IOS

What happens when an emergency service receives a call from Siri? We have spoken with 112 to find out

Published

1 month ago

January 4, 2023

We all have (or should have) emergency numbers in mind in case something happens to us. In the European Union the number to call emergencies is 112, and it is the number that Siri goes to when we ask for urgent help or detect a fall or traffic accident.

The latter, automated calls, is something that Apple even boasts about in its ads: without us having to do anything, an automated voice informs the emergency service about the location and situation of a possible victim. However How do the emergency services react to these calls? We have started to get some responses about it.

“Residuals”, but with predictions of ceasing to be so

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AD-vcOuwuc

The operators of the 112 emergency services must be prepared to answer calls from people in very delicate situations: traffic accidents, falls, incidents… there is not a second to lose: In a case in which I myself had to call to help someone who had fallen from a bicycle in Barcelona, I was pleasantly surprised how the ambulance arrived in less than 4 minutes in one of the busiest areas of the city.

Emergency calls from Apple Watch and iPhone will become increasingly common, and help services are already aware of this

But of course: in the automatic calls of the iPhone and Apple Watch it is not a person who speaks: it is an algorithm. A spokesperson for the 112 emergency service in Catalonia has told us that for now these calls “they are of a very residual nature”and that therefore the operators treat them like any other call made by human persons.

In any case, from the Catalan service they also inform that they are attentive to what they believe will be a trend of increase in these automated calls, and that they are already consider working on a “specific operating procedure” to serve them more efficiently.

We have also contacted the 112 emergency service in Madrid, Andalusia, Valencia and the Basque Country, but we have not received specific information from them (if we receive it, we will update this article with their statements). We have been contemplating this type of emergency calls from Apple Watch for a few years, and now that the iPhone 14 is capable of detecting traffic accidents no wonder they are already considered special protocols for these automated calls. Before long such calls could become much more common.

Related Topics:call emergency find receives service Siri spoken

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Apple Pay in South Korea: this time it’s (really) coming soon

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2023

Thomas Grimm

After a false start and much procrastination from the administrative authorities, Apple Pay really getting ready to make its big debut in South Korea. The Financial Services Commission had looked into the exclusivity contract that linked Hyundai to Apple Pay, and it was finally decided to cancel this deal: “During the authorization process, Hyundai Card decided to remove the exclusivity clause that was included in the original contract. Therefore, other credit card companies may contract with Apple to provide Apple Pay service in Korea at any time. » thus specified one of the persons in charge for the FSC. Hyundai Card will only be able to benefit from the service a little in advance, in particular in the shops of Costco, Lotte Himart, Ediya, Mega Coffee, KFC etc.

Apple Pay virtual payment

This new arrangement should not be so unfavorable to Apple since Apple Pay can now be compatible with all payment cards used in South Korea. As a reminder, the FSC had blocked the launch of Apple Pay at Hyundai Card almost at the last minute: advertisements announcing the availability of Apple Pay were even already visible in Seoul! Finally, in addition to Hyundai Card, Apple Pay will also be compatible with credit cards from Shinhan, Samsung (yes!) and BC.

IOS

Magic Mouse VS Logitech Lift: Features, Differences, and Pricing

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2023

Thomas Grimm

Apple offers users two peripherals to control their Macs: the Magic Trackpad or the Magic Mouse. Those used to MacBooks and their large touch pad for gestures may choose the former, but those who prefer a more conventional experience are likely to opt for the latter. However, there are other mice that can make us question whether the Magic Mouse is the best option for our Mac. Like the Logitech Lift. We put them face to face to compare their features, differences… and prices.

Features Magic Mouse and Logitech Lift

Specifications	apple magic mouse	logitech lift
dimensions and weight	2.16 cm (height) x 5.71 cm (width) x 11.35 cm (depth), and 99 grams	7.1 cm (height) x 7 cm (width) x 10.8 cm (depth), and 125 grams
CONNECTIVITY	Bluetooth and Lightning	Bluetooth and USB Logi Bolt
sensor technology	–	Logitech Advanced Optical Tracking with up to 4000 dpi
buttons	Multi-touch surface and one click	Six buttons, four of them configurable
wireless operating distance Advertisement	–	about 10 meters
battery	Month or more of operation per charge	up to two years
Compatibility	Mac with Bluetooth and OS X 10.11 or later, and iPad with iPadOS 13.4 or later	Windows, macOS, iPadOS, Chrome OS and Linux
price	85 euros	€79.99

