Tag: Computers

In an effort to bolster security, WhatsApp has introduced an innovative feature that enables Android users to establish a passwordless passkey. This much-anticipated feature follows a successful beta testing phase conducted roughly a month ago.

Google has also jumped on the passkey bandwagon, revealing that they will be adopting passkeys as the default login method for personal accounts.

Enhance WhatsApp Security with the New Passkey Feature for Android

But what exactly is a passkey, you may wonder? A passkey is a concise combination of numbers or characters that serves as a confirmation of your identity, ensuring that only authorized devices can gain access to your WhatsApp account. Setting it up is a breeze as you can use your device’s face recognition, fingerprint, or a PIN.

Creating a passkey is a straightforward process:

1. Navigate to your WhatsApp settings.
2. Tap on “Passkeys” and choose “Create a passkey.”
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. You may be prompted to use your device’s screen lock for added security.

This feature proves especially valuable if you encounter difficulties logging into your account, as it eliminates the need for a traditional password, letting you rely on your biometric data to confirm your identity.

To establish a passkey, ensure that you have an Android device running version 9 or later, a linked Google account, and a lock screen enabled. Additionally, be certain that you have the latest version of Google Play Store installed.

Android users can easily and securely log back in with passkeys only your face, finger print, or pin unlocks your WhatsApp account pic.twitter.com/In3OaWKqhy

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) October 16, 2023

It’s worth noting that if you’re reinstalling WhatsApp and already have a passkey, you might be asked if you’d like to use it during the registration process.

As for availability, WhatsApp will gradually introduce passkey support for Android users in the weeks and months ahead. Unfortunately, there’s no information available yet regarding passkey support for iPhone users.

WhatsApp announced this exciting development on X (formerly Twitter). Stating, “Android users can now effortlessly and securely regain access with passkeys. Only your face, fingerprint, or PIN unlocks your WhatsApp account.” This marks a significant step toward enhancing the security of WhatsApp users across the Android platform.

Apple is rumored to introduce new iPads as soon as this week and while we thought this would be the case, here’s some new information that tells something else. It is now rumored that the Cupertino tech major will launch the next-gen Apple Pencil instead. Check out the details below.

Apple Pencil 3 Coming Soon?

Japanese blog Mac Otakara suggests that Apple is planning an iPad-related announcement this week (possibly for today) but this may involve the new Apple Pencil 3 instead of updates to the iPads.

The previous information hinted at the launch of the iPad mini 7, the 11th Gen iPad, and the 6th Gen iPad Air. These are expected with a chipset upgrade as the main attraction. While the iPad mini 7 could have the A15 Bionic chipset, the 11th-gen iPad might get the A14 chipset. The next-gen iPad Air is expected to be powered by the M2 chip.

Apple updated the iPad lineup last year at the same time with the M2 iPad Pro and the 10th Gen iPad and hence, the information regarding new iPads in October this year as well seemed like a great possibility. However, we might just see the new Apple Pencil!

The Apple Pencil 3 will succeed the nearly 5-year-old Apple Pencil 2 and is said to come with interchangeable tips (also hinted at by Majin Bu) for different tasks like painting, drawing, and more. This may be up for grabs separately.

Based on what my source reported
the new Apple Pencil 3 will come with interchangeable magnetic tips

(for drawing, technical drawing and painting) pic.twitter.com/AXUdpbZFVh— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) September 30, 2023

The Apple Pencil 2 comes with the ‘Hover‘ capability, which allows you to use it 12mm above the display. We expect the same feature to pass on to the new Apple Pencil 3, along with several improvements. Since the Apple stylus will be revamped after years, this also seems like a possibility for today’s expected launch.

Whatever the case is, it appears like Apple will launch something and we shall know about this soon. We will keep you posted with the details, so, stay tuned to this space. Also, what do you think Apple will launch this week? Let us know in the comments below.

Xiaomi has officially announced the successor to its current UI, MIUI, with the introduction of Xiaomi HyperOS, putting an end to the rumors.

Reports had been talking about a new operating system known as MiOS. And recently, Xiaomi registered trademarks for ‘Xiaomi Pengpai’ and ‘Xiaomi Hyper’. Interestingly, while it’s referred to in English as HyperOS, the Chinese translation labels it as ThePaper OS.

From MIUI to HyperOS: Xiaomi’s Operating System Upgrade

So, in an exciting development, the CEO of Xiaomi, Lei Jun, has confirmed that the upcoming Xiaomi 14 series will be the first to feature this new OS. Production is already underway, marking a significant step in the company’s plans. Furthermore, Lei Jun stated that HyperOS would gradually replace MIUI in older devices that currently run on it.

