Apple has agreed to pay $490 million to settle a class-action lawsuit. The suit alleges that Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, defrauded shareholders by hiding the fact that iPhone demand was falling in China.

The preliminary settlement was filed on Friday, March 15, 2024, with the US District Court in Oakland, California. According to Reuters, this lawsuit came about following Apple’s announcement on Jan 2, 2019, that the company would cut its quarterly revenue forecast by up to $9 billion due to tensions between the US and China.

In an analyst call on November 1, 2018, Cook told investors that while Apple faced sales pressure in other markets, including Turkey, Russia, India, and Brazil, he would “not put China in that category.” Then, some days later, Apple told suppliers to cease production on iPhones in China.

Despite settling, Apple denies liability

Following this, Apple’s shares fell by 10% the next day, wiping out $74 billion of market value. Legal papers viewed by Reuters found that while Apple denied liability, the company settled to avoid a full legal case.

According to Reuters, this settlement will cover investors who bought shares in Apple following Cook’s comments. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Roger refused to dismiss the lawsuit when it was filed last June because she deemed it “plausible” that Cook could have been discussing Apple’s sales outlook in relation to China rather than currency changes. She also claimed that Apple already knew that China’s economy was slowing down.

Reuters also reported that lawyers for the shareholders will be able to seek fees of up to 25% of the settlement’s amount.

This isn’t the only legal crisis Apple has been facing recently. After a lengthy legal battle in the past, Epic Games has filed another lawsuit against Apple over App Store commission.

Featured Image: Photo by Torsten Dettlaff; Pexels

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Apple is set to change the iPhone user experience in the European Union with a series of significant updates aimed at complying with the EU’s new Digital Markets Act, which has just come into effect. According to The Verge, among the most notable changes, EU-based users will, by the end of 2024, have the ability to uninstall the Safari browser from their iPhones. Additionally, Apple is developing a more “user-friendly” solution for transferring data from an iPhone to non-Apple phones, expected to be rolled out by fall 2025.

The changes are outlined in a recent compliance document published by Apple, showcasing the company’s efforts to adhere to the DMA’s regulations. The document reveals plans for a “browser switching solution” that facilitates the transfer of data between browsers on the same device. This feature is projected to be available between late 2024 and early 2025. Moreover, by March 2025, users will be able to change their default navigation app on iOS devices within the EU, marking a significant shift toward enhancing user autonomy over their device settings.

Regional specificity and global implications

While the document does not explicitly confirm whether these features will be rolled out globally, it highlights Apple’s ongoing initiatives to comply with the DMA in the EU. These initiatives include enabling the use of browser engines other than WebKit and the installation of third-party app stores, which, as of now, are exclusive to the EU market. The global availability of these features remains a subject of speculation, pending further clarification from Apple.

The introduction of a more intuitive solution for transferring data to non-Apple phones builds on existing migration tools provided by other companies, such as Google’s “Switch to Android” iOS app. This app facilitates the transfer of contacts, photos, videos, free apps, texts, and notes, although it falls short of transferring paid apps, Safari bookmarks, alarms, and other miscellaneous files. Apple’s forthcoming solution aims to bridge these gaps, offering a more comprehensive data migration experience for users switching from iOS to other operating systems.

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OnePlus has unveiled another Genshin Impact character in collaboration with the highly popular gaming series.

Showcased at the Mobile World Congress, the limited edition 12R version of the device sported the unmistakable violet of the iconic character Keqing.

“Every adventure begins with the first step. Every legend needs a hero. Discover the one within you. Travel on a journey beyond imagination and exceed the Speed of Lightning,” says the release site.

OnePlus X Genshin

The cell company has also released a special video update via YouTube listing the features of the new device:

This is the fourth entry into the Hoyoverse (miYoHo) collaboration with OnePlus across a three-year spell.

The series’ voice actor for Keqing has provided a tailored experience for alarms, messages, and the phone’s ringtone that will “bring the world of Tevyat to your ears.”

The phone’s site description states, “From the power-on animation to the dynamic wallpaper, every aspect of the mobile experience has been transformed for Genshin Impact fans. Whether you’re unlocking the phone or charging the phone, the deep integration will awaken unforgettable memories for every adventurer.”

The company has introduced the OnePlus Trinity Engine that boasts “unparalleled Genshin Impact gaming performance. Extreme optimizations ensure consistently high frame rates, extreme graphics quality, and faster load times. Experience smooth gaming beyond belief with a console-like experience in the palm of your hand.”

This engine is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor paired with 16GB of RAM and has a charging speed of 31 minutes for the device manufacturer’s largest battery to date. Sadly, there is no remote charging for the Gacha-inspired phone, but it compensates by being incredibly fast to top up for long gaming sessions.

With mobile gaming such a huge part of the revenue stream for miYoHo this new release will continue the trend of the company investing in portable as well as PC gaming.

“The one thing nobody likes to see is the loading screen,” said OnePlus president and COO Kinder Liu. “We know every second counts for a Traveler. From launching the app, logging in to being able to move your character takes a mere 15 seconds, phenomenal!”

We reported last month that miYoHo had raked in a stunning $5 billion in revenue since the mobile launch of Genshin three years ago, and the game remains the biggest draw for the Gacha offerings that the studio has released.

It remains to be seen how many other Genshin Impact staples will get their identifying color treatment, but for Kequin fans they can pick up this particular phone from March 21.

Image Credit: OnePlus.

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Record sales in the US have led to Samsung revising sales targets for the Galaxy S24, as reported by Android Headlines.

Korean media reports that the tech giant had set itself an ambitious target of selling 12 million units in the first three months of its January 2024 launch. However, that figure has since been revised to 13 million thanks to huge demand worldwide, not least in the US. It aims to sell 35 million units this year.

