O'Grady's PowerPage

Category: iPhone SE

  • Rumor: Toyota to include car key support via Apple Wallet for some of its lineup

    Rumor: Toyota to include car key support via Apple Wallet for some of its lineup

    Because it’s difficult to go wrong with keyless entry for your car via your iPhone.

    Toyota is apparently preparing support for Apple’s car key platform. Per a post by Aaron Perris, while there’s no official word as to a launch date for this feature or a list of which specific Toyota vehicles will support it (including current models), the company is apparently adding car key support via Apple Wallet for some of its lineup.

    Apple first announced car key support in Apple Wallet at WWDC in 2020. This feature allows users to add their car key to the Wallet app, then use the app to lock, unlock, and start their car.

    While specific implementations can vary by automaker, but there are three basic ways the feature works:

    Passive entry: Approach your car with your device, it unlocks, start your car when inside, and walk away from your car with your device, it locks.

    Proximity: Lock, unlock, and start the car by holding your device close to the door handle or key reader.

    Remotely: You can use your device to remotely lock and unlock your car, and use other features.

    There’s also support for Express Mode, so you can use your car key without unlocking your device with its passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and @aaronp613

  • Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26.2, iOS 26.2, and iPadOS 26.2 updates

    Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26.2, iOS 26.2, and iPadOS 26.2 updates

    Late Friday proved to be an update-o-rama as Apple released both its macOS Tahoe 26.2 operating system update as well as its iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates for its iPhone and iPad.

    The macOS Tahoe 26.2 update includes the following fixes, changes, and new features:

    Edge Light:

    • Edge Light video effect uses the Mac display to illuminate your face like a virtual ring light when you’re on a video call in low light
    • Customizable light width and temperature give you control over how you’re lit
    • Mouse awareness ensures that the light recedes when you need to access content underneath
    • Option to have the light turn on automatically in low light situations on Mac computers introduced in 2024 and later

    Podcasts:

    • Automatically generated chapters make it easier to navigate more episodes
    • Links to mentioned podcasts let you see and follow other podcasts mentioned in the episode you’re listening to directly from the player and transcript

    Games:

    • Filters in the Games library let you find games by category, size, and more
    • In-game challenge score banners provide real-time updates when someone new has taken the lead
    • Connected controller support

    This update also includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

    • AirDrop codes offer an additional layer of verification when using AirDrop with unknown contacts by providing a code on the receiver’s device that the sender must enter to complete the transfer
    • Apple News Section links in the sidebar of the News app offer easy navigation to popular topics like Sports, Politics, Business, and Food
    • Tables in Freeform can hold text, images, documents, and drawings, with cells that intelligently resize to fit, bringing structure to the infinite canvas
    • Favorite Songs playlist appears in Top Picks in Apple Music
    • Fixes an issue where pre-release albums in the library were not immediately playable at their release time

    The update can be installed via the following steps:

    • Open System Settings.
    • Tap General.
    • Tap Software Update.

    Where the mobile devices are concerned, Apple released its iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates on Friday. While not a huge update, and instead focused more on polish, tweaking, and adding quality-of-life enhancements, the update offers the following fixes and changes:

    Apple Music:

    • Favorite Songs playlist appears in Top Picks on the home tab
    • Offline lyrics for downloaded songs, so you can view them without an internet connection

    Podcasts:

    • Automatically generated chapters make it easier to navigate episodes
    • Links to the mentioned podcasts let you see and follow other podcasts mentioned in the episode you’re listening to directly from the player and transcript

    Games:

    • Filters in the Games library let you find games by category, size, and more
    • In-game challenge score banners provide real-time updates when someone new has taken the lead
    • Improved support for connected controllers such as Backbone and Razer

    This update also includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

    • Additional Lock Screen time customization option lets you further adjust its appearance, giving the Liquid Glass material more or less opacity
    • Enhanced Safety Alerts can inform you about imminent threats such as floods, natural disasters, and other emergencies, with rich information like a map of affected areas and links to additional safety guidance (available in the U.S.)
    • Alarms for Reminders help you stay on top of urgent tasks, and provide snooze and Live Activity support if you’re not ready to check the reminder off
    • AirDrop codes offer an additional layer of verification when using AirDrop with unknown contacts by providing a code on the receiver’s device that the sender must enter to complete the transfer
    • Apple News Section links at the top of the Today feed offer easy navigation to popular topics like Sports, Politics, Business, and Food
    • Multipack accessory pairing in the Home app lets you use the same setup code to easily enroll multiple accessories when sold together
    • Flash for alerts in Accessibility Settings offers the additional option to have the device screen flash when you receive a notification
    • Tables in Freeform can hold text, images, documents, and drawings, with cells that intelligently resize to fit, bringing structure to the infinite canvas
    • Fixes an issue where pre-release albums in the Apple Music library were not immediately playable at their release time
    • Fixes an issue where a Privacy and Security setting may incorrectly be marked as managed by an enterprise organization

    The update can be installed via the following steps:

    • Open Settings.
    • Tap General.
    • Tap Software Update.

