VPN apps for Apple TV available now …

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There may be some cool stuff en route for Apple’s special event on May 7, which was announced on Tuesday. The company may have also dropped some interesting hints into the invitation, including a pencil icon that could indicate a next-gen Apple Pencil within the works. In a post on X, Apple CEO Cook shared […]

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Macworld

Whether you’re streaming or browsing online, we can all agree that ads pose a serious annoyance to any digital experience. Fortunately, you can rid your browser of ads, protect yourself and your devices from malware, and more with AdGuard.

AdGuard is a comprehensive security solution offering data privacy tools for life. Now, the Family Plan is less than $25 through April 30.

Compatible with iOS and Android operating systems, AdGuard provides users with impressive ad-blocking support. It can ...

Macworld

If you need to move text, an image or another object from one part of a document to another, or from one app to another, you need to use copy (or cut) and paste. On a Mac or MacBook, the keyboard shortcuts for this are different from other devices, so if you are coming from Windows you might be confused.

We’ll explain the simple steps you need to take to cut, copy and paste on a Mac. Our tips will show you how to copy and paste on a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini or any other Mac.

We’ll also cover how to copy and paste using the keyboard on a Mac and copy and paste using a Mac mouse or a trackpad, how to paste without formatting, how to copy multiple items on Mac, and...

Macworld

With news that iPadOS 18 might bring a calculator to the iPad we’ll refresh our memories as to why the iPad doesn’t have a calculator right now, and what the alternatives are if you want to do some math and it’s the only device you have handy.

Ever since the iPad first arrived, there’s been a curious omission in the apps that come preinstalled by Apple. Whereas the iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch and even the iPod touch feature a calculator as standard, there’s never been one on the iPad.

Why is that? Of all the platforms, it’s probably the one most suited to the task, especially if it was one of the scientific variety with all the additional capabilities.

We’re not ones to leave a stone unturned, so we set out to find why the iPad comes calculator-free.

The Steve Jobs story

In preparing this article...

Macworld

It’s pretty universal at this point to keep a smartphone charger by your bed, usually so you can charge your phone while it rests on your nightstand. It’s also pretty standard to have a lamp on that same nightstand. Miraculously, 3PExperts put two and two together and combined these nightstand staples into one sleek package. 

Meet the 15W Nightlight Wireless Charging Pad, which offers easy ambient lighting and an easy charging solution for only $39.99 (reg. $99).

This versatile device blends well into almost any bedroom or home decor, and is compatible with all wireless chargeable devices including your iPhone, earbuds, and more. You’ll just need to ensure that whatever device you own supports wireless charging.

As for the nightlight, this gadget offers gentle illumination and promotes relaxation with its three brightness levels. With its highly practical and multi-purpose design, you can promote a clutter-...

Boom3D Review: Is It a Good Audio Enhancement App for Mac?

Whether you listen to music, watch movies, or play games on your computer, optimal sound quality is essential for a good listening experience. You can change numerous settings in streaming apps and on your Mac, but for advanced configuration, consider tools like Boom3D. In this review, I’ll outline whether you really need an equalizer tool […]

This post Boom3D Review: Is It a Good Audio Enhancement App for Mac? appeared first on The Mac Observer

Hartley Charlton reports via MacRumors: Apple is said to be developing its own AI server processor using TSMC's 3nm process, targeting mass production by the second half of 2025. According to a post by the Weibo user known as "Phone Chip Expert," Apple has ambitious plans to design its own artificial intelligence server processor. The user, who claims to have 25 years of experience in the integrated circuit industry, including work on Intel's Pentium processors, suggests this processor will be manufactured using TSMC's 3nm node.

Apple's purported move toward developing a specialist AI server processor is reflective of the company's ongoing strategy to vertically integrate its supply chain. By designing its own server chips, Apple can tailor hardware specifically to its software needs, potentially leading to more powerful and efficient technologies. Apple could use its own AI processors to enhance the performance of its data centers and future AI tools that rely on the cloud...

Meta has been experimenting with a lot of new features for Threads, its microblogging platform. Now Instagram boss Adam Mosseri revealed on Wednesday that the platform has started testing an option that will let users automatically hide old posts from Threads after a certain period of time.

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Incident began at 2024-04-24 15:00 and ended at 2024-04-24 21:17 (times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)).

The issue with users creating unauthenticated support cases for account recovery help using toolbox has been resolved for all affected users as of Wednesday, 2024-04-24 14:17 US/Pacific.

From our preliminary analysis, the root cause of the issue is a recent roll out. Our engineers rolled back to last stable version hence mitigating the issue.

We thank you for your patience while we worked on resolving the issue.

Affected products: Google Workspace Support

Apple is losing another important director as a new report from Bloomberg has just revealed that Frank Casanova, currently senior director and head of product marketing for Apple Vision Pro, is retiring after working at the company for 36 years.

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We’re not far from the first official look at iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 on June 10. Whether you’d like to test out the new OS as soon as the dev beta is available or you’ll wait for the public beta or public launch, follow along for when to expect the iOS 18 release date.

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Apple is believed to be working on “the biggest overhaul yet” to the Apple Watch’s design. A new rumor today indicates that the next-generation Apple Watch could include a design change that frees up more space inside for other components – or that makes the device thinner.

