Your Tech Story

apple

How to find or track your iPhone if it’s Switched off?

How to find or track your iPhone if it’s Switched off?

Although losing your iPhone might be a distressing event, there is a strong fix offered by Apple’s Find My network. In addition to the regular tracking features, some iPhone models now come with a function that lets users locate their device even while it’s offline or turned off. This is a short instruction explaining how to activate and make use of this sophisticated feature.

Turn on Find My iPhone:

How to find or track your iPhone if it’s Switched off?

Image Source: quora.com

  • After navigating to Settings, tap on your user name and choose ‘Find My.’
  • Turn on ‘Find My iPhone,’ ‘Find My Network,’ and ‘Send Last Location.’
  • When the iPhone is turned off, it may be tracked using the ‘Find My Network’ feature.

Power Off Banner:

  • Upon activation, your iPhone will display a banner verifying that it is “Findable After Power Off” when it is turned off.
  • The iPhone appears on other devices running the Find My app and for users who have enabled Family Sharing to share their location.

Find the iPhone:

  • Launch the Find My app on a different Apple device.
  • Only possible on iPhones supporting Ultra Wideband, such as the iPhone 11 and subsequent devices (except iPhone SE); turn-by-turn directions are used to retrieve the iPhone from the location shown on a map.

Set Up Lost Mode:

  • Open the Find My app and select Lost Mode if you can’t find the iPhone right away.
  • After choosing the gadget, scroll to “Mark As Lost,” then hit “Activate.”
  • Lost Mode limits access to device information, and disables notifications, but permits calls or FaceTime calls. 
  • If passcodes are not enabled, create a passcode, enter contact details, and leave a note for the lock screen.

iPhones in Pending Mode When Offline:

  • The smartphone displays “Pending” on the Find My map.
  • The personalised message appears on the lock screen upon charging.
  • When the device reconnects, privacy is protected by Lost Mode.

Time Limitations:

  • After turning off, locate the iPhone for up to 24 hours or put it in power reserve mode for five hours. The device’s location is disclosed by the Find My app after it has returned online.

Through these procedures and the sophisticated features of Apple’s Find My network, iPhone owners may increase their chances of recovering a stolen or misplaced device, even if it has been turned off or is offline. Take use of these capabilities to empower yourself and enjoy a more stress-free and secure iPhone ownership experience.

Apple Unveils App Store Award Winners, The Best Apps, and Games of 2023

Apple Unveils App Store Award Winners, The Best Apps, and Games of 2023

The winners of this year’s App Store Awards include fourteen games and applications from developers worldwide whose creations promote cultural transformation and provide customers with worthwhile experiences.

"It’s inspiring to see the ways developers continue to build incredible apps and games that are redefining the world around us," said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. "This year’s winners represent the limitless potential of developers to bring their visions to life, creating apps and games with remarkable ingenuity, exceptional quality, and purpose-driven missions."

finance.yahoo.com

The winners this year demonstrate the breadth of artistic expression, technological ingenuity, and design potential found within Apple’s ecosystem as well as the App Store. AllTrails fosters community by providing thorough trail guides and opportunities for outdoor adventure to all users. Prêt-à-cosmetics promotes inclusion and individual creativity while providing skilled artists and non-professional users with an iPad® cosmetics sketchpad that is accurate to reality. The machine learning-powered tools in Photomator simplify and streamline complex editing operations. Featuring a human touch, MUBI selects outstanding independent and foreign documentaries, while SmartGym excels on Apple Watch® thanks to its extensive collection of workouts, routines, and thorough fitness tracking.

Apple Unveils App Store Award Winners, The Best Apps, and Games of 2023

Image Source: apple.com

In the game genre, Lost in Play allows players to access their delightful, childlike creativity throughout a thrilling point-and-click journey, while Honkai: Star Rail immerses gamers in a story full of nuanced characters and strategically intricate battles on the iPhone®. The beautifully designed dark fantasy realm of Lies of P and the immersive game world of Apple Arcade®’s Hello Kitty Island Adventure, each offer players the delightful objective of forming friendships.