The initial success of the S24 series is down to pre-order records being broken in several markets, including India, South Korea and Europe — while sales in the US are at a record high in eight years.

The S24 series’ early success also runs sales records of previous launches, falling just short of the record set by the Galaxy Note 10 by only three days.

In South Korea, over one million units were sold in just 28 days, beating the previous quickest time to reach that figure by the Galaxy S7 in 2017, which was 37 days. In comparison, the Galaxy S23 took approximately seven weeks to reach one million sales.

Meanwhile, Ice Universe has claimed the S24 series is expected to “sell more than 10 million units within one month of launch,” with sales of more than 3.2 million units in North America.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series is expected to sell more than 10 million units within one month of launch.
Especially in Apple’s home market of North America, sales exceeded 3.2 million units, setting a new record eight years after the Galaxy S7 series.

— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) February 28, 2024

Samsung is fighting back after Apple takes the top spot

With the Galaxy S24 series taking the smartphone market by storm at rapid speed, this is fantastic news for Samsung.

Rival Apple toppled Samsung as the world’s leading smartphone provider in 2023 after over a decade of playing second fiddle to the Korean tech giants.

In Q4 of 2023, the iPhone enjoyed a 1% year-on-year increase in sales, while Samsung’s unit sales dipped by 12%, representing a significant decline in growth, particularly in European markets.

But early sales figures of Samsung’s latest release will likely give the company a welcome boost ahead of a year in which Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 16.

Featured Image: Samsung

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Apple users have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new phone — the iPhone 16, with bated breath, despite the iPhone 15 having just been released in late 2023.

Rumors have already been swirling about a significant AI upgrade for the upcoming phone. Expected to debut in September 2024, the iPhone 16 is said to feature the A18 chip along with the next-generation M4 chip for Mac. This dual-chip configuration is anticipated to “significantly increase the number of built-in AI computing cores.”

The iPhone X vs the rumored iPhone 16 design pic.twitter.com/RtSi3cDt6T

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) February 10, 2024

Here’s why the new iPhone 16 may be worth waiting for:

AI capabilities

Apple‘s iOS 18 is believed to be the biggest software update in iPhone history, with its Rich Communications Services (RCS) support receiving a significant update. It’s widely expected to come with several fresh AI features, including auto-generated Apple Music playlists, typing indicators, read recipes, audio messages, and higher-resolution images and videos.

This will reportedly include new Siri tools powered by large language models, which may remain exclusive to the iPhone 16. The microphone will see several improvements, such as better water resistance and a signal-to-noise ratio. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that this will “improve the Siri experience significantly.”

“It could indicate that Apple expects to integrate more AI/AIGC capabilities into Siri as a key selling point of the iPhone 16,” he reiterated. However, Kuo also clarified that Apple will not fully adopt AI in the iPhone until the 2025 release of the iPhone 17 range. This decision is attributed to a 15% decrease in shipments of essential semiconductor components, suggesting that the current iteration of the phone may not be enough to reverse the company’s fortunes.

New battery

An early leak of what appears to be an iPhone 16 Pro battery prototype also shows that Apple may be working to improve battery life in its 2024 iPhone lineup. Hearsay stipulates that the new model will incorporate stacked battery technology, offering increased capacity and extended lifespan. While stacked batteries are prevalent in electric vehicles and medical devices, it’s only starting to emerge as a trend for phones.

Battery of early stage iPhone 16 Pro Proto
Features glossy metal shell, 3355mAh Capacity(13.02Wh), LCV 4.48V(Limited Charge Voltage)
Current stage prototype has changed some design: from glossy surface to frosted metal shell, and with a redesigned connector#Apple #appleinternal pic.twitter.com/QvguZ7CrtL

— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) November 20, 2023

Leaked images shared on X by the renowned Apple product leaker, @KosutamiSan, revealed a J-shaped lithium-ion battery bearing Apple’s branding and specifying a capacity of 3,355 mAh at 4.48V. Although the battery capacity of the iPhone 16 Pro falls short of the significantly larger 4,422 mAh battery of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the upgrade suggests that Apple is attempting to optimize battery life within the physical limitations of the smaller Pro model’s design.

Users have often complained about battery issues with iPhones, hence it appears to be responding to consumer demand.

DO NOT get the iphone 15. it LAGS. it’s the slowest phone i’ve ever had. it gets ridiculously hot and the flash doesn’t work half the time because of this. my battery life is already AWFUL like fully charged lasts around three hours at best. it is so bad. worst phone ever.

— char (@charnicle) February 15, 2024

@AppleSupport My iPhone 15 pro that’s only a couple weeks old with single digit charge cycles on it is dropping 10% charge from 80% to 70% overnight. The battery section shows that it’s the home and Lock Screen and Siri
But Siri is off and so are all the Lock Screen features. pic.twitter.com/CYkDg9o7Gs

— Parth P Shah (@ParthShahTalks) February 14, 2024

Size of phone

The new phone will sport a slightly updated look, with the size of the iPhone 16 Pro increasing to 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will expand to 6.9 inches. This marks the first size upgrade in several years. However, the standard iPhone 16 will stay the same as its predecessor, along with the design.

Design of the iPhone 16

Conversely, the camera is changing its position from a square to a vertical alignment. Another Apple analyst, Majin Bu, recently leaked images featuring the same updated design. What we can see is that Apple’s latest camera design draws upon similar aesthetics of older iPhone models, like the iPhone X, which featured a pill-shaped camera and a slim bump design.

iPhone 16 new information (Rumor)

The size of the 16 Pro models, while many other sources are saying that the size has increased, I am seeing that the 16 Pro Max will have no change, at least that is what I am currently seeing. With no accurate measurements, I cannot guarantee,… pic.twitter.com/uUJjMVikK9

— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) February 4, 2024

The pill-shaped bump holds the separate Wide and Ultrawide lenses. Next to the lenses will be the microphone, with the camera flash positioned on the back of the device, outside the bump. The team at MacRumors also believes that we will be saying goodbye to the mute switch with an Action Button.

