The i-things - Apple devices and software thread

[Hahuahin]

Thanks to you both for the answers. These applications that most phones come with today are not many of them possible to turn off/disable? I mean I do not use facebook, youtube, instagram etc and yes I could strictly do well with a simple "Samsung Hero" but if for nothing else I liked the size of the Iphone 6 and it fits perfectly in the saddle bag on my roadbike and according to the better half I look more modern
hahuahin

[joashchee]

Here's an interesting thing. I happen to also have a working iphone 6 and am currently setting it up to be my phone while in Thailand. I have been able to set it up and even managed to download the latest versions of some apps like Grab, Shopee TH, google maps, inDriver, Gmail, Chrome etc so it should be all good!

When it comes to web browsing security, you always want to be sure you can load the most updated web browser version since they have to keep pace with security protocols and certs.

You should be alright with an iphone 6 for now

[joashchee]

Additionally, Apple does make it a point to not preload 3rd party apps so the apps you mentioned like Facebook and all do not come with a clean phone reset. This makes it easy to run a really lean phone setup with just the apps you need.

[PeteC]

Apple adds 5G connectivity to iPhone SE and iPad Air

https://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/227680 ... d-ipad-air

NEW YORK: Apple Inc on Tuesday added 5G connectivity to its low-cost iPhone SE and iPad Air and introduced a faster chip for a new desktop, a high point in the company's move to power its devices with microprocessors designed in house.

The new Studio desktop starts at $3,999 with the new M1 Ultra chip. The iPad Air also got Apple's M1 chip that was developed for laptops.

"Apple Silicon strategy is the key highlight," said analyst Neil Shah of Counterpoint Research. "Apple is scaling the portfolio of its in-house semiconductor capabilities to power a broader set of richer devices from affordable iPhone SE to the most powerful product Mac Studio."

Apple's Mac Pro still runs on Intel Corp's microprocessors.

Apple slightly hiked the price on the iPhone SE to $429 from $399 for the previous model. The new phone starts shipping on March 18.

The iPhone SE comes with an A15 Bionic chip, which Apple says is the fastest among competition, a 4.7-inch retina display and a home button with touch ID.

"This is important for our existing users who want a smaller iPhone at a great value," chief executive officer Tim Cook said.

Nabila Popal, an analyst at International Data Corp, said the new iPhone SE would cater to consumers looking for a budget 5G device, and it could be particularly popular given the economic uncertainty caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"A cheaper iPhone with 5G is good news for Apple, especially in these times of uncertainty," she said.

"But demand for larger screens could negatively impact iPhone SE sales,'' Popal added. "Some consumers might instead opt for older iPhone models with bigger screens in the same price range.''

The M1 Ultra is made by connecting two M1 Max chips and is eight times faster than M1 chips. Its first use will be in the creative professional-focused Mac Studio computer.

Apple will offer two versions of the Mac Studio, one with the M1 Max chip and the other utilising the M1 Ultra chip.

Mac Studio pricing starts at $1,999 for the version with the M1 Max chip and $3,999 for the M1 Ultra loaded computer.

Apple also debuted a new monitor called Studio Display that can be paired with any Mac, including Macbook Air and Macbook Pro models, and which is priced at $1,599.

The company which has been broadening its services and other products also said its Apple TV+ product would begin showing Major League Baseball games on Friday nights. The weekly double header will be available in eight countries.

The new iPad Air gets its first refresh in two years with a new design, 5G connectivity and the M1, popular in MacBooks. The starting price remained $599 and it will be available starting March 18.

The new iPad Air also features a 12-megapixel front camera.

Apple also announced new iPhone 13 models in two new finishes, including alpine green.

During the presentation, Cook made no mention of the conflict in Ukraine.

Apple said on March 1 it had paused all product sales in Russia in response to the Russian invasion.

The Russian state media, RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the Apple Store outside Russia.

[buksida]

Is there any "easy" way of copying music (MP3 files) off a stick or portable hard drive to an iPad? By easy, I mean not going anywhere near the intrusive malwaresque software that is iTunes.

I'd like to share some downloaded albums with a friend but he only has an iPad, no Mac or laptop.

[buksida]

/\ I presume it can't be done then.

Moving on ...

Apple Card’s new high-yield Savings account is now available, offering a 4.15 percent APY
Starting today, Apple Card users can choose to grow their Daily Cash rewards with a Savings account from Goldman Sachs, which offers a high-yield APY of 4.15 percent — a rate that’s more than 10 times the national average. With no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements, users can easily set up and manage their Savings account directly from Apple Card in Wallet.

