Apple is finally bringing the Apple TV app to Android phones and tablets, as reported by Bloomberg. The company is in the process of hiring engineers to help lead the effort and build out the software. Previously, the company has made an app for the Android smart TV platform, but not Android itself.
Until now, the go-to answer for what should Android phone users do if they want to watch Apple TV+ shows, or enjoy MLS Season Pass, was to use the web experience at tv.apple.com. But obviously, a native app is much more compelling and could support features like offline downloads.
The Apple TV app has a lot of functionality, including Apple TV+ originals, other Apple TV channels, the Store to buy and rent movies and shows, and is also the home of Apple’s growing sports offerings like Friday Night Baseball and MLS Season Pass.
Making the TV app available on Android brings it up to parity with Apple’s other major content service, Apple Music. Although Apple Music initially launched on iOS exclusively with iOS 8.4 in 2015, it came to Android later that same year. In contrast, the current incarnation of the TV app debuted in 2019 and — five years on — remains iPhone exclusive so far.
Outside of mobile, Apple has aggressively expanded the availability of the TV app to third-party platforms, motivated by the need to bring more eyeballs to its Apple TV+ streaming service. The TV app is available on Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, PlayStation, Xbox, Xfinity cable boxes and more non-Apple devices. Last year, it even released a native Windows desktop app.
It’s good to hear that the company has finally relented on this matter. It will make it easier for non iPhone users to sign up for and access Apple TV+, for instance. However, it’s unclear how long it will take for the Android version of the TV app to go live. If Apple has only just embarked on its development, it could be a while.
Earlier last week, Apple released iOS 17.5.1 to address a rare problem where deleted photos would reappear on a user’s device after installing iOS 17.5. In the release notes, Apple said this was caused by “database corruption.”
iCloud’s involvement
One question many people had is how images from dates as far back as 2010 resurfaced because of this problem. After all, most people aren’t still using the same devices now as they were in 2010. Apple confirmed to me that iCloud Photos is not to be blamed for this. Instead, it all boils to the corrupt database entry that existed on the device’s file system itself.
According to Apple, the photos that did not fully delete from a user’s device were not synced to iCloud Photos. Those files were only on the device itself. However, the files could have persisted from one device to another when restoring from a backup, performing a device-to-device transfer, or when restoring from an iCloud Backup but not using iCloud Photos.
Photos reappearing on sold devices? Nope.
In a now-deleted post, a Reddit user last week alleged that their photos reappeared on an iPad they sold to a friend, despite them having erased the content of that iPad prior to selling it. Apple tells me that this claim was false.
The company says that after a device has been completely erased using the steps below, all files and content are permanently deleted.
Open “Settings”
Choose “General”
Choose “Transfer or Reset”
Choose “Erase All Content and Settings”
Following these steps, everything is permanently deleted from the user’s device and there is no chance of old photos resurfacing down the line. In the Reddit user’s situation, they likely didn’t follow the correct steps when resetting their device before selling it … or they fabricated the situation hoping to earn some Reddit karma.
A rare problem
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I actually intended to install iOS 17.5 just want to trigger this bug. I have an old 2018 iPad Pro, never factory reset during my 5 years of use. Used to have some photos that I either deleted or exported but lost forever. Last week I transferred data directly from that 2018 iPad to the new M4 iPad Pro that runs iOS 17.5. Haven’t seen anything yet.
Maybe I should try update my 2018 iPad Pro to 17.5 as well, but according to this article, if the bug appears, the old photos should appear on my new iPad as well.
Apple repeatedly emphasizes that this problem was rare and affected a small number of users and a small number of photos. The company did not and does not access a user’s photos or video.
This is still a disconcerting issue, but there is comfort to be taken in the fact that the photos in question were not stored in iCloud and could not have resurfaced on a device after it was properly erased and sold.
