July 24, 2025

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Battery Swaps and USB-C Cases Extend iPhone Lifespans

As the iPhone 17 approaches, Apple users have two budget-friendly paths to prolong their current handsets. A battery replacement—priced between $75 and $100 through Apple’s service—can restore up to two more years of peak performance, while Swiss engineer Ken Pillonel’s new USB-C case ($49.90 CHF, about $63) brings fast 9 V charging, data transfers and MagSafe support to Lightning-port iPhones from the XR through the 14 Pro series.

Battery swap: Check your iPhone’s health in Settings > Battery Health and Charging; eligible devices get a genuine Apple battery.

USB-C case: Supports wireless and MagSafe charging, CarPlay and 20 iPhone models, with more colors arriving in September.

Together, these upgrades promise hundreds saved, less electronic waste and a bridge until Apple’s next flagship lands in September.

UK Regulator Stalls Fortnite’s iOS Comeback

Epic Games plans to relaunch Fortnite on iOS in the UK have hit a regulatory roadblock. After securing reinstatement in the US App Store and via the Epic Games Store in the EU, Epic urged Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to mandate alternative app stores and open external payment options.

However, the CMA has deferred any competition measures until at least 2026, leaving Apple’s App Store fees and restrictions intact. Epic warns this delay will perpetuate “monopolistic” practices and hamper consumer choice until the regulator enacts stronger antitrust rules.

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iPadOS 26 Steals the Spotlight from macOS 26

Apple’s macOS 26 preview at WWDC drew polite applause, but it was iPadOS 26 that truly captivated developers and users alike. With its long-awaited windowing system—modeled closely on macOS multitasking yet optimized for touch—iPadOS 26 positions the iPad as a viable productivity workhorse.

macOS 26 delivers enhancements like next-gen Spotlight, Liquid Glass visuals and smarter Shortcuts actions, but none of these resonated like iPadOS’s headline feature. As Apple blurs the line between tablets and laptops, longtime Mac enthusiasts may wonder if the platform can still command center stage.

BMW Rejects CarPlay Ultra, Bets on iDrive X

BMW has confirmed it will bypass Apple’s CarPlay Ultra, choosing instead to debut its in-house iDrive X platform on the upcoming iX3 and future Neue Klasse models. Slated to launch later this year, iDrive X delivers high-resolution digital cockpits, augmented-reality heads-up displays and AI-enhanced voice controls, while relegating both CarPlay and Android Auto to the central touchscreen.

Despite Apple’s WWDC 2022 promise to integrate CarPlay Ultra into instrument clusters, climate settings and vehicle metrics, adoption has faltered: only Aston Martin has shipped it so far, and automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Polestar and Renault have since pulled back. Brands including Porsche, Hyundai, Land Rover, Kia and Ford remain committed but have yet to release compatible vehicles, leaving CarPlay Ultra’s mass-market future uncertain.

Apple, Samsung Debunk Rice Trick for Waterlogged Phones

Apple and Samsung are urging users not to rely on rice to dry water-damaged phones, warning that grains can lodge in ports and cause long-term harm.

Instead, both manufacturers recommend powering off the device, wiping it with a lint-free cloth and allowing it to air-dry—Apple specifies at least five hours with the charging port facing down—or visiting an authorized service center if issues persist. For serious moisture intrusion, silica gel beads provide a safer desiccant, with a three-day soak offering the best chance to restore functionality without rice debris.

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Prolong Your iPhone: $75 Battery Swap or $63 USB-C Case for 2 More Years