Whereas we’re nonetheless ready for Apple’s first main {hardware} releases of the yr, we could not have for much longer to attend, although Apple has additionally been tiding us over with this week’s launch of a brand new “Invites” app.
Apple Launches New ‘Invitations’ App
Apple this week introduced the launch of a brand new app referred to as “Invites,” which is designed to permit customers to plan occasions like birthday events, graduations, holidays, child showers, and extra. Whereas occasion creation is restricted to iCloud+ subscribers, anybody can reply to an invite they obtain from the service. Remember to take a look at our hands-on video to see the way it works, whereas Dan and Hartley mentioned Invitations and associated subjects on this week’s episode of The MacRumors Present.
Phrase of the app surfaced over the previous a number of weeks, with Apple itself leaking a couple of particulars simply forward of the official introduction.
iPhone SE 4 Launching as Quickly as Subsequent Week
Apple’s next-generation iPhone SE might debut as quickly as subsequent week with a launch to comply with later in February, stories Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Apple is not anticipated to carry an occasion for the iPhone SE 4, and can as a substitute unveil the machine by way of a press launch.
We had been anticipating the MacBook Air to be the primary main Apple {hardware} launch of 2025, however until Apple has actually large plans for subsequent week, it seems the next-generation price range iPhone will likely be first out of the gate.
EU’s AltStore Will get First Native iOS Pornography App
iOS customers within the European Union this week gained entry to the primary devoted native pornography app for the iPhone, distributed by way of the AltStore PAL various app retailer.
Whereas Apple expressed displeasure on the app’s launch and shared its considerations about consumer security dangers and undermined client belief, the corporate is required below the EU’s Digital Markets Act to permit various marketplaces with their very own content material guidelines. Apple is just allowed to topic such apps to a notarization course of that checks them for malware, fraud, and different egregious points, with the corporate unable to restrict apps primarily based on content material that has historically been barred below App Retailer guidelines.
An Apple TV Refresh is Coming in 2025 – Here is What You Ought to Know
Apple hasn’t refreshed the Apple TV since 2022, however rumors counsel that we’re lastly going to get an replace in 2025. We do not have a full image of what to anticipate but, although we’ve some hints on what’s coming.
Try our article and video highlighting what we’re anticipating to see by way of chips, design, pricing, and extra.
Apple Raises Month-to-month AppleCare+ Subscription Worth for All iPhones
Apple this week elevated the costs for its month-to-month AppleCare+ subscription costs for the iPhone, elevating the price by 50 cents for all fashions in the US.
The value enhance comes as Apple has made some adjustments to the best way it markets AppleCare+, casting off mounted 2-year plans in retail shops and within the Settings app on iPhones in favor of month-to-month and annual subscription choices, and in addition emphasizing dearer plans that embrace Theft & Loss protection over the usual plans.
Apple Anticipated to Announce Powerbeats Professional 2 on February 11
Apple beforehand teased that Powerbeats Professional 2 can be launched in 2025, and now an announcement date has leaked. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman this week mentioned Apple plans to unveil the wi-fi earbuds on Tuesday, February 11.
Powerbeats Professional are a sportier, fitness-focused various to AirPods Professional with built-in, adjustable ear hooks for a safe match, and Gurman expects the brand new fashions to characteristic an H2 chip and retain the present $250 worth level, whereas our personal code discovery final yr indicated they may assist coronary heart fee monitoring throughout exercises.
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