Additionally, one intriguing aspect is whether Xiaomi is shifting toward an Android version-based OS with HyperOS, similar to ColorOS, OxygenOS, OneUI, and Funtouch OS, which annually upgrade their software while maintaining the latest Android version as their foundation. Some reports suggest that Xiaomi might draw inspiration from HUAWEI’s Harmony OS. By adopting the use of AOSP and a micro kernel.

Also, excitement is building as we anticipate learning more about HyperOS in the weeks to come. In addition, Xiaomi is expected to unveil this innovative operating system alongside the Xiaomi 14 series. It’s set to make its debut in November. As the launch date approaches, tech enthusiasts are eager to see how HyperOS will shape the future of Xiaomi’s smartphone and tablet experience.

Xiaomi is known for many things and one of them is MIUI, their in-house Android skin that’s both loved and criticized by individuals. Many applaud MIUI for its customization features as it has, by far, one of the deepest customization features you’ll find on any Android skin. Today, Xiaomi’s Founder and CEO, Lei Jun, tweeted and announced Xiaomi HyperOS, an operating system that will first debut on the Xiaomi 14 series. The upcoming flagships are rumored to launch by the end of October. We did learn from earlier news that Xiaomi may bid farewell to MIUI for MiOS, but it looks like the next phase of Xiaomi’s OS will be called HyperOS.

Xiaomi HyperOS Launch Date

It’s been confirmed that HyperOS will launch alongside the Xiaomi 14 series, which will be launched by the end of October 2023. Xiaomi’s VP has also confirmed that HyperOS will be available globally and “will roll out throughout 2024”.

One of the first questions that probably comes to your mind after hearing about Xiaomi’s HyperOS could be, “is it an independent OS or will it be based on Android?” We’ve seen the likes of Huawei introducing their own HarmonyOS for Chinese markets so the very thought of Xiaomi developing its own OS doesn’t seem far-fetched.

On a Weibo, Lei Jun has confirmed that HyperOS will be “based on the integration of the deeply evolved Android and the self-developed Vela system, completely rewriting the underlying architecture, and preparing a public base for the Internet of Everything for tens of billions of devices and tens of billions of connections in the future.”

Thus, it clears that HyperOS won’t be an independent OS and will be based on Android.

HyperOS Features

Since the announcement is really new, there’s no info about what the OS looks like and what’s Xiaomi’s plan with the same; do they plan on making a less bloaty OS for the global masses? Will the HyperOS be a near-stock AOSP experience with a few Xiaomi features sprinkled on top? There are too many questions that should unravel as we get closer to the launch of the Xiaomi 14 Series.

Either way, HyperOS seems like the perfect opportunity for Xiaomi to provide a seamless experience, a one-stop operating system for all of their devices which would facilitate faster updates, extended update cycles (inspired by Google’s recent Pixel 8 announcement). It is also a perfect opportunity for the company to build products and form an ecosystem, something’s Xiaomi is known for but just couldn’t integrate all products as seamlessly as other manufacturers do.

Either way, it should be interesting to see what Xiaomi has in store for its users with HyperOS. What are your thoughts on the same? Let us know in the comments section below.

I was thoroughly impressed with ZimaBoard. However, it had some issues. For example, the board had soldered memory. And the highest available config could only offer 8GB of RAM. Also, ZimaBoard had no USB-C port, which I believe is a must-have for 2023. Well, IceWhale took notes. Meet the ZimaBlade!

With this release, IceWhale didn’t only bring out something that looks sleeker than the Zimaboard, but also an SBC that’s both powerful and affordable. The base kit of the ZimaBlade is just $64. In comparison, the base ZimaBoard has a price tag of $119.90.

But just because the new SBC is more affordable than the ZimaBoard, it doesn’t mean the ZimaBlade isn’t powerful. As a matter of fact, it’s more capable than ZimaBoard. And ZimaBoard already packs more power than most SBCs in the market.

To compare, depending on the model you pick, the ZimaBoard comes with Intel N3350 or N3450. On the other hand, the high-spec version of ZimaBlade features Intel J3455, which I believe is one generation ahead of the CPU ZimaBoard came with.

But the real question is, how good is the ZimaBlade? Let’s put it to the test!

What’s In the Box?

The base ZimaBlade kit comes with the SBC, USB Type-C Cable, and a SATA cable. It features the dual-core Intel N3350, which is also found in the ZimaBoard. And it’s current pricing on Crowd Supply is $64. If you don’t want to purchase the RAM separately, you can grab the 3760 Early Bird kit. It comes with an 8GB DDR3L stick. The Early Bird kit is priced at $72.

But the one that I have with me is the ZimaBlade 7700, which comes with the Intel J3455. On Crowd Supply, this version goes for $96, and the accessories are the same as the base kit.

Besides these two, you can grab the ZimaBlade 7700 Advanced kit. This kit will come with 16GB of DDR3L RAM, 12V / 3 A power adapter, 4K 60Hz DP to HDMI cable, and other accessories included with the previous kits. And it goes for $128.

