AllYouCanTech

Apple’s Invites App Unveils Its Initial New Feature Since Debut

### Apple Invites Update: New Link Tiles Feature Boosts Event Coordination

Apple Invites, which debuted earlier this year, has rolled out a noteworthy update with version 1.2, now available on the App Store. This update represents the first feature enhancement since the app’s original launch, moving beyond prior updates that concentrated solely on addressing bugs and improving performance.

#### New Feature: Link Tiles

The highlight of this update is the addition of Link tiles, which enable users to incorporate external links directly into their event invitations. This improvement is intended to simplify the organization of social events by granting guests easy access to pertinent resources.

As stated in Apple’s release notes, users can now include a Link tile in their events, which can guide guests to a variety of resources such as gift registries, potluck lists, trip planners, and more. This feature is crafted to enrich the overall user experience by gathering vital information within the event invitation.

#### How to Use Link Tiles

When setting up an event in the revamped Apple Invites app, users will discover the Link tile option conveniently positioned towards the bottom of the event creation interface. The Link tile requires the completion of three fields:

1. **Link To**: The URL you intend to share.
2. **Title**: The title that will appear for the link.
3. **Description**: A short description of the link, capped at 250 characters.

This update facilitates the addition of multiple Link tiles, allowing users to distribute various resources, encompassing external websites and spreadsheets, thereby elevating the collaborative nature of event planning.

#### Previous Features

Before this update, Apple Invites allowed linking shared Apple Music playlists and Apple Photos albums. The introduction of customizable Link tiles broadens the app’s capabilities, transforming it into a more adaptable tool for organizing events.

#### Conclusion

With the rollout of Link tiles, Apple Invites aims to enhance how users coordinate social events, making it simpler to communicate essential information to guests. This update demonstrates Apple’s dedication to improving its ecosystem and equipping users with innovative tools for their daily tasks.

Have you been utilizing Apple Invites since its inception? Share your experiences in the comments!

Qualcomm Finances Research Suggesting Its Modems Exceed Performance of Apple’s C1

**Apple’s C1 Modem vs. Qualcomm: An Analytical Comparison**

Earlier this year, Apple captured attention with the debut of its first proprietary 5G modem, the C1, integrated within the iPhone 16e. Initial reports suggested that the C1 performed well against Qualcomm’s modems, but recent findings from a Qualcomm-commissioned study have cast doubt on its effectiveness.

### Recent Study Highlights

Cellular Insights, the organization which conducted the recent study, evaluated the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e alongside two Android smartphones that featured Qualcomm modems. The outcomes of this study were notable, claiming substantial performance benefits for Qualcomm’s technology:

– **Download Speeds**: Android devices were said to be **34.3% to 35.2% quicker** than the iPhone 16e.
– **Upload Speeds**: The same devices exhibited an **81.4% to 91.0% increased** upload speed when compared to the C1.

These figures imply a distinct advantage for Qualcomm’s modems; however, the study’s context invites important considerations.

### Differing Conclusions

Previous evaluations, including one by Ookla, suggested that Apple’s C1 modem might actually present a benefit in real-world usage. This difference leads to skepticism regarding the validity of the Cellular Insights study. One plausible explanation is that the data might be swayed by Qualcomm’s superior peak speed capabilities, which, although impressive, may not accurately represent standard user experiences. Ookla’s findings highlighted that while Qualcomm might reach higher peak speeds, the C1 modem showed better performance under regular usage conditions.

### Doubts Surrounding the Study

The fact that Qualcomm financed the study is an important factor to take into account. Additionally, Cellular Insights had not released any research since March 2017, leading to doubts about the reliability and impartiality of their results. While it is possible that Qualcomm’s modems could provide enhanced performance in specific situations, the credibility of the study is compromised due to its funding source.

### Conclusion

The discussion regarding the performance of Apple’s C1 modem in comparison to Qualcomm’s offerings persists, with conflicting studies adding to the dialogue. Although Qualcomm’s recent study offers persuasive data, the context and potential biases involved suggest caution. As consumers and tech enthusiasts await further independent assessments, the performance of the C1 modem in everyday scenarios remains a focal point of interest and examination.

