Apple will use liquid metal in the hinge of the foldable iPhone, Anthropic will add a search feature to Cloud 3.7 Sonnet, iOS 18.4 will be updated next week, the A20 processor will be 2nm, an Apple Watch with cameras, Tim Cook praises China's Deepseek, a shocking design for iOS 19, and other exciting news on the sidelines...
iPhone 17 Pro: A revolution in 8K video recording
Recent leaks have revealed that the iPhone 17 Pro will be capable of recording 8K video. This development will be a breakthrough in the world of digital photography, as the triple-lens 48-megapixel rear camera will be able to capture unprecedentedly high-quality videos.
Interestingly, this move comes at a time when competing companies, such as Samsung and Google, are beginning to introduce similar technologies. 8K video recording will allow photographers to capture high-quality videos and later focus on specific areas without losing detail. The iPhone 17 Pro is also expected to feature a new rear camera design, with a horizontal bar running across the back of the device, and a 24-megapixel front camera, enhancing the user's photography and digital communication experience.
Jon Prosser's designs for iOS 19 "do not reflect" the actual design.
Mark Gurman said that the images posted by Jon Prosser today of iOS 19 do not show what the new design will truly look like. He explained that these images are based on very old versions or vague descriptions, and lack some important features that will play a major role. He added that Apple will reveal more exciting details in June. Gurman wrote a similar comment on his Discord channel, indicating that Prosser may have old images or have not yet seen the actual version.
In contrast, Prosser shared designs he said were based on the original iOS 19 build he saw himself, but the changes in these images were very minor. For example, the Messages app showed slight tweaks to the navigation buttons and a more rounded keyboard, while the lock screen remained largely unchanged except for transparency updates. Prosser stated that apps, menus, and system settings will be more rounded with a glass design similar to VisionOS, a claim confirmed by Gurman and other sources. However, Gurman believes that Apple's upcoming update will significantly alter the look of the system, marking the biggest change since iOS 7, while Prosser downplayed the changes, saying they are only minor improvements.
The European Union closes its competition investigation against Apple.
The European Commission is set to end its year-long investigation into the default browser selection screen on iPhones in the EU, after the company made changes to meet the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. This investigation followed concerns that the original design of the browser selection screen could prevent users from correctly selecting alternative browsers, prompting the Commission to intervene and pressure Apple to improve the user experience.
In a preemptive move to avoid massive fines that could reach 10% of its global revenue, Apple has modified the browser selection screen in iOS 17.4 and iOS 18.2. Users in the European Union can now more easily choose a default browser other than Safari, boosting competition in the browser market. Despite the current investigation being closed, Apple still faces another investigation related to its rules for redirecting users out of the App Store, indicating continued regulatory pressure on the company.
Tim Cook praises China's Deepseek
During a visit to the China Development Forum, Apple CEO Tim Cook praised the outstanding AI models developed by Chinese startup DeepSeek. Cook described these models as "excellent," noting their impressive potential for achieving high performance with lower costs and computational resources. This statement comes as Apple seeks to expand into the Chinese market and strengthen its collaboration with local companies, especially given the current challenges facing iPhone sales.
In a related development, Cook revealed plans to expand cooperation with the China Development Foundation, focusing on investment in clean energy and technological innovation. He posted updates on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, highlighting the uses of Apple products in various educational and creative environments. Despite the significant decline in iPhone shipments—which fell by 25% in the last quarter of 2024—Cook continues to strengthen the company's position in the Chinese market by focusing on innovation and collaboration.
A new update from Apple ensures you wake up on time.
The upcoming watchOS 11.4 update will introduce an innovative feature that will help Apple Watch users avoid missing their alarms. The update will offer a new option that allows the alarm to work even in silent mode. Users will be able to set the alarm to sound and vibrate, rather than relying solely on a gentle vibration that can be easily ignored while sleeping. This feature can be activated through the Sleep app on the watch. Go to the Sounds & Vibrations menu and enable the "Hack in Silent Mode" option.
In addition to the alarm improvements, the update includes support for Matter-compatible robotic cleaners and resolves an issue with watch face switching that had been experiencing some responsiveness. The update is expected to be released in early April, and Apple has already released the final version to developers for testing. This update will be available to all Apple Watch users, providing a smoother and more efficient experience for using alarms and daily features.
The 3 Apple Watch Ultra 2025 will support 5G and satellite texting.
According to information released by Mark Gurman, the watch will support satellite communication technology, allowing users to send text messages even in isolated areas or areas far from cellular and Wi-Fi networks. This feature will be similar to that found on the iPhone 14 and later, with the ability to initially send emergency messages and then expand to include communicating with various contacts. It will also come with a cellular modem that supports 5G networks, targeting adventure lovers and rugged environments.
Apple will transition from Intel processors to MediaTek processors that support low-power 5G RedCap technology, designed specifically for wearable devices. The watch is expected to launch in September 2025, maintaining its two-year free satellite coverage policy, making it a strong competitor to similar devices from companies like Garmin.
Apple Watch blood pressure monitoring project continues to falter
Despite repeated challenges, Apple engineers are continuing their efforts to add a blood pressure monitoring feature to the Apple Watch. According to the report, Apple is still experiencing difficulties testing the feature, without revealing specific details of the technical issues. Developers are currently tracking blood pressure trends, with the ability to send alerts to users if signs of high blood pressure are detected, allowing users to consult a doctor early.
