Tag: macbook

Apple 3nm Chip Demand for 2024 to Be Below Expectations Amid Declining iPad, MacBook Demand: Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple’s demand for next-generation 3nm chips — for its devices expected to arrive in 2024 — will be lower than market expectations, according to a market analyst. Earlier this month, the Cupertino company unveiled its first smartphone with a 3nm chip, but TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo states that a decline in shipments for the iPad and MacBook in 2023 could lead to the company lowering its demand for the new chips next year. Meanwhile, Qualcomm is also expected to lower its demand for 3nm chips next year, according to the analyst.

This year, shipments for iPad models declined by 22 percent to 48 million units, while the decline for the MacBook was around 30 percent, to 17 million units, Kuo states in a Medium post. The analyst claims that this drop in shipments was because demand related to work from home (WFH) ended, amid reducing appeal for high-end specifications.

As a result, the company’s demand for next-generation 3nm chips for 2024 will be below expectations, according to Kuo. The analyst also predicts that ASML (formerly Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography) will cut its EUV equipment shipment prediction for next year by up to 30 percent due to the reduced demand from Apple, Qualcomm, and Samsung.

In addition to Apple, Qualcomm and Samsung are both expected to reduce demand for 3nm chips in 2024, according to Kuo. The Snapdragon chipmaker is said to be impacted due to two smartphone manufacturers opting to use their own chips — Huawei (Kirin) and Samsung (Exynos). The latter’s flagship phones for 2024 are tipped to feature an Exynos 2400 chipset in markets outside the US, according to recent reports.

Kuo recently claimed in a blog post that complaints of overheating issues affecting Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro models were not related to TSMC’s advanced 3nm chip manufacturing technology. Instead, the analyst cited a market survey to state that the overheating issues are likely to be caused by Apple’s changes to the thermal design of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which feature a titanium frame unlike their predecessors.

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Apple Granted Patent That Could Allow for Truly ‘Matte Black’ iPhone, MacBook, Apple Watch Models: Details

iPhone and MacBook models could arrive in new matte black colour options in the future, as the Cupertino company was granted a patent that could allow the company to produce a dark version of its smartphone, laptops, tablets, and smartwatches, according to details shared in the patent document issued by the US Patent Office (USPTO) on Tuesday. While original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) including Apple have launched devices with matte finishes in the past, creating one with a dark colour — such as black — has proved to be challenging.

US patent 11751349-B2, titled “Anodised part having a matte black appearance” was granted to Apple on Tuesday and the USPTO credits James Curran, Aaron Paterson, and Sonja Postak as the inventors of the technology. The document that was published by the patent office also reveals that Apple filed the application for the patent in May 2020. 

Apple’s latest patent refers to the use of an anodised part that comprises both a metal substrate and an anodised layer that is created from the metal substrate. The company has designed the anodised layer to utilise light-absorbing features that are located at varying locations and can absorb light that falls on the surface of the device’s enclosure. Apple details plans to etch the surface of an anodised part to create these light-absorbing features.

In order to impart colour to the anodised layer, Apple describes the use of “pores” on the surface that have particles of colour infused in them. The patent document claims the anodised layer will have a CIELAB L* value that is lower than 10. This means that the appearance of the product’s surface would be nearly black, but with a matte finish.

Figures 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B depict the etched anodised part under an electron microscope
Photo Credit: USPTO/ Apple

 

Many manufacturers have tried to create devices with a matte finish that is nearly black in colour, but most efforts have failed — anodised metal that is black in colour appears glossy and reflects large amounts of light instead of absorbing it. Apple has provided details of how the company managed to create a truly black device with a metal finish in the patent document. 

Recent reports suggest that Apple could be working on products such as a smart ring that can provide haptic feedback and pressure-sensitive input. Similarly, a recent patent application hints at work on AirPods sensors that allow Apple’s wireless earphones to measure brain electrical activity. Apple was also recently granted a second patent that points to the possible addition of Face ID support on future MacBook and Mac computers.

