O'Grady's PowerPage

  • Rumor: Apple’s foldable iPhone about to hit production, crease measurements unveiled

    Rumor: Apple’s foldable iPhone about to hit production, crease measurements unveiled

    Apple’s folding iPhone model may be beginning to take shape.

    Per Weibo, Chinese leaker “Fixed Focus Digital” has stated that Apple has submitted production line orders for its upcoming foldable iPhone.

    This rumor, if true, would effectively confirmd that the device will launch this year.

    The leaked orders indicate that Fixed Focus Digital has learned the crease measurements for the device’s 7.8-inch inner display. The current crease depth is now said to have been controlled to under 0.15mm. This measurement refers to the depth the groove or indentation at the fold is. A smaller number means the crease is shallower and less noticeable to the eye and to the touch.

    Apple’s crease angle is said to be under 2.5 degrees. This angle describes how sharp the fold line appears when the display has been unfolded. As expected, a smaller angle indicates a smoother, flatter transition across the fold, rather than a sharp ridge or valley.

    At present, competing foldable brands don’t publish their crease measurements, so it’s hard to gauge where Apple’s foldable iPhone stacks up against them. Even so, Apple’s unit is expected to feature a new type of display panel developed by Samsung that has never been used in a foldable product, and which has been described variously as being “virtually crease-free” and having “no crease at all.”

    Current rumors have the foldable iPhone featuring a 7.8-inch main display when unfolded and a 5.5-inch cover display. The unit is thought to use a book-style design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, as opposed to a clamshell form factor.

    Per analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s first-gen foldable iPhone will feature two rear cameras, a single front-facing camera, a single selfie camera on the inner display, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. The device could measure just 4.5mm thick when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when closed.

    It’s thought that Apple may reveal the foldable iPhone along with its iPhone 18 Pro models this September.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Weibo

  • 1Password alerts users of significant price hikes for some plans beginning March 27th

    1Password alerts users of significant price hikes for some plans beginning March 27th

    If you’re a 1Password fan, you’re not going to love this.

    1Password, the popular password management suite, has begun sending out emails notifying users about significant price increases due to arrive next month.

    As of March 27, the new price structure will be raised to the following:

    • Individual: $47.88/year, up from $35.88/year
    • Family: $71.88/year, up from $59.88/year

    As of this writing, there don’t seem to be reports of changes to the monthly price structure.

    The company has sent out the following email:

    Since 2005, 1Password has been on a mission to make security simple, reliable, and accessible for everyone. As the way people work and live online has evolved, so has 1Password.

    More recently, we’ve invested significantly in new features that make 1Password even more powerful and effortless to use, helping protect what matters most to you, including:

    • Automatic saving of logins and payment details
    • Enhanced Watchtower alerts
    • Faster, more secure device setup
    • AI-powered item naming
    • Expanded recovery options
    • Proactive phishing prevention

    While 1Password has grown substantially in value and capability, our pricing has remained largely unchanged for many years. To continue investing in innovation and the world-class security you expect, we’re updating pricing for Individual plans, starting March 27, 2026.

    Current vs New Pricing:

    • Current price: $35.88 USD / year
    • New price: $47.88 USD / year

    The new price will take effect at your next renewal, provided it’s on or after March 27, 2026. Those occurring prior to March 27, 2026, will continue at the current pricing until your next renewal.

    If you have any questions, please reach out to support by replying to this email. We’re deeply grateful for your continued trust and support.

    Thank you,
    The 1Password Team

    If you’ve seen price increases to your 1Password plan, please let us know in the comments.

    Via 9to5Mac

  • Apple quietly developing iOS 26.3.1 update ahead of March 4 media event

    Apple quietly developing iOS 26.3.1 update ahead of March 4 media event

    Because you can’t argue with a handy bug fix/maintenance update.

    Following the release of the iOS 26.3 update about two weeks ago, Apple is currently at work on its subsequent update, which seems to be making the rounds without a beta cycle.

    Per Macworld and MacRumors, Apple is working on an iOS 26.3.1 update, which has been showing up in website logs. A quick look at the traffic to these websites has indicated that devices running this version of the iOS operating system have gone outside the company’s intranet, which may be a sign that the iOS 26.3.1 update is imminent. Such point-release updates at Apple do not require developer and public beta testing, and they are completed much more quickly, probably within the next week or two.

    The timing also works out well with the recently-anounced Apple Experience media event on March 4, where Apple is expected to unveil several new products, including the rumored iPhone 17e and a low-cost MacBook. Apple is also expected to release updates to its macOS and iPadOS operating systems, and the new OS versions could be in preparation for the new devices.

    Given the smaller nature of the update, it’s not expected that Apple will release any new features, but instead use the update to fix bugs, install security patches, and, in some instances, add support for newly released devices.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via Macworld and MacRumors

  • Apple Sports updated to version 3.8, adds NCAA tournament, additional soccer features

    Apple Sports updated to version 3.8, adds NCAA tournament, additional soccer features

    If you live and breathe NCAA sports as well as soccer, you’re going to like this.

    The upgraded Apple Sports app, which just reached version 3.8, now offers new NCAA tournament tracking features, a soccer expansion, and the ability to track leagues and teams in more markets.

    Users can now follow the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments in real time (which will come in handy next month), the display offering matchups and results as well.

    The update also adds “a new soccer category” that Apple says makes it “easier to find and follow your favorite leagues, cups, and more, all in one place.”

    The soccer expansion in the update also adds the following leagues:

    • Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
    • Categoría Primera A
    • Liga de Primera
    • Liga Pro
    • Liga Profesional de Futbol
    • Primera División del Perú

    Finally, Apple Sports is expanding to support the following leagues and teams in Latin America and the Caribbean.

    The Apple Sports app for iPhone is available for free on the App Store and requires iOS 17.2 or later to install and run. If you’ve tried the new version, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via 9to5Mac and the App Store

  • Rumor: iPhone 18 Pro model enters production testing stage

    Rumor: iPhone 18 Pro model enters production testing stage

    If you’re hankering for the next-gen iPhone Pro model, you’re going to like this.

    Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is said to have entered its production testing stage.

    Over on Weibo, the leaked known as “Fixed Focus Digital” said the Pro models had already entered “mass-production testing.” This likely refers to late-stage manufacturing validation for the devices ahead of a September launch.

    February typically aligns with Apple’s Design Validation Test (DVT) phase transitioning into early Production Validation Test (PVT). During this period, Apple uses production tooling and activates portions of factory assembly lines to validate manufacturing processes, yields, and quality control, rather than producing units at full scale. Full mass production usually ramps in the summer months ahead of launch.

    Fixed Focus Digital also claimed that production testing had begun for the regular iPhone 18 model, which may arrive in early 2027. It’s rumored that this procedure may be an earlier validation stage at this point, such as mid-to-late Engineering Validation Test (EVT) or early DVT.

    The leaker also stated that, given their current information, no major changes are expected for the iPhone 18 Pro’s component materials, and that the devices will continue to use the existing design specifications for the iPhone 17 lineup.

    While no major changes are expected, it’s thought that the iPhone 18 Pro will feature a number of internal changes, such as a new camera system with a variable aperture, the A20 chip, and the custom C2 modem.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Weibo