Better display

It has been hinted that the iPhone 16 will feature a significant display improvement, using OLED microlens array (MLA) technology to enhance brightness and power efficiency. This technology consists of a layer of microscopic lenses, also referred to as lenslets, placed on top of OLED pixels. It allows the phone to use less energy but maintain and increase its brightness.

New buttons

As mentioned, the Action button, which will replace the traditional mute switch, will enable users to perform a variety of tasks. These include activating the flashlight, turning on the camera, launching a shortcut, toggling a focus mode, using translate, switching Silent Mode on or off, and others.

The new Capture button apparently codenamed “Project Nova,” is reportedly able to respond to pressure and touch. In December, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the button is dedicated to recording video. The Capture Button is set to be a capacitive button featuring haptic feedback instead of a mechanical one. It is expected to incorporate a force sensor capable of detecting pressure levels. It appears that it will replace the mmWave antenna in the U.S. and will be moved to the left side of the device, positioned below the volume and Action buttons.

A18 chip

While the iPhone 15 is already using an A17 chip, it is thought that the next version will be different to cut costs. A “chip expert” on the Chinese social media site Weibo was quoted by MacRumors as saying that the company plans to switch to the lower-cost N3E process for next year’s standard A17 chip, designed for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. This will be the first time Apple has designed a chip specifically for its standard iPhone models. Technology analyst Jeff Pu thinks all four iPhone 16 models will be equipped with A18-branded chips.

According to DigiTimes, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC,) which makes the 3nm A17 Pro chips for Apple, could begin installing equipment to produce 2nm chips later this year. The question is whether these chips will be available in sufficient quantities to be installed on the iPhone 17 or if we’ll have to wait for the iPhone 18 launch in late 2026.

Another aspect worth mentioning is the age-old issue of phones overheating, hence the iPhone 16 will endeavor to address this problem.

Apple is actively working on graphene thermal system of iPhone 16 Series to solve the heating problem existing before. And the battery of Pro series would change to metal shell, for the same reason.

— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) November 16, 2023

Avid Apple user @KosutamiSan says that the company is actively working on a graphene thermal system for the iPhone 16 Series to solve the heating problem. For this reason, the battery of the Pro series would change to a metal shell. Graphene helps to deal with heat more efficiently.

Pu also thinks that the upcoming models are set to receive a memory upgrade, featuring 8GB of RAM. This marks an improvement from the 6GB of RAM found in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models.

5G and Wi-Fi

On that note, Pu continues his predictions, saying that Apple may offer the new Snapdragon X75 5G modem on the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models. Meanwhile, Kuo believes that the iPhone 16 will likely upgrade to Wi-Fi 7, which he says “will be more conducive to Apple’s integration of hardware products running on the same local network and provide a better ecosystem experience.”

Apple將積極升級硬體產品規格以建構更有競爭力的Vision Pro生態

1. Vision Pro的成功關鍵之一在於生態，當中包括能否與其他Apple硬體產品整合，而與此相關的主要硬體規格為Wi-Fi與UWB。

2. iPhone 15採用的UWB將規格升級，生產製程由16nm升級到更先進的7nm，有利近距離互動的效能提升或降低耗電。…

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 19, 2023

Universal port

Under new regulations, iPhone models must now come equipped with USB-C technology, as seen in this latest model. This is not expected to change.

Camera enhancements

Finally, an important feature of any phone is its photographing capabilities. Kuo states that Apple could update its smartphone photography with enhanced ultra-wide angle and telephoto cameras, featuring a notable shift to a 48-megapixel sensor.

Kuo notes that although the sensor will boast a higher megapixel count, it will produce 12-megapixel images via pixel binning, which will improve image quality over the iPhone 15 Pro models. 

Genius is a key beneficiary of the re-accelerating cycle of high-end lens upgrades: iPhone 17 front camera upgrade, iPhone 16 Pro periscope and ultra-wide lenses, Vision Pro and Huawei P70 ultra-wide lenshttps://t.co/Qjkq8KJcIT

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) January 4, 2024

While the iPhone 16 series is set for an upgrade, the iPhone 17 lineup is anticipated to introduce an enhanced selfie camera, signaling a complete overhaul of the camera system.

When is the iPhone 16 coming out?

Barring any unforeseen setbacks, it’s safe to expect the release of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models in September. Of course there could be unexpected delays, however, our current prediction leans towards a September 2024 debut.

Featured image: Canva / Miquel C

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Thousands of people in the US were unable to make calls – even to 911 – yesterday due to a massive outage. Concerns around a cyber attack were spread on social media, but AT&T now confirms this was due to a software update.

In a network update, the carrier said: “Based on our initial review, we believe that today’s outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack.

“We are continuing our assessment of today’s outage to ensure we keep delivering the service that our customers deserve.”

The outage started at roughly 04:00 am ET on Thursday (Feb 22). The downtime lasted several hours, with three-quarters of the network being restored by 11:15 am ET. Then, all affected customers were back online by 3:10 pm ET.

The most impacted areas included Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Atlanta and at one point, customer complaints reached a high of 74,000.

With calling out of the question, some emergency services asked their residents to text them if they needed to. This was the case for people in Virginia under Prince William County. The San Francisco Fire Department also urged people to call from a landline if they’re unable to get ahold of vital services.

We are aware of an issue impacting AT&T wireless customers from making and receiving any phone calls (including to 911).

We are actively engaged and monitoring this.

The San Francisco 911 center is still operational.