Apps That Won Awards at the 2023 App Store

  • AllTrails, from AllTrails, Inc., which is an iPhone app, won iPhone App of the Year.
  • The Prêt-à-Makeup iPad app from Prêt-à-Template is the app of the year.
  • The UAB Pixelmator Team’s Photomator is the Mac App of the Year.
  • MUBI, developed by MUBI, Inc., is the Apple TV App of the Year.
  • The Apple Watch App of the Year is SmartGym by Mateus Abras.

Games

  • Honkai: Star Rail by COGNOSPHERE PTE LTD., is the iPhone Game of the Year.
  • Snapbreak Games’ “Lost in Play” is the iPad Game of the Year.
  • NEOWIZ’s Mac Game of the Year is Lies of P.
  • The Apple Arcade Game of the Year is Sunblink’s Hello Kitty Island Adventure.
Apple Plans to End Credit Card Partnership with Goldman Sachs

Apple Plans to End Credit Card Partnership with Goldman Sachs

In a surprising move, tech giant Apple (AAPL) has reportedly informed Goldman Sachs (GS) of its intention to dissolve their consumer credit card partnership within the coming 12 to 15 months. This decision could have implications for cardholders and potentially reshape the landscape of Apple’s financial services strategy.

The collaboration between Apple and Goldman Sachs led to the creation of the Apple Card and savings accounts. Despite being a part of Apple’s services revenue, Tech Editor Dan Howley from Yahoo Finance points out that these financial offerings might not be pivotal in Apple’s revenue stream. Howley suggests that while these services might not significantly bolster earnings, they serve a different purpose – creating a “lock-in” effect.

Lock-In Strategy: Anchoring Users to the Apple Ecosystem

The concept of ‘lock-in’ revolves around linking a user’s credit card and savings account to their Apple devices. Howley explains that this strategy aims to enhance customer loyalty by making it inconvenient to switch to competitor products. With the integration of financial services into the Apple ecosystem, users are less likely to shift to rival platforms, ensuring a long-term commitment to Apple’s products and services.

Apple Plans to End Credit Card Partnership with Goldman Sachs

Image Source: pymnts.com

Speculations arise regarding Apple’s potential collaboration with different banks to continue their foray into financial services. While Apple maintains its brand presence in these services, the banking infrastructure is supported by partners like Goldman Sachs. Any transition to a new financial institution might involve reissuing cards, but the core strategy of ‘locking in’ users is expected to persist.

Apple's Dual Role: Innovator in Tech, Cautious in Finance

Apple’s dominant position in technological innovation contrasts with its cautious approach to highly regulated financial services. Howley underscores that Apple’s separation from the banking infrastructure allows it to maintain a positive sentiment among consumers, steering clear of potential apprehensions associated with being deeply involved in finance.

Amidst reports of dissolving the partnership, concerns arise regarding the continuity of user-centric features. The unique attributes of the Apple Card, including its color-coded spending indicators and flexible payment options, have garnered praise. Howley points out the importance for Apple to preserve these aspects while potentially switching banking partners, ensuring a seamless transition without compromising user experience.

Apple’s move to unwind its partnership with Goldman Sachs signifies a strategic shift in its financial services landscape. While the decision might not heavily impact revenue, it solidifies Apple’s intent to maintain a strong grip on its user base by integrating financial services within its ecosystem. As the tech giant navigates this transition, preserving user-centricity will be crucial in retaining customer trust and loyalty.

Ex-Apple AI Scientist Helps Northvolt Speed Up Battery Making

Ex-Apple AI Scientist Helps Northvolt Speed Up Battery Making

Artificial intelligence is being used by Northvolt AB to gain an advantage in the competition for innovative electric car battery technology. 

Previous Apple Inc. artificial intelligence researcher Siddharth Khullar has brought together a group of machine learning specialists at Northvolt to expedite the development and production procedures of the Swedish battery manufacturer. The project may enable the business to increase its testing capacity in some regions.

