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- Wednesday March 05
- 09:01 pmHallelujah! M4 MacBook Air fully supports 2 external displays
The M4 MacBook Air breaks through a previous limitation on external displays, allowing for enhanced multi-screen setups for users. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)08:08 pmRCS on iPhone with iOS 18: Every question answered
Macworld Ever since Apple shocked the tech community with its announcement that it would support RCS, we’ve been waiting for the day when it would be available. Now that day has arrived, you can finally use it on your iPhone, here’s how it works. Updated March 5, 2025: The latest iOS 18.4 beta adds RCS support for more carriers, including most of those in the U.S. that haven’t supported it until now. What is RCS? RCS stands for Rich Communications Services, and it’s meant to be a replacement for the decades-old SMS/MMS texting standard. You can kind of think of it as iMessage lite for everyone. It’s a platform-neutral standard adopted by the GSM Association to do messaging over your internet data connection rather than strictly your carrier network. It provides many of the same benefits, including typing indicators, full-resolution images and videos, proper group chats, delivery and read receipts, and better security. The standard has been pushed heavily by Google and is commonplace on Android phones. The Google Messages app provides RCS support on almost any Android phone using Google’s own RCS servers and even includes some extensions to add new features (most notably better encryption) that are not part of the core GSM standard. All you need to know as an iPhone user is that RCS will make your conversations with Android users much more pleasant. What RCS features will iOS 18 support? In iOS 18, RCS brings numerous features that were previously only available to iMessage users: Read receipts Typing indicators Tapbacks/reactions High-resolution photos and videos Voice memos Text effects (slam, loud, gentle, invisible ink, etc.) do not appear on the conversation’s Android side. The recipient will get a message saying “(sent with the Slam effect)” or the like. Inline replies also don’t work. RCS messages are not encrypted, either. When using the Google Messages app on an Android phone and Google’s own RCS servers, encryption is supported thanks to a proprietary extension to the standard that Google came up with. Apple is relying on carrier support for the RCS standard as adopted by the GSM Association, which doesn’t have encryption support. However, Apple says they want to work with the GSM to include it in a future version of the standard. Will my messages with Android users still be green? Yes! Blue bubbles are for iMessages only and are there to help you know that your messages have extremely strong encryption, among other exclusive features. So, the green bubble conversations aren’t going anywhere. But they’ll be less frustrating. How do I know if I have RCS on my iPhone? The simplest way is to open a message with someone and look at the text entry area: It will say iMessage if you’re sending an iMessage (but the blue bubbles will be an obvious indication). It will say Text Message • SMS if it’s sending a text message. It will say Text Message • RCS if it’s an RCS message. You can also check in Settings to see if RCS is enabled, which we’ll describe below. If you don’t see the iOS 18 update, check to make sure your iPhone supports iOS 18. Does my carrier need to support RCS? How do I know if mine does? Your carrier needs to provide RCS services in accordance with the GSM Association’s standard for it to work on your iPhone, and you of course need to run iOS 18. In the United States, the major carriers Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T have all enabled RCS on iPhones running iOS 18, though if you just installed iOS 18 you may have to wait a day or so for the provisioning codes to be sent to your phone. The situation is a bit more nebulous for MVNO carriers that piggyback off those major carriers, like Visible, Xfinity, Mint Mobile, Metro, or Cricket. With the iOS 18.4 update, support for RCS is being added for the last holdout carriers—Google Fi, Metro, Mint Mobile, and others. Once your iPhone is updated to iOS 18.4 or later, it should support RCS on nearly any U.S. carrier. There is no known way to “force” RCS onto your iPhone. But if your carrier supports it and you have iOS 18 and do not see the option, it may help to power off your iPhone and power it on again. Apple has a very useful Carrier Support page that lists all the carrier features for various carriers around the world, big and small. You can see if your carrier supports RCS there (along with other features). How do I enable or disable RCS in Settings? Open Settings, scroll down to the bottom and tap Apps, then scroll down to find and select Messages. Under the “Text Messaging” heading, you’ll see an RCS Messaging menu if it is supported by your carrier and iPhone. Select it and then toggle on RCS to enable it in the Messages app. You can check if your carrier supports RCS by opening Settings, selecting General, and then About. Scroll down to the “eSIM/Network” section. You’ll see a line for “Carrier.” Tap on it to switch that line to “IMS Status.” If your carrier supports RCS, the option will show Voice, SMS & RCS. If not, it will only show Voice & SMS.08:04 pmITV acquires Apple TV+ drama ‘Suspicion’