If you are an AT&T customer and cannot get through to 911,… pic.twitter.com/TUIEBkqmkI

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) February 22, 2024

Impact on other carriers

Although AT&T experienced the most significant of the issues, other cellular carriers had ongoing outages too. Cricket Wireless, a carrier that uses AT&T’s network, was down for some time, as were some users of Verizon, Consumer Cellular, T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, US Cellular, and Straight Tak.

However, both T-Mobile and Verizon have confirmed their networks weren’t directly experiencing service outages. They predict reports of issues were likely due to their users being unable to call or text people on AT&T.Featured image: Photo by Niek Verlaan on Pixabay

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Apple has confirmed its plans to launch its newest iMessage security protocol, named PQ3, in response to what it claims is a future threat from quantum computers, according to a recent PCMag report.

iMessage currently uses end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages between the sender and receiver are secure and inaccessible to anyone else, including Apple. However, Apple is concerned that the advancement of quantum computers may soon reach a level where they could decrypt iMessage content. Such powerful quantum computers would presumably also be capable of decrypting messages sent through other apps, such as WhatsApp.

Last year, the Technical University of Denmark stated that although quantum computers are already operational, they lack the power to break end-to-end encryption at present, indicating it may take years to achieve this capability due to their current size limitations.

On Wednesday, Apple’s Security Engineering and Architecture (SEAR) team wrote about the evolution of encryption on messaging platforms. They explained that traditionally, platforms have relied on classical public key cryptography methods like RSA, Elliptic Curve signatures, and Diffie-Hellman key exchange to secure end-to-end encrypted connections. These methods are grounded in complex mathematical problems that were once deemed too challenging for computers to solve, even with advancements predicted by Moore’s law.

The SEAR team highlighted, however, that the advent of quantum computing could shift this balance. They noted that “a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could solve these classical mathematical problems in fundamentally different ways,” potentially fast enough to compromise the security of encrypted communications.

The team also raised concerns about future threats, stating that while current quantum computers can’t decrypt data protected by these methods, adversaries might store encrypted data now with the intention of decrypting it later using more advanced quantum technology. This strategy, known as “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later,” underscores the potential long-term vulnerabilities in current encryption techniques against the backdrop of quantum computing’s rapid development.

As a result, the tech giant has created PQ3, which it says has been built “from the ground up” to redesign iMessage from a security standpoint, adding a third level of protection to its end users.

When will Apple roll out PQ3 for iMessage?

PQ3 is expected to launch in March with iOS 17.4, as well as iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4 and watchOS 10.4.

The simultaneous rollout across multiple Apple operating systems underscores the company’s commitment to addressing the future threat quantum computers pose to end-to-end encryption. Apple is taking proactive steps to ensure that iMessage users on iPhones, tablets, computers, and wearables receive protection as swiftly as possible.

Featured Image: Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash

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WhatsApp has introduced four new text formatting options, enhancing the way users can communicate and organize their messages. Starting today, WhatsApp users across Android, iOS and web platforms, including those utilizing the app’s Channels feature, can access bulleted and numbered lists, block quotes, and inline code formats. These additions complement the existing text formatting capabilities such as bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospace.

Enhanced messaging on WhatsApp with new formatting options

The introduction of these formatting options is aimed at improving readability and information organization within messages. For instance, users can now create bulleted lists to itemize information like shopping lists or agenda points, making it easier to digest large blocks of text. To create a bulleted list, users simply need to start their message with a “-” symbol followed by a space.

For content that requires a specific order, such as step-by-step instructions, the numbered list format is ideal. Users can initiate this format by typing one or two digits, followed by a period and a space, like “1. ” or “2. “. This feature is particularly useful for recipes, workflows, or any instructions that benefit from a clear sequence.

Block quotes have also been introduced to help users highlight significant portions of text within longer messages. By typing the “>” symbol followed by a space before the text, users can set apart quotes or important information, making it stand out for emphasis.

Lastly, the inline code format caters not only to coders who wish to share snippets of code but also to users looking to highlight specific pieces of text within their messages. This format can be activated by enclosing the text with the “`” symbol on both sides.

These new formatting options have been long-awaited by WhatsApp users seeking more sophisticated ways to structure and emphasize their messages. With the addition of bulleted and numbered lists, block quotes, and inline code, WhatsApp expands its functionality to support a wider range of messaging needs. These updates enhance clarity and organization in communication for personal, professional, and coding purposes.

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Signal is launching a new username privacy feature to allow users to connect without having to share personal phone numbers.

The American instant messaging app has lauded the upgrade, currently in beta, which will enable users to create a unique username as their point of contact.

Signal, thought to be used by more than 40 million people, sets itself apart thanks to its thorough end-to-end encryption service as well as its independent company structure. The non-profit organization is run by a foundation with no direct ties to big tech. Previously, Signal has been the communication tool of choice for activists, hackers, and others concerned about privacy and the prying eyes of authority.

A phone number will still be required to register on the app but the ability to keep it hidden is another credential for Signal and its growing reputation as one of the most secure messaging services. It also closes a loophole that hackers could take advantage of, by accessing the phone number at carrier level to access messages and content on the app.

The company blog written by Chief Product Officer Randall Sarafa stated, “Signal’s mission and sole focus is private communication.”

“For years, Signal has kept your messages private, your profile information private, your contacts private, and your groups private – among much else.”

“Now we’re taking that one step further, by making your phone number on Signal more private.”

Introducing usernames and phone number privacy on Signal! We’re making it possible for people to connect with each other without having to share phone numbers. Now launching to beta users, available for everyone soon. https://t.co/YcBEyD1AIA

— Signal (@signalapp) February 20, 2024

Signal aims to enhance privacy features

The new username service will not work in the same way social media platforms operate. It will just be a key for connecting with others to chat and not a login or handle used for your identity on Signal.

