News

  • Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 193 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
    Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed the ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 193 includes fixes and updates for Accessibility, CSS, Forms, JavaScript, Rendering, Web API, and Web Inspector. The current ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ release is compatible with machines running macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma, the latest version of macOS that Apple released in September 2023. The ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences or
  • WhatsApp for iOS Gains Support for Passkeys
    Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp today announced that it is rolling out support for passkeys on the iPhone and the iPad, a feature that will let WhatsApp users log in to their accounts on iOS devices using Face ID, Touch ID, or their device passcode. Passkeys serve as a replacement for a traditional password, and because device authentication is required, passkeys put a stop to online attacks like phishing. With a passkey, there's no password to steal, and no one-time SMS or authentication code that can be intercepted. Passkeys are also more convenient, because logins are done with a quick ‌Face
  • Meta shares sink after it reveals spending plans
    The firm said expenses would be higher this year as it spends heavily on artificial intelligence.
  • iMazing iPhone Management Software Gets Fresh Design, Support for Vision Pro
    DigiDNA today announced the launch of iMazing 3, an updated version of its iPhone and iPad management software designed for Macs and Windows machines. iMazing 3 features an updated user interface with a dedicated "Discover" section that makes it easier to find popular tools for doing things like transferring photos from an ‌iPhone‌, downloading Messages, transferring music, and making backups. A Device Overview section offers details about connected products like serial number, model number, device ID, date of latest backup, and more, for simple multi-device management, and there's also a Data section for accessing saved media, messages, contacts, and other
  • How fraudsters are getting fake articles onto Facebook
    Scammers are able to get past automated checks on the social media giant to try to defraud users.
  • US TikTok ban would be 'devastating', UK firms warn
    UK businesses using TikTok say they could see a significant drop in sales if the app is banned in the US.
  • Apple Releases Open Source AI Models That Run On-Device
    Apple today released several open source large language models (LLMs) that are designed to run on-device rather than through cloud servers. Called OpenELM (Open-source Efficient Language Models), the LLMs are available on the Hugging Face Hub, a community for sharing AI code. As outlined in a white paper [PDF], there are eight total OpenELM models, four of which were pre-trained using the CoreNet library, and four instruction tuned models. Apple uses a layer-wise scaling strategy that is aimed at improving accuracy and efficiency. Apple provided code, training logs, and multiple versions rather than just the final trained model, and the
  • Threads has 150 million monthly users
    Meta’s Threads app now has more than 150 million monthly users, an increase of about 20 million new users since February. Mark Zuckerberg shared the latest user numbers during Meta’’s first-quarter earnings call, saying that the app “continues to be on the trajectory that I hope to see.” The update suggests Threads is continuing to grow steadily, though at a slower rate than its initial explosive growth. The app racked up more than 100 million downloads in its first week, but later saw a drop-off in engagement. But over the last six months, Threads has seen more consistent growth and
  • Spotify and Apple Again Clash Over App Store Rules and Fees
    Spotify has not been able to get Apple to approve an EU app update that added information on subscription pricing and links to the Spotify website, and it turns out that's because Spotify has not agreed to the terms of Apple's Music Streaming Services Entitlement. A recent antitrust ruling from the European Commission fined Apple nearly $2 billion and mandated that Apple "remove anti-steering provisions" for music apps in the European Economic Area (EEA). As a result, Apple updated its App Store rules with a Music Streaming Services Entitlement that allows music apps in the EEA to inform users of
  • Apple bids farewell to Frank Casanova after pivotal 36-year tenure
    After nearly four decades at Apple, Frank Casanova, the Senior Director of Product Marketing who recently spearheaded the launch of the Vision Pro headset, has retired.Apple bids farewell to Frank Casanova after pivotal 36-year tenureOver his extensive career, Casanova contributed significantly to the company, including his crucial role in expanding the iPhone's carrier network, ultimately shaping how consumers interact with Apple's products worldwide.Casanova's journey with Apple began in the late '80s, and since then, he has been a pivotal figure in the company's evolution. His early work included marketing Apple's foundational products, according to a Wednesday report by Bloomberg. Continue
