Backstory

This year, Apple’s largest competitor, Samsung, the Korean tech giant, is moving into the sixth generation of its foldable device lineup. Apple is nowhere to be seen. Even the rumors that surfaced online earlier pointed to the company opting for a foldable iPad rather than an iPhone.

For that part of the story, leaks pointed to a 2026 release date. However, with new, more believable information, it looks like the world’s largest phone company will be stepping into the foldable category, but not for any of its phones or tablets.

Analyst Ming Chi-Kuo Says Apple is Planning a Foldable MacBook

On Thursday, Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo revealed in a rather short tweet that only one of Apple’s foldable products has a clear release schedule: the MacBook, specifically a 20.3-inch model.

“Recently, I’ve received many inquiries about whether Apple plans to mass-produce the foldable iPhone or iPad in 2025 or 2026. My latest survey indicates that currently, Apple’s only foldable product with a clear development schedule is the 20.3-inch MacBook, expected to enter mass production in 2027,”

That is not to say that Apple won’t be looking toward the smartphone segment, too. There are two derivations that one can make from this tweet, that are important to understand. One, Kuo only mentions that the foldable MacBook has a clear development schedule. He doesn’t state that the iPad or iPhone won’t be getting their fold models.

Secondly, Apple hasn’t and probably won’t comment on the matter, so since there is no official confirmation, especially with news targeted three years from now, it is too early to jump to conclusions right now.

“MacBook Fold” Will Technically NOT be the First for Its Kind

If you’re wondering why Apple is stepping into the laptop category just because it’s something new, well, you would be wrong, in a way. At this point, a lot of Windows laptops feature dual screens, the concept of which is partially similar to that of a Fold. While they don’t physically fold in half, the underlying idea is similar, and some companies have executed this concept quite well.

This year alone, we’ve seen a range of options like the Zephyrus Duo and ZenBook Duo series. This highlights that the MacBook Fold, if it comes to fruition, wouldn’t be the first of its kind.

This is all we know for now, but rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

The post Apple’s First Foldable is Allegedly a 20.3″ MacBook, Not an iPhone appeared first on Appuals.

This feature is particularly interesting because it could potentially merge VoIP calls from across the Android platform into a single log. This would include calls made through apps like Skype, Signal, Viber, etc. It’s important to note that rumors about this integration have been circulating for quite some time.

Last Year, a Reddit User Also Spotted a WhatsApp Call in the Phone App

Last year, a Reddit post seemingly showcased the very same thing. The user noticed one of their WhatsApp calls recorded in the Phone app. This could have been an early beta test version that Google rolled out for a limited time to a select group of people, or more likely, an accident.

Google has not yet commented on when they plan to release the update that integrates WhatsApp calls into the Dialer app. However, based on what has surfaced online, it appears Google is actively working on bringing this update to consumers.

Regarding the feature itself, calls made through the Google Phone app typically display the SIM name you’re using for the call. However, for VoIP calls, like those from WhatsApp, the app name appears below the number.

VoIP Integration May Not Affect ‘ALL’ Android Phones

It’s important to understand that this feature may not be available on all Android smartphones. It will only work on devices using the Google Phone app. Phones from manufacturers like Xiaomi, Samsung, and OnePlus typically come with their own proprietary dialer apps, and so they might not see the same integration, at least based on what we know now.

This is all we know for now, but rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

The post Google Dialer May Soon Show WhatsApp Call Logs in the Phone App appeared first on Appuals.

Nothing Phone (2a) — Reviews

Reviewers have had differing takes on what this phone represents and where it stands in the market. Here’s what they had to say:

The Verge touched upon the feature set and the price point that Nothing had chosen, and how both of these could be (2a)’s strong suits.

…$349 is an extremely reasonable asking price. Sure, the outer frame and back panel are plastic, it’s only splash-resistant, and the Glyph Interface is still mostly a curiosity, but it’s only $349. It’s easier to understand why certain features like a more robust IP rating aren’t here.

That price tag also makes it easier to appreciate what is here: the Glyph Interface feels like a fun extra, and the informative always-on display is one of my favorites on any phone.

The Guardian also appreciated the price discrepancy between the (2a) and Nothing’s previous phones. It also talked about how this could be a great mid-range killer.

