GoKawiil
Tech News
Smartwatches from Apple, Google and Samsung all include a basic flashlight feature that simply maxes out the display's brightness and turns it white. Despite mockery of the feature compared to a phone's dedicated camera flash, it proves genuinely useful for quick tasks like finding a dropped pill, precisely because the watch is already on your wrist rather than buried in a pocket or bag.
Developers are building ravynOS, a pre-alpha open-source operating system combining FreeBSD, Darwin, and Apple's open-source components. The project aims to replicate the look, feel, and app compatibility of macOS while running on general-purpose hardware without Apple's restrictions.
Apple's upcoming September 9 event is expected to bring new iPhones, Apple Watches, and other devices, which will likely push more than ten current products out of the lineup. Items rumored for discontinuation include the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods 4 models, Apple TV 4K, and both HomePod versions.
Apple has published guidance explaining how iPhone users can add or remove debit, credit, transit and ID cards in the Wallet app using the Plus button, either by scanning a physical card or entering details manually. The guidance notes that cards must come from a participating issuer and may require extra verification from the bank before working with Apple Pay. It also clarifies that adding a card on iPhone doesn't automatically enable it on an Apple Watch, iPad or Mac—each device needs separate setup.
Reports suggest Apple will unveil AirPods 5 at its September 9 event alongside new iPhones and Apple Watch models. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the lineup will include two variants—one with Active Noise Cancellation and one without—continuing the standard earbuds line last updated in 2024. Camera-equipped AirPods, previously rumored for this cycle, are now expected to wait until 2027.
Cryptography professor Matthew Green argued in a widely discussed post that AI's growing ability to find and patch software vulnerabilities could eliminate the security flaws that law enforcement and intelligence agencies rely on to hack devices. He noted this threatens an existing 'truce' in which governments buy spyware and exploits rather than demanding encryption backdoors, since encrypted apps like Signal and iMessage already stymie wiretapping.
On his final day as Apple's chief executive, Tim Cook sent staff an emotional note thanking them for their work and reflecting on his tenure. He expressed confidence in incoming CEO John Ternus, praising his understanding of what it takes to build transformative products.
Amazon's Labor Day sale is offering steep discounts on Apple products, including the AirTag 2 4-pack for $79.99 (about $20 per unit), its lowest price ever. Amazon Resale is also offering up to 60% off refurbished Apple items like MagSafe Battery packs, AirPods, and Apple Pencil, with an extra 30% off at checkout on some listings.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said President Trump personally contacted Apple to push for renaming Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' within Apple Maps. The move follows Trump's push amid rising trade tensions with Canada, and comes after Google already updated its maps for U.S. users to reflect the new name.
After Google renamed Lake Ontario to align with President Trump's push to call it 'Lake America,' MapQuest publicly refused to make the same change on its maps. That stance went viral on social media, driving MapQuest's mobile app to the top navigation app spot on Apple's US App Store and into the top ten overall, with strong gains in Canada as well.
Apple will reportedly launch new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models next week, powered by the new A20 Pro chip and a C2 modem. Rumored upgrades include a redesigned main camera module, a smaller Dynamic Island, new color options like dark cherry, and larger batteries, with the Pro Max expected to get exclusive camera and battery advantages.
Tim Cook is completing his final day as Apple's chief executive after 15 years in the role, with John Ternus set to officially become CEO the next day. Cook will transition to executive chairman of Apple's board, continuing to manage the company's relationships with President Trump and the Chinese government while supporting Ternus in other areas as needed.