Latest news with #Apple-branded
Mint
11-06-2025
- Mint
Apple WWDC 2025: The future is Liquid Glass and Live Translate
Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference may well be a developer-focused conference (it's in the name, really) first and foremost, but the big-ticket announcements and updates offer a peak into the next generation of features coming to an Apple-branded product near you soon. Whether you use an iPhone, a Mac, a Watch or Apple TV, the annual event in Cupertino (June 9-13) serves as a zeitgeist, a barometer of how we'll be using our personal tech in the year ahead…even as the stakes are higher than usual with key Siri AI features being pushed out to the coming year. We cut through the glut of announcements to bring you all the stuff that matters from WWDC 2025, live from Cupertino, California. The 'Liquid Glass' Interface Overhaul Apple's last significant interface revamp happened way back with iOS7 in 2013, so the new look 'Liquid Glass" interface inspired by the glossy, translucent interface elements used in VisionOS on Apple's Vision Pro VR/AR headset, will be a significant change across all of Apple's platforms without significantly changing the now-familiar navigation. Consumers upgrading to the new iOS/macOS later this year will see a more lens-like appearance with specular highlights and dynamic movements as you change the viewing angle, all of which look stunning in the initial use cases demonstrated across the iOS lockscreen and the macOS UI. With the unified design language across all of its platforms, Apple has also changed how it will signify its major updates each year, which will now be numbered based on the year following their introduction, a little bit like carmakers do with new car releases. Say hello to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26! Also read: 10 Indian AI startups and products to watch out for Big upgrades to communications Often overlooked in the smartphone space, Apple's brought back some attention to the 'phone' aspect in the upcoming iOS 26. The new Call Screening feature can be set to pick up calls from unknown numbers, screen the caller for a reason why they're calling, and then ring the call through if you so deem fit, while the Hold Assist keeps the call connected as you wait on your bank/service provider's helplines and rings you back when an agent finally answers the call. All very handy, but the most interesting feature is Live Translation which, as the name suggests, will offer on-the-fly translation across Phone, Messages and FaceTime apps – bringing up live captions in your default language on a FaceTime call if you're conversing with someone in a different language, adding a spoken translation alongside the voice of the person you're speaking with on a regular phone call, or translating the message into the recipient's preferred language and vice versa. Speaking of messages, the app now offers customizable backgrounds, polls and typing indicators, all somewhat delayed additions but when combined with the generative AI rewriting/summarization tools, bring the app up to a modern spec. iPad OS multi-tasking gets more Mac-like Apple's tablets have, slowly but surely, been edging towards macOS-esque multi-tasking over the years, and iPadOS 26 will bring big changes, particularly around multi-tasking. Along with a new, more precise mouse pointer, there's a new windowing system via which you can resize full-screen apps to windows, a new persistent menu at the top of the screen, and a new multi-tasking view (Exposé, borrowed from macOS) which shows you thumbnails of open windows so you can select the one you want. The Files app on iPadOS now more closely resembles macOS file browsing, with the ability to drag files/folders onto the dock, and Preview app from the Mac is heading over to the iPad to edit PDFs, annotate images and documents and the like. We may not have gotten the touchscreen Mac we've been asking for all these years, but the iPad looks to be getting close enough…in all but name. macOS gets a shot in the arm for power users macOS's Spotlight search feature is getting a much overdue upgrade, from being able to search and open stuff, it can now do stuff. Once apps provide access to Spotlight to individual actions within the app, like playing music, sending an email, you can then invoke these actions without even leaving the home screen, a little bit of an Apple Intelligence take on AI agents from the competition that help consumers get things done. And we finally have macOS keeping your clipboard history, ready to access even if you've copied something more recently! Elsewhere, Apple is making the Shortcuts capability better, allowing it to access various AI models (including ChatGPT) to accomplish what you're trying to do. Apple is also bringing the Phone and the newly announced Games app to macOS 26, along with support for the iPhone's Live Activities. watchOS 26 Workouts get a new buddy Aside from the Liquid Glass makeover across all platforms, Apple Watch users upgrading to watchOS 26 later this year a new Workout Buddy, which uses Apple Intelligence and your fitness history to give you pep talks with a summary of your workout stats at the end of your workout. On a run, for instance, this may mean a pep talk during your warmup and suggestions to pick up your pace during the run, and how to cool down. Plus, there's a new wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications, and the Notes app is making an appearance as well, allowing you to access all your notes and create new ones directly on your wrist. Apple Intelligence opens up Though the updates on Apple Intelligence were light, Apple did announce a pretty significant shift in how third-party apps can access the on-device large language model used by Apple Intelligence. By giving developers direct access to the models, apps can now tap into the whole gamut of intelligence experiences locally on the device without the associated per-transaction costs of accessing the LLM via the cloud API (application programming interface). Handier to folks like you and me – you can search for anything you see on your screen using Visual Intelligence/ChatGPT, in a move not entirely dissimilar to Google's Circle to Search capability. Apple's updates to all its platforms are in a developer beta right now, and will be released later this year (typically September) to consumers. Also read: OnePlus 13s review: A compact flagship for small hands and tight pockets The writer was invited by Apple to attend WWDC25 in Cupertino.