Also to note: iOS 17.5.1 doesn’t automatically re-delete photos that reappeared after updating to iOS 17.5. If you were affected by this problem, you’ll need to go to the Photos app and manually delete those images. The images will then be moved to the “Recently Deleted” album in the Photos app, where they will remain for 30 days. You can choose to immediately delete those images by choosing “Delete from All Devices” in the “Recently Deleted” album.
Last May 22,2024 the Unicode Consortium previewed the new emoji that are expected to be added to Apple’s upcoming OS updates, including iOS and iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and more. Though the list isn’t finalized yet, it’s likely that everything outlined will be approved and added to the official set of emoji that platform owners like Apple and Google will adopt.
One standout from the list is a new ‘face with bags under eyes’ emoji that makes me feel truly seen. It’s undoubtedly bound to be one of the most popular additions. Other new emoji include a shovel, fingerprint, beet, and more.
New emoji up for approval
Here is the full list of new emoji expected to come to iOS 18:
face with bags under eyes
fingerprint
leafless tree
root vegetable
harp
shovel
splatter
With emoji that represent exhaustion, a barren tree, and a shovel, there seems to be a fairly bleak common theme here.
One important thing to note is that the images above are not representative of what Apple’s finalized emoji art will look like. Unicode creates its own representations of the emoji, but it will be up to Apple’s design team to fashion their own emoji art that’s most consistent with the other emoji on its platforms.
Timeline of emoji being available to users
Apple typically adds new sets of approved emojis to their new release of iOS, so it’s unlikely we’ll see any of these additions in September’s initial iOS 18 release. However, perhaps with 18.2 later in the year, or 18.3 or 18.4 early next year we’ll finally get our hands on the exhausted emoji we all deserve.
For reference, iOS 17.4 was the release that brought the last batch of new emoji.
We’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about the next generation iPhone SE, which is expected to be announced sometime next year with a major redesign compared to the current model. Of course, one of the main selling points of the iPhone SE is the more affordable price – and there’s some news about that.
Apple rumored to increase iPhone SE price
According to leaker @Revegnus1, the iPhone SE could be around 10% more expensive in the US following the launch of its next generation next year. Currently, Apple sells the iPhone SE 3 for prices starting at $429 for the 64GB version. A 10% increase would take the starting price to around $469.
At the same time, the leaker also claims that Apple wants to keep the price of the new iPhone SE below the $500 mark. There’s also a chance that the company will keep the same $429 price as the current generation.
For comparison, these are the starting prices for iPhones that Apple currently sells:
iPhone SE 3: $429
iPhone 13: $599
iPhone 14: $699
iPhone 14 Plus: $799
iPhone 15: $799
iPhone 15 Plus: $899
iPhone 15 Pro: $999
iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1199
Apple has a history of increasing the price of products when they receive a major redesign. This happened with the entry-level iPad in its 10th generation, which went from $329 to $449. More recently, the company brought the price back to $349.
Verdict
According to the latest rumors, the iPhone SE 4 will have the same design as the iPhone 14, with a 6.1-inch OLED display, flat edges, and Face ID. The current SE model is still based on the iPhone 8 design with a 4.7-inch LCD display and Home Button with Touch ID.
A price increase for the iPhone SE 4 to $469 or even $499 won’t come as a surprise. However, how Apple will differentiate the new SE from the iPhone 14 (which is expected to cost $599 when Apple launches the iPhone 16 later this year) remains unclear. The company could phase out the iPhone 14, for example.
Recent reports have revealed that Apple is working on a new ultra-slim iPhone for 2025 that would cost even more than the current Pro Max model. If that’s the case, we might see higher prices for the entire iPhone lineup next year.
The Information says Apple plans to introduce iPhone SE 4 in spring 2025.
In sum, that would make the new Pro lineup composed of black, white/silver, rose and natural titanium options. For the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, Kuo expects black, white, green, pink, and blue colorways.
These predictions generally match earlier expectations, although there had been some talk of a purple iPhone 16 model. Kuo does not mention purple in his message today.
