Sound issue when playing via Bluetooth on iPhone 16e, Gemini will use users' search history, latest iPhone rumors with Face ID under the screen, andiOS 19 It will feature the biggest redesign in iPhone history, the iPhone 17 models will feature a 24-megapixel front camera, and other exciting news on the sidelines...

News on the sidelines Week Mar 5 - Mar 11


The latest iOS 18.4 beta lets you turn off a privacy-affecting search feature.

From iPhoneIslam.com, a smartphone screen showing the search bar and recent searches: Apple Home Hub, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iOS 19, Apple, MacRumors, with a blue-green gradient background.

The upcoming iOS 18.4 update includes a Safari feature that displays recent searches in the user interface when you open a new tab and tap in the search field. Following user criticism during the testing period, Apple added an option in the fourth beta to disable this feature through Safari settings, returning the search interface to the way it was in iOS 18.3.2, where recent searches were not displayed.

While some may appreciate the ease of access to past searches, their obvious visibility may not be desirable for those who occasionally have to share their iPhones and iPads with others. The final update is expected to launch in early April and will also include new emoji, AI-powered priority notifications, an app for the Vision Pro glasses, and more.


The European Union imposes a long list of major changes to iOS 19 and iOS 20.

From iPhoneIslam.com, the 19D metallic number XNUMX is displayed on a gray square with rounded corners, on a neutral gray background.

The European Commission today announced a long list of changes that Apple is legally required to implement in future iOS 19 and iOS 20 updates. The announcement clarifies the interoperability requirements that Apple must comply with in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act, which came into full force in March 2024. These changes will open up the iPhone operating system and its technologies to competing companies and devices, much to Apple's dismay.

Among the key requirements: smartwatches from other companies must be able to display and interact with iOS notifications by the end of 2025, automatic audio switching for third-party headphones by June 2026, and changes allowing equivalent alternatives to AirDrop and AirPlay by June 2026 and iOS 20, respectively. Apple criticized these requirements, saying they are "bad for our products and for European users," adding that they "restrict us to bureaucratic procedures that slow our ability to innovate and force us to give away our new features for free to companies that don't follow the same rules." 


The first iPhone 17 Air case to include cutouts for the camera bar and camera control button

From iPhoneIslam.com, a black and transparent smartphone case on a white surface with faint text in the background.

Renowned leaker Sonny Dickson shared an image of what he claims is a third-party case for the iPhone 17 Air. He said, "If you didn't know the Air was coming, you'd think it was a Google Pixel case." Case makers often obtain design specifications for upcoming iPhone models ahead of their launch through official partnerships with Apple or through information from production lines.


The foldable iPhone has entered the serious stage. 

From iPhoneIslam.com, a partially opened foldable smartphone displays various app icons on its screen against a gradient background.

Rumors about the foldable iPhone are starting to gain more serious traction. Several sources now agree that the first foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch internal display when unfolded, with a 5.5-inch external display, including analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu, as well as the Weibo account Digital Chat Station. The fact that these display specifications have been agreed upon and leaked suggests that Apple has finalized at least some of the device's specifications.

The foldable iPhone will open like a book, according to Kuo, rather than a clamshell design like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. Pu said the phone recently entered the new product introduction phase at Foxconn's factory. Both Pu and Kuo believe the iPhone will enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2026, which means the device could launch next year in limited quantities, but a 2027 launch seems more likely. The device could start at around $2,299, feature dual rear cameras and a single front-facing camera, a fingerprint sensor instead of a face unlock button, a high-density battery, and be 4.5mm thick when unfolded and 9-9.5mm thick when folded. The phone will have a titanium exterior, while the hinge will use a combination of titanium and stainless steel.


iPhone 17 Pro: Exciting New Specifications

From iPhoneIslam.com, a close-up of the back of the silver iPhone 17 Air, showing the triple camera lenses and the iconic Apple logo on a sleek black panel against a deep black background.

Analyst Jeff Pu revealed in a recent report that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a 48-megapixel telephoto rear camera, a significant upgrade from the 12-megapixel camera on the iPhone 16 Pro models. This means that all three cameras on these phones—the main, ultrawide, and telephoto—will be 48 megapixels, providing sharper and more beautiful photos. He also noted that the two phones will feature a new rectangular design for the rear cameras, giving them a distinctive look.

