Apple reveals poor repairability ratings for MacBooks and iPhones
To comply with "right to repair" laws in France, Apple has revealed repairability ratings for various models of MacBook and iPhone. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the ratings make for rather bleak reading.
The ratings are based on analysis of how easy it is to dismantle a device, how easy it is to get hold of spares, and the availability of repair manuals. The idea behind the ratings is to give people an idea of how likely it is that they will be able to fix problems themselves, and Apple's low scores show that at-home repairs can be pretty much ruled out across the board.
Apple warns that iPhone 12 handset could be dangerous for some users
Apple has issued an extended warning that the additional magnets found in iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max as well as MagSafe accessories could pose a risk to people with pacemakers and defibrillators.
The company had previously acknowledged the potential for the magnets to interfere with certain implanted medical equipment, but has now gone further in explaining the risk and offering advice. Apple says that distancing is important, particularly when charging wirelessly.
Apple is offering free screen replacements for iPhones with touch issues
If you have an iPhone with a screen which has become unresponsive to touch, you might be in line for a free replacement.
Apple has launched a new display module replacement program for iPhone 11 handsets. The company says that it is only this model of iPhone that is affected, and in order to qualify for a free replacement, the handset needs to have been produced between November 2019 and May 2020.
Early adopters of iOS 14.2 report iPhone battery drain
It's only a matter of weeks since Apple agreed to pay out $133 million following the batterygate scandal that saw the performance of older iPhones being throttled. Now it looks as though the company could have another battery issue on its hands.
An increasing number of users who jumped to install iOS 14.2 are reporting that their iPhones are losing battery power very quickly. A similar problem is also being reported by people who have installed iPadOS 14.2.
Batterygate: Apple to pay $113 million for throttling iPhone performance
Apple has agreed to pay $113 million as part of a settlement in Washington DC and 33 states over the "batterygate" scandal.
Starting back in 2016, Apple used updates to iOS to throttle the performance of older iPhones in a bid to improve battery life. While the company’s intensions may have been good, the fact that customers were not warned about the reduction in performance did not work in its favor.
SanDisk Ixpand Wireless Charger Sync creates local backups while charging
If you are like me, you charge your smartphone every night before bed. While some people still use old-school charging cables, many others -- including yours truly -- use a Qi wireless charger instead. I prefer this more modern option, as I can just drop my phone on the charging pad when I am exhausted -- no need to fiddle with plugging something in like a caveman.
Most Qi wireless chargers are pretty much all the same these days, but now, SanDisk has a new model that offers an incredibly useful feature. Called "Ixpand Wireless Charger Sync," the charging pad contains flash storage that allows the phone to automatically back up files locally while charging. How insanely cool is that?
Apple's stunning iPhone 12 family has 5G, better cameras, and a superior ceramic-hardened display
A month ago, Apple held its usual hardware event, taking the wraps off Watch Series 6, and new versions of iPad and iPad Air. What was missing was the one thing everyone wanted to see -- iPhone 12.
Delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Apple today finally reveals not one, but four iPhone 12 models -- the iPhone 12, mini, Pro, and Pro Max -- offering something for everyone, and supporting 5G.
iOS 14: How to quickly perform various actions by tapping the back of your iPhone
iOS 14 introduced a lot of useful new features to the iPhone and iPad. You’ll know about the main ones, but there’s a handy new way to quickly perform everyday tasks which you might not know about.
You can get your iPhone to open the App Switcher or Control Center, go to the Home or Lock screen, take a screenshot, mute your phone, open the Notification Center, control the volume, wake Siri, and more, just by drumming on the back of your device. You will need to spend a little time setting this up first.
Apple iPhone 12 5G is NOT delayed
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were dubious that new Apple smartphones would hit stores this September like they often do. Then, more recently, there were several rumors that new iPhone 12 devices (which should have 5G compatibility) wouldn't hit stores until October.
Earlier today on a conference call, Apple CFO Luca Maestri confirmed these reports, saying "As you know, last year we started selling new iPhones in late September. This year, we project supply to be available a few weeks later." Many technology news websites were quick to say that Apple iPhone 12 was "delayed." Actually, that isn't true at all.
How to file a compensation claim against Apple for iPhone slowdown
Having reduced the performance of some iPhones with a new version of iOS, Apple agreed to pay compensation to those affected by the "batterygate" fiasco -- although the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the company.
There is a pot of up to $500,000,000 set aside for owners of qualifying devices affected by the throttling issue, and you'll have to file a claim if you want to get your hands on your share. Before you get too excited, individual payments are unlikely to be large, but here's how to claim what you're entitled to.
Apple reveals iOS 14 -- here's what's new
Apple's WWDC 2020 event was held virtually, open to everyone around the world to view for free. Among the many announcements to come from the event was iOS 14 -- and there's a lot to look forward to for iPhone owners.
What can you expect? Major improvements and changes are being introduced to the home screen and the way app pages work, and widgets are getting a serious overhaul. Siri sees a number of improvements, as does messaging. There's also an entire new type of apps called App Clips. Let's take a closer look.
Jailbreak your iPhone or iPad with Unc0ver 5.0
Jailbreaking your Apple device opens up a whole new world of life outside the walled garden. The iPhone-maker has long played a game of catchup with developers producing jailbreak tools, and now the renowned Unc0ver team have come up with a tool that can unlock just about every iPhone and iPad.
Unc0ver 5.0 goes far further than other jailbreaking tools. The team behind it says that it offers "full-fledged support for all devices on iOS 11.0-13.5 with Cydia and tweak injection".
Slack for iOS unveils a radical new user interface -- once it's been switched on
Business communication tool Slack has just released a major new update to its iOS app for iPhone and iPad. Slack 20.05.10 sees the app get ready for more than a simple facelift, with a complete redesign that brings it into line with improvements unveiled back in March on the desktop.
Be warned though: the user interface is actually a server-side update, which means not all users will immediately feel the benefit of updating -- nevertheless, install the app now and when the new UI is switched on, you’ll be able to use it.
Twitter gives some users the ability to edit tweets... sort of
For years people have been asking -- nay, begging -- Twitter to add the option of editing tweets, and for years the company has resisted. Now, for a handful of iOS users, this is changing.
If you've been holding your breath for an Edit Tweet button, exhale now before you pass out. A proper editing option is not likely to arrive any time soon -- if at all -- but as part of an experiment, Twitter is testing the ability to "revise" tweets.
Microsoft releases Forza Street for free on iOS and Android, but the game is a total clunker
While video games on PCs and consoles can be great, the titles released for smartphones are often quite bad. On-screen controls can be inaccurate and hard to use, leading to a very frustrating experience. Alternatively, developers can "dumb down" their games for mobile with simpler controls, but this often makes them nothing more than time-wasters -- something to do while sitting on the toilet, for instance.
Today, Turn 10 Studios (a Microsoft-owned game studio) releases Forza Street for iOS and Android. The racing game is "free" to play, which is cool, but sadly, it does offer in-game purchases to try and suck some money from your wallet. I installed it on my iPhone, and from what I can tell, the game kind of stinks. In my time "racing" I didn't even get to steer the car! Seriously. Instead, you just hold down a virtual gas pedal. Around turns, you let go of the pedal when the road turns yellow and then hold it down when it turns yellow again. That's pretty much it -- that seems to be the game. Maybe it gets better later, but I won't be finding out. Does the game look good? Absolutely. Is it fun? Heavens, no!
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