I’m in love with everything I see on paper with the Nothing Phone 2a, including how it retains the brand’s identity with its peculiar design and iconic Glyph Interface. In a sea of slates, its design is a refreshing one made better by the fact it’s under that $500 threshold of what most consumers deem as budget phones.

Frankly, the Google Pixel 7a and iPhone SE (2022) — two phones I’ve spent a great deal of time using as my daily drivers — should be afraid.

Engadget made a case for how Nothing Phone (2a) was more than just an ordinary midrange device.

Nothing also pays attention to small details like the phone’s crunchy pseudo-analog sound effects that help marry its distinctive design with its custom UX and dot-matrix-inspired widgets.

PCMag highlighted the other side on how the Glyphs did more harm than good.

I like the idea of the Glyph system since it encourages you to turn your phone over and focus on whoever or whatever is in front of you. But, in practice, I find Glyphs unnecessary and sometimes more distracting than a regular banner notification. You also have to remember what each notification pattern means for the system to be useful.

Ratings

Here’s how the reviewers rate Nothing’s first budget smartphone, the Nothing Phone (2a):

Videos

Here’s what some of YouTube’s top tech creators had to say about the phone.

1. Mrwhosetheboss

2. MKBHD

3. Tech Spurt

4. ORBIT

The post Nothing Phone (2a) Review Roundup: What Does the Community Think? appeared first on Appuals.

Meta experienced a massive outage late on Tuesday, affecting all of its platforms, namely Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. Users worldwide who are attempting to access their accounts have been logged out of the service.

Downdetector Sees a Spike in Outage Reports Concerning Meta Platforms

Downdetector, a real-time outage monitoring service, has reported a surge in outage reports around 8:20 PM GMT+5. Currently, it shows over 200,000 reports. Users who are trying to log back in are coming across an “unexpected error occurred” message.

At the time of writing, Meta has not issued a public statement regarding the situation. However, given the rare nature of the outage, it’s understood that the team is likely working to fix the issue as soon as possible.

Users are also Reporting Issues with WhatsApp

Alongside Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, some users have also noticed WhatsApp not working. However, the issue with WhatsApp is limited to specific regions only.

The last instance of such an outage was seen back in 2021 when Meta’s platforms were down for nearly seven hours. As of now, reports are coming in indicating that the situation is improving in some regions. Therefore, it is only a matter of time before the service is fully restored.”

Elon Musk Mocks Meta Outage on X

Facebook and Instagram’s rival platform, X apparently saw the opportunity and joked about the whole situation when CEO, Elon Musk tweeted “If you’re reading this post, it’s because our servers are working,” which the official X account retweeted captioning “we know why you’re all here rn.“

This is all we know for now, but rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

The post Facebook, Instagram and Messenger are Down Worldwide, Thousands Suddenly Logged Out appeared first on Appuals.

SF to Use NVIDIA’s Tech to Tone Down Defective Production Numbers

IFS aims to increase its production volumes and capture the second position in the foundry business. To counter this threat, Samsung is planning a rather unique solution to address its low-yield situation more cautiously. The company reportedly plans to implement NVIDIA’s “Digital Twin” technology in its factories starting next year.

NVIDIA’s Digital Twins (Based on Omniverse Replicator)

Digital Twin technology, like the name suggests creates a controlled and safe virtual space within which a virtual simulation of real-world situations and scenarios for a factory can be run.

A digital twin is a virtual representation — a true-to-reality simulation of physics and materials — of a real-world physical asset or system, which is continuously updated.

What is a Digital Twin — NVIDIA

The simulation uses AI and big data to analyze the production process, searching for trends and variations. This flexibility also allows engineers to experiment with different methods with minimal resource loss, leading to better optimization and efficiency within the whole process, potentially improving yields.

Samsung to Present its Plans for Digital Twin Semiconductor Factories at NVIDIA’s AI Conference this Year

The Digital Twin technology is built on NVIDIA’s Omniverse platform. Samsung will announce its plans for the first Digital Twin-based semiconductor factory at the upcoming NVIDIA GTC 2024 conference, held from March 18-21. Yun Seok-jin, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics DS Division Innovation Center, will present the company’s plans during the event.

This initiative is not new. In fact, Samsung established the Digital Twin Task Force in 2022 and subsequently appointed Lee Young-woong, a field expert, as the task force leader. If everything proceeds according to plan, Samsung could potentially begin pilot operations as early as this year, and develop the world’s first Digital Twin Level 5 factory within two years. For reference, this is the highest level among smart factories.

