Tag: Source: 9to5mac.com

Speculated Design Modifications for the Next Affordable iPhone 17 Version

**iPhone 17e to Feature Dynamic Island and Sleeker Bezels**

Speculation surrounding Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 17e persists, with recent reports indicating noteworthy design modifications for this affordable variant. Notably, the iPhone 17e is anticipated to showcase a Dynamic Island and sleeker bezels, elevating its contemporary look.

A key enhancement is the adoption of the Dynamic Island, a feature that was missing in the earlier iPhone 16e, which maintained the traditional notch design. This adjustment is expected to align the iPhone 17e with the more modern design aesthetics of the latest iPhone models.

According to a report from *The Elec*, the iPhone 17e will also feature reduced bezels relative to its predecessor. This melding of slimmer bezels and the Dynamic Island is likely to position the iPhone 17e as a more visually striking choice within the iPhone array.

While the previous year’s iPhone 16e included up-to-date technology, its design seemed slightly antiquated compared to other models in the iPhone 16 lineup. Apple looks to remedy this with the iPhone 17e, striving for a design that integrates more seamlessly with the other members of the iPhone 17 family.

Nonetheless, it is crucial to recognize that ProMotion support is not predicted to be part of the iPhone 17e. This aspect, while expected, underscores a significant differentiator between the iPhone 17e and the standard iPhone 17, which might include this advanced display technology.

As excitement builds for the iPhone 17e, prospective buyers are left pondering whether these design upgrades will be sufficient to influence their buying choices. The inclusion of modern features such as the Dynamic Island and slimmer bezels could render the iPhone 17e an appealing alternative for those in search of an economical iPhone solution.

Are you considering purchasing the iPhone 17e? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Spotify Wrapped Debuts with New Party Functionality After Apple Music Replay

Most of the leading streaming music platforms now provide their own rendition of the yearly Spotify Wrapped feature, delivering insights into the songs and artists we’ve listened to the most.

Yesterday marked the launch of Apple Music Replay 2025, following YouTube Music’s own version, and now Spotify Wrapped 2025 has arrived – this year introducing a new party feature.

The experience begins with Your 2025 Wrapped. This section displays the songs, albums, and artists you have listened to most throughout the past year. A “Your Stories” button offers all this information in a personalized animation.

In addition to your own preferences, you can explore the most popular music and podcasts enjoyed by Spotify users in general. The top five global artists are:

– Bad Bunny
– Taylor Swift
– The Weeknd
– Drake
– Billie Eilish

## Wrapped Party

However, this year introduces an exciting new feature: Wrapped Party.

> This year, Wrapped isn’t solely dominating social feeds. It’s also appearing in group chats and taking over gatherings. With Wrapped Party, a mobile-only feature, your listening data transforms into a live competition you can engage in with friends. It’s the latest way to enhance Wrapped, adding even more enjoyment.

You can host a Wrapped Party with one friend or up to 9 additional friends. The more friends join, the more insights you might unlock together at your gathering.

Here’s how to set one up:

1. **Create the party.** Begin by establishing your Wrapped Party and taking on the role of host.
2. **Make it personal.** You can alter your profile image and name, as well as give your party a unique name. Remember that changes to your profile image and name will be reflected on your Spotify account profile.
3. **Invite your friends.** Distribute a special party link or code to gather everyone. Be sure to remind them that they need to join live to participate in the fun.
4. **Start the party and direct the flow.** As the host, you get to decide when everything begins and maintain the experience’s momentum.
5. **Tailor your party.** Utilize the emoji feature to respond to what others share. You can also transfer hosting responsibilities to someone else if desired.

If you receive an invitation, simply click the link to launch the app and then select Join Party. You’ll be asked to verify that your name and photo are updated before entering a waiting room. You’ll be automatically welcomed once your host commences the party.

Once the gathering is in progress, you’ll be able to see a variety of insights about the preferences of your fellow attendees.

> Discover who listened the **most minutes**, who found the **rarest song**, and who **uncovered** the **most new artists** this year. Identify the friend who was **most obsessed** with their top artist and see whom you’re **most** (or **least**) musically **compatible** with.

Every Wrapped Party draws from a selection of various unique awards that honor your group’s distinctive listening behaviors. The assortment of awards shifts based on who and how many friends are present, ensuring that no two parties are identical.

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Live Streaming of Saturday’s MLS Cup Game to be Broadcast from Four iPhones

**Groundbreaking Application of iPhones in MLS Championship Broadcast**

The forthcoming Major League Soccer (MLS) championship clash between Inter Miami and the Whitecaps is poised to feature a revolutionary integration of technology with the use of footage filmed by four iPhones. This initiative represents a notable advancement in the league’s broadcasting prowess, as it will employ the most extensive camera setup in MLS history, incorporating over 30 cameras to deliver fans an unmatched viewing experience.

