Apple products, especially the iPhone are pretty lucrative compared to other devices as they hold their value pretty well over time. However, the flagship smartphone has fallen prey to several scams in the past, and it appears that another case has been pushed under the rug for almost a decade.

Well, authorities have charged five people in a fraudulent scam involving returning fake iPhone models to Apple Stores and getting replacements. These scammers would take fake iPhones and other Apple products to the Apple Store, claiming they had issues and asking for a replacement device.

Representatives at the Apple Store would keep the fake iPhones and replace them with original devices. The original product would then be sold in the market for a high price. As per sources familiar with the matter, the replacement process was repeated over 16,000 times across several years.

Also Read: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Reportedly Getting Two New Cameras

Apple Fake iPhone Scam Going On Since 2014

This fraud has not emerged out of the blue, but it has been happening since 2014. This means that the people involved in the fraud have managed to swap over 16,000 devices in the past few years. As per the case, the entire ordeal cost Apple over $12.3 million, and the devices replaced at Apple Stores included different iterations of the iPhones, Apple Watch, iPad, and other devices.

It shows that the people charged were coordinating with groups in China from where they received fake devices. The entire process is more complicated than it might appear, as the counterfeit iPhones are to be passed on as the real deal, with Apple employees unable to differentiate between the products.

Also Read: Apple Challenging European Union Over After Huge Antitrust Fine

How Were These Frauds Pulled Off?

With the devices featuring real but stolen identification numbers, it is likely that the original owners of the devices might never be able to avail of AppleCare warranty repairs. This is because Apple’s system would have already processed the identification numbers as faulty and returned devices.

To tackle the issue, the scammers availed repairs across several Apple Stores in California. Moreover, the accused also provided wrong information about Apple Stores, including fake addresses and more. The case will continue to move forward, with the defendants facing multiple years in custody if found guilty of the crime.

Apple’s developer’s conference will run from June 10 to June 14, and the first day will focus on showcasing its forthcoming software efforts. The remaining days would enable developers to get used to the new releases.

Apple also confirmed that the first keynote on June 10 will kick off at 10 AM Pacific Time. At the event, the company is expected to launch the much-anticipated iOS 18 update with generative AI features for the iPhone. Following the event, the company would also announce the Apple Design Awards and the Platform State of the Union on the same day. The company will be live-streaming the event on multiple platforms.

Apple seems to have an updated iPhone SE in the works. The updated version will serve as a new low-end model and is also aiming to manufacture new iPad Air models, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The refreshed Apple products are said to be launched early next year, the report said.

This will be the first instance of the iPhone SE since 2022 when Apple added 5G and a faster A15 Bionic chip to the model. The model helps the company to better compete with industry leaders Samsung, Xiaomi, and others in the mid-range smartphone market. Apple is yet to respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Also Read: Android Smartphones Already Copying iPhone 16 Capture Button

Apple HomePods To Come With iPad-Like Display And AI Features

Apple is said to launch two new HomePods with iPad-like screens and AI features. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is reportedly working on a new home accessory that will come with a touch-enabled display and Apple Intelligence features. This is said to be a tabletop device that is said to feature a robotic arm and iPad-like display.
 
 

The company is said to bring two versions of this device, one cheaper than the other. Notably, both devices are likely to operate on a newly developed operating system, potentially named homeOS.
 
 

The higher-end version, codenamed J595, is said to feature an iPad-like screen attached to a flexible robotic arm. This arm will enable the screen to be moved and repositioned, with actuators allowing tilting and full 36-degree rotation.
Previously, 9to5Mac reported that Apple is planning to launch a new device with an A18 chip for Apple INtelligence and a squarish display. This could be the lower-end version. It is believed that the device will come packed with a built-in camera, allowing compatibility with video conferencing apps like FaceTime.

Also Read: Truecaller Finally Works Fully On iPhones With New Update

Apple Rolls Out macOS Sequoia Without Apple Intelligence

Apple officially released macOS Sequoia recently, bringing features such as the ability to wirelessly mirror their iPhone on their Mac, window-tilling tools, and much more. There are Apple Intelligence features on the way, too, but they aren’t available yet.

iPhone mirroring is by far the coolest new feature in macOS Sequoia, and it could change how users use their phone. When users open the phone mirroring app, their iPhone pops up, and they can navigate around it using their mouse and type things with their keyboard.

Users’ iPhone notifications can also show up on their Mac. And later this year, they will be able to drag and drop things between their iPhone and their Mac.

Google has finally expanded the availability of Gemini Live AI-powered feature to all Android smartphones with the Gemini app. The feature was previously exclusive to Pixel 9 series phones. The feature, which lets users engage in real-time voice conversations with an AI assistant, is rolling out in English and includes 10 different voices.