Digital Twin will surely allow for defective product prevention and product and production analysis via AI, but to still counteract the threat of IFS and TSMC stomping over its position in the market, it’ll still have to satisfy clients and solidify customer relationships.

This is all we know for now, but rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

The post Samsung Foundry Turns to NVIDIA’s “Digital Twin” Technology to Counter Yield Issues and Competition from TSMC and IFS appeared first on Appuals.

It has become one of those platforms where the “Block” feature is frequently used. As a result, those on the receiving end can sometimes struggle to gauge the true extent of being blocked from others’ feeds. This is where Bloolook comes into play, and this article will delve into everything you need to know about it.

What is Blolook?

Blolook is a service that claims to tell you the number of Twitter (now X) accounts that have blocked you. It does this by cross-referencing data from other Blolook users.

When you register on the service, it asks you to grant access to certain details about your account, including the names of the accounts you’ve blocked. It then cross-checks these names against its database to see if you appear on any other users’ block lists, and based on that, estimates the number of accounts that have blocked you.

READ MORE: How to Block Restricted Calls on Android & iPhone Easily ➜

How to Use Blolook to See Who Has Blocked You on X?

Before using Blolook, it’s important to be aware of two things. First, the data it shows may not be entirely accurate, and second, by using Blolook, you are granting them access to a huge amount of personal information about your Twitter (X) account.

If you are still comfortable proceeding, here’s how you can use Blolook to see the estimated number of people who have blocked you on Twitter:

1. Go to the Blolook website.
2. Click on “Log in with Twitter.”

   

3. Carefully review the Twitter authorization popup, which will detail the permissions Blolook is requesting.
4. If you are comfortable with the permissions, click “Authorize app.”

   

5. Blolook will connect to your account and analyze its data. It will then display its findings in a graph.

READ MORE: How to Block Multiple Files in a Windows Firewall ➜

Is Blolook Reliable?

Blolook only provides the number of accounts blocking you, without revealing the exact names of those individuals. However, it’s important to note that this service is only effective if both your account and the accounts blocking you are registered on Blolook. Those who haven’t signed up for the service will not be counted towards your block total.

The service is completely free to register and claims that “as the number of users using this service increases, the information we provide will become more accurate.”

READ MORE: How To Get Your TikTok Account Unbanned in 2024 ➜

Security Implications

Most of the information provided by Blolook is plainly unverified, and over the years, users have reported privacy concerns with their Twitter accounts. Most people who have used the service in the past and later unlinked it claim to have had their accounts accessed again by Blolook as recently as 2023.

This raises a lot of questions about the service’s privacy policy. Additionally, since there is not a lot of information available on the actual website or the internet, it can be difficult to trace back the culprits.

Alternatives to Blolook

Ideally, even without knowing the number of accounts blocking you, it’s best to avoid using third-party applications to avoid risking your account’s security.

While Twitter does tell you the names and numbers of accounts you’ve blocked, it doesn’t reveal the names of accounts that have blocked you. Unfortunately, there’s no alternative in this case, and you’ll have to visit individual profiles to find out on your own.

READ MORE: How to Block Adult Websites on Your Phone Forever [2024] ➜

Conclusion

Blolook may have caught a lot of attention for telling users about the number of accounts that have blocked them. However, rising security concerns and concerns from the company itself regarding regularly updating itself to adapt to the changing landscape of the social media platform have raised suspicions about whether it is still safe to use the service.

The post How to Use Blolook to See Who’s Blocked You on Twitter / X appeared first on Appuals.

Qualcomm’s Next Flagship Mobile SoC Could Match Clock Speeds to that of its High-Performance Laptop Processor

This transition to in-house cores grants Qualcomm greater flexibility in fine-tuning the chip’s performance and efficiency. While initial rumors suggested the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 might be the first mobile SoC to break the 4GHz barrier, newer rumors hint at the possibility of it reaching a staggering 4.3GHz clock speed, which is notably on par with Qualcomm’s high-performance laptop processor, the Snapdragon X Elite.

In a previous report, we highlighted that due to Qualcomm’s decision to abandon low-power efficiency cores, it could potentially result in a TDP of nearly 14W, with each of the two L-cores (large cores) consuming up to 5.47W. This time, it is projected that each of these L-cores could escalate to 10W.

