March 2025

iOS & Apple news

Today, just a few hours ago, Apple released iOS 18.3.2 with a fix for a severe zero-day flaw -- and nearly all supported iPhone and iPad models are affected. This is to address “an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals” using older versions of iOS, reports ArsTechnica. Translation: upgrade as soon as possible.

PSA from Macrumors: iOS 18.3.2 Re-Enables Apple Intelligence If You Turned It Off. `If you've updated to iOS 18.3.2 and do not want ‌Apple Intelligence‌ enabled, you will need to go the Settings app, tap onApple Intelligence, and then toggle it off.' Also, note that it takes about 7 GB of storage capacity.

Apple Is Delaying the ‘More Personalized Siri’ Apple Intelligence Features, reports Daring Fireball.

As had been rumored, Apple introduced the new iPhone 16e:

The new iPhone 16e replaces the old SE model and has no homebutton, it uses FaceID.

This also means that the old SE iPhones are the end of the line, presumably, for those who like the touchID homebutton. You can snap one up from Swappa. ;-)

Apple has updated the iPad model. Macrumors offers an overview & buyer's guide.

Apple also updated iPad Air with the M3 chip.

As always, you can use Apple's tool: Compare iPad to customize the comparisons you want to make.

Apple also announced the new Macbook Air with the M4 chip.

Apple has completed the acquisition of Pixelmator, reports 9to5Mac.

Recall that AI on iOS is set up as an extension to the operating system, and currently, ChatGPT is the only available option, thanks to Apple's partnership with OpenAI. Reportedly, 'Passed Over' DeepSeek as Apple Intelligence Partner, reports Macrumors.

Apple dominates the Smart Tag Market With AirTags, reports Investors.com. Parks Associates reports that 69% of smart tag purchasers in late 2024 opted for an Apple AirTag, up significantly from 45% in early 2022.

Apple now makes it possible to Move Digital Purchases From One Apple Account to Another, reports Macrumors. See Apple Support document on how to migrate purchases from one Apple account to another Apple account.

It is expected that iOS 18.4 will be released in April and it could require users with HomeKit devices running on the old Home app architecture to upgrade them to the latest software.

[ RUMOR ] Perhaps Apple is working on AirPods with cameras, reports 9to5mac, based on a scoop by Bloomberg. ` Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported this week that Apple has been “actively developing” new AirPods with built-in cameras.' Bloomberg writes: `Apple also is still actively developing a product that would combine AirPods with cameras. The cameras would help power AI features by gathering information on the surrounding environment… Of course, this all hinges on Apple getting its AI in order.' The cameras would introduce innovative features by incorporating infrared (IR) cameras into the earbuds. These cameras, similar to the IR receiver used in the iPhone’s Face ID system, will not be used for photos or videos but will instead enhance user interaction and for spatial computing and audio experiences, such as gestures and more.

iOS apps

This is a macOS app: TabsToLinks is an app that grabs your open Safari tabs and creates a ist of links. You can then export this list in an Apple Note, or copy the list and paste it anywhere you wish. This is especially useful for those of us who are tab-o-holics.

PawBoost is a service and an iOS app. They offer a free service to post a pet that has been lost or a pet that has been found. Their goal is to help lost pets return home. Olga used this recently to post info on a dog a neighbor found. Pawboost automatically or manually/easily connects to other social media (such as Facebook's lost pets) and Nextdoor.

tips & tricks

You can use your Apple Watch, connected to your iPhone's camera app, to `see' live in hard-to-reach areas. For example, need to look under your bed or your car without getting on the floor? Or, need to look inside a hole of a dry wall to look for a stud? Simply open the Camera app on your watch. This will give you a live view of what your iPhone's camera sees. Aim your iPhone in the area of interest and you can see on your wrist. You can also take a photo from your watch.

Sometimes, you can find yourself clicking on a news or other article but you cannot, as you encounter popups asking for your email, to sign up, to jump several hoops. Sound familiar? It can be frustrating. Oftentimes, if you choose the "reader mode" offered by Safari, you instantly get around all these roadblocks. This doesn't work 100% of the time, but it's easy to try and it works most of the time.

gadgets & accessories

Mary Anne told us about this watch band organizer that she recently got.

Apple just released the latest version of Beats Pro. Here is a review of PowerBeats Pro 2, by 9to5Mac.

Also, Marques Brownlee has a very positive review:

Pay

Tap to Pay continues to expand across the world: Here are the countries where Tap-to-Pay is available, reports Macrumors.

Apple Account Cards in Wallet Are Expanding to More Countries, reports Macrumors.

Intuit announced QuickBooks Enables Tap to Pay on iPhone for Small and Mid-Market Businesses to Accept Contactless Payments. This allows businesses to accept in-person contactless payments without additional hardware.

general apps & services

If you need to email a large file to someone a good option is WeTransfer.com. It's quick, easy, and they offer a free tier.

As mentioned above, PawBoost is a service and an iOS app. They offer a free service to post a pet that has been lost or a pet that has been found. Their goal is to help lost pets return home. Olga used this recently to post info on a dog a neighbor found. Pawboost automatically or manually/easily connects to other social media (such as Facebook's lost pets) and Nextdoor.

PetcoLove.org is another free service to help you post lost or found pets. It uses AI image/face recognition to attempt to identify matches between lost and found pets. Olga used it recently to post a dog neighbors had found.

If you have lost or found a pet in Pima County, AZ, PACC Lost & Found guides you on steps to take.

next iPUG

Our next iPUG meeting will be Tuesday, May 6, at 7 pm AZ time. (No meeting in April due to travel schedules.)