News on the Fringe Week 16 - June 22

Google launches a humorous ad that mocks the iPhone, the lock mode feature reaches the Apple Watch, a new video showing the capabilities of the iPhone 14 Pro camera, the new and exciting screen distance feature, and Apple explains why it does not support external watch faces and other exciting news in On the sidelines…

The Visual Search feature in Apple Glass can locate items, copy typed text, translation, and more

The visionOS operating system includes a feature called “Visual Search”, and it looks similar to the Visual Lookup feature on the iPhone and iPad. Using visual search, users can use Apple Glass VisionPro Get information about an item, discover and interact with text in the world around them, copy and paste typed text from the real world into apps, translate text between 17 different languages, and more.

Real-world text that includes contact information, web pages, unit conversions, and similar information can be handled in ‌visionOS‌.

Visual search function found in ‌visionOS‌ by Steve moser In the trial version.

All environments that can be experienced in VisionOS

Apple provides environments in the visionOS system that allow users of Apple Vision Pro glasses to immerse themselves in various virtual environments and use them as a background, including Mount Hood, which is located in Oregon on the west coast of the United States, and Mount Haleakala, or the volcano east of Maui, is a volcano located in Hawaiian Archipelago in Maui, Yosemite National Park in California, Sky, Moon, Joshua Tree National Park, Lake Vrangla in Norway, Beach, White Sands, Winter Light, Fall Light, Summer Light and Spring Light. With the Digital Crown, Vision Pro users can step into a virtual environment and use it as a backdrop for activities like watching videos, using apps, making calls, and more.

Apple's development tools for creating spatial experiences for Vision Pro are now available with the new visionOS SDK

Apple announced that the VisionOS App Development Kit (SDK) that will allow developers to build apps for Vision Pro is now available via Xcode 15 beta 2. Developers can use the visionOS SDK to take advantage of the unique and powerful capabilities of Vision Pro and visionOS to design new app experiences in areas as diverse as Productivity, design, games and more. Developers can also apply innovative new tools and technologies such as Reality Composer Pro, a new tool that makes it easier to render and prepare XNUMXD content for visionOS. Apple will open development labs in Apple Park, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo next month to provide developers with hands-on experience to test their apps on Vision Pro glasses and get support from Apple engineers.

iOS 17 extends communication security globally, and turns it on by default

In order to protect users from offensive, harmful, or unwanted content, Apple launched Communications Security Feature 15.2 in December 2021 for children and parents. This feature uses machine learning technology to analyze images and messages that the user receives or sends, and alerts him if they contain inappropriate, dangerous, or illegal content.

In iOS 17, Apple expanded this feature to all users around the world, enabling it by default. According to Apple, the move aims to "create a safe, healthy, and positive communication environment for all iOS users." Apple also confirmed that it respects users' privacy, that it does not send or store any content from their phones to its servers, and that it uses strong encryption to protect their data.

Google launches a humorous ad claiming that the iPhone has reached its peak

In an effort to promote its Pixel 6 phone, Google launched a series of short and funny ads targeting the iPhone and its users. These ads show some of the cynical situations faced by iPhone users, such as their inability to recognize their faces because of the masks, or the incompatibility of some applications with the iOS 15 system, or their dissatisfaction with the design of the screen or camera, and the charger, and mocking and photographing blue message bubbles. As the most important achievement in the iPhone.

Then these ads show how the Pixel 6 can easily solve these problems, thanks to its advanced features, such as an advanced processor, Android 12 operating system, a 6.4-inch OLED screen, or a 50-megapixel rear camera.

These ads received different reactions from viewers, some of them found them innovative, funny and convincing, and some found them provocative, unfair and unrealistic.

iOS 17 adds passkey support to your Apple ID

Apple introduces a new feature to protect your digital identity using Passkeys in iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma. Access keys are randomly generated codes that are used in place of passwords to log into your online accounts. Access keys sync with your Apple account, and use strong authentication and encryption technology to ensure their security.

To create an access key for your Apple account, you just have to follow these steps:

◉ Open Settings on iOS 17 or macOS Sonoma.

◉ Click on your name at the top of the screen.

◉ Tap on Password and Security.

◉ Press Create Entry Key.

◉ Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

After you create a passkey, you can use it to sign into your Apple account on any device that supports this feature. You will see a message asking you to agree to use the access key each time you want to log in. You can also add access keys for other accounts that support this technology, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Google.

Login Keys is an easy, secure and fast way to manage your digital identity without having to memorize or type in passwords. This feature helps protect your privacy and data from intruders and hackers. Access keys are part of the WebAuthn standard, which aims to make the Internet safer and easier.

Apple does not plan to launch a new version of the iPhone SE in 2024

 According to a new report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, he says that Apple is focusing on developing the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro phones, which will carry a new design and advanced features, such as a 4K OLED screen, a 108-megapixel camera, and reverse wireless charging.

The iPhone SE is an economical phone from Apple targeting customers who prefer a smaller size and a cheaper price. The first version of this phone was launched in 2016, and the second version in 2020. The current iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch LCD screen, an A13 Bionic processor, and a single 12-megapixel rear camera. The price of this phone is only $ 399.

