Apple has reportedly abandoned plans to launch an iPhone subscription service that would have allowed users to upgrade to a new model annually by paying a fixed monthly amount.Bloomberg, which first reported on the concept years ago, said Apple initially aimed to develop a service enabling customers to pay a monthly fee for the annual upgrade. However, the project has reportedly been cancelled due to regulatory concerns, software challenges and other obstacles, with team members now reassigned to other divi ...

Back in 2018, 29 million Facebook users around the world were affected by a security breach that exposed their personal data. Six years later, the Irish Data Protection Commission, which regulates Facebook's parent company Meta in the European Union, has finally issued the company with a fine for the breach.The DPC announced on Tuesday it was fining Meta 251 million euros ($263.5 million) for failing to prevent cyberattackers from exploiting a vulnerability in Facebook's code. The exploit allowed them to us ...

Waymo, the self-driving arm of Google's parent Alphabet, is going international. The company on Monday said it's partnering with Japanese taxi service Nihon Kotsu and taxi app Go to bring its fully electric, autonomous vehicles to Tokyo as part of a "road trip," during which Waymo deploys testing fleets to build and refine its self-driving technology. In Tokyo, the Waymo Driver "will learn and adapt to left-hand traffic and new driving nuances associated with operating in one of the world's most densely pop ...

Core Points - T-Mobile and SpaceX have launched registration for T-Mobile Starlink, enabling satellite connectivity for T-Mobile users in areas lacking terrestrial coverage [1][2] - The beta program will be free for postpaid voice customers with compatible devices, allowing satellite texting to begin in early 2025, with voice and data support expected later [2][4] - T-Mobile Starlink represents a significant engineering advancement, combining low-earth orbit satellites with terrestrial cellular spectrum [3][4] Company Developments - T-Mobile and SpaceX's partnership was first announced in 2022, integrating T-Mobile's wireless spectrum with SpaceX's satellite technology [5] - SpaceX has launched its first satellites capable of supporting the service in January 2023 and is expanding its constellation [5][6] - The service was activated during Hurricane Milton and Helene, allowing users to connect and see "T-Mobile SpaceX" in their network name [6] Regulatory and Competitive Landscape - The Federal Communications Commission approved SpaceX to utilize all 7,500 satellites in its Gen2 system for cellular coverage, with additional satellites pending approval [7] - T-Mobile's competitors, AT&T and Verizon, are also pursuing satellite connectivity solutions, with Verizon collaborating with multiple satellite providers [8]

Apple is reportedly developing a giant iPad that opens up to the size of two iPad Pros.According to Bloomberg's Power On newsletter on Sunday, the company has been working on the foldable device for several years and plans to bring it to market around 2028. The largest current size iPad is 13 inches, but to make playing games and viewing shows and movies better, the screen on the rumored model would open wider and fold when not in use, making it easier to carry.Microsoft and Lenovo have attempted similar co ...

Apple plans to phase out the technology that currently powers its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections in favor of an in-house chip, further reducing its dependency on third-party providers, says a Thursday report.According to Bloomberg, Apple has been developing the chip, code-named Proxima, for several years. The chip is expected to debut in iPhones and smart home devices starting next year, replacing technology currently supplied by Broadcom.Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.This move ...

Core Insights - Meta experienced a significant outage affecting multiple platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Threads, with services nearly restored by late afternoon [1][2] - The outage began around 10 a.m. PT, with users reporting issues such as error messages and slow loading times across various apps [1][2] - Cisco ThousandEyes attributed the outage to internal server errors and timeouts, indicating potential backend service issues within Meta [2] User Impact - Users reported widespread issues on social media, with many taking to X (formerly Twitter) to discuss their experiences and share memes related to the outage [3] - Meta acknowledged the technical issues and apologized for the inconvenience caused to users [2] Company Response - Meta communicated updates via X, stating they were working to resolve the issues and were close to restoring full functionality [1][2] - The company did not provide immediate details on the specific causes of the outage when requested [2]

Core Insights - Meta is experiencing a significant outage affecting multiple platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Threads [1][2] - The outage began around 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, with users reporting issues such as error messages and loading delays [2] - Cisco ThousandEyes has identified the cause of the outage as "internal server errors and timeouts," suggesting problems with Meta's backend services [3] Summary by Sections Outage Details - Users reported widespread issues across Meta's platforms, with Instagram showing error messages and a spinning wheel on the mobile app [1] - The "following" tab on Instagram displayed a "couldn't load activity" message, although Stories appeared to be functioning [1] User Impact - Reports of the outage surged at approximately 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, affecting all major Meta applications simultaneously [2] - Users expressed their frustrations on X (formerly Twitter), sharing experiences and memes related to the outage [3] Company Response - Meta acknowledged the technical issues impacting user access and stated they are working to resolve the problems as quickly as possible [2] - The company has not provided specific details regarding the cause of the outage or an estimated time for resolution [3]

Meta appears to be having a widespread outage across its social media and messaging apps, with Instagram, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads all experiencing problems loading.Instagram is showing error messages on the web, and the mobile app has a spinning wheel when you try to refresh your feed. Though Stories appear to be working on Instagram, the "following" tab is also showing a "couldn't load activity" message.Instagram outage reports began spiking at around 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, accord ...

Core Insights - Siri is expected to evolve from a voice-enabled assistant to a central interface for Apple's future products, including smart glasses and home displays, which could significantly impact Apple's market position [1][2][4] - The advancement of generative AI is pushing virtual assistants like Siri into a new era, making them more conversational and capable of handling complex interactions [1][2] - Apple's strategy includes enhancing Siri's capabilities to provide personalized responses and better integration with its ecosystem, which is crucial for the success of upcoming devices [2][5] Group 1: Siri's Role in Future Products - Siri is anticipated to be integral to new devices such as smart glasses and a wall-mounted smart home display, enhancing user interaction through voice commands [2][4] - The quality of Siri's responses will be critical for the functionality and user experience of potential smart glasses, especially in comparison to competitors like Meta's Ray-Ban spectacles [2][5] - Apple is reportedly developing a more conversational version of Siri to improve two-way verbal exchanges, which is essential for the success of new product categories [5] Group 2: Importance of New Devices - The success of new products is vital for Apple's AI ambitions, especially as competitors like OpenAI and Google dominate the AI landscape [5] - New devices could help diversify Apple's revenue streams beyond iPhone sales, particularly in wearables and digital services [5] - Apple's ecosystem, where hardware and software work seamlessly together, is a key factor in the success of its products, making Siri's development a priority [5]