Apple to Support Encrypted RCS Messaging in Future Software Update
Apple says it will add support for a new Rich Communication Services ( RCS) specification that includes end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages sent over the protocol in future software updates.
“End-to-end encryption is a powerful privacy and security technology that iMessage has supported since the … ⌘ Read more
The XMPP Standards Foundation: The XMPP Newsletter February 2025
XMPP Newsletter Banner
Welcome to the XMPP Newsletter, great to have you here again!
This issue covers the month of February 2025.
Like this newsletter, many projects and their efforts in the XMPP community are a result of people’s voluntary work. If you are happy with the services and software you may be using, please consider saying thanks or help thes … ⌘ Read more
OpenAI Calls on U.S. Government to Let It Freely Use Copyrighted Material for AI Training
OpenAI, known for its ChatGPT chatbot, today submitted AI recommendations to the Trump administration, calling for deregulation and policies that give AI companies free rein to train models on copyrighted material in order to compete with China on AI development.
, and microblogging (like Twitter was a few years ago), would be about sharing texts, images, videos, GIFs, links, and perhaps Markdown styling.
Why? You have shorter messages than in a blog, but you may add almost anything you could do in a blog.
Buuut… who knows?
Apple Seeds Third Public Betas of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4
Apple today seeded the third public betas of upcoming iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 updates, allowing public beta testers to try out the new features in the software ahead of its public launch. The public betas come a day after Apple provided the beta updates to developers.
 rival. Version 1.99 triples the maximum video length from 60 seconds to three minutes, addressing one of users’ most frequent requests.
As shared in a [Blue … ⌘ Read more
Apple Pulls iPhone 16 Ad Showing Off ‘More Personal Siri’
Apple has pulled an ad for the iPhone 16 that depicted a “ more personal Siri,” following the company’s admission last week that it is delaying some of the Apple Intelligence Siri features that it originally expected to release in iOS 18.
English actor Isabella Ramsey starred in the now-private YouTube video, [o … ⌘ Read more
Ben Stiller and Eddy Cue Discuss Apple TV+ Series ‘Severance’ at SXSW
At the annual SXSW film festival in Austin, Texas today, Apple’s services chief Eddy Cue joined Ben Stiller on stage to discuss the hit Apple TV+ show Severance.
Cue is a longtime Apple executive who oversees Apple TV+, and the company’s other services, while Stiller serves as the director and … ⌘ Read more
Apple’s Smart Home Hub Now ‘Postponed’ Due to Delayed Siri Features
Apple has pushed back the launch of its rumored smart home hub due to delayed Siri features, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Gurman no longer expects the home hub to launch this month, but he has not prov … ⌘ Read more
Apple Introduced Its Most Controversial MacBook 10 Years Ago Today
Apple announced the infamous 12-inch Retina MacBook a decade ago today, an experimental new Mac that was as controversial as it was revolutionary.
Apple unveiled the 12-inch MacBook on March 9, 2015, at the “Spring Forward” event in San Francisco, California. The event was primarily focused on the Apple Watch, which was being fully detai … ⌘ Read more
Sex, Drinking and Dementia: 25 Lawmakers Spill on What Congress Is Really Like
, - Politico Magazine
Stephan: Here are some interesting comments from 25 members, both Democrat and Republican about what they think of serving in Congress. I found it rather sad and disappointing.
Illustration by Jade Cuevas/Politico (source images via AP, Getty Images and iStock)_Thi … ⌘ Read more
Best Apple Deals of the Week: Pre-Order Deals Arrive for New iPad Air/MacBook Air, Plus Steep Discounts on AirPods and Apple Watch
The highlight of Apple deals this week is Best Buy’s and Amazon’s pre-order discounts on the just-announced M3 iPad Air, 11th generation iPad, and M4 MacBook Air. You’ll also find great, record-low prices on AirPods Pro 2, Apple Watch Series 10, and the previous generation M2 MacBook Air.
Mac Studio and Studio Display Turn Three Today
Apple announced the Mac Studio and Studio Display three years ago today.