  • TikTok Lite axes ‘addictive as cigarettes’ reward-to-watch feature under the EU’s watchful eye
    The EU has effectively vanquished a TikTok feature that Europe’s digital commissioner described as “toxic” and “addictive as cigarettes.” Owner ByteDance said on Wednesday that TikTok Lite’s reward-to-watch feature would be suspended. It’s been a brutal day for TikTok as President Biden signed a bill (also on Wednesday) forcing ByteDance to sell the platform’s US operations or face a ban. TikTok Lite, launched earlier this month in France and Spain, lets users earn rewards by watching and liking videos. They can then exchange their points for real-world perks like Amazon vouchers or in-app ones like TikTok’s virtual currency, which is
  • Spotify second iOS app update attempt in EU fails to pass App Store review
    A update to Spotify's app in the App Store is on hold, after the streaming service failed to follow rules allowing links to external sites for purchases.Spotify's app in the EUApple has already made a number of changes to its App Store rules, primarily to comply with EU legislation like the Digital Markets Act. While Apple has laid out new rules developers must follow to perform specific actions, not all apps have gone down the correct route.An App Review email sent to Spotify and viewed by AppleInsider states that version 8.9.33 of Spotify's app was halted from publication to the
  • PUBG will take a nostalgia-infused trip back to its first map in May
    PUBG: Battlegrounds is somehow old enough to evoke nostalgia. The pioneering battle royale game, which entered Steam Early Access in 2017, will borrow a page from Fortnite’s playbook and honor its first map. Erangel Classic will recreate the old-school battlefield from the game’s inception for a limited two-week run in May and June. Developer and publisher Krafton says the Erangel Classic map will reproduce the original’s concepts, graphics, atmosphere and UI. However, it will blend those with “modern tweaks” to deliver “the enjoyable gameplay experiences that players have grown accustomed to.” In other words, much like remasters of other classic
  • JetBlue's in-flight entertainment system just got a watch party feature
    JetBlue is revamping its in-flight entertainment system, complete with a new branding. It’s now called Blueprint and brings several features that should make your next flight just a teensy-bit less grueling. The biggest news here is a watch party feature that lets customers view the same TV show or film with up to five other people. This is actually pretty cool, as watching stuff with friends and family during a long flight typically requires the finicky “push play at the exact same time and hope nobody has to go to the bathroom” method. The watch party feature includes functionality that
  • Apple Vision Pro Gains Apple Arcade Games Crossy Road Castle and Solitaire Stories
    Apple Arcade games Crossy Road Castle and Solitaire Stories are set to launch on the Vision Pro headset tomorrow, adding two additional popular games to Apple's first head worn device. In Crossy Road Castle, players can progress through tower levels with pinch and flick gestures. Up to four players can play at one time, though there's also a solo version of the game. Crossy Road Castle for Vision Pro has the same features as the other versions of the game, including characters and hats to unlock, game controller support, and challenge events to complete. Levels are procedurally generated, so each
  • Threads is testing automatic archiving for posts
    Threads users may soon have a new way to clean up their timelines. The app is testing a new archive feature that can be used to manually archive individual posts or automatically hide posts after a set period of time, Adam Mosseri shared. As on Instagram, archiving a post on Threads will hide it from public view, though the post will be available to the original author to view or undo. The Instagram head said the feature will be available to a “small number of people” to start. Though optional, Mosseri has made no secret that his preference is for
  • Review: Hyper's USB Hubs and SSD Enclosure Offer an Array of Connectivity Options
    Several months ago, Hyper introduced a series of accessories under the "HyperDrive Next" family, bringing a variety of options for USB-C hubs and other products. I've recently spent some time testing out some of these accessories, and I've found them to offer an assortment of capabilities across price points to suit a variety of users. USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure Priced at $119.99, Hyper's USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure offers support for a speedy external drive inside a robust aluminum enclosure protected by a silicone bumper to cushion against impacts and provide IP55 dust and water resistance. The enclosure supports M.2 NVMe
  • WhatsApp is enabling passkey support on iOS
