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Apple updates AirPods Pro 2 firmware to 7A302, AirPods 4 firmware to 7A304 with bug fixes
Apple on Wednesday released a pair of software updates for some of the company’s most popular wireless earbuds, including the AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C), AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning), AirPods 4, and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.
The updates, dubbed version 7A302 and version 7A304 respectively, come just over a week after the Cupertino-based company upgraded the functionality of the AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) and AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning) to version 7A294 with a bevy of improvements and new features tailored toward iOS & iPadOS 18 users, macOS Sequoia users, and watchOS 11 users.
Among the latest software updates, version 7A302 is intended only for the AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) and Airpods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning), while version 7A304 is intended only for the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.
Apple lists both of the aforementioned updates on its About Firmware Updates for AirPods web page and cites “Bug fixes and other improvements” in the change log for each without any specific detail into what kinds of bug fixes and improvements these updates provide.
Because of the vagueness, it’s likely that the updates are particularly insignificant, offering improvements that most ordinary users likely wouldn’t even notice, such as tweaks to sound quality, Bluetooth connectivity, behavior, or something else of benign nature.
To check and see what firmware version your AirPods are running, you can simply navigate over to Settings → Bluetooth and tap on the information (i) button. From this interface, you can see what firmware your AirPods are running, as depicted below:
There isn’t an easy to way to upgrade the firmware on your AirPods like you can on most other Apple devices; instead, the process happens automatically when the following criteria are met:
- AirPods must be connected to power and charging
- AirPods must be within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac must be in range of and connected to a Wi-Fi network with internet access
For those who can’t meet these criteria, either because they don’t own any other Apple devices or because they don’t have Wi-Fi, they can visit an Apple Store to get help updating the firmware. For an update this small, however, such a trip might be considered unnecessary, whereas the update to version 7A294 was a more impressive update that I’d consider the stop for.
Have your AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4 updated to the latest firmware version yet? Let us know in the comments section down below, and be sure to let us know if you noticed any difference in functionality post-update if they did.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2024/09/18/airpods-firmware-update-7a302-and-7a304-bug-fixes/
Learn how to remove your current mobile number and switch to a different one on WhatsApp or Telegram without losing access to your existing account, messages, photos, files, groups, channels, and settings.
Before you get to the steps, make sure the new number you want to use is active and can receive SMS texts and calls. This requirement is for both WhatsApp and Telegram.
Note that we’ve used an iPhone for these steps, but the process is similar for Android, albeit with some visual changes.
Change the phone number on WhatsApp
Follow these steps if you want to change to a new number while keeping the same phone.
1) Insert the new SIM card into your existing phone. If you use eSIM, make sure it’s set up on your phone. This is so you can receive the verification code on that new mobile number.
2) Open WhatsApp and go to its Settings.
3) Tap Account and hit Change number from the next screen.
4) Go through the information on the Change number screen and tap Next.
5) Fill in your old phone number that you’re currently using on WhatsApp. After that, enter the new phone number you want to use. Make sure you choose the correct country and country codes in both instances. With these in order, tap Next.
6) Now, you can choose to notify contacts that you have changed to a new number. Your options are to inform all contacts, contacts you have chats with, or just a few selected people. Note that your group chats are always automatically notified of this number change.
After you notify your contacts, they will see your new number and also get the option to save it.
7) Finally, verify your new mobile number via a verification code sent through SMS or an automated voice call.
Note that if you had set up two-factor authentication for WhatsApp, you may be prompted to enter that six-digit code.
Change your WhatsApp number on a new phone
If you are moving to a new iPhone, the best approach is to change the WhatsApp number on your old phone using the steps mentioned above.
After that, back up your WhatsApp chats or back up your entire iPhone to iCloud or a computer.
Next, sign in with the same Apple Account on your new iPhone, install WhatsApp from the App Store, and then sign up with your WhatsApp number. You will see the option to restore the backup you created earlier. Follow along to get all your chats and media on this new phone.
If you made a full backup of your device, restoring that backup and then registering with your WhatsApp number should bring back previous chats and media.
Why can’t I use my phone number on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp allows you to register with only your regular mobile number. You cannot use a landline number, VoIP number, toll-free number, temporary use and throw virtual numbers, paid premium numbers, Universal Access Numbers (UAN), or private numbers.
Note that you can use a landline number when setting up WhatsApp Business. If you do that, verify using the automated call made to your landline number.
Do I have to re-block previously blocked numbers?
WhatsApp maintains your previous block list even after you change your phone number. As a result, you won’t have to go through the pain of blocking people and accounts again.
Are blocked accounts notified that I have changed my WhatsApp number?
WhatsApp does not notify people you have blocked about your new mobile number.
Change your phone number on Telegram
You can remove your existing mobile number and update to a new one from Telegram settings.
1) Open Telegram on your iPhone and tap Settings from the bottom right corner.
2) Tap My Profile from the top.
3) Tap your current mobile number and select Change Number.
4) Hit the Change Number option, enter the new one with the correct country code, and authenticate with the verification code sent to this new number.
Note that you will see a popup if the new number is already associated with a Telegram account. To address this, log in to Telegram with this number and delete your account. After that, follow the above steps again.
On a related note:
- How to send photos in full quality from your iPhone
- How to share your iPhone screen during a WhatsApp or Telegram call
- How to select WhatsApp, Telegram, or other app when sending a message with Siri on iPhone
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2024/09/18/how-to-change-phone-number-whatsapp-telegram/
Apple Intelligence in Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish and other languages due starting next year
Apple Intelligence will expand beyond English to include more languages like Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish and others in 2025.
