Apple is making significant strides to improve the user experience across its devices and services with recent announcements surrounding its Mail app and gaming platform, Apple Arcade. The tech giant has just introduced updates meant to streamline how users interact with their emails and make way for new, engaging gaming experiences.
One of the recent updates to the Mail app for iPhone and iPad is the much-discussed “Follow Up” suggestions feature, which surfaces emails without replies, nudging users to send follow-up reminders. While the intent is to help users manage their inboxes effectively, some have found the feature more confusing than beneficial. Many reported being misled by these nudges, believing they had received new replies, only to find their email threads unchanged. To address this growing discontent, Apple has provided users with the option to disable the Follow Up Suggestions feature entirely, allowing their inboxes to return to the familiar layout they were accustomed to before this update.
Disabling the Follow Up Suggestions feature is straightforward. Users simply need to:
- Open the Settings app on their iPhone or iPad.
- Navigate to Apps and select “Mail.”
- Find the toggle for “Follow Up Suggestions” and turn it to the OFF position.
Once disabled, users will no longer see old emails at the top of their inbox, providing immediate relief for those frustrated with the feature.
Meanwhile, Apple is also bringing excitement to its gaming service, Apple Arcade, with the upcoming launch of the PGA Tour Pro Golf game set for February 6, 2025. This is the first-ever PGA Tour game coming to Apple Arcade, featuring stunning recreations of iconic golf courses, including Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay. According to the app’s description, it promises players real-time, simultaneous gameplay, which means no waiting for turns. "It's golf like you've never played before," the description reads, enticing both avid golf fans and casual gamers.
Players will have daily and multi-day tournaments to participate in, earning coins and cash throughout different game modes to purchase new equipment and clubs. This venture underlines Apple's commitment to enhancing its gaming offerings and catering to diverse audience interests.
Aside from these service updates, Apple recently held its earnings call for the first fiscal quarter of 2025, where CEO Tim Cook was asked about the potential for innovation within the iPhone lineup. Cook, who typically refrains from discussing unreleased products, offered some intriguing insights. "I think there's a lot more to come," he stated, expressing optimism about Apple’s future product pipeline.
Specifically addressing rumors surrounding the forthcoming “iPhone 17 Air,” Cook noted there is certainly room for new designs within the smartphone category. Rumors suggest the company is working on a super thin iPhone, possibly replacing the current “Plus” model. If successful, this device could stand around 5mm to 6mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone yet. While conflicting reports emerge about pricing, it's expected to be less than the current Pro models, with the device set to utilize less powerful hardware and offer a single-lens camera option.
These developments reflect Apple’s consistent strategy: to innovate and adapt to user preferences across all its platforms. With software updates enhancing email functionality and fresh gaming content set to engage Apple Arcade subscribers, the company positions itself to cater to the needs and preferences of modern users.
Whether you're excited about the new gaming features arriving next month or opting to silence the incessant reminders from the Mail app, it’s clear Apple is committed to refining the experience for its users. These updates not only streamline email communications but also promise to deliver engaging gaming experiences, underscoring Apple's dual focus on both productivity and entertainment.
What do you think? Are the changes to the Mail app welcome updates? How excited are you for the PGA Tour game coming to Apple Arcade? Share your thoughts as Apple continues to shape the way we communicate and entertain ourselves.