Apple

Apple forced to ditch lightning charger in new iPhone

The tech giant said that the iPhone 15, unveiled at its annual event on Tuesday, would use a USB-C cable as the "universally accepted standard".

A new Apple Watch series was also unveiled with a more advanced chip.

But one analyst said a lack of "headline-grabbing" updates from Apple this year would disappoint some.

"It isn't a surprise given the maturity of the iPhone and Watch," said Ben Wood from CCS Insight.

"It reflects just how refined the iPhone and Watch devices are and how tough it has become to deliver truly disruptive updates every year."

New Apple Exclusive Reveals iPhone 15 Release Surprise

Responding to a question from Twitter user Titas Kumar Koley about iPhone 15 color options, respected Apple insider Unknownz21 said, “none of them are red.” This is something of a curveball because not only has Apple successfully partnered with charity (PRODUCT)RED for the last 16 years, the new color for the iPhone 15 Pro models was widely expected to be a deep, dark red (mocked up above).

Vision Pro: Apple's new augmented reality headset unveiled

Apple CEO Tim Cook said the new headset "seamlessly blends the real world and the virtual world".

The tech firm also announced its latest iPhone operating system, as well as updates to MacBook Air.

The headset has a two-hour battery life, costs $3,499 (£2,849) and will be released early next year in the US.

The cost is considerably more than virtual reality headsets currently on the market. Last week Meta announced its Quest - which costs $449.

Foxconn: iPhone maker hikes pay ahead of new model launch

Foxconn says new workers at its plant in Zhengzhou, China will get bonuses of up to 3,000 yuan ($424; £343) if they stay in the job for at least 90 days.

Current employees who successfully refer a friend or family member will also qualify for an award, it says.

The iPhone 15 is expected to be launched in September.

Foxconn employees who refer a new recruit will now receive 500 yuan if the person stays at the company for a month, a post seen by the BBC on the popular Chinese messaging app WeChat said.

IPhone 15 pro max will exclusively use a telephoto lens for the first time

The periscope telephoto lens would be included with the iPhone 15 Pro Max variant, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo confirmed a few hours ago. The iPhone 15 Pro Max can achieve 6X optical zoom in contrast to the 12MP, 3X telephoto lens included with the iPhone 14 Pro at the moment. This is the first device produced by Apple to use a periscope telephoto lens.

The periscope telephoto lens’ design is inspired by the periscope. It uses two mirrors to create the refraction of the light, which is twice reflected via the mirrors before being redirected to the photosensitive component.

Apple launches Lockdown Mode to block spyware attacks on at-risk users

Lockdown Mode will be available in the autumn with the next operating system across all of the company's iPhones, iPads and Macs.

The setting blocks certain functions and prevents unknown users from calling.

It comes after Apple devices owned by activists, politicians and journalists were infected with spyware.

Apple is currently suing Israeli spyware firm NSO Group, accusing it of targeting victims in 150 different countries with its powerful Pegasus spyware.

Apple announces buy now pay later, among iOS 16 plans

Apple Pay Later will allow users in the US to spread the cost of a purchase into four payments over six weeks, without paying interest or fees.

It forms part of a range of new iPhone features, including the ability to edit iMessages and a feature intended to help people in abusive relationships.

The features were unveiled at WWDC, the firm's annual developers' conference.

BNPL services - which are currently unregulated in the UK - have been criticised for the way they are used by low-income groups.

Apple boss Tim Cook faces backlash to £73m pay package

Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) said it has "significant concerns" over the size of the award, up from $14.8m the year before.

Mr Cook, whose net worth is reportedly more than £1bn, received the pay in shares, salary, and for other costs.

The BBC has contacted Apple for comment.

In a letter to shareholders, the ISS said there are "significant concerns" over the "design and magnitude" of the package. "Half of the award lacks performance criteria," ISS said.

Norfolk County Council sues Apple in class action

The Council claims a pension fund it runs lost money after Apple allegedly misled shareholders in 2018 about the performance of its business in China.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers' decision means Apple could face significantly larger damages if it loses.

Norfolk County Council is involved in the case because it runs the multi-billion pound Norfolk Pension Fund whose members include council employees, as well as workers from other public bodies.

Apple moves to stop AirTag tracking misuse

The button-sized devices are designed to work with Apple's 'Find My' network to locate lost items.

The company said its changes to the device will make suspicious tags easier to find, and alert users earlier that an AirTag may be travelling with them.

In January, a number of women told the BBC they had been followed using AirTags.

Apple launched AirTags in April last year. The small, circular devices can be attached to luggage or keys - anything you could lose.