On Gear Live: Apple’s C1 Modem: The Silent Revolution Inside the iPhone 16e

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Every iPhone launch brings the usual fanfare - new cameras, brighter screens, and the inevitable comparison charts. But this year, Apple made a quiet yet monumental move: introducing the C1 modem inside the iPhone 16e. This is Apple’s first in-house modem chip, a shift that could redefine how iPhones connect to the world, just as Apple Silicon did for processing power.

Why Modems Matter More Than You Think

The modem is one of the most crucial components in any smartphone. It’s the bridge between your phone and the world, translating signals from cell towers into the data that powers your web browsing, video streaming, and even your voice calls. A great modem means faster speeds, better battery efficiency, and a smoother experience when networks get congested. Apple knows this, which is why the move to develop its own modem is such a big deal.

Click to continue reading Apple’s C1 Modem: The Silent Revolution Inside the iPhone 16e

Gallery: Apple’s C1 Modem: The Silent Revolution Inside the iPhone 16e


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AI has been hyped up like the world’s next superstar athlete, but when it comes time to perform, has it actually stuck the landing? In this episode, we dive into the state of AI today, breaking down what’s working, what’s failing, and how companies like Apple, Google, and OpenAI are shaping the future.

We discuss Apple Intelligence, its delayed rollout, and whether Apple’s privacy-first approach is actually hurting its AI capabilities. Plus, what’s going on with AI-generated images, the evolution of Siri, and the battle between Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Apple’s attempts to keep up. And of course, we analyze whether companies are just slapping "AI" on everything from bird feeders to massage chairs to sell more products.

On top of that, we discuss T-Mobile’s partnership with Starlink and the conspiracy theories running rampant about Elon Musk tracking everything. Also, are we witnessing the slow demise of TikTok in the U.S.? Taylor Lorenz joins the discussion to break it all down.

Gallery: Is Apple Intelligence All Hype? w/ Taylor Lorenz - Geared Up 202


Turns out, Apple can fumble iPhone sales and still make Wall Street happy. The tech giant’s stock jumped 3.3% in after-hours trading, even after reporting a nearly $2 billion shortfall in iPhone revenue compared to analyst expectations. 

Apple pulled in $69.1 billion from iPhones last quarter, making up over 55% of its total revenue. But global iPhone shipments dipped 4% year-over-year, thanks to stiff competition in China from Huawei and Xiaomi. That market hit was big—Greater China revenue fell 11% to $18.5 billion. 

By the numbers:

• $124.3 billion – Total revenue last quarter (a new record) 

• $36.3 billion – Net profit (up 7.1% YoY

• $26.3 billion – Services revenue (up 14%

• 4% – Decline in global iPhone shipments 

• $3.57 trillion – Apple’s current market valuation 

Still, services revenue soared and Apple Intelligence—its AI push—has users excited (except in China, where it’s not yet available). Despite the iPhone miss, investors are staying bullish—because hey, who needs phone sales when you’ve got a $3.57 trillion valuation?

Gallery: Apple’s iPhone Sales Slip Due to China Competition


oneplus concept phone at mwc 2023

Mobile World Congress 2023, the biggest event for the mobile industry, took place in Barcelona from February 27 to March 2. The event showcased some of the most innovative and exciting trends and technologies that are shaping the future of smartphones.

One of the main themes of MWC 2023 was repairability. Several smartphone makers unveiled devices that are designed to be more durable, modular, and easy to fix. For example, Motorola announced its Moto G100, which features a replaceable battery, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. Fairphone also showcased its Fairphone 4, which is made of recycled materials and can be upgraded with new components.

Click to continue reading MWC 2023 Showed Us The Future of Smartphones

Gallery: MWC 2023 Showed Us The Future of Smartphones


iPhone passcode entry

Imagine this: You’re at a bar with your friends, enjoying a drink and chatting. You take out your iPhone to check something and enter your passcode. You don’t notice the person behind you who’s watching your every move and memorizing your passcode. A few minutes later, they snatch your iPhone from your hand and run away.

You might think that’s bad enough, but it gets worse. Within minutes, the thief has used your passcode to gain access to your iPhone and change your Apple ID password, which enables them to disable Find My, make purchases using Apple Pay, gain access to passwords stored in iCloud Keychain, and scan through Photos for pictures of documents that contain a Social Security number or other details that could be used for identity theft.

This is not a hypothetical scenario. It’s a real threat that has been happening across the US. The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern has been hearing from victims who have lost thousands of dollars and their entire digital lives after their iPhones were stolen with the thieves obtaining their passcodes.

Click to continue reading How iPhone Thieves Can Ruin Your Digital Life in Minutes

Gallery: How iPhone Thieves Can Ruin Your Digital Life in Minutes


What is Apple Silicon

Apple is about to swap out Intel chips for their own self-made processors in the Mac line, and Rene Ritchie joins us to talk about what this means, and how it will change the Mac for the average consumer. We also discuss iOS 13.6, the moves Microsoft is making with the Xbox Series X and xCloud, along with a lightning round of tech topics!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

Gallery: What Apple Silicon Means for the Mac w/ Guest Rene Ritchie!


Tesla Cybertruck impressions

Apple dropped some major news during its WWDC virtual keynote, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman joins the show as we talk about all of the announcements. Mark currently works for Bloomberg, and has been reporting on Apple since he was 15 years old, breaking major news since the very beginning of his career. We talk about his biggest scoops, the business of breaking news, Apple’s AR & VR headset plans, and of course all the news coming out of WWDC - macOS 11, iOS 14, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

Gallery: Apple Changes the Mac Forever, iOS 14, and more w/ Guest Mark Gurman!


iOS 14 shortcuts

This week Matt Cassinelli joins the show to talk to us about the power of the Shortcuts app on iPhone and iPad. Matt is who we consider to be the master of Shortcuts, and is able to bend the iPhone to his will more than anyone else we know. We also talk about the Playstation 5 reveal event, Apple’s rumored transition to ARM processors in Mac computers, and more!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

Gallery: The Hidden iPhone Superpower w/ Guest Matt Cassinelli


Black Lives Matter protest

This week, we reflect on the uprising that we’re seeing in the USA and across the world as people fight for change in how the lives of black and brown people in America and are viewed and valued. Andru shares his 24-hour fight with YouTube to get a video that would help protesters stay safe. Our guest, Sara Dietschy joins us and gives her unique perspective on the new Sony ZV1 handheld camera, which is targeted at vloggers.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

Gallery: Black Lives Matter w/ Guest Sara Dietschy


Tesla Cybertruck impressions

This week Kevin the Tech Ninja joins the show as we discuss the Tesla Cybertruck, the fail that is HBO Max, obsession with Call of Duty: Warzone, VR gaming with Pro Putt by Top Golf on Oculus Quest, some of our favorite smart home tech platforms and devices, and we take a deep dive looking at how things have changed for us as video creators and YouTube creators during the work from home era of the current pandemic!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

Gallery: Tesla Cybertruck impressions & HBO Max Frustration w/ Guest Kevin Nether!


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