O'Grady's PowerPage

Category: Hardware

  • Apple releases revised firmware update for AirTags

    Apple releases revised firmware update for AirTags

    It’s unknown as to exactly what this does, but it’s an AirTags firmware update and it might be helpful.

    Apple on Wednesday released version 1.0.276 of its AirTags firmware, which is a revision to the update that was made available in June.

    The updated AirTags‌ 1.0.276 firmware has a build number of 1A287b, while the old firmware had a build number of 1A276d. The 1.0.276 firmware that came out in June added anti-stalking security enhancements, and this new version likely just refines these features.

    Given that the firmware version itself has not changed, it’s impossible to tell the new firmware from the old firmware via the Find My app, nor will it be apparent when the firmware of the ‌AirTags‌ has been updated.

    While there’s no way to force an AirTag to update, this can be performed over-the-air through a connected iPhone. To execute the update, place your AirTag within range of the iPhone, and wait for the firmware update to roll out to your device.

    Users can also check your current AirTag firmware version through the Find My app.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the revised firmware, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors

  • Transportation for London announces full mobile coverage for Underground by end of 2024

    Transportation for London announces full mobile coverage for Underground by end of 2024

    If you’re headed to London, this is going to come in handy.

    Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the capital’s Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Bank stations would be among the first fully connected stations by the end of the year, followed by Tottenham Court Road, Euston, and Camden Town by the end of 2022.

    Mobile reception was introduced on the eastern half of the Jubilee line in March 2020. TfL has stated that the additional infrastructure will support both 4G and 5G, but that it will be the responsibility of mobile operators to offer support for the fastest network speeds.

    The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, who was re-elected last month, said in a statement:

    “I promised Londoners that if they re-elected me for a second term as mayor I would deliver 4G throughout the tube network. It’s already up and running on the eastern half of the Jubilee line and I’m delighted to announce today that I am fulfilling that commitment and full internet access will be available across the tube, with key central London stations such as Oxford Circus and Euston set to benefit before the end of next year.”

    TfL has partnered with BAI Communications to plug so-called coverage of “not-sports” on the underground network. More than 1,242 miles of fibre cabling installed in London Underground tunnels will also benefit above-ground coverage for buildings and other infrastructure by allowing more mobile transmitters to be installed.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and tfl.gov.uk

  • Rumor: Chip manufacturer TSMC to give Apple “iPhone 13,” auto manufacturers top priority

    Rumor: Chip manufacturer TSMC to give Apple “iPhone 13,” auto manufacturers top priority

    It’s nice to have component security for at least a couple years.

    Apple partner TSMC is reportedly de-prioritizing orders destined for PCs and servers orders, and is instead focusing on car manufacturers, and Apple’s needs.

    Following the company’s previous estimates that the impact of the current global chip shortage would last “a couple of years,” TSMC is now said to be concentrating on supplying the the car industry and Apple.

    Per DigiTimes Asia, anonymous sources at the company say that the prioritization is scheduled for the third quarter of 2021. TSMC is also said to be giving first give supply priority to car firms and Apple, then secondly to manufacturers of PCs, servers, and networking devices.

    Apple is said to have initially appeared to have weathered the shortage better than its rivals given its high-volume purchasing power, but could be starting to see problems.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and DigiTimes Asia

  • Research firm TrendForce offers predictions as to next-gen iPhone components, production

    Research firm TrendForce offers predictions as to next-gen iPhone components, production

    The rumor mill is thinking that the next-gen iPhone will max out around 512GB of storage, along with other changes.

    Per Taiwanese research firm TrendForce, the company’s expectations for the “iPhone 12s” or “iPhone 13 are as follows:

    • Apple will unveil four new iPhones in September, including a mini model, a standard model, and two Pro models. September is the usual month for Apple to unveil new iPhones, but the iPhone 12 lineup was announced in October last year due to reported COVID-19-related production delays.
    • The new iPhones will have a smaller notch above the display, but will otherwise have a similar outward design as iPhone 12 models.
    • The devices will be powered by Apple’s next-generation A15 chip manufactured based on TSMC’s 5nm+ process.
    • All four iPhones will be equipped with OLED displays, while the two Pro models will also feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother content.
    • The new iPhones will have the same storage capacity options as their iPhone 12 counterparts. iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 models are available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage, while 12 Pro models have a 512GB option.
    • The rear camera system on all four iPhones will be equipped with sensor-shift image stabilization, a feature that is currently exclusive to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. For the new Pro models, the Ultra Wide lens will gain autofocus.
    • The LiDAR Scanner will remain limited to the Pro models.

    With the pandemic showing signs of easing off in the United States and Europe, TrendForce has forecast that the annual iPhone production for 2021 will grow by 12.3 percent on a year-over-year basis to 223 million units.

    The research firm believes the next-gen iPhone lineup will account for nearly 40 percent of that total production volume.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and TrendForce

  • Leaker cites M1X-based MacBook Pro, Mac mini to debut in Q4

    Leaker cites M1X-based MacBook Pro, Mac mini to debut in Q4

    The rumors about a redesigned M1X-based MacBook Pro have been circulating for a while now, and per leaker Dylandkt, who has correctly predicted details about unreleased products in the past, Apple will launch new versions of the MacBook Pro in Q4 2021, along with an updated Mac mini.

    Per Dylan, Apple plans to introduce updated 14-inch and 16-inch models of the MacBook Pro in “late October or early November.” Back in May, the leaker corroborated other rumors as to the next-gen MacBook Pro featuring a new look with flat edges, reduced bezels, and expanded connections such as an SD card reader, MagSafe, and HDMI port.

    These would also be the first Macs with an upgraded version of the M1 chip, which is the first ARM-architecture Apple Silicon chip used in Macs. The leaker believes that M1X will be “an extension of the M1 that will contain more thunderbolt channels, cpu cores, gpu cores, multiple external monitor support, and greater power draw.”

    Dylan followed this up with a tweet in which it was claimed that Apple won’t introduce a new iMac Pro, but might debut new Mac mini models with the faster M1X chip along with the new MacBook Pro. Both the new M1X-chip MacBook Pro and Mac mini models are expected to replace the more expensive versions of these machines, which remain available with Intel processors.

    In spite of Dylan’s track record being somewhat mixed, he was right in the past regarding details of the M1 iMac and the 2021 iPad Pro.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and @dylandkt