Logitech Lift for Mac, Ergonomic Wireless Mouse, Discreet Clicks, Silent Smartwheel, 4 Customizable Buttons, Bluetooth, For macOS/iPadOS/MacBook Pro/Macbook Air/iMac/iPad, OffWhite

Apple Mouse Magic Mouse

Design: the Logitech Lift aims to solve a problem that many of the people who work glued to the computer end up suffering: wrist pain. Have a 57 degree angle relieves pressure on the wrist, so that the arm and upper body have a more relaxed position. In addition, there is a left-handed version and a right-handed version. The Magic Mouse goes for a minimalist, low-profile look, the opposite of the Lift, and you love it or hate it. This type of design does not suit some people because of the pain.
connectivity: Magic Mouse connects to Mac instantly via Bluetooth, and is recharged by Lightning. The Logitech Lift can be used both by Bluetooth and by the Logi Bolt USB receiver if our equipment does not have Bluetooth or we prefer this type of connectivity.
sensor technology: Apple does not provide information on this, but Logitech assures that the Lift can be configured with up to 4000dpi for users who want more speed (without sacrificing precision).
Buttons: Magic Mouse, to the *text muted* eye, does not have buttons, because its surface works like a big button, and it depends on whether the click is on the left or right side to do certain functions. However, this has a problem, especially when playing games, since you can’t do both clicks at the same time. On the other hand, the surface is tactile and allows gestures, something that is not common in a mouse. The Logitech Lift has six buttons, and four of them are configurable. In addition, the SmartWheel allows comfortable movements of speed and precision.
Compatibility: Magic Mouse only works with Mac. Period. By your side, the Logitech Lift offers compatibility with all major operating systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS and iPadOS. Plus, it can be paired with up to three devices at once and quickly switch between them with the push of a button, making it highly versatile.
Battery: Apple promises a month or a month and a half of autonomy in the Magic Mouse depending on the use, but Logitech claims its Lift can last up to two yearsand uses one AA battery.
Price: The recommended retail price of both mice is similar: 79.99 euros for the Logitech Lift and 85 euros for the Magic Mouse. Of course, the Logitech Lift can be found around 50 euros with usual offers.

Magic Mouse VS Logitech Lift, which one to buy?

Since its release, Apple hasn’t revamped the Magic Mouse (other than adding a built-in battery in place of the battery compartment in a revision), and seems to have no interest in doing so. It is a mouse that enters through the eyes and attracts attention due to its design, since there is no other like it. But It is not very practical for many users (or comfortable). Yes, it allows you to perform gestures such as movement and has a range that is not bad, but it is not for everyone.

The Logitech Lift is a more conventional proposal, although not classic, since it is committed to a vertical format with which to help us improve posture and reduce wrist pain, something that those of us who spend working in front of the computer all day have suffered ever. Also has customizable buttons and dpias well as the ability to connect it to three devices at once and jump between them quickly.

Logitech Lift for Mac, Ergonomic Wireless Mouse, Discreet Clicks, Silent Smartwheel, 4 Customizable Buttons, Bluetooth, For macOS/iPadOS/MacBook Pro/Macbook Air/iMac/iPad, OffWhite

Apple Mouse Magic Mouse

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IOS

Apple would not have planned a Mac Studio M2 Ultra because of the new Mac Pro

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2023

Thomas Grimm

Apple is due to launch a new Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra chip this year and that could mean there won’t be a new Mac Studio with the same chip, according to information from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

The problem for Apple would be that a Mac Studio with the M2 Ultra chip and a Mac Pro with the same processor would duplicate each other. The interest in taking a Mac Pro would be more than limited, especially if we are to believe the rumors that the machine will not be really modular. Apple would therefore prefer to set aside the Mac Studio and not renew it, at least for now.

It could therefore be that Apple is waiting for its M3 or M4 chips to offer a new version of the Mac Studio. Suffice to say that we will have to wait a little while. As a reminder, the existing computer was born a little less than a year ago now and is entitled to M1 Max and M1 Ultra chips.

Regarding the Mac Pro, Apple had initially planned an M2 Extreme chip, but the project was finally abandoned to focus on the M2 Ultra chip. The computer would keep the same design as the 2019 model with Intel processors. Users would not be able to change the RAM or graphics card (GPU) themselves. The release would take place in the spring, although the exact date is still uncertain.