However, it seems that Apple does not intend to update this phone in the near future, as it wants to push users towards the most advanced and most expensive iPhone. Apple also faces strong competition from other companies, such as Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi, which offer flagship smartphones at affordable prices. Therefore, the second iPhone SE may be the last phone from this series.

Hackers threaten to release Reddit data unless API changes are rolled back

Earlier this week, Reddit, a popular platform for online discussions and content, announced changes to its Application Programming Interface (API), which is the way developers and third-party applications interact with the site. These changes are intended to improve the site's performance, security, and reliability, but have angered some users and developers who rely on the API to access Reddit content.

According to press reports, a group of hackers calling themselves the "API Rebellion" has stolen the personal data of thousands of Reddit users, including usernames, passwords, emails, and private messages. The group has threatened to publish this data online unless Reddit rolls back changes to the API within 48 hours.

Hackers said the changes in the API limit the freedom of users and developers to use Reddit as they wish, and impose unjustified restrictions on previously available functionality and features. They also said the changes are specifically aimed at alternative apps to Reddit, such as Apollo, Boost and Relay, that offer a better user experience than the official Reddit app.

Reddit responded to the threats by saying that it takes users' security seriously, and is working to fact-check the allegations and prevent any data leaks. Reddit also said that the changes to the API came after consulting the developer community, and that it seeks to support third-party apps fairly and transparently. Reddit added that it would not undo the changes, and that it would prosecute hackers if they illegally published or used the data.

Apple explains why third-party Apple Watch faces are not supported in watchOS 10

Apple explains why it doesn't support external watch faces in watchOS 10, which was launched last September. Third-party watch faces are custom smartwatch screen designs that users can download from sources other than Apple. Many Apple Watch owners have called for this feature to increase versatility and creativity.

However, Apple says it does not allow third-party watch faces for reasons of quality, security, and rights. In an interview with The Verge, Kevin Lynch, Apple's vice president of watch technology, said that Apple pays great attention to designing its watch faces, and is keen to make them high-quality and consistent with technical and aesthetic standards. Apple also wants to protect the intellectual property rights of the artists and companies it collaborates with to create some watch faces, such as Disney, Nike and Hermes.

Lynch added that Apple also fears that external watch faces will cause problems with the watch's performance or with users' privacy. Some Designs may contain elements that are undesirable, misleading, or otherwise unlawful. Some developers may also take advantage of this feature to collect users' data without their permission or knowledge.

Therefore, Apple says that it prefers to maintain control over watch faces, and offers limited options for customization through applications and accessories. And Apple confirms that it listens to the desires of users, and tries to improve their experience constantly.

A new feature to maintain eye health in iOS 17

 This feature is called Screen Distance, and it aims to reduce visual fatigue caused by looking at the screen for long periods. It works by using the TrueDepth camera to measure the distance between the user's face and the screen, and automatically adjust the screen's brightness, size, and contrast based on that.

For example, if a user is reading text on the screen, and their face is further away from the screen than usual, Screen Distance will increase the font size and decrease the screen brightness, to make reading more comfortable. And if the user is watching a video or game on the screen, and their face is closer to the screen than usual, the screen distance feature will reduce the image size and increase the color contrast, to make the viewing clearer.

The screen distance feature helps prevent fatigue, headaches, dryness and burning in the eyes, which may affect users who use the iPhone for long periods. It also helps in improving the focus and attention of the users.

Miscellaneous news

◉ Apple launched the second beta of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, Studio Display 17, macOS 14 Sonoma, watchOS 10 and tvOS 17 updates for developers

◉ Apple launched the first beta version of the VisionOS system, for Apple Vision Pro glasses.

◉ As part of its advertising campaign for the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple launched a new video that shows the capabilities of the phone's camera in taking amazing photos and videos in different circumstances. The video is titled “Movie Magic”, and it presents scenes from action, adventure, science fiction, horror and comedy films, all of which were filmed using the iPhone 14 Pro.

◉ Apple makes it easier to scan QR codes using the iPhone in iOS 17. Users can scan QR codes through the Control Center, without having to open the Camera app or another app. A QR scanner can be added to the lock screen, to speed up access. In addition, the QR codes they create or receive can be easily shared with other contacts.

◉ As part of its efforts to protect users' privacy, Apple added a new feature in iOS 17 that allows tracking parameters to be automatically removed from Internet addresses (URLs) in Safari, Messages, and Mail applications. These parameters are pieces of Internet addresses that are used to collect information about users' behavior, preferences, and sources, and are often used for marketing and advertising purposes.

◉ Locked mode comes to Apple Watch in watchOS 10, a security feature that prevents anyone from accessing your data on your device if it's lost or stolen. This feature is already present on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and now it will also be available on the Apple Watch in watchOS 10.

When you turn on the lock mode feature on your Apple Watch, you'll be asked to enter your passcode each time you take the watch off your wrist or turn it back on. If you don't enter the correct code, you won't be able to use or sync the watch with your phone. A message will also appear on the watch screen containing your phone number or email to contact you if someone else finds it.

This feature aims to protect your privacy and security in the event of losing the Apple Watch, which may contain sensitive information such as your health, sports, financial and personal activity. You can activate the shutdown mode feature through the application of the watch on the iPhone, or through the settings of the watch itself.

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