All posts tagged: feature

iOS 18.4 Adds Apple Intelligence Priority Notifications Feature

iOS 18.4 Adds Apple Intelligence Priority Notifications Feature

Published by skeptic

With the iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 betas, Apple is introducing a new Priority Notifications feature that can show you your most important notifications first. Apple first announced Priority Notifications when showing off Apple Intelligence in June, but it wasn’t implemented until now. Priority Notifications is disabled by default, but it can be turned on by going to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications and tapping the toggle. With the feature enabled, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ will show notifications that may be important in a dedicated section of the Lock Screen. Popular Stories Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599 Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the … iPhone …

Your next Apple Watch or smart ring could have a feature that transforms healthcare

Your next Apple Watch or smart ring could have a feature that transforms healthcare

Published by skeptic

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Before there were smartwatches that could call 911 or smart rings that predicted illness, there was the Fitbit, which clipped onto clothing and counted steps and calories. The device launched in 2007 and instantly became a hit among early adopters and fitness enthusiasts. Back then, if a user wanted to view their data, they had to sync the device to a computer to see it on the Fitbit website. Also: The best fitness trackers in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed That’s worlds different from the fitness and health tech circulating today that automatically captures our heart rate and variability as it beats and displays them on a graph with instant insights and recommendations — or notifies us about our stress levels and then offers breathing exercises to reduce them. The second decade of wearable health tech While the first decade of wearable health tech was marked by deployment and accessibility — getting the devices onto as many wrists as possible — this second decade is more concerned with tracking far more health metrics …

How’s Pixel Guided Frame feature can help people with no or low vision take photos

How’s Pixel Guided Frame feature can help people with no or low vision take photos

Published by skeptic

Google/ZDNET Google has done a pretty good job with accessibility features on Pixel phones for the past few years. With TalkBack, display customizations, Simple View, and more, Google’s flagship phones have come a long way. But the accessibility doesn’t stop there. If you have vision impairments and like to take photos, the Guided Frame feature can help.  Also: This hidden Pixel camera feature makes your photos more vibrant This feature uses voice prompts to help guide the framing of the photo you’re about to take. This feature is part of TalkBack and offers audio and gesture-based guidance to navigate the phone. Guided Frame uses voice prompts and vibration to help you position either the front or rear camera to get the subject properly framed.  For example, let’s say you’re taking a selfie. With Guided Frame on, it will give you cues so that your face is properly framed. Once you’re properly framed, your Pixel will say, “Hold,” and then automatically snap the photo (after a 3-second countdown). Guided Frame is a wonderful feature for those …

iPhone SE 4 Dummies Feature iPhone 14-Style Design With No Action Button or Camera Control

iPhone SE 4 Dummies Feature iPhone 14-Style Design With No Action Button or Camera Control

Published by skeptic

Apple is planning to introduce a new version of the iPhone SE this year, and alleged dummy models are starting to leak out. Sonny Dickson today shared some images of an ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 dummy model, giving us insight into what it could look like. For those unfamiliar with dummy models, they are non-functional mockups of new devices that case makers create based on information that leaks out of Apple’s partner factories. There is big money in being the first to have a case for a new device, and over the years, leaked dummy models have turned out to be accurate in most cases. Rumors have suggested the next ‌iPhone SE‌ will look like the iPhone 14, and that seems to be accurate based on the images. There’s an iPhone-14 style chassis with an aluminum band, a glass back, and a single-lens rear camera. There have been suggestions that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 could get an Action Button or the Camera Control button that’s available on iPhone 16 models, but neither of those features is …

iOS 18.2 was killing my iPhone’s battery until I turned off this feature

iOS 18.2 was killing my iPhone’s battery until I turned off this feature

Published by skeptic

Kerry Wan/ZDNET It’s impossible not to notice how bad my iPhone’s battery life has become since upgrading to iOS 18; it only got progressively worse with iOS 18.1 and 18.2. It’s the rare day that my battery is still above 40% by lunchtime, and power banks have become constant companions in my life.  The situation was bad (night or day), battery consumption was much higher than anything I remember, and even Low Power Mode didn’t offer much relief. It was time to investigate the problem. Also: iOS 18.2 update triggers eruption of iPhone battery life complaints – what to know However, I wasn’t optimistic about finding a solution or even a workaround. Recently, the only remedy for such issues has been to wait for Apple to patch the problem. But given that I’ve watched this issue go from bad to worse over the past few months, I’m not holding my breath. So I decided to investigate. For any battery drain issue, the first place I always look is under the Battery screen in Settings. This …

This LG Bluetooth speaker impressed me with a design feature I’ve yet to see on competitors

This LG Bluetooth speaker impressed me with a design feature I’ve yet to see on competitors

