Apple is increasing security measures on its key Photos application, which will undergo its most significant redesign in the upcoming iOS 18 operating system, three executives have told The National.
The app is crucial to the iPhone-maker’s ecosystem, managing more than three trillion images and videos a year, according to Apple data.
The company is ensuring that guardrails exist to prevent misuse as that will benefit broader user interaction and integration into Apple's device ecosystem, the executives said.
The safety measures extend to third-party apps that can access Photos. Apple says all apps on the App Store go through a rigorous process before they are approved as safe for use.
“We make it very clear that when an application goes and uses an API [application programming interface] for the first time, we'll inform the user exactly what that app is asking for,” Jon McCormack, vice president for camera and photos at Apple's software engineering team, said.
If an app requests for full library access, a user can "create a special little sub-catalogue" for that specific app, he said.
Meanwhile, developers will benefit from a "whole robust set" of Apple APIs, which they can use to enhance their apps, he added.
Photos is one of the most-used apps on iOS, along with Mail and the Safari web browser.
The app will receive its “biggest-ever redesign” since it was introduced in 2014 as Camera Roll on iOS 8.
The sweeping changes will come on iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia – the first of which is to be rolled out on the next iPhones, expected to be launched in September.
The new software will be powered by Apple Intelligence, the Cupertino-based tech giant’s much anticipated foray into AI that was unveiled at last month’s Worldwide Developers Conference.
“As our features, users and libraries have grown, so has the density of the [Photos] app. So rather than hunt and peck throughout, we've created a simple streamlined single view photos experience based on deep intelligence,” Billy Sorrentino, senior director at Apple’s human interface design unit, told The National.
“Ultimately, we wanted to remove friction” in how Photos is used, he added.
The new features on Photos include the ability to find specific images more easily, filtering out screenshots and a new carousel-style display to highlight important files.
Photos will also apply a simplified, single-view grid, with months and years listed below to locate files faster, and a new Collections feature that organises media by theme or topic.
Collections is the upgraded version of Memories, which creates albums by sorting files by theme, event or people.
Collections now comes with animations and sound effects, and the ability to create a new album by typing out a description.
“Lots of deep intelligence combined with customisation means that Photos can be more personal,” Della Huff, manager of camera and photos at Apple's product marketing team, told The National.
The new features would also be an advantage for creators and influencers, allowing them to create and post content faster, she said.
“Everyone has a different workflow and so automatic customisation is really key here.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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