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    Showing posts with label Technically. Show all posts

    Report: Some older Samsung devices are developing a green line issue after software updates

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    Green line issue on Samsung phone
    Credit: Harley Maranan / Android Authority
    • Some older Samsung phones, especially from the Galaxy S21 series, are developing a thin green line on their displays.
    • The exact cause is unclear, but it might be a hardware defect potentially worsened by heat from software updates.

    Multiple reports are surfacing online about a display issue plaguing some older Samsung Galaxy devices. Dubbed the ‘green line issue,’ it manifests as a slim, vertical green line that disrupts the screen, potentially hampering phone functionality. This problem seems to primarily affect Galaxy S21 series phones, with the Galaxy S21 Ultra and S21 FE models being the most frequently cited.

    Some users seem to have encountered the green line randomly, while others are attributing it to software updates or intense usage, like gaming sessions. An X/Twitter user reported noticing the line immediately after installing a software update on their Galaxy S21 FE, while another encountered it after installing the April patch to their Galaxy S21 Ultra (model number SMG998B).



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    Google Photos could redesign the Library tab and give it a new name

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    Google Photos app with photo stack edited
    Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
    • Google appears to be working on a redesign of the Library tab.
    • An APK teardown has revealed that the Library tab could renamed to “Collections.”
    • The redesign could remove the carousel and add square cards for People, Albums, Documents, and more.

    The Library tab in the Google Photos app is where you can go to look at your albums, check your on-device folders for images, and access shortcuts (Favorites, Utilities, Archive, and Trash). But it looks like the Library tab could undergo a big shift that will change the tab’s name and its UI.

    In an APK teardown of the Photos app, conducted by 9to5Google, it was discovered that Google may be working on a redesign for the Library tab. The outlet was able to enable the redesign, which appears to relabel the Library tab to Collections.



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    The Plus iPhone could be getting smaller

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    Apple iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max 2
    Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
    • The iPhone 17 Plus might feature a smaller display size compared to its predecessors.
    • The iPhone 16 series is also likely to bring display size changes for the Pro models.

    The iPhone 16 series is still a few months away, but we might already be getting our first hints about Apple’s plans for the 2025 iPhones. According to industry insider Ross Young, the iPhone 17 Plus could sport a smaller display size compared to its predecessors.

    Currently, the iPhone 15 series has the iPhone 15 with a 6.1-inch display, the iPhone 15 Plus at 6.7 inches, and both Pro models at 6.1 and 6.7 inches, respectively. Young’s prediction, though vague on exact measurements, implies the screen size on the iPhone 17 Plus might fall somewhere between the standard iPhone 17 / iPhone 17 Pro and the top-tier iPhone 17 Pro Max.



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    Here’s a very early look at lock screen widgets in Android 15

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    • We have a very early hands-on of lock screen widget support in the first Android 15 beta.
    • Android used to let you add widgets to the lock screen until Android 5.0 Lollipop was released nearly a decade ago.
    • Android 15 is finally bringing back lock screen widget support, but it’ll only be available on tablets.

    Widgets give you quick access to shortcuts or information from your favorite apps right from your Android home screen. Android widgets have been around since Android version 1.5 way back in 2009, but you can only add them to the home screen on most devices. Android used to let you add widgets to the lock screen as well, but this capability was removed with Android 5.0’s release in late 2014. Now, nearly a decade later, Google is working to bring widgets back to the lock screen in the upcoming Android 15 update. Although the feature hasn’t been released yet, I managed to activate it early in the first beta to give you a sneak peek at lock screen widgets in Android 15.

    Before you see what lock screen widgets look like in Android 15, there are a few things I need to mention. First, this hands-on was recorded on a device running Android 15 beta 1. Beta 1 is only one of four planned beta releases, which means a lot can change between now and Android 15’s stable release later this year. Second, the lock screen widget feature is clearly unfinished, with several glaring UI bugs. Most notably, certain UI elements from the lock screen — such as the clock — are overlaid on top of the widgets screen. Lastly, lock screen widgets are currently available only on devices with support for Android’s Hub Mode feature. This includes select tablets like the Pixel Tablet but excludes book-style foldables like the Pixel Fold as well as all Pixel smartphones.



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    Gemini conversations may soon start with a simple Chrome shortcut

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    Google Chrome running on a Windows laptop stock photo (6)
    Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
    • Google is working on a new shortcut to start Gemini conversations directly in the Chrome address bar.
    • The feature is part of an experimental Chrome flag currently being tested in Chrome Canary.