    Several months after Meta brought WhatsApp passkey logins to Android, it’s doing the same on iOS. The company is rolling out the feature now, and it will be available to all users in the coming weeks. Passkeys are seen as a more secure login method as (for one thing) it mitigates the risk of scammers convincing users to share their SMS passcode. Instead, you can log in by verifying a passkey using facial recognition, biometrics or a PIN stored on Apple’s passkey manager. Passkeys work by securely storing an authentication credential on your device that pairs with one saved by
  • The White House wants a zero-emission freight industry by 2040
    The Biden administration is tackling the monumental task of making America’s industrial freight system more environmentally friendly. The White House said on Wednesday that it aims to have 30 percent of industrial truck sales produce zero emissions by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040. In addition to those non-binding targets, the White House is meeting on Wednesday with stakeholders from the commercial vehicle, shipping and infrastructure industries to help execute its agenda. The roundtable is designed to advance the Biden Administration’s goal of “supercharging the buildout of the infrastructure necessary to make a zero-emissions freight ecosystem a reality in the
  • Spring iPhone sales slip to lowest activation share in years
    The iPhone's slice of the smartphone activation pie has shrunk to its smallest size in six years, marking a concerning trend for Apple as it grapples with the longest gap yet between its iPhone releases.iPhone sales slip to lowest activation share in yearsThe latest data reveals that the iPhone now accounts for only one-third of all new smartphone activations in the US, a significant decline from its 40% share over the past year, as noted by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).Apple's once-dominant position in the smartphone market is now under threat as it faces fierce competition from Android devices, which
  • PBS Retro is a new FAST channel playing just the classics
    Parents throughout the country just breathed a sigh of relief at the prospect of allowing more screen time for their kids that doesn’t revolve around some really loud and annoying YouTube dude. PBS just launched a new free ad-supported channel called PBS Retro, as reported by The Wrap. As the name suggests, this is a repository for all of your favorite edutainment classics from the 1980s, 1990s and beyond. The nostalgia is strong with this one. PBS Retro is available via The Roku Channel, which is a streaming service on smart TVs and, of course, Roku devices. The 24/7 channel
  • Apple Seeds Third Public Beta of macOS 14.5
    Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.5 update to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its launch. The public beta comes a week after Apple released the second public beta and a day after Apple seeded the beta to developers. Beta testers can opt-in through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Under Beta updates, simply toggle on the Sonoma Public Beta. Note that you must sign up to participate on Apple's beta testing website. There have been no new features found in the ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.5 developer
  • Apple Releases Third Public Beta of iOS 17.5
    Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its release. The second public iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 betas come a week after Apple released the second betas for public beta testers, and a day after the software was made available to developers. Public beta testers can get the beta by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Public Beta. Signing up on
  • Apple Watch Series X might get new and thinner motherboard material
    A new supply chain rumor claims that Apple will switch to thinner resin-coated copper motherboards for a future Apple Watch, echoing previous reports of the same coming to the iPhone 17.Apple Watch Series 9Resin-coated copper (RCC) is exactly what it says it is — a thin film of copper, coated in resin. It replaces the typically green, grey or black nonconductive bonding sheet material on motherboards. In October 2023, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple would adopt it for the iPhone because it is thin, light, and has benefits in manufacturing.And now, according to Digtimes, unspecified sources in the supply chain
  • Rabbit R1 hands-on: Already more fun and accessible than the Humane AI Pin
    At CES this January, startup Rabbit unveiled its first device, just in time for the end of the year of the rabbit according to the lunar calendar. It’s a cute little orange square that was positioned as a “pocket companion that moves AI from words to action.” In other words, it’s basically a dedicated AI machine that acts kind of like a walkie talkie to a virtual assistant. Sound familiar? You’re probably thinking of the Humane AI Pin, which was announced last year and started shipping this month. I awarded it a score of 50 (out of 100) earlier this