The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to be officially announced in the fall, likely at a September media event. The phone’s design will mostly resemble their iPhone 15 counterparts, although the screen sizes on the Pro models is getting a smidge bigger. The dual-camera module on the 15 and 15 Plus is changing from a diagonal to a straight ‘traffic light’ arrangement.
The big new feature is expected to be the addition of a Capture Button, which will assist with taking videos and photos. The button is expected to be capacitive and respond to different levels of force pressure as input. For instance, users will be able to focus the camera in the viewfinder with a half-force press, and then press to actually take the camera. This is similar to how a traditional camera behaves.
With summer drawing near, we’re getting closer to the expected September debut of the iPhone 16 lineup. As a result, more details about the phones should start finding their way into the news.
One such update comes today from analyst Ross Young, writing on X in a subscriber post about the start of iPhone 16 display production.
iPhone 16 panels entering production soon
Young notes in his post that panels for the new iPhone 16 lineup are expected to begin in June, which would be on schedule with the timing of last year’s iPhone 15 production.
Display production taking place at the same time as last year means the iPhone 16 is on track to debut at the same time as last year’s iPhone 15, in mid-September.
Out of the full iPhone 16 line, which is expected to include four models yet again, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro are said by Young to have the highest projected volumes in June, with 16 Plus and 16 Pro Max displays likely ramping up later in the summer.
Also today, dummy units for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max were shared, revealing the expected larger display sizes on this year’s models. This will represent the first notable display size increase in several years, since the iPhone 12 line.
Verdict
With WWDC on the horizon, and Apple needing to produce millions of iPhones ahead of their fall launch, today’s news is unsurprising yet reassuring. Pending any future production issues, potentially from manufacturing new display sizes this year, the iPhone 16 should hit users’ hands around the same September timeframe that we’ve come to expect.
Apple has officially released iOS 17.5 to the general public. The update brings a handful of new features and changes for iPhone users. Head below for everything we know right now.
iOS 17.5 is now available
iOS 17.5 is now available to the public. You can head to the Settings app on your device, then choose General, then Software Update to install the update.
What’s new in iOS 17.5?
While iOS 17.5 isn’t quite as big of an update as other iOS 17 updates, it still includes its fair share of new features and updates.
Web Distribution in the EU
Within the European Union, the latest iOS 17.5 update introduces the capability to install applications directly from a developer’s website. Apple unveiled this new “Web Distribution” feature last month, explaining that it allows developers to distribute their iOS apps straight from their own websites.
To utilize this functionality, developers must opt into the updated App Store business terms, which requires paying a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for every first annual installation exceeding one million in the preceding 12 months.
Any application disseminated through the web will still need to adhere to Apple’s notarization guidelines. Apps can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect. Apple will also provide a range of APIs for developers to integrate with system functionality.
New Quartiles game for Apple News+
In the Apple News app, Apple News+ subscribers in the United States and Canada will find a new “Quartiles” word game after updating to iOS 17.5. The game prompts players to select from a grid of tiles to form words.
Quartiles is the third game to come to Apple News+, following the addition of daily crossword and crossword mini-games that were added last year.
iOS 17.5 also adds Game Center integration to all three of the Apple News+ games. With this feature, you can now see leaderboards for each of the three games for Daily Solve Time and Daily Score stats.
Apple News offline
Also for Apple News+ subscribers, iOS 17.5 introduces a new “Offline Mode.” This feature “makes it easy to access the hundreds of magazines, newspapers, narrated articles, and more included in a News+ subscription — no matter where you are,” according to Apple.
Apple News+ subscribers can now enjoy Offline Mode on iPhone and iPad to automatically download Top Stories, Apple News Today audio briefings, full magazine issues and narrated articles from News+ publishers, and puzzles to access later, without Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. When the device is back online, downloaded content will automatically refresh, and downloads will be optimized to maximize space on the device.
Design changes
iOS 17.5 also includes a few small design changes that are worth pointing out:
The Podcasts widget has been updated to have a new dynamic color that changes based on the artwork of the podcast you’re currently playing.