When you create a username, you will still be able to set a profile name as whatever you wish. This will be what others see, your username will not be visible unless you have chosen to share it with another person.

Another key difference of this app is the absence of a searchable directory of usernames as you would find on X or Instagram. If someone wants to talk with you on Signal, they will need to know your exact username. Anyone who does not already have your phone number will have no access to it on Signal. Once you have set a username, it will no longer appear to others who you have already connected to, on the app (as long as they are running the latest version).

The default setting within personal or group chats is for your profile name and image to be displayed, but in your ‘Phone Number’ settings, you do have the option to allow other users to see your digits.

Image: Signal

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According to reported data, Apple has regained the top position from Samsung in the European smartphone rankings.

Market research provider Canalys shows Apple is at the summit after the 2023 holiday season reporting, with Samsung trailing behind.

Canalys analyst Runar Bjørhovde said, “High-end smartphones took a record share of the European market in Q4 2023. Almost 40% of smartphone shipments were priced at US$800 or higher.”

Samsung dethroned

As reported last month, Samsung lost its place at the top of the cellular pecking order in 2023, where a reported 1.17 billion smartphones were sold.

This ended a decade of dominance for the South Korean technology giant as Apple took the global crown after being second fiddle since 2010.

The world’s smartphone market was recorded to be down 3.2% in 2023, but Apple maintained marginal year-on-year growth of 1% to 12.4 million units in Q4 of 2023, but Samsung’s results continued to dip.

Bjørhovde continued, “The dominance of the high-end was mainly fuelled by strong iPhone 15 Pro demand alongside consistent Galaxy S-series volumes and a growing Google Pixel. Looking ahead, Apple will aim to capitalize on the impending refresh cycle. This includes exploring new routes to market to enable consumers to buy iPhones, such as the bank-as-a-channel approach co-piloted with Santander in Spain.”

Samsung would record a 12% drop, showing year-on-year decline of growth in the European smartphone market, but would remain the largest vendor of devices in the region.

The S-Series and A-Series of cell phones would contribute steadily to Samsung’s sales but only served as a staple of the company’s expected returns.

”In Samsung’s case, the premium S-series and foldable devices remain a priority, seeking to test a service-based subscription model,” Bjørhovde concluded with his thoughts on the vendor’s projected performance going forward.

Artificial intelligence to play a part in future cellular sales

Looking ahead to the future of the European smartphone market and artificial intelligence’s emergence in device features, Bjørhovde said that “in the long run, vendors will increase focus on the on-device user experience with AI at the core, emphasizing personalization, ecosystem interaction, productivity, and entertainment.”

”AI integration in smartphones will continue to advance steadily and is currently serving as a pivotal R&D-driven feature crucial to maintaining long-term competitiveness. Even so, vendors must educate consumers about maximizing the power of on-device AI features to achieve strong returns on their investments.”

Image credit: Pexels

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An app-free smartphone is the future goal of Deutsche Telekom which is championing a first-ever artificial intelligence (AI) phone concept together with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Brain.ai.

Announced via a press release on the Telekom website last Thursday (Feb. 15), the idea involves: ‘An assistant based on artificial intelligence replac(ing) the countless apps on the smartphone. Like a concierge, the assistant understands your goals and takes care of the details.’

An app-free smartphone design is being created where the AI can predict and generate the next interface contextually, based on the user’s flowing thoughts. The AI will be located in the cloud.

The aim is for this to take over the functions of a wide range of apps, with the ability to carry out all daily tasks via voice command. The Deutsche Telekom’s generative interface will be powered by Brain.ai. The German company, known for its telecommunications brand T-Mobile, is set to present its idea at the Mobile World Congress 2024 which takes place in Barcelona next week (26 – 29 Feb).

Chief Product and Digital Officer Jon Abrahamson shares more via the company website: “Artificial intelligence and Large Language Models (LLM) will soon be an integral part of mobile devices.

“We will use them to improve and simplify the lives of our customers. Our vision is a magenta concierge for an app-free smartphone. A real everyday companion that fulfills needs and simplifies digital life.”

Announcements at the Mobile World Congress 2024

More information is likely to be shared next week when the idea is unveiled with industry experts. Deutsche Telekom will be showcasing another version of an AI smartphone alongside this idea, which will be powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Reference Design.

The conference will be attended by global mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors, and content owners. This will include the likes of Meta Platforms Inc, Orange, 3Tech Corporate Limited, and many more.

Featured Image: Photo by Rahul Chakraborty on Unsplash

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Instant messaging app WhatsApp is bolstering user privacy with the testing of a new feature that will block the ability to screenshot profile photos.

With ongoing safety concerns across digital media, this new component, which is in the pipeline, can provide an extra layer of security to prevent people from having their photos abused.

WABetaInfo.com today (Feb. 20) shared the news of the WhatsApp update which will be rolled out through the Google Play Beta Program.

Going forward, the attempt to screenshot a profile photo will be met with a black screen and a message stating ‘Can’t take a screenshot due to app restrictions.’

The feature of being able to block screenshots of profile photos is now available to some on the beta for Android version. Screenshot blocking will be available to more users over the coming weeks.

This could be the first restriction of this kind seen across a popular text, voice message, and video call tool. The alternative providers to the Meta-owned chat app don’t yet have this level of privacy.

This is an advancement from the previous announcement five years ago which removed the option to allow users to save others’ profile photos. While this prevented the unauthorized downloading and sharing of personal images without the owner’s consent or knowledge, this next roll-out adds further safeguarding to this issue.

How to hide your profile picture on WhatsApp

Users do have the option already to hide their profile picture from all other WhatsApp users or selected contacts. This is done through Settings -> Privacy -> Profile Photo, with the choice to select ‘everyone,’ ‘nobody,’ or ‘my contacts.’