A Jump to 4.3GHz Would Likely Push TDP Numbers Through the Roof

Taking a step back and comparing this to the last-generation Gen 3 SoC, which operated at 12.7W, the 8 Gen 4 would elevate the TDP to a whopping 24-25W, marking a whole 100% increase in power consumption, draining the efficiency numbers right through the ground.

While an ideal scenario might involve heavily cooled custom water-loop setups in flagship phones from every manufacturer, the reality is that such solutions are highly unlikely and would require substantial investment in R&D. While we saw some cooling advancements in flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S24U, it’s still insufficient to consistently handle such high power demands.

Therefore, Qualcomm will likely need to significantly reduce the frequency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The ideal number being discussed within the community is 3.8GHz, which aligns with the default clock speed of the Snapdragon X Elite and the maximum boost clock of the Apple A17 Pro.

This is all we know for now, but rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

via: Nguyen Phi Hung on X

The post Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Could Reach a Whopping 4.3GHz on Each Big Core, Likely Won’t Happen Due to Efficiency Constraints appeared first on Appuals.

A55’s Exynos 1480 is a Huge Step Up from its Predecessor, the Exynos 1380

One of the major changes made to the A55 is the SoC, which is the Exynos 1480. This chipset is a huge step up from its predecessor, the Exynos 1380. In comparison to Qualcomm, it delivers performance equivalent to that of the Snapdragon 778G, a chipset that is now three years old.

This time, the Exynos 1480 has been captured in early benchmarks, and the performance metrics have shown significant improvements. Manufactured on Samsung’s 4nm (4LPP) process node, the SoC features an octa-core configuration, comprising 4x Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.75GHz and another 4x Cortex-A55 cores operating at 2.05GHz.

Benchmarks & Comparison

YouTuber MadCoby recently put the Samsung Galaxy A55 through its paces, and the new SoC delivered promising results. On Geekbench 6, the phone achieved a single-core score of 1,161 and a multi-core score of 3,398. These figures represent an impressive 18.5% and 22.7% improvement, respectively, compared to previous benchmarks.

On AnTuTu, the A55 scored a decent 713,993 points, showcasing a 20.4% increase in benchmark scores. For the CPU’s thermal efficiency, it was tested through a 15-minute CPU throttling test, where it maintained a relatively stable temperature without any sudden drops.

As for the GPU, the A55 uses Samsung’s Xclipse 530 GPU, based on the RDNA 2 architecture. This GPU unit notably outperforms the Mali-G68 found in the A54. In Geekbench 6 GPU Compute Score, the Xclipse 530 showed a significant 31.4% improvement over the Mali-G68.

This is all we know for now, but rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

The post Exynos 1480 Delivers Big Performance Gains in Early Benchmarks: 22% Higher CPU and 31% Better GPU Scores appeared first on Appuals.

This guide will walk you through some of the most common methods for copying and pasting content on your Chromebook.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts on a Chromebook

Chromebook keyboards typically have a similar interface to what you would find on a Windows device. The shortcuts work in, more or less, the same way, and for most people transitioning from a Windows laptop or PC, the difference wouldn’t be noticeable. However, for users coming from macOS, here are some keys that can be used interchangeably.

1. Command (⌘) on Mac serves as Control (Ctrl) on ChromeOS.
2. Option (⌥) on Mac serves as Alternate (alt) on ChromeOS.

Copy and Paste Text on a Chromebook

To copy text on a Chromebook, first highlight the desired portion. There are two ways to highlight the text you want to copy on a Chromebook:

• Using the mouse:
  1. Click and hold the left mouse button.
  2. While holding, drag the cursor across the text you want to copy.
  3. The selected text will be highlighted in blue.

• Using the keyboard:
  1. Click at the beginning of the text you want to copy.
  2. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select the desired portion.
  3. If you want to select an entire portion, press Ctrl + A.
     Selecting Text on a Chromebook

READ MORE:

1. Keyboard Shortcuts

Once the text is selected, you can simply use the keyboard shortcuts to manipulate (cut, copy, paste) your data.

1. Copy Text:
   • Press the Ctrl and C keys simultaneously (Ctrl + C). This is the most common way to copy text across different operating systems.
2. Paste Text:
   • Press Ctrl + V simultaneously.
   • To paste the text without formatting, press Ctrl + Shift + V.

READ MORE: How to Use Chromebook Function Keys ➜

2. Shortcut Menu

Alternatively, you can use the shortcut menu to copy and paste data if you are uncomfortable using the keyboard shortcuts.