    Google could be making it easier than ever to access its AI chatbot, Gemini, directly within the Chrome web browser. First spotted by Windows Report, a new Chat with Gemini shortcut may soon appear in the Chrome address bar, offering a streamlined way to start a conversation with Gemini without visiting the Gemini website.

    Google Chrome Gemini shortcut Windows Report



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    T-Mobile employees report being lured into helping scammers steal user’s phone lines

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    T Mobile logo on smartphone (3)
    Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
    • Current and former T-Mobile employees are receiving text messages offering them $300 for every SIM swap they perform.
    • SIM swapping allows a bad actor to gain access to a phone line, which they can use to obtain two-factor authentication codes sent to the victim.
    • It appears the criminals were able to contact these employees with the help of a leaked employee directory.

    From new fees to a default “on” profiling toggle, the news surrounding T-Mobile lately hasn’t exactly been great. Adding fuel to the fire, there’s now a new report that current and former employees are being offered money to perform SIM swaps on user’s phone lines.

    If you’re not familiar with the act of SIM swapping, it’s a technique bad actors use to gain access to someone’s phone line. This is done by switching the SIM card registered for the line to one owned by the bad actor. With control over the phone line, that bad actor can intercept verification codes sent to the victim to gain access to accounts protected by two-factor authentication (2FA).



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    Android 15 could add a new way to wirelessly charge your devices

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    • Google is working to add support for NFC Wireless Charging into Android 15.
    • Many smaller devices don’t support Qi wireless charging because they don’t have enough space to fit a charging receiver coil.
    • NFC Wireless Charging requires much less integration space, so it’s better suited for smaller devices.

    When it comes to wireless charging, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the Qi standard. Qi wireless charging has been around for a while, and it’s found in many of the smart devices we use daily. However, there are many smaller electronic devices where Qi wireless charging is either uncommon or nonexistent. This is because smaller devices might not have enough internal space to fit a coil big enough to adequately receive power. That’s why the industry association behind Near-Field Communication (NFC), the technology that powers contactless payments, created the NFC Wireless Charging (WLC) specification.

    Announced back in May of 2020, NFC Wireless Charging works with significantly smaller antennas than Qi wireless charging. NFC Wireless Charging antennas can be smaller than 1cm in size and packaged in a flexible, bendable PCB so they can be squeezed into incredibly tiny smart devices like earbuds, styluses, smartwatches, and tracker tags. Plus, the same antenna can be used for traditional NFC data transfers, saving even more space. Many smaller, low-power devices (like tracker tags, for example) already include an NFC chip for basic data transfers, so swapping that for a single antenna that manages both communications and charging would make a lot of sense.



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    Sony Xperia 1 VI rumors: Expected release date and what we know so far

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    Sony Xperia 1 vi leak renders 2

    It’s been almost a year since the Sony Xperia 1 V landed on store shelves, and as such, we’re thinking about Sony’s next flagship smartphone. While the current flagship is an excellent Android smartphone, it’s arguably a little stale. So, what could we expect from the Xperia 1 VI? Here’s everything we know so far about Sony’s future flagship.

    Will there be a Sony Xperia 1 VI?

    Sony Xperia 5 V vs Xperia 1 V cameras

    Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

    Sony has been fairly consistent with its Xperia launch window and there’s no reason to think it will stop at the Xperia 1 V. Based on Sony’s launch history, we’re likely waiting until late Spring or Summer 2024 before we see official details on the Xperia 1 VI’s release date.

    Of course, the phone is all very unofficial at this stage, and Sony could change its usual flagship roadmap. Sony has barely tweaked its line-up much in recent years, so things could continue on a very predictable path, or we could see a more significant shakeup to reinvigorate the series. We’ll have to wait and see.

    What is the most likely Sony Xperia 1 VI release date?

    Sony Xperia 1 IV fingerprint scanner

    Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
    • Sony Xperia 1 III — July 1, 2021
    • Sony Xperia 1 IV — June 1, 2022
    • Sony Xperia 1 V — May 11, 2023

    Sony has yet to officially acknowledge the existence of an Xperia 1 VI, so it should come as no surprise that we still don’t have an official launch date. What’s worse is there haven’t even been any leaks or rumors about a potential release window. As such, we’ll just have to guesstimate based on the information we have at our disposal.

    In the last three years, Sony has announced an Xperia 1 in May, June, and July. The trend shows that Sony prefers to launch its flagship sometime during the summer. We expect the tech giant will do the same for the VI this year, but we’ll have to wait until more information is available to be sure.