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Apple Granted Second Face ID Patent Hinting at Potential Arrival on Future MacBook and Mac Computers

Apple has been granted a patent that will enable the firm to offer an alternate form biometric authentication on its MacBook and Mac computers. The Cupertino company currently supports unlocking Mac computers via Touch ID, on select models. It introduced Face ID on the iPhone X in 2017 that uses an array of sensors to securely authenticate a user with facial recognition. While Apple is yet to indicate that it plans to add Face ID to future MacBook models, the company’s recent laptops are equipped with a display notch that looks similar to the one that is present on the company’s smartphones since 2017.

Spotted by Patently Apple, the company’s latest patent related to facial recognition on computers was granted on August 15, nearly four years after it was filed in September 2019. The 34-page US patent 11727718-B2 credits Paul Wang, Keith Hendren, Adam Garelli, Antonio Clarke, Joshua Daigle, and Dinesh Mathew as the inventors of the technology. 

Photo Credit: Apple/ US Patent Office

 

The patent document contains various diagrams of a hardware module that is capable of light pattern recognition. This hardware module — shown with a range of sensors in figure 4D — is shown to be located at the top of the display on a computer that looks like a MacBook in figure 1A and a desktop Mac computer in figure 10.

The module shown in figure 4D appears to be similar to the Face ID sensor array on recent iPhone models that offer advanced depth mapping for secure facial recognition. According to the patent module, the bracket assembly that houses the module comprises a camera, a flood illuminator, a second camera, an ambient sensor indicator, a camera indicator, and a light dot projector. 

It is worth noting that while Apple recently introduced a notch on its MacBook models, the firm is yet to announce any plans to bring Face ID support to future MacBook and Mac models. The hardware required to support a feature like Face ID could require more space than the thin lid of the MacBook — the thickness of an iPhone is an indicator of how much space such a system could take up on a laptop — especially on models like the MacBook Air.

The patent document suggests that Apple has also considered the possibility of including the facial recognition array at another location. instead of the display notch shown in the previous diagrams.

Photo Credit: Apple/ US Patent Office

 

An alternative diagram shows a MacBook equipped with a different system that might not require a display notch. Figure 8A shows a module that can emit infrared light (IR) to identify the user. This section could be concealed on the device under a panel, and figure 7 shows where the module might be located on a MacBook.

Apple is also known for keeping features secret until they are officially unveiled at launch events, which means that we’re unlikely to get confirmation — aside for leaks and rumours — about this feature and whether it will eventually make its way to Apple’s computers in the future.

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Apple’s $50 Million ‘Butterfly’ Keyboard Class-Action Lawsuit Settlement Approved by US Court

A US judge on Thursday approved Apple’s $50 million (roughly Rs. 412 crore) class-action settlement resolving consumer claims over certain defective MacBook keyboards, in a ruling that spurned challenges to the deal.

US District Judge Edward Davila in San Jose, California, federal court in his ruling called the settlement “fair, adequate and reasonable.”

Eleven consumers from New York, Florida, California, Michigan and several other states were the lead plaintiffs in the national class action alleging consumer protection and warranty claims.

The lawsuit accused Apple of failing to provide sufficient repairs or troubleshooting help for certain MacBook “butterfly” keyboards made between 2015 and 2019.

An Apple spokesperson on Friday did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

The plaintiffs’ lawyers announced the deal a year ago. Apple denied any wrongdoing.

Class members will receive $50 (roughly Rs. 400) up to $395 (roughly Rs. 32,600) based on the number and nature of repairs made to a keyboard.

More than 86,000 claims for class member payments were submitted as of early March, Davila’s order showed.

One challenge to the settlement said $125 (roughly Rs. 10,300) — the compensation for members of one group in the class — was not enough, because keyboard repairs can cost more than $300 (roughly Rs. 25,000).

“[T]he possibility that a better settlement may have been reached — or that the benefits provided under the settlement will not make class members ‘whole’ — are insufficient grounds to deny approval,” Davila wrote in his order.

Other challenges argued it was unfair to deny any compensation to MacBook owners who experienced keyboard failures but who did not get them repaired.

Davila said that “while not all who were purportedly injured will receive compensation, the settlement compromise benefits a significant number of individuals.”

The court’s ruling approved a request from the plaintiffs’ lawyers for $15 million (roughly Rs. 123 crore) in legal fees.

Two lead plaintiffs’ lawyers at Girard Sharp and Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith in a statement said they “look forward to getting the money out to our clients.”

