iOS 18 Review: A Smart Upgrade with Enhanced Customization and Intelligence

The latest iteration of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 18, has arrived, bringing with it a plethora of exciting new features that are set to revolutionize the way users interact with their iPhones. While the foundational elements of the update have been released, the headline feature, Apple Intelligence, is still pending and is expected to roll out in a later update.

Customization Options Reach New Heights

One of the most significant updates in iOS 18 is the revamped Control Center, which now offers a high degree of customization. The quick-access settings panel has been overhauled, allowing users to personalize their experience like never before. Controls are now divided into pages, with the ability to add or remove controls, adjust their size, and reorganize them to suit individual preferences. This level of customization is a departure from Apple's traditional approach, and it's a welcome change.

RCS Support and Enhanced Messaging

Another notable addition to iOS 18 is the introduction of RCS (Rich Communication Services) support, which enables seamless messaging between iPhone and Android users. This feature has been a long time coming, and it's a significant improvement over traditional SMS. With RCS, users can enjoy features like typing indicators, read receipts, and tapbacks, making cross-platform messaging a more enjoyable experience.

App Grid Customization and Password Management

iOS 18 also introduces a new app grid that allows users to place icons anywhere on the screen, a feature that feels surprisingly intuitive. Additionally, a new Passwords app provides a centralized location for managing passwords, with the ability to share individual passwords or groups of passwords with others. While this feature is convenient, it's limited to those within the Apple ecosystem.

Transcription in Voice Memos and AI-Powered Features

One feature that's sure to delight journalists and podcasters is the addition of transcription in Voice Memos. This feature is on par with the Pixel Recorder app and provides accurate transcriptions in real-time or after the fact. While AI-powered features are still pending, early previews suggest that Apple Intelligence will offer email summaries, notification digests, and writing tools, with more significant updates to come in later releases.

Conclusion

iOS 18 is off to a good start, with a range of features that enhance customization, messaging, and productivity. While the absence of Apple Intelligence is notable, the updates that have been released so far demonstrate a clear commitment to innovation and user experience. As the full rollout of iOS 18 continues, it will be exciting to see how these features evolve and improve.

Motorola Edge 50 Neo With IP68 Rating, Moto AI Suite Launched in India: Price, Specifications

Image: Motorola

Motorola Edge 50 Neo has been launched in India, boasting features such as a 50-megapixel Sony LYTIA-700C camera sensor, a 3X telephoto camera, MIL-STD-810 Military Grade certification, and Moto AI – the company's artificial intelligence (AI) suite. It also gets IP68 certification against dust and water ingress and 5 years of assured operating system (OS) upgrades.

Moto Edge 50 Neo Price in India

Moto Edge 50 Neo price in India starts at Rs. 23,999. However, the company says this is a “festive special price”. It is available in a single 8GB RAM + 256GB storage configuration. The handset will be available for purchase during a Motorola live commerce sale for one hour on September 16 starting at 7 pm on Flipkart. Its open sale will commence on September 24 at 12 pm on the official Motorola India website, Flipkart and other leading retail stores.

Moto Edge 50 Neo Specifications

Moto Edge 50 Neo is equipped with a 6.4 10K flat LTPO pOLED display with a 1.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and 3,000 nits of brightness. It can dynamically adjust the refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz, depending on the content being viewed on the screen. The Moto Edge 50 Neo is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It comes with a RAM Boost feature that adds another 8GB of RAM virtually, optimised by AI. The smartphone runs on Android 14 and is promised to get five years of OS and security updates.

For optics, the Moto Edge 50 Neo sports a rear triple camera setup comprising a 50-megapixel Sony LYTIA-700C camera with optical image stabilisation, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. On the front, it gets a 32-megapixel camera for selfies.

The handset also comes with moto AI-powered camera centric features such as moto ai processing, style sync, adaptive stabilisation, and 30x super zoom. Additional AI features, courtesy of Google Photos, include Auto Enhance, Tilt-shift Mode, Auto Smile Capture, Auto Night Capture, and Advanced Long Exposure Mode.

Here's When iOS 18 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone

Apple is set to release iOS 18, the company's biggest software update of the year, sometime today, Monday, September 16. Based on past releases, the update is likely to drop at around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time/1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To give iPhone users globally an idea of when iOS 18 should be available as an over-the-air update, we've compiled a list of time zone conversions for several countries.

