The European Union outlined the actions Apple must take to improve the compatibility of its iPhone and iPad operating systems with competing technologies. This marks the first time the EU has enforced compliance with its Digital Markets Act (DMA), a digital rulebook introduced last year. Nvidia partners with Disney to propel generalist robotics forward The European Commission initiated two “specification proceedings” last year to detail the steps Apple needs to follow to meet the DMA requirements. The commission's decision outlined measures to enhance access to Apple’s iOS operating system for third-party devices, such as smartwatches. It also included steps to improve the transparency and efficiency of the process for software developers to request access to iPhone features. Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, stated in a press release that the measures provide “regulatory certainty” for both Apple and developers. She added that "effective interoperability" for third-party devices will offer consumers better choices in the rapidly expanding market for connected devices. Apple, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, claiming it would harm the company's products and European users. The company argued that the new rules would create unnecessary bureaucracy, slowing innovation in Europe and forcing Apple to give away new features for free to companies not bound by the same regulations. Apple affirmed that it would continue to engage with the European Commission to address its concerns on behalf of users. The Commission also announced that Google had not done enough to comply with the DMA. Despite some changes, such as removing flight listings, Google continued to prioritize its own services in search results. Additionally, Google failed to allow app developers to direct users to cheaper alternatives outside its Google Play Store, according to preliminary findings. Google acquires cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion in its largest-ever deal In response, Google stated that the EU's findings would require it to make further changes to how search results are displayed, which the company believes would hinder users from finding what they need and reduce traffic to European businesses. Google described this approach as "misguided."

Apple is addressing a glitch in its iPhone dictation feature that momentarily suggested the word “Trump” when users spoke words with an “R” sound, including “racist.” The issue gained attention after iPhone users shared videos on social media demonstrating the error. When using the dictation feature and saying the word “racist,” the text initially displayed “Trump” before automatically correcting itself. “We are aware of an issue with the speech recognition model that powers Dictation and we are rolling out a fix today,” Apple said in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Apple explained that the speech recognition model sometimes suggests words with phonetic similarities, causing certain words with an “R” sound to trigger the bug. However, The Associated Press was unable to replicate the issue a day after it was first reported. Meanwhile, Apple recently announced plans to invest over $500 billion and create 20,000 jobs in the U.S. over the next four years, including building a new factory in Texas. This comes amid former President Donald Trump’s push for tariffs on imports. Separately, Apple shareholders rejected a proposal to align the company with Trump’s efforts to eliminate corporate diversity initiatives.  

Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 16 series has arrived, featuring the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and a brand-new budget option, the iPhone 16e. Set to launch on February 28, 2025, the iPhone 16e is designed to offer a premium Apple experience at a more affordable price, positioning it as a strong competitor to its predecessors and rivals like Google’s Pixel 9a. Key Features of iPhone 16e . Design and Build Quality The iPhone 16e maintains Apple’s signature premium build with a glass front and back and an aluminum frame, ensuring durability while keeping it lightweight at 167g. It retains the IP68 water and dust resistance rating, matching the iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Google Pixel 9a.  However, compared to the OnePlus 13, which boasts a sturdier ceramic guard glass and a high-pressure water resistance rating, the iPhone 16e falls slightly behind in durability. While the iPhone 16 comes in more color options, the iPhone 16e is limited to Black and White, making it less appealing for those who prefer vibrant choices. Read more: realme 14 Pro+ Review: Know the Pros and Cons Display Quality Apple equips the iPhone 16e with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel, which offers excellent color accuracy, deep blacks, and HDR10 support. The display boasts an 1170 by 2532-pixel resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate like the iPhone 16 and older iPhones which falls behind the 120Hz seen on the iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S25, and OnePlus 13.  Google's Pixel 9a features a slightly larger 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it more fluid for scrolling and gaming.  Meanwhile, OnePlus 13 stands out with a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED panel at 1440p resolution and 120Hz, providing the sharpest and smoothest visual experience among competitors.  While the iPhone 16e’s display is crisp and bright, peaking at 1200 nits, it does not reach the extreme 2600-nit brightness of the Galaxy S25, making it slightly harder to view under direct sunlight. Read more: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Game-Changer or Overpriced Flagship? Camera Performance Apple has equipped the iPhone 16e with a 48MP primary sensor, similar to the iPhone 16 but without the ultrawide secondary lens. Despite lacking a second camera, the iPhone 16e still delivers impressive image quality with optical image stabilization (OIS) and Apple’s Smart HDR technology. It excels in low-light photography, producing sharp details and accurate colors.