The case is In re: MacBook Keyboard Litigation, US District Court, Northern District of California, No. 5:18-cv-02813-EJD.

© Thomson Reuters 2023 

Samsung Galaxy A34 5G was recently launched by the company in India alongside the more expensive Galaxy A54 5G smartphone. How does this phone fare against the Nothing Phone 1 and the iQoo Neo 7? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Apple Rolls Out Software Updates With Critical Security Fixes for Older iPhone, iPad, MacBook Models

Apple has begun rolling out iOS, iPadOS, and macOS updates for older iPhone, iPad, and MacBook models. The updates address some critical security issues that needed immediate fixes for users whose devices are ineligible for Apple’s latest iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, and macOS Ventura updates for iPhone, iPad, and MacBook, widely released on a stable channel recently. The company notes a list of 14 different critical security and system vulnerabilities that have been addressed with the latest software updates for older Apple devices.

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant has released a total of five software updates for older Apple devices. This includes iOS 12.5.7, iOS 15.7.3, iPadOS 15.7.3, macOS Big Sur 11.7.3, macOS Monterey 12.6.3.

iPhone models older than the iPhone 8 are ineligible for Apple’s latest iOS 16.3 update, hence leaving them critically vulnerable to security threats. iOS 12.5.7 and iPadOS 12.5.7 fixes these issues on iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation) devices, Apple confirmed in its security bulletin. The iOS update for older devices addresses a critical WebKit Bugzilla vulnerability with tracking number CVE-2022-42856, which was unearthed by Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group. The vulnerability was being exploited by malicious phishing attackers to remotely access devices, run unauthorized commands or code, additional malware, or spyware.

Other WebKit confusion-related security vulnerabilities addressed in the latest OS updates for macOS include AppleMobileFileIntegrity, curl, dcerpc, DiskArbitration, DriverKit, Intel Graphics Driver, PackageKit, Kernel, Mail Exchange, Maps, Screen Time, Weather, WebKit, and Windows Installer.

With such critical vulnerabilities, users are advised to get their device updates as soon as possible in order to protect themselves from malicious attacks. Users who own iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPod touch (6th generation), or devices running on macOS Monterey, macOS Big Sur, are advised to install the latest security updates by heading to Settings > General > Software Update.

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WhatsApp Native Beta App for macOS Is Now Rolling Out: Report

WhatsApp, the Meta-owned instant messaging app, has rolled out the beta version of its native app for macOS. The app is available for download as a dmg file on the official website. The native WhatsApp app for macOS reportedly comes with all the features available on the WhatsApp for iOS app. WhatsApp for macOS is supported on Apple MacBooks with M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, ‌M2‌ Pro, and ‌M2‌ Max chipsets, along with other MacBooks running macOS 11 Big Sur. Intel Macs using Mac Catalyst also support the native app.

According to a report by WABetaInfo, the beta version of WhatsApp’s native app for macOS has launched for M1 Macs, Macs running macOS 11 Big Sur or above, and some other Intel Macs using Mac Catalyst. The app can be downloaded from the official website in dmg format. Though WhatsApp for macOS is rolling out to a larger audience following a limited early beta, it is still in beta and hence, some features may not function properly.

The report shared that users who wish to get their hands on WhatsApp native beta for macOS, can simply link the account on their Android or iPhones by scanning the QR code on their Macbook. It comes with all the features available on WhatsApp for iOS app. The app development tracker has also shared a screengrab of the new WhatsApp native app for macOS, showcasing an app sidebar. The app also has the ability to drag and drop files.

The report also noted that the new native app built by using Mac Catalyst has been optimized, offering the advantage of Mac’s hardware. Additionally, the app looks and feels like a traditional Mac app.

WhatsApp will add more features to its native macOS app in the future. Meanwhile, the instant messaging app has also asked beta testers to share their thoughts about the new native app for macOS. One can share feedback by using the bug button available at the lower part of the app.