In the Apple Books app, Apple has redesigned the “Reading Goal” icon in top navigation bar.
In the Settings app, there is a new glyph for the “Passkeys Access for Web Browsers” menu under “Privacy & Security.”
New Pride wallpaper
iOS 17.5 also includes a new Pride Collection of wallpapers for iPhone and iPad users, as is tradition. The new dynamic wallpapers come as part of Apple’s goal to “champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities.”
As explained by Apple, iOS 17.5 includes a new system centered around anti-stalking capabilities for accessories like AirTags. This development follows Apple’s announcement last year of a partnership with Google to collaborate on a new “industry specification to combat unwanted tracking.”
Strings added to the Find My app reveal that iOS will be able to identify tracking accessories, even those that are not Apple or Find My certified, and assist users in disabling them.
One of the new strings states, “This item lacks certification on the Apple Find My network. You have the option to disable this item and prevent it from sharing its location with the owner. To proceed, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item.”
These changes come as Google started rolling out its new Find My Device network for Android on April 8.
New ‘Repair State’
Also in iOS 17.5, Apple has added a new “Repair State” feature to Find My. This feature lets users confirm with their Apple ID and password that they’re about to send their iPhone in for a repair. As a result, Apple technicians can confirm that the person owns the iPhone and then proceed with the repair without the need to turn off Stolen Device Protection and Find My.
Essentially, this ensures that users can still track their device using Find My while it’s being repaired. Previous, Apple required users to disabled Find My altogether.
iOS 17.5’s security fixes
Finally, in addition to all the new features and changes, iOS 17.5 also includes 15 notable security patches for iPhone users. Notably, none of the 15 vulnerabilities were reported as previously exploited.
You can find the full list of these changes in our dedicated coverage. Even if none of the new features in iOS 17.5 are tempting for you, we recommend updating as soon as possible for those security fixes.
Apple has dabbled in audio transcription in the past with mixed success. One shining example lately has been Apple Podcasts transcripts; more pessimistically, voicemail transcripts are still subpar. But according to a new report, the upcoming iOS 18 release will unlock a host of new system-wide audio transcription and summary features, all powered by AI.
People familiar with the matter have told us that Apple has been working on AI-powered summarization and greatly enhanced audio transcription for several of its next-gen operating systems. The new features are expected to enable significant improvements in efficiency for users of its staple Notes, Voice Memos, and other apps.
These features appear set to make one of the strongest cases for AI integration into various parts of Apple’s operating systems.
Transcription of audio content, and the ability to receive AI summaries of that content, are two highly practical features that can save users a lot of time.
If everything works well, students will be able to record lectures and quickly, easily revisit key information via a transcript. Recorded business meetings can be summarized as a helpful reminder of what was discussed.
If these things are accomplished with true intelligence, they can provide meaningful improvement to users’ lives. These examples would be a great fit for the iPhone, of course, but I also see them being nice selling points for the AI powers of the M4 iPad Pro.
Verdict
Notes and Voice Memos seem like two perfect apps to integrate these features into, but I’m curious to see where else they land. We love a Shazam-style button in Control Center that listens to your environment and automatically transcribes what it hears—all in the background, with minimal power drain. Perhaps this could even tie into Shortcuts somehow. There are so many possibilities.
We’re just one month away from WWDC, where Apple will unveil all the details about its AI ambitions for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS, and more.
We learned late last year that a Microsoft iOS app store was in the works, and the company has now announced that this will launch in July.
Initially, it will be limited to Microsoft’s own games, but will later open up to other iPhone game developers, giving them an alternative outlet to Apple’s official App Store …
Background
The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) requires Apple to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone, and the company responded by announcing its compliance plans.
It’s as yet unclear whether or not these plans actually meet the requirements of the antitrust law, but it does at least pave the way for third-party iOS app stores.
Altstore is one of the first of these – making the switch from unofficial to official status – and Microsoft also revealed back in December of last year that it would launch its own mobile games app store.