What are your perspectives on the comparison between Qualcomm’s modems and Apple’s C1? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Apple Purchases Game Development Studio Behind Beloved Arcade Title Sneaky Sasquatch

Apple has taken a notable step in the gaming sector by acquiring RAC7, a two-person studio recognized for its well-regarded game, Sneaky Sasquatch, which has been a highlight title on Apple Arcade. This acquisition represents Apple’s initial foray into securing a video game studio, suggesting a potential change in its gaming strategy.

RAC7’s Sneaky Sasquatch, which received the Apple Arcade Game of the Year honor, was introduced exclusively on the platform in 2019. The acquisition enables Apple to integrate the RAC7 team into its operations to further develop and enhance the game, as mentioned by an Apple representative. The company showed excitement about the acquisition, underlining its dedication to offering an excellent experience for Apple Arcade users with a varied selection of games.

This acquisition is viewed as distinctive, as Apple has typically partnered with external studios instead of acquiring them. While it prompts speculation about whether Apple might consider other indie studios to enhance its gaming portfolio, Apple has clarified that this action does not signify a broader initiative for acquiring game developers. Rather, it reflects a targeted opportunity to nurture the growth of a thriving title within its ecosystem.

Apple Arcade, priced at $6.99 per month or included in the Apple One bundle, provides subscribers with access to over 200 games free from ads or in-app purchases. The acquisition of RAC7 may herald a new phase for Apple Arcade, potentially setting the stage for future collaborations or acquisitions, but for the moment, it stands as a solitary occurrence in Apple’s gaming story.

Upcoming Features in watchOS 12: Three Fresh Additions for Apple Watch to Be Revealed Next Month

# Upcoming Features in watchOS 12

WWDC is almost upon us, with less than two weeks to go, and it will showcase the complete announcements for iOS 19, macOS 16, iPadOS 19, and more. For users of the Apple Watch, watchOS 12 is set to bring a range of enhancements as well. Here are three anticipated features on the horizon.

## 1. New Features ‘Driven by Apple Intelligence’

The Apple Watch has yet to be an officially endorsed AI platform. Nonetheless, you can access several Apple Intelligence capabilities in watchOS with a compatible paired iPhone. It appears that Apple intends to carry forward this trend in watchOS 12.

Mark Gurman revealed that Apple is labeling a fresh collection of features as “driven by Apple Intelligence” (even though the device isn’t directly executing the AI models). In short, as far as users can discern, watchOS 12 will be receiving new AI functionalities that rely on the enhanced hardware of the iPhone.

Expected features comprise:
– Updated Siri interface and functionalities
– Genmoji creation
– Notification summaries through widgets

## 2. Design Refresh That Matches iOS 19

A significant area of focus for Apple’s software updates this year is anticipated to be design revisions. iOS 19, macOS 16, iPadOS 19, and tvOS 19 are all projected to showcase a sleek, unified new look—and watchOS 12 will undergo design modifications as well.

The honeycomb app selector will be altered, and possibly the list view too. Buttons, menus, and icons across watchOS 12 are also expected to receive updates for enhanced uniformity across Apple’s various platforms.

## 3. Live Listen and Live Captions Capabilities

For many years, Apple has provided a robust iPhone feature known as Live Listen, ideal for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Live Listen allows your iPhone to function as a microphone that transmits sound to your AirPods, Beats, or hearing device.

In watchOS 12, Apple has announced that Live Listen will be available on Apple Watch along with Live Captions. Users who are deaf or hard of hearing will gain access to real-time Live Captions. The Apple Watch will act as a remote control to initiate or terminate Live Listen sessions, enabling users to manage sessions from a distance.

## watchOS 12 New Features: Conclusion

There are a multitude of other enhancements likely to arrive with watchOS 12. New watch faces are typically launched each year, alongside various feature enhancements related to Apple’s core applications. Though watchOS 12 may not be the primary focus of Apple’s software teams, it appears ready to provide commendable upgrades.

