Latest news with #9To5Mac
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
Spotify prepares for Hi-Fi launch as 'Lossless' appears in app: Report
Spotify appears to be nearing the rollout of its long-delayed lossless audio streaming feature. Mentions of a new 'Lossless' quality tier have surfaced in the platform's desktop app, pointing to a possible launch after years of delays since it was first announced in 2021. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the latest Spotify update includes hidden user interface (UI) elements that reference lossless audio in both the audio quality settings and the Spotify Connect sidebar. The new tier is listed alongside existing streaming options and is described as supporting playback up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz in FLAC format, with data usage of approximately 1GB per hour. Spotify originally announced its ' Spotify HiFi' offering in 2021, but the rollout was postponed indefinitely. In February, Bloomberg reported that Spotify is planning to introduce a 'Music Pro' tier with higher-quality streaming and other premium features. The new tier could reportedly cost up to $5.99 more than current subscriptions, as reported by Bloomberg. If introduced, Spotify's lossless option would finally place it on par with competitors like Apple Music and Tidal, both of which already support high-fidelity audio formats. The update could enhance Spotify's appeal to audiophiles and users with high-end audio gear. Device compatibility and headphone enhancement feature In addition to the lossless tier, Spotify appears to be testing a new feature called 'Enhance your headphones.' Based on UI strings, the feature may optimise playback performance for specific headphone models using proprietary technology. Users can check compatibility via a new onboarding interface. This tool, internally codenamed 'puffin,' is expected to be exclusive to Premium subscribers. Spotify has not officially confirmed any launch date or further details about the new features. However, the presence of these references in the app's backend code suggests a public rollout could be on the horizon. In other related news, Instagram has collaborated with Spotify to introduce an update that enables users to share the music they're currently playing on Spotify directly through Notes. While the Notes feature already supports music sharing, the latest enhancement allows users to post songs they're listening to in real time, offering a more immediate way to share what's on their playlist.
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Tom's Guide
Apple CarPlay is getting a video playback upgrade in iOS 26 — but there's a big catch
If there's one feature everyone wanted to see in CarPlay, it's video playback. Of course, watching videos while driving isn't safe. While parked, though, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to use your vehicle's big screen to watch movies and shows. Thankfully, according to Apple's developer website for CarPlay (via 9To5Mac), the company is relenting. It'll offer AirPlay video through CarPlay when not driving as part of iOS 26, which sounds like something iOS users have longed for since Apple's phone operating system was first announced. The first significant catch is that the vehicle must be in park for the feature to work. That makes sense, as Apple wouldn't want to encourage drivers to watch videos while driving. It's a catch for sure, but it's also one we fully expected to roll out with the feature. How long until someone figures out a way around this limitation through nefarious means remains to be seen, but it'll probably happen. There's another big catch. Each automaker will control whether its vehicle supports the video feature. "AirPlay video in the car enables people to watch their favorite videos from iPhone right on their CarPlay display when they aren't driving. Integrate support for CarPlay with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car," reads the description on Apple's website. So, for example, if Hyundai decides it doesn't want the AirPlay video enabled, then there's nothing an owner can do to get around that. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Still, the new icons and addition of CarPlay video support are exciting for people who rely on Apple's car interface. There's also CarPlay Ultra coming, which will be built directly into cars and let you monitor all of the key gauges, as well as control the climate and radio.