    Sony Xperia 1 VI rumored specs and features

     

    Although details remain scarce, the rumor mill has picked up a little steam as of late. We’re starting to hear whispers about specs, features, and even the dimensions. We’ll break down everything we know so far right here.

    Design

    Sony’s monolithic black slab makes the range readily identifiable against the competition, but it’s pretty tricky to tell any of its phones from the past five years apart. That’s not good if you want your latest phone to appear fresh and exciting. However, Sony did tweak the formula a bit with a new rugged back for the Xperia 1 V, but that hardly shakes things up meaningfully. So far, there’s nothing to suggest that Sony will get any more adventurous than that with the overall look.

    It’s possible there could be at least one notable change to the design, which may end up being controversial for some. Leaker Zackbucks on Weibo claimed that the Xperia 1 VI’s dimensions will be 162 x 74.4 x 8.45mm. This would make the VI shorter and wider than its predecessor, which measures 165 x 71 x 8.3mm. The tipster went further to add that Sony will drop the 21:9 screen ratio in favor of a 19.5:9 ratio, making the display 149.6mm x 69.4mm (~6.5 inches diagonal).

    Another rumor, courtesy of tipster OnLeaks (via Android Headlines), supports the idea that the phone will be shorter and wider. According to this rumor, the device will have a 6.5-inch display and measure 161.9 x 74.5 x 8.4mm.

    Fortunately, this rumor from OnLeaks also came with a few renders, which you can see above. If these renders are correct, it looks like we’re in store for the same old monolithic black slab from prior generations. It also seems that the handset will sport its usual three-camera setup.

     

    A third-party Chinese phone case maker put up a listing for a Sony Xperia 1 VI case on March 29, 2024. At the time of writing, the listing is still up and viewable. While the images could give us another look at the handset, it’s possible these images aren’t actual renders and are just artist interpretations.

    Specs

    A leaker who goes by @INSIDERSONY on X (formerly Twitter) shared a tip on what could be the smartphone’s camera specs. According to the tipster, all three rear cameras will be Exmor T 48MP lenses.

    Sony Xperia 1 VI leak

    Credit: @INSIDERSONY

    The main shooter is said to be 1/1.4 inches with a 1.12 μm pixel size and an aperture of f/1.4. This sensor reportedly also has full-pixel dual-PD autofocus and can deliver 2x optical zoom. While the ultrawide comes in at 1/2.7 inches with a 0.6μm pixel size. The leak says it features Sony’s 2×2 on-chip lens tech, which allows the camera to focus quickly and accurately. Finally, the third camera is said to be a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and 6x sensor crop zoom.

    Another rumor, this time from a Japanese publication called Smartphone Digest, suggests the Xperia 1 VI will have a feature that adds a digital signature to altered images. It’s unknown how this feature will work, but Sony did put out a press release about a similar-sounding in-camera digital signature chip. This signature also allows people to see where the image has been tampered with. It’s likely this could be something used for AI-edited photos.

    What might the Sony Xperia 1 VI price be?

    • Sony Xperia 1 III — $1,299
    • Sony Xperia 1 IV — $1,599
    • Sony Xperia 1 V — $1,399

    Sony is not afraid to charge a pretty penny for any of its Xperia phones, especially for the Xperia 1. Over these last few years, the Xperia 1 has launched at a price higher than even Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra phones. There’s no official price tag for the upcoming flagship, but we can make a reasonable guess.

    We don’t see Sony charging under $1,000, and it’s unlikely it would charge more than $1,600. Rumors claim the 4K display is going away in favor of a 2K display, which suggests that Sony could be aiming to make the price a little more competitive this time around. Given that last year’s entry sold for $1,400, we could see the price falling somewhere under that.

    Should you wait for the Sony Xperia 1 VI?

    Sony Xperia 5 V vs Apple iPhone 14

    Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

    There are plenty of devices worth buying ahead of the Xperia 1 VI’s debut. With the Xperia 1 V ( ) still around and no real concrete information on what to expect from the 1 VI, Sony fans can’t go wrong picking up the current model. If budget is a concern, Sony’s more affordable Xperia 5 V ( ) is available for European customers, but we’re still waiting on a US release.

    Of course, if you need a phone now, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra  and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max ( ) are well worth a look at a slightly lower price point. They’re not embued with all the multimedia features you’ll find in Sony’s powerhouse, but they’re not far off and come with much longer update promises.



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    Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 spotted online ahead of July launch

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    A Galaxy Watch 5 Pro rests alongside a Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.
    Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
    • A new Samsung wearable (model number SM-L305U) has appeared on the Bluetooth SIG database.
    • This device is likely to be the 40mm LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 for the US market.
    • The SIG certification confirms the Galaxy Watch 7 will feature the same Bluetooth 5.3 as its predecessor.

