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Apple Ring: Two Decades of Rumors Surrounding the Smart Wearable Device

A leading leaker has suggested that the much-anticipated Apple Ring could be the next wearable device from Apple. While the concept has been under consideration by Apple for years, it remains far from being a market-ready product. The cycle of rumors surrounding unreleased Apple hardware tends to pick up steam when products seem to align logically with Apple’s trajectory, even if they haven’t been a hot topic for a while.

In a recent edition of his “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman asserted that the Apple Watch has seen little in the way of meaningful updates. He speculates that transitioning to a smart ring could be beneficial for Apple. Gurman highlights several advantages of a smart ring over a smartwatch: its comfort during sleep or exercise, extended battery life due to its small size and absence of a display, and a more discreet notification system.

From a fashion perspective, Gurman notes that a ring could complement any wardrobe, even formal attire, while preserving the fitness tracking capabilities of a smartwatch without requiring mechanical watch users to forgo their traditional accessories. This differentiation suggests that Apple could effectively market both the Apple Watch and Apple Ring, catering to varying consumer preferences. Nearly two decades ago, the idea first emerged with the iRing concept by Yanko Design, which featured touch-sensitive controls for Apple devices.

Though many patents for a smart ring exist, providing a glimpse into Apple’s vision, the product has yet to materialize. Speculation about its development surged again in early 2024 after Samsung announced its Galaxy Ring, reigniting discussions about Apple’s own potential entry into the smart ring market. Despite mixed reports on Apple’s commitment to the project, the enduring interest in the Apple Ring indicates that it remains a viable possibility, even if its timeline for release is uncertain.

How to Disable Automatic Photo Uploads on Facebook

Meta has recently introduced a new feature that allows Facebook to upload your private photos to its cloud, even those you might not want to share. This move reflects an ongoing trend where users are encouraged to surrender their data to various companies. With this feature, Meta seeks permission to access your entire camera roll and continuously upload images based on criteria like time, location, and themes.

The prompt for this feature appears when users create a story on Facebook, asking them to opt into “cloud processing.” While it may sound harmless, the implications are concerning. According to Meta, they select media from your camera rolls to upload for creating personalized ideas.

Though the company claims these images won’t be used for targeted ads, the access to private photos raises significant privacy concerns. Meta’s history with user data protection only adds to this unease. If you opt into this service, you essentially grant Meta permission to access all your images, including those you wish to keep private.

Moreover, you also allow the company to upload these images to its cloud. Given previous issues with data handling, such as storing hundreds of millions of passwords in plain text, it’s wise to think twice before opting in. Since Meta also owns Instagram, it’s possible that similar changes could impact that platform as well.

For those using either app, it’s crucial to read any prompts regarding data usage carefully, as companies often understate how they will utilize your information. If you’ve already opted in but want to revoke your consent, it’s important to note that these settings can only be adjusted through a mobile device. Here’s how to do it on an iPhone:

1.

Open the Facebook app. 2. Tap the “+” icon at the top of the screen.

3. Select “Story.” 4.

Tap the settings cog in the top right corner. 5. Go to “Camera roll settings.”

6. Toggle off the option to allow camera roll cloud processing.

Brad Pitt’s New Film Soars to Record-Breaking Weekend Box Office Performance

After generating some buzz with controversial advertising, Apple’s new film *F1* is set to become the company’s most successful theatrical release to date. The film, starring Brad Pitt as a race car driver returning to the Formula One circuit after a 30-year break, accumulated $10 million during its initial preview screenings.

Apple’s aggressive marketing campaign, which included a contentious ad within the Wallet app, positions *F1* for a record-breaking opening weekend. Industry tracker *Deadline* projects that the film could surpass $55 million in its first full weekend, playing in 3,661 theatres.

If these projections hold, *F1* would eclipse the previous opening record set by Martin Scorsese’s *Killers of the Flower Moon*, which debuted at $23.2 million in 2023. The film’s trailer has garnered attention not just for its cinematic appeal but also for its innovative use of iPhone haptics.

Viewers experienced a simulated racing environment as their devices vibrated in sync with the roar of engines. As for competition, *F1* faces two other high-profile releases this weekend: Sony’s *28 Years Later*, a post-apocalyptic horror sequel expected to earn around $40 million, and Disney’s *Elio*, projected to bring in $31.4 million.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, *F1* is drawing significant interest from younger audiences, particularly those aged 13-24—a demographic not typically associated with racing films. The film’s trailer amassed approximately 845 million views across social media platforms, indicating a 62 percent increase in engagement compared to typical action-adventure releases.

Overall, *F1* is on track to earn $115 million globally during its opening weekends across various countries, signaling Apple’s commitment to expanding its role in marketing and distributing original films in the future.

Unveiling the Secret Photo of the Engineering Team Behind the Computer’s Design

A self-proclaimed computer enthusiast has uncovered a hidden “easter egg” image file within the ROM code of the 27-year-old Power Macintosh G3. This discovery unveils the team responsible for the project, offering a glimpse into Apple’s past. Doug Brown, who shares his research on older computers through his blog, stumbled upon the easter egg while delving into the Power Mac G3’s ROM resources during a leisurely Sunday using tools named ROM Fiend and Hex Fiend.