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Apple Could Finally Launch a MacBook Pro Model With OLED Screen, Touchscreen Support in 2025: Report

Apple could be bringing a slew of changes to its popular MacBook laptops. While newer generations of MacBooks in recent years have added iterative upgrades in the hardware department, not a lot has changed in their core functionality and design. According to a new report, however, the Cupertino, California-based tech giant could introduce touchscreen support on its Mac computers. The company could reportedly launch its first touchscreen MacBook in 2025. Additionally, Apple could also finally bring OLED display technology to its laptops. Currently, Apple laptops utilise Liquid Retina LCD displays, while its Super Retina OLED displays are limited to the firm’s iPhone and Apple Watch models.

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple engineers are “actively engaged” on the development of a touchscreen MacBook and could introduce the display on a new MacBook Pro in 2025. Apple has been reluctant to add touchscreens to its computers as it already offers iPads in the tablet segment.

Most of Apple’s competitors in the laptop market offer touchscreen laptops. Dell, Lenovo, and other major laptop manufacturers have a lineup of two-in-one laptops with touch displays.

The report also says that the planned touchscreen MacBook Pro will retain its present design, including a keyboard and a trackpad. The touch display could later make its way to other MacBook models. Additionally, the new MacBook Pro would also ditch the LCD screen and move to an OLED display, the report mentions. Apple has brought OLED display technology to its iPhone and Apple Watch models and it could also come to the smaller iPad Pro next year, the report states.

Rumours of an OLED MacBook have existed for a while and last year, an analyst had predicted that Apple would bring OLED displays to MacBooks and iPads in 2024. On Wednesday, TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tweeted that the company could launch an OLED MacBook before the end of 2024.

In addition to changes in the display department, Apple is also believed to be working on a new keyboard with dynamic functions for a future lineup of MacBooks. The keyboard could reportedly feature changing key functions that light up based on the context. The LEDs that light up the key symbols and lettering could reportedly even show animation and video on top of the keys.

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Apple Working on New Keyboard With Dynamic Key Functions; Patent Suggests Keys Could Display Animation, Video

Apple could be working on a dynamic backlit keyboard technology that allows keys to perform several functions instead of being bound to one. A new patent filed by the Cupertino, California-based tech giant hints at a future MacBook that might feature a keyboard with changing key functions that illuminate based on the context. The underlying LEDs could reportedly even show animation and video on top of the keys. Existing backlight technology in keyboards only serves to light up the intended key function.

According to a report in Patently Apple, the US Patent & Trademark Office published an Apple patent on Thursday that particularly deals with keyboard mechanism. The patent mentions that the keys would be partially made of aluminium and would feature dynamic lettering, or “glyphs”, that will light up according to the corresponding function.

“More particularly, the present embodiments relate to keycaps having illuminable glyphs that are selectively visible or invisible to an unaided human eye,” the report said. The patent mentions that the future Apple keyboard could have perforations on keycaps through which an array of LED lights could illuminate changing symbols, numbers, and letters by selectively lighting up specific perforations.

Such a dynamic keyboard could also allow users to change keyboard layouts completely or even switch to a different language. Additionally, the report said that the key LEDs could be controlled to show animations, information, or even video on one specific key or a group of keys.

Apple noted in their patent application that their keyboard would represent several advantages over existing backlit keyboards. Current keys are mostly made of plastic and usually have letters or symbols painted or coated on them. Repeated use of the keyboard leads to the coat fading away over time. An aluminium key would represent much higher quality, while changing LED glyphs would eliminate the problem of key symbols getting rubbed off.

Apple had been using its much-maligned Butterfly Keyboard on MacBooks from 2015 to 2019. Earlier this year, the company paid $50 million (roughly Rs 414 crore) to settle a class-action lawsuit over its defective MacBook keyboards. The company now offers the Magic Keyboard on its MacBooks.

Apple launched the iPad Pro (2022) and the iPad (2022) alongside the new Apple TV this week. We discuss the company’s latest products, along with our review of the iPhone 14 Pro on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Apple to Release New Lockdown Mode to Battle Spyware, Provide Extra Layer of Protection

Apple on Wednesday said it plans to release a new feature called Lockdown Mode this fall that aims to add a new layer of protection for human rights advocates, political dissidents and other targets of sophisticated hacking attacks.

The move comes after at least two Israeli firms have exploited flaws in Apple‘s software to remotely break into iPhones without the target needing to click or tap anything. NSO Group, the maker of the Pegasus software that can carry out such attacks, has been sued by Apple and placed on a trade blacklist by US officials.

