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Apple introduces new features in iOS 11.3

When you updated your Apple devices to iOS 11, you may have noticed the significant decrease in battery life. To solve that issue, Apple is releasing iOS 11.3, which comes with battery performance fixes and more features. Here’s everything we know so far about the new OS.

Battery management features

You might recall the infamous iOS software update in 2016 that deliberately slowed down iPhones.

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07 Feb, 2018 / by Complete Technology Resources / in iPad, iPhone category
Apple introduces new features in iOS 11.3

When you updated your Apple devices to iOS 11, you may have noticed the significant decrease in battery life. To solve that issue, Apple is releasing iOS 11.3, which comes with battery performance fixes and more features. Here’s everything we know so far about the new OS.

Battery management features

You might recall the infamous iOS software update in 2016 that deliberately slowed down iPhones. Apple claims that this update was meant to prevent devices from an unexpected shutdown in case of low battery charge, old batteries, or extremely cold temperatures. Unsurprisingly, many users were unhappy about this, which is why Apple is including another battery management capability in its latest iOS update.

When you update to iOS 11.3, your devices’ battery life wouldn’t necessarily be longer; rather, you’ll have an option to disable the feature that slows down the phone. That means you can keep your phone running at peak or have your phone running slow with an extended battery life.

Business chat

With the Business chat feature, a user can ping a company’s customer service representative via the iMessage app to make an inquiry or purchase a product using Apple Pay. This could offer great convenience to customers, as they no longer have to call a company’s hotline or search for their contact details online.

But there’s a catch: This functionality is available only in selected business apps, including Wells Fargo, Lowe’s, Discover, and a few other brands.

Read and delete iMessages

Another iMessage update is the syncing of read and deleted messages. In the new OS, messages will more seamlessly sync across all devices, including iPhone, iPad and Mac. This makes it easier for you to organize your messages, ensures you’re all caught up on new messages, and keeps deleted messages deleted on all synced devices.

Augmented reality enhancements

ARKit, Apple’s augmented reality (AR) platform, allows developers to create AR applications for iPhones and iPads running on iOS 11 or higher. However, apps developed on this platform were limited to recognizing horizontal surfaces and regular-shaped objects. That means AR-capable apps will work only when used to capture a virtual object horizontally.

In iOS 11.3, the AR capability extends to vertical surfaces and irregularly shaped objects like spherical or other multi-dimensional items, and recognize flat-surface objects like signs and posters. This gives AR developers greater capability to build more complex apps.

Other key updates

The Health app also gets a new feature called Health Records, which consolidates your medical records from hospitals and clinics that allow patient records integration with the Apple app. Users can also expect key updates on Apple Music, Apple News, mobile location functionality, and other usability improvements.

As with any OS releases, iOS 11.3 will come with security updates and other enhancements that can be highly relevant to businesses using Apple devices. Our technology consultants can help you make the most of these updates and features. Call us for mobile productivity tips and tricks.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Top Apple predictions in 2018

From new Apple Watches and Apple TVs to Mac and iPhone upgrades, Apple released a slew of products in 2017. But what’s in store for Apple fans in 2018? We’ll likely see iterative updates to existing product lines, but there's a good chance we'll get some totally unexpected announcements.

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05 Jan, 2018 / by Complete Technology Resources / in iPhone category
Top Apple predictions in 2018

From new Apple Watches and Apple TVs to Mac and iPhone upgrades, Apple released a slew of products in 2017. But what’s in store for Apple fans in 2018? We’ll likely see iterative updates to existing product lines, but there's a good chance we'll get some totally unexpected announcements. Read on to find out the top Apple predictions for the year.

Three new iPhones
Just like every year, Apple will likely launch new iPhone models in September. Reports suggest there will be three iPhone models in 2018, and since Apple disrupted naming conventions by introducing iPhone X, it’s anyone’s guess what these models will be called.

However, experts predict the new iPhones will look like the current X model, but in sizes that match the 8, 8 Plus, and a supersized X model. They’ll all be equipped with faster hardware and a TrueDepth camera system that allows users to protect their phones with facial recognition.

HomePod
One device that’s certain to be released early in the year is the HomePod, a smart speaker in the same vein as Google Home and Amazon Echo. The Siri-powered speaker will likely feature automatic tuning, a fast A8 processor, and a six-microphone array to easily pick up commands. Other than playing music, HomePods will answer general questions and communicate with nearby smart devices.

Considering that Amazon and Google currently dominate the smart speaker market, Apple has its work cut out.

AirPods and wireless charging
There’s also talk of updated versions of AirPods, Apple’s wireless headphones. Rumors are far from substantiated, but experts are saying that the headphones may receive a design change and a case that can charge them wirelessly.

Speaking of wireless charging, more Apple devices will likely rely on this technology in the future. In September 2017, Apple unveiled a wireless charging pad that can charge multiple iPhones and Apple Watches. This year, we might get to see larger devices like iPads taking advantage of this technology.

Wearables in healthcare
Those in healthcare predict Apple Watches will become a key piece of technology for the industry. More health-monitoring addons for Apple Watches like EKG readers are now FDA-approved, so we may see more doctors using them to give accurate diagnoses and treatments.

Augmented reality devices
Over the past few months, Apple has also expressed an interest in researching augmented reality (AR) technologies. In fact, leaks from manufacturing facilities indicate that Apple is working on smart glasses that overlay digital information on the physical world. Although it’s still unclear what they will be using it for or if Apple will follow through with their plans, there are plenty of business possibilities with AR.

For instance, it can be used to display line-of-sight prices and details about a product without having to check the price tag or ask a salesperson.