Upcoming iPhone Anticipated to Showcase 200MP Camera Enhancement from 48MP, As Stated by Leaker

**iPhone Camera Anticipated to Leap from 48MP to 200MP Sensor**

In recent times, Apple has made notable advancements in improving the camera features of its iPhone range, particularly moving to a 48MP sensor. Nevertheless, fresh leaks indicate that the tech behemoth is gearing up for an even more significant upgrade, potentially unveiling a 200MP camera in an upcoming iPhone iteration.

The camera has consistently been a vital element of the iPhone, with Apple reliably focusing on hardware enhancements to improve photography experiences. For the forthcoming iPhone 17 lineup, users can look forward to multiple upgrades, including a 24MP front camera and an enhanced 48MP telephoto lens on the Pro variants.

As per a recent update from leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Apple is said to be developing a 200MP camera upgrade. Although no particular model has been pinpointed for this enhancement, speculation indicates that it could make its debut in the new iPhone Fold, which is expected to come with a high price. Alternatively, the 20th anniversary iPhone Pro in 2027 might also serve as a fitting candidate for this major upgrade.

Traditionally, Apple has been careful in adopting higher megapixel counts compared to its rivals, with the recent 48MP upgrade coming long after similar features were introduced by brands like Samsung, which rolled out 200MP cameras on its Galaxy S23 Ultra two years prior.

While boosting megapixels can improve image clarity, it may also lead to increased noise, raising concerns about how Apple will tackle these issues with the anticipated 200MP sensor. As the smartphone camera landscape advances, users are left to consider whether a 200MP iPhone camera would fulfill their photography needs and aspirations.

In summary, the potential transition to a 200MP camera signifies a bold step for Apple, promising to elevate the iPhone’s photography capabilities to unprecedented levels. As the tech community eagerly awaits more information, anticipation surrounding future iPhone models continues to grow.

Fantastical Unveils AI Function to Transform Emails into Calendar Entries

### Fantastical Unveils AI-Driven Email to Calendar Event Creation

Fantastical has always been celebrated for its easy-to-use methodology in calendar management, empowering users to generate events through natural language inputs. Now, the application has made a remarkable enhancement by facilitating calendar event creation that necessitates minimal user interaction—users don’t even have to access the app.

#### AI Collaboration with Google Gemini

Flexibits, the creators of Fantastical, are leveraging artificial intelligence, particularly Google Gemini, to simplify the conversion of emails into calendar entries. This groundbreaking feature permits users to directly forward emails to Fantastical, where it extracts pertinent event information and incorporates it into the user’s calendar.

#### Functionality Overview

To make use of this feature, users need only to forward an email to Fantastical’s specific email address ([email protected]) using any email linked to their Flexibits account. For example, if you get a flight confirmation or an event ticket receipt, forwarding that email to Fantastical will quickly result in the relevant details being automatically entered into your calendar.

#### Custom Instructions and Multiple Entries

The capability goes beyond merely handling single events. Fantastical can identify several events within a single email, offering flexibility for various situations. Users can also attach custom instructions in their forwarded messages. For instance, if you wish to set aside time to thoughtfully reply to a friend, you can forward their email with specific scheduling directions.

#### Privacy Precautions

Flexibits has emphasized user privacy with this new integration. Emails sent to Fantastical are managed by Flexibits servers and Google Cloud, with immediate deletion following processing. Notably, neither Flexibits nor Google Cloud keeps these emails for AI training purposes. Events identified from forwarded emails are held temporarily on Flexibits servers and erased once the user either adds or discards them in the app. Users can be confident that only the forwarded email’s content is available, resembling sending a message to a trusted associate.

#### Final Thoughts

This new functionality from Flexibits denotes a notable leap in calendar management, simplifying the process for users to maintain their schedules without the burden of manual input. For those keen on exploring this capability, further details can be accessed on the Flexibits website. New users can also benefit from a 14-day complimentary trial of Fantastical and Cardhop with Flexibits Premium. Fantastical is accessible across multiple platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, and Windows.