Lockdown Mode will come to Apple’s iPhones, iPads and Macs this fall and turning it on will block most attachments sent to the iPhone’s Messages app. Security researchers believe NSO Group exploited a flaw in how Apple handled message attachments. The new mode will also block wired connections to iPhones when they are locked. Israeli firm Cellebrite has used such manual connections to access iPhones.

Apple representatives said that they believe sophisticated attacks the new feature is designed to fight — called “zero click” hacking techniques — are still relatively rare and that most users will not need to active the new mode.

Spyware companies have argued they sell high-powered technology to help governments thwart national security threats. But human rights groups and journalists have repeatedly documented the use of spyware to attack civil society, undermine political opposition, and interfere with elections.

To help harden the new feature, Apple said it will pay up to $2 million (nearly Rs. 15 crore) for each flaw that security researchers can find in the new mode, which Apple representatives said was the highest such “bug bounty” offered in the industry.

Apple also said it is making a $10 million (nearly Rs. 80 crore) grant, plus any possible proceeds from its lawsuit against NSO Group, to groups that find, expose and work to prevent targeted hacking. Apple said the grant will go to the Dignity and Justice Fund established by the Ford Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States.

© Thomson Reuters 2022

 

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macOS 13 Ventura Unveiled at Apple WWDC 2022: Release Date, Eligible Devices, More

Apple showcased macOS 13 Ventura at the WWDC 2022 keynote on Monday as its next iteration of software for Mac and MacBook machines. The new macOS release brings an updated multitasking experience through Stage Manager. The macOS 13 also brings redesign of preloaded apps including Mail, Notes, Reminders, and Messages. Additionally, Apple has brought a new Safari browser to macOS 13 Ventura. The new macOS release will be available for download on both Intel-powered as well as Apple Silicon-based Mac devices.

macOS 13 Ventura availability

macOS 13 Ventura has initially been available for testing purposes to developers who have signed up on the Apple Developer Program. The new release will also beta available as a public beta next month and will be available for download later this year — probably in October.

macOS 13 Ventura features

One of the key highlights of macOS 13 Ventura is the the addition of Stage Manager that lets you look at the list of apps running on the system from a single window. Users can activate Stage Manager directly from the Control Centre to easily multitask.

The new macOS release also includes overhauled System Preferences that now look similar to the Settings app on the iPhone and iPad. It includes individual settings being organised by app. The new macOS release also includes some redesigned apps to enhance user experience throughout the platform.

Apple has also introduced a new Messages app that brings social network-like functionality. The app is available pre-installed on macOS 13 — just like its version available on iOS 16.

The new macOS release comes with an updated Spotlight that lets you receive rich results for your searches. Spotlight on macOS 13 is also capable of starting a timer.

Apple has preloaded macOS 13 Ventura with an updated Mail app. It brings an improved search with suggestions and spelling correction. Further, Safari on macOS Ventura has been updated, with the ability to share tabs with friends and Passkeys. The latter is designed as a passwordless authentication standard that you can use to log in to different Web services using biometrics via Touch ID.

macOS 13 Ventura features at a glance
Photo Credit: Apple

 

For an enhanced gaming experience, macOS Ventura works with Metal 3 and MetalFX Upscaling. The addition of MetalFX Upscaling is claimed to enable developers to render rich, visually complex scenes faster on the system. Apple announced that No Man’s Sky will be the first game to come on the Mac later this year that will be one of the among the initial titles to use MetalFX Upscaling.

Apple has extended Continuity to FaceTime to let users hand-off calls from their iPhone to a Mac seamlessly. Further, macOS Ventura comes with the Continuity Camera feature to allow you to use your iPhone as a webcam with your MacBook to get an enhanced video conferencing experience. The Continuity Camera feature works with Apple’s existing Centre Stage and Portrait Mode. The feature also works with apps including FaceTime, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx. Moreover, users will be able to get Belkin stands to attach their iPhone with a MacBook to use Continuity Camera.

The new macOS release also includes the Clock app as well as new Memoji customisations. It also brings Shared Photo Library that is also available on iOS 16. Further, the operating system has the ability to lift subject from background in visuals.

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