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

    Via MacRumors and Macworld

  • Google begins to introduce Gemini AI features into iOS and iPad builds of its Chrome web browser

    Google begins to introduce Gemini AI features into iOS and iPad builds of its Chrome web browser

    This could come in handy.

    Google has begun integrating its Gemini AI into its Chrome web browser for iPhone and iPad, a move that brings AI feature parity with its web and desktop builds.

    The company had teased Gemini-in-Chrome functionality for iOS back in September, and the feature has begun rolling out gradually across the United States. The Gemini AI feature requires Chrome 143 or later, so you’ll want to make sure your copy of Chrome is up to date, the browser language is set to English, and the app isn’t in Incognito mode.

    If all the above conditions are met, the Google Lens logo on the left-hand side of the address bar will change to a Gemini icon. Tapping the icon shows options for two “Page tools” that let Gemini search your screen or for you to ask the chatbot a question.

    The Gemini interface offers shortcuts for functions such as summarizing a website or creating an FAQ about a topic. Other possible queries can include creating study guides, sorting through bullet points on complex topics, or creating recipes or a gym routine as needed. Gemini’s responses to queries appear in an overlay that floats on top of the webpage.

    Chrome 143 for iOS also adds biometric checkout support, new Chrome tips on the New Tab Page, and general stability improvements.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the new Gemini features in Google Chrome, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors and 9to5Google

  • Rumor: Next-gen iPad may feature A19 chip, break away from trend of using previous-generation processors

    Rumor: Next-gen iPad may feature A19 chip, break away from trend of using previous-generation processors

    The next-generation low-cost iPad may skip a processor generation and use Apple’s A19 chip.

    Per Macworld, an “internal Apple code document” that leaked provided information about the company’s 2026 iPad lineup. According to prior documentation discovered by MacRumors it had been suggested that the ‌iPad‌ 12 would be equipped with an A18 chip, not an A19 chip. The A19 chip was just released this year in the iPhone 17, and it would be unusual for Apple to use a current-generation chip in the low-cost ‌iPad‌ due to cost.

    Apple’s low-end iPad has not had a current-generation chip since the iPad 4, which came out when Apple was still crafting AX chips for its tablets. The ‌iPad‌ 5 that came out in 2017 used the A9 chip that was originally introduced in the 2015 iPhone 6s, and since then, the ‌iPad‌ has been equipped with an A-series chip that’s a generation or two behind the chip in the most recently released ‌iPhone‌.

    The current iPad 11 model, which was released in March 2025, uses the A16 chip, which first debuted in the iPhone 14 in 2022. Subsequent iPad models have used chips from earlier iPhones as well.

    The model numbers listed in Macworld’s report are also unusual. It says that J581 and J588 are the codenames for the upcoming 12th-generation ‌iPad‌, but codenames are typically sequential. Apple generally uses codenames to reference unreleased devices in its software.

    In addition to the A19 leak report, the Macworld article suggests that the next-gen iPad Air will use an M4 chip, and that both the next-gen iPad and iPad Air will feature APple’s N1 networking chip. The N1 chip is an Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip that’s more energy efficient than chips designed by third-party companies.

    Apple is expected to release the new ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad‌ models early in 2026.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Macworld

  • iFixit announces AI-powered FixBot, looks to make finding the right directions and parts easier

    iFixit announces AI-powered FixBot, looks to make finding the right directions and parts easier

    If you’re fond of iFixit’s wares and services, you might like this.

    The cool cats at iFixit have announced the launch of FixBot, the company’s AI-powered “repair helper” that can be used to help fix broken devices or appliances. With FixBot, users can describe a problem by voice or text, and FixBot will respond like a skilled technician. Users can then ask follow-up questions and narrow the issue down to possible causes, with FixBot offering a step-by-step process toward a likely fix.

    The FixBot app leverages iFixit’s extensive knowledge base, which comprises over 125,000 repair guides, service manuals, community Q&A, teardown documentation, schematics, and part-compatibility data. The app can also use computer vision and identify a device via a photo or model plate or part, and then retrieve the correct repair instructions or part numbers as needed.

    iFixit has offered the following limitations as to what it can and can’t do:

    • FixBot’s knowledge is limited to what’s in iFixit’s database — not every obscure device or old appliance may be covered. If a model’s not documented, FixBot will try to find similar devices or use manufacturer docs, but might not match the precision of a fully verified guide.
    • As with any AI, mistakes are possible. iFixit warns that FixBot might not always get it right — though it’s built to rely strictly on documented facts, not guesses.
    • For now, FixBot is launching as a free service for everyone, but some capabilities (like voice control and document uploads) may eventually move behind a paid tier with usage limits.

    FixBot can be found at https://www.ifixit.com/fixbot and please let us know what you make of it if you have a chance to test it out.

    Via iFixit