Published by skeptic

ZDNET’s key takeaways The LG XBoom 360 XO2 is a great Bluetooth speaker for professional chillers, loungers, and relaxers, and it’s available for $197. Highlights include a focus on calming mood lighting and an elegant design. A below-average battery life and lack of advanced features may make this speaker too simple for some. more buying choices There’s nothing like having a trusty Bluetooth speaker that offers a portable listening style. These days, many Bluetooth speaker manufacturers focus on making their speakers suitable for outdoor use, opting for angular, rugged designs with dust and water resistance for use at the beach or on a hike. Also: This unassuming Bluetooth speaker caught me off guard with big bass and clear mids If you never take your Bluetooth speakers outside the house, however, you probably don’t want your new speaker’s main selling point to be that it can survive the apocalypse. I want my speaker to look like it belongs in my house, not at my local REI. If you’re like me, you’ll appreciate the latest LG XBoom 360 XO2 …

Android’s New Location Protection Feature Sniffs Out Unwanted Bluetooth Tracking Devices

Android’s New Location Protection Feature Sniffs Out Unwanted Bluetooth Tracking Devices

Published by skeptic

Bluetooth tracking devices are handy for finding lost items, but they can also be used maliciously. Fortunately, companies are doing their best to help people protect themselves from unwanted tracking by letting them know when an unwanted device locks onto their location. Google has just announced its new “Find Nearby” Android feature, which detects unregistered Bluetooth devices tracking your location and helps you find where they are. Google’s “Find Nearby” Feature Locates Hidden Location Trackers Apple and Framesira/Shutterstock As announced on Google’s blog The Keyword, the company is helping people spot hidden Bluetooth trackers. Bad actors sometimes surreptitiously stick a tracker onto an item and then give it to someone they want to track—for example, inside a stuffed toy. When the target brings the item back home with them, the bad actor can then learn where they live, which makes Bluetooth racking devices an unfortunate tool of choice for stalkers. Fortunately, Android devices are now getting a tool called “Find Nearby.” This works alongside Android’s unknown tracker alert system to help you locate where it …

Instagram unveils new feature as govt tightens online safety rules | Science, Climate & Tech News

Instagram unveils new feature as govt tightens online safety rules | Science, Climate & Tech News

Published by skeptic

Instagram is releasing a feature that will let users easily reset their algorithms, as the government strengthens its regulation of online safety. With the new reset feature, users can clear their recommended content from Explore, Reels and their feed, potentially reducing the amount of harmful content they are exposed to. It’s all part of Meta’s push to make the app safer for young people, after announcing more private Teen accounts in September. The feature, which will soon be rolled out globally, was announced as the government outlined its priorities for online safety. Peter Kyle, Labour’s technology secretary, said Ofcom should ensure the concept of “safety by design” is being followed by tech companies from the outset. That would ensure more harm is caught before it occurs. Image: Peter Kyle (L). Pic: Reuters He also pushed for more transparency from tech giants on what harms are occurring on their platforms. “From baking safety into social media sites from the outset, to increasing platform transparency, these priorities will allow us to monitor progress, collate evidence, innovate, and …

Apple Preparing for Upcoming Siri Onscreen Awareness Feature With New iOS 18.2 API for Developers

Apple Preparing for Upcoming Siri Onscreen Awareness Feature With New iOS 18.2 API for Developers

Published by skeptic

Apple is working on more advanced Siri functionality as part of its Apple Intelligence feature set, and to prepare, it has been providing developers with App Intent APIs so apps will be ready for the new capabilities. With the latest wave of betas, Apple has a new API that lets developers make onscreen content in their apps available to ‌Siri‌ and ‌Apple Intelligence‌. From Apple’s documentation: When a user asks a question about onscreen content or wants to perform an action on it, Siri and Apple Intelligence can retrieve the content to respond to the question and perform the action. If the user explicitly requests it, Siri and Apple Intelligence can send content to supported third-party services. For example, someone could view a website and use Siri to provide a summary by saying or typing a phrase like “Hey Siri, what’s this document about?” In the iOS 18.2 beta, ChatGPT integration with ‌Siri‌ allows users to ask questions about photos and documents, such as PDFs and presentations, and get information about them. You can, for …

iOS 18.1 Brings New Call Recording Feature and More

iOS 18.1 Brings New Call Recording Feature and More

Published by skeptic

Apple has officially launched iOS 18.1, a major update introducing over 55 new features and enhancements crafted to elevate the iPhone experience, including the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence. Prioritizing functionality, performance, and battery optimization, this release brings a substantial upgrade tailored for iPhone users. Here, we’ll provide insight into the standout features and examine how they can enrich daily interactions with your device. Key additions in iOS 18.1 include phone call recording, an improved Control Center, and expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities. From the long-awaited call recording feature to a redesigned Control Center, iOS 18.1 redefines the way you interact with your device and the world around you. Apple has also invested in refining performance and extending battery life to address users’ most common concerns, offering a device that not only meets the demands of a busy lifestyle but also anticipates your needs with smarter notifications and intuitive shortcuts. iOS 18.1 Features TL;DR Key Takeaways : iOS 18.1 introduces phone call recording with transcription and note-taking options, stored in the Notes app for easy access. The control …