Tag: apple

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Mobile Syrup

Apple planning to develop its own AI powered health coaching service

Apple is working towards its own artificial intelligence-powered health coaching service and mood tracker in the company’s latest attempt to bring health and wellness features to its users.

The news comes from a report from Bloomberg. The new service is codenamed ‘Quartz’ and is designed to help users maintain motivation to exercise and help improve sleep and eating habits. Apple plans to use AI and data from Apple Watches to create coaching programs tailored to each user, according to people with knowledge of the project.

The move follows the company’s recent push towards health and wellness, which may include an expansion of the health app to the iPad, complete with features to help improve users’ vision. It’s rumoured that the project Quartz will have its own app with an attached monthly fee.

The service is allegedly being pushed for a debut in 2024, barring postponement or cancellation. The project is being backed by several teams at Apple, such as its health, Siri and services divisions.

Apple also plans to launch an iPad version of the iPhone health app. The change will allow users to see electrocardiograms and health results in a larger format. The update is planned to be included as part of iPadOS 17 in the coming months.

Tools that allow emotion tracking are expected to be added to the health app later this year, allowing users to log their mood, answer questions about their day and compare results over time. Apple plans on unveiling the iPad health app as well as the tools for managing vision and emotions at its WWDC in June 2023.

These new health-based plans are a separate entity from Apple’s rumoured journaling app, which will not be designed to include health features.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

iOS 17 might arrive with updates to lock screen, Apple Music, App Library

The iOS 17 rumour mill keeps churning.

A new leak from Weibo suggests we might be in for several small-yet-appreciated software adjustments when the new iPhone software is finally launched.

  • We can expect these new additions according to the post on the Chinese site:
  • Lock screen font size adjustment and sharable layouts
  • Apple Music interface tweaks and access to lyrics on the lock screen
  • The ability to rename App Library folders
  • Freely adjustable LED flashlight brightness slider
  • Control Centre design updates

The source doesn’t have a particularly reliable track record when it comes to leaks, but it did correctly anticipate the ‘Yellow’ iPhone 14 in advance of its official announcement.

Apple is expected to unveil iOS 17 at WWDC on June 5th.

Source: Weibo Via: MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung’s next Z Flip might come with a new always on display

Samsung might be updating its always-on display technology, according to reputable Twitter leaker @Revegnus. According to this latest rumour, the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5 will feature iPhone 14 Pro-inspired always-on display.

Samsung phones have featured always-on screens dating as far back as 2015’s Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. While Apple only introduced its own always-on display last year, the company did so in a less conventional way.

By default, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max always-on display dims the entire lock screen. On the other hand, Android solutions typically feature a black screen with minimal text, while Apple embraces the dimmed wallpaper look.

Apple’s implementation proved controversial, with the company eventually giving users the option to revert to a more Android-like experience.  Now, it looks like Samsung is looking to give its users a splash of iPhone flavour in return.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is shaping up to be a welcome upgrade over the previous generation. The product is expected to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Watch 6 this summer.

For more foldable phone rumours, check out this new Motorola RAZR leak.

Source: @Tech_Reve Via Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Nearly half of refurbished smartphone sales in 2022 were iPhones

Apple has seen a substantial increase in its refurbished iPhone sales since last year, with the company holding a 49 percent share of the market.

According to research firm Counterpoint, the tech giant’s refurbished iPhone sales grew 16 percent last year, up a staggering 44 percent from 2021. Rival Samsung lagged behind, holding only a 26 percent market share, down from 28 percent the previous year.

Apple has done exceptionally well with keeping its refurbished iPhones a serious option for customers. The iPhones are outfitted with a new USB-C to Lightning cable, an outer shell and even new batteries. The phones also come unlocked and can be used with any carrier, giving users an option that’s close to brand new without having to pay full price.

The popularity of refurbished iPhones is also due in part to Apple’s warranty policy, allowing customers to take advantage of a full year of AppleCare+, which covers batteries and outer shell repairs.

Statistically, India became the leading refurbished smartphone market in 2022, with China taking a backseat due to a 17 percent decline in sales. Emerging markets saw a limited supply of refurbished devices, with consumers allegedly holding on to new smartphones for longer.

The increase could stem from rising component prices and globally high inflation, which impacted the sale of smartphones and created a demand for lower-priced models. However, Counterpoint suggests that the increase could be the start of a trend over the coming years, with trade-in programs becoming a staple choice for customers looking to get more for less.

For more iPhone news, Apple may be testing out a journaling app.

Source: Counterpoint Via: MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

Stranded Utah students saved by Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite

A trio of Brigham Young University students were recently left stranded in an Emery County, Ohio, canyon. What started as a pleasant hike took a nightmarish turn when the students became unable to escape a particularly deep slot, according to a local 2KUTV report.

Thankfully, one of the students had an iPhone 14 on them, fully equipped with Emergency SOS via Satellite functionality. With the help of the technology, the three students were able to alert authorities of their location and survive to tell the tale.

Apple unveiled Emergency SOS via Satellite during its iPhone 14 keynote last year. Available in a limited selection of countries, including Canada, the feature allows for emergency communication using satellites up in space.

Users are prompted to answer simple questions while the phone searches for a satellite connection it can work with. The bandwidth is limited, and so only texts can currently be sent using the technology.

Since launching on the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro series, the SOS via Satellite feature has reportedly saved a number of lives. This includes the lives of some Canadians as recently as this winter.

While Emergency SOS is one of those features nobody hopes to ever have to use, it certainly provides some peace of mind in the event that cellular reception and Wi-Fi are both unavailable.