Other attempts for data protection are being trialled and developed too. WABetaInfo announced on Monday (Feb. 19) that WhatsApp is developing a ‘secret code feature to protect locked chats for the web client, designed to provide an added layer of security and privacy for conversation.’ This isn’t yet readily available, but will likely appear in a future web version.

Featured Image: Photo by Dimitri Karastelev on Unsplash

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Warframe, the popular multiplayer shooter, makes its bullet-time debut on iOS starting February 20.

Publisher Digital Extremes made the announcement on the game’s site, which spans a decade of existing content for the free-to-play action title.

The series has seen a leapfrog from different platforms and devices from its early Windows PC days in 2013 to make the jump to Generation 9 consoles from 2020 to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series x|s, and the Nintendo Switch.

The launch video accompanying the wall-running, power-sliding release prompts players to “live your story. Wherever you play.”

Cross-platform and cross-save

Digital Extremes announced that the new mobile version will feature cross-platform play, meaning you can use your device profile to play on the go.

Alongside this announcement, gamers can now cross-save on the move, which makes continuing your journey through the Origin System all the more appealing for hardcore Wargame players.

As a part of the game’s iOS launch there will be a week of rewards for players participating, with the publisher saying that users can login “to claim your free Day 1 Login Rewards: a 3 Day Affinity Booster and a Bombyx Syandana.”

An exclusive Starter pack is on offer for new players, including “the powerful Aeolak Primary Weapon plus a Max Rank Serration Mod and more.”

What about Warframe on mobile?

There has been limited information about an Android release for users who don’t own an Apple device.

The site page displays a holding line that asks those interested to “opt-in with your Warframe account and device information, and you could be selected to join the upcoming Android Closed Beta. We will be sending invites to the email address on your account, so please make sure it’s up to date!”

In other mobile gaming news, NBA Infinite launched to coincide with NBA All-Star Weekend, with over 4 million players pre-registered to take to the court.

The PvP game allows players to take on 3v3, 1v1, and 5v5 duels across both Android and iOS.

Tencent’s Elden Ring was also rumored to be in development for a mobile version of the game, which would be free-to-play and feature the ever-present staple of recent portable device launches its in-app purchasing.

According to Reuters a number of developers have been set the task of possibly bringing the franchise to android and Apple devices.

Image credit: Warframe Press

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Samsung has partnered with Baidu, one of the major artificial intelligence (AI) players in China, in a bid to win over Chinese consumers.

Baidu AI’s Ernie large language model (LLM) is seen as a straight swap for global partner Google Gemini AI on the Galaxy S24 series.

Google services are currently unavailable in the country and this collaboration, announced last week, was seen as the South Korean electronics titan’s best bet to have a wider share of the world’s largest smartphone market.

Microsoft is promoting Bing Chat in China, but no other U.S.-developed AI such as ChatGPT or Google Bard is officially available in mainland China or Hong Kong.

AI is at the heart of technological development in China as 40 LMMs were approved by the state in the second half of 2023, as we reported late last month.

Huawei to Oppo and Vivo are all domestic vendors in mainland China and are building their versions of AI chatbots and LLMs. This is something Samsung is keen to get ahead of with this partnership with Baidu.

What is Baidu’s Ernie LLM?

Ernie Bot was unveiled at Baidu World 2023 by co-founder and CEO Robin Li Yanhon, becoming the first significant generative AI released from the Chinese tech sector.

“Ernie Bot has completed a series of significant updates in its abilities of understanding, prompting, reasoning and memorizing,” Li said. “Its generalized abilities are by no means inferior compared to GPT-4.”

As reported via Reuters in December last year, Wang Haifeng, Chief Technology Officer for Baidu said that Ernie had reached over 100 million users since its release in August of 2023.

Baidu has also made efforts to expand its offerings in collaboration with the Chinese state-backed Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences (BAQIS). The search giant offered to donate a quantum computing lab, which is integral to developing more AI tools and technology.

China’s AI race

The U.S. has made significant efforts to stop or at least limit China’s access to advanced processors used for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) applications across the past year.

These attempts to stunt the development of AI’s based in China is down to tensions and White House security concerns, which had seen some validation in a recent landmark chip bust to the tune of $11.6 million last month.

Featured image: Omar Markhieh/Pexels

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The Three UK mobile network is reportedly down impacting thousands of users and the customer service department of the cell company.

Subscribers across the Super Bowl weekend reported outages and a patchy service from the fourth-largest mobile network in the UK.

It couldn’t have come at a worse time with the biggest sporting event of the year being streamed in households and on devices across the world.

Three has posted on its social channels about the outages, the company said on x:

Some customers may be experiencing issues with our network this morning. Our engineers are working hard to fix it.
This issue is also impacting customer service, so please check back here for the latest updates (1/2)

— Three UK (@ThreeUK) February 12, 2024

The cell provider also has a network service checker which has a post apologizing for the sudden halt in services and the inability to check the current status of the network.

The post stated that “some customers may be experiencing issues with our network this morning. Our engineering teams are working hard to fix it. This issue is impacting our customer service channels and network status checker, so please check our social feeds for the latest updates.”

Recurring problems

Earlier this weekend the provider placed a message on its social channels stating that an outage was being looked into by engineers.

Three would then go on to post on X yesterday that the issue had been resolved in the early part of the day:

Following an issue with our network for a number of customers, services have now recovered. If any customer is still having an issue, they should fully restart their device to reconnect to our network. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.

— Three UK (@ThreeUK) February 11, 2024

The problems persist, however, and sites like network outage reporter Down Detector have recorded over 12,850 outages across the past 24 hours.

The site mentions that 36% of users are having issues with mobile internet, 33% of users have no signal and 30% of users record a total blackout of the service.

