These iPhone, Apple Watch models will support CarKey

One of the newest features of iOS 14 turns your iPhone (or Apple Watch) into a car key. This CarKey feature is coming to iOS 14 and even iOS 13 users, allowing you to lock, unlock, and start compatible cars. But just because your device runs on iOS 14 or watchOS 7 doesn't mean it can support it.

CarKey makes use of NFC technology to communicate with the car. During the initial process, the iPhone or Apple Watch needs to be placed on top of the NFC reader in the car. It'll be accessible via the Wallet app. Once set up, CarKey should work without having to unlock your device or open any app. But that means your device needs Background Tag Reading tech, which is only available on the iPhone XR and later. And so this feature will only work with the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2nd-gen).

Click to read more ...

Broadcom CEO suggests delay of 2020 Apple iPhone launch

Embed from Getty Images

Apple parts supplier Broadcom claims the company will be releasing the 2020 iPhone a bit later than usual. According to comments from Broadcom CEO Hock Tan during the company's recent quarterly earnings call, the next-generation iPhone's release will be pushed back by a few weeks. Apple hasn't released any statements yet regarding this possible delay.

Click to read more ...

Report claims Apple might bundle the AirPods with its 2020 iPhones

If the report from DigiTimes is to be believed, then next year's iPhones will come bundled with AirPods. The hit-or-miss Taiwanese publication cites unnamed industry sources, claiming that "smartphone vendors including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi are looking to bundle their new models with TWS earbuds next year." TWS stands for "truly wireless stereo" earphones, which includes accessories like the AirPods and Samsung's Galaxy Buds.

We can't say how accurate the report is, especially with how expensive AirPods are and how popular these accessories are on their own. It would be uncharacteristic for Apple to bundle a high-demand accessory. Perhaps a more reasonable rumour would be a more advanced version of EarPods will be bundled with the iPhone. Or only the higher-end iPhone 12 Pro models will get this bundle. The iPhone is at least 10 months away from its launch, so we'll be keeping our eyes out to see if this particular rumour will become true. 

Source: MacRumors

Photos show Apple’s influence over Android phone design

Whether you have strong feelings for or against Apple, you can’t deny the influence the Cupertino-based tech giant has on the smartphone industry. This collection of photos shared by Reddit user u/Saim_Ray010 shows the shift in smartphone design before and after Apple released the original iPhone as well as before and after the iPhone X. You can see the lack of a coherent design language from brands before Apple put out its first phone as well as how many notched Android phones showed up after Apple popularized the notch. Some will argue that Apple wasn’t the first—with Sharp and Essential beating the company to the punch. But the brand certainly exercises a bigger influence on the industry as these images prove.