Jeff Pu added that the iPhone 17 Pro will come with a larger internal storage capacity of up to 12GB, compared to 8GB in the iPhone 16 Pro models, making the phone faster and more capable of handling multiple tasks with ease. As for the screens, the two phones will retain their usual sizes: 6.3 inches for the iPhone 17 Pro and 6.9 inches for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. They will be powered by a new chip called the A19 Pro, made with modern technology that makes the phone more powerful and efficient. 


iPhone 17 models will come with a 24-megapixel front camera. 

From iPhoneIslam.com, three sleek black smartphones with different camera configurations and the iconic Apple logo on the back, embodying the essence of cutting-edge technology.

Analyst Jeff Pu reports that all four iPhone 17 models will feature a new 24-megapixel front-facing camera, compared to the 16-megapixel front camera on the iPhone 12. Kuo confirmed this update, stating that the new camera will significantly improve image quality, making selfies clearer and more beautiful, and giving you more freedom to edit your photos. Pu also reiterated some other predictions about the iPhone 17, such as an increase in internal storage to 12GB and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera for the Pro and Pro Max models. Additionally, the phones will be powered by new chips called the A19 and A19 Pro, featuring new technology that makes them faster and more efficient. 


All iPhone 17 models will come with Apple's Wi-Fi 7 chip. 

From iPhoneIslam.com, a black square with the Apple logo and the text "Wi-Fi" on a pink and orange gradient background.

Analyst Jeff Pu announced that all four iPhone 17 models will feature a new Wi-Fi 7 chip designed by Apple itself. Pu indicated that the design of this chip was completed in the first half of 2024, and it is expected to debut in these phones, which will be launched later this year. It is worth noting that the iPhone 16 models already support Wi-Fi 7 technology, but it is not designed by Apple.

Wi-Fi 7 technology allows you to connect to the internet on three bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) simultaneously if you have a compatible router, which means faster speeds, lower latency, and a more stable connection. Maximum speeds reach more than 40 gigabits per second, which is four times faster than Wi-Fi 6E. By designing its own chips, Apple seeks to rely on itself rather than other companies like Qualcomm and Broadcom. 


Apple re-introduces "Apple Intelligence" storage in macOS 15.4

From iPhoneIslam.com, the macOS Storage Preferences window appears on your computer screen. A pop-up window displays "macOS Version 13.4 (Build 22F25338a)" with "Apple Intelligence" specifying 14.17 GB of storage space.

In the second beta of macOS 15.4, Apple changed system settings to hide the amount of storage space used by Apple Intelligence features on Macs. This change raised questions about whether Apple was trying to hide the size of this feature. However, Apple has now re-displayed this information. You can now see your Apple Intelligence space by going to System Preferences > General > Storage, then clicking the Info button next to the macOS menu. A window will appear showing the version and storage space used.

The disappearance of this information in the previous beta was probably just a bug. Apple says that "Apple Intelligence" can use up to 7GB of space, but it may require more on some macOS 15.4 devices because it relies on loading machine learning models running locally. If you want to save space, you can disable this feature in your device's settings!


iOS 19 will bring the biggest redesign in iPhone history.

From iPhoneIslam.com, floating UI elements of the smartphone's display settings, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, and microphone access permission prompt on a gold background with Mars subtly integrated into the design.

Apple is working on a major redesign for iOS 19, inspired by the visionOS used in the Vision Pro glasses. The interfaces will feature greater transparency and a smoother, more consistent design across Apple devices. Leaks indicate that the changes will include the camera app, notifications, and other elements, with similar updates coming to iPad and Mac via iPadOS 19 and macOS 16. iOS 19 is expected to be officially announced at WWDC 2025 in June, followed by a developer beta, and then officially launched in September alongside the iPhone 17 series.


Latest iPhone rumors with under-display Face ID

From iPhoneIslam.com, a gold-colored smartphone with a triple-camera system and a display showing a house on a hill, capturing the quiet beauty that often characterizes the month of November.

