Tech
Apple Confirms iOS 26.3 Privacy Upgrade, But Most iPhones Won’t Get It
Apple almost never reveals what’s coming in its iPhone updates ahead of time. So, a new support document from Apple explaining that iOS 26.3 will have a new feature that will limit how much is revealed about your location, is rare, to say the least.
Apple iPhone Air
David Phelan
On Monday, Jan. 26, Apple announced that a new setting will allow users to limit how precisely carriers can pinpoint your location. Something that will “limit some information that cellular networks may use to determine your location” is coming. And it’s coming soon, since iOS 26.3 is expected to land in a matter of days.
“Mobile networks determine location based on the cellular towers that a device connects to, but with the setting enabled, some of the data typically made available to mobile networks is being restricted,” MacRumors reported. “Rather than being able to see location down to a street address, carriers will instead be limited to the neighborhood where a device is located, for example.”
iOS 26.3 Location Privacy Feature: What Apple Is Changing
Apple has stressed that the setting that controls this, which can be turned on and off, “doesn’t impact the precision of the location data that is shared with emergency responders during an emergency call.” It also doesn’t affect when you share your location in the Find My app.
But there are two big catches.
The First Catch: Limited Carrier Support
First, it will only work with selected carriers. When the service launches, only one U.S. carrier will support it, Boost Mobile. Support elsewhere includes two U.K. carriers, though they are the same company, EE and BT. In Germany, Telekom will support it and in Thailand AIS and True. That’s not universal — at least for now.
The Bigger Catch: Only iPhones With Apple Modems Are Supported
But there’s another catch: it’s exclusive to iPhones with Apple’s in-house modems in them. Right now, there are exactly two models, the iPhone 16e and iPhone Air, which have the C1 and C1X modems respectively. Most iPhones use Qualcomm modems but they are not supported. It will also work with the M5 iPad Pro with the C1X modem.
It’s expected that the next affordable iPhone, the iPhone 17e, will also have an Apple in-house modem, and that phone is expected in the next couple of months, so then there will be three iPhones with this capability.
Tech
Oppo’s K14x Brings 6,500 mAh Battery and 45W Charging On a Budget Price
Oppo has introduced a new K series smartphone with the launch of the Oppo K14x. The device succeeds last year’s K13x and continues to use the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset.
Design and Display
The Oppo K14x features a 6.75-inch LCD with an HD Plus resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel reaches a peak brightness of up to 1,125 nits.
The phone includes a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and carries an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance. It is available in Icy Blue and Prism Violet color options.
Internals and Software
Powering the Oppo K14x is the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, the same processor used in its predecessor. The phone is offered with up to 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage. Storage can be expanded using a microSD card.
The device runs ColorOS 15 out of the box. Connectivity options include 5G support, dual-band Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.4 with LE, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Cameras
On the back, the Oppo K14x comes with a dual camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The rear cameras support 1080p video recording at up to 60 frames per second.
For selfies and video calls, the phone includes a 5MP front-facing camera.
Battery and Pricing
The Oppo K14x is equipped with a 6,500 mAh battery. It supports 45W wired fast charging and also offers reverse wired charging.
The 4GB RAM and 128GB storage variant is priced at $165, while the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage model costs $185.
Oppo K14x Specifications
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, ColorOS 15 |
| Supported Networks | 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G |
| Display | 6.75 inches, 720 x 1570 pixels, IPS LCD, 120Hz, 700 nits (typ), 1125 nits (peak) |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Card Slot | Yes |
| Main Camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Front Camera | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Colors | Prism Violet, Icy Blue |
| Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted |
| Battery |
6500 mAh, 45W wired charging, 5W reverse wired charging |
| Price |
$165 |
Tech
AT&T Says SLMs Run At 10% Of The Cost Of LLMs While Being ‘About As Accurate’
Who needs a trillion parameter LLM? AT&T says it gets by just fine on four to seven billion parameters … when setting up their SLMs in just the right way.
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Tech
Mashreq and Ufone Partner to Deliver Seamless Digital Telco Services via Mashreq App
Mashreq Pakistan, part of Mashreq, one of the MENA region’s leading financial institutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Ufone, aimed at bringing essential telecom services directly into the Mashreq app. Customers will now be able to top up their mobile credit and purchase Ufone bundles without leaving their banking interface marking a new step in digital service integration.
As more consumers gravitate toward bundled digital offerings, this collaboration is designed to meet growing demand for seamless, unified platforms. By embedding telco services into its app, Mashreq is transforming how customers access and manage everyday needs offering not just convenience, but a reimagined digital lifestyle experience.
“We are constantly looking for ways to make everyday services easier and more accessible for our customers,” said Hamayun Sajjad, CEO, Mashreq Pakistan. “With the growing demand for mobile data and bundles, this partnership ensures our customers can access what they need quickly, securely, and directly through the Mashreq app.”
Syed Atif Raza, Group Chief Commercial Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G added, “Integrating Ufone’s products & services into the Mashreq app gives customers a simpler way to stay connected. This partnership reflects our focus on ease, access, and everyday relevance. We’re committed to shaping experiences that fit naturally into people’s lives, and this collaboration is another step in that direction.”
The move comes as telcos and digital banks across the region explore new ways to collaborate, offering services that go beyond their traditional roles. For Ufone, this marks an opportunity to meet customers where they are digitally, securely, and conveniently.
For Mashreq, the partnership aligns with its broader ambition to embed real-world services into its digital banking ecosystem. It also reflects the bank’s commitment to enabling financial inclusion and lifestyle convenience through local insight and global best practices.
As part of its ‘Rise Every Day’ philosophy, Mashreq continues to invest in innovations that empower users across all segments, from everyday consumers to small businesses, building a smarter, more connected financial future for Pakistan.
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