Gemini Live enables users to interact with the AI using natural language, making it feel like a human conversation. The assistant can respond to questions, help brainstorm ideas, discuss topics of interest, and upgrade user experience. This rollout brings the feature to a bigger audience, making it accessible to people using the Gemini app on Android for free.

Also Read: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Up For Grabs In India With Offers

How Will Gemini Live For Android Users

As of October 1, Gemini Live is available for all Android users globally, without any cost. Users can simply update their Gemini app from the Google Play Store to access the new feature.

Gemini Live supports 10 new AI voices, including Nova, Ursa, Vega, Pegasus, Orbit, Lyra, Orion, Dipper, Eclipse, and Capella. To switch between voices, users can navigate to the app’s settings and select the preferred voice. The assistant operates conversationally, much like fictional AI assistants seen in movies.  

To access Gemini Live, users will have to update the Gemini app via the Google Play Store, then open the app, and tap of ‘Live’ button at the bottom right corner. Start interacting with the AI assistant by speaking naturally. This expansion comes after Google’s earlier announcement in September, stating its intention to make Gemini Live accessible to a bigger audience.

Also Read: Google Play Store Now Lets You Download, Update Apps Simultaneously

Google’s Circle To Search Feature Coming To More Smartphones

Google’s visual lookup feature Circle to Search is being rolled out to more Android devices, according to a new leak. The AI feature that enables users to quickly run a web search on any visual element on the screen is currently only available on a few Samsung and Pixel smartphones. However, this could change as tipster claims that the Circle to Search feature is being added to the Tecno V Fold 2, launched recently.

The feature first made its debut with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January and was later expanded to older Galaxy smartphones and the Pixel smartphone series. Nine months later, the feature has not been released for any other brand of smartphones. However, tipster Mishaal Rahman claimed that Circle to Search is being added to the Tecno V Fold 2.

Sharing an image of the feature on the tecno foldable, Rahman claimed that the visual lookup feature will also be expanded to “more Android phones next month” finally ending the monopoly of Pixel and Samsung.

Apple has continued to bring new features to its second-gen AirPods Pro, with features related to hearing aids the most recently added to them. However, the third-generation model might be in development and it could bring significant upgrades.

Expected to launch in 2025, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 builds on the health-related features that the company recently introduced in the second-generation model. However, it could be Apple’s first audio product to incorporate Apple Intelligence.

The current-gen AirPods Pro comes with a similar design similar to the original AirPods Por, which launched in 2019. Despite this, the company is not expected to make any radical changes in terms of build and form factor, apart from minor refinements. However, with some anticipated hardware additions, Apple could modify the internals to accommodate new components.

Also Read: iPhone 16 Plus Pre-Orders Witness 48 Percent Increase YoY

AirPods Pro 3 Under The Hood

Some of the anticipated additions to the hardware include a built-in camera on the AirPods Pro 3. Previously, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the company is planning to equip the new version of AirPods Pro with built-in cameras, which would allow visual understanding of the environment for Apple Intelligence.

With built-in cameras and Apple Intelligence, the AirPods Pro 3 could offer real-time assistance regarding physical objects to the user. To power Apple Intelligence, the company might equip the AirPods Pro 3 with a new H3 chip, which could enable other advanced features, such as additional health functionalities.

The AirPods Pro 3 is likely to retain all the new hearing assistance features that Apple recently rolled out in the AirPods Pro 2. However, Apple might have more innovations in store for the next Pro model.

Bloomberg previously reported that the company could introduce a new temperature sensor in an AirPods model to offer more accurate body temperature measurements. This sensor might work alongside other health sensors in an Apple Watch to upgrade health tracking.

Also Read: Apple To Charge Heavily To Swap iPhone 16 Pro’s Battery

Apple Brings Diwali Deals And Offers For Its Indian Consumers

With the festive season upon us, Apple has introduced some Diwali offers for its Indian consumers. The company is giving instant cashback on the purchase of iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and all other devices. Also, the company is giving free Beats Solo Buds for a limited time period on the purchase of an iPhone.

Buyers can avail of up to Rs 5000 instant cashback on iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Plus with eligible ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and American Express cards. On iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, buyers will get instant cashback of Rs 3,000. For the iPhone SE, the cashback is Rs 2,000.

Customers who buy the iPhone 15 from Apple Store will get a pair of free Beats Solo Buds. Besides, there is special edition packaging, which is designed by Aaquib Wani. The offer is valid till October 4 only.

