Week 4, April 2023
“The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas and throw the bad ones away.” — Linus Pauling
● After removing blue checkmarks and limiting the reach of accounts that don’t pay for Twitter Blue, the platform no longer lets users use its search without being logged in. In addition, Musk recently suggested that Fleets are coming back.
2. Apple Pay Later Financing Feature Continues Rolling Out to iPhone Users
● A pre-release version of Apple Pay Later continues to roll out to randomly selected iPhone users, as noted by tech enthusiast Will Sigmon. Built into the Wallet app, the “buy now, pay later” feature lets qualifying customers split a purchase made with Apple Pay into four equal payments over six weeks, with no interest or fees.
3. YouTube Music Gains Audio Podcasts on iOS and Web
● Google today announced that YouTube Music on the web and the YouTube Music app for iOS devices now offer podcasts in the United States. Users who watch podcasts through the main YouTube app can now continue listening to them through YouTube Music.
4. Kroger-Owned Grocery Store Chain Harris Teeter Begins Accepting Apple Pay
● Kroger-owned grocery store chain Harris Teeter this week announced it now accepts Apple Pay and other contactless payment methods at all of its over 250 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and a few other states.
5. How to make GIFs on iPhone with the built-in Shortcuts app and Siri
● Follow along for how to get going with the free “Make GIF” shortcut that works with Apple’s Shortcuts app and Siri commands.
6. Microsoft rolling out iMessage on Windows 11 support, here are the pros and cons
● Back in February, Microsoft started testing iMessage on Windows made possible through its Phone Link app. Now the company says it’s rolling out the feature to everyone running Windows 11. While the news may sound exciting, there are some notable drawbacks to Microsoft’s iMessage experience. Here’s what you need to know.
7. Apple Watch Ultra With MicroLED Display ‘Pushed’ to Second Half of 2025
● Apple is working on an updated version of the Apple Watch Ultra that has an improved microLED display, but the device won’t launch until the second half of 2025.
8. Global smartphone market continued to fall in Q1; iPhone the only exception
● Year-on-year shipments in the global smartphone market fell by 13% in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest market intelligence data. This is the fifth consecutive quarter of decline. Apple was the only major brand to buck the trend, growing its iPhone shipments by 3% while its competitors saw declines ranging from 8% to 22%.
9. Apple shares updates on its Hearing Study with iPhone and Apple Watch data
● To coincide with International Noise Awareness Day on April 26, the company shared updates on its Hearing Study conducted in partnership with the University of Michigan.
10. Telegram adds Shareable Chat Folders and Custom Wallpapers with its latest update
● The popular messaging platform Telegram is once again adding multiple new features to its app with its latest update. The app now features Shareable Chat Folders, Custom Wallpapers, and other new features and improvements. Read on as we detail everything that’s new in Telegram’s latest update.
11. These are the most popular iPhones so far in 2023, study reveals
● Following up on a couple of reports looking into how important iPhones are to users by age, CIRP released its newest study this morning. The report reveals which iPhone models are the most popular in the US for Q1 2023 and how well the iPhone 14 lineup is selling.
12. Another week, another Apple Store: Apple MixC Shenzhen
● April is turning into quite a month for new Apple Stores. Last week saw the launch of two new stores in India, and this week sees the opening of another in China: Apple MixC Shenzhen.