New York Post
13-05-2025
- New York Post
Your boss could be tracking you through your AirPods — here's how to avoid supervisor surveillance
Are you being tracked while listening to a hot track? These seemingly innocuous listening devices could double as 'earbugs.' A techspert is warning employees to think twice about accepting AirPods at work because the boss could use them to snoop on their movements. 'AirPods can be tracked indirectly through, say, the work mobile or laptop, not necessarily Apple-branded, whose location an employer can access anyway,' Marc Porcar, who works at QR Code Generator, told the Digital Journal while describing this surreptitious surveillance. Advertisement Along with keeping tabs on employees' extracurricular habits,' they could also be used to spy on remote workers to see if they went to the bar at lunchtime or perhaps took a Louis Vuitton shopping detour while on assignment. 3 Unfortunately, these capabilities can be used to track new models like the Apple AirPods Pro as well as older models — although the latter have less precise location technology, the expert warns. Employees should be suspicious of AirPods that arrive in a previously opened box or naked without packaging, per Porcar. Employers could've linked said Bluetooth to their personal laptop or other device and used this setup to, in the words of the Police, watch 'every move you make.' Advertisement The digital whiz warns that while 'AirPods do not have built-in GPS or cellular capabilities,' employers 'can use the Find My network or an already paired device to estimate their [employees'] location, much like an AirTag,' the Daily Mail reported. Unfortunately, these capabilities can be used to track both new and old AirPods models — although older models have less precise location technology, the expert warns. 3 'AirPods can be tracked indirectly through, say, the work mobile or laptop, not necessarily Apple-branded, whose location an employer can access anyway,' said Marc Porcar, who works at QR Code Generator. Zamrznuti tonovi – To avoid getting bugged by the boss or other bad actors, Porcar advises removing the AirPods' factory settings manually. First, place both earbuds in the charging case and close the lid, then wait for 30 seconds and reopen the lid. Advertisement Afterward, press the small reset button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light at the front flashes amber and then white. Voila, supervisor surveillance capabilities are no more. 3 Employees should be suspicious of AirPods that arrive in a previously-opened box or naked without packaging, per Porcar. Shahid Jamil – The user can then link these auditory doohickies 'with another non-work Apple ID using an iMac, iPhone or iPad,' per Porcar. However, he urges AirPods enthusiasts to perform this function at a familiar location such as the office because employers will be able to see where they switched to another Apple ID (AKA they can see if you switched outside of a bar). Advertisement Users can also disable Find My AirPods through a paired iPhone or iPad by going to 'Settings,' selecting the 'Devices' tab, clicking on their AirPods and hitting 'Remove This Device.' If the AirPods were previously paired with a Mac, open the 'Find My' app, go to the 'Devices' tab and select the AirPods from the list on the left. Then, navigate to the circled 'i' in the right-hand panel and hit 'Remove This Device' to disable its tracking. And don't think you can just shut down tracking by pairing the AirPods with a new device. 'Using AirPods with an Android phone or tablet does not prevent tracking if they remain linked to an Apple ID because they can still use the manufacturer's network to be located,' Porcar cautioned. Of course, disabling one's tracking could arouse suspicion at the office — even if the move is justified. Advertisement As such, the best way to avoid being surveilled sans setting off alarm bells is to 'keep your work AirPods at your usual place of work, whether that is at the office or at home,' per Porcar. 'Do not take them with you for non-work-related activities like a morning jog, a gym session or a quick drink after work,' he said. 'This prevents many complications like theft and loss of company property, but, more importantly, it keeps you safe from uncomfortable encounters with your boss or anyone at work with access to company device management.'