In 2023, Ross Young said the iPhone 17 Pro models would feature this new technology by 2025. However, in 2024, he changed his mind and said this change could be delayed until 2026. If that's true, we could see this technology debut in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max next year. A recent report from journalist Mark Gurman suggests this change could happen between 2026 and 2027, with the "dynamic island" being reduced by relocating some parts of the display.

Even with under-display Face ID, a small hole is expected to remain at the top of the screen for the front-facing camera, similar to what we've seen on recent Android phones like the Pixel 9 and S25. Previously, Young stated that he expected both Face ID and the front-facing camera to be integrated under the display in the future. If that happens, we'll have an all-screen iPhone with no bezels or notches, a dream of former Apple designer Jony Ive for years.


Miscellaneous news

◉ Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.3.1, meaning iPhone users who updated to iOS 18.3.2 will not be able to downgrade. This is a common practice for Apple, which prevents installation of older versions of iOS to ensure that all devices run the latest and most secure versions. This latest update, iOS 18.3.2, includes important security fixes to address a potential exploit, enhancing user protection.

◉ According to the "Digital Chat Station" account on the Chinese Weibo platform, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to support MagSafe magnetic wireless charging and accessories. The account, which has millions of followers and a solid track record of leaking Apple products, confirmed that all recently leaked prototypes are accurate and indicate that the entire iPhone 17 series will support MagSafe. There were doubts about this particular model's support for MagSafe, especially since the iPhone 16e doesn't include this feature, but new leaks confirm otherwise.

◉ Apple reportedly considered launching the iPhone 17 Air without a USB-C port, but ultimately decided to keep it, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. However, the idea of ​​a port-free iPhone remains a possibility, as the 17 Air is expected to be the first step toward thinner, port-free designs. If this model succeeds, Apple may try this idea again in future generations. Although analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a port-free iPhone in 2021, it has yet to materialize, and the transition from Lightning to USB-C continues, with speculation about the future of wireless phones continuing.

◉ Apple announced this week that it will add support for end-to-end encryption for RCS messages to the Messages app on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, confirming its adoption of the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 standard. This update will bring similar improvements to iMessage, such as inline replies, message editing, unsend, and full support for Tapback. Apple hasn't announced a release date, but it's expected to arrive with iOS 19 or a later update such as iOS 19.1 or iOS 19.2.

From iPhoneIslam.com, a smartphone screen shows a messaging app with a message saying, "Hello! How was your first week of school?" in a green chat bubble. In the background, large, faded letters spell out "RCS," a reminder of recent March news.

◉ Some iPhone 16e users have reported an audio issue when playing via Bluetooth, with the sound cutting out or pausing when connected to wireless speakers. These complaints have appeared on Apple Support, Reddit, and X, but the extent of the issue remains unclear. Even after updating to iOS 18.3.2, some users are still experiencing the issue, especially when connecting to multiple Bluetooth devices. Apple will likely fix it in a future update, possibly in iOS 18.4, expected to be released in April.

◉ Google announced that Gemini can now use a user's search history to provide more personalized information. The Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model relies on past search data to provide more accurate answers, with future plans to integrate it with other Google apps. This feature is currently optional and experimental and can be enabled via the "Personalization" settings in the Gemini app. Search history will only be used when the AI ​​models deem it useful, and early adopters have reported that it helps with brainstorming and personalized suggestions. The feature is available to Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers on the web and will soon be available on mobile.

From iPhoneIslam.com, a dark-themed image with the text: "Get help from AI that helps you." Surrounding topics include news and sidebars, hobbies, vacations, YouTube content ideas, and various questions for a week full of AI help topics.

◉ Despite launching with the iPhone 4S in 2011, Siri still struggles to answer even the simplest questions. Recently, a Reddit user pointed out that Siri failed to determine the current month, a situation familiar to many users who have complained about its inaccuracy. While Apple has delayed the next version of Siri due to performance issues, it appears the current version still needs substantial improvements before new features can be added.


This is not all the news that is on the sidelines, but we have brought you the most important of them, and it is not necessary for the non-specialist to occupy himself with all the incoming and outgoing. And help you with it, and if it robbed you of your life and got busy with it, there is no need for it.

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