GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple has unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, drawing comparisons online to Microsoft's Surface Duo foldable line. Critics have accused Apple of copying the name, but Apple previously used 'Duo' for its PowerBook Duo laptop in 1992, predating Microsoft's product by decades.
Apple has released new Silicone and TechWoven cases with MagSafe for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, in colors including Burgundy, Mulberry, Chambray Blue and Black, priced at $49 and $59. Third-party brands such as ESR, Spigen, Nomad and Burton Goods have also released their own case lines, with ESR debuting a Vegan Leather Magnetic Case featuring a built-in zinc alloy stand, and budget options starting at $14.
Reports on Apple's foldable iPhone Duo say its screen uses a matte coating that reduces glare and makes the fold line less visible than on rival foldables. Early hands-on impressions describe the crease as more noticeable by touch than by sight, but reviewers note this only reflects the device's current, unused state.
iOS and iPadOS lack native printer driver support, meaning iPhones cannot communicate directly with USB printers even when connected through USB On-The-Go adapters. No iPhone apps exist that enable direct USB printing, unlike some Android alternatives, forcing users toward workarounds like PrintCentral Pro or Printopia that require a computer as an intermediary.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max introduce a variable-aperture 48-megapixel main camera that can switch between f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0, unlike the fixed f/1.78 lens on last year's iPhone 17 Pro. The new models also add manual controls for shutter speed and white balance, an on-screen histogram, rear-camera Cinematic mode video up to 4K/60fps, and a feature called Apple Reference Image that stores sensor-signed RAW data alongside processed photos. Ultra Wide and Telephoto camera specs remain unchanged from the prior generation.
A federal jury in San Diego ruled Friday that Apple's Taptic Engine, used in iPhones and Apple Watches, infringed two haptics patents held by Taction Technology, awarding Taction more than $5.7 billion in damages. The case, filed in 2021, was initially dismissed in 2023 before the Federal Circuit revived it, leading to a trial that began September 14. Jurors deliberated two days and found the infringement was not willful.
A week after Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launched with new colors like Glacier, Burgundy and Deep Black, a 9to5Mac reviewer tested numerous third-party cases and shared personal favorites. Highlighted picks include Pitaka's ultra-thin Edge case, made of aramid fiber at 20g and 1mm thick with MagSafe magnets, priced at $59, and Nomad's Sport Case, which offers a soft-touch exterior, metal buttons and microfiber lining for everyday protection.
Apple's Always-On Display keeps a dimmed Lock Screen visible on supported Pro-model iPhones, but some users find it fully turns off instead of staying dimmed. The feature is limited to iPhone 14 Pro and later Pro models plus the iPhone Air, and can be toggled in Settings under Display & Brightness. Several common settings issues can cause it to malfunction, each with a simple fix.
Engadget published a monthly review roundup covering Apple products released after Labor Day, alongside the return of Sonos. The lineup includes the iPhone 18 Pro with upgraded cameras, the Apple Watch Series 12 with expanded health tracking and unreleased audio features, revamped AirPods 5 with active noise cancellation on both models, and updated Mac mini and Mac Studio units with new chips at higher prices.
Developer Matt Birchler tested Apple's iPhone 18 Pro's A20 Pro chip for thermal throttling during transcription benchmarks, finding speeds dropped from a peak of 447.9 words per second to about 320 after several runs. He then placed a cold can of La Croix sparkling water on the back of the phone during a 20-run benchmark session and recorded a 25% improvement in sustained performance compared to the uncooled test.
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 alongside two other foldables at its July Unpacked event, introducing a shorter, wider form factor distinct from prior Z Fold models. The device measures 123.9mm tall, 9.7mm thick folded and 4.5mm unfolded, weighing 201 grams, making it lighter than the Z Fold 8 Ultra. A hands-on review after two weeks of use found it a strong but not flawless entry into the wide-foldable category.
Apple maintains a Dimensional Drawings section within the Accessories area of its developer website, offering precise technical schematics for 96 devices. The library covers current and recent hardware including iPhones, Apple Watch models, AirPods, MacBooks, the Siri Remote, AirTag, and Vision Pro accessories like its ZEISS Optical Inserts. Each drawing details exact measurements for buttons, cameras, sensors, speakers, connectors, and keepout zones where certain materials must be avoided.