Smarty, a UK mobile operator and user of the Three network had to apologise to customers on X this morning;

Some customers may be experiencing issues with our network this morning. Our engineering teams are working hard to fix it.

We are sorry for the issues with service over the past few days and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. – Jodie

— SMARTY (@SMARTYMobileUK) February 12, 2024

In early December we reported that the Three network has gone down, impacting over 20,000 users.

It remains to be seen if this issue is related to the merger with Vodaphone that was announced in the middle of last year.

The press release on the merger stated that “from day one, millions of customers of Vodafone UK and Three UK will enjoy a better network experience with greater coverage and reliability at no extra cost, including through certain flexible, contract-free offers with no annual price increases, and social tariffs.”

Image: Yan Krukau, Pexels.

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WhatsApp is embarking on an initiative that will allow its vast user base of 2 billion to send messages across different messaging applications, according to a recent WIRED report. This effort, which has been in the works for around two years already, aims to facilitate seamless cross-app messaging while upholding WhatsApp’s commitment to end-to-end encryption. This marks a significant departure from WhatsApp’s previous stance, potentially enhancing competition among messaging apps.

This move toward interoperability is partly driven by regulatory pressures from the European Union. In September, the EU’s Digital Markets Act identified Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, as a key digital “gatekeeper,” mandating it to enable cross-platform messaging. As the deadline approaches, WhatsApp is revealing its plans for how this cross-app messaging could function, striving to maintain its high standards of privacy and security.

How cross-app messaging will work

WIRED reports that the initial phase of this interoperability will enable basic functionalities such as text, image, voice messages, video, and file sharing between individuals. More advanced features, including calls and group chats, are expected to be introduced later. Importantly, this feature will be opt-in, allowing users to decide if they want to engage in cross-app messaging, which is crucial for controlling spam and scam risks.

Opting in will introduce users to a new “third-party chats” section within their inbox, segregating messages from other apps. This setup acknowledges the different privacy and security levels across networks. For seamless integration, WhatsApp is advocating for the use of the Signal encryption protocol, which it already employs. Third-party apps will need to encrypt their messages using this protocol and meet specific technical standards to ensure secure communication.

While WhatsApp has laid the technical foundation for interoperability, the success of this feature hinges on the cooperation of other messaging platforms. Detailed plans are expected to be unveiled in March, followed by a period for implementation. This initiative paves the way for a more interconnected messaging environment but also presents challenges, including security concerns, privacy implications, and the user experience.

Interoperability raises several practical issues, such as managing spam and ensuring user identities remain secure across different platforms. Moreover, the integration of diverse messaging systems with varying security measures and identification methods poses significant challenges. As WhatsApp moves forward with this feature, the focus will be on maintaining user privacy and security while fostering a unified messaging experience.

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A new study has ranked the countries of Europe by the average speed of their mobile networks.

A recent report from internet insights firm Opensignal analyzed mobile download speeds across the continent in 2023. The results showed substantial improvements across most markets, with analysis looking at 34 countries including Denmark, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Scandinavia leads the pack

The Scandinavian nations of Denmark, Finland, and Norway are leading the way in Europe’s mobile speed race. These countries witnessed massive gains over 2022, with Denmark’s mobile speeds jumping by 25.5 megabits per second (mbps) to reach 98.8mbps, Finland increasing by 17.7mbps to hit 71.6mbps, and Norway boosting speeds by 16.5mbps to achieve 102.3mbps. Their networks now deliver high-speed mobile connectivity.

Behind the front-running Scandinavians, other central European countries like Switzerland, Austria and Germany registered strong mobile download speed increases between 7-12mbps. Southern countries including Spain and Italy lagged top performers, posting more modest 3-4Mbps annual download speed gains.

UK falling behind

The United Kingdom may have the sixth largest economy in the world, but it remains a European mobile laggard, with average download speeds standing at just 33mbps at the end of 2023 – up only 3.2mbps from the prior year.

Compared to the major leaps achieved by Scandinavian and other central European countries, the UK’s networks are slowly improving.

According to the Opensignal analysis, gaps in European mobile speeds can be explained by factors like 5G rollout pacing and infrastructure investments. Leaders have prioritized advanced network deployments, while laggard countries have seen slower fiber and 5G builds.

The data reveals a continent of general mobile download speed improvements but also a growing digital divide. Forward-looking Scandinavian countries continue surging ahead with excellent speeds, while the UK risks falling further behind without accelerated network upgrades. For British mobile users weary of laggy connections, rapid relief remains unlikely.

Sam Fenwick, principal analyst at Opensignal explained to Readwrite.com some of the factors causing the UK to lag behind its Scandic neighbors.

” The requirement to remove Huawei hardware has consumed a lot of UK mobile operators’ time and resources while making it harder to focus on rolling out 5G,” Fenwick explained.

Fenwick also mentions slow 3G phaseouts in the UK as well as less effective use of the 5G spectrum, which makes it harder for the UK to compete on speed.

He adds: “Speaking more generally, a large factor in the Scandinavian and Nordic markets’ success is the close collaboration between operators and two of the main global radio equipment providers, Ericsson and Nokia, which are headquartered in these regions.

“Collaboration between them, together with regulators, has resulted in the high quality of the mobile experience enjoyed by Opensignal users.”

