The new iPhone SE with 5G technology will be launched in March, the US Department of Justice demands that Google sell the Chrome browser, a bug in iOS 18 prevents saving edits to photos, Apple sends the iPhone 16 Pro into space in a new ad, the “Graykey” device can unlock iPhones running iOS 18, and other exciting news in the margins..
Facebook Messenger Adds Siri Integration and More Audio and Video Features
In a new update, Facebook has announced a series of improvements to its Messenger app, adding Siri integration for calls and messages directly. iPhone users can now make calls and send messages through the app using voice commands, such as “Hey Siri, send a message to [person’s name] on Messenger,” a feature that was previously only available to Apple apps.
The update also introduced several advanced features such as voice and video messages that can be left when a call is not answered, and support for high-definition video calls with background noise cancellation and voice isolation to improve call quality. In the near future, the app will support AI backgrounds for video calls, where users can create personalized backgrounds through the effects icon during calls.
Uber Adds New Home Widget and UberXXL Options for Larger Cars
Uber has unveiled a new update to its iPhone app, launching a home widget that will let users request a ride in just two taps. The widget will display saved addresses for home and work, with the ability to search for other addresses using a magnifying glass icon, and is expected to be added in a future update to the app.
The update comes in preparation for the busy travel season in the US, which begins with Thanksgiving next week. Among the new features is also the UberXXL option, which allows you to request vehicles with a larger box for your luggage during trips to and from airports, and is currently available at more than 60 airports across the US, Canada and other countries, with plans to expand in the future. Uber has also added UberX Share at airports, which offers discounted rides with another passenger.
Graykey Device Can Unlock iPhones Running iOS 18
Recent documents reveal the capabilities of the device Graykey, a tool used by law enforcement to unlock iPhones, has limited capabilities for hacking iOS 18 iPhones. According to the documents, most iPhones running iOS 18 or iOS 18.0.1 are only eligible for “partial” jailbreaking, with the iPhone 11 being able to fully jailbreak.
It’s not clear exactly what “partial jailbreak” means, but it could mean that the device’s capabilities are limited, likely to access unencrypted files and simple information, rather than full access to the iPhone’s contents. This is part of an ongoing race between cybersecurity firms and Apple, as they try to exploit security holes in the operating system while Apple works to patch them.
On more vulnerable devices, Graykey can unlock an iPhone with a 4-digit passcode in minutes, while longer passcodes can take hours. So it’s worth checking out our previous article:
“Make your iPhone passcode impossible to hack”
Instagram is testing a tool to reset recommendations for content
Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook, has announced that it is testing a new tool that will allow users to reset their content recommendations to get a “fresh start.” The tool will remove previous data used in recommendations for Explore, Reels, and the Home Feed.
The tool is primarily designed for teen users, with plans to roll it out to all users soon after the testing period. The tool will allow users to review the accounts they follow, unfollow content they no longer want to see, and review ad topics. Recommendations will gradually begin to be personalized based on the content and accounts the user interacts with.
Google redesigns iPhone to Android app
Google has redesigned its iPhone to Android app, renaming it Android Switch and updating its interface and icon in a bid to attract more iPhone users. The app aims to make the transition easier for iPhone users looking to switch to Android devices like the Google Pixel.
The app offers the ability to transfer contacts, calendar events, photos, and videos, with reminders to turn off iMessage and switch to RCS/SMS. Google also provided information on its website to address common concerns iPhone users have when switching platforms, such as messaging, file sharing, video calling, and transferring attachments. The company claims that Android users can message iPhone users without issues using RCS, and suggests Google Meet as an alternative to FaceTime.
New iPhone SE with 5G to launch in March
Analysts from Barclays Bank have confirmed that the fourth-generation iPhone SE will be launched in the late first quarter of next year, with an expected announcement date in March. The phone is expected to have a design similar to the basic iPhone 14, with advanced features including a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, an advanced processor, and a USB-C port.