ITV has secured the rights to Apple TV+’s thriller series "Suspicion" for its streaming service ITVX, marking what is believed to be… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.07:47 pmM3 Ultra is either the best news or worst case scenario for Apple’s most niche product
The Apple silicon era has not been kind to the Mac Pro, and the target market for Apple’s most niche machine shrank even more today. However, it’s always darkest before the dawn, and that may be the case for this Mac workstation. more…07:29 pmThe 27-inch Studio Display is $300 Off
Amazon has marked down the Apple Studio Display, featuring a massive 27-inch screen with 5K Retina display, 600 nits of brightness with P3 Wide Color so you can see bright and vibrant graphics and immerse yourself in the movie or game you’re playing. You’d appear and sound more professional in video calls and meetings with […] The post appeared first on iLounge.07:28 pmColorWare makes new custom AirPods
ColorWare is famous for its creatively designed Apple accessories and devices, and they have added a new classic Mac painted Retro Collection featuring the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2. It is available in dark mode featuring matte black, and light mode featuring a cream matte color. The AirPods are made to look similar to […] The post appeared first on iLounge.07:27 pmApple’s C1 5G modem is the modem for future Apple Gadgets
The latest addition to the iPhone 16 lineup, the iPhone 16e, features Apple’s very own designed, custom C1 modem supporting LTE and 5G connection whilst other iPhone models depend on Qualcomm modems. It’s a milestone for Apple, having worked on its own modem with cellular connectivity since 2018 and has now released its custom-made modem. […] The post appeared first on iLounge.07:26 pmRemoving personal information from Google search made easier
Changes to Google Search have been made to remove personal information that you do not want on the internet. It can be easily done by tapping the three dots to show the interface that lets you ask for the removal of information and choose among the options. The first one allows you to remove personal […] The post appeared first on iLounge.07:21 pmHow to get missing Apple apps back on your iPhone and iPad
You can visit the App Store to download Apple apps like Music, Podcasts, Weather, Maps and Find My missing from your iPhone or iPad. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)07:19 pmiOS 18.4 upgrades the App Store with these two new features
iOS 18.4 has been available in beta for less than two weeks, and following beta 2’s arrival earlier this week we’re still discovering updates and changes. The latest: there are two new App Store additions that should make downloading apps and updates just a little bit nicer of an experience than before. more…07:04 pmQualcomm swears it’s not worried about Apple making its own iPhone modems
When we look back on the iPhone 16e years from now, the thing we’ll all remember is that it was the first iPhone to use Apple’s own modem. Even though the two companies have a testy relationship, Apple has historically relied on Qualcomm for modems. The C1 chip in the iPhone 16e is Apple’s first step toward breaking up with Qualcomm. Qualcomm, however, says it’s not worried about the competition posed by Apple’s foray into modems… more…07:04 pmWhy there won’t ever be a super-fast Apple M4 Ultra processor
Explore why the M4 Ultra processor may never be launched. Seems Apple never intended to make the chip for its high-end desktops. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)06:44 pmApple’s new M4 MacBook Air is the rare product I’d recommend to everyone
Apple’s M4 MacBook Air comes with several nice upgrades, but it isn’t packed with tons of new features. Yet despite the limited revisions on paper, the new MacBook Air stands out from Apple’s lineup as a rare product I can heartily recommend to just about anyone. Here’s why. more…06:09 pmNot every generation of Apple Silicon will get an ‘Ultra’ chip