The Power Mac G3, produced between November 1997 and August 1999, utilized the same ROM across various models, including the minitower, all-in-one, and beige desktop variants. While investigating, Brown identified two undocumented features: an HPOE resource containing a JPEG image and a nitt resource labeled “Native 4.3,” which referred to SCSI Manager code. Although the JPEG had been previously noted by another ROM researcher, it remained a mystery as to what the image actually depicted.

Curiously, Brown found Pascal strings that referenced “.Edisk,” “secret ROM image,” and “The Team,” suggesting a connection to the earlier undocumented JPEG file. However, attempts to retrieve the hidden image using traditional methods were unsuccessful. Brown then utilized Ghidra, a software reverse engineering tool, to analyze the extracted file.

With some assistance from a collaborator using an emulator tool called Infinite Mac, the solution emerged. By creating and formatting a RAM disk named “secret ROM image,” Brown managed to extract a text file titled “The Team.” This revealed the hidden image linking back to the Apple team that developed the G3.

Following the discovery, Bill Saperstein, who appeared in the newly uncovered image, shared insights about the team’s decision to include a secret photo in the ROM, noting that this practice ended after Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997.

Apple Logo May Shift Position Following Rumored Redesign of the Camera Bar

A recent leak suggests that Apple plans to alter the position of the Apple logo on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro. This change could occur due to the anticipated new camera bar at the top, representing the first such adjustment in six years. Renowned leaker Majin Bu recently shared an image and an update on his website, indicating that the camera layout changes will necessitate moving the logo lower, specifically to the center bottom portion below the camera bar.

Bu mentioned that a company he collaborates with, which specializes in manufacturing cases for the iPhone 17 Pro line, is already preparing to produce cases featuring this new design. While both the repositioning of the logo and the introduction of a complete camera bar remain unconfirmed, many believe the latter change is highly probable. This leak follows numerous rumors indicating that the iPhone 17 Pro will have a redesigned layout for the top back section.

However, this is the first time there has been speculation about a logo position change, and, in principle, Apple wouldn’t have a compelling reason to move it. Still, the tech giant did adjust the logo’s location during the launch of the iPhone 11 in 2019, when it centralized the logo and eliminated the “iPhone” text that was previously printed lower down. The design transition for the iPhone 17 Pro also includes expectations of an updated camera system, which would mark the first significant alteration since the iPhone 11’s launch.

Current insights suggest that while the three cameras will likely stay on the left side, the flash and LiDAR sensor could be relocated to the right, creating a broader arrangement. Additionally, Bu has hinted that the iPhone 17 Pro might incorporate a cooling system known as a vapor chamber, though he expressed less certainty about this particular rumor, citing ongoing design challenges.

Score an Apple Watch Starting at Just $169 with Early Prime Day Discounts!

This weekend, significant savings are available on a wide variety of Apple Watch Series 10 and SE 2 styles as part of the early Prime Day sale. You can save up to $100, with prices reduced to as low as $169 on certain models at Amazon. The discounts include an array of Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 2, and SE 2 models, featuring different case sizes and band styles. Shoppers can enjoy both double-digit and triple-digit savings, making this an ideal opportunity for those looking to purchase a new smartwatch.

Here are some highlighted deals during the sale:

– SE 2 GPS with 40mm Aluminum Case (select colors): $169, which is $80 off. – SE 2 GPS with 44mm Aluminum Case (select colors): $199, also $80 off. – Series 10 GPS with 42mm Aluminum Case (select colors): $299, a $100 discount. – Series 10 GPS with 46mm Aluminum Case (select colors): $329, saving you $100.

– Ultra 2 with Black Titanium Case (select bands): $741.89, offering $58 off. Additionally, beyond the Apple Watch discounts, there are plenty of other markdowns available on various Apple hardware items. This is a great time to explore other significant deals, with hundreds of products listed as part of the promotion. Be sure to check out the broader selection of savings to maximize your potential discounts during this sale event.

Tips for Managing and Optimizing Mail Categories in iOS 18.2

With the update to iOS 18.2, Apple’s Mail app introduces a new categorization feature designed to help users manage their emails more efficiently. This feature categorizes incoming emails into four main groups: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions.

The aim is to streamline the inbox by automatically sorting emails based on their content and source. The concept of categorization has been under development for several years, initially intended for iOS 13.

Apple delayed its release to enhance the machine learning capabilities necessary for on-device processing. Users can expect that the Primary category will usually contain emails from contacts, important notifications, and personal messages, which generally see a good success rate in accurately sorting.

In terms of functionality, the Mail app continues to display the first few lines of an email. Time-sensitive emails are prioritized at the top, and short summaries are provided for some emails within the Primary category.

Users still have the option to swipe left for actions like deleting or flagging, and swipe right to set reminders or mark emails as unread. The other categories—Transactions, Updates, and Promotions—may require some user engagement to refine how they are grouped.

For instance, transactions consist of emails related to purchases or subscriptions, while updates include messages from companies or social networks. Users can also move emails between categories, allowing the app to learn their preferences over time.