Mint
09-06-2025
- Mint
Siri's big comeback? iOS 26 could transform Apple's AI assistant after a decade of lag
After years of lagging behind in the AI assistant race, Apple's Siri is likely to be poised for a substantial revival with the release of iOS 26 this autumn. Under a new leadership team and with a renewed focus on intelligent user support, Siri is expectedly to undergo its most significant upgrade in over a decade. The forthcoming features promise a far more intuitive, personalised, and capable digital assistant experience. According to a 9To5Mac report, a cornerstone of Siri's upcoming transformation is its deeper integration within Apple's ecosystem. Thanks to a privacy-conscious approach to user data, Siri in iOS 26 will likely be able to deliver context-aware and highly personalised assistance. Reportedly, Apple has shared striking examples of what this might look like in practice. For instance, users could ask, 'Play that podcast Jamie recommended,' and Siri will seamlessly locate and begin playback—drawing from messages or emails where the podcast was mentioned. Similarly, asking 'When is Mum's flight landing?' will prompt Siri to fetch real-time flight data by cross-referencing personal calendar entries and tracking services. Such enhancements could signal a clear intention to make Siri not only smarter but also more human-like in its ability to understand and respond naturally to user needs. While Siri has long been able to handle basic tasks, it has struggled to move beyond simple commands. That is set to change with iOS 26, which introduces a major expansion in the range of supported voice actions—now including multi-app capabilities. This means users will likely be able to give more complex, cross-app instructions without lifting a finger. For example, one might say, 'Add the photos from this morning to my Birding note,' and Siri will complete the task by working across Photos and Notes in the background. Such a shift could bring Apple closer to delivering the long-promised reality of hands-free productivity, freeing users from the need to juggle apps manually for routine actions. Another expected standout improvement is anticipated to be Siri's newfound onscreen awareness. Currently, Siri offers limited interaction with onscreen content, such as setting a reminder linked to an email. However, iOS 26 could aim to take this several steps further. With the new system, Siri will likely gain the ability to comprehend and act on content visible on the user's screen across more apps. For example, if a contact shares their address via Messages, users will be able to say, 'Add this address to his contact card,' and Siri will complete the action accordingly. This onscreen understanding is expected to streamline many everyday tasks, reinforcing Siri's role as a reliable digital assistant that works more intuitively within the Apple environment.
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Business Standard
06-06-2025
- Business Standard
WWDC25: iOS 26 to game app, iPhone 17 Air preview; what to expect on June 9
Apple is set to kick off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC25) on June 9, with a keynote event expected to showcase the next generation of platforms for iPhones, Macs, iPads, and more. While the spotlight will be on major software updates, Apple is also likely to unveil new features for native apps, upgrades to AirPods, and — if a recent teaser is any indication — a preview of the ultra-thin iPhone 17 'Air'. Apple WWDC25: What to expect Platform updates Apple is widely expected to introduce a sweeping visual redesign across iOS, macOS, visionOS, and other platforms. This includes a unified design language featuring translucent menus, dynamic motion effects, and a consistent UI across devices. The company is also rumoured to change the naming convention for its OS line-up. For example, the next iPhone update may be called iOS 26 instead of iOS 19, bringing version numbers across platforms into alignment. iOS 26: Bloomberg previously reported that iOS 26 will be the biggest overhaul since iOS 7. Internally codenamed Solarium, the update draws inspiration from visionOS, with translucent panels, subtle motion effects, and dynamically shimmering UI elements. Apple is also said to be refreshing app icons — making them rounder — and redesigning app navigation bars to float, improving in-app search and usability. Other features may include: A redesigned camera app, with more accessible controls. AI-powered battery optimisation, learning user habits to extend battery life. Wireless eSIM transfers, aimed at making it easier to switch from iOS to Android. macOS 26: The next macOS release could be named macOS Tahoe, continuing the tradition of California landmark-themed names. macOS 26 is expected to adopt the same visual updates as iOS, including redesigned app icons and floating navigation elements. New features may include: Captive Wi-Fi portal syncing across devices. Vehicle Motion Cues to reduce motion sickness. iPhone camera magnifier support for accessibility. iPadOS 26: iPadOS will likely follow suit with visual changes and new multitasking tools, including: A Stage Manager 2.0 for improved window management. Integration of a Mac-style menu bar, bringing the iPadOS experience closer to macOS. watchOS 26: Apple Watch may also get an iOS-like aesthetic overhaul. Additionally, 9To5Mac recently reported that Apple could introduce new features like third-party widgets in the Control Centre, allowing developers to place app-specific quick actions next to native controls like Wi-Fi and Battery. Apple