Microsoft makes photo transfers from mobile to the PC easier with new app

Microsoft just launched a new app called Photos Companion to make transferring photos from both Android and iOS devices an easier thing to do. After installing the app, all you need to do is scan the QR code you see on the Windows Photos app. This is where you can access the photos you’ll transfer to your PC. Make sure you have the latest version of the app. Once you’ve paired your devices, this will let you batch send photos to the PC while you’re on the same Wi-Fi network. You will have to pair your devices every time you want to transfer files over. But as GSMArena points out, it’s possible to start a video project on Windows Photos and then directly get images and videos from your phone.

Upcoming iOS update will let you turn off apps that slow down your iPhone

Apple caused quite an uproar with customers when it was discovered that the company released software back in 2016 that slowed down older iPhones to prevent problems with the aging lithium ion batteries on these phones. Now, Apple is working to appease customers with an upcoming update coming to iOS. Version iOS 11.3 will get a recommendation or notice if the battery needs to be serviced. (Apple recently cut the price of replacing an iPhone battery from $99 to $35.) You will also see if the power management feature is on for your device and you’ll get the option to turn this off. iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus users will find this feature in the Battery section of the Settings menu. iOS 11.3 is set to arrive in the spring but the beta release will be coming soon. It must be noted that the new battery feature is coming at a later beta release.

Source: CNET

iOS 11.2 to introduce faster wireless charging capabilities

Review: Apple iPhone X

The upcoming iOS update will be bringing good news to wireless charging fans. It’ll add support for faster wireless charging for Qi-compatible smartphones. It’ll support Qi wireless charging at a rate of 7.5 watts, which at the moment is limited to 5 watts. Of course this feature won’t work if you don’t pair it with a proper wireless charger. As Lifehacker points out, Apple is currently selling two third-party wireless charging pads that support 7.5-watt charging rate: Samsung’s 9-watt charging pad and RavPower’s 10-watt charging pad. Both are compatible with iPhone 8 and iPhone 10 because of Qi wireless charging standard. Apple is supposedly also working on its own wireless charging pad that can charge up to three devices at a time.

Adoption of iOS 11 lags behind previous versions at 52 percent

While it’s still light years ahead of Android Oreo’s adoption (which is currently at 0.2 percent), there is a drop in the number of iOS devices running iOS 11. The latest version of iOS is currently installed in 52 percent of iPhones and iPads, according to Apple’s App Store support page for developers. Last year, iOS 10 reached 60 percent of devices, while iOS 9’s adoption rate was at 67 percent by November 16, 2015.

This slower rate of adoption though could be attributed to a number of factors. One is there have been bugs plaguing the operating system. Another is it’s seen as an iPad-focused update so less iPhone users see the need to upgrade.

Source: The Verge