Eliana Willis

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/ZDNETApple has been touting the artificial intelligence (AI) features heading to the iPhone (as well as the iPad and Mac) since its WWDC event in June. Known as Apple Intelligence, the technology promises to simplify daily tasks, integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT, help fine-tune your writing, and improve Siri. Unfortunately, Apple users won’t get to enjoy these features when the new OS versions arrive in September.According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company plans to start rolling out Apple Intelligence to users in a software update scheduled for October. Citing “people with knowledge of the matter,” Gurman said that the new AI features will likely arrive with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, a few weeks after the debut of the latest OS versions.Even now, Apple is preparing developer betas of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 for launch as soon as this week, according to Gurman. This move is unusual, as the company doesn’t typically release previews of software updates until the initial version has already reached the public.Also: How iOS 18 will impact your iPhone’s battery healthA lot is riding on Apple’s entry into the AI landscape, meaning the company needs to test and get feedback from developers as early as possible, especially amid concerns over the reliability of the new features. With major players like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI firmly entrenched in the world of generative AI, Apple is in the awkward position of playing catchup. The company is counting on Apple Intelligence to prove that it can compete, and Apple users who are tired of Siri’s embarrassing flaws are waiting to see if AI will deliver much-needed improvements to the voice assistant.Apple has been busy with the usual beta versions of its upcoming operating systems. For the iPhone, the company released the public beta of iOS 18 on July 17. Following the first developer beta launched in June, the fourth iteration for developers rolled out last week.These beta versions don’t include the much-anticipated AI features — another reason Apple wants to release the developer beta of iOS 18.1 as soon as possible.Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones can’t)The delay in the rollout of Apple Intelligence also means that the iPhone 16 won’t include the AI features when it launches, likely in mid to late September. That’s also unusual as most new iPhones incorporate the latest features.Even when iOS 18.1 lands in October, certain key AI upgrades will be missing. In a June 16 release of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said that some AI features related to Siri will arrive in 2024, but others won’t pop up until the first half of 2025.As for Siri, the updates you can expect this year include a new interface, the ability to understand you if you make a mistake, more natural conversation, and a “Type to Siri” option that lets you type a request instead of speaking it.  More

Jorg Greuel/Getty Images The rise of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) is colliding with elections all over the world, and consumers are worried. Singapore, Mexico, the US, and the UK are all holding general elections this year — and voters are concerned they will not be able to identify deepfakes. According to a report released by […] More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Vivobook S 15 More

Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images If there’s one thing that smartphone users worry about more than anything — even having an internet connection — it’s the battery.  It used to be battery life that was the source of anxiety, with owners watching each percentage point drop with furrowed brows and dread in their hearts. As […] More

Apple makes its own docking stations for MacBooks, but the main problem with first-party devices is that they’re very limited in what they can do. The Digital AV Multiport Adapter, for example, only comes with three inputs and a USB-C cable at the end. To make up for this, Apple sells multiple third-party in its online store, and among the selection, the best is the TS3 Plus Dock from CalDigit.It’s similar to other entries on the list as it sports 15 individual ports. Just to name a few, you have a pair of Thunderbolt 3 inputs, five USB-A ports, and an SD card reader on the front. As you probably guessed from that brief array, this docking station can output video. In fact, it can output up to two displays at once in 4K resolution at 60Hz. Or if you have a single screen, you can instead send a 5K video with a refresh rate of 60Hz.Also: My favorite USB-C accessory of all time has a magnetic superpower (and it’s up to 25% off)The TS3 Plus Dock works with PCs as well as Mac computers, however. it caters more to Apple hardware. CalDigit’s device is capable of charging MacBooks up to 87 watts allowing you to power up your computer while transmitting files or working. The TS3 Plus Dock is even backward compatible as it works with old Apple laptops equipped with Intel processors. If you want a version with more ports, Apple also sells its big brother, the CalDigit TS4, on its digital storefront as well.CalDigit TS3 Plus Dock specs: Ports: Thunderbolt 3 (2), USB-A 3.0 (5), USB-C (2), UHS-II SD card reader (1), DisplayPort (1), 3.5mm Mic line in and Audio out (1), Gigabit Ethernet port (1)  | Display: 4K @60Hz display (2), 5K @60Hz (1); supports up to 2 total displays More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETI recently had a chance to go hands-on with Apple’s upcoming Game Mode feature, and it’s clear that we’re about to see the next generation of mobile gaming across Apple’s ecosystem of iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks.Also: I did not expect this iOS 18 feature announced at WWDC to be my favorite (and it’s not AI)Mobile gaming is nothing new but it’s certainly growing up, with improvements that aim to make cutting-edge titles run on the iPhone with performance equal to other portable gaming devices. The first and foremost of these improvements is the Game Mode feature in iOS 18 due later this fall.  More

Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Oukitel WP35 More

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