TV and CarPlay: Apple is expected to revamp both tvOS and CarPlay, with a focus on visual consistency and improved usability across the ecosystem. New features for apps While most attention will be on platform-level design updates, Apple is also expected to enhance several native apps: Messages: Automatic translation of chats and support for polls — possibly AI-assisted. Music: Animated album art expanding to the Lock Screen. Notes: Ability to export notes in Markdown format. Two of Apple's existing apps are also in for major overhauls: Health app: New AI-powered health coaching, personalised wellness advice, expert-led videos, and first-time support for food tracking. Game Centre: Transformed into a cross-platform hub for launching games, tracking achievements, and accessing curated gaming content on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Apple Intelligence and Siri While not the main focus this year, Apple Intelligence is still expected to gain important updates: A new software development kit (SDK) for developers to integrate Writing Tools and other AI functions into third-party apps. Partnerships with AI providers like Google and Anthropic, adding to the current integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT. A look at the LLM-powered Siri, which will support on-screen awareness, personal context, and natural language interactions. iPhone 17 Air preview Apple's teaser image for WWDC 2025, bearing the tagline 'Sleek Peek,' has sparked speculation that the company may preview its ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air during the keynote. The device is expected to feature a 5.5mm thin body—making it Apple's slimmest smartphone to date—and may replace the Plus model in the iPhone 17 line-up. Reports suggest a 6.6-inch display, A19 chip, and 24MP front camera, though launch is still expected in September. New AirPods features Apple may also use WWDC 2025 to introduce new AirPods firmware updates, adding features like: Sleep auto-pause, which detects when users fall asleep and pauses audio. Camera control, allowing users to trigger the iPhone or iPad camera via a tap on the AirPods stem. New head gestures to control Conversation Awareness mode. Audio Mix, a feature from iPhone 16 that separates vocals from ambient sound using AI and lets users select voice profiles like Studio or Cinematic.
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Business Standard
05-06-2025
- Business Standard
WWDC25: Apple may announce new head gestures, camera controls for AirPods
Apple may bring sleep-aware playback, stem-based camera triggers, and new head gesture controls to AirPods at WWDC 2025 At this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple is expected to unveil several new accessibility and control features for its AirPods line-up. According to a report from 9To5Mac, the company may introduce updates like sleep auto-pause, camera control, enhanced head gestures, and more. While WWDC traditionally focuses on software and platform updates, Apple has a precedent for debuting new AirPods features via firmware updates. Last year, Apple introduced head gestures for select AirPods models, allowing users to nod up or down to answer or decline calls and notifications, enabling hands-free interaction. Here are all the new features that might be coming to AirPods this year: Apple WWDC 2025: New features for AirPods Sleep auto-pause: Apple is reportedly working on a feature that can detect when a user falls asleep while wearing AirPods, and automatically pause audio playback. Currently, users must rely on sleep timers within apps—something not universally supported. It's unclear whether this will function independently or work in tandem with the Apple Watch, which already offers sleep tracking. Camera Control: Apple may also enable AirPods to act as a remote trigger for the iPhone or iPad camera. According to the report, users will be able to activate the camera shutter with a click on the AirPods stem, possibly even when the AirPods are not worn. New head gestures: Apple is also reportedly working on new head gestures for controlling Conversation Awareness mode on the AirPods. Currently, this mode—which lowers media volume and boosts nearby voices when the wearer begins speaking—can be dismissed by tapping or swiping on the AirPods stem. Soon, head gestures might provide an alternative way to exit the mode. Audio Mix: Apple is also said to be working on bringing iPhone 16's Audio Mix feature to AirPods. The feature, introduced with the iPhone 16 series, uses AI to isolate voices from background noise and offers three voice modes: In-frame, Studio, and Cinematic. Its expansion to AirPods could provide more nuanced control of how audio is recorded and played back, especially during video recordings. Apple WWDC 2025: What to expect Apple is expected to announce sweeping visual updates across its operating systems, including iOS, macOS, and visionOS. A unified design language with translucent menus, dynamic motion effects, and a more cohesive interface experience is reportedly in the works. Apple may also introduce a new naming convention across its software line-up—switching from iOS 19 to iOS 26, for example—to bring consistency in versioning across devices. On the AI front, Apple could unveil a new developer software toolkit (SDK) for deeper integration of Apple Intelligence tools like Writing Tools into third-party apps. Additionally, the company is exploring partnerships with external AI providers, including Google and Anthropic, to complement its existing collaboration with OpenAI's ChatGPT.