Lenovo-owned smartphone brand Motorola has announced the launch of its ThinkPhone 25. With a design similar to that of the Edge 50 Neo, this is the second offering from the brand under the ThinkPhone branding.

The smartphone comes with military-grade durability and boasts MIL-STD 810H certification, as well as an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The phone has a plastic frame and a back made of Aramid fiber. Priced at $499, the Motorola ThinkPhone 25 will come in a Carbon Black color and in a single configuration of 8GB RAM and 25GB storage.

Also Read: Motorola Launches Edge 50 With Military-Grade Certification In India

Motorola ThinkPhone 25 Under The Hood

The Motorola ThinkPhone 25 comes with a 6.36-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset. It is backed by a 4,310mAh battery with 68W wired and 15W wireless charging support. The device runs on Android 14-based Hello UI, with the company providing five Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates until 2029.

As for the cameras, the smartphone comes with a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP Sony LYT-700C primary camera, a 13MP ultrawide camera, and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera, which replaces the 2MP depth sensor found in the first gen ThinkPhone. A 32MP front camera is also fitted for selfies.

The ThinkPhone 25 can connect seamlessly with Lenovo laptops and Motorola tablets, providing automatic syncing, shared keyboard capabilities, and webcam features to enhance the overall ecosystem experience. Moreover, the Moto Device Manager offers remote control and management capabilities for devices. Motorola’s ThinkShield offers protection against malware, phishing, and various other threats.

Also Read: Motorola And Google Join Forces To Bring Gen AI To Razr Smartphones

Motorola Launches Edge 50 Neo With Dimensity 7300 SoC

Motorola has expanded its flagship smartphone lineup in the Indian market with the launch of the Motorola Edge 50 Neo. The smartphone comes packed with impressive features including a 50MP Sony LYTIA-700X sensor, AI-powered camera upgrades, and long-term software support.

The smartphone is priced at Rs 23,999 in India, which is part of a special festive offer, as per the company. The phone comes in a single variant offering 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

Buyers can pick from our Pantone-certified color options: Nautical Blue, Poinciana, Lattè, and Grisaille, and all of them feature a vegan leather back for added style. Besides, extra perks include a Rs 1,000 discount for certain bank card holders or an exchange bonus of Rs 1,000. Jio users can avail of bundled offers worth Rs 10,000, including Rs 2,000 cashback and further benefits worth up to Rs 8,000.

Meta’s WhatsApp has introduced exciting new features that would appeal more to the youth. Users will be able to personalize their video calls with custom backgrounds and filters and add creative and personal touch to both one-on-one and group calls.

In a post on his WhatsApp channel, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote, “Rolling out some new filters and backgrounds for video calls, so had to test them out,” while sharing some of the filter and background effects.

According to Meta, “Filters are designed to help you create a more playful atmosphere, whether that’s adding a splash of color or creating a more artistic feel for your video. With backgrounds, you can keep your surroundings private and transport yourself to a cozy coffee shop or comfortable living room for a cleaner and more polished look.”

Also Read: WhatsApp Reportedly Working On Call Link Shortcut For Groups

WhatsApp Adds New Features For Video Calls

The latest WhatsApp update adds 10 filters such as Warm, Cool, Black & White, Light Leak, Dreamy, Prism Light, Fisheye, Vintage TV, Frosted Glass, and Duo Tone. There are also 10 new background options, including Blur, Living Room, Office, Cafe, Pebbles, Foodie, Smoosh, Beach, Sunset, Celebration, and Forest.

Moreover, users can utilize touch-up and low-light filters to upgrade picture quality during calls, making video chats clearer. To use WhatsApp filters and backgrounds during a video, users will have to initiate a video call on WhatsApp and select the effect icon from the top right corner of users’ smartphone, where they can pick and choose the effects or backgrounds.

Currently being rolled out for both Android and iOS smartphone users. Make sure to download and install the latest version of WhatsApp to experience these new filters and stickers the next time users make a video call on WhatsApp.

Also Read: WhatsApp To Let Users Send Messages And Call Other Apps

WhatsApp To Allow Users Public Figures For Meta AI Voice Mode

WhatsApp for Android is reportedly working on a new functionality to integrate a two-way voice chat feature for the in-app AI chatbot Meta AI. A new report suggests that the voice mode feature will also come with multiple voices of public figures, letting users customize their experience of interacting with the chatbot.

Additionally, other voices from the US and the UK are also said to be integrated into this feature. Notably, Meta AI voice mode will be able to hold conversations with the users in a human-like manner.

As per WABetaInfo, the information regarding the voices of public figures was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.19.32. As of now, the feature is not visible, and as a result, those who have signed up for the Google Beta Programme will not be able to see it.