The Mac Studio and Studio Display were unveiled as the final major announcements of Apple’s “Peek Performance” event. Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced them as a completely new Mac product catego … ⌘ Read more
Monero Observer Artistic Saturday Top 5 - Week 10, 2025
Previous Artistic Saturday weekly reports can be found in the [art] 1 section.
iPhone 17 Pro Max Said to Be Thicker to Accommodate Larger Battery
Apple has increased the thickness of the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max compared to the current generation iPhone 16 Pro Max, claims the Chinese leaker known as Ice Universe.
Apple is said to have increased the depth of the iPhone 17 Pro Max to 8.725mm, up from 8.25mm on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which wou … ⌘ Read more
iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro Max Allegedly Same Size Apart From Thickness
Apple’s all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air shares the same dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with the only difference being in the thickness of the devices, according to the leaker Ice Universe.
Posting to their Weibo account, the Chinese leaker today claimed that the iPhone 17 Ai … ⌘ Read more
Apple Says New MacBook Air Up to 23x Faster Than Intel-Based Model, But Read the Fine Print
Apple has a staggering marketing claim for the new MacBook Air with the M4 chip.
Specifically, Apple [says](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-the-m4-chip-and-a-sky-b … ⌘ Read more
Ten Astonishing New Discoveries About the Ancient World
Since the dawn of humanity, people have lived in all kinds of peculiar ways. Some carved ornate images into rocks and threw them in ditches. Others made treasure out of metal from meteorites. Scientists keep unearthing secrets about the past that challenge how we see our ancestors. Time and time again, evidence shows that bygone […]
The post [Ten Astonishing New Discoveries About the Ancient World](https://listverse.com/ … ⌘ Read more
iOS 18.4 to Include AI-Generated Review Summaries in App Store
Apple has begun rolling out AI-generated summaries of App Store reviews in the latest iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 beta releases. The feature uses large language models to analyze user reviews and condense common themes into a short paragraph.
First spotted by _[Macworld](https://www.macworld.com/article/2628166/ios-18-4-beta-introduces-ai-powere … ⌘ Read more
Apple Has Finally Solved One of the MacBook Air’s Biggest Limitations
The new MacBook Air has a useful upgrade: it natively supports up to two external displays, in addition to the laptop’s built-in display.
In other words, the latest MacBook Air can be used with a pair of external displays without nee … ⌘ Read more
tvOS 18.4 Beta Further Hints at Apple’s Work on Smart Home Hub
In the latest beta of tvOS 18.4, there are new hints of Apple’s work on a smart home hub accessory that’s rumored to be coming as soon as this year. MacRumors found that Apple has added ChatKit framework to the tvOS code, which is curious as there is no Messages app available on the Apple TV or the HomePod.
Apple Unveils 11th-Gen iPad With A16 Chip and More Storage
Apple today announced the 11th-generation iPad, now featuring the A16 Bionic chip and more storage.
The announcement came alongside the debut of the new [iPad Air](https://www.macrumors.com/roundup … ⌘ Read more
Apple Announces New iPad Air With M3 Chip, Updated Magic Keyboard, and More
Apple today introduced new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models with the M3 chip, an updated Magic Keyboard, and more.
With the M3 chip, the new iPad Air should offer up to 20% faster performance compared to the previous model with … ⌘ Read more
Tim Cook Teases New Apple Product Announcement This Week: ‘There’s Something in the Air’
Apple CEO Tim Cook teased a new product announcement coming “this week.”
“There’s something in the air,” the teaser says.
This teaser likely refers to a new MacBook Air with the M4 chip, which is [already expected to be announced as early as this week](https://www.macrumors.com/2 … ⌘ Read more
New MacBook Air Announcement Reportedly ‘Imminent’ — Here’s When
Apple plans to announce new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the M4 chip “as early as this week,” according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
“I expect the M4 MacBook Air to be introduced as early as this week,” said Gurman, in a post on X today. “Inventory has significantly wound … ⌘ Read more
Top Stories: iPhone 16e Launch, iPhone 17 and Foldable Rumors, and More
With Friday’s launch, the iPhone 16e has become the newest member of Apple’s iPhone 16 family and the company’s latest low-cost iPhone option, though it does come in at a significantly higher price point than the outgoing iPhone SE.