Why is high-end Mac Studio getting an M3 Ultra instead of an M4 Ultra, Apple said not every Apple Silicon generation will get an “Ultra” chip… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.05:52 pmSave up to $168 on every new 2025 M4 MacBook Air with these deals
Every 2025 M4 MacBook Air is discounted thanks to exclusive AppleInsider pricing, making it a great way to save on Apple's newest laptop release.Get exclusive discounts on every M4 MacBook Air - Image credit: AppleTo save on the new M4 MacBook Air line, head over to Apple Premier Partner Expercom using this exclusive pricing link and look for the special AppleInsider price above the Add to Cart button.Save on M4 MacBook Air Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:37 pmThe Mac’s Space Gray era is officially over
Macworld As part of the M4 MacBook Air announcement on Wednesday, Apple also revealed a brand new MacBook color: Sky Blue. But it comes with a price: Gone is the MacBook Air’s longstanding Space Gray option, which means that Apple no longer offers any new Mac in Space Gray. Space Gray made its debut on the iPhone 5s in 2013 (which we referred to as “something called ‘space gray'” when it was introduced). The first Mac in Space Gray was the 12-inch MacBook in 2015, which we described as a “serious and sophisticated finish”–we also erroneously wrote it as “grey” and not “gray” as Apple puts it. While Space Gray had only one name during its tenure, it took on different shades over the years. Sometimes it was lighter and nearly silver, other times it was darker and closer to black. Which was an odd thing for Apple, a company that prides itself in its design consistency. Apple has not commented on the end of Space Gray, and just because it’s no longer offered on a Mac right now doesn’t mean it’s one forever. Apple could decide to revive it in the future. Apple’s Mac color choices are bright and colorful (with one darker Midnight option) on the consumer side, metallic shades on the pro side, and silver for the tween-ish Mac mini. If you really want a Space Gray Mac, you have to settle for older models at third-party retailers or in the Apple Certified Refurbished Store. However, Space Gray still lives on the iPad Air and the iPad mini. If you feel like grieving for the loss of Space Gray on the Mac, please enjoy the Space Gray memorial slideshow below. You can even play this song while you’re looking at the pictures.05:28 pmThe tiny and powerful M4 Mac mini drops to its new best price
Macworld If you don’t need the power of the new Mac Studio, there’s a brand new best price for the new M4 Mac Mini. Amazon is selling the super-small computer with 512GB of storage for $699, a savings of $100, and the best price we’ve ever seen for this configuration. This tiny Mac will fit in nicely on your desktop, giving you the chance to have the clutter-free office you’ve always wanted. It’s not just the size that sells this computer, of course, but also its awesome features. With a snappy M4 chip, the Mac mini can handle absolutely anything you throw its way. The 16GB memory will definitely help you handle anything you throw at it, and the upgraded 512GB of storage space will be more than enough space for movies, music, photos, and projects. We reviewed the new Mac mini with the M4 Pro and found it tiny and quiet with great performance and a good selection of ports from Thunderbolt port to HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, and plenty of type-C ports. So, don’t miss out on the chance to get yourself the new M4 Mac Mini for $699 at Amazon, its best price ever. The new M4 Mac Mini has a new best priceBuy now at Amazon05:23 pmWith M4 chips, Apple hints at making a key change for the first time
Apple unveiled a brand new Mac Studio today with two powerful—yet perplexing—chip options. You can get it with an M4 Max or the new high-end M3 Ultra chip. One publication asked Apple about this odd pairing, and its answer hinted that we may not see an M4 Ultra chip in the future. more…05:20 pmApple says not every Apple Silicon generation will get an Ultra
Apple released the M3 Ultra alongside M4 generation chips — but here's why we probably won't see the M4 Ultra.Image credit: AppleOn Wednesday, Apple announced its new Apple Studio. As anticipated, it launched with an M4 chip — the M4 Max, specifically.But it also launched with the M3 Ultra. This left many people, including AppleInsider staff, wondering what Apple's reasoning was. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:17 pmM4 MacBook Air Cuts Price, Boosts Performance, Camera, and Display Support
Apple has unveiled the M4 MacBook Air, featuring a more powerful M4 chip, a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, true dual-display support, and a lower price. Adam Engst explains how it sets a new standard for Apple’s lightweight laptop.