There are ZimaBlade NAS and 12-Core Cluster Kits available too. Here, the NAS kit comes with the accessories of the Advanced kit but with a dual 3.5-inch storage drive stand and a special SATA Y-cable. And with the 12-Core 48GB cluster, you get 3 ZimaBlade Advanced kits. The pricing for these two is $144 and $392, respectively.

Get the ZimaBlade NAS and other kits from Crowd Supply

Visit ZimaBlade’s official website for more information on the NAS and other kits

Specifications of ZimaBlade

CPU	Intel N3350 Dual Core with a Turbo Speed of 2.4GHz (TDP 6W) or Intel J3455 with a Turbo Speed of 2.2GHz (TDP 10W)
RAM	SODIMM Slot, compatible with up to 16GB DDR3L at 1600Mhz
Storage	32GB eMMC
Display	Mini-DisplayPort 1.2 4K@60Hz x 1 Type-C 4K@60Hz x 1
Networking	Gigabit Ethernet port
Ports	One PCIe 2.0 4 Lane One USB 3.0 Type-C One USB 3.0 Type Two Internal USB 2.0 Two SATA 6.0 Gb/s
Dimensions	107 x 80 x 23mm

ZimaBlade Benchmark Results

If you’re going for performance, you are likely to get the ZimaBlade 7700, which is the model I have with me. The Intel J3455 CPU on this SBC can offer quite a punch. Compared to the Raspberry Pi 4, the ZimaBlade 7700 takes the lead in almost all the benchmarks. Check out the benchmark results in the picture attached below.

Setting Up Your ZimaBlade

Irrespective of the chosen kit, you won’t face any issues with setting up the ZimaBlade. You only need to connect it to a power source through the USB-C port and hook it up to a monitor or your router/PC with the ethernet port.

If you use the DisplayPort to connect the ZimaBlade to a monitor, you’ll be greeted with a Linux SSH terminal. On the other hand, the Ethernet port connection will get you a beautiful Web UI after you put casaos.local on your browser. On that note, you can access the Terminal on the Web UI, which makes it extremely versatile.

That said, you’re not stuck with CasaOS. Like the ZimaBoard, the ZimaBlade can run Windows, other distros of Linux, OpenWrt, pfSense, and Android. So, if you’re not happy with what CasaOS has to bring to the table, you can easily switch to your preferred OS.

App Store on CasaOS

The app store in CasaOS offers a good number of easy-to-install apps. For example, you can find MineOS on the app store, which lets you easily get a Minecraft server up and running on the ZimaBlade. There’s also Plex, enabling you to quickly set up your local Plex server for streaming.

The Versatility of ZimaBlade

With such an amazing set of hardware, the ZimaBlade calls for some amazing DIY projects. To illustrate, you can get the NAS kit and build yourself the ultimate cloud storage that ensures maximum privacy. In addition, with the apps from the built-in app store, you can build a Home Assistant, DNS servers, database, BitTorrent appliance, and many more.

What’s more interesting is that the ZimaBlade has what it takes to become a full-fledged retro emulator. You can easily get other distros of Linux installed and emulate the classic games on the SBC. But, of course, don’t expect to get gaming PC-like performance out of the board. After all, it comes with a low-power CPU.

On that note, it’s also possible to get some Windows games up and running on the ZimaBlade. But, again, you won’t get modern AAA titles running on the board. And if you do want to use it as a gaming setup, I would recommend hooking up a GPU with the board. Something such as the GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile would perfectly pair with this SBC. Besides, it can be a perfect device for cloud gaming.

Maximizing ZimaBlade’s Potential with Accessories

IceWhale officially sells a good range of accessories that you can use to get the most out of the ZimaBlade. Let me give you a rundown on some of the accessories that I have with me:

PCIe to NVMe & NGFF SSD Adapter

Planning to build a home server or hosting setup? In that case, you would want to prioritize speed. Well, on the official store of IceWhale, you’ll find the PCIe to NVMe & NGFF SSD adapter. With it, you can expand the storage of ZimaBlade with super-fast NVMe SSDs.

PCIe to 4-Port 2.5G Ethernet Adapter with Intel I225 Chipset

Needless to say, the I225 chipset is one of the most reliable ethernet chipsets out there. And with this expansion card, you can get quad 2.5Gbe ethernet ports on the ZimaBlade.

PCIe to 5 Port SATA II Adapter

The ZimaBlade already comes with two built-in SATA ports. A home cloud server or NAS demands more drives. Well, that’s exactly where this expansion card comes into play. It features the trusty JMB585 chipset, which can deliver 1700MB/s.