Other major Apple news and rumor stories this week included new details on both the iPhone 17 lineup coming later thi … ⌘ Read more
Forgot to Pre-Order an iPhone 16e? Apple Store Pickup Available Today at Most Locations
Apple’s new entry-level iPhone 16e are now being delivered to customers worldwide following the pre-order period that began on Friday, February 21. For those who didn’t pre-order or chose to wait, the devices are currently readily available, and select Apple Store locations globally are offering same-day or next-day pickup options.
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iPhone 16e’s Battery Capacity Revealed in Real-World Battery Life Test
In its announcement video for the iPhone 16e, Apple said the device features a new internal design that allowed for a larger battery.
Apple does not publicly advertise mAh battery capacities for iPhones. In his [iPhone 16e review video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Wh … ⌘ Read more
Amazon Debuts Alexa+ Generative AI
Amazon today announced the launch of Alexa+, a new version of Alexa that includes large language models, agentic capabilities, services, and devices at scale to redefine “the way we interact with digital assistants.”
Alexa+ is smarter, more personalized, and more proactive about making suggestions … ⌘ Read more
Quick macOS Tip: Create and Use Text Clippings for Productivity
In macOS, a Text Clipping is a selection of text that you’ve dragged from an application to another location on your Mac, where it becomes a unique kind of standalone file.
The relatively little-known feature has been around since at least Mac OS 9, and it offers a convenient way to save out pieces of text from pretty much anywhere for later use in another app or document.
 @off_grid_living@off_grid_living The smaller the file size the smaller the image’s resolution and the less detail you can see. It’s a trade …
@off_grid_living @twtxt.net The smaller the file size the smaller the image’s resolution and the less detail you can see. It’s a tradeoff between space, bandwidth and pixel density and detail. ⌘ Read more
World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone Launches in Europe and Asia
Oppo has launched the Find N5, the world’s thinnest foldable phone yet. When closed, the book-style foldable measures 8.93mm. That’s less than a millimeter thicker than an iPhone 16 Pro, and thinner than the Honor Magic V3, which was the previous record holder.
The device is barely thicker than it … ⌘ Read more
Does anybody know a right mouse click save and reduce a screen saver image to a smaller file, say 50KB?
My usual method is slow, place in image program and re-save it smaller.
I used to have a Window’s way to reduce file images from 1MB to 50 KB with right mouse click.
Aqara Launches Camera Hub G5 Pro
Smart home company Aqara today announced the global availability of its Camera Hub G5 Pro, which is designed specifically for outdoor surveillance. The G5 Pro integrates with the Apple Home app and it supports HomeKit Secure Video.
Available in two colors, the G5 Pro provid … ⌘ Read more
iPhone 16e is Equipped With 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence
Apple never publicly advertises the amount of RAM included in iPhones, but MacRumors has confirmed that the iPhone 16e is equipped with 8GB of RAM.
Given the iPhone 16e supports Apple Intelligence, it was widely expected that the device would have 8GB of RAM, as that is the minimum amount of memory required for … ⌘ Read more
WhatsApp Testing ‘Clear Badge’ Feature for Unread Messages
WhatsApp is testing a new setting that automatically clears the unread message count badge on its Home Screen icon every time the app is launched.