Apple said Friday it will stop offering an advanced data security option for British users after the government reportedly demanded that the company provide backdoor access for any data those users have stored in the cloud. The iPhone maker said its Advanced Data Protection encryption feature is no longer available for new users in the United Kingdom and will eventually be disabled for existing users. Advanced Data Protection, which Apple started rolling out at the end of 2022, is an opt-in feature that protects iCloud files, photos, notes and other data with end-to-end encryption when they're stored in the cloud. British security officials demanded in a secret order that the US tech giant create so-called backdoor access so that they could view fully encrypted material, The Washington Post reported earlier this month, citing anonymous sources. Apple “can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection” in the UK, the company said in a statement. “We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy,” Apple said, without referring to the government demand. The Washington Post report said the British government served Apple with what's known as a “technical capability notice" ordering it to provide the access under a sweeping law called the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, which has been dubbed the snoopers' charter. Apple unveils a souped-up and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone The law officially gives British spies the ability to hack into devices and harvest vast amounts of bulk online data, much of it from outside the UK It contains provisions to compel companies to remove encryption to allow for electronic eavesdropping, while making it a criminal offense to reveal that the government has issued such demands. “We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices," the UK Home Office said in a brief statement. Apple did not reveal how many users in Britain have been using Advanced Data Protection. It said the feature would still be available to users in the rest of the world. Some types of data will still be end-to-end encrypted in the UK by default, Apple said, including passwords on the iCloud Keychain, information on the Health app, and communications on services including iMessage and FaceTime. End-to-end encryption means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is a garble that can’t be unscrambled without the key. The episode illustrates “one of the fundamental flaws in government efforts to undermine encryption," said Mike Chapple, an IT professor at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. Faced with having to choose between security and complying with government regulations, companies like Apple tend to remove security features entirely, said Chapple, a former computer scientist at the National Security Agency. “The net effect is reduced security for everyone. If other governments follow the UK’s lead, we risk a future where strong encryption is functionally outlawed, which puts all of us at risk not just to government surveillance but also to eavesdropping by other bad actors.”

Apple is reportedly set to unveil the iPhone SE 4, the latest addition to its budget-friendly SE lineup, as early as next week. The upcoming iPhone SE 4 (2025) promises to blend premium features with affordability, making it an appealing option for those seeking high performance without a premium price tag. With significant upgrades expected, this release could mark a major shift in Apple’s entry-level offerings. Here’s a deep dive into all the leaks, rumors, and anticipated features surrounding the iPhone SE 4 (2025). iPhone SE 4 (2025) Rumours and Leaks The market is abuzz with rumours about the upcoming iPhone SE 4 as the phone's unannounced release date approaches. To trigger more anticipation, frequent leaks are teasing fans over social media. Here are the major rumours and leaks: Name The new iPhone SE 4 will be a major overhaul, drastically changing almost every aspect of the entire SE line-up. Reports from several sources claim that the phone won’t be an SE phone; instead, it will be called the iPhone 16E. Experts justify the claim by highlighting Apple’s departure from the affordability tag. Read more: OPPO Reno13 Pro 5G Review: Is It Worth the Hype? Design Rumours say the iPhone SE 4 will resemble the iPhone 14 in design and the primary camera module. This would mark a phenomenal shift for the series, making it leave the iPhone 8 chassis and start a new aesthetic formation. Fans are expecting an aluminium and glass combined frame protected with Apple’s Ceramic Shield glass. Instead of the iPhone 14’s multi-camera layout, the SE 4 will have a single circular lens holder. If the rumour comes true, it will end the SE series’ far-celebrated home button and bring a larger screen size. Instead of the home button, users will find a cutting-edge Face detection system. Display The iPhone SE 4 will make a major leap by replacing the previous model’s 4.7-inch LCD panel with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. Compatible arrangements for the display indicate a resolution of 1170 by 2532 pixels, an approximately 457 ppi colour density, and a peak brightness level of 1200 nits. To room the larger display, bezels, and chins will become narrower, increasing the screen-to-body ratio. Read more: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition Review: A True MacBook Competitor or Just Hype? Cameras The new wallet-friendly iPhone's camera will surpass the previous model’s in several aspects: first, it will have a more powerful lens, expectedly of a 48MP capacity, and second, the lens is Apple’s latest invention called “Fusion,” which features 2X optical quality zoom without a telephoto lens.  