Apple

Could Google be bringing its advanced AI-powered Assistant to iPhone and iPad?

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

Assistant, Google's conversational helper, debuted last year exclusively on Pixel smartphones before quickly making its way into Google's voice-activated speaker, called Home, and the latest version of Android Wear. The power of the AI-driven feature is readily apparent in Allo, the search giant's cross-platform messaging app.

As Assistant began reaching more Android devices, including third-party smartphones running Android 6.0 and Android 7.0, a Google director hinted Thursday that the technology could be coming to Apple's iPhone and iPad in the future.

Google to expand Chrome’s malware protections on Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

Google's Chrome and other browsers rely on a feature called Safe Browsing to display a warning message before you visit a dangerous site or download a harmful app. Google is now expanding the scope of Safe Browsing in Chrome for macOS to strengthen protections against malware and other unwanted software such as extensions that silently modify Chrome's settings. The expanded Safe Browsing features in Chrome for macOS will go in effect on March 31, Google has said.

Coming soon to Allo for iOS: animated emoji, revamped GIF picker, and one-tap Google Assistant

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

Allo, Google's cross-platform messaging app for iPhone, Android and the web which made its debut at Google I/O in March 2016, will soon receive three major enhancements. The first integrates Assistant, Google's conversational AI helper, deeper so you can access it with a single tap.

Aside from improved Assistant access, Allo will let you browse GIFs to add to your messages easier than before with a redesigned picker, plus use animated emojis in chats.

Keep in mind that these new features will be rolling out on Android starting today, and will come to iOS soon (don't worry, we'll keep you posted).

Google starts rolling out Assistant to Android Nougat and Marshmallow smartphones

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

LG's latest G6 flagship may have become the first non-Pixel phone to have Google's new Assistant feature, but the search giant is focused on bringing its new personal assistant to as many other smartphones as humanly possible.

Keeping true to its promise, the Mountain View firm just started rolling out Assistant to smartphones running Android 7.0 Nougat and Android 6.0 Marshmallow versions.

With Assistant, you just long press on the Home button or say “Ok Google” to get started. The advanced feature leverages Google's knowledge graph, artificial intelligence and machine learning to better understand context of your questions.

KGI: All 2017 iPhones to retain Lightning ports while supporting faster charging

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

Contrary to controversial claims made in a recent Wall Street Journal piece alleging Apple would do the unthinkable—ditch the Lightning port on new iPhones in favor of USB-C—KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared his thoughts on the topic in the latest notes to clients, obtained by MacRumors. According to Kuo, all three iPhone models released in 2017 will retain Lightning connectors.

This includes the expectedly iterative, LCD-based iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus models, as well as a brand new, OLED-based iPhone 8 model with a radically changed industrial design. However, the underlying technology behind the charging may change with built-in support for USB Power Delivery that should enable a lot faster charging.

Taiwanese carrier relaunching iPhone 6 in Gold

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

Taiwan Mobile announced Thursday that it's relaunching Apple's discontinued iPhone 6. The Taiwanese wireless carrier has begun taking pre-orders for the 32-gigabyte version of iPhone 6, but it's only available in Gold. The handset will go on sale on March 10. Last month, Apple relaunched 32-gigabyte editions of iPhone 6 in China, priced at 3,900 yuan unlocked, or approximately $567.

The iPhone 6 lineup was discontinued last September, when iPhone 7 launched and iPhone 6's spot as the entry-level iPhone has since been taken by iPhone SE.

iPhone chip maker TSMC also eyeing Toshiba’s flash memory business

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

According to DigiTimes, Apple chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is also interested in acquiring a stake in Japanese giant Toshiba's memory business. The semiconductor foundry has been looking to expand into the lucrative 3D NAND memory sector.

Apple's top supplier of memory chips, Toshiba is looking to spin off its flash unit into a separate company after reporting a massive $6.3 billion loss, with the split to become effective on April 1, 2017.

Firms like storage maker Western Digital and iPhone manufacturer Foxconn are among the potential bidders seeking a stake in Toshiba's memory business, too.

Apple and other companies sign Supreme Court brief in support of transgender student

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

After decrying U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw anti-discrimination protections for transgender bathroom use in schools, Apple and 52 other firms like Amazon, Apple, IBM and Microsoft have signed a Supreme Court brief in support of Gavin Grimm, a transgender student who's fighting against his school district over which school bathrooms he may use.

The New York Times reported that the Human Rights Campaign, a nonprofit organization supporting gay rights, plans to file the signed brief on Thursday.

Watch Apple’s new video showcasing what iOS 10’s Home app is capable of

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

Apple has updated its webpage dedicated to HomeKit with refreshed design and a new 45-second video showcasing what the tock Home app on iOS 10 is capable of. While not yet available on Apple's official YouTube channel, we have embedded it in this article so give it a quick watch and let us know how you liked it in the comments.

Tip: open video pages in Safari from YouTube app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 22, 2018

Thanks to iOS's deep linking feature, YouTube URLs automatically open in the mobile app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Unfortunately, you cannot temporarily disable this feature for those times when you might prefer YouTube links to always open in Safari instead of the mobile app.

But don't you worry—you just have to work around a bit to have the mobile app open a video link in YouTube's mobile interface in the Safari browser.

iTunes carrier billing now available in Italy, Singapore and Austria

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 1, 2017

Customers in Italy, Singapore and Austria who lack a credit or debit card can now take advantage of carrier billing on iTunes to have app and media purchases made on Apple's content stores (including Apple Music subscriptions) billed directly to a monthly mobile phone bill from their carrier.

As per Apple, carrier billing's been enabled for select carriers—in Austria for Drei customers, Italy for Three customers and Singapore for M1 Limited users.