WABetaInfo reports that the feature is controlled by a new toggle in WhatsApp’s iOS notification settings, called “Clear Badge.” The se … ⌘ Read more
How to Disable Apple Intelligence on iPhone, Mac, iPad
Apple Intelligence is an intriguing and powerful set of AI features available on the latest models of Mac, iPhone, and iPad with modern versions of system software. These AI features are tied to ChatGPT and range from useful writing and summarization tools, to business plan creation, to writing emails on your behalf, image generation with … [Read More](https://osxdaily.com/2025/02/18/how-to-disable-apple-intelligence-on-iphone … ⌘ Read more
How to Disable Apple Intelligence on iPhone, Mac, iPad
Apple Intelligence is an intriguing and powerful set of AI features available on the latest models of Mac, iPhone, and iPad with modern versions of system software. These AI features are tied to ChatGPT and range from useful writing and summarization tools, to business plan creation, to writing emails on your behalf, image generation with … [Read More](https://osxdaily.com/2025/02/18/how-to-disable-apple-intelligence-on-iphone … ⌘ Read more
iPhone 16E Name is Increasingly Likely Instead of iPhone SE 4
Apple is expected to announce a new entry-level iPhone model tomorrow, and it is increasingly likely that the device will be named iPhone 16E.
Most rumors have referred to the device as a new iPhone SE, since it will succeed the iPhone SE (3rd generation), but there is mounting evidence t … ⌘ Read more
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Some satisfying icicle-breaking in our backyard: photos.falsifian.org/video/sM7G3vfS6yuc/VID20250217203250.mp4
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@sorenpeter@darch.dk Sorry, I realized that shortly after posting. Here’s another attempt to post the images: 
iPhone SE 4’s Specs Could Lead to Enhanced Resale Value
Apple is expected to announce the fourth-generation iPhone SE as soon as tomorrow, potentially with improved long-term value retention, according to analysis by SellCell.
Despite its lower price point, the iPhone SE has historical … ⌘ Read more
(#3vtnszq) @sorenpeter@sorenpeter I think it was just one broken image link, right?
@sorenpeter @darch.dk I think it was just one broken image link, right? ⌘ Read more
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Some satisfying icicle-breaking in our backyard: photos.falsifian.org/video/sM7G3vfS6yuc/VID20250217203250.mp4
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@falsifian@www.falsifian.org
it look like your markdown image tags are missing the protocol part (https://) so they don’t render at least on my server: https://darch.dk/timeline/conv/3vtnszq
iPhone 17 Pro: Here’s What It Might Look Like
Is this what the iPhone 17 Pro model looks like in Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 series? Front Page Tech’s 3D artist Asher this morning shared this image of the alleged design of the iPhone 17 Pro, offering perhaps the most polished example yet of Apple’s next-generation premium smartphone, should it turn out to be accurate. The image is based on increasingly consistent reports that Apple … ⌘ Read more
Some satisfying icicle-breaking in our backyard: photos.falsifian.org/video/sM7G3vfS6yuc/VID_20250217_203250.mp4
I couldn’t resist taking home a prize:
It’s been snowy here in #Toronto.
(I tried formatting the images in markdown for the benefit of yarn and any other clients that understand it.)
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(I keep thinking that going back go Gopher or Gemini might be a good idea at this point. They don’t care about that, probably. 🫣)
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well, Gemini clients like Lagrange allow to show inline images when you click on an image link. Text based clients, like Amfora, usually allow to watch the image in another ‘window’.
For example here: gemini://text.eapl.mx/en-making-a-tic-tac-toe-variant and there https://text.eapl.mx/en-making-a-tic-tac-toe-variant
I agree that some topics require images to make it easier to explain.
Spotify Readies Premium Tier With Hi-Fi Audio and AI Features
Spotify users waiting to learn when the service’s long-delayed high-quality premium audio service will materialize may finally have something to chew on. Bloomberg reports that the streaming service hopes to roll out a new “Music Pro” tier later this year.
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… ⌘ Read more
DietPi February 2025 News (Version 9.10)
The February 9, 2025 release of DietPi v9.10 introduces new images for single-board computers, improved compatibility for RISC-V devices, enhanced software tools, and several important bug fixes. This update extends support for StarFive VisionFive 2 and PINE64 Star64 with Debian Trixie, refines automation capabilities, and addresses software installation issues reported by the community. DietPi: DietPi […] ⌘ Read more
ESP32-S3 IR Thermal Imaging Camera Module with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity
Waveshare recently launched the ESP32-S3 IR Thermal Imaging Camera Module which is a wireless infrared thermal imaging device based on the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 chip. Designed with a compact form factor of 29 × 29mm, this module is intended for applications such as thermal monitoring, security surveillance, and industrial diagnostics. The product page does not mention […] ⌘ Read more
Apple Begins Selling Refurbished M4 Macs
Apple today added MacBook Pro and Mac mini models with M4 series chips to its certified refurbished store in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland for the first time since the computers were introduced in October 2024.