    Samsung’s Galaxy Watches consistently rank among the top smartwatches available, and it appears the next generation of Galaxy Watches is poised for an imminent debut.

    SamMobile has spotted a new Samsung wearable listed in the Bluetooth SIG database, carrying the model number SM-L305U. Cross-referencing this with previously leaked information suggests this model represents the 40mm version of the Galaxy Watch 7 with LTE connectivity, designed for the US market.



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    Apple’s iOS 18 AI features might lean on local processing for privacy

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    iOS 17 0 3 update iPhone 15 Pro
    Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
    • Apple’s initial rollout of AI features in iOS 18 will reportedly function entirely on-device, keeping user data local.
    • This on-device approach emphasizes privacy but may limit access to the more sophisticated AI features, which often require cloud support.
    • Apple could potentially address this with third-party cloud-based AI features.

    As Google and Samsung increasingly integrate AI capabilities into their flagship smartphones, Apple is poised to follow suit with the release of iOS 18. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the initial rollout of Apple’s AI capabilities will function entirely on the user’s device, eliminating the need for cloud-based processing.

    “As the world awaits Apple’s big AI unveiling on June 10, it looks like the initial wave of features will work entirely on-device. That means there’s no cloud processing component to the company’s large language model, the software that powers the new capabilities,” Gurman explained.



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    My money for a super-premium camera phone with stock Android

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    OPPO HONOR and Xiaomi camera phones
    Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
    Opinion post by
    Robert Triggs

    Between the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, OPPO Find X7 Ultra, and vivo X100 Pro, we’ve had our hands on some absolutely brilliant smartphone cameras in recent months. In terms of image quality and software features, I’m increasingly of the opinion that Chinese brands now lead the photography field and are pushing their advantage far ahead of bigger brand names in the West.

    However, none of the above phones have made the cut to replace my daily driver because, frankly, their software gives me a headache. While all perfectly functional at their core (this is Android, after all!), I don’t want to contend with uninstallable apps, convoluted menus, or (additional) intrusive search tracking to get my hands on a brilliant camera.



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    Exclusive: Google Pixel 9 series to get emergency satellite connectivity, new modem

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdwN-WKDVec

    Most people don’t consider the modem when considering buying a new phone, and why should they? Unfortunately, it’s something a lot of Pixel users are increasingly having to learn about. In recent years, connectivity issues have become one of the largest issues with the series. Thankfully, the situation has improved over the generations, and the upcoming Pixel 9 series will be better still.

    Thanks to a Google insider, Android Authority has learned some of the modem upgrades coming to the Pixel 9 series, which brings some important upgrades, including satellite connectivity.



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    Gmail’s upcoming feature is the inbox upgrade we’ve been waiting for

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    Google Pixel 5 on a table showing Gmail joint account
    One Gmail inbox for everything we need
    Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
    • Gmail is working on a subscription management feature that promises to help you declutter your inbox.
    • The feature will intelligently categorize senders by email frequency, making it simple to spot potential spam and forgotten subscriptions.
    • It will gather all your subscriptions in one place and provide an easy unsubscribe option.

    We all know how it goes: a tempting discount pops up in exchange for your email address, or a website subtly forces you to opt in to receive updates. Before you know it, you’ve forgotten to unsubscribe, and your inbox is overflowing with thousands of unread messages. Gmail‘s upcoming feature aims to give users more control over this common problem.

    Google is seemingly developing a new “Manage Subscriptions” feature for the Gmail inbox, designed to isolate and organize the barrage of newsletters and promotional emails that often contribute to inbox chaos.



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    How much does Prime Video cost around the world?

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    Whether you’re after blockbuster movies like Inception or original series like The Boys, Amazon Prime Video is one of the top streaming service options on the market. It costs $8.99 per month in the USA, which is fairly standard for one of the premium services, but that’s not how much you’d pay in another country. The price of the monthly plan changes significantly depending on your home nation, which made us wonder where it might be cheapest and most expensive. We decided to investigate how much Prime Video costs around the world. You’ll find the answers below.

    It’s important to note that Prime Video isn’t the same thing as Amazon Prime, but you do get the former included when you subscribe to the latter. You can pay a separate, lower price to get Prime Video on its own in many countries, which is what we’re looking at in this article. There are some nations where Prime Video is available but not as a separate service, meaning you can only get it with a full Amazon Prime plan.