1. Copying Text:
   1. Right-click on the highlighted text.
   2. From the menu, select “Copy”.
   3. On a laptop, simultaneously tap the trackpad with two fingers to right-click.
      Opening the Shortcut Menu using the Trackpad
2. Pasting Text:
   1. Right-click at the location where you want to paste the text.
   2. Select “Paste” from the menu.
      Copy (Red) and Paste (Green) using the Shortcut Menu

READ MORE: How to Run Windows Software on a Chromebook ➜

The Multi-Paste — Copy Multiple Items at Once

The newer versions of ChromeOS have introduced a “multi-paste” feature, allowing you to copy up to five items, like text or images, to your clipboard simultaneously. To access this feature, locate the “Search” button on your keyboard. This is typically positioned where the Caps Lock key would be on a Windows keyboard.

1. Locate the “Search” button on your keyboard, typically positioned where the Caps Lock key would be on a Windows keyboard.
2. Copy five pieces of text or images as you normally would.
3. While pasting, hold down the “Search” key and simultaneously press “V”.
4. This will open the clipboard, displaying the last five items you copied.

READ MORE: How to Play Fortnite on Chromebook in 2024 [3 Easy Ways] ➜

Copy and Paste Images on a Chromebook

To copy and paste any image, the process is more or less the same. Here are two options to copy and then paste any image you want.

Copying the Image

1. Using the Mouse:
   1. Locate the image you want to copy.
   2. Right-click on the image.
   3. Select “Copy image” from the menu.
2. Using the Keyboard Shortcut:
   1. Locate the image you want to copy.
   2. Hold down the “Alt” key on your keyboard.
   3. Click on the image with your trackpad while still holding “Alt”.

      

   4. A menu will appear.
   5. Select “Copy image” from the menu.

      

READ MORE:10 Awesome Chrome OS Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Know ➜

Pasting the Image

• Using the Mouse:
  1. Navigate to the location where you want to paste the image.
  2. Right-click on the desired location.
  3. Select “Paste image” from the menu.
• Using the Keyboard Shortcut:
  1. Navigate to the location where you want to paste the image.
  2. Press “Ctrl + V” simultaneously.

READ MORE: How to Find & Use the Instagram Clipboard on Android & iOS ➜

Conclusion

While the ChromeOS keyboard layout is mainly similar to a Windows keyboard, including key placement and keyboard shortcuts, users switching from other operating systems might need help to adapt to the new layout. However, this guide is everything you need to copy and paste data on your Chromebook easily.

The post How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook in 2024 [2 Easy Ways] appeared first on Appuals.

Apple’s Roadmap for Sixteen Upcoming Devices Leaked in New Report

Within the list of sixteen devices, eight were reported to feature existing Apple silicon, including the A17 Pro (7th generation iPad mini), M2 (6th generation iPad Air), and A14 Bionic (11th generation iPad). The remaining eight devices were allegedly reported to sport upcoming hardware, which isn’t really too hard to guess. The M4 will succeed the M3, and the A17 Pro would serve as the predecessor to the A18 Pro.

The iPhone 16 lineup, which is most likely to be announced in the second half of this year, will come with the new A18 chips across the board. For reference, each iteration of iPhones for the past few years has come with different chipset configurations within the same line. The Pros get the new SoCs, while the vanilla models get last year’s Pros’ chips.

Likewise, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max come with A17 Pro, whereas the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus use the year-old A16 Bionic. For the iPhone 16 series, the Pros might use the “A18 Pro” moniker, but the base variants will likely stick to something like the A18 or A18 Bionic.

The M4 Might Be Apple’s Way of Justifying iPad Pros’ Price Hike

The general expectation for the upcoming OLED iPads was that they would share the M3 chip with the new MacBook Air M3, both of which are expected to be released this month. However, this leak suggests the possibility that the new iPad might use the M4 chip. It’s important to note that these iPads are expected to come with a price tag nearly double that of their last-generation counterparts.

Given the significant price discrepancy, Apple might resort to marketing strategies to justify the potential price hike. For reference, the 11-inch model is expected to start at $1500, while the larger 13-inch variant is expected to be priced around $1800.

This is all we know for now, but rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

The post M4 Chip Could Come to the Upcoming OLED iPad Pros appeared first on Appuals.