This feature is of great importance, especially since high blood pressure is known as the "silent killer" because of its ability to cause heart damage without obvious symptoms. The primary goal of this technology is early detection of blood pressure problems, which could save lives through early diagnosis and timely medical intervention.
Apple is working on an Apple Watch with cameras.
Apple is developing new Apple Watch models with built-in cameras, expected to launch by 2027. According to Mark Gurman, the camera will be integrated into the display of a future model, while it may be located on the side of the Apple Watch Ultra near the Digital Crown. However, these cameras will not support FaceTime calls. Instead, they will be used for the "Visual Intelligence" feature, which allows users to obtain real-time information about places or objects around them, such as restaurant reviews, simply by pointing the watch at them. This feature debuted on the iPhone 16 and is available on the iPhone 15 Pro with iOS 18.4. Apple also plans to add small cameras to future AirPods models to enhance the artificial intelligence capabilities of its wearable devices.
The A20 processor will be made with 2nm technology.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed new details about the upcoming A20 processor for the iPhone 18, confirming that Chinese manufacturer TSMC has successfully produced 2-nanometer chips with a success rate exceeding 60-70%. This development represents a quantum leap in the chip industry, as the new processor will offer significant improvements in performance and power efficiency, up to 15% faster and 30% more power efficient than its predecessor, the A19.
This development is part of a series of advanced processors Apple is developing in collaboration with TSMC, starting with the A17 Pro using 3-nanometer technology and progressing to the A18 and A19 processors in various versions of the same technology. The new A20 processor will be the first to use the advanced 2-nanometer technology, a significant technological achievement. The iPhone 18 is expected to be released in a year and a half, and the new processor will be a turning point in mobile device performance in terms of speed and energy efficiency.
Rare Apple-1 computer sold for $375
An original Apple-1 computer sold for $375 at a private auction. Known as "Bayville," this computer is one of the rarest remaining examples of the company's first computer, number 91 in the Apple-1 registry, which documents all 104 known models. The computer features a handwritten serial number, believed to have been written by Steve Jobs himself, adding to its historical and commemorative value.
The auction included several historical items associated with Steve Jobs and the Apple technology revolution. A check signed by Jobs from 1976 sold for $112,054, and a first-generation iPhone, stamped and sealed, sold for $87,514. The auction generated a total of $1,308,251, underscoring the exceptional status of the historical devices and documents associated with Apple's founders. The computer was sold with the original manual, which included a handwritten note from Daniel Kottke, the company's 12th employee.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.4 next week, after more than a month of beta testing, and is expected to officially arrive by April 1. The update will be available for iPhone XS and later via Settings under System Updates. Although some Siri features have been delayed, iOS 18.4 will bring new features such as priority notifications, ambient music control via Control Center, high-quality wireless audio support on AirPods Max with USB-C port, and new emoji such as the tired face, fingerprint, and shovel. It will also include the ability to select the default Maps app in the European Union and minor improvements to CarPlay. Apple will also release updates for iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS during the same period.
◉ Software engineer Andrew Rossignol was able to run a generative AI model on an old 4 PowerBook G2005 laptop, despite its limited capabilities, including a 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 processor and only 1GB of RAM. He used Meta's Llama 2 model, after modifying the open source llama2.c project and improving performance using AltiVec technology for PowerPC processors. This experiment demonstrates how AI models can run on older consoles, such as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, proving that modern technologies can run even on low-end hardware.
◉ Apple announced an investment of up to 720 million yuan (approximately $100 million) to support the development of clean energy sources in China, as part of its plan to make its supply chain entirely renewable by 2030. This funding will be allocated to the second phase of the China Clean Energy Fund, which aims to add 550 megawatt-hours of wind and solar power to the Chinese grid annually, following the first phase's construction of more than a gigawatt of new projects. Apple aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all of its operations, including manufacturing and product lifecycles. Meanwhile, Apple CEO Tim Cook is currently visiting China, attending the China Development Forum in Beijing and shared photos from his trip on his Weibo account. The company also announced a donation to support teacher training programs in rural areas of China.
◉ Apple has launched a USB-C to 3.5mm cable for AirPods Max (USB-C version) and Beats Studio Pro, allowing you to connect them to Mac computers or in-flight entertainment systems. The cable is bidirectional, allowing you to connect the headphones to audio sources or connect your iPhone or iPad to speakers. It offers ultra-low latency when used with AirPods Max, making it ideal for gaming and content creation. The cable is available now for $39.
◉ Anthropic has added an online search feature to its Claude 3.7 Sonnet AI model, allowing it to access up-to-date information after previously being limited to knowledge that was cut off in October 2024. The new feature, currently available to paid subscribers in the US, allows Claude to retrieve up-to-date information while providing clickable sources for validating answers. The company plans to expand the feature to free users and other countries soon without specifying a date. This addition comes after OpenAI launched a search feature in ChatGPT last year, making online search a key feature in AI model competition. Anthropic targets this feature for professionals in fields such as market analysis and academic research, but regular users can also benefit from it to easily compare products and prices.
◉ Apple plans to use liquid metal in the hinge of the foldable iPhone to improve durability and reduce screen wrinkles, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This material, molded using a special technology, will help make the screen more flat and reduce defects common in foldable devices. Mass production is expected to begin in late 2026, potentially leading to a launch in late 2026 or early 2027.
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