Microsoft iOS app store launches in July
At the time, the company declined to say when its own app store would launch, but Bloomberg reports that Microsoft has now revealed that it will open for business in July.
Also new is the announcement that the app store will take the form of a website, rather than an app.
Microsoft Corp. will launch its own online store for mobile-game consumables in July, creating an alternative to Apple Inc. and Google’s app stores and their fees.
The browser-based store will debut with Microsoft’s own games, offering discounts on in-game items associated with titles like Candy Crush Saga. Xbox President Sarah Bond announced the move Thursday at the Bloomberg Technology Summit. Later, Microsoft will open the store to other publishers.
The Candy Crush franchise was originally created by King Digital and later acquired by Activision Blizzard, which was subsequently bought by Microsoft.
The company made the decision to go with a website, as that allows it to offer games for all platforms from the same place.
Microsoft saw an opportunity to create a store that “goes truly across devices — where who you are, your library, your identity, your rewards travel with you versus being locked to a single ecosystem,” Bond said. The company’s intention is to facilitate gaming across consoles, computers and mobile devices.
Every now and then, Apple forces you to choose between more than just size when you’re out for this year’s “best iPhone ever” – there have been instances where the Max one-ups the ‘regular’ Pro in that one line in the camera specsheet. Such is the case with the iPhone 15 Pro which only gets a moderate telephoto camera and not the longer reach of the Pro Max.
But, really – does 3x vs 5x make a world of a difference? Particularly with iPhones, where Apple goes to great lengths to standardize the experience across one generation, but also from one generation going into the next? We reckon not, at least for the sake of this reviewer who opted for a Pro, instead of a Pro Max.
The 15 Pro otherwise gets the same treatment as the 15 Pro Max in all the other key areas – like the titanium in the frame that makes it a lot lighter than last year’s model. This is, in fact, perhaps even more of an important development on the smaller model, and it now makes it a more viable option for those looking for a pocketable Pro iPhone.
Naturally, a chipset upgrade is also part of the generational changes and there the Pro is as Pro as the Pro Max, of course – the 3nm A17 Pro is standard equipment. Not quite so is the storage situation, where the regular Pro’s 128GB base trim level isn’t befitting the name – the Pro Max starts at 256GB and that’s a lot more like it.
iPhone 15 Pro (left) next to iPhone 15 Pro Max
Circling back to the cameras (because it’s not all about the telephotos), the iPhone 15 Pro also gets the 24MP jpegs (or heifs, if that’s your thing) and the two intermediate pretend-focal lengths – there’s so much more parity in the imaging department than there are differences, after all.
Apple also invented USB-C this year, perhaps nudged in the right direction by the EU, but why not out of their own accord? (Because probably not.) Not strictly a Pro feature this one, since the vanilla iPhone 15 and the 15 Plus also use the industry-standard connector, but a most welcome development either way.
Then there’s some more of the usual stuff, the usual good stuff. The Pro iPhones have some of the best displays in the business, and the one on the 15 Pro is no different – in the same compact 6.1-inch size Apple settled on in 2020 with the 12 generation. While we’d say that underdisplay fingerprint readers should be mature enough for Apple to finally add one into the mix, Face ID remains a solid option for authentication. The autofocusing selfie camera that’s in that same vicinity has proven great in the past too.
iPhone 15 Pro (left) next to iPhone 15 Pro Max
Battery life has been a strong suit of iPhones for a while and we’re seeing little reason why that would change now. We do sense we’ll be complaining about the 15 Pro‘s charging speeds though, as usual. Have a look at this quick rundown of the specs before we tear the paper tabs on that white box.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro unboxing
As expected, the iPhone 15 Pro ships in a half-height retail box, with little inside other than the phone itself. The less important bits that are still included are a SIM ejection tool, an Apple sticker, and some documentation.
