WWDC 2022

New MacBook Air will sport the M2 chip first

Better performance, more efficiency

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Earlier today, Apple launched the M2 chipset. Offering improved performance for users, the new processor will launch in upcoming notebooks from the company. However, they didn’t really waste any time. Just after announcing the chipset, Apple also unveiled the first notebook to sport the new chip: the new MacBook Air.

With a more powerful and more efficient processor, the MacBook Air can pack in more performance in a slimmer mode. Sporting a silent, fan-less design, the new notebook has 20 percent less volume than its predecessor. It measures only 11.3mm thin and weighs only 2.7 pounds.

The device has a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, putting out 500 nits of brightness and 1 billion colors. It will sport up to 24GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage. It will put out 40 percent faster performance than its predecessor.

As for other specs, the MacBook Air will sport an audio jack for high-quality audio. It will also support MagSafe, complemented by a new charger with two USB-C ports. It is also compatible with 67W fast charging, supposedly charging an empty battery to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

Launching next month, the new MacBook Air will start at US$ 1,199. It will come in four new flavors: Silver, Space Grey, Starlight, and Midnight.

SEE ALSO: Apple launches the M2 chip

WWDC 2022

iOS 16 will finally let users lock their NSFW photos

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More privacy is always a good thing. Several big names in the tech industry have shifted more focus on keeping their users’ information private. Now, it’s harder for third parties to obtain information without explicit permission. Revealed during the recently concluded WWDC 2022 presentation, a new iOS 16 feature will increase your iPhone’s privacy features even further.

Starting in iOS 16, users can finally lock their most sensitive photos in the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums.

Both folders aren’t new, though. Recently Deleted is a default album that contains, as the name says, recently deleted photos that you might want to restore in the future. On the other hand, the Hidden album was introduced in iOS 15 and hid sensitive photos away from the main album.

So, if Apple already offered a way to hide photos, what’s different for iOS 16? For one, the Hidden album isn’t exactly hidden. It doesn’t require a password, and prying eyes can still easily open the folder if they know where to look.

With the latest update, the Hidden album will need authentication — Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode — for access. It’s a huge step up from what Apple currently does.

It’s also a much-needed catch-up to Apple’s friends on the Android side. Google recently introduced its own Locked Folder during last year’s Google I/O event.

While it’s not the ultimate solution against unwarranted photo leaks, it’s a succinct way to protect your private photos from most prying eyes.

SEE ALSO: iOS 16’s Messages will finally let users edit and delete messages

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WWDC 2022

These iPhone models will not get iOS 16

A loss for these iPhones

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During the recently concluded WWDC 2022 presentation, Apple hyped up the upcoming update to its mobile operating system. Much like its predecessors, iOS 16 is packing a lot of features when it drops later this fall. Unfortunately, not everyone will receive the update. As always, a few older iPhones will not support the update.

It’s not unheard of. Because iOS 16 will deliver new features, some iPhone models won’t have the necessary capabilities needed to support what’s coming to the Apple ecosystem — at least, that’s how the usual thinking goes. Aside from the obviously more dated models, the following iPhone models will stop receiving major updates starting with iOS 16:

  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 7 series
  • iPhone SE (1st generation)

For reference, the iPhone 6s came out in 2015. The iPhone 7 series and the original iPhone SE, on the other hand, launched in 2016. All things considered, the soon-to-be-outdated models had a great run. Whereas most Android phones can expect between four to five years of guaranteed major updates, Apple extended its own ecosystem’s life cycle.

However, public reception is still tepid to dropping the above models from the ecosystem. Compared to other brands, Apple is firmly in the upper echelon when it comes to price. Eking out a few more years of viability is always a plus.

That said, these models will continue to be usable, albeit without the latest features. If you have one of these phones but are also looking for compatibility with iOS 16, now might be a good time to upgrade.

SEE ALSO: iOS 16 will offer personalized lock screens

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WWDC 2022

MetalFX is Apple’s latest experiment to turn Mac into a gaming device

Smoother frames at higher resolutions

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Years after the PC established itself as the preferred desktop gaming platform, Apple has yet to make a crack at the former’s dominance. However, with all the hardware that Apple is touting over the years, you’d expect some improvements for gamers. You’d be right. While Apple is still dominant when it comes to mobile gaming, the company also showed off its new chops with desktop gaming. Complemented by the M2 chip, MetalFX is Apple’s new way of bringing smooth gaming to the Mac.

Simply put, MetalFX is Apple’s answer to NVIDIA’s and AMD’s upscaling technology. With the new technology, Macs will render frames more smoothly and with better graphics. As a result, Macs can play games more efficiently and at higher resolutions.

Besides the graphical upgrades from MetalFX, Mac’s new technology will also load resources faster and reduce loading times.

To boast its new capabilities, Apple is bringing in huge titles like the critically acclaimed Resident Evil Village. Capcom, who was present during WWDC 2022, promised that the horror game will run on 1080p on a MacBook Air. Further, other titles like No Man’s Sky and Grid Legends will make their way to the platform as well.

For the past few years now, gaming technology has come a long way to deliver the best gaming experiences even on lower-end devices. Upscaling technology and cloud gaming are pioneering huge strides for gamers. If Apple properly implements the technology into their own devices, will we see a sudden evolution of the Mac as a believable gaming platform?

SEE ALSO: Apple launches the M2 chip

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