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    It’s been 10 years since my love-hate relationship with the Galaxy S5

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    Opinion post by
    Hadlee Simons

    2014 was undoubtedly the best year for smartphones in my book; excellent phones like the HTC One M8, LG G3, and OnePlus One all launched that year. And this week marks the tenth anniversary of perhaps the best of the best Android phones of 2014 — the Samsung Galaxy S5.

    I was fortunate enough to spend a couple of weeks with a review unit back when I was starting out in the tech journalism industry. At the time, I had a love/hate relationship with the Galaxy S5, although it was definitely more love than hate. Let me rewind the time machine and take you back to another era.



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    Nothing can’t keep a secret, its two upcoming earbuds leak again

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    Nothing Ear white black leak 4
    Credit: Ishan Agarwal
    • Nothing’s two upcoming earbuds have leaked once again.
    • The latest leak shows off both earbuds, their cases, and the different colorways.

    Just a few days ago, a leak spilled all the beans about the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a). If that leak wasn’t enough, a new leak gives us another chance to gawk at Nothing’s two upcoming TWS earbuds ahead of their April 18 event.

    Today’s leak comes courtesy of Ishan Agarwal on X (formerly Twitter), who has shared images of both the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a). As we learned from the company’s announcement on April 5, Nothing is dropping the numbering scheme from its branding. So the Nothing Ear is actually the successor to the Nothing Ear 2, but it will not be called the Nothing Ear 3.



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    Chrome may soon let you disable all extensions with one click

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    Google Chrome running on a Windows laptop stock photo (3)
    Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
    • Google appears to be working on a couple of changes to the Extensions menu.
    • Activating a flag in version 125.0.6398.0 introduces a toggle that turns all extensions off in one fell swoop.
    • The flag also seems to add dynamic colors and remove the pin icon.

    Google appears to be working on a new feature for the Chrome browser that could be pretty handy. This feature would allow you to turn off all extensions at once.

    According to Gamer Stones, Google appears to be making some changes to its browser’s Extension menu. After enabling a flag (chrome://flags/#extensions-menu-access-control) in version 125.0.6398.0, the outlet discovered a new toggle in the menu. This toggle allows the user to disable all active extensions with a single click. This option could be useful if you need to turn off multiple extensions for whatever reason.



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    How to install Android 15 on your Pixel phone right now

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    We hope you’re ready for the next version of Android because Android 15 is here! Although it will be quite a while before the software becomes stable enough for daily use, that doesn’t mean you can’t give it a shot. Below, we have instructions on how to install the first beta of Android 15 on a supported Pixel device.

    Should I install Android 15?

    Android 15 logo on smartphone with light strip in background stock photo (16)



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    AI-powered MacBooks and iMacs coming later this year with Apple’s new M4 chip

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    Apple MacBook Pro 2023 sitting on desk with AA site on screen
    Credit: Kris Carlon / Android Authority
    • Apple is reportedly overhauling its entire Mac lineup with a new generation of M4 chips that heavily emphasize AI.
    • We can expect new iMacs, MacBooks, and Mac minis starting in late 2024, with the Mac Pro potentially capping off the refresh cycle in late 2025.
    • The M4 chip family will include three different versions: Donan for entry-level devices, Brava for high-end models, and Hidra for the flagship Mac Pro.

    Apple is preparing a significant revamp of its Mac product line, including the iMac, MacBook, and Mac mini. The revamp is expected to place a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence.

    According to a report by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple is already close to starting production of the M4 processor, which will power the next generation of Apple computers. While the M3-powered Macs released less than six months ago were plenty powerful, their sales performance was underwhelming. This could be a driving force behind the rushed update, with Apple betting on AI innovation to drive renewed interest in its Mac lineup.



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    Getting paid to watch TikTok? It might actually be happening

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    TikTok featured image
    Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority
    • To stimulate growth in Europe, TikTok is launching a new rewards app.
    • The new app will provide monetary incentives to watch videos, get friends to sign up, and perform other actions.
    • It’s unknown if or when the rewards app will come to the US.

    While TikTok may be an extremely popular iOS and Android app in the US, it’s not quite as popular in Europe. In fact, the company’s growth in Europe has slowed down to the extent that it is willing to fork over money to convince more people to start watching its videos.

    According to a report from The Information, TikTok is preparing to launch a new app in Spain, France, and other countries. It will be a rewards app that provides monetary incentives for watching videos, getting friends to sign up, and performing other actions. These users will reportedly be able to redeem gift cards or get digital tips they can give to their favorite creators.



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