Time Zone Conversions

• Australia West: 1:00 a.m. AWST (Tuesday)
• Australia East: 3:00 a.m. AEST (Tuesday)
• Austria: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Belgium: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Canada West: 10:00 a.m. PDT
• Canada East: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• China: 1:00 a.m. CST (Tuesday)
• Denmark: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Finland: 8:00 p.m. EEST
• France: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Germany: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Guernsey: 6:00 p.m. BST
• Hong Kong: 1:00 a.m. HKT (Tuesday)
• Ireland: 6:00 p.m. IST
• Isle of Man: 6:00 p.m. BST
• Italy: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Japan: 2:00 a.m. JST (Tuesday)
• Jersey: 6:00 p.m. BST
• Luxembourg: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Netherlands: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• New Zealand: 4:00 a.m. NZST (Tuesday)
• Norway: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Portugal: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Russia: 8:00 p.m. MSK
• Singapore: 1:00 a.m. SGT (Tuesday)
• South Africa: 7:00 p.m. SAST
• Spain: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Sweden: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Switzerland: 7:00 p.m. CEST
• Taiwan: 1:00 a.m. CST (Tuesday)
• United Kingdom: 6:00 p.m. BST
• United States: 10:00 a.m. PDT (West Coast), 1:00 p.m. EDT (East Coast)

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and the exact time for your specific location may vary. Additionally, there could always be a delay in the release of the update as Apple prepares its servers.

Be Prepared to Wait

When iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 become available as an over-the-air update, make sure your device is fully charged before you start the process over Wi-Fi, as it may take some time to complete. To check that the update is available, go to Settings > General > Software Update, and wait a moment for your device to contact Apple's servers. If you're in no rush, you can wait for iOS 18 to be delivered to your iPhone when you next plug it into your computer.

Tips and Precautions

• Make sure your device is fully charged before updating.
• Update your device over Wi-Fi to avoid data charges.
• Be patient, as the update may take some time to complete.
• If you're in no rush, you can wait for iOS 18 to be delivered to your iPhone when you next plug it into your computer.
• During the initial rollout of major software updates, Apple users may experience slower download speeds and sluggish performance due to the surge in traffic on Apple's servers.

Meta Reportedly Testing Feature to Share Instagram Comments to Threads

Meta is reportedly testing a new feature that would allow Instagram users to share comments directly to Threads, a social media app launched by the company earlier this year. According to a post from developer Alessandro Paluzzi on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram users might soon be able to share comments to Threads, a platform designed to compete with X.

Paluzzi shared a screenshot showing what appears to be a new "Send to Threads" button on Instagram. The button, as depicted, would enable users to quickly share a comment from an Instagram post directly to Threads. The feature seems intended to streamline cross-platform content sharing within Meta's ecosystem.

Meta, the parent company of both Instagram and Threads, has not officially confirmed the rollout of this feature. The company did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the reported testing.

Threads, which was introduced earlier this year, is Meta's attempt to provide an alternative to X. The app has gained attention as a platform for more focused, text-based conversations, in contrast to the image-centric nature of Instagram.

Integrating Instagram and Threads in this manner could enhance user engagement across both platforms. It may also bolster Threads' growth by leveraging Instagram's large user base, encouraging users to engage with the newer platform.

As Meta continues to explore synergies between its various social media platforms, this potential feature signals the company's ongoing effort to create a more interconnected ecosystem, thereby increasing user interaction and retention.

Further details regarding the implementation and availability of this feature remain unclear. However, if successful, this integration could mark another significant step in Meta's strategy to unify its social media offerings.

Samsung Galaxy M55s with Unique Backplate Set to Launch Soon

Picture: Smartprix

Samsung is gearing up to launch the Galaxy M55s in India, as evidenced by the device's recent listing on the company's support website. The listing indicates that the smartphone is ready to make its official debut in the Indian market.

According to reports, the Galaxy M55s may be an Amazon-exclusive product, with availability expected to start later this month. Amazon's Big Billion Days sale is scheduled to kick off on September 27, 2024, which could coincide with the device's launch.

The Samsung support website has listed the unreleased Galaxy M55s 5G, revealing the phone's 8GB RAM configuration alongside a link to warranty information. While the listing does not provide further details on the device's specifications or design, previous reports have shed some light on what to expect.

In July, it was reported that Samsung was working on an "s" variant of the Galaxy M55, which was expected to feature a more powerful processor than the M55 5G. However, the company may be introducing a unique design element instead. Renders of the Galaxy M55s have revealed a three-part texture design on the backplate, which could be available in a Green colorway alongside the standard Graphite/Black hue.

The Galaxy M55s is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, with a 12GB RAM model potentially in the works. The device will also feature support for 45W fast charging and a 50-megapixel selfie camera.

As Samsung prepares to launch the Galaxy M55s, the company is also rolling out the One UI 6.1.1 update to its Galaxy Tab S9 series in Europe. This update brings advanced Galaxy AI features, including Sketch Conversion for artwork creation, improved Portrait Enhancements, and text auto-completion in Samsung Keyboard.

The update also incorporates the August 2024 security patch and offers several enhancements to provide a better Galaxy experience. Users can access real-time translation for calls and text in images, convert voice to text, manage PDFs more efficiently, and utilize dynamic wallpapers.

The One UI 6.1.1 update is available for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series in Europe, with a One UI build version ending with "M". Users are advised to install the update promptly to benefit from the improved security measures.