The one bundled accessory that’s of more practical significance is the new USB cable (C-C) which is now braided. That should help make it last longer than the plain Apple cables of yesteryear, though we’re not sure the white fabric will be looking pristine a few weeks down the road. The cable is also USB 2.0 spec, so if you’re after the fastest possible transfer speeds, you’d need to get a different one. On to the phone itself we go now.
Competition
An iPhone‘s competition most often comprises other iPhones – be they older ones, the other size from the same lineup, or one from the other lineup. In that sense, you need to have your priorities all figured out when picking the right iPhone for you.
iPhone 15 Pro in front of iPhone 15 Pro Max
For example, if you want the absolute best iPhone on the market, the 15 Pro isn’t that. The 15 Pro Max will get you a longer-reaching telephoto camera, better battery life and more screen estate, though conversely, it will take up more room in your pocket, and it’s also more expensive (€250/$200).
On the other hand, if you’re looking to save some money (€300/$200), you could give up on the Pro and get the vanilla iPhone 15 – not only is it the same size as the 15 Pro, but it’s tangibly lighter, which can be a priority. The 15 is nowhere as good a cameraphone as the 15 Pro – no telephoto, no AF on the UW, and less fancy main camera.
An interesting middle ground is the iPhone 14 Pro. Apple may have discontinued it, but we reckon there’s ample stock at third-party retailers, and for €150 less you can have almost the same phone as the 15 Pro – minus the USB-C port, the latest intermediate zoom modes, the newest chipset (last year’s is fine), and the titanium frame (which may actually be an advantage for the previous generation).
If you’re OS-agnostic or just like jumping ship every now and then, or you may want something that Apple doesn’t make yet, there are plenty of Android options you could entertain.
Samsung’s two foldables easily come to mind – there’s no bendy iPhone just yet. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is perhaps the best bet if you’re after the ultimate smartphone for productivity, while the Z Flip5 is more of a fashion statement with the benefit of some form of pocketability. If that last bit is a top priority, then the Zenfone 10 just might be able to entice you, while an Xperia 1 V could appeal to the right crowd with its extensive video recording chops.
Verdict
The iPhone 15 Pro is a logical if not quite exciting, evolutionary step for the lineup. Small advancement in key areas go with continued refusal to improve on others, but Apple will be Apple. Perhaps that statement alone explains the fact that the new 5x telephoto only comes on the Pro Max and not the Pro, and we’re bummed about it on principle, even if it’s objectively not a big deal.
The high price, scant retail bundle, iOS quirks, and heavy throttling sound like cons we’ve listed before and will continue to do so. On the other hand, traditional strong points of the iPhone are only getting stronger – like the upmarket build and in-hand feel, spectacular display, versatile camera system and great speakers. We’re more than happy to welcome the USB-C port this year on iPhone too.
Ultimately, the iPhone 15 Pro is what you’d expect it to be – the best one to date in size small. As usual, if you’ve already got an iPhone 14 Pro, there’s no truly compelling reason to get a 15 Pro. However, if you’re on an iPhone 13 Pro or older, or on one of the other branches of iPhone (like a vanilla 14 maybe), the 15 Pro will more easily make a convincing case for itself.
Pros
Exquisite and now lighter design, water-resistant up to 6m deep.
Outstanding OLED display – super bright, color-accurate, Dolby Vision capable.
Superb speaker loudness, balance, sound quality.
Top-notch performance.
Every iPhone comes with at least five years of iOS updates.
Upgraded connectivity across the board, UWB2 too.
USB-C is here, and we love it.
Class-leading video capturing and stabilization, impressive Pro modes.
Superb daylight and nighttime photos from all cameras.
Cons
A lot more expensive than corresponding Android alternatives.
No charger in the box, and charging isn’t particularly fast.
Apple’s iOS restrictions can be off-putting to newcomers to the ecosystem.
The photo processing could benefit from less sharpening at times.
Limiting the 5x telephoto to just the Max feels arbitrary (and so is the 256GB base storage).
The rear glass is reportedly much more shatter-prone than before.