Ex-Apple AI Scientist Helps Northvolt Speed Up Battery Making

Image Source: bloomberg.com

The specialists have assisted in implementing AI-powered sensors and software, as well as machine learning, to support testing as well as manufacturing at Northvolt’s main facility located in Skellefteå, close to the Arctic Circle. At Northvolt Labs in Västerås, they are actively investigating how artificial intelligence may be utilised to expedite research and development.

“We think in some areas we would be able to save up to 50% of latency,” Khullar said in an interview. “That would mean being able to do twice the number of experiments with the same number of people.”

bloomberglaw.com

AI can be helpful for the Future of EVs

In an effort to power electric vehicles more affordably and effectively, battery manufacturers are vying for market share with next-generation technology. AI may pave the way for novel developments in battery chemistry as well as design. Battery research is still relatively new to machine learning, but given the volume and complexity of data in the field, it makes sense.

Professionals are now using artificial intelligence in manufacturing, chemistry, and cell design. Recently, research has begun to explore how machine learning may take the role of physical inspections. Khullar stated that there are over 4,000 inspection locations at Northvolt’s main facility alone.

“AI is about returning time to our people, so they can do more,” the researcher said, adding that battery-making yields so much data that it couldn’t be handled by human workers alone.

“AI won’t be able to replace 10 years of working on a specific process in the line,” Khullar said. “But we can assist them with a lot of knowledge search, summarization, preparation of content, analyzing a ton of numbers and showing them patterns and making better decisions.”

bloomberglaw.com

Almost his tenure of almost six years at Apple, Khullar collaborated on research endeavours pertaining to self-driving automobiles and sleep tracking, as well as features for the Apple Watch. His team has expanded to eighteen members since he became part of Northvolt barely more than a year ago, and he is actively seeking more hires.

Apple announces that RCS support is coming to the iPhone next year

Apple announces that RCS support is coming to the iPhone next year

Apple has unexpectedly said today that it will be implementing the RCS, which is Rich Communication Services messaging protocol. A software update will introduce the capability subsequently next year, offering a plethora of iMessage-like functionalities to users of iPhones and Android phones.

Apple made its choice in response to pressure from competitors such as Google and Samsung, as well as authorities. It also coincides with RCS’s ongoing development into a more sophisticated platform than it before was. Cross-platform texting now has iMessage-style functionality thanks to RCS.

An Apple representative told 9to5Mac in a statement that the firm thinks RCS would provide improved cross-platform communication compatibility.

Apple has unexpectedly said today that it will be implementing the RCS, which is Rich Communication Services messaging protocol. A software update will introduce the capability subsequently next year, offering a plethora of iMessage-like functionalities to users of iPhones and Android phones.

Apple made its choice in response to pressure from competitors such as Google and Samsung, as well as authorities. It also coincides with RCS’s ongoing development into a more sophisticated platform than it before was. Cross-platform texting now has iMessage-style functionality thanks to RCS.

An Apple representative told 9to5Mac in a statement that the firm thinks RCS would provide improved cross-platform communication compatibility.

Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.

9to5mac.com
Apple announces that RCS support is coming to the iPhone next year

Image Source: androidcentral.com

RCS enables cross-platform communications between smartphones running on the iPhone and Android with many capabilities similar to those found in iMessage. This features high-quality photos and videos, typing indications, read receipts, and a lot more.

According to the business, Apple’s RCS integration would also let users communicate their position with other individuals inside text threads. In contrast to standard SMS, RCS may be sent via Wi-Fi or smartphone data.

iMessage is here to stay

On the other hand, iMessage is here to stay. It will still be the primary messaging app for iPhone users to communicate with one another. When accessible, RCS will solely replace SMS and MMS and function independently of iMessage. According to Apple, SMS and MMS will remain accessible as a backup when necessary.

This isn’t Apple allowing iMessage to run on different systems. Rather, the business is using RCS independently of iMessage.