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/04/ ... rcent-apy/

With banks offering next to zero in interest and restricting services to their customers, these things are only going to get more popular. I would imagine its another "Thailand mai dai" thing though.

[PeteC]

New iPhone, new charger: Apple bends to EU rules

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66708571. (Photos)

Apple's latest iPhone will almost certainly feature a USB-C charge point when it is unveiled on 12 September.

The firm's phones currently use its proprietary Lightning adaptor, unlike rivals, including Samsung.

A European Union law requires phone manufacturers to adopt a common charging connection by December 2024 to save consumers money and cut waste.

Most new Apple products such as the latest iPads already use USB-C, but the firm had argued against the EU rule.

When it was introduced in September 2021, an Apple representative told BBC News: "Strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world."

Lightning to USB-C adaptors are already available from other electronics brands including Amazon, and all iPhones since the iPhone 8 which launched in 2017 have supported wireless charging.

As the current iPhone 14 now looks to be the last Apple device to exclusively use it, this could mark the beginning of the end of the Lightning cable - which retails on the Apple store for £19.

It's unclear whether this will be a global change to the product, although the tech giant is less likely to make a different version of the handset for the European market alone.

The changes are anticipated in the new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro devices which are set to be unveiled next week at the firm's annual autumn event.

According to a report by Bloomberg news, benefits of the switch for users will include customers being able to use a single charger for iPads, Macs and iPhones, as well as faster download speeds.

The EU common-charger rule covers a range of "small and medium-sized portable electronics", according to the EU, including:

mobile phones
tablets
e-readers
mice and keyboards
GPS (global positioning system) devices
headphones, headsets and earphones
digital cameras
handheld videogame consoles
portable speakers.

Any of these charged using a wired cable will have to have a USB Type-C port, regardless of who makes the devices.

Laptops will also have to abide by the rules but manufacturers have longer to make the changes.

According to the EU, it will save consumers "up to €250m [£213m] a year on unnecessary charger purchases" and cut 11,000 tonnes of waste per year.

[derek60]

I thought that Apple pay did not work in Thailand, but have been trying it and worked in Boots, Watsons, Gourmet Market and UniQlo

[Dannie Boy]

I thought that Apple pay did not work in Thailand, but have been trying it and worked in Boots, Watsons, Gourmet Market and UniQlo

Is that linked to home country accounts or Thai bank accounts?

[derek60]

Linked to my UK bank account

I thought that Apple pay did not work in Thailand, but have been trying it and worked in Boots, Watsons, Gourmet Market and UniQlo

Is that linked to home country accounts or Thai bank accounts?

[Dannie Boy]

Linked to my UK bank account

I thought that Apple pay did not work in Thailand, but have been trying it and worked in Boots, Watsons, Gourmet Market and UniQlo

Is that linked to home country accounts or Thai bank accounts?

So is it more convenient or safer to pay by apple wallet (albeit with extra currency charges?)

[derek60]

More convenient - definitely

More secure - I would have thought so

Extra charges - my bank does not charge for foreign transactions - I worked out the exchange rate I was charged as £1=43.7 baht

Linked to my UK bank account

Is that linked to home country accounts or Thai bank accounts?

So is it more convenient or safer to pay by apple wallet (albeit with extra currency charges?)

[Dannie Boy]

More convenient - definitely

More secure - I would have thought so

Extra charges - my bank does not charge for foreign transactions - I worked out the exchange rate I was charged as £1=43.7 baht

Linked to my UK bank account

So is it more convenient or safer to pay by apple wallet (albeit with extra currency charges?)

A no-brainer then, sounds like a very sensible way of shopping!!

[pharvey]

All I said, is that it’s worth checking!!

Now, now ladies

No idea what "banana" is aside from the fruit, but would be interesting to know details RE: The iPad 10 (spec and what paid in Thailand vs UK etc). I recently bought a Lenovo Tab which works off Android and has been absolutely superb (way cheaper than Apple or |Google versions). Until of course I wanted to plug in external memory with my movies, music et al whilst I was in "NHS Clink"... BUGGER, the USB-C Port will not allow it regardless of any adaptor you have - I can charge and transfer data as such, but an external drive, hell no!!

If anyone has an idea....

[Dannie Boy]

Banana IT are a fairly big chain in Thailand selling phones, laptops, printers and accessories - you can buy online but they have an outlet in MV in Hua Hin and the price was the same as online (online is often cheaper). I paid B14,900 which at the time = £335, whereas on Amazon in the UK it was £459 - this is for the 64GB non-cellular version.

Like a lot of things, I’m sure that some will be cheaper some more expensive, so best to check first.


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