All in all, Apple users have much to be excited about, and if you want to be the first to find out when or if these products will be released in 2018, call us today. Our experts are always tuned into the latest Apple developments to give you an edge over the competition.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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A rundown of Apple’s most recent releases

Just a decade ago, the concept of a phone with a touchscreen was mostly foreign to the average consumer. Today, over 75% of Americans own a smartphone and Apple is leading the way in mobile device innovations. Read on for a recap of everything Apple released at its 2017 fall keynote.

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14 Sep, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in iPhone category
A rundown of Apple’s most recent releases

Just a decade ago, the concept of a phone with a touchscreen was mostly foreign to the average consumer. Today, over 75% of Americans own a smartphone and Apple is leading the way in mobile device innovations. Read on for a recap of everything Apple released at its 2017 fall keynote.

iPhone X

Everyone suspected the new iPhone would have an edge-to-edge screen, but now it’s official. The 5.8-inch OLED screen covers the entire front side of the phone, except for a small notch along the top of the device.

The iPhone X, AKA the iPhone Ten, has no fingerprint scanner, which means users will need to unlock the device with either a passcode or a facial recognition scan. The top notch includes an updated 7-megapixel front-facing camera, call speaker and infrared sensors that power the iPhone’s new FaceID feature.

Apple’s newest smartphone includes some new high-tech hardware under the hood as well. The A11 Bionic chip can handle up to 600 billion operations per second, which allows the iPhone X to render high-resolution 3D experiences on top of real world images while in the camera mode.

iPhone 8/iPhone 8+

This model isn’t getting the same OLED screen as the iPhone X, but both versions of the iPhone 8 do come with their own improvements in screen resolution. Some of these are due to minor hardware upgrades and some utilize new software to adjust the colors on your screen based on your reading environment.

Both versions of the iPhone 8 also come with the brand new A11 Bionic processor, which Apple claims is 70% faster than the iPhone 7’s chip.

Apple Watch Series 3

The smartwatch market has had its ups and downs, but the most recent release from Apple is sure to disrupt the industry. The Series 3 Watch will include an integrated SIM card that allows wearers to send messages, receive calls, and stream media regardless of where their phone is at any given moment. Depending on what you use your phone for, you could potentially go without it for a full workday.

Wireless charging

Apple is finally making it possible for their devices to charge wirelessly. New iPhones, Apple Watch and AirPods will allow you to juice up your battery simply by laying down your device on a charging mat.

Apple devices have always been especially well suited for business environments. They’re secure, reliable and compatible with almost any business-class software. If you need help with anything Apple-related -- from mobile device management to Mac servers -- give us a call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Should you fear government surveillance?

Accusations of inappropriate government surveillance have been swirling after Wikileaks recently released thousands of pages supposedly detailing the CIA’s exploitation of compromised devices and applications. But in today’s climate, every headline needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

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06 Apr, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in iPhone, Security, Windows category
Should you fear government surveillance?

Accusations of inappropriate government surveillance have been swirling after Wikileaks recently released thousands of pages supposedly detailing the CIA’s exploitation of compromised devices and applications. But in today’s climate, every headline needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Read on to find out what’s actually at stake and why you probably don’t need to worry.

What devices and apps are supposedly vulnerable?

Wikileaks labeled its ongoing release of 8,761 classified CIA documents “Year Zero.” Nestled among those files are tools and correspondence that explain how operatives could snoop on communications, downloads, and browsing history. Here is a list of the “affected” applications and hardware:

  • Windows operating systems
  • iOS
  • Android
  • Samsung Smart TVs
  • WhatsApp
  • Signal
  • Telegram
  • Confide

Those are some very big names, right? Thankfully, it’s mostly hyperbole. The reality of the situation isn’t nearly as bad as it sounds.

Two considerations before freaking out

First, almost all these exploits require physical access to devices before anything can be compromised. For example, news organizations repeatedly reported that WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and Confide all had encryption protocols that had been subverted by the CIA. That is 100% false.

What the documents actually revealed is that the CIA was aware of security gaps in Windows, iOS, Android and Samsung’s Tizen OS, which allowed the agency to snoop on messages before they were encrypted. Messages sent in these apps are still totally uncrackable as long as the devices they are installed on haven’t been physically compromised.

Takeaway #1: Physical security is still one of the most important aspects of cyber security. Most data security regulations require certain physical security protocols as a deterrent to breaches that take place via theft of social engineering -- and for good reason.

The second reason not to worry is the hardware devices and operating systems that supposedly left encrypted messages vulnerable haven’t been sold for a long time. For example, only Samsung TVs from before 2013 were vulnerable to the always-on microphone bug -- which was patched in an OS update years ago.

But what about iOS -- surely that’s the scariest reveal of them all, right? Not quite. Only the iPhone 3G, discontinued in 2010, was susceptible to exploitation. Furthermore, Apple immediately responded that they were aware of this vulnerability and patched it in the version of iOS that was released in 2011.

Takeaway #2: Updating software is critical to keeping your data safe. As we saw in the Year Zero leaks, just one piece of outdated software can cause a domino effect of other vulnerabilities.

In reality, the most recent Wikileaks releases shouldn’t change your approach to cyber security at all. As long as you consider data security a never-ending battle, you’ll be safer than everyone too lazy or forgetful to lock up their server rooms or update their operating system.

But running a business doesn’t always leave you a lot of time for fighting a “never-ending battle,” does it? Fortunately, that’s exactly what we do for our clients every single day. To find out more about how we can keep you safe, call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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