The European countries with the fastest average download speed on mobile networks (2023)

Norway – 102.3mbps
Denmark – 98.9mbps
Netherlands – 81.7mbps
Finland – 71.6mbps
Bulgaria – 71.1mbps
Croatia – 66.2mbps
Sweden – 66.2mbps
Switzerland – 60.3bps
North Macedonia – 58.2mbps
France – 53.5mbps
Lithuania – 52.6mbps
Estonia – 52.2mbps
Germany – 51.1mbps
Austria – 49.9mbps
Portugal – 47.5mbps
Serbia – 45.5mbps
Slovakia – 45.2mbps
Slovenia – 45.1mbps
Latvia – 43.9mbps
Belgium – 43.8mbps
Albania – 41.8mbps
Greece – 41.3mbps
Montenegro – 40.3mbps
Czech Republic – 39.5mbps
Hungary – 35.7mbps
Spain – 34.8mbps
Ireland – 33.5mbps
Romania – 33.1mbps
UK – 33.0mbps
Poland – 32.8mbps
Italy – 32.4mbps
Moldova – 28.9mbps
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 22.0mbps
Kosovo – 18.6mbps

Featured image: Dall-E

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Apple has steadily continued with its world domination ever since the first iPhone was released in 2007. And now, during the tech giant’s first earnings call of the year, CEO Tim Cook shared that the number of active Apple devices has crossed 2.2 billion worldwide.

To put that into context, it’s estimated that there are 2 billion children in the world. So technically, there are more iPhones, iPads, and Macs on this globe than there are literal children.

Tim Cook shared all during Apple’s latest earnings call

“We are pleased to announce that our installed base of active devices has now surpassed 2.2 billion, reaching an all-time high across all products and geographic segments,” Cook said in a press release.

“And as customers begin to experience the incredible Apple Vision Pro tomorrow, we are as committed as ever to the pursuit of groundbreaking innovation — in line with our values and on behalf of our customers.”

This is a 10% increase from the last time Apple recorded its amount of active devices in February 2023. According to Statista, Apple reached 1 billion devices in 2016, meaning that in just seven years, that number has almost doubled. But what’s next for Apple?

As they celebrate the release of the Apple Vision Pro, their new VR headset, there are plenty of rumors about the company’s eventual pivot to AI. At this point, such a pivot would be inevitable — especially since they’re reportedly working on their generative AI dubbed ‘Apple GPT.’

But despite gossip that iOS 18 might bring with it a host of AI-related updates, Cook and the rest of Apple have remained coy, saying only this in their press release:

“As we look ahead, we will continue to invest in these and other technologies that will shape the future. That includes artificial intelligence where we continue to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort, and we’re excited to share the details of our ongoing work in that space later this year.”

Featured Image: Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

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Three and Vodafone’s proposed merger is being called into question as the competition watchdog, the Computer and Markets Authority (CMA), begins its investigation into the possible repercussions of the merger for consumers.

Vodafone and Three are the third and fourth largest mobile network operators in the UK, respectively. Vodafone has 18.2 million subscribers as of November 2023, while Three has 10.3 million as of May 2023.

The Vodafone and Three merger is being investigated

The union was first announced back in June, with the two companies agreeing to invest £11 billion ($13.9 billion) into 5G infrastructure in the UK over the next decade. The agreement between Vodafone Group and CK Hutchinson Group (Three owner) was split with Vodafone owning 51% of the merged company and Three owning 49% of it.

“The merger is great for customers, great for the country, and great for competition,” Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group Chief Executive, said in a statement at the time. “It’s transformative as it will create a best-in-class – indeed best in Europe – 5G network, offering customers a superior experience.”

By 2030, the merger, tentatively called MergeCo, is expected to bring £5 billion per year ($6.35 billion) in economic benefit, according to representatives for Vodafone Group and CK Hutchinson Group.

Phase 1 of the CMA investigation into the merger will take 40 days. During this 40-day period, the CMA will aim to ascertain whether the merger of these two phone giants will lead to a “substantial lessening of competition.” If watchdog officials do indeed find this, they may commence Phase 2 of the investigation process.

Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said the following in a statement: “This deal would bring together two of the major players in the UK telecommunications market, which is critical to millions of everyday customers, businesses and the wider economy. The CMA will assess how the tie-up between rival networks could impact competition before deciding next steps.”

Featured image: Photo by John Michael Wilyat on Unsplash.

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Apple’s iPhone was confirmed as the best-selling smartphone in China last year, for the first time, despite tough competition locally as well as Beijing-led prohibitions on the American tech giant.

As reported by IDC, a global provider of market intelligence in IT and communications, the iPhone topped the bill for the fourth quarter and 2023 overall, following their tracker report. A slump in the fourth quarter last year was attributed to the latest generation of hardware installed in iPhones but that was not enough to prevent the landmark achievement.

It came despite a surge for Huawei but other local competitors also saw dips in sales which proved to be greater than Apple’s. Over the year, the US multinational slumped 2.2% but that was just a fraction compared to Honor and Vivo, who both suffered a double-digit reverse.

Last year was the slowest year for smartphone sales in a decade, attributed to weak consumer demand and economic factors by IDC.

Huawei bucked the trend with a significant spike in sales as its Mate 60 series catapulted the Shenzen-based brand back into prominence with a 36% increase in shipments. It also returned Huawei to the top five manufacturers in China for the fourth quarter.

2024 has seen Apple make the rare move to cut prices of its iPhone 15 models in China by around 5%.

Progress and preventative measures

IDC research analyst Arthur Gao commented in glowing terms on the results for Apple.

“Apple’s climb to the top spot in 2023, especially in light of renewed competition from Huawei and the soft spending sentiment, marks a tremendous success,” he said.

“They achieved this thanks to timely price promotions in its third-party channels, which stimulated demand.”

The breakthrough in China came as government agencies have led a crackdown against devices from outside its domestic market. Staff within those organizations were reportedly ordered to stop bringing iPhones and other foreign devices to work, extending the prohibition across various sensitive sectors, as reported by Bloomberg in December.

Apple’s success in 2023 wasn’t just confined to the Chinese market as it also secured the mantle of the world’s biggest smartphone seller, edging ahead of Samsung as iPhone sales fell less than the Korean firm’s Galaxy brand.

Image: Tuur Tisseghem/Pexels.

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