O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: iOS

  • Apple launches Emergency SOS via Satellite feature in Mexico, continues expansion of service

    Apple launches Emergency SOS via Satellite feature in Mexico, continues expansion of service

    If you’re headed south of the border, this could come in handy.

    Back in October, Apple announced that Emergency SOS via satellite would be coming to Mexico before the end of the year. As of Tuesday, that feature has now officially launched in Mexico.

    The Emergency SOS via Satellite feature is currently available on the iPhone 14 and later and is also available on the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

    Like in the other supported countries, Emergency SOS via satellite lets users text emergency services and notify emergency contacts in situations they have no cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

    Apple’s Greg Joswiak offered the following announcement via X:

    After Tuesday’s Mexico launch, Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., and the United States.

    If you’re down in Mexico and have a chance to try it out, please let us know about the experience in the comments.

    Via 9to5Mac and support.apple.com

  • BeeBot for AirPods app released, centers arounds geolocation features

    BeeBot for AirPods app released, centers arounds geolocation features

    If you loved the Foursquare app, you might like this.

    Hopscotch Labs has released BeeBot for AirPods, an app that functions as a social audio guide to your city. The app, which works with assorted wired and wireless earphones and earbuds, offers short updates about a city’s people, places, and things nearby, and is emceed by DJ BeeBot. In addition to this, the app contains social functions, allowing you to share updates with nearby friends and other app users.

    The app is available for free and requires macOS 15.0 with an M1 chip or later, iOS 18.0 or later, iPadOS 18.0 or later, watchOS 10.6 or later, or visionOS 2.0 or later to install and run.

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

    Via the djbeebot.com and the App Store

  • Rumor: Apple to incorporate additional satellite-based features into upcoming hardware and software

    Rumor: Apple to incorporate additional satellite-based features into upcoming hardware and software

    Apple is betting on satellite access and features for the future.

    Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and the latest “Power On” newsletter, Apple is looking to incorporate the following satellite-based features into its operating systems:

    • Apple Maps via satellite: Navigation in Apple Maps without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.
    • Photos in Messages via satellite: Support for sending photos in the Messages app using satellite connectivity.
    • Natural Usage: Satellite connectivity from indoors environments, without the need to physically point the device toward clear sky.
    • Satellite over 5G: Support for 5G NTN, allowing cell towers to use satellites for increased coverage.
    • Satellite API framework for third-party apps: An API that will allow developers to integrate satellite connectivity into their apps voluntarily. Not all features and services will be compatible.
    • There are apparently no plans to enable phone calls, video calls, or web browsing via satellite at present.

    Apple’s current satellite connectivity features are available for free, albeit it’s rumored that Apple will set up subscription-based plans between the customers and the satellite carriers for additional features in the future.

    Apple could also create a paid option for extended connectivity with a company like SpaceX. Gurman added that there have been discussions in the company about offering its own satellite service, but concerns that Apple shouldn’t act like a carrier have stifled that possibility.

    It’s thought that an assortment of the new satellite features in development will require upgrades to Globalstar’s infrastructure, which Apple helped to bankroll. Gurman said that if SpaceX acquires Globalstar, the necessary enhancements could roll out faster.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Bloomberg

  • Apple announces Swift Student Challenge for 2026

    Apple announces Swift Student Challenge for 2026

    If you’re a student developer looking to dip your toes in the water and create something cool, this is for you.

    Apple on Thursday announced that it will begin accepting submissions for the 2026 Swift Student Challenge from Friday, February 6, through Saturday, February 28.

    The challenge offers eligible student developers from around the world to create apps using Swift playground or Xcode to be potentially showcased later.

    Apple said winners will be selected based on submissions that “demonstrate excellence in innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity.” A subset of Distinguished Winners with “truly exceptional” submissions will be invited to visit Apple in Cupertino, California for three days in summer 2026, with travel and lodging included.

    Distinguished Winners have been invited to Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference event at the company’s Apple Park headquarters. While Apple has yet to announce the WWDC 2026 dates, the weeklong conference is typically held in June.

    Apple is expected to use the WWDC 2026 event to announce iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and other software updates.

    Via MacRumors and Apple

  • Apple releases iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2 updates, focuses on security fixes

    Apple releases iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2 updates, focuses on security fixes

    If you’re holding off on updating to iOS 26.1 or iPadOS 26.1 for a while, or your devices are managed by an IT department that hasn’t approved the update yet, this is going to come in handy.

    Apple has recently released its iOS 18.7.2 and iPadOS 18.7.2 updates, complete with more than two dozen security updates for core components within the operating systems, including App Store, Mail, and Spotlight vulnerabilities.

    The fixes are as follows:

    • App Store
      Impact: An app may be able to fingerprint the user
      Description: A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions.
      CVE-2025-43444: Zhongcheng Li from IES Red Team of ByteDance
    • Mail
      Impact: Remote content may be loaded even when the ‘Load Remote Images’ setting is turned off
      Description: The issue was addressed by adding additional logic.
      CVE-2025-43496: Romain Lebesle, Himanshu Bharti @Xpl0itme From Khatima
    • Spotlight
      Impact: An attacker with physical access to a locked device may be able to view sensitive user information
      Description: This issue was addressed by restricting options offered on a locked device.
      CVE-2025-43418: Dalibor Milanovic

    As always, the updates can be located, downloaded, and installed on your iPhone or iPad by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update and following the on-screen instructions.

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

    Via Macworld and support.apple.com