Processor and GPU Though a lower-budget phone, the iPhone SE always boasts the same processor as its contemporary flagship iPhone model. So, people are anticipating a 3nm Apple A18 chipset in the SE 4. As for a graphical processor, anticipations suggest a 5-core Apple GPU chipset to keep pace with the A18 processor. There is also a strong chance that the phone will support Apple Intelligence, which is only available in the iPhone 16 series and last year’s Pro models. Battery Many reputed sources predict a more powerful battery in the iPhone SE 4. Like many other features, the battery may also resemble the iPhone 14’s to support the larger display and more potent chipsets. Read more: Best Flagship Smartphones of 2024: Top Premium Picks You Shouldn’t Miss Price of the iPhone SE 4 The iPhone SE 4 will cost more than its previous models. According to experts, the phone may cost around $500 or BDT 60,000 (at a conversion rate of USD 1 = BDT 121.13). Conclusion According to all these rumours and leaks, a new iPhone SE 4 (2025) version is coming to lift the SE lineup to elite status. With a potent 3nm A18 chipset, a modified 48MP primary lens, a larger and better display, and a more durable battery, the iPhone SE 4 (2025) can appear as the ruler of the higher-mid budget segment. Read more: Honor 300 Review: New Contender in Midrange Smartphone Segment

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of turning its virtual assistant Siri into a snoop that eavesdropped on the users of iPhones and other trendy devices in a betrayal to its long-standing commitment to personal privacy. The proposed settlement filed in federal court earlier this week still needs to be approved by a judge, but here are a few things to know about the case and the privacy issues that it raised. WHAT WAS THE LAWSUIT ABOUT? The Wood Law Firm, which specializes in class-action lawsuits, filed the complaint against Apple in August 2019, shortly after The Guardian newspaper published an article alleging that Siri's microphone had been surreptitiously turned on to record conversations occurring without the users' knowledge. Apple issued a September 2014 software update that was supposed to activate the virtual assistant only with the triggering words “Hey, Siri,” but The Guardian story alleged Siri was listening and recording conversations at other times to help improve the company’s technology. The story led to the lawsuit, which later raised allegations that Apple shared some of the conversations that Siri secretly recorded with advertisers looking to connect with consumers who were more likely to buy their products and services. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COVERED BY THE SETTLEMENT? Tens of millions of U.S consumers who owned or purchased iPhones and other devices equipped with Siri from September 17, 2014, through the end of last year will be eligible to file claims. HOW MUCH MONEY WILL EACH ELIGIBLE CONSUMER RECEIVE? It's far too early to tell for certain, but the settlement currently envisions paying out up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, with each consumer limited to a maximum. The final amount could be affected by two factors: the number of claims and how much of the settlement fund is reduced to cover legal fees and costs. A claims administrator estimates only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers will file claims. The lawyers in the case currently are seeking nearly $30 million in fees and expenses, but that figure could still be lowered by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, who is overseeing the case in Oakland, California. A proposed Feb. 14 court hearing has been proposed to review the settlement terms. DID APPLE BREAK ANY LAWS? If the allegations were true, Apple may have violated federal wiretapping laws and other statutes designed to protect people's privacy. But Apple adamantly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that it would have been cleared of any misconduct had the case gone to trial. Lawyers representing the consumers asserted that Apple's misbehavior was so egregious that the company could have been liable for $1.5 billion in damages if it lost the case. Although Apple hasn't explained the reasons for making the settlement, major companies often decide it makes more sense to resolve class-action cases rather than to continue to run up legal costs and risk the chance of potentially bad publicity. The lawsuit also targeted one of Apple's core values framing privacy as a “fundamental human right.” Although $95 million sounds like a lot of money, it's a pittance for Apple. Since September 2014, the company's total profits have exceeded $700 billion — a streak of prosperity that has helped propel the company's market value to about $3.7 trillion. DO I NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THE MICROPHONES ON OTHER DEVICES SPYING ON ME? Perhaps. A case similar to the one filed against Siri is still active in a San Jose, California, federal court against Google and the virtual assistant in its Android software, which has been widely used in smartphones for years. JUST IN CASE, HOW DO I DISABLE SIRI? You can turn Apple’s virtual assistant off by following these simple steps: 1. Navigate to Settings Siri & Search. 2. Toggle off Listen for ‘Hey Siri’ and press the Side button for Siri. 3. Tap Turn Off Siri when a pop-up window appears. You can also disable individual apps' access to your iPhone's mic by doing the following: Navigate to Settings (select the app) then toggle off Microphone.  