Utilizing iPhones for live game footage isn’t a completely novel concept for Apple, as the company has previously utilized its devices during two Friday Night Baseball broadcasts. Nonetheless, the MLS Cup will elevate this idea by presenting a variety of perspectives, including robotic cameras aimed at goals, referee cams, specialized isocams for coaches and players, and even aerial drone coverage. This comprehensive collection of camera angles seeks to enhance the viewer’s engagement and immersion during the event.

Viewers will easily spot the iPhone footage throughout the telecast, as a small “Shot on iPhone” graphic will be displayed on-screen whenever this footage is shown. This branding is in line with Apple’s ongoing marketing strategy that showcases the iPhone’s prowess in capturing high-quality visuals.

Seth Bacon, an executive at MLS, highlighted the importance of this collaboration with Apple, remarking, “The ability for us to integrate this and maintain that same level of integrity and quality in the pictures is really a testament to the partnership we have with Apple.” The collaboration enables MLS to investigate innovative broadcasting methods that enrich the overall viewing experience.

One of the most ambitious applications of the iPhone during the match will be as a high-end zone camera. Bacon pointed out that any shots taken from an elevated position behind the goal will be entirely captured on an iPhone, demonstrating the device’s remarkable filming capabilities.

The match will be accessible for free streaming on Apple TV, allowing fans to savor this unique fusion of sports and technology without any expense. This pioneering approach not only highlights the shifting landscape of sports broadcasting but also emphasizes the potential of smartphone technology in professional athletics.

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Apple’s Deficiency in Resisting Government Influence in China

Apple often relies on slight variations of the same one-sentence rationale when capitulating to government requests that clash with the company’s declared principles: “Apple adheres to the laws in every nation where it operates.” Nonetheless, there are times when the business has opted to resist unreasonable governmental pressures, with a recent situation illustrating this position.

### Apple Resisted the Indian Government and Triumphed

The most recent narrative commenced when India instructed Apple to pre-install an undeletable state security application on iPhones. The government framed it as a method to assist users in retrieving lost and stolen devices, but it raised significant apprehensions regarding user privacy due to the possibility of governmental surveillance. Apple was anticipated to seek a compromise, but the company opted to firmly decline compliance. This prompted India to swiftly retract its demand that users be unable to remove the app from their gadgets. While India continues to insist that Apple pre-install the app, this occurrence represents a noteworthy interim achievement for the corporation.

### Previous Instances of Apple Maintaining Its Position

This is not the inaugural instance of Apple taking a robust position against government demands. One of the most notable examples occurred during the San Bernardino shooting when the FBI pressured Apple to provide a backdoor to unlock the shooter’s iPhone. Apple encountered substantial pressure but ultimately resisted, asserting that the matter was too critical for compromise. The company was vindicated when it emerged that the FBI could access the device through alternative methods.

A comparable situation arose during another shooting in Pensacola, where Apple again maintained its position. In the UK, the British government demanded that Apple compromise the end-to-end encryption of iMessage, to which Apple retorted that it would withdraw iMessage and FaceTime from the UK rather than comply. Ultimately, the UK government retreated, signifying another victory for Apple.

### A Distinct Narrative in China

Conversely, Apple’s stance in China has been strikingly different. The corporation has acquiesced to numerous demands from the Chinese government, which included eliminating news applications that do not align with state propaganda and removing over 400 VPN applications from its App Store. Apple has also complied with requests to eliminate applications like Skype and to impose restrictions on functions like AirDrop during protests.

Perhaps the most troubling was Apple’s choice to transfer the iCloud data of all Chinese customers to a government-operated server, essentially relinquishing encryption keys that grant government access to user information.

### The Major Question

Apple’s adherence to Chinese regulations brings into question its dedication to user privacy and human rights. The firm has demonstrated it can hold its ground in the US, UK, and India, where it believed it could negotiate or contest government requests. However, in China, the stakes are considerable, as the nation represents a significant market and an essential manufacturing hub for Apple.

The pivotal question persists: what might occur if Apple decided to confront the Chinese government in a manner similar to its actions in other nations? While it could face severe repercussions, such as being ousted from the market, it might also gain respect for attempting to resist oppressive demands.

In conclusion, Apple’s varied reactions to government demands underscore the intricacies of functioning in disparate political landscapes. While the company has successfully remained resolute in certain cases, its compliance in China raises alarms about its commitment to privacy and human rights. Would you prefer to see Apple adopt a firmer stance against threats to human rights in China, or do you believe the company is merely acquiescing to the unavoidable?

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India Confirms Users Have the Option to Remove Compulsory State-Owned ‘Security’ Application

In response to backlash against a requirement for phones in India to have a state-owned, non-removable app pre-installed, the government has now indicated that users may delete the app if they wish.