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Gqeberha shop manager fined R87,000 for selling counterfeit Apple accessories
Apple Logo Manager of HOCO (Pty) Ltd in Gqeberha, was fined R87 000 by the Regional Court for selling counterfeit Apple accessories. Image: Nicholas Kamm / AFP The manager of a Gqeberha cellphone accessories shop has been slapped with an R87,000 fine after admitting to selling counterfeit Apple products, following a successful prosecution by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit. Harrikumar Patel, who managed HOCO (Pty) Ltd operating from Shop 32 in Walmer Park Shopping Centre, pleaded guilty to charges under the Counterfeit Goods Act and the Trademarks Act. The Gqeberha Regional Court confirmed his conviction after a lawful search of the store on March 28 uncovered 145 counterfeit Apple-branded items, including iPhone covers, charging cables, power banks, car chargers, and port adapters. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the fake products infringed on the intellectual property rights of Apple Inc., a US-based company. The complaint was lodged by Apple Inc., represented in South Africa by attorney Jarred West from Spoor & Fisher in Centurion. 'The investigation revealed that the imported goods bore imitation trademarks likely to mislead consumers into believing the products were genuine Apple merchandise,' Tyali said. Regional Prosecutor Shumeez September-Moodley, who led the case, stressed the importance of protecting consumers and intellectual property holders from the harms associated with counterfeit products. Barry Madolo, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, welcomed the ruling stating that this outcome reinforces the commitment of the NPA and its partners to combat intellectual property crime and protect legitimate businesses and consumers from the dangers of counterfeit goods, as well as prevent further detriment to the economy of the country. Tyali said the case serves as a warning to those involved in counterfeiting. 'This case sends a clear message that trademark infringement, and counterfeiting will not be tolerated in the Eastern Cape or anywhere in South Africa,' he said. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now: Apple services chief suggests
In a surprising revelation during the US Department of Justice's antitrust case against Google, Apple's services chief Eddy Cue suggested that the iPhone could become obsolete within the next decade, marking the first time a senior Apple executive has publicly entertained such a possibility. Apple is no stranger to killing its own darlings. (Aishwarya Panda-HT) Testifying in the ongoing trial, Cue defended Apple's lucrative search engine partnership with Google—reportedly worth around $20 billion annually—but his comments quickly veered into a bigger-picture thinking about the future of technology. 'You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now, as crazy as it sounds,' said Cue, according to Bloomberg. 'The only way you truly have true competition is when you have technology shifts.' While Cue's point was intended to underscore how AI is transforming the search landscape, the remark doubles as the first notable public suggestion from Apple leadership that the iPhone era could eventually end. Familiar pattern of self-disruption Apple is no stranger to killing its own darlings. The iPod—once as dominant as the iPhone is today—vanished quietly, not due to competitors, but because Apple shifted its focus. The iPhone itself was the very product that ultimately replaced the iPod, folding its features into something broader and more powerful. Cue's comments suggest Apple may be preparing for another such pivot, possibly involving AI-powered interfaces or new form factors. He also acknowledged that traditional search is being reimagined and may not survive in its current form, adding to speculation that AI-driven services could take centre stage in Apple's future ecosystem. Big tech under pressure The testimony comes as the DOJ challenges the Google–Apple search deal, which makes Google the default engine on iOS devices. If the court rules against Google, Apple could lose billions annually, through a shift towards first-party AI search tools that might provide a new revenue stream and independence. While it's far from a formal announcement, Cue's remarks have stirred curiosity about what's next for Apple in a world increasingly shaped by AI, ambient computing, and possibly even Apple-branded vehicles.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple Explores Robotics as Potential Growth Area
Industry sources and experts indicate Apple (AAPL, Financials) is investigating the robotics business as a possible future focus point. The tech giant is looking at both humanoid and non-humanoid robotic prototypes even if research is still in its early years. According to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's main priorities are user interactions with robots rather than their outward look. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with ACRE. It is said that the company favors anthropomorphic design elementsthat is, aspects akin to human-like characteristicsinstead of building only entirely humanoid robots. Apple's research and development programs draw attention to improved sensor hardware and software, suggesting a focus on artificial intelligence-driven interaction over just mechanical robots. The goal appears to be creating robots competent of basic customer contact, thus enhancing Apple's present range of smart devices. Kuo argues that because the robotics industry typically follows long development cycles necessitating major testing and modification, an Apple-branded robot is unlikely to reach consumers until 2028 or later. Comparisons to Apple's prior ground-breaking ideas in wearables, telephones, and personal computers have been made about its potential debut into the market. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
