Apple puts 6 devices under vintage list including iPhone 8 and 2013 Mac Pro, ahead of iPhone 17 launch
The iPhone 8 (128GB version), launched in 2017, has also been listed as vintage. It was one of the last iPhones to come with a physical home button, and many users still rely on it today for its familiar design and stable performance. However, its inclusion on the list means Apple is slowly phasing it out of its support cycle.Other devices added to the list include the 2019 13-inch MacBook Air, 2019 iMac, 2018 11-inch iPad Pro, and the third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro from the same year. All of these devices while still capable in many use cases, may soon face limitations in terms of repairs and software compatibility.Apple regularly updates its vintage and obsolete product lists as part of its support policy. Obsolete products, in comparison, are those discontinued for more than seven years and no longer receive any official hardware assistance.With the iPhone 17 expected to arrive in the coming months, Apple is clearly drawing a line between its newer generation of devices and those it is now ready to retire. For long-time users of the iPhone 8 or the 2013 Mac Pro, it might be time to consider an upgrade.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Musk shocks xAI team with mandatory surveillance app, asks employees to download tracking app on all devices
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has left employees at his artificial intelligence startup xAI stunned after issuing a directive to install a productivity-tracking tool, not just on company laptops, but on their personal computers as well, as per a report. Which Monitoring Software Did Elon Musk Ask xAI Workers to Install? According to an internal email obtained by Business Insider, staff working on xAI's AI chatbot, Grok, were instructed to download Hubstaff, a monitoring app that tracks URLs, application usage, and takes periodic screenshots during work hours, as reported by Daily Beast. The email also mentioned a July 11 deadline to install the software, but later the company has since told employees that they could wait until they received an xAI-issued laptop after the company was contacted for comment, as reported by Business Insider. ALSO READ: Wall of lies? V.A. reported fake cuts to DOGE while real pain hit veterans hard Monitoring Tool Sparks Internal Backlash The directive caused immediate backlash inside the company, and one xAI employee called the software 'surveillance disguised as productivity' and 'manipulation masked as culture,' according to Business Insider. Live Events How Did xAI Justify the Use of Hubstaff? xAI's HR department defended the policy, writing in the email that Hubstaff would help 'streamline work processes, provide clearer insights into daily tutoring activities, and ensure resources align with Human Data priorities,' as quoted in the report. What Exactly Does Hubstaff Track? While the company insists that the software won't track activity outside of work hours, it does monitor keystrokes, mouse movements, and take screen captures during working time, as per the Business Insider report. It also requires employees to clock in and out daily, turning every second of logged-in time into a measurable data point, according to the report. ALSO READ: iPhone 17 launch date leaked? Here's when Apple might drop its hottest device yet Is xAI's Move Legal? Despite the backlash by workers, employment attorney David Lowe told Business Insider that the move may be legally sound, especially if xAI notified employees in advance and limits monitoring to work hours, as reported by Business Insider. He pointed out that 'It's a balancing test,' and then explained that the tech billionaire's XAI could cite protecting 'trade secrets and ensuring employees are not violating privacy obligations' as a reason behind the software, as quoted in the report. Lowe also pointed out that, 'The next step is to determine if there is a less intrusive way to accomplish that objective,' as quoted by Business Insider. Why Is Grok's Behavior Under the Microscope? This comes after Musk's AI startup has faced growing scrutiny as Grok, the chatbot at the center of xAI's work, has sparked controversy with its responses, according to the report. Grok has become a priority for the world's richest man after the AI chatbot told users that the biggest threat facing Western civilization was 'misinformation,' as reported by Business Insider. That led Musk to reveal that the firm is rolling out a new version of the chatbot after it went on an antisemitic tirade and praised Adolf Hitler, according to the report. xAI said it was 'taking action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X,' as quoted by Business Insider. Elon Musk Personally Criticized Grok's Latest Replies When Grok cited more of the same about misinformation and climate change being threats last week, Musk wasn't happy, and he said on social media platform X, 'Sorry for this idiotic response,' and added, 'Will fix in the morning,' as quoted in the report. Sorry for this idiotic response. Will fix in the morning. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 10, 2025 FAQs Why are xAI employees upset about the tracking software? They feel it's an invasion of privacy, especially since it was initially required even on personal devices. Is it legal for a company to monitor employees this way? Yes, if employees are informed and it only happens during work hours, as per the Business Insider report.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Google confirms it's combining Chrome OS and Android into a single unified platform
Gugul plans to merge Chrome OS with Android. This aims to create a single platform for phones, tablets, and laptops. Chromebooks and Android tablets will run on a desktop-optimized Android version. This shift simplifies development and enhances AI integration. Users will experience seamless app usage across devices. Developers benefit from fewer compatibility issues. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Simplified Development: A single operating system streamlines engineering efforts and avoids the need to develop features separately for Chrome OS and Android. AI Integration: Android becomes a more suitable base for advanced AI tools, especially those powered by Google Gemini, across all form factors. Competitive Tablets: With the best of both Android and Chrome OS, future Android tablets could finally pose a strong challenge to Apple's iPad. A seamless experience across smartphones, tablets, and laptops. A broader, more consistent library of apps that function uniformly across devices. Fewer compatibility issues and a standardized set of tools. A larger potential user base, including traditional Android users and Chromebook users under one platform. Security and Updates: Chrome OS is known for its robust security and hassle-free automatic updates. It's unclear how these will be implemented in the new Android-based system. Desktop Experience: There's uncertainty over whether the desktop version of Android will offer the same usability and functionality as Chrome OS or if it will feel like a mobile interface scaled for bigger screens. After years of speculation, Google has officially confirmed that it is working to merge Chrome OS into Android , marking a major shift in its operating system strategy. This move aims to consolidate its platforms into a single, unified experience across all types of devices—phones, tablets, laptops, and Samat, President of Google's Android Ecosystem, confirmed in a recent interview that Chrome OS will no longer remain a separate operating system. Going forward, devices like Chromebooks and Android tablets are expected to run on a desktop-optimized version of Android. This transition builds upon existing shared infrastructure, as Chrome OS already uses Android's Linux kernel and other core goal is to enhance the Android ecosystem to support not only mobile devices but also offer a more powerful, desktop-like environment—complete with multi-window interfaces, support for Linux apps, external displays, and browser decision to consolidate its platforms offers several key advantages:For users, this integration could bring:For developers, benefits include:While the shift is promising, a few important concerns have yet to be addressed:Google is reportedly testing a desktop mode for Android that includes window management tools, multi-window support, and even Linux terminal access. There are also rumors of a new "Pixel Laptop" prototype running this new version of desktop Android instead of Chrome Google has noticeably slowed Chromebook releases in 2025, a move that industry watchers see as a sign of preparation for a major operating system bold move to unify Android and Chrome OS could redefine how we experience computing across devices. As the lines between mobile and desktop continue to blur, the tech giant appears to be positioning Android as the single ecosystem of the future—smart, AI-ready, and seamless across screens.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
The margin trap: Why innovation matters more than short-term profits
India needs to get on the innovation cycle - and everyone has a part to play. The government must provide basic funding and strengthen linkages between industry and academia Akash Prakash Listen to This Article One of the clear takeaways when speaking with senior people working with Apple is their disappointment at the lack of willingness among India Inc to step up and make the investments needed to bring the Apple ecosystem into India. While China is putting up obstacles, the profit focus of Indian entrepreneurs is also a stumbling block. Whether it is putting up the component supply chain or making large capital investments for display units, there is a lack of interest on the part of large Indian groups to commit capital. They cite the low margins on offer and the intense scrutiny