PCIe to 4-Channel USB Adapter

On the ZimaBlade, you get only one USB 3.0 Type-A port. And if you plan to use the board for emulating games, you’ll need a lot more. That’s where this expansion card steps in. It gives you 4 USB 3.0 ports with an interface speed of up to 5Gbps.

PCIe to 10G Ethernet Adapter with AQC107 Chipset

Have a large number of file data transfer needs? In that case, you would want to pick up this expansion card for your ZimaBlade. It ramps up to 10 Gigabit speed.

Closing Remarks om ZimaBlade

As someone who has tested the ZimaBoard 832, I can safely say that the ZimaBlade is an upgrade, especially when you consider the ZimaBlade 7770. But if you already have the ZimaBoard 832, there’s no need to upgrade. For these two SBCs, the performance is pretty much comparable.

However, there’s no denying that the ZimaBlade offers more value, especially at the price point it is on Crowd Supply.

Get the ZimaBlade NAS and other kits from Crowd Supply

Visit ZimaBlade’s official website for more information on the NAS and other kits

 

A few days ago, Google made Passkeys a default option for Android users on the road to establishing a password-less world. It was also revealed that third-party apps will adopt this and WhatsApp’s name was on the list. WhatsApp has now officially started supporting Passkey. Have a look at the details below.

WhatsApp Logins Now Made Easier

Passkey support on WhatsApp will help you easily log into your account while setting up a new device more safely and easily. This option will require your phone’s biometric authentication ways (like fingerprint and face unlock) and will provide you with a cryptographic key to easily log in. It would be that simple and quick!

So, there won’t be a need for the hassle of waiting for the OTPs and two-factor authentication. And if you often forget the complex password combinations (at least I do!), this will be the thing for you. It is revealed that Passkeys will be stored on your Google Password Manager so logging in from another device is also possible.

For the uninitiated, Google introduced Passkeys last year created by FIDO Alliance. This alliance also included Apple and Microsoft and the venture was initiated around three years ago. While ensuring a quicker and safer way of signing in, Passkeys also ensure you don’t log into a malicious app or website as each key is unique to an app or website.

You should know that it will take some time for all to entirely adopt a password-less setup. Hence, this will remain an option and you will still get an option to log in via an OTP. This will be true for other platforms too.

To recall, WhatsApp was earlier testing the Passkey support as part of its Android beta program. There’s no word on when WhatsApp for iOS will get Passkeys. For Android users, this should start rolling out for all in the coming weeks. So, what are your thoughts about this? Will you find yourself using it or do you wish to rely on the old-school OTP authentication? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. According to a new report by the GSMA, over half (54%) of the global population, now owns a smartphone. This is around 4.3 billion people, the report claims. The report considers the number of mobile phone owners as of the end of 2022. This is a huge milestone for the mobile industry. It highlights the growing importance of mobile technology in our lives. In addition, the report also states that 57% of the world’s population (4.6 billion people) actively uses the mobile Internet.

Mobile Internet Users

Breaking down Internet users, nearly 4 billion people access the Internet through smartphones. This is about 49% of the global population. However, there are currently about 600 million people in the world who rely on feature phones. This is around 8% of the global population. In addition, there are 350 million smartphone owners who choose not to use the mobile Internet. At the end of 2022, 69% of smartphones used by mobile Internet users support 4G, 17% support 5G, and 14% are limited to 3G.

Although the mobile Internet base has been growing steadily, the related growth rate has slowed down in 2022. In 2022, there were only 200 million new according to GSMA. This is lower than the 300 million new users that were recorded in both 2021 and 2020.

Most of the growth is coming from low- and middle-income countries. In the least developed countries, nearly 30 million people will have access to mobile internet in 2022. This means that a quarter of the population in low- and middle-income countries is already connected to the Internet.

It is worth noting that 5% of the world’s population still lacks broadband coverage. This affects nearly 400 million people. The GSMA believes that these “gaps” mainly exist in rural, poor and sparsely populated areas. In addition, the GSMA reports that there are 3.4 billion people in the world who are not connected to the internet. However, nearly 90% of them live in areas that have active internet but have “never used the service.” In this article, we will explore the GSMA and its role in the mobile industry, as well as the findings of the latest report.

What is GSMA?

The GSMA (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association) is a trade body that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide. It was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in London, UK. The GSMA’s mission is to promote the growth and development of the mobile industry, and it does this by providing a platform for mobile network operators to collaborate and share best practices. The GSMA also conducts research and analysis on the mobile industry and publishes reports on various topics related to mobile technology.

The Mobile Economy Report

The Mobile Economy Report is one of the most comprehensive reports published by the GSMA. It provides insights into the state of the mobile industry worldwide. It also contains a range of technology, socio-economic, and financial datasets, including forecasts out to 2030. The report is produced by the GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of the GSMA. It is published annually at MWC Barcelona, the world’s largest mobile industry event.