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WhatsApp has been internally testing passkey support in its iPhone app for some time. However, the option was still unavailable to most users. But that seems to be changing now, as Meta is slowly rolling out the passkey option to WhatsApp users on the iPhone with the latest version of the app.

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iMazing has been a go-to tool for Apple power users and IT admins for almost 20 years, now developer DigiDNA is out with iMazing 3. The major release sees a re-engineering of the whole app that brings a new UI and features, and even Vision Pro compatibility to join iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Apple TV support.

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Macworld

If you follow tech outside the world of Apple, you may have noticed that Qualcomm has been getting a lot of attention lately. That’s because the company is promoting its upcoming Snapdragon X Plus and Elite chips, which aren’t going to be in PC laptops until this summer. As part of its marketing, Qualcomm compares its chips’ performance to Intel (of course), but it also calls out Appl’s latest M3 chip.

According to Qualcomm (via PCWorld), its Snapdragon X Elite chip is 28 percent faster and the Snapdragon X Plus chip is 10 percent faster than the Apple M3 in a MacBook Pro in Geekbench testing. Which, for chips that will ship some seven months after the M3 launched, leaves an impression–at least Qualcomm thinks so.

However, these are Qualcomm-provided numbers and one major point that is left out of...

Apple AirTag Helps California Man Recover His Stolen BMW

Apple AirTags are indeed a nifty product, especially when you habitually miss things around. In one such instance, the AirTag and dash cam footage helped a California resident recover his stolen BMW, according to a report from NBC.  The man in question is Philip Obando, who found out that his BMW was missing from the parking. Luckily, he had secretly […]

This post Apple AirTag Helps California Man Recover His Stolen BMW appeared first on The Mac Observer

Wednesday’s best deals come headlined by a $300 discount on Apple’s 15-inch M2 MacBook Air. Those who won’t be upgrading to the new iPad Pros in May can also score an all-time low on the new Apple Pencil with USB-C at $69. Plus, save on 15W MagSafe chargers and more. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

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President Joe Biden has officially signed off on a bill that requires TikTok parent company to divest the app within the next nine months. Should ByteDance fail to do so, TikTok would effectively be banned in the United States and removed from Apple’s App Store.

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Apple just published a new Press Release:

• Apple launches “Made for Business” in select stores around the world
  

Live Activities are a super useful feature of Apple’s latest iPhones, but also one that goes underused. Google Maps has been overdue to support the feature for years now and while it’s still not live yet, Google is testing Live Activities with some iPhone users.

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While it’s still yet to debut, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite is looking like a big deal for ARM-powered Windows machines and, now, it’s getting a more affordable cousin in the Snapdragon X Plus.

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Apple @ Work is brought to you by Kolide by 1Password, the device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your apps. Close the Zero Trust access gap for Okta. Learn more or watch the demo.

World Password Day is coming on May 2, 2024, and Bitwarden is releasing its 4th annual survey looking at how password management has evolved. The company surveyed 2,400 people from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, and Japan to explore contemporary password practices among users. This survey looks at password security behaviors at home and in professional settings, evaluates how phishing and AI affect online security, and gauges users’ feelings about adopting passkeys as a new authentication...

Macworld

The danger of using an unprotected identity

Venturing online can be a dangerous business. Bad actors want your personal data, and will go to almost any lengths to get hold of it for their own benefit, and at your cost. If you use an unprotected identity online, and the wrong person gets hold of your email address, for example, the very least you can expect is an avalanche of spam and phishing messages. And it can get a lot worse than that.

Let’s say you’re trying to get a discount code, and the codes site asks you to enter your email address. And then you use the discount code to buy from an ecommerce website, and this too requires the use of an email address. Maybe it’s a site you’ve not used before, or one with a sketchy reputation, or a data protection policy that’s alarmingly vague. In these scenarios, how confident are you that your email address will be kept securely and used responsibly, rather than being...

Sometimes demand levels off and/or there need to be easier ways to purchase an item. Per noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has reduced its orders for Apple Vision Pro parts and assemblies, with the cut in shipments said to indicate lower demand for Apple’s headset than previously thought. While the launch of the Apple Vision […]

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Macworld

While digital has its advantages, paper isn’t going anywhere. SwiftScan VIP lets you scan, edit, fax, and edit documents in one place, anywhere you are. Now, it’s available at the best price on the web — only $59.99 (reg. $199). 

SwiftScan VIP uses the camera in your iPhone or Android device to take a photograph of your document starting at a resolution of 200 dpi. The app then applies layers of correction to sharpen out blur, adjust the color for clear and neutral scans, crop out the background so only your document is in...

Previously Available Globally, Google To Limit Chrome for iOS Parcel Tracking to US Only

Would Google still be Google if a new feature isn’t exclusive to the US? I’ll shed more light on this later on, but first let’s focus on the main part: earlier this month, Google introduced a new way to keep track of your online orders on your iPhone, which was rolled out in Google Chrome […]

This post Previously Available Globally, Google To Limit Chrome for iOS Parcel Tracking to US Only appeared first on The Mac Observer