Additionally, Apple restates that iMessage is considerably more private and secure than RCS. Apple has enhanced iMessage’s end-to-end encryption with Enhanced Data Security for Conversations in iCloud. Apple, in the meantime, claims that RCS does not now enable iMessage-level encryption.

Top 5 Ways to Find Out If Someone Has Remote Access to Your iPhone

How to Find Out If Someone Has Remote Access to Your iPhone

Have you ever felt bad that someone was snooping into your digital life without your permission? It’s like someone is looking over your shoulder, except it’s through your iPhone. Scary, right? Well, let’s not just wallow in paranoia; I’m here to help you find out if someone has gained remote access to your iPhone and what you can do about it. So, let’s dive in!

Signs of Unauthorized Remote Access

Unusual Battery Drain

This could be a clear sign that someone is accessing your device remotely. Remote access apps can be power-hungry creatures, eating up your battery life like there’s no tomorrow.

Strange Phone Call Behavior

If your call has more echoes than a mountain yodel or more noise than a static-filled radio, pay attention. These may be signs that your calls are being intercepted or monitored. It’s as if someone else is joining your call, but they’re definitely not invited.

Unexpected Data Usage Spikes

Top 5 Ways to Find Out If Someone Has Remote Access to Your iPhone

Image Source: gadgetbridge.com

When your data usage exceeds your daily usage, it’s time to check. This could mean that your iPhone is secretly sending data to an uninvited guest.

Unfamiliar Apps or Profiles

Did you suddenly find an app that you don’t remember downloading? These apps could be the tools that someone is using to gain remote access to your iPhone.

How to Check for Remote Access

Analyzing System Services

Search your iPhone’s Settings like you’re on a treasure hunt. Look for any system services you don’t recognize. If you feel something is wrong, it’s time to take action.

Reviewing Installed Apps

Check your apps one by one. If you see something unfamiliar, uninstall it immediately.

Checking Network Activity

Monitor your network activity. If a lot of data is being used in the background, this is also a sign of remote use of the iPhone.

Verifying Configuration Profiles

Configuration profiles are like your phone’s house rules. If you find new or unfamiliar passwords, it is as if someone changed the passwords without telling you.

Preventative Measures

Updating iOS Regularly

Keep your iOS updated. This is one of the best ways to keep your iPhone’s security tight.

Using Strong Passwords

Your passwords should be like a good plot twist – unexpected and surprising. The stronger they are, the more secure your iPhone will be.

Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication is like a bouncer for your iPhone. This adds an extra layer of security, making sure it’s you who is trying to get in.

Being Cautious of Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is risky. Avoid this when possible, or use a VPN to keep your data secure.

What to Do If You Suspect Remote Access

Changing Your Apple ID Password

If you think someone has remote access, change your Apple ID password faster than a chameleon changes colors. This is the first step towards locking them down.

Updating or Restoring iOS

Sometimes, the best way to clean your iPhone is to start fresh. Updating or restoring your iOS may remove any unwanted guests.

Contacting Apple Support

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, contact Apple Support.

Conclusion

In the digital world, your iPhone is like your digital home. You don’t want strangers snooping around your house, and the same applies to your phone. Stay alert, stay informed, and keep your iPhone locked down more tightly than Fort Knox.

FAQs

How can I tell if my iPhone’s battery is drained due to remote access or just a bad battery?  If your battery health is good, but drains rapidly and unexpectedly, it may be worth checking remote access.

Can updating iOS remove malware or unwanted remote access apps?  Yes, updating iOS can often remove malicious software and patch security flaws.

What’s the first thing I should do if I suspect remote access to my iPhone?  Change your Apple ID password immediately and check for any unfamiliar apps or profiles.

Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi if I have a VPN?  A VPN can provide a secure connection over public Wi-Fi, but it’s still best to be careful with sensitive transactions.

How often should I update my iOS?  Whenever a new update becomes available, the update often includes important security patches.