The latest edition of the report reveals that there are now 5.9 billion unique mobile subscribers worldwide. This is equivalent to 76% of the world’s population. The report also highlights the following key statistics:

• The number of 5G connections is expected to reach 5 billion by 2030.
• The Asia Pacific region is the largest mobile market, with over 2.8 billion unique mobile subscribers.
• The mobile industry is a significant contributor to the global economy, generating $4.9 trillion in economic value in 2020.

The Mobile Gender Gap Report

The Mobile Gender Gap Report is another important report published by the GSMA. It focuses on the gender gap in mobile ownership and mobile internet use across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The latest edition of the report reveals that women are still 7% less likely than men to own a mobile phone. Also, women are 16% less likely to use mobile internet. The report also highlights the following key findings:

• Smartphones are critical to reducing the gender gap in mobile internet use. Once women own a smartphone, their awareness and use of mobile internet is almost on par with men.
• The gender gap in smartphone ownership has widened from 16% in 2020 to 18% in 2021, mirroring the stalling progress in closing the mobile internet gender gap.
• Addressing the mobile gender gap requires a focus on improving handset affordability, literacy, and digital skills.

Conclusion

The GSMA is a vital organization in the mobile industry, and its reports provide valuable insights into the state of the industry worldwide. The latest report reveals that over half of the global population now owns a smartphone, which is a significant milestone for the mobile industry. However, the Mobile Gender Gap Report highlights that there is still work to be done to close the gender gap in mobile ownership and mobile internet use across LMICs. The GSMA’s research and analysis will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the mobile industry and ensuring that mobile technology is accessible to everyone.

GSMA reports that 54% of the global population, about 4.3 billion people, own mobile phones. Also, 57% (4.6 billion) actively use mobile internet, with almost 4 billion accessing it through mobile phones. However, 600 million people still use feature phones, and 350 million smartphone owners abstain from mobile internet. The growth rate, although slower in 2022, continues primarily in low- and middle-income nations. Despite progress, 5% of the world lacks broadband coverage, impacting 400 million individuals, mostly in rural and impoverished regions. Around 3.4 billion people have internet access but have never utilized the service.

Ever since Apple announced iOS 17, the brand-new and big features have remained in the limelight. So, you would have probably heard about StandBy mode, NameDrop, Contact Posters, and more. Apple’s new iOS 17 also packs a bunch of smaller features that were not mentioned on the stage. That said, these features can bring a big difference and make your life a lot easier. After using the iOS 17 for a few months now, I’ve come across some hidden iOS 17 features that deserve a mention. In this article, I’ll walk you through 25 hidden features and settings of iOS 17 that should be on your radar. Without any ado, let’s get in right there!

1. Auto Symbol and Laundry Care Lookup

Well, this has to be one of my favorite hidden iOS 17 features. There are times when I see certain warning lights/symbols on my car’s dashboard, but I have no clue what they mean. If you also come across such situations, this iOS 17 feature is gonna make your life easier. The new iOS iteration has an Auto Symbol Look-up feature that can help you decipher warning symbols on your car’s dashboard. Here’s how to use the Auto Symbol Look Up feature in iOS 17:

• Just take a photo of the warning lights or symbols and swipe it up. 
• You’ll see a Look Up Auto Symbol option, tap on it.
• The Visual Look Up tool will identify the warning lights and provide you the necessary information.

Not only auto symbols, but the Visual Lookup in iOS 17 can also identify laundry codes. Take a photo of the laundry tag, swipe it up, and tap on the Laundry care option. You’ll see the apt information regarding the laundry codes, symbols, and warnings.

2. Camera Level

Apple’s new iOS 17 brings a hidden, optional camera setting that can help capture professional looking shots. You get a Camera Level option which is basically a digital level that helps you straighten up the shots. When you enable this option, you’ll see a broken white horizontal line when your phone is out of level. The line straightens up and turns yellow when you achieve the right level orientation. This is definitely one of the best hidden features of iOS 17 for photography enthusiasts and content creators. 

Here’s how to use the Level camera feature in iOS 17:

• Open Settings on your iPhone.
• Scroll down and tap on Camera.
• Here, turn on the toggle for Level.

3. Quick Crop

With iOS 17, the Photos app also includes a useful feature that offers a quick and easy way to crop photos on your iPhone. All you have to do is zoom in on a photo and you’ll see a Crop option on the top-right corner. Tap on it and you can make your preferred edits. By default, Quick Crop crops the image in the exact aspect ratio that is shown on the screen. In case you want to crop the image in a different aspect ratio, just long-press the Crop button and make a selection. Here’s our detailed guide on how to use iOS 17 Quick Crop feature on an iPhone.