Some refurbished MacBook Pro models with M4 chips are also available in Bel … ⌘ Read more
New Powerbeats Pro 2 Will Have Day One Firmware Update
Apple’s upcoming Powerbeats Pro 2 will have a day one firmware update available, as Apple has just released new software for the earbuds. The Powerbeats Pro 2 will ship with 7B15 firmware, and the new firmware has a 7B24 version number.
There’s no w … ⌘ Read more
OLED MacBook Pro With Thinner Design on Track for 2026 Launch
Apple’s first OLED MacBook Pro remains on schedule for a 2026 release, featuring the new slimmer design Apple is rumored to be working on, based on a new report from The Elec.
Samsung Display is said to be currently producing test samples of the OLED panels on its first deposition machine … ⌘ Read more
Will Apple Release New iPhone 16 Colors This Year?
Apple typically releases new iPhone color options every year as a mid-product cycle refresh, so when can we expect a new finish in 2025?
Apple has added new iPhone colors on six occasions in the past, consistently in either the March or April following an iPhone’s launch:
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: (PRODUCT)RED (Tuesday … ⌘ Read more
America’s Crisis of Morality
John B. Alexander, Commentator - Daily Kos
Stephan: John Alexander gets it exactly right in my opinion. As I said in my previous comment, American democracy has ended, not as a political opinion but as an historical fact. If you are not doing something to speak out in some way against what is happening you are complicit.
American democracy in crisis. Credit: The Guardian**America is i … ⌘ Read more
‘He’s Building a Concentration Camp’: Fears Grow as Images Emerge of Offshore Prison at Gitmo
Jon Queally, Managing Editor - Common Dreams
_Stephan: The Trumpian coup, like all fascist movements, is building a concentration camp for the people it wants to persecute. And, of course, they’re putting it in a location where none of their opponents can oversee what is happening. The Nazis did the same thing. Think about it: 30,000 peo … ⌘ Read more
World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone Launches Next Week
Oppo has confirmed a February 20 global launch for its Find N5, which the company claims is the world’s thinnest device in the foldable phone category. The phone is expected to be re-branded as the OnePlus Open 2 in the US.
The Chinese vendor has been teasing the device in the last few weeks, touting its waterproofing and nearly invisible display crease, and … ⌘ Read more
iPhone Users Can Sign Up to Try Starlink Connectivity For Free Until July
T-Mobile today announced that its Starlink satellite feature is now available in public beta, meaning anyone in the U.S. with a compatible iPhone or Android smartphone can sign up to test the off-the-grid connectivity, even if they use another carrier.
 is said to … ⌘ Read more
How to Find Screenshots in Photos App for iOS 18
Ongoing complaints about the Photos app redesign in iOS 18 persist, with users who are frustrated with how difficult it can be to locate certain images or photos that once were easy for them to find. For example, if you take a lot of screenshots on your iPhone you might want quick and easy access … Read More ⌘ Read more
Partiful Calls Apple a Copycat for New Invites App
The developers behind well-known event app and website Partiful today suggested that Apple was in violation of its own App Store guidelines for the release of the new Invites app.
On social media, Partiful [shared a screenshot](https: … ⌘ Read more
Confusion over federal funding freeze prompts public health concerns
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech , Staff Writer - The Hill
Stephan: The coup we are undergoing is putting millions of Americans at risk by screwing up their healthcare. There is confusion and chaos raging throughout the system, and I think we are going to very shortly see worsening health reports across the country.
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Currently, WhatsApp allows you to create events from group chats to h … ⌘ Read more