If a user prefers not to use the categorization feature, it’s easy to turn off. By tapping the three-dot menu in the upper right of the Mail app, you can switch from Categories to List View, returning to a conventional email display.

Additionally, options for fine-tuning the Apple Intelligence settings can be accessed through the Mail app settings in the iPhone’s overall settings menu. This gives users the flexibility to enhance or simplify their email experience.

Leak Reveals iPhone Fold’s Smaller Display and Dual 48MP Cameras Before Launch

Apple’s anticipated iPhone Fold is reportedly undergoing testing, though its specifications remain uncertain. The latest news indicates that the internal screen may be slightly smaller than previously expected. Development of the iPhone Fold has been ongoing for several years, with Apple entering the foldable market later than competitors.

However, the company aims to deliver a device that features a unique, crease-free design. Recent rumors suggest that the internal display is now measured at 7.58 inches diagonally, a change from earlier estimates of 7.74 inches and 7.76 inches reported by leaker “Digital Chat Station” on Weibo. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had previously stated that the internal screen would be around 7.8 inches, leading to speculation that Apple may be working on multiple prototype versions of the device.

While there have been variations in the reported screen sizes, the reported resolution of 2,713 pixels by 1,920 pixels for the internal screen has remained consistent across different leaks. In addition to screen details, recent leaks have shed light on the camera system of the iPhone Fold. Earlier predictions from Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the device would feature a dual-camera system.

This information has been reinforced with claims of a 48MP main camera, a departure from the single rear camera typically found in other iPhone models, such as the expected iPhone 17 Slim. Digital Chat Station has a history of providing accurate leaks, although the volume of information they release can sometimes overshadow individual claims. They have also hinted that future iPhone models, including the iPhone 18 and iPhone 19, will feature advancements such as under-display Face ID technology.

As the launch date approaches, many enthusiasts are eager to see how Apple’s innovative designs unfold.

Apple Original Films: Revolutionizing Theatrical Distribution in the World of F1 Cinema

Apple’s approach to promoting “F1: The Movie” has been assertive, but it remains distributed theatrically by Warner Bros. Now, reports suggest that Apple is seeking more control over the distribution process. This shift indicates a burgeoning confidence in the film’s potential box office performance, especially after a previous period where Apple appeared to be scaling back its involvement in large-scale movie projects.

Historically, Apple has preferred to maintain control over its products and experiences, a strategy that has notably contributed to the success of the iPhone. The company typically aims to secure global rights for all content on Apple TV+, unlike competitors like Netflix.

However, this ambition hasn’t always been fulfilled; for instance, “Suspicion” was licensed to ITV due to Apple’s inability to acquire full rights. Similarly, while Apple TV+ celebrated an Oscar win with “CODA,” it does not own rights for the film in a number of key territories, reflecting the complexities of film rights negotiations.

As Warner Bros. distributes not only “F1” but also its own productions like the upcoming “Superman,” one might question how effectively Warner Bros. will promote Apple’s interest over its own. A spokesperson indicated that they are implementing a comprehensive marketing campaign for “F1.”

Looking ahead, Apple executives seem to be contemplating the launch of their theatrical distribution division. Such a move would come with increased upfront costs and the need for a well-structured setup.

Apple is in a testing phase with “F1,” where its performance could significantly influence future decision-making regarding high-budget film productions. Minimum details on upcoming projects are available, though “Highest 2 Lowest” is scheduled for a theatrical debut.

If Apple moves into theatrical distribution, it may start with an untitled UFO conspiracy thriller, for which it has reportedly invested significantly in securing talent.

Samsung Unveils 2025 Monitors on Prime Day with Discounts Up to $300

Samsung has launched a new line of smart monitors that are well-suited for Mac computers. Preordering models such as the M7, M8, or M9 (which features a QD-OLED display) can earn you up to a $300 credit through Samsung or an Amazon gift card.

The 2025 smart monitor lineup starts at just $399.99, with preorder deals now available from Samsung and Amazon. The official release is set for Prime Day on July 8, making it an ideal time to explore these enticing offers.

One standout model is the Samsung 32-inch M9, designed to compete with the Apple Studio Display. This monitor features a vibrant QD-OLED screen with 4K resolution.

It boasts a dynamic cooling system that helps maintain optimal performance and prevents burn-in. The M9 is equipped with HDMI, USB-C, and DisplayPort connections and is priced at $1,599.99.

By preordering, you can secure a $300 incentive with your purchase through both Amazon and Samsung. For those looking for more budget-friendly options, the 32-inch M80F is priced at $699.99.

This model also supports 4K UHD resolution and includes HDMI and USB-C ports for compatibility with modern Macs. If you preorder, you can receive a $100 gift card from Amazon or a $100 credit directly from Samsung, valid until July 8.

The entry-level option is the M7, available for $399.99. This 32-inch display also offers 4K resolution, HDMI, and USB-C ports.

Similar to the M80F, preordering the M7 grants you a $100 Samsung credit or a $100 gift card from Amazon before its launch on July 8. Additionally, various promotions on Apple products are happening concurrently, providing further opportunities to save on your tech purchases.

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