4. Set Multiple Timers

This has to be one of the handy additions to the iOS 17. Apple finally allows you to set multiple timers on your iPhone to track time-bound activities. It’s one of the best hidden iOS 17 features that will please the multitaskers. Multiple timers are super useful when you’re exercising or cooking and want to set intervals for your tasks. You can easily create and track multiple timers on an iPhone, and even label them for your convenience. For complete details, refer to our guide on how to set multiple timers on an iPhone.

5. Lock White Balance

Another hidden iOS 17 camera feature is the ability to lock the white balance while recording videos on your iPhone. Without this feature, your iPhone will adjust the white balance of your footage in the same recording clip. If you don’t want your iPhone to rebalance the white balance, throwing noticeable fluctuations in the tints across the footage, just turn on the Lock White Balance feature. When you enable this camera setting, you get better control over the color temperature while recording continuous footage. Here’s how to do it:

• Head to Settings and visit the Camera section.
• Then, tap on Record Video.
• Scroll down a bit and turn on the Lock White Balance toggle.

6. Screen Distance

For iPhones with Face ID, iOS 17 offers a super useful, health-focused feature named Screen Distance to prevent Myopia and similar conditions. It uses the TrueDepth camera system to determine the distance between your eyes and the iPhone’s screen. If you’re too close to the screen, it will display a message asking you to hold your iPhone at a safe distance. You won’t be able to use your iPhone until you move the screen farther. This hidden iOS 17 feature is extremely useful for adults as well as kids who use & hold their iPhones extremely close to their eyes. Here’s how to enable and use Screen Distance on an iPhone.

7. Auto-delete OTPs

Today, almost all services require verification codes or OTPs. We all know how quickly the Messages and Mail app can get cluttered with endless verification codes and deleting them manually is nothing but a frustrating task. Finally, there’s a new feature iOS 17 that gives you the option to automatically delete one-time verification codes after you have inserted them in a website/app via the autofill feature. To allow your iPhone to auto-delete used OTPs for you, open Settings -> Passwords -> Password Options and turn on the Clean Up Automatically toggle. Also, the auto-fill verification codes feature now works for the Mail app as well.

iPhone widgets have got a nice makeover in iOS 17, making them much more intuitive, interesting, and interactive. Here are some hidden features added to widgets in iOS 17:

• First, there’s a new Safari widget that shows your Reading List.
• Next, iOS 17 adds buttons to the Contact widget, offering quick ways to drop a message or make a phone call to that contact.
• Last, and the most interesting one. You can now have interactive widgets on your iPhone that let you directly interact with the widgets without opening the associated app. For instance, you can mark a task as complete in Reminders, resume Apple Music, or turn off lights right from the widget. Do check out how to add and use interactive widgets in iOS 17.

9. Sensitive Content Warning

Apple brings a new Sensitive Content Warning feature to iOS 17 with an aim to protect its users against inappropriate/dangerous content received via AirDrop, FaceTime, Messages, and other apps. When the iOS 17 Sensitive Content Warning feature is enabled, it will blur the sensitive or unsolicited photos and videos which may harm your peace of mind. It depends on you whether you want to view those photos and videos. Here’s how to enable Sensitive Content Warning feature in iOS 17.

10. Ping Apple Watch

There’s a new feature in iOS 17 that lets you Ping your Apple Watch using the paired iPhone. It’s a super quick way to locate your Apple Watch if it’s misplaced somewhere around you like under your work desk, corners of a sofa, or the drawer of your bedside table. You’ll see a Ping My Watch button in the Control Center that makes your Apple Watch emit an audible tone, making it easier for you to locate it. Don’t panic if you can’t find this option in the Control Center. It’s a hidden iOS 17 feature and isn’t added to the Control Center by default, you’ll have to do it manually. To do this, go to Settings -> Control Center and tap on “+” icon present next to Ping My Watch option.

11. Share AirTags

The much-awaited and long-requested feature is finally available in iOS 17. You can now share an AirTag’s location with your family or friends to collectively keep track of certain items like home keys, travel bags, or even pets. You can share an AirTag with up to 5 people on your contact list. The shared members can use precision finding and play a sound to know the exact location of the AirTag. If you want to know all the details, make sure to visit our dedicated guide on how to share AirTags on iPhone.

12. Add stickers to photos/PDF

One of the coolest hidden iOS 17 features is the ability to decorate your photos, screenshots, and PDFs with emojis, shapes, and stickers. Yes, the Markup tool now offers new options to enhance your photos and PDFs. While using the Markup tool, simply tap on the “+” icon, and select the ‘Add Sticker‘ option.

You can then add emojis, memojis, and stickers. To add a shape, you just need to choose the ‘Add Shape’ option from the list of options. This won’t only add a layer or colorful fun to your photos/PDFs but also offers great help in certain situations.