This version will be unique in that it will be the first Apple phone to feature its own 5G modem, a move aimed at reducing its reliance on Qualcomm. This comes after an agreement with Qualcomm to supply modems through 2026, giving Apple enough time to complete the transition. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to start at around $429, with a slight price increase possible.
Apple Sends iPhone 16 Pro Into Space In New Ad
Apple has released a new ad for the iPhone 16 Pro titled “All Systems Pro” on its YouTube channels in countries including Japan, India, South Korea, and Singapore. The ad depicts Mission Control performing a series of final checks before the phone is launched into space like a rocket, with a 30-second countdown as the team checks that all aspects of the A18 Pro chips are ready.
The ad focuses on the new processor's features, saying it features a faster Neural Engine, improvements to the CPU and GPU, and a significant increase in memory bandwidth. When the iPhone 16 launched in September, Apple confirmed that the A18 Pro processor was 15 percent faster than the A17 Pro processor in the iPhone 15 Pro.
Apple Offers $100 Million Investment to Lift iPhone 16 Ban in Indonesia
Apple has increased its investment in Indonesia to $100 million, a tenfold increase from its initial offer of $10 million. The new offer is aimed at convincing Indonesian authorities to lift a ban on iPhone 16 sales, imposed in October over the company’s failure to meet a 40% local content requirement. The government claims Apple has only invested Rp1.5 trillion ($95 million) through developer academies, short of its Rp1.7 trillion commitment.
The investment will be spread over two years, with the Indonesian Ministry of Industry looking to channel more investment into smartphone R&D locally. The ministry has yet to make a final decision on the enhanced offering. Indonesia is a key market for the company, with a population of 280 million and 354 million active mobile phone users.
iOS 18 bug prevents saving edits to photos
Apple is facing a technical issue in iOS 18 that prevents users from saving edits to photos. The glitch displays an error message that says: “There was an error saving the image. Please try again later,” forcing users to roll back and cancel the edits. Complaints have spread mainly among iPhone 16 users, but it also affects some older phones.
Reports of this bug have been surfacing since September and have continued to this day, with recent complaints from iOS 18.2 testers. The cause of the issue is not yet clear, and it appears to be related to Live Photos or iCloud. While there is no complete fix, Apple has confirmed that it is aware of the issue and is working on a fix.
US Justice Department Orders Google to Sell Chrome Browser
The US Department of Justice has ordered Google to sell its Chrome browser as part of an ongoing antitrust lawsuit. After finding a monopoly in search, the department is seeking sweeping changes to the company, including separating Android from other Google products and eliminating its exclusive rights to the Google Play Store.
The Justice Department is proposing several measures, including forcing Google to license search data to competitors, allowing search engines and AI startups to improve the quality of their services, and barring the company from exclusive deals like its $20 billion deal with Apple to be the default search engine in Safari. A two-week hearing is scheduled for April 2025, with a final ruling due in August 2025.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Apple has released the fourth public beta of iOS 18.2 for developers and the public who want to try it out.
◉ Apple has released emergency security updates for its systems. iOS 18.1.1 iPadOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 address critical vulnerabilities in JavaScriptCore and WebKit, which Apple says have already been exploited on some devices. Apple recommends updating devices as soon as possible to protect against potential exploits.
◉ Apple has announced that it will end support for bookmark syncing in Safari on devices running iOS 10 and earlier, and macOS Sierra 10.12.5 and earlier, starting December 18. The company will stop syncing bookmarks across devices or uploading them to iCloud.com, while keeping existing bookmarks on devices. Users will need to update their devices to iOS 11 or macOS Sierra 10.12.6 to continue syncing, copying, or exporting bookmarks.
◉ Apple has added some older iPhones and Apple Watches to its list of obsolete and obsolete products on its website. The company has classified the iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone XS Max as “obsolete” products globally, a designation that comes into effect five years after they are no longer available for sale. The aluminum and stainless steel Apple Watch Series 2 models are also “obsolete” globally, meaning they are no longer eligible for repair at Apple Stores or authorized service centers, with the exception of battery replacements for some MacBooks within 10 years.
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