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the privacy-minded company of deploying its virtual assistant Siri to eavesdrop on people using its iPhone and other trendy devices. The proposed settlement filed Tuesday in an Oakland, California, federal court would resolve a 5-year-old lawsuit revolving around allegations that Apple surreptitiously activated Siri to record conversations through iPhones and other devices equipped with the virtual assistant for more than a decade. The alleged recordings occurred even when people didn't seek to activate the virtual assistant with the trigger words, “Hey, Siri." Some of the recorded conversations were then shared with advertisers in an attempt to sell their products to consumers more likely to be interested in the goods and services, the lawsuit asserted. The allegations about a snoopy Siri contradicted Apple's long-running commitment to protect the privacy of its customers — a crusade that CEO Tim Cook has often framed as a fight to preserve “a fundamental human right.” Apple isn't acknowledging any wrongdoing in the settlement, which still must be approved by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. Lawyers in the case have proposed scheduling a Feb. 14 court hearing in Oakland to review the terms. Read: Apple iOS 18.2 Release: Key Features, Updates, Pros, and Cons You Need to Know If the settlement is approved, tens of millions of consumers who owned iPhones and other Apple devices from Sept. 17, 2014, through the end of last year could file claims. Each consumer could receive up to $20 per Siri-equipped device covered by the settlement, although the payment could be reduced or increased, depending on the volume of claims. Only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers are expected to file claims, according to estimates in court documents. Eligible consumers will be limited to seeking compensation on a maximum of five devices. The settlement represents a sliver of the $705 billion in profits that Apple has pocketed since September 2014. It's also a fraction of the roughly $1.5 billion that the lawyers representing consumers had estimated Apple could been required to pay if the company had been found of violating wiretapping and other privacy laws had the case gone to a trial. Read more: Apple set to launch its first foldable iPhone: A game-changer for market The attorneys who filed the lawsuit may seek up to $29.6 million from the settlement fund to cover their fees and other expenses, according to court documents.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on Apple to remove a generative AI feature after it created a misleading headline about a high-profile murder case in the United States, according to a report by the BBC. The BBC filed a formal complaint with the US tech giant after Apple Intelligence, an AI-powered tool designed to summarize and group notifications, falsely generated a headline about Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of healthcare insurance CEO Brian Thompson in New York. The AI-generated headline inaccurately suggested that BBC News had reported Mangione shot himself—a claim that is untrue. Niger junta suspends BBC for alleged false attack coverage In response to the incident, RSF has demanded Apple discontinue the feature, emphasizing the risks it poses to media credibility. "Generative AI services are still too immature to produce reliable information for the public," RSF said, citing the BBC case as a clear example. Vincent Berthier, head of RSF's technology and journalism desk, warned of the dangers of such technology in journalism: "AIs are probability machines, and facts can't be decided by a roll of the dice. RSF calls on Apple to act responsibly by removing this feature. The automated production of false information attributed to a media outlet is a blow to the outlet's credibility and a danger to the public's right to reliable information on current affairs." Apple has not yet responded to the BBC's complaint or RSF's demand.

Apple has officially launched iOS 18.2, bringing a host of new features, updates, and improvements to enhance user experience. This latest release focuses on advanced AI capabilities, subtle design changes, and essential security upgrades, reflecting Apple’s forward-looking vision. From enhanced functionality to addressing user concerns, iOS 18.2 offers both exciting opportunities and some trade-offs. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know, including its standout features, pros, and cons. Key Features of the Apple iOS 18.2 . Tech users are immersing themselves in AI tools. Smart device manufacturers are integrating AI into every possible widget and tool to keep up with the trend. iOS 18.2 seems to walk on the same path, too. The latest update has infused generative AI into different features and has also offered several AI-enhanced functionalities. The major updates that Apple users will get in the new iOS are as follows.  ChatGPT Integration with Siri The feature that has raised the loudest buzz among tech enthusiasts is the integration of ChatGPT with Siri. Now, Siri has become more powerful in responding to user queries by leveraging ChatGPT’s capabilities. Read more: Apple’s iOS 18: Top Features, Supported Devices, and Key Updates You Need to Know Siri was introduced to AI capabilities in the prior version of iOS. However, it is not very efficient in delivering the expected result as the AI was based on some shallow predefined algorithms. The new version introduces ChatGPT API to Siri to overcome that performance shortage. Genmoji: Personalized Emoji Creation Genmoji is a tool to create custom emojis using text prompts. It also has an image-uploading option that helps users create customized emojis. Unlike the limited emoji library of iOS 18.1, Genmoji will vastly change the game of emoji creation for Apple users. So, emojis on iPhone are now unlimitedly diversified as users can