Features

What to expect from Apple’s WWDC 2019

Our best glimpse of what’s to come in Apple-land

Published

June 2, 2019

While Apple’s yearly iPhone announcement is without a doubt its most interesting event, its software specific WorldWide Developers Conference (WWDC) is its most important.

It is at WWDC that we find out about upcoming versions of the operating systems that power your iPhone, iPad, and Mac — our best glimpse of what’s to come in Apple-land.

WWDC takes place at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California | Photo by Michael Josh, GadgetMatch

This year, the WWDC keynote takes place on June 3rd and as we make our way to San Jose, here’s everything we expect will go down, with a bit of what we hope for thrown in for good measure.

iOS 13

The software that runs both iPhones and iPads is expected to get even faster this year — thanks to software tweaks and optimizations.

Dark Mode on iOS 13 / Leak by 9to5Mac

A much-requested feature “Dark Mode” will be coming to iOS too, just like it did the Mac last season. Leaked screenshots acquired by 9to5Mac show darker user interface elements like the dock apps that get black and gray elements and backgrounds.

While aesthetic, the optional feature makes practical sense for iPhone X/XS and X/XS Max users because darker screens consume less battery on phones with OLED displays.

Bloomberg is also reporting that iOS will get updated versions of the Reminders, Health, Books, Mail, and Maps apps. Find Friends and Find iPhone apps will be consolidated into a Find My app. But most interesting are updates to iMessage that gives it more features seen on other chat applications. I personally would love the ability to reply to a specific chat bubble, which is always great when your conversation is about two different topics at a time.

iPad Pro creeps closer to Mac-territory | Photo by Michael Josh, GadgetMatch

While Apple has always believed in keeping iOS and macOS separate, last year’s developments saw more and more of a crossover. The new iPad Pros, for example, encroach on laptop territory. I would not be surprised to see iPad-specific features take it even further in that direction. Better file management, better multitasking, and perhaps even mouse support. Apple is also rumored to be working on a built-in feature that allows the iPads to be used as a secondary display, something offered by third-party apps like Duet.

MacOS 10.15

Less has been leaked about the next Mac operating system, perhaps indicating that this next update will be more of an incremental one like when it moved from Sierra (10.13) to High Sierra (10.14).

I expect the conversation to circle around bringing the worlds of iOS and macOS closer.

News App and Dark Mode on macOS Mojave | Photo by Apple

Last year, Apple spoke about an initiative that allows for building iOS apps that work on the Mac. What we’ve seen thus far are Apple’s own apps, Reminders, Maps, Books, and News. Perhaps at WWDC 2019, as Apple opens the program to developers, we might see the first third-party apps make an appearance. A desktop version of Instagram maybe?

iTunes might sing its swan song as its usefulness has been eaten up by other apps. Expect to see new Podcast, TV, and Music apps for the Mac, all of which should deliver the final blow to good ol’ iTunes.

Other recently introduced iPhone/iPad features like Siri shortcuts, Screen Time, and Family Sharing will most likely also come to macOS.

Mac Pro

WWDC is a software event, but that hasn’t stopped Apple from using it to announce hardware on occasion.

If new hardware is making a debut at this year’s show, it will most likely be the new Mac Pro — a computer meant for Mac users who need the utmost power and performance.

The Mac Pro was last updated in 2013 and Apple has promised a completely rethought model would come this year.

Related Topics:Apple iOS MacOS WWDC WWDC 2019

Features

GadgetSnaps: Malaysia shot on the Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Beyond charging tech

Published

April 24, 2024

GadgetMatch

The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G prides itself in its charging technologies. But what about its camera capabilities? Well, here’s a quick round-up of the many photos we took around the time the Note 40 series was launched in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

The NOTE 40 Series features a 108MP main shooter with 3x Lossless Superzoom. It also has OIS for steadier shots when taking videos.

The edits applied to the photos here only some resizing and cropping to make the page easier to load. Take a look at all these sample shots

Infinix Note 40 Pro series launch day

Kwai Chai Hong/ ‘Little Ghost Lane’

Petaling Street (Chinatown)

In and around Central Market

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery

Istana Negara entrance

Merdeka Square

Malaysian Bak Kut Teh and more

Petronas Twin Towers at night

Steady shooter

The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G isn’t a stellar shooter. But at its price point, it’s pretty darn decent for capturing different scenarios. Take these photos into some editing software and you can certainly elevate their look.

The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is priced at PhP 13,999. It may be purchased through Infinix’s Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop platforms, where customers can get up to PhP 2,000 off. Additionally, the first 100 buyers can get an S1 smartwatch or XE23 earphones. Alternatively, customers may opt for the Shopee-exclusive NOTE 40 Pro (4G variant) for PhP 10,999.

Features

LOQ and LOAD: The Lenovo LOQ 2024 is for gaming and more

Your entry to PC Gaming

Published

April 23, 2024

GadgetMatch

Get your game on with the Lenovo LOQ 2024. This capable laptop is your entry point to PC Gaming and a lot more.

It comes an absolutely affordable price point: PhP 48,995.

You get capable hardware and the hood to support gaming and more. The Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9I runs on the 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and Intel Arc Graphics.

Those are key to bringing unreal graphics to this segment. Supporting latest tech like DirectX 12 Ultimate, players are able to enjoy high frame rates on the Lenovo LOQ.

Creating content? It comes with AI Advantage to help boost performance. Engines and accelerators boost the media processing workloads especially for creatives. It also works with Intel’s X Super Machine Learning, Leading to images that are as close to reality.

The laptop supports a configuration of up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD Storage.

As for its display, the device has a large 15.6-inch, Full HD panel that is more than enough for gaming, video editing, content consumption, and whatever else you do on a laptop. This display has 144Hz refresh rate, 300 nits brightness, and anti-glare.

Videos come out clear, crisp, and realistic. Audio is punchy and as loud as it gets. Windows Sonic elevates it more when you use headphones. And it just takes a few minutes to render HD videos on editing software.

As it runs on Windows 11, if you are going to use it for work, you can take advantage of various features. The Lenovo Vantage Widget is there for constant reminders, Copilot will help you organize your tasks, and Microsoft Edge is there for casual browsing.

There is an assortment of ports at the back for easy connectivity. And as this is meant for gaming, we put it to the test. Racing that looks better with high frame rate? Check. Shooting titles that require heavy work? Not a problem. You can play all your favorites and not worry about performance.

Best of all, it takes less than an our to juice up this laptop all the way to 100%.

So, whether you’re looking to get started with PC Gaming, or an upgrade for work and entertainment needs, the Lenovo LOQ has you covered.

This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and Lenovo Philippines.