Apple dedicated a whole press release to Apple Intelligence after unveiling the iPhone 16 series. The new iPhones are coming this Friday, but Apple Intelligence will launch as a beta in October with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.
Initially, there will only be the new Siri animation and LLM-based text summarization, and writing tools will be restricted to US English. The company has now confirmed that expanded language support for Apple Intelligence is coming next year.
“Over the course of the next year, Apple Intelligence will expand to more languages, like Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and others,” reads the press release.
Apple Intelligence getting new languages in 2025
“Apple Intelligence first launches in US English,” the company notes, adding that Apple Intelligence will “quickly expand to include localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK in December.”
There will be “more features launching in the coming months,” but Apple has been pretty vague about what’s coming and when. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said ChatGPT integration and smarter Siri will arrive with iOS 18.4 next spring.
Apple Intelligence will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 lineup, as well as on iPads and Macs powered by Apple silicon M1 chips and newer. Apple has said that the iPhone 16 models run Apple Intelligence up to fifty percent faster than the iPhone 15 Pros.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2024/09/18/apple-intelligence-in-chinese-french-japanese-spanish-and-other-languages-due-starting-next-year/
Apple is making it easier to remove the battery in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models, as well as perform other repairs.
Apple is on a PR offensive today, with its representatives informing key tech publications that the iPhone 16 lineup simplifies battery removal by using adhesive that is easier to loosen up.
The move is in response to criticism from repair site iFixit, which gave the iPhone 15 lineup a repairability score of 4 out of 10, down from 7 for the iPhone 14 lineup.
iPhone 16 simplifies battery removal and other repairs
There’s now an entirely new way to remove the battery that’s supposed to make it easier. By running a low voltage electrical current through the new ionic liquid battery adhesive (using a 9V cell, for instance), the battery will release itself from the enclosure. This makes removal faster and safer compared to previous stretch release adhesives, according to the company.
TechCrunch notes that only the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models employ the new battery-removal process.
iPhone 16 battery tech
Apple’s press release notes that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have been “reengineered to allow for an even larger battery and to better dissipate heat, while making battery service easier.”
A separate press release announcing the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max does not mention this, but notes that the Pros use updated battery technology. “The battery is made with 100 percent recycled cobalt and — in a first for iPhone — over 95 percent recycled lithium,” it notes.
A rumor published before the iPhone 16 event claimed Apple would use a stainless steel case for the iPhone 16 Pro battery. Apple’s keynote video showed a slick animation of the iPhone 16’s internals that seems to confirm this, though a teardown analysis will provide a definitive answer.
Other repair changes for the iPhone 16 lineup
Additionally, Apple’s engineers made other changes to improve repairability of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models. These updates include the ability to swap the TrueDepth camera used for Face ID from one iPhone to another without the pairing process, using the new Repair Assistant feature in iOS 18. The TrueDepth camera can now be set up on-device without requiring a tethered Mac and the LiDAR scanner can also be repaired along with the rear camera module.
Also:
Finally, the company announced new support for third-party and used Apple parts. If a third-party part can’t be calibrated on Apple’s cloud-based servers, the iPhone or other device will try to activate the part and operate it to its full capability, while showing the repair history within settings.
And this:
Used Apple parts can soon be calibrated and will appear as a “used” part in the device’s repair history. Another future update will enable True Tone for third-party displays and battery health for third-party batteries. In addition, the LiDAR Scanner and front camera will still work when the module is replaced and left unconfigured.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro will launch on Friday, September 20.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2024/09/18/apple-simplifies-repairs-iphone-16-remove-battery/
Relationship games for Couples , One Hit. , Goal Tracker – Illumtori and more
iPhone:
Goal Tracker – Illumtori ( $99.99 → Free ) BeaBea Lab Inc. Illumtori is an all-in-one productivity app that can do it all. There is a goal-tracker, calendar, to-do list, notes, and personal budget. If you can think of it, the app probably has it.
Relationship games for Couples ( $99.99 → Free ) GreenTomatoMedia Relationship Games for Couples is a great way to build deeper bonds with your loved one. Explore over 1,000 challenges and questions from a variety of categories. It’s a great way to have fun while you get closer to one another.
One Hit. ( $2.99 → Free ) Digital Hole Pvt. Ltd. There is only one goal in this game, hit the spinning target. The catch is you only get one shot. If you miss a shot, game over. The concept is simple yet incredibly addicting. See if you have what it takes to beat your high score. You can even challenge your friends on Game Center.
Pwrlog Workout Planner ( $89.99 → Free ) Power Craft Training, LLC Pwrlog Workout Planner helps you customize a training plan to achieve your individual goals. The app provides insights to better understand your training, analyzes your progress, and makes adjustments based on data. See a complete overview all your your training sessions to stay motivated and hit your targets.
Boxing News & Match Results ( $5.99 → Free ) Loyal Foundry, Inc. Boxing News & Match Results has the latest match results, news, and rumors regarding all things boxing. The app will keep you up-to-date with your favorite boxers.
Unofficial Packers News ( $5.99 → Free ) Loyal Foundry, Inc.
Unofficial Packers News has everything a Packer’s fan needs. Get real-time updates, scores, player stats, future schedule, and more all in one place.
Memorize: Learn Spanish Words ( $6.99 → Free ) LIKECRAZY Inc. Memorize is an AI-based study app that will help you learn and memorize Spanish vocabulary words. The app will choose the words you need to work on based on the detailed analysis of your progress. It slowly incorporates new and more difficult words while sneaking in less of the older, easier cards. There are more than 8,600 commonly used Spanish words from a variety of different categories.
Source link: http://appadvice.com/apps-gone-free