create them just out of their imagination. Another key feature of Genmoji is its availability in messages. Users can fire up their chatbox with many different colours and expressions of emojis. Read more: Apple set to launch its first foldable iPhone: A game-changer for market Visual Intelligence (Exclusive to iPhone 16 Lineup) Visual Intelligence is all about making a device visually intelligent. iOS 18.2 presents visual intelligence to iPhone users for the first time to provide additional camera capacity. Now, cameras on iPhones will be able to detect objects, translate text, and perform online searches. In prior, users had to install third-party apps to perform basic object detection. Image Playground Apple’s new Image Playground app does what its name says. It lets users play with images. The new Image Playground app allows users to generate visuals based on text prompts or sketches. This is a significant upgrade from iOS 18.1, which lacked native AI-driven creative tools. Mail Categories The Mail app in iOS 18.2 now sorts emails into categories such as Promotions, Primary, and Updates. This feature mimics popular email clients like Gmail and is a notable improvement over iOS 18.1’s rudimentary email organization. Read more: Apple’s new feature helps travellers track lost luggage Enhanced Find My App The Find My app has been upgraded to allow sharing item locations with trusted contacts and displaying contact information for lost items. These enhancements build on iOS 18.1’s basic item-tracking capabilities. Lock Screen Volume Slider The lock screen volume slider, a popular feature from earlier iOS versions, makes a comeback in iOS 18.2 after being absent in iOS 18.1. This allows users to make precise volume adjustments without unlocking their devices. Volume Limit iOS 18.2 introduces a Volume Limit setting, enabling users to set a maximum audio level. This addition is a step up from iOS 18.1, which required third-party apps for similar functionality. Read more: Apple AirPods Pro's new hearing aid feature could help people face a problem they'd rather ignore Custom Default Apps For the first time, Apple allows users to set non-native apps as defaults for messaging, email, and browsing. This feature addresses a long-standing limitation of iOS 18.1. Apple News Plus Sudoku Subscribers to Apple News Plus now have access to daily Sudoku puzzles, adding a touch of entertainment to the news app. Pros and Cons of iOS 18.2 Pros - ChatGPT and Visual Intelligence bring cutting-edge functionality to Siri and the camera.- Genmoji and Image Playground offer unparalleled customization and expression.- Features like Mail Categories and lock screen volume control simplify daily tasks.- Despite some features being exclusive to the iPhone 16 lineup, most improvements are available across supported devices.- Allowing default app changes addresses a major user complaint. Read more: Why did Indonesia ban Apple’s iPhone 16 series? Cons - High-end features like Visual Intelligence are restricted to newer devices.- Increased reliance on AI tools may raise questions about data security.- Some users may find it challenging to adapt to new features like Genmoji and Image Playground.- As with any major update, initial releases may include bugs that require subsequent patches. Compatibility and Installation . iOS 18.2 Compatible Devices iOS 18.2 is available for: iPhones starting from the iPhone 15 Pro.iPads and Macs running iPadOS 18.2 or macOS Sequoia 15.2. How to Install iOS 18.2 Your iPhone may require a manual download to install the latest iOS. For the latest iPhones, you can easily install the update through the Software Update option under general settings. Once you find the option, just follow the on-screen instructions. Read more: Apple set to introduce Truecaller-like ID service for businesses Final Thoughts iOS 18.2 is not merely a glimpse of Apple’s vision for the futuristic iPhone. It paves the path toward that vision. The new iOS will realign user experience by reflecting on the current trends and user expectations. While it has some limitations, particularly for users with older devices, the overall experience is undoubtedly enhanced. If you’re an iOS user with a compatible device, this update is worth exploring for its innovative features and usability improvements. Read more: Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4 could redefine budget smartphones

Indonesia has officially banned the sale and use of the iPhone 16 series. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, Apple’s delayed contributions to local infrastructure and sourcing have prevented the tech giant from meeting essential regulatory requirements. Indonesia’s Industry Minister, Gumiwang Kartasasmita, emphasized the ban: “If there is an iPhone 16 that can operate in Indonesia, that means it is illegal. Do report it to us.” The warning underscores the government’s intent to ensure compliance from foreign tech firms operating in the country. Apple initially committed to a $109 million (1.7 trillion rupiah) investment in Indonesia to boost infrastructure and support local sourcing initiatives. However, the Indonesian government reports that Apple has invested only 1.48 trillion rupiah ($95 million) to date, leaving a shortfall of 230 billion rupiah ($14.75 million). This shortfall has effectively blocked Apple from obtaining the crucial International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) certification, a mandatory requirement for legally selling devices in Indonesia. Minister Kartasasmita explained, “We, the Ministry of Industry, are yet to issue permits for the iPhone 16 because there are still commitments that Apple must realize.” Reports also indicate that Indonesia’s ban extends beyond the iPhone 16 to include the newly launched Watch Series 10, which debuted alongside Apple’s latest smartphone. Both devices currently lack approval for legal sale within Indonesian borders.