Reports indicate that upcoming Android phones powered by Qualcomm chips might be next in line to get similar, potentially life-saving technology.

Source: 2KUTV Via: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

iPadOS 17 again reported to drop support for some iPad models

Barcelona, Spain – June 7, 2018: Logo of Apple Inc. on a Apple store. Apple is the multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California and sells consumer electronics products.

The first generation iPad Pro (9.7-inch and 12.9-inch) and the fifth generation iPad will not be receiving iPadOS 17, claims French publication iPhoneSoft. This comes after a previous report suggested the same roadmap for Apple’s upcoming software lineup.

iPhoneSoft claims it received the information from an internal source at Apple. The publication notes that the devices run on the A9 and A9X chips, which is why they won’t get the iPadOS 17 update.

Apple is notorious for maintaining software support on its iPads and iPhones for longer than most of its Android-based competition. It would certainly be sad to see these older iPad models left behind. That said, the Cupertino, California-based company remains at the top of the pack with respect to the industry as a whole.

Apple is expected to unveil iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 at its upcoming WWDC event in June. Alongside the unveiling, it’s likely that we will finally learn of official device support for the highly anticipated update.

Header image credit: Shutterstock

Source: iPhoneSoft Via: MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

Rivian confirms Apple Watch, Music integration is being “actively looked into”

Electric vehicle maker Rivian has confirmed it’s working on integrating certain Apple services into its products. In a recent Q&A highlighted by Rivian Forums user teddyang, the car maker went into some detail.

The company plans on introducing the option to unlock its R1T and R1S models using an Apple Watch as the key. Apple Music integration is also being worked on, according to Wassym Bensaid, head of software and development at Rivian. An exact timeline for introducing these features wasn’t mentioned, however.

On the Apple CarPlay front, it seems that Rivian is opting to create its own proprietary system. Infotainment, navigation, and notifications are some of the duties the company seems to want to stay in total control of.

Whether Rivian can build out a compelling alternative to CarPlay is something only time will tell. In the meantime, Bensaid says the company is working on improving its in-house voice assistant service.

More information on the recent Q&A session can be found here.

Source: Rivian Via: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

Major updates to Wallet and Find My apps expected with iOS 17

Apple’s upcoming iOS 17 release has been a hot topic for months, with many rumours suggesting it will be a minor update. However, new reports have emerged recently, indicating that Apple is planning significant changes to the Wallet and Find My apps, as shared by MacRumors.

According to reliable Apple analyst Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the Apple Wallet app could receive updates to its user interface. Gurman even compared iOS 17 to iOS 15, as it will focus on updates to core system apps, instead of introducing revolutionary new changes or features.

In addition to Wallet, Apple might also be looking to improve ‘Find My’ as part of a broader push for location-related features. Further, while Apple is reportedly working on introducing sideloading to iOS 17, which would allow users to install apps outside of the App Store, as part of the Digital Markets Act.

Moving on to wearables, Gurman said that “watchOS 10 will be the most significant update to watchOS since its introduction.” Gurman does not expect the core WatchOS design to change, but Apple might introduce new ways to use and interact with the system.

Another rumour making the rounds since October suggests that Apple is working on a new version of Messages. According to the report, the app might receive a new “home area” along with chat rooms, video clips, and AR chat features. While the rumour is somewhat sketchy, it’s worth keeping an eye on as we learn more about iOS 17 in the coming months.

Overall, it seems that iOS 17 will bring some significant changes to the Wallet and Find My apps, along with potential updates to the Messages and updates to WatchOS 10. While we’ll have to wait for more information to be sure, it’s clear that Apple is working hard to make its mobile operating system even better for users.

Source: MacRumours

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Mobile Syrup

Apple might be working on a journal app for the iPhone

Apple is hard at work building a native journaling app for the iPhone, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. Codenamed “Jurassic” internally, the new software will supposedly use on-device user data to make logging suggestions.

Journaling suggestions might include prompts like logging a completed workout or writing about a sudden change in daily physical activity. The data and processing will take place locally, with suggestions deleted after one month, according to The Wall Street Journal report.

Apple introducing new apps into its iPhone software is nothing new — the company has previously created its own version of other popular third-party apps and services. Unlike third parties, Apple preinstalls its new apps directly onto iPhones. This gives the app a massive boost in both scope and reach.

With Apple leveraging its user data to make logging suggestions, other iPhone journal apps might have stiff competition in the not-so-distant future.

If a journal app does launch, it will likely be unveiled alongside iOS 17 and will release in the fall.

Source: The Wall Street Journal Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

New rumour suggests 15-inch MacBook Air will arrive with two M2 variants

Often-reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has taken to Twitter with the latest scoop on the elusive 15-inch MacBook Air.

First off, he says the laptop will arrive sometime in 2023.

This new model will serve as the latest addition to Apple’s extensive laptop portfolio. It will reportedly arrive with two M2 processor options — each with different configurations of cores, according to Kuo.

Previous reports indicated the 15-inch Air might arrive with either an M2 Pro or M3 chip, though this now appears less likely. Kuo says that the M3 series of chips are only just gearing up for mass production, starting in the second half of the year.

Shipment estimates for the new Air in 2023 are expected to be in the 5-6 million unit range, Kuo says.

This larger variant of the existing 13-inch Air has long been the subject of speculation. It remains unclear whether we’ll officially hear about the new product at WWDC this June, or if we’ll have to wait a bit longer.

Source: Ming-Chi Kuo Via: Apple Insider