Nonetheless, this development is unlikely to alter Apple’s decision to ignore the order. Here are the specifics.

### India claims its ‘responsibility’ is to implement the app, but users can decide to uninstall it

Last week, the Indian government announced a mandate stipulating that smartphone manufacturers must pre-load a state-owned application called Sanchar Saathi. The Indian government has been advertising Sanchar Saathi as a security tool, providing features to report lost devices, block a phone’s unique IMEI number through service providers, and alert users to spam or scam calls.

Earlier today, Reuters disclosed that Apple would not adhere to the mandate:

> Apple, however, does not intend to follow the directive and will inform the government that it does not comply with such mandates globally due to significant privacy and security concerns for its iOS ecosystem, stated two industry sources knowledgeable about Apple’s issues. They requested anonymity as the company’s strategy is confidential.

One significant point of contention regarding the mandate was the obligatory nature of the app being non-removable, alongside being either pre-loaded on new devices or installed automatically through a software update.

Currently, the Indian government seems to have moderated its position on the non-removable aspect of the app, though it still appears to be insisting that manufacturers either pre-install or auto-install it.

This slight change is not expected to influence Apple’s position on the issue since it does not tackle the company’s additional worries about privacy and security.

This deadlock emerges at a moment when India is becoming increasingly vital to Apple’s operations, both as a manufacturing substitute for China and as a burgeoning consumer market, further complicating a recent conflict related to a possible $38B antitrust fine in the nation.

It remains uncertain whether this situation will prompt any action from the local government (or Apple) regarding the company’s domestic operations in the country.

Google, on the other hand, has not yet provided its input, as the company has not responded to numerous media requests for comments on the matter or to clarify whether it plans to comply or likewise reject the mandate.

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Research Uncovers AI’s Ability to Improve Heart Data Evaluation from Apple Watch’s Optical Sensor

### Investigating Apple’s Progress in Cardiac Health Monitoring via AI

A recent investigation showcases Apple’s continuous pursuit of insights into cardiac health, particularly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) alongside optical sensors. This comes after the launch of hypertension notifications in watchOS 26, which employ data from the Apple Watch’s optical heart sensor to evaluate blood vessel reactions and identify potential hypertension over a 30-day timeframe.

#### Background of Hypertension Notifications

Apple’s hypertension notifications are intended to inform users of possible undiagnosed hypertension by examining trends in heart data, instead of delivering real-time readings. Although this feature does not replace medical diagnoses, it seeks to notify over 1 million users within the first year of its rollout. This proactive method of health monitoring signifies a major advancement in utilizing wearable technology for preventive health strategies.

#### Progress in Cardiac Monitoring

The new research, entitled “Hybrid Modeling of Photoplethysmography for Non-Invasive Monitoring of Cardiovascular Parameters,” suggests an innovative technique for estimating cardiovascular biomarkers from photoplethysmography (PPG) signals, which are widely used in devices such as the Apple Watch. The researchers integrated a hybrid modeling strategy that combines hemodynamic simulations with unlabeled clinical information to improve the accuracy of cardiac health insights obtained from PPG readings.

By employing a dataset of labeled simulated arterial pressure waveforms (APWs) alongside actual APW and PPG data, the study illustrates the feasibility of deducing deeper cardiac metrics like stroke volume and cardiac output from basic optical sensors. This methodology enables the derivation of important heart insights without the necessity for invasive methods.

#### Research Approach and Results

The research team developed a generative model to correlate PPG data with corresponding APW data, allowing them to derive APW information with adequate accuracy. They subsequently employed a second model to extract cardiovascular parameters from the inferred APWs. The findings revealed that while the method effectively tracked variations in stroke volume and cardiac output, it did not yield precise absolute figures. Nevertheless, the AI-enhanced modeling surpassed conventional methods, demonstrating the potential for obtaining valuable cardiac data from current sensors.

The study concludes that while predicting absolute values for complex biomarkers poses challenges, the hybrid modeling technique presents encouraging outcomes for monitoring temporal trends in cardiovascular health. The researchers recommend that subsequent studies could investigate alternative generative methodologies and broaden these approaches to other modalities, potentially leading to long-term cardiac monitoring via wearable technology.

#### Summary

While it remains to be seen if Apple will incorporate these sophisticated features into its products, the research highlights the company’s dedication to improving health monitoring capabilities through cutting-edge technology. The findings not only enhance the understanding of PPG signal informativeness but also emphasize the possibility of creating non-invasive methods for tracking vital health metrics.

For those interested in the complete study, it can be accessed on

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Discovering Uncommon Terminal Commands: Advice and Observations (Section 3)

### Discovering Helpful Terminal Commands for Mac Users

The Terminal is a robust utility for Mac users, providing a variety of commands that can boost efficiency and facilitate tasks. Below are some lesser-known commands that can enrich your macOS experience.

#### Set an Alarm in Terminal

If you struggle to take breaks while working in Terminal, you can directly set alarms from the command line. Use the command:

“`bash
leave [time]
“`

For instance, to set an alarm for 6:46 PM, type:

“`bash
leave 1846
“`

This command can also accommodate local time formats.

#### Comprehensive Battery Details

To ensure optimal battery health of your Apple devices, you can access detailed battery information using the following command:

“`bash
system_profiler SPPowerDataType
“`

This command reveals details about battery condition, cycle count, and additional information.

#### Retrieve Saved Passwords

You can easily find saved Wi-Fi passwords via Terminal. Input the following command:

“`bash
Security find-generic-password -wa [Wi-Fi Network]
“`

Substitute `

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European Union Greenlights Dutch Antitrust Case Against Apple Over App Store Operations

Apple is encountering serious legal hurdles in Europe, with allegations totaling hundreds of millions of euros concerning its App Store charges. The examination of the App Store has increased following a recent decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), permitting two Dutch organizations representing iPhone and iPad users to seek damages from the tech company.

The organizations argue that Apple’s charges for third-party applications on the App Store are excessively elevated and represent an unlawful exploitation of its dominant market status. Developers who use Apple’s in-app payment system face commissions that can soar up to 30%. Apple contends that a Dutch court lacks the necessary jurisdiction, asserting that the purported harmful incidents did not take place in the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, the CJEU determined that the App Store is specifically tailored for the Dutch market, providing applications in Dutch and serving users with Apple IDs associated with the Netherlands, irrespective of their geographical location. This ruling allows the antitrust lawsuit to move forward.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs approximates that the damages suffered by roughly seven million impacted iPhone users and an equivalent number of iPad users could reach around 637 million euros, including statutory interest. The case is expected to progress to a merits hearing in the first quarter of 2026, signifying a substantial advancement in the ongoing examination of Apple’s business practices in Europe.

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iOS 26 Unveils Improved Functionality for Apple’s Calendar Application

# iOS 26: A Revolutionary Update for Apple Calendar with Screenshot Integration

iOS 26 represents a major advancement for iPhone users, featuring an elegant Liquid Glass design and an abundance of innovative features across various native applications, including Wallet, Messages, and Music. While numerous apps have undergone considerable upgrades, Apple Calendar has discreetly rolled out a remarkable capability that simplifies event creation: the option to add events straight from screenshots.

## Creating Calendar Events is Now as Simple as Capturing a Screenshot

Among the most prominent modifications in iOS 26 is the change in how screenshots are processed. Rather than being displayed as a small floating thumbnail in the bottom-left corner, screenshots now launch in a full-screen view by default. Users can revert to the previous thumbnail setting if desired, but the new full-screen interface aims to improve the user experience.

This modification is part of Apple’s enhancement to screenshots, which now feature sophisticated “visual intelligence” functions on compatible iPhones. A key highlight of this enhancement is its integration with the Calendar app.

When a user captures a screenshot that includes a calendar event, a new button marked ‘Add to Calendar’ appears at the bottom of the screen. This function is only visible in the full-screen view, so users who switch back to the thumbnail mode will need to tap the thumbnail to see it.

## Functionality of ‘Add to Calendar’ in iOS 26

The ‘Add to Calendar’ functionality works effortlessly, employing Apple’s sophisticated intelligence to pull event details from the screenshot. Upon pressing the button, users receive a preview of the event that will be added to their calendar. If everything appears accurate, they can simply click ‘Create Event’ to complete the addition.

For those wanting to adjust any details before saving, an ‘Edit’ button is provided, which opens the standard event creation window in the Calendar app. This feature is particularly handy for selecting the calendar to which the event will be added or modifying other particulars.

As users adapt to this new process of adding events, it distinguishes Apple’s Calendar app from rival offerings, presenting a distinct and efficient method for managing schedules.

For users who favor third-party calendar applications, linking those accounts into iOS 26 is achievable via Settings > Apps > Calendar > Calendar Accounts. While this may lead to potential data synchronization challenges based on the chosen service, it enables users to utilize the screenshot feature while continuing to rely on their preferred calendar solutions.

## Conclusion

The addition of the ‘Add to Calendar’ functionality in iOS 26 greatly improves the utility of Apple’s Calendar app, facilitating easier schedule management for users. By harnessing the capabilities of visual intelligence, Apple has simplified the event creation process, fostering a more intuitive experience. As users delve into this new feature, it will be intriguing to observe how it affects their daily productivity and overall interaction with the Calendar app.

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