While we’re talking about the new additions, it’s worth knowing that the much-useful Magnifier option is no longer available in the Markup tool options. I don’t understand why Apple removed this, but I wish to see it back again.

13. Reset your new iPhone passcode

Forgetting your newly created iPhone passcode can be quite frustrating. But you need not worry. I’ll tell you a secret iOS 17 feature that lets you use your previous passcode to unlock your iPhone and reset the new passcode. Sounds good, right! Remember, this option is only available for up to 72 hours after you’ve created a new passcode on your iPhone. In case you remember your new password and don’t want to use the older one, there’s an option to Expire Previous Passcode Now in Face ID & Passcode settings.

Here’s how to use your previous passcode to reset new passcode:

•  Try all the possible passcodes until you see the iPhone Unavailable screen.
• Tap Forgot Passcode and choose “Enter Previous Passcode”.
• Then, enter your old passcode and create a new passcode for your iPhone. You can choose from different Passcode options.
• Verify the newly created password and you’re done.

14. Listen to a web page in Safari

If you’re a fan of podcasts and audiobooks, you’ll enjoy the new iOS 17 feature where you can get Siri to read web articles for you. With this hidden iOS 17 feature, you don’t have to hold your iPhone and read those super-long articles. Your favorite virtual assistant can do that for you. All you have to do is open a web page in Safari, tap on aA in the Search Bar, choose the ‘Listen to Page‘ option, and Siri will do the talking.

15. Toggle System Settings from Spotlight Search

Apple didn’t highlight but iOS 17 brings a major overhaul to the Spotlight search on iPhone. Using Spotlight Search in iOS 17 feels much faster, smoother, and more comprehensive. Also, the interface feels cleaner with wider elements and larger text sizes. That’s not all. You can now toggle system settings like mobile data, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, alarm, and more directly from the Spotlight search. Simply search for a setting and you’ll see a toggle to enable or disable it right there on the search. It means you longer have to browse through Settings or even open the Control Center to toggle your system settings.

16. Create Grocery Lists

If you’re someone like me who often creates grocery shopping lists on an iPhone, iOS 17 has a new feature in the Reminders app for a stress-free shopping experience. You can create a grocery list in the Reminders app, and it will automatically sort your items into categories like breads, sauces, dairy, etc. It’s a handy iOS 17 feature to have an organized shopping list on your iPhone. So you don’t miss anything or end up buying something you don’t need.

Here are the steps to make grocery lists on an iPhone. In case you face any issues, make sure to follow our troubleshooting guide on how to fix iOS 17 grocery lists not working on iPhone.

17. New Wallpapers

In addition to the iOS 17 stock wallpaper, the latest iteration of Apple’s iPhone software brings new Astronomy wallpapers. While iOS had astronomy wallpapers for some time now, Apple’s iOS 17 wallpapers include more planets of the solar system- Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. In addition, we have a new category of striking wallpapers- Kaleidoscope that changes their shape, color, and size throughout the day. Here’s how to access new wallpapers on your iPhone:

• Open Settings and visit the section.
• Then, tap on Add New Wallpaper.

• Scroll down to Weather & Astronomy or Kaleidoscope and select a wallpaper that you like. You can also customize the chosen wallpaper.
• Once you’re done, tap on Add.

If you want latest wallpapers, check out these uber-new iPhone 15 wallpapers.

18. Revamped Call Screen Interface

When you make a call or get a phone call on your iPhone, you’ll see an updated call screen. All the buttons are combined into 3×3 grid and are pushed to the bottom, where you can easily access them one-handedly. One significant change you’ll immediately notice is that the End Call button is now located at the bottom of the screen, rather than the middle as we used to see earlier.

19. Updates to Apple Music app

Apple Music also gets a much-needed redesign and new features with iOS 17. Here are the major ones:

• The first is the ability to Crossfade between the tracks in Apple Music for a smoother transition. So, you can finally wave goodbye to those jarring silences between tracks ruining the flow of your musical journey.
• Second, you can now have collaborative playlists in Apple Music where you and your friends can add, reorder, and remove the songs.
• Third, you can now view song credits in Apple Music to know the faces behind the lyrics or music production.
• Besides packing new features, Apple Music has got a slightly revamped UI. One of the most notable changes is the music player now features a full-screen animated artwork for compatible apps.

20. Locked Private Browing in Safari

Safari got a fair share of updates with the new iOS 17. You can now lock private tabs in Safari with a passcode or your FaceID. While you could easily lock Incognito tabs in Chrome, having a similar feature in Safari is definitely a welcome addition for Apple users. It’s super easy and quick. You just have to open Settings, tap on Safari, and turn on the toggle for Require FaceID to Unlock Private Browsing. Another interesting iOS 17 feature is that you can also create profiles in Safari to streamline interests and workflows.

21. Interlink notes

Do you know iOS 17 has a hidden note-linking feature that lets you create links in Apple Notes? Yes, you’ve heard it right. You can now interlink and connect related notes for a better experience. You can interlink Apple notes or add web links to your notes to easily jump between ideas, without using any third-party app. This useful iOS 17 feature brings the Apple Notes app closer to popular third-party apps. Here’s a quick guide on how to link Apple Notes on iPhone.

22. Focus when locked

I often use Focus Modes on my iPhone, and this is one of my favorite secret settings in iOS 17. Sometimes, I don’t want to silence all the incoming notifications when I’m actively using my phone. Luckily, iOS 17 lets me do that. There’s an option to silence notifications only when your phone is locked. Rest of the time, you’ll receive the notifications as usual. But once your iPhone is locked, you’re in a complete Focus. So, if you also use Focus modes, make sure to change this hidden iOS 17 setting.

• Open Settings and tap on Focus.
• Then, tap on any Focus mode. We’ve chosen Work.

• Next, tap on Options.
• Here, tap on Always present alongside the Silence Notifications option and choose While Locked.

23. New Lunar Panel in Weather

Do you often keep track of when the next full moon or when the moon will rise today? If yes, there’s a hidden iOS 17 feature that lets you track the moon right from your iPhone. The Weather app now has a dedicated section that shows lunar information. here’s how to view it:

• Open the Weather app or head to the Weather widget.
• Go to the location for which you wish to view the lunar information.
• Scroll down and tap on Moon panel. Here you’ll see the complete lunar information for your location.

24. Catch Up and Swipe to Reply in Messages

Just like other popular messaging apps, you can now swipe right and quickly reply to an iMessage in the Messages app. It’s a damn handy iOS 17 feature that helps keep your group messages clutter-free. In addition, there’s another hidden iOS 17 feature in the Messages app named Catch Up that lets you directly jump to the first message that you haven’t seen yet or might have missed.

25. A better way to set a photo as a wallpaper

Last, but definitely not the least, there’s an amazing hidden iOS 17 feature that you might have missed. Earlier, when you set an image as your wallpaper that wasn’t the perfect aspect ratio of your phone, you would either have to zoom in or deal with thick black bars at the top & bottom. And that doesn’t look appealing. Interesting, this isn’t an issue in iOS 17. With the latest software installed, your iPhone will do some intelligent blurring that matches the surrounding color of the chosen image. Therefore, you can easily set your favorite photo as wallpaper without any issues.

That’s all for now! So, these are the 25 hidden iOS 17 features that you should know about. We hope you’ve discovered some amazing features that you didn’t know earlier. Which feature did you like the most? Also, if there’s any other super-cool hidden feature in iOS 17 that I might have missed, let me know in the comments below.

TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned social media app, has been hit with a €345 million fine for violating teens’ privacy in Europe. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) found that TikTok failed to protect teens’ personal data by making their accounts publicly accessible by default. It also found that the app did not do enough to tackle the risks that just over 13 users could face in its app.

The DCP fined TikTok in September this year because minors may have been exposed to risky content. The probe covered the five-month period from July 2020 to December 31, 2020. It found that TikTok’s data processing during this period violated the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation regarding children aged 13 to 17 years old.

Ireland’s data regulator is responsible for all probes into TikTok under the General Data Protection Regulation. This is because the company currently has an EU base in Dublin. However, given that the alleged infringements are EU-wide, the European Data Protection Board must approve the final decision.

Details of the Fine

The €345 million fine is the largest-ever privacy fine for TikTok and the fifth-largest fine imposed on any tech company under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The DPC found that TikTok had contravened GDPR by placing child users’ accounts on a public setting by default, failing to supply transparent information to child users, allowing an adult accessing a child’s account on the “family pairing” setting to enable direct messaging for over-16s, and not properly taking into account the risks posed to under-13s on the platform who were placed on a public setting. The DPC ordered TikTok to bring its processing mechanisms into compliance within three months.

TikTok’s Response

TikTok said it will comply with the order to change misleading designs. It will do this by extending such default privacy settings to the accounts of new users. This is mostly for users between the ages of 16 and 17 later in September. It will also roll out changes to the pop-up young users get when they first post a video. These changes will rollout in the next three months. TikTok added that the DPC’s criticisms are focused on features and settings that were in place three years ago. The company said it has since made changes to address the problems raised by the inquiry. The company also confirmed that it has appealed the fine to the EU’s General Court.

Final Words

TikTok’s €345 million fine for violating teens’ privacy in Europe is a huge development in the ongoing debate over online privacy and regulation. The fine is a reminder that companies must take steps to protect their users’ personal data. TikTok’s response to the fine shows that they are taking steps to address